Latham & Watkins has confirmed that it has received regulatory approval to establish a foreign legal consultant office in the South Korean capital of Seoul. The new office will focus primarily on project development and finance matters, but will also advise on M&A, private equity, leveraged finance, debt and equity capital markets, as well as offering international arbitration service. Latham chair and managing partner Bill Voge commented: ‘The opening of an office in Seoul is a key development in the firm’s global expansion. Seoul is one of Asia’s leading financial centres and an engine of economic growth, with strong and growing importance globally.’

Bevash to lead both Seoul and Tokyo

The Seoul office with by Latham & Watkins’ sixth foothold in Asia, after openings in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo and Singapore. Tokyo office managing partner Joseph Bevash has been appointed to spearhead the Seoul office as managing partner, in addition to his current role in Japan. Alongside him will be counsel Helena Kim and Hong Kong-based partner Sungjin Kang, who have been selected to lead the new office’s corporate and project finance practices respectively.

Sources: Asian Legal Business; The Lawyer