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Lorna Chen

Partner

Email

lorna.chen@aoshearman.com

Phone

+852 2978 8001

Offices

Hong Kong SAR

V-CARD
Lorna is Co-Managing Partner of Greater China and Regional Co-Head of Funds & Asset Management. Lorna’s combined experience working in New York, Asia and Europe has proven to be invaluable in advising clients in cross-border transactions.

She is one of the most senior international lawyers in Asia who serves clients in the fund formation area, focusing on the structuring, restructuring, formation and operation of alternative investment products, including private equity funds, venture capital funds, real estate funds, hedge funds and funds of funds.

Lorna has extensive experience in representing investors in making investments in private funds and co-investment projects around the globe. Lorna is also respected by clients as an expert on regulatory and compliance matters related to investment funds and their managers.

Through her involvement with leading industry associations, Lorna is active in regulatory reforms relating to the private equity and venture capital funds sector. She is a frequent market commentator through the media and major industry conferences on investment trends in the region.

Lorna has been consistently rated a leading lawyer in Investment Funds by various independent ranking publications including Chambers Asia-Pacific, Chambers Greater China Region, IFLR1000, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Euromoney’s Women in Business Law Guide and Who’s Who Legal. She has been ranked as a leading individual since 2014, and featured in the Hall of Fame since 2021 in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific for Investment Funds. Lorna was named as “Managing Partner of the Year” by Asian Legal Business for its Hong Kong Law Awards 2021, “Investment Funds Lawyer of the Year” at Euromoney Legal Media Group’s Women in Business Law Asia Awards 2021, a “highly regarded” lawyer by IFLR1000 on its Women Leaders list from 2019 to 2023, and “Commended External Counsel of the Year 2020” by In-House Community. Under Lorna’s leadership, the Investment Funds team was honored with the practice award for “Asset Management” by Awards from 2020 to 2023, as well as “Investment Funds Firm of the Year (International)” at the 2021 China Law & Practice Awards.

Experience

Pro bono

An active member of Women’s Committee of the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HKVCA)

An active member of the firm's Global Diversity & Inclusion Task Force

Published Work

  • Chen, L. X., Motwani A., Zhang J., Gao N., (2024), “Chambers Global Practice Guide: Investment Funds: Hong Kong Law and Practice Chapter”, London: Chambers and Partners
  • Chen, L. X., Motwani A., Fu F., Lin E., (2024), “ESG Regulatory Trend: Visions of A Unitary Regime”, Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association Journal
  • Chen, L. X., Motwani A., Zhang J., Gao N., (2023), “The Private Equity Review: Hong Kong Fundraising Chapter”, London: Law Business Research Ltd
  • Chen, L. X., Motwani A., Zhang J., Gao N., (2023), “Chambers Global Practice Guide: Investment Funds: Hong Kong Law and Practice Chapter”, London: Chambers and Partners
  • Chen L., Ji J., (2023), “How Companies Can Comply With China's Cybersecurity Rules”, New York City: Law360
  • Chen, L. X., Motwani A., Zhang J., (2022), “The Private Equity Review: Hong Kong Fundraising Chapter”, London: Law Business Research Ltd
  • Chen, L. X., Motwani A., Zhang J., (2022), “Chambers Global Practice Guide: Investment Funds: Hong Kong Law and Practice Chapter”, London: Chambers and Partners
  • Chen, L. X., Motwani A., (2021), “The Private Equity Review: Hong Kong Fundraising Chapter”, London: Law Business Research Ltd
  • Chen, L. X., Motwani A., (2021), “Chambers Global Practice Guide: Investment Funds: Hong Kong Law and Practice Chapter”, London: Chambers and Partners
  • Chen, L. X., Motwani A., (2020), “The Private Equity Review: Hong Kong Fundraising Chapter”, London: Law Business Research Ltd
  • Chen, L. X., Motwani A., (2020), “Chambers Global Practice Guide: Investment Funds: Hong Kong Law and Practice Chapter”, London: Chambers and Partners

