U.S. law firm White & Case has launched its disputes practice in Tokyo with the addition of Shinsuke Yakura, the former head of Orrick’s office in the Japanese capital, as a partner.

Yakura brings over 20 years of experience in cross-border litigation and arbitration, intellectual property, white collar and compliance matters, as well as antitrust and product liability.

He advises on inbound disputes before Japanese courts and on matters under the rules of the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association, as well as outbound disputes before U.S. courts and under institutional arbitral rules in various jurisdictions.

At Orrick, Yakura also headed the complex litigation and dispute resolution group and intellectual property group in Tokyo. He joined that firm in 2011 from Paul Hastings, and previously worked at H Okada International Law Offices.

“Shinsuke is a leading intellectual property and disputes lawyer in Japan, who is unique in the breadth of his disputes experience and his admittance to practice in New York as well as Japan,” said Jun Usami, the executive partner of White & Case’s Tokyo office, in a statement.

Added Oliver Brettle, White & Case partner and vice-chair: "Japan's growing economy and legal market make it an important location for a global elite law firm such as White & Case.”

Yakura’s hire marks the most recent lateral appointment for White & Case’s Tokyo office this year. It recently hired investment funds partner Eriko Sakata and local partner Sayako Shiraki, both from Linklaters.

Earlier, the office lost real estate partners Mizuho Yamada and Ayako Kawano to Greenberg Traurig.

White & Case’s Tokyo office now has 11 partners.