Subscribe
E-Paper
 |
| Company logos of LG and SK are seen in front of their respective corporate headquarters in Seoul. Korea Times file |
By Kim Hyun-bin
LG Chem and LG Energy Solution (LGES), and SK Innovation (SKI) are hiring more legal professionals to handle any future legal disputes, according to local industry sources.
The LG affiliates and SKI recently wrapped up a multi-billion dollar intellectual property battle with the latter agreeing to pay 2 trillion won to LGES ― 1 trillion won in cash and 1 trillion won as royalties.
Industry watchers say the companies are now well aware of the importance of obtaining competent legal professionals to counter future legal conflicts. LGES, a wholly-owned subsidiary of LG Chem, and SKI reached a last minute settlement in the trade secrets dispute in the United States.
According to the sources, the two firms are seeking to hire both new and experienced legal and patent law experts as well as a U.S. patent lawyer. LGES is also hiring experienced litigation attorneys both in Korea and overseas.
The newly-hired lawyers will be in charge of providing legal advice, contract management and compliance assistance. SKI is also hiring battery research and planning personnel as well as experienced local lawyers for itself and affiliates SK Energy and SK Global Chemical.
"Through the new hires, we want to be cautious not to infringe on others' trade secrets," SKI said in its recruitment notice. "We will make sure there are no documents obtained that could be mistaken for such infringement."
SKI put up the hiring notice after the battery dispute with LG began, which was sparked after it hired experienced workers formerly employed by LG. During the battery feud, each company's legal team played a crucial role. LG Chem recruited former prosecutor Han Woong-jae in 2019, who is now the judicial office director for LGES.
