As Chair of O’Melveny’s Korea Practice firmwide, Joseph Kim advises Korean companies and their US affiliates on legal matters in the US. With his work experience and educational background in both law and business, Joe has guided clients through many difficult and complex legal matters during his 36 years at O’Melveny. Many of Joe’s clients are large Korean companies that are well known on the global stage. In addition to advising them, Joe coordinates the Firm’s resources to best match the legal needs of these global clients in the US, Asia, and the EU.
Joe is the founder of the Firm’s large Korea Practice and the Managing Partner of the Firm’s Seoul office, which facilitates serving the needs of Korean companies that have operations across the globe. Although resident in the Los Angeles office, Joe spends a great deal of time in the Seoul office to ensure its integration with the Firm.
Joe also serves on O’Melveny’s Executive Committee, a seven-partner body that advises the Firm Chair.
Joe manages some of the largest client relationships of the Firm. Joe has worked extensively with a number of Samsung companies, Hyundai Motor Group companies, Kumho Asiana Group companies, and SK Group companies, as well as dozens of other Korean companies.
In addition to leading the Firm’s Korea Practice, Joe has represented clients in M&A, cross border investments, and joint ventures as well as complex financing transactions, including a number of transactions involving billions of dollars. Over the years, his clients have included financial institutions, such as Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and Bank of America, private equity and mezzanine funds, such as Crescent Capital, H&Q Asia Pacific, Post Advisory Group and TCW, and operating companies, such as Yahoo!, Liberman Broadcasting, Teleflex, PacSun, and PAETEC.
Joe actively participates in community matters. He serves on the Board of Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles and is a member of the Council of Korean Americans.
Prior to joining O’Melveny, Joe worked at McKinsey & Company.
Joe and his wife live in La Cañada, California. They have three daughters.
Languages
- Korean
Admissions
Bar Admissions
- California
Education
- Harvard Law School, J.D., 1986: magna cum laude; Harvard Law Review
- Harvard Business School, M.B.A., 1986
- University of California, Berkeley, B.A., 1981: Graduation with Highest Distinction; Phi Beta Kappa
Professional Activities
Fellow
- American College of Investment Counsel
Board Member
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles
Member
- Council of Korean Americans
Member and Former Regional Governor
- National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Professional Background
- 1982-83: McKinsey & Co., San Francisco, CA
- 1986-present: O’Melveny & Myers LLP, Los Angeles, CA