Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide 2026
Evaluation of 1,053 Law Firms and 6,197 Lawyers
In the 'Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide 2026' (hereinafter referred to as the Guide), published by the global legal evaluation platform 'Chambers and Partners,' Kim & Chang was ranked 'Band 1,' the highest rating, in 17 out of 19 evaluated categories. The rising performance of law firms Sejong and Yulchon was also notable. Boutique law firms also stood out in certain categories such as international arbitration and shipping.
According to the Guide released by Chambers on December 11, Kim & Chang received Band 1 in a total of 17 areas, including being the sole Band 1 firm in corporate crime and maritime, as well as in finance, antitrust, tax, and intellectual property, earning the highest number of top ratings among domestic law firms.
Sejong newly entered Band 1 in the tax category, joining Kim & Chang and Yulchon in the top group. This achievement is seen as a result of strengthening its workforce, including the recruitment of attorney Baek Jeheum (20th Judicial Research and Training Institute) from Kim & Chang in 2022. Sejong has continued to reinforce its tax team, recently bringing on Professor Lee Changhee of Seoul National University Law School, a renowned authority in tax law, as an advisor, and hiring foreign attorney Jang Maria, who previously worked at Samil PwC, for its Global Tax Center. Sejong also rose to Band 1 in international arbitration and litigation, earning the highest rating in a total of 11 areas. The insurance and ship finance categories were rated Band 3.
Yulchon advanced to Band 1 in the restructuring and insolvency category. In four other areas-finance, intellectual property, projects & energy, and TMT (technology, media, and telecommunications)-the firm was upgraded to Band 2. The capital markets category dropped to Band 3. The TMT category was also adjusted from Band 1 last year to Band 2 this year. The ship finance category remained at Band 2, the same as last year.
Law firm Bae, Kim & Lee (Taepyungyang) secured the top Band 1 position in capital markets and M&A. The firm moved up to Band 2 in corporate crime and international arbitration but was adjusted to Band 2 in antitrust, litigation, and intellectual property (IP), where it previously held Band 1, and was rated Band 3 in ship finance.
Law firm Gwangjang advanced to Band 1 in antitrust and insurance. It was also selected as Band 1 in ship finance and TMT. Litigation, labor & employment, and restructuring & insolvency were adjusted to Band 2, while tax was adjusted to Band 3.
Among major law firms, HwaWoo was the only one to maintain an upward trend without any downgrade. It recorded ranking upgrades in three areas (corporate crime, projects & energy, and TMT), the second most among law firms, and maintained Band 2 in six areas, including capital markets, antitrust, intellectual property, and international trade.
Peter & Kim, a law firm specializing in international arbitration, was selected as Band 1 in this category for the fifth consecutive year. Kim Kapyu (17th Judicial Research and Training Institute), managing partner of Peter & Kim, was also selected as a 'STAR' lawyer in international arbitration. 'STAR' is a rating given to lawyers who receive exceptional evaluations in their field, and Kim was the only lawyer selected as a 'STAR' across all categories in this evaluation.
Seum was selected as Band 3 in M&A, along with Jipyung, and Dentons Lee was rated Band 4 in insurance. In the intellectual property category, Joan Partners, together with Jipyung, was selected as Band 4. KL Partners made the list as Band 5 in litigation. In the shipping category, several boutique law firms, in addition to the major firms, were also ranked. Saekyung, Haeyoon, and Seonyul were ranked Band 3 along with Jipyung and HwaWoo.
Sage attracted attention by being ranked Band 4 in both M&A and international arbitration, together with Daeryuk Aju and Jipyung, respectively. Sage is a boutique law firm specializing in corporate advisory and M&A, established in 2020 by a group of attorneys who were colleagues at KL Partners and passed the second bar exam. The firm is operated by a total of six lawyers, including five domestic attorneys and one foreign attorney. Led by managing partner Hwang Heedong (second bar exam), who previously worked at Jipyung and KL Partners, the team includes attorney Jeong Duri (second bar exam) from Sejong and attorney Shin Byungseop (second bar exam) from Bae, Kim & Lee (Taepyungyang).
Reporter Jo Hanju, The Law Times
※This article is based on content supplied by Law Times.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
