South Korea

Firm overview

First-tier IP Firm in Korea

FirstLaw P.C. is a law firm engaged primarily in the practice of IP law.  FirstLaw P.C. was founded in 1988, and since then has rapidly grown to become one of the leading IP law firms in Korea.  Throughout the span of three decades since its founding, the Firm has consistently enjoyed the reputation for its quality services as a top-tier IP firm in Korea.

FirstLaw’s practice encompasses all aspects of intellectual property, including patents, utility models, trademarks, designs, domain names, trade secrets, licensing, intellectual property portfolio development and management, and other related areas.

Talented and Dedicated Professionals

FirstLaw’s patent attorneys hold advanced degrees in various technical and scientific disciplines, such as computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biotechnology and chemistry.  By combining the depth of education and experience with up-to-date knowledge of jurisprudence, rules and procedures of various jurisdictions gained through the Firm’s long-term overseas education programs, FirstLaw’s attorneys provide clients with the most efficient IP prosecution services.

IP Protection Activities

In addition to IP prosecution activities, the Firm specializes in protecting the valuable IP rights of its clients.  FirstLaw’s attorneys formulate comprehensive enforcement programs, which seek to prevent infringement in the marketplace, as well as successfully prosecute and defend infringement actions when they arise.  They also develop domestic and global litigation strategies and coordinate multi-jurisdictional litigation in cooperation with outstanding lawyers in other countries with whom they have established cooperative relationships for many years. 

FirstLaw P.C. has also been actively involved in various IP-related transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, cooperative research and development agreements, consulting and employment agreements, non-disclosure agreements and licenses.

Chemical/Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology Practice Group

Among the three (3) patent groups, the chemical/pharmaceutical/biotechnology practice group provides outstanding legal services by virtue of its members’ accumulated technical knowledge, information pooling and extensive practice experience in patent filing, prosecution, trial, litigation, licensing, and counseling in extensive chemistry-related areas encompassing organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, chemical engineering, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, textile, agrochemical, food engineering, new materials, and semiconductor manufacturing processes and materials.

Electronics/IT Practice Group

The electronics/IT practice group concentrates on protecting the cutting-edge technologies of clients based on its diverse experience and in-depth knowledge.  Group members possess expertise and a broad range of experience in the fields of semiconductor devices, display systems, wired/wireless communications, computer hardware and software, electronic control systems, electronic components, nanotechnology, and online businesses, among others.

Mechanical Practice Group

The mechanical practice group meets the needs of clients in a wide variety of technology areas including general mechanics, automotive and aeronautical instruments, mechatronics, control devices, measurement instruments, medical equipment, and nuclear power generators, to name a few.

Trademark/Design Group

In the trademark/design group, attorneys assist clients in the strategic selection, application, registration, management and enforcement of trademark, design and domain name rights in a cost-effective manner.  They also help clients prevent third-party misappropriation of trademarks and names by opposing registration and seeking cancellations of existing registrations at the Korean Intellectual Property Office and before various national and regional patent and trademark offices under the Madrid Protocol.

Litigation Group

Lastly, the litigation group is proud to provide each client with customized, high-quality, and efficient legal services in a cost effective manner.  FirstLaw’s trial lawyers are armed with deep understanding of technology in various fields, in addition to legal experience and expertise.  The litigation group has been engaged in a number of major patent infringement actions and has been highly successful thanks to its dedicated and close working relationship with the clients. 

Last updated 28th August 2019

Firm overview

LEADING IP LAW FIRM IN KOREA

Y.P. Lee, Mock & Partners is an IP law firm providing a full range of services in all fields related to intellectual property. The firm consists of around 340 employees, including more than 170 IP attorneys and attorneys-at-law, working together to provide the firm’s full range of services to the full satisfaction of both domestic and overseas clients.

Y.P. Lee, Mock & Partners has been often referred to as the largest IP law firm in Korea, but this is only one of the many ways to describe our firm. We have always strived to provide quality services to our clients. Since our inception in 1985, we have evolved and grown in size, but our motto of “Best Service to the Full Satisfaction of the Clients” has remained the same.

Comments from our foreign clients such as “The applications prepared by your firm are better than any other ones from Korea” and “We have no reservation in recommending your services to our clients” are among the most honorable accolades we have received.

UNDERSTANDING CLIENTS

Y.P. Lee, Mock & Partners is dedicated to fully understanding the needs and concerns of our foreign clients, many being Fortune 500 companies. Providing a high quality prosecution service in order to obtain strong and effective IP protection for our foreign clients requires much more than simply overcoming language barriers. Our IP attorneys possess a wide range of legal expertise in various IP legal systems as well as in-depth knowledge of various technical fields, and they offer a dedicated service to meet the demanding challenges faced by each of our foreign clients.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND NETWORK

Y.P. Lee, Mock & Partners annually handles around 7,100 overseas patent and trademark applications around the world through hundreds of our foreign associates. Our abundant experience of foreign prosecution and in-depth understanding of various foreign IP systems enable us to provide effective and reliable services to our numerous domestic and foreign clients.

FULL COVERAGE OF IP MATTERS

The spectrum of our service covers all aspects of intellectual property and technology. Our professionals’ knowledge and experience cover a wide range of technologies, such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, materials, chemistry, electrical engineering, mobile communications, nanotechnology, computer hardware and software, semiconductors, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, healthcare related technology, and so on. Highly experienced trademark attorneys also provide quality services for trademark cases.

In addition to our strong prosecution practice, for which we have been ranked as a top tier firm in Korea by several IP survey institutions, we are also active in technology and IP rights analysis, performing due diligence, IP consulting, licensing, IP portfolio management and more.

STRENTH IN IP DISPUTES

Y.P. Lee, Mock & Partners provides well reputed service in IP dispute matters. In collaboration with Yulchon, a top tier litigation firm that we formed a strategic alliance with in 2008, our litigation team has handled a number of high profile IP dispute cases, including Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics, in Korea.

OUR VISION

Members of Y.P. Lee, Mock & Partners share a unified vision and the same values. One of our principal objectives is to serve our clients by establishing stable, reliable, and long-term relationships. Another is to understand and anticipate our clients’ needs and interests and to continuously enhance our services to fully satisfy every need of our clients.

Firm overview

As a pioneer in the field of intellectual property (IP) and with a proud history as Korea’s oldest IP law firm, NAM IP Group is synonymous with excellence in intellectual property law in South Korea. Since our founding in 1952, our commitment to quality and excellence has been the cornerstone of our success.

In 2024, we underwent significant changes, rebranding from NAM & NAM to NAM IP Group and transitioning from a General Partnership (GP) to a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) to better accommodate our expanding team. These developments reflect our continuous evolution, building on the firm’s formidable 71-year legacy, and enhance our ability to attract and retain top talent in the field of patent law.

For over 71 years, both domestic and multinational clients have placed their trust in NAM IP Group. This trust is founded on the exceptional quality of our services, delivered by skilled professionals who provide effective solutions tailored to each client's specific needs. Our team is composed of experts selected based on specialized technological knowledge, ensuring that we are equipped to meet the demands of our global clients.

We are dedicated to IP-related matters and continuously expand our practice to provide clear and effective solutions for our clients' success. To maintain consistently the highest standards, we operate with systemized procedures adhering to strict quality management and information security protocols.

NAM IP Group boasts one of the largest and most comprehensive IP practices in South Korea, covering all forms of intellectual property and major technological fields, with particular expertise in electronics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, mechanics, brand protection, trademarks, and designs.

We stand ready to serve as your bridge to IP success in South Korea, in alignment with our firm’s motto: “PAVE the way for clients’ success.”

Our Core Values:
Prestigious: Our team consists of leading patent attorneys and lawyers who are recognized as experts in their respective fields. We strive to reflect this industry-leading status in the services we provide to our clients.

Accessible: We prioritize clear communication, timely updates, and a client-centered approach, ensuring that our services are easy to understand and highly responsive to client needs.

Value-Adding: NAM IP Group goes beyond providing legal advice by offering strategic insights, innovative solutions, and comprehensive support, tailored to each client's unique needs.

Efficient: We understand the importance of time in legal matters and are committed to delivering swift, effective solutions without compromising on quality. Our streamlined processes, advanced IT technology, and skilled professionals enable us to handle cases with speed and precision.

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.