Michael H. Lee is currently with the Dubai Office of Bae, Kim & Lee LLC and his main practice areas include construction, real estate, energy, M&A, foreign investment, overseas investment and international tax. Prior to joining BKL in 1998, he was a tax lawyer at the International Tax Consulting Group of Coopers & Lybrand LLP. From 1998 to 2011, Michael was with the M&A and Corporate Restructuring Practice Group of BKL and advised domestic and foreign clients in connection with various M&A transactions, many of which were instrumental to the financial/economic restructuring of modern Korea. For about 4 years from 2011, Michael served as General Counsel of KOGAS Akkas B.V., a subsidiary of Korea Gas Corporation established to develop and operate a gas field in Iraq, and gained much energy and construction experience in the upstream oil and gas sector. Since rejoining BKL in 2015, Michael is serving as the Managing Partner of BKL’s Dubai Office, providing legal advice to clients in the Middle East and Africa region in general corporate, M&A, construction, real estate and energy matters.

Provided legal support and strategic advice to the management of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS), the world’s largest purchaser of LNG, established to develop and operate the Akkas Gas Field in Iraq, and the management of other subsidiaries of KOGAS established for other crude oil and gas fields in Iraq. Drafted, reviewed and negotiated various contracts and documents, including technical service contracts, gas development and production service contracts, joint operating agreements, joint bidding agreements, crude oil sale and purchase agreements and crude oil joint marketing agreements. Participated in the Joint Management Committee meetings with the host country counterparties where major strategic and operational decisions for the Akkas Gas Field were made. Participated in the International Oil Company Forum as a representative of KOGAS where commercial/legal issues were discussed amongst oil companies operating in Iraq. Developed and implemented internal regulations and procedures, including Joint Management Committee regulations, crude oil lifting procedures and tendering procedures.

Researched international and domestic tax issues, including Subpart F income, foreign sales corporation, income tax treaty benefits, e-commerce, foreign tax credit and foreign investment structuring. Managed a bilateral Advance Pricing Agreement project for a major Korean semiconductor company, including preparation of a work plan and related submissions. Coordinated and conducted transfer pricing studies. Assisted in submitting requests for competent authority agreements. Drafted intercompany agreements, including cost sharing agreements, contract manufacturing agreements, commission agreements and technical support agreements. Performed tax compliance works, including preparation of various individual, corporate and partnership income tax returns, income projections and E&P calculations.

Acted as a financial advisor to the production management in the areas of cost control, planning, unit cost, trend analysis, inventory and policy/procedure interpretation. Prepared and analyzed financial reports for the management, coordinated planning activities and analyzed cost allocations for the indirect support departments.