CELEBRATING 10 YEARS IN SEOUL
Seoul Office & Attorneys
Leadership Thoughts
Our Rapid Growth
Our History
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Our History
Our History
First Woman Attorney
In 1946, at a time when there were few women practicing law, the Firm became one of a handful in Los Angeles to hire a female associate, Kathleen Parker. Parker had started with the Firm as a secretary, went to law school at night, and went on to become one of the first female judges in Los Angeles County, where she served on the bench for more than 30 years.
Kathleen Parker, first woman associate, circa 1955.
1946
Mullin, Richter & Hampton On Board
The Firm -- now named Mathes & Sheppard -- had two law clerks in 1932: J. Stanley Mullin and George R. Richter. Both joined the Firm upon completion of their legal studies in 1933.
Stan Mullin, a Los Angeles native with deep family roots in Southern California, had attended Harvard Law School and was a dedicated sportsman. Before joining the Firm, Mullin participated in the 1932 Olympic Trials in equestrian events.
George Richter, who originally hailed from Illinois, attended USC Law School before beginning his practice. As the Depression continued, he interrupted his employment with Mathes & Sheppard to take a job in the legal department of Security First National Bank. While at Security First, he began developing his expertise in commercial and banking law. In 1936, he returned to the Firm, where he began serving lending clients and also became an expert in labor law.
1933
Laying the Foundation
The year was 1927. Three men in Los Angeles, pioneers in their own rights, were taking the first steps toward creating a law firm that would one day span the globe, employ more than 1,000 lawyers and over 1,800 people, and establish a benchmark of excellence in the practice of law.
The firm that would become Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton started as Haight & Mathes. Raymond Haight, a Los Angeles native, was educated at USC and was an associate at a small Los Angeles law firm, Newlin & Ashburn. There he met Bill Mathes, a Texas native by way of Harvard Law School. In November 1927, they left the Newlin firm to open their own office under the name Haight & Mathes in the Title Insurance Building on Spring Street in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles City Hall under
construction. It would be
dedicated in April 1928.
Photograph courtesy of the
USC Library, Dick Whittington
Photography Collection.
1927
1927
1933
1946
1975
1977
1981
2001
2003
2007
2008
2009
2011
2012
2018
PRESENT
1927
1933
1946
(click to learn more)
Our Rapid Growth
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
292
344
397
419
468
466
494
548
543
519
538
557
612
652
693
766
790
817
895
941
962
1,047
As of January 1 each year
(click on each)
Number of Attorneys
Our Rapid Growth
New Headquarters Location
By 1975, because of the leadership exhibited by the founders and the excellence of those who followed, the Firm outgrew the space it had occupied in the Rowan Building for over 40 years. The new headquarters became the Security Pacific Building, where the Firm -- now with more than 40 lawyers -- took two floors.
1975
1975
First Office Outside L.A. Opens
In 1977, the Firm opened its first branch office, in Orange County. By the time the Firm celebrated its 50th anniversary, shortly after America celebrated its 200th, it had 57 lawyers in two offices.
1977
1977
Northward to San Francisco!
In 1981, the Firm opened its San Francisco office. The San Diego office opened in March, 1986.
As the world changed in the 1990's, so did Sheppard Mullin. Long known for its representation of retailers and banks, the Firm added strengths in aerospace and defense, land use and real estate, and many other areas. It also became the first major law firm to publish client service standards.
The Firm's lawyers proudly continued the traditions of excellent service to clients and the bar established by the founders. Several alums have gone on to judicial careers and government service, and one partner, Andrew Guilford, followed Jim Sheppard's example by becoming President of the State Bar. The Firm has garnered numerous awards for its pro bono service, and boasted more than 400 lawyers, a far cry from the small contingent who laid the foundation in the 1930's.
Moving Ahead to the New Millennium
As the Firm entered its 73rd year and the 21st century, it had four strong offices in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco and San Diego.
1981
1981
Entertaining Expansion
In 2001, the Firm moved to invest itself even more fully in the legal firmament of California by opening two new offices in Century City and Del Mar Heights. The focus of the Century City office is entertainment law. The group represents major studios and media companies, television networks, independent producers and production companies, banks and other institutional lenders, and new media ventures in every aspect of the entertainment industry. The Del Mar Heights office has a strong emphasis on Corporate and IP law, and provides full service to life sciences and other companies -- which makes sense given its location in the heart of San Diego’s biotechnology corridor.
