Nexus

Young Ik Choi

Attorney

yichoi@nexuslegal.kr

82-2-549-5050

Young Ik Choi is a pioneer in the corporate legal market best known for advising activist shareholders in bringing changes to corporate governance. With more than 30 years of experience, Young Ik is also one of the most sought-after lawyers in complex multi-jurisdictional cross-border transactions and commercial disputes, including international arbitration. As the founder and managing partner of Nexus Law, Young Ik has built the nation’s leading practice advising prominent domestic and international investors in high-profile activism situations since shareholder activism in its current form was first introduced in the Korean market. Young Ik represented Elliott Management in 2015 at the forefront of challenging the unfairness of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries merger, regarded as the most significant activist campaign to date that has changed the landscape of shareholder activism in the Korean market. Leading activist investors seek him early on to evaluate the target, structure an activist strategy and optimize success.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2024	Founding and Managing Partner, Nexus Law
2021-2024	Partner, Kim Chang Lee
2020-2023	Vice-President of International Association of Korean Lawyers
2015-Present	Liaison Officer of ABA International Law Section to Korean Bar Association
2013-2019	Director of International Association of Korean Lawyers
2013-2014	Director of Seoul International Dispute Resolution Center
2013-2014	Chair of International Committee of Korean Bar Association
2013-2016	Member of Special Committee on International Relations of Korean Bar Association
2013-2014	Vice President for International Affairs of Korean Bar Association
2011-2014	Member of Special Committee for In-House Counsel of Korean Bar Association
2011-2020	Founding and Managing Partner, Nexus Law Group
2009-2010	Managing Partner, Lee International IP & Law Group
2007-2009	Member of Market Oversight Commission of the Korea Exchange
2001-2009	Adjunct Professor at Sookmyung Women’s University, Ewha Women’s University and KAIST
2001-2002	Secretary member of International Affairs Committee of Seoul Bar Association
2000-2008	Founding and Managing Partner, Wooil Law Group
1966-2000	Partner, Kim & Chang, Seoul, Korea
1995-1996	Foreign Legal Counsel, Preston, Gates & Ellis, Seattle, U.S.A.
1991-1995	Associate, Kim & Chang, Seoul, Korea
1988-1991	Judge Advocate, Korean Army
1988	Judicial Research & Training Institution (17th Class)


EDUCATION

1995	University of Washington, School of Law, LL.M.
1986	Seoul National University, College of Law, LL.B.
1982	Younghoon High School


BAR ADMISSIONS

1988	Korea
1999	New York


PRACTICE AREAS

Investment, M&A, Corporate General Related Cross-Border Litigation and Arbitration
Shareholder Activism Related Advice and Disputes


REPRESENTATIVE LEGAL MATTERS

SK Group’s sale of Ildong Lakes Golf Club
Foreign corporation’s acquisition of a Korean game development company
Foreign hedge fund’s litigation involving amendment of the articles of incorporation of Samsung Electronics
Elliott Associates, L.P.’s opposition of the merger between Samsung C&T Corporation and Cheil Industries Inc. and related litigation
Elliott Associates, L.P.’s shareholder activism campaigns against Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Company
Platform Partners Asset Management’s shareholder activism campaign against Macquarie Korea Infrastructure Fund
Foreign fund’s opposition of the acquisition of CJ Hello Vision by LG Uplus Corp.
Foreign fund’s opposition of the spin-off of LG Corporation
Representation of Korean shareholders in an AAA/ICDR arbitration seated in New York against a French multinational company defending a claim for breaches of various representations and warranties under a share purchase agreement for acquisition of a Korean auto-parts company
Representation of a major Chinese insurance company in an ICC arbitration seated in Hong Kong in a dispute arising from the acquisition of a controlling stake in a Korean life insurance company
Representation of ICC award creditors in relation to its enforcement proceedings in Korea
Pre-disputes advisory work for a top tier U.S pharmaceutical company’s exercise of shareholder rights against a joint venture established in Korea
Advised on the legal and regulatory risks for foreign fintech companies in relation to new business models in Korea
Advised on US-based payment settlement services company’s regulatory reporting and user notification requirements in Korea in connection with a worldwide data leakage
Advised on international hedge funds’ activism campaigns against Korean conglomerates
Advised foreign investors on various disclosure requirements and filed 5% and 10% reports
Advised foreign funds on issues relating to market price manipulation and use of material nonpublic information
Advised U.S investment immigration fund on issues relating to the use of personal information and agency contracts
Advised foreign financial investors on various issues relating to business establishments and operations in Korea
Advised foreign payment gateway service providers on issues relating to license registration, foreign exchange transactions and money laundering prevention
Advised on U.S hedge fund’s governance restructuring campaign against a Korean conglomerate and representation in relation to financial regulators’ investigations
Consulted and audited a Korean conglomerate sanctioned by World Bank in constructing and implementing integrity compliance system
Advised a U.S real estate brokerage firm in relation to a common interest agreement and involvement as a third-party in ICC arbitration
Advised on the put option exercise on shares of a Korean conglomerate by a U.S. private equity fund and related dispute
Advised a global hotel chain in relation to various domestic hotel licensing agreements
Advised on the exercise of management rights and change of management control for an international cosmetics company’s domestic joint venture
Advised on the acquisition of a domestic LIMS company by a foreign software company

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