Our People

David R. Tully

The principal of PDA is David Tully, the founder of the Professional Development Group of Companies which provides a range of bespoke services to the legal and other professions in the Asia Pacific Region with a particular focus on China. David was formerly a partner in the Hong Kong office of an international law firm. He has almost 25 years' of experience of working in Hong Kong and China and extensive contacts with both international and domestic law firms operating throughout China and the Region.

David has advised on growth strategies for some of the world's largest firms and is familiar with law firm management structures. He also provides strategic advice for the expansion of client operations throughout
the Region and has been actively involved in law firm set ups in Hong Kong.

Timothy C. Stevens

Tim has more than 30 years of experience in the professional services industry. Tim was formerly a Business Advisory Services partner in PwC including four years as a partner in China servicing multinational companies and large domestic companies. Subsequently, Tim served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Hong Kong/China/Vietnam practices of one of the largest international law firms. Recently, he served as the Executive Director of a major U.S. law firm based in the United States.

Through his experience in the aforementioned capacities, Tim has gained extensive insights into the business issues affecting professional service firms seeking to expand in overseas markets, particularly the financial, structural and risk-related issues in China. A qualified public accountant in both England & Wales and the United States, Tim’s financial expertise and in-depth knowledge of best business practices enables him to service the needs of those international firms establishing operations in the region, which can help them avoid potential pitfalls and profit from the opportunities.

Sheena Brand

Prior to joining PDA, Sheena was the Director of Group Legal Affairs for a publicly listed company in Hong Kong. In that role Sheena managed a cross border legal department and insurance team. Before going in-house, Sheena was a Partner in a number of major UK international law firms based in Hong Kong, where she held various management roles.

Sheena has over 25 years' of experience of legal practice in Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific Region with extensive knowledge of law firm management and development as well as the issues arising in setting up, operating and managing a cross border in- house legal department.

Zhong Gang

Zhong Gang studied History at the University of Wuhan and subsequently obtained an LLM from the People's University of China. He is a qualified lawyer in the PRC. Before setting up his own practice Zhong Gang worked as in-house counsel in Hong Kong with a leading PRC oil and chemical company and is familiar with the issues relating to the management and operation of regional law departments in Asia. Having worked overseas Zhong Gang is attuned to international business practices and can operate effectively as a 'bridge' between Western and Chinese culture.

Zhong Gang maintains extensive and close connections at a senior level within the Chinese business
community not only in Beijing but also in other key cities in the PRC. Zhong Gang's primary role in PDA
is in relation to client assignments requiring advice and assistance in the PRC particularly Beijing and
Shanghai.