Kevin So is an accomplished litigator with a diverse practice that spans across a wide range of civil and commercial disputes. Clients turn to him for his expertise in trust, probate, inheritance disputes, mental health disputes, shareholder disputes, cross-border debt and insolvency matters, employment disputes and regulatory investigations.
Kevin is the Co-Convenor of the Dispute Resolution Sub-Committee of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) in Hong Kong. He is also a member of the Mental Health Law Committee of the Hong Kong Law Society.
Kevin is a dual-qualified solicitor (in Hong Kong and England & Wales) as well as a Notary Public. He has also passed the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Legal Professional Examination, which entitles him to obtain qualification to practise Mainland law in respect of civil and commercial legal matters in nine cities within the GBA.
Kevin has been described by Chambers Greater China (2022) as “an exceptional litigation lawyer who knows the market and adopts a practical and effective strategy to get to where his clients want to end up”, “very knowledgeable in private wealth and estate dispute matters” and “very client-oriented and responsive”. Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2021) described Kevin as "one of the best litigators in town and a go-to solicitor for private wealth, trust, and commercial disputes”.
Other accolades that Kevin has received includes:
- “Growth Drivers (International)” in The A-List by China Business Law Journal (2023-2024)
- Featured in Private Client Global Elite Directory by ALM law.com (2023-2024)
- Leading Estates, Probate & Succession Litigation Lawyers (Hong Kong) (Tier 2), Doyle’s Guide (2020-2024)
- Future Star (Commercial and Transactions), Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific (2018-2024)
- Top 100 Trust Litigators and Polymaths (Global), Citywealth (2020)
- “Rising Star of the Year” (Asia-Pacific), Asialaw and Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution Awards (2018)
Kevin is trilingual in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Key Experience
Private wealth / trust / probate / family
Advising in a high-profile dispute in relation to a prominent, multibillion-dollar family in Hong Kong (involving a 24-day High Court trial).
Advising in a high-profile trust dispute involving a prominent, multibillion-dollar family in Hong Kong / Macau.
Advising on the administration of and legal proceedings relating to the estate of a billionaire tycoon in Hong Kong, with cross-border elements spanning across Mainland China, the US, BVI and Japan.
Advising a professional trustee institution in Hong Kong in respect of trust / family proceedings relating to a family with net worth over HK$20 billion (involving Mainland China, Cayman Islands and Jersey elements).
Advising a professional trustee institution in Hong Kong relating to the estate of a well-known singer in Hong Kong. The proceedings were commenced under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Ordinance (Cap. 481).
Advising in probate, trust and inheritance proceedings relating to the estate of a Taiwanese businessman with net worth over HK$500 million, with cross-border elements spanning across Mainland China, U.S. and BVI.
Advising in various cases involving removal and replacement of executors / administrators/trustees.
Advising in various cases involving mentally incapacitated persons (MIPs) and issues under the Mental Health Ordinance (Cap. 136).
Company (including insolvency)
Frequently representing creditors in insolvency / restructuring proceedings involving, in particular, Mainland China real estate groups which are listed in Hong Kong (including in the case of Re China Evergrande Group [2024] HKCFI 363).
Advising the liquidators and receivers in multiple proceedings against the affiliates of a sizeable Hong Kong conglomerate alleged to have committed a large-scale asset-striping scheme.
Advising the founder of a leading coffee chain in Mainland China on various legal proceedings and debt restructuring issues.
Advising in various significant shareholder disputes involving derivation actions and unfair prejudice petitions.
Advising on a US$800 million+ debt restructuring of a Hong Kong-listed, Mongolia-based energy group.
Advising on issues arising out of a high-profile restructuring of a Singapore-listed, Hong Kong-based energy commodity trading group.
Advising on claims and issues arising out of the liquidation of an airline company in Hong Kong.
Banking
Advising a leading international bank in a case involving a fraud perpetrated by its Mainland China business partner in respect of a real estate investment trust listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Advising a leading international bank in a case involving a large-scale fraud perpetrated by one of its bankers that affected hundreds of customers (in Singapore and the USA).
Advising banks on various mis-selling claims brought as a result of the Lehman Brothers minibond saga.
Regulatory / White collar crime
Advising a leading international bank in an investigation by the SFC and the ICAC as a result of an alleged fraudulent scheme perpetrated by some of the employees.
Advising a Chinese-based securities firm in an investigation by the SFC for allegedly conducting regulated activities without the requisite licence.
Career History
- Partner, Karas So LLP, 2022
- Partner, Howse Williams, 2019
- Associate / Counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell, 2017
- Associate / Senior Associate, Clifford Chance, 2009
- Trainee Solicitor, Johnson Stokes & Master (now known as Mayer Brown), 2007
- London School of Economics and Political Science, Bachelor of Laws, 2006
Admissions
- Hong Kong, 2009
- England & Wales, 2012