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South Korean law firms Barun Law<\/a> and Dongin Law Group<\/a> signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to pursue a merger, dated 14 September 2026.<\/p>\n Both firms said the merger would proceed on an equal footing, rather than through one firm acquiring or absorbing the other. They aim to sign a definitive merger agreement within 12 months of the MoU\u2019s effective date.<\/p>\n While the MoU sets out the basic principles and direction of the merger talks, it does not finalise the merger or obligate either firm to complete it. Certain provisions, including those relating to exclusivity and confidentiality, are legally binding. Under the exclusivity clause, neither firm may pursue identical or similar merger negotiations with a third party during the term of the MoU without the other\u2019s prior written consent.<\/p>\n Throughout the process, both firms will conduct conflict-of-interest checks covering their respective clients, opposing parties and key affiliates. A merger promotion committee, comprising up to five lawyers from each firm, will negotiate the details required to finalise a merger contract, including governance and decision-making structure, personnel, evaluation and compensation, organisational and work systems, collaboration by specialised field, branding, office space and work-support systems. The final timing and structure of the combined firm will depend on the outcome of mutual due diligence, the conflict checks, internal approval at both firms and negotiation of the main contract.<\/p>\n Barun currently has 303 lawyers, including 287 Korean-qualified and 16 foreign-qualified lawyers, while Dongin has 250, including 245 Korean-qualified and five foreign-qualified lawyers. If completed, the merger would create a firm of 553 lawyers, including 532 Korean-qualified and 21 foreign-qualified lawyers, with combined 2025 revenue cited at 187.7 billion won.<\/p>\n With 532 Korean-qualified lawyers, the combined firm would rank as South Korea\u2019s sixth-largest law firm by Korean-qualified lawyer headcount, based on Ministry of Justice figures as of August 2026. The tentative name for the merged entity is Barun Dongin.<\/p>\n Dong Hoon Lee, Barun\u2019s senior managing partner, said the merger would be pursued \u2018under the principles of equality and mutual respect,\u2019 combining the strengths of both firms while addressing each other\u2019s operational gaps. He added that the firms would carefully design their systems so that members could fully realise their capabilities and provide clients with more systematic and consistent service.<\/p>\n Won Chang-yeon, CEO of Dongin, said the merger was \u2018not just about adding to the scale,\u2019 but about connecting the case experience, talent and client-service systems both firms have built over many years. \u2018We will create an organisation that can quickly gather and respond to the necessary capabilities when clients face more complex and difficult legal issues,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\nRelated<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n