International law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has elected Tim Mak as a partner in its Asia dispute resolution practice, based in Hong Kong. Tim has practised in Hong Kong for 15 years, two of which he spent at the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC).
Tim is one of the leading financial services regulatory lawyers in Hong Kong. Well-known to the banks and other financial institutions, he specialises in both contentious and non-contentious regulatory matters, with a particular focus on regulatory investigations and related proceedings. Tim is tri-lingual.
Freshfields Asia managing partner Robert Ashworth commented:
‘The regulatory environment in which global financial institutions operate has become more and more challenging over recent years and our clients require access to outstanding advice and support on both contentious and non-contentious regulatory matters in all the key global financial centres. Tim is a fantastic addition to our international team. With 15 years on the ground experience in Hong Kong, including acting for PRC clients listed in Hong Kong on SFC matters, Tim knows the market and knows the regulators. His experience and language skills will ensure the best possible advice to our clients as they navigate the changing Hong Kong regulatory waters.’
Tim will work closely with Freshfields’ Asia head of financial services, Royce Miller, and with contentious regulatory partner Georgia Dawson, to further boost the firm’s offering to financial services clients in the region.
Tim’s appointment is the latest in a number of steps taken by Freshfields in the last 12 months to strengthen its dispute resolution capability in Asia. These have included moving two of its global practice heads to Asia in 2012, Lucy Reed, head of international arbitration, and Geoff Nicholas, co-head of global investigations. In addition, Georgia Dawson was made a partner in May 2012 and John Choong will become a partner on 1 May 2013.
Commenting on Tim’s appointment, Chris Pugh, the firm’s global head of dispute resolution, said:
‘Asia is strategically important to our clients and to us. The globalisation of business is increasingly being matched by the globalisation of regulation and enforcement. We provide top quality support in this crucial area across all the markets that are important to our clients. Tim further strengthens our capability in Asia and I am delighted that he has joined us.’
Lucy Reed, who heads the disputes practice in Asia, said:
‘These are exciting times for us. I am particularly pleased that over the last year we have brought into the partnership three exceptionally talented people, Georgia Dawson, John Choong and now, of course, Tim Mak. Their skills are very much complementary. They are the practice leaders of the future.’
Profile
Tim started his career at an international law firm in Hong Kong where he became a partner in 2007. He worked at the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission from 2000 to 2002. Tim is admitted to practice both in Hong Kong and the UK. He was educated in the UK and he is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
