South Korea’s dynamic economy, tech-savvy population, top-notch infrastructure and strong government support for innovation make it one of the most attractive destinations for startups and growing businesses in Asia. Whether you’re launching a small business in Korea or scaling a global brand or franchise into the Korean market, legal strategy and a good business-savvy guide plays a crucial role in success and a softlanding in Korea.
IPG Legal is a rated top-tier law firm that is known for guiding startups, entrepreneurs, and growth-stage companies through the complex regulatory, operational, and commercial landscapes of doing business in Korea. The firm’s Startup & Emerging Business Practice Group is led by Sean Hayes, one of the most respected and highest-rated foreign legal professionals in Korea and the only non-Korean to have worked for the Korean court system. He knows the business and legal landscape of Korea and China from the inside and even ran a start-up incubation center and was CEO of a franchise. He advises franchises, defense companies, financial companies, fintech companies, technolgoy companies, and other businesses in Korea, China and throughout much of Southeast Asia.
Why Startups Choose IPG Legal in Korea?
Startups in Korea face a unique mix of opportunity and challenge—from navigating strict regulatory frameworks to securing investment and IP protection in a fast-paced environment. IPG Legal offers a rare combination of local insight, international perspective, and business-minded legal solutions designed specifically for startups and growth companies.
Key services of IPG Legal include:
- Business Formation & Corporate Structuring
- Business and Investment Visas
- Shareholder Agreements and Founder Equity Planning
- Venture Capital & Private Equity Transactions
- Employment & Executive Contracts
- Data Privacy & IT Compliance
- Licensing, Franchising & Distribution Agreements
- Franchise Registration with the Korean FTC
- Intellectual Property Protection
- Regulatory Compliance (FSS, FSC, Ministry of SMEs, etc.)
- Cross-border Transaction Advisory
- Strategic Consulting
With English-speaking attorneys, accountants and business professionals and deep experience in Korean business law, IPG Legal helps foreign and domestic founders make street-smart legal decisions that support long-term growth while mitigating risks.
Meet Sean Hayes – Head of IPG’s Startup & Business Advisory Team
Sean Hayes, co-founder of IPG Legal, leads the firm’s practice for startups and emerging businesses. He is the first non-Korean attorneys to have worked for a Korean court and has built a reputation over two decades as a go-to legal advisor for foreign-invested companies and local startups.
Sean’s experience includes:
- Advising Korean and foreign entrepreneurs on launching and scaling ventures
- Structuring Korean subsidiaries and joint ventures for multinational firms
- Handling complex negotiations in cross-border transactions
- Representing clients in high-stakes commercial litigation and arbitration
- Supporting numerous tech, manufacturing, and consumer brands entering Korea
His unique ability to blend practical street-smart business advice with deep legal knowledge and understanding of Korean business makes him a trusted resource for founders and executives across industries.
EXPERIENCE OF SEAN HAYES
- Constitutional Court of Korea, Research Officer
- Associate Professor, Kookmin University College of Law
- Adj. Professor, Seoul National University, Graduate School of Public Administration
- Visiting Professor & Dean of International Relations, University for Peace
- Columnist & Ombudsman, Korea Times
- LA, United States Senate Steering Cmte. (Senator Larry Craig)
- Quoted by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, France 24, Bloomberg, Korea Times, and Korea Herald
- Ran for New York City Council and for New York Attorney General
EDUCATION
Seoul National University, Ph.D. Cand.
University of London, International Law
QU School of Law, J.D.
Fordham University/Fairfield University, BA
Notre Dame High School, West Haven, CT
ADMISSIONS/MEMBERSHIPS
Admitted to the New York State Bar
Member, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Member, International Bar Association
Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Member, NY Bar Association
Member, NY City Bar Association
AWARDS
Korea’s Top 100 Lawyers, Asia Business Law Journal
Korea’s Dispute Resolution Law Firm of the Year, Corp. Intl.
Who’s Who in Franchise Law.
Who’s Who in the World.
Excellent Rating (10/10), AVVO.
Best Advice Blog, K-Blog Awards.
Top 25 International Law Blog, LexisNexis.
Top Blogs, AVVO’s Listing of Blogs.
Who’s Who in Entertainment Law.
Top 10 Law Firms in Korea for Expats and Expat Businesses
PUBLICATIONS/TEACHING EXPERIENCE
U.S. Political Question Defined, American Journal of Constitutional Law (2015).
U.S. Political Question Application to Korean Constitutional Law, Korean Const. Court Journal (2014).
Korean Franchising, A Global Guide, Practical Law, Thomson Reuters (2018).
Korean Employment & Labor Law, Global Legal Insights 6th Edition, Global Legal Group (2018)
Korean Franchising, International Franchising Guide (2023)
The Korean Labor Market under the Moon Administration, 2018 Discovering Business, Allurentis (2018)
Korean Business in the Global Economy, Chapter in Book (2014).
Over 100 Op-Ed in various international publications.
Taught law classes for Santa Clara University; Seoul National University; Kookmin University; University for Peace; and the Supreme Court of Korea.
Doing Business in Korea
South Korea offers one of Asia’s most advanced startup ecosystems, backed by government initiatives like the K-Startup Grand Challenge and robust VC activity. However, without a proper legal foundation and a good business guide, companies can quickly face issues with compliance, labor, intellectual property, or tax issues.
IPG Legal offers startups the strategic legal insight needed to avoid costly mistakes, protect innovation, and stay focused on growth. The firm’s multidisciplinary team of Korean and international attorneys, accountants and business professional ensures that legal strategies align with both local law and global standards.
Free Legal Consultation
Whether you’re just exploring Korea’s market or actively scaling your company here, IPG Legal offers a no-cost initial consultation to assess your business’s legal needs.
To learn more or schedule a meeting with Sean Hayes and the startup advisory team, visit www.ipglegal.com and schedule a call with us.
Korean startup law firm, business law Korea, Sean Hayes IPG Legal, starting a business in Korea, foreign company Korea legal help, VC startup lawyer Seoul, South Korea corporate law, startup legal checklist Korea, expat business Korea legal advice, IPG Legal startup team
Discover more from The Korean Law Blog by IPG Legal Law Firm
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.