Sean Yi

Seong Hoon (Sean) Yi

Partner
Baker McKenzie & KL Partners Joint Venture Law Firm

Biography

Mr. Seong Hoon (Sean) Yi’s practice focuses on M&A/Corporate and he leads the Corporate/M&A practice for Baker McKenzie & KL Partners Joint Venture Law Firm. Mr. Yi has worked on the most high-profile M&A transactions in Korea and is regularly recognized as a leading attorney in the field of Corporate/M&A and PEF in Korea.

Representative Legal Matters

  • Represented S Food in its sale of Smart Food Networks to Hana-Evervest PEF.
  • Represented Smart Food Networks, Inc. in its issue of series B equity issuance transaction.
  • Represented AJU IB Investment in connection with the acquisition of shares of Dreammark One.
  • Represented SK Telecom in connection with the acquisition of shares of ScatterLab (artificial intelligence (AI) startup).
  • Represented Mason Capital Corporation and Leed Capital Corporation in connection with the acquisition of 100% shares of Daol Credit.
  • Represented SFA Engineering Corporation (SFA) in its controlling stakes acquisition in Creative & Innovative System (CIS).
  • Represented CQV 's major shareholders in the sale of 42.45% shares to Global New Materials International Holdings, Inc. (Cayman) and Star Cheer Corporation Limited (Hong Kong).
  • Buyout transaction in connection with Kolmar Korea’s 55% acquisition of Yonwoo (manufacturing of cosmetic container).
  • Representation of JKL Partners in connection of its 24.9% stakes acquisition in LS-Nikko Copper Inc.
  • Representation of JKL Partners in connection with its investment in T’way Air Co., Ltd.
  • Representation of Tmap Mobility in connection with its acquisition of YLP Co., Ltd.
  • Representation of GS Energy in connection with its acquisition of the stakes in GS Power.
  • Representation of Cactus PE in connection of the sale of the shares in Korea Asset Pricing Co.
  • Representation of GS Construction and Xi S&D in connection of their share acquisitions of S&I Construction.
  • Representation of Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation in connection with its sale of mutual savings banks.
  • Representation of Kumho Group in connection with its sale of Kumho Rental Car and Korea Express Co., Ltd.
  • Representation of Orion Group in connection with its sale of OnMedia.
  • Representation of Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation in connection with its sale of the majority stake of Woori Financial Holding Company. 
  • Representation of Kumho Group on the sale of Asiana Airlines Inc.
  • Representation of LK Investment Partners and A2 Partners on the acquisition of Samyang Optics Co., Ltd.

Professional Honors

  • Leading Lawyer, Chambers & Partners Asia-Pacific, 2023
  • National Leader  M&A and Governance, Who’s Who Legal, 2022
  • Leading Individual, The Legal 500, 2019-2023
  • Leading Individual  Corporate/M&A  South Korea, Chambers Global/Chambers Asia, 2010-2021
  • Finalist, Dealmaker of the Year  Asian Legal Business, 2018
  • Lawyer of the Year – M&A, The Legal Times, 2016-2020

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Yonsei University Law School - Adjunct professor (2015-present)
  • New York State Bar Association - Member
  • Korea Bar Association - Member

Admissions

  • New York (2005)
  • Korea (2000)

Education

  • New York University School of Law (LL.M.) (2005)
  • Seoul National University Law School (LL.B.) (1996)

Languages

  • English
  • Korean
  • Author, "Recent Amendments to the Korean Commercial Code," Infomag, EUCCK, No. 125, 2011. 10.
  • Author, “South Korea Special Report – A New Frontier?” Asian-Counsel, Volume 8, Issue 8, 2010
  • Author, “Review of Fiduciary Out Clause in M&A Transactions,” Business Finance Law, 2006