[Invest&Law]Growing the AI Advisory Market... Major Law Firms Mobilize Dedicated Teams

Copyright Issues in Training Data and Responses to Overseas Regulations
Demand Surges Following AI Basic Act
Law Firms Restructure for "End-to-End Advisory"
AI Advisory Becomes Integral to Corporate Risk Management

Following the implementation of the Basic Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, major law firms are accelerating organizational restructuring to secure leadership in the AI advisory market. While AI advisory demand previously focused on personal data, information security, and intellectual property (IP) reviews, it has recently broadened to encompass issues such as the classification of high-impact AI, training data copyright, AI governance, data center permits, and responses to overseas regulations. Law firms are forming dedicated teams that combine regulatory and technical experts, promoting comprehensive “end-to-end advisory” services covering everything from AI service planning and launch to operation and dispute management.

According to the legal community on July 1, Kim & Chang has established and is operating an AI team within its Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) group. Centered around approximately 70 TMT specialist attorneys, the structure incorporates experts in personal data, intellectual property, fair trade, healthcare, finance, taxation, and automotive, alongside AI and IT consulting personnel. Kim & Chang reviews legal risks that arise from the business planning stage through to the actual launch and operation of services and solutions, and provides governance building and IT/system consulting for the implementation and operation of corporate AI systems. The AI team is led by attorneys Bang Sunghyun, Noh Taeyoung, and Ma Kyungtae, as well as senior advisor Kim Yongsoo, a former Vice Minister of Science and ICT.

Pacific Law Group (Bae, Kim & Lee LLC) was the first among domestic law firms to launch an AI team in 2019. Led by attorneys Kang Taeuk, Park Jiyeon, and Yoon Juho, the team includes more than 40 experts and is supported by senior advisor Cho Kyungsik, a former Vice Minister of Science and ICT, and senior advisor Heo Sungwook, former president of the National IT Industry Promotion Agency. Pacific Law Group is known for its strength in analyzing not only individual AI legal issues but also industry-specific regulations and global legislative trends. Park Jiyeon, head of the TMT group at Pacific, explained, “We review the unique regulations applicable to each industry—such as finance, fair trade, energy, and data—and present practical implementation and utilization strategies.”

Shin & Kim established its AI Center in January 2024. The center is headed by senior advisor Kang Dohyun, a former official at the Ministry of Science and ICT, with attorney Noh Jinhong serving as secretary. The advisory team includes managing partner Kang Shinwook, attorney An Jungho, former Personal Information Protection Commission chairperson Yoon Jongin, former KISA Cyber Incident Response Center director Choi Kwanghee, senior advisor Oh Youngwoo, and about 50 other experts. Shin & Kim distinguishes itself by offering “data flow” analysis work, which involves examining the entire lifecycle of corporate data—from creation and storage to use and disposal—and proposing stage-specific risk and improvement strategies.

Lee & Ko expanded and reorganized the IT/Data division of its existing TMT group in April 2024 to launch the “Tech & AI Team.” This organization brings together around 100 attorneys and regulatory experts from all areas affected by technology regulation, including data and personal information, IT and information security, intellectual property, digital finance and healthcare, technology disputes, fair trade, and trade. Lee & Ko has observed that recent corporate inquiries are shifting from reviewing the legality of individual services to seeking advice on designing company-wide AI utilization frameworks—AI governance and AI transformation (AX) project advisory.

Yulchon provides AI advisory services mainly through its IP & Tech Convergence Group, established in August 2021. The group comprises more than 90 experts in AI, intellectual property, information security, big data, fintech, and related fields. Earlier this year, Yulchon established an AI Data Center (AIDC) Center and is currently advising on early-stage AIDC development projects for major domestic conglomerates. The firm has also signed a business agreement with the LG AI Research Institute for collaboration on the “Exaone Nexus” project, a service for verifying the sources and licenses of AI training data. Attorney Lim Hyungju, who leads the AIDC team, stated, “Going forward, AI competitiveness will be determined not only by technological performance but also by the legitimacy and reliability of data utilization.”

HwaWoo is also responding to these trends through an AI Center with about 20 experts. Attorney Lee Geunwoo, who participated in the AI Legislative Reform Task Force at the Ministry of Science and ICT, serves as head of the center, joined by attorney Lee Gwanguk, a member of the National AI Strategy Committee Task Force, and attorney Lee Sugyeong, who has handled issues related to the Information and Communications Network Act and the Location Information Act. HwaWoo advises on corporate AI ethics declarations and internal guidelines, the applicability of the Basic AI Act to business operators, and whether an AI system qualifies as high-risk AI under the European Union’s AI Act, as well as other compliance matters for domestic and international regulations.

Within the legal industry, there is a growing consensus that AI advisory services are evolving beyond simple legal reviews to become a key component of corporate risk management. Ko Hwanhwang, head of the Tech & AI Team at Lee & Ko, commented, “Corporate concerns are shifting beyond the legality of individual services to the broader question of how to design an overall AI utilization framework—in other words, establishing AI governance.” Attorney Noh Jinhong, secretary of Shin & Kim’s AI Center, remarked, “In the AI field, it is often impossible to delay business until clear legal answers are established, so it is crucial to present companies with concrete guidance on the permissible scope of business and the necessary safeguards.”

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