Michael Kim
Seoul Managing Partner
Michael is an award-winning expert in shipping and dispute resolution, known for delivering top-tier commercial and legal advice in complex, high-risk cases.
Seoul Managing Partner
Michael is an award-winning expert in shipping and dispute resolution, known for delivering top-tier commercial and legal advice in complex, high-risk cases.
Languages - English, Korean
Jurisdiction - England & Wales
Michael guides leading shipowners, shipbuilders, construction companies, insurers and financial institutions through legal challenges in a diverse range of areas, including shipping, shipbuilding & offshore construction and international trade.
His expertise is regularly called upon for complex, cross-border disputes and transactions, making him one of the most coveted advisors for high-risk and high-value matters. With his deep understanding of the Korean market, Michael delivers clear business-focused solutions, ensuring that clients are well-equipped to strive in an evolving landscape.
Clients value Michael for his hands-on approach and ability to provide commercially-sound yet efficient solutions. Whether advising on charterparties or shipbuilding contracts, Michael has a strong commitment to helping clients achieve successful outcomes in complex and substantial cases, which has also built his reputation as the go-to lawyer in the Korean shipping and shipbuilding industry.
Michael has received widespread recognition for his work in some of the most high-profile cases in Korea and has conducted numerous television and newspaper interviews. He also writes regularly for the trade, shipping and ship finance media and often speaks on marine issues at seminars for shipowners, shipbuilders, ship finance banks, charterers, traders and insurers.
When shifting markets demand clear answers, Michael is the steady guide clients trust to navigate what’s next.
Shipbuilding dispute on defective LNG carriers
Successfully represented one of Korea's largest shipping companies in two LMAA arbitrations. Our client had claims against a shipbuilder, totalling around $400 million, regarding serious defects in newbuild LNG carriers.Shipbuilding dispute on welding defects
Successfully defended HJ Shipbuilding & Construction in a $32 million claim for alleged defects brought by Seatrium New Energy Ltd in the Singaporean Courts.Construction and nuclear new build project
Offshore construction dispute
Advised on issues arising from and related to construction contracts for 4 semi-submersible rigs under constructions at a major Korean shipyard, including issues concerning of front-end engineering design and potential liquidated damages claims.Offshore projects
Advised on the restructuring of a £10 billion LNG FPSO project and the transfer of technology in LNG Carriers to shipyards in CIS countries.Dispute on manufacturing and distribution agreement
Successfully represented clients in an ICC arbitration against Indian manufacturers regarding a manufacturing and distribution agreement between the parties.Ship finance disputes
Advised various ship finance banks on restructuring their troubled ship finance loan portfolios and finance banks and shipbuilders in relation to the restructuring and refinancing of the vessels which have been subject to cancellations and disputes with buyers.Charterparties
Acted for leading shipowners, charters and their P&I club regarding various disputes arising out of charterparties and various charterparty chains.Trade and letter of credit
Advised on a wide range of international trade, internal sales contract, insurance & reinsurance, agency agreements, letters of credit and commercial notes.Bunker disputes
Advising various shipowners on claims and arrests arising from the collapse of OW Bunkers, including providing a strategy to avoid double payment to traders and physical suppliers for the same delivery. Managing local counsels in various jurisdictions including Belgium, Netherlands, Singapore, China and South Africa.
