LAWYER PROFILE
John Emmerig

John Emmerig

Global 2026

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Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by Thomsons

Career

John Emmerig is widely recognised as one of Australia’s leading litigation lawyers. He has 36+ years’ experience and a national reputation for handling high stakes domestic and cross-border litigation and regulatory work for prominent multinationals, major Australian companies, and their boards/executives. He also has deep experience advising Federal and State government agencies.

Clients describe John as "an exceptional lawyer with a great intellect and impeccable judgment" and "profoundly experienced". They note that "his technical excellence combined with his pragmatic, thoughtful and strategic lens puts him in a league of his own" and that he "provides a quality of service that is second to none".

John's core practice areas are: (1) class action defence; (2) large scale and strategically significant commercial disputes; and (3) major regulatory/government litigation and inquiries. His experience includes advising on:

40+ class actions (filed and threatened);

Scores of major commercial and government litigation matters;

20+ Royal Commissions and Parliamentary Inquiries;

35+ ASIC, ACCC, APRA regulatory matters.

John is routinely involved in some of the largest litigation conducted in superior courts across the nation. His international work includes litigation involving class actions, regulator claims and major commercial disputes in the US, UK, EU and Asia.

John served (externally) as an Adjunct Professor of Law at UNDA from 2016 to 2020. He was inducted as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law in 2018.

Professional Memberships

Co-Chair - Class Actions Committee of the Law Council of Australia;

Member, ASIC’s Enforcement and Regulatory Litigation Consultation Group;

Member, Federal Court of Australia Class Actions Liaison Committee;

Co-Chair, Transnational Litigation Committee of the Law Council of Australia;

Governor, American Chamber of Commerce in Australia (AMCHAM);

Member, Federal Court of Australia’s LCA Liaison Committee on Practice and Procedure;

Editorial Board - Journal of Equity – LexisNexis – (foundation Board member);

AMCHAM Defence and National Security Committee.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Global Guide

Dispute Resolution - Australia

Band 2
Band 2

Individual Editorial

John Emmerig is an experienced handler of high-value, high-profile litigation, including major class actions, for household-name companies and, on regulatory issues, their individual executives.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • John is exceptionally intelligent and analytical. We have the utmost confidence in his ability to represent us with integrity and professionalism.

    Dispute ResolutionChambers Global Guide
  • John demonstrates a rare blend of tenacity and composure, delivering nuanced tactical decisions under pressure.

    Dispute ResolutionChambers Global Guide
  • John is incredibly responsive and always puts his clients’ needs first.

    Dispute ResolutionChambers Global Guide

Ranked Individuals at Thomsons (7)

Asia-Pacific Region

Australia

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