Hughes is the second Hong Kong-based dispute resolution partner to leave Simmons & Simmons this year. The move comes less than two months after the departure of James Kwan to Baker & McKenzie. Two other dispute resolution partners, Robert Lewington and China practice head Paul Li–supported by Shanghai-based partner Lewis Ho–remain in Simmons & Simmons’s Hong Kong office.


Hughes primarily focuses on banking and financial services litigation, as well as contentious regulatory matters. He has advised many major financial institutions in addition to Hong Kong’s financial regulator, the Securities and Futures Commission.
He also has experience advising corporate clients on litigation and international arbitration matters including shareholder disputes and commercial fraud claims.
Hughes joined Simmons & Simmons in 2002. While at the firm he acted for a Hong Kong private hedge fund investor on a foreign-exchange negligence claim of over $180 million against its auditors.
His work with the Securities and Futures Commission includes advising the government body on regulatory investigations, as well as proceedings to appoint administrators.
Prior to joining Simmons & Simmons, Hughes spent ten years at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, based in the firm’s Hong Kong and London offices.
Ashurst launched its Hong Kong office with eight lawyers in 2009, and that number has since grown to around 30 lawyers.
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