Brian Kang, Class of '03

Brian Kang ’03 is chair of Greenberg Glusker’s Real Estate Group. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 2018 and in Southern California Super Lawyers since 2013. Los Angeles Business Journal included Brian among “Leaders of Influence: Minority Attorneys” in 2022, and the Los Angeles Times named him a “Commercial Real Estate Visionary” in 2021.

An active volunteer in the Los Angeles community, Brian has served on the Board of Governors for the Korean American Bar Association of Southern California since 2013 and was president in 2018. He has also served on the Advisory Council for Asian Americans Advancing Justice — Los Angeles. He is the Korean American National Museum’s pro bono real estate counsel.

What attracted you to real estate law, and what do you find rewarding about it?

The real estate people at Greenberg Glusker started my interest. Before that, I knew I didn’t want to practice litigation. I didn’t have any desire for that. Transactional work interested me.

It’s rewarding to see the practice in person. When it’s purchasing a shopping center or an office building, you can see the physical manifestation of your work.

 

You’ve also been very involved in the Korean American Bar Association of Southern California and Asian Americans Advancing Justice. How have you been able to help people through that work?

Through both organizations, I’ve had the opportunity to mentor younger Korean American attorneys in the L.A. area. I consider that a crucial role for senior attorneys. We also do community outreach and pro bono clinics. Through the Korean American Bar Association, I’ve been able to provide pro bono legal assistance to low-income clients in L.A. County.

I also provide pro bono real estate counsel to the Korean American National Museum. They plan to break ground later this year.

My volunteer work allows me to see the needs in the community. Then I can help, either with my time or financially.

 

Why did you choose to attend King Hall?

Primarily the culture. I liked the small class sizes. Davis is a beautiful town to be in. It was a good fit on a personal level. When I was looking at law schools, the people I met at King Hall were down to earth. It didn’t feel like the pressure cooker environment I had read about at other law schools.

 

What is your favorite King Hall memory?

Professor Hogan in Civil Procedure. I have recollections of being impressed by how authoritative he was on the issues while also making them very relatable.

Another favorite memory is Professor Pruitt inviting our Torts class to dinner at her house. It was very nice of her.

 

Which class at King Hall have you used the most?

Contracts with Professor Joo. The real estate transaction work I do is based in fundamental contracts law. It comes up on a daily basis, either explicitly or implicitly.

 

How have you stayed connected to King Hall?

I recruit students to my law firm summer classes. We have a large King Hall contingent for a firm based in L.A.

 

Of what are you proudest?

My kids. They’re eleven and thirteen. I’m proud that they’re growing up socially conscious, and I’m proud of their independent thinking.

I’m also proud of my firm. We have a unique firm culture that’s not always driven by the bottom line. It’s driven by making attorneys better attorneys and not adding to the stress of practicing law. It’s like King Hall, actually. There’s naturally so much stress in law school. King Hall created an environment of not adding to the stress factor. At other law schools, I don’t think there’s the same concern for students.

 

Do you have any advice for current law students?

For first-years, dedicate yourself 120% to your studies. Don’t do it just for your grades or to get a job when you graduate, but because you’re building a foundation for everything else. You need to learn how to think critically and understand the issues so you can build on top of that. It’s critical.