Dispute Resolution: International Firms | Asia-Pacific

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.

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.

Clifford Chance has a robust practice with a strong track record of advising on complex international arbitrations and particularly extensive experience in the representation of Korean clients. The firm has additional expertise in litigation and anti-corruption investigations, with expert knowledge of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and UK Bribery Act. It draws on its powerful global network, with disputes teams in China, Singapore, the Middle East and London advising on cross-border matters arising in the construction, energy, finance and shipping sectors.

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 which includes a number of leading Korean conglomerates and state-owned industries. The team is notably active on issues arising from transactional disputes, including those governed by the provisions of investment treaties, and on 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.

Clyde & Co handles complex disputes relating to Korea from its offices in Singapore, London and New York. The firm is known for its strength representing large Korean multinationals in shipping, insurance and construction litigation and arbitration, and 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.

Mayer Brown is recognised for representing its clients in international arbitration cases before SIAC and the ICC. The team assists Korean clients from its Singapore office with high-value investment disputes in Europe and North America, as well as in various emerging markets across South-East Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its client roster includes Korean and international companies from the manufacturing, technology, energy and construction industries attracted by its solid arbitration advocacy skills. The practice is also equipped to advise government clients.

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.