4th meeting of young marine & maritime workers held

On June 29, HMP held the 4th meeting of young workers in shipping and logistics industries at its seminar room located in Jung-gu, Seoul. About fifty interested persons from CJ Logistics Corporation, Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. Ltd., STX Offshore & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., LG International and so on attended the meeting to exchange information and promote friendship at the working level.    At the meeting, Lee Si-hyeon, who works in coal shipping and trading as CEO of Penascop Maritime United Indonesia, and who has been in Indonesia for about 12 years, gave a talk on ‘the importance of Southeast Asia and networking as seen through numerical data.’   As one of the founders of Penascop Maritime United, which utilizes Asian networks in Singapore, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and and so on, Lee presented current industry trends from Southeast Asian countries and shared with young participants his business experiences and knowhow gained through networking. Lee also emphasized the role young workers have to play in promoting the shipping, shipbuilding and logistics industries. He stressed a win-win approach through ‘cooperation’, rather than ‘competition,’ specifically by holding regular meetings, etc.        Sung Woo-rin, an attorney at HMP Law, announced, “We agreed with Mr. Lee to establish the first overseas branch meeting of young workers in shipping, shipbuilding and logistics industries, namely an ‘Indonesian branch meeting.’ Its inaugural general meeting will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, in August or September this year. We also plan to launch a London branch at the beginning of next year, to expand communication networks can among young workers in the same sector all over the world.”  

EU ILO Project successfully completed

 On May 31, 2017, HMP Law, together with Development Solutions, a European consultancy, successfully finished the project titled ‘A Comparative Study of the Implementation of International Labour Organization Convention 111 in the Republic of Korea and the Member States of the European Union’ which was funded by the European Union.  Korea-based British expert Dr. Tony Michell led this project as team leader.  The object of this project was to analyze the current status of the implementation of ILO Convention 111 in matters such as foreign workers, gender, disability, age issues, and to seek solutions by sharing good practices among Korea and each of the EU member states. This project continued for one year from June 2016 through May 2017, and a variety of stakeholders such as the KFTU (Korean Federation of Trade Unions), KCTU (Korean Confederation of Trade Unions), KEF (Korean Employers Federation) participated in the project.  On May 23, 2017, Chan Sik Ahn, a partner at HMP Law, gave a speech representing the Republic of Korea at the final seminar held in Brussels, Belgium, and discussed related issues with participants.  HMP Lawyers including Dong Jin Lee, Hanah Lee, Kwang Hee Cho, Keewoong Lee, and Colin Nam also worked on this project. For more details, or to read the final report, visit http://korea-euilo111.com/news/     

