Sophie Howe

Expertise and Practice

Sophie is experienced in a range of commercial and corporate litigation matters, having acted in disputes for access to trust records, breaches of directors’ duties, equitable compensation claims, defamation, large-scale corporate collapses and in actions for breaches of contract, negligence and misleading or deceptive conduct. She has experience with cross-border proceedings, involving courts in Hong Kong, the United States, and Cayman Islands. Sophie has acted in proceedings at the pre-action stage as well as first instance and appellate proceedings in the Supreme Court of South Australia, Federal Court of Australia, and High Court of Australia.

Sophie has worked with a broad range of clients, including corporations, Indigenous Corporations, liquidators and individuals across industry sectors, including environmental, banking, art, sport, horticulture, and viticulture. In addition, Sophie is a Member of the Law Society of South Australia’s Space Law Committee and represents clients through the Accessible Justice Project.

Sophie commenced at LK in 2019. She has a Bachelor of Laws (Distinction) and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Adelaide. She is admitted in the Supreme Court of South Australia and the High Court of Australia. When she is not practicing law, Sophie is an accomplished musician and performer.

Project Highlights

ATLA & Ors v Rangelea Holdings

Representing a Registered Native Title Corporation under special administration in Supreme Court of South Australia proceedings against a trustee relating to the receipt, use, and distribution of native title compensation, including an application seeking access to trust records and the appointment of an inspector pursuant to the Trustee Act. Successful at trial, on appeal before the Supreme Court of South Australia Court of Appeal and at the High Court of Australia.

Director / Shareholder Deadlock Dispute

Representing a shareholder and director of a South Australian horticulture company in a dispute against their co-director/shareholder for breach of directors’ duties, fiduciary duties, and misleading or deceptive conduct.

Advice to Directors of an Indigenous Corporation

Representing the Executive Directors of an Indigenous Corporation in matters concerning internal governance, directors’ duties, conflict of interest, and seeking information and financial records from third party service providers.

Dispute regarding Payment for Telecommunication Services

Representing a company in the Victorian County Court (and mediation) in a dispute against a telecommunications subcontractor involving breaches of contract and unjust enrichment.

Cleanfin

Represented a company in a derivative action involving breaches of trust and fiduciary duties by the company’s former directors and seeking an account of profits from the former director’s alter-ego companies as knowing recipients.

Construction / Engineering Professional Negligence Claim

Representing a corporate client in breach of contract, negligence and misleading or deceptive conduct claims in the Federal Court of Australia relating to a construction and engineering project for a large winery and grape processing facility.

Dispute regarding provision of Council Services

Representing residents in a dispute with a rural council arising from recommendations made by the South Australian Ombudsman in relation to the provision of electricity and water. Advised in respect of the Electricity Act 1996 (SA), Water Industry Act 2012 (SA) and Local Government Act 1999 (SA).

Defamation Claims

Representing members of a sporting organization in pre-action proceedings and mediation who received purported concerns notices for the purposes of the pre-action protocols in the Defamation Act.

Platinum Partners Feeder Funds

Representing the liquidators of the Platinum Partners Value Arbitrage Feeder Funds in investigations, litigation, and arbitration in the United States and Cayman Islands. The Feeder Funds collapsed in 2016 owing nearly US$500 million to investors. A court-sanctioned settlement of the liquidator’s claims was reached.

China Medical Technologies, Inc.

Representing the Hong Kong and Cayman Island liquidators of a NASDAQ listed medical technology company that collapsed following the alleged theft of US$500 million by senior management in multiple claims over 11 years. Claims for breaches of director and officer duties, conspiracy, fraudulent trading and accessorial liability were brought in the High Court of Hong Kong.

Publications

Parliamentary report considers reforms to Australia’s Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018 (Cth)

The Law Society Bulletin (May 2022)

Billion Dollar Satellite Dispute Rages on a Decade After it Began

LK Insights (October 2021)

“We are fighting to maintain and preserve what we have left”: Onus v Minister for the Environment and Aboriginal cultural heritage protection

The Law Society Bulletin (May 2021)