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U.S. law firm Sheppard Mullin will play a key role in promoting Korean pop culture overseas by using its extensive know-how in the entertainment business, Kim Byoung-soo, representative of its new office in Seoul, said Thursday.
“With its headquarters located in Los Angeles, home to Hollywood, the firm has been the legal advisor to numerous renowned entertainment companies, and therefore the Seoul office could help K-pop go global,” he said during a press conference at his office.
The firm has provided legal services for blockbuster movies “Mission Impossible” and “Transformers,” from production to distribution. Its major clients in the entertainment business include Walt Disney and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
“What is important when promoting cultural content is finding the right individuals and corporations who do the important decision-making in the country,” said Kim.
Sheppard Mullin opens its 16th overseas branch in Seoul today. The Seoul office will be led by Kim, previously based in the New York and Los Angeles offices and chairman of the Korea practice.
The firm is the first to open a permanent office in Seoul since several foreign law companies were allowed to open branches in the city last month.
The Seoul office’s main practices will include finance, overseas investment, mergers and acquisitions, fair trade, intellectual property and entertainment.
The goal of the office is to provide the most efficient legal services to existing Korean-based clients, from close proximity, as well as aid new clients in successfully doing business overseas, Kim said.
“We will endeavor to put as much time and effort as needed into providing the best legal services for our clients,” he said. “This simple method is what we believe will differentiate us from potential competitors in the industry.”
Established in 1927, Sheppard Mullin now has some 570 attorneys practicing in 16 locations across the U.S., Europe and Asia. It was selected among the world’s top 100 law firms by American Lawyer, a leading U.S. legal magazine.
It has served as legal advisor to major Korean companies operating in the U.S. including Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor, for over 15 years.
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