Lorraine is a Special Counsel of Karas So LLP and is a commercial disputes lawyer experienced in multi-jurisdictional and multi-disciplinary cases. She is active in both litigation and international arbitration (HKIAC, ICC, CIETAC, SIAC) and has particular experience in professional negligence claims, insolvency and asset tracing matters and defamation suits.
Lorraine represents and advises corporate and individual clients and has previously acted in several Hong Kong landmark cases; for example a libel action which went to the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) on the operation of qualified privilege and CFA’s approach to malice and legal proceedings brought against the Commissioner for Police and Secretary for Justice by a Hong Kong Listed “Red Chip” Company concerning the scope of search warrants and issues of legal professional privilege (LPP) which resulted in an elevation to LPP and limited waiver in Hong Kong.
Lorraine was admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 2007 and speaks English and Cantonese.
Key Experience
Well-known arbitrator
Defended a well-known arbitrator in a US based global law firm in striking out “vexatious” allegations that he acted dishonestly and in bad faith as sole arbitrator in an HKIAC dispute over a local law firm where the District Court dismissed the request by a local lawyer for an injunction against the arbitrator and struck out allegations that the arbitrator misused confidential court documents and failed to recuse himself despite being conflicted (DCCJ 2047/2020 & DCCJ 220/2021 – Heard Together).
Current Financial Secretary
Defended the current Financial Secretary and his wife in a libel action where verdicts were returned finding all six communications defamatory; four of the six published maliciously; and two published on privileged occasions. Both parties appealed. The plaintiffs’ appeal was dismissed and the plaintiffs appealed at the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) where it allowed the appeal and directed that there be a retrial on the issue of malice (HCA 370/2012; CACV 251/2015; CACV 252/2015; FACV 13/2017).
HKIAC International Arbitration
Acted for a Japanese company in a very significant HKIAC International Arbitration and successfully opposing an application to set aside the partial arbitral award (HCMP 1191/2015).
“Red-Chip” Company
Assisted in a team acting for a “Red-Chip” Company in relation to Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB) investigations on allegations of fraud and defalcation of trust. Legal proceedings were brought against the Commissioner for Police and Secretary for Justice concerning the scope of search warrants and issues of legal professional privilege (LPP), resulting in an elevation in the case law developments of LPP and limited waiver in Hong Kong (CACV 60/2011).
Career History
- Special Counsel, Karas So LLP, 2021
- Senior Associate, Deacons, 2016-2021
- Associate, Deacons, 2011-2015
- Associate, Robertsons, 2008-2011
- Associate, Cheung & Choy, 2007-2008
- Trainee Solicitor, Department of Justice (Prosecutions), 2006-2007
- Trainee Solicitor, Cheung & Choy, 2004-2006
- City University of Hong Kong, Postgraduate Certificate in Law (PCLL), 2004
- City University of Hong Kong, Bachelor of Law (Hons) LLB, 2003
- University of Toronto, Bachelor of Arts, (Double Major: History & Geography), 2000
Admission
- High Court of Hong Kong, 2007