| With rapid fire changes taking place following the opening up of the Korean legal sector, many local law firms have had to raise their game as their rivals raise the stakes on the competition. With an ever evolving landscape which has seen 16 foreign firms establish offices in Seoul since the US and EU Free Trade Agreement was enacted in 2011 and 2012 respectively, many firms on the ground are looking for new ways to adapt. For some, this has meant forming closer ties with foreign firms to facilitate greater trade overseas. For others, this has meant shoring up their business development capabilities to maintain their leading edge.
In the case of Lee International IP & Law Group, (Lee International) one of South Korea’s longest-standing firms, they recently boosted their practice with the addition of noted practitioner Kwon Lee, who was formerly head of real estate at Kim & Chang. On 2nd April, Lee joined as Lee International’s new Managing Partner and along with his considerable expertise in the real estate, private equity and regulatory sectors, has been sought after for his legal wizardry and his ability to grow and develop a firm’s business development capabilities. In a somewhat rare move, Lee takes a seat at the head of the table as a lateral hire – after what he deems was a “good run” of 15 years at Kim & Chang. Though Kim & Chang is recognised for being a “large engine,” according to Lee, Lee International boasts a team of over 350 and with specialties in IP and anti-trust and anti-dumping law, for Lee he believes the move will “present new and welcome challenges.” |
