Michael Yu is a foreign attorney at Kim & Chang. He practices primarily in aerospace & defense, corporate investigations, white collar criminal defense, and regulatory matters.
As a senior member of the firm’s Aerospace & Defense Practice, Michael has worked with various American and European defense companies in procurement transactions and disputes with various authorities including the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) as well as the Public Procurement Service (PPS). He has worked on contract negotiations as well as dispute resolution matters involving projects with the armed services of the Ministry of National Defense, including the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN).
In connection with the Corporate Investigations & White Collar Defense Practice, Michael has worked with a broad range of companies in criminal defense, corporate investigations and regulatory audit matters, and has advised clients on matters concerning trade secrets, military classified information, corporate fraud and embezzlement, breach of trust and fiduciary duties, tax and customs audits, violations of gift and entertainment policies, anti-corruption and bribery laws (including coordination of OFAC and FCPA audits), establishment of compliance infrastructures, and Korean criminal procedures. Michael has also worked on numerous investigations conducted by the Korea Fair Trade Commission on cartel and other antitrust matters.
Michael also has extensive experience in cross-border transactions, including share and asset purchases, joint ventures, corporate governance, and general corporate and commercial law matters. Michael’s practice has encompassed providing services to both listed and private companies in various industries including large-size retail stores, cement and construction, special coatings and paints, specialty chemicals, oil and petrochemical, specialty gases, telecommunications, consumer and commercial finance, automotive and automotive parts, and direct sales (including cosmetics and health foods).
Prior to joining Kim & Chang, Michael was an associate in the New York office of Morrison & Foerster LLP, as a member of the Corporate Department. At the time, his practice was centered on the practice of US Securities Laws, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Initial Public Offerings. After two years with the firm, Michael left the United States to serve in the Republic of Korea Air Force, where he was commissioned first as a Lieutenant with the ROKAF Judge Advocate General Corps. At such time, Michael’s legal practice focused on defense procurement matters and representing the Defense Procurement Agency in various projects and contracts with foreign suppliers. Michael was honorably discharged after his service term of three years with the rank of Air Force Captain.
In 2010, he was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Republic of Korea Air Force Chief of Staff.
Michael received a J.D. from the Cornell Law School in 1996, and an M.A.L.D. from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy from Tufts University in 1995. He received an A.B. Double Major with Honors from the University of California, Berkeley in 1992. He is admitted to the New York Bar.