Speaking Engagements

  • Panelist, Asia Private Equity Forum: Enter the Dragon - LP Outlook, The Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Capital Association’s Asia Private Equity Forum, January 2024
  • Instructor, Establishing PE Funds, Private Equity Fundamentals Course, The Hong Kong Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, 2012-2017, 2019-2023
  • Panelist, Playing by the Rules: Keeping your Playbook Legal in a World of Sanctions., Alternative Investment Management Association, October 2023
  • Presenter, Regulatory Update in Hong Kong and the United States, Shearman & Sterling and the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, September 2023
  • Speaker, Future of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association Brownbag Luncheon Talk, September 2023
  • Moderator, 2023 Opportunities for the PE/VC industry: Hong Kong Panel, The Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Capital Association’s Asia Private Equity Forum, January 2023
  • Presenter, SFC Circular on Measures by Licensed Corporations to Deal with Stress Events, Shearman & Sterling and the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, December 2022
  • Moderator, Hong Kong Panel at the China Private Equity Summit 2022, The Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, August 2022
  • Speaker, Legal Aspects of ESG Investment, Shearman & Sterling and Association of Corporate Counsel Hong Kong, August 2022
  • Panelist, How To Be Your Own Best Ambassador Using Effective Communication, The Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, April 2022
  • Presenter, U.S. SEC Proposal Targeting Private Fund Advisers – a Potential Game-Changer, Shearman & Sterling and the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, March 2022
  • Host, Russia Sanctions Explained: Impact on Your Business, Shearman & Sterling, March 2022
  • Moderator, Asia Private Equity Forum: Exit Panel, The Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Capital Association’s Asia Private Equity Forum, January 2022.
  • Panelist, Impact of Recent Legal and Regulatory Changes in China on the PE/VC Industry, Shearman & Sterling and the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, November 2021
  • Instructor, Establishing PE Funds, The Hong Kong Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, August 2021
  • Moderator, China Private Equity Summit: HK Fund Regulation Updates, The Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, August 2021
  • Panelist, Asia Private Equity Forum: Tax & Regulations, The Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Capital Association’s Asia Private Equity Forum, January 2021
  • Moderator, Women Funders & Founders, Cyberport Venture Capital Forum, November 2020
  • Speaker, Shearman Women Webinar: Global Financial Markets Update, Shearman & Sterling, October 2020
  • Instructor, Establishing PE Funds, The Hong Kong Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, October 2020
  • Speaker, Young Lawyers Program, Shearman & Sterling, August 2020
  • Panelist, Women’s Panel and Limited Partnership Fund Ordinance, China Private Equity Summit, August 2020
  • Panelist, Hong Kong's Limited Partnership Fund Regime, PwC, June 2020
  • Moderator, China, the West and Deep Technology Investment, Shearman & Sterling, May 2020
  • Panelist, Covid-19 Insights Series: A Regional Perspective – Asia, Shearman & Sterling, April 2020
  • Panelist, Asia Private Equity Forum: Top ten issues facing LPs and GPs, The Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Capital Association’s Asia Private Equity Forum, January 2020

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Vice Chairman, Technical Committee of the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association Committee
  • Member, Women’s Committee of the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association Panel
  • Member, The Securities and Futures Appeals Tribunal, Hong Kong
Recognition
“Lorna Chen is client-oriented. She has very good commercial vision and we are happy with her services.”
Chambers Greater China Region, 2024
“Lorna Chen’s knowledge and varied deal experience is valuable in negotiating.”
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2024

Awards

  • Hall of Fame for Investment Funds in Hong Kong, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2021-2024
  • Leading Individual for Investment Funds in Hong Kong, , 2014-2021
  • Leading Lawyer for Investment Funds (International Firms) in China, Chambers Asia-Pacific and Chambers Greater China Region, 2009-2024
  • Investment Funds Lawyer of the Year, Euromoney Legal Media Group’s Women in Business Law Asia Awards, 2021
  • Managing Partner of the Year, Asian Legal Business’s Hong Kong Law Awards, 2021
  • Commended External Counsel of the Year, In-House Community, 2020

Qualifications

Admissions

People’s Republic of China (non-practicing), 1996

New York, 2002

Hong Kong, 2010

Academic

J.D., School of Law, Columbia University, 1999

L.L.M., School of Law, Columbia University, 2001

Languages

English, Mandarin, Chinese
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.