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    Welcome to the ALB Japan Law Awards 2023!

    WINNERS REVEALED! 

    Congratulations to all the law firms and in-house that made into the list!

    Date:    Thursday, 8 June 2023
    Time:    6:30 pm Cocktail session
    Venue: Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo

    The 19th annual ALB Japan Law Awards 2023 will be hosted in Tokyo on June 8th, 2023. The event is a celebration of the top legal practitioners and firms in Japan, recognizing their achievements and contributions to the industry. Attendees can expect an evening of networking and recognition as the best in the industry are honored for their hard work and success. Join us for a night of recognition, celebration, and inspiration.

    If you or your firm have made a significant impact in the legal industry in Japan, this is the perfect platform to showcase your success. Submit your entries today and be a part of the recognition and celebration of the best in the business.

    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.
    Hiroshi Kaneko at hiroshi.kaneko@tr.com


    ASSOCIATE SPONSORS

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     PROUDLY PRESENTED BY

    ALB           https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en.html

    CATEGORIES

    The ALB Japan Law Awards 2023 will recognize the top legal professionals and firms across the following 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 

    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 
    Young Lawyer of the Year

    IN-HOUSE CATEGORIES

    Healthcare and Pharmaceutical In-House Team of the Year (NEW)
    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
    Capital Markets Law Firm of the Year (NEW)
    Energy and Resources Law Firm of the Year 
    ESG and Sustainability Law Firm of the Year (NEW)
    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 
    Private Equity Law Firm of the Year (NEW)
    Real Estate Law Firm of the Year 
    Regulatory and Compliance Law Firm of the Year 
    Restructuring and Insolvency Law Firm of the Year
    Rising Law Firm of the Year (NEW)
    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         

    Submission Closed

              IMPORTANT DATES         

    Opening of submissions | 1 February 
    Deadline for submissions | Extended - 14 April
    Announcement of finalists | Early May
    Awards ceremony | 8 June

               SUBMISSION INQUIRIES          

    Lokesh Bogati
    Events Researcher
    Phone: +91-7666872611
    lokesh.bogati@thomsonreuters.com

    JUDGES

    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 list some of the distinguished judges. The rest of the panel will be revealed on the evening of the awards.

    Adrian Yoon Suk Bae    
    Area General Counsel and Head of External Affairs
    Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa North (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and Global Travel Retail)   
    British American Tobacco

    Andreas Höppel    
    Head of Legal    
    SEGA

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

    Fumika Ito    
    General Counsel    
    SAP Japan

    Fumitaka Eshima    
    Managing Director, Head of Legal Japan    
    UBS

    Hiroshi Miyashita    
    Professor of Law    
    Chuo University

    Kahoru Sakurai
    Head of Legal
    Kyash

    Kana Matsumura    
    Head of Legal and Compliance - Japan    
    Boehringer Ingelheim

    Masako Takahata    
    General Counsel    
    Industrial Decisions, Inc

    Michael Mroczek    
    President    
    European Business Council in Japan

    Rupert Burrows    
    Managing Partner    
    Mayer Brown

    Shingo Hattori    
    Founder     
    Hattori Law at Daini Tokyo Bar Association

    Shogo Osaka    
    Managing Director Legal, North Pacific Region    
    FedEx Express

    Shoko Kimijima
    Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, Executive Officer, EVP
    LIXIL

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

    Surya Soni    
    Executive Director    
    Morgan Stanley MUFG

    Teruo Saito    
    President    
    Japan-Indonesia Lawyers Association 

    Toshinori Uneki
    Vice President, Head of Business Legal
    Zozo Inc

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

    Yuji Igarashi    
    Legal Director    
    The Estée Lauder Companies

    and many more...
     

    FINALISTS**

    The wait is over, and the anticipation has reached its peak! We are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated list of finalists for the 19th Annual ALB Japan Law Awards 2023. Congratulations to all the finalists and we look forward to celebrating their successes on June 8th at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo.

    INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES

    Dealmaker of the Year

    Hiroshi Uchima - Nishimura & Asahi
    Ian S. Scott - Atsumi & Sakai
    Keiji Hatano - Sullivan & Cromwell
    Kenji Taneda - Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
    Masahiko Ishida - DLA Piper
    Soichiro Fujiwara - Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Soichiro Fujiwara - Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Tong Yu - Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
    Tsuyoshi Imai - Ropes & Gray

    Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year

    Christopher Studebaker - Tokyo International Law Office
    Joaquin Terceno - Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
    Junichi Ikeda - Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Kei Akagawa - Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Kensaku Yamamoto - SHUSAKU·YAMAMOTO
    Kohei Murakawa - Atsumi & Sakai
    Michihiro Mori - AI-EI Law Firm
    Ryan Goldstein - Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan
    Shinsuke Yakura - Orrick
    Yoshinori Tatsuno - Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

    Foreign Lawyer of the Year

    Bonnie Dixon - Atsumi & Sakai
    Damintha Pathirana - DP Lawyer
    Daniel Allen - Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Fiesta Victoria - ZeLo
    Keiji Hatano - Sullivan & Cromwell
    Motonori (Moto) Araki - Morgan Lewis & Bockius
    Ryan Goldstein - Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan
    Sun Ing Chian - Nishimura & Asahi
    Teruma Naito - Anderson Mori & Tomotsune

    In-House Lawyer of the Year

    Anthony Luna - IBM
    Mari Hiraizumi - GlaxoSmithKline
    Tommy Ou - Colt Technology Services
    Tonfi Yuki - SmartNews
    Wise Wang - ByteDance
    Yui Kosako - McKinsey & Company
    Yuichiro Watanabe - Airbnb Japan

    Managing Partner of the Year

    Fumihide Sugimoto - Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Keiji Hatano - Sullivan & Cromwell
    Keiko Kaneko - Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Kensaku Yamamoto - SHUSAKU·YAMAMOTO
    Koki Yamada - Tokyo International Law Office
    Lance Miller - DLA Piper
    Masataka Ogasawara - ZeLo
    Ryutaro Nakayama - Nishimura & Asahi
    Shinsuke Yakura - Orrick
    Takeshi Nakao - Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

    Woman Lawyer of the Year (In-House)

    Aramide Fields - Autoliv
    Mari Hiraizumi - GlaxoSmithKline
    Tomoka Miho - IBM
    Yui Kosako - McKinsey & Company

    Woman Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)

    Catherine O'Connell - Catherine O'Connell Law
    Chie Kasahara - Atsumi & Sakai
    Jacky Scanlan Dyas - Hogan Lovells
    Kaoru Hattori – Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Minako Wakabayashi - Orrick
    Natsuko Sugihara - Clifford Chance
    Saeko Inaba - Ropes & Gray
    Tomoko Nakajima - Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
    Yuri Sugano – Nishimura & Asahi

    Young Lawyer of the Year (In-House)

    Tomoaki Kuragano - GlaxoSmithKline
    Yui Kosako - McKinsey & Company
    Yuichiro Watanabe - Airbnb Japan

    Young Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)

    Kazuaki Tobioka - Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Keiji Nasuda - DLA Piper
    Keitaro Hamada – Nishimura & Asahi
    Kohei Kanzawa - ZeLo
    Natsuko Sugihara - Clifford Chance
    Nirav Mehta - Sullivan & Cromwell
    Reiya Nakano - Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Shuichi Nishimura – Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu 

    IN-HOUSE CATEGORIES

    Healthcare and Pharmaceutical In-House Team of the Year 

    Bayer
    CiRA Foundation
    GlaxoSmithKline

    Innovative In-House Team of the Year

    Accenture
    Airbnb Japan
    Bayer
    GlaxoSmithKline
    Marubeni Corporation

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

    Accenture
    Airbnb Japan
    Colt Technology Services
    Equinix Japan
    IBM

    Japan In-House Team of the Year

    Accenture
    Bayer
    CiRA Foundation
    GlaxoSmithKline
    INPEX Corporation
    Jera Inc
    LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton Japan 
    Marubeni Corporation
    MUFG Bank
    SoftBank Group

    LAW 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
    Miura & Partners
    Nishimura & Asahi

    Banking and Financial Services Law Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Clifford Chance
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi 
    Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison 
    Sullivan & Cromwell
    TMI Associates

