Why Your Fund Needs the Right Independent Director
Independent directors are essential for fund governance. But not all are equal. Discover what separates genuine board-level judgment from checkbox compliance....
The Three Hats of a Founder: Owning v Running a Company
In the eyes of the law, "The Boss" doesn't exist. There are only Shareholders, Directors, and Employees. While a founder often wears all three hats, mixing them up can lead to frozen bank facilities and "sweat equity" disputes. Here is why you need to separate your equity from your management....
From Term Sheet to Drawdown: What 20 Years of Bank-Side Lending Taught Me About Borrowing in Asia
Signing a term sheet is just the starting gun. From certified true copies to strict statutory perfection windows, discover the five internal bank guardrails that can freeze your facility—and how to navigate them smoothly....
From Bank-Side to Borrower-Side: Consensus, Crypto and De-Fi
I’m at Consensus HK today—not as a crypto native, but as an ex-bank lawyer on a mission. The "New World" of DeFi needs "Old World" plumbing to scale. I’m here to listen to founders about their governance, structuring, and banking pain points. Let's bridge the gap between code and compliance....
The Case for Hong Kong Redomiciliation
Is your offshore structure costing you a "Legacy Tax"? I explain why the default corporate setting in Asia has changed and why it is now often cheaper and easier to re-domicile to Hong Kong....
Offshore Beware: Hong Kong’s Re-domiciliation Regime is Real
14 companies, including AXA, have now moved to Hong Kong. As an ex-offshore lawyer, I break down why the "Offshore Advantage" is dead, the cost of the "Legacy Tax," and how to avoid the "35-Day Trap."...
AI drafted my contract. It cost thousands to fix
reviewed a contract drafted by ChatGPT last week. It looked polished. Then I found internal inconsistencies, missing risk allocation, and no IP protection. The rework cost more than hiring a professional from the start. Here’s why AI-drafted contracts are a false economy....
From Offshore Partner to Boutique Operator: The Reboot
After 20 years in offshore firms, I’ve moved to a boutique Hong Kong practice. Here’s why I traded safety for autonomy and what it means for clients....
New Year, New Start: From Offshore to Hong Kong Law
After a year away from law, I’ve joined GPS Legal LLP. But this isn’t a return to offshore practice. I’m shifting to Hong Kong law, working with SMEs and funds, and building something new....
Board minutes for directors: 5 essential elements before you sign
Most board minutes fail to show independent judgment. Learn the 5 essential elements directors need: rationale, alternatives, risks, conflicts, and dissent. Includes a checklist....
Director Duties and Liability in Asia and Offshore Structures: Why You Can’t Outsource Judgement
Directors face personal liability for decisions they don’t understand. Learn the three traps that catch even experienced leaders—and how to avoid them....
What my First Consulting Gig Taught Me About Small Business Risk
I helped a scrappy start-up with their contracts and learnt a valuable lesson about risk, fees and boundaries. Here’s what I found — and the three things every small business owner should fix today....
Why Template Documents Are the Smartest Investment for SMEs
Banks have been internalising their documents for years to cut costs and speed up deals. Here is why SMEs should do the same—and how independent consultants make it affordable...
Fintech Banking Requirements: The Regulator vs Bank Dilemma
Fintechs and startups face a classic dilemma: regulators expect banking arrangements before approving MSO licences, but banks won’t open accounts without licences. Here’s how to navigate it....
Building Connections: It’s Not What You Know, But Who You Know
Discover why who you know matters more than what you know. Learn practical networking strategies to build trust, create opportunities and grow your career or business...