Track Record

[Attorney Kim Soo-hyun] Receives the Seoul Bar Association’s Award for Distinguished Service

We are pleased to announce that Attorney Kim Soo-hyun of Hanbyol Law LLC received an Award of Merit at the Seoul Bar Association’s 119th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony.

[안병한 변호사] 부정경쟁방지법 - 조류충돌방지테이프 상품형태 모방 여부 논쟁 사건, 서울고등법원에 이어 대법원 전부 승소 판결 확정

[안병한 변호사] 부정경쟁방지법 - 조류충돌방지테이프 상품형태 모방 여부 논쟁 사건, 서울고등법원에 이어 대법원 전부 승소 판결 확정

[안병한 변호사] 부정경쟁방지법 사건 : 전주비빔밥 대표 전통 브랜드 '한국집' 도용 유사 상호 금지 및 손해배상청구 승소

[안병한 변호사] 부정경쟁방지법 사건 : 전주비빔밥 대표 전통 브랜드 '한국집' 도용 유사 상호 금지 및 손해배상청구 승소

국가 R&D 연구자 권익 보호 특별위원회 출범, '과실연' 산하 조사기구 공익센터 센터장으로 안병한 변호사 취임

국가 R&D 연구자 권익 보호 특별위원회 출범, '과실연' 산하 조사기구 공익센터 센터장으로 안병한 변호사 취임

[안병한 변호사] 아동학대사례 전문가자문단 자문위원 위촉

아동학대사례전문가자문단 자문위원직은 아동복지법 제22조의5 규정에 따라 보건복지부장관이 위촉하는 비상임직입니다. 임기 2025. 7. 7. ~ 2027. 7. 6.으로 안병한 변호사가 자문위원으로 위촉되었습니다. 법무법인 한별에 소속된 김성우, 김수현, 안병한 변호사는 2024년 아동권리보장원에 대한 법률자문(아동학대 사례 컨설팅)을 비롯하여 아동학대 대응 관련 전담공무원 등에 대한 전문 연수교육 강의 등을 수행하는 등 관련 업무 수행 실적을 보유하고 있습니다.

[안병한 변호사] 정보보호산업분쟁조정위원회 위원(제4기) 위촉

과학기술정보통신부장관(부총리) 위촉 : 안병한 변호사가 정보보호산업의 진흥에 관한 법률 제25조 규정에 의하여 설치된 정보보호산업분쟁조정위원회 위원으로 위촉되었습니다(임기 2025. 11. 17. ~ 2028. 11. 16.).

KB Kookmin Bank Insurance Claim Case Reversed and Remanded

Obtained a reversal and remand from the Supreme Court in an insurance claim between KB Kookmin Bank (Plaintiff) and KB Insurance et al. (Defendant) (2025Da207128)

Shinhan Bank Guarantee Debt Case Partially Reversed and Remanded

Obtained a partial reversal and remand from the Supreme Court in a guarantee debt claim between Shinhan Bank (Plaintiff) and Korea Housing & Urban Guarantee Corporation (Defendant) (2023Da244871)

[Attorney Seung Ho Lee] Awarded by the Minister of Justice (for revitalizing the arbitration system)

Attorney Lee Seung-ho of law firm Hanbyul has received a commendation from the Minister of Justice for his contributions to revitalizing the arbitration system. The award recognizes his efforts in promoting and activating the arbitration framework. We look forward to his continued work.

[Attorney Sungwoo Lee] Awarded for Outstanding Legal Support for SMEs by the Ministry of Justice

Lee Seong-woo, an attorney at Hanbyul Law Firm (LLP), received a commendation from the Ministry of Justice for meritorious service in providing legal support to small and medium-sized enterprises. We hereby announce this.

