Dr. Lemuel D. Lopez is a Lecturer in Law at RMIT University, specializing in International Commercial Law, Contract Law, and Civil Procedure. His research focuses on cross-border dispute resolution, private international law, international arbitration, and regulatory compliance, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. With a PhD in Private International Law from the University of Melbourne, Dr. Lopez has published extensively on choice-of-forum clauses, cross-border contract enforcement, and dispute resolution mechanisms in international trade.
Dr. Lopez combines academic scholarship with practical legal consultancy, having advised multinational clients on cross-jurisdictional transactions, regulatory frameworks, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). His interdisciplinary approach to legal education and research bridges the gap between theory and practice, preparing students for global legal challenges.
A Lecturer in Law at RMIT University, Dr Lopez teaches Contract Law, International Commercial Law, Civil Dispute Resolution, Business Law, and Company and Finance Law to undergraduate and postgraduate students. With a strong commitment to bridging legal theory and practice, he integrates real-world case studies and comparative legal analysis into his teaching, ensuring that students develop both a foundational understanding of legal principles and the ability to apply them in cross-border legal contexts. His teaching emphasizes the practical implications of international contracts, litigation, and dispute resolution, preparing students for legal careers in global law firms, corporate legal departments, and regulatory agencies.
Prior to joining RMIT, Dr. Lopez was a Teaching Fellow at Melbourne Law School, where he taught subjects including Human Rights and Global Justice, Australian Competition and Consumer Law, Business Law, and Free Speech & Media Law. In this role, he designed interactive tutorials, assessments, and research-based learning modules that encouraged critical legal thinking and interdisciplinary analysis. Beyond the classroom, he actively engages in student mentorship, research supervision, and curriculum development, fostering an academic environment that encourages independent inquiry and professional growth. He has also taught at University of New South Wales, Australian Catholic University, and Swinburne University where he taught Public and Private International Law and Property Law.
With a background in both legal academia and consultancy, Dr. Lopez incorporates his practical experience in international law, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution into his pedagogy. His teaching philosophy is centered on problem-based learning, equipping students with the analytical tools necessary to navigate the complexities of modern legal practice. He has also been involved in continuing legal education programs and corporate training workshops, further demonstrating his ability to tailor legal education to both academic and professional audiences.
Dr. Lemuel D. Lopez’s research focuses on the intersection of international commercial law, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance, particularly within the Asia-Pacific region. His work explores the challenges and effectiveness of choice-of-law and choice-of-forum clauses in cross-border commercial contracts, examining their enforceability across different jurisdictions and the implications for global trade and investment. He is particularly interested in how private international law interact with national regulatory regimes, shaping the way international disputes are resolved in arbitration and litigation settings.
A key aspect of Dr. Lopez’s research is cross-border litigation as a mechanism for cross-border dispute resolution, including its role in promoting legal certainty in global business transactions. He analyzes the procedural complexities of key Asia-Pacific jurisdictions, including Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia. Beyond cross-border litigation, his work also examines the strategic use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms including commercial arbitration in resolving multinational corporate disputes. Banking and Finance including Islamic banking, technology and energy are the key industries he has investigated.
In the realm of regulatory compliance, Dr. Lopez investigates how multinational corporations navigate legal risks associated with anti-corruption laws, data privacy regulations, and cross-border contractual obligations. His research delves into the role of corporate governance frameworks in mitigating legal uncertainty and ensuring compliance with global trade laws. By integrating legal scholarship with practical consultancy experience, he aims to provide insights that are both theoretically rigorous and industry-relevant, contributing to policy discussions and legal reforms in international dispute resolution and commercial regulation.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.