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Olswang expands Asia-Pacific presence to Korea

13/09/2016

This article was produced by Olswang LLP, which joined with CMS on 1 May 2017.

International technology, media and telecoms law firm Olswang today announces that it has expanded its offering in the Asia-Pacific region to include Korea with the addition of consultant Steve Kim to lead business development and client support services locally.

With Steve's arrival and his extensive experience in the Korean market, the firm aims to increase the opportunities to generate and service clients in its key sectors and to enhance support to existing clients in Korea. He will focus on developing the firm's profile within the country's established and bourgeoning technology sector with a particular emphasis on Korean companies seeking cross-border transactional, commercial, intellectual property and litigious advice.

Steve, a U.S.-trained lawyer, brings an ideal mix of legal know-how, Korean market insight and business development experience, having previously held positions in Korea as senior legal counsel at Samsung and head of sales and marketing at CPA Global. He also previously served as director of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution of the American Arbitration Association (New York, U.S.). Based in Seoul, Korea, Steve will work closely with Olswang Asia in Singapore as well as law firms Olswang Asia has associations with across the region, including Singapore legal practice Holborn Law LLC and independent Hong Kong law firm Haldanes. Steve will also support Olswang's global IP and dispute resolution teams working with a selected team of European partners. Steve will not practice law or give legal advice directly to clients and will be responsible for managing and cultivating the relationships Olswang Asia has with its respected partner firms in Korea.

Olswang Asia Managing Partner Andrew Stott commented: "We are pleased to bring Steve on board as an innovative way to expand our footprint in the IP-rich Korean market. The country is seeing an exciting period of growth in its technology sector and, in particular, increased outbound M&A and investment by Korean companies across APAC and Europe as well as greater level of U.S.-inbound investment in the TMT sector due to recent changes in the relevant Free Trade Agreement.

"The addition of Korea is the latest move in our growth strategy to develop our coverage ability in respect of other key Asian markets, including locally here in Singapore, in Hong Kong and, with Toby Grainger's arrival, in Indonesia – all of which happened in the last nine months. With Steve's combination of legal background and solid business development track record, as well as local connections, cultural and language-sensibility, we anticipate that he will excel and grow the Olswang brand in Korea."

Olswang IP Partner Dr Justin Hill added: "We are already advising leading Korean businesses on patent strategy and IP risk management as they expand their global operations and compete on the international stage. We look forward to working closely with Steve to leverage our global IP expertise to the benefit of Korean technology businesses. Korea is a major player when it comes to exporting technologies, with interests in line with our own focus on critical technologies like semiconductors, electronics, telecoms, advanced manufacturing and autotech. Investment in the chemical and life science sectors is leading to exciting developments in these growth sectors too."

Olswang has been operating in Asia since formally opening in Singapore in February 2012, and the firm's sector focus within TMT has enabled it to continue strengthening its service line offerings across corporate, commercial and international arbitration. Olswang Asia advises local, regional and international organisations, including BHP Billiton, Dentsu Aegis Network, Dong-A Pharmaceuticals, LG, Microsoft and Unilever.

Olswang Asia has retained its top ranking in TMT by both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 since opening in 2012. The firm's Partners are also ranked for their sector, practice area and regional expertise.