Meet Our Lawyers

Born and raised in London, Colin graduated in business law at the City of London University in 1977 and completed his Master of Laws with First Class Honours at Cambridge University the following year. On his arrival in Hong Kong in 1981, he was an assistant solicitor before lecturing in law at the University of Hong Kong. In 1985, he co-founded the company that would eventually be called Boase Cohen & Collins, becoming a Partner in 1988 and Senior Partner in 2004. Colin’s key areas of practice include criminal proceedings and complex corporate crime, as a result of which he has co-ordinated defence teams on some of Hong Kong’s most high-profile court cases. In addition, he has vast experience in commercial litigation, securities regulatory issues and cross-border work, while his arbitration proficiency saw him admitted as a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators in 2015 and as a member of the Panel of Arbitrators of the Law Society of Hong Kong in 2017. Recognised for his pro bono work, community outreach and commitment to various charitable causes, Colin was awarded the Hong Kong Medal of Honour in 2012 for his long-standing contribution to the Inland Revenue’s Board of Review, having served as Deputy Chairman for nine years. Away from the office, Colin’s passion is sport, particularly football – he is an ardent follower of Chelsea FC and a scourge of local players in his role as no-nonsense, card-flourishing amateur referee.

Alex’s association with Boase Cohen & Collins dates back to 1991, when he joined the company after receiving his Postgraduate Certificate in Laws from the University of Hong Kong. He was admitted as a Solicitor in Hong Kong in 1993. After some time away from the company, he returned to Boase Cohen and Collins in 1999 as a Consultant, becoming a Partner the following year. In 2008, he completed the world renowned MBA programme run jointly by Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University in Chicago and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Outside the practice, Alex spends time with his young family, plays golf when he can, and is an active member of the Lions Club International, including a stint as Cabinet Treasurer for Hong Kong and Macao District in 2013-14.

A beneficiary of British colonialism, Usha was born in Kenya, raised in England and is a permanent resident of Hong Kong. Usha completed her law degree at the University of Hull, where she studied Family Law under the renowned academic Professor Hugh Bevan, considered a great authority on the subject. She graduated with Honours in 1980 and was admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales in 1984 before relocating to Hong Kong where she was admitted as a Solicitor in 1993. She has been a Partner in Boase Cohen & Collins since 2001 and heads the firm’s Family Law practice. Usha is a long-standing committee member of the Hong Kong Family Law Association and is currently Deputy Chairman, having previously served as Chairman from 2013-16. Also, she has been a committee member of the Hong Kong Collaborative Practice Group since 2010 and has sat on the Judiciary’s Working Group on Children and Ancillary Relief. Previously, she has worked with the Law Society of Hong Kong sub-committee on enforcement of maintenance orders. Usha’s reputation as a Family Law practitioner sees her ranked as a “Leading Individual” by Chambers and Partners, publishers of the world’s premier legal guide, in their 2018 Asia-Pacific edition. A mother of three grown-up children, she remains extensively involved in extracurricular activities in church and education. Away from the office, Usha enjoys hiking, reading and food. She is also a member of the Council of the Helena May, the elegant ladies club in Central, and sits on two of the Club’s Committees.

Teddy moved into the legal profession after starting his career as a qualified physiotherapist in Hong Kong and Australia. He then obtained his law degree with the University of London, graduating with Upper Second Honours in 1997, and earned his Postgraduate Certificate in Laws from the University of Hong Kong in 1998, the same year he joined Boase Cohen & Collins as a Trainee Solicitor. He was admitted as a Solicitor in Hong Kong in 2000 and became a Partner in the firm in 2003. A father of two grown-up sons, at weekends Teddy can be found playing football or hiking with friends in the New Territories. His love of the outdoors was enhanced during his teenage years when he was part of a team of volunteers who caught and catalogued snakes and other reptiles for a book that was published by the then Agriculture and Fisheries Department.

