Irene Lee
General Counsel APAC
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About
Irene Lee is General Counsel APAC at Deminor Litigation Funding, based in Hong Kong. She oversees Deminor’s activities across Greater China and South East Asia and is widely recognised as a leading expert in third party funding in the region.
With more than 15 years of experience in complex commercial litigation, international arbitration and financial regulatory matters, Irene works closely with clients and law firms on high-value, cross-border disputes, particularly involving mainland Chinese parties.
At Deminor, she focuses on identifying and assessing litigation funding opportunities across Hong Kong, Mainland China and South East Asia, while supporting the strategic development of the firm’s regional presence.
Irene has been recognised by Chambers, Lexology, Who’s Who Legal, Global Law Experts and The Lawyer Network as a leading practitioner in third party funding.
Main tasks
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Based in Hong Kong, Irene focuses on (i) finding and assessing new litigation funding opportunities in Hong Kong, Mainland China and South East Asia, (ii) advising and working with clients and law firms on funded cases and (iii) actively participating in the development of Deminor’s activities in the region.
Previous work experience
- University of Hong Kong, part-time lecturer (2020-2023).
- City University of Hong Kong, part-time lecturer (2019-present).
- Dechert, Trial, Investigations and Securities Lawyer (2019-2020).
- UBS AG, Litigation and Investigations Lawyer (2016-2017).
- Herbert Smith Freehills, Disputes Resolution Lawyer (2005-2016).
Education
- Master of Laws, London University (2005).
- Postgraduate Certificate of Laws, University of Hong Kong (2004).
- Bachelor of Laws, University of Hong Kong (2003).
- Bachelor of Business Administration (Laws), University of Hong Kong (2002).
Additional information
- Client Testimonials About Irene:
- “As Irene was a solicitor in private practice with very good law firms and is well-versed in both litigation and arbitration, and knows extremely well how to run cases.”
- “Irene Lee has legal and financial acumen; a wealth of connections and contacts and is conscientious in her approach.”
- “Irene is diligent, responsive, and always helpful. Irene also has great communication skills and a solid understanding of the law.”
- “Irene is a recognised authority when it comes to third-party funding in arbitrations involving Chinese parties.”
Recognitions
- Lexology Client Choice Award 2024 – Third-Party Funding in Hong Kong.
- Who's Who Legal (WWL) Third Party Funding Ranking 2024, Thought Leader – Hong Kong.
- Exclusive Litigation Funding Representative in Hong Kong – Selected by the Global Law Experts 2024 Handbook, January 2024.
- Acquisition International Leading Adviser Awards 2024.
- Acquisition International Leading Adviser Awards 2023.
- Who's Who Legal (WWL) Third Party Funding Ranking 2023, Thought Leader – Hong Kong.
- Lexology Client Choice Award 2022 – Third-Party Funding in Hong Kong.
Publications
- The Old Future of Dispute Resolution, in the IHC Magazine (Vol. 3, Issue 6, pages 38 & 39), December 2024.
- Third Party Litigation Funding: Singapore, in the 7th edition of The Third Party Litigation Funding Law Review, March 2024.
- Third Party Litigation Funding: Hong Kong, in the 7th edition of The Third Party Litigation Funding Law Review, March 2024.
- The Landscape of Third-Party Funding in Mainland China, article co-written with Zhao Charles, January 2024.
- The Enforcement of English Judgements In Mainland China, And The Reverse, in Lexology, co-written with David Walker, September 2023.
- Third Party Litigation Funding: Hong Kong, in the 6th edition of The Third Party Litigation Funding Law Review, January 2023.
- Third party funding in Thailand - is it possible and relevant?, in Lexology, co-written with Emi Rowse Igusa and Wadtawan Wongrathpanya, December 2022.
- Landmark Decision in Mainland China - First Court English Judgment Recognised in Mainland China, Deminor blog, July 2022.
- The Anatomy of Third Party Funding – An Insider’s View of the Funding Process, the Hong Kong Lawyer, May 2022.
- The Third Party Litigation Funding: Hong Kong, in the Third Part Funding Law Review, December 2021.
- The main principles of third-party funding in dispute resolution - cross-border explanation, in Lexology, article co-written with Olivia de Patoul, March 2021.
Conferences & Courses
- Overseas Investment Economic and Trade Protection and Third-Party Funding Conference, hosted by CIETAC, May 2024.
