Tiang & Partners recognised in Chambers 2024 Guides

January 2024

Tiang & Partners is pleased to announce that the firm has been once again recognised by Chambers & Partners, an independent publication which ranks the region's top legal firms and practitioners. The firm has achieved a total of three firm rankings and eight lawyer recommendations in three different guides - Chambers Asia Pacific Guide 2024, Chambers Greater China Region Guide 2024 and Chambers FinTech Guide 2024.

A summary of the rankings is as follows:

Chambers Asia Pacific Guide 2024

Ranked individuals:

Michelle Taylor – Capital Markets: Securitisation & Derivatives (International Firms) – Band 1 (Top tier)

Chambers reviews (including testimonials):

Michelle Taylor of Hong Kong-based Tiang & Partners is a well-reputed figure in the market. She continues to assist financial institutions and corporate clients with securitisation, asset-backed and structured finance matters. ‘Michelle Taylor is a highly regarded and respected lawyer in the securitisation space. She and her team have always demonstrated a high level of professionalism and commercial awareness. In addition to this, Michelle and her team have a significant track record and level of expertise.’ ‘She is exceptional, reliable and outstanding in terms of her expertise in cross-border ABS deals in the Korean market and the quality of her legal services.’ ‘Nobody beats Michelle when it comes to understanding securitisations and to running the best team of lawyers who truly understand the client's pulse and are great partners to work with.’

Chambers Greater China Region Guide 2024

Ranked practices:

Capital Markets: Securitisation (International Firms) – Band 2
Aviation: Finance (International Firms) – Band 4
Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded (International Firms) – Band 5

Ranked individuals:

Michelle Taylor – Capital Markets: Securitisation (International Firms) – Band 1 (top tier)
Tejaswi Nimmagadda – Aviation: Finance (International Firms) – Band 2
Chiang Ling Li – Intellectual Property (International Firms) – Band 3
Martyn Huckerby – Competition/Antitrust (International Firms) – Band 4
Gaven Cheong – Investment Funds (International Firms) – Band 4
Nai Kwok – Aviation: Finance (International Firms) – Up and Coming

Chambers reviews (including testimonials):

Practices:

Tiang & Partners offers clients a specialised securitisation team in Hong Kong that regularly acts for arrangers, swap providers and note trustees on the securitisation of loan receivables, credit card receivables and mortgage loan receivables. It also advises note agents on securitisation programmes. It is particularly noted for strength advising on Korea-related matters. ‘The team has excellent lawyers who can deal with complex transactions by themselves. Their services are really sophisticated, tailored and responsive to clients' needs.’ (Capital markets: Capital Markets: Securitisation)
Tiang & Partners fields an established banking and finance practice which is regularly sought after by well-known domestic and international clients, including banks and leasing companies. It is noted for its specialist advice on portfolio sales and acquisitions, financing and leasing as well as restructurings in the aviation space. It provides a one-stop service to clients by leveraging its global network and working with teams based in other jurisdictions, including Singapore, Japan, Australia and the UK. ‘The aviation finance team is both deeply experienced and also very sophisticated in its approach to its work, so it has had no difficulty dealing with complex issues and structures.’ ‘They know the elements of transactions and know how to work to expedite the desired commercial outcome.’ (Aviation: Finance)
Tiang & Partners advises on a wide scope of corporate matters including M&A, joint ventures, disposals and acquisitions. The team remains a popular choice in the Greater Bay Area and advises clients from the shipping, cosmetics and travel industries. The firm benefits from its close collaboration with PwC, and also demonstrates excellence in dealing with fintech, capital markets and tax matters. ‘The expertise and work quality are excellent, and they are always very responsive.’ ‘The team is stable, and the service is provided in a timely manner.’ (Corporate/ M&A: Highly regarded)

Notable practitioners

Michelle Taylor is widely held to be one of the strongest securitisation lawyers in the market. She is based in Tiang & Partners' Hong Kong office but boasts noted South Korea-related expertise. ‘She's one of the best lawyers in this area.’
Tejaswi Nimmagadda is recognised for handling complex deals in the Asia-Pacific region. He remains a popular choice of counsel among Chinese and foreign clients on aircraft financing and leasing transactions. ‘Tejaswi is consistently excellent and his advice and legal support are critical to the success of my business.’
Chiang Ling Li operates from Tiang & Partners' base in Hong Kong. She is highly skilled in handling patent and trade secrets disputes as well as brand protection mandates and licensing agreements, especially when it comes to representing clients in the life sciences and healthcare sectors.
Martyn Huckerby of Tiang & Partners is well versed in Hong Kong antitrust regulation and in particular is well regarded for his TMT expertise. He is equipped to handle merger filings and investigations initiated by the Hong Kong Competition Commission.’He brings local PRC knowledge but combines it with an offshore perspective. He can bridge the gap between onshore and offshore law, which is very important for any deal which has implications in China.’ ‘Martyn is very customer and client service-oriented, very accommodating and proactive in helping us.’
Gaven Cheong is the head of Tiang & Partners' investment funds team. He advises hedge fund managers on the formation of novel funds, including in the cryptocurrency space. He also advises on fund regulatory matters. ‘Gaven is technically sound with a strong commercial mindset. He always responds to our queries quickly and offers pragmatic solutions to issues we face.’ ‘He also understands how various regulations interact with digital assets and can provide us with helpful advice.’ ‘Gaven is commercially minded, coming up with innovative solutions, and has a depth of familiarity with the digital asset space.’
Kwok Nai is an up-and-coming lawyer who is actively building his reputation in the aviation area. He ably advises on multi-jurisdictional financing matters, including JOLCO deals.

Chambers FinTech Guide 2024

Ranked individuals:

Gaven Cheong – FinTech Legal (International Firms) – Band 3

Chambers reviews (including testimonials):

Gaven Cheong is the head of investment funds at Tiang & Partners. Cheong is well regarded in FinTech, and is particularly known for his expertise in licensing, funds and cryptocurrency matters. ‘Gaven Cheong has proven himself to be good in the field of FinTech, especially in cryptocurrency.’

Chambers & Partners ranks lawyers and law firms based on several factors and considerations. The research team analyses the information gathered via submissions and interviews based on a set of key factors and considerations, including technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence and commitment. Full details about Tiang & Partners’ Chambers rankings can be found here.