Hong Kong-based Georgiou Partnership has recruited an intellectual property partner from the PwC-affiliated firm Tiang.
Chiang Ling Li, a seasoned attorney with over three decades of experience in data and intellectual property law, has joined Georgiou Partnership as a partner. This move marks a significant addition to the Hong Kong-based law firm, which was established last year by Philip Georgiou, a former disputes partner at Baker Botts and Jones Day.
Prior to joining Georgiou Partnership, Li was with PwC-linked firm Tiang & Partners. Her departure from Tiang & Partners, which occurred in July 2025, followed a trend of partner exits at the firm and PwC network affiliates around 2024–2025. Notably, ten partners left PwC Hong Kong since December 2024, with further partner attrition expected.
Despite these departures, Tiang & Partners remains an independent Hong Kong law firm and a PwC member network firm as of mid-2025, according to corporate publications. However, the current roster of partners at Tiang & Partners post these departures is not detailed in the search results.
At Georgiou Partnership, Li brings her extensive expertise in advising multinational corporations on data breaches, cross-border data transfers, and cybersecurity regulations. She also specializes in patent disputes, trade secrets litigation, and data protection compliance. In addition, Li conducts analysis on data flow policies in the Greater Bay Area connecting Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China.
Furthermore, Li advises governments on cybersecurity regulations and data exchange frameworks. This aspect of her practice is likely to complement Georgiou Partnership's existing expertise in disputes resolution and corporate law.
This move comes after other notable shifts in the legal landscape. Earlier this year, funds expert Gaven Cheong moved to Charles Russell Speechlys. As the legal sector continues to evolve, firms like Georgiou Partnership and Tiang & Partners will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of legal services in Hong Kong and beyond.
[References] 1. South China Morning Post. (2025, August 1). PwC Hong Kong hit by another wave of partner departures. [online] Available at: https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3163945/pwc-hong-kong-hit-another-wave-partner-departures 2. Law360. (2025, July 20). Chiang Ling Li Leaves Tiang & Partners For Georgiou Partnership. [online] Available at: https://www.law360.com/legalnews/nation/1369303/chiang-ling-li-leaves-tiang-partners-for-georgiou-partnership 3. The Lawyer. (2025, June 15). PwC's Hong Kong law firm Tiang & Partners loses founding partner. [online] Available at: https://www.thelawyer.com/pwcs-hong-kong-law-firm-tiang-partners-loses-founding-partner/15050282.article
- The move by Chiang Ling Li, a seasoned attorney in data and intellectual property law, to join Georgiou Partnership as a partner expands the Hong Kong-based law firm's expertise in areas such as litigation, regulation, and compliance, especially in the realm of intellectual property and technology.
- With her specialization in patent disputes, trade secrets litigation, and data protection compliance, Li will contribute to Georgiou Partnership's existing strength in disputes resolution and corporate law, and is expected to play a pivotal role in advising multinational corporations on data breaches and cross-border data transfers.
- Prior to joining Georgiou Partnership, Li was with Tiang & Partners, a PwC member network firm, where she likely gained experience in understanding the intricacies of finance and business.
- The shift of experienced attorneys like Li from established law firms to new firms like Georgiou Partnership highlights the dynamic nature of the legal sector, and underscores the changing landscape of legal services in Hong Kong, as well as its impact on the broader business arena.
