City-Yuwa Partners is well-regarded for its robust bankruptcy and restructuring practice, alongside strong capabilities in commercial, patent, construction, and real estate litigation. The firm brings a multidisciplinary approach to dispute resolution, advising clients across a range of complex legal issues. Shigeaki Ito leads the practice with a focus on real estate transactions, corporate governance, and shareholders’ meetings, advising clients on matters at the intersection of property and corporate operations. Yoko Maeda maintains a highly active international arbitration practice, both as counsel and arbitrator. Her work spans a wide array of industries, including construction, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, energy, intellectual property, and joint ventures, advising on issues such as distributorships, licensing, and international sales of goods. She has acted in proceedings under the rules of major arbitral institutions, including AAA/ICDR, ICC, SIAC, and VIAC.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Yoko Maeda is an international arbitration superstar. She is dynamic, tireless and has a sharp intellect. She is a visionary thinker and effective advocate. Yoko has vast international experience and serves in leadership positions at the ICC and SIAC.'
- 'The stand-out figure in City-Yuwa’s dispute resolution team is without question Yoko Maeda. She is a truly exceptional practitioner who combines world-class legal expertise with a rare human touch. Perfectly bilingual and bicultural, she moves effortlessly between Japanese and international settings.'
Work highlights
Represented TEPCO in over 40 consecutive class action cases brought by more than 10,000 Japanese citizens and companies, who sued TEPCO and the Japanese government, seeking for damages relating to the level seven meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant complex after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and the associated evacuation zones affecting hundreds of thousands of residents.
Lawyers
Leading partners: Bengoshi
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Shigeaki Ito
Other key lawyers
Yoko Maeda