Skyline of Tokyo

Japan

Your Gateway Counsel
ArentFox Schiff offers Japanese companies, law firms, and individuals the full range of concierge legal services needed to thrive in the United States.

Our Approach

A large measure of our success stems from our commitment to understanding our clients’ businesses and creating individually tailored strategies that help them achieve their goals. We understand that the needs of our Japanese clients vary based on industry, presence, and experience in the United States and the goals that they wish to achieve.

In addition, we are a trusted partner to several Japanese law firms,  acting as local United States counsel for cross-border transactions and litigation and in connection with day-to-day business operations issues that Japanese companies and their United States affiliates may need to address.

We have seconded ArentFox Schiff lawyers to the offices of our Japanese clients and Japanese law firms that we work closely with. This permits our attorneys to better understand our Japanese clients’ and Japanese counsels’ culture and practices, ultimately enhancing the quality and efficiency of our services.

Our Focus

Corporate and Operations

We understand the corporate and transactional needs of our Japanese clients, who often operate with limited staffing in the United States and require assistance in navigating the United States legal landscape. We regularly advise our clients on United States corporate governance and compliance along with matters relating to employment (including executive employment contracts, employee handbooks, discrimination claims, trade secrets, and non-competes), immigration, real estate leasing, product issues (including regulatory approvals and plaintiff’s claims), vendor contracts, and most other day-to-day business issues that arise when operating a business in the United States.

We regularly advise clients on transactions, including acquisitions or dispositions of businesses and real estate, joint ventures, and financings, whether through banks or by means of private and public offerings of equity and debt, and securities compliance.

International Trade and CFIUS

We advise clients on all aspects of customs/import compliance, global trade policy, international trade litigation, export controls (International Traffic in Arms Regulations or “ITAR” and Export Administration Regulations or “EAR”) and economic sanctions, and international anti-corruption and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. We help clients with export/import classifications/jurisdictions, obtain export licenses and other authorizations and comply with the trade laws. We also handle investigations of violations and represent clients in voluntary disclosures to the agencies and the United States government criminal and civil investigations. In addition, we provide transaction support on Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) inbound investment matters as well as advice regarding potential future outbound investment prohibitions and reporting requirements.

Intellectual Property

ArentFox Schiff is a go-to IP firm for Japanese companies operating in the United States. Our patent practice has its origins in a Japanese boutique firm that merged with ArentFox Schiff over two decades ago. As a result, the “back office” at our firm includes dedicated staff for docketing, formalities, and other specialized patent prosecution functions, in addition to the standard secretarial support for our attorneys and agents. We are also a destination shop for Japanese companies in every other area of IP, including trademark, copyright, and licensing. ArentFox Schiff also advises on best practices for websites, privacy, and similar matters.

Litigation and Arbitration

Armed with more than 200 litigators, ArentFox Schiff lawyers have also argued and defended thousands of civil and criminal cases in both federal and state courts across the United States and before regulatory agencies and arbitral tribunals around the globe. Our International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution practice provides a unique perspective that appreciates the international nature of each dispute, the unique interests of the parties, and the intricacies of the international arbitral process. Our team is led by attorneys with extensive experience in international dispute resolution and strong government and diplomatic backgrounds. This experience gives us the deepest understanding of the key decision points that are critical in navigating complex international matters and managing government regulation.

Private Clients, Trusts, and Estates

Japanese citizens with significant assets in the United States, long-term United States residency, or family members who are United States citizens will have unique issues in their long-term financial planning and strategies for holding United States investments and real estate. We devise and implement strategies for our Japanese clients that meet their goals and plan for stewardship for future generations. Our lawyers guide families and fiduciaries through the difficult time following the death or disability of a loved one, which can be even more difficult when assets and family members are in multiple jurisdictions.

Key Contacts