Prior to founding K-startup Law, Kiwon worked at a recognized litigation law firm in Los Angeles.  He has litigation experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in actions addressing a range of claims, including patent infringement, entertainment, breach of contract, and probate issues.  He has also helped clients in handling, among other things, dispositive motions, e-discovery, and pre-trial preparation.  Kiwon has been practicing law since 2012, and he worked as general counsel for legal affairs at the automotive electronics company of Korea’s second largest conglomerate.

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Kiwon Sung is a licensed attorney who has been admitted to practice in both California and South Korea since 2012.  He is also licensed as a real estate agent in California.  Prior to graduating Sungkyunkwan University School of Law in Korea for J.D. (Juris Doctor) degree,  Kiwon majored in industrial systems engineering for B.S. (Bachelor of Science) degree.  Kiwon has also earned the LL.M. (Master of Laws) degree specialized in Media, Entertainment, Technology Law and Policy from UCLA Law.

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Kiwon had served in the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) as a Korea-US liaison soldier (KATUSA).  He is native in Korean and is thoroughly familiar with Korean laws, corporate culture and business practices.​

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While working as a General Counsel at a global automotive electronics company, Kiwon oversaw cross-border business transactions, provided legal consultation for development projects, managed patents and patent infringement cases, and provided corporate oversight.  Kiwon was also responsible for regulatory compliance and anti-corruption and was tasked with M&A, investments, and antitrust & competition risk management.

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While attending the UCLA Law, Kiwon had worked as a pro bono practitioner at UCLA patent clinic for solo inventors or small businesses.  

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Kiwon is currently serving as a legal advisor (Startup and Intellectual Property Laws) as well as a member of Economic Advisory Board for the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles.

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Experience​

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• K-startup Law (Formerly Law Office of Kiwon Sung), Managing Attorney (Present)

• Mission LLP, Partner (Present)

• Neo2X, Special Counsel (Present)

• Bird Marella, P.C.

• UCLA Law Patent Clinic, Pro Bono Practitioner

• Hyundai Autron (Now merged with Hyundai Autoever, Hyundai Motor Group), General Counsel for legal affairs

• Sunwoo LLP

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Education

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• UCLA Law, LL.M. specialized in Media, Entertainment, Technology Law and Policy, 2019

• Sungkyunkwan University School of Law, J.D., 2012

• Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), B.S. in Industrial & Systems Engineering, 2009

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Admissions and Qualifications

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• State Bar of California

• California Department of Real Estate

• Korean Bar Association

• Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO)

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Books

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• K-startup entering the U.S. Market A to Z

• ​28 U.S. blue-chip stocks that are not afraid of bear market

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Media Appearances

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• "5 Legal Mistakes That Jeopardize Your Business" presented at MBC America "I AM"

• "LLC For Real Estate Investment" presented at US Real Estate Marketplace NEOZIPS YOUTUBE

• "Business Formation A to Z in the U.S." presented at US Real Estate Marketplace NEOZIPS YOUTUBE

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Speaking Engagements

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• "IP and Global Licensing" presented at JC Valley seminar

• "Metaverse and NFT Legal Issues" presented at JC Valley seminar

• "How to Start Your Business" presented at SoCal K-Group seminar

• "How to Protect and Monetize Your Intellectual Properties" presented at SoCal K-Group seminar

• "IP Monetization - Strategic IP Licensing" presented at KIC Silicon Valley seminar

• "From Business Formation to IP Protection" presented at 2021 W-OKTA Next Generation Global Startup & Trade School 

• "PEF Fund Formation in the U.S. and LLC For Real Estate Investment" presented at NEOZIPS seminar

• "What I wish I Knew Before Becoming a Lawyer" presented at SKKU Law School

• "Engineering School to Law School, and Korean Lawyer to U.S. Lawyer" presented at SKKU Student Success Center

• "How to Start Your Business" presented at Korean Consulate General in LA

• "How to Protect and Monetize Your Intellectual Properties" presented at Korean Consulate General in LA

• "Startup Funding in the U.S." presented at Korean Consulate General in LA

• "NFT Legal Issues" presented at Korean Consulate General in LA

• "Stock Allocation and Stock Option" presented at Korean Consulate General in LA

• "Trademark Application in the U.S." presented at Korean Consulate General in LA

• "Business Formation in the U.S. A to Z" presented at Korean Consulate General in LA

• "How to Protect My Intellectual Properties" presented at Korean Consulate General in LA

• "Startup Investment in the U.S." presented at Korean Consulate General in LA

• "Business Formation and What to do after Incorporation" presented at Trade Academy of Korean Consulate General in LA

• "From Business Formation to IP Protection" presented at USC Korean Students Association (KOJOBS)

• "From Business Formation to Stock Allocation Among Founders" presented at UCSD Korean Students Association

• "How To Apply OPT and H1-B Visa" presented at UCSD Korean Students Association

• "How To Start Your Business as F-1 Student" presented at UCLA Korean Students Association

• "How To Start Your Business as F-1 Student" presented at UCSB Korean Students Association

• "How To Start Your Business as F-1 Student" presented at Arizona State University Korean Students Association

• "How To Start Your Business as F-1 Student" presented at USC Korean Students Association (KOJOBS)

• "K-startup entering the U.S. Market A to Z" presented at NIPA Global ICT Portal seminar

• "Session VI: Road to Success, Law & Business: Founder Share and Legal Issue" presented at KSEA Step-Up 2023