Jeong Seong-won, managing attorney of Law Firm Sya (7th bar exam), now in its third year, met with us on the 24th in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, and said, "In the provinces, there are many 'gray-area' cases where the scale is large but a high level of expertise is required, making it unclear who should handle them between big Seoul law firms and local offices."
Law Firm Sya was founded in Apr. 2024 in Changwon, South Gyeongsang. All four attorneys graduated from Seoul National University School of Law. The firm focuses on urban redevelopment, construction disputes, and real estate development (PF), and is expanding into legal advisory work for corporations to match Changwon's character as a manufacturing-centered city.
Within one year of founding, it posted about 2 billion won in annual revenue. As attorneys with hands-on experience in rehabilitation, construction, insurance, and redevelopment joined, the organization and its case portfolio have been growing quickly.
Jeong said, "It's a structure where cases either end up going up to Seoul law firms, or they are given to local firms and hit response limits, over and over," adding, "We are targeting the empty market in between, based on expertise and on-the-ground responsiveness." The following is a Q&A with Jeong.
─What led you to establish the law firm in Changwon.
"Changwon is a leading domestic manufacturing city and a region where reconstruction and redevelopment are both active. Demand for cases is high, but structurally, legal services are polarized.
Large Seoul law firms are hard to access, and small local firms struggle to handle complex PF or urban redevelopment matters. As cases grow, the structure of moving them to Seoul has become entrenched.
We are aiming for this middle ground. We built a model that provides Seoul-level legal services by seeing sites firsthand and communicating immediately with cooperatives and corporations."
─You worked in Seoul before returning to Changwon. What was the background.
"There were talks of starting a firm in Seoul, and offers to team up with classmates in Gangnam. When I said I would come to Changwon, there was considerable opposition around me.
But over time, more clients in Changwon and South Gyeongsang sought me out, and I concluded this market is not simply a "provincial market." In the end, I returned to my hometown to build a structure that could compete with Seoul."
─Is the name "Sya" related to Seoul National University.
"It is true we drew from the symbol of Seoul National University, but it does not mean we want to stress academic pedigree. 'Sya' also means "king (Shah)" in Persian. It carries the intent to be a protector that provides clients with the best legal services.
At first, many said the name felt unfamiliar, but once they entrusted us with cases, we often heard evaluations that "the results live up to the name." In fact, many ask whether it means "Persian king" rather than Seoul National University."
─This is the firm's third year. What results have you achieved.
"Within one year of founding, we posted about 2 billion won in annual revenue. More important than the raw number is the structure. There is steady demand in urban redevelopment, construction, and advisory for corporations. Recently, experienced attorneys in rehabilitation, insurance, and reconstruction have joined, changing the quality of the cases we handle."
─What are the differences between local firms and Seoul firms.
"If Seoul is centered on finance and large transactions (deals), Changwon has many manufacturing-related corporate cases and urban redevelopment matters such as reconstruction and redevelopment.
In particular, urban redevelopment and construction disputes involve not only legal issues but also intertwined finance, construction, administration, and project structures, so expertise and on-the-ground responsiveness are key.
Law Firm Sya combines expertise with the ability to deploy to sites immediately and communicate, giving it a structure that can compete with Seoul firms."
─What are some representative cases.
"In the Masan Hyeopseong District 4 redevelopment project, we handled and resolved a construction cost dispute between the cooperative and the builder, and we also won a case for the return of a system air-conditioner deposit in a suit by the Yulha regional housing cooperative in Gimhae.
In real estate disputes, cases are entrusted to Seoul firms when projects are running smoothly, but when conflicts grow, many seek local attorneys. That is because the key to resolving disputes is "speed of on-site response.""
─You also advise manufacturers.
"Changwon is dense with auto parts industries. We provide legal advisory services to mid-sized local manufacturers, including Samjin Mobility, a partner of Hyundai Motor.
For example, a single finished vehicle product is linked to dozens of parts suppliers, making defect liability intricately intertwined. We advise on these liability allocation disputes. We also provide ongoing advisory services for corporations on contracts, labor, and regulations."
─Seventy-five percent of private practitioners are in Seoul. What advice would you give to attorneys who want to work in the regions.
"There is a large gap between big Seoul firms and small law offices in the regions. If you build clear expertise in this space, there are even more opportunities. What matters is not the "scale of cases" but the "focus area." Being close to the field enables competitiveness in responsiveness.
In particular, I believe there are even more and more dynamic opportunities to work while breathing with the local community than in Seoul."