One in Three Lawyers Is Now a Woman: From a Breeze to a Storm in the Legal Profession

Status of Female Lawyers at Major Law Firms on International Women's Day, March 8

Rapid Growth from 2.6% in 2000

Entering Key Positions at Major Law Firms

As the number of female legal professionals surpasses 12,000, accounting for about one-third of all lawyers in Korea, six out of the eleven major law firms have reported that women make up more than 30% of their total lawyers. Among partners, Jipyong LLC recorded the highest female partner ratio at 28.66%, nearly reaching 30%, followed by Yulchon LLC at 25.16%.

According to the Korean Bar Association, as of March 4, 2026, among the total of 38,161 lawyers, 12,577 are women, representing 32.96%. The proportion of female lawyers has been rapidly increasing from 2.6% in 2000, 11.9% in 2010, and 29.8% in 2020.

The Law Times

Up to 37.3%... Partners Around 20%

In recognition of International Women's Day (March 8), a review of the status of female lawyers at major law firms found that among the eleven firms which disclosed specific figures, the proportion of female lawyers ranged from a high of 37.27% to a low of 18.52%. Jipyong LLC had the highest proportion, followed by Bae, Kim & Lee LLC at over 35%, YK Law LLC at 35.61%, Sejong LLC at 32.70%, Daeryook & AJU LLC at 32.60%, and Yulchon LLC at 32.18%, all exceeding 30%.

Despite the increase in the number of female lawyers at major law firms, the proportion of female partners remains relatively low. Among the major firms, five have female partner ratios in the 10% range, and another five in the 20% range. Bae, Kim & Lee LLC did not disclose relevant figures. Jipyong LLC (28.66%) and Yulchon LLC (25.16%) reported comparatively higher ratios.

Serving as Group Leaders and Center Directors

Female legal professionals are expanding their presence by taking on key positions such as group leaders and center directors.

At Kim & Chang, lawyer Kim Seyoun (23rd class) is making her mark in international arbitration, having been appointed as the first Korean female standing member of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) Court of Arbitration.

At Bae, Kim & Lee LLC, lawyer Park Jiyeon (31st class) serves as the TMT Group Leader. Park has advised on the Korea Communications Commission's investigation into TikTok, and handled international arbitration regarding the sale of the Mugunghwa 3 satellite by KT and KTSAT. Lawyer Ahn Hyojun (38th class) leads the Healthcare Group, and lawyer Bae Jeonghyun (33rd class), a specialist in capital markets and financial investment litigation, handled the securities class action related to NH Investment & Securities' Pado IPO.

At Sejong LLC, lawyer Lee Sookmi (34th class), who recently represented former Ador CEO Min Heejin and led her to victory in a 25.5 billion won put option lawsuit against HYBE, now heads the shareholder management rights dispute team. Former Naver director Jeong Yeona (32nd class) leads the New Industry Platform Team and serves as co-director of the Pangyo Branch Office; Song Sooyoung (39th class) leads the ESG Center.

At Lee & Ko, lawyer Oh Hyunju (28th class) has served as head of the Finance & Securities Group since March 2025. In 2024, Oh became the first female member of the firm’s Operating Committee. Pharmacist-turned-lawyer Park Geumnang (31st class) co-leads the Healthcare Group.

At Yulchon LLC, lawyer Kim Sunhee (36th class) leads the Data & Tech Team and participates in policy research activities, such as the AI Basic Act Subordinate Legislation Task Force. Lawyer Kim Sinae (40th class) has expertise in international insolvency based on her experience representing global corporations abroad. Lawyer Shin Hyunhwa (32nd class) is responsible for M&A and corporate legal affairs in the Corporate & Finance (C&F) Group.

At Hwawoo LLC, lawyer Lim Heesung (37th class) is the head of the Digital Forensics Center. Lawyer Woo Sooyeon (35th class) specializes in disputes and advisory work related to finance and capital markets, while lawyer Lee Sejeong (36th class), who holds a U.S. bar license, has handled numerous overseas IP disputes for domestic companies within the Intellectual Property Group.

At YK Law LLC, lawyer Bae Ingoo (25th class), a former presiding judge at the Seoul Family Court, leads the Family Inheritance and Business Succession Center. Lawyer Jo Inseon (40th class), who specializes in family and labor law, is the head of the Serious Accident Center, and lawyer Jo Hanna (5th bar exam) is the head of the Counseling Strategy Headquarters.

At Jipyong LLC, foreign lawyer Kim Jinhee leads the International Group. Kim successfully led SIAC arbitration cases against Chinese companies and ICC arbitration cases against a Nicaraguan construction firm. Song Hansah (33rd class), who previously served as an Administrative Appeals Committee member at the Presidential Secretariat, heads the Construction & Real Estate Group. Former Jipyong management committee member Lee Soyoung (31st class) is active in the IP & IT Group, providing advisory on regulatory sandbox operations, legal revisions, and designation of advanced strategic technologies.

At Barun Law LLC, Lee Younghee (29th class) became the first person to join a major law firm as an associate and rise to representative. Lawyer Kim Jinsook (22nd class), who was the first head of the Women and Children Crime Investigation Division at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, works in the Criminal Group; Lee Jaesook (31st class), who served as senior vice president of the Korean Women Lawyers Association, is active in the Construction & Real Estate Group.

At Daeryook & AJU LLC, lawyer Lee Jeongran (37th class) serves as head of the Fair Trade Team. In 2022, Lee was the first woman in her 40s to be appointed as a representative lawyer at a major law firm, drawing attention. Lawyer Kim Shinhee (31st class), who previously led the Litigation Division at the Seoul Regional Tax Office, heads the Tax Team.

At DR & AJU LLC, former Supreme Court Justice Park Boyoung (16th class) joined in August 2025 to strengthen litigation capabilities. DR & AJU LLC has the largest number of female partner lawyers in its Litigation Group.

Breaking the 'Glass Ceiling' Through Professionalism

Yoon Sohyun (3rd bar exam), a lawyer at Daeryook & AJU LLC who has practiced at law firms since 2014, commented, "It is no longer unfamiliar to see conference rooms filled with female lawyers." She emphasized, "At performance-driven law firms, professionalism and work competence are ultimately the most important evaluation factors, and it is also important to consider the ecosystem of the organization."

A partner lawyer at a major law firm said, "While the number of female lawyers continues to increase, there is still a glass ceiling at the partner level and above due to childcare burdens and limitations on networking and business development activities. However, regardless of gender, it is important to develop one's own expertise."

Reporter Seo Hayoun, The Law Times

Reporter Shin Nayoung, The Law Times

※This article is based on content supplied by Law Times.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.