Joseph Koo

Joseph Koo is a partner in the firm’s Los Angeles office whose practice focuses on privacy and data breach response, corporate transactions and governance, franchise law, and maritime and transportation matters. He advises domestic and international companies, including Korean and other multinational businesses, on legal issues arising from their U.S. operations. Drawing on his litigation, corporate, and accounting background, Mr. Koo approaches legal matters with an emphasis on practical business solutions and risk management.

Privacy, cybersecurity, and data breach response are a significant focus of Mr. Koo’s practice. He works with clients to develop and maintain practical privacy compliance frameworks designed to meet requirements under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), and other applicable state privacy and data security laws. His work includes data mapping, privacy policies and notices, consumer rights procedures, vendor and data-sharing practices, internal policies, and ongoing compliance assessments. Mr. Koo also counsels clients responding to cybersecurity incidents and data breaches, including coordinating privileged investigations with forensic professionals and cyber insurers, evaluating notification obligations, preparing consumer and regulatory notices, and advising management through response and remediation. His practice increasingly includes artificial intelligence, data governance, and the appropriate use and protection of confidential and personal information.

Mr. Koo advises clients on acquisitions, joint ventures, investments, corporate reorganizations, governance matters, and commercial agreements, and regularly serves as outside counsel to U.S. subsidiaries of international companies. His franchise practice includes advising franchisors, franchisees, and investors on franchise disclosure and registration requirements, development and franchise agreements, acquisitions and transfers, regulatory matters, and disputes. He frequently assists international businesses entering or expanding in the United States.

Mr. Koo also represents ocean carriers, shipping agencies, logistics providers, and other maritime and transportation businesses in commercial, regulatory, and dispute matters, including Federal Maritime Commission matters, government inquiries and investigations, operational disputes, and related litigation.

In addition, Mr. Koo leads the firm’s efforts to integrate artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into its legal practice and client service model. His focus is on developing practical and secure uses of technology to improve legal research, document analysis, information retrieval, knowledge management, and other legal workflows while maintaining appropriate protections for confidentiality, privilege, data security, and attorney oversight.

Before entering private practice, Mr. Koo served as a Deputy District Attorney with the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office and as an Associate County Counsel with the Los Angeles County Counsel’s Office, where he gained extensive trial and courtroom experience. He is also a Certified Public Accountant, which informs his analysis of the financial and operational aspects of transactions, business structures, and commercial disputes. Mr. Koo is fluent in English and Korean.