Deacons (law firm)

Deacons
Headquarters Hong Kong
No. of offices 4 worldwide
No. of attorneys Over 300
No. of employees About 600
Major practice areas Full service
Date founded 1851
Founder William Bridges
Company type partnership
Website
www.deacons.com.hk

Deacons is the Hong Kong's oldest and largest independent, full service leading law firm,[1] with three representative offices in Mainland China, in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou. It benefits from the long-established relationships with Hong Kong’s business community, including the HKSAR Government, large local conglomerates such as Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Tsui Wah Holdings Limited and Kerry Logistics Network Limited,[2] and well-known multinational corporation such as McDonald’s Corp., Samsung and Yahoo Inc!.[3] Deacons also has well established relationships with other independent law firms around the world through its membership of international networks of independent law firms such as Lex Mundi, Interlex, World Services Group and Employment Law Alliance.

The firm is based in Hong Kong and has representative offices in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.[4] Beyond Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China, Deacons has established offices or affiliates in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.[5][6] In Hong Kong and China, Deacons provides legal services to a wide range of clients, mainly from medium to large-scale businesses.

Lift Lobby at Alexandra House, Central
Private elevators to Deacons' Hong Kong office at Alexandra House, Central
Inside the Alexandra House

Until now, it has an office of 6 entire floors in Alexandra House in Central. The office is equipped with internal staircases across different floors and two private elevators exclusively for the use of Deacons. It also has an office in Sheung Wan.

History

The firm is named for the English solicitor Victor Deacon, who in 1880 joined the legal practice established by William Bridges in 1851 in Hong Kong.[7] Bridges was the second barrister to commence practice in Hong Kong.

Within two years, the irrepressible Victor Deacon was made a partner and within 20 years, under his own name, he had firmly established Deacons as one of the colony's leading law firms, a position it has retained to this day. In 1860, with offices on Queen's Road, the firm was based close to the Supreme Court.

Deacons grew steadily throughout the 20th century, flourishing during Hong Kong's post-war boom. By the mid-1970s, Deacons was a busy, full-service business law firm and a highly respected name in commercial circles throughout Asia. In 1910, the larger firm required bigger office space and Deacons moved to Ice House Street. Since 1985, it has resided in Alexandra House, progressively taking more floor space to accommodate the expanding team of lawyers. Until now, it has an office of 6 floors in Alexandra House. It also has an office in Sheung Wan.

In 1986, Deacons opened an initial presence in the People's Republic of China in Beijing. In 2002, Deacons established a representative office in Beijing and was one of the first Hong Kong law firms to be granted a licence to open a second office in the PRC. In 2005, Deacons became the first firm to be awarded a third foreign law firm licence in mainland China.

In 2016, Deacons celebrates 165 years in Hong Kong.[8]

Practice Areas

Deacons is listed in The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.[9][10] It is globally ranked to be a top-tier law firm, particularly in Real Estate, Intellectual Property, Investment Funds, and Insurance services.[11]

It has 15 key service areas, including:-[12]

Within these areas, it has over 80 specializations in view of its substantial manpower,[13] such as International Arbitration, Entertainment & Media and Japan Services.[14][15]

Recognition

Deacons has been awarded for its service, corporate social responsibility (CSR), employee benefits and excellent working environment over the decades. A selection of the most recent awards includes:-[16]

References

  1. ↑ England, Vaudine (1998). The Quest of Noel Croucher: Hong Kong's Quiet Philanthropist. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press. pp. 195–207. ISBN 9622094732.
  2. ↑ "China – Intellectual Property (International Firms) Lawyers & Law Firms – Asia-Pacific – Chambers and Partners". www.chambersandpartners.com. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  3. ↑ Wong, Douglas. "Hong Kong Law Firm Deacons Plans Independent Expansion in China". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  4. ↑ http://www.deacons.com.hk/eng/aboutus/location.htm
  5. ↑ Sumitra, Giri,. "Deacons". World Attorney Directory. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  6. ↑ "Top law firm protects its information with confidence with Symantec Solutions". www.symantec.com. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  7. ↑ Deacons website: "About Us"
  8. ↑ "Our Heritage - Deacons". www.deacons.com.hk. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  9. ↑ http://www.legal500.com - Default Recommended Firms
  10. ↑ "Deacons – Hong Kong – Law Firm Profile - Chambers Global 2015 – Chambers and Partners". www.chambersandpartners.com. Retrieved 2016-02-10.
  11. ↑ "The Legal 500 > Deacons > Hong Kong, > What we say". www.legal500.com. Retrieved 2016-02-10.
  12. ↑ "Our Services - Deacons". Deacons. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  13. ↑ "Local and International Business, Finance and Commercial Law in Hong Kong, Deacons". HG Legal Resources. Retrieved 2016-02-10.
  14. ↑ "Deacons names new head of Japan services | Asian Legal Business". www.legalbusinessonline.com. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  15. ↑ "Media & Entertainment - Deacons". www.deacons.com.hk. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  16. ↑ http://www.esxinc.com, Lex Mundi: The World's Leading Network of Independent Law Firms. ESX Inc. "Lex Mundi - Lex Mundi: The World’s Leading Law Firm Network". www.lexmundi.com. Retrieved 2016-02-05. C1 control character in |title= at position 33 (help)

External links

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