[Sung Woo Lee] Awarded the Outstanding Lawyer Award of the Korean Bar Association

The Korean Bar Association awards quarterly Excellent Lawyer Awards in areas such as justice and human rights, enhancing the standing of lawyers, exemplary advocacy, legal system reform and cultural improvement, and public interest activities. Attorney Lee Seong-woo of Hanbyeol law firm received this quarter's Excellent Lawyer Award.

Dankook University Graduate School of IT Law Cooperative Program Industrial Security Specialist Training Program...

On May 16, 2022, law firm Hanbyeol (attorneys An Byung-han, Kim Seong-woo, and Kim Su-hyun) signed a business partnership with Dankook University Graduate School’s IT Law cooperative program Industrial Security Specialist Training Project Group at the Jukjeon campus to expand information sharing and personnel exchanges and operate joint programs, pledging cooperation on corporate security legal practice, management, contracts, and education. Under the Industrial Technology Protection Act, Dankook is one of five universities running the industrial security training program, and the partners will jointly carry out security consulting, IP transactions and technology transfer contracts, inventor compensation standards, commissioned technology contracts, strategic items export/import control, escrow for technology transfers between large firms and SMEs, and practical legal training for graduate students, while systematizing industrial security management and providing legal advisory services as a long-term collaboration.

Advised on the sale of the nation's largest hydrogen gas supplier

Hanbyeol Law Firm (attorneys Kim Suhyun, Kim Seong-woo, Ahn Byun-han) successfully completed the sale of an approximately KRW 850 billion stake in Dukyang Co., the country's largest hydrogen gas supplier, and its subsidiary. From the MOU signed on September 1, 2021 until closing on December 3, 2021, within a limited timeframe the firm handled legal due diligence, execution of the main contract, internal shareholder share adjustments and decision procedures, and other legal issues arising from the sale, responding promptly to issues and playing a key role in securing fair consideration for the seller's stake through negotiations with the buyer.

[Attorney Yoon Young Hoon] Granting a motion for reconsideration in a case of falsification of a private document (Seo...

The 재정신청 procedure allows a court to review a prosecutor's decision not to indict, and its admission rate has been criticized as virtually meaningless at under 0.5%. In this case, although the prosecution and the high prosecutor's office declined to prosecute and dismissed an appeal regarding the client's complaint of private document forgery, law firm Hanbyul thoroughly examined the case records and legal issues and succeeded in obtaining a court decision granting the review; attorney Yoon Young-hoon said he was glad to clear the client's grievance and will continue to do his best.

National Cancer Center Selects General Counsel for Stand-alone Compact Proton Therapy Unit

Law firm Hanbyeol's lawyers Kim Seong-woo, Jeon Hong-geun, and Ahn Byung-han were appointed on August 17, 2020 as dedicated legal advisors for the National Cancer Center's procurement of an independently housed small proton therapy system, a project with a budget of approximately KRW 20 billion. They will provide legal advice on all aspects of the procurement, including drafting the RFP and contracts, and Hanbyeol is expected to play a leading role in future high-value medical device procurements.

NongHyup Bank Damages Case Partially Reversed and Remanded

Obtained a partial reversal and remand from the Supreme Court in a damages claim against NongHyup Bank Co., Ltd. (2018Da221867)

[Attorney Ahn Byung Han] National Sports Promotion Corporation Sports Promotion Voting Rights Award...

Attorney An Byunghan of Hanbyeol Law Firm was appointed in April 2019 as a member of the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation’s Sports Promotion Lottery Reward Payment Review Committee. The committee is constituted under Article 41 of the Enforcement Rules of the National Sports Promotion Act, and members serve two-year terms that are renewable.

[Attorney Lee Yoon Chul] Appointed as an arbitrator at the Korea Commercial Arbitration Center

Attorney Lee Yoon-chul (bar exam class 43) of law firm Hanbyeol has been appointed as an arbitrator at the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB). KCAB handles domestic and international commercial disputes and its arbitration awards carry the same effect as final court judgments; arbitrators are strictly selected by the Arbitrator Management Committee based on experience, education and expertise (e.g., 10+ years of legal or practical experience, or 5+ years as a university professor). With this appointment, law firm Hanbyeol now has four arbitrators: advisor Choi Young-ryong and attorneys Lee Seung-ho, Song Soo-hyun and Lee Yoon-chul.

