Emily Ha is an Associate in our Litigation and Employment team, based in Hong Kong.
Emily's practice focuses on employment, labour and pensions, commercial litigation, insolvency, fraud and asset recovery, and regulatory and investigations matters. She has acted for financial institutions, listed companies, multinational corporations, high-net-worth individuals, public authorities, and professional services firms in court proceedings and arbitration.
Emily's experience includes:
Employment, Labour & Pensions
- acting for an equity derivatives broker in a dispute with a former employer and its major shareholders over an unpaid sign-on bonus linked to a failed company sale, successfully obtaining summary judgment and defending an appeal brought by the defendants
- advising a global interdealer broker on a dispute arising from failed joiners under forward-start arrangements, involving buyout payments of approximately HK$10.2 million.
- advising a global luxury retailer in a prolonged unlawful discrimination complaint before the Equal Opportunities Commission concerning alleged pregnancy discrimination and victimisation
- advising a global management consulting firm on the Hong Kong implementation of a cross-border leveraged equity incentive plan for senior executives, addressing securities, prospectus, and money-lending regulatory issues
- advising a global IT company on the calculation of wage-based entitlements under the Employment Ordinance, identifying potential underpayments arising from payroll system issues and recommending remedial measures
- advising a global luxury retailer on workforce restructuring following an acquisition, involving complex employment and secondment arrangements across Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore
- advising a global loan agency on the enforceability of restrictive covenants and long-term incentive plan restrictions relating to a senior executive hire
- advising a global telecommunications provider on potential claims against a former Hong Kong employee involving suspected fraud exceeding US$1 million and breaches of employment obligations
- advising a global bank on the recovery of retirement scheme benefits connected with the misappropriation of approximately HK$40 million by a former employee
- advising an international insurer on the Hong Kong employment implications of a global job architecture project, including changes to job titles and employee benefits
- advising clients on Hong Kong employment law matters, including the drafting and review of employment contracts, remuneration structures, separation agreements, termination documentation, restrictive covenants, HR policies, disciplinary procedures, and termination strategies
Litigation & Dispute Management
- acting for a Spanish subsidiary of a leading European vehicle remarketing company in a recovery claim involving identity fraud, where the plaintiff was defrauded of over EUR15.2 million through a fictitious transaction with a Hong Kong-based first-layer recipient. Assisting with obtaining a Mareva injunction to prevent asset dissipation, securing disclosure orders against banks, and coordinating with local law enforcement
- acting for a Chinese institutional brokerage firm in defending a claim brought by a high-net-worth customer in Hong Kong arising from advice provided by the client’s relationship manager, concerning a cross-border funds transfer exceeding HK$10 million, involving issues of vicarious liability
- acting for a licensed corporation in a dawn raid and an extensive investigation by the SFC into suspected insider dealing in securities involving multiple employees and sensitive regulatory issues
- advising various financial institutions on debt recovery and security enforcement proceedings, including contested and uncontested winding-up and bankruptcy proceedings, as well as mortgage enforcement actions
- Admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong