Rising Stars

Firms in the Spotlight Dispute resolution: local firms

Barun Law

Barun Law logo

A leader in Korea’s disputes space, Barun Law’s litigation and arbitration practice is second-to-none, with many of the firm’s litigation partners former judges or prosecutors. Based on the firm’s competitiveness in litigation-related service, its corporate lawyers have achieved enormous growth as well, allowing the firm to provide the best-quality legal services in all practice areas.

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Dispute resolution: local firms in South Korea

Kim & Chang

Housing a team of ‘outstanding professionals’, Kim & Chang’s market leading practice covers civil disputes and administrative litigation, in addition to cases concerning antitrust and competition, M&A and white collar crime. Esteemed litigators Sang Ho Han and Jin Yeong Chung co-lead the team, which includes former judge Chang Hoon Baek and senior attorney Seok Beom Hong, both of whom are notable practitioners in criminal and civil litigation, representing major corporate Korean clients. Former judge Yong Sang Kim is recommended for real estate and administrative litigation, often handling shareholder disputes, while senior attorney Chul-Won Lee regularly advises international clients on insolvency and restructuring cases.

Practice head(s):

Jin Yeong Chung; Sang Ho Han


Other key lawyers:

Chang Hoon Baek; Seok Beom Hong; Yong Sang Kim; Chul-Won Lee


Testimonials

‘They are expert lawyers who are extremely well-connected in Korea. They bring a commercial attitude, are strategically strong and have top level communication skills.’

‘Kim & Chang provides outstanding legal advice with a team of highly professional lawyers. The perfect choice for complex multi-jurisdictional dispute resolution cases.’

‘Kim & Chang has a high number of outstanding professionals from numerous fields.’ 

‘The individuals within the team have the best skills in the field.’ 

Key clients

Volkswagen AG


Goldman Sachs


Morgan Stanley


JP Morgan


The Boeing Company


Bank of America Merrill Lynch


Korean Air


Hyundai Motor Company


Hankook & Company including Hankook Tire & Technology


Hyundai Heavy Industries


Work highlights


  • Acting in a derivative lawsuit in connection with certain transactions entered into by Hyundai Elevator to help its chairwoman maintain control over Hyundai Group at the Company’s loss.
  • Represented a life insurance company against claims by policyholders who sought $350 million in insurance payments.
  • Handled a claim for damage compensation of KRW 48 billion for violation of the shareholders agreement.

Lee & Ko

Lee & Ko’s practice handles contentious public and commercial litigation cases, housing a team of highly experienced litigators and leading industry specialists. Pyoung Keun Song spearheads the practice, specialising in antitrust and competition cases, in addition to TMT-litigation. Among the team’s leading partners, Seong Won Chang advises on product liability issues in construction disputes, while Seon Tae Kim leads the administrative litigation practice, working on cancellations and suspension orders. Jae Heon Park is recommended for financial and regulatory disputes, as well as M&A-related litigation, while Yeon Woo Lee represents multinational companies in high-profile litigations and cross-border disputes.

Practice head(s):

Pyoung Keun Song


Other key lawyers:

Seong Won Chang; Seon Tae Kim; Jae Heon Park; Yeon Woo Lee


Testimonials

 ‘The team understands the needs of the clients well.’

‘Jae Heon Park has extensive legal knowledge, and litigation and advisory experience. In addition to this, he is famous as a lawyer who solves legal issues for his clients with his active and friendly attitude. 

‘The lawyers have developed niche expertise in relation to multi-jurisdictional matters and are extremely responsive in handling client cases.’


Key clients

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.


Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.


Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd.


SK Securities Co., Ltd.


Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd.


Korea Development Bank


Microsoft Corporation


Korea Land & Housing Corporation


SK telecom Co., Ltd.


Daewoong Pharma Co., Ltd.


Hyundai-Rotem Company


KB Kookmin Bank


Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd.


Hyundai Elevator Co., Ltd.


Dunamu Inc.


Mastercard


Big Hit Entertainment Co., Ltd.


Kyobo Life Insurance Co., Ltd.


Wesang Co.,Ltd.


Jejuair Co., Ltd.


Work highlights


  • Advised a precedent to secure soundness of the virtual currency market for Dunamu Inc., Coinone Inc., and Korbit Inc.
  • Advised authorization to open Korea’s first for-profit hospital for Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.
  • Advised Jeju Air Co., Ltd on a litigation case seeking a USD 21million refund due to the M&A collapse between airlines.

