Latham & Watkins opens Seoul office

The law firm has opened its sixth Asian office, as it seeks to deepen its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Latham & Watkins has opened an office in Seoul, South Korea, the firm said in a statement.

The new office will be the firm’s sixth in Asia, adding to its offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo.

The firm has been working with clients in South Korea for over two decades, overseen from its Tokyo office, advising local companies, institutions and private equity clients on both inbound and outbound investments. Among its sectors of expertise include banking, energy, entertainment, sports and media, infrastructure, life sciences, semiconductor and automotive.

The Seoul team intends to expand its practice in the region, focusing on private equity, mergers and acquisitions, leveraged finance, debt and equity capital markets, and international arbitration practices.

Joseph Bevash, a partner in the Hong Kong and Singapore offices will serve as the office managing partner in Seoul while continuing his post as office managing partner in Tokyo.

In Seoul, finance partner Sungjin Kang will lead Latham’s project finance practice together with Bevash, while Helena Kim will lead the firm's corporate practice.

“The opening of an office in Seoul is a key development in the firm’s global expansion. Seoul is one of Asia’s leading financial centres and an engine of economic growth, with strong and growing importance globally,” Bill Voge, chair and managing partner of Latham & Watkins, said in a statement. “A Seoul office will further enhance our practice and platform in the region and around the world.”