Tae Il KWON

Introduction

Tae Il Kwon, the founding partner of Kwon & Co, is internationally renowned for his extensive experience and exceptional understanding in maritime law, particularly in charterparty and bill of lading, crew claims and casualty cases. Recently, he has handled various casualty cases inclusive of collisions between container vessel and fishing vessel, allision of the vessel with an energy company pier and gentry crane, and liability limitation procedures for sunken vessels. He has represented various domestic and international shipowners under the instruction of leading International Group (IG) P&I Clubs. Notably, he played a crucial role in the MV “Stellar Banner” case, which concluded with a constructive total loss (CTL) settlement of USD92 million.

In 2024, Kwon achieved notable successes in three major cases, including two victories in the Supreme Court of Korea. Firstly, he represented a car carrier fire case, securing a complete win in the appellate court against the cargo’s interests. Secondly, he won a Korean Supreme Court case that established a precedent regarding the scope of the time bar for demurrage claims. Thirdly, he succeeded in another Korean Supreme Court case concerning the delivery of cargo without the exchange of a B/L, with the claim amount of about KRW20 billion (approximately USD15.4 million).

During the past 20 years, Kwon has amassed expertise by representing and successfully handling various maritime and rehabilitation cases for shipping companies. In addition to litigation, he provides advisory services in maritime matters and international transactions, assisting domestic and international shipping companies in effectively navigating complex legal challenges. With his extensive knowledge and experience, he offers precise guidance and strategic insights, leading numerous maritime cases to successful outcomes.