Joseph L. Choe
Associate, International Arbitration
Joseph L. Choe represents clients in litigation and international arbitration proceedings, providing counsel on complex commercial and investment disputes arising from cross-border transactions. He has experience with the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the American Arbitration Association (AAA), the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), among others. Joe has engaged with disputes arising in a variety of industries including aerospace, pharmaceutical, energy, and financial services, as well as with claims involving foreign sovereigns or state-owned entities. He also has counseled on investigations involving corruption and sanctions.
Joe is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Cardozo School of Law and is also dedicated to pro bono matters. He frequently represents Spanish-speaking clients and has obtained asylum for individuals who are fleeing ethnic, religious, and political persecution. Notably, Joe successfully represented a New York Times reporter from Afghanistan who sought asylum in the U.S. during the 2021 Taliban offensive. In addition, he has experience in cases brought under the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction.
Experience
Prior to joining Willkie, Joe practiced with the International Litigation and Arbitration department at Skadden, Arps in New York. Prior to his legal career, Joe was a management consultant. He has also worked at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and a chamber of commerce in Chile.
- Co-Chair, New York Very Young Arbitration Practitioners Regional Representative, Young ICCA, International Council for Commercial Arbitration
- Advisory Board Member, WashU Law AI Advisory Board
- Assistant Editor (East and Central Asia), Kluwer Arbitration Blog
- Arbitration Committee and International Law Committee, New York City Bar Association
- Officer, Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York
- Executive Board, Korean American Civic Empowerment
- Associate Board, Korean American Community Foundation
- Co-Author, International Commercial Arbitration in New York, Chapter 11 (Discovery), Oxford University Press, Fall 2025
- Panelist, “Effective Cross Examination in International Arbitration,” Young ICCA / New York Arbitration Week, November 16, 2025
- Guest Lecturer, “Legal Writing Course,” CAM-CCBC - Centro de Arbitragem e Mediação, September 15, 2025
- Faculty Member, “International Arbitration Skills Masterclass,” American Bar Association International Law Section, June 17, 2025
- Moderator, “The State of AI Regulation Around the World,” Sedona Conference and National Law Review, December 12, 2024
- Panelist, “Time to Update the New York Convention to Ensure Efficiency and Fairness in the Enforcement of Arbitral Awards?” Washington Arbitration Week, December 3, 2024
- Moderator, “David v. Goliath: Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence in International Arbitration,” American Branch of the International Law Association’s (ABILA) International Law Weekend, October 25, 2024
- Panelist, “Navigating Parallel Proceedings in Global Disputes,” Harvard Law School International Arbitration Law Students Association, April 17, 2024
- Panelist, “Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Arbitration & Legal Practice,” Columbia Law School International Arbitration Association, April 4, 2024
- Panelist, “The Impact of International Backgrounds on Arbitration Advocacy Styles,” Leitner Center for International Law and Justice, February 14, 2024
- Brazilian aircraft manufacturer in a dispute against a U.S. aircraft manufacturer regarding the termination of a multibillion-dollar merger agreement and the termination of a large joint venture agreement
- French company in a dispute governed by French law, venued in Paris
- Peruvian client in a maritime dispute based in the U.K.
- U.S. financial services institution navigating Russian sanctions
- U.S. pharmaceutical company in parallel arbitration and state court proceedings
Credentials
Education
Harvard Law School, J.D., 2021 Harvard University, B.A. (magna cum laude), 2017