DESMOND ANG specializes in international commercial litigation and arbitration, with an emphasis on high-stakes disputes involving business relationships and investments with companies in China, Taiwan and Japan. Desmond also has a growing restructuring and insolvency practice involving the representation of debtors and creditors in debt restructurings, insolvency and distressed scenarios as well as related litigation.
Desmond has represented clients in proceedings conducted under ICC, HKIAC, SIAC, CIETAC, JCAA, ICDR and UNCITRAL arbitration rules as well as before the Hong Kong courts. He has experience in disputes involving mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity, which have been heard in Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, Tokyo, California and Switzerland.
Desmond develops practical dispute resolution strategies underpinned by a thorough analysis of the relevant facts. He crafts these strategies to fit into the overall commercial goals of his clients with the ultimate objective of providing high-quality, responsive and cost-effective legal representation. He has counseled individuals and businesses in a wide spectrum of industries, including retail (luxury and mass market), private equity, pharmaceuticals, real estate, oil and gas, technology and telecommunications, natural resources and mining, and sports.
Desmond also serves as arbitrator under both ICC and HKIAC arbitration rules in Hong Kong and London.
Desmond has received numerous independent recognitions. He has recently been listed in the inaugural Hong Kong edition of the Legal 500 Private Practice Powerlist List – Arbitration, and is recommended by both Chambers Greater China and Legal 500 Asia Pacific. In the 2023 edition of Chambers Greater China Region and Chambers Global, where clients have highlighted that he is “an excellent lawyer in the field of international arbitration. He pays attention to every detail, controls the overall situation and provides strategies. He is good at making full use of the dominant position from the perspective of legal knowledge, procedure and practice, promoting the disadvantages and expanding the advantages.” He is also “very thoughtful and responsive to requests. He is very hands-on and is willing to go into details of the case. His Chinese is perfect and he is good at taking care of PRC-related matters." Previous editions of Chambers and Partners praised Desmond for being “one of the top China disputes lawyers in the market, with consistently strong written and spoken advocacy, and an effective team leader”; “good at making full use of advantageous positions from the perspective of legal knowledge, procedures and practices” (2022), being skilled at “always maintaining an overview of highly complex proceedings, down to the smallest detail” (2020), “he pays great attention to detail and is very good at communicating with clients” (2019). Legal 500 Asia Pacific recommended Desmond for being ‘excellent at handling international disputes’, including on matters involving joint venture, M&A and private equity transactions (2023). Who’s Who Legal has ranked Desmond as one of the most highly regarded Future Leader based in APAC in its Arbitration 2023 edition, citing praise for his “energetic, brilliant and sensible approach” to international arbitration proceedings.
Desmond is fluent in English, Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese.