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    Welcome to the ALB Japan Law Awards 2021!
     

    ALB'S VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY
    Date: Thursday, 30 September 2021, 8 pm (GMT+9)     
            

    Asian Legal Business is proud to present the 17th Annual ALB Japan Law Awards 2021! These prestigious awards will pay tribute to the outstanding performance of private practitioners and in-house counsel in Japan and around the region. 

    As health and safety of our participants are our priority, after careful consideration, the awards will be hosted virtually this year on 30 September 2021.

    Continuous connection is especially important in these uncertain times, and we are determined to keep ALB’s commitment in delivering the finest event experience to the legal community.

    Let us celebrate together ALB’s first-ever virtual awards ceremony of Japan at the comfort of our homes with our favorite food and drinks! 

    FINALISTS ANNOUNCED! CHECK OUT AT THE FINALISTS TAB.

    Contact Harmony Tam at harmony.tam@tr.com or +852 3462 7767 for submission inquiries.

    Contact Amantha Chia at amantha.chia@tr.com or +65 6973 8258 for sponsorship opportunities.

     

    CATEGORIES

    DEAL CATEGORIES

    1. Debt Market Deal of the Year
    2. Equity Market Deal of the Year 
    3. M&A Deal of the Year (Midsize) 
    4. M&A Deal of the Year (Premium) 
    5. Project Finance Deal of the Year
    6. Real Estate Deal of the Year 
    7. Technology, Media and Telecommunications Deal of the Year 

    INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES

    1. Dealmaker of the Year 
    2. Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year 
    3. Foreign Lawyer of the Year 
    4. In-House Lawyer of the Year 
    5. Managing Partner of the Year 
    6. Woman Lawyer of the Year (In-House)
    7. Woman Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)
    8. Young Lawyer of the Year (In-House)
    9. Young Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)

    IN-HOUSE TEAM CATEGORIES

    1. Compliance and Risk Management In-House Team of the Year
    2. Innovative In-House Team of the Year 
    3. Technology, Media and Telecommunications In-House Team of the Year 
    4. Japan In-House Team of the Year

    FIRM CATEGORIES

    1. Antitrust and Competition Law Firm of the Year
    2. Banking and Financial Services Law Firm of the Year 
    3. Boutique Law Firm of the Year 
    4. Energy and Resources Law Firm of the Year
    5. Healthcare and Life Sciences Law Firm of the Year 
    6. International Arbitration Law Firm of the Year 
    7. International Deal Firm of the Year 
    8. International Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year 
    9. Investment Funds Law Firm of the Year 
    10. Japan Deal Firm of the Year 
    11. Japan Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year 
    12. Japan Practice Foreign Law Firm of the Year 
    13. Labour and Employment Law Firm of the Year 
    14. Litigation Law Firm of the Year 
    15. Maritime Law Firm of the Year 
    16. Overseas Practice Law Firm of the Year 
    17. Real Estate Law Firm of the Year 
    18. Regulatory and Compliance Law Firm of the Year 
    19. Restructuring and Insolvency Law Firm of the Year 
    20. Rising Law Firm of the Year
    21. Tax and Trusts Law Firm of the Year 
    22. Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Firm of the Year
    23. Japan Law Firm of the Year

      

               SUBMISSION MATERIALS          

    SUBMISSIONS CLOSED

               IMPORTANT DATES          

    Announcement of finalists | August 6
    Awards ceremony | September 30

               SUBMISSION INQUIRIES          

    Harmony Tam
    Events Researcher
    Phone: +852 3462 7767
    Email: harmony.tam@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 virtual awards.

    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.

    Kohei Kodama
    Kohei Kodama
    Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel
    Hitachi

    Kohei Kodama became General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer at Hitachi, Ltd. in April 2018, and was promoted to Chief Legal Officer/General Counsel/Chief Risk Management Officer in April 2020.  He is Vice President and Executive Officer since April 2018.

    Prior to Hitachi, Ltd., he practiced law in California for 14 years as an in-house attorney with Hitachi America, Ltd.  In addition to wide range of U.S.A. legal matters and transactions, including without limitation, M&A, JV, CVC, Corporation, Employment and License, he is knowledgeable about so-called Silicon Valley business and culture.