After earning her Postgraduate Certificate in Laws from the University of Hong Kong in 1990, Fiona was admitted as a Solicitor in Hong Kong in 1992 and as a Solicitor in England and Wales two years later. She first joined Boase Cohen & Collins as an Assistant Solicitor in 1995, becoming a Partner two years later. In 2000, she completed her Master of Laws with Honours at the City University of Hong Kong – this was a double degree course in Chinese and Comparative Law that involved study of the law in mainland China. After some time away from the company, she returned to Boase Cohen and Collins in 2005. Fiona enjoys travelling and maintains a keen interest in environmental issues. She can also be found horse riding at weekends, but insists this is more a parental duty than a hobby.

A career in healthcare beckoned for Lisa after she graduated from the University of Sheffield in England in 1998 with a degree in medical science, but her keen interest in law saw her change tack. She completed her law degree with the University of London and her Masters with the University of Northumbria before earning her Postgraduate Certificate in Laws from City University of Hong Kong in 2008. That same year, she joined Boase Cohen & Collins as a Trainee Solicitor, becoming an Associate in 2010 and a Partner in 2014. An accredited mediator, Lisa is devoted to helping divorce couples resolve their differences and make future arrangements amicably, which has led to her becoming a committee member of the Hong Kong Collaborative Practice Group. Away from the office, Lisa spends most of her time with her young family.

Born in Pontypool, Wales, and raised in Nottingham, England, Susan studied for her law degree at the University of North London, graduating with Honours in 1992. Soon after, she studied for her Bar exams and joined the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, one of the four Inns of Court in London, in 1993. She then worked as a Paralegal in private practice before being called to the Bar in 1996 as a Non-practising Barrister-at-Law in England and Wales. She was admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales in 1998, shortly after relocating to Hong Kong – her parents’ birthplace – and joining Boase Cohen & Collins as a Paralegal. She was admitted as a Solicitor in Hong Kong in 2002, thus becoming an Assistant Solicitor with the company. She became a Partner in 2016. In her spare time, Susan enjoys travelling, tennis, hiking and running – she completed the Hong Kong Half Marathon in 2014 and the Full Marathon in 2015. Committed to serving the community, she is a volunteer with Giving Bread, the service that delivers donated bread to homes for the elderly.

Jeffrey earned his law degree at the University of Hong Kong, graduating with Honours in 1999, and received his Postgraduate Certificate in Laws from the same establishment the following year. He then entered private practice and was admitted as a Solicitor in Hong Kong in 2002. As his career progressed, his keen interest in the community led him to participate in the Free Legal Advice Scheme under the Duty Lawyer Service of the Hong Kong SAR. Jeffrey joined Boase Cohen & Collins as a Partner in 2015, thus enabling the firm’s clients to benefit from his considerable experience across a wide range of practice areas, with a particular focus on insurance laws and related disputes. He regularly gives seminars and conducts discussion workshops for the staff members of many insurance companies in Hong Kong. Away from the office, Jeffrey enjoys spending time with his wife and young daughter, playing soccer and watching movies.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Patrick entered the legal profession after initially enjoying a successful career as an engineer. He obtained a degree in industrial engineering from the University of Manitoba in Canada in 1993 and earned his Master of Science at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2000. His switch to the legal profession came after he completed his Juris Doctor – a law degree for graduates from a non-law discipline – at the City University of Hong Kong in 2007 followed by his Postgraduate Certificate in Laws at the same establishment two years later, at which point he joined Boase Cohen & Collins. He was admitted as a Solicitor in Hong Kong in 2011, thus becoming an Assistant Solicitor with the firm. He became a Partner in 2017. Outside the office, Patrick is an active member of Lions Clubs International District 303 – Hong Kong & Macau, China. He is also passionate about running and has participated in marathons in Berlin, Paris, Oaska, London and Tokyo since 2013.

Hailing from Falmouth in Cornwall, Melville studied law at Liverpool University – which included a one-month programme in Portugal with the International Faculty of Private Law held at the University of Lisbon – and graduated with Honours in 1965. His next stop was Brazil, where he spent a year as a Rotary International Foundation Fellow at the University of Campinas, São Paulo, studying Private International Comparative Law. He was admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales in 1970, becoming Assistant County Prosecuting Solicitor with Gwent County Council in 1973 and Principal Solicitor with Newport Borough Council two years later. Melville arrived in Hong Kong in 1977 as Crown Counsel for the Hong Kong Government, a role he occupied for three years before entering private practice. He set up the company that would eventually be called Boase Cohen and Collins in 1985. Protecting the rights of migrant workers in Hong Kong remains a particular focus of Melville’s legal career and he has been Treasurer of the Mission for Migrant Workers since 1981. A keen cricketer in his younger days, he has been a member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club since 1991 and, together with other Liverpool University alumni, was co-owner of Liverbird, a successful racehorse until its retirement in 2011. 

Born and raised in Birkenhead near Liverpool, Charles took his law degree at Preston Polytechnic – what is now the University of Central Lancashire – and graduated with Honours in 1979, then completed his Solicitors’ Finals Law at Chester College of Law the following year. He entered private practice in Liverpool and was admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales in 1982 before relocating to Hong Kong, where he was admitted as a Solicitor in 1983. He was a partner at a major Hong Kong law firm from January 1990 to April 2004 and was also admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in the Australian Capital Territory in 1991. Charles joined Boase Cohen & Collins as a Consultant in 2004. A former litigation editor of the Asian Law Journal, he has written numerous case reviews, delivered lectures and moderated seminars on issues as varied as the Bill of Rights, Enforcement of Foreign Judgments, Injunctions, Debt Recovery, Domestic Tenancies and Distraint. Outside office hours, Charles enjoys hiking, occasional golf and watching Liverpool FC, and has a taste for modern literature, indie music, fine food and wine.

Born and raised in New Zealand, Michael was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in New Zealand in 1980, having studied for his Honours degree in law at the University of Auckland. He relocated to Hong Kong in 1984 to take up a position with the Faculty of Law at the University of Hong Kong, where he remains to this day as Associate Professor. He completed his Master of Laws with the University of British Columbia, Canada, in 1988 and was admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales in 1992, the same year he was admitted as a Solicitor in Hong Kong. Michael has authored a number of legal publications including the acclaimed textbook Criminal Law in Hong Kong, which was published by HKU Press in 2003. He has been consulting for Boase Cohen and Collins for nearly 30 years, specialising in criminal law and procedure, cybercrime, and privacy and data protection law. He has served as a member of the Hong Kong Law Reform Commission's Subcommittee on Fraud and the Law Society of Hong Kong's Committee on Criminal Law and Procedure, and has appeared on a number of occasions before Legislative Council panels to present submissions. Away from the legal profession, Michael played football and golf for many years, with pace in his earlier years but – he is quick to point out – nearly always with limited skill. He also played cricket for the University of Hong Kong social team.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Erica completed a degree in commerce at the University of Auckland in New Zealand in 2001 and then undertook her law degree at the City University of Hong Kong, graduating in 2004. She completed her Postgraduate Certificate in Laws at the same establishment the following year. She served as a barrister-at-law from 2006-08 before becoming a Trainee Solicitor, a development which saw her admitted as a Solicitor in Hong Kong in 2011, thus taking up a position as Assistant Solicitor. She joined Boase Cohen & Collins in 2016. Erica has experience in both Criminal and Civil Litigation and also acts as counsel on fiat to prosecute various criminal offences in the Magistrates Courts. In addition, her commitment to the community through pro bono work has been recognised by the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Home Affairs Bureau. Away from the office, Erica spends time with her husband and young daughter and pursues her interests in travel, music and religious studies.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Alice completed her schooling in the territory before heading to study law at the University of Manchester, from where she graduated with Honours in 2009. She returned to Hong Kong and spent six months teaching English before taking time out to go travelling through South America, visiting Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. She received her Postgraduate Certificate in Laws from the University of Hong Kong in 2012, joining Boase Cohen & Collins shortly after as a Trainee Solicitor. She was admitted as a Solicitor in Hong Kong in 2014, thus becoming an Assistant Solicitor with the firm. Outside of work, Alice plays hockey and has previously represented Hong Kong at U21 level. She plays for Hong Kong Football Club, where she has Captained the B team in the Premier League and has sat on the Hockey Section Committee for the past 3 years. She also enjoys going to the gym and travelling.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Allison was 15 when she moved with her family to Canada, where she earned a degree in mathematics, majoring in computer science, from the University of Waterloo. Returning to the land of her birth, she completed her Master of Science at the University of Hong Kong in 2008, specialising in engineering, electronic commerce and internet computing. She then completed her Juris Doctor – a law degree for graduates from a non-law discipline – at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2012 and earned her Postgraduate Certificate in Laws from the same establishment a year later, after which she joined Boase Cohen & Collins as a Trainee Solicitor. She was admitted as a Solicitor in Hong Kong in 2015, thus becoming an Assistant Solicitor in the firm. Away from the office, Allison enjoys spending time with her family. As well, she is a gifted musician, having studied piano to Grade 9 at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, and she also plays the violin.

