Simpson Thacher Hong Kong partner arrested for drink driving
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Simpson Thacher & Bartlett Hong Kong partner Chen Leiming was arrested last Thursday following a road accident in Hong Kong, according to a local newspaper in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Chinese-language newspaper Ming Pao reported the collision, which occurred at around 11:50pm on 21 June. It was reported that Chen was driving a Porsche sports car and was involved in a side collision with a mini bus in Stanley on the south eastern part of Hong Kong Island. No one was seriously injured, however both drivers suffered head and neck pain and were cared for by paramedics.
Following the collision, the Hong Kong police conducted breath tests on both drivers and Chen was found to have exceeded the prescribed limit of alcohol in his breath.
The 51-year-old lawyer was arrested for drink driving, but was later released on bail and will report back to the police on 6 August.
In May, Clifford Chance’s Asia managing partner Peter Charlton was charged with one count each of ’driving a motor vehicle with alcohol concentration in breath over prescribed limit’ and ’careless driving’ (17 May 2012).
Under Hong Kong’s Road Traffic Ordinance, the general maximum penalties for convicted drink driving include a fine of up to HK$25,000, imprisonment for up to three years and disqualification from driving for up to two years.
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Readers' comments (43)
Ben | 2-Jul-2012 9:51 am
Why do we care? Is this news worthy? It's a purely private matter. Does the word 'privacy' ring a bell?
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General Counsel | 2-Jul-2012 10:32 am
When someone engages in drink driving and endangers the safety and lives of other drivers it is a matter of great concern to the public. Being arrested for drink driving is a matter of public record - there is nothing "private" about it. If Mr. Chen wants to endanger the public by driving while intoxicated then he should suffer the consequences of his actions, including the negative publicity that results from his criminal activity. Kudos to The Lawyer for making us aware of this matter. I for one will think twice before I send anymore business to Simpson Thacher.
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newsworthy | 2-Jul-2012 10:43 am
Two high profile partners in Hong Kong at top-tier firms arrested for drink driving. Yep. Definitely newsworthy. Nothing private about a criminal arrest. I'm pretty sure it's all a matter of public record. Thank goodness he didn't kill someone.
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Really? | 2-Jul-2012 10:48 am
Why do we care? I guess you have never lost a loved one to drink driving.
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definitely newsworthy | 2-Jul-2012 11:01 am
This is newsworthy because studies have shown that lawyers are prone to depression and alcohol abuse as a result of the considerable stress involved in the profession. It has been reported that in the UK, alcohol-related deaths among lawyers were twice that of the national average with 30% of male lawyers and 20% of female lawyers abusing alcohol. While I do not have statistics for Hong Kong, I think it is safe to assume similar rates of alcohol abuse in Asia, at least among lawyers at the big global firms. Alcohol abuse among lawyers often goes untreated. Let's hope Mr. Chen gets the help he needs before he seriously hurts himself or someone else.
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curious | 2-Jul-2012 11:09 am
What are the implications on his admission to the bar if he is convicted? Can one be disbarred for a criminal conviction of drink driving?
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jamespond | 2-Jul-2012 11:11 am
ben is absolutely right
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Ben | 2-Jul-2012 1:58 pm
What the do-gooders above do not seem to realize is that this is a legal website, not a local HK paper. We are sitting thousands of miles away from where this non consequential incident took place, so the only reason we are being fed this info is gosspip.
It's juicy info involving Magic Circle partners getting drunk. Nothing else.
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Phil | 2-Jul-2012 2:40 pm
Ben:
A) Simpson Thacher isn't a MC firm.
B) This could result in the guy being put on gardening leave and possibly thrown out of the firm (and ejected from the bar). Given the impact this could have on ST's offering in HK it is definitely newsworthy for an industry publication.
(Also, given the range of clients most major firms have, there's the possibility that this could actually be a big deal for some of them (e.g. lobbying for alcohol industry etc))
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Anonymous | 2-Jul-2012 2:42 pm
To Ben:
Lose a loved one to a drunk driver, then you will understand. I am tired of those making excuses for self indulgent jerks, whether those jerks are from the magic circle or otherwise.
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client | 2-Jul-2012 3:09 pm
I'm a client of STB Hong Kong and it matters to me! Sounds like Ben is just worried that The Lawyer will be writing a similar story about him one day.
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would you like to know more? | 2-Jul-2012 3:26 pm
Alcoholism in the legal profession is a serious problem and most definitely worthy of coverage in The Lawyer. Perhaps The Lawyer should do a full blown article on the issue and expand on some of the issues raised in the comments above.
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Peeps | 2-Jul-2012 3:41 pm
Drunken partner of a prestigious Wall Street firm crashes his Porsche into a mini-bus in upscale Stanley neighborhood. Come on Leiming! You're giving the entire profession a bad name!
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a bit of advice | 2-Jul-2012 4:02 pm
There is no shortage of taxis in Hong Kong. Just leave the Porsche in the parking garage when you've had to much to drink!
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Ben's primary school English teacher | 2-Jul-2012 4:31 pm
Gosspip?
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Ben | 2-Jul-2012 9:01 pm
Not sure I understand the emotional arguments about losing someone in an accident, lawyers being prone to depression and alcoholism, etc... The guys drove drunk so he's a bipolar, suicidal alcoholic now? Be serious.
At the end of the day, a law firm partner gets arrested for DUI (which absolutely all of us have already done at least once; we just didn't get arrested) and people try to rationalize their interest in this gossip by making it about larger issues. But it just doesn't fly.
As for the "STB client" , you’re right, what do you mean about moving your business because of this? You'll need to find a firm where no one has any chance whatsoever of ever being arrested for DUI. Good luck now.
Anyway, biglaw partners getting arrested and getting exposed makes some people happy, I suppose. No better ego boost for failed lawyers...
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Graham @ Hong Kong | 3-Jul-2012 7:33 am
If anything the drinking culture amongst lawyers is even more extreme over here.
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Gweilo Shmeilo | 3-Jul-2012 10:27 am
Must be the hot, humid climate turning them to drink.
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Anonymous | 3-Jul-2012 11:31 am
I have to be slighly concerned about the welfare of Hong Kong lawyers if Ben is a typical example. How can he seriously say that DUI is something that "absolutely all" (not just "all", mind) of us have done at least once?
Yes, a more in-depth article on lawyers and alcohol would probably be a good idea. It is something which does not get much attention in comparison with say the "work-life balance" issue. For example, absolutely all, to coin a phrase, of the firm-sponsored post-work events I have attended have served alcohol, and very often served for free.
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Anonymous | 3-Jul-2012 11:38 am
To Ben
When all else fails, resort to personal attacks on those you disagree with.
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