[Contribution] K-Pop, K-Culture, Next is K-Law Firm Export

Now is the era of legal export, and the Korean Bar Association and the government need to work together.

In the world, artificial intelligence, digital asset norms, ESG proliferation, and visa issues are affecting society as a whole beyond the economy. In addition, the rise of Legal Tech is changing the trend of the global legal market.

This is not just a problem for companies. Individuals preparing to work, study abroad, immigrate, and the general public making investments are all being affected. Legal issues such as visas, international taxes, and digital copyrights have already become part of our daily lives. The recent US visa crisis remains a representative example of how vulnerable not only large corporations but also individuals are to the unstable international legal environment.

In this situation, Daeryun Law Firm established local law firms in New York and Washington D.C., USA. It is significant in that it is not a simple office expansion, but a local foundation and preparations to provide services through the ‘one firm system’ to global companies. Daeryun operates from its headquarters so that all branches can be managed within the headquarters system. Currently, it is designed so that you can receive the same quality of service no matter which office you visit at home or abroad, and this is an important foundation for establishing the standardization and trust required by the global market.

In addition, we are gaining experience by directly solving practical tasks such as complex documents and permits, recruiting local talent, and HR systems during the overseas expansion process. This is a process that goes beyond expanding legal services and accumulating know-how about the overall operation of an overseas law firm. It will also be important information and an asset for other domestic law firms seeking to expand overseas in the future.

Pioneering a new path is never easy. There are many walls to overcome, such as differences in systems and culture, unexpected regulations, and differences in language and work methods. I do not think that the experience gained through this process is unique to Daeryun. We believe that it is an asset that the entire domestic legal community can utilize together, and that it can serve as a practical guide for other law firms and lawyers. We went through a lot of trial and error to expand overseas, and it took manpower, money, and time, but we plan to share all of this know-how with related industries.

However, the efforts of private law firms alone are not enough. National support and the role of the Korean Bar Association are essential for domestic law firms to establish themselves in overseas markets and for lawyers to increase their international competitiveness. Supporting the establishment and operation of overseas law firms, nurturing talent in the fields of international disputes and investments, and expanding global networks are more urgent than ever. Major countries in the United States, Europe, and Asia are already fostering legal services as a strategic industry. If the domestic legal market is late in responding, the opportunity will pass to competing countries.

The domestic legal market has already been opened in stages through the implementation of the Korea-US FTA and the Foreign Legal Consultants Act. Currently, large global law firms are entering the market and expanding their influence on domestic companies and the private sector. According to a National Tax Service investigation last year, Korean companies paid a record 3.128 trillion won in legal service fees to foreign law firms in 2024. From this survey result alone, it is possible to guess the extent of the imbalance in the domestic and overseas law firm markets.

Therefore, the establishment of Daeryun's New York and Washington offices is only the beginning. Domestic legal tech companies are also actively exploring the global market through investment and overseas expansion. Artificial intelligence-based contract review, e-discovery solutions, and digital litigation platforms are already attracting attention in the Asian and North American markets and are expanding their collaboration models.

Therefore, in order for these individual achievements to become assets to the entire Korean legal profession, institutional support from the Korean Bar Association and policy and economic support at the national level are essential.

The domestic legal profession must no longer remain within the country. When we compete fiercely and create opportunities on the international stage, the domestic legal market can open an ‘era of K-law’ that connects the success of K-culture and K-beauty.

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