    He is a graduate of the University of Tokyo(1986) and Cornell Law School(LL.M., 1994).

    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).

    Akihito Nakamachi
    Akihito Nakamachi
    Partner, Anderson Mori & Tomotsune

    Mr. Nakamachi is a fully bilingual and bicultural attorney, fully admitted to practice in Japan, New York and California. He has the rare distinction among Japanese lawyers of having served as a partner both in the United States and in Japan, and possesses over 25 years of solid experience as a practicing lawyer. He has special expertise in intellectual property/technology transactions for technology-driven clients, ranging from young start-ups to fully-matured global enterprises.

    Aki represents clients operating in a wide range of industries, including software, Internet, e-commerce, computer gaming, computer equipment, telecommunications, automobile, semiconductor, pharmaceuticals, biotech and medical devices. With over 10 years of work experience at first-tier national U.S. law firms across the United States, Aki has acquired exceptionally deep and practical knowledge of not only the laws but also the "business culture" of both the United States and Japan, and utilizes his expertise to assist clients in achieving successful outcomes in cross-border commercial transactions and dispute resolution matters.

    Shinichi Matsui
    Shinichi Matsui
    Partner, Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    Mr. Shinichi Matsui is a partner at Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu and was a Committee Member of Law Reform of Transportation and Maritime of the Commercial Code of Japan appointed by the Minister of Justice.  Mr. Matsui advises clients regarding a wide variety of international corporate and other commercial matters, including maritime, entertainment and intellectual property.  Mr. Matsui represents the Japanese Government and many governmental agencies, and primarily, based on his governmental issue expertise, he focuses on public ship finance, bankruptcy, litigation and counseling.  His maritime litigation experience includes handling matters before district courts, the high courts and the Supreme Court.

    Kozo Kawai
    Kozo Kawai
    Partner, Nishimura & Asahi

    Kozo Kawai is a partner of Nishimura & Asahi.  His practice has focused on antitrust/competition matters and international trade affairs and is advising domestic and overseas clients as well as trade associations and governmental agencies in both field.  He has been frequently selected as NIKKEI’s “Most successful lawyers” in Japan” and ranked as Band 1 in the Competition and International Trade categories (Japan) for Chambers APAC (2021).  Also he is listed by the Joint Committee under the Agreement between the European Union and Japan for an Economic Partnership, as one of the 15 listed individuals who is willing and able to serve as an arbitrator of a panel, as set forth under paragraph 1 of Article 21.9 and Article 22.2 of the EU-Japan EPA.

    Kubota
    Eiichiro Kubota
    Managing Partner, Kubota

    Eiichiro Kubota is the managing partner of the boutique IP firm KUBOTA. He has 30 plus years of experience as an IP lawyer and is specialized in IP litigation and trademark prosecution. He has re-established the KUBOTA firm in 2015 after serving as the only Japanese qualified partner in the Hogan Lovells firm for 7 years. He is top-ranked in numerous directories and has written many articles as well as giving lectures in various occasions.

    Shingo Hattori
    Shingo Hattori
    In-house counsel, Senior Legal Affairs, International Business Division
    Fujita Corporation

    An experienced business lawyer qualified in Japan and the State of New York. With wide range of friendship that I built up in my professional experience in Japan and the United States of America, I know many lawyers who do great professional jobs with very kind courtesy. As a law firm lawyer and in-house counsel, I’ve been in charge of corporate legal and business negotiation for real estate investments from Japan to Asian countries and Mexico. I grew up in Tokyo while studied in Michigan and Los Angeles. My dream is to accelerate bridging Japanese business and foreign business more smoothly than ever with great legal expertise. I’m an alum of the Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan in 2013 and UCLA Law (LL.M, 2019). I’ve been playing tennis since I was at high school. I’m a big fan of Naomi Osaka.

     

    and many more...

