Tom advises on Bermuda, British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands law in relation to contentious and non-contentious distressed situations; and he leads our Insolvency, Restructuring & Dispute Resolution Group in Asia.

Tom has approaching 20 years' experience advising in Hong Kong on cross-border dispute resolution, insolvency and restructuring matters across Asia. He specialises in investment disputes; and cross-border insolvencies and restructurings.

He advises shareholders, funds, financial institutions, insolvency practitioners, creditors and debtors on disputes, corporate law and investment matters, including redemption issues, exit options, directors' duties, protective steps, enforcement and remedies and strategies involving consensual and court-based approaches.

His experience spans:

management and shareholder/partner disputes
wind-down and solvent liquidations
formal insolvency proceedings and receiverships
forum and jurisdiction challenges
recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, awards and insolvencies
recovery and enforcement processes
strategic investment advisory reviews
bond defaults
court-led debt and corporate restructurings, including schemes of arrangement
Asia-related Chapter 11 proceedings

Experience and recent work

Prior to joining Walkers, Tom was a partner in Mayer Brown's restructuring and insolvency practice for eight years.

Qualifications

Admitted in:

Bermuda, Registered Associate
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
England and Wales (not practising)
Hong Kong (not practising)

Education:

LLB, with Honours, University of Bristol

Member, INSOL and its 12-seat editorial board for its monthly newsletter
Previous board member/secretary, Hong Kong chapter of the global Turnaround Management Association

2026 Chambers Asia-Pacific - Notable Practitioner - "Tom Pugh is one of the few banking and finance practitioners in the offshore world with a proper understanding of the issues and the law relating to them." "He has an almost unique insight into what is required, what is relevant and what the alternatives are when it comes to providing offshore advice on Hong Kong and Mainland cross-border transactions."

2026 Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Greater China 2026 - Leading Partner - "On the disputes side, Tom Pugh is a key contact for insolvency practitioners, creditors, debtors, and shareholders"

2025 Chambers Asia-Pacific - Notable Practitioner - "Tom Pugh frequently advises creditors with regard to debtor negotiations, liquidations, restructurings and recovery matters. He comes recommended for his handling of multi-jurisdictional matters." "He is responsive, technically sound and a good person to work with. It is a positive experience working with them." "Tom Pugh gave solid enforcement advice on a sensitive matter."

2025 Legal 500 Asia Pacific - Leading Partner - "Tom Pugh is a key contact for both creditors and debtors, shareholders, and insolvency practitioners."

2024 Chambers Asia-Pacific - Notable Practitioner - "Tom is a highly regarded lawyer in the Hong Kong market, having deep experience across a variety of matters. He is well known as a cross-border insolvency and restructuring specialist who provides focused advice in a timely manner."

2024 Legal 500 Asia Pacific - Leading Individual - "Knowledgeable in offshore insolvency work."

2023 Chambers Asia-Pacific - Notable Practitioner - "Tom Pugh frequently advises creditors with regards to debtor negotiations, liquidations, restructurings and recovery matters. He comes recommended for his handling of multi-jurisdictional matters."

2023 Legal 500 Asia Pacific - Leading Individual

2022 Asian Legal Business - Asia's Top 15 Offshore Litigators

2022 Legal 500 Asia Pacific - Leading Individual

2022 Chambers Asia-Pacific - Recommended - Offshore: Corporate & Finance including Investment Funds

Who's Who Legal 2021 - Recommended Lawyer - Mainland China & Hong Kong SAR - Restructuring & Insolvency: "[Tom] enjoys a sterling reputation for his exemplary work on complicated insolvency cases."

Leading Individual - Restructuring and Insolvency, Hong Kong - The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2018 - 2021)

“Combining innovative solutions with a pragmatic approach”, Tom Pugh demonstrates “significant technical expertise on a variety of complex cross-border issues” - The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2019)

Tom Pugh “is praised for his 'great thoughtfulness and agile approach to restructurings’.” - The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2020)

‘Analytical with devastating effect.’ - The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2021)

Banking & Finance: Restructuring/Insolvency, China - Chambers Global (2019, 2020)

Restructuring/Insolvency (International Firms), China - Chambers Asia Pacific (2019, 2020, 2021), which notes that clients describe Tom Pugh as having a “very practical approach to matters” and being “very strong technically.” “Thomas Pugh earns his ranking supported by strong feedback from the market and work on a variety of cross-border insolvencies …”. “[T]echnical expertise, combined with astute commercial awareness on various complex cross-border issues and a results oriented approach."

Tom Pugh “is a well-respected figure in the market who often advises insolvency practitioners and banks with regard to distressed situations. A client praises his technical ability, noting: "He can really get into the technical aspects of the documents very effectively and he gives very effective and commercial advice.” Chambers Asia Pacific (2020)

Leading Lawyer - Restructuring and Insolvency, Hong Kong - IFLR1000 (2017-2020)

“Tom is very knowledgeable in the restructuring space. He’s very calm under pressure and provides sound and concise advice.” “ … Tom Pugh [is a] leader in the restructuring field and provide[s] exceptional service …” IFLR1000 (2019)

"Tom is a personable lawyer that has solid experience in the region. He is accessible and responsive to requests and can provide clear/concise advice tailored to particular circumstances.” IFLR1000 (2020)

“Very smart operator.” - The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2017)

Tom has also been published in the following titles:

Hong Kong chapter of book – "Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency in Asia", Asian Business Law Institute, in conjunction with the International Insolvency Institute (ISBN 978 981 14 4963 5)
Hong Kong chapter for the 9th, 11th and 12th editions of "The Restructuring Review", published by The Law Reviews (ISBN 978-1-83862-047-9; ISBN 978-1-83862-047-9; ISBN 978-1-910813-22-5)
Hong Kong sections for the Global Restructuring Review’s Asia Pacific Restructuring Review manual: 2017, 2018 and 2019
Hong Kong chapter for the INSOL International book entitled “Insolvency and Trusts”

Team Members