Herbert Smith Freehills LLP continues to impress for its disputes offering in Tokyo, with the team noted particularly for its international arbitration expertise. Practice head David Gilmore has two decades of experience in Japan, specialising in international commercial dispute resolution. He is especially active in the manufacturing, pharma, TMT, and energy/natural resources sectors. Elaine Wong focuses on international arbitration proceedings in the energy, infrastructure, auto, and tech spaces, among others. Christopher Clay, promoted to partner in May 2024, handles international investigations, regulatory matters, enforcement actions, and crisis management. Construction disputes expert Ben Jolley joined the firm in June 2024.

With a ‘strong presence on the ground in Tokyo‘, Morrison Foerster’s litigation department continues to stand out for its expertise in ‘complex litigation cases‘. Max Olson has considerable experience handling litigation involving patents, trade secrets and the sports sector, and also excels in international arbitration. With a wealth of experience in international arbitration and litigation proceedings in the tech space, Louise Stoupe leads the team alongside Yuka Teraguchi, who regularly advises tech clients in relation to IP and commercial disputes. Chie Yakura’s broad practice covers IP, tech, trade secrets, and antitrust/competition law claims, as well as cross-border commercial disputes and product liability matters. Yuichi Inase is noted for his commercial and IP litigation expertise.

Clifford Chance (Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo)’s dispute resolution team in Tokyo is noted for its international arbitration experience as well as for its involvement in contentious regulatory matters, investigations, and employment disputes. Practice head Peter Harris specialises in international commercial and investor-state arbitration proceedings, especially those concerning the energy, resources, construction, and infrastructure sectors. Mohsun Ali is a key contact for advice on investor-state dispute settlement arbitration and employment disputes, among other matters.

Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)’s disputes team in Tokyo advises major clients on a broad range of matters. With over 30 years of experience handling cross-border litigation and arbitration proceedings, Yoshiaki Muto leads the team. Takeshi Yoshida and Toshio Ibaraki are noted for their experience in compliance and corporate investigations, respectively. Ryosuke Tateishi focuses on disputes in the life sciences sector. Masami Sakai handles litigation concerning financial products, IT system development, corporate governance, corporate law, and labour law.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP‘s disputes offering in Tokyo has a strong reputation for handling IP litigation. Practice head Ryan Goldstein excels in patent disputes and proceedings involving other IP rights. His patent work covers a wide range of technologies, including cellular communications, television, semiconductors, encryption and navigation systems.

Squire Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo Horitsu Jimusho’s dispute resolution group in Tokyo focuses on international commercial matters, including those involving licensing and distribution agreements, technology transfers, and product liability claims. Practice head David Yaegashi primarily handles litigation and international commercial arbitration proceedings concerning IP and international business transactions. Matthew Digby and David Miyamoto both divide their time between Tokyo and Los Angeles. Jun Mamiya is also a key contact.