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    Welcome to the ALB Japan Law Awards 2022!
     

    WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists at our awards.

    Date:    Thursday, 2 June 2022
    Time:    6:30 pm Cocktail session
    Venue: The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo
     

    Asian Legal Business is pleased to announce that the 18th Annual ALB Japan Law Awards 2022 returns as an in-person event! We are thrilled to be returning to Japan after a two-year hiatus and look forward to seeing you again in 2022.

    These prestigious awards will recognise the exceptional performance of private practitioners and in-house counsel in Japan and throughout the region. Recognize the accomplishments and efforts of your own law firm, in-house team, or other teams you have worked with in the last year. The process will conclude with an awards ceremony in June 2022. Come celebrate legal excellence with us!

    For questions about the submission or the event, please contact
    Lokesh Bogati at lokesh.bogati@tr.com or +91 7666 872611.

    For questions about sponsorship opportunities, please contact
    Amantha Chia at amantha.chia@tr.com or +65 6973 8258.


    GUEST OF HONOUR

    H

    Keiichi Hayashi
    Former Justice, Supreme Court of Japan
    Former Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom
    Senior Counsel, Morrison & Foerster Law Offices

    Keiichi is a former Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan, where he served for almost four years (April 2017–February 2021). Prior to that, he was a senior diplomat with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he worked for over 40 years.

    A graduate of the Faculty of Law at Kyoto University, he joined the Ministry in 1974, serving for nearly a decade in the Ministry’s Office of Legal Advisors, which he eventually led. In addition, as a diplomat, he was assigned to seven overseas postings, including as Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom (2011–2016) and Ireland (2005–2008).

    Keiichi Hayashi is currently a senior counsel in the Litigation Department of Morrison & Foerster Law Offices. 
     


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    CATEGORIES

    DEAL CATEGORIES

    Debt Market Deal of the Year
    Equity Market Deal of the Year
    M&A Deal of the Year (Midsize)
    M&A Deal of the Year (Premium)
    Project Finance Deal of the Year
    Real Estate Deal of the Year
    Technology, Media and Telecommunications Deal of the Year (Midsize)
    Technology, Media and Telecommunications Deal of the Year (Premium)

    INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES

    Dealmaker of the Year
    Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year
    Foreign Lawyer of the Year
    In-House Lawyer of the Year
    Managing Partner of the Year
    Woman Lawyer of the Year (In-House/Law Firm)
    Young Lawyer of the Year (In-House/Law Firm)

    IN-HOUSE CATEGORIES

    Innovative In-House Team of the Year
    Technology, Media and Telecommunications In-House Team of the Year
    Japan In-House Team of the Year

    FIRM CATEGORIES

    Antitrust and Competition Law Firm of the Year 
    Banking and Financial Services Law Firm of the Year 
    Boutique Law Firm of the Year
    Energy and Resources Law Firm of the Year 
    Healthcare and Life Sciences Law Firm of the Year 
    International Arbitration Law Firm of the Year 
    International Deal Firm of the Year 
    International Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year 
    Investment Fund Law Firm of the Year 
    Japan Deal Firm of the Year 
    Japan Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year 
    Japan Practice Foreign Law Firm of the Year 
    Labour and Employment Law Firm of the Year 
    Litigation Law Firm of the Year 
    Overseas Practice Law Firm of the Year 
    Real Estate Law Firm of the Year 
    Regulatory and Compliance Law Firm of the Year 
    Restructuring and Insolvency Law Firm of the Year
    Tax and Trusts Law Firm of the Year 
    Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Firm of the Year
    Japan Law Firm of the Year

     

            SUBMISSION FORMS         

    Submissions are closed

              IMPORTANT DATES         

    Opening of submissions | 21 February 
    Extended deadline for submissions | 31 March
    Announcement of finalists | End of April 
    Awards ceremony | 2 June

               SUBMISSION INQUIRIES          

    Lokesh Bogati
    Events Researcher
    Phone: +91-22-68414325
    lokesh.bogati@thomsonreuters.com

    JUDGING PANEL

    Each year, ALB invites an independent judging panel of senior and expert legal industry leaders from various sectors corresponding to the diverse list of award categories. ALB is pleased to introduce some of the distinguished judges. The rest of the panel will be revealed on the evening of the awards.

    Arshad Karim
    Director & Associate General Counsel, Japan & Korea
    Twitter

    Arshad Karim is Senior Legal Counsel at Twitter since January 2019, responsible for all legal matters in Japan and Korea, including but not limited to drafting and negotiating various commercial agreements, managing litigation, and advising on privacy, law enforcement, and employment matters.

