PRACTICES

Commercial Dispute Resolution

Business operations inevitably give rise to disputes and conflicts that require a precise legal response. Our firm handles a broad range of legal disputes affecting companies — including contractual disputes between corporations, conflicts over intellectual property rights, issues arising from construction contracts and project delays, and employment-related matters — providing consistent representation from negotiation through litigation. We deliver practical support with early resolution and longterm risk minimization firmly in view.

Intellectual Property

IP law is one of the pillars of our practice. We handle virtually the entire spectrum of IP-related matters, spanning from contentious disputes to IP-driven M&A transactions. Our IP team is led by Soji Mizota, who began his career in the Intellectual Property Rights Operations Headquarters of Hitachi, Ltd., before practicing at the forefront of the field at Uchida & Samejima Law Office, one of Japan’s premier IP boutiques. Throughout his career—at Hitachi, at Uchida & Samejima, and in independent practice—his exceptional analytical acuity, decisive judgment, and persuasive advocacy have consistently resolved numerous complex matters. Our IP services extend well beyond litigation and negotiation. We also handle patent specification reviews, prosecution support, and the drafting of licensing agreements and IP-related contractual provisions. (Please note that our firm focuses on IP litigation and strategy, and does not act as an agent for patent prosecution or filings.) Beyond these core services, Attorney Mizota excels at integrating patent strategies directly into corporate operations, leveraging his diverse cross-industry experience. This expertise is further supported by his distinctive record of teaching IP practice for seven years in an MBA program for working professionals. Developing a patent strategy is one thing; successfully embedding it within a real enterprise demands substantial experience, driving force, and at times, strategic networks.We have also seen a growing volume of consultations involving AI and data utilization, and are fully prepared to handle all legal matters in these cutting-edge areas.

Business Restructuring

When a company faces a financial crisis, success depends not only on legal expertise but on the practical ability to forge consensus among all stakeholders. Our firm fields attorneys with extensive experience in business restructuring, coordinating with financial institutions, trade creditors, employees, and sponsors to help companies resume sound economic activity. Where necessary, we work alongside accounting, tax, and financial professionals, assembling the optimal team regardless of a company’s size or industry. From both the legal procedural and practical operational perspectives, we are committed to supporting the sustainable recovery of our clients’ businesses.