HMP: Providing the best solutions for companies

Summarized in English from HanKyung Business magazine: http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=101&oid=050&aid=0000044619 HMP Law: Providing the Best Solutions for Companies    “Law Firms that do not evolve can no longer survive.” HMP Law, established in 1993, has specialty knowhow in providing legal services, ranging from M&A, restructuring, finance, and Product Financing to international trade, litigation and so on. Nowadays, HMP Law is moving forward to strengthen its specialties under its motto, ‘professionalism and dynamism.’ HMP Law recently carried out a survey together with HanKyung Business magazine of the Korean legal market, in order to provide specific guidelines not only to satisfy clients’ prospective needs but to track the changing circumstances in the domestic and international legal market. Based on that survey, law firms have opportunities to provide more professional legal services that will meet in-house counsels’ expectations and thoughts about legal firms’ services. Upgraded Legal Services in Fair Trade·and IP Fair-trade and antitrust is one of the Moon Jae-in Administration’s main focuses. According to HMP Law, companies frequently ask for legal advice in relation to the increase of government restraints on major companies’ unfair transactions and abuse of power by franchise companies (known as ‘Gap-jil’ in Korean slang). Now, the Antitrust & Competition team of HMP Law, led by Mr. Kim Si-joo, along with Mr. Suh Suk-hee, a former alternate commissioner of the Fair Trade Commission, and approximately 30 other professionals, has conducted many important projects, such as advisory matters for SPC Group and other bakery industry companies, as well as many convenience store franchises in the past several years.  In accordance with the policy line of the incumbent administration, HMP Law aims to strengthen its fair trade and antitrust team by not only training talented young professionals, but also by offering free legal services to members of the Fair Competition Federation every two months.  Moreover, HMP Law has recently concentrated on intellectual property rights as one of its main tasks. In 2014, HMP Law established a business partnership with Bird & Bird LLP., one of the most renowned global law firms in the field of IP, in order to further strengthen its specialties in technology, media, communication, and particularly IP.               HMP Law has formed a variety of practice groups including general corporate, medical & pharmaceutical, information and communications technology, automobile, new industries, etc., and each team now provides professional legal services in their exclusive and competent specialties. HMP Law has built a reputation for its faithful legal services, fully accommodating clients’ perspectives on various industries. It is also well-renowned for its wide connections with foreign companies through its comprehensive approach to providing proper guidelines in investment structures, writing contracts, licensing procedures, and so on. This overall success could not have been possible without the establishment of various teams with outstanding professionals. For instance, the automotive team led by Mr. Chung Jin-hyuk, who has immeasurable experience in corporate advisory matters for major multi-national companies, consists of highly talented personnel, proficient in English, Chinese, German, and Italian. As a result, HMP Law’s client base is over 50% foreign companies, including the world’s top auto parts companies.               Furthermore, in accordance with the changing circumstances in the new era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, HMP Law is implementing innovative changes both internally and externally. Young and talented individuals not only set forth their opinions actively but voluntarily participate in these innovative movements. Chairman of HMP Law, Mr. Hwang Ju-myung, recently stated that, “innovations beginning from the bottom can confused people for a time, but in the end their outcome will surely be clever and bright.” In the same sense, Mr. Hwang put young and talented professionals into the foreground, in order to establish a new motto of the firm, “Young HMP.”  “Young HMP” & Professionalism               The Management Committee of HMP Law is composed of relatively young professional lawyers in preparing its future direction. Not only have these young lawyers directly participated in internal matters such as the renewal of the company logo and official website, but they are also putting their best efforts into widening their influence in the domestic legal market by using their global networks and rich international experience. Lee Sei-yeon, a fifth-year attorney at HMP Law, said, “Our firm is working hard to develop its niche specialties in the legal market, which is becoming more and more diversified these days. Also, we are planning to consolidate the position in the global legal market through our ample experiences in providing advisory services to both major multi-national companies and big domestic companies.”      