Born in Hong Kong and partly raised in Vancouver, Henry graduated from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, in 2009 in Sciences. Later that year, he completed a postgraduate diploma in accounting at the same university. He then enrolled in the City University of Hong Kong’s Juris Doctor programme – a law degree for graduates from a non-law discipline – which he finished in 2012 and he collected his Postgraduate Certificate in Laws from the same establishment a year later, after which he joined Boase Cohen & Collins as a Trainee Solicitor. He was admitted as a Solicitor in Hong Kong in 2016, thus becoming an Assistant Solicitor in the firm. In his leisure time, Henry enjoys running and badminton, watching movies and indulging in his enthusiasm for cars. If not spending time with family and close friends, he can be found walking his dog.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Stephanie relocated to Canada for her undergraduate studies, enrolling at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, where she studied Criminology. She then joined a personal injury law firm in Vancouver, working full-time as a paralegal, before deciding to pursue a legal career in Hong Kong. She completed her Juris Doctor – a law degree for graduates from a non-law discipline – at the City University of Hong Kong in 2014 and earned her Postgraduate Certificate in Laws from the same establishment a year later, after which she joined Boase Cohen & Collins as a Trainee Solicitor. She was admitted as a Solicitor in Hong Kong in 2017, thus becoming an Assistant Solicitor with the firm. Outside office hours, Stephanie enjoys cooking and spinning.

Kristie came to Boase Cohen & Collins in 2015 after completing a double-degree programme offered by the University of Hong Kong. She studied for her Bachelor of Social Sciences (Government and Laws) from 2009-12 – during which time she received the Serena Yang Award for Global Studies Internship – and then completed her Bachelor of Laws in 2014, after which she earned her Postgraduate Certificate in Laws. Following two years as a Trainee Solicitor at BC&C, she was admitted as a Solicitor in Hong Kong in 2017, thus becoming an Assistant Solicitor with the firm. Away from the office, Kristie enjoys watching movies and reading.

Wendy, who was born and raised in Hong Kong, enrolled for her Bachelor of Laws at the University of Hong Kong. While studying for her law degree, her continuous involvement in youth, community and leadership projects took her to Japan, Malaysia and, latterly, Shanghai, where she lived and worked for two months. In her final year she spent six months at Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands, as part of an exchange programme before graduating in 2015. She remained at HKU to complete her Postgraduate Certificate in Laws in 2016, after which she joined Boase Cohen & Collins. Away from the office, Wendy enjoys hiking, drawing and yoga.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Arthur earned a degree in Finance and Economics from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2009 and then completed his Master of Science in Economics at University College London two years later. He then worked as a paralegal in private practice in Hong Kong before embarking on his Juris Doctor – a law degree for graduates from a non-law discipline – at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, graduating in 2015. He completed his Postgraduate Certificate in Laws at the same establishment in 2016 and joined Boase Cohen & Collins soon after. In his spare time, Arthur is a keen basketball player and follows the NBA while he also watches English Premier League football.

