Min Kim was promoted to special counsel in the Project, Energy and Infrastructure Finance Group in January 2024. Based out of our Singapore office, Min represents companies and investors on multi-jurisdictional transactions in a wide range of sectors and industries, including banking, healthcare, food and beverage, technology, telecommunication, conventional and renewable power, and oil and gas. Min was named a 2023 Singapore “Rising Star” by Asian Legal Business.
What do you like most about your practice area?
M&A and joint venture transactions are some of my favorites because each deal comes with a set of unique features that makes them interesting in their own way. These unique features can consist of or come from any facts, circumstances or events that culminated in parties coming together to do the deal. In Asia, you also have to account for the fact that you are almost always working on international transactions that span across multiple legal and cultural jurisdictions – which ends up further multiplying the number of permutations in how a deal can be structured. The fact that each deal is different makes our work even more interesting. There is no such thing as a “cookie-cutter” transaction when clients come to us, and that is my favorite part. Each deal is like a puzzle, with hundreds of pieces shaken vigorously to make sure there are no easy pickings. It’s always a journey to put them together but it is extremely rewarding when you get to the end and are able to take a step back and appreciate how everything has come together.
What’s the best piece of advice you could give an associate who wants to make the progression forward?
There isn’t just one single way to rise through the ranks and you need to figure out the things you enjoy and are good at. Nurturing and growing what you are good at will make sure you continue to build expertise and become known for that expertise inside and outside of the firm. Enjoying the work that you do will ensure that it is a sustainable practice that you are willing to preserve and promote in the long run. I should add that figuring out what you are good at and enjoy also means understanding the other side of the equation – i.e., figuring out how you can make your practice work by developing relationships with and leaning on others who may be good at the things on the other side of that equation.
Is there a matter that you’ve worked on that you are most proud of?
There isn’t just one matter I can name—or maybe I just can’t name given the confidential nature of the matters we work on!—but I am particularly fond and proud of our work with our long-time client, I Squared Capital, for many reasons. Firstly, they work on some of the most complicated and innovative structures. It is a marvel to see how they identify and crystallize value in a manner that is a win-win for all parties involved, and it always gives me a thrill when we can follow up with agreements that can fully and clearly capture the commercial arrangements and the underlying spirit. Secondly, working with them always provides a powerful reminder of the amazing team we have here in Singapore and across the world who are unafraid and ever so willing to step in and cover for one another and to get the deal done. Lastly, for the genuine connections that are built. There are people at I Squared Capital that I can truly call my friends, and it is always such a nice reminder that we are in the people-serving business and through the course of service, we can build meaningful relationships that last beyond the closing of a deal. Truthfully, these comments are applicable generally to all the clients that come to us.
Who are the greatest influences that helped propel your career?
I want to call out David Zemans, Jacqueline Chan and David Cho – three of the partners here in Asia that I work most closely with. They are generous with their time and so willing in their approach and commitment to my development. They are my champions at work, and their support is essential in making my practice work and grow.
