Elaine Chen, a partner in the Hong Kong office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, represents companies and high-net-worth individuals in civil and commercial litigation and disputes, including a full range of banking, contractual, tort, companies, trust and tax matters.

Ms. Chen has particular experience in tax, contentious probate and estate administration, mental health, private wealth, and boardroom and shareholders disputes. She has acted as legal adviser to many Hong Kong and overseas-listed corporations and financial institutions, and ultra high net worth individuals and trusts and has wide-ranging experience in challenging big ticket litigation.

Chambers Asia Pacific regularly recognizes Ms. Chen in China Dispute Resolution as well as Hong Kong Tax and Private Wealth Disputes.  In the 2021 edition of Chambers Asia Pacific, a client was quoted saying she is, “very knowledgeable in terms of the law and able to pull in some of the biggest cases in town, especially among the local community.”  Ms. Chen is ranked Band 1 in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide for 2021. A client was quoted saying “Elaine has particularly good experience in probate and mental health-related matters.”  Another client said “She understands clients’ needs and is very effective in overall planning.  Her attention to details, including her analysis of evidence, is also admirable.”  She is listed for commercial and transactions in China and Hong Kong by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific and also recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Litigation by the same publication.  She is also ranked as a leading individual in Hong Kong for Domestic and International Corporate Tax as well as for Dispute Resolution: Litigation by Legal 500 Asia Pacific.

Ms. Chen graduated from the University of Bristol in 1996 and received the prize for “Best Performance” in the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws program at the University of Hong Kong in 1997. She also holds a LL.M. from the University of London. She is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin and is admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales and Hong Kong.

Representative Matters*

• Yang Foo-Oi v Wai Wai Chen (specific performance, equitable compensation and account for profits, CFI 2016 successfully obtained a judgment sum of over HKD8.3billion).
• Fok Ying Tung Ming Yuan Development Co Ltd (CFI 2016, successful objection to a capital reduction application).
• CIR v Li & Fung (Trading) Ltd (source of profits, CA 2012 successfully appealed against CIR’s determination).
• Wang Din Shin v Nina Kung (CFA, 2006 successfully defended a forged will claim against the former wealthiest woman in Asia).

* Includes matters handled prior to joining Gibson Dunn.