$ 650-650 per hour
Sean Christopher Hayes
About Sean
Biography
NY/International Attorney Sean Hayes grew up in Connecticut and New York to an Irish-immigrant father and an Italian mother. He is a U.S. and Irish National that is a permanent resident of Korea. He received his legal education in Korea, the U.S. and the U.K.
Sean Hayes is the first and only non-Korean attorney to be employed by the Korean Court System (Constitutional Court of Korea) and one of the first non-Koreans to be a full-time regular member of a Korean law faculty.
He is known over his 20+ years in Korea for his aggressive advocacy and candid NY-style street-smart advice. Sean is, also, one of the few attorneys in Asia that has experience managing non-consulting companies and working as an interim HR Manager. He worked as an interim General Manager/Director for Oil & Gas, New Tech, Pharmaceutical, Franchise, and Manufacturing companies.
Sean works between Korea, China, Philippines, and New York on international projects
He regularly appears in and is quoted by international media organizations including the NY Times, Wall Street Journal and international law journals. In his free time he enjoys playing golf, sailing, drinking beer and carousing with his rowdy friends.
AWARDS
*One of only Two Non-Koreans Attorneys in Korea Rated a Top Attorney by AsiaLaw
*Rated Excellent (10) by Avvo for International Law
*Corporate International, Leading Attorney
*Who's Who in the World
*Who's Who in Sports & Entertainment Law
*Who's Who in Franchise Law
*Best Advice Blog, K-Blog Awards
*Korean Law Blog: Top 25 Blog by LexisNexis.
CONTACT
Sean C. Hayes
(The best manner of contacting Sean is via email or his blog)
Mobile: +82-10-8981-9518
Office: +82-70-7847-9050 (English)
Office: +82-2-585-5253 (한국어)
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in New York for 20 years
State: New York
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
Licensed in Connecticut
State: Connecticut
No misconduct found
Location
IPG Legal
30 Wall Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY, 10005
Gallery
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Sean Christopher Hayes's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
3 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (3)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Posted by Wally | May 22, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Best Lawyer for International Child Abduction cases.
Best lawyer I have ever spoken with. He is strategy focused and a heck of a nice guy. But tough as nails in court. Sean Hayes is the best in child abduction cases in Korea.
Posted by Daniel | July 22, 2021
A great international arbitration lawyer
I've had the opportunity to consult with Sean Hayes across several matters in the US and Asia and I cannot recommend Sean highly enough. Sean is tremendous in advocating for his clients and achieving the best possible outcomes.
Posted by anonymous | September 07, 2018 | Hired Attorney
Straight shooter.
Sean was great to work with. Very diligent, honest and focused on results. Great experience.
Sean Christopher Hayes's Lawyer Endorsements
"Sean and I have worked together on complex M&A and structuring projects and he is thorough, detailed and always adds value to our team."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Sean is an excellent client advocate who has great attention to detail. He will vigorously defend and protect client rights. Sean has been practicing international law more than 11 years in Asia and during that time he has had extensive experiences ranging from representation of fortune 500 companies to criminal defense."
"Aside from his extraordinary expertise in International Law, I would highly recommend Sean Hayes to any client for any legal issue. In fact, Sean would be the lawyer I would approach with my own legal issues and concerns."
Francis Caruso
International law lawyer
Steven Dickinson
Unknown lawyer
Christopher Teras
Immigration lawyer
Zoltan Simon
Business lawyer
Daniel Harris
Business lawyer
John Nolan
Business lawyer
Gene Berardelli
Land use and zoning lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Top 100 Lawyer, LawAsia
2023
Top 100 Lawyer in Korea, AsiaLaw
2022
Top 100 Lawyer in Korea, AsiaLaw
2021
Top Dispute Resolution Law Firm of Year, Corporate INTL
2021
Top 100 Lawyer in Korea, AsiaLaw
2020
Member, New York County Lawyers' Association
2019
Top Law Firm Dispute Resolution, Corporate Counsel
2018
LawAsia Top 100 Lawyers, Asian Business Law Journal
2017
Who’s Who, Who's Who Legal
2015
Entertainment Law, Who's Who Legal
2015
Top Korean Blog, K-Blog
2015
Top Attorney, AsiaLaw
2015
Franchise Law, Who's Who Legal
2013
Who's Who, Who's Who Legal
2012
Who's Who, Who's Who
2010
Who's Who, Who's Who in the World
2008
Ombudsman: Korea Times, HanKook Ilbo
2008
Who' Who in the World, Who's Who in American Law -Marquis
2007
Who's Who in the Wolrd, Marquis Who's Who
N/A
2013, Who's Who Legal
N/A
Who's Who Legal, Who's Who Legal
N/A
Top 100 Lawyers in Korea, LawAsia
N/A
Dispute Resolution Law Firm of Year, Corporate INTL
Work Experience
2017 - Present
Managing Partner, Hayes & Simon, PC
2008 - Present
Senior Foreign Legal Consultant, IPG Legal
2011 - 2013
Professor of Law and Dean of International Relations, University for Peace (UN Delegated University)
2005 - 2008
Professor of Constitutional and Contract Law, Kookmin University
2005 - 2008
Foreign Legal Consultant, Ahnse Law Offices
2005 - 2008
Ombudsman, Korea Times
2002 - 2008
Constitutional Researcher, Constitutional Court of Korea
Associations
2020 - Present
National Police Defense FoundationLegal Counsel
2017 - Present
Chartered Institute of ArbitratorsMember
2008 - Present
International Bar AssociationMember
2007 - Present
Journal of East Asian and International LawManaging Editor
2006 - Present
New York State Bar AssociationMember
2005 - Present
New York City Bar AssociationMember
2002 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
American Chamber of Commerce in Korea
European Union Chamber of Commerce in Korea
British Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce
Foundation for Economic Liberty
Chair
American Bar Association
Member
International Association of Entertainment Lawyers
Member
2020 - 2021
New York County Bar AssociationAttorney Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Cambodian Real Estate
Joint Venture Real Estate Development
Completed
Business Immigration
Completed
Market Entry Gaming Consultancy
Completed
Petrochemical Co.
