John B. Quinn is the co-founder and chairman of international law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, the world’s largest law firm devoted solely to business litigation and arbitration. With offices in eleven countries, the firm has an impressive international reach and has established itself as a leading force in emerging areas of tech law. Speaking with ETLegalWorld, Quinn discussed the firm’s interest in India, its shifting legal landscape, rising tech law trends, and what he sees as driving the country’s exciting growth economy.
Having helped grow his firm from its Los Angeles roots into a global firm with offices worldwide, Quinn is always on the lookout for what’s next, and lately, India has been the country topping his list. “India’s meteoric rise in global status has been sparked by incredible innovation and economic growth, which will continue in the future,” he comments. “It’s a country at the cutting edge of innovation in many major sectors, most prominently the tech industry, setting the stage for digital transformation. I’m excited by this growth, particularly the potential for international arbitration work that comes with it.”
Quinn sees the Bar Council’s recent rule change as opening up a global world of possibilities for India. “The BCI opening is a great opportunity for foreign firms and the Indian business and legal community,” he says. “In other countries that have adopted similar policies, we’ve found that learning and benefits flow both ways: regional lawyers gain insights from international attorneys, while foreign firms gain access to the unique, specific knowledge only accessible to locals. In this age of globalisation, it’s critical to have access to both macro and micro level information of the law: this will be huge for India since, as its tech industry continues to flourish, it will certainly raise several cross-border legal issues.”
Quinn Emanuel is well-versed in the type of disputes and legal issues arising from innovation, having operated at the vanguard of the industry’s legal side for decades. “We operate in all aspects of tech law, whether cybersecurity, data privacy, intellectual property, life sciences, or patent litigation,” Quinn notes. “We have the largest patent litigation practice globally, representing major companies, such as Google and Nvidia.”
Considering India’s specific legal issues, Quinn sees numerous areas emerging in the country: “Patent law is maturing, and important changes are being made in bilateral investment treaties,” he comments. “As Indian countries continue to lead the way in innovation, it will be important that they feel their IP and assets are protected and in good standing with international partners.”
More broadly, Quinn notes three megatrends pushing India’s economy forward—global offshoring, digitalisation, and energy transition. “These are important, and all three boost India’s economic growth. These will propel the Indian economy forward in global significance, and all three also bring specific legal questions, whether that be labour laws, issues around privacy, or ESG regulation.”
While Quinn and his firm follow these legal trends closely, they have not formally planned to expand their footprint in India. “First and foremost, we are committed to working and engaging constructively with Indian law firms and companies, identifying where we can provide value and assistance, and growing our existing relationships in the country, Quinn notes. “Whether that will involve having an office is too soon to say.”
Regardless of his firm’s next steps, Quinn is certain that India remains a place to watch. “It’s India’s time, and we want to be a part of that.”