Tom Pugh

Partner

Hong Kong

T +852 2596 3466

M +852 6209 2634

E tom.pugh@walkersglobal.com

Practice Areas

Tom is a partner in Walkers' Insolvency, Restructuring & Dispute Resolution Group in Hong Kong. Tom focuses on advising insolvency practitioners, creditors and debtors in respect of cross-border insolvencies and restructurings, with experience in consensual workouts; court-led restructurings; and enforcement / strategic investment advisory reviews.

Tom has worked on a variety of large-scale cross-border liquidations and restructurings such as Lehman Brothers and MF Global (acting for the liquidators in Hong Kong), Asia-related Chapter 11 cases such as Pacific Andes/China Fishery and TMT and most recently advised the steering committee representing the interests of more than 30 bank lenders and credit support providers/ECAs in connection with Hong Kong-listed Genting's USD3.5 billion debt restructuring, as well as cross-jurisdictional recognition cases such as Z-Obee, Changang and Huiyuan Juice involving interplay among the courts of Hong Kong and Bermuda/the Cayman Islands.

Restructuring and liquidation work has involved advising on cross border asset recoveries and settlements, court processes to resolve key issues affecting liquidators’ ability to determine and distribute assets, matters arising in the administration of failed brokerages, and assignments involving China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland and Japan.

Tom is recognised by Chambers, Legal 500 and IFLR1000 as a leading practitioner.

Prior Employment Experience

Prior to joining Walkers in 2021, Tom was a partner in Mayer Brown's restructuring and insolvency practice for eight years where he worked on a variety of large-scale cross-border liquidations and restructurings, Asia-related Chapter 11 cases as well as cross-jurisdictional recognition cases.

Admitted in & Qualifications

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

Qualifications:
LLB, with Honours, University of Bristol

Other Distinctions

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."

Tom is recognised as a leading practitioner by independent legal directories, including The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Chambers Asia-Pacific and IFLR1000.

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”

Boards & Associations

Tom is a member of INSOL, including as a member of INSOL’s 12-seat editorial board for its monthly newsletters and a previous board member/secretary of the Hong Kong chapter of the global Turnaround Management Association.