     

    FINALISTS**

    Back to top

    Individual Categories

    Dealmaker of the Year
    Alan G. Cannon - Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
    Gavin Raftery - Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
    Go Hashimoto - Atsumi & Sakai
    John Tessensohn - SHUSAKU·YAMAMOTO
    Katsumasa Suzuki - Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Keiji Hatano - Sullivan & Cromwell
    Ken Lebrun - Davis Polk & Wardwell
    Koki Yamada - Tokyo International Law Office
    Soichiro Fujiwara - Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Tong Yu - Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
    Yo Ota - Nishimura & Asahi
    Yusuke Abe - Clifford Chance

    Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year
    Chris Bailey - King & Spalding Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi Jimusho
    David Gilmore - Herbert Smith Freehills
    Hiroyuki Tezuka - Nishimura & Asahi
    Katsumasa Suzuki - Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Koki Yanagisawa - Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Masataka Hayakawa - Atsumi & Sakai
    Shinsuke Yakura - Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
    Yoshimasa Furuta - Anderson Mori & Tomotsune

    Foreign Lawyer of the Year
    Andrew Blacoe - Herbert Smith Freehills
    Catherine O'Connell - Catherine O'Connell Law
    Chris Bailey - King & Spalding Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi Jimusho
    Dr. Axel Kuhlmann - Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Eric Roose - Withers
    Gavin Raftery - Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
    Ian S. Scott - Atsumi & Sakai
    Ing-Chian Sun - Nishimura & Asahi
    Keiji Hatano - Sullivan & Cromwell

    In-House Lawyer of the Year
    Emi Takeda - Accenture
    Hiro Kato - Inpex Corporation
    Mari Hiraizumi - GSK
    Mariko Toda - IP Bridge
    Saburo Nakao - Dassault Systèmes
    Sayo Kondo Takizawa - Blackstone
    Tim Mackey - SoftBank Group
    Tony Durkan - JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration Corporation
    Yuichiro Watanabe - Airbnb
    Yuji Igarashi - Dyson

    Managing Partner of the Year
    David Gilmore - Herbert Smith Freehills
    Hiroki Inoue - Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Hiroshi Kondo - Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
    Jon Gray - Davis Polk & Wardwell
    Keiji Hatono - Sullivan & Cromwell
    Kensaku Yamamoto - SHUSAKU·YAMAMOTO
    Masaki Hosaka - Nishimura & Asahi
    Masataka Ogasawara - ZeLo
    Mikiharu Mori - Tokyo International Law Office
    Reiji Takahashi - Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Shinsuke Yakura - Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe

    Woman Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)
    Bonnie L. Dixon - Atsumi & Sakai
    Catherine O'Connell - Catherine O'Connell Law
    Chika Minami - ZeLo
    Haruka Murata - Miura & Partners
    Hikaru Oguchi - Nishimura & Asahi
    Keiko Shimizu - Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Minako Wakabayashi - Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
    Natsuko Sugihara - Clifford Chance
    Yaeko Hodaka - Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)

    Woman Lawyer of the Year (In-House)
    Emi Takeda - Accenture
    Mari Hiraizumi - GSK
    Mariko Toda - IP Bridge

    Sayo Kondo Takizawa - Blackstone

    Young Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)
    Gai Matsushita - Atsumi & Sakai
    Hans Menski - Clifford Chance
    Hiroshi Yamauchi - Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Kotaro Okada - Tokyo International Law Office
    Laarni Q. Vinas - SHUSAKU·YAMAMOTO
    Masataka Ogasawara - ZeLo
    Masayuki Atsumi - Miura & Partners
    Nels Hansen - White & Case
    Nirav N. Mehta - Sullivan & Cromwell
    Yasuhiro Kasahara - Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Yoshiyuki Asaoka - Nishimura & Asahi

    Young Lawyer of the Year (In-House)
    David Chen - Dassault Systèmes
    Hiroyuki Hamai - Tokio Marine Holdings
    Yuichiro Watanabe - Airbnb

     

    Back to top

    In-House Categories

    Compliance and Risk Management In-House Team of the Year
    Airbnb
    Dyson
    GSK
    IHI Corporation

    Innovative In-House Team of the Year
    Accenture
    Airbnb
    Dyson
    GSK
    SoftBank Group
    UiPath

    WeWork Japan

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications In-House Team of the Year
    Airbnb
    ByteDance
    Dassault Systèmes
    Dyson
    SoftBank Group
    UiPath

    WeWork Japan
    ZOZO

    Japan In-House Team of the Year
    Accenture
    Airbnb
    Dyson
    GSK
    Hitachi-Johnson Controls Air Conditioning
    IHI Corporation
    INPEX Corporation
    Tokio Marine Holdings
    Tokyo Gas
    UiPath

