Dennis WH Kwok is an internationally acclaimed and award-winning lawyer, recognized for his contribution to the rule of law. He was a pro-democratic lawmaker in Hong Kong for 8 years, elected as the sole representative of legal profession in the Hong Kong legislature first in 2012, and then in 2016 with 69% majority of the votes.
Dennis has practiced law with a focus in the Asia Pacific Region for more than 20 years. He started his legal career with the international firm Herbert Smith and went on to practice as a barrister in Hong Kong from 2006 to 2023. He represented international businesses in complex litigation and arbitration, and advised on cross-border commercial transactions and disputes involving the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong. Together with local counsel, he has worked on numerous matters in China and the Asia Pacific region including in jurisdictions such as Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea and the Philippines. He has also worked on many international arbitration cases as counsel. With his experience in frontline politics and various public offices, he helps to give clients a deep understanding of the domestic and geopolitical issues in the China region, where political and legal developments are heavily intertwined. Dennis is co-heading the firm’s International Disputes and China Corporate Advisory practice.
Aside from his legal career, Dennis served as a Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School from 2021 to 2023. His research at Harvard focused on the legal and political risks emerging from the China region. He was appointed as a Distinguished Scholar at Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service in 2021. He also served as a visiting Associate Professor at the University of Tokyo, and is currently a visiting Lecturer at Northeastern University.
Dennis is fluent in Chinese and English.