Dispute Resolution: International Firms
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : South Korea
Band 1
About
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
We have unrivalled expertise on outbound Korean disputes and have been serving Korean clients for over 40 years.
In contrast to our competitors, the size and experience of our Global Korea Group allows our team to fully manage all aspects of claims, including conducting advocacy at the hearings. We leverage our strong global international arbitration offering to bring additional support and experience as necessary.
We have acted for many of Korea’s largest and most prestigious companies and we have a particularly strong record of advising Korean clients engaged in the construction and engineering sector.
Led by Mike McClure KC and Dana Kim, who have significant international experience representing clients in numerous disputes and jurisdictions, our Korea dispute resolution practice combines unparalleled international expertise with an approach tailored to the unique needs of our clients. Members of our Korea Group include fluent bilingual Korean and English speakers, who have experience of advising on disputes across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the US.
We are particularly renowned for our international arbitration and experience. Our team advises Korean and multinational clients under the major arbitration rules. We work with our preeminent regional and global international arbitration teams, offering clients access to a full-service team of arbitration experts.
Chambers Review
Herbert Smith Freehills has a highly regarded global disputes group that operates out of its offices in London and Hong Kong. It fields a team of bilingual lawyers with proficiency in Korean and English. The firm works primarily with major conglomerates in South Korea on contentious issues arising from projects in the energy, infrastructure and engineering sectors, and from equity and debt transactions in the finance industry. It acts for prominent conglomerates, state-owned entities and new technology companies, and also handles inbound work for international corporations operating in Korea.Clients benefit from the firm's extensive industry knowledge, global network and depth of resources.
Work Highlights
- Herbert Smith Freehills represented Star Hydro in an LCIA arbitration against the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The HSF team has top-notch reporting skills. Each and every member of the team is very responsive."
"They are ready to handle complex matters with relative ease and provide their advice in a timely manner. They understand the Korean market and clients and offer nuanced advice in sophisticated cases."
"The HSF team has top-notch reporting skills. Each and every member of the team is very responsive."
"They are ready to handle complex matters with relative ease and provide their advice in a timely manner. They understand the Korean market and clients and offer nuanced advice in sophisticated cases."
Notable Practitioners
Mike McClure stands out for his significant experience advising on disputes arising in the energy, construction and infrastructure sectors. His expertise continues to attract many instructions from Korean and international corporations. He is a global co-head of the Korea group and serves a host of clients from Herbert Smith Freehills' base in London.
"Mike is an excellent lawyer who maintains a balance between strong commercial awareness and sharp legal analysis."
"Mike is excellent - an able advocate and a great guy."
Dana Kim is global co-head of the Korea group based in the firm's office in Hong Kong. She is particularly well known for her arbitration expertise. She also has experience advising clients from a broad range of sectors on litigation and mediation mandates.
"She was very practical and on point in her strategy and negotiation."
"Dana is well known in the Korean market. She can lead international arbitration cases and provides excellent client service with her Korean-speaking ability."
Ranked Lawyers at
Herbert Smith Freehills
South Korea