Baker & McKenzie Hires Korea Partner for Hong Kong Office

Jessica Seah

The Asian Lawyer

2013-01-16 14:47:54.0

Baker & McKenzie has hired a new Korea practice partner for its Hong Kong office.

Former Kim & Chang foreign legal consultant Seong Soo Kim specializes in cross-border project financings and international securities deals involving Korean companies.

Kim had worked at Kim & Chang, Korea's largest law firm, since 2002. Before that, he was an associate in Hong Kong with Shearman & Sterling.

Though Baker & McKenzie is opening a Seoul office, pending regulatory approval, it is unclear if Kim will work in that office. A firm spokeswoman says Baker & McKenzie has so far only decided to send three other Korean-speaking lawyers to Seoul when the office begins operations.

Baker & McKenzie announced it was applying to open a Korea office in November. It will be the firm's 73rd worldwide.