Since its inception as Korea’s first litigation team dedicated exclusively to international disputes, the International Litigation Team of Lee & Ko has established a preeminent position in this field over the past four decades, grounded in its unrivaled expertise. Recognizing, ahead of the market, both the accelerating rise of cross-border disputes and the growing importance of delivering high-caliber legal services, the Team has assembled attorneys with extensive practical experience and exceptional global capabilities, providing clients—both domestic and international—with dispute resolution solutions of a distinctly elevated standard.

In today’s dispute landscape, where transnational interests are intricately intertwined across borders, clients seeking to protect their legal interests in Korea and across multiple jurisdictions face ever more sophisticated and multifaceted challenges. Effectively addressing these challenges requires not only an advanced command of the procedural and substantive laws of the relevant jurisdictions, but also expert capabilities grounded in a deep understanding of the client’s business environment and the distinctive characteristics of its industry.

In response to the evolving complexities of cross-border disputes, the International Litigation Team of Lee & Ko has strategically expanded its specialized capabilities, drawing on a thorough understanding of the relevant industry and a precise analysis of the business context to deliver the optimal strategy tailored to the nature of each dispute. The Team has also cultivated a robust global network through longstanding collaboration with the world’s leading law firms and is recognized for providing clients with comprehensive and multidimensional solutions that span the development of effective and practical risk management strategies, rigorous case analysis, and the successful resolution of complex disputes.

As a result, the International Litigation Team of Lee & Ko has successfully handled a broad spectrum of disputes across major areas of practice including finance, tax, insurance, maritime, aviation, civil and commercial law, antitrust and competition, criminal law, insolvency, intellectual property, and environmental law, before Korean courts as well as the United States federal and state courts, the courts of EU Member States, and other major judicial authorities worldwide. Going forward, the Team will continue to serve as a trusted partner to its clients, delivering not only successful outcomes but also comprehensive solutions that contribute to the realization of each client’s business objectives and long-term value.

Related team

International Trade International Arbitration

Expertise

A. Inbound International Cases

Civil and commercial litigation
Antitrust & competition litigation
Corporate control disputes
Finance litigation
Insurance and maritime litigation
Environmental litigation
Criminal litigation
Insolvency litigation
Tax litigation
Product liability litigation
Consumer protection litigation
Intellectual property litigation

B. Outbound International Cases

U.S. federal and state litigation
Litigation in EU Member States
Litigation in other major jurisdictions, including China, India, Türkiye, and Norway

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Major Cases

[International Civil and Commercial Litigation]

Representation in damages litigation between a Korean financial institution and a U.S. financial investment firm arising from the Deutsche Bank options shock
Representation of a German automotive manufacturer in civil litigation against a Korean insurance company concerning a vehicle fire incident
Representation of a U.S.-based multinational conglomerate in Korean Supreme Court appeal in damages litigation
Representation of a U.S.-based multinational conglomerate in responding to a customs investigation concerning compliance with the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act

[International Antitrust & Competition Litigation]

Representation of a Korea-based and world’s largest mobile phone manufacturer and a Chinese multinational conglomerate in proceedings seeking a stay of enforcement of corrective and surcharge orders issued by the Korea Fair Trade Commission
Representation of a Chinese multinational IT corporation in proceedings seeking the revocation of a Korea Fair Trade Commission decision
Representation of a U.S.-based multinational semiconductor supplier in proceedings seeking the revocation of a Korea Fair Trade Commission decision

[International Criminal Matters]

Representation of a leading Hong Kong bank in criminal proceedings concerning alleged violations of short-selling regulations
Representation of a U.S. corporation in responding to a prosecutorial investigation into alleged violations of industrial safety obligations under a collective bargaining agreement

[International Tax Litigation]

Representation of a U.S.-based multinational payment services corporation in proceedings seeking the revocation of a corporate income tax assessment

[International Intellectual Property Litigation]

Representation in damages litigation for unauthorized use of software between the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a foreign manufacturer of 3D/2D PLM software
Representation in patent infringement injunction proceedings and damages litigation between a Korean electronics and home appliance manufacturer and a joint venture owned by a Swedish corporation
Representation of Korea’s largest smartphone manufacturer in patent infringement proceedings against a smartphone manufacturer headquartered in Cupertino, California
Representation of a UK-based multinational pharmaceutical corporation in patent invalidation proceedings
Representation of a Swiss-based multinational pharmaceutical corporation in proceedings concerning patent infringement and patent validity

[International Environmental Litigation]

Representation of a Fortune 100 U.S. manufacturer of construction equipment and machinery in proceedings seeking to vacate a business suspension order issued under the Clean Air Conservation Act
Representation of a German automotive corporation in proceedings concerning alleged collusion relating to the development of a urea injection system and alleged violations of the Clean Air Conservation Act

[International Insolvency Matters]

Representation of a Michigan-headquartered manufacturer of vacuum cleaners and floor care products in litigation arising from the Hanjin Shipping insolvency proceedings