[Korea Economic Daily] The Biggest Haul: Lee & Ko Breaks Past KRW 400 Billion in Annual Revenue with KRW 6 Trillion Deal
On January 30, 2025, the Korea Economic Daily issued a featured article on Lee & Ko’s outstanding performance in 2024, noting, “Lee & Ko achieved KRW 411.1 billion in revenue last year, marking a 10.4% year-on-year increase, and became the first-ever law firm, aside from the established market leader Kim & Chang, to surpass KRW 400 billion in annual revenue.” The article also highlighted, “Lee & Ko effectively led corporate restructuring transactions, such as the KRW 6.45 trillion merger between SK Innovation and SK E&S, and obtained consecutive acquittals in the embezzlement case of SPC Group Chairman Young In Hur and the antitrust violation case involving former Hanssem Chairman Yang Ha Choi.”
2025.01.30
[Invest Chosun] Four Major Law Firms Vying for Market Dominance in 2024, “2025 Set to Be the Year of the Ultimate Duel”
On January 24, 2025, Invest Chosun issued a featured article on Lee & Ko’s outstanding performance in 2024, noting, “Lee & Ko earned the title of the first Korean law firm to exceed the KRW 400 billion threshold in annual revenue, outpacing Bae, Kim & Lee in terms of value-added tax declared amount for four consecutive years. In addition to Lee & Ko IP's annual revenue of KRW 16.8 billion last year, the firm generated a total of KRW 427.9 billion in revenue.” It also highlighted that “Lee & Ko undertook SK Group’s restructuring efforts and provided corporate advisory services to facilitate a merger between CJ ENM’s Tving and Wavve. In criminal defense, the firm successfully obtained acquittals in the embezzlement case of SPC Group Chairman Young In Hur and the antitrust violation case involving former Hanssem Chairman Yang Ha Choi, credited to the expertise of both former judge Chang Ho Seong and Da Joo Jung.”
2025.01.24
[Korea Economic Daily] Rebounding Amidst Recession: Korea’s Top Five Law Firms See 12.1% Revenue Surge in Higher Growth Trajectory
On January 24, 2025, the Korea Economic Daily reported Lee & Ko to be the first Korean law firm to surpass KRW 400 billion in revenue, highlighting, “Lee & Ko achieved KRW 411.1 billion in revenue last year, marking a 10.4% growth rate with a robust recovery. It is noteworthy that the firm became the first-ever law firm in Korea to surpass the KRW 400 billion mark and showcased its exceptional performance in mergers and acquisitions as well as criminal defense. In particular, its seasoned attorneys effectively led corporate restructuring transactions in the KRW 6.45 trillion merger between SK Innovation and SK E&S and obtained acquittals consecutively in the embezzlement case of SPC Group Chairman Young In Hur and the antitrust violation case involving former Hanssem Chairman Yang Ha Choi.
2025.01.24
[Korea Economic Daily] “Without knowledge of collusion, there may be liability for damages…” Risk of Shareholder Derivative Lawsuits by National Pension Service [Lee & Ko’s Antitrust & Competition Practice Group]
On January 22, 2025, an article by Lee & Ko partner Byong Ki Chung was published in the Korean Economic Daily. In Mr. Chung’s article titled “Without knowledge of collusion, there may liability for damages…Will the National Pension Service file shareholder derivative lawsuit”, he explained that, “There is a surge in shareholder derivative lawsuits against companies issued administrative fines by the Korea Fair Trade Commission for collusion; and companies should be on high alert, especially considering the court decision recognizing that even without direct knowledge of collusion, CEOs may be liable for damages.” He added, “Although the National Pension Service has yet to file a shareholder derivative lawsuit related to collusion, this could change with a shift in politics or a shareholder protectionist movement, thus making it prudent for companies to exercise caution. As the basis for holding CEOs liable has strengthened significantly, it is of the utmost importance to establish an effective compliance monitoring system beyond that of formal systems of internal controls.”
2025.01.22