    Boutique Law Firm of the Year

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

    Capital Markets Law Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Clifford Chance
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton &
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
    Sullivan & Cromwell
    TMI Associates

    Energy and Resources Law Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Clifford Chance
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Orrick
    TMI Associates

    ESG and Sustainability Law Firm of the Year 

    Atsumi & Sakai
    Clifford Chance
    DLA Piper
    Miura & Partners
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Sullivan & Cromwell

    Healthcare and Life Sciences Law Firm of the Year 

    Abe, Ikubo & Katayama
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Hogan Lovells
    Morgan Lewis & Bockius
    Morrison & Foerster
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    SHUSAKU·YAMAMOTO
    TMI Associates

    International Arbitration Law Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
    Herbert Smith Freehills 
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nishimura & Asahi

    International Deal Firm of the Year 

    Clifford Chance
    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
    Morgan Lewis & Bockius
    Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
    Simpson Thacher 
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
    Sullivan & Cromwell
    White & Case

    International Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year 

    Finnegan
    Hogan Lovells
    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
    Orrick
    Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan

    Investment Fund Law Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Morgan Lewis & Bockius
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Simpson Thacher
    TMI Associates

    Japan Deal Firm of the Year 

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

    Japan Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year 

    Abe, Ikubo & Katayama
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Nakamura & Partners
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Orrick
    SHUSAKU·YAMAMOTO
    TMI Associates
    ZeLo

    Japan Practice Foreign Law Firm of the Year 

    Pinsent Masons
    Steptoe & Johnson
    Trilegal

    Labour and Employment Law Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    DLA Piper
    Miura & Partners
    Morgan Lewis & Bockius
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Orrick
    TMI Associates
    Vanguard Lawyers Tokyo

    Litigation Law Firm of the Year 

    Abe, Ikubo & Katayama
    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Miura & Partners
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan
    TMI Associates

    Overseas Practice Law Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Quinn Emanuel Urqhart & Sullivan
    Tokyo International Law Office

    Private Equity Law Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison 
    Ropes & Gray
    Simpson Thacher
    White & Case

    Real Estate Law Firm of the Year 

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Clifford Chance
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Orrick
    TMI Associates
    WithersWorldwide

    Regulatory and Compliance Law Firm of the Year 

    Atsumi & Sakai
    GIANDT Law Office
    Latham & Watkins
    Miura & Partners
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    SHUSAKU·YAMAMOTO
    Sullivan & Cromwell

    Restructuring and Insolvency Law Firm of the Year

    Abe, Ikubo & Katayama
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    Rising Law Firm of the Year 

    Catherine O'Connell Law
    GIANDT Law Office
    Southgate
    Tokyo International Law Office

    Tax and Trusts Law Firm of the Year 

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

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Firm of the Year

    Atsumi & Sakai
    DLA Piper
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Morrison Foerster
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    SHUSAKU·YAMAMOTO
    Southgate
    TMI Associates
    White & Case
    ZeLo

    Japan Law Firm of the Year

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Miura & Partners
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison 
    WithersWorldwide

    DEAL CATEGORIES

    Debt Market Deal of the Year

    Asset-Backed Financing 
    Law Firms: Latham & Watkins; Morrison & Foerster

    Bain Capital's Tender Offer for Hitachi Metals
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Covington; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi; Ropes & Gray; White & Case

    Financing of Bain Acquisition of Olympus Evident
    Law Firms: Nishimura & Asahi; Ropes & Gray; White & Case

    Honda Motor's Sustainability Bond Offering
    Law Firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Sullivan & Cromwell

    Japan Railway East's Green Notes Debut 
    Law Firms: Clifford Chance; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    MUFG's Senior Notes Offering 
    Law Firms: Clifford Chance; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    Nomura Holding's USD Senior Notes Issuance 
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Sullivan & Cromwell; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    NTT's Debut International Green Bonds Offering 
    Law Firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

    Overseas Issuance of Guaranteed Bonds of Japan International Cooperation Agency 
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Morrison & Foerster

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

    Equity Market Deal of the Year

    Daiei Kankyo's IPO
    Law Firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom 