Age of unlimited competition among law firms is upon us

  Summarized in English from Hankyung Business magazine article: http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=101&oid=050&aid=0000044618  Results of HMP & Korea Economic Daily joint survey   The Age of Unlimited Competition among Law Firms is Upon Us Keys to Survival?       -          31 major companies participated in the survey -          ‘Professionalism’ as the top priority of law firm selection        1.      Major Companies’ Preference for Big Korean Firms -          Major companies prefer Korean law firms due to (i) easier relationship building and (ii) the fact that a lot of foreign legal consultants with outstanding talent work at Korean law firms as well. However, considering the coming full opening of the Korean legal market, major companies will possibly move towards foreign law firms.  -          Despite costly legal fees, major companies prefer big law firms because (i) not only do they have more available manpower to reduce companies’ workloads, (ii) they have also have more experience and know-how in a variety of industry fields. Moreover, (iii) the major companies are reluctant to take the risk of selecting small firms for fear of losing a case.  -          On the other hand, some companies seek out boutique firms for a couple of reasons. If (i) a small law firm has more professional expertise in a specific industry and (ii) there is a specific connection between an in-house counsel and a lawyer from a small firm, companies prefer smaller firms. Also, (iii) cheaper legal fees usually attract clients, especially when dealing with small cases.   2.      Expected Surge in Fair-Trade Advice -          Law firms like M&A deals, because they are very profitable. Due to their inner complexity and uncertainty, labor and human resources issues also comprise major parts of the work that law firms do.    -          Companies prefer large law firms in matters of corporate legal advice for their convenience in forming a specific taskforce. Often, in order to obtain the best solution for corporate legal work, it is necessary to put various types of experts together. In that sense, major law firms have the advantage of managing different professionals such as lawyers, accountants, and patent attorneys into one team to avoid unnecessary work. In other words, companies can avoid the problem of having to hire both lawyers and other professionals from other firms, which would duplicate legal costs.  -          Demand for legal advice on fair-trade issues is expected to surge. President Moon Jae-in’s Administration plans to repeal the exclusive right of the Fair Trade Commission to prosecute unfair trade activities. The abolition of the exclusive right will enable not only civic groups but also minority shareholders to press charges regarding fair trade and antitrust issues.  -          The incumbent administration is also aiming to establish a Department of Investigations in the Fair Trade Commission. As government regulations become stricter, law firms will have more opportunities to provide legal services to corporations seeking fair solutions regarding the drastic changes in antitrust matters.  -          The field of IP rights disputes has also grown rapidly lately. According to an annual report from the Korea Economic Research Institute, the number of international IP disputes by Korean companies rose fourfold, from 58 in 2010 to 244 in 2014. Following this and other trends, major companies are expected to ask major law firms to handle their IP legal affairs. Mid-sized law firms will possibly gain more opportunities to deal with small IP cases as well.  3.      Professionalism in Law Firms -          When it comes to selecting a law firm, major companies mostly regard professionalism as a top priority, followed by experience and cost. In order to fulfill their clients’ needs, law firms are also making strenuous efforts, by developing their human resources and by retaining retired high ranking officials as advisers, to enhance their professionalism in specific areas in which they are particularly interested.  -          With regard to professionalism, some survey participants expressed dissatisfaction with their law firms, for things such as lack of prompt responses to inquiries, misunderstanding of industries they are currently working on, lack of communications with clients, and so on. These answers may be regarded as a result of Korean law firms’ ongoing tendency to consider themselves as elite legal service providers, and lack of focus on client care.   4.      The New Era of Over 30,000 Lawyers -          The number of lawyers in Korea will likely reach 30,000 by 2021. Though the situation makes it difficult for young lawyers to seek secure jobs, the quality of legal services will increase alongside intensifying competition. For example, pro bono legal services will be extended into various industries as more lawyers will feel an obligation to do so. Moreover, more lawyers will work in public sectors so that many people can enjoy the benefit of quality legal services at relatively lower fees.  -          Some in-house counsels feel concern about the rising oligopoly of major law firms in the domestic legal market, as the market is becoming more and more competitive. Recently, some major law firms have begun to accept small claims cases, which in the past were mostly handled by small firms.     

Deeply rooted yet full of young branches, HMP Law focuses on nine specialized fields