    Prior to Twitter, he served as Senior Vice President & Legal Counsel for Nikko Asset Management Co., Ltd where Arshad was involved in projects such as acquisitions of asset management companies in Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia, establishment of joint ventures in China and India, and the listing process with the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

    Prior to that, he was Legal Counsel & Chief Privacy Officer for IMS Japan, an American pharmaceutical data firm where he led the Company’s efforts to comply with the Personal Information Protection Law of Japan. His previous positions also include tenure at Hayabusa Kokusai Law Offices and Deloitte & Touche in New York. He received a B.A. with Distinction in Biological Sciences from Cornell University and a J.D. from Loyola Law School. 

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    Junko Mukoyama
    Senior Corporate Counsel, Avaya Japan

    Junko Mukoyama is a board member and senior corporate counsel at Avaya Japan Ltd. and is in charge of the legal department at the company. Before joining Avaya in 2004, she worked at an international law and patent firm as a trademark attorney and at an IT company. She received a masters of law degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and completed a doctorate course in bankruptcy at Waseda University. She has published over a dozen articles in the fields of bankruptcy and intellectual property. She is registered as an attorney in New York State and as a patent attorney in Japan. She is a member of ABI, AIPPI, INTA and JTA. 

    Hiroshi Miyashita
    Associate Professor of Law, Chuo University

    Hiroshi Miyashita is Associate Professor of Law at Chuo University in Tokyo. He specializes in constitutional law and information law. Prior to the current position, Miyashita served for the Office of Personal Information Protection in the Cabinet Office of Japan. He received Doctor in Law from Hitotsubashi University. He was a visiting scholar at Harvard Law School, Brussels Privacy Hub, Vrijie Universiteit Brussel and CRIDS (Centre de Recherche Information, Droit et Société), University of Namur. He published five books on privacy including the EU GDPR Commentary in Japanese and over 100 academic articles including many on privacy and data protection.

    Kenichi Umezawa

    Kenichi Umezawa
    Head of Legal and Compliance, Japan
    MSD

    Kenichi Umezawa has been Member of the Board, Executive Officer, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer and Head of Legal & Compliance at MSD Japan since January 2020. He has extensive knowledge and experience in the healthcare industry from both sides of Legal and compliance of pharmaceutical business with spending a considerable amount time with Novartis Pharma Japan working as their Head of Pharma Legal, and thereafter, as their Corporate Officer and Head of Integrity & Compliance. He also has experience of working for Microsoft and Cargill respectively in Japan after started his career as a lawyer at White & Case Tokyo.

    Mr. Umezawa received his LL.B. degree from Waseda University and is admitted to practice law in Japan (2000).

     Kenji Tagaya

    Kenji Tagaya
    Executive Officer, General Counsel, Head of Legal Group
    JERA

    Mr. Tagaya is the Executive Officer, General Counsel and Head of Legal Group of JERA, which is one of the largest energy companies in Japan, encompassing the entire energy supply chain from upstream fuel investment and fuel procurement through power generation. Prior to joining JERA, Mr. Tagaya worked for a Japanese governmental financial institution (JBIC) and was involved in oil & gas and power project financing in Asia and Middle East.

    Mr. Tagaya also spent time as Principal Counsel at an international financial institution (EBRD) in London and was involved in development financing in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. He was awarded ALB (Asian Legal Business) Japan “In-house Lawyer of the Year” in 2017 and Chambers “GC Influencers” Japan in 2019.

       Michito Kitamura

    Michito Kitamura
    Managing Partner
    PwC Legal Japan

    Michito Kitamura is a managing partner at PwC Legal Japan. Prior to joining PwC Legal Japan in 2016, he started his career in working for Arthur Andersen for 5 years as a C.P.A. and then worked for one of the largest law firms in Japan for 15 years as an attorney-at-law, including five years as a partner.

    He specializes in the fields of tax dispute and litigation, wealth management and ESG as well as corporate law and M&A, by utilizing his unique background that includes experience in the legal, tax and accounting fields. Specifically, he has extensive experience representing clients in various kinds of tax disputes and litigation at all court levels in Japan. In addition, he has also engaged in consulting services related to ESG and sustainability agendas with PwC professionals.

    Michito has served as an expert on the committee on international taxation of the JICPA. He has also been a lecturer on tax policy at Hitotsubashi University’s School of International and Public Policy from 2011 to the present. He is a graduate of Keio University and NYU School of Law (LLM in International Tax).

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    Michael Mroczek
    President, European Business Council in Japan

    Michael Mroczek is a Partner with the Tokyo based Okuno & Partners where he primarily specializes in international commercial arbitration, corporate law, M&A and finance.  Michael also serves as President of the European Business Council in Japan (EBC).  He is a lecturer at the University of Tokyo where he teaches International Arbitration.  He also lectures at the Temple Law School (Tokyo) and the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland). Michael sits as arbitrator in cross-border disputes. 

