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About

Provided by John Rhie

Asia-Pacific

Practice Areas

Energy Sector Disputes

Transnational Litigation

Construction Litigation

Investigations, Government Enforcement & White Collar Criminal Defense Practice

Crisis Law & Strategy Group

International Arbitration

Clients

Bombardier Transportation Inc.

Daewoo International

DreamWorks Animation LLC

EFG Bank

ETI

Hyundai Heavy Industries

Mirae Asset Global Investments

Experience

John Rhie is Quinn Emanuel’s Managing Partner of Asia. He is also the head of the International Arbitration practice in Asia. John specializes in international arbitration, both commercial and investment treaty, as well as cross-border/international litigation and white collar crime.

In relation to international arbitration, John has acted as counsel and arbitrator in arbitrations under most arbitral institutions such as the HKIAC, ICC, ICSID, KCAB, LCIA, SIAC as well as ad hoc arbitrations around the world.

John is recognized as a leading expert in the field of international arbitration and is ranked by all major legal publications. Asia Legal Awards named John as International Law Firm Leader of the Year (2024). John has constantly been ranked by Chambers & Partners for multiple jurisdictions, which says he “doesn't leave a stone unturned and has good judgement and balance as well,” and “is a pioneer in the arbitration sector in Asia. It is always good to have John on your side.” (Chambers and Partners, 2025). John has been ranked as Band 1 by Chambers & Partners Greater China Region in 2025. Clients praise him as “John is terrific and is the real deal. He absolutely belongs at the top of the market” (Chambers and Partners, 2024). Legal publications also quote clients praising him as “hands down one of the top arbitration practitioners in Korea and also internationally. His strategic thinking puts him above the rest.” (Legal 500, 2024) John is also constantly rated by Who's Who Legal as a leading practitioner in “Arbitration” and “Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao SAR.” As early as 2011, he was chosen as one of the “Hot 100” figures in the Asian legal industry by Asian Legal Business, and was the youngest practitioner to be named in Global Arbitration Review’s “45 under 45” leading arbitration practitioners.

In regards to litigation, John has personally undertaken litigation in the English High Court for various different clients on matters ranging from post M&A disputes to trademark infringement. John has also managed complex and high value litigation matters for Asian clients in jurisdictions ranging from the U.S., Panama, British Virgin Islands and South Korea.

As well as practicing law, John regularly sits as an arbitrator and was an adjunct professor at Seoul National University and at the Korean Supreme Court’s Judicial Research and Training Institute.

John has been appointed in the recently formed Panel of Arbitrators of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre for Intellectual Property Disputes. He is a member of a small task force formed by the Hong Kong Government and led by the Minister of Justice to review the Arbitration Ordinance in relation to the applicability of IP rights. John has also recently been appointed as a member of the SIAC Users Council Hong Kong National Committee and in the Panel of Arbitrators of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission.

Languages Spoken

English

Korean

Publications

Korean Chapter of World Arbitration Reporter 2nd edition, 2010

Article on the "Singapore International Arbitration Centre" in Getting the Deal Through, 2011

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Asia & Pacific

Dispute Resolution: International Firms - South Korea

1
Band 1
Individual Editorial
John Rhie maintains a prominent reputation for his arbitration work and demonstrates further expertise in international litigation and white-collar crime mandates. He is counsel of choice in many cases, especially those concerning M&A, investment, IP and trade secrets issues.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

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