Date:  07 October 2026 (Wednesday)   Time: 9:30am–12:45pm   Language: English  Level: Intermediate

Speaker:          Stephen Gallagher, Professor of Practice in Law, Associate Dean (Academic & Student Affairs), the  Faculty of Law, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Lawyer/Trainee Solicitor/Foreign Lawyer  Other Professionals’ Elective RME &CPD Points: 3.5                 Fee: HK$2,100

Highlights: 

Cybercrime, artificial intelligence and digital assets are reshaping the risk landscape for legal practice. Solicitors are increasingly targeted by sophisticated cyberattacks, AI-enabled frauds, deepfake impersonation schemes, business email compromise attacks, ransomware incidents and cryptocurrency-related scams. At the same time, clients expect lawyers to understand the legal, regulatory and risk management implications of emerging technologies.  This three-hour seminar will examine the evolving threats posed by cybercrime, AI-assisted crime and cryptocrime, with a particular focus on the risks facing Hong Kong law firms and their clients. Participants will explore how criminals are leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance phishing, social engineering, identity fraud, document forgery and financial scams, as well as how cryptocurrencies and other digital assets are being used to facilitate fraud, money laundering and asset concealment.

The seminar will address key regulatory, professional conduct and risk management issues, including cybersecurity obligations, data breach response, client due diligence, anti-money laundering compliance, management of digital asset risks, and the responsible use of AI within legal practice. Through case studies drawn from recent local and international incidents, participants will learn how to identify warning signs, implement effective controls and develop practical strategies to reduce exposure to technology-enabled crime.

By the end of the seminar, participants will be better equipped to assess emerging digital risks, protect client information and assets, strengthen firm-wide resilience, and respond effectively when technology-related criminal activity is suspected or discovered.   Topics covered include:

  • Current cybercrime trends affecting law firms and professional service providers
  • AI-assisted crime, deepfakes, synthetic identities and business fraud
  • Cryptocurrencies, digital assets and emerging forms of financial crime; Cybersecurity governance and incident response
  • Anti-money laundering and client due diligence challenges; Professional responsibility and risk management considerations for solicitors
  • Practical measures to reduce legal, financial and reputational exposure; Future developments in digital technology and criminal activity

 

Remark: All eligible lawyers including partners, sole proprietor, consultants, assistant solicitors, foreign lawyers and trainees should take at least 3 Elective RME points each year. All solicitors can have 3.5 CPD points per seminar. However, we will give the priority to all eligible solicitors in obtaining elective RME points and CPD points.  

 

 

 

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Stephen Gallagher

Stephen Gallagher, Professor of Practice in Law, Associate Dean (Academic & Student Affairs), the Faculty of Law, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Steven Gallagher was awarded a first class LL.B. He was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2006. Steven teaches the equity and trusts courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Steven also teaches a course on art, antiquities, cultural heritage and the law on the LLM programme. Steven has presented continuing professional development courses for solicitors in Hong Kong on many topics associated with equity. Steven’s research interests include equity and the law of trusts, cultural heritage law and legal history. In September 2021, Steven published the book, “Protecting Built Heritage in Hong Kong: what heritage and what protection?”