Winnie Weng

Winnie is a Legal Director with over a decade of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, listed companies, multinational corporations, family offices and high-net-worth (HNW) individuals on a broad spectrum of matters relating to their businesses and affairs.

Corporate Transactions and Advisory

Winnie's corporate practice covers M&A, joint ventures, share options and other incentive schemes, debt financing and general corporate advisory work.  She has handled over 60 M&A transactions in which she is the deal leader, negotiator, advisor and drafter, and her advisory work not only covers non-contentious advice and opinions, but also contentious negotiations, settlements and buy-outs.  Her sound knowledge of the law, practical advice and efficient delivery have won her praise and loyalty from her clients.

Employment

Over the years, Winnie has developed an employment practice covering drafting work and advisory services pertaining employment contract, restrictive covenant and employee handbook and policies.  She has frequently advised multinational conglomerates on the suitable termination package for founders, directors and senior executives and assisted with appropriate documentation, including termination agreements, settlement agreements, confidentiality undertaking and intellectual property assignment.  Not only has she acted for employers in advising statutory and contractual rights of employees, she has also assisted HNW individuals in realising their awards under share incentive schemes during their exit.  When needed, she also handles visa applications and advises on various talent admission schemes in Hong Kong.

Comprehensive Advisory Services

Winnie stands out as one of the few professionals in Hong Kong capable of offering a comprehensive suite of advice and is frequently relied upon as a trusted advisor offering one-stop solutions to clients. 

Winnie's multilingual skills enable her to forge strong relationships with clients from diverse backgrounds. Clients frequently describe her as pragmatic, efficient, and reliable.

Winnie is dual-qualified in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area of China, and is also a Notary Public.

Key Experience

• Advised an Australia-based software development company on the formation of joint venture covering Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia, and advising on related employee share option scheme and general corporate matters.
• Advised a US-based leading global media conglomerate on the formation and dissolution of joint venture in Hong Kong, PRC and Taiwan in respect of media and networking business, and advising on related licensing arrangement and intellectual property issues.
• Advised a UK-based car accessories manufacturer and distributor on pre-sale re-organisation and subsequent merger with one of the world's largest manufacturers of batteries on acquihire basis.
• Advised a Canadian new energy start-up in dismissing its founder and director in Hong Kong, including preparation of settlement agreement, confidentiality undertaking and assignment of intellectual property rights.
• Advised a major UK-based multinational media conglomerate in consolidating its employment contracts and handbook and advising on several sensitive dismissals in Hong Kong.
• Advising the founder of a NASDAQ listed company in his exit, and assisting with the vesting and realisation of his share awards.
• Advising the founder of PRC listed group in respect of the rights of minority shareholders in respect of a joint venture as well as corporate compliance issues under Hong Kong laws, and handling necessary negotiation with the minority shareholders.
• Advised a pharmaceutical company based in Belgium on the negotiation of a joint venture with its licensed distributor in the PRC.
• Advised a renowned caviar trading and restaurant business in Hong Kong on its acquisition of a minority stake from the Swiss producer and brand owner, and obtaining a licence in respect of the business in Hong Kong.
• Advised a leading music store and education business in Hong Kong on its acquisition of a majority stake in a leading manufacturer of player piano systems and the issuance of convertible bonds to a renowned Japanese music instrument manufacturer.

Career History

Legal Director, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Senior Associate, Withers LLP
Assistant Solicitor, Tsang, Chan & Woo
Assistant Solicitor, Robin Bridge & John Liu
Trainee Solicitor, Robin Bridge & John Liu
The University of Hong Kong, Postgraduate Certificate in Laws
The University of Hong Kong, Bachelor of Laws

Articles and Publications

• Winnie Weng interviewed on “香港與內地的網絡安全制度” by RTHK (March 2024)
• Winnie Weng interviewed on “Deepfake 2.0; Caregivers relief” (February 2024)
• “M&A transactions need to account for data privacy”, Winnie Weng, IFLR (October 2023)
• “China, Europe and UK 's regulatory regulations: how Hong Kong should follow suit?”: Winnie Weng comments, Ming Pao (September 2023)
• “Responsibility for AI-generated content: Users may face legal liability”: Winnie Weng comments, Ming Pao (September 2023)
• Winnie Weng interviewed on “AI regulations in Hong Kong” with “一桶金之財經新思維” by RTHK (July 2023)
• Winnie Weng interviewed on “Scammed by AI” by TVB Pearl Magazine (July 2023)
• “The rising threat of Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks and CEO fraud in Asia”, Lexology, (July 2023)
• “Data protection risks in a data driven economy: Tougher enforcement of data privacy laws in the Asia-Pacific region”, Lexology, (March 2023)
• “疫下簡易節流方案”, Lawyer's Diary, Headline Finance (January 2023)