    Mika Yano
    Vice President, Head of Legal, Asia and the U.S.
    Colt Technology Services

    Mika Yano is Director, Head of Legal, Asia and the U.S. at Colt Technology Services, Co., Ltd.  She has held several in-house positions in Japan and the U.S., and was also in private practice at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.  Mika is admitted to practice law in New York, and is a graduate of Keio University and Georgetown University Law Center.

    Steven Howard
    Senior Legal Counsel, Japan & Pan-Asia
    Fiskars Group

    Steven Howard is Senior Legal Counsel for the Fiskars Group, a Finnish consumer products company which includes such iconic brands as Wedgwood, Waterford and Royal Copenhagen.  He handles all legal matters across the Asia-Pacific region.  Prior to joining Fiskars this year Steven was a senior counsel with Sony in Tokyo and Singapore for eight years, including two years as Global Privacy Officer for Sony's mobile business group.  Originally from the US, Steven has practiced law in Asia for over 20 years, both in-house and in private practice.

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    Rupert Burrows
    Managing Partner, Mayer Brown Tokyo

    Rupert Burrows is the Managing Partner of Mayer Brown's Tokyo office. Rupert is highly regarded in Japan for his broad experience in projects work, particularly international infrastructure projects in the energy and chemical sectors and related corporate M&A. His clients include all of the major Japanese trading houses as well as a large number of Japanese utilities and banks. He has a wealth of experience advising Japanese companies on cross-border acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and other investments.   

    w

    Wise Wang
    Senior Legal Counsel, ByteDance K.K.

    Wise Wang is the Senior Legal Counsel responsible for ByteDance K.K.’s legal affairs. He joined ByteDance K.K. as the first in-house legal counsel and is currently the lead product counsel, covering various products of ByteDance K.K. (BtoB, CtoC services including the most downloaded short-movie platform, TikTok). 

    Prior to joining ByteDance K.K., Wise worked for IBM, Deloitte as a business management consultant, subsequently served as a legal counsel for IT companies across industries (Game, EC, Automobile, Entertainment, Payment services, and SaaS). As an in-house legal counsel at website analytics company, PLAID, Inc., he had played a substantial role in initiating its global IPO (Global offering), which was an exceptional case in Japan-based SaaS industry. Combined with his diversified experiences in the business / legal fields and his multi-language (Japanese, Chinese, and English) skills, he provides unique and balanced legal services for one of the fastest-growing companies in the world.
     

    Yoshio Sano
    Director & Regional General Counsel, Far East
    Chubb Insurance Japan

    Yoshio Sano joined Chubb Insurance Japan as Executive Director and General Counsel, Far East in June 2017 and was promoted a director in March 2018. He manages 6 departments, Legal, Compliance, Solicitation Compliance, Solicitation materials Control, Product Filing and Government Affairs.

    Before joining Chubb, he belonged to BNP Paribas Cardif Japan as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer from 2015. Also, he worked for Tokyo office of Aetos Japan, an American asset management company from 2009 to 2015 and for an investment management subsidiary of Namura Holdings from 2005 to 2008 as General Counsel.

    He started his business carrier at Nippon Life Insurance in 1985 and experienced in Claims, NLI Research Institute, HR, Legal and Real Estate until 2005. The final job title was General Counsel for Real Estate

    He obtained LL.B at University of Tokyo in 1985 and LL.M at Harvard Law School in MA 1995.

    He is an attorney at law admitted in New York, USA.

    and many more...

    FINALISTS

    INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES

    Dealmaker of the Year

    Asa Shinkawa - Nishimura & Asahi
    Eiichi Kanda - Clifford Chance
    Go Hashimoto - Atsumi & Sakai
    John Tessensohn - SHUSAKU.YAMAMOTO
    Jun Usami - White & Case
    Kei Asatsuma - Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Keiji Hatano - Sullivan & Cromwell
    Ken Lebrun - Davis Polk & Wardwell
    Kenji Taneda - Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
    Koki Yamada - Tokyo International Law Office
    Nobusuke Nakamiya - Accenture
    Shuhei Uchida - Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Tong Yu - Paul Weiss

    Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year

    Akihiro Hironaka - Nishimura & Asahi
    David Gilmore - Herbert Smith Freehills
    Kei Akagawa - Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Kensaku Yamamoto - SHUSAKU.YAMAMOTO
    Kohei Murakawa - Atsumi & Sakai
    Kunihiro Watanabe - Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Shinsuke Yakura - Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe 
    Ryan Goldstein - Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan 
    Yosuke Kanegae - Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    Foreign Lawyer of the Year

