Benjamin Hughes

Practice Areas

International Arbitration & Disputes Resolution

Career

Since March 2013, Professor Benjamin F. Hughes has been working as an independent arbitrator and mediator, a role in which he has significantly impacted the field of international arbitration. In March 2019, he took on additional responsibilities as an adjunct professor at the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore, where he continues to contribute to academic discourse in law. From March 2015 to February 2019, he served as an associate professor at the School of Law, Seoul National University, where he further developed his academic career. His practical legal experience includes a significant stint from November 2009 to February 2013 as a partner and co-chair of the International Arbitration practice at Shin & Kim in Seoul. Prior to this, he was a senior associate at Shearman & Sterling LLP in San Francisco and Singapore from September 2007 to November 2009. His experience at Kim & Chang in Seoul as a foreign attorney in international arbitration from September 2005 to August 2007 also marks a critical period in his career. Earlier roles include being an associate at Shearman & Sterling LLP in San Francisco from August 2004 to August 2005 and at Latham & Watkins LLP in San Francisco from July 2002 to August 2004, where he began his post-graduate legal career.

Professional Memberships

• Adjunct professor at the National University of Singapore Faculty of Law.

• Editorial board member of the Asian International Arbitration Journal, the Korea Arbitration Review, and the Journal of Korean Law.

• Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators, and the College of Commercial Arbitrators.

• Member of the Court of Arbitration of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre.

• Member of the Investment Committee of Omni Bridgeway.

Experience

Professor Benjamin F. Hughes has established a distinguished career in international arbitration, underpinned by a robust educational background and a variety of professional roles that highlight his expertise in both civil and common law traditions. His academic journey began at Trinity University, where he graduated with a BA under the President’s Academic Scholarship. His commitment to legal studies led him to further his education at Harvard University, earning an MA supported by the Harvard-Yenching Institute Fellowship. His interest in international legal systems took him abroad to Seoul National University College of Law in South Korea, where he completed his MA coursework in Korean, funded by a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship and the SNU Academic Scholarship. This international experience was broadened by a semester at the University of Palermo Law School in Buenos Aires, where all coursework was conducted in Spanish, illustrating his linguistic capabilities and cultural adaptability.

Hughes completed his formal education with a JD from NYU School of Law, where he was a Dean Robert McKay Scholar and a Global Legal Fellow. His legal education, characterized by its international dimension and his ability to engage with diverse legal systems, laid the groundwork for his future roles in arbitration.

Following his academic achievements, Hughes began his legal career in the United States, working as an associate at prominent law firms such as Latham & Watkins LLP and Shearman & Sterling LLP in San Francisco, where he first engaged with international arbitration cases. His role expanded when he moved to Shearman & Sterling's offices in Singapore, deepening his expertise in Asia-Pacific legal disputes. He further honed his arbitration skills at Kim & Chang in Seoul, where he served as a foreign attorney in their International Arbitration team.

Hughes’s academic career paralleled his legal practice. He served as an associate professor at Seoul National University Law School, where he made significant contributions to the field of international dispute resolution. His expertise in arbitration was further recognized through his roles as a visiting professor at the University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law and National Taiwan University Law School. These positions allowed him to shape the next generation of legal professionals, emphasizing the practical and theoretical aspects of arbitration.

In 2013, Hughes transitioned to an independent role, focusing exclusively on international arbitration. He has since been appointed as an arbitrator in numerous high-stakes cases involving complex legal disputes across multiple sectors and jurisdictions. His appointments have been under the rules of well-known arbitral institutions such as SIAC, ICC, and HKIAC, which are testament to his reputation and trust within the international legal community.

Professor Hughes’s professional memberships further illustrate his standing in the field. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators, and the College of Commercial Arbitrators. His expertise is also recognized through his contributions to the editorial boards of the Asian International Arbitration Journal, the Korea Arbitration Review, and the Journal of Korean Law.

His multifaceted career, spanning rigorous academic pursuits, extensive teaching, and professional practice in diverse international contexts, underscores his comprehensive understanding of arbitration. This blend of education and practical experience has not only equipped Hughes to handle complex disputes but also established him as a respected leader in the global arbitration community. His ability to navigate different legal and cultural landscapes makes him a sought-after arbitrator, particularly in cases involving intricate cross-jurisdictional legal matters.

Industry Sector Expertise

• Agency and distributorship agreements.

• Automobile and heavy machinery manufacturing.

• Aviation.

• Construction and infrastructure projects.

• Energy and resources.

• Intellectual property and licensing.

• Joint venture and shareholder disputes.

• Media and telecommunications.

• Military acquisition and procurement contracts.

• Shipping and shipbuilding.

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Asia-Pacific

Languages Spoken

English, Korean and Spanish; limited Mandarin.

Work Highlights

Over the past year, Professor Benjamin F. Hughes has handled several complex arbitration cases across the Asia-Pacific region. His work includes acting as chairman in a $400 million Malaysian land reclamation project under SIAC Rules, with Singapore as the arbitration seat.

He also served as co-arbitrator in a $1.8 billion shareholder dispute involving a Korean insurance company, under ICC Rules in Seoul, showcasing his skill in corporate governance disputes.

In the energy sector, Hughes chaired a case on investments in energy projects throughout Asia-Pacific, governed by Japanese law and under SIAC Rules in Singapore, with a dispute value of $120 million.

Additionally, he was co-arbitrator in a $400 million military procurement case involving nuclear submarines under ICC Rules in Seoul, and in a $1.3 billion pharmaceutical merger and acquisition case under UNCITRAL Rules, governed by Cayman Islands law and seated in Hong Kong.

Lastly, Hughes chaired a $200 million dispute related to the sale of a large logistics park in China, under HKIAC Rules and seated in Hong Kong.

These cases illustrate Hughes' ability to manage arbitrations across various legal systems and arbitral institutions, including SIAC, ICC, HKIAC, and UNCITRAL, reflecting his demand as an arbitrator in the diverse legal environment of the Asia-Pacific region.

Awards

Education