China
Cleo Chau
Senior AssociateCall+852 2103 0412
About
Cleo Chau is a Senior Associate in the Litigation and Regulatory team, based in DLA Piper's Hong Kong office.
Cleo represents multinational corporations, financial institutions and high net worth individuals in commercial, tax and trusts related litigation. She also advises on internal and regulatory investigations and compliance programs. Prior to joining DLA Piper, she practiced at a US firm and a magic circle firm in Hong Kong.
Cleo received her Bachelor of Law degree with honors from the City University of Hong Kong in 2015, where she was a member of the Dean’s List. She is admitted to practice in Hong Kong, as well as in England and Wales, and is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the High Court of Hong KongSolicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales
EXPERIENCE
- Acting for a reputable financial services institution in its recovery action against the issuer and the guarantor for default of guaranteed bonds for a sum off over USD50m.
- Advising and representing a reputable financial services institution in a cross border joint venture dispute which involves the recovery of a shareholder's loan of USD20m.
- Acting for a PRC-based commercial bank in relation to its loan facilities extended to a company guaranteed by five ship mortgages with a personal guarantor and advising on potential enforcement options.
- Acting for a major global real estate services and investment firm in a facility agreement dispute, that involves litigation in HK and the PRC.
- Advising and representing an individual shareholder in a petition against a Hong Kong company’s capital reduction scheme in Hong Kong High Court and Court of Appeal proceedings.
- Advising a Hong Kong company and its majority shareholder in various disputes against the minority shareholder involving potential fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of duty of good faith and fidelity.
- Advising and representing a Hong Kong regulated entity in its disputes with its asset management clients on breaches of various investment management agreements worth over USD500m.
- Advising and representing a British multinational consumer packaged goods company in matters arising out a fraudulent scheme perpetrated against the company and assisting in the tracing and recover of funds in Hong Kong.
- Acting for and advising a Dutch company in various disputes in relation to its investment into a Hong Kong public company in the Hong Kong High Court and related proceedings in the British Virgin Islands.
- Advising and representing a major US private bank in Hong Kong High Court and Court of Appeal proceedings in defending a USD61m claim arising from alleged mis-selling of equity accumulators.
- Acting for a Cayman company in an HKIAC arbitration involving a disputed sum of HKD200m for investments in a multi-million offshore fund.
- Advising a BVI company in an HKIAC arbitration concerning the exercise of redemption rights.
- Advising a high net-worth individual in the proceedings and implementation of settlement arrangements concerning the entitlement under the significant estate of a prominent Hong Kong tycoon.
- Advising a leading real estate investor and manager on potential tax implications in relation to an investment opportunity.
- Acting for two companies in a well-known pan Asian retailer group in their appeals before the Inland Revenue Board of Review concerning issues related to chargeability of tax in respect of offshore profits and the applicability of double taxation treaty and transfer pricing issues.
- Advising a major telecommunication and technology company on potential breaches of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and conducting investigations into potential misconduct by its employees and discussing settlement with the US Department of Justice.
- Advising a multinational pharmaceutical and medical device company in its investigation in its China operation for misconduct related to grants, sponsorships and payment of speaker fees to Chinese Health Care Practitioners.
- Advising a major US financial institution on potential regulatory breaches and conducting investigation into potential misconduct by its employees.
- Advising a Hong Kong company in respect of section 179 Inquiry by the Securities and Futures Commission.
- Advising and representing a leading tertiary institution in Hong Kong on a wide range of matters, including a review of the procedures concerning accommodations for special education needs.
- Advising a listed company on issues arising out of a complaint to and potential investigation by the Hong Kong Office of Communication Authority.
- Acting for two companies in a well-known pan Asian retailer group in their appeals before the Inland Revenue Board of Review concerning issues related to chargeability of tax in respect of offshore profits and the applicability of double taxation treaty and transfer pricing issues.
Languages
- English
- Chinese (Cantonese)
- Chinese (Mandarin)
Education
- City University of Hong Kong, Postgrad Certificate in Laws, 2016
- City University of Hong Kong, Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), 2015
