The Legal 500

Bae, Kim & Lee LLC’s contentious practice operates ‘at the top level’. Kap-You Kim and John Bang handle international disputes, including patent cases and arbitration matters, and represented Hyundai Heavy Industries in a successful ICC arbitration against IPIC. Young Bo Noh heads the domestic litigation team, which acted for the creditors of Samsung Motors Co in obtaining a $531m damages award, the accrued interest from the 1999 debt restructuring of Samsung Motors.

Kim & Chang has ‘exceptional knowledge of Korean law and international arbitration law’, and provides advice that is ‘always tailored appropriately to achieve the right balance between the law and the commercial issues’. Highlights included representing a major Korean pharmaceuticals company in a successful defence against the first asbestos-related multi-plaintiff action in Korea. Sang Ho Han heads the commercial litigation team, with Byung-Chol Yoon leading an international arbitration practice that includes Eun Young Park and Kyo-Hwa Chung, ‘who all provide very high levels of service and high-quality legal advice’. John Rhie is ‘unbelievably hardworking’.

Litigation is firmly rooted in Barun Law’s DNA, the firm having been formed by a group of former judges and prosecutors, and now fielding five teams spanning corporate disputes, employment matters, administrative litigation, corporate fraud and white-collar crime. Work highlights included acting for Hyundai Group in a claim against 13 creditor banks. The firm also regularly acts as co-counsel on cross-border cases, and recently assisted Fish & Richardson P.C. in acting for Richard Garriott in the Texas case of Garriott v NC Soft, concerning the termination of his employment.

Hwang Mok Park P.C.’s dispute resolution team was boosted through the firm’s 2009 merger with a specialist litigation practice, bringing further expertise in international disputes. The practice handles high-profile domestic and international litigation for a client base that includes major foreign entities such as Lone Star. Woo Young Choi heads up the litigation practice.

Lee & Ko’s has ‘a strong team that does high-end work that is streets ahead of its competitors’. 2010 saw it represent the sellers of Daewoo Shipping & Marine Engineering against Korean conglomerate Hanwha in its claim for the return of a $315m security deposit. It also has commercial arbitration expertise, and acted for LG Electronics in a Korean Commercial Arbitration Board case against a Middle East distributor. Sungwoo Lim heads the arbitration practice, and Won Seok Ko leads the international litigation team. Also recommended are former Supreme Court judge Kyu Hong Lee; former head of the Administrative Court In Soo Kim; and former High Court judge Kwang Joong Kwon.

Shin & Kim combines strength in commercial litigation with an expanding international arbitration practice headed by Benjamin Hughes, whose ‘understanding of Korean culture and business practices’ is valued by both domestic and international clients. Domestic highlights included representing Samsung Electronics and 28 other defendants in a dispute with the creditors of Samsung Motors. On the arbitration front, Beomsu Kim acted alongside Hughes for JB Commodities in a €15m LCIA arbitration. Joint litigation heads Sung Suh and Yong Dam Kim are also recommended.

Yoon & Yang LLC has a longstanding reputation in the market for its contentious capability, across domestic and international litigation, and arbitration, with practice head Ki Hwan Ahn leading a team of more than 30 partners and 50 associates. The firm represented 14 major Korean financial institutions, including Seoul Guarantee Insurance, in an enforcement action against the former chairman of Samsung Group and 28 Samsung affiliates. Other clients include Woori Bank and Cathay Pacific Airways.

The ‘competitive’ litigation practice atYulchon provides an ‘excellent overall level of service and senior attention’. Yong Sup Yoon and Hai Sung Park lead a team that represented Iljin Display Co at the Supreme Court. It is also active in ICC arbitrations, and is representing Yongin City in an ICC arbitration against Yongin Rapid Transport Co concerning the construction of a rail system.

Highlights for Jipyong & Jisung’s dispute resolution practice included representing Korea Development Bank in the Hanwha claim arising from its failed acquisition bid for Daewoo Shipping & Marine Engineering; and acting for Daewoo Engineering & Constructuion Co in an arbitration relating to the Incheon LNG gas storage tank. Sung-Taek Lim leads the team, which expanded in 2010 through the recruitment of several former public advocates and judges.

Kim Chang & Lee handles banking, IP and telecoms disputes, as well as general commercial litigation. Ihl-Pyo Hong is the key figure.

Kim, Choi & Lim has grown its litigation practice over the last few years through the recruitment of a number of former High Court judges. The team handles domestic and international litigation, as well as arbitration. Ji-Dam Yoo is singled out.

Sechang & Co. is representing a global European financing institution against a local Korean company, and successfully represented General Electric in a multimillion-dollar dispute. Hyun Kim and Hae Yeon Song are the key figures.

J & S Law Firm handles civil and criminal litigation for foreign and domestic clients, and recently successfully defended three employees of a US defence company at the Seoul High Court. Kwang Yop Jin is the key figure.