    Axel Kuhlmann - Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Bonnie L. Dixon - Atsumi & Sakai
    Catherine O'Connell - Catherine O'Connell Law
    Christopher Kodama - Davis Polk & Wardwell
    Christopher Studebaker - Tokyo International Law Office
    Eric Roose - Withers
    Fiesta Victoria - ZeLo
    Jacky Scanlan-Dyas - Hogan Lovells
    Keiji Hatano - Sullivan & Cromwell
    Lars Markert - Nishimura & Asahi
    Ryan Goldstein - Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan
    Shi Kang - Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

    In-House Lawyer of the Year

    Anthony Luna – IBM
    Emi Takeda - Accenture
    Katsuo Nagasawa - Schneider Electric
    Yuichiro Watanabe - Airbnb Japan

    Managing Partner of the Year

    Akiko Araki - Araki International IP & Law
    David Gilmore - Herbert Smith Freehills
    Fumihide Sugimoto - Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Jon Gray - Davis Polk & Wardwell
    Jun Usami - White & Case
    Keiji Hatano - Sullivan & Cromwell
    Ken Siegel - Morrison & Foerster
    Kensaku Yamamoto - SHUSAKU.YAMAMOTO
    Masataka Ogasawara - ZeLo
    Mikiharu Mori - Tokyo International Law Office
    Shinsuke Yakura - Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe 
    Reiji Takahashi - Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Ryutaro Nakayama - Nishimura & Asahi

    Woman Lawyer of the Year (In-House)

    Emi Takeda - Accenture
    Naho Kaneko - Dassault Systems
    Tomoyo Iwatsuka - Rakuten Mobile

    Woman Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)

    Akemi Suzuki - Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Akiko Araki - Araki International IP & Law
    Ayako Kawano - White & Case
    Catherine O'Connell - Catherine O'Connell Law Offices
    Chika Minami - ZeLo
    Laarni Victoria Q. Vinas - SHUSAKU.YAMAMOTO
    Maya Ito - Nishimura & Asahi
    Miho Niunoya - Atsumi & Sakai
    Naoko Yanaka - Tokyo International Law Office
    Naomi Koshi - Miura & Partners
    Takane Hori - Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Tomoe Takahashi – Hogan Lovells
    Yumiko Ohta - Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe 

    Young Lawyer of the Year (In-House)

    David Kadaka - Dassault Systemes
    Hiroyuki Hamai - Tokio Marine Holdings
    Mami Yamada - Rakuten Mobile
    Mina Hoshizawa - Bayer
    Satomi Tanaka - IBM Japan
    Yuichiro Watanabe - Airbnb Japan

    Young Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)

    Akiko Araki - Araki International IP & Law
    Jonathan Stradling - Simpson Thacher
    Ken Kiyota - Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
    Kohei Kanzawa - ZeLo
    Laarni Victoria Q. Vinas – SHUSAKU.YAMAMOTO
    Masahito Saeki - Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nels Hansen - White & Case
    Nirav N. Mehta - Sullivan & Cromwell
    Ryoichi Inoue - Miura & Partners
    Takahito Fujii - Southgate
    Viet Nguyen - Hogan Lovells
    Yoko Atsumi - Atsumi & Sakai
    Yoko Kasai - Nishimura & Asahi

    IN-HOUSE CATEGORIES

    Innovative In-House Team of the Year
        
    Accenture
    Airbnb Japan
    Bayer
    GlaxoSmithKline
    IBM
    Tokio Marine Holdings

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications In-House Team of the Year

    Accenture
    Airbnb Japan
    IBM
    Rakuten Mobile

    Japan In-House Team of the Year

    Accenture
    Airbnb Japan
    Bayer
    GlaxoSmithKline
    IBM
    INPEX Corporation
    Rakuten Mobile
    Softbank Group
    Tokio Marine Holdings


    FIRM CATEGORIES

    Antitrust and Competition Law Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Baker McKenzie
    Clifford Chance
    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
    Hirayama Law Offices
    Ikeda & Someya
    Miura & Partners
    Nishimura & Asahi
    TMI Associates

    Banking and Financial Services Law Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Baker McKenzie
    Clifford Chance
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Paul Weiss
    TMI Associates
    White & Case

    Boutique Law Firm of the Year

    Catherine O'Connell Law
    Finnegan
    Southgate
    Tokyo International Law Office
    Vanguard Lawyers Tokyo

    Energy and Resources Law Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Baker McKenzie
    Clifford Chance
    Herbert Smith Freehills
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe 
    TMI Associates
    White & Case

    Healthcare and Life Sciences Law Firm of the Year 

    Atsumi & Sakai
    Hogan Lovells
    Morgan Lewis
    Morrison & Foerster
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    SHUSAKU.YAMAMOTO
    TMI Associates
    Vanguard Lawyers Tokyo
    ZeLo 

    International Arbitration Law Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
    Herbert Smith Freehills
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan

