Attorney Helen Kim  founded HKH Law LLC in 2017 to provide exceptional legal representation and counsel to both employees and businesses on a variety of workplace matters.  HKH Law LLC specializes in civil rights, employment and business law.  To learn more about our practice areas, please visit our Practice Areas page.

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​Helen is an award-winning lawyer with a unique mix of international corporate law, and plaintiff-driven nonprofit law, experience.  Helen graduated in 1999 in the top 10% of her class from Emory University School of Law, where she received a full tuition scholarship.  She began her legal career as a Corporate Associate at Shearman & Sterling LLP in Manhattan, one of the largest law firms in the world.  At Shearman, she worked on initial public offerings (IPOs) and secondary equity offerings for clients in the internet, telecommunications and investment banking industries.  In 2001, Helen moved for family reasons to Houston and joined the law firm of Baker Botts LLP, another top 50 global law firm that represents Fortune 100 clients primarily in the energy sector.  At Baker Botts, Helen continued working as a corporate attorney but later transferred into the Litigation Department, where she focused on Title VII employment discrimination lawsuits.  

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In 2006, Helen heeded an inner calling to use her legal skills at the community level and transitioned into full-time nonprofit work.  She moved back to Atlanta to join the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, filing a successful employment discrimination lawsuit against a major university on behalf of three Latina workers.  Helen continued to work as an attorney at MALDEF and other nonprofit groups, culminating in her founding the first civil rights nonprofit organization dedicated to Asian immigrants and refugees in the Deep South in 2010.  During her time as the founding Director of her nonprofit, she led and/or co-counseled federal employment discrimination lawsuits on behalf of workers.

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A sought-out speaker and contributor on issues of race, gender, and diversity in the workplace, Helen is excited to utilize all her experience to provide counsel and representation to companies and employees alike.  As the child of immigrant business owners, Helen is sensitive to the difficulties of navigating legal, governmental, real estate, and personnel issues that arise for many  businesses.  She will bring her high-level corporate skills to help companies of all sizes thrive, along with an understanding of the challenges that may exist for smaller businesses, and minority- and women-owned businesses.   As an attorney who promotes the civil and human rights of all people – particularly immigrants, refugees and women – she remains dedicated to representing employees who have been unfairly targeted for discrimination and harassment in the workplace. 

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Helen’s commitment and values as a lawyer are to be thorough, complete and timely with all work; to be transparent and honest with clients; to employ the highest level of ethics and professionalism; and to care deeply about you, your business and workplace.

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EDUCATION

Emory University School of Law, Atlanta GA -- Juris Doctorate with Honors, 1999

Rice University, Houston TX -- Bachelor of Arts, 1993

 

BAR AND LEGAL ASSOCIATIONS

Passed Bar Exam in New York (1999), Texas (2001) and Georgia (2007)

American Bar Association

National Employment Lawyers Association

State Bar of Georgia

Georgia Association of Women Lawyers

Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association

Korean American Bar Association

 

​AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Public Interest Lawyer Award, International Association of Korean Lawyers (2018)

NAACP (WIN) Leadership Award, Clayton County NAACP (2017)

Women Making a Mark Awardee, Atlanta Magazine (2015)

Georgia Notable, Georgia Trend Magazine Power List (2015, 2014, 2013, 2012)

Champion for Change Awardee, Cafe Mocha Radio (2015)

Civic Engagement Award, Clayton County NAACP (2015)

Community Leadership Award, Korean American Bar Association (2014)

25 Most Influential Asian Americans, Georgia Asian Times (2014, 2013, 2011, 2010)

Power Women of Georgia, Georgia Trend Magazine (2013, featured on cover)

Bill Sorros Community Activist Award, Asian Law Caucus (2012)

Martin Luther King Community Service Award, Emory University (2012)

Chairman’s Award, Georgia Restaurant Association (2011)

Top 40 Under 40 Best & Brightest, Georgia Trend Magazine (2010, featured on cover)

Member, Leadership Atlanta, Class of 2012

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NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP

Founder and former Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta (formerly Asian American Legal Advocacy Center)

Vice Chair, Immigrant Hope - Atlanta

Chair of Program Committee, Georgia Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL)

Board Member, Emory University Board of Visitors

Advisory Board Member, The Alliance Theatre

Advisory Editorial Board Member, Atlanta Magazine

Advisory Board Member, Atlanta International Night Market

Advisory Board Member, El Refugio

Founding Advisory Member, Welcoming Atlanta, City of Atlanta

Founding Board Member, NewPower PAC

Founding Board Member, Korean American Bar Association of Georgia