This profile of HMP Law is translated from the Korean language original in the Korea Economic Daily: http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=shm&sid1=004&oid=015&aid=0003785121 Deeply rooted yet full of young branches, HMP Law focuses on nine specialized fieldsHMP Law has a new motto, ‘expertise and dynamism.’ Founded in 1993, HMP Law has grown with a focus on corporate affairs, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and medical and pharmaceuticals, but now provides comprehensive legal services in all fields, including project financing, real estate, taxation, litigation, intellectual property, and so on. After establishing a strategic alliance with Bird & Bird, a U.K.-based global law firm, in 2014, HMP Law significantly strengthened its technology sector, which has now grown into a tech & comms team that handles technology, media, communications, etc. ‘Young HMP Law’ armed with professionalism The dynamism of HMP Law can be found in the young membership of its Operations Committee. Led by Park Kyun-je (17th graduating class of the Judicial Research & Training Institute), attorney and Chief Operating Partner, the nine young partners in the Committee play important decision-making roles. To strengthen its professionalism, HMP Law is developing the specialized capabilities of its core lawyers in major industries. HMP Law selected nine main business areas, such as pharmaceuticals & healthcare, project financing & social overhead capital, fair trade, financial litigation, international affairs, technology & telecommunications, compliance, the automotive industry, and taxation, in an attempt to gain an early edge in the market.        Attorney Lim Hye-yeon is now in charge of the pharmaceuticals & healthcare team which had been led by Mok Kun-su, one of the founding partners of HMP Law and its managing partner. The pharmaceuticals & healthcare team provides consulting services to a number of multinational pharmaceutical and medical device companies, including MSD Korea Ltd., a Korean subsidiary of global firm Merck Sharp & Dohme. Lim participates in relevant lectures and workshops, as an attendee, guest speaker or panelist, hosted by the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association and the Korea Global Industry Association. The medical malpractice team is led by partner Im Chi-young, who has more than 15 years of experience.The project financing and social overhead capital team, led by partner Lee Jae-sung, provides consulting services to lender, construction investors, operating investors and other related parties in connection with social overhead capital, construction, energy, real estate development, etc. Successes of this team include the urban development project in Daejang-dong, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, private investment project for the Suwon outer ring (northern) road, private investment project for the creation of an environment and energy town in Daejeon, and so on.The fair trade sector is one of the areas attracting the greatest interest since the inauguration of the administration of President Moon Jae-in. Partner Kim Si-joo is in charge of the team, together with over thirty professionals, including partner Suh Suk-hee, an alternate member of the Fair Trade Commission. Major companies in the confectionery and bakery industry, including SPC Group, are longtime clients of HMP Law. Also, HMP Law offers free legal consultations on fair trade at the Korea Fair Competition Federation to its member companies every two months.Partner Choi Byung-moon leads the financial litigation team, which has recently been expanded and reorganized to provide consulting and litigation services on all financial sectors, including banks, securities investment trusts, etc. Since he joined HMP Law in 1998, Choi has been widely recognized as an expert in financial disputes. The team won the following cases: lawsuit for guaranteed dividend of Samsung Life Insurance (also known as the “Baeksu” insurance case); a lawsuit filed by Hana Bank for for a restitution claim of unjust enrichment against debtors of loans in Japanese yen; lawsuit filed by Munich Re Germany, one of the world’s largest re-insurers.Upgraded Competitive Edge in Nine Core AreasAs a law firm with a strong focus on international matters since its foundation, HMP Law is well known for providing legal consultation to foreign companies in Korea about the best investment structure, together with other related services, such as preparation of agreements, obtaining of necessary permits and licenses, etc. With more than a half of its clients being multinational corporations, HMP Law has consistently adopted industry-accepted best practices. Managing partner Park Sang-il and partner Lee Hyung-soo are the main members of the international team.The technology & communications (tech & comms) team comprises the ‘young blood’ of HMP Law. Led by partner Ahn Chan-sik and other young attorneys, the team handles and advises about legal matters in relation to Internet of Things (IoT), big data, artificial intelligence (AI), 3D printing, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), Fintech, cryptocurrency, brock chain, drones, electric vehicles, self-driving cars, storage batteries, and innovative technology. The corporate compliance team led by partner Ah Young-eun became busier after the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act (so-called “Kim Young Ran Act”) went into effect last September. As compliance monitoring and anti-corruption practices are becoming increasingly important, companies are making preparations for full legal compliance.Consisting of professionals with a good command of English, Chinese, German and Italian, the automotive team has secured many famous foreign automobile parts manufacturers as its clients. The team led by partner Chung Jin-hyuk, who has advised many multinational corporations, provides a full range of legal services, such as consultation on importation, sales, dealers, taxation, environmental laws, etc. 

