Clinton Morrow

Charltons is a boutique Hong Kong corporate finance law firm with branch offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Yangon, Myanmar. The firm's practice covers capital markets, M&A, regulatory and securities work, natural resources law, corporate and commercial, private equity and funds, corporate restructuring and offshore and China funds. Charltons is committed to retain female talent in the legal profession. This commitment was recognised at the 2012, 2013 and 2017-2019 Euromoney Legal Media Group’s Asia Women in Business Law Awards. 

Charltons has a track record of over 20 years representing major multinational clients on complex cross border transactions as well as domestic transactions. The firm is experienced in advising local and international companies, controlling shareholders, sponsors and underwriters on initial public offerings on both the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and the GEM market. Charltons is also well recognised for its work advising companies on the legal requirements and implications of their capital raising on listing and we provide ongoing advice to listed companies regarding their compliance with continuing obligations under the Hong Kong Listing Rules.

In recent years, Charltons has earned a reputation for the focused advice provided to both listed and non-listed mineral companies with global operations. Charltons advises on Hong Kong natural resources law and our natural resource practice has grown on the strength of China’s demand for capital and overseas acquisitions in the mineral sector. The firm has extensive experience in assisting junior and mid-cap mineral companies raising capital in Hong Kong and China. The firm has participated in dozens of cross border M&A transactions in the mineral sector, often with a lead coordinating role, and has been involved in mineral investment projects in Myanmar.

The firm advises on Hong Kong M&A law and cross-border M&A transactions, including public takeovers, corporate restructurings and joint ventures. Charltons frequently acts as lead counsel coordinating teams of lawyers in overseas jurisdictions to achieve practical and integrated solutions for our clients and has particular experience in bridging the cultural divide that can exist between Chinese and Western counterparts in complex cross-border M&A transactions.

Charltons has considerable experience advising on the formation and management of offshore, Hong Kong and China investment funds. The firm works with clients to design and develop creative and flexible structures that maximise fund raising opportunities under the prevailing legal and regulatory regimes in Hong Kong, PRC and other relevant jurisdictions.

Charltons has a substantial pro bono practice establishing and advising Hong Kong based charities and foundations. The firm is strongly committed to the concept that it has the responsibility to give back to the community through the provision of pro-bono work to those in need. Over the years, Charltons has focused on providing free legal services to charitable organisations as well as participating in their ongoing management and fundraising events from time to time.

Charltons has a strong track record of direct involvement in charitable work. The firm’s lawyers cooperated with individuals and organisations and has had the satisfaction of seeing those initiatives grow to achieve their charitable goals. Charltons assisted in the formation of Asia Education Foundation Limited, Asia Environmental Foundation Limited, Village People Project Limited and Society for Children’s Welfare Limited and we provide ongoing secretarial services to charities. Charltons has been involved with a number of environmental initiatives including the production of the Green Office Guidelines for SMEs.

Awards:

Charltons was awarded 'Boutique Firm of the Year' and ‘Boutique Transactional Law Firm of the Year’ by Asian Legal Business for the years 2002, 2003, 2006-2017, 2020 and 2021.

Charltons was named Hong Kong’s top Independent Law Firm in the Euromoney Legal Media Asia Women in Business Law Awards 2012 and 2013, and has been named Hong Kong’s Best National Firm for Work-Life Balance from 2017-2019.

Clinton’s practice focuses on corporate finance and commercial transactions, including public offerings and placings, structuring, mergers & acquisitions, takeovers, cross-border corporate transactions, financing and security transactions, licensing matters and regulatory compliance.

Clinton was originally qualified in Queensland, Australia prior to moving to and qualifying in Hong Kong. Since moving to Hong Kong Clinton’s capital market experience includes acting for both issuers and sponsors in respect of listings on both the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and the Growth Enterprise Market in Hong Kong as well as Hong Kong advisor in respect of AIM and ASX listings and takeovers. Clinton has acted across a number of sectors for equity capital raising including education, mining and resources, retail, fund, infrastructure and financial services.

Clinton’s M&A practice has covered a range of sectors and clients including, financial and fund services, health and medical, mining and resources, automobile manufacturers and dealers, information technology and media.  He has a particular emphasis on the information technology sector including advising structuring, capital raising and disposal of VPN and data centre businesses in the Greater China region. Further, during his career, Clinton has worked with companies in the mining and minerals sectors on a variety of deals with assets across a multitude of jurisdictions including Peru, Australia and the PRC. Such transactions encompass a broad spectrum including acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and takeovers.

Named in Asialaw Leading Lawyers as a “Rising Star Lawyer” in Corporate/Mergers and Acquisitions for 2016 – 2022, and named as a recognized practitioner by Chambers and Partner.