Focuses on defense of consumer and data privacy class actions and product liability cases.
Handles cases involving unfair business practices, false advertising laws, data privacy laws and product liability.
Leads Akin's California litigation practice.

Hyongsoon has deep experience in defending in complex commercial litigation including, in particular, complex and high-value class action matters and product liability cases. He has gained a reputation for innovative legal tactics and efficient results for clients. He has achieved multiple denials of class certification, as well as dismissals at the pleadings stage and through motions for summary judgment.

Hyongsoon has advised and defended clients in numerous class actions, including cases involving the unfair business practice and false advertising laws in California, New York, Texas, Michigan, Florida and a number of other states.

He also has represented clients in defending claims brought under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Videotape Privacy Protection Act and various securities laws.

Hyongsoon has represented class action defendants across a number of industries, including electronics and digital, oil and gas, retail and food and beverage.

Representative Work

Defense of both private and public clients in numerous class actions involving federal, state and common law privacy claims arising out of alleged collection and transmission of personally identifiable information.
Represented a national veterinary hospital chain in a consumer fraud class action arising out of labeling and sales, resulting in a grant of summary judgment and dismissal of the action.
Represented multiple electronics brands in separate consumer class actions in California and New Jersey state court in relation to the labeling of televisions, resulting in dismissals of each action.
Act as California counsel for national vehicle manufacturer in product liability cases involving allegations of catastrophic injury.
Representation of national diagnostic laboratory chain in an antitrust class action.

Represented a major global television brand in a consumer class action concerning alleged misrepresentations involving the energy efficiency of certain televisions, resulting in a complete dismissal of the action at the pleadings stage.
Represented several major grocery store chains in a multimillion-dollar putative class action lawsuit arising out of alleged food product mislabeling. The outcome was a denial of class certification and subsequent voluntary dismissal of the litigation.
Provided legal counsel to a global television manufacturer in a consumer class action involving alleged misrepresentations in the labeling of the television refresh rates, resulting in denial of certification and dismissal of the action.
Represented a national restaurant chain in a class action alleging claims under the FCRA.
Negotiated on behalf of a large telecommunications corporation in a multimillion-dollar putative class action in connection with overtime, and meal and rest break claims.

Education
J.D., Columbia Law School, 2001
B.A., California State University, Los Angeles, magna cum laude, 1998

Clerkships
U.S.D.C., Southern District of New York

Bar Admissions
California
New York

Recognitions

The Legal 500 US, Cyber Law (including Data Privacy and Data Protection), 2024.

Speeches and Publications

“How Should Educational Institutions Prepare for the Wave of Lawsuits from COVID-19?” Akin Webinar, May 21, 2020.
Panelist, “The Evolving Privacy and Cyber Policy Landscape,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Santa Clara, June 6, 2019.
“Capitol Hill and Sacramento Matter to You: Latest Developments in Data Privacy and U.S.-Asia Trade,” Akin CLE Program, May 30, 2019.
“Fairness in Class Action Litigation Act of 2017,” Association of Corporate Counsel—Southern California’s Annual In-House Counsel Conference, January 17, 2018.
“Class Action Trends: What it Can Mean for You,” Association of Corporate Counsel—Southern California In-House Boot Camp, September 13, 2017.
“Trends in Consumer Class Actions: How You (Yes, You) Can Avoid Becoming a Target,” Beverly Hills Bar Association, January 19, 2017.
“Trends in Consumer Class Actions: How You (Yes, You) Can Avoid Becoming a Target,” Association of Corporate Counsel—Southern California’s Annual In-House Counsel Conference, January 17, 2017.
“Trends in Consumer Class Actions: How to Avoid Becoming a Target,” Akin In-House CLE Series, October 2016.