    WeWork Japan
    ZOZO

     

    Back to top

    Firm Categories

    Antitrust and Competition Law Firm of the Year
    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
    Clifford Chance
    Hirayama Law Offices
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    TMI Associates
    White & Case

    Banking and Financial Services Law Firm of the Year
    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
    Clifford Chance
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
    Sullivan & Cromwell
    TMI Associates
    White & Case

    Boutique Law Firm of the Year
    Catherine O'Connell Law
    Tokyo International Law Office
    Vanguard Lawyers
    ZeLo

    Energy and Resources Law Firm of the Year
    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
    Clifford Chance
    Herbert Smith Freehills
    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 Horitsu Jimusho Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo
    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Morrison & Foerster
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners
    SHUSAKU·YAMAMOTO
    TMI Associates
    Vanguard Lawyers
    ZeLo

    International Arbitration Law Firm of the Year
    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
    Herbert Smith Freehills
    King & Spalding Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi Jimusho

    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi

    International Deal Firm of the Year
    Clifford Chance
    Davis Polk & Wardwell
    Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
    Sullivan & Cromwell

    International Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year
    Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
    Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner
    Hogan Lovells Horitsu Jimusho Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo
    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
    Morrison & Foerster
    Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
    Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan

    Investment Fund Law Firm of the Year
    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
    TMI Associates
    Withers

    Japan Deal Firm of the Year
    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    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 and Katayama
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners
    SHUSAKU·YAMAMOTO
    TMI Associates
    ZeLo

    Japan Practice Foreign Law Firm of the Year
    Bird & Bird
    Gleiss Lutz
    JT&N
    Steptoe & Johnson

    Labour and Employment Law Firm of the Year
    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
    TMI Associates
    Vanguard Lawyers

    Litigation Law Firm of the Year
    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Morrison & Foerster
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
    TMI Associates
    Vanguard Lawyers
    ZeLo

    Maritime Law Firm of the Year
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Nishimura & Asahi
    TMI Associates

    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
    Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
    Clifford Chance
    Greenberg Traurig
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
    TMI Associates
    Withers

    Regulatory and Compliance Law Firm of the Year
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Clifford Chance
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners
    SHUSAKU·YAMAMOTO
    Sullivan & Cromwell

    Restructuring and Insolvency Law Firm of the Year
    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi

    Rising Law Firm of the Year
    Southgate
    Tokyo International Law Office
    ZeLo

    Tax and Trusts Law Firm of the Year
    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    TMI Associates
    Withers

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Firm of the Year
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
    Clifford Chance
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Morrison & Foerster
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
    Southgate
    TMI Associates
    ZeLo

    Japan Law Firm of the Year
    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Atsumi & Sakai
    Clifford Chance
    Miura & Partners
    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Tokyo International Law Office
    Withers

     

    Back to top

    Deal Categories

    Debt Market Deal of the Year

    Berkshire Hathaway's Issuance of Benchmark Global Yen Notes
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Munger, Tolles & Olson; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    Development Bank of Japan's Issuance of Dual Tranche
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Clifford Chance

    Financing for Bain Capital's Acquisition of Nichii Gakkan
    Law firms: Ropes & Gray; White & Case

    JBIC's Issuance of Government Guaranteed Bond
    Law firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

    Kyushu Electric Power’s Issuance of Publicly Offered Hybrid Corporate Bonds
    Law firm: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
    Banks: Daiwa Securities; Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities; Mizuho Bank; Mizuho Securities; Nomura Securities; SMBC Nikko Securities

    Loans and Preferred Stock Financing for Showa Denko’s Acquisition of Hitachi Chemical
    Law firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi

    MUFG's Issuance of Partial Tender Offer for Five Tranches
    Law firms: Clifford Chance; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
    Banks: Morgan Stanley; MUFG Securities

    MUFG's Senior Unsubordinated Unsecured Notes Offering
    Law firms: Clifford Chance; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
    Banks: BofA Securities; J.P. Morgan; Morgan Stanley; MUFG Securities

