Katarina Lau
Overview
12
12
years of post-secondary education
9
9
years of professional experience
Work history
Legal Analyst
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
2026.06 - Current
- Conducting first-level document review for disclosure, supporting the Commercial Litigation practice.
- Analysing documents for relevance, privilege, and confidentiality in line with disclosure requirements.
- Utilising Relativity and Relativity aiR to review, manage, and categorise large volumes of electronic documents.
Research Assistant for 'Taxing Better: Using AI to fix democracy'
King's College London
2025.06 - 2025.10
- Assisted in transcribing the contents of two workshops, ensuring accurate documentation and anonymization of discussions to comply with Chatham House Rules.
- Participated in open discussions with leading academics in tax, administrative law, and political scientists.
- Conducted additional research on risks of AI, AI uses within HMRC, and AI in EU tax administrations.
- The research is part of a greater project headed by Dr Stephen Daly and funded by the British Academy and Leverhulme Trust.
Corporate Job Simulation (Forage)
Baker McKenzie
2025.10 - 2025.10
- Completed a job simulation in corporate law for Baker McKenzie.
- Analysed the structure and suitability for an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
- Reviewed and adjusted a share purchase agreement.
- Created a completion agenda.
Private Equity and Finance Job Simulation (Forage)
Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP
2025.10 - 2025.10
- Completed a job simulation where I advised a hypothetical investment company looking to acquire an international retailer for home products.
- Assisted with the legal review and drafting of NDAs with regards to the potential acquisition.
- Prepared transaction structure charts.
- Provide advice on potential insolvency issue.
UK Commercial Law Job Simulation (Forage)
Freshfields
2025.09 - 2025.09
- Completed a job simulation involving legal analysis for Freshfields.
- Analysed documents and case law to determine if client was potentially libel under Bribery Act 2010.
- Recommended settlement terms based on analysis of evidence.
- Pitched Freshfields services to potential clients.
Copyeditor (ad hoc)
British Tax Review
2024.03 - 2025.02
- Reviewed and edited articles for clarity, grammar, and consistency, ensuring high editorial standards.
- Collaborated with authors and the editorial team to resolve queries and maintain publication quality.
- Managed multiple submissions within tight deadlines, maintaining organization and time management under pressure.
Research Assistant
King's Undergraduate Research Fellowship (KURF)
2023.06 - 2023.07
- Research assistant to a research project on 'Comparative Tax Administration' supervised by Dr Stephen Daly.
- Involved literature review, analysis of raw data on Excel and curating summary reports.
- Co-author of an article published in the Tax Journal titled 'VAT interests and penalties: digging through the data'.
Concert Usher (Part-time)
Sinfonia Smith Square
2021.10 - 2026.07
- Checked tickets and ensured compliance with venue policies and safety regulations.
- Responded promptly to guest enquiries and resolved issues with professionalism.
- Supported accessibility needs by assisting patrons requiring additional guidance.
- Coordinated with front-of-house and security staff to ensure smooth event operations.
Administrative Assistant (Part-time)
MusicRoom@Central
2020.10 - 2021.09
- Coordinated lesson timetables and managed student/teacher scheduling, demonstrating strong organizational skills.
- Served as first point of contact for enquiries, providing clear and professional communication to parents, students and staff.
- Maintained accurate records of registrations, payments, and attendance, ensuring attention to detail and data compliance.
Mini-pupillage
Tower Chambers
2021.06 - 2021.07
- Supported the work of both senior and junior barristers in various cases including personal injury, compulsory sale, dangerous driving, and adverse possession over a month.
- Produced legal advice for legal aid clients, read case law, compiled evidence to be presented in court, and attended client meetings.
Mini-pupillage
Cheng Huan S.C. Chambers
2021.06 - 2021.06
- Supported a senior criminal barrister in various cases including drug trafficking, handling of stolen goods, burglary, and indecent assault over two weeks.
- Read cases and witness testimonies, transcribed events of court trials and hearings, and attended client meetings.
Job shadowing
Cheng Huan S.C. Chambers
2018.01 - 2019.01
- Experiencing first-hand the procedure and argumentative reasoning in a court room, following cases regarding drug trafficking and car accidents.
Education
LLM Legal Practice - SQE 1 and 2
The University of Law
2023.09 - 2025.08
Law LLB -
King's College London
2020.09 - 2023.07
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme -
ESF Island School
Hong Kong 2013.08 - 2020.05
Skills
- Languages: Native in English, Proficient in Mandarin and Cantonese
- Microsoft Office: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook
- Legal Research: Westlaw, LexisNexis, Legal Drafting, Statutory/Case Law Research
AWARDS
Devereux Tax Essay Competition 2025 - First Runner Up
- Awarded first runner up for my essay in response to the question: 'A tax system based on income and gains is less suitable for the UK, compared to one based on consumption. Do you agree?',
The John Ying Wah Gibson Essay Prize 2017 - Second Runner Up
- Awarded second runner up for my essay on 'The Rise of Islamophobia'
EXTRA-CURRICULARS & INTERESTS
University Societies (2021-22)
- Pro Bono Society; Bar and Mooting Society.
Classical Ballet, Gloria Law School of Ballet (2017 - Present)
- Achievements: Intermediate Foundation Merit
Island School Netball Team (2015 - 2019)
- Represented the school as Goal Defence of the team, competing in Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation (HKSSF) tournaments.
- Developed teamwork, communication and strategic thinking through regular training and competitive play.
- Built resilience and discipline by balancing academic commitments with competitive sport.
POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Student Director, Intellectual Property Clinic, King's Legal Clinic (2021-22)
- Weekly meetings with the clinic leader
- Help with the planning and organising of IP events
- Research into current issues to do with IP, small businesses, and charities
Timeline
Legal Analyst
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
2026.06 - Current
Corporate Job Simulation (Forage)
Baker McKenzie
2025.10 - 2025.10
Private Equity and Finance Job Simulation (Forage)
Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP
2025.10 - 2025.10
UK Commercial Law Job Simulation (Forage)
Freshfields
2025.09 - 2025.09
Research Assistant for 'Taxing Better: Using AI to fix democracy'
King's College London
2025.06 - 2025.10
Copyeditor (ad hoc)
British Tax Review
2024.03 - 2025.02
LLM Legal Practice - SQE 1 and 2
The University of Law
2023.09 - 2025.08
Research Assistant
King's Undergraduate Research Fellowship (KURF)
2023.06 - 2023.07
Concert Usher (Part-time)
Sinfonia Smith Square
2021.10 - 2026.07
Mini-pupillage
Tower Chambers
2021.06 - 2021.07
Mini-pupillage
Cheng Huan S.C. Chambers
2021.06 - 2021.06
Administrative Assistant (Part-time)
MusicRoom@Central
2020.10 - 2021.09
Law LLB -
King's College London
2020.09 - 2023.07
Job shadowing
Cheng Huan S.C. Chambers
2018.01 - 2019.01
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme -
ESF Island School
2013.08 - 2020.05