    Nippon Paint's Global Offering 
    Law Firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom 

    SBI Sumishin Net Bank's Global IPO 
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    Socionext's IPO 
    Law Firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

    M&A Deal of the Year (Midsize)

    Acquisition of Taiyo Pacific Partners
    Law Firm: White & Case

    ENEOS Acquisition of JSR Corporation's Global Elastomers Business
    Law Firms: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Nishimura & Asahi

    Investment by Mizuho Financial Group in Rakuten Securities
    Law Firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi

    OPN Acquisition of MerchantE
    Law Firms: Greenberg Traurig; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    PAG’s Acquisition of Huis Ten Bosch Theme Park
    Law Firm: Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    SBI Holdings, Inc. and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Capital and Business Alliance
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Miura & Partners

    Toshiba’s transfer of Toshiba Carrier to Carrier Corporation 
    Law Firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell, Gaien Partners; Linklaters; Nishimura & Asahi

    M&A Deal of the Year (Premium)

    Bain Capital’s Tender Offer for Hitachi Metals 
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Covington; Jun He; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi; Ropes & Gray; T&D Partners; White & Case 

    EIG Global Energy Partners Acquisition of Interest in 4 Australian LNG Projects Held by Tokyo Gas
    Law Firm: White & Case

    KKR Acquisition of Mitsubishi Corp UBS Realty 
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    KKR’s Acquisition of Hitachi Transport System 
    Law Firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    Merger of Eutelsat and OneWeb 
    Law Firms: Herbert Smith Freehills; Morrison & Foerster; Weil, Gotshal & Manges 

    Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group’s Sale of MUFG Union Bank to U.S. Bancorp 
    Law Firms: Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Sullivan & Cromwell

    New Binding Framework Agreement of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance 
    Law Firms: Latham & Watkins; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

    Olympus’s Sale of the Scientific Solution Department Business to Bain Capital
    Law Firms: Clayton Utz; Fieldfisher; Khaitan & Co; Kim & Chang; Morgan Lewis & Bockius; Nishimura & Asahi; Ropes & Gray; TMI Associates; Torys

    Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. and Oak Hill Bio 
    Law Firm: Morgan Lewis & Bockius

    The Yokohama Rubber’s Acquisition of Trelleborg AB’s Wheel Systems 
    Law Firm: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

    Project Finance Deal of the Year

    ADNOC Lightning Offshore Transmission 
    Law Firms: Hadef & Partners; Milbank; Norton Rose Fulbright; Shearman & Sterling; Trowers & Hamlins; White & Case 

    Loan to Tokyo Metro for Extension of Yurakucho and Namboku Subway Line 
    Law Firm: Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    Mero1 FPSO 
    Law Firms: King & Spalding; Milbank; Nishimura & Asahi

    Project Financing for JTOWER’s Nationwide Telecommunication Tower Sharing Business. 
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

    Refinancing for One of Japan’s Largest Solar Power Projects
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    Real Estate Deal of the Year

    Acquisition of Huge Bulk of Share house Properties
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

    Acquisition of Otemachi Place 
    Law Firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi
    Banks: Mizuho Bank; Mizuho Trust & Banking Co.

    KKR's Acquisition of Mitsubishi Corp's UBS Realty
    Law Firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    M&G Minato Mirai Center Building
    Law Firms: Greenberg Traurig Tokyo Law Offices; Nishimura & Asahi

    Oaktree Capital Management and Stack Infrastructure Joint Venture
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Gibson Dunn & Crutcher; Milbank; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Morrison & Foerster

    Seibu Group's Hotel Portfolio Disposition
    Law Firms: City-Yuwa & Partners; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications Deal of the Year 

    Acquisition of Stake in Taiyo Pacific Partners
    Law Firm: White & Case

    Bain Capital's Acquisition of Evident Corp
    Law Firms: Nishimura & Asahi; Ropes & Gray

    Hitachi Disposition of Hitachi Metals
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi; Ropes & Gray

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

    Toshiba's Transfer of Toshiba Carrier to Carrier Corp
    Law Firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell, Gaien Partners; Linklaters; 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

