Leading international law firm Clifford Chance is one of the first foreign law firms to obtain approval to open an office in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The country’s Ministry of Justice approved the application today. The firm’s licence to practise is still subject to approval from the Korean Bar Association.
Peter Charlton, Clifford Chance’s Managing Partner for Asia Pacific said, “We are delighted that our application to open an office in Seoul has been successful and are truly honoured to be one of the first law firms approved. I thank the Ministry of Justice for all of its assistance during the application process, and look forward to cooperating with the Korean Bar Association. Our office in Seoul is a natural extension of our over 30-year history of working with Korean clients. It is also an important part of our Asia Pacific strategy to extend our coverage through new offices.”
The new office will be led by Brian Cassidy, who has extensive international experience, including opening and managing a new office. Hyun Kim, head of the firm’s Korean practice, will for the moment continue to be based in Hong Kong and travel throughout the region on behalf of Korean clients. He is applying for foreign registered lawyer status in the Republic of Korea and will transfer to Seoul upon approval.
Brian said, “Clifford Chance is committed to the Republic of Korea. Our strategy here is for long-term sustained growth, in common with our other international offices. The Republic of Korea is home to some of the most recognised businesses in the world, and our team looks forward to working with these Korean companies, particularly using our international expertise to assist their overseas activities.”
Hyun Kim said, “Our on the ground presence will allow us to be closer to our clients as well as the many Korean law firms we have worked with over the years. We look forward to becoming an active member of the Korean legal community, while continuing to act as a trusted legal advisor to our Korean clients on a wide range of international legal matters.”
Background:
- Counsel Brian Cassidy has over 20 years’ international experience working on projects across Asia Pacific, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. He specialises in the energy sector with over 15 years’ experience working on oil and gas, clean energy, and mining matters, advising on operations, projects and acquisitions and disposals globally. He also has a deep understanding of inbound and outbound investment.
- Partner Hyun Kim specialises in capital markets and M&A, with extensive experience advising Asian and international issuers on a wide range of securities offerings, including investment-grade and high yield debt offerings, equity offerings with listings on various international exchanges, as well as cross-border joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions. Hyun has a broad Korean client base, including multilateral development banks, financial institutions and multinational corporations.
The Clifford Chance Korean practice has an established track-record in advising clients on capital markets, M&A, banking and finance including project finance, and arbitration. It also serves as a portal to the firm’s extensive international network of 34 offices globally.
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