Young corporate and financial law boutique firm, LAB Partners hit the ground running when it opened two years ago, offering sophisticated advice on all core law areas. Its panoply of founding partners were already recognised by the market as leaders in their areas, having honed their expertise at other leading Korean firms. The firm has been savvily characterised by local media as ‘the Avengers of corporate legal practice’. Managing partner and structured finance and securitisation doyenne Young-Hee Jo helms a leadership team that includes Jinho Ahn, Jinho Kim, Youngju Kim, Kwangbok Kim, and recent joiner senior foreign attorney from Jipyong, Seungmin Jasmine Jung. The firm clearly demonstrates strengths in the finance space, particularly in banking, securities and asset management. Jo is a go-to name for securitisation matters.
Capital markets
Work highlights
Represented Shinhan Card in relation to its cross-border issuance of $500 million asset-backed securities based on its credit card receivables.
Acted for Hyundai Card on its cross-border issuance of $500 million asset-backed securities based on its credit card receivables and card loans
Key clients
KB Kookmin Card, KEB Hana Card, Lotte Card, Woori Card
Labour and employment
Work highlights
Advised professional gamer Kanavi on the termination of his existing contract with his former e-sports team Griffin and helped him sign a new favourable contract with a Chinese e-Sports team.
Private equity
Work highlights
Advised Orchestra Private Equity in a buyout on its purchase of 86.3% of the shares in top digital dart company Hong International and Japanese corporation HIC.
Represented Evergreen Advisors on its management buyout of 100% of share in UMoment via JJLee Company, a holding company belonging to the client.
Acted for Industrial Bank of Korea Private Equity and BNW Investment in a management buyout transaction where they purchased 100% of the shares of Yellostory. The transaction had a unique structure in that the PE fund established two special purpose companies (SPCs) in a two-tiered structure and after the closing, merged one of the SPCs with Yellostory.
Key clients
IS Dongseo, Korea Development Bank, Noh and Partners
Real estate
Work highlights
Advised New Songdo International City Development as the developer and borrower in connection with the $352 million project financing of residential properties in Songdo.
Client feedback
“The firm is responsive and knowledgeable about the market, and clear, concise and commercial in their advice.” – Capital markets
Young Hee Jo
“Young Hee is one of the most knowledgeable securitisation experts in Korea. There is nothing she does not know about the subject. She is highly responsive, communicative and decisive. There is no one we would rather work with.”