[Young Ryong Choi, Counsel] Appointed as an Academic Dispute Mediator

Choi Young-ryong, senior counsel at law firm Hanbyul, has been appointed as a member of the Private School Dispute Mediation Committee. According to the Ministry of Education, six members to fill long-standing vacancies were sent to the Ministry of Personnel Management and received presidential approval on the 11th; the group includes Choi and two university professors.

Hanbyul Law Firm Lectures to the Seoul City Council - Attorney Jeon Sung Hoon

The Seoul Medical Association held a special lecture titled 'How to handle NHIS investigations' to address frequent member complaints and concrete response measures following the recent death of an Ansan urology clinic director allegedly linked to coercive on-site inspections. At the 14th academic conference on the 28th, lawyer Jeon Seong-hoon of law firm Hanbyeol explained practical steps such as precautions during inspections, risks of signing verification forms, responses to unannounced inspections, and discussed the possibility of sending association staff to accompany members if permitted by the Ministry of Health.

[Law Firm Hanbyul] Kim Jessie Expects 'Legal Protection' for Citizen Law School Education Business

Kimje City, together with the Ministry of Justice, the Korean Bar Association Legal Aid Foundation, and Hanbyul Law Firm, is launching a citizen law school program that offers four sessions—covering traffic accidents, personal rehabilitation and bankruptcy, marital disputes, and medical litigation—along with a legal concert and linked individual legal consultations to make practical law accessible. The program aims to help citizens respond proactively to rising private legal disputes and prevent disadvantages from lacking legal knowledge; Ahn Sang-il, head of talent development, said the city will continue diverse lifelong education to build a citizen-centered lifelong learning city.

Law Firm Hanbyul Signs Business Agreement with Dankook University Startup Support Group

Dankook University's Startup Support Center signed an MOU with law firm Hanbyul to provide tailored free legal support for (prospective) startups. The agreement offers partner-attorney services to prevent legal risks in advance, ensure rapid remedies in disputes, and provide comprehensive startup support including mentoring, marketing, and legal services for technology transactions. The Startup Support Center has been selected for three consecutive years as a Leading Startup University and, over the past two years, has helped discover about 50 startups, achieve total sales of ₩4.1 billion, file/register around 80 patents, and create roughly 60 jobs.

SMBA, `Cleanliness and Ethics Management Committee` to be composed of 3 external members...

The Small and Medium Business Corporation formed an Integrity and Ethics Management Committee and appointed three external members to strengthen ethics management and anti-corruption efforts. It merged the previous Ethics Management Committee (since 2012) and the Clean SBC Task Force (since 2015), appointing Jang Beom-sik (Sungshil University provost), Lee Young-myeon (Dongguk University professor), and Choi Young-ryong (head attorney at Hanbyul law firm) to oversee major policy deliberations and decisions, draft an ethics charter, address anti-corruption weak spots, and promote an integrity culture.

[Law Firm Hanbyul] KBS 2TV Walhwa drama "Neighborhood Lawyer Jodlho" Production location...

Partners Joo Sangwon and Lee Yoonchul of law firm Hanbyul are providing legal advice as production supporters for KBS 2TV's Monday-Tuesday drama 'Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho.' The production intent aligns with Hanbyul's values, portraying a local lawyer who defends the poor, stands beside clients, and fights against power and injustice.

Attended the 2016 Korea's Top 20 Law Firms Meeting [Seoul District Bar Association]

At the Seoul Bar Association's annual meeting of the top 20 law firm representatives in 2016, Hanbyul Law Firm and representatives of other leading firms will attend. They will exchange views on key issues in the legal profession — including protection of lawyers' advocacy rights, expansion of member welfare, and reform of legal personnel training — and aim to present constructive proposals for development.

