John B. Quinn

John B. Quinn is the Founder and Chairman of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, one of the world’s leading firms devoted to business litigation and arbitration, and is widely recognised as one of the leading trial lawyers of his generation.

Since its foundation in Los Angeles in 1986, John and his partners have built what The Wall Street Journal has described as a ‘global litigation powerhouse’. The firm has grown to more than 1,000 lawyers across an international network of offices and has acted in many of the world’s most significant commercial disputes.

A defining feature of Quinn Emanuel has been its focus on litigation and arbitration. Under John’s leadership, the firm also took the unusual strategic decision not to represent many of the world’s largest money-centre banks on an institutional basis, preserving its ability to act adversely to them in major disputes.

John has received extensive recognition during his career. American Lawyer has described him as a ‘master strategist’, while a 2016 Bloomberg Big Law Business poll named him the ‘most famous practicing lawyer in the world’ among lawyers at large law firms.

Beyond legal practice, John is a frequent participant in international business and policy forums. His speaking engagements have included the Milken Institute in Beverly Hills and the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, where he has chaired discussions on subjects including investment, ESG and the policy environment for international capital.

For 33 years, John served as General Counsel to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organisation responsible for the Academy Awards.

His interests extend beyond law and business. John is an avid mountain climber and Ironman triathlete, a father of five and a longstanding contemporary-art enthusiast. In 2016, he opened the Museum of Broken Relationships on Hollywood Boulevard, and in 2021 launched an artist-in-residence programme at Quinn Emanuel to provide a platform for emerging and mid-career artists in greater Los Angeles.

He is also the owner of Q Sushi, an omakase restaurant in downtown Los Angeles.