Willa gained a Bachelor of Arts from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where she majored in Social Policy and Administration, a course which included a spell as an exchange student at the University of Nottingham in the UK. She then enrolled in the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Juris Doctor programme – a law degree for graduates from a non-law discipline – graduating in 2016, before studying for her Postgraduate Certificate in Laws at the same establishment. She joined Boase Cohen & Collins in the summer of 2017. Away from the busy life of a Trainee Solicitor, Willa enjoys hiking and watching movies.

Born in Sydney, raised in Hong Kong, Joshua studied law at City University of Hong Kong from 2012-16, during which time his summer work experience included an internship at the Shanghai No.2 Intermediate People’s Court. As well, he was a participant in the Global Legal Education and Awareness Project, which involved studies at University College, Oxford, and Monash University in Melbourne. After graduating with first class honours in 2016, he remained at City University to complete his Postgraduate Certificate in Laws before joining Boase Cohen & Collins in the summer of 2017. When not at work, Joshua pursues an outdoor lifestyle that includes running and hiking.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Vivian completed her law degree at the University of Sussex in the UK, graduating in 2015. She gained her Master of Laws at the University of Hong Kong, where her areas of research included intellectual property, privacy and data protection, and then remained at the same establishment to study for her Postgraduate Certificate in Laws. Having previously served two spells at the firm as a summer intern, she joined Boase Cohen & Collins as a Paralegal in September 2017. After completing her Postgraduate Certificate in Laws in 2018, she became a Trainee Solicitor with the firm. Away from work, Vivian enjoys movies and travelling.

Born in Hong Kong, April moved to Canada with her family when she was 10. She earned a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Biology (Biomedical Science) from York University in Toronto, where she was a member of the Dean’s Honour Roll two years in succession. She also received the Genetics Society of America’s Victoria Finnerty Undergraduate Travel Award for students involved in research before graduating in 2015. She then studied for her Juris Doctor – a law degree for graduates from a non-law discipline – at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where she was a postgraduate student representative on the Sir TL Yang Society’s Management Committee. She remained at the same university to complete her Postgraduate Certificate in Laws in 2018, after which she joined Boase Cohen & Collins. Outside of work, April enjoys watching movies and playing badminton.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Joyce studied for her law degree at the University of Hong Kong from 2012 to 2016. During this time she enjoyed a spell as an exchange student at the University of Nottingham in the UK, where she did voluntary work with prison inmates regarding their rehabilitation and assisted in workshops for primary school students, educating them about children’s rights. She remained with the University of Hong Kong to complete her Postgraduate Certificate in Laws in 2017 and then earned a Master of Laws with King’s College London in 2018, after which she joined Boase Cohen & Collins. Joyce’s commitment to the community in Hong Kong has seen her help organise cultural exchange events on diversity and inclusion while also assisting ethnic minority children with their schoolwork. Away from the office she enjoys yoga, movies and travelling.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Hugo collected his Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English Studies and Politics and Public Administration, from the University of Hong Kong in 2014. Before completing his degree, he also spent a term at Peking University studying Putonghua. Having decided his future lay in the legal profession, Hugo took a gap year to gain experience with Hong Kong law firms before studying for his Juris Doctor – a law degree for graduates from a non-law discipline – at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He graduated in 2017, receiving the Dean’s List Award for Outstanding Academic Performance. Hugo was then granted a Sir Oswald Cheung Memorial Fund P.C.LL. Scholarship to study for his Postgraduate Certificate in Laws at the same establishment. During this time, he represented CUHK in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, firstly in Hong Kong and then Vienna, where his team received an honourable mention. Upon completing his studies in 2018, he joined Boase Cohen & Collins, thus returning to the firm where, a few months previously, he had been a winter intern. Away from the office, Hugo enjoys swimming, jogging, playing football and following the fortunes of his favourite team, Bayern Munich.