Issue 10 2019

32 Acquisition International - Issue 10 2019 Aug19260 Founded in February 2003, City-Yuwa Partners (CY) was the result of collaboration between several partners from Yuwa Partners, well known in finance and M&A practices, and the Law Department of Tokyo City Law and Tax Partners. The firm