Shin & Kim

Shin & Kim’s ‘knowledgeable and experienced team’ handles the full range of disputes, and dominates the market in product liability matters. Construction and real estate litigation expert Jae Yun Yun co-heads the practice alongside former judge Jin-Ho Jeong, who handles contentious takeovers. Arbitration expert Jong-Han Oh acts on civil and criminal cases for major domestic companies, while Sookmi Lee handles shareholder and management disputes. Other key team members include Ghyo-Sun Park, who focuses on commercial litigation involving issues related to IP, product liability and corporate governance, and Kyle Choi, who heads the international litigation practice group, assisting domestic clients in cross-border litigations.

Practice head(s):

Jae Yun Yun; Jin-Ho Jeong


Other key lawyers:

Jong-Han Oh; Sookmi Lee; Ghyo-Sun Park; Sookmi Lee; Kyle Choi


Testimonials

‘Ghyo-Sun Park is a great team leader and trusted adviser.’

‘Kyle Choi has great leadership skills. He is responsive, organised, and effective in his communication and implementation of legal strategy.’

‘The team at Shin & Kim is knowledgeable and experienced, and is often at the forefront of high-profile matters.’

‘The attorneys are strong advocates and have a deep understanding of client matters.’

‘Shin & Kim is Korea’s most famous and competitive law firm in the product liability field.’ 

Key clients

Samsung Group


SK Group


Asiana Airlines


Posco Group


KT&G Corporation


CJ Group


Lotte Group


HD Hyundai Group


DL Group


Mirae Asset Group


Incheon International Airport Corporation


Woori Bank


Shinhan Bank


Hanwha Investment & Securities


Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Corporation


Kakao Corporation


BMW Korea


Work highlights


  • Advised on a dispute over the contract deposit following the failed acquisition of Asiana Airlines.
  • Advised on a real estate handover lawsuit related to Sky 72 Golf Club.
  • Advised on an application for preliminary injunction to suspend the  decision to discontinue the trade support for virtual assets.

Yulchon

Praised as ‘one of the top firms in Korea’, Yulchon houses an ‘outstanding’ practice, handling a broad range of corporate and financial cases, while branching out into cryptocurrency and blockchain-related disputes. The team has an established reputation, representing major Korean conglomerates in domestic disputes and working on the Korean exchange, co-led by post-M&A arbitration specialist Il Bong Moon. Other practice head Yong Pyo Yeom handles debt and equity matters, and advises on contentious construction, tax and real estate disputes. Elsewhere, Sy Nae Kim is an esteemed advocate in public and private international disputes, particularly in the trade and logistics sectors, while Ik Hyun Kim handles trust, white-collar crime and product liability cases.

Practice head(s):

Il Bong Moon; Yong Pyo Yeom


Other key lawyers:

Sy Nae Kim; Ik Hyun Kim


Testimonials

‘Ik Hyun Kim is top-tier in terms of experience and expertise. He is the leading lawyer for regulation and legislation related to virtual assets in Korea.’

‘The Yulchon team has a great strength in experts from various fields, who organically form a team which provides comprehensive solutions.’

‘Yulchon is one of the top firms in Korea and especially competent to handle complex and highly sophisticated cases. Their performance in domestic litigation is especially remarkable.’

‘Sy Nae Kim is very experienced in all kinds of cross-border disputes, with a focus on insolvency, corporate restructuring, accounting, mobility and shipping-related matters.’

‘Yulchon’s litigation team, led by Yong Pyo Yeom, is outstanding amongst the major Korean law firms.’

‘Yong Pyo Yeom is the most outstanding lawyer practising in Korea. He has consistently demonstrated the best technical skills and commercial understanding.’

‘Il Bong Moon has abundant knowledge and experience.’

‘Sy Nae Kim is a solid practitioner.’

Key clients

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.


Mirae Asset Daewoo Co., Ltd.


Coupang Corp.


Hyundai Motor Company


KB Kookmin Bank


KT


Shinhan Bank


Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd.


NH INVESTMENT & SECURITIES CO.,LTD.


Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.


Dunamu


Bithumb


Work highlights


  • Advised the Korea Exchange in a Civil Action Brought by the Shareholders of Gamma Nu Inc.
  • Advised the largest Security Solutions Provider in Korea, S-1 Corporation in a KRW 68.4 billion claim.
  • Advised in a lawsuit seeking Payment for the Construction of in the 3-2 Construction Area for the Metropolitan High-speed Railway.

