About
Kevin Lee is Head of Private Client in Asia, with a particular focus on the structuring, preservation and succession of wealth with a particular focus on complex, cross‑border private client matters. His experience spans the PRC, Hong Kong, Singapore, the US, Canada and the UK, and his practice covers cross‑border tax and trust structuring, succession planning, asset preservation and family governance, enabling him to advise on multi‑jurisdictional issues at the intersection of private wealth and commercial interests.
His client base includes prominent Asian families, family offices and institutional trustees, who rely on his advice on family governance and long‑term succession planning. He also advises founders of listed companies on trust structuring in connection with IPOs, ensuring compliance with relevant tax, securities and regulatory requirements.
In addition to his private client practice, Kevin has significant transactional experience. He has acted as lead counsel on major mergers and acquisitions, including the acquisition of an English Football League club, reflecting his ability to advise on high‑value and strategically complex matters.
Kevin is consistently ranked Band 1 by Chambers High Net Worth and recognised as a Leading Partner by The Legal 500 for Private Client work in Hong Kong. He is also recognised in Spears’s 2024 Tax & Trust Indices for high‑net‑worth individuals and listed in Law.com’s Private Client Global Elite Directory. In 2023, Kevin was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the WealthBriefingAsia Greater China Awards.
Kevin is admitted to practise in Hong Kong, Canada, and England & Wales. He speaks fluent English and also communicates effectively in Mandarin and Cantonese. Kevin divides his time between Hong Kong and Singapore.
Experience
Family governance and restructuring advisory
- Advisor to prominent Hong Kong families on establishment of family governance and succession in conjunction with family trusts and corporate group restructuring.
IPO trust structuring for founders
- Advisor to various Hong Kong listed company founders on pre-IPO and post-IPO trust structuring including in respect of family succession plan, tax, securities disclosure and regulatory compliance, and relevant Takeovers Code issues.
Asset restructuring and migration planning
- Advisor to Mainland China families on asset restructuring in connection with increased globalization of business opportunities and migration of family members to various destinations including U.S., UK, Singapore, Canada and Australia.
Employee benefits trust advisory
- Advisor for institutional trustees and listed companies on Hong Kong employee benefits trusts in respect of trust documentation, tax and employment law issues.
Canadian tax advisory
- Provide Canadian tax advice in respect of non-resident trusts, charitable structures, inbound investments, insurance, pre-migration planning and real property holding structures.
Hong Kong tax advisory
- Provide Hong Kong tax advice in respect of profits tax, stamp duty, tax exemptions for philanthropy, tax residency for corporate clients and individuals. Advised one of the largest global retail groups on the tax implications of redomiciliation of various group entities into Hong Kong.
Trustee regulatory compliance advisory
- Legal advisor for institutional trustees on their various Hong Kong registration, licensing, disclosure of interests filings and other regulatory compliance needs.