2001
2001
2003
2007
2008
2009
2011
2012
2018
Heading East
In 2003, the Firm opened an office in Washington, D.C. allowing for a truly nationwide practice. This was soon followed by the opening of our New York office in 2004 located at Rockefeller Plaza. Both offices are full service, with D.C. having one of the premier government contracts practices in the country.
2003
First International Office
As the Firm celebrates its 80th anniversary and opens its first international office in Shanghai, we pause to remember the words of Jim Sheppard, written on the occasion of the Firm's 20th anniversary in 1947:
"Those who plan to build a law firm can have little in the form of architectural specifications and design. Someone has defined a lawyer as one whose business it is to help other people. History, and social acquiescence, have given law the dignity of a profession. In the practice of that profession as a firm of lawyers, there is a simple blueprint of good service to one's clients. The ultimate structure of a law firm is dependent upon the foundation and faith of those who originally dreamed of its existence. Its continuity is predicated upon the ability of those who comprise it vigorously, cooperatively, and with sympathetic understanding to build a constantly more durable structure. That firm must be keenly alert to changing conditions, possess an adaptability consistent with the requirements of an industrial civilization, yet have its roots so grounded in the history of the law so that in its application, law will possess the predictability required by those who adhere to its rules and guide their conduct accordingly. There is no profession which offers to those who faithfully follow it, more independence, challenge and opportunity, filled with the durable satisfaction of solution and achievement."
2007
Converging on Silicon Valley
With seven offices in California alone, we knew the Firm was well positioned to serve the legal needs of clients based anywhere in the state or with operations in California -- but there was one piece missing: Silicon Valley.
We opened in Silicon Valley to better serve our existing clients there, as well as to deepen our contacts with strategic partners and sources of capital in the Valley for the benefit of our technology/life sciences clients in our other markets. Our premier entertainment and media practice has proven to be an asset for clients active in the convergence of technology and content. There is increasing interest in that market in Silicon Valley, and we are uniquely qualified to serve clients in that space. Lastly, we knew the opening of our Shanghai office in 2007 would enable us to capitalize on the growing business nexus between China and Silicon Valley.
2008
Legal Muscles in Brussels
The Brussels office first opened in 2009 with a practice focusing on international trade. It greatly expanded in 2015 by adding 12 first tier lawyers from three major international law firms focused on EU competition and regulatory law, making the firm's highly ranked antitrust practice truly global. Our Brussels lawyers are fluent in English, French, German, Dutch, Greek, Spanish and Arabic, able to assist companies throughout the EU and beyond.
Global companies turn to our Brussels lawyers for advice on all critical aspects of their business, in particular on merger control, competition investigations, EU compliance and risk management, State aid, EU litigation, EU regulatory and EU Policy Advocacy. We maintain strong relationships with authorities and enforcement agencies in Europe and across the globe to ensure easy and speedy access to regulators.
2009
London
Our attorneys in London, as well as Brussels, handle international transactions and commercial and competition matters and can supervise local legal counsel in most European jurisdictions. Our corporate attorneys in London handle the U.S. law aspects of cross-border transactions, U.S. and local law due diligence, the U.S. securities aspects of public and private offerings, and U.S. regulatory, antitrust and trade issues. We also assist European entertainment and other companies with their transactional legal requirements. In addition, we represent European secured lenders, bondholders and acquirors of debt and assets in U.S. bankruptcies and out-of-court restructurings, as well as serve the European restructuring needs of our U.S. clients.
2011
Korean Barbeque Meets Deep Dish Pizza in 2012
Given Korea's size and importance in the world economy and the fact that we wanted to be in the same city as so many of the firm's important clients, we felt it imperative to be one of the first U.S. law firms to open in Seoul. And we were!
Chicago is our kind of town – that's why we opened here in July 2012. Our clients are increasingly involved in business across the nation that involves the Midwest generally and Chicago specifically. Establishing a Chicago presence is a key strategic step in growing and strengthening the firm's national footprint. We're glad we're here!
2012
Dallas
It’s True! Big Things DO Happen Here! Sheppard Mullin identified Dallas as an ideal new market for future growth; we have nearly 100 clients who are either headquartered in Dallas or have substantial operations in the area. So we found top talent in litigation, corporate, IP, employment, real estate and white collar. Big D: you’re the best!
