25 Asian Legal Business | October 2024 Ushijima, who stresses the willingness to fight for their clients regardless of the circumstances. “We are not afraid to take difficult cases where many facts go against our clients. Indeed, many clients seek us out after having been turned down by other firms. Through such an approach, we have developed a reputation for winning the unwinnable cases.” To triumph in courtroom battles, devotion is the key from the very beginning. “Devotion means investing the time reviewing the case file to gain a deep understanding of the facts of the case (a deeper understanding than opposing counsel) and taking a personal interest in the case. Approach each case fresh as if it were the first time you have handled such a matter so that you can uncover things that others may have missed,” says Ushijima. For many litigators, doing their clients justice is the ultimate goal in the courtroom. However, success in litigation is not just about a verdict in favour. The process and the effort invested in each case can be equally rewarding regardless of the outcome. Il Yeon Kim, partner at South Korean law firm Bae, Kim & Lee (BKL), emphasises that litigation lawyers must put in a lot of effort and prepare thoroughly in order to solve the clients’ difficulties and achieve justice. Apart from a deep understanding of both substantive and procedural law, meticulous examination of facts and evidence, and the ability to present logical and persuasive arguments in court, Kim believes it is necessary to draw sympathy and understanding of the court through logical and persuasive legal documents and court arguments. “I think it is most important to deeply understand and empathise with the client’s situation and the client’s prob- “It is most important to deeply understand and empathise with the client’s situation and the client’s problems in order to properly understand the nature and meaning of the case. In the process of communicating deeply with the client, I also gained a lot of experience in obtaining decisive clues to solving the case.” — Il Yeon Kim, Bae, Kim & Lee Brought to you by Bae, Kim & Lee LLC A conversation with Il Yeon Kim Congratulations on being named one of the ALB Asia Top 15 Litigators. Can you share a recent high-profile case you’ve worked on and what made it particularly challenging or significant? It was on an indicted criminal trial filed against the executives of Group A for bribing former President Geun Hye Park in the form of providing financial support for horseback riding support for the daughter of Seo-won Choi, the shadowy confidante.” It was a so-called ‘government affairs manipulation case’. More than 80 trials have been held in four years, leading to fierce battles between special prosecutors and lawyers, and the media called it the “Trial of the Century” and it attracted the public’s attention. The trial had a significant impact on the politics and society of the Republic of Korea, and important legal issues were addressed. In the end, some of the prosecutions were I’m actively taking on new types of cases and trying to develop my expertise in the process of handling the cases. What is your personal philosophy or approach when it comes to handling complex litigation cases, and how do you believe this has contributed to your success in the field? I have two important principles I go by when conducting litigation: thorough preparation and sufficient communication with clients. First, I think the success or failure of a litigation case depends on how thoroughly the attorney has reviewed, analyzed and prepared the case. Lawyers must carefully examine records and evidence to understand and verify facts better than anyone else, and lawyers must thoroughly research related laws and precedents to be legally prepared. Second, communicating sufficiently with the client is not only the lawyer’s duty, but also necessary to successfully handle litigation cases. The client will know the case better than anyone else, having experienced the case firsthand. By having a lot of conversations and discussions with the client, lawyers can realize facts or issues that they have not thought of and can greatly assist in discovering important evidence. I believe these principles will be more valuable in complex and difficult litigation cases. convicted and some were acquitted throughout the Supreme Court. There were some regrets in the results, but it was an important case where I could learn and experience a lot as a litigator. What areas of litigation do you specialize in, and how has your expertise evolved over the years to address changing legal landscapes in Asia? I’ve experienced and worked on various litigation cases including criminal, civil, and administrative. Among criminal proceedings, in particular, I’m specialized in cases involving the Capital Markets Act, corporate embezzlement and breach of trust, bribery, trade secret infringement, election, and serious accident cases. Among civil and administrative litigation, my specialty includes commercial case, labor case, personal information infringement case, and real estate cases. Asia, including the Republic of Korea, has rapidly changed and grown over the past few years in all fields of politics, economy, society, science and technology, and the legal environment in the field of transmission is changing day by day. I continue to study to respond to these changes, and I’m trying to maintain and develop my expertise through training in the professional field of the bar association and the latest newsletter from the law firm. In particular, Il Yeon Kim Partner ilyeon.kim@bkl.co.kr Bae, Kim & Lee LLC www.bkl.co.kr
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