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.
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..
Full-service IP firm: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP is one of the world’s largest firms focusing exclusively on IP. It is a true one-stop shop for all IP matters, with experts in every area of IP and every technology. A comprehensive approach to clients IP needs and Finnegan’s mega-boutique size underpin its year-to-year, decade-to-decade pre-eminence in IP litigation across all industries and tribunals.
Global presence: The firm’s offices in the United States, Asia, and Europe practise all aspects of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret law. Its multinational team represents clients on IP issues relating to US and European patent and trademark law, international trade, portfolio management, the Internet, cybersecurity, e-commerce, government contracts, antitrust and unfair competition.
Industry and technical expertise: Finnegan offers full-service IP legal and technical experience in virtually every industry and technology: biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biologics and biosimilars, combination products, chemicals, oil and gas, electronics, semiconductors, computers and software, FinTech, Internet of Things (IoT), automotive, aerospace and aviation, industrial manufacturing, consumer products, food and beverage, outdoor recreation, sports and fitness, digital health, medical devices, clean energy and renewables, robotics, textiles, artificial intelligence (AI), and 3D printing.
IP-focused talent: With Finnegan’s practice centered on intellectual property, the firm is able to create economies of scale and focus all resources on providing the best tools and teams for clients. In the past five years, Finnegan filed over 650 IP-related district court cases. The firm’s team is comprised of over 250 litigators, including career trial attorneys. Over 300 of Finnegan’s legal professionals hold degrees in scientific disciplines (more than 60 hold PhDs). Over 225 professionals are registered to practise before the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), European Patent Office (EPO), the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA), the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO), and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
Market recognition: Surveys conducted by legal and business publications rank Finnegan as one of the leading intellectual property law practices in the world. The firm is consistently ranked in the United States for contentious and prosecution trademark and patent work by publications including Managing Intellectual Property, Intellectual Asset Management, World Trademark Review, and The Legal 500, which has ranked Finnegan as a top-tier firm in nearly every significant IP category since 2009. The publications cite the firm’s winning record, technical expertise and deep bench of talent in all aspects of IP litigation.
Diversity: Finnegan is committed to promoting and strengthening a diverse workplace where all feel welcome, included, and are given opportunities to advance within the firm. Our strategy of enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion includes, but is not limited to, internal and external initiatives that focus on recruiting, retention, a supportive infrastructure, professional association involvement, and community relations. Examples of our efforts include: IP University, an introductory program to IP for diverse undergraduate and graduate students; The Finnegan Diversity Scholarship; being a proud signatory of the Mansfield Rule 5.0; Finnegan FORWARD, the firm’s women’s business initiative; Diversity Corporate Partnership program; various, diversity mentorship programs; and various collaborations and sponsorships with organizations focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
WE ARE AN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW FIRM.
WE BELIEVE TECHNOLOGY & OUR IMAGINATION WILL MAKE A BETTER WORLD.
WE ARE HERE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
Our professionals also have industry experience with prestigious companies, universities, and research centers in Korea and overseas. Some have experience at KIPO as a former patent examiner. We seek to employ the most talented graduates who then undertake extensive in-house training and have a senior member act as a mentor.
Our goal is to continue to provide high quality solutions that are tailor-made for each client. Our litigation team also works closely with outside teams if we feel this is to our client’s advantage. By working with our clients we are able to help guide them along the path that they choose to achieve the results they are seeking
-Min Son, Ph.D. / Managing Partner
Lee International IP & Law Group is recommended for contentious and non-contentious IP work. Managing partner Terry Taehong Kim leads the patent department. He specialises in electronics and mechanics. Senior partner Jin-Hoe Kim is an experienced patent attorney with expertise in chemistry biology and pharmaceuticals.