2018
Expands Texas Presence
July 2022 Sheppard Mullin opened an office in Houston – the firm’s second location in Texas and sixteenth office worldwide.
"Houston is an exciting new market for us and our future growth as it is one of the largest cities in the country with an increasingly diversified economy that continues to grow and thrive," said Luca Salvi, chair of Sheppard Mullin. "Our new Houston team’s tremendous reputation and varied practices, particularly in renewable energy, corporate/M&A, intellectual property, commercial litigation and international tax, complement our existing capabilities in Dallas and firmwide. Going forward, we plan to expand in Houston, serving clients across multiple practices and industries."
Present
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Leadership Thoughts
We looked at merging with other firms, but decided we wanted to build our own because we could control who we hired, protect our culture, and maintain our independence. We trusted ourselves.
Firm Chairman
2001-2021
- Guy Halgren
We look forward to continuing the firm’s trajectory of growth as a destination firm with international reach for our global clients. As the firm’s first Chair located outside California and as a partner who has spent many years practicing outside of the United States, I understand and appreciate the value that comes from our status as a preeminent firm with a cross-border offering. We will always maintain our focus on excellent client service and our culture as a collegial, entrepreneurial firm as we continue to grow.
Firm Chair
2021 - Present
- Luca Salvi
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Seoul Office
& Attorneys
Seoul Office
Sheppard Mullin was one of the first U.S. law firms to open an office in Seoul in 2012. We have provided a broad range of services to Korean businesses for more than 20 years. Since establishing a “foreign legal consultant office” in Seoul* following the opening of the Korean legal market, our Seoul lawyers have worked seamlessly with more than 40 lawyers globally from our highly-ranked Korea Practice.
All of our Seoul lawyers are Korean native speakers with educational and cultural backgrounds in South Korea. We understand Korean multinational business issues, as several lawyers served as in house counsel in South Korean chaebols. We regularly provide thought leadership to members of IHCF and KICA, and author a Korea blog entitled “U.S. Legal Insights for Korean Businesses.”
* Sheppard Mullin’s Seoul office is a foreign legal consultant office approved by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea. Under the Foreign Legal Consultant Act of Korea, our Seoul office is only allowed to provide legal advice on US law, with respect to treaties of which the United States is a party, and to universally recognized customary international law. Our Seoul office is allowed to represent clients in international arbitration cases unless US law is not applicable.
Seoul Office
& Attorneys
Meet Our Seoul Attorneys
Office Managing Partner and representative, foreign legal consultant for the Seoul office
pkim@sheppardmullin.com
-Paul Kim
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Paul Kim
Office Managing Partner and representative, foreign legal consultant for the Seoul office
pkim@sheppardmullin.com
-Yoo Kyung Moon
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BIO
Office Managing Partner and representative, foreign legal consultant for the Seoul office
pkim@sheppardmullin.com
-Harrison Kang
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All of our Seoul lawyers are Korean native speakers with educational and cultural backgrounds in Korea. We understand Korean multinational business issues, as several lawyers served as in house counsel in South Korean chaebols. Although we are not allowed to practice Korean law, we coordinate with local counsel for non-Korean clients’ needs for Korean legal advice.
(click to learn more)
Key Korea Practice Attorneys Globally
Key Korea Practice Attorneys Globally
Antitrust & Competition
Dylan Ballard | SF
Leo Caseria | D.C. & LA
Helen Eckert | SF
Yookyung Moon | Seoul
Corporate
Julia Ji | CC
Jennifer Lee | LA
Michael Zhang | Shanghai
Entertainment
Han Kim | CC
Intellectual Property
Martin Bader | DM
Rebecca Edelson | OC
Nam Kim | DM
Stephen Korniczky | DM
Carlo Van den Bosch | OC
Litigation & Investigations
MaryJeanette Dee | NY
Litigation
Robert Friedman | NY
Shin Hahn | NY
International Trade
Scott Maberry | D.C.