[Antitrust] LG Electronics wins all cases related to abuse of dominant position

On October 21, 2015 the Seoul High Court dismissed all of LG Electronics' claims in its suit seeking to overturn corrective orders and a fine imposed by the Korea Fair Trade Commission. The case involved allegations that LG abused its superior bargaining position in the built-in appliance market by effectively forcing subordinate dealers to sign joint-guarantee agreements and shifting payment-collection risk to them; the KFTC had ordered corrective measures, contract modifications/deletions, and imposed a KRW 1,865,000,000 fine. The court rejected LG’s arguments denying superior status and claiming adequate choice or excessive fine, and the ruling serves as a warning against major firms’ abuse of trading position.

[Seoul Economic] Law Firm Hanby's 'Canadian Investment and Immigration Law Changes and Ma...

Law firm Hanbyul says Canada’s new 2015 federal investor-immigration law has become much tougher, requiring proof of about 10 billion won in assets and about 2 billion won in investment plus education and English/French ability. By contrast, Quebec runs an independent program allowing PR with proof of about 1.5 billion won in assets and about 200 million won investment without strict education or language requirements; Hanbyul will hold info sessions on Aug 7–8 and notes the limited, first-come-first-served intake beginning Aug 31.

Hanbyul Law Firm - Strategic Partnership with Weihai City, China...

On September 9, 2015, law firm Hanbyeol formally signed a memorandum of strategic cooperation with Weihai, with partner Noh Yoo-jin leading the firm's China practice. Hanbyeol will provide legal, policy, and administrative solutions to support Chinese companies entering Korea and Korean companies entering Weihai, leveraging its experience in Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jilin, and Guizhou to promote bilateral cooperation. The firm is ready to actively assist any company seeking to expand into Korea or China.

'Yongsan Disaster' International Building Area 4, Development Plan 'Invalid' - In-Hyuk Hyun, Attorney at Law...

The development plan for Yongsan International Building District 4, site of the deadly Yongsan incident that killed six including tenants and police officers, was ruled invalid on appeal. The court found that the association failed to properly notify members of key changes in the management disposition plan—such as appraisal values and sale prices—which infringed members’ property rights, and said that if the ruling is affirmed by the Supreme Court the association will have to redo the plan, a process that will take at least six months. With some members also suing to annul the association’s establishment, the sales schedule is likely pushed to the first half of next year, and the high-end mixed-use project involving Samsung C&T, Posco E&C and Daelim is facing major delays due to the tragedy and repeated lawsuits.

Korea Creative Content Agency, Smart Content Center Dedicated Mentor Appointment Ceremony (전...

The Korea Creative Content Agency held an appointment ceremony on the 22nd for dedicated mentors at the newly opened Smart Content Center in Pyeongchon to launch its mentoring support program for resident small and medium smart content firms. Five external experts — including astronaut Go San (CEO of Tide Institute) — were appointed as dedicated mentors to provide tailored guidance on promotion, revenue models, strategy, and investment, aiming to help resident companies grow globally and expand the domestic smart content industry base.

MCM Wins Trademark Infringement Lawsuit..."Ending the Stigma of Counterfeiting" - Park Sang-Hoon

The Supreme Court upheld a ruling ordering An to pay 400 million won to Seongju D&D, the owner of MCM's trademark, for manufacturing and distributing counterfeit MCM bags and wallets; An had previously been criminally sentenced. With counsel Park Sang-hoon, MCM said the decision protects trademark source-identification and quality-assurance functions and sends a strong deterrent message to counterfeit producers, and that it will continue to pursue strict civil and criminal liability against infringers.