    International Deal Firm of the Year 

    Clifford Chance
    Davis Polk & Wardwell
    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
    Paul Weiss
    Shearman & Sterling
    Simpson Thacher & Barlett
    Sullivan & Cromwell
    White & Case

    International Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year 

    Finnegan
    Hogan Lovells
    Morgan Lewis
    Morrison & Foerster
    Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe 
    Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan

    Investment Fund Law Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett 
    TMI Associates
    Withers

    Japan Deal Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Miura & Partners
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Southgate
    Tokyo International Law Office

    Japan Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year 

    Abe, Ikubo & Katayam
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nishimura & Asahi
    SHUSAKU.YAMAMOTO
    TMI Associates
    ZeLo

    Labour and Employment Law Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Morgan Lewis
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe 
    TMI Associates
    Vanguard Lawyers Tokyo

    Litigation Law Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Morrison & Foerster
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe 
    Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan
    TMI Associates
    Vanguard Lawyers
    ZeLo

    Overseas Practice Law Firm of the Year 

    Atsumi & Sakai
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu.
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Tokyo International Law Office

    Real Estate Law Firm of the Year 

    Atsumi & Sakai
    Clifford Chance
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Morrison & Foerster
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe 
    TMI Associates
    Withers

    Regulatory and Compliance Law Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune 
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Clifford Chance
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu.
    Nishimura & Asahi
    SHUSAKU.YAMAMOTO
    Sullivan & Cromwell

    Restructuring and Insolvency Law Firm of the Year

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu.
    Nishimura & Asahi

    Tax and Trusts Law Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune 
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    TMI Associates
    Withers

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Firm of the Year

    Atsumi & Sakai
    Baker & McKenzie
    Herbert Smith Freehills
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Morrison & Foerster
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe 
    Southgate
    TMI Associates
    White & Case
    ZeLo

    Japan Law Firm of the Year

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Clifford Chance
    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
    Miura & Partners
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
    Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan 
    SHUSAKU.YAMAMOTO
    Tokyo International Law Office
    Withers


    DEAL CATEGORIES

    Debt Market Deal of the Year

    ANA Holdings' Issuance of Zero-Coupon Convertible Bonds
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Gaikokuho Kyodo-Jigyo Horitsu Jimusho Linklaters; Marunouchi International Law Office

    Bain-led Consortium Tender Offer
    Law Firm: White & Case

    DBJ Debut SRI Notes
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Clifford Chance; Davis Polk & Wardwell

    Government of Indonesia's Samurai Bond Issuance
    Law Firms: Assegaf Hamzah & Partners; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

    JR East MTN Programme Establishment and Debut Drawdown
    Law Firms: Clifford Chance; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    Metropolis of Tokyo 144A Bonds
    Law Firms: Clifford Chance; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    Norinchukin Bank’s Green Bond Offering 
    Law Firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    NTT Finance's Concurrent Senior Notes Offerings
    Law Firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

    Olympus Corp's Senior Notes Issuance
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Mayer Brown; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
    Banks: BofA Securities; J.P. Morgan Securities; Morgan Stanley & Co.; The Bank of New York Mellon

    Rakuten's Notes Offering
    Law Firms: Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Sullivan & Cromwell

    Equity Market Deal of the Year

    Hulic Co's Global Offering
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Nishimura & Asahi

    Japan Post Holdings’ Equity Offering
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Sullivan & Cromwell

    Net Protections' IPO
    Law firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett 

    Nippon Prologis REIT Two Global Follow-on Offerings
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Morrison & Foerster; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    Nippon Steel’s Offering of Zero-Coupon Convertible Notes 
    Law firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Linklaters; Nishimura & Asahi; Sullivan & Cromwell
    Banks: Daiwa Securities; Goldman Sachs; Merrill Lynch

    PHC Holdings' IPO 
    Law firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    SUMCO Corp's Global Public Offering 
    Law firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Sullivan & Cromwell 

    Visional's IPO 
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Nishimura & Asahi; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom 

    West Japan Railway's Global Follow-on Offering 
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

    M&A Deal of the Year (Midsize)

    Acquisition of EPS Holdings for a Management Buyout
    Law firms: Anderson Mōri & Tomotsune; Nishimura & Asahi

    Advent's Acquisition of Shiseido’s Cosmetic Brands
    Law firms: Morgan Lewis & Bockius; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Weil Gotshal & Manges

    Atlas Copco’s Acquisition of LEWA GmbH And Geveke B.V.
    Law firm: Baker McKenzie

    Electronic Gaming Development's Acquisition of SNK Corporation
    Law firms: Bae, Kim & Lee; Baker & McKenzie; Lee&K; Miura & Partners

    ENEOS Corporation's Acquisition of JSR Corporation’s Elastomers Business
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Nishimura & Asahi