Reid Whitten | London
Key Korea Practice Attorneys Globally
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Our Core
Practice Groups
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Office Locations
Our Core Practice Groups
Antitrust & Competition
• Legal 500 US recommended the firm in Antitrust “Cartel”, “Merger Control” and “Civil Litigation/Class Actions: Defense”, 2019-2022
• Chambers USA ranked the firm in California – Antitrust, 2019-2022
• Chambers Europe and Global guides rank the firm in Competition/European Law in Belgium, 2019-2022
• Benchmark Litigation recommended the firm among best Competition/Antitrust litigation practices in California, 2019-2022
Accolades
Corporate
• Finalist for “International Deal Firm of the Year” in Asia Law Business Korea Awards, 2020-2021
• Legal 500 US recommended firm for M&A/Corporate and commercial – M&A: Middle-market, 2019-2022
• Chambers USA recognized in California for Corporate/M&A and in Washington D.C. for Corporate/M&A and Private Equity, 2019-2022
• Recognized as a Tier 1 “Best Law Firm” for Corporate Law and Banking and Finance Law by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, 2019-2021
Accolades
Litigation & Arbitration
• Chambers Global 2022 ranked firm for “Dispute Resolution - International Firms” in South Korea
• Chambers Global 2022 ranked firm for “Dispute Resolution – International Firms Foreign Expertise” based abroad in USA
• BTI Litigation Outlook 2022 ranked firm as a “Powerhouse” in Commercial Litigation, a “Leader” in Complex Employment Litigation, and a “Standout” in IP Litigation, Class Actions and Product Liability Litigation
• Ranked for California Private Wealth Disputes practices of Chambers High Net Worth, 2022
Accolades
Intellectual Property
• Legal 500 Asia Pacific recommended Sheppard Mullin Korea for “IP – Foreign Firms”, 2020
• Finalist for “International IP Firm of the Year” in Asia Law Business Korea Awards, 2018-2021
• Recognized as a Tier 1 “Best Law Firm” for Intellectual Property Litigation by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, 2019-2021
• BTI Litigation Outlook recognizes Sheppard Mullin as an IP Litigation Standout, 2022
• Benchmark Litigation recommends the firm among best Intellectual Property litigation practices nationally and in California, 2019-2022
Accolades
International Trade
• Governmental Practice ranked nationally among “The Elite” by Chambers USA, 2022
• Chambers Global recognized Scott Maberry, Curt Dombek and Reid Whitten for International Trade – USA, 2022
• Scott Maberry named Best Lawyer in America, Best Lawyers, 2018-2023
• Reid Whitten named Top Advisor, Foreign Investment Watch, 2021
Accolades
Investigations
• Legal 500 US recommended firm for Government Contracts, 2022
• Chambers USA ranked the firm in California – White Collar, 2022
• MaryJeanette Dee named Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers, 2015-2023
• Rob Friedman named “Leading Cross Border Lawyer of the Year” for Dispute Resolution, Legal Era, 2022
Accolades
Office Locations
115 Attorneys
46 Attorneys
33 Attorneys
16 Attorneys
171 Attorneys
154 Attorneys
86 Attorneys
106 Attorneys
63 Attorneys
117 Attorneys
50 Attorneys
108 Attorneys
7
Attorneys
5
Attorneys
3
Attorneys
9
Attorneys
Our Core Practice Groups
Office Locations
Play History video
There will be other changes in the practice of law, but the prime objective must remain the same, to render the best possible legal service efficiently and for a fair fee without losing sight of the fact that the law is a profession with overtones of a business, and a law firm cannot afford to lower its professional and ethical standards without risking its demise.
- James Sheppard
Founding Partner of the Firm
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Learn More About Sheppard Mullin
$1B
(current revenue)
Hyo Jin Paik | NY
Read and Subscribe to our Korea Blog Here
Paul Kim
Yoo Kyung Moon
Harrison Kang
Robert Friedman | NY
Shin Hahn | NY
Neil Popović | San Francisco
International Arbitration
Hwan Kim | D.C.