Capital markets "dream team" formed to help workers get free university education

 Financial experts including HMP lawyer Cho Sang-yeon are to deliver a series of lectures in order to help workers who want to obtain college education. The lectures are given free, as a kind of “talent donation.” The Department of Financial Economics at Soongsil University was established in 2013 to give opportunity to workers who had entered into the workforce immediately after graduating high school, and who had over 3 years of work experience. Financial experts at private equity funds, research centers of securities companies and financial regulating agencies are taking an active part in the project by freely providing all the tuition as lecturers. As one of the teaching staff, Mr. Cho of HMP Law lectures on “Financial Institutions and Law”. The course is increasing in popularity, and last year there were 4 applicants for every enrollment slot. Summarized from http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=shm&sid1=102&oid=015&aid=0003784183   

HMP Law to host meeting of young professionals in the maritime and marine industries

 On June 29, HMP Law will hold the 4th meeting of Young Workers in the Shipping, Shipbuilding and Logistics Industries to discuss ways to revitalize Korea’s maritime and marine industries, at its office located in Jung-gu, Seoul.   Sung Woo-rin, who is also a qualified ship’s navigator and now serves as an attorney in HMP’s Maritime and Aviation Disputes Division, officially launched the ‘Busan branch meeting of young professionals in shipping, shipbuilding, logistics industries’ on April 7, 2017.   At the upcoming meeting, to be attended by about sixty officials and employees of the same sector, Lee Si-hyeon, CEO of Penascope Maritime United (Indonesia), a coal shipping and trading company, will give a talk on the conditions and potential strength of the Southeast and Southwest Asian markets. After the meeting, a ceremony will be held to commemorate the creation of the first overseas branch, namely an ‘Indonesian branch meeting of young professionals in shipping, shipbuilding, logistics industries.’  Translated from http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=shm&sid1=102&oid=011&aid=0003054633    

“Busan Branch” of meeting of young workers launched

The Maritime and Aviation Disputes Team of HMP Law launched a “Busan Branch meeting of young workers in the shipping, shipbuilding and logistics industries” in the main conference room on the 28th Floor of the Hanjin Shipping Building, Busan (Jungang-dong 4-ga, Jung-gu), on April 7, 2017.   Established with workers and interested persons in their 20s and 30s in July 2016, the meeting of young workers in the shipping, shipbuilding and logistics industries currently has about 100 members acting online and offline. Created for the purpose of jointly seeking guidance and advice from lectures given by guest speakers, the group has held three official meetings at which president Yang Chang-ho from Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), CEO Yang Jin-ho from Hayne Shipping Co. Ltd. and Chairman Yeom Jeong-ho from Korea Shipbrokers Association each gave lectures.     Sung Woo-rin, organizer of the group and an attorney in the Maritime and Aviation Disputes Division of HMP, stated, “I received many requests to start a meeting in Busan, long Korea’s most important maritime city and a logistics center for Northeast Asia where a number of shipping, shipbuilding and logistics companies are based. Young workers in Busan can play a pivotal role in rehabilitating the depressed shipping, shipbuilding and logistics industries.”   Recently, the Korea Tonnage Bank moved into the Busan International Finance Center (BIFC). Yang Jae-saeng, CEO of Eunsan Shipping & Aircargo Co. Ltd. (a top Busan logistics company), was a speaker at the first official meeting held in Busan on April 7, 2017. Yang started his business with only five employees and a capital of KRW 30 million of bank financing in 1993. Now, Eunsan has a turnover of KRW 300 billion per year, with 350 employees, and has become one of Korea’s top logistics companies. As a very passionate entrepreneur who has achieved great success, Yang shared with the young participants his various experiences and know-how accumulated over his 25 years in the industry. 

