In a profession that often celebrates oration, Ken’s edge is his ability to listen deeply - sifting actual signals from noise, and zeroing in on solutions that address clients’ genuine priorities.
Ken Lai
Partner
Expertise
Capital Markets
Corporate & Commercial
Corporate Services
Energy, Infrastructure & Projects
FinTech
Private Clients
Wills, Probate & Estate Administration
Qualifications
LLB (Hons), University of Sheffield
Advocate & Solicitor, Singapore
Contact
+65 8811 1752
ken.lai@dlplaw.com.sg
The most powerful tool in Ken’s legal arsenal isn’t the pen or the statute - it’s the ear. In our team, he is known for listening deeply, discerning not just what clients say, but what they mean - relishing the intellectual challenge of decoding their anxieties and motivations to uncover real, unspoken truths.
Hearing what isn’t said
Ken believes that being an effective lawyer begins with empathy and ends with clarity. “Active, strategic listening,” as he calls it, is how he sifts actual signals from noise, pre-empting issues and zeroing in on genuine priorities - turning subliminal concerns into solid, actionable strategies. In a profession that often celebrates oration, Ken’s edge is knowing when and how to listen.
Turning insight into a win-win resolution
A standout moment in Ken’s career came in a multi-party design-and-build dispute. His ability to read the psychological undercurrents among the parties shifted the course of the negotiations.
By holding separate sessions to explore hidden interests, he discovered a non-monetary leverage point that reframed the end-goal from compensation to long-term business continuity - preserving relationships and keeping the door open for future collaboration.
Empathy beyond the boardroom
Outside the office, Ken channels his listening skills into volunteer work at the grassroots level. It’s where he engages with some of the most vulnerable members of society and learns to listen without agenda. These encounters deepen his empathy and patience, qualities which are invaluable in his practice - particularly in areas like probate and end-of-life planning, where he is required to delicately navigate potentially complex relationship dynamics and personal histories.
The language of understanding
Ken’s natural instinct - to listen for the human story beneath the legal one - has guided him to more success than argument ever did. In fact, the most effective, meaningful and enduring solutions of his career have tended to deliver not just on a contract, but also the very personal intentions behind it.
This reminds him always that successful resolutions often begin with a ready ear, an open heart and a willingness to understand.