White & Case has launched a disputes practice in Tokyo with the hire of a partner from US rival Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe. 

Shinsuke Yakura has joined White & Case after nearly 14 years at Orrick, where he led the Tokyo office and was head of the Tokyo complex litigation and dispute resolution group and IP group. 

Abby Cohen Smutny, co-head of White & Case’s international arbitration practice, said the firm had long focused on Japan as an important market for clients with international disputes needs. 

“Shinsuke’s practice is an ideal complement to our global team and will bolster our on-going support of our Japanese corporate clients on their international disputes and our global clients on contentious matters in Japan,” she added. 

Yakura advises domestic and foreign companies on cross-border litigation and arbitration, IP and white collar and compliance matters, as well as antitrust and product liability. He advises on inbound disputes before Japanese courts and on matters under the rules of the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association, as well as outbound disputes before US courts and under institutional arbitral rules in various jurisdictions. 

He made partner at Orrick in 2012 having joined the firm the year before from Paul Hastings and earlier spent eight years at Japanese firm H.Okada International Law Offices. 

Jun Usami, White & Case office executive partner in Tokyo, pointed to the breadth of Yakura’s disputes experience and his admittance to practice in New York as well as Japan.

“As we look to build on our long history in Japan by expanding into disputes, Shinsuke’s expertise and client base will complement as well as grow our offering,” he added. 

White & Case has deep roots in Japan’s legal services market, which was valued at more than $5bn in 2023. It opened its Tokyo office back in 1987 and was the first foreign law firm to establish a joint enterprise with Japan-licensed bengoshi, enabling it to provide clients with Japanese and international legal advice. The Tokyo team has acted for clients including Mizuho Leasing Company and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation on major deals, and in 2022 advised the lead arrangers on the $7bn refinancing of the leveraged facilities for Bain Capital’s acquisition of Toshiba Memory. 

“Japan’s growing economy and legal market make it an important location for a global elite law firm such as White & Case,” said Oliver Brettle, firm vice chair. “As our disputes practices continue to be a significant focus for the firm globally, having experienced disputes partners in key jurisdictions such as Japan is essential to support our clients on their contentious matters wherever they take place.”

Yakura’s hire brings White & Case’s Tokyo partner count to 11, including funds partner Eriko Sakata, who join in May from Linklaters. 

Japanese interest is equally keen elsewhere, with Bird & Bird opening an office in Tokyo this week to support Japanese clients with outbound cross-border work in core sectors for the firm such as renewable energy, life sciences, tech and media. The firm hired corporate partner Hiro Iwamura from Ashurst earlier in the year to support the launch. 

The moves follow the liberalisation of rules by the Japanese Ministry of Justice that simplified how foreign lawyers can work in Japan, with the changes coming into force at the end of July.