    Houlihan Lokey's Acquisition of GCA Corporation 
    Law firms: Latham & Watkins; Morrison & Foerster
    Banks: Daiwa Securities; Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities and Plutus Consulting 

    Jefferies and SMBC Group's Strategic Alliance
    Law firm: Morgan Lewis & Bockius

    MBK Partners' Acquisition of Tsukui Holdings Corporation
    Law firm: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune

    Mitsubishi Chemical's Exit from Non-Core Businesses
    Law firm: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune

    Pennon Group's Acquisition of Bristol Water Holdings
    Law firm: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

    SBI Holding’s Bid to Acquire Shinsei Bank's Shares
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Morrison & Foerster; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi

    SBI Holding and ALBERT’s Capital and Business Alliance
    Law firm: Miura & Partners

    M&A Deal of the Year (Premium)

    Aomori Bank and The Michinoku Bank Merger
    Law firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Shearman & Sterling

    Bain-led Consortium Acquisition of Hitachi Metals 
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi; Ropes & Gray; White & Case 

    CBC-led firms Acquisition 46.9% equity interest in Hugel 
    Law firms: Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Kirkland & Ellis; Shearman & Sterling

    CVC's Acquisition of Shiseido's Personal Care Businesses
    Law firms: ACCRALAW; Allen & Gledhill; Baker McKenzie; Clifford Chance; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Egorov Puginsky Afanasiev & Partners; Formosa Transnational; Morrison & Foerster; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Skrine; SSEK Legal Consultants; White & Case; Zhong Lun Law Firm

    Hitachi's Acquisition of Global Logic
    Law firms: Kirkland & Ellis; Shearman & Sterling

    Japan Retail Fund Investment and MCUBS MidCity Investment's Merger 
    Law firm: Morgan Lewis & Bockius

    KKR's Acquisition of Yayoi 
    Law firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett 

    Matsumotokiyoshi Holdings and Cocokara Fine Merger 
    Law firm: Anderson Mōri & Tomotsune

    Panasonic's Acquisition of Blue Yonder 
    Law firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson; Guerrero Olivos; Khaitan & Co; Lee and Li Attorneys-at-Law; Lee Tsai & Partners; McCarthy Tétrault; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Rahmat Lim & Partners; White & Case; Zhong Lun Law Firm

    PayPal's Acquisition of Paidy
    Law firms: Cooley; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi; White & Case

    SMFG Acquisition of 49% stake in Vietnam's FE Credit
    Law firm: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

    U.S. Bancorp's Acquisition of MUFG Union Bank 
    Law firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Sullivan & Cromwell

    Project Finance Deal of the Year

    Project Financing for Biomass Power Plants in Japan
    Law firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi

    Project Financing for GOI United Generation Gas-Fired Power Project
    Law firms: Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi

    Project Financing for Kansai Airport
    Law firms: Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi

    Real Estate Deal of the Year

    Activia Properties Active Portfolio Replacement
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Morrison & Foerster; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Sullivan & Cromwell

    ARA's Joint Buyout with Sumitomo Mitsui of Kenedix
    Law firm: Latham & Watkins

    Blackstone Acquisition of Japan Hotels from Kintetsu Group
    Law firms: Morrison & Foerster; Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    Daiwa House Logistics’ IPO
    Law firms: Allen & Gledhill; Allen & Overy; Dentons Rodyk & Davidson; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

    ESR's Initial Closing of ESR Japan Income Fund
    Law firms: Clifford Chance; White & Case

    GLP’s Land Acquisition in Akishima 
    Law firm: Nishimura & Asahi
    Bank: Mizuho Leasing Company

    Sale of Dentsu Headquarters Building 
    Law firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications Deal of the Year 

    Anchor’s Acquisition of Stake in Kakao Japan
    Law firms: Kim & Chang; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi; Shin & Kim

    Bain Capital’s Public Tender Offer for Acquisition of Shares in Hitachi Metals
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Nishimura & Asahi; Ropes & Gray; White & Case 

    Hitachi's Acquisition of Global Logic
    Law firms: Kirkland & Ellis; Shearman & Sterling

    KKR and Rakuten’s Acquisition of Stakes in Seiyu from Walmart
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    Panasonic's Acquisition of Blue Yonder
    Law firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson; Guerrero Olivos; Khaitan & Co; Lee and Li Attorneys-at-Law; Lee Tsai & Partners; McCarthy Tétrault; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Rahmat Lim & Partners; White & Case; Zhong Lun Law Firm

    Paypal's Acquisition of Paidy 
    Law firms: Cooley; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi; White & Case

    PHC Holdings’ IPO 
    Law firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    Rakuten's Notes Offering 
    Law firms: Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Sullivan & Cromwell

