Legal Counsel – Litigation (5+ PQE)

About the role

We are seeking a Legal Counsel with a strong litigation focus and at least 5 years’ post‑qualification experience to join our Hong Kong legal team. Reporting to the General Counsel, the successful candidate will primarily manage contentious matters, disputes, and regulatory investigations while also providing commercial support as needed. This hands‑on role offers significant exposure to complex domestic and cross‑border litigation and arbitration in a dynamic, high‑profile organisation.

Key responsibilities

• Manage and oversee litigation, arbitration, and other dispute resolution proceedings in Hong Kong and relevant jurisdictions, including strategy development, case management, and risk assessment.
• Handle pre‑action correspondence, pleadings, discovery, evidence gathering, and interlocutory applications.
• Instruct, manage, and work closely with external counsel and senior counsel on contentious matters, ensuring cost‑effective and commercially sound outcomes.
• Advise on dispute avoidance, settlement negotiations, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution.
• Support regulatory investigations, enforcement actions, and inquiries involving Hong Kong regulators such as the SFC, HKMA, Competition Commission, etc.
• Provide advice on litigation‑related risks arising from commercial contracts, employment disputes, insolvency, shareholder disputes, and other corporate matters.
• Draft and review dispute‑related clauses (jurisdiction, governing law, arbitration) and assist with general commercial contracts as required.
• Monitor developments in Hong Kong civil procedure, arbitration practice (including HKIAC), and relevant case law, informing the business of key implications.
• Maintain accurate case records, manage budgets, and report regularly to senior management on dispute status and strategy.
• Contribute to internal training on litigation risk, evidence preservation, and dispute management best practices.

Required profile

• Qualified lawyer with a minimum of 5 years’ post‑qualification experience, substantial litigation/dispute resolution background; admission to practice in Hong Kong preferred.
• Proven experience managing High Court/Court of First Instance proceedings, arbitration, and complex commercial disputes.
• Strong knowledge of Hong Kong civil procedure, evidence rules, and arbitration practice; familiarity with cross‑border enforcement and PRC‑related disputes is an advantage.
• Excellent analytical, drafting, and advocacy skills with the ability to develop pragmatic litigation strategies.
• Commercial mindset and ability to balance legal risk against business objectives.
• Strong project‑management skills, capable of handling multiple matters under time pressure.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management abilities; confident in dealing with senior executives and external counsel.
• Proficiency in English is essential; fluency in Cantonese and/or Mandarin is highly advantageous.
• High integrity, discretion, and sound professional judgement.