Peter Rho
Partner
Suite 2200
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Peter is a seasoned cross-border deal attorney with more than 20 years of experience representing U.S. and international clients, serving as trusted outside general counsel. He handles the complexities of corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, foreign investment (inbound and outbound), banking, finance, real estate, technology, and the entertainment and media industries.
Peter’s practice is complemented by...
Peter is a seasoned cross-border deal attorney with more than 20 years of experience representing U.S. and international clients, serving as trusted outside general counsel. He handles the complexities of corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, foreign investment (inbound and outbound), banking, finance, real estate, technology, and the entertainment and media industries.
Peter’s practice is complemented by an MBA and a background in strategic management consulting and financial advisory, honed through his work in Los Angeles, New York, and Seoul. His multifaceted experience enables him to deliver both legal and business insights, making him a go-to advisor for clients with high-stakes, cross-border matters.
He brings deep knowledge to all phases of deal-making—from sourcing and structuring to negotiation and closing. His transactional portfolio includes mergers and acquisitions, private placements, structured finance (both public and private), complex commercial real estate transactions, and corporate governance matters. Peter also has experience in the entertainment sector including music, film, and television production, as well as in publishing, licensing, distribution, merchandising, sponsorships, and endorsements.
an MBA and a background in strategic management consulting and financial advisory, honed through his work in Los Angeles, New York, and Seoul. His multifaceted experience enables him to deliver both legal and business insights, making him a go-to advisor for clients with high-stakes, cross-border matters.
He brings deep knowledge to all phases of deal-making—from sourcing and structuring to negotiation and closing. His transactional portfolio includes mergers and acquisitions, private placements, structured finance (both public and private), complex commercial real estate transactions, and corporate governance matters. Peter also has experience in the entertainment sector including music, film, and television production, as well as in publishing, licensing, distribution, merchandising, sponsorships, and endorsements.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Advised foreign buyer in $92 million cash for stock acquisition of a CA corporation (including CFIUS and Hart-Scott-Rodino filings)
- Represented originator and servicer in sale of $1.2 billion in mortgage-backed securities (one of approximately 10-12 similar transactions annually)
- Assisted investment bank with various M&A transactions including acquisitions of various regional companies and a merger acquisition of a public company
- Advised venture capital start-up on SAFE round of ~$13 million based on a post-money valuation of $43 million from established US and Global (Korea, China, UK) venture capital firms
- Counsel to founders of a technology and entertainment start up with Series A venture capital financing
- Ongoing representation of Korea’s largest music entertainment company with investments and projects throughout the US, including entertainment (distribution, licensing, touring), real estate investment, hotel and winery projects
- Represented clothing retailer with acquisition by foreign buyer
- Ongoing representation of Southern California based community banks and credit unions
- Assisted global real estate investment firm with the purchase and lease-back of real property for $63 million
- Represented Asia-Pacific private equity division of a US alternative investment firm with $324 million purchase of assets from a Korean bank
- Represented global financial services firm with issuance of $600 million collateralized bonds issued by Korean investment and securities firm
- Advised Dutch investment bank with purchase of Korean bank’s investment trust management subsidiary
- Represented German based global logistics company with the merger and integration of all subsidiaries based in Korea
- Established the first joint-venture between the largest agriculture cooperatives of France and Korea, respectively
Education
- Columbia University, MBA
- University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, JD
- University of California Los Angeles, BA
Admissions
- California
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Practice Areas
Representative Matters
- Advised foreign buyer in $92 million cash for stock acquisition of a CA corporation (including CFIUS and Hart-Scott-Rodino filings)
- Represented originator and servicer in sale of $1.2 billion in mortgage-backed securities (one of approximately 10-12 similar transactions annually)
- Assisted investment bank with various M&A transactions including acquisitions of various regional companies and a merger acquisition of a public company
- Advised venture capital start-up on SAFE round of ~$13 million based on a post-money valuation of $43 million from established US and Global (Korea, China, UK) venture capital firms
- Counsel to founders of a technology and entertainment start up with Series A venture capital financing
- Ongoing representation of Korea’s largest music entertainment company with investments and projects throughout the US, including entertainment (distribution, licensing, touring), real estate investment, hotel and winery projects
