Ranking tables
Corporate/M&A: International Firms | Asia-Pacific
South Korea
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 2
- Ropes & Gray LLP 11 Years Ranked
- White & Case LLP Foreign Legal Consultant Office 8 Years Ranked
- O'Melveny & Myers LLP
- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
Eminent Practitioners
Band 1
- Jaewoo Lee Ropes & Gray LLP10 Years Ranked
- Sang Jin Han Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP14 Years Ranked
- Daniel S KimO'Melveny & Myers LLP
Band 2
- Dongho Lee White & Case LLP Foreign Legal Consultant Office6 Years Ranked
- Jin-Hyuk Park Simpson Thacher & Bartlett17 Years Ranked
- Won Lee Baker McKenzie LLP17 Years Ranked
- John K.J. KimAshurst
- Seong Hoon YiKL Partners
- Young ShinSkadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
Band 3
- David Cho Milbank LLP, Foreign Legal Consultant Office17 Years Ranked
- Iksoo Kim Paul Hastings8 Years Ranked
- Paul KimSheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Up and Coming
- DK Donghyun Kim DLA Piper LLP (US)7 Years Ranked
- Joongwon Park Simpson Thacher & Bartlett1 Years Ranked
- Hyungsoo KimSkadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
Associates to watch
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLPCorporate/M&A: International Firms2025 | Band 1 | 13 Years RankedCleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton fields a leading corporate team with strong on-the-ground capabilities, handling a diverse range of M&A transactions, with particular strength in the representation of significant Korean clients in cross-border acquisitions and investments. It has a large global network of lawyers based across Asia and Europe, and is renowned for its work supporting Korean clients in high-profile transactions. It ably advises on cases involving a number of jurisdictions, including Singapore, Italy and Japan. The team maintains close working relationships with leading Korean law firms and is increasingly active working for PE clients.
Band 2
2 Ropes & Gray LLPCorporate/M&A: International Firms2025 | Band 2 | 11 Years RankedRopes & Gray's corporate department maintains an active outbound practice that is well versed in assisting domestic clients with strategic investments abroad. It frequentlyadvisesKorean corporates and global private equity firms.The firm caters to an impressive client base including in the private equity, asset management, technology and life sciences sectors. Its on-the-ground capabilities are augmented by support from the firm'swider network.2 White & Case LLP Foreign Legal Consultant OfficeCorporate/M&A: International Firms2025 | Band 2 | 8 Years RankedWhite & Case houses a respected corporate team that is frequently sought out by Korean conglomerates for cross-border acquisitions and by foreign private equity firms looking to invest in the Korean market. It is regularly instructed on deals in the healthcare, entertainment and power industries.- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & AffiliatesCorporate/M&A: International Firms2025 | Band 2
Band 3
3 Baker McKenzie LLPCorporate/M&A: International Firms2025 | Band 3 | 11 Years RankedThe established, on-the-ground corporate team at Baker McKenzie is well equipped to advise clients on complex cross-border transactions and overseas investments. It offers expertise across a broad range of sectors, including the energy, natural resources and telecommunications industries. It is also able to leverage its extensive global network to assist Korean clients with investments in a large number of overseas jurisdictions, including the USA and Vietnam.3 DLA Piper LLPCorporate/M&A: International Firms2025 | Band 3 | 9 Years RankedDLA Piper's active corporate department is known for its experience in cross-border transactions and private equity investments. Its team is made up of multilingual staff with significant experience working in Korea. It serves clients in various sectors including mining, chemicals and aviation.3 Latham & Watkins LLPCorporate/M&A: International Firms2025 | Band 3 | 8 Years RankedThe corporate team at Latham & Watkins is active on a range of transactions for Korean and international clients including joint ventures, investments and acquisitions. It is notable for its deft handling of multi-jurisdictional matters involving China, the USA and the UK. Its impressive client roster features financial services and automotive entities as well as manufacturing companies.3 Paul HastingsCorporate/M&A: International Firms2025 | Band 3 | 13 Years RankedPaul Hastings has a highly regarded corporate group that has significant market share and receives strong praise for its work on large corporate transactions. It enjoys longstanding relationships with a number ofKorean conglomerates. It is particularly experienced in working with large electronics and manufacturing companies, leveraging its global footprint to advise on outbound M&A deals. The firm is also well equipped to handle matters where CFIUS is implicated.3 Simpson Thacher & BartlettCorporate/M&A: International Firms2025 | Band 3 | 13 Years RankedSimpson Thacher & Bartlett has a Hong Kong-based corporate team that is active on cross-border transactions and private equity investments. It regularly advises international and Korean clients on sales and acquisitions. Its client base includes global private equity firms and institutional investors, as well as large Korean companies across various industries.