NewJeans Assembles 13-Lawyer Legal Team Ahead of Second Hearing in ADOR Contract Dispute
According to legal sources on May 21, NewJeans submitted an additional attorney designation form to the Seoul Eastern District Court on May 9. Their current legal representative is major law firm Shin & Kim, and with the latest addition, a total of 13 lawyers are now involved in the case. Among them are reportedly lawyers who formerly represented ADOR‘s former CEO Min Hee-jin.
ADOR, on the other hand, has retained 12 lawyers through Kim & Chang, another legal giant in South Korea. Both sides have mobilized top-tier law firms and large teams of attorneys, signaling the seriousness of the case and a strategic commitment to the dispute. While the number of lawyers does not directly affect the verdict, the fact that more attorneys than NewJeans members have been appointed is seen as highly symbolic.
Notably, NewJeans also added lawyers before the first hearing, which took place on April 3.
The main issue in the initial trial centered on whether there had been an irreparable breakdown of trust. ADOR hinted at the possibility of a settlement, but NewJeans firmly rejected the notion, maintaining a strong opposing stance. None of the group’s members were present for the first hearing, and it remains unclear whether they will attend the second.
Currently, NewJeans is not active. Their independent activities have been restricted since the court granted ADOR‘s injunction in March.
However, on May 19, member Danielle drew attention by hinting at a collaboration with American R&B duo Emotional Oranges. The post was swiftly deleted, which many interpreted as a move made in awareness of the ongoing legal conflict.
The second hearing in the lawsuit to confirm the validity of NewJeans‘ exclusive contract with ADOR is scheduled for June 5.
