Image of Karen Chan

Karen Chan

Of Counsel

Email

karen.chan@aoshearman.com

Phone

+852 2974 7149

Offices

Hong Kong SAR

V-CARD
Karen’s practice focuses on financial regulatory investigations, bankruptcy and insolvency litigation and commercial disputes of significant financial or reputational risk for corporations, financial institutions and high net worth individuals.

She has extensive experience in handling cross-border regulatory investigations in relation to market misconduct, commercial fraud, bribery and corruption and FCPA issues resulting in criminal prosecutions or regulatory enforcement actions brought by the Securities and Futures Commission, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption and regulators in Mainland China, US, UK and other European countries. She handles disputes arising from bankruptcy and insolvency, debt and asset recovery, cyber-crimes and disputes relating to financial products and mis-selling.

Her experience also includes secondments to the Litigation and Regulatory team of a European bank and the Legal team of a cryptocurrency derivatives platform.

Karen is qualified as a solicitor in Hong Kong and is fluent in Cantonese, English and Mandarin.

Experience

Representative matters

  • An international bank in insolvency proceedings its capacity as bond trustee in connection with the default of bonds guaranteed by a Hong Kong subsidiary of a Chinese conglomerate. 
  • A Chinese securities brokerage company in successfully resisting an application from the debtor for setting aside our client’s Statutory Demand and in the contested bankruptcy petition of the debtor. 
  • An international bank on litigation before the High Court of Hong Kong concerning claims resulting from fraud committed by a senior bank staff.
  • An international bank to investigate, and manage the consequences of, an internal fraud on the bank committed by a senior bank staff and the related regulatory investigations.
  • An international bank on investigations by regulators in multiple jurisdictions, concerning the hiring of individuals who have connections with persons of political and economic influence in the Asia Pacific.
  • A crypto-currency derivatives trading platform in connection with a U.S. Government investigation into suspected breaches of sanctions and anti-money laundering laws.
  • A global financial institution in defending criminal and civil fraud proceedings in Taiwan against the client and its employees, over losses from currency derivatives transactions, resulting in full vindication of the client.
  • A Chinese corporate on litigation before the High Court of Hong Kong concerning a commercial contract dispute.
  • A Japanese bank on customer complaints regarding mis-selling of structured products and related SFC investigation concerning potential misconduct and its sales process and suitability framework.
  • A European bank on investigations by regulators in multiple jurisdictions concerning alleged rate fixing manipulation.
  • A natural resources company in an ICC arbitration arising out of an engineering, procurement and construction contract.

Pro bono

  • Co-authored “The Recognition and Treatment of Relationships under Hong Kong law”, a report by Allen & Overy commissioned by the Equal Opportunities Commission, which is an analysis of legislation and certain government policies in Hong Kong to identify where an individual's relationship impacts their legal rights and obligations.

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • The Law Society of Hong Kong

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as a Solicitor (Hong Kong SAR), 2013

Academic

Bachelor of Laws (Hons), London School of Economics and Political Science, 2010

PCLL (Distinction), City University of Hong Kong, 2011

Languages

Chinese (Cantonese), Chinese (Mandarin), English
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.