Hall Of Fame

Rising Stars

Firms To Watch: Corporate and M&A: local firms

M&A, spin-offs, foreign investments, restructuring and venture capital are its key areas of LAB PARTNERS's work.  Jinho Kim leads the team.

Corporate and M&A: local firms in South Korea

Bae, Kim & Lee LLC

Bae, Kim & Lee LLC‘s practice showcases expertise in the full depth and breadth of corporate financing and high-value cross-border M&A transactions. The team advises on international partnerships, transaction structuring, and divestures and spin-offs. Team head Joonki Yi handles joint ventures, while Sky Yang advises on a wide range of global financing transactions. Sungjo Yun specialises in private equity acquisitions and corporate group restructurings, while Banghyun Kim advises chaebols on outbound foreign exchange transactions, and provides crisis management.

Practice head(s):

Joonki Yi


Other key lawyers:

Sky Yang; Sungjo Yun; Banghyun Kim


Key clients

Affinity Equity Partners


Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering


E Mart


ILJIN Materials


IMM Private Equity


Keppel Capital


LG Chem


LX International


Qoo10


Shinhan Financial Group


Kim & Chang

Recommended as ‘the best law firm’ in South Korea by some, Kim & Chang‘s team handles the full depth and breath of corporate and M&A work, from multi-jurisdictional merger fillings, outbound sales of Korean companies, and working on Korea’s first continuation fund transaction. The team is led by experienced senior partner Kyung Taek Jung, while Jong Koo Park also handles heavyweight deals. Jong Hyun Park works on outbound co-investments, while colleague Shin Kwon Lim  advises on large-scale infrastructure related transactions. Another noted key member is Joon B. Kim.

Practice head(s):

Kyung Taek Jung


Other key lawyers:

Jong Koo Park; Jong Hyun Park; Shin Kwon Lim; Joon B. Kim


Testimonials

‘Shin-Kwon Lim provided us with valuable advice based on his extensive experience, and Eun-Bee Kim demonstrated professional organizing skills.’

‘Kim & Chang always provide exceptional legal service. The team have great communication, analytical and research skills.’ 

 

Key clients

SK on Co., Ltd.


Ford Motor Company


Cigna Corporation


Chubb Limited


LOTTE Chemical Corporation


UCK Partners, Inc.


MBK Partners


EQT Partners


SK Square Co., Ltd.


Macquarie Korea Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Hahn & Company


GIC Private Equity


Brookfield Asset Management


Ingersoll Rand, Inc.


Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.


BCC Mandarin Investment L.P. (Bain Capital)


IMM Investment Corp.


KOREAN AIR LINES Co., Ltd.


SK hynix Inc.


Viva Republica Inc.


E&F Private Equity


Korea Zinc Inc


Ark Energy Corporation Pty. Ltd.


Anchor Equity Partners (Asia) Limited.


VIG PARTNERS


Work highlights


  • Advised LOTTE Chemical Corporation in its acquisition of Iljin Materials Co., Ltd.’s common stock and IMG Technology Co., Ltd.’s warrants.
  • Represented MBK Partners, UCK Partners and individual shareholders in its purchase and sale of Medit Corporation.
  • Represented EQT in its acquisition of a majority equity interest in SK shieldus for approximately KRW 2 trillion by way of a share purchase from SK Square and Blue Security Investment and a new share subscription from SK Shieldus.

Lee & Ko

With decades of experience in corporate and M&A work, Lee & Ko‘s market leading team provide a full-service for high-profile Korean clients. Co-headed by Hyun Tae Kim, Sang Gon Kim, and Hyeong Gun Lee, the team is known for its expertise of handling of cross-border joint venture projects for major international corporations and private equity houses. Ho Joon Moon is an expert in public and private company mergers and stock purchases, while Daehoon Koo is highly recommended for establishing holding companies and asset deals. Other key team members include David Choi, Kyungchun Kim, and Sung Min Kim maintain their reputation as top-tier corporate lawyers, specialising in the manufacturing, energy and pharmaceutical industries.

Practice head(s):

Hyun Tae Kim; Sang Gon Kim; Hyeong Gun Lee


Other key lawyers:

Ho Joon Moon; Daehoon Koo; David Choi; Kyungchun Kim; Sungmin Kim


Testimonials

‘Daehoon Koo offers a wealth of experience to clients on M&A deals and exhibits a strong grasp of trends and issues underlying the full range of corporate transactions in the Korean market.’

