Ara Cho has acted as counsel in numerous international arbitrations under the rules of the ICC, LCIA, SIAC, and KCAB, seated in various jurisdictions. Ara was involved in cases arising from a range of international projects including design and construction of power plants and refinery plant, and real estate development. Ara has also acted as counsel in an investment treaty arbitration focusing on tax issues.

Ara has experiences in representing domestic clients in litigation involving regulatory matters, as well as advising government ministries and private enterprises on the constitutionality and plausibility of existing or contemplated legislation.

Ara actively participates in pro bono programs and routinely helps refugees and immigrants with legal issues.

Ara is native in Korean and fluent in English.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Arbitration / Litigation Korean Litigation Investment / BITs Project Finance Joint Ventures / Consortia Administrative /Constitutional Law International Tax

INDUSTRY SECTORS

Construction & Engineering Energy & Power Oil & Gas Real Estate

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

Provided advice on various forms of overseas construction contracts including EPC contracts, supply sub-contracts, and construction management contracts. Represented a Korean construction company in a SIAC arbitration arising from a consortium agreement with respect to a power plant project in the Middle East. Represented a global real estate developer in an ICC arbitration seated in Korea, arising from a large real estate development project in Korea, and involving issues related to the financing of the project. Represented a Korean company in an LCIA arbitration regarding a nuclear power plant project in the Middle East. Represented Korean construction companies in ICC arbitrations regarding an overseas power plant and refinery plant construction project in the Middle East and Africa. Represented a Korean gas company in an LCIA arbitration regarding a gas development project in the Middle East. Represented a Korean construction company in a KCAB arbitration regarding a construction project in Australia. Represented the Government of Korea in an ICSID arbitration based on the Korea-Belgium/Luxembourg BIT. Represented a U.S. company before the Korean court for issues relating to a letter of credit. Acted as counsel for several hospitals in litigation claiming the invalidity of an insurance fee system against the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Provided advice regarding the revision of domestic laws and regulations in accordance with the Korea-US FTA Technical Barriers to Trade. Represented and advised many other companies on various international arbitration and administrative litigation proceedings.

Partner, Peter & Kim (2019 - present) Associate and Senior Associate, Bae, Kim & Lee LLC (2011 - 2019)

Korean, English

Korean and Seoul Bar Associations Panel of International Arbitrators, KCAB International List of Arbitrators, HKIAC

Stanford Law School (LL.M., 2017) Judicial Research and Training Institute, Supreme Court of the Republic of Korea (2011) Seoul National University College of Law (LL.B., 2007)