The new hire joins the firm's international arbitration team and brings with him an associate
Withers has strengthened its litigation and international arbitration practice in Hong Kong with the addition of a new partner from Bird & Bird.
Michael Chik is an experienced commercial litigator specialising in financial and commercial disputes as well as regulatory matters. He brings a wealth of experience in representing institutional and corporate clients like banks, asset managers, other financial institutions and listed companies.
He has provided advice on matters involving several areas of commercial law, including high-value commercial transactions, trusts, shareholder’s disputes, financial institution disputes, regulatory matters and compliance issues. He is also an expert in international arbitration under various institutional rules, including the ICC, SIAC and HKIAC rules.
Chik also advises authorities such as the Securities and Futures Commission and the Competition Commission on market misconduct, breach of directors’ duties and precious metal price riggings, among others.
“I am delighted to be part of Withers’ international dispute resolution practice,” Chik said. “The firm’s robust worldwide practice, longstanding expertise in inheritance disputes and strong reputation for representing private clients are synergistic with my practice, which often deals with complex disputes that require coordination between different jurisdictions, laws and regulatory regimes. This robust network of expertise is invaluable in serving our clients' global needs.”
Hong Kong disputes partner Rita Ku praised Chik’s rich disputes experience.
“Michael’s experience in cross border, complex commercial disputes and high profile cases will be a strong addition to our bench strength of dispute resolution lawyers,” she said. “His arrival also reinforces our recognised expertise in trust and succession disputes, strengthening our reputation as the world’s largest team of inheritance and trust lawyers.”
Joining Chik in making the switch from Bird & Bird is associate Zoe Chung.
Chik is the latest addition to Withers’ expanding disputes team, which was recognised on the Global Arbitration Review’s GAR100 list. The firm also recently welcomed several other new hires, including litigator and arbitrator Joseph Chu and partners Sherlin Tung, Shaun Leong and Chenthil Kumarasingam.
“We are excited to continue growing our capability in Asia and to deliver ever stronger and high quality international commercial litigation and arbitration services for our clients,” global head of litigation Peter Wood said.