    Nissan Motor's USD and EUR Senior Notes Offerings
    Law firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    Nomura's SEC-registered Senior Notes Offering
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Sullivan & Cromwell
    Banks: Citigroup Global Markets; Nomura Securities

    SMBC Covered Bond Programme
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Linklaters
    Bank: BNY Mellon

    Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank's Senior Notes Offering
    Law firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Linklaters; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    Takeda’s Issuance of Unsecured USD and EUR Denominated Senior Notes
    Law firms: Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Sullivan & Cromwell
    Banks: BofA Securities; Merrill Lynch International; Morgan Stanley

    The Metropolis of Tokyo's Bond Offering
    Law firms: Clifford Chance; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

     

    Equity Market Deal of the Year

    ANA Holdings' Global Offering of Common Stock
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Marunouchi International Law Office; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
    Banks: Goldman Sachs; SMBC

    Asahi Group's Global Offering
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett

    Japan Airlines' Global Offering
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
    Banks: Daiwa Securities; Mizuho Securities; Morgan Stanley

    Japan Display’s Issuance of Shares and Warrants
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; City-Yuwa Partners; Nishimura & Asahi

    Nippon Building Fund's Global Offering
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Morrison & Foerster; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom; Sullivan & Cromwell

    SBI Holdings' Euro Yen Convertible Bonds
    Law firms: Clifford Chance; Nishimura & Asahi

    SoftBank's Global Public Offering
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Sullivan & Cromwell
    Banks: Crédit Agricole; Citigroup Global Markets; Daiwa Capital Markets; J.P. Morgan; Merrill Lynch International; Mizuho International; Nomura International; SMBC

    SoftBank Group's Block Trade Sale of Common Stock of SoftBank Corp.
    Law firm: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    SoftBank's Monetization of T-Mobile Interest
    Law firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson; Latham & Watkins; Sullivan & Cromwell

     

    M&A Deal of the Year (Midsize)

    Acquisition of Tokyo Dome with Mitsui Fudosan
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi; Shibata, Suzuki & Nakada

    Bain Capital’s Acquisition of Nichii Gakkan
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Kitahama Partners; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Ropes & Gray

    Kyocera’s Acquisition of AVX
    Law firms: Alston & Bird; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Kirkland & Ellis; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

    Panasonic’s Equity Investment in Blue Yonder
    Law firms: Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson; Khaitan & Co; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; White & Case

    Privatization of LIXIL VIVA
    Law firms: Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi; Takai & Partners

    Shinsei Bank's Acquisition of UDC Finance
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Minter Ellison; Russel McVeagh; Simpson Grierson

    Toshiba's Acquisition of Toshiba Plant Systems & Services
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Nishimura & Asahi

     

    M&A Deal of the Year (Premium)

    7-Eleven’s Acquisition of Speedway
    Law firms: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld; Nishimura & Asahi; Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz; White & Case

    Blackstone's Acquisition of Takeda Consumer Healthcare Company
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    Hitachi's Acquisition and Squeeze-out of Hitachi High-Technologies Shares
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Shearman & Sterling; Sullivan & Cromwell
    Banks: Morgan Stanley; Nomura Securities

    Honda's Acquisition of Nissin Kogyo and Merger of Nissin Kogyo and Hitachi Automotive
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi; Sullivan & Cromwell
    Bank: Nomura Securities

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

    NECs Acquisition of Avaloq
    Law firms: Gleiss Lutz; Homburger; Hourani & Partners; Houthoff; Niederer Kraft Frey; SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan; Tokyo International Law Office; Winston & Strawn; ZICO Law

    Nitori Holdings' Competing Tender Offer for Acquisition of Shimachu's Shares
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

    NTT's Acquisition of NTT Docomo
    Law firms: Hibiya Sogo Law Offices; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nakamura, Tsunoda & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe; Shearman & Sterling
    Banks: Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities; Nomura Securities

    SoftBank’s Sale of Arm to NVIDIA
    Law firms: Hogan Lovells Horitsu Jimusho Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo; Latham & Watkins; Morrison & Foerster; Nishimura & Asahi

    Wuthelam Group’s Acquisition of Additional Shares in Nippon Paint Holdings
    Law firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

     