    Renesas Electronics' Acquisition of Dialog Semiconductor 
    Law firms: Covington & Burling; Linklaters; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    SUMCO Corp's Global Offering 
    Law firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Sullivan & Cromwell

    TDK’s and ATL’s Business Alliance 
    Law firms: King & Wood Mallesons; Morrison & Foerster

    Tencent's Investment in Rakuten 
    Law firms: Morrison & Foerster; Nishimura & Asahi

    TSMC's Specialty Technology Fab in Japan with Sony Semiconductor Solutions 
    Law firms: Baker & McKenzie; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi

    **COMPLETENESS AND ACCURACY OF INFORMATION

    Please note that the inclusion of banks and legal advisors in the transactions essentially reflects the information provided by nominating organizations. Therefore, any omission of a party involved in any of these transactions should not be taken as a commentary on the role assumed by that party. For queries about the shortlist, please email Lokesh at lokesh.bogati@thomsonreuters.com

    * The above list will be regularly updated until final. 

    WINNERS

    INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES

    Dealmaker of the Year
    Asa Shinkawa - Nishimura & Asahi

    Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year
    Akihiro Hironaka - Nishimura & Asahi

    Foreign Lawyer of the Year
    Catherine O'Connell - Catherine O'Connell Law

    In-House Lawyer of the Year
    Emi Takeda – Accenture

    Managing Partner of the Year
    Fumihide Sugimoto - Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    Woman Lawyer of the Year (In-House)
    Emi Takeda - Accenture

    Woman Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)
    Akemi Suzuki - Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    Young Lawyer of the Year (In-House)
    Satomi Tanaka - IBM Japan

    Young Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)
    Yoko Kasai - Nishimura & Asahi

    IN-HOUSE CATEGORIES

    Innovative In-House Team of the Year
    Airbnb Japan

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications In-House Team of the Year
    Airbnb Japan

    Japan In-House Team of the Year
    INPEX Corporation

    LAW FIRM CATEGORIES

    Antitrust and Competition Law Firm of the Year 
    Hirayama Law Offices

    Banking and Financial Services Law Firm of the Year 
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    Boutique Law Firm of the Year
    Vanguard Lawyers

    Energy and Resources Law Firm of the Year 
    Baker McKenzie

    Healthcare and Life Sciences Law Firm of the Year 
    Nishimura & Asahi

    International Arbitration Law Firm of the Year 
    Nishimura & Asahi

    International Deal Firm of the Year 
    Simpson Thacher & Barlett

    International Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year 
    Hogan Lovells

    Investment Fund Law Firm of the Year 
    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune

    Japan Deal Firm of the Year 
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

    Japan Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year 
    Nishimura & Asahi

    Labour and Employment Law Firm of the Year 
    Vanguard Lawyers 

    Litigation Law Firm of the Year 
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    Overseas Practice Law Firm of the Year 
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

    Real Estate Law Firm of the Year 
    Clifford Chance

    Regulatory and Compliance Law Firm of the Year 
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    Restructuring and Insolvency Law Firm of the Year
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    Tax and Trusts Law Firm of the Year 
    Nishimura & Asahi

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Firm of the Year
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    Japan Law Firm of the Year
    Nishimura & Asahi

    DEAL CATEGORIES

    Debt Market Deal of the Year

    Bain-led Consortium Tender Offer
    Law Firm: White & Case

    Equity Market Deal of the Year

    Japan Post Holdings Equity Offering
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Sullivan & Cromwell

    M&A Deal of the Year (Midsize)

    SBI Holding’s bid to acquire Shinsei Bank's Shares
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Morrison & Foerster; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi

    M&A Deal of the Year (Premium)

    CVC's Acquisition of Shiseido's Personal Care Businesses
    Law firms: ACCRALAW; Allen & Gledhill; Baker McKenzie; Clifford Chance; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Egorov Puginsky Afanasiev & Partners; Formosa Transnational; Morrison & Foerster; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Skrine; SSEK Legal Consultants; White & Case; Zhong Lun Law Firm

    Project Finance Deal of the Year

    Project Financing for GOI United Generation Gas-Fired Power Project
    Law firms: Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi

    Real Estate Deal of the Year

    ARA's Joint Buyout with Sumitomo Mitsui of Kenedix
    Law firm: Latham & Watkins

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications Deal of the Year 

    Hitachi's Acquisition of Global Logic
    Law firms: Kirkland & Ellis; Shearman & Sterling

    To be updated

    RESERVATIONS ARE CLOSED

    For inquiries related to memorabilia, please contact:
    Hiroshi Kaneko - +81 (0)3 4520 1192 | hiroshi.kaneko@thomsonreuters.com

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

     

    ELIGIBILITY

    How do I know if I am eligible to make a submission? 

