Deacons strengthens Family Law practice and adds Mental Capacity Law and Vulnerable Client practice with new Partner and team hire

Deacons, one of Hong Kong’s longest established and largest independent law firms, is delighted to welcome new Partner Sherlynn Chan, Senior Associate Hazel Wong and Principal Forensic Accountant Melissa Tang to our Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice.

Sherlynn is a seasoned family lawyer in Hong Kong. She is a solicitor with over 25 years’ experience, a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) and an accredited general and family mediator. Her Family practice includes family-related financial disputes, children’s custody and wardship proceedings. Sherlynn sat as a deputy district judge in the Family Court in 2014.

Sherlynn is also a leading figure in the Mental Capacity Law and Vulnerable Client practice. She frequently acts on behalf of litigants under disability, and has been appointed by the High Court as Committee to manage the financial affairs of persons without mental capacity. In 2020, Sherlynn and her team were internationally recognised by the Societies of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP) at the Private Client Awards as the Vulnerable Client Advisory Practice of the Year.

Sherlynn is the author of “A Practical Guide to Mental Health Law in Hong Kong”. She is the Chair of the Mental Health Law Committee of the Law Society of Hong Kong, Co-Chair of STEP HK’s Mental Health, Elderly and Capacity Law Sub-Committee, as well as Chairman and Co-founder of MIP Care Resources Connect – a charity aimed at promoting awareness of issues surrounding mental capacity. Sherlynn is a regular speaker in various forums covering mental capacity, family, trust, and other wealth planning issues.

Joseph Kwan, Head of Deacons’ Litigation and Dispute Resolution commented:
“We are delighted to have Sherlynn and her team joining us. Together with our Consultant Cecilia Lau, they will play an important role in making Deacons a significant player in advising clients on matters relating to Family Law as well as on issues relating to mental capacity and vulnerable clients. We expect a growing demand for legal services in these areas. Furthermore, Melissa used to be a Chief Investigator (Financial) and the Chief Forensic Accountant at the Independent Commission Against Corruption. Her extensive and highly qualified forensic accounting experience would complement and strengthen Deacons’ service to our clients in handling  disputes with financial and accounting issues”.

Deacons’ Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice is one of the biggest contentious practices in Hong Kong. It has a broad spectrum of services, including advising on disputes related to investments, shareholders and partners, banking, wills and probates, family, private wealth, reputation management, employment, land, insolvency, professional indemnity, and tax.

Key Contacts

Sherlynn Chan

Partner | Family & Private Wealth

Email or call +852 2825 9328