Dispute Resolution: Domestic

Hiroyuki Tezuka has a distinguished reputation in the arbitration sphere. He offers over three decades of experience advising clients on large-scale arbitrations arising out of projects and commercial agreements.

Akihiro Hironaka's broad expertise involves representing clients in cross-border disputes, including arbitrations, in connection with joint venture, product liability, tax and antitrust matters.

"Hironaka-sensei in particular was definitely top-notch. He is practical and polite, and provides effective explanations. He has a client-first mindset with good responsiveness."

"Hironaka is a very trustable adviser. He is a former judge with many valuable insights. He helped to navigate and bridge cultural gaps, and to give advice on the Japanese courts, judges and legal system."

Lars Markert has a growing reputation in the market, and is especially noted for his expertise handling cross-border arbitration cases related to M&A, investment, construction contracts and product liability issues, often for EU clients.

"Lars has a very good understanding of arbitration and is strong at formulating persuasive arguments and quick at providing solutions."

Chie Nakahara is a respected arbitration counsel who is in high demand by Japanese corporates and is often mandated to handle cross-border manufacturing and trade-related disputes.

"At Japanese law firms there are not many people as talented as Chie Nakahara."

"She is a diligent and hard-working lawyer who is good at English."

Yutaro Kawabata is noted for his extensive experience in arbitration, regularly representing clients from a range of sectors in disputes arising out of breaches and termination of contracts and commercial agreements, as well as uncompleted projects.

"He is very experienced in international arbitration and has high English proficiency; I can't spot any weaknesses."

"He provides quite high-level service in international arbitration. He has a good commercial mind and handles the case to bring us maximum profit."

"Kawabata always responded quickly. He provided advice with a business vision which I found very reliable."

Hiroshi Kimeda leads the firm's corporate crisis management department. He is well experienced handling a variety of crisis management mandates, including bribery, fraud, insider trading and misrepresentation of financial statements cases. Clients also benefit from his previous experience as a public prosecutor.

"Mr Kimeda has been in this field for a very long time and is very good and very experienced in this area."

Kaku Hirao has extensive experience advising on internal investigations and cases initiated by regulatory authorities. He has particular expertise handling criminal proceedings, thanks to his experience as a public prosecutor at the Criminal Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Justice.

Kei Umebayashi draws on his experience working at the Special Investigative Section of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office and is adept at handling trade secrets and intellectual property and antitrust disputes.

"Clients do really like him. He's very popular and very good at thinking strategy."