Withers’ family and matrimonial practice positions itself as a formidable player in the market with the largest dedicated team in Hong Kong. The team includes specialist accredited Hong Kong lawyers, trained collaborative lawyers and English family law specialists. It has profound experience acting for high-net-worth individuals with international trusts and complex corporate assets. The firm also expanded its general litigation and international arbitration practice by hiring experienced partners and teams. Its newly established team covers a wide range of disputes across the construction, commodities, energy, financial services, healthcare and technology industries.
Partner Jocelyn Tsao heads the firm’s family and matrimonial practice. Samantha Gershon and Billy Ko are other key figures in the team. Partners Joseph Chu, Michael Chik and Sherlin Tung helm the firm’s international arbitration practice.
In a significant case, Tsao and her team represented a lesbian couple in the Hong Kong High Court, seeking parental status for both partners in their child's birth through reciprocal IVF. The court ruled in their favour, recognising the biological parent as a ‘parent at common law’ and confirming that children of same-sex couples face discrimination under current legislation. This groundbreaking decision marks the first time the court has acknowledged the non-gestational mother's parental rights in a child born through reciprocal IVF, signalling a win for the LGBTQ+ community and potentially influencing future parental declarations and orders in same-sex relationships. The judge highlighted the need to adapt family law to the evolving ways in which people form families.
Client feedback
"Meticulous and thorough preparation, attentive service and creative solutions." – Class actions
“Well-thought-out and professional advice. Responsive.” – Commercial arbitration
“They provide the best quality advice, litigation and integrated support for transactions and estate planning.” – Family and matrimonial
“Give solid advice to their clients.” – Family and matrimonial
“Top-notch legal advice to clients, and top-notch support to barristers.” – Family and matrimonial
“Withers was highly responsive and displayed a comprehensive and detail-oriented approach.” – Family and matrimonial
“They give excellent advice and can handle difficult, long-term and complex matters. They have an excellent international outlook and reach that allows them to do what other firms in this space cannot.” – Trusts and estates
Michael Chik
“Very thoughtful and responsive.”
Joseph Chu
“Attentive, meticulous attention to detail, and adept at providing creative solutions.”
Samantha Gershon
“Possessing diverse experience, and unafraid to provide clients with advice they may not want to hear.”
Billy Ko
“On-point, prompt, thorough, and focused on delivering results.”
Jocelyn Tsao
“She is brilliant, composed under pressure, and possesses the experience to handle any crisis. She prioritises the client's wellbeing above all else and excels in managing both children and finances, which is a rare combination.”
“Highly reliable. Expert in her field. Always responsive. Supportive and cheerful.”
“Excellent client care and strategic advice. She is able to calm emotional situations down and take decisive action.”
Sherlin Tung
"Sherlin Tung is in charge of the entire process of our international arbitration case. She understands our needs and provides timely professional advice. We communicate effectively, and our cooperation is expected to be long-lasting."
