[Edaily Marketin Song Seung-Hyeon Reporter] “The structure of a private equity (PE) deal is ultimately determined by how the investment will be recouped after the acquisition. We are putting a lot of effort into creating a comprehensive plan that encompasses not only due diligence and the contract but also the exit strategy.”

Ahn Joong-sung (42nd class, Judicial Research and Training Institute), an attorney at Jipyong Law Firm, outlined his advisory principles in a recent interview with E-Daily. Attorney Ahn was promoted to the youngest partner at Jipyong in 2021 and currently serves as the head of the Capital Markets and PE Group. Attorney Ko Se-hoon (1st Bar Exam), who also participated in the interview, joined Jipyong and worked at the firm’s Myanmar subsidiary for five years before becoming the inaugural director of the Climate and Energy Center, which Jipyong established this year.

An organization that entrusts deals to partners in their 30s and 40s

The two pointed out that what sets Jipyong’s M&A team apart from other major law firms is that it “entrusts deals to younger partners.” They explained that the structure is such that partners in their 30s and 40s take the lead not only in day-to-day operations but also in setting the overall direction of the deal.

Attorney Ahn said, “Rather than having mid-level partners and junior associates work together, we partners directly lead the entire process from the start to the close of a deal,” adding, “As that experience accumulates, the scope of a partner’s responsibilities naturally broadens.” He added, “Even in large-scale deals, it is ultimately the partner who must take the lead in finalizing negotiations with the client,” noting, “That role belongs to our generation.”

Attorney Ko echoed this sentiment. He said, “Jipyong has a strong culture where partners in their 30s and 40s lead deals and communicate directly with clients,” adding, “Compared to other large law firms, Jipyong handles deals with great diligence and a youthful sensibility.” He went on to emphasize, “Given the nature of M&A, even a slight delay in responding can cause a deal to fall behind, so we need to be prepared to respond 24 hours a day,” adding, “The fact that our young partners maintain that sense of urgency is Jipyong’s strength.”

Their Respective Strengths: Capital Markets and Energy Transition

Last year alone, Attorney Ahn handled 26 M&A advisory engagements with a total transaction value of 3.4381 trillion won. In addition to his advisory work, he serves as counsel to the Private Equity Fund (PEF) Managers’ Association. As a member of this association—which includes over 100 fund managers—he regularly addresses issues related to amendments to the Commercial Act and capital market regulations, placing him in a position to be among the first to address the industry’s shared concerns.

“Issues arise at every stage of deals involving private equity—from structuring the acquisition to regulatory reviews and exits,” he said. “One-stop advisory services, where a single team seamlessly guides the entire process, is what sets Jipyeong apart.” He further emphasized, “Recently, there has been an increase in deals that require simultaneously designing project funds, blind fund investments, acquisition financing, Fair Trade Commission reviews, and exit strategies in preparation for IPOs,” adding, “Handling such complex deals all at once is the very reason our team exists.”

As head of Jipyong’s Climate and Energy Center—established last year—Attorney Ko is expanding the firm’s scope into energy transition sectors such as offshore wind and solar power. He was recently appointed to the government’s Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment Project Management Committee, established under the Special Act on Investment in the United States. This 20-member statutory body, chaired by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, serves as a government project management committee responsible for reviewing investment projects in the U.S.

“Having advised on the Yeonggwang Nakwol Offshore Wind Project for three years, I’ve handled every aspect of a single project—from permitting and community acceptance to EPC contracts and project financing,” he said. “Unlike M&A, energy deals take much longer and involve multiple layers of stakeholders, so there are numerous moments when a lawyer’s decisive intervention is required.” He added, “My practical accounting experience, my New York State bar license, and my work experience in Myanmar have each been put to use at different times in different deals,” noting, “Looking back, the various paths of my career have ultimately led me to where I am today.”

“The Lawyer Clients Call First”

Regarding the criteria for a “power lawyer

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Attorney Ahn said, “As you maintain contact with various private equity (PE) firms, there are inevitably some lawyers clients return to time and again, and others they do not.” He continued, “I believe that difference defines a ‘power lawyer.’” He added, “My current focus is on consistently providing the answers PE firms truly need during this period of rapid change in capital market regulations.”

Attorney Ko remarked, “Ultimately, the true ‘power attorney’ is the one the client calls first when faced with a new issue.” He continued, “The essence lies not in having handled many large deals, but in whether you can work together to make reliable judgments during difficult moments.” He added, “It’s hard for me to judge for myself how close I’ve come to that level, but my current goal is to position our firm as a leading advisory firm in the emerging energy transition sector.”