Baker & McKenzie has hired Seong Soo Kim as partner from Kim & Chang to bolster the firm’s banking and finance and Korea practices.

Kim, who will be based in Hong Kong, advises Korean companies and financial institutions on issues ranging from cross-border financing transactions in the energy sector, to capital markets deals including IPOs and secondary fund raising. He was previously a senior foreign lawyer with Kim & Chang.

“Seong Soo's experience in project financing, particularly in the power and energy sector, will be greatly valued by our clients,” said Won Lee, Baker & McKenzie's Korea practice head, in a statement.

Baker & McKenzie plans to open an office in South Korea, and had applied last November with the Korean Ministry of Justice.

Kanishk Verghese is North Asia journalist at ALB. Follow us on Twitter: @ALB_Magazine.

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