Kim & Chang

“As an advocate instructed by the firm I have been very impressed by the knowledge, judgment and expertise of Kim & Chang,” says a client. Ann Seung Eun Lee and Hyo Sang Kim advised a Spanish real estate company on its W397 billion acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding equity interests in a 22-story mixed-use commercial building known as M-Plaza. It is the client’s first investment in the Asian real estate market. Keun Ah Cho advised Simone Investment Managers on its €124 million ($138 million) acquisition of a majority interest in a commercial property in Frankfurt.

Kim & Chang has one of the largest and most experienced M&A practices in Korea. “It is standing high over other Korean law firms. No other firms now are comparable with the firm,” says one client. Jong Koo Park, Chang Hyeon Ko, Shin Kwon Lim, Joon Kim and Yun Bak Chung represented Samsung C&T in its $11 billion merger with Cheil Industries. Myung also advised MBK Partners on its multibillion-dollar acquisition of Doosan Infracore’s machine tooling business.

“Kim & Chang is very responsive with high quality work products. In disputes practice, it has accomplished the too good to be true result,” says one client. The dispute resolution team has been widely recognised as a top competitor for years. Soo Hyung Kim, Sang Jin Kang and Dong Seok Kim defended Yuanta Securities in numerous civil cases including a W1.3 trillion class action. In another case, Byung-Chol Yoon, Liz Kyo-Hwa Chung, Chul-Won Lee and Sup Joon Byun are advising the government on the second International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) case filed against South Korea.

Kim & Chang has seen an increased volume of energy projects over the last year. Geon Ho Kim and Hee Jeong Kim advised Woori Bank on the A$685 million ($520 million) Millmerran power project by reviewing the due diligence report and financing documents. Bo Yong Ahn and Chang Heon Kwak advised the National Pension Service on its $680 million investment in an oil storage terminal in Singapore. Jay Ahn and Kwak acted for Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corporation in its $640 million joint venture with SK Global Chemical.

“Kim & Chang offers very professional knowledge and rational consultation. It provides clear guidance for the case-completion on time,” says a client. The firm often receives praise from clients for its extensive experience and in-depth knowledge. Sang Hwan Lee advised the KT consortium on obtaining preliminary approval for Korea’s first internet-only banks, the Kakao Bank and K Bank.

“Kim & Chang lives up to its reputation as the premier Korean law firm. The depth and scope of its expertise covers a wide range of industries and practice areas,” says a client. Young Man Huh, Hae Kyung Sung, Jay Ahn, Bo Yong Ahn and Won Kyu Choi advised Vogo Investment Group and Anbang Life Insurance Group on the W1.2 trillion acquisition of Tong Yang Life Insurance.

Kim & Chang has one of the largest full service IP practice teams in Korea. “It has quick understanding of relevant technologies and products. It builds watertight strategies for litigation and has a well-organised team for litigation to give satisfactory outcome,” says a client. Mee Sung Shim and Duck Soon Chang advised Bristol-Myers Squibb and its Korean affiliate on patent cases related to its hepatitis B drug, a top-selling product in Korea.

“Kim & Chang is uniquely capable of providing advice on complex legal and regulatory issues, while being mindful of industry context, rather than simply regurgitating generally applicable principles,” says a client. Hae Kyung Sung and Joon Ho Lee advised STIC Investments on forming its W572 billion special situation private equity fund. Lee is also advising Capstone Asset Management on forming a W100 billion fund.

With clients such as Google, eBay, HP, Riot Games, LG Uplus and Alibaba, Kim & Chang   has extensive experience in the IT, telco & media market. “It understands our business and needs and is able to put right attorneys on right matters,” says one client. Young Man Huh and Sung Uk Park represented KKR in the $680 million acquisition of Ticket Monster. Dong Shik Choi and Sang-Hwan Lee represented KT Consortium in obtaining preliminary approval from the Financial Services Commission to establish an internet-only bank in Korea.

Due to its global reach, Kim & Chang is the go-to firm for labour and employment for many multinational corporations. Weon Jung Kim, Tae Sup Lee, Je Ho Lee successfully represented GM Korea in a W600 billion litigation about ordinary wages. The firm also advised on store franchising, implementation of a performance improvement programme and changes to a personnel system.

“Kim & Chang is the best legal house you have in Korea and the team we have worked on has another layer of commitment to our assignment,” says a client. The traditionally strong firm advises on Korean and offshore fund structuring and formation and many landmark transactions in Korea. Kyung Taek Jung’s team advised Doosan Infracore and MBK Partners on execution of a W1 trillion business transfer agreement.

Kim & Chang consolidates its rankings for its excellent performance in construction matters. The firm has a project finance practice group and an engineering and construction disputes practice group to provide clients with advice covering all aspects of financing and construction disputes. Hi Sun Yoon represented Korea Development Bank and KEXIM in the provision of a $91 million secured term loan for the financing of the construction of two gas carriers.

“Although cost is a little high, there is no doubt that Kim & Chang is one of the best firms in Korea. It is very professional in their legal services,” says one client. The firm has handled the largest and most complex insolvency and restructuring cases. Chiyong Rim and Janghoon Kim advised Woori Bank, Shinhan Bank, Industrial Bank of Korea, Nonghyup Bank, Daegu Bank, Busan Bank, Gwangju Bank and Junbuk Bank on obtaining recognition of W420 billion of claims under rehabilitation proceedings. Rim also defended Samwhan against shareholders’ action to commence a rehabilitation proceeding worth W480 billion.

Kim & Chang provides the spectrum of outstanding legal services for the shipping industry. “It has a high quality service and speedy advice on some complex legal issues,” says a client. Byung Suk Chung is advising a shipping association on a highly public sinking involving personal injury liability, wreck removal, marine pollution, investigations, and criminal and civil proceedings. Chung is also advising a cargo underwriter on how to claim for damages caused in Latin America.

“The team at Kim & Chang is very thorough, responsive and hard-working. They understand both Korean and international legal issues and they manage the client relationship very adroitly. They hold themselves to a high standard of performance, and provide an excellent service to our mutual client that is in keeping with our own brand value,” says one client. The firm has the largest tax practice team in Korea and has considerable experience in advising on all Korean tax issues. Tae Yeon Nam and Jeremy Everett represented a leading Korean investment bank during its tax audit, appeal and reinvestigation.