Thomas So was body’s vice-president for two years; he earned a doctor of laws from a prestigious university in Beijing
CHRIS LAU AND JEFFIE LAM
UPDATED : Tuesday, 07 June, 2016, 10:28pm
Thomas So has been elected the new Law Society president. Photo: David Wong
A specialist in mainland law has been elected to lead the city’s cohort of solicitors amid increasing ties between local legal professionals and their counterparts across the border.
Former vice-president Thomas So Shiu-tsung, who holds a doctor of laws from Beijing’s prestigious Tsinghua University, is the new president of the Law Society, the legal professionals’ body announced in a statement.
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He was elected at the society’s annual general meeting on May 26.
His appointment came after the latest supplement of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement gave Hong Kong professionals, including lawyers, greater access to the mainland market.
So told the Post last November the society wanted to improve conditions for local lawyers wishing to venture into the mainland.
“We can form partnerships with mainland law firms, but the shareholding is restricted to 51 per cent for the mainland and 49 for Hong Kong. We have been calling for a relaxation of that rule,” he said.
Admitted to practice in Hong Kong in 1988, the commercial litigation and media law specialist is the chairman of the society’s Greater China legal affairs committee, alongside his membership of panels dealing with compliance and practitioner affairs.
Outgoing former Law Society president Stephen Hung Wan-shun described So as a “more-than-qualified” person to lead the professional group.
“So has been the vice-president of the Law Society for more than two years and I have been consulting his opinions on various policies during my term,” Hung said.
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He also dismissed the claim by many that So was a conservative lawyer. “I would not be more liberal than him,” Hung said.
Melissa Pang , known for her devotion to public service, including her role as the legal body’s representative on the Hong Kong Legal Aid Services Council, has been re-elected vice-president.
Also re-elected to that post was Amirali Nasir, an Equal Opportunities Commission member.
So is a partner of Mayer Brown JSM, according to the legal firm’s website, which says So handled litigation relating to the media and property. He also represents banks, property developers and corporations in securities and equity-related disputes.
“He is dually qualified in both Hong Kong and mainland China and provides legal support to clients and advises on cross-border dispute strategy in both jurisdictions,” the website says.
So will helm the century-old society, which boasts more than 8,600 members, in handling hot issues such as a proposed new examination for law students wishing to become solicitors.
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/1968661/mainland-law-specialist-becomes-new-hong-kong-law-society