‘Armed with the knowledge of latest M&A deal structures world-wide, Lee & Ko provides customized deal structures and advice to the client on domestic and cross-border deals. The team has excellent knowledge of the corporate client as well as great working relationship with leaders of the client corporations. They provide solution-oriented advice and real time feedback to the client.’

‘Yong Joon Yoon zealously advises his clients with both legal and business savviness. A great leader who commands respect of his team as well as the leaders of the client corporation.’

‘David Choi is a great negotiator, armed with extensive legal knowledge. He is able to bridge cultural gaps between the client and the other side in cross-border deals.’

‘Lee & Ko sports very impressive lawyers with extensive knowledge.’

‘The Corporate M&A team at Lee & Ko is very proficient on the technical aspect of a deal, while having an excellent touch with the opposite side. They deliver practical solutions to complicated issues and have a strong client focus.’

‘David Choi is an up-and-coming partner in the Korean M&A market and displays great negotiation skills backed by technical excellence.’

Key clients

MBK Partners


LG Energy Solution


LS Group


SK Materials


Glenwood Private Equity


Solus Biotech


SK On


LG Chem


Megazone Cloud


Lotte Group


Work highlights


  • Advised the consortium established by MBK Partners and UCK Partners in its KRW2.2tn acquisition of Osstem Implant and its affiliates.
  • Advised the establishment of battery production joint venture worth KRW6tn between LG Energy Solution and Hyundai Motors.
  • Advised the establishment of battery production joint venture worth KRW5tn between LG Energy Solution and Honda Motors.

Shin & Kim

Leading on cross-border M&A transactions in Korea, Shin & Kim‘s team features a number of subject matter and industry experts. Team heads Jae Woo Im, Tong-Gun Lee, and Jae Young Chang between them handle joint ventures, private equity investments, as well as advising on high-profile hostile takeovers. Joongil Cho has international in-house experience and specialises in advising Korea’s biggest conglomerates. Chaewon Kang is another key team member with extensive experience in commercial transactions.

Practice head(s):

Jae Woo Im; Tong-Gun Lee; Jae Young Chang


Other key lawyers:

Joongil Cho; Chaewon Kang


Key clients

SK Group


Kakao Corporation


SD Biosensor


Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.


Korea Development Bank


IMM Private Equity


Chubb Group of Insurance Companies


PAG Advisors


KT Corporation


CJ Group


Shinhan Financial Group


Kumho Industrial Co., Ltd. and Asiana Airlines, Inc.


GIC


Baring Private Equity


Dominus Investment


Lotte Group


Posco


KCC Group


Well to Sea Investment


Sequoia Capital


KB Financial Group


Hanwha Group


Yulchon

Yulchon‘s experienced corporate and M&A team includes ‘a deep bench of excellent practitioners,‘ co-led by Young Su Shin and Sung Wook Eun. The latter advises on complex high-value mergers and partnerships, while Jin Kook Lee handles major acquisitions and shares and stakes transactions for high-profile Korean conglomerate clients. Former judge Jae Hyun Park is experienced in private equity and corporate restructuring matters, while senior foreign counsel Hyung Ki Lee is sought after for work with connections to the world of insolvency.

Practice head(s):

Young Su Shin; Sung Wook Eun


Other key lawyers:

Jin Kook Lee; Jae Hyun Park; Hyung Ki Lee


Testimonials

‘Yulchon’s corporate team has a deep bench of excellent practitioners.’ 

‘Hyung Ki Lee has a very good understanding of our business and tries to provide practical advice.’

‘Hyung Ki Lee is very commercially savvy and reliable.’

‘The team at Yulchon is very strong on substance and practically oriented. Very client focused. Committed to providing solutions and achieving client’s goals.’

‘Full-service team with capable, responsive and thoughtful lawyers.’

Key clients

Lotte Group


Naver


Hanwha Group


JX Nippon & Metals


Zinus


NH Financial Group


KT


KB Financial Group


Mirae Asset


L’Oreal


Work highlights


  • Advised Naver on its acquisition of a US-based fashion e-marketplace Poshmark for $1.6 billion.
  • Advised Hanwha Group on the acquisition of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.
  • Advised Japan Korea Joint Smelting Co., Ltd., a Japanese company, on its restructuring and sale of its shares in LS-Nikko Copper Inc. in Korea.

