The Legal 500

Mori Hamada & Matsumoto’s dispute resolution practice draws admiring glances for its ‘very experienced lawyers, dignified case management and excellent client service’. Although the caseload has a strong IP slant, the firm also has experience across commercial litigation, tax disputes and criminal defence matters. Notable highlights included successfully representing Sony Corporation in a copyright and trade secret infringement case in the Tokyo District Court, filed by a Taiwanese company. Mugi Sekido is recommended for domestic and regulatory work, corporate specialist Harumichi Uchida is strong on the international side, and Shanghai-based Yoshio Iteya has an excellent track record in cases involving China.

At Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu, team head Jun Naitoh is considered ‘among the leading litigation partners in Japan’ and is particularly recommended for regulatory advice. On the international side, Hisaya Kimura is strong on commercial litigation, arbitration and employment issues, and Ryoichi Mimura is highly-regarded for IP litigation following a 30-year stint as a judge. Clients include manufacturing companies, IT companies and even private entities for tax litigation. Among the firm’s recent highlights, it represented a financial institution in pension-related litigation.

Nishimura & Asahi’s practice is led by international trade specialist Hiroyuki Tezuka. The firm fields a notable niche in financial services-related litigation but has experience across the full gamut of civil and commercial litigation, including environmental law, tax litigation and shareholder disputes. In early 2011, Hiroshi Kimeda and Akihiro Hironaka successfully represented a Japanese trading company in a $423.5m civil litigation filed by an affiliate company of a US-headquartered investment bank. IP litigation is also a strong area, and Eiichi Fukushima and Hiroshi Suga recently won a patent infringement case in the IP High Court.

Anderson Mori & Tomotsune secured a number of high-profile financial services-related instructions over the past twelve months cementing its reputation as ‘the “go-to” firm for banking and finance work’. Hiroki Wakabayashi specialises in advising both domestic and multinational financial institutions and audit corporations on a broad range of commercial disputes, and Yoshimasa Furuta is a ‘great all-rounder’ with a strong international arbitration practice and a solid corporate client list. The firm successfully defended a financial institution in a ¥2bn claim arising from a terminated derivatives transaction.

Abe, Wada & Watanabe’s client list is strong on the telecommunications and technology side, ensuring a steady flow of IP-related disputes. However, the firm is also experienced across contentious employment matters, commercial litigation and product liability, with Yoshiki Abe and Hiromi Watanabe both recommended. Recent cases include advising on the competition issues arising from a company executive moving to a rival company.

Atsumi & Sakai’s contentious construction practice saw a steady flow of cases over the past year; notably Miho Niunoya advised on several cases relating to product liability in manufacturing plants. Toyoki Emoto is also very experienced and advises on bankruptcy matters, commercial litigation and professional negligence actions.

Hashidate Law Office is a ‘safe pair of hands for domestic work’ but also handles cross-border litigation in the commercial, bankruptcy and civil fields. Clients include department stores, hotel syndicates and technology manufacturers. Specialist litigation partner Takahiro Mikami is recommended.

Hibiya Park Law Offices’ corporate and banking prowess is well-matched on the contentious side, and it is highly recommended for finance litigation. Hideaki Kubori retains a strong reputation locally for his ‘high levels of professionalism and efficiency’.

The ‘entrepreneurial’ Iwata Godo has a ‘forward-looking practice’ with a good reputation for advising on class actions, environmental issues and claims arising from new financial products. Motohiko Ebihara is well-regarded for his experience representing power companies on environmental issues, and Takayuki Umase specialises in advising banks and trust companies on matters spanning complex financial litigation through to debt collection.

Kojima Law Offices advises on the full range of contract disputes, IP issues and employment issues and is also recommended for its commitment to alternative dispute resolution. The prolific Naoki Idei is highly recommended, particularly for professional negligence and product liability claims.

Matsuo & Kosugi attracts praise for the ‘expert knowledge’ of Tasuku Matsuo – considered an ‘absolute leader in the field of bankruptcy law’. Clients are drawn from the banking, manufacturing and telecommunication sectors and the firm advises across IP issues, creditors’ claims and commercial litigation.

At Miyake & Yamazaki, Akira Yamada recently returned from his stint at the firm’s Bangkok office and is highly recommended for international litigation and bankruptcy matters. On the IP side, JunichiYamazaki is highly regarded for contentious matters.

In addition to its strong IP practice, TMI Associates specialises in insolvency matters and it also receives a regular flow of instructions relating to commercial litigation and private client issues. Kunio Namekata is recommended.