Partner
Byung Hwa LEE
Healthcare
Byung Hwa Lee is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group and the Compliance Practice Group of Lee & Ko. His practice expertise includes M&A, Healthcare, antitrust & competition, ESG, Anti-corruption and regulatory compliance. In particular, Mr. Lee has assisted many clients in establishing a corporate compliance system.
Prior to joining Lee & Ko in 2018, Mr. Lee worked as general counsel of 3M Korea for 10 years, managing all legal concerns and compliance matters within the company. Previously, he was a partner at Kim, Chang & Lee, where he advised numerous domestic and foreign companies on various corporate matters. With over 25 years of extensive in-house and law firm experience, Mr. Lee is highly qualified to partner with the client, understand its specific needs and provide viable and tangible solutions.
Mr. Lee is also very active in various professional associations and organizations devoted to promoting excellence in the legal profession. He is currently a vice president of the Korean Bar Association (KBA) and the chair of the KBA International Affairs Committee. He also formerly served as the president of the Korea In-House Counsel Association and the chair of the KBA In-House Counsel Committee, and has had a wide range of interactions with in-house counsels and professionals in various industries.
Prior to joining Lee & Ko in 2018, Mr. Lee worked as general counsel of 3M Korea for 10 years, managing all legal concerns and compliance matters within the company. Previously, he was a partner at Kim, Chang & Lee, where he advised numerous domestic and foreign companies on various corporate matters. With over 25 years of extensive in-house and law firm experience, Mr. Lee is highly qualified to partner with the client, understand its specific needs and provide viable and tangible solutions.
Mr. Lee is also very active in various professional associations and organizations devoted to promoting excellence in the legal profession. He is currently a vice president of the Korean Bar Association (KBA) and the chair of the KBA International Affairs Committee. He also formerly served as the president of the Korea In-House Counsel Association and the chair of the KBA In-House Counsel Committee, and has had a wide range of interactions with in-house counsels and professionals in various industries.
Education
| 2004 | Vanderbilt University Law School - LL.M. |
|---|---|
| 2001 | Advanced Legal Course (Labor Law), Seoul National University |
| 2000 | Advanced Legal Course (Competition Law), Seoul National University |
| 1998 | Judicial Research and Training Institute, Supreme Court of Korea |
| 1995 | Graduate School of Law, Seoul National University – LL.M. |
| 1992 | Seoul National University, College of Law - LL.B. |
Work Experience
| 2018-Present | Lee & Ko |
|---|---|
| 2023-present | Vice President, Korean Bar Association |
| 2022-present | Co-representative, Carbon Reduction Forum |
| 2021-2023 | Chair, International Affairs Committee, Korean Bar Association |
| 2021-2022 | Advisory Committee Member for Enactment of Code of Conduct for Public Officials, Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission |
| 2018 | Advisory Committee Member for Revision of Guidance for Corporate Compliance Program, Ministry of Justice |
| 2017-2018 | Operation Committee Member, The Judicial Research &Training Institute |
| 2016-2018 | Chair, Special Committee for In-House Counsels, Korean Bar Association |
| 2016-2018 | President, Korea In-House Counsel Association |
| 2016-2017 | Director, Ethics Officer Association, the Federation of the Korean Industries |
| 2015-2017 | Ombudsman, Korean Film Council |
| 2013-present | Arbitrator, The Korean Commercial Arbitration Board |
| 2011-2013 | Civil Legislative Officer, Ministry of Government Legislation |
| 2008-2017 | General Counsel, 3M Korea Ltd. |
| 2007-2011 | Introductory Lecturer, Korea Copyright Commission |
| 2005-2007 | Lecturer on Copyright Law, Graduate School of Visual Arts, Sejong University |
| 2000-2001 | KFTC defense lawyer |
| 1998-2008 | Associate & Partner, Kim, Chang & Lee |
Languages
| English and Korean |
Publications / Presentations / ETC
- ‘Corporate Legal Risks and Compliance (focusing on Anti-Money Laundering)’ (Bithumb Korea, 2021 & 2022)
- ‘How to Establish Compliance Management System’ (Korea Inhouse Counsel Association, 2021)
- ‘Study on Expansion of Attorney-Client Privilege in Korea’ (Legislative Hearing at the National Assembly of Korea, 2020)
- ‘Effective Compliance Management System for Companies’ (Legislative Symposium co-hosted by the Office of Legislation and Korean Bar Association, 2019)
- ‘Corporate Legal Risks and Needs to Establish Compliance Management System’ (Academy for Young Lawyers, Korean Bar Association) 2019)
- 'OECD Multinational Enterprises Guidelines and Improvement of Human Rights Management' (The Korean Commercial Arbitration Board, 2017)
- 'Recent Domestic Trend and Policy Issues on Opening of Korean Law Market' (National Assembly Research Service, 2017)
- 'Attorney-Client Privilege under Korean Law' (Korean Bar Association, 2017)
- 'Privilege in International Arbitration' (Seoul International Dispute Resolution Center, 2017)
- 'Role and Responsibility of In-house Counsels' (Korea University Law School, 2017)
- 'Compliance and Business Ethics' (Fair Player Club Seminar, UN Global Compact, 2016)
- 'C-Suite Compliance & Risk Management' (American Chambers of Commerce, 2016)
- 'Improvement Plan for Ethical Management in Response to the Enforcement of Anti-Graft Law (The Federation of the Korean Industries, 2016)
- 'Professional Ethics of In-house Counsels' (Yonsei University Law School, 2016)
- 'The Legal Implications of Covenants Not to Compete' (Vanderbilt University Law School, LL.M. Article, 2004)
- 'Study on Procedural Legitimacy of Dismissal' (National Agricultural Corporative Federation, 2002)
- 'How to Legally Protect the Rights of the Third Party Who has a Stake in Business Combination' (Advanced Legal Course, Seoul National University, 2000)
