Hong Kong-based law firm Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM) has announced the appointment of Geoffrey Chan as its new Senior Partner, succeeding Terence Tung, who has led the firm in the role for the past decade.
The leadership transition comes as JSM continues to strengthen its position as one of Hong Kong’s leading independent law firms and expand its presence across the Greater China legal market.
Geoffrey Chan Takes Leadership Role at JSM
Before being appointed Senior Partner, Geoffrey Chan headed JSM’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice and served on the firm’s four-member Management Committee. In his new role, Chan will chair the committee and oversee the firm’s strategic direction, operations, and long-term growth initiatives.
Widely recognized for his expertise in construction law and dispute resolution, Chan has built a strong reputation within the legal industry and has consistently been ranked by leading international legal directories.
His extensive experience includes serving as an arbitrator for both the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) and the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), two of the region’s most prominent arbitration institutions.
Beyond his legal practice, Chan also chairs the 2036 Working Group, an organization supporting Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area’s joint bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
Leadership Transition Signals New Growth Phase
Commenting on the appointment, outgoing Senior Partner Terence Tung expressed confidence in Chan’s ability to lead the firm into its next chapter.
Tung praised Chan’s understanding of JSM’s heritage, culture, and talent base, noting that his leadership would help further strengthen the firm’s standing among Hong Kong’s premier legal institutions and the world’s leading independent law firms.
Although stepping down from the Senior Partner role, Tung will remain with JSM as a partner, continuing to focus on his legal practice across Hong Kong and Mainland China.
Chan acknowledged Tung’s contributions during a period of significant transformation for the firm.
He highlighted the importance of building on the strong foundation established under Tung’s leadership while preparing the firm for the next generation of legal professionals and evolving client needs.
According to Chan, JSM’s future strategy will remain centered on client service excellence, strong institutional values, and adaptability in an increasingly complex global business environment.
JSM Builds Momentum as an Independent Law Firm
Since relaunching as an independent law firm in December 2024, JSM has achieved several key milestones.
The firm has expanded its legal talent pool through strategic lateral hires, promoted lawyers across multiple practice areas, and advised on a range of significant transactions and complex legal matters.
These developments have further strengthened JSM’s market position within Hong Kong and the broader Asia-Pacific legal sector.
The firm has also received industry recognition for its performance and innovation. Most notably, JSM was recently named among the most innovative law firms in the Asia-Pacific region by the Financial Times, reflecting its commitment to delivering modern legal solutions in a rapidly changing business landscape.
Strengthening Presence Across Hong Kong and Mainland China
Founded as one of Hong Kong’s most established legal institutions, JSM provides legal services across a wide range of practice areas, including corporate law, dispute resolution, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, regulatory matters, and cross-border transactions.
In addition to its Hong Kong headquarters, the firm maintains representative offices in Beijing and Shanghai, along with a dedicated intellectual property agency in Beijing that supports trademark registration and IP-related services in Mainland China.
The firm’s cross-border capabilities allow it to advise multinational corporations, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, and investors on complex legal matters spanning Hong Kong and Mainland China.
Focused on the Future of Legal Services
As businesses navigate evolving regulatory frameworks, geopolitical shifts, and increasing cross-border activity, legal firms are under growing pressure to provide strategic guidance that goes beyond traditional legal advice.
With Geoffrey Chan taking the helm as Senior Partner, JSM aims to build on its legacy while embracing innovation, strengthening client relationships, and positioning itself for continued growth in one of Asia’s most competitive legal markets.
The appointment reflects JSM’s commitment to leadership continuity and its ambition to remain at the forefront of legal services in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Ruchi Kumar is the associate editor at Entrepreneur News Network and TVW News India, where she leads editorial strategy, brand storytelling, and startup ecosystem coverage. With a strong focus on innovation, business, and marketing insights, he curates impactful narratives that spotlight India’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape. She has written extensively on fintech, AI and emerging startups.