John has advised on a wide range of corporate, commercial and financial services transactions since coming to Hong Kong in 1983. These have included mergers and acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, debt and equity fund raisings, reorganisations and restructurings. Many have been cross-border and have involved advice on the Listing Rules and Takeovers and Share Repurchase Codes in Hong Kong.

John founded the firm in 2010. He previously spent 27 years at Stephenson Harwood in Hong Kong, including 7 years as Managing Partner of the Hong Kong and China offices.

John has been consistently ranked as a leading lawyer for corporate and M&A since 2004. See his directory rankings here and testimonials here.

John was educated at Trinity Hall, Cambridge University, graduating in 1979. In his spare time, John draws, paint and sculpts.

Lawrence has extensive experience in capital markets and corporate finance. He advises on every stage of development of his corporate clients’ businesses, including the initial set-up, private equity investments, group reorganization, listings, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, rights issue and share placement, board migrations, spin-offs, corporate governance, general offers, whitewash waiver applications, share buy-backs, privatizations and resumption applications. He also advises leading private equity firms and financial advisers in corporate finance transactions.

Lawrence’s expertise is to design the deal structure to fulfil the objectives of different parties in a transaction. With his extensive knowledge of securities law, listing rules and takeovers code in Hong Kong and his experience in multi-jurisdiction transactions, Lawrence provides innovative solutions with sound legal and commercial considerations to resolve the complicated issues faced by clients in structuring a deal.

To see a sample of Lawrence's professional activities over the years, please click here.

Lawrence graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge in 1997 and was admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 2000.

Lawrence speaks fluent Cantonese, Mandarin and English.

• HK$390 million private equity fund-raising of a natural gas company based in Sichuan
• HK$44 million private equity fund-raising of a Hong Kong based internet media company
• HK$200 million acquisition by a Hong Kong listed company of a payment system business in China
• Group reorganization of a precision electronics company based in Guangdong, in preparation of its proposed listing on Hong Kong Stock Exchange
• HK$1.5 billion private equity fund-raising of a Shanghai based engineering company
• Disposal of a 1.2 million tonnes cement production line in Guizhou to a Hong Kong listed company
• HK$100 million acquisition by a Hong Kong listed company of a gold mining business in Henan and Xinjiang
• HK$380 million acquisition by a Hong Kong listed company of a gold mining and smelting business in Shandong
• Advising an OTCBB listed company on its group reorganization, completion of a HK$275 million private equity investment, and its successful listing on the Main Board of Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Kathryn is a general corporate and commercial lawyer with experience in acquisitions and disposals of assets and shares, fund raising, joint ventures and cross-border restructuring. She also advises listed clients on debt offerings and ongoing regulatory and compliance matters.

Kathryn trained and initially practiced at Stephenson Harwood in London before relocating to Stephenson Harwood’s Hong Kong office in 2008 where she spent 8 years in the Corporate Department. Kathryn joined J.S. Gale & Co in September 2016.

Kathryn studied law at the London Guildhall University, graduating in 1995 and was admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales in 2001 and in Hong Kong in 2011.

Vivian advises on a wide range of corporate and commercial transactions in Hong Kong, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate restructurings and reorganisations and other general corporate and commercial matters. Vivian is also fluent in Mandarin and is experienced in dealing with PRC related matters.

Vivian graduated Bachelor of Laws from the University of Hong Kong in 1998 and obtained her LLM at University College London, University of London in 1999, specialising in corporate and commercial law.

Vivian was admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 2003 and in England and Wales in 2008. Prior to joining this firm, Vivian was a corporate solicitor for Hong Kong office of Clyde & Co.

In her spare time, Vivian enjoys reading and travelling.