Latham & Watkins1 is pleased to announce that Richard Lee has joined the firm’s Seoul office as a partner in the Capital Markets Practice. Lee has extensive experience advising Asian and international issuers on a wide range of securities offerings, including debt and equity offerings, and he is an experienced high yield bond practitioner.
Lee has an established reputation and practice in Korea: he is one of very few Korean-fluent high yield experts with vast experience across the full spectrum of debt and equity transactions; he advises on both US-registered and unregistered work; and has a comprehensive understanding of the Korean market from his experience working with myriad companies operating in the region.
“We are delighted to welcome Richard to the firm. He is a highly regarded lawyer and excellent team player, with strong entrepreneurial drive and extensive connections in boardrooms and banks across Korea and more broadly throughout the region,” said Michael Sturrock, Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins’ Asia offices. “We are excited about the opportunities to build on our success in Korea. We continue to see increasing numbers of international clients investing in Korea as well as Korean clients seeking advice on outbound transactions, and Richard’s reputation as a talented and experienced capital markets practitioner will further strengthen our Seoul office as well as our wider Asia platform.”
Sharon Lau, Vice Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Corporate Department, commented: “Our Capital Markets Practice is one of the market-leaders in Asia and globally. Richard is a formidable addition to the team, and his vast knowledge of high yield bond transactions as well as experience advising on major listings around the world — from NASDAQ to the London Stock Exchange to the Korea KOPSI market — will be of great value to our clients. Richard’s arrival is a key milestone in strengthening our practice in Korea and we see tremendous synergies with his experience and Latham’s strong corporate offering in the region.”
Charles Ruck, Global Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Corporate Department, said: “Korea is a major hub in East Asia, particularly in the technology, telecoms, advanced manufacturing, and automotive sectors, and we see significant growth potential in this fast growing market. Richard’s local knowledge combined with his track record advising major Korean and global companies and investment banks across the region will enable us to extend and deepen our corporate offering to clients in Seoul and throughout Asia.”
Lee joins Latham & Watkins from Clifford Chance. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Seoul National University in 1989. Richard then served as an economic analyst and assistant to the Governor of the Bank of Korea before obtaining his JD at Vanderbilt University Law School in 2001. He began his legal career as a staff attorney in the Division of Corporation Finance at the US Securities and Exchange Commission before joining private practice in Hong Kong in 2005.
About Latham & Watkins
Latham & Watkins delivers innovative solutions to complex legal and business challenges around the world. From a global platform, our lawyers advise clients on market-shaping transactions, high-stakes litigation and trials, and sophisticated regulatory matters. Latham is one of the world’s largest providers of pro bono services, steadfastly supports initiatives designed to advance diversity within the firm and the legal profession, and is committed to exploring and promoting environmental sustainability.
Notes to Editors
1Latham & Watkins operates worldwide as a limited liability partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (USA) with affiliated limited liability partnerships conducting the practice in France, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, and the United Kingdom and as an affiliated partnership conducting the practice in Japan. Latham & Watkins operates in South Korea as a Foreign Legal Consultant Office. Latham & Watkins works in cooperation with the Law Office of Salman M. Al-Sudairi in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
