Overview
Yangho Charles Shin is of counsel in the Litigation Department at Paul Hastings.
Charles represents multinational companies, financial institutions and senior executives in complex commercial litigation, international arbitration and government investigations, with a particular focus on cross-border disputes involving Korea and the Asia-Pacific region. Before entering private practice, he served as a law clerk to Associate Justice Lee Solomon of the Supreme Court of New Jersey and the Honorable Peter Bogaard of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division.
Charles is particularly recognized for representing Korean companies and executives in U.S. litigation, regulatory investigations and cross-border disputes. He advises clients on matters involving multiple legal systems and jurisdictions, helping Korean and other Asia-Pacific companies navigate high-stakes disputes and government investigations in the United States while counseling multinational companies on disputes and regulatory matters throughout the region.
His practice encompasses a broad range of commercial disputes, including breach of contract, business fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, unfair competition, product liability, restrictive covenants and trade secret misappropriation. Charles also represents clients in internal and government investigations, including matters involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), economic sanctions and other cross-border regulatory issues. He advises boards of directors and senior management on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, internal investigations and dispute avoidance strategies designed to identify and mitigate legal and commercial risks.
Charles has represented clients before U.S. federal and state courts, arbitral tribunals and government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. International Trade Commission and Japan’s Financial Services Agency. His clients include leading multinational corporations and emerging growth companies across a broad range of industries, including financial services, technology, healthcare, chemicals, construction, real estate, retail, energy and telecommunications.
Charles is a veteran of the Republic of Korea Army, where he investigated violations of the military code of conduct and oversaw disciplinary proceedings. He was recognized as a top 1% squad leader in the Capital Defense Command and received five Divisional Commander Commendations, including the Expert Combatant Badge. Inspired by his military experience and a desire to share those values with the next generation, Charles currently serves as an Assistant Den Leader for the Wolf Den of Cub Scout Pack 89 in Seoul, Korea.
Accolades
- Dispute Resolution, Chambers Asia-Pacific
- Intellectual Property, Legal 500 Asia Pacific
- IAM Patent 1000, Intellectual Asset Management
- Best Foreign Attorney, Korea Law Times
Education
- University of Virginia School of Law, J.D.
- University of California, Berkeley, B.A.
Representations
Litigation
- Represents Mirae Asset Securities before Nevada federal and state court litigation involving claims seeking approximately US$1.3 billion in alleged damages arising from the financing of a renewable diesel energy plant.
- Represents Samsung Electro-Mechanics in negotiating and resolving disputes arising under supply and distribution agreements with major customers.
- Represents Samsung Electro-Mechanics in negotiating and resolving disputes arising under capacity reservation agreements with global tech companies.
- Represented KT Engineering (formerly KT Engcore) against ASI Computer Technologies in California state court in a bet-the-company litigation and obtained a $32 million jury verdict after a five-week trial. The judgment was affirmed on appeal, and the client collected the judgment in full.
- Represented Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Hyundai Motor Company and Walmart in putative class action lawsuits filed in U.S. state and federal courts involving alleged defects in smartphones, tablets, automobiles, washing machines and refrigerators. Successfully dismissed cases through early motions, compelled individual arbitration, and negotiated favorable judgments.
- Represented Korea Development Bank in disputes involving the withholding of U.S. federal taxes by a service provider.
- Represented GS Engineering and Construction in New York state court litigation against a real estate construction company. Obtained complete relief on all claims and a full award of attorneys’ fees.
- Represented Mirae Asset Venture Investment in a board dispute involving a portfolio company.
Government Investigations
- Represents the former chief financial officer of a leading Southeast Asian unicorn startup company in connection with insider trading allegations investigated by Japan’s Financial Services Agency.
- Represents Johnson & Johnson in internal investigations involving FCPA compliance, misappropriation of funds and other sensitive corporate matters.
- Represented one of the largest venture capital companies in Korea respond to an investigation by the United States Department of Justice.
- Represented a startup founder in Korea respond to an investigation by the United States Department of Justice.
- Represented a South Korean citizen in a U.S. Department of Justice investigation involving alleged wire fraud and false representations in connection with contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense.
Section 337 Investigation
- Represented Optrontec in a Section 337 Investigation before the U.S. International Trade Commission involving optical filters used in cellphones and tablets. Successfully resolved the investigation by entering into a favorable licensing agreement.
International Arbitration
- Represented Korean engineering and construction companies in ICC arbitration proceedings defending claims asserted by a service provider in the Middle East in connection with a $6 billion oil refinery construction project.
Matters may have been completed before joining Paul Hastings.