Bae, Kim & Lee LLC

Praised for its ‘meticulous approach to conflict resolution’, Bae, Kim & Lee LLC handles the full range of civil, criminal, and commercial litigation. The experienced team is led by Soonik Kwon and Hyungsuk Lee, while Tony Dongwook Kang heads the arbitration and cross-border litigation group, handling contentious IPOs and financial services fraud cases. Eun Young Row has ‘unparalleled insight’ when representing major clients in breach of trust, embezzlement, and other contentious financial litigation. Other key contacts in the group include Jungil Moon and Wu Cheol Song.

Practice head(s):

Soonik Kwon; Hyungsuk Lee


Other key lawyers:

Tony Dongwook Kang; Eun Young Row; Wu Cheol Song


Testimonials

‘The team has a meticulous approach to conflict resolution, starting with a thorough investigation of pre-existing case materials and understanding the opponent’s strategic choices for each scenario. They operate with precision by anticipating expected reactions in advance.’

‘Eun Young Row approaches cases with unparalleled insight that is beyond imitation by others. Even when faced with highly unfavourable situations, she provides clients with directions and insights to navigate through those circumstances.’

‘This team is very keen to analyse and argue the data given by the customer, and won the dispute through their impressive experience. The unfeigned, logical and concise briefs were very impressive.’

Key clients

Daishin Securities


Deloitte Anjin


Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, Co., Ltd


KT Corporation


KB Kookmin Bank


Mirae Asset Securities Co., Ltd.


Samsung SDS Co., Ltd.


Shinhan Investment Corp.


Work highlights


  • Advised KT Corporation in a lawsuit filed by hundreds of 5G service users seeking compensation for damages over incomplete network service.
  • Advised Samsung SDS in a lawsuit for compensatory damages brought against companies in connection with the fire accident at one of its data centers in Korea back in April 2014.
  • Advised Deloitte Anjin in a class action suit filed by shareholders seeking compensation for damages over the massive fraudulent accounting case in a major shipyard.

Yoon & Yang LLC

Housing a range of litigation specialists, the team at Yoon & Yang LLC is led by a consortium of experienced partners including Seung Ryong Yoo, who heads the firm’s corporate litigation offering, Kyung In Jung, who focuses on construction litigation, and Youbum KimKeon Joo Cho, as well as Sun Bong Lee who head the firm's corporate criminal litigation practice. The team continues to be a popular choice for major Korean conglomerates in domestic and cross-border civil and criminal litigations, alongside a broad range of commercial matters. Elsewhere, former judge Sue Yeon Woo is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Sang-Pil Lee; Tae-Gu Zeon


 


 


Other key lawyers:

Seung Ryong Yoo; Youbum Kim; Keon Joo Cho; Sun Bong Lee; Kyung In Jung; Sue Yeon Woo


Testimonials

‘The partners are client-friendly and have up-to-date legal knowledge.’

Key clients

SK Innovation


Kolon Life Science


Korea Railroad Corporation


Korea Land & Housing Corporation


Hanjin KAL


Samsung C&T


Samsung Electronic Services


Woori Bank


Shinhan Bank


NH Bank


GS Engineering & Construction


DL E&C


Korean Air Lines


Hanwha Corp


Samsung Electronics


Hanwha Aerospace


Work highlights


  • Successfully filed a lawsuit for seeking an injunction for Lee Soo Man in February 2023 claiming that SM Entertainment does not have a compelling need for financing.
  • Representing Doosung Industrial before the Constitutional Court for affirming its unconstitutionality of controversial the Act on Punishment of Serious Accidents.
  • Amid the case arising out of failed acquisition of Namyang Dairy by the domestic private equity fund, Hahn & Co, representing Hahn & Co., obtained the following court orders: (i) a provisional injunction against the disposal of shares; (ii) a provisional injunction against exercise of voting rights; and (iii) a provisional injunction against non-performance of contractual obligations.

Barun Law

Comprised of former judges and prosecutors, the team at Barun Law is led by a consortium of specialists, including managing partner Cheoll Park, who handles civil and family law proceedings. Other notable members of the team include Yongkyun Kim, who acts for Korean heavy industry companies and construction corporations, Ho Chul Suk and Donghoon Lee, who handle administrative litigation and public cases respectively. Jae Peel Park and Hyun Woong Kim are also key contacts in the group.

Practice head(s):

Cheoll Park; Yongkyun Kim; Ho Chul Suk; Donghoon Lee; Jae Peel Park; Hyun Woong Kim


Key clients

KDB Consortium


Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.


Hyundai Construction


Kyungnam Mason Robot Land Co., Ltd.


