SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea’s premier legal firm, Kim & Chang, has significantly enhanced its expertise in multinational mergers and acquisitions with the recruitment of esteemed attorney Sang Jin Han, who is transitioning from the American law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton.
Han, a prominent figure in cross-border legal practices, is accompanied by a skilled group of M&A associates – Ji-won Lim, Jae Sung Kim, and Ki Won Ahn. This move comes as part of Kim & Chang’s strategy to bolster its capabilities in handling global transactions.
At Cleary Gottlieb, where Han was a pivotal leader in the M&A sector from the firm’s Korea office, he handled numerous high-stakes deals. His career highlights include advising on a joint venture between internet company NAVER and technology titan SoftBank, orchestrating the strategic integration of messaging giant LINE with internet conglomerate Z Holdings, and navigating private equity firm MBK Partners through major acquisitions such as Daesung Industrial Gases, Homeplus, and ING Life Insurance Korea.
Han’s legal journey began in 1996 in New York, after which he spent six fruitful years in Hong Kong before setting up base in Seoul in 2014. His international experience has equipped him with a nuanced understanding of the global market landscape, making him a valuable asset to Kim & Chang.
The exit of Han and his associates from Cleary Gottlieb leaves the firm’s Korea office, established in 2012 with an emphasis on capital markets and M&A ventures, facing a significant reshuffle. Remaining to steer the ship are two capital markets experts, Jinduk Han and Insoo Park.
This transition marks a significant moment for Kim & Chang, underscoring its commitment to expanding its global footprint in the legal domain. It also highlights the ongoing shifts in the Asian legal market, where domestic firms increasingly vie for a larger share of cross-border transactions amid evolving corporate landscapes.
As legal dynamics continue to evolve in Asia, the movement of high-profile lawyers like Han might signal a broader trend of consolidation and specialization among the region’s law firms. These strategic moves are not just reshuffling talent but also reshaping the capabilities and focus areas of major legal players in the region.
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