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Somin Lee is a U.S. litigation associate in the firm's Seoul office. Her practice includes a wide array of cross-border disputes including complex commercial litigation, international arbitration, and government and internal investigations. She has experience representing global companies in the financial, energy, and manufacturing industries. She also maintains an active pro bono practice.

Ms. Lee graduated from Georgetown University Law Center where she was a Legal Research and Writing Fellow and a Global Law Scholar. During law school, she advocated for women’s rights and reproductive rights through her involvement with a clinic and student organizations. She received her B.A. from Georgetown University, where she double majored in English and History and minored in Chinese.

Ms. Lee is fluent in Korean. Prior to joining Arnold & Porter, she worked in the New York office of another international law firm.

Experience

  • Korean video game developer in a copyright infringement and misappropriation of trade secrets lawsuit in the Western District of Washington.
  • Global company in an internal investigation about fair business practices.
  • Korean financial companies in a case based on allegations of a Ponzi scheme and claims of fraudulent conveyance in the Central District of California.
  • Global automobile company and affiliates in a right of publicity lawsuit in California.
  • Korean manufacturer of mattresses in a class action alleging product defects and misrepresentation in the Southern District of Illinois.
  • Global mining company in the trial victory of a statutory appraisal litigation resulting from a US$2.2 billion acquisition and successful defense in a subsequent appeal in the Delaware Chancery Court and Delaware Supreme Court.*
  • Financial institutions in federal antitrust class actions for alleged conspiracy to manipulate currency exchange benchmark rates in the Southern District of New York.*
  • Multinational manufacturing company in a DOJ investigation for alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.*
  • Fortune 100 company in an internal investigation for alleged bribery and provision of kickbacks.*
  • Korean energy company in a successful ICC arbitration involving an EPC contract dispute against another Korean party.*
  • Multinational manufacturer of home appliances in an accounting arbitration in the context of post-acquisition purchase price adjustment.*
  • Digital imaging and document solutions company in a series of litigation in New York (including preliminary injunctions obtained by activist investor Carl Icahn) after a failed multi-billion dollar merger with a global conglomerate in New York state courts.*

*Experience prior to joining Arnold & Porter

Perspectives

Arnold & Porter Hails the Victory in Street Vendor Lawsuit Against City of Los Angeles
The Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge Over the Years: The Campaign for Gender Diversity in Arbitral Tribunals Continues
Leadership, Legitimacy, Legacy, a Tribute to Alexis Mourre, ICC

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., Georgetown University Law Center
  • B.A., magna cum laude, Georgetown University

Admissions

  • Registered Foreign Legal Consultant, Korea
  • New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York

Activities

  • Council Member, Young Korean Council for International Arbitration (“Young KOCIA”) 
Overview