Heller Ehrman Promotes David Chu to Partner in Hong Kong

01.14.2008

(HONG KONG) Jan. 14, 2008 – Heller Ehrman LLP today announces the promotion of Hong Kong dispute resolution lawyer David C. Chu to partner, further signaling growth of the firm’s Hong Kong office and its dispute resolution practice in Asia.

Chu has significant experience with securities-related and shareholders’ disputes; internal fraud investigations; and corporate governance, audit negligence and complex commercial litigation.  He has represented a number of multinationals in cross-border litigation involving PRC and other Asian companies.  He has worked on numerous high-profile cases in the region, regularly advising the Big Four accountancy firms and major banks and financial institutions.  Chu was involved in one of the leading cases in Hong Kong involving director misfeasance and presently is representing the provisional liquidators of a BVI company claiming damages of approximately $300 million against the company’s Singapore and Indonesia-based former directors.  He also advised a major Japanese trading house on the enforcement of their security interests under loans exceeding RMB 1 billion.  Chu was one of the contributing authors to Sweet & Maxwell’s Hong Kong Civil Litigation Legal Practice Manual (Third Edition).

Chu has been based in Hong Kong since 1999.  Before joining Heller Ehrman, he worked with an international UK firm.  A native English speaker, Chu is also fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin.

“David has become a very important player in our Asia dispute resolution practice.  He brings tremendous skills, experience and insights to our team and to our clients, particularly in the area of Hong Kong commercial litigation and cross-border disputes that involve China,” said Jonathan Palmer, regional managing shareholder of the firm’s Asia practice.  “The Asia practice is an integral part of Heller Ehrman’s strategic growth, and David is important to the future expansion of that practice.  His new appointment reaffirms our commitment to being a leading dispute resolution firm in the region.”

Heller Ehrman has a highly regarded dispute resolution practice in the region.  The firm was recommended for dispute resolution in both Hong Kong and Mainland China by Asia Pacific Legal 500.

“The business environment in Asia has become increasingly complex, with outbound investment by PRC and Asia-based companies leading to a surge in demand for premium legal counseling services to Asian companies who are carrying on business or listed in the US,” said Chu.  “Our strong dispute resolution team in the region, coupled with our leading investigations and class action securities practices in the US, position us well to serve these companies.”

Heller Ehrman opened its Hong Kong office in 1993, followed by office openings in Singapore (1994), Beijing (2004) and Shanghai (2008).  The firm has more than 30 attorneys based in the region and a 400% financial growth rate in Asia over the past five years.  Heller Ehrman has been advising clients for more than 25 years on the opportunities and challenges presented by doing business in Asia.

About Heller Ehrman LLP

Heller Ehrman LLP has 650 attorneys and professionals in 14 offices worldwide – Anchorage, Alaska; Beijing; Hong Kong; London; Los Angeles; Madison, Wis.; New York; San Diego; San Francisco; Seattle; Silicon Valley; Shanghai; Singapore; and Washington, D.C.  Heller Ehrman represents a wide range of industry leaders, from entrepreneurial, technology-driven enterprises to established, multinational conglomerates. The firm’s core values are Excellence, People, Teamwork, Innovation, Community and One Firm.