[Invest&Law] Even Large Law Firms Are Welcoming '70s Generation' Professionals

Group Leaders Now in Their Late 40s to Mid-50s
Titles Change as Age Range Drops
Transition from Founding Generation to Junior Generation

The law firm industry is getting younger. From the end of 2024, the age range of group leaders at major law firms has lowered to the late 40s. It appears that a generational shift is also taking place among the lawyers responsible for practical groups.

Major Law Firms Implement Generational Shift

At the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, many lawyers appointed as group leaders at major law firms were found to be in their late 40s to mid-50s. At Law Firm Kwangjang, the new head of the Corporate Advisory Group is attorney Moon Hojun (54, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 27), and the new head of the Financial Securities Group is attorney Oh Hyunju (56, class 28).

Law Firm Taepyungyang significantly lowered the ages and training institute classes of its group leaders. The title was also changed to ‘Group Manager.’ Attorney Kim Sangmin (46, class 37) was appointed as the manager of the HR Group. Attorney Kim Hojin (49, class 35) was appointed as the Banking and Capital Unit Manager. Additionally, attorney Lee Hyuk (54, class 26) was appointed as Litigation and Arbitration Group Manager, attorney Nam Moonki (52, class 30) as IP Group Manager, attorney Noh Mieun (52, class 31) as Financial Regulation Unit Manager, attorney Kang Taewook (52, class 31) as TMT Unit Manager, attorney Yoon Jeongno (45, class 36) as Financial Litigation Unit Manager, and attorney Ahn Hyojun (44, class 38) as Healthcare Unit Manager.

Law Firm Sejong appointed attorney Jeong Seonggu (53, class 25) as head of the Financial Regulation Group, attorney Park Youngseok (49, class 34) as head of the International Disputes Group, attorney Lee Seungsu (53, class 31) as head of Litigation Group 1, attorneys Lee Won (55, class 26) and Moon Heechun (52, class 32) as heads of Litigation Group 2. Attorney Lim Bokyung (55, class 30) was appointed as head of the IP Group. At Law Firm Yulchon, attorney Park Jaehyun (49, class 30) was appointed as head of the C&F Group, and attorneys Lee Jaegun (52, class 28) and Oh Junghan (54, class 30) as heads of the Litigation Group. Attorneys Jeon Youngjun (51, class 30) and Kim Geunjae (48, class 34) were appointed as heads of the Tax Group. Attorney Kim Namho (52, class 31) was appointed as head of the Real Estate and Construction Group.

Law Firm Hwawoo appointed attorney Jeong Hyunseok (53, class 33) as head of Financial Group 1, attorney Kang Seongun (51, class 34) as head of Financial Group 2, attorney Park Changgeun (54, class 33) as head of the Labor Group, attorney Jeon Wankyu (53, class 31) as head of the Tax Group, and attorney Hong Seunggu (55, class 28) as head of the Construction and Public Procurement Group. Law Firm Jipyung also saw a significant lowering of group leaders’ ages. Attorney Song Hansa (49, class 33) was appointed as head of the Construction and Real Estate Group, attorney Park Sangbae (51, class 36) as head of the Financial Advisory Group, attorney Yoo Jeonghan (47, class 37) as head of the Financial Regulation Group, and attorney Lee Seokjae (49, class 31) as head of the REITs Fund Group. Attorney Ahn Jungseong (41, class 42) was appointed as head of the Capital Markets and PE Group. Attorney Lee Byungju (50, class 34) was appointed as head of the Fair Trade Group, attorney Jeong Cheol (50, class 31) as head of the International Group, and attorney Kwon Younghwan (46, passed Bar Exam 3rd) as head of the Serious Accident Response Center.

Law Firm Bareun appointed attorney Yoo Seonggeun (56, class 30) as head of the Asset Management Group and attorney Lee Wongeun (53, class 29) as head of the Commercial and Corporate Litigation Group. Law Firm Daeryuk Aju appointed attorneys Jo Yonggi (61, class 30), Park Byungsam (59, class 27), Jeong Woojung (53, class 30), and Choi Jongsun (53, class 30) as group leaders in the Litigation division. Attorneys Lee Sangbong (56, class 28), Kim Sangyeon (57, class 31), Lee Wangmin (56, class 33), and foreign attorney Lim Seonghun were appointed as advisory group leaders. Attorneys Kim Dongju (54, class 26) and Kim Hyeonggil (60, class 24) were appointed as group leaders in the C&C division.

"Founding Generation Fades, a Natural Phenomenon"

The younger age range and lower Judicial Research and Training Institute classes of group leaders at major law firms are seen as a natural transition within the law firm industry. It is considered a breeze that came with the shift from the founding generation to the junior generation. A lawyer at a major law firm said, "The juniors who have inherited the experience of their seniors are settling in, and thus the overall operation of the law firm is gradually becoming more stable."

There is also an analysis that the legal community is following the overall social trend. Another lawyer at a major law firm said, "As younger leaders increase in various sectors including corporate executives, the representatives of law firms and each group who become their business partners also seem to be getting younger," adding, "Law firms have no choice but to follow social changes."

Han Suhyun, Legal Times Reporter

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

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