Reflections on leaving private practice, building new skills, and navigating career change as a senior lawyer.
CIMA’s new AML and sanctions Rules sharpen the focus on fund governance. When compliance work is outsourced, what should boards ask—and how can they assess whether the arrangements work?...
Hong Kong and Singapore are competing for investment talent. I see a wider opportunity: more fund launches, more business across local and offshore structures, and a stronger regional funds industry....
A failed domain transfer sent me down a tech whack-a-mole rabbit hole — and raised some interesting questions about privacy, automated risk, KYC/AML and the difference between authentication and trust....
I was nervous about speaking on the DEIJB Lab’s SOLEMN panel about international legal careers. But the real stars were the students—engaged, astute, and inspiring. Here’s what the evening taught me about pathways, opportunity, and the privilege of having options....
Hong Kong’s longevity is surprising given its density, pace and pressure. But beneath the surface are systems and habits that help people endure. Those same ideas apply to professional life....
Hong Kong’s proposed ‘big bang’ tax cuts are a massive win for investment managers, but they don't replace the offshore model. Discover the integrated, dual-hub architecture sophisticated GPs will use to structure Asian capital over the next decade....
Independent directors are essential for fund governance. But not all are equal. Discover what separates genuine board-level judgment from checkbox compliance....
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....
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....
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....
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....
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."...
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....
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....
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....