Dispute Resolution: International Firms | Asia-Pacific

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer 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.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan handles Korea-related work from its Hong Kong-headquartered practice, which enjoys an excellent reputation for its skill in managing headline-grabbing IP and finance disputes. The firm's bilingual team is fully equipped to represent international clients in commercial arbitrations held under a variety of arbitral rules. It acts for high-profile clients and high net worth individuals across numerous sectors, including electronics, heavy industry and private equity, covering an impressive range of issues, including IP, product liability and white-collar crime cases. The firm is also singled out for its extensive experience advising Korean conglomerates.

Arnold & Porter combines an office in Seoul with further support from the firm's Shanghai and New York locations and expertise across a range of disputes. It offers experience in cross-border litigation, international trade disputes and class actions on behalf of clients from the engineering, construction, technology and shipping sectors. The team is also well placed to handle international arbitration proceedings arising out of joint ventures and M&A transactions.

DLA Piper provides a comprehensive offering, maintaining a presence in Seoul and drawing upon an extensive network of lawyers across the Asia-Pacific region and around the world. The firm handles a wide range of complex international commercial matters, covering both litigated and arbitrated cases, for a clientele that includes a number of leading Korean conglomerates and state-owned industries. The team is notably active in issues arising from transactional disputes, including those governed by the provisions of investment treaties, and in those generated by the construction, oil and gas, shipping and technology sectors.

White & Case has a well-established Asia-Pacific disputes practice, acting as US counsel in high-profile international arbitration, commercial litigation and international trade investigations. The firm also advises on arbitrations in the construction, energy and natural resources sectors. Its office in Seoul enhances its strong relationships with Korean blue-chip companies in various industries, as well as with government organisations and industry trade groups.

A&O Shearman's team boasts an offering with particular strength in investment treaty and public international law. It has a solid footprint in Seoul, leveraging connections with its offices in Singapore and Hong Kong. The arbitration team often acts for a number of major domestic and international clients, as well as the Korean government.

Clyde & Co handles complex disputes relating to Korea from its offices in Singapore, London and New York. The firm is known for its strength in representing large Korean multinationals in shipping, insurance and construction litigation and arbitration, and it fields a number of Korea-qualified or Korean-speaking lawyers in Singapore. It is also adept at using alternative dispute resolution methods in order to achieve the best result for clients.

Freshfields handles Korea-related work out of its Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai offices. Its Korean disputes practice covers a broad range of domestic and cross-border work, with expertise in advising on significant international arbitrations, including investor–state arbitration cases and joint venture disputes involving Korean parties. The firm is well positioned to service multinational clients and leading Korean companies thanks to its cultural and linguistic capabilities and excellent relationships and cooperative interactions with leading Korean firms.

Paul Hastings' Seoul office and US teams work together to advise clients on US court matters. The litigation team is particularly capable in intellectual property disputes concerning patent infringement but also handles other commercial disputes.

Ashurst Korea is a joint venture that advises on Korean law and international jurisdictions. The team regularly handles domestic employment and product liability litigation, as well as international commercial arbitration. It also assists with white-collar criminal investigations.

Baker McKenzie has a dedicated team of bilingual lawyers with extensive experience in post-M&A and corporate disputes, serving major domestic and global companies. The firm possesses notable capabilities, including advising on high-profile investor–state disputes as well as complex commercial arbitrations.

Watson Farley & Williams specialises in energy infrastructure and shipping disputes, as well as arbitration arising out of supply contracts and other commercial agreements. The Seoul office works with teams across Asia and Europe to represent major Korean corporates.