Jonathan qualified as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 2018 and joined Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP as a litigation associate in 2021.
Jonathan’s practice focuses on commercial litigation and international arbitration. He regularly acts for listed companies, multinational corporations and high net-worth individuals on complex dispute matters, including joint venture and shareholder disputes, recovery of fraud proceeds and insolvency-related disputes, often with a cross-jurisdictional element.
Jonathan also has experience in advising clients on employment matters and regulatory investigations, including those conducted by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Securities and Futures Commission.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Represented a large US tech company in an HKIAC arbitration arising from a US$300 million derivative shareholders’ judgment and related insurance disputes within a policy tower of 10+ insurers.
Acted for a major Dutch bank acting as agent for a group of offshore club and syndicated lenders as lead counsel in respect of a potential restructuring concerning an independent oil refiner in the PRC, including conducting HKIAC arbitrations against the refiner and its affiliated entities for over USD970 million.
Acting for a Chinese port operator company in a litigation against a multinational logistics company in relation to an inducement of breach of contract for a potential exposure over USD 485 million;
Representative Experience
Represented a large US tech company in an HKIAC arbitration arising from a US$300 million derivative shareholders’ judgment and related insurance disputes within a policy tower of 10+ insurers.
Acted for a major Dutch bank acting as agent for a group of offshore club and syndicated lenders as lead counsel in respect of a potential restructuring concerning an independent oil refiner in the PRC, including conducting HKIAC arbitrations against the refiner and its affiliated entities for over USD970 million.
Acting for a Chinese port operator company in a litigation against a multinational logistics company in relation to an inducement of breach of contract for a potential exposure over USD 485 million;
Represented a high-net-worth individual in an HKIAC arbitration against a leading global cryptocurrency platform’s alleged breach of implied terms in its terms of service.
Represented an agriculture state-owned enterprise in an ICC arbitration involving allegations of falsified commercial shipping documentation totalling US$10 million.
Acted for a Cayman investment holding company in an HKIAC arbitration against allegations of fraud and breach of shareholders agreement. Successfully obtained a Termination Order.
Advised a listed financial services group on an internal investigation matter regarding whistleblower allegations of mismanagement, harassment and retaliatory conduct.
Acted as co-counsel for a listed company regarding various investigations by the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975.
Obtained ex parte injunctions for a listed mining company in relation to fraudulent cross-border scams totalling US$5.5 million.
Acted for a listed company in the concrete business in pursuing various tort claims against former directors in a 40-day trial in the High Court.
Advised a listed company on SFC investigations and HKEX disciplinary hearings before the Listing Review Committee, involving the placement of share warrants totalling HKD 800 million.
Represented a multinational cosmetics manufacturer on the termination of distribution agreements in the PRC and Korea and assisted in settlement negotiation.
Acted for a leading Hong Kong food and beverage company in a breach of contract claim.
Acted for a medical doctor in his appeal to the Court of Final Appeal for leave to appeal against a decision of the Medical Council.
Acted for a British international school in a breach of contract claim and advocated for the client in a case settlement conference.
Assisted a company director in defending claims of breach of fiduciary duties and knowing receipt and drafted a settlement agreement involving assets totalling HKD 380 million.
Assisted the board of directors of a listed company in resisting an unfair prejudice petition.
Credentials
Education
Education
- City University of Hong Kong, 2016, PCLL
- University College London, 2015, LL.B.
- University of Southern California, 2012, B.A., Economics (minor in Screenwriting)
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- Hong Kong