Chie Yakura > Morrison Foerster > Tokyo, Japan > Lawyer Profile

A large specialist team with a comprehensive IP offering, Morrison Foerster is well placed to handle a broad array of contentious and non-contentious IP transactions with a multi-jurisdictional element. Particular expertise in the software, fintech and medical device sectors is coupled with in-depth knowledge of the automotive and aerospace industries. The team is co-led by Louise Stoupe, Yuka Teraguchi and Masato Hayakawa, who bring their substantial expertise to advise on high-tech disputes, international arbitration and litigation, adversarial patent litigations and licensing negotiations. They are joined by Max Olson, who advises on trade mark, patent litigation and international arbitration and Chie Yakura, who strengthens the practice with her in-depth knowledge of technology transfers and antitrust law. Other practitioners of note include Yukihiro Terazawa, Seth Graham and Akira Irie.

Morrison Foerster‘s highly rated department is experienced in a range of antitrust and competition issues, including complex litigation, regulatory investigations, merger control filings, and administrative procedures before domestic and international competition authorities. Rony Gerrits, commended by clients for being ‘quick with responses’, leads the practice and is the name to note for international cartel investigations and cases at the intersection of antitrust and intellectual property. The team also includes Chie Yakura and Tomohiko Kimura; Yakura is recommended for litigation involving trade secrets, while Kimura is a key contact for clients seeking representation before the Japan Fair Trade Commission. Yuichi Inase and Tomoki Kodama were promoted to partner in January 2022 and January 2023 respectively.