About the job

***Please do not apply to this position unless you are Korean/English bilingual AND authorized to work in the U.S. without employment visa sponsorship.***

Organization Overview:

KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) is a Korean government agency established under the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy. Through its 129 offices in 84 countries (8 offices in the U.S.), KOTRA promotes international trade and investment, drives the nation’s economic development, and builds prosperity for the global community. KOTRA New York’s IP-DESK, a program funded by the Korean Intellectual Property Office, offers guidance and institutional support to U.S.-bound Korean entrepreneurs in securing and protecting their intellectual property rights. IP-DESK provides preliminary legal research and counseling services, administers government subsidies, issues IP newsletters, and hosts lectures and other events.

Position Overview:

KOTRA New York welcomes a highly driven individual to join its IP-DESK team as Legal Counsel. This is a terrific opportunity for a Korean/English bilingual attorney who embraces KOTRA’s public mission while seeking professional growth. This person will report directly to New York IP-DESK’s Managing Attorney and perform the following key responsibilities:

– Address client inquiries and provide guidance through daily client interaction and communication
– Examine subsidy applications, perform eligibility screening, refer matters to the affiliated law firms, track progress, review and inspect final work product, and process subsidy payments
– Enter key performance indicators in KOTRA’s internal management system
– Administer and manage New York IP-DESK’s annual budget
– Prepare monthly and weekly progress reports to the KOTRA headquarters
– Assist Managing Attorney in (1) organizing lectures, workshops, conferences, webinars, and outreach events, (2) drafting articles on the latest intellectual property law and policy developments, (3) publishing books and white papers, and (4) drafting and negotiating agreements on behalf of KOTRA
– Perform legal research and written analysis on various intellectual property and cross-border business issues
– Develop and produce educational videos for New York IP-DESK’s YouTube channel
– Promote the IP-DESK program and its offerings to prospective clients and manage social media accounts
– Attend trade shows, some of which may require out-of-state domestic travel
– Attend yearly trip to Seoul, Korea, for a three-day IP-DESK workshop and conference
– Manage relationships with external counsel, public institutions, and trade associations
– Provide other administrative and legal support as needed

Required Skills and Credentials:

– JD or LLM degree from an ABA-accredited law school
– Admission to a state bar (or pending admission)
– Fluent in Korean and English, both written and oral
– Exercising sound judgment with a high degree of initiative
– Absolute attention to accuracy and detail
– Commitment to quality work products and excellent client services
– Ability to manage, prioritize, and multi-task in a fast-paced environment
– Strong organizational and interpersonal skills

Preferred Experience and Personal Attributes:

– Trademark or patent prosecution experience
– Self-motivated, resourceful, and dependable
– Ability to contribute to discussions and articulate his/her opinions clearly
– Intellectual curiosity with a strong interest in remaining up-to-date on relevant developments
– Strategic thinker and creative problem solver
– Willing to offer and receive constructive feedback with a desire to improve

Other Details:

Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without employment visa sponsorship

Annual Base Salary Range: $70,000 – $100,000 (Not inclusive of performance-based year-end bonus)

Office Location: 460 Park Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10022

Currently operates on a hybrid model

Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage, and generous paid time off (including 4 Korean holidays)

To apply for this position, please email your resume and cover letter to yonghakim@kotra.or.kr and solina0413@kotra.or.kr. Qualified candidates will be asked to provide their Korean writing samples, and translate an English document to Korean under administered conditions.