IRVINE, Calif. (July 13, 2023) – Womble Bond Dickinson is expanding its presence in Southern California through a combination with boutique business law firm Gordinier Kang & Kim LLP. Based in Irvine and Los Angeles offices, the three-partner team includes John Kang, Patricia Cymerman, and Edward Kim. The combination reflects continued growth in the Golden State and comes on the heels of the firm’s announcement earlier this week that it was joining with San Francisco-based litigation firm Simmonds & Narita LLP. 

“This combination adds to our roster in Southern California and brings high-quality and experienced lawyers who are committed and connected to the local market,” said Merrick Benn, Womble’s Vice Chair and Capital Markets Practice Group Leader. “It expands on our existing litigation practice and adds a core transactional practice that further solidifies, expands, and diversifies our bench strength in the region.”

“This combination adds to our roster in Southern California and brings high-quality and experienced lawyers who are committed and connected to the local market. It expands on our existing litigation practice and adds a core transactional practice that further solidifies, expands, and diversifies our bench strength in the region.” Merrick Benn.

Kang, who joins the firm’s Capital Markets group as a partner, is an experienced transactional attorney who represents private sector clients, including financial institutions, commercial purchasers and sellers, developers, and high-net-worth investors. His practice spans a broad range of commercial transactions, particularly in secured lending, project development, real estate joint venture and equity fund formation, and equity- and asset-based property acquisitions and dispositions.

“Womble’s robust, full-service platform enables us to expand both the volume and depth of services we can provide to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said Kang. “We look forward to collaborating with our new colleagues and further contributing to the firm’s growth in Southern California.”

“Womble’s robust, full-service platform enables us to expand both the volume and depth of services we can provide to meet the growing needs of our clients. We look forward to collaborating with our new colleagues and further contributing to the firm’s growth in Southern California.” John Kang.

Cymerman and Kim join the firm’s Business Litigation group as partners. Cymerman represents clients in complex business litigation, including contract, real estate, private wealth, and partnership disputes and misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair competition, and false advertising. Kim focuses his practice on complex business and securities litigation matters in federal and state courts, including securities class actions, shareholder derivative claims, and partnership disputes. 

“A strong West Coast presence has long been an important component of the firm’s strategic commitment to building a global platform that meets the broad needs of our clients,” said Kristin Walker-Probst, Managing Partner of the Irvine and Los Angeles offices. “By joining forces, we are well positioned to expand those offerings in important innovation hubs.” 

“A strong West Coast presence has long been an important component of the firm’s strategic commitment to building a global platform that meets the broad needs of our clients. By joining forces, we are well positioned to expand those offerings in important innovation hubs.” Kristin Walker-Probst.