    We highly encourage all firms, individuals and in-house teams to submit, as we have numerous award categories to choose from. We welcome both past participants and newcomers to join the submission for the awards. 

    Is self-nomination permitted?

    Yes, we accept self-nominated submissions. We also accept third-party submissions, should you wish to nominate an external party or vice versa.

    Is there a fee required to make a submission in the law awards?

    No, there is no fee payment required for you or your firm/team to make a submission. 

    TIMELINE OF EVENTS

    When will the finalists and winners be announced?

    The shortlist of finalists will be released around 4-8 weeks prior to the awards ceremony. The winners will be exclusively announced at the awards ceremony on 2 June 2022.

    NOMINATION PROCESS AND ASSESSMENT 

    How are the finalists chosen?

    Asian Legal Business will compile all of the submission entries, and the ALB editorial and research teams will extensively review each submission to ensure the criteria are met in order to advance to the shortlist of finalists. We stress that this process is fair, impartial and not subject to external influences. 

    How are the winners chosen? 

    Once the shortlist of finalists have been announced, an independent judging panel will review and select their top three choices for the award categories they are assigned to. The scores for each award category will be tabulated, and the individual/firm/team with the highest score will be announced as the winner. 

    What are the award categories that I can take part in?

    Any law firms, in-house teams or individuals may take part in multiple award categories if appropriate. The researchers reserve the right to move entries from one category to another if they feel it appropriate. The researchers’ decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into. 

    Who will be on the judging panel for ALB Japan Law Awards? 

    There will be an independent judging panel of at least 25 senior and expert legal industry leaders to review the submission materials. The judging panel will be selected on the basis of their expertise and knowledge, and will be comprised from various sectors to correspond to the diverse list of award categories. A partial list of judges’ names will be released prior to the awarding ceremony, and the remaining judges will be revealed on the evening of the awards. 

    What will my contact information/my client’s information be used for?

    All contact information provided will not be disclosed to external parties; and will only be seen by our ALB research team and the judges panel. We keep the information on record internally, in case we need to contact you or your client regarding any questions or discrepancies in the submission form. 

    Where will my name/firm name/team name be published if we are a finalist or winner?

    As a finalist and/or winner, your firm/team/individual name will be published in ALB awards materials and print magazine. For more information, please contact us.

    Is my submission confidential?

    Any information you submit will only be reviewed by the ALB team and independent judging panel, whose names will be published. The material submitted will only be disclosed to the above; if there is any information that is strictly confidential, please mark clearly on the nomination form. Though we do our best to maintain the security of the information you provide, any information you transmit to us is done at your own risk and Thomson Reuters is not responsible for any unauthorized transmission of information.  

    SPONSORSHIP, PARTICIPATION AND OTHER 

    I would like to sponsor the ALB Law Awards.

    Please contact Amantha.Chia@thomsonreuters.com or (+65) 6973 8258 for further details regarding sponsorship. 

    I am interested in being an official partner of the ALB Law Awards, as a media/legal association.  

    Please contact lokesh.bogati@tr.com. 

    My practice area or specialty is not listed, but I would like to participate in the Awards.

    Please get in touch with our ALB Law Awards research team at lokesh.bogati@tr.com.

    Can I participate in Awards across the region?

    Yes, you can participate in more than one market. Please note there may be specific criteria for each market.

    Who should attend the Awards Ceremony? Can I attend?

    We welcome all finalists and non-finalists to join the Awards Ceremony; please contact Amantha.Chia@thomsonreuters.com or (+65) 6973 8258.

    I would like to order a winner’s trophy and/or certificate (for finalists and winners).

    Please contact Amantha.Chia@thomsonreuters.com or (+65) 6973 8258.

    How can I receive communications related to the ALB SE Asia Law Awards?

    Please email lokesh.bogati@tr.com to subscribe to the ALB mailing list. 

     

    Asian Legal Business – Who are We?

     Asian Legal Business (ALB) is owned by Thomson Reuters, the world’s leading source of intelligent information for business and professionals. With its portfolio of leading titles, law awards, in-house legal summits and online services, ALB provides authoritative and unbiased insights and unmatched networking and business development opportunities to legal professionals throughout the Asia-Pacific.

     ALB combines news and analysis from its team of professional legal journalists and the expert opinions of senior industry professionals with Reuters news and insights that power businesses across the globe.

     Please visit legalbusinessonline.com for further information.

     Asian Legal Business – Law Awards

     The ALB Law Awards are the pre-eminent legal awards in Asia-Pacific, held annually in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, the Philippines and China. The Awards are comprised of months of intensive research and culminate in a black-tie Awarding Ceremony in each of the markets. We cordially invite you to take part in these prestigious awards – and celebrate legal excellence with us.

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