HMP LAW signs MOU with KODDI

 On April 17, 2017, HMP Law signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Disabled people’s Development Institute (“KODDI”) to give legal aid for protecting the rights and interests of the people with developmental disabilities. KODDI President Hwang Hwa-seong and working-level officials from KODDI and managing partner Mok Kun-su and attorney Choi Jun-yong from HMP Law attended the signing held in the main conference room of HMP Law. Through this MOU, HMP and KODDI can establish a specialized working partnership in connection with “guardianship support and remedies against infringement of the rights of people with developmental disabilities.” For the purpose of public guardianship support, HMP will render assistance in filing a petition for adjudication on specific guardianship; give legal aid in taking remedial measures for the rights of people with developmental disabilities; and cooperate with KODDI for the use of adult guardianship. KODDI President Hwang stated, “Supported by HMP’s expertise in law, we will protect the human rights of people with developmental disabilities and their family members, and if they sustain any losses, we will also endeavor to recover their rights.”   

HMP Lawyer admitted to prestigious PEN club

The Korean branch of International PEN, an association of Poets, Essayists and Novelists as admitted HMP lawyer Lee Woo-keun to its membership. The membership committee of International PEN, Korea recently made its announcement to accept Dr. Lee, who is also a chair professor at Sookmyung Women’s University, to full membership status. PEN is an esteemed global club for writers who have been active in the field of poetry, essay-writing or novel-writing, for at least five years.

HMP lawyer Choi Woo Young mentors aspiring attorneys

 HMP Managing Partner Choi Woo Young participated in the “Mentoring Event For Young Lawyers” held at Gangwon University Law School on June 7. Together with Choi, ten other eminent lawyers active in various fields volunteered to play the role of mentors. This is the third such annual event organized by the Korean Legal Center in order for senior lawyers to listen to the difficulties that aspiring attorneys face, to present ideal models in legal circles, and to share ideas on legal ethics. This year's event was a big success, with almost half of the total number of law school students participating. This is a summary of the Korean media article found here: http://www.lec.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=44577   

HMP lawyer Son Chang-yeol named as Nuclear Safety Ombudsman

Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) Appointed Lawyer Son Chang-yeol as ‘Nuclear Safety Ombudsman’ On June 5th, NSSC stated the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission had appointed HMP lawyer Son Chang-yeol as its 3rd Nuclear Safety Ombudsman. Before joining HMP, Son served as the assistant prosecutor general for Chuncheon District Prosecutor’s Office. He also serves as an adviser to the Ministry of Environment and an Ombudsman to the Korea Land & Housing Corporation. The position of Nuclear Safety Ombudsman was first introduced in 2013, in order to prevent corruption and irregularities in the nuclear industry. The ombudsman system has so far received 83 reports, and informants can be awarded up to one billion won. Kim Younghwan, Chief Regulatory Officer of the NSSC, said, “the Commission expects that the ombudsman system, along with a special judicial police system for nuclear safety that is scheduled to launch on June 21st, will contribute to the advanced security of nuclear and radiation system.”    

HMP Law team wins case against National Tax Service

HMP lawyers Cho Sang Yeon and Her Yong, led by senior partner Choi Woo Young, were victorious in Korea's Supreme Court in a long-running case against the National Tax Service. The case involved a 2003 donation of 18 billion won to a scholarship foundation, and a tax bill for 14 billion won, levied by the NTS on this donation.  

Italian lawyer Emiliano Nasti Appointed to Corporate Governance Forum

Our in-house Italian lawyer Emiliano Nasti has recently been appointed as a professional fellow of the Seoul Corporate Governance Forum, an organization founded by Prof. Hwa Jin Kim of Seoul National University.    http://scgf.or.kr/01_2_PROFESSIONALFELLOWS.html  

German lawyer Joachim Nowak to speak in Stuttgart this month

 German lawyer Joachim Nowak of HMP LAW will visit Stuttgart later this month and will give two speeches on Wednesday, 21 June 2017, at the Sparkassenakademie Stuttgart. One speech is on "Compliance Culture in Asia" at the CBBL-Forum Auslandsrecht Asientag, and the other speech is on "Market Opportunities and Legal Frameworks" at the CBBL-Forum Auslandsrecht - Internationaler Immobilientag. Both speeches will be given in German language. Please see details of the respective events in the PDF file.