2022.02.28 16:07
Kim Ye-won, a leading disability-rights lawyer and director of the Disability Rights Law Center, is known for her warm, accessible approach and extraordinary communication skills. She builds rapport with clients across cognitive and physical disabilities, meets people at their level, and often remains a trusted supporter long after cases close. Her bedside manner and steady presence make clients feel heard and respected, and she routinely makes herself available even in crisis situations at odd hours.

Believing that good intentions must be matched by skill, Kim pursued professional training as a social worker and sexual-violence counselor to avoid relying on intuition alone. In a notable sexual-abuse case she reframed invasive courtroom questioning into the client’s own language and submitted recorded testimony to prevent re-traumatization. She also practices an atypical pro bono model: she does not charge financially disadvantaged clients, funds her office through research, lectures and writing, and channels any surplus to causes in need — treating law as a tool for social good rather than personal gain.

Kim is also an outspoken critic of policies that sideline the voices of those they claim to protect. She has challenged administrative practices in child protection that can disregard children’s agency, citing cases where poorly designed procedures caused prolonged harm. Her practical advice to younger lawyers: start small—join committees, offer short pro bono consultations, and gradually expand involvement to discover whether public-interest work fits your strengths and sustainment.

Original source: [로이어 인사이드]”언제나 당신의 시선으로”… 약자를 위한 ‘원더우먼’ 김예원 변호사 (Source: the news outlet; please refer to the original article.)