Be careful! Some Labor Attorney’s are Not Lawyers & Some Labor Law firms are not law firms in Korea.

Justin:
I was shocked to hear that so called ‘labor attorneys’ are not lawyers in Korea.
No wonder why Korean Labor Attorney’s costs vary so much in Korea. Some quote costs quite low and claim to offer the same service

Isabel:
Actually, you have raised a very important issue that most non-Koreans would not know.
To clarify, 변호사 like myself, often called as attorney or legal counsel, are actual lawyers in Korea.
However, Nohmusa, often calling themselves as labor attorneys are not really lawyers.

Justin: Really? That is really odd because in my understanding the term ‘attorney’ can only be used after earning a JD and passing the bar exam. Do these labor attorneys have those qualifications?

Isabel : No. They have passed a separate exam which with no requirement of any level of education to pass this Nohmusa or labor attorney exam. Since they are not attorneys, they also cannot represent their clients in court, nor defend criminal cases related to labor law violations.

Justin:
This confusion could definitely mislead international clients….

Isabel:
A relationship with legal counsel is one based on trust and firm understanding of each other. If an HR issue was unresolved with the capabilities of a Nohmusa and escalated to the courts, a client would have to later hire a real lawyer, Byeonhosa to resolve the matter. Fortunately, at InterLEX, we are all fully licensed lawyers with abilities to aid our clients in all legal matters and represent them in court or any labor commission necessary.

Justin:
Then how about the term ‘labor law firm’. Are they really a ‘law firm with lawyers’?

Isabel:
No. This term is also used in a very confused manner.
The so called labor attorneys call their firms labor law firm, but they are technically no law firms, 법무법인 under the Korean law.

Many international clients think there are numerous labor law firms in Korea with real lawyers, however, it is important to differentiate those two.

Justin: Then how many true law firm are there in Korea, with the expertise in labor and employment?

Isabel: Excluding those giant law firm with numerous services, InterLEX is the only labor and employment law firm with international capability.

So called ‘labor law firms’ are not law firms.