With practitioners in Singapore and Hong Kong, A&O Shearman‘s international arbitration practice has broad sector expertise, in addition to aptitude in investment treaty disputes. Practice head Sheila Ahuja KC regularly advises on complex international commercial arbitration and investor-state disputes.

Kim & Chang houses a team that offers cross-border capabilities, featuring experience in high-profile and complex disputes. Practice head Byung-Chul Yoon brings extensive experience in high-profile arbitrations, with a diverse caseload that recently includes significant work in investment treaty arbitrations. Sae Youn Kim‘s expertise spans international commercial disputes, while Matthew Christensen engages closely with private and public sector clients on arbitrations arising out of complex international construction and engineering projects. Leading the North American arbitration practice, Joel Richardson is a seasoned advisor on arbitrations administered by the ICC, KCAB, and LCIA. Shul Park has overseen recent developments in the arbitration practice, including emergency proceedings, investor-state disputes, and energy disputes.

With clients highlighting the group’s ‘seamless integration of Korean legal expertise with international standards and expectations’, Lee & Ko has a long-standing position in the international arbitration market, with particular experience in the IP, entertainment, and energy sectors. Team head Eun Young Park is a seasoned practitioner in commercial and investment treaty arbitration. Also leading the practice is Zac Sharpe, who is dual-qualified in the US and as a solicitor-advocate in England and Wales, regularly advising the oil and gas, shipbuilding, and technology sectors. Sanghoon Han is an investor-state disputes specialist, whereas Saemee Kim has deep knowledge across a span of industries, including energy, entertainment, and life sciences. Han-Earl Woo, previously served as a public advocate where he developed experience in investor-state arbitration.

The international arbitration team at Peter & Kim continues to add clients to its impressive roster across a wide array of industries, including construction, corporate, and media. The practice group is co-led by experienced partners Kap-You (Kevin) Kim, who specialises in investment and commercial arbitrations, and John Bang, who has vast experience in proceedings across all major institutions. Mino Han is a seasoned advisor on construction and engineering disputes, regularly conducting advocacy himself. Seokchun Yun handles complex disputes that the firm receives, having represented government, domestic and foreign clients at all stages of international arbitrations. Yunsoo Shin, Arie Eernisse, and Dongsuk Shin are also recommended.

Under the leadership of Tony Dongwook Kang and Woojae Kim, Bae, Kim & Lee LLC‘s arbitration bench has further strengthened by hires, including Christopher Mainwaring-Taylor, an experienced English-qualified solicitor, from A&O Shearman where he was a partner for over a decade. Kim has a strong track record in investor-state disputes. Junu Kim has extensive experience in investment arbitrations, while Hongjoong Kim has represented clients in international disputes across various industries. Dual-qualified in England and Wales and in New York, Yoon Jeong Park is a key practitioner on disputes relating to the shipping and shipbuilding industry.

With over forty years of experience advising Korean clients, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP is regarded as ‘well-versed in both legal expertise and market practice’ and able to manage all aspects of claims and conduct advocacy at the hearings. Based in London, practice head Mike McClure KC has over fifteen years’ experience resolving complex international disputes for Korean clients, with particular knowledge in the construction, infrastructure, and TMT sectors. Co-leading the practice from Hong Kong, Dana Kim is a leader on complex cross-border disputes, acting in arbitrations under all of the major arbitration rules.

Baker McKenzie & KL Partners Joint Venture Law Firm is turned to by domestic and international companies, with the team handling international disputes and cross-border litigation. Beomsu Kim, oversees the team, focusing on commercial arbitration and investor-state disputes. Sunyoung Kim has extensive experience in arbitration cases before the ICC, SIAC, and KCAB, as well as in ad-hoc arbitrations. David Kim covers a varied stream of matters, with experience acting in commercial disputes relating to construction, shipping, military contracts, and natural resources. Sung Woo (Sean) Lim – previous co-head of arbitration at Lee & Ko  – joined the team in December 2024.

