Greenberg Traurig is excited to announce that it is opening an office in Seoul, South Korea. Until recently, foreign law firms have not been allowed to establish offices in South Korea. However, a recent change in law now allows foreign law firms to open offices in South Korea for limited purposes, provided government permission to do so is obtained.  Greenberg Traurig has obtained such permission.

South Korea has played an increasingly important role in the global economy.  Greenberg Traurig has long nurtured a significant set of relationships with major Korean companies through a variety of its shareholders, practices, and locations.  As such, we believe that opening an office in Seoul will serve as an efficient and effective extension of our client relationships.  The office will be headed by CJ Kim, a shareholder in our New York’s corporate practice, who will spend 6 months per year at the Seoul office.

The below is an excerpt of a piece that appeared in the local South Korean press with regards to this exciting development:

“Ministry of Justice Approves 2 Foreign Law Firms’ Foreign Legal Consultant Offices

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has approved a license to open the Foreign Legal Consultant Offices for the US law firm Greenberg Traurig and the British law firm Herbert Smith Freehills.

As a result, the number of foreign law firms that received official approval from the MOJ increased to 15.

As one of the 10 largest law firms in the US, Greenberg Traurig operates 35 offices worldwide, and its new Foreign Legal Consultant Office is expected to handle primarily M&As among Korean and US companies, patent disputes, etc.”

Our Business Immigration and Compliance team is thrilled at the opportunities that this office brings, both for us as well as our clients.