Sang Yoon LEE - Kim & Chang

Bio

Sang Yoon Lee is a highly experienced attorney with a diverse background in litigation, international arbitration and cross-border litigation.

Mr. Lee has a strong focus on commercial litigation with particular expertise in international transactions, international distributorship, mergers and acquisitions, product liability, public-private partnership, IT, and securities-related disputes. He has represented a wide range of clients, including semiconductor manufacturers, financial institutions, industrial companies, construction companies, defense contractors, multinational pharmaceutical companies, and consumer goods companies.

Before joining Kim & Chang, Mr. Lee served as a judge in district and appellate courts for 15 years and was a professor at the Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Korea. He also served as a member of the advisory committee on the enactment of the Class Action Act for Securities Transactions at the Ministry of Justice and as the first Counselor for Judicial Affairs at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the US from 2006 to 2008.

Mr. Lee received an LL.M. from the University of Chicago Law School in 1999, and an LL.M. from the Seoul National University Graduate School of Law in 1994. He also graduated from the Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Korea in 1991, and received an LL.B. from the Seoul National University College of Law in 1987. He was admitted to the Korean bar in 1991.

Mr. Lee is committed to providing his clients with the highest level of legal representation and is known for his ability to efficiently and effectively resolve complex legal disputes. He is dedicated to staying well-informed on the latest developments in his areas of practice and is committed to achieving the best possible outcome for his clients.

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Profile

Experience

Kim & Chang (2009-Present)

Chief Presiding Judge, Chuncheon District Court (2008-2009)

Counselor for Judicial Affairs, Embassy of the Republic of Korea in U.S. (2006-2008)

Presiding Judge, Chuncheon District Court (2006)

Judge, Seoul High Court (2004-2006)

Professor (Judge), Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Korea (2002-2004)

Member of the Advisory Committee on the Enactment of the Class Action Act for Securities Transactions, Ministry of Justice (2001-2004)

Judge, Yeoju Branch of Suwon District Court (2001-2002)

Judge, Milyang Branch of Changwon District Court (1998-2001)

Judge, Eastern Branch of Seoul District Court (1996-1998)

Judge, Suwon District Court (1994-1996)

Judge Advocate, Republic of Korea Air Force (1991-1994)

Representative Mattersshow

Class Action Law for Securities Transactions

Represented an industrial company in a class action case under the Class Action Act for Securities Transactions.
Represented global financial institutions in class actions related to derivative-linked securities.
Represented a construction company in a class action involving allegations of accounting fraud and misrepresentation.

Cross-Border Litigation and Enforcement Proceedings

Provided legal counsel to a prominent Korean company in US court proceedings involving international private law issues.
Advised global and multinational companies in US court proceedings related to the Hague Convention on the taking of evidence in Korea.
Represented US, German, and Korean companies in enforcement proceedings in Korea.
Represented a US private equity fund in an action to set aside an ICC arbitration award.

Disputes Involving International Transaction, Purchase, Distribution, and Agency Agreement

Represented and advised US, UK, German, Japanese, and Swiss companies in litigations, preliminary injunction proceedings and disputes involving international transaction, purchase, distribution, and agency agreements.

Corporation Law, Capital Market Act, and M&A-related Disputes

Represented companies in criminal, civil, and preliminary injunction proceedings related to shareholders’ meetings, company splits and mergers, compensation of directors, liability of directors, and stock options.
Represented companies in criminal, civil, and preliminary injunction proceedings related to M&A-related disputes.
Represented companies and individual clients in criminal and civil litigation involving allegations of accounting fraud, stock price manipulation, and misrepresentation.

Public-Private Partnership Disputes

Represented a Canadian private investment vehicle in preliminary injunction proceedings related to a light rail project.
Represented private investment companies in civil litigation and arbitration related to disputes involving refinancing, changes in total project costs, and consignment operation agreements for bridge, port, dormitory, and cargo terminal projects.

Disputes Involving Product Liability and Defects

Represented global medical device and pharmaceutical companies in civil litigations related to product liability.
Represented and advised US, German, Swedish and French consumer goods companies, defense companies, and industrial companies in criminal proceedings and civil litigation related to product defects.

Privacy and Data Security Litigation

Represented global IT companies in civil litigations related to privacy and data security issues.
Represented companies and individual clients in criminal proceedings and civil litigations under the Privacy Act and Information and Communications Network Act.

Competition Law-related Litigation

Represented elevator, beverage, electricity meter manufacturers, construction companies, and airlines in civil, criminal, and administrative litigations related to price fixing allegations.
Represented a beverage manufacturer in civil and administrative litigations related to the alleged obstruction of business activities.
Represented a global company in nationwide administrative litigation under the Large-Scale Distribution Business Act.

Representative Activitiesshow

Publications/Activities

Due Process in the Class Action Act for Securities Transactions (2005)
The Binding Effect and the Finality of Judgment in Class Actions (2004)
Role-Play as the Professional Legal Training of Inns of Court School of Law (2004)