Baker McKenzie’s South Korean alliance law firm with KL Partners, Baker McKenzie KLP JV, has bolstered its dispute capabilities with the addition of arbitration partner Sunyoung Kim from Lee & Ko in Seoul.

Kim, who will join the joint venture firm on May 20, primarily focuses on cross-border arbitration before the International Chamber of Commerce, Singapore International Arbitration Centre, China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, and Korean Commercial Arbitration Board, as well as in ad-hoc arbitrations.

She has represented multinational corporations, government entities, defence contractors, and individuals in commercial disputes as well as disputes related to cross-border joint ventures and M&A in the construction, shipping, energy and natural resources sectors. She also advises clients on investor-state matters. 

Kim is at least the second disputes partner to join Baker McKenzie KLP JV since its inception last October, following the addition of David Kim, also from Lee & Ko, in December. David Kim previously led Lee & Ko’s construction disputes practice.

Lee & Ko also lost its media and entertainment practice head, Chunghwan Choi, to Yulchon earlier this week.

Kim’s appointment “demonstrates our commitment to building our capabilities in strategic areas that align with our clients' business needs,” said Beomsu Kim, head of the disputes practice at Baker McKenzie KLP JV.