Law firm YK, which has drawn attention in the legal community for its recent aggressive expansion, offered a starting salary of 170 million won for new lawyers set to graduate next year. Comparable to the so-called top "six major law firms," the offer is expected to significantly affect the junior lawyer hiring market, which had been sluggish.
◇YK offers starting pay on par with the six major law firms... strengthens corporations group
According to legal sources on the 4th, YK posted a notice on the Seoul Bar Association bulletin board on the 29th that it would hire a small number of new lawyers for its corporations group by the 13th, targeting law school students scheduled to graduate in Feb. 2026. Founded in 2012, YK ranked No. 7 among law firms last year with revenue of 169.4 billion won, following Kim & Chang, Bae, Kim & Lee, Shin & Kim, Lee & Ko, YulChon, and HwaWoo.
The most eye-catching condition in YK's notice is an "annual salary of 170 million won (pre-tax)." In response to a query from ChosunBiz, YK said, "170 million won is the base salary, and we do not reduce or differentiate pay due to a probationary period or other reasons."
As for the basis for setting the pay level, it said, "Considering YK's current position in the legal market, we applied a pay table on par with existing large law firms."
Benefits include holiday gifts, health checkup support, a half-day off on birthdays, and a guaranteed 1 hour and 20 minutes for lunch. A person at a mid-sized law firm in Seocho-dong said, "Offering 170 million won to new lawyers reads as a message to compete head-on with large firms in the talent war."
YK's offer of a high salary appears to be a strategy aimed at expanding its presence in the corporations legal market. Having stood out in criminal practice, YK has recently been expanding its organization into a structure that encompasses corporate advisory and litigation. The intent is to build presence in "large advisory projects" and "major cases" in the corporate field.
Large firms such as the six major law firms typically add new lawyers by offering internships to law students after their first year, effectively securing them in advance. As a relative latecomer, YK has jumped into the talent acquisition race by offering a high starting salary.
A YK official said it was "a strategy to attract top talent," adding, "We are also preparing incentive and other motivation programs for lawyers already in the corporations group."
◇"Good news" for aspiring legal professionals weary of AI
Law school students and expected graduates are responding positively. With the increase in the supply of lawyers and the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI), starting pay at some small law offices has fallen to the 3 million to 4 million won per month range, raising hopes that this notice could become a benchmark.
The legal community is watching whether YK's move will spark changes in the staffing structure centered on large firms. A student set to graduate from a Seoul law school in Feb. said, "If YK raises the starting salary, mid-sized firms and others will have no choice but to pay more attention to treatment when hiring new lawyers," adding, "It's good news for newcomers entering the job market."
YK said, "Securing talent that matches our stature is the top priority over any external ripple effects," adding, "We will continue to expand our business areas and pursue a reasonable compensation policy for our members."