Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Affiliations
Languages
Representative matters
Timeline
Sohyun (Sophia) Hong

Sohyun (Sophia) Hong

McLean,VA

Summary

A distinguished Korean lawyer with a remarkable 14-year track record representing a diverse range of clients, including multinational corporations, global tech giants, and Korean companies, at a leading Korean law firm.

Possessing a wealth of knowledge and skills in antitrust and competition law, mergers and acquisitions, consumer protection, and a variety of compliance projects, including government investigation and litigation. Great team player successfully led large teams comprising lawyers, economists, and technical experts to bring high-profile cases to successful resolution over multiple years.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Attorney

Kim&Chang
Seoul, Korea, Republic Of Korea
11.2017 - Current
  • Advised multinational and Korean clients on various antitrust issues, including cartel investigations, abuse of dominance allegations, unfair trade practices, joint venture agreements, and intellectual property disputes before Korean Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) and Korean courts.
  • Developed effective strategies and arguments for hearings, trials, and appeals, while analyzing legal precedents to predict probable outcomes of cases.
  • Provided expert guidance on corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and other business matters to clients, minimizing risk exposure and offering careful advice on their strategic plans and operations.
  • Served as project manager, leading high-profile cases and coordinating with team of over 50 lawyers, including those from other departments such as criminal and litigation teams.
  • Maintained portfolio of 15+ clients over decade with impressive 90% client retention rate, thanks to excellent communication skills and deep understanding of their needs.
  • Played critical role in retaining top talent in market by serving as key member of management and recruiting team, recruiting, training, and mentoring attorneys, paralegals, and support staff to strengthen legal team, while networking with other professionals and organizations to expand contacts and opportunities.

Partner

Shin&Kim
Seoul, Republic of Korea
02.2009 - 11.2017
  • Represented clients in various antitrust and litigation matters, while consistently working varied hours to meet seasonal and business needs.
  • Identified customer needs and wants to enhance customer experiences and boost sales, leading to significant increase in client satisfaction and revenue.
  • Provided new ideas for litigation strategies to pitch to new clients, resulting in landmark case to Supreme Court decision revoking Korean Fair Trade Commission's (KFTC) interpretation of law.
  • Ranked as best associate in entire firm in fourth year, surpassing 500+ peers in 2014.

Secondee

Berwin, Leighton And Paisner
London, United Kingdom
09.2015 - 01.2016
  • Seconded to Berwin Leighton and Paisner's Antitrust Team, reviewed merger filing cases and shared experiences and knowledge on client management.
  • Collaborated with team of lawyers to provide legal advice on antitrust and competition issues.

Judicial Researcher

Supreme Court Of Korea
Seoul, Republic of Korea
03.2008 - 01.2009
  • Conducted legal research and analyzed submitted evidence to support judges in making informed decisions as Intern at Incheon District Court.
  • Supported investigations conducted by prosecutors by conducting legal research and analyzing submitted evidence as Intern at Prosecutor's Office.
  • Reviewed legal issues related to Korean-US Free Trade Agreement and analyzed international agreements and treaties to advise policymakers on legal matters related to agreement as Intern at Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Education

Competition Law

University College London, London
09.2015

LL.M

Bachelor of Laws - Law

Korea University, Seoul, Korea
09.2009
  • Early graduation with honors

Affiliations

  • 40 Under 40 in Asia (Asian Legal Business, 2020)
  • Next Generation Lawyer, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Antitrust and Competition (Legalease, 2017)
  • Received the Chevening Scholarship from the British government, and continues to maintain a strong relationship with the scholarship alumni in Commonwealth countries across the world

Languages

English, Korean

Representative matters

  • Led a project team to successfully defend a Europe-based automaker company against a complex government investigation, which included investigations by the Korea Fair Trade Commission, Prosecutors' Office, and Ministry of Environment. This resulted in a significant reduction of administrative fines and dismissal of criminal referrals at the KFTC stage.
  • Led representation of a multinational US-based tech company in the KFTC's investigation into an unfair trade practice, resulting in a consent decree decision.
  • Successfully represented a major Korean bank in the KFTC's investigation into an alleged collusion, resulting in a dismissal of the case at the KFTC hearing.
  • Represented a global glass company in the KFTC's investigation and court appeal, resulting in the first Supreme Court landmark decision that the KFTC's Notice of Non-confirmation of leniency status may be actionable before the court.
  • Represented a multinational game company in a merger control case.
  • Advised a major telecommunications company on abuse of dominance and cartel issues.
  • Conducted a compliance setup project for a major Korean telecommunications company.
  • Represented an air cargo company in the KFTC's investigation of international price-fixing.

Timeline

Senior Attorney - Kim&Chang
11.2017 - Current
Secondee - Berwin, Leighton And Paisner
09.2015 - 01.2016
Partner - Shin&Kim
02.2009 - 11.2017
Judicial Researcher - Supreme Court Of Korea
03.2008 - 01.2009
University College London - , Competition Law
Korea University - Bachelor of Laws, Law

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Sohyun (Sophia) Hong