Jong-min Choi is a valued member of KBK’s skilled legal team with experience representing clients throughout all stages of high-stakes commercial and intellectual property disputes.

A Korean native, Mr. Choi possesses the rare combination of cultural understanding and cross-border litigation experience that make him uniquely suited for cases involving Korea-based and Korean American businesses and individuals. He has represented clients in matters involving indemnity obligations, intellectual property licenses, royalties and audits, trade secret misappropriation, and business relationship and corporate governance issues. Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2024 for Commercial & Intellectual Property Litigation, he also brings a strong technological background to the firm’s practice.

Mr. Choi earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law in 2019, where he graduated Order of the Coif and served as Senior Submissions Editor for the Southern California Law Review. Prior to his legal career, he had a military service career, first serving as a South Korean Army officer, and then as a civilian contractor for the U.S. Forces in Korea.

Education

University of Southern California, Gould School of Law, J.D., 2019

  • Order of the Coif
  • Senior Submissions Editor, Southern California Law Review
  • Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition

Korea University, B.A., 2009

  • International Studies, with honors

Complex Commercial Litigation and Trials

  • Obtained a case-dispositive favorable summary adjudication for a commercial lessee against a lessor’s challenge of the validity of the lease; the novel legal theory of the summary adjudication was later affirmed at appeal.
  • Representing high net worth individuals in a dispute over the terms of an oral family partnership agreement, and secured a settlement at multiples of the value of the offer obtained by prior counsel.
  • Represented a South Korean technology company in a dispute over a supply contract, ending in a “no damages” verdict for the client company.

Intellectual Property Litigation

  • Represented a media client over a non-practicing entity’s assertion of streaming-related patents; eventually obtained a settlement below the cost of defense.
  • Successfully defended a film investor and a director against claims brought by the producer involving rights in the film project.
  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property Law, and Litigation – Intellectual Property (2024 — present)
  • Reed Smith
    Litigation Associate, 2024-2025
  • Bird Marella
    Litigation Associate, 2021-2024
  • Loeb & Loeb LLP
    Litigation Associate, 2019-2021
  • South Korean Military
    Army Officer; Civilian Contractor, 2010-2016
  • California, 2019