HFW bolsters technology disputes practice, continues Asia Pacific growth with Hong Kong Partner hire

Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has strengthened its technology disputes practice and continued the expansion of its Asia Pacific business with the hire of technology and commercial disputes lawyer Jennifer Wu in Hong Kong.

Jennifer joins HFW from Pinsent Masons, where she led the firm’s Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) practice in Asia Pacific. She brings extensive experience advising technology companies, financial institutions, telecommunications providers and multinational corporates on complex disputes, international arbitration, regulatory investigations, and data protection and cybersecurity matters.

Jennifer’s arrival continues HFW’s strategic growth across Asia Pacific. The firm has now added 17 new Partners in the region since the beginning of FY25, following internal promotions and other hires in Hong Kong, Singapore, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth.

Peter Murphy, Hong Kong Office Head, HFW: “I am delighted to welcome Jennifer to HFW. Her track record advising on complex technology disputes, cyber incidents and regulatory matters will be invaluable to our clients both in the Greater Bay Area and across Asia Pacific.”

“Her appointment reflects our continued investment in Hong Kong and our focus on expanding our capabilities in areas of increasing strategic importance to clients. She will play an important role in the continued growth of our disputes practice across Greater China and the wider region.”

Jennifer’s expertise spans a broad range of commercial, corporate and technology-related disputes, including matters involving software implementation and digital transformation projects, artificial intelligence, blockchain, intellectual property, shareholder and boardroom issues, partnerships and joint ventures, and supply chain liability. She has particular experience advising on data protection, privacy and cybersecurity matters, including cross-border data transfers, regulatory compliance, the misuse of confidential information, and cyber breach and incident response.

She also has experience advising on cryptocurrency-related disputes involving investments, fraud, liquidation, margin calls and exchange listing issues.

She will work closely with other HFW partners across Asia Pacific, including Singapore-based technology disputes Partner Shaun Leong.

Jennifer Wu, Partner, HFW: “HFW’s reputation for handling high-value, multifaceted disputes, combined with its deep sector focus, diverse practice areas, collaborative culture and growing presence across Asia, made it a very attractive proposition for me.”

“The firm has built an impressive disputes platform across the region, and I look forward to working with colleagues in Hong Kong, Singapore and beyond to support clients and further strengthen the firm’s technology offering.”

Jennifer is admitted in Hong Kong and England & Wales. Before joining Pinsent Masons, she worked in-house at Cathay Pacific Airways. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators East Asia Branch Committee and has sat as sole arbitrator on HKIAC and SIAC cases.

HFW first opened in Hong Kong in 1978 and it is the firm’s second-largest office globally.  Across its three offices in Greater China (Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen), the firm now has 22 Partners and more than 80 lawyers in total, working as part of an Asia Pacific practice of more than 250 lawyers.