Kweonsik Seo is a distinguished corporate attorney with over 28 years of legal experience bridging government service, multinational corporate management, and high-stakes litigation. He currently serves as Managing Partner of Kweonsik Seo Law Office while also acting as Chief Executive Officer of a legal-tech startup, where he leads the development of technology-driven solutions at the intersection of law, data, and regulatory compliance.
Formerly a Partner at DR & AJU International Law Group, one of Korea’s top-tier law firms, and In-House Counsel at Samsung Electronics, Mr. Seo brings a rare combination of insider regulatory insight, corporate decision-making experience, and aggressive litigation capability.
Kweonsik Seo specializes in Cross-Border Litigation, M&A, and Complex Financial Disputes. He has advised on some of the largest M&A transactions in South Korean history and has served as trusted local counsel for major U.S. class action lawsuits involving Korean conglomerates. His dual role as a practicing attorney and legal-tech executive enables him to approach disputes and transactions with both traditional legal rigor and forward-looking, technology-driven strategy.
With deep expertise in navigating Korean corporate governance alongside global legal and compliance standards, Kweonsik Seo is widely regarded as a strategic partner for international law firms, multinational corporations, and cross-border dispute teams seeking sophisticated, execution-oriented counsel.
Representative Experience
1. Cross-Border Litigation & US Class Actions
Strategic Local Counsel & Consultant for Global Disputes
• US CDO Litigation (Woori Bank): Served as Co-Counsel with Hausfeld LLP regarding Woori Bank’s Collateralized Debt Obligation (CDO) litigation in the United States.
• US Antitrust Class Action (Ramen Price-Fixing): Represented Korean interests and coordinated defense strategies in collaboration with Hausfeld LLP in the Ramen price-fixing class action lawsuit in the US.
• International Air Cargo Antitrust Litigation: Participated in the global air cargo cartel litigation involving major Korean airlines.
• Deutsche Bank "Option Shock" Litigation: Represented offshore funds in a massive market manipulation case against Deutsche Bank.
• LIBOR Manipulation: Advised on international litigation regarding LIBOR interest rate collusion.
• Lone Star Funds Dispute: Advised and represented KEB employees in civil and constitutional litigation regarding the Lone Star Funds acquisition.
2. Major M&A & Corporate Control
Transaction Advisory Value Exceeding Trillions of KRW
• Daewoo E&C Sale: Advised on the sale of Daewoo Engineering & Construction, a transaction valued at approximately KRW 6 trillion (approx. $5 billion).
• Daewoo International Sale: Advised on the sale of Daewoo International, valued at KRW 3 trillion (approx. $2.5 billion).
• Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI): Advised on the sale and privatization of KAI.
• Cross-Border M&A:
o Advised on the acquisition of Techmo (Austria).
o Advised on the sale of a domestic semiconductor parts company to a Swedish entity.
o Advised on the MBO acquisition of Teleca via a Hong Kong entity.
• Hostile Takeover Defense: Successfully represented management in control disputes for Korea Technology Investment, Paper Korea, and Virtual Tek .
3. Financial Derivatives & Structured Finance
• KIKO (Knock-In Knock-Out) Litigation: Represented major corporate clients (including Daewoo Shipbuilding and DMS) in complex currency derivative lawsuits against banks.
• Structured Finance :
o Advised on MBS (Mortgage-Backed Securities) issuance for KoMoCo.
o Established and advised on REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) for Hanwha Group.
o Advised on the securitization of major assets, including the Samil Building and ships under construction.
4. Corporate Restructuring
• Keangnam Enterprises: Advised on corporate workout procedures.
• Joongang Design: Advised and represented the company in corporate rehabilitation proceedings.
• Cosmo Chemical: Advised on financial structure improvement and restructuring
Work History
• Law Office of Kweonsik Seo | Principal Attorney (Present),
• Representative Director of Law Data (Present)
• DR & AJU International Law Group | Partner (2000 – 2019)
• Samsung Electronics | In-House Counsel, Legal Team (1999 – 2000)
o Managed IPOs, corporate restructuring, and spin-offs
• Office of the 1st Minister of Political Affairs | Administrative Official (1992 – 1996)
Education & Admissions
• Admitted to the Korean Bar
Passed the 38th National Judicial Examination
• Passed the 33rd Higher Civil Service Examination (Public Administration)
• Macquarie University (Australia) | Master of Applied Finance
• Judicial Research and Training Institute, Supreme Court of Korea(28th Class)
• Seoul National University | B.A. in Diplomacy (Political Science)
