William Johnson

Profile

William Johnson is a Partner at Morley Chow Seto (MCS). Born and brought up in Hong Kong, he developed his legal career entirely at the firm, progressing from a paralegal to a trainee before being admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 2021. Focusing exclusively on criminal defence, he handles matters at every level of the Hong Kong courts, from the Magistrates’ Courts up to the Court of Final Appeal. His practice combines strong local knowledge, specialist training and a clear focus on achieving the best possible outcomes based on the facts of each case.

William has gained extensive practical experience managing a diverse range of criminal offences. He routinely acts in serious and complex trials in the Court of First Instance, with significant experience defending clients facing charges of homicide, kidnapping, robbery and high-level drug offences. His casework involves strategic preparation from the earliest stages of an investigation, including complex bail applications, applications for crucial disclosure orders, and the management of sophisticated forensic and psychiatric evidence. He is adept at navigating high-stakes litigation, identifying key evidential issues and advising on comprehensive trial strategies.

Beyond his trial work, William maintains a strong appellate practice, managing conviction appeals and bail applications pending appeal across the District Court, Court of First Instance and Court of Appeal. He frequently advises on complex applications to admit fresh evidence and directs the formulation of appellate grounds and written submissions. His practice often involves cross-border and international dimensions, requiring him to manage overseas witnesses and coordinate evidence across jurisdictions.

A core element of William's practice is his client-focused strategy. He works closely with clients—whether advising during early-stage investigations, conducting legal visits or preparing for trial in the higher courts—to ensure they understand their legal position and the available defences. Fully bilingual, William is fluent in English and Cantonese and has conversational proficiency in Mandarin, allowing him to advise and communicate effectively with clients in Hong Kong's multilingual environment.

William is listed as a recommended criminal lawyer in Doyles Guide 2026. Before this, Doyle's Guide consistently recognised him as a Rising Star in Hong Kong Criminal Law, Traffic Law and White Collar Crime for three consecutive years: 2023, 2024 and 2025.

2021Professional experience