Michael Popkin

Overview

I'm a Partner at Mourant Ozannes (Hong Kong) LLP in our Litigation and Restructuring & Insolvency practice.

Before joining Mourant in 2022, I worked with Campbells in Hong Kong and the Cayman Islands for six years. Prior to that I practised for 14 years in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution department of Allens in Sydney, Australia and for 10 years with leading law firms in Bangkok, Thailand and Phnom Penh, Cambodia. During the course of my career I have worked on matters involving transactions in most jurisdictions in Asia.

I advise on all aspects of offshore disputes and distressed situations, including applications for urgent injunctive or other relief.  I am particularly experienced in disputes relating to investment funds and significant financial transactions and disputes between stakeholders.  I regularly act for insolvency practitioners, creditors, directors and directors’ committees, fund managers and administrators, trustees, investors and major shareholders or beneficiaries. Most of the matters that I work on are multi-jurisdictional in scope and I specialise in efficiently and effectively coordinating with legal and counsel teams across jurisdictions worldwide.

Professional qualifications

• Registered Foreign Lawyer, Hong Kong
• Admitted in the Cayman Islands
• Admitted in the British Virgin Islands
• Admitted in England & Wales
• Admitted in New South Wales, Australia (currently non-practising)
• Admitted in New York, USA (currently non-practising)

Memberships

• Hong Kong Law Society
• Restructuring and Insolvency Faculty, Hong Kong Instituted of CPAs
• International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals (INSOL)
• International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC)

What the directories say

In Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2025, Michael is ranked in Offshore: Dispute Resolution. He is described as having "a wealth of legal experience across the globe." Another source adds: "Michael Popkin is really easy to work with. He remains a calm presence in difficult situations."

In Legal 500 Caribbean 2025, Michael is named as a Recommended Lawyer in Foreign-based Expertise. A source describes him as "excellent", with another adding: "Michael Popkin is highly energetic, very organised, well experienced, well versed, and always ready to meet client needs."

In Legal 500 Caribbean 2024, Michael is a Recommended Lawyer in the area of Foreign-based Expertise, a category which recognises practitioners with notable Caribbean knowledge and experience based outside of the Caribbean region. A source identifies him as a "standout" partner who is "very quick to grasp the key issues."

In Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2024, Michael is individually ranked as Up and Coming in Offshore: Dispute Resolution.

In Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2024, Michael is named as a Recommended Lawyer, with a source praising him for being able to "distil complex legal issues in simple terms and then to provide practical advice on the next steps."

In Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2023, Michael is recognised as a Key Lawyer. A source quoted in the guide says: "His legal knowledge in BVI and Cayman Islands law is second to none. He is intelligent and proactive. What distinguishes him from other BVI/Cayman lawyers is that he can keep the big picture in mind and provide legal solutions that makes commercial sense... he is also extremely hardworking and is willing to always go an extra mile for the benefit of his client."

"Michael Popkin provides excellent offshore bankruptcy and insolvency advice." Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, 2021.