Dispute Resolution: International Firms | Asia-Pacific

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. Its key clients include POSCO Energy, Zinus and Samsung Heavy Industries.

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 on 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. Its key clients include the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea, Hyundai Electric & Energy Systems and Kumho Petrochemical.

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 Bruckhaus Deringer handles Korea-related work out of the 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. The Republic of Korea is one of the firm's key clients.

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.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is active in cross-border litigation and international arbitration on behalf of Korean clients. The firm services a client portfolio spanning a variety of industries, including technology, petrochemicals, electronics and automotive. It leverages support from US offices in New York, Palo Alto and Los Angeles to effectively handle Korea-US disputes. Its key clients include Hyundai Motors and Kia Motors.