"[Bae Kim & Lee] has a wide range of lawyer profiles in terms of nationality and knowledge base," a client says. "Its expertise is very broad, with both regional and international legal counselling....
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"[Bae Kim & Lee] has a wide range of lawyer profiles in terms of nationality and knowledge base," a client says. "Its expertise is very broad, with both regional and international legal counselling." Bae Kim & Lee is likewise highly regarded by peers because of its strong offering in the capital markets, competition, and M&A areas.
Peers note competition partner Keum Seok Oh for his expertise in international cartel cases. In a landmark decision, Oh led the defence of a group of luxury car dealerships in Korea, challenging a ruling by the Korean Fair Trade Commission. He successfully argued that price collusion is legal as long as it does not stifle competition.
Partners Dong Woo Seo, Sky Yang, and Kyu Sang Chung meanwhile advised Korea Exchange Bank and eight other financial institutions in a contentious M&A transaction involving the sale of a controlling stake of Hyundai Engineering and Construction. After fierce competition between Hyundai Motors Group and Hyundai Group, Hyundai Motors Group prevailed with a $4.5 billion offer.
In the capital markets area, clients rave about partner Eui-Jong Chung. One says: "He has sophisticated insight into Korean legal affairs as well as international legal issues. Also, he is committed to deals and very prudent in giving us legal opinions. As far as I know he is the best in the counselling business."
Bae Kim & Lee has been active in advising Chinese companies regarding IPOs on the Kosdaq. In July 2010, the firm handled toolmaker Wayport's W19.6 billion ($18 million) IPO. Following that listing, partners Hee-Gang Shin and Gi-Hyoung Oh acted for Shenglong PV-Tech Investment in its IPO, which raised W 50.4 billion.
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"We have maintained a very amicable business relationship with Bae Kim & Lee, and I feel very valued as a client," says one client. "Our relationship has helped us facilitate the internal decision-making process when issuing bonds....
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"We have maintained a very amicable business relationship with Bae Kim & Lee, and I feel very valued as a client," says one client. "Our relationship has helped us facilitate the internal decision-making process when issuing bonds." Overall, client feedback emphasises the high level of service one can expect from Bae Kim & Lee.
Partner In Man Kim heads the restructuring and insolvency practice, which is one the market leaders in Korea. Kim is involved in the ongoing restructuring and rehabilitation process of Ali Electricity and Alti Semi-Conductor, one of the largest suppliers of mobile phone parts, LED modules and LED devices. Both companies are listed on Kosdaq as Ali Electricity. Kim is also assisting in the ongoing rehabilitation proceedings for World Construction, reflecting the recent sharp downturn in the construction sector in Korea.
The banking and finance practice suffered the loss of two foreign legal counsels, S Warren Kim and Michael S Lee, but gained an expert advisor in Samuel Kim in July 2010. Kim was involved in most of Bae Kim & Lee's financing deals this year. He worked with partner Young Joon Cho in the restructuring of Mediterranean Shipping Company's ship financing facilities, which totalled $1.35 billion.
Partner Gun Chul Do and expert advisor Sam Kim have assisted New Songdo International City Development, a large business and residential development in construction near Seoul, in restructuring their W2.5 trillion ($2.3 billion) project finance facility. The restructuring included additional support from Posco Engineering and Construction and involved a new security and covenant package.
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