    Project Finance Deal of the Year

    Bangladesh's Largest Independent Gas-fired Power Generation Project
    Law firms: Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise); Clifford Chance; Dr. Kamal Hossain & Associates; Farooq & Associates

    Establishment of Asia-focused Renewable and Waste Investment Fund
    Law firm: Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    Morinomiyako Biomass Power Plant
    Law firms: Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise); Nishimura & Asahi
    Banks: Resona Bank; Shizuoka Bank; Shoko Chukin Bank; The Aichi Bank; The Bank of Iwate; The Bank of Yokohama; The Iyo Bank; The Yamaguchi Bank; Ugo Shinkin Bank

    Mozambique LNG Project
    Law firms: Latham & Watkins; White & Case

    Project Finance of Waste Disposal Plants in Chiba Prefecture
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Atsumi & Sakai; Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)

     

    Real Estate Deal of the Year

    Acquisition of MFLP's Logistics Properties
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Morgan, Lewis & Bockius; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Morrison & Foerster; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Banks: Daiwa Securities; Nomura Securities; SMBC Nikko Securities

    Blackstone's Acquisition of Daiwa House's Logistics Centers
    Law firms: Morrison & Foerster; Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    Equinix and GIC's Joint Venture
    Law firms: Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise); Kirkland & Ellis; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    GLP J-REIT's Global Offering
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Morrison & Foerster; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Sullivan & Cromwell
    Banks: Citigroup Global Markets; Mizuho International; Morgan Stanley; Nomura International; SMBC

    Invincible Investment Corporation's Rent Amendment for Hotel Properties
    Law firm: Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    JPMorgan Japan's Multifamily Fund II
    Law firm: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune

    Merger of Japan Retail Fund and MCUBS MidCity Investment
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Mori Hamada and Matsumoto

    Merger of Star Asia Investment Corporation and Sakura Sogo REIT
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Mori Hamada and Matsumoto

    Open-End Fund's Formation for Daiwa House's Logistics Facilities
    Law firm: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

    Takeshiba Step-Up Project
    Law firms: Mori Hamada and Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura and Asahi

     

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications Deal of the Year

    Business and Capital Alliance between NTT and Toyota
    Law Firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

    NTT's Acquisition of NTT Docomo
    Law firms: Hibiya Sogo Law Offices; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nakamura, Tsunoda & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe; Shearman & Sterling
    Banks: Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities; Nomura Securities

    Hitachi's Acquisition and Squeeze-out of Hitachi High-Technologies Shares
    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Shearman & Sterling; Sullivan & Cromwell
    Banks: Morgan Stanley; Nomura Securities

    Showa Denko’s Acquisition of Hitachi Chemical
    Law firms: Chiomenti; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Kirkland & Ellis; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi; Tsar & Tsai Law Firm
    Banks: Bank of America; Goldman Sachs; Mizuho Financial Group

    SoftBank Group's Margin Loan Financing
    Law Firms: Linklaters; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
    Banks: Credit Suisse; JPMorgan Chase

    Toshiba's Acquisition of Toshiba Plant Systems & Services
    Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Nishimura & Asahi; Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom
    Banks: Daiwa Securities; Goldman Sachs; Nomura

     

    **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 Harmony at harmony.tam@thomsonreuters.com.

    * The above list will be regularly updated until final.

    Back to top

     

    WINNERS

    INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES

    Dealmaker of the Year

    Katsumasa Suzuki - Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

     

    Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year

    Koki Yanagisawa - Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

     

    Foreign Lawyer of the Year

    Ian S. Scott - Atsumi & Sakai

     

    In-House Lawyer of the Year

    Emi Takeda - Accenture

     

    Managing Partner of the Year

    Masaki Hosaka - Nishimura & Asahi

     

    Woman Lawyer of the Year (In-House)

    Mari Hiraizumi - GSK

     

    Woman Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)

    Hikaru Oguchi - Nishimura & Asahi

     

    Young Lawyer of the Year (In-House)

    Yuichiro Watanabe - Airbnb

     

    Young Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)

    Masataka Ogasawara - ZeLo

     

    IN-HOUSE CATEGORIES

    Compliance and Risk Management In-House Team of the Year

    Dyson

     

    Innovative In-House Team of the Year

    Accenture

     

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

    SoftBank Group

     

