About SMA Lawfirm
Licensed Korean Attorneys Serving Global Businesses
SMA Lawfirm is a boutique corporate law firm serving 200+ foreign companies establishing operations in South Korea. Our licensed attorneys bring 10+ years of experience from Korea's most prestigious institutions:
- Kim & Chang — Korea's largest and most internationally recognized law firm
- Ministry of Justice, Republic of Korea — government regulatory and policy experience
- Public Prosecutors' Office — litigation and enforcement background
This elite training allows us to navigate Korean corporate law, tax regulations, and immigration requirements with precision — delivering practical, business-oriented solutions in fluent English.
Located in Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu — one of Seoul's most prestigious legal and financial districts — SMA operates from its own stand-alone building at 74-12, Yulgok-ro 3-gil. Our boutique model ensures every client receives senior attorney attention without the overhead and complexity of large-firm bureaucracy.
Managing Attorney
Donghyeon Kim founded SMA Lawfirm after practicing at Kim & Chang and serving in the Ministry of Justice and Public Prosecutors' Office. Educated at Korea's top-tier law schools, he specializes in:
- Cross-border M&A and foreign direct investment — advising multinational corporations and venture-backed startups on market entry, regulatory compliance, and investment structures
- Corporate governance and commercial transactions — shareholder agreements, joint ventures, licensing deals, and dispute resolution
- Immigration and visa strategy — D-8 investor visas, E-7 work permits, and F-series permanent residency pathways
Track Record
This combination of private practice and government experience gives SMA clients a strategic advantage when navigating Korea's regulatory environment.
Practice Areas
Comprehensive legal services for foreign businesses in Korea
Corporate & Commercial Law
Company formation (LLC, JSC, branch, liaison), shareholder agreements, M&A transactions, joint ventures, corporate governance, and commercial contract drafting and negotiation.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
Market entry strategy, foreign investment registration, corporate bank account setup, regulatory compliance, and coordination with Korean government agencies — all in English.
Immigration & Visa Services
D-8 investor visas, D-9 trade visas, E-7 special work permits, F-2/F-5 residency applications, and corporate immigration compliance for hiring foreign employees.
Real Estate & Leasing
Commercial lease negotiations, real estate acquisition for foreign investors, property registration, development project structuring, and construction contract review.
Dispute Resolution
Commercial litigation, arbitration, mediation, shareholder disputes, contract enforcement, and debt collection with a practical, business-first approach.
Why Global Clients Choose SMA
Elite credentials with boutique service at transparent pricing
No Korean Language Required
We handle all Korean-language communications with government agencies, banks, notaries, and counterparties — maintaining a fully English workflow with you via structured email updates.
Transparent, Fixed-Fee Pricing
Clear fees with no hidden costs. We provide detailed proposals separating legal fees, government charges, and third-party expenses before engagement — no hourly billing surprises.
Elite Credentials, Boutique Attention
10+ years experience at Kim & Chang and the Ministry of Justice, combined with the responsiveness and partner-level focus of a boutique firm. Every client works directly with senior attorneys.
Time-Zone Friendly Workflow
Asynchronous communication via email and secure document sharing allows overseas founders to manage incorporation without scheduling conflicts or late-night calls.
200+ Foreign Companies Served
Proven track record with venture-backed startups, multinational subsidiaries, and individual entrepreneurs from North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Ready to Incorporate in Korea?
Contact us or start your secure intake — we respond within 1 business day with a tailored consultation.