About Us | KCLA

About KCLA

Founded in 1997, we are a community of Korean Canadian lawyers dedicated to supporting the personal and professional development of its membership. The KCLA is the voice of the Korean Canadian legal community and the larger Korean Canadian community. We are committed to taking a leadership role in advancing the interests of Korean Canadian lawyers in the legal profession and dedicated to serving and advocating for the interests and well-being of the larger Korean Canadian community.

The KCLA is composed of practicing and non-practicing lawyers, articling students, law students and other legal professionals across Canada that self-identify as Korean Canadian. Our membership includes legal professionals from large and small law firms, government departments and agencies, non-profit organizations, corporations and academia.

Our History

The creation of a legal association for lawyers of Korean descent living and working in Canada was inspired by Won J. Kim and Julia Shin Doi in 1995. In 1996, a Steering Committee was established to oversee the formal organization of the KCLA. The Steering Committee members included: Won J. Kim, Julia Shin Doi, Peter Choe, Jin Y. Choi, Ellie Choi, Angela Kim, Helen Park, Michael Park, Beth Seo and Maria Yang.

The KCLA was formally incorporated as a non-share capital corporation on May 15, 1997. The first Directors were: Julia Shin Doi, Won J. Kim, Angela Kim, Maria Yang and Peter Choe.

In 2024, in response to the growing Korean Canadian legal community, KCLA expanded nationally and chapters were created in Ontario, British Columbia and the Prairies. The first Chair of the Ontario Chapter is Ashley Jung, the first Chair of the British Columbia Chapter is Sena Byun and the first Chair of the Prairies Chapter is Alan Hong.

The KCLA was also delighted to help host the International Association of Korean Lawyers' first conference in Toronto on October 3-6, 2024 at the Ritz-Carlton.

Ontario Chapter Committee

The following is a list of current and former Ontario Chapter Committee members. The KCLA would like to acknowledge these individuals for the time and dedication they have committed to this organization.

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2025 Ontario Chapter Committee: Jiwan Son (President), Angela Oh, Christina Kim, Hannah Im, Julia Won, Mika Choi, Raphael An, and David Jo (Student Liaison)

Past Executives

2024 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Ashley Jung, Rachel Park, Jiwan Son, Walter Yoo, Angela Oh, Christina Kim, Hannah Im
2023 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Ashley Jung, Justin Lee, Junggun Park, Rachel Park, Jiwan Son, Justin Song, Walter Yoo, Hannah Im
2022 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: William Lee, Ashley Jung, Sally Kim, Junggun Park, Justin Lee, James Chang, Justin Song
2021 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Edward Kang, Jane Yoo, William Lee, Sally Kim, James Chung, Ashley Jung, Celina Hong
2020 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Edward Kang, Seth Lim, Jane Yoo, William Lee, Sally Kim, James Chang, Ashley Jung, Celina Hong
2019 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Marie Park, Seth Lim, Victor Kim, Jane Yoo
2018 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Marie Park, Seth Lim, Margaret Kim, Jane Yoo
2017 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Matthew Paik, Marie Park, Sylvia Cheong, Derek Kim, Micheal Lee
2016 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Richard Ha, Charlie Kim, Rosel Kim, Sylvia Cheong, Matthew Paik
2015 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Robert Choi, Melissa Kim, Yunjae Kim, Sally Lee, Jamie Yoon
2014 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Yunjae Kim, Andrew Lee, D. Regina Lee, John J.S. Park, Alex Woo
2013 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Yunjae Kim, Andrew Lee, D. Regina Lee, Nara Moon, John J.S. Park
2012 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Melissa M. Kim, Jina Lee, D. Regina Lee, John J. S. Park, Rosa Yi
2011 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Jae-Yon Jung, Melissa M. Kim, Walter Kim, John J. S. Park, Simon Park, Sharon Seung
2010 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Sang Joon Bae, Tina Chun Langford, Janet Jin, Walter Kim, Simon Park, Gloria Song
2009 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Tina Chun Langford, Janet Jin, Walter Kim, Yeon-Tae Kim, Simon Park, Samuel Yoon, Elizabeth Yuh
2008 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: David Byon, Robert Choi, Sabina Han, Janet Jin, Samuel Yoon, Elizabeth Yuh
2007 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Yoon Han, Paul Hong, Janet Jin, Karen Park
2006 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Su-Young Chun, Yoon Han, Walter Kim, Monica Lee, Tai Nahm, Richard Wong
2005 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Philip Cho, Jane Chung, Yeon-Tae Kim, Monica Lee, Tai Nahm
2003/2004 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Won Kim, Yeon-Tae Kim, Jason Park, Jane Son

British Columbia Chapter Committee

The following is a list of current and former British Columbia Chapter Committee members. The KCLA would like to acknowledge these individuals for the time and dedication they have committed to this organization.

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2024 British Columbia Chapter Committee: Sena Byun, Chris Lee, Heena Han, Danny Park, Hans Chang, Karen Jung, Geena Lee, Andy (Chan) Hur, Jina Jeong, Maria Kim-Bautista, Sky Shin (Student Liason) and Claire Lee (Student Liaison)

Other Members: Yong-Jae Kim, Kwang Lim, Sharon An, Angelina Sung, Andrew Froh and Jia Hwang

Prairies Chapter Committee

The following is a list of current and former Prairies Chapter Committee members. The KCLA would like to acknowledge these individuals for the time and dedication they have committed to this organization.

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2024 Prairies Chapter Committee: Alan Hong, Frank Sur, Leo Cho, Maria Kim, Chris Kim, Kevin Seo, Jason Lee, Claire Han (Student Liaison), Hani Lee (Student Liaison), Amy Kim (Student Liaison), Sally Maeng (Student Liaison) and Elise Lee (Student Liaison)