Jipyong LLC

Jipyong LLC covers a wide range of corporate and M&A transactions including mergers, stock acquisitions, and business transfers. Team head Tae Hyun Lee advises high-profile clients on conversions to holding companies, acquisition of financial services companies, and corporate governance. Also active in the firm’s Myanmar and China desks, Cheol Jeong handles domestic and foreign corporations on a wide range of M&A work, particularly within the energy and consumer goods and services sectors. Other key team members include Dong Cheon Seo and Min Shin.

Practice head(s):

Tae Hyun Lee


Other key lawyers:

Cheol Jeong; Dong Cheon Seo; Min Shin


Key clients

Hanwha Solutions Corporation


OK MEAT INC.


Hanil Holdings Co., Ltd.


Inwha Precision Co., Ltd.


EUGENES SONIC Co., LTD.


JUNGLIM Architecture


Socius Capital LLC


STIC Investment, Inc.


Evergreen Packaging International LLC


Line Studio


WooriPinewood Consortium


Eugene Investment Co., Ltd.


Keyeast Co., Ltd.


KCC GLASS Corporation


Hyundai Electric & Energy Systems CO., Ltd.


Hanwha Power Systems Co., Ltd.


Hanwha Impact Corporation


FiscalNote


Work highlights


  • Advised Hanwa Solutions Corporation on establishing a joint venture company for the manufacturing, production, and sales of EVA and LDPE plastics with GS Energy corporation.
  • Advised COMES2018-1M&A Investment Association on the sale of M2I CORPORATION, a smart factory solution company.
  • Advised the existing shareholders of OK Meat Inc. on the sale of their shares to IGIS Asset Management and E-Mart Inc.

KL Partners

KL Partners experienced team continues to specialise in both domestic and cross-jurisdictional private equity transactions, while also advising within all sectors of the corporate field. With a strong reputation in the field, Seong Hoon (Sean) Yi  leads the firm in handling growth equity transactions and minority equity investments, alongside major share transfers and corporate partnerships. Seonho Kim is mandated by financial institutions to handle buy-out transactions, consolidations of public and private companies and cross-border investments. The practice also includes Jisun Hwang in an advisory role, handling negotiations and contract drafting and reviewing.

Practice head(s):

Seong Hoon (Sean) Yi


Other key lawyers:

Seonho Kim; Jisun Hwang


Testimonials

‘KL Partners has a lot of experience and knowledge related to private equity transaction.’ 

‘Seong Hoon Yi has vast knowledge in private equity fields, he is very commercial and a hands-on type worker.’ 

Key clients

VTI Partners


GFS Co., Ltd.


Xi S&D


PS & Marketing


Individual Shareholders (Aim Bio)


Kolmar Korea


Mibelle AG


S Traffic


Daehan Flour Co.


Individual Shareholders (Knet)


Daol PEF


SFA


Individual Shareholders of Abil Korea


Winia Aid Co., Ltd.


Winia Co., Ltd.


Smilegate Holdings Co., Ltd.


Onelake Next 2022 PEF


SK Telecom Co., Ltd.


AJU IB Investment Co., Ltd.


Smart Food Networs, Inc.


Work highlights


  • Advised on a buyout transaction in connection with Kolmar Korea’s 55% acquisition of Yonwoo (manufacturing of cosmetic containers).

Yoon & Yang LLC

Continuing to be active in Korea’s energy, technology, and aviation industries, Yoon & Yang LLC‘s team handles a full range of multijurisdictional commercial and corporate financing work. Sung-Jin Kim provides crucial support through every step of M&A transactions. Particularly noted for advising on domestic and overseas investment, Sangman Kim also handles joint venture establishment and rehabilitation of various financial institutions. Ki Man Park is recommended for legal advice on private equity investment and managing boardroom disagreements. Young Ho Kang is also highlighted.

Practice head(s):

Sang-Hyun Ahn; Sung-Jin Kim


 


Other key lawyers:

Young Ho Kang; Sung-Jin Kim; Ki Man Park


Testimonials

‘The Yoon & Yang team has professional lawyers with rich M&A advisory experience and teamwork contribute greatly to their success.’ 

 

Key clients

Osstem Implant


Hanwha Life Insurance


Korean Air


Hanjin KAL


UAMCO


Cactus Private Equity


SK Ecoplant (formerly SK Engineering & Construction)


NAVER Webtoon


Premier Partners


Metanet Mplatform


SK E&S


PTA Equity Partners


Doosan Enernility


KHI-Korea Investment SG PE


Samyang Holdings Corporation


Kiwoom Asset Management Co., Ltd.