Regarded for ‘its ability to quickly and effectively take over complex disputes’, Shin & Kim‘s arbitration practice is well-positioned to advise on high-value disputes. Co-head Young Suk Park has a demonstrable track record in commercial arbitrations involving major Korean companies and global companies. For commercial arbitrations, Jae Min Jeon is another key contact. Co-head Robert Wachter has previous experience working in Asia, Europe, and North America. Youngwon Yoon has experience acting on high-value construction and finance mandates. Brandon Bang is regarded by clients for his ‘excellent understanding and knowledge of the arbitral process’. Jae Hee Kim is another name of note.

Based out of Singapore and Hong Kong, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP is experienced in representing private equity firms in shareholder and other disputes with a nexus to Korea. oversees the practice from Hong Kong, specialising in commercial and investment treaty arbitration. Leading alongside him from Singapore, Duncan Watson KC is qualified in both Australia and England and Wales and regularly acts as counsel in international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations. Singapore’s Tom Brebner takes point on private equity disputes and Nicholas Lee chiefly focuses on private equity, financial services, and construction.

Drawing from the firm’s global network, White & Case LLP (Foreign Legal Consultant Office)‘s Korean practice is noted for its expertise in energy and infrastructure construction disputes, enabling the practice to provide guidance on disputes in oil & gas, LNG, conventional power, and digital infrastructure projects. Matthew Secomb, spearheads the practice, lending his experience from the European market to act on energy-related and construction disputes in Korea. David Robertson is recognised for his work in disputes on projects across the globe within the offshore and onshore oil and gas, offshore wind, power, and water sectors.

Construction is a cornerstone of Yoon & Yang LLC‘s international arbitration and litigation practice, which is well-equipped to handle disputes in the construction, energy, and insurance sectors, among others. The practice group is co-led by partners Myung-Ahn Kim and Sam Kim. Myung-Ahn Kim has extensive experience in ICC, ICSID, and LMAA arbitration, while Sam Kim has expertise in both commercial and construction arbitrations. Junsang Lee specialises in handling construction, intellectual property, real estate, and commercial disputes. Munjeong Kyung primarily focuses on product liability and construction cost disputes, and Minhwa Kang brings additional experience in construction disputes.

Yulchon offers a wide range of arbitration expertise that covers commercial disputes, construction issues, and investor-state disputes. David MacArthur‘s far-reaching practice includes the life sciences, manufacturing, and intellectual property sectors. With a background in cross-border M&A and private equity, Eun Nyung (Ian) Lee is a key contact for post-M&A disputes, as well as on disputes with financial and corporate governance aspects. Jeonghye Sophie Ahn acts as both counsel and arbitrator on joint venture, intellectual property, and construction disputes. The three jointly lead the practice.

Levering a team spanning across Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris, London, and the Dubai offices, Clifford Chance‘s Korea practice is active in international arbitration. Practice head Thomas Walsh acts on private capital and technology disputes out of the Hong Kong office. Paris-based Jason Fry KC is the global head of the firm’s international arbitration group, with experience in disputes relating to infrastructure projects, energy, aerospace, and trade.

Among Jipyong LLC‘s broad dispute resolution offerings, the firm is particularly noted for its work in investment and trade, commercial contracts, antitrust & competition, construction, and energy disputes. Jinhee Kim, oversees the team, with experience acting as sole arbitrator in KCAB international arbitration proceedings. Somin Jun concentrates in foreign investment, energy and technology disputes, while Yong Ik Lee covers competition, bankruptcy, and entertainment mandates.

Mayer Brown is particularly geared to support clients from the LNG and power sectors, coupled with expertise across a variety of industries, including banks, automobile companies and oil & gas companies, on international arbitration. Out of Singapore, Yu-Jin Tay has over twenty years of experience in South Korean arbitration, with particular expertise in LNG and energy disputes. Sang Joon Park works closely with  Tay on a varied stream of work, spanning from technology to shipbuilding.