Strategy. Intelligence. Vision
Bridging Culture Worldwide | Korea-Facing Legal & Commercial Expertise
Where Korean business meets U.S. law
For more than two decades, Don Southerton has been the go-to advisor for U.S. and Korean companies, law firms, and courts navigating the intersection of Korean corporate culture, commercial law, and cross-border trade. Korea Legal brings that experience to bear where it matters most: in disputes, deals, and decisions where understanding how Korea actually works is the difference between winning and stalling.
How I help
- Expert witness & litigation support — opinion testimony, deposition and trial testimony, and case review on Korean business culture, norms, and commercial practice. Testimony accepted by courts in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and California.
- Commercial & cross-border counsel — MOUs and agreements, anti-trust, IP, licensing, and the cultural dynamics behind Korean negotiation, sign-off, and partnership.
- Trade, tariffs & policy — the U.S.–Korea trade framework, Section 232 tariffs, KFTA, and what recent Korean commercial-law reform means for foreign companies.
I have work with leading firms—including Alston & Bird, Boies, Susman Godfrey, Crowell & Moring, Robins Kaplan, and Perkins Coie, and with C-suite leadership at major Korean groups (Samsung, Hyundai–Kia, LG, SK, and others).
I have more than 30 years of focused experience on Korean and global cross-border Korea-facing business, and commercial activity. My work covers how Korean enterprises operate in practice, typical business arrangements, ownership/control structures, and government related FDI-commercial activity. I advise multinational corporations and law firms on Korea-related commercial conduct, sanctions exposure, and cross-border risk, and I have served as an expert witness and consultant on matters involving IP, trade, commercial law, international family law, labor law, and personal injury and wrongful death where Korean business conduct is at issue.
I am comfortable opining clearly and defensibly on Korean commercial behavior in a litigation setting.
Request a confidential consultation. Email dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com or call/text 310-866-3777.
Korea Legal is a practice of Bridging Culture Worldwide LLC.. This site provides general information on cross-cultural and cross-border legal practice, not legal advice.
