Hong Kong’s Karas So, which operates in association with Mishcon de Reya, has hired Tan Choo Lye as a partner from U.S. law firm K&L Gates. Tan brings with her experience in cross-border deals and private client services.

Tan's practice focuses on Southeast Asian markets, particularly Malaysia and Singapore, where she specialises in family office structuring, succession planning, and philanthropic matters. She has also advised endowments, sovereign wealth funds, and charitable foundations on foreign investments in China and Asia, including QFII and RQFII programmes.

Prior to her tenure at K&L Gates more than 15 years ago, Tan practiced at international law firms based in Malaysia and Hong Kong, where she gained experience in the laws of various jurisdictions, including Malaysia, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and Hong Kong.

Apart from advising high-net-worth individuals and ultimate beneficial owners across borders, she has expertise in securities, corporate finance, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and public and private equity issues.

“We are delighted to welcome Choo Lye to our team. Her appointment is a strategic move that aligns with our vision to be a leading private client law firm. Her ability to navigate the complexity across borders is a tremendous asset as we guide our clients through increasingly sophisticated landscapes," said Jason Karas, managing partner at Karas So, in a statement.

Karas So currently has 35 lawyers, including 10 partners. They include disputes specialist Alex Wong, who joined in September from another U.S. firm, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.