About
Provided by Lee & Ko
The core of our Labor & Employment Practice Group is composed of over 30 attorneys who dedicate their practices to the employment and labor practice area. Our members include attorneys with more than 20 years of experience, certified labor consultants, former prosecutors and presiding judges, former judiciary researchers for the Korean Supreme Court, public committee members, Labor Relations Commission committee chairpersons, and former senior members of the Ministry of Employment & Labor. This rich range of experience and diversity, fueled by the effective collaboration between our members, results in a Practice Group with a collective strength that is even stronger than its parts, and this strength is transferred to our clients.
Our Practice Group’s expertise covers issues including: (1) wages/working hours, disciplinary actions, employee privacy and safety; (2) hiring structures, non-regular employees management, strategic implementation of reduction-in-force efforts; (3) strategic and legal advice on union relations and disputes, collective agreement negotiations; (4) general compliance audits and internal investigations; (5) representation in civil, criminal, and administrative matters; and (6) employment-related issues in mergers, spin-offs, and business transfers.
We are trusted advisors and a pillar of legal support for our clients so that they may focus on enhancing their business operations in a stable and sustainable labor-management environment.
Chambers Review
Lee & Ko houses an outstanding employment law offering in South Korea and is recognised for its expertise in a variety of contentious and non-contentious issues, including collective bargaining and strikes, employee status, non-compete issues and workforce reduction. Its client base hails from a range of industries from technology and retail to automotive and manufacturing. Its key clients include GSK and Korea Electric Power Corporation and Hilti Corporation.
Work Highlights
- Lee & Ko represented Sampyo Group in a case arising from the Serious Accident Punishment Act. Its lawyers defended the CEO and other senior management from potential heavy criminal penalties after a landslide in one of the client's quarries claimed the lives of three employees.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They maintain a good partner-associate relationship. I think that such a relationship is reflected in the performance of the work. From the client's point of view, this performance is the best representation of value for money."
"I appreciate the practical advice I get from Lee & Ko, highlighting potential risks which allows company management to make informed decisions."
"They maintain a good partner-associate relationship. I think that such a relationship is reflected in the performance of the work. From the client's point of view, this performance is the best representation of value for money."
"I appreciate the practical advice I get from Lee & Ko, highlighting potential risks which allows company management to make informed decisions."
Notable Practitioners
Jin Chang Soo in Seoul is highly active on employment matters including disputes involving terminations, worker dispatch and outsourcing. He is also known to have significant experience from his time as a judge.
"In terms of legal knowledge he's one of the very best."
Lee Sang Hoon is a well-established employment lawyer in Seoul. He has over 25 years of experience in practice and remains active on a range of matters, including non-compete issues and investigations.
Song Hyun Seok is well regarded in the Korean employment legal market, with particular experience advising on outsourced worker disputes.
"When I ask for advice on complex issues, he always replies quickly, so I know I can trust him when an important issue occurs."
"He is very loyal to his clients. He is always ready to interact with clients and enjoys the opportunity to talk with them."
William Kim is a foreign attorney based in Seoul with strong employment expertise. He is especially involved in internal investigations, compliance, non-compete and workforce restructuring matters.
"An excellent lawyer. He knows his stuff inside out and provides a timely responsive service. If you have employment queries for South Korea, he is your man."
Ranked Lawyers at
Lee & Ko
South Korea
Members
Provided by Lee & Ko
Jae-Hoon Choi
Ji-Young Tae
Seung-Wan Hahm