Paul Hastings has hired Sungjin Kang, a leading energy and infrastructure partner, to join the firm in Seoul as it continues to scale its global Energy & Infrastructure practice and deepen its footprint across Asia.
The firm said Kang’s arrival follows a series of senior additions to its energy and infrastructure bench across Abu Dhabi, London, Paris, and Houston, with 10 partners joining in the past 10 months. Paul Hastings also noted that Kang reunites with nine former White & Case partners who have joined the firm’s energy and infrastructure team during that period. In addition to broadening the firm’s Korea offering alongside its established capital markets and M&A capabilities, Kang is expected to spend considerable time in Tokyo.
Firm Chair Frank Lopez said expanding the global energy and infrastructure platform remains a strategic priority, citing significant growth over the past four years and recent investments in Europe and the Middle East. The firm said Kang’s addition strengthens its ability to advise clients across the region, from Seoul to Tokyo and beyond.
Kang advises Korean, Japanese, and international developers, sponsors, project companies, asset managers, and export-credit and private-sector lenders on projects and project financings across power, infrastructure, and oil and gas. He also brings experience in transportation finance and mergers and acquisitions.
His representative matters include advising lenders on the project financing of a 198-megawatt ultra-low-sulfur diesel/natural gas dual-fuel power plant in Guam; advising Lotte Chemical Corporation and PT Lotte Chemical Indonesia on the development and financing of a $2.4 billion naphtha cracker project in Indonesia; and advising Marubeni, Korea Midland Power Co. Ltd. and other sponsors on the development and financing of the $1.7 billion Cirebon 2 Expansion Project, a 1,000-megawatt ultra-supercritical coal-fired generating facility in West Java, Indonesia.
Kang’s client roster includes The Export-Import Bank of Korea (K-EXIM), Green Harbor Investment, Korea Midland Power (KOMIPO), Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-SURE), Lotte Chemical, LX Semicon and Samchully Asset Management, among others.
Paul Hastings said Kang is joining a broader, expanding energy and infrastructure team spanning offices including Abu Dhabi, Paris, and Houston, as the firm builds additional corporate and project finance depth across its international cross-practice group.
KEY QUOTES:
“Continuing to build our global energy and infrastructure platform remains a strategic priority for the firm. Our energy and infrastructure platform is up 500% over the last four years, driven by premier talent in New York, D.C. and Houston and our recent expansion into Europe and the Middle East. Sungjin is an instrumental next step in building as we look to expand. He has a stellar reputation, extensive experience and deep industry knowledge that will further strengthen our offering at the top of the market from Seoul to Tokyo and broader Asia.”
Frank Lopez, Firm Chair, Paul Hastings LLP
“Paul Hastings’ leading Energy and Infrastructure practice in the U.S., Europe and Abu Dhabi, diverse client portfolio, and exceptional global platform are all very compelling. I look forward to reuniting with my former colleagues and collaborating with our clients throughout the region and globally to support their most significant and innovative projects.”
Sungjin Kang, Partner, Paul Hastings LLP
