John B. Quinn is the founder and chairman of the nearly four-decade-old Los Angeles law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan. The firm has been voted the world’s “most-feared law firm“ ten times by independent research provider BTI Consulting, which surveyed over 300 key legal decision-makers at the world’s largest organizations.
In BTI’s annual survey, when respondents were asked which law firm they least wanted to face as opposing counsel, Quinn Emanuel consistently ranked number one as the world’s most feared litigation law firm.
Since 1986, John and his partners have tirelessly built the largest law firms in the world devoted solely to business litigation and arbitration – a feat recognized by The Wall Street Journal as a “global litigation powerhouse.“ In that time, Quinn Emanuel has expanded to 35 offices in 12 countries on four continents, with over 1100 lawyers, generating more than $2 billion in revenue annually. In recent years, the firm has recovered over $80 billion for plaintiffs, a testament to John’s unwavering dedication to his profession.
John’s interests extend beyond the legal realm. For 33 years, he served as General Counsel to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization behind the Oscars. He is also an avid mountain climber, Ironman triathlete, and father of five. His diverse pursuits reflect his multifaceted personality and provide a unique perspective to his legal career. He also hosts the popular podcast “Law, Disrupted”—www.law-disrupted.fm.
In this episode of Regulatory Ramblings, he chats with host Ajay Shamdasani about how he found his way into the legal profession, his representation of the Bank of China, Alibaba, AliPay, and Ant Financial—juggernauts on the mainland Chinese banking and fintech / digital payments scene—and his belief in Singapore’s importance as a dispute resolution center for the Asia-Pacific. He also comments on how Hong Kong stacks up against the Lion City.
The conversation also covers the business rationale for Quinn Emanuel Urquhart’s focus on pure litigation and for not representing the world’s largest money center banks, notwithstanding the deep pockets for premium legal services that the world’s most prominent financial institutions possess. This approach has won the firm many plaudits amongst the plaintiffs’ bar writ large.
John also shares his candid thoughts on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) concerns at a time when such considerations in corporate operations and investing are under attack—often from prominent business figures. He also comments on what can be done on the policy and legal reform level to lure more foreign direct investment to the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
The discussion concludes with John emphasizing his commitment to the arts and philanthropy. He believes in giving back to society when one attains a certain level of success. His longstanding service to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and his initiative to open the Museum of Broken Relationships in Los Angeles are just a few examples of his dedication to philanthropy, which the audience can appreciate.
Podcast Discussion:
2:41 From Greenwich to Harvard: A Lawyer’s Path
5:07 The Competitive Nature of Litigation: Balancing Aggression and Strategy
6:52 Banking and Fintech in China – Insights
8:41 Litigation as a Last Resort: The Role of ADR and Mediation
10:35 Expanding in Singapore: Strategic Growth in International Arbitration and Regional Markets
14:57 Choosing Litigation Over Representing Major Banks
20:04 Do Investors Understand ESG? Challenges and Definitions
25:38 Common Law vs. Civil Law: Perspectives on Legal Systems and Business Growth
27:46 Passion for the Arts and Giving Back
31:57 Faith in L.A.: Embracing the Lifestyle Amid Economic Challenges
34:34 The Hollywood Incident: Will Smith and Chris Rock in the Spotlight
37:15 The Intersection of Law and Life: The Importance of Broad Interests in Litigation
39:51 The Best Preparation for Becoming a Lawyer
43:01 The Importance of Verbal Skills and Writing in Legal Practice
45:45 Burnout: Recognizing When Law Isn’t the Right Fit
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