Mishcon's Hong Kong ally appoints five-strong disputes team from chief autonomous firm

Mishcon's Hong Kong ally appoints five-strong disputes team from chief autonomous firm

As Mishcon pushes forward with its strategy of increasing private client capabilities in Asia, Karas' disputes boutique has strengthened

The Hong Kong-based Mishcon de Reya associate firm Karas has hired five members from local rival Howse Williams to add to its dispute resolution and private wealth offerings.

Mishcon describes Kevin So as a litigator who has a "distinguished track record in Hong Kong disputes matters, particularly handling high-stakes client trusts and international succession issues and probate, family and mental health claims".

In addition to Hong Kong and England and Wales dual qualifications, So's practice includes shareholder disputes, debt and insolvency issues, and regulatory investigations. In 2019, he took over as a partner at Howse Williams from Davis Polk & Wardwell, where he had been a counsel. Prior to that, he had been at Clifford Chance.

In addition to Karas and So, Geoffrey Lai and Veronica So, as well as Jamie Chan and Tricia Yu, are also members of the practice group.

Karas Managing partner Jason Karas said that the team possesses "extensive experience in complex disputes, especially in connection with trusts and successions involving international disputes." They are also like-minded in their philosophy of law.

As a result of their arrival, their dispute resolution capabilities in Hong Kong will be significantly expanded, enhancing their position as the market leader. Mishcon's growth strategy and East meets West vision will be realized through our collaboration with Kevin and his team."

In September 2021, Miscon has announced that it had signed an agreement with Karas as it looked to expand in Asia ahead of its planned IPO on the London Stock Exchange. It was already launched on the continent the year prior when it appointed two partners from local firm withers Khattar Wong to establish a private client office in Singapore.

Kevin's admission about joining Mishcon is a huge step forward in realizing my firm's ambition to grow in Asia." Kevin Gold, Mishcon's executive chair, said: "We have announced our partnership with Karas because our vision is to grow our capabilities in Asia."

Jason Karas leads Karas' disputes and investigations practice, which focuses on high-value, complex issues like corporate collapses, audit and other professional negligence, shareholder disputes and commercial fraud. As a result of So and his team's arrival, the firm now has more than 25 employees.