Court "Compensate Stay-at-Home Moms for Losses from High-Risk Investments" - Rae-Hyuk Kang

The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Kookmin Bank must pay about KRW 150 million to Ms. Lee (65, a full-time housewife) and her family, finding that the bank recommended a high-risk fund with significant principal-loss potential without adequately explaining the risks. However, the court limited the bank’s liability to 70% of the damages because the plaintiffs also failed to carefully review the product’s profit-loss structure and risks; they bought the funds in 2007 and suffered losses of KRW 4 million to 110 million when redeeming in 2008 (they had sought KRW 230 million), and the plaintiffs’ lawyer said the ruling confirms banks’ responsibility when selling high-risk products to unsuitable customers.

National volleyball player Kim Yeon-kyung appeals against KOVO for arbitrary withdrawal -...

Kim Yeon‑kyung’s agent InsportKorea and law firm Hanbyul filed an inquiry and objection with KOVO over her designation as an 'imni-taltoe' (임의탈퇴). The legal team argued that with her contract expired the player has the right to refuse re‑signing, the club’s exclusive draft rights expired after the five‑year draft contract period, and KOVO did not specify any rule violations; they said that because she declined to re‑sign after leaving Heungkuk and intends to play outside KOVO, she should lawfully be listed as a 'retired player' under KOVO Regulation Article 59. They also demanded KOVO clarify the legal basis and specific violations for any adverse measures.

Minority shareholder of KOSDAQ exited company faces court battle after another

Minority shareholders of delisted KOSDAQ firms are filing or preparing legal actions against at least three companies — Polyplus, Koa S&I, and B&B Seongwon. A group of 215 Polyplus shareholders, represented by law firm Hanbyul, sued to annul a shareholders’ meeting resolution and seek damages for neglect that led to delisting (about 700 more shareholders are preparing additional suits), while shareholders of Koa S&I and B&B Seongwon plan injunctions to view accounting books after being denied access and say they will sue if embezzlement or breach of duty is uncovered. Separately, minority holders of Miju Steel (미주제강) contacted shareholder committees but are unlikely to sue after a court-ordered rehabilitation process was started.

[Ruling] "Chinese TV Pad Infringes on Korean Terrestrial Broadcasting Copyright"

The Daejeon District Court granted a provisional injunction banning sales in Korea of the Chinese set-top box 'TVPad', finding it infringes terrestrial broadcasters' broadcasting, simultaneous retransmission, and transmission rights for KBS, MBC, SBS, etc. Following the ruling, prosecutors launched a criminal investigation for copyright violations, and broadcasters are pursuing civil and criminal actions domestically and abroad while considering requests for Chinese authorities to investigate the company. Broadcasters say TVPad provides live broadcasts without permission regardless of time or region, causing annual lost royalties of about 40 billion won.

Sesna Group Partners with Law Firm Hanbyul

Cessna Group (CEO Kim Seong-min) has signed a partnership with major Korean law firm Hanbyul (partner lawyer Kim I-sik) to provide corporate legal and employment-related legal services for companies entering the U.S. and for top talent. Both parties said they expect to expand service reach and improve the quality of Korea–U.S. employment services, including visa processing, by leveraging Cessna Group’s global network and Hanbyul’s legal capabilities. Hanbyul is a large firm with about 60 lawyers, and New Jersey–headquartered Cessna operates recruiting across seven affiliates; Cessna Group will hold a Job World Career Expo for high-level Korean talent at the New Jersey Marriott on the 15th.

Since May 2015, Hanbyul Law Firm has been featured on MBC's "Economy in Hands" since May 5, 2015...

Hanbyul Law Firm Hosts Korea-China FTA Discussion with China ECLA

On February 2, 2015, law firm Hanbyul held a Korea-China FTA seminar with Chinese law firm association ECLA at the Korean Bar Association meeting room to discuss the FTA’s content, outcomes, and practical cooperation measures. Lawyers from Hanbyul and ECLA presented and debated on topics including ISD (investor–state dispute settlement), intellectual property, legal market opening, finance, and trade protectionism, and afterward issued a joint statement titled “FTA Agreement and New Opportunities for Lawyers – 1st Korea-China Lawyers Seminar: Seven Outcomes.” Hanbyul said it will strengthen its alliance with ECLA to provide better legal services to Korean companies entering the Chinese market.

