Yeonjoo Lee-Kim is the founder of YLK Trade Law, where she delivers integrated, actionable counsel on customs and international trade matters — bridging legal insight with real-world execution.

She brings over a decade of hands-on experience to her practice, beginning her international trade career in logistics, then as a licensed U.S. Customs Broker. She later served as part of a global trade compliance team at a leading medical manufacturer and distributor — one of the highest-volume importers by entry lines in the United States according to CBP — where she gained extensive in-house experience managing cross-border compliance operations.

During law school, Yeonjoo externed with the Honorable Claire R. Kelly at the U.S. Court of International Trade, deepening her understanding of trade litigation and administrative law. Following graduation, she joined the Customs and Trade practice of a large law firm in Chicago, where she advised multinational clients on a wide range of regulatory and enforcement matters, including tariff classification, valuation, origin, and enforcement actions.

Today, Yeonjoo works directly with clients to navigate complex regulations, mitigate trade risks, and build sustainable compliance programs. She also collaborates with a trusted network of international trade professionals — including attorneys, licensed brokers, auditors, and former customs officials — in both the U.S. and Korea.

Whether a business is responding to a compliance challenge, shifting supply chains, or seeking to strengthen its trade strategy, Yeonjoo provides practical, strategic guidance with precision, speed, and clarity.

She currently serves as Vice President of the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) Chicago-Midwest Chapter. She is also a member of the Customs and International Trade Bar Association (CITBA), the Korean American Bar Association(KABA) of Chicago, and the Korean Women’s International Network (KOWIN).

Education

• JD, Chicago-Kent College of Law - Illinois Institute of Technology

• BA, University of Illinois at Chicago

Admissions

• Illinois

Credentials

• Licensed U.S. Customs Broker

Languages

• English

• Korean