- Key Issues in Hong Kong Litigation & The Impact of Cross-Border Mutual Agreements and Third-Party Funding, seminar, hosted by Zhong Lun Law Firm, March 2024.
- Gender Equality in the Legal Profession, presentation, invited by Debevoise & Plimpton, March 2024.
- Litigation Funding in Hong Kong, seminar, hosted by Deacons' Construction and International Arbitration practice, February 2024.
SCIA-SIAC Conference on International Arbitration Rule Innovation and Cross-border Insolvency Dispute Resolution, presentation, invited by Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration and Singapore International Arbitration Centre, November 2023. - Funding Experience and Development in Asia, presentation and discussion with Hogan Lovells dispute resolution team, October 2023.
- 7th Legal Capital Summit, presentation, invited by the Beijing Arbitration Commission/Beijing International Arbitration Center, Houzhu Capital and Dingsong Legal Capital, October 2023.
- Third Party Funding and Outcome Related Fee Structure seminar at Denis Chang’s Chambers with Edouard Fremault and Tara Liao, July 23.
- The Mutual Recognition of Insolvency in Hong Kong and Mainland China From a Funder's Perspective, co-presented panel discussion, hosted by Debevoise & Plimpton, May 2023
- Third Party Funding, panel discussion participation at the SIAC Beijing Conference 2023, May 2023.
- The Benefits of Doing Business with South American and Asian Parties, panel discussion participation, hosted by Withersworldwide and ICC, with Justen, Pereira, Oliveira & Talamini, March 2023.
- Alternative Fee Arrangements, hosted by HK45, with Fu Tong, Chee Chong Lau, Jacky Fung, Tara Liao, Sylvia Tee and Kitty Zheng, March 2023
- Enforcement in Hong Kong, hosted by Denis Chang’s Chambers, with Richard Yip, February 2023.
- Third Party Funding and its Effect on Disclosure and Cost Award in International Arbitration, panel discussion participation, hosted by CIArb, February 2023.
- Introduction to Third Party Funding, presentation at CLECSS, February 2023.
- Third Party Funding in Hong Kong – Recent Legal Development Taught in PCLL Program, City University of Hong Kong School of Law E-Newsletter, December 2022.
Enforcement in Mainland China - The Dos and Don’ts, with David Gu and Charles Zhao, December 2022. - The 6th Legal Capital Summit - New Horizons of Third Party Funding, speaker, November 2022.
- Introduction to Litigation Fund Business, invited to give online lecture by CLECSS (China Legal Education and Career Seminar Series), November 2022.
- Funding Offshore Disputes, invited as speaker by Li School and Fei Mao, November 2022.
- Laws and Workings of Third Party Funding, invited to present by City University of Hong Kong, 2022.
- Session on Third Party Funding for the Professional Diploma in Insolvency class, invited to co-present by Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA), September 2022.
- Conference on Merger, Acquisition and Risk Management in Cross-Border New Energy Investments, delivered keynote speech, June 2022.
- Lexology Masterclass: Litigation Funding, took part in the panel, June 2022.
- ICC IBA Moot Court, invited by the IBA as a judge, May 2022.
- Seminar on New Thinking for Cross-border Commercial Dispute Resolution, invited to speak by Anli Partners and Helen Xin, February 2022.
- Theory, Practice and Cost Sharing of "Technical Confidentiality Agreement" International Commercial Arbitration, invited by JunHe LLP to present with David Gu, December 2021.
- Enforcement of Judgments and Arbitral Awards in Hong Kong and Mainland China, presented joint webinar with Debevoise & Plimpton & TianTong Law Firm, September 2021.
- Use of Third Party Funding in Dispute Resolution Worldwide, invited to give guest lecture by City University of Hong Kong, 2021.
- Conference on Investment Recovery to Corporations in the Medical Industry, invited to present by East China Normal University and the Shanghai International School of Chief Technology Officer, 2021.
- Conference on Green Finance, invited by Shanghai University of Electric Power to present, May 2021.
- Conference on The Development and Trend of Commercial Arbitration in the New Era - Third Party Funding in International Arbitration, invited to present by the Suzhou Industrial Park Semiconductor & Electronic Association, and Tian Tong Law Firm, May 2021.
- Enforcement in Mainland China: Is this realistic? All you need to know in 3 case studies, presented webinar with David Gu and Olivia de Patoul, April 2021.
Professional Organisations
- Hong Kong Institute of Directors (member).
Languages
- English, Mandarin, Cantonese.