Guantao Law Firm recently announced that dispute resolution expert Ronald Sum (岑君毅) and corporate M&A expert Julianne Doe (杜珠联) have officially joined its Hong Kong office as partners. In addition Ann Chan (陈卓雁) joins as a partner alongside Daisy Kwok (郭芷婷) and Anna Kong (江领恩) who join as consultants. The addition of these senior members brings substantial professional strength to Guantao in key areas such as cross-border dispute resolution, commercial compliance, and capital markets.
Bringing over three decades of dispute resolution experience spanning litigation, arbitration, mediation, and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), Mr. Sum is a former partner at Baker McKenzie Hong Kong and a former Head of Dispute Resolution at Addleshaw Goddard. He previously served as an arbitration practice leader at several other international firms including Locke Lord, DLA Piper, Eversheds Sutherland, and Blank Rome. Mr. Sum has acted as both counsel and arbitrator in administered arbitration proceedings across Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore, London, Paris, the USA, Australia, and Dubai. He is an accredited arbitrator and mediator for numerous institutions including the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the China Commission of Arbitration for Sport (CCAS), the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA), the Beijing International Arbitration Court (BIAC), the Guangzhou Arbitration Commission (GZAC), and the Shanghai International Arbitration Center (SHIAC). He also serves as a CEPA Investor-State Mediator. Active in professional leadership, Mr. Sum serves as a Council Member of the Law Society of Hong Kong and Vice-Chairman of both the eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre and the Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited. He is admitted to practice in Hong Kong, England and Wales, Australia, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Joining as a distinguished corporate and commercial partner, Ms. Doe brings over 30 years of expertise in capital markets, corporate finance, M&A, investment structures, and regulatory compliance. She previously served as a partner at Dentons Hong Kong and other leading international firms. Recognized as Private Practitioner of the Year for North Asia at the ALB Women in Law Awards 2023 and Woman Lawyer of the Year at the ALB Hong Kong Law Awards 2023, her practice focuses on strategic cross-border acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity financing, public offerings, and commercial legal compliance. Ms. Doe is a former President of the Hong Kong Federation of Women Lawyers and currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Trade, Investment and RCEP Committee of the Law Society of Hong Kong. Her academic and industry contributions include serving as an Examiner for the Overseas Lawyers Qualification Examination, an external examiner for the University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and City University of Hong Kong, and a Director of the Association of Blockchain Development in Hong Kong. She is a frequently published author and a sought-after industry speaker. Ms. Doe is admitted to practice in Hong Kong, England and Wales, and Australia, has passed the PRC Greater Bay Area Law Examination, and is an accredited arbitrator of the South China International Arbitration Center (HK).
Guantao stated in a press release that the extensive practical experience and keen industry insights of the newly joined members will not only bolster the capacity of the firm to deliver exceptional client services but also further its strategic expansion and deepen its international presence.
