Corporate IPO Associate

Stephenson Harwood LLP; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Stephenson Harwood LLP in Hong Kong is seeking an IPO lawyer with 3–5 years’ PQE to manage IPO workstreams, prepare listing documents and liaise with regulators. You will coordinate with external counsel and other professionals while actively involving in client pitches and building relationships with clients.

The role offers exposure to general corporate and corporate finance work, annual retainer arrangements and listed company compliance.

Qualifications

• Solid working knowledge in acting for issuers and/or sponsors/underwriters in IPO projects and experience in listing companies' compliance matters.
• Experience in Listing Rules, the Takeovers Code, the Securities and Future Ordinance, the Companies Ordinance.
• Able to work independently and have good drafting, negotiation, presentation and analytical skills.
• Organised and able to work to strict deadlines with the ability to prioritise realistically.
• Resilient with the ability to handle setbacks and pressure.

Responsibilities

• Manage (with appropriate supervision) different workstreams of IPO transactions
• Prepare listing application documents and responses to regulator comments
• Coordinate with external legal counsel and other professionals as necessary
• Involve in client pitches and build strong client relationships
• Exposure to general corporate/corporate finance work, annual retainer, and listed company compliance work
• Advise on transactional matters and drafting of transaction documents
• Advise on compliance issues relevant to listed companies and Listing Rules and Takeovers Code

Skills

IPO experience

HK-qualified

Legal drafting

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Job description

What We Will Offer

We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

Main Responsibilities

• Manage (with appropriate supervision) different workstreams of IPO transactions
• Prepare listing application documents and responses to the comments of regulators
• Manage and coordinate with external legal counsel and other professionals, as necessary
• Actively involve in client pitches and build excellent working relationships with clients
• An opportunity to have a diverse exposure to general corporate/corporate finance work, annual retainer, and listed company compliance work
• Advise on transactional matters and drafting of transaction documents
• Advise on compliance issues relevant to listed companies and the Securities and Future Ordinance, the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange (“Listing Rules”) and the Hong Kong Code on Takeovers and Mergers and related regulatory requirements

Attributes/Skills Required

• 3 to 5 years PQE, HK-qualified, preferably trained with a mid-size international or large local law firm
• Solid working knowledge in acting for issuers and/or sponsors/underwriters in IPO projects and experience in listing companies' compliance matters.
• Experience in Listing Rules, the Takeovers Code, the Securities and Future Ordinance, the Companies Ordinance
• Able to work independently and have good legal drafting, negotiation, presentation and analytical skills
• Organised and able to work to strict deadlines with the ability to prioritise realistically
• Resilient with the ability to handle setbacks and pressure
• Ability to operate professionally and proactively at all times
• Self-aware and an active participant in self development
• Flexible, a lateral thinker
• Exhibits an understanding of the firm’s position in the market and how it distinguishes its services from its competitors
• Language: Simplified Chinese (written), Mandarin (spoken) and English (written and spoken)

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm's strategy and business needs.

About The Firm

With 8 offices worldwide and with our headquarters based in London, Stephenson Harwood is a law firm where our people are committed to achieving the goals of our clients - listed and private companies, institutions and individuals across the globe. Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.

Our experience encompasses corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration, employment, pensions and private wealth, finance, marine and international trade, and real estate and projects.

We assemble teams of bright thinkers to match our clients' needs and give the right advice from the right person at the right time. Dedicating the highest calibre of legal talent to overcome the most complex issues, we deliver pragmatic, expert advice that is set squarely in the real world.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

Our vision into 2026

To be a successful firm where talented people work together in an entrepreneurial environment, building long term client relationships.

This vision is about who we want to be, as well as who we are. It is as much about our values as about our character – the attributes we want to see from all of our people. That's how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit, advising our clients with top performing teams.

A key part of the 2026 strategy is to focus on five core sectors: decarbonisation, life sciences, private capital & funds, technology, and transportation & trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable growth.