Johnny Ho
Johnny Ho

Partner

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Languages English Cantonese Mandarin
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Awards & Recognition
ALB Asia Super 50 Disputes Lawyer

Asian Legal Business

2025

Litigation Star, White-collar Crime

Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific

2025

Preeminent Hong Kong Criminal Lawyer

Doyle's Guide

2025

Leading Hong Kong White Collar Crime, Corporate Crime & Regulatory Investigations Lawyer

Doyle's Guide

2025

Thought Leader of Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR (Business Crime Defence)

Lexology Index

2024

Recommended Lawyer of Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR (Business Crime Defence & Investigations)

Lexology Index

2024

Recommended Lawyer, Business Crime Defence (Corporates)

Lexology Index

2024

Recommended Lawyer, Business Crime Defence (Individuals)

Lexology Index

2024

Thought Leader, Business Crime Defence (Corporates)

Lexology Index

2024

Thought Leader, Business Crime Defence (Individuals)

Lexology Index

2024

Criminal cases require a specialist, accept nothing less.

As a criminal lawyer in Hong Kong, Johnny specializes in Criminal Litigation.  He has experience at all levels of the Courts and is a partner in the firm’s Corporate Crime Department.  He has represented both individuals and companies in numerous cases investigated and prosecuted by various enforcement agencies including:-

  • The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)
  • The Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB)
  • The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC)
  • The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)
  • The Immigration Department
  • The Customs & Excise Department
  • The Labour Department
  • The Hong Kong Police Force

Johnny is a trial advocate and regularly appears in the Magistrates’ Courts, the District Court and Disciplinary Tribunals.  He has considerable experience in dealing with the Department of Justice concerning potential prosecutions.  He also advises and accompanies individuals and company representatives who are filing reports to the Hong Kong Police.

In 2016, Johnny was appointed to the Criminal Law and Procedure Committee of The Law Society of Hong Kong, which reviews and advises on criminal laws and regulations proposed to be enacted and advises members on all procedural matters relating to criminal legal practice.

Testimonials

Johnny Ho is a distinguished practitioner with a wealth of experience defending individuals in business crime matters, where he receives widespread acclaim for his ability “to earn the full trust of clients” and “always provide legally practicable solutions”.

Lexology Index, 2025

Johnny Ho commands a spectacular reputation in the business crime defence market, where he garners plaudits for his “extensive knowledge and resourcefulness” when advising corporates on complex investigations.

Lexology Index, 2025

Johnny Ho is a top-tier lawyer who is widely recognised as being “extremely professional and meticulous in dealing with client matters.”

Lexology Index, 2024

Johnny Ho, a specialist in criminal litigation, is a notable partner. With experience across all levels of the courts, he serves as a partner in the firm’s corporate crime department. Johnny has represented both individuals and companies in numerous cases investigated and prosecuted by various enforcement agencies.

Benchmark Litigation, 2024

Johnny Ho receives widespread endorsements as “one of the leading partners in Hong Kong” and “a top choice for corruption and commercial crime cases” thanks to his “extensive experience at all levels or trial and appellate courts” and “client-friendly approach”.

Lexology Index, 2023

Johnny Ho is recognised as “one of the leading business crime solicitors in town” who is “extremely dedicated in trying to achieve the best for his clients” and has a “deep understanding of the criminal justice system and an ability to offer practical and realistic solutions.”

Lexology Index, 2023

Qualifications & Education
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Solicitor, Hong Kong (2008)
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Solicitor, England and Wales (2013)
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Member of Criminal Law and Procedure Committee of The Law Society of Hong Kong (2016)
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Civil Celebrant, Hong Kong (2017)
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Member of Working Party on Use of IT in Judicial Process of The Law Society of Hong Kong (2020)
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Member of Legal Aid Committee of The Law Society of Hong Kong (2024)
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Bachelor of Arts, University of British Columbia
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Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), City University of Hong Kong
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Postgraduate Certificate in Laws, City University of Hong Kong
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Master of Laws in Criminology and Criminal Justice, London School of Economics
Memberships
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The Law Society of Hong Kong
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Law Society of England & Wales
Experience
Criminal & Commercial Crime
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Handling a multi-jurisdictional money laundering case of over US$300 million involving Hong Kong, Mainland China and United States of America.
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Defended clients who were charged with Money Laundering in L/C fraud cases. These cases were often cited by legal practitioners on the issue in relation to having “reasonable grounds to believe” – FAMC 28/2007; CACC 482/2010.
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Representing ex-government officials in a high profile criminal case in relation to Misconduct in Public Office – DCCC 761/2018.
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Acted for bank officers at the management level in the Lehman Brothers mini-bonds investigation conducted by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
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Obtaining urgent injunctive relief against individuals blocking the entrance of a popular Chinese newspaper company – HCA 2037/2014.
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Representing listed company directors from different jurisdictions (including Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Mauritius, Oman, Thailand, Indonesia and United States of America) in filing reports to the Hong Kong Police in relation to internet fraud, email fraud and other deception cases.
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Making successful applications to withdraw money from bank accounts which have been restrained by a Restraint Order issued by the Court.
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Handling multi-jurisdictional investigation carried out by the Customs & Excise Department in relation to import and export issues involving Hong Kong, Mainland China and the United Kingdom.
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Represented clients charged with Murder at trial and attempted plea negotiations and engaging expert witnesses to produce expert medical reports – KCCC 3359/2021, KCCC 831/2024 and TMCC 1203/2024.
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Acted for clients facing offences such as Possession and Trafficking in Dangerous Drugs by providing through-train support in plea bargaining, committal and trial proceedings – HCCC 202/2021, WKCC 2949/2022, KTCC 2018/2023, CACC 179/2023 and HCCC 91/2024.
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Successfully defended clients charged with sexual offences such as Rape, Indecent Assault and having Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a girl under the age of 16 in trial proceedings across various levels of court – HCCC 393/2014, DCCC 545/2023, WKCC 3757/2021 and ESCC 875/2023.
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Also successfully defended clients charged with various Immigration offences such as wrongful possession of two HKID cards, unlawful employment, possessing false identification documents and making false declarations to the Immigration Department – STCC 1725/2015 and ESCC 1827/2023.
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Acted for clients facing Dangerous Driving or Drink Driving offences at trial and preparation for plea and mitigation – KCS 503782/2019, KCCC 2035/2023, STCC 2340/2023 and STCC 3958/2023.
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Acted for clients charged with Common Assault and Wounding of Police Officers – WKCC 3102/2018, ESCC 2270/2021, ESCC 3757/2021 and ESCC 432/2023.
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Successfully defended clients charged with Theft and Deception-related cases – KCCC 3394/2021, DCCC 881/2023 and DCCC 922/2023.