Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

“The firm has good experience in arbitration. In addition, it advises on how we should behave in business discussions involving possible disputes, and from practical point of view,” says one client of Herbert Smith. The firm’s reputation in this area ... [more]

“The firm has good experience in arbitration. In addition, it advises on how we should behave in business discussions involving possible disputes, and from practical point of view,” says one client of Herbert Smith. The firm’s reputation in this area is undisputed and the Tokyo office is no exception. The practice has continued to grow over the past year, with the promotion of construction expert Emma Kratochvilova to the partnership and the joining of two senior associates. The group has also been busy on more IP related cases since Frederick Chen’s joining in 2010.

Managing partner Peter Godwin, Dominic Roughton and David Gilmore are all well established, while the younger Gavin Margetson is building up his own name in the market as well. One client speaks highly of Godwin: “He is a stand-out professionally. I found him incredibly straight speaking. His advice always demonstrates an understanding of our business, and it is always practical and well put together.” An interesting case that has been keeping the team busy saw Godwin defend an auto manufacturer against parallel claims in Thailand and JCAA arbitration.

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While peers note that Morrison & Foerster’s dispute resolution practice is focused on IP and US-related matters, and is therefore not as broad as its counterparts in Tokyo, there is no doubt that the firm provides a high standard of service. Clients ... [more]

While peers note that Morrison & Foerster’s dispute resolution practice is focused on IP and US-related matters, and is therefore not as broad as its counterparts in Tokyo, there is no doubt that the firm provides a high standard of service. Clients have no hesitation going to lead partners like Jack Londen, Max Olsen, Craig Celniker and Peter Stern for advice on litigation and arbitration.

“They are excellent. The firm’s high-level lawyers always give us excellent advice,” says one client. “They are careful in spotting legal issues, but at the same time they keep a balance between such issues and our business needs.” Celniker is singled out by another client for praise: “I was deeply impressed by the strong leadership of Craig, which helped us in making a difficult and important decision at critical stages of the dispute resolution process.”

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Baker & McKenzie grew its practice with four new hires in the past year. It welcomed the arrival of partner Yaeko Hodaka and two associates from Morrison & Foerster in February 2011. Earlier in August 2010, counsel Junko Suetomi joined the team and brought ... [more]

Baker & McKenzie grew its practice with four new hires in the past year. It welcomed the arrival of partner Yaeko Hodaka and two associates from Morrison & Foerster in February 2011. Earlier in August 2010, counsel Junko Suetomi joined the team and brought with her experience in international trade. An arbitration specialist, Haig Oghigian is acting on several arbitration matters. These include JCAA arbitration involving the withdrawal of a Japanese manufacturer from the EU, and an ICC arbitration regarding defective products sold in Japan by a US manufacturer. Co-chair of the practice Yoshiaki Muto is another key contact.

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Noted by counterparts for having a “small but significant” team, White & Case is a solid presence in the dispute resolution space in Japan. Heading up the practice is IP expert David Case, and Mark Goodrich and Robert Grondine are recommended for their ... [more]

Noted by counterparts for having a “small but significant” team, White & Case is a solid presence in the dispute resolution space in Japan. Heading up the practice is IP expert David Case, and Mark Goodrich and Robert Grondine are recommended for their skills in international arbitration. Drawing on the expertise of other practice groups in the firm, the team provides both domestic and foreign law advice across a broad spectrum of areas like construction, tax, employment, and financial services. Notably, the team is working with its other offices on representing a Japanese manufacturer and affiliates in putative antitrust class action litigation by direct and indirect purchasers of thin-film translator liquid crystal displays.

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The dispute resolution practice at Hogan Lovells’ Tokyo office is handled by its construction and IP partners. As a result, the majority of its disputes work is focused on these two areas. In particular, the firm is known for its IP expertise and it ... [more]

The dispute resolution practice at Hogan Lovells’ Tokyo office is handled by its construction and IP partners. As a result, the majority of its disputes work is focused on these two areas. In particular, the firm is known for its IP expertise and it is working with clients on a range of contentious IP matters, from litigation and enforcement to anti-counterfeiting. It regularly acts on energy and construction related arbitration as well.

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