Distribution Agreement
Market Entry of a Franchise into Korea
International Franchising Korea
JV Between Irish Ag Business & Korean Company
Anti-Dumpinng Duties
Resolution of Shareholder Dispute Between Korean and U.S. Company
Completed
Korea Litigation: Defense Contractor
China-Korean Medical Device Company Merger
M & A
Completed
Employment
Incorporation of Petrochemical Company
In progress
Commerical Debt
Litigation
Gaming Industry
Completed
Cambodian Franchise
Korean Online Market Entry (Travel Provider)
Market Entry
Education
2002
Quinnipiac University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1997
Fairfield University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
N/A
Santa Clara University School of Law
N/A
Fordham University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
N/A
University of London
N/A
Seoul National University College of Law
PhD - Doctorate
Speaking Engagements
2025
Kiwanis
Carpe Diem
2025
Global Education Conference
Socratic Method for Teaching in Subjects Outside of Law
2024
International Woman's Month
Woman in the Legal Profession
2022
New Delhi, India Bar
Global Communication Security
2019
Global Legal Developments.
Korea in Global Economy
2014
East Asia Institute/U.S. Embassy Study Abroad
U.S. Legal Education
2014
Arirang TV Events
International Maritime Law
2014
American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Intellectual Property Transaction Committee
Right to Publicity in Korea: Protecting your IP in Korea
2013
MIPCOM
Second Screen Legal Issues
2011
Korea Business Forum
Independent Contractor Risks
2011
International IP Conference in Seoul
America IP Updates
2011
International Conference on Tax II (Seoul, Korea)
Transfer Pricing: Korean, Japan and U.S.
2011
Amcham SME Cmte.
Labor Law Risks: Wrongful Dismissal & Indep. Contractor Risks
2011
2nd International Tax Conference in Korea
International Tax: Korea & China
2008
Korea Europe Foundation
Protection of Intellectual Property
2008
Kookmin University Intellectual Property Forum
Korean Design Protection
2008
Indio-Korea Policy Forum
Indian-Korean Legal Relatonship
2008
Indian Investment Forum
Investment in India
2008
Constitutional Court of Korea
Constitutional Court of Korea
2007
Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Administration
Law and Public Policy
2006
Korea-Europe Prospective Association
Protection of Economic Liberties under the Korean Const.
N/A
International Bar Association
International Joint Venture Agreements
N/A
British Chamber of Commerce in Korea Monthly Forum
Korean Labor Law Developments
Publications
2025
The Korean Law Blog
The Korean Law Blog by IPG Legal
2025
iclg
Franchising in Korea
2025
Pampanga State Agricultural University
Socratic Method for Teaching Outside of Law
2022
2016
Thompson Publishing Group
Franchising
2016
www.thenewyorklawblog.com
Articles in New York Law
2014
ABA Section of Business Law
Protecting Your IP in Korea: Listen to My Mother
2011
The Korean Law Blog
The Korean Law Blog
2011
The Asian Law Blog
Law in Asia
2011
The China Law Blog
China Law
2011
Korea
Independent Contractors Labor Law Risks in Korea
2011
Legal Times Magazine
JVs in Asia: Listen to my Mother
2011
Legal Times Magazine
Follow the Chinese into Korea
2008
Korea Times
Defamtation on Trial
2008
Korea Times
Don't Only Blame Bush
2008
Book Chapter: Korea in the 21st Century
An Originalist Test for Korea
2008
World Constitutional Law Review
An Originalist Test for Korea that Progresives should Not Fear
2006
European-Korean Foundation Journal (Ewha University)
Protecting Economic Liberties: Constitutional Court of Korea
2005
Constitutional Court Journal (Rep. of Korea
Political Question Doctrine: Tool to Defend the Jud.
2003
Graduate Thesis
Korean Expert Evidence Rule Explored
2003
Constitutional Court Journal (Republic of Korea)
Affirmative Action in U.S. Law Schools
Languages
Korean
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
We have a ranch our adult son recently purchased cattle and would like to join our ranch. Should he setup a seperate LLC?
30 Oct 2025
Q&A
Approx how long does it until the flight date after removal proceedings is ordered?
31 Oct 2025
Q&A
Mr doctor told me I was a junkie and then as I was walking out called me a Bitich! Is this slander or grounds for something be
16 Aug 2011