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)
speak for yourself Ben | 3-Jul-2012 2:10 pm
If you think that drink driving is something that "absolutely all of us have already done at least once" then you really are delusional. I think you must have had a few too many drinks before posting here!
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Warped Indignation | 3-Jul-2012 2:10 pm
Quote "General Counsel":
"I for one will think twice before I send anymore business to Simpson Thacher."
Because of one misbehaving partner in Hong Kong, whose ability as a lawyer has not been called into question? Thank God that not everybody is like you, otherwise Barclays bank would have no customers left.
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client | 3-Jul-2012 2:33 pm
It's actually quite easy to find high quality lawyers who aren't out crashing their Porsches and getting arrested drink driving. Also, Hong Kong has a small close knit legal community - we all knew this news well before The Lawyer ran the story. The Lawyer didn't ruin anyone's career. Mr. Chen did that to himself.
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Ben | 3-Jul-2012 3:05 pm
You all er jus a bunch of do-gooders who don't no hows to have a good ole time like me. Yeah. Thats write. You heard me. Doo-gooders. Just don't appreciate that a lawyer needs him some drink to help take the edge off. Now you'll have to scuse me cause I gotta go now. My Porch sporty car is waiting for me now. Vroom vroom vroom!
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Ben | 3-Jul-2012 3:49 pm
Uhm. I losted my keys. Can sonebody helps me find me keys? Do-gooders? Anybody?
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(The real) Ben | 3-Jul-2012 5:24 pm
- I am well aware that STB is not a MC firm - thank you. I was referring to CC, which is also mentioned in the above article in relation to a prior incident.
- Agree that an in-depth article on alcoholism in the profession would be useful and certainly enlightening.
- I stand by my earlier point: there are very hypocritical lawyers (and posturing "general counsels") around here who are trying hard to rationalize their interest in gossip by making it about larger issues. It would be just more honest and straightforward to acknowledge that the "Wall Street firm / Porsche / Partner / Booze combination" makes for a good, fat, juicy and gossipy story...
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Ben | 3-Jul-2012 5:40 pm
PS: Refusing the blatant voyeurism of this article is very different from condoning dangerous driving or “making excuses” for it. This guy should, and will, face the consequences of his actions.
Now does this make it ok to gloat?
Apparently the nuance is lost on some.
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Anonymous | 5-Jul-2012 3:19 am
Do lawyers still take an oath of honor of sorts? If so, lawyers shouldn't be considered typical folks. They are probably held to higher standards than the public and you, Ben. Is there still freedom of speech and press in Hong Kong? You are entitled to your opinion and may choose to ignore this article. Let everyone else decide whats newsworthy of The Lawyer.
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Anonymous | 5-Jul-2012 5:17 am
no one answered, what impact does a DUI have on a lawyer's ability to practice in HK? Can you be taken of the list of solicitors? Also, can you be admitted in the first place
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Anonymous | 5-Jul-2012 3:35 pm
Loving the fact that posters are correcting one another on the magicness or otherwise of a huge global US firm. Like anyone cares. At All. Ever. In a million years. The "Magic Circle" concept is so utterly out of date in our global world, particularly when you look at the world from a legal centre on the Pacific rim. Time to drop it.
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