Alumni spotlight | Laurence Ho

Tell us about your early career at Withers

I joined Withers shortly after qualifying in 2008 and spent the first year and a half of my career in the firm’s New Haven office. That time gave me a strong grounding in US domestic trusts and estates work, alongside opportunities to support colleagues internationally on planning for globally mobile families.

The work was varied and engaging, spanning everything from pension plan structuring to cross‑border tax analysis. That early experience played a key role in shaping my career and laid the foundations for the international private client work I later focused on.

What did your time away from Withers add to your perspective as a lawyer?

Spending time away from Withers reinforced for me that, whatever a firm’s particular strengths or technical focus, the most successful teams and practitioners are always the most collaborative. Being able to rely on colleagues, to share ideas freely and to draw on expertise across jurisdictions consistently leads to better outcomes for clients, and a more rewarding professional experience.

It also became clear that this kind of collaboration depends on having the right people and the right firm environment. It’s something that’s learned and embedded early in a lawyer’s career, rather than created overnight, and that insight has stayed with me. It continues to shape the way I approach both client work and building teams today.

What prompted your decision to return to Withers in 2024?

I never ruled out the possibility of returning to Withers, recognising that circumstances, on both sides, can change in meaningful ways.
 
Over time, it became clear to me that clients’ needs were becoming increasingly global and complex. It’s no longer enough to have strength in a single jurisdiction or specialism - clients want genuinely integrated, bespoke advice that draws on deep local expertise across multiple regions.

From the outside, Withers really stood out in that regard. Few firms have invested so consistently in building a truly international private client practice, and that strength across key jurisdictions was a significant factor in my decision to return.

Did any individuals influence your decision to return?

Several mentors from my earlier time at Withers are still with the firm today, and they were incredibly welcoming when I returned. They played a formative role early in my career and helped instil a strong work ethic and healthy approach to working life.

That emphasis on mentorship has stayed with me, and it was certainly a factor in my decision to come back - particularly the opportunity to help pass on that ‘Withers DNA’ to the next generation.

What feels familiar – and different - second time around?

The collaborative culture and sense of collective ownership feels very familiar. The number of home‑grown partners is a real testament to that, and it speaks to the firm’s long‑term investment in its people.

At the same time, Withers has clearly evolved. The Asia platform in particular has grown significantly, with Singapore now fully integrated and the Hong Kong office expanded to include both commercial and disputes capabilities. There’s also been a clear generational shift in leadership, which has brought a renewed sense of energy and direction which I find both refreshing and inspiring.

What advice would you give to fellow lawyers earlier in their careers?

The relationships you build early in your career, particularly with mentors and peers, often prove far more influential than you might expect at the time. Investing in those relationships can leave a lasting impression and open up unexpected opportunities, even if your career path takes you in different directions. Even now I frequently find myself working alongside, or across the table, from former colleagues.

I’d also encourage lawyers to seek opportunities to work across different offices or jurisdictions where possible. That broader exposure was invaluable in my own development, not just in strengthening technical skills, but in building cultural awareness, and learning how to manage relationships across borders. Over time, that experience really shapes how you advise clients and work with others.

What value do you think ongoing connections between former and current colleagues can bring?

I routinely come across Withers alumni in my day‑to‑day work. The firm has long been a strong training ground, and it’s not uncommon to find former colleagues working in leading roles across the market.

From a personal perspective, staying connected with fellow alumni has led to genuinely rewarding professional and personal relationships over the years. From the firm’s perspective, an engaged alumni community is a real extension of Withers - creating opportunities for knowledge‑sharing, collaboration and better outcomes for clients, particularly for complex cross-border matters.

What’s next for you?

As my practice has evolved, I no longer see myself solely as a US tax and trust lawyer, but more broadly as a trusted adviser helping clients navigate an increasingly wide range of personal, commercial and international issues.

Looking ahead, we can expect the shifting global landscape to continue to present opportunities, and Hong Kong and Singapore to remain important international financial centres, attracting capital and talent from around the world. My focus moving forward is on drawing on Withers’ global resources, and expertise across the firm to deliver thoughtful, high‑quality and increasingly innovative advice to clients. Ultimately, it’s about making sure they are well supported, not just for the world they’re operating in today, but for where things are heading next.