Legal advice for a Korean business owner's U.S. restaurant, from market entry through operation and sale

The client, who had moved from Korea to the United States, was preparing to establish and operate a large brunch restaurant in the United States.

Jaehoon Lee provided ongoing legal advice at the key stages of the business, from forming an LLC at the initial stage of U.S. entry, through reviewing the premises lease and various contracts and responding to an employment issue that arose during operations, to the later sale of the existing business in order to expand.

To start the business in the United States, he supported the formation of an LLC and drafted and reviewed the Operating Agreement.

In securing the restaurant's premises, he reviewed the Commercial Lease and confirmed the key terms that could affect operating the premises over the long term. He also continued to review business contracts needed for actual operations, such as Vendor Agreements.

After the restaurant opened, he continued to advise on contract reviews and legal issues arising in the course of the business.

In particular, when a possible employment dispute arose after an employee was terminated and raised a claim of disability discrimination, he reviewed the relevant facts and legal grounds and sent the other side a Letter setting out the client's position. As a result, the matter was resolved without escalating into separate litigation or administrative proceedings.

He also continued to advise on contracts that needed to be newly signed or amended during operations and on individual legal issues.

Later, when the client sold the existing restaurant business in order to expand, he reviewed the agreements for the Asset Sale transferring the business assets and provided the legal advice needed in the sale process.

In this way, Jaehoon Lee provided ongoing legal advice across the key stages of the client's U.S. business, from forming the U.S. entity and starting the business through local operations, responding to the employment issue, reviewing contracts and selling the business.

Related: Cross-Border Matters · U.S. Entry & Investment Center · U.S. Services · Corporate & Business Advisory · Contracts & Business Transactions

This case study is based on confirmed facts of an actual matter; information that could identify the client or the matter has been anonymized. Outcomes depend on the facts and applicable law of each matter.