Han Byul Han, Attorney, China Team, Law Firm (Yu) ECLA Representative Conference and Legal Seminar ...

Kim Yong-won and colleagues from Hanbyul attended the ECLA legal seminar and partner meeting in Chengdu, Sichuan from November 15–17, 2014, where he introduced South Korea’s public-interest project investment immigration program to Chinese law firms and discussed cooperation on Chinese investor immigration. The seminar featured presentations by legal, government, and financial experts on recent issues in Chinese financial law, government policy directions, and practical trends, and Kim also exchanged views with partners including Liu Maotong of Jiangsu Maotong Law Firm at the sixth ECLA partners’ meeting.

Hanbyul Law Firm becomes a full member of ECLA China

Hanbyul Law Firm's managing partner Kim Yong-won and colleagues attended the ECLA meeting in Nanchang, Jiangxi in November 2013 and were approved as a full ECLA member, the only Korean firm to receive such approval. ECLA (Elite China Lawfirm Association) is an alliance of about 30 leading law firms across Chinese provinces, municipalities and Hong Kong, and membership enables Hanbyul to offer higher-level legal services to domestic clients in the Chinese market.

Han Byul Han, Attorney, China Team Attends ECLA Meeting

Kim Yong-won, the managing attorney of Hanbyul Law Firm, attended the ECLA meeting held in Tianjin, China in March 2014 with attorneys Kang Rae-hyuk and Park Dong-kyun. Kim spoke at the meeting, participated in the legal seminar with other firm attorneys, and took commemorative photos.

Samhwa Savings Bank Case: Dispute Mediation and Trial by the Financial Services Commission

Investors in Samhwa Savings Bank’s subordinated bonds obtained a 70% compensation award in court—higher than the roughly 30% they had received via the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) dispute mediation—because the court found Samhwa had falsified securities disclosures and its BIS capital ratio. The FSS mediation addressed only mis-selling (suitability and duty-to-explain breaches) and left allegations of false disclosures or capital-ratio manipulation to be pursued separately in court due to its limited authority. Victims can choose to accept mediation or sue for additional compensation, and court rulings can, in some cases, convert subordinated bonds into damage claims that receive higher repayment priority.

Organize your recovery process and remediation options from the Great East Storm

The article states that the first creditors' meeting disclosed recovery rates for Dongyang and its affiliates and that rehabilitation proceedings alone are unlikely to recover most losses, so additional relief procedures are necessary. It outlines pursuing FSC dispute mediation, civil lawsuits against Dongyang Securities (individual and collective), and using investigation/indictment evidence to increase compensation, while providing guidance on filing procedures and required documents (statements, subscription forms, recordings) and emphasizing that participation is voluntary.

Symposium on Securities Class Action Litigation: The Way Forward

At a 2014 symposium on revising the securities-related class action law, experts concluded that since the law’s 2005 enactment there have been very few cases and that inherent scope limits, procedural inefficiencies, and legislative and practical shortcomings have reduced its effectiveness. They emphasized that the law’s restriction to listed securities, lengthy proceedings, and courts’ and practitioners’ unfamiliarity delay victim relief, so victims in cases like the Dongyang affair should carefully consider whether to join class actions and that systemic reform is needed.

Litigation related to the Orient Express

Hanbyeol Law Office (Ltd.) announced that it filed a first complaint at the Seoul Central District Court on October 22, 2013, on behalf of investors harmed by the Dongyang scandal and is preparing to file a second complaint for additional victims. Hanbyeol says it has secured meaningful judgments in past mis-selling cases against various banks and securities firms, is currently pursuing damages claims against Kookmin Bank and Woori Bank, has provided two briefings on litigation matters, and plans to hold a litigation information session for affected investors.