Coinrail


Korea Racing Authority


STX Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries


Yeokbuk Residence Association


Kimboknam Beer


Car Maker


Work highlights


  • Advised a securities company that had purchased the ABCP and filed a lawsuit against two local securities companies for unjust enrichment.
  • Won a case regarding a claim for KRW 166.2 billion, including a payment to be made upon termination of contract, in relation to the Gyeongnam Masan Robot Land Project.
  • Obtained decision from both the district and the appeal courts that the securities company is innocent of all the allegations made in relation to violation of the Specific Economic Crime Act and the Capital Markets Act in which ABCP worth about KRW 160 billion.

DR & AJU LLC

The team at DR & AJU LLC is noted for its expertise in civil disputes. Practice head Soo Hyung Kim advises on administrative procedures, and tax and criminal defense litigation, while managing partner Tae Kyung Kim handles contentious IP matters, with demonstrable experience in the construction and real estate industries. Yong Ki Cho, who specialises in criminal defense and administrative procedure litigation, is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Soo Hyung Kim


Other key lawyers:

Tae Kyung Kim; Yong Ki Cho


Key clients

Woori Bank


Republic of Korea (Korea Railway Corporation)


Work highlights


  • Advised Woori Bank in all three trials for a claim for commitment against Sambu Construction.
  • Advised Korea Railway Corporation (KORAIL) on a dispute over the adjudication on expropriation for the construction of an elevated highway.

Jipyong LLC

Jipyong LLC’s disputes team comprises former judges and accomplished attorneys, boasting considerable litigation experience. One of the founding members of the firm, Sung-Taek Lim specialises in construction, real estate, and private equity litigation, and co-leads the team alongside Seong-Jin Bae, Bong Kwan Sa and Won Jeong. The team handles a range of financial disputes, dealing with joint ventures and management rights, derivatives, and investments by institutions and insurance companies. Another notable team member is Seongcheol Park.

Practice head(s):

Sung Taek Lim; Seong Jin Bae; Bong Kwan Sa; Won Jeong


Other key lawyers:

Seongcheol Park


Key clients

GOODPEOPLE CO., LTD.


Korea Midland Power (KOMIPO)


Korean Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO)


Ssangyong Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.


Daheung Zone 4 Urban Renewal Project Association


Cheongra City Development


SUN&L Co., Ltd.


Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.


Seoul Metropolitan City


KOREA ASSET IN TRUST Co., Ltd.


JS PARTNERS CO., LTD.


Work highlights


  • Advised the minority shareholders of GOODPEOPLE CO., Ltd. and helped them successfully achieve their objective of obtaining control over the company, when the existing management tried to maintain control over the company by preparing false minutes of shareholder meetings and applying for registration of changed executives based on those minutes.
  • Advised Korea Midland Power (KOMIPO) in an arbitration case involving a claim for additional construction fees for rush work and design changes filed by Construction Company B.
  • Advised Korean Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) in a litigation involving the performance of heat exchangers installed in a nuclear power plant.

KL Partners

Specialising in cross-border litigation, the team at KL Partners represents multinational clients in commercial and IP litigations, securities, and contentious financial matters. Esteemed practice head Neung Kyu Lee focuses on insolvency and product liability disputes in the construction and real estate industries. Managing partner and firm co-founder Beomsu Kim works on high-profile criminal cases and investigations, while Ki Seong Park is also recommended for his antitrust and hostile M&A work.

Practice head(s):

Neung Kyu Lee


Other key lawyers:

Beomsu Kim; Ki Seong Park


Testimonials

‘KL Partners demonstrates exceptional case-handling efficiency based on its highly compact, organisational structure. The team shows extensive and diverse understanding in not only the traditional litigation fields, such as civil, criminal, conservation, and compulsory enforcement, but also in specialised fields including M&A and management rights dispute, securities and finance, antitrust, IP rights, among others.’

‘Neung Kyu Lee’s expertise is unparalleled in matters of litigation and potential corporate issues, where his insights have proven valuable.’

‘Ki Seong Park stands out given his creative approach and data-driven research, as well as his strong commitment to taking care of clients.’

Key clients

Cleanwrap


H&M


GEA Farm Technologies


Youngpoong USA


Hyeophwa Chemical Co., Ltd.


Otis Korea


Namchon Leisure Development Co., Ltd.


QCD Northern Cheonan Logistics Co., Ltd


Boryungbiopharma


Mycomkorea


Work highlights


  • Acted in multiple domestic litigations against Actoz for invalidation of contracts, compensation for damages, and payment of licence fees.
  • Acted in civil claims for wrongful termination of exclusive distribution rights granted by GEA to a local distributor in Korea.
     
  • Acted in a dispute over breach of a lease agreement entered into with one of the leading retailers in Korea.