DK Donghyun Kim is a business lawyer with an international practice focused on representing multinational corporations in connection with cross-border investments. With a decade of experience working at DLA Piper's Seoul office and San Francisco office, DK regularly represents Korea and US-based businesses with cross-border acquisitions, joint ventures, and other investments. DK also assists clients with post-investment management. The sectors involved in DK's recent transactions include automotive supply chain, manufacturing, chemical, mining, technology, energy, and construction services. He has a particular capability with complex cross-border joint ventures, supply chain acquisitions, and offtake investments involving international parties. He also advises clients on various legal and business matters, including entity formation, corporate governance, partnership matters, supply agreements, and customer contracts. He also assists clients with global regulatory and corporate compliance.
DK has been selected as the Stand-out Lawyer by Thomson Reuters (2023 – 2025). DK is also named as an "Acritas Star" for three consecutive years (2019 – 2021). DK is also ranked by Chambers Asia Pacific as the "Up and Coming" lawyer for Corporate/M&A: International Firms (2023 – 2025). A client notes DK "routinely assists with regulatory issues arising out of corporate transactions" and he is also "adept at handling outbound investments." DK is also ranked by Legal 500 Asia Pacific as the "Rising Star" for Corporate and M&A: Foreign Firms (2024).
Before joining DLA Piper, DK worked as an in-house counsel at POSCO, one of the largest steel makers in the world, focusing on cross-border investment and related disputes. DK was the recipient of "POSCO CEO's Award of Excellence" and "Legal Affairs Dept. EVP's Award of Excellence." DK served as a judge advocate in the Republic of Korea's Navy and Marine Corp. Before he joined the military, he worked at the Korean Government Legal Service firm advising government agencies and state-owned entities in connection with cross-border transactions, foreign direct investments, and general corporate matters.