- Represented clothing retailer with acquisition by foreign buyer
- Ongoing representation of Southern California based community banks and credit unions
- Assisted global real estate investment firm with the purchase and lease-back of real property for $63 million
- Represented Asia-Pacific private equity division of a US alternative investment firm with $324 million purchase of assets from a Korean bank
- Represented global financial services firm with issuance of $600 million collateralized bonds issued by Korean investment and securities firm
- Advised Dutch investment bank with purchase of Korean bank’s investment trust management subsidiary
- Represented German based global logistics company with the merger and integration of all subsidiaries based in Korea
- Established the first joint-venture between the largest agriculture cooperatives of France and Korea, respectively
Media
Recognitions
- International Association of Korean Lawyers, Inc. (IAKL):
- Chair of Board of Directors (2019-present)
- President (2017-2019)
- Treasurer (2014-2017)
- Korean American Bar Association of Southern California (KABA): Member since 2007
- National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA): Member since 2009
Community
- AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization): Region 76 Beverly Hills – Board of Directors and Legal Advisor (2009-present)
- KHEIR Clinic: Board of Directors (2007-present); Chair of the Board of Directors (2012-2018)
Peter is a seasoned cross-border deal attorney with more than 20 years of experience representing U.S. and international clients, serving as trusted outside general counsel. He handles the complexities of corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, foreign investment (inbound and outbound), banking, finance, real estate, technology, and the entertainment and media industries.
Peter’s practice is complemented by... an MBA and a background in strategic management consulting and financial advisory, honed through his work in Los Angeles, New York, and Seoul. His multifaceted experience enables him to deliver both legal and business insights, making him a go-to advisor for clients with high-stakes, cross-border matters.
He brings deep knowledge to all phases of deal-making—from sourcing and structuring to negotiation and closing. His transactional portfolio includes mergers and acquisitions, private placements, structured finance (both public and private), complex commercial real estate transactions, and corporate governance matters. Peter also has experience in the entertainment sector including music, film, and television production, as well as in publishing, licensing, distribution, merchandising, sponsorships, and endorsements.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Representative Matters
- Advised foreign buyer in $92 million cash for stock acquisition of a CA corporation (including CFIUS and Hart-Scott-Rodino filings)
- Represented originator and servicer in sale of $1.2 billion in mortgage-backed securities (one of approximately 10-12 similar transactions annually)
- Assisted investment bank with various M&A transactions including acquisitions of various regional companies and a merger acquisition of a public company
- Advised venture capital start-up on SAFE round of ~$13 million based on a post-money valuation of $43 million from established US and Global (Korea, China, UK) venture capital firms
- Counsel to founders of a technology and entertainment start up with Series A venture capital financing
- Ongoing representation of Korea’s largest music entertainment company with investments and projects throughout the US, including entertainment (distribution, licensing, touring), real estate investment, hotel and winery projects
- Represented clothing retailer with acquisition by foreign buyer
- Ongoing representation of Southern California based community banks and credit unions
- Assisted global real estate investment firm with the purchase and lease-back of real property for $63 million
- Represented Asia-Pacific private equity division of a US alternative investment firm with $324 million purchase of assets from a Korean bank
- Represented global financial services firm with issuance of $600 million collateralized bonds issued by Korean investment and securities firm
- Advised Dutch investment bank with purchase of Korean bank’s investment trust management subsidiary
- Represented German based global logistics company with the merger and integration of all subsidiaries based in Korea
- Established the first joint-venture between the largest agriculture cooperatives of France and Korea, respectively
Education
- Columbia University, MBA
- University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, JD
- University of California Los Angeles, BA
Admissions
- California
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Practice Areas
Industries
- International Association of Korean Lawyers, Inc. (IAKL):
- Chair of Board of Directors (2019-present)
- President (2017-2019)
- Treasurer (2014-2017)
- Korean American Bar Association of Southern California (KABA): Member since 2007
- National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA): Member since 2009
- AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization): Region 76 Beverly Hills – Board of Directors and Legal Advisor (2009-present)
- KHEIR Clinic: Board of Directors (2007-present); Chair of the Board of Directors (2012-2018)
Highlights from the Firm’s Insights
