From Partner to the Bar: building a practice in Hong Kong

After over a decade at Kennedys, including time as a Partner in Hong Kong, Toby Brown made the move to the Bar. In this Q&A, he reflects on building a broad commercial practice, how his time at Kennedys shaped his approach, and the importance of balancing legal precision with commercial practicality.

Tell us about your career path after leaving Kennedys. What does a typical day look like for you in your current role?

I started my legal career in New South Wales, Australia in 2000 before relocating to Hong Kong in 2003. I became a Partner at Kennedys in Hong Kong, focusing primarily on commercial disputes and employment. In 2013, I made a slight career pivot by moving to the Bar and joining Parkside Chambers. 

Since joining the Bar, I have developed a strong practice in asset recovery and in a broad range of commercial matters (litigation and arbitration) including company, shipping, insurance, banking, employment and probate. 

A typical day for me is quite varied, which is one of the aspects I enjoy most about practice at the Bar. When I am appearing in court, the day revolves around hearings - arguing interlocutory applications, attending case management conferences or conducting trials. When I am not in court, I spend time attending conferences with instructing solicitors, reviewing case materials, drafting pleadings, submissions and skeleton arguments or preparing written advices and opinions.

In what ways did your experience at Kennedys prepare you for your current role?

My time at Kennedys provided a solid foundation for my transition to the Bar. It taught me the importance of striking the right balance between legal precision and commercial practicality. 

I bring a dual perspective to my practice at the Bar because I understand what instructing solicitors need from me as a barrister and appreciate the broader strategic and commercial context in which advice is given and decisions are made. This has helped me to communicate and collaborate effectively with instructing solicitors and clients and to manage complex disputes efficiently with the client’s commercial objectives in mind.

What was your proudest work moment or achievement during your time at Kennedys?

Certainly, the proudest and most satisfying moment during my time at Kennedys was watching solicitors develop from newbies into seasoned solicitors. Of course I was also very proud to have been promoted to be a Partner.

What did you enjoy most about working at Kennedys and what do you miss the most?

The best thing about Kennedys was the culture of the firm. It is notable that both the current and former staff generally stayed with the firm for remarkably long periods of time in a profession, in Hong Kong at least, notable for how often solicitors change firms. That is a direct reflection on the culture. I worked with friends and not mere colleagues and that made it very hard to leave. It is this that I miss the most.

What does being part of the Kennedys alumni network mean to you?

It is a wonderful way to keep in contact with and catch up with old friends.