Image of Kexin (Kitty) Zheng

Kexin (Kitty) Zheng

Registered Foreign Lawyer

Email

kitty.zheng@aoshearman.com

Phone

+852 2978 8061

Offices

Hong Kong SAR

V-CARD
Kitty Zheng is an associate in the International Arbitration practice. She frequently advises and represents companies, State-owned entities and governments in commercial disputes and investment treaty arbitrations.

She has acted as counsel in arbitrations conducted under major arbitration rules including the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), as well as Emergency Arbitration proceedings.

Her practice includes disputes related to energy, construction, joint ventures, M&A, private equity, and TMT. She also represents parties in arbitration-related court proceedings as well as mediation and dispute review board procedures. She has also acted as Tribunal Secretary in HKIAC and ICC arbitration proceedings.

Kitty is featured in Legal 500 for International Arbitration in Hong Kong. She is currently the co-chair of the HK45 Steering Committee, the young practitioners group of HKIAC. She is also a part-time Lecturer at the University of Hong Kong, Department of Law.

Before joining our firm, Kitty worked in the Corporate practices of a major law firm. She was also an assistant at the UN International Law Commission.

Expertise

Experience

Representative matters

  • Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Claimant in an ICSID arbitration against the Kingdom of Sweden (ICSID Case No. ARB/22/2). The dispute relates to Sweden's ban of Huawei's equipment from 5G infrastructures in Sweden and the claims are brought under the China-Sweden bilateral investment treaty.
  • A Hong Kong biotechnology company, the subsidiary of a Hong Kong Stock Exchange listed biotechnology company, as Respondent in a HKIAC arbitration in Hong Kong brought by a Chinese biopharmaceutical company. The dispute arises from alleged breaches of a Strategic Collaboration and Clinical Trial Agreement. Hong Kong law applies.
  • A North American technology company, Respondent in an ICC arbitration in Hong Kong brought by an Asian electronics manufacturer. The dispute arises from a manufacturing agreement and related guarantee. Hong Kong law applies.
  • A heavy equipment supplier and contractor in relation to a highly complex construction arbitration, related local litigation and a number of delay, disruption, defects and other disputes arising out of two fossil fuel construction megaprojects in Africa with claims and counterclaims of over US$ 2 billion. The law of the country of the projects applies.
  • Advising an African telecom infrastructure company in a dispute with an African telecom provider. The dispute arises from an infrastructure license agreement. The contract is governed by New York law and provides for ICC arbitration in Paris.
  • Hong Kong, Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands corporate entities and directors as Claimants in ICC arbitration and Emergency Arbitrator proceedings in Hong Kong and as Respondents in parallel High Court of Hong Kong proceedings. The dispute arises from a private equity co-investment agreement. Hong Kong law applies.
  • An Asian State-owned entity and its joint venture partners in a dispute with a Middle Eastern State-owned entity. The dispute arises from an EPC contract for the construction of a large petrochemical project.
  • The People's Republic of China in an ICSID arbitration brought by Hela Schwarz GmbH (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/19). The claims are brought under the China-Germany bilateral investment treaty.
  • A Chinese company, Claimant in a HKIAC arbitration against a Korean company. The dispute arose from the acquisition of shares in a global telecommunications company. New York law applied.
  • The subsidiary of an Asian State-owned company in the energy sector, Respondent in two parallel ICC arbitrations in Singapore initiated by its Asian co-shareholder and its parent company. The dispute arose from two agreements relating to the development of an oil storage facility and related port facilities in Asia. English law and the law of the Claimants' State applied.
  • A private equity fund and its founder in ICC and HKIAC arbitrations initiated by the fund's alleged general partner and an alleged investor in the fund, as well as in related domestic court proceedings in multiple jurisdictions. The arbitrations each concerned ownership of various entities in the fund structure. Hong Kong and Cayman Islands law applied.

Published Work

  • "Singapore's New Conditional Fee Agreement Regime: An Uplifting Reform?," Kluwer Arbitration Blog, 7 April 2022 (with E. Taylor)
  • "No-Win, No-Fee Arbitration: a Win-Win for Hong Kong and Singapore?," Kluwer Arbitration Blog, 7 July 2020 (with E. Taylor)
  • Research Assistance for N. Eliasson, "Investment Treaty Remedies," in Managing 'Belt and Road' Business Disputes (M. Moser and C. Bao eds., Kluwer, 2021)
  • Contributor, New York Convention Guide Project

Speaking Engagements

  • "So Now You Are an Arbitrator: The Arbitrator's Toolkit", book launch by Neil Kaplan and Chiann Bao, HKIAC, 20 April 2023
  • "Costs and Interests", The University of Hong Kong, 12 April 2023
  • "Challenges to Awards and Public Policy Considerations", The University of Hong Kong, 29 March 2023
  • "Economic Sanctions: Implications for International Arbitration", joint webinar by CIETAC Hong Kong Arbitration Center, Transnational Dispute Management (TDM), The International Legal Foundation, L2 i-CON International, and Legal Plus, 24 March 2023
  • "Alternative Fee Arrangements Webinar", HK45 webinar in Mandarin, 27 February 2023
  • "How to get into arbitration (a beginner's guide) - Part I: Ins and Outs of a Tribunal Secretary", CIArb (EAB) YM webinar, 1 March 2022
  • "Counsel Fees in Arbitration – Reforms and Challenges", HK45 and ASAb40 joint webinar, 13 January 2022.
  • "HK45 Virtual Fireside Chat Series 2," HK45, Hong Kong, 15 January 2021
  • "No Win No Fee in Hong Kong and Singapore," HK45 Annual Update, Hong Kong, 26 June 2020

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Co-Chair, HK45 Steering Committee
  • Member, ICC-HK
  • Member, ArbitralWomen
  • Member, Law Society of Hong Kong

Qualifications

Admissions

New York

Academic

New York University School of Law J.D.

Languages

Mandarin Chinese|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.