Paul Kim | Seoul
Mike Scarborough | SF
Harrison Kang | Seoul
Gary Halling | SF
(click to learn more)
Our Relevant
Industry Sectors
See Our Full List of Practices
Our Relevant Industry Sectors
Blockchain & Fintech
• Leader Jim Gatto named “Cryptocurrency, Blockchain and Fintech Trailblazer” by the National Law Journal, 2018
• New blockchain podcast called “The Legit Ledger”
Accolades
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Energy, Infrastructure
& Project Finance
• Nationally ranked by Chambers USA for Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation) and Projects: Renewables & Alternative Energy, 2022
• Ranked by Chambers Global for Energy: Oil and Gas (Regulatory and Litigation) and Projects: Renewables & Alternative Energy, 2022
• Legal 500 US recognized the firm in Energy: Renewables/Alternative Power, 2022
• Awarded North America Onshore Wind Deal of the Year by Proximo for Shepherds Flat Repowering transaction, 2021
Accolades
Learn more
Entertainment, Technology & Advertising
• Billboard selected Han Kim as one of the country’s “Top Music Lawyers”, 2022
• The Hollywood Reporter selected several partners for its “Power Lawyers” and “Next Gen” guides, 2019-2021
• Chambers USA ranked the firm in California – Media and Entertainment: Transactional and Media and Entertainment: Litigation, 2022
• Several entertainment partners featured in Variety’s 2019-2022 “Legal Impact Report” and “Dealmakers Impact Report”
Accolades
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ESG & Sustainability
• Named one of the “Environmental Groups of the Year” by Law360, 2021
• Leader Neil Popovic recognized for Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyer, 2021-2023
• Benchmark Litigation 2022 recommends Sheppard Mullin among the best firms in California in Environmental Litigation
• Legal 500 US ranked the firm for “Environmental: Litigation”, 2022
Accolades
Learn more
Food & Beverage
• Leader Sascha Henry named among the “Top Women Lawyers” in California by the Los Angeles Daily Journal, 2020
• Named one of the “Food and Beverage Groups of the Year” by Law360, 2018
Accolades
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Life Sciences
• Finalist for the American Lawyer’s "Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals Practice Group of the Year" award, 2022
• Named a "Firm to Watch" in the Financial and Corporate category in LMG Life Sciences guide, 2022
• Leader Scott Liebman and partner Lorna Tanner and named to the LMG Life Sciences awards shortlist for “Regulatory Attorney of the Year – FDA Pharmaceutical” and “Patent Strategy Attorney of the Year – California”, 2022
• Partner Lorna Tanner was named "Patent Strategy Attorney of the Year – California" by LMG Life Sciences, 2021
Accolades
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See Our Full List of Industries
Our Relevant Industry Sectors
Emerging Company
& Venture Capital
• Chambers USA recognized in California and Washington D.C. for Corporate/M&A, 2019-2022
• Legal 500 US recommended firm for M&A/Corporate and Commercial – M&A: Middle-market, 2019-2022
• Recognized as a Tier 1 “Best Law Firm” for Corporate Law by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, 2019-2021
• Corporate Practice recognized in Pitchbook’s 2020 Global League Tables, named #22 most active in West Coast for Venture Capital deals in the United States
Accolades
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Private Equity
• Legal 500 US recommended firm for M&A/Corporate and Commercial – M&A: Middle-market, 2019-2022
• Chambers USA recognized in Washington D.C. for Private Equity, 2019-2022
• Recognized as a Tier 1 “Best Law Firm” for Corporate Law by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, 2019-2021
• Corporate Practice recognized in Pitchbook’s 2020 Global League Tables, named among the most active law firms for private equity deals as #10 most active in West Coast in the United States
Accolades
Learn more
Partner
Corporate M&A
Yoo Kyung Moon
Partner
Antitrust & Competition Law
BIO
Harrison Kang
Special Counsel
Litigation & Arbitration
BIO
Peter Park | LA
Financial Services
• Ranked by Chambers USA in California for Banking & Finance, 2022
• Received national tier one ranking Banking and Finance Law by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, 2021
• Ranked as a “Firm to Watch” by Legal 500 US for Finance-Restructuring, 2022
• Won “Large Company Turnaround of the Year” Award from Turnaround Management Association's Midwest Chapter, 2021
• Recognized Among Project Finance International’s "Deals of the Year" by Project Finance International Magazine, 2020
Accolades
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2001
2003
2007
2008
2009
2011
2012
2018
PRESENT
UNITED STATES
Century City
Chicago
Dallas
Houston
Los Angeles
New York
Orange County
San Diego (Del Mar)
San Diego (Downtown)
San Francisco
Silicon Valley
Washington, D.C.
Europe
Brussels
London
ASIA
Seoul
Shanghai
PRESENT
Wonsun Jung
Johneth Park
Office Managing Partner and representative, foreign legal consultant for the Seoul office
pkim@sheppardmullin.com
-Paul Kim
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BIO
Johneth Park
Office Managing Partner
Corporate M&A
Office Managing Partner and representative, foreign legal consultant for the Seoul office
pkim@sheppardmullin.com
-Paul Kim
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BIO
Wonsun Jung
Office Managing Partner
Corporate M&A
Wonsun Jung | Seoul
Johneth Park | Seoul