Founded in 1981, Shin & Kim is a Korean full-service law firm based in Seoul with offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Jakarta. The firm has over 700 professionals comprising domestic and foreign lawyers, accountants, patent attorneys and tax accountants.
The firm has strengths in banking and finance, and capital markets. The firm remains active in M&A and project development.
During the research period, the firm was active in multiple practice areas ranging from banking and finance to restructuring and insolvency.
The finance team has maintained a strong presence in acquisition financing and consistently offers expert guidance and services in equity and debt financing. These services encompass project finance, acquisition finance, ship finance, real estate finance, and debt market investments. In 2024, the banking and finance team welcomed Seongkoo Cheong as a new partner.
The firm has demonstrated a strong presence in the capital markets through its involvement in IPOs and listings. Notable recent transactions include the IPO and listing of SK Enmove on the KOSPI Market of the Korea Exchange. In the M&A sector, the firm has remained active with a focus on high-profile cross-border transactions, leveraging the expertise of its regional practices worldwide. One noteworthy transaction involved the representation of Alibaba Group during the Korea Fair Trade Commission's merger review process. The firm bolstered its corporate M&A team by adding partners Kihoon Park, Byungjun Kim and Haesung Jeong in 2025.
In the project space, the firm continued to be active in the energy sector, including renewables. Recent highlights include advising on the development and project finance for the., a 532MW offshore wind farm located near Anma Island in Yeonggwang-gun, South Korea
Key clients of the firm include Equis, SK Group, Korea Development Bank, Korea Export-Import Bank, Shinhan Bank, Macquarie Korea Asset Management, Korea Investment & Securities, KKR (Korea), MBK Partners, and Vena Energy.
"I like Mr. Dong Seon Kim and his real estate finance team, especially because of their dedication to clients' needs and extreme responsiveness in critical moments either in transaction or in bet-the-company litigations." (Asset finance client)
"Shin & Kim distinguishes itself by providing legal advice that not only addresses legal considerations but also takes into account the practical feasibility of financial implementation. When navigating complex legal opinions, Shin & Kim demonstrates creativity by analyzing issues from multiple perspectives, including legal, financial, regulatory, and the stance of financial authorities." (Leveraged finance client)
"The partner in charge has an in-depth knowledge and experience on applicable laws and the asset management industry." (Investment funds client)
"Seamless professional and client-oriented advice." (M&A client)
"They are prompt, readily accessible, and very knowledgeable in their field." (Project finance client)
"He is very knowledgeable about domestic real estate transactions including the project finance and bridge finance, and many other types of complex structured finance. He is very approachable from a client's perspective and extremely dedicated to the client's questions and needs."
"Ms. Choi Gajin is widely regarded as one of the most highly skilled and reputable attorneys in the acquisition finance sector. She possesses exceptional expertise in effectively addressing client needs while also excelling in facilitating the successful conclusion of legal negotiations."
"With her wealth of experience and rapid turnaround, she delivered timely legal insights. She consistently excels at thorough and quick task completion."
"Ms. Choi Gajin is widely regarded as one of the most highly skilled and reputable attorneys in the acquisition finance sector. She possesses exceptional expertise in effectively addressing client needs while also excelling in facilitating the successful conclusion of legal negotiations."
"Professional, provides on point/succinct advice, extremely responsive, has in-depth knowledge about asset management industry and applicable laws and regulations."
"Tong-Gun has outstanding skills not only in client management and negotiation but also in advising the client with innovative solutions to risks based on his knowledge of the law and the client's business/transaction."
"Prompt, accessible and very knowledgeable in the field."
