42 ASIAN LEGAL BUSINESS – AUGUST 2024 WWW.LEGALBUSINESSONLINE.COM ALB JAPAN LAW AWARDS 2024 The ALB Japan Law Awards 2024, commemorating its 20th anniversary, took place on June 12 at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo. The prestigious event gathered an impressive array of outstanding law firms, in-house teams, and other legal professionals to celebrate excellence in the Japanese legal industry. Amantha Chia, senior director of Thomson Reuters’ Legal Media Group, delivered a poignant welcoming speech, reflecting on the event’s journey. “From modest beginnings to the grandeur of tonight’s event, ALB has been a privileged witness to the evolution of Japan’s legal community,” she remarked. “This year, we received an unprecedented 334 nominations from approximately 70 law firms and in-house participants. These submissions exemplify the pinnacle of legal talent, showcasing groundbreaking work, strategic thinking, and unwavering commitment to excellence.” Masataka Ogasawara of ZeLo clinched the coveted Managing Partner of the Year award, becoming one of the youngest recipients in the award’s two-decade history. Expressing his astonishment and gratitude, Ogasawara stated, “I’m deeply honoured to be recognised as the Managing Partner of the Year at the ALB Japan Law Awards 2024. We at ZeLo extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has supported us, and we look forward to continuing our mission of helping our clients thrive and succeed in the future.” Mori Hamada & Matsumoto emerged as a dominant force, securing the highly esteemed Japan Law Firm of the Year award along with six other accolades. Partner Gaku Ishiwata commented, “These wins are a testament to our unwavering commitment to legal excellence and innovation. We extend our sincere gratitude to our esteemed clients and dedicated team, whose trust and collaboration have been instrumental in achieving these significant honours.” Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu demonstrated its versatility by claiming four awards, including the ESG and Sustainability Law Firm of the Year and Litigation Law Firm of the Year. Managing partner Soichiro Fujiwara expressed the firm’s appreciation, stating, “We are profoundly honoured to receive these prestigious awards across such diverse fields. These accolades will undoubtedly inspire every member of our firm to continue meeting and exceeding our clients’ expectations and business needs.” TOKYO’S LEGAL ELITE SHINE AT 20TH ANNUAL ALB JAPAN LAW AWARDS Japan In-House Team of the Year: Gibraltar Life In-House Lawyer of the Year: Angela Yuen, JERA Japan Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year: Atsumi & Sakai Japan Practice Asian Firm of the Year: JT&N Amantha Chia, senior director of Thomson Reuters Legal Media Group (far right), presents the Japan Law Firm of the Year award to Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
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