South Korea

Firm overview

E. M. HWANG & PARTNERS is a premier intellectual property (IP) law firm in Korea with over 40 years of specialized experience in overseas IP applications and strategic IP consulting. Since its founding, the firm has built enduring relationships with leading clients, reflecting the trust and credibility earned through decades of dedicated service.

Annually, the firm manages approximately 2,000 IP cases encompassing patents, trademarks, designs, and copyrights. Over the years, E. M. HWANG & PARTNERS has handled more than 30,000 IP filings and portfolios. The firm also actively engages in resolving roughly 150 IP disputes each year, both domestically and internationally.

Our client base includes major Korean corporations such as Hyundai Motor Company, Nexen Tire Co., Ltd., POSCO International Corp., and SKC Corporation, alongside emerging innovators like Kleon Co., Ltd. and Retrobot Co., Ltd. This diverse clientele underscores our ability to serve various industries with tailored IP strategies.

We possess strong expertise in key sectors, including mechanics, electronics, artificial intelligence (AI), and chemistry. For instance, we are currently collaborating with Kleon Co., Ltd. on developing standard patents in advanced technological fields, highlighting our role in supporting innovation.

E. M. HWANG & PARTNERS has been recognized with the highest national rating (Grade A) for four consecutive years (2021-2024) in Trademark Dispute Response by the Korea Intellectual Property Protection Agency (KOIPA). Our leadership is internationally acknowledged as well; Vice President and Patent Attorney Sung-Pil Hwang was named among the world’s leading IP strategists by IAM in 2024.

The firm’s team comprises nearly 30 specialists across patent, trademark, and IP strategy departments. We maintain active memberships in global IP organizations such as AIPPI, APAA, INTA, PTMG, ECTA, and LES, ensuring we remain connected to international best practices and trends.

E. M. HWANG & PARTNERS continues to strengthen the global IP competitiveness of Korean companies through comprehensive, forward-looking intellectual property services.

Firm overview

Kim & Chang's Intellectual Property (IP) Practice is the top rated IP specialized practice in Korea, and uniquely combines our recognized expertise in IP with the resources of Korea's leading general practice law firm. Our IP Practice boasts the deepest and most experienced roster of IP attorneys, patent attorneys, former Patent Court Judges, foreign attorneys, and technical specialists in Korea.
As one of the largest general practice law firms in Asia and with a wealth of knowledge gleaned from handling many of the most important IP cases in Korea over the past 50 years, Kim & Chang is able to offer comprehensive legal solutions for all your IP and IP related needs.

With over 450 professionals including IP litigators, patent attorneys and foreign IP attorneys, and over 600 patent engineers, trademark paralegals, and support staff, we cover the full scope of IP rights. Our patent professionals have specialized technical backgrounds in numerous fields, including biotech, pharmaceuticals, chemistry, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science. Many of our professionals also have extensive experience as judges, prosecutors, or Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) examiners, and their experience and know-how is invaluable in obtaining positive results for our clients. We work closely with other practice groups within the firm, including general corporate law, mergers & acquisitions, competition law and customs, in order to advise our clients on any IP-related legal issue they may encounter in Korea.

The following is an exemplary list of services provided by the patent group:

• Patent infringement litigation and pre-assertion due diligence;
• IP Trial and Appeal Board litigation (invalidity and scope confirmation actions);
• IP arbitration (domestic and international);
• Antitrust and fair trade violations arising out of IP-related matters;
• Domestic patent prosecution (preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications before KIPO);
• Foreign patent prosecution (preparing patent applications and preparing responses to office actions in foreign jurisdictions);
• Prior art searching (for litigation and licensing);
• Patent infringement and validity opinions;
• Freedom-to-operate opinions (for product clearance);
• Patentability opinions;
• Disputes arising out of patent agreements;
• Assignment of patent rights;
• Joint development, ownership and exploitation agreements;
• Patent and technology licensing;
• Patent portfolio development via indigenous innovation, patent acquisition or divestment projects;
• Employment contract disputes concerning patents;
• US litigation support, including pretrial discovery document review and deposition support (e.g., by attorneys admitted to US bars); and Patent Due diligence.

Firm overview

Trusted Partner for Your Global IP Needs

Lee International is one of the most established and internationally recognised intellectual property law firms in Korea. Since our founding in 1961, we have built a strong reputation for delivering end-to-end IP services—spanning prosecution, litigation, enforcement, and transactions—with strategic insight and technical excellence.

Our key strengths include:

Deep Bench of Technical Experts
Our team comprises patent attorneys, former KIPO (Korean Intellectual Property Office) examiners, litigators, and in-house technical specialists with advanced degrees and industry backgrounds in engineering, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and industrial design.

Integrated Services Across the Full IP Lifecycle
From patent and trademark filing to portfolio management, dispute resolution, and cross-border brand protection, we provide tailored solutions throughout the entire IP value chain.

Global Client Focus
We represent Fortune 500 companies, innovative startups, and leading multinational brands. Our team is particularly experienced in handling complex, cross-jurisdictional matters and ensuring seamless coordination for clients with business interests in Korea and abroad.

Cost-Efficient, High-Quality Outcomes
Clients consistently rely on our ability to deliver business-driven results that are both practical and cost-effective, without compromising on legal or technical quality.

Proactive Monitoring and Enforcement
Leveraging in-house monitoring systems and our expertise in Korea’s Unfair Competition Prevention Act (UCPA), we identify and address potential infringement across sectors—including digital, e-commerce, and social media platforms—before they escalate.

At Lee International, we go beyond traditional IP representation. We are committed to enhancing the long-term value of our clients' intellectual property assets and empowering their growth through strategic, forward-thinking legal counsel. Our dedicated IP TechCenters ensure we stay at the forefront of innovation across sectors such as semiconductors, life sciences, mobility, and digital technologies..

Firm overview

The IP landscape is transforming with the rise of AI, and PI IP LAW is at the forefront.

PI IP LAW combines unparalleled expertise in AI patent prosecution with visionary implementation of AI technologies in legal practice.

Founded in 2013, our firm has established an outstanding reputation as Korea's pioneer in AI patent practice, backed by exceptional technical expertise and proven track records in representing cutting-edge technology startups across computer vision, smart factory solutions, AI-based drug development, VR/AR, and robotics. Our attorneys embody the spirit of AI envisionists, not only protecting clients' innovations but also championing the AI transformation of traditional IP legal work.
Many of our clients, including globally recognized AI startups backed by Samsung and NVIDIA, trust us to build and manage high-value IP portfolios that support their IPOs and global expansion. Our work extends beyond prosecution, offering strategic consulting, litigation, and IP commercialization. Through our IP Scale-Up and IP Build-Up programs, PI IP LAW has helped clients develop robust portfolios and achieve record valuations in M&A and IPOs.
Our expertise encompasses comprehensive IP Commerce solutions, including licensing, anti-counterfeiting, and border enforcement. As one of the first Korean firms to implement the trademark co-existence procedure, we have developed custom templates to guide clients through this innovative framework. Our international, multilingual team, with professionals from China, Latin America, and Korea, provides a truly global perspective and operates across a trusted network spanning over 120 countries.