Hyongsoon Kim focuses on defense of class action matters including consumer class actions, business litigation matters involving contractual and business disputes, corporate governance and shareholder disputes, securities litigation and bankruptcy litigation.

Practice & Background

Mr. Kim specializes in the defense of complex commercial litigation and in particular class action matters. He has defended and advised clients in numerous class actions, including cases involving the unfair business practice and false advertising laws in California, New York, Texas, Michigan, Florida, and a number of other states, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Videotape Privacy Protection Act, and various securities laws. Mr. Kim has represented class action defendants across a number of industries, including electronics and digital, oil and gas, retail, and food and beverage.

Mr. Kim has gained a reputation for innovative legal tactics and efficient results. In multiple matters he has obtained early dismissals at the pleadings stage or in response to motions to summary judgment, in addition to multiple denials of class certification.

Prior to joining Akin Gump, Mr. Kim clerked for the Honorable Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum in the Southern District of New York. Mr. Kim worked in Akin Gump’s New York office until 2007, when he joined Akin Gump’s Los Angeles office.

Mr. Kim received his B.A. magna cum laude from California State University in 1998 and his J.D. in 2001 from Columbia Law School. He is a member of the New York and California bars and is admitted to practice in all federal districts in California and New York.

Mr. Kim is the former President of the Korean American Bar Association of Southern California. He also serves as a member of the board of directors of the Friends of the Los Angeles County Law Library.

Representative Matters

Mr. Kim’s recent engagements include representing:

  • a major global television brand in a consumer class action in California state court concerning the labeling of televisions, resulting in voluntary dismissal of the action after Mr. Kim filed a motion for summary judgment
  • several major grocery store chains in a multi-million dollar putative class action lawsuit arising out of alleged food product mislabeling, resulting in denial of class certification and subsequent voluntary dismissal of the litigation
  • a global television manufacturer in a consumer class action concerning alleged misrepresentations in the labeling of televisions, resulting in voluntary dismissal of the action
  • a major global television brand in a multi-district class action litigation concerning alleged violations of the Video Privacy Protection Act
  • a California-based oil and gas retailer in a consumer class action arising out of allegations related to the charging of credit and cash prices
  • a national electronics brand company in a consumer fraud class action concerning labeling of high-end consumer electronics
  • a national veterinary hospital chain in a consumer fraud class action arising out of labeling and sales
  • a national restaurant chain in a class action alleging claims under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
  • a large telecommunications corporation in a multi-million dollar putative class action in connection with overtime, meal and rest break claims
  • various corporate clients in securities class action lawsuits, including for alleged violations of Section 10(b) of the 1934 Act and Sections 11 and 12(a) of the 1933 Act
  • the official committee of unsecured creditors of a failed bank holding company in a multi-million dollar derivative litigation against current and former directors and officers
  • a high-profile divorce law firm in a preference action brought by a bankruptcy trustee of a payroll company
  • a real estate investment firm in litigation arising out of an assumption of a sale-leaseback agreement concerning commercial and retail property
  • a clothing manufacturer/distributor in litigation with a Korea-based distributor.

Awards & Accolades

  • Southern California Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” (2014)

Speaking Engagements

  • “Trends in Consumer Class Actions: How to Avoid Becoming a Target,” Akin Gump In-House CLE Series, October 2016