On March 27, Kim & Chang and DLA Piper co-hosted a seminar titled “Key Insights for Success in MENA: Investment, Claims Management, and Disputes.” Following the opening remarks by Byung-Woo Im from Kim & Chang and Daniel Lee from DLA Piper, the seminar was organized into a total of three sessions focusing on business expansion and legal trends in the Middle East.

The first session dealt with key structural considerations for investment and M&A in the Middle East. Tim Sunar from DLA Piper provided an overview of Gulf Cooperation Council (“GCC”) investment trends and the relevant legal frameworks in place, while Kyung Yoon Lee and Sean Ahn from Kim & Chang discussed important considerations for joint ventures and other M&A transactions between Korean and Saudi companies.

The second session focused on construction claim management with practical lessons in the Middle East. Andrew Mackenzie and George Vlavianos from DLA Piper introduced the impact of civil transaction law on dispute resolution in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, Matthew J. Christensen and Don Jeon from Kim & Chang shared insights on the effective use of external counsel during contract negotiations, as well as strategic considerations for contractors when presenting claims.

The third session introduced effective strategies for dispute resolution in the Middle East. Suzannah Newboult and Faisal Al Hinai from DLA Piper shared thoughts on trends in dispute resolution, and Joel E. Richardson from Kim & Chang focused on discussions regarding settlement negotiations and mediation in the Middle East.

The seminar concluded successfully with a vibrant Q&A session. Kim & Chang plans to continue hosting informative seminars to assist companies in their international endeavors.