    Japan In-House Team of the Year

    Accenture

     

    FIRM CATEGORIES

    Antitrust and Competition Law Firm of the Year

    Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)

     

    Banking and Financial Services Law Firm of the Year

    Nishimura & Asahi

     

    Boutique Law Firm of the Year

    Vanguard Lawyers

     

    Energy and Resources Law Firm of the Year

    Clifford Chance

     

    Healthcare and Life Sciences Law Firm of the Year

    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

     

    International Arbitration Law Firm of the Year

    Herbert Smith Freehills

     

    International Deal Firm of the Year
    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

     

    International Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year

    Morrison & Foerster

     

    Investment Funds Law Firm of the Year

    Nishimura & Asahi

     

    Japan Deal Firm of the Year

    Nishimura & Asahi

     

    Japan Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year
    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

     

    Japan Practice Foreign Law Firm of the Year
    Steptoe & Johnson

     

    Labour and Employment Law Firm of the Year

    Vanguard Lawyers

     

    Litigation Law Firm of the Year

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune

     

    Maritime Law Firm of the Year

    TMI Associates

     

    Overseas Practice Law Firm of the Year

    Nishimura & Asahi

     

    Real Estate Law Firm of the Year

    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

     

    Regulatory and Compliance Law Firm of the Year

    Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

     

    Restructuring and Insolvency Law Firm of the Year

    Anderson Mori & Tomotsune

     

    Rising Law Firm of the Year

    ZeLo

     

    Tax and Trusts Law Firm of the Year

    Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

     

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Firm of the Year

    Morrison & Foerster

     

    Japan Law Firm of the Year

    Nishimura & Asahi

     

    DEAL CATEGORIES

    Debt Market Deal of the Year

    Loans and Preferred Stock Financing for Showa Denko’s Acquisition of Hitachi Chemical

    Law firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi

     

    Equity Market Deal of the Year

    ANA Holdings' Global Offering of Common Stock

    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Marunouchi International Law Office; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

    Banks: Goldman Sachs; SMBC

     

    M&A Deal of the Year (Midsize)

    Acquisition of Tokyo Dome with Mitsui Fudosan

    Law firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Shibata, Nishimura & Asahi; Suzuki & Nakada

     

    M&A Deal of the Year (Premium)

    7-Eleven’s Acquisition of Speedway

    Law firms: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld; Nishimura & Asahi; Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz; White & Case
     

    Project Finance Deal of the Year

    Establishment of Asia-focused Renewable and Waste Investment Fund

    Law firm: Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

     

    Real Estate Deal of the Year

    Blackstone's Acquisition of Daiwa House's Logistics Centers

    Law firms: Morrison & Foerster; Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
     

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications Deal of the Year

    NTT's Acquisition of NTT Docomo

    Law firms: Hibiya Sogo Law Offices; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nakamura, Tsunoda & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe; Shearman & Sterling
    Banks: Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities; Nomura Securities

    JLA Quote Banner

    Thomson Reuters proudly presents the 17th edition of ALB Japan Law Awards. On 30 September 2021, this virtual awards ceremony will be enjoyed by finalists and special guests in the comfort of their own homes.

    Let’s discover what types of legal work the finalists are most engaged with recently, as well as their readiness and capabilities needed to tackle such work.

    Airbnb

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    UiPath

    Hitachi

    Finnegan

    Catherine O'Connell

    AMT

    A&S

    Yuto

    Gleiss Lutz

    Miura & Partners

    Vanguard Lawyers

    Clifford Chance

    JT&N

    NO&T

    Tokyo International Law Office

    BOOK YOUR TROPHY/CERTIFICATE

    Asian Legal Business congratulates all the winners and finalists of the ALB Japan Law Awards 2021. 

    Official items are now available for purchase. For more information on the items, please contact 

    Hiroshi at hiroshi.kaneko@thomsonreuters.com+81 3 4520 1192.

     

    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 in September 2021.

    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 Mary.Aquino@thomsonreuters.com or call +632 9825 938. 

    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 Mary.Aquino@thomsonreuters.com or call +632 9825 938.

    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 Japan Law Awards?

    Please email mary.aquino@thomsonreuters.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.

     ALB 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, China and the Middle East. 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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