    The winners for the ALB Japan Law Awards 2023 are as below

    INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES

    Dealmaker of the Year
    Hiroshi Uchima - Nishimura & Asahi

    Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year
    Joaquin Terceno - Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

    Foreign Lawyer of the Year
    Keiji Hatano - Sullivan & Cromwell

    In-House Lawyer of the Year
    Mari Hiraizumi - GlaxoSmithKline

    Managing Partner of the Year
    Keiko Kaneko - Anderson Mori & Tomotsune

    Woman Lawyer of the Year (In-House)
    Mari Hiraizumi - GlaxoSmithKline

    Woman Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)
    Jacky Scanlan Dyas - Hogan Lovells

    Young Lawyer of the Year (In-House)
    Yuichiro Watanabe - Airbnb Japan

    Young Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)
    Keitaro Hamada – Nishimura & Asahi

    IN-HOUSE CATEGORIES

    Healthcare and Pharmaceutical In-House Team of the Year 
    Bayer

    Innovative In-House Team of the Year
    Bayer 

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

    Japan In-House Team of the Year
    SoftBank Group

    FIRM CATEGORIES

    Antitrust and Competition Law Firm of the Year 
    Baker McKenzie

    Banking and Financial Services Law Firm of the Year 
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

    Boutique Law Firm of the Year
    Catherine O'Connell Law

    Capital Markets Law Firm of the Year 
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

    Energy and Resources Law Firm of the Year 
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    ESG and Sustainability Law Firm of the Year 
    Atsumi & Sakai

    Healthcare and Life Sciences Law Firm of the Year 
    Morrison & Foerster

    International Arbitration Law Firm of the Year 
    Nishimura & Asahi

    International Deal Firm of the Year 
    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    International Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year 
    Orrick

    Investment Fund Law Firm of the Year 
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

    Japan Deal Firm of the Year 
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

    Japan Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year 
    SHUSAKU·YAMAMOTO

    Japan Practice Foreign Law Firm of the Year 
    Pinsent Masons

    Labour and Employment Law Firm of the Year 
    Nishimura & Asahi

    Litigation Law Firm of the Year 
    Nishimura & Asahi

    Overseas Practice Law Firm of the Year 
    Nishimura & Asahi

    Private Equity Law Firm of the Year 
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    Real Estate Law Firm of the Year 
    Nishimura & Asahi

    Regulatory and Compliance Law Firm of the Year 
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

    Restructuring and Insolvency Law Firm of the Year
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

    Rising Law Firm of the Year 
    Southgate

    Tax and Trusts Law Firm of the Year 
    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Firm of the Year
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

    Japan Law Firm of the Year
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

    DEAL CATEGORIES

    Debt Market Deal of the Year
    Bain Capital's Tender Offer for Hitachi Metals
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Covington; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi; Ropes & Gray; White & Case

    Equity Market Deal of the Year
    SBI Sumishin Net Bank's Global IPO 
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    M&A Deal of the Year (Midsize)
    SBI Holdings, Inc. and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Capital and Business Alliance
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Miura & Partners

    M&A Deal of the Year (Premium)
    KKR Acquisition of Mitsubishi Corp UBS Realty 
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    Project Finance Deal of the Year
    Loan to Tokyo Metro for Extension of Yurakucho and Namboku Subway Line 
    Law Firm: Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    Real Estate Deal of the Year
    Seibu Group's Hotel Portfolio Disposition
    Law Firms: City-Yuwa & Partners; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications Deal of the Year 
    Hitachi Disposition of Hitachi Metals
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi; Ropes & Gray
     

    Quotes from our Awards Sponsors

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    Celebrate the prestigious ALB Japan Law Awards by owning a piece of memorabilia that symbolizes excellence in the legal industry. Our exclusive collection of awards memorabilia offers a range of high-quality items that commemorate this special event.

    Browse through our selection of limited-edition items, including commemorative plaques, trophies, digital certificates, and more. Each piece has been carefully crafted to capture the spirit and significance of the ALB Japan Law Awards.

    To inquire about purchasing memorabilia or for any further information, please reach out to Hiroshi Kaneko at hiroshi.kaneko@tr.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 8 June 2023.

    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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