Harneys is pleased to announce the promotions of eight lawyers who will become partners in the firm as of 1 January 2017: Oliver Bell, Monica Chu, Ellie Crespi, Claire Goldstein, Vicky Lord, Raymond Ng, Chai Ridgers, and Jessica Williams.
“Each of these exceptional lawyers has proven their ability and dedication to the firm and its clients over a period of time,” stated Harneys Chairman Peter Tarn. “The expertise and hard work displayed by Claire, Vicky, Chai and Jessica has contributed to the increased profile of our global litigation and restructuring practice, while Oliver, Monica, Ellie and Raymond have each played key roles in the expansion of our corporate, banking and funds capability in key markets in the Americas, Europe and Asia.”
Oliver Bell is a member of the firm’s Investment Funds and Regulatory team the BVI office. He advises on all aspects of investment funds law in the BVI, including pre-formation strategy, organisational structure, regulatory compliance, document preparation and transactional activities for both private equity and hedge funds. Oliver is a contributing editor of Harneys’ Offshore Funds Blog and a regular speaker at fund industry events in the Americas. He joined Harneys in 2014.
Monica Chu is a member of the Banking and Finance team in the Hong Kong office. She advises local and international financial institutions and onshore law firms on the BVI and Cayman Islands aspects of a wide range of secured and unsecured finance transactions, including acquisition finance, bond issues, project finance and property finance. Monica also advises on general corporate transactions, as well as Cayman counsel for Cayman companies listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Monica joined Harneys in 2009 and has advised on many of major transactions that have increased the firm’s presence in Asia.
Ellie Crespi is a member of the firm’s Finance and Corporate departments and the Restructuring group in the Hong Kong office. Her clients include international financial institutions, investment banks and leading onshore law firms. Ellie, who joined Harneys in 2013, has experience in both established and emerging markets, and was a contributing editor to Harneys’ latest textbook, Bermuda Commercial Law.
Claire Goldstein is a member of the Litigation and Insolvency team in the BVI office. She has extensive experience of complex multi-jurisdictional commercial litigation, fraud and insolvency matters and has represented clients before the BVI Courts on a number of interlocutory applications, including urgent applications for interim relief. Claire joined Harneys in 2014 and is active in a number of industry groups including INSOL and the International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation.
Vicky Lord is a member of Harneys’ Litigation and Insolvency team in London and has played a key role in driving the London practice forward since joining Harneys in 2014. Vicky has extensive experience in relation to complex, high value multi-jurisdictional cases and cross-border jurisdictional commercial matters ranging from insolvency to shareholder disputes. Vicky has particular expertise in high value contentious trusts and probate litigation.
Since joining Harneys from a Magic Circle law firm in 2015, Raymond Ng has played an integral part in expanding the Corporate practice in Hong Kong. Fluent in Cantonese, English and Mandarin, Raymond has advised numerous corporations and financial institutions in their private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and joint venture formations. Raymond is a frequent speaker at CPD seminars and has given over 40 presentations to onshore lawyers.
Chai Ridgers is a member of the firm’s Restructuring and Insolvency Group in Hong Kong and has played a key role in growing the Restructuring practice in Asia since joining Harneys in 2014. Chai has worked extensively on complex multi-jurisdictional restructuring, insolvency and asset tracing assignments throughout Asia, including in the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. Chai’s clients include onshore law firms, financial institutions, private equity sponsors and hedge funds.
Jessica Williams* joined the Litigation and Insolvency Department in the Cayman Islands office in 2013. She serves clients on a broad range of commercial matters including insolvency and restructuring, trust litigation, financial services litigation, company disputes and fraud and asset tracing.
Harneys, which operates in 12 locations across the globe, now has 50 partners.
* Jessica Williams’ appointment as partner is subject to immigration approval in the Cayman Islands.