White & Case launches disputes practice in Tokyo; adds Shinsuke Yakura as a partner

Global law firm White & Case LLP has expanded its global disputes practice with the addition of Shinsuke Yakura as a partner in Tokyo.

"Our global disputes practices have long focused on Japan as an important market for clients with international disputes needs," said White & Case partner Abby Cohen Smutny, Co-Head of the International Arbitration Practice. "Shinsuke's practice and experience 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."

Shinsuke advises domestic and foreign companies on cross-border litigation and arbitration, intellectual property 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. Shinsuke brings more than 20 years of experience and joins White & Case from Orrick, where he led the Tokyo office and was head of Orrick Tokyo's complex litigation and dispute resolution group and intellectual property group.

"Shinsuke is a leading intellectual property and disputes lawyer in Japan, who is unique in the breadth of his disputes experience and his admittance to practice in New York as well as Japan," said Jun Usami, White & Case Office Executive Partner in Tokyo. "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."

White & Case partner and Vice Chair Oliver Brettle said: "Japan's growing economy and legal market make it an important location for a global elite law firm such as White & Case. 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."

Shinsuke's arrival follows the addition in Tokyo of funds partner Eriko Sakata from Linklaters in May 2024.

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