Hyo Jin Lee is an attorney in Barley Snyder’s Food & Agribusiness Industry Group, where she assists clients in navigating the complex legal and regulatory landscape that shapes today’s food system. Drawing on her unique combination of culinary expertise, business experience and legal training, Hyo Jin (“Jinnie”) provides practical, informed counsel to producers, processors and food companies on transactional and compliance matters.

Before earning her J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law, Jinnie built a distinguished career in the food industry. She founded Hyo Jin Lee’s Baking Class in Seoul, where she taught more than 3,000 students and operated a nationwide custom dessert business for nearly a decade. She completed Pastry Chef Training at Le Cordon Bleu, gaining classical culinary skills and a deep understanding of food production and safety from an international perspective. She has also cultivated a significant social media presence, using her platform to share cooking tutorials and engage with a global audience of food enthusiasts.

Jinnie holds a master’s degree in Nutrition & Food Studies from NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development and another master’s degree in International Studies from Seoul National University in South Korea. Her entrepreneurial drive also led her to publish several cookbooks and collaborate with a leading ceramics company to design a line of tableware – all of which reflect her lifelong passion for the art and business of food. These experiences inspired her to study law as a way to strengthen and support the industry she has long been a part of.

During law school, Jinnie completed a series of internships focused on food and agricultural law, working with organizations such as the National Agricultural Law Center, Handel Food Law, LLC, Consumer Federation of America, and Wagyu Sommelier, LLC. In these roles, she conducted legal research and analysis on USDA and FDA regulations, food labeling requirements, and consumer protection policies. Her work also extended internationally through internships in Tokyo with Toridoll Holdings Corporation, a global food company, and One Asia Lawyers, where she supported cross-border business and compliance matters. These experiences provided Jinnie with an introduction into the legal, scientific and policy issues impacting food systems at every stage – from farm production to international distribution. Jinnie is also part of our practice group that provides advice to clients on both domestic and international regulatory and commercial matters as well as assists with the legal aspects of international business transactions. In addition, she works with attorneys to monitor developments in tariff policy and help businesses in navigating and responding to evolving international trade regulations.

Jinnie is currently pursuing her LL.M. in Agricultural & Food Law at the University of Arkansas School of Law, the nation’s first and one of the most respected programs focused on the legal complexities of the food system. The program deepens her understanding of the intersection between agriculture, sustainability and policy – all critical areas for clients in the evolving food and agribusiness space.

Originally from South Korea, Jinnie now resides in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania where she continues to blend her global perspective with her passion for helping businesses thrive. Fluent in Korean, English and Japanese, she brings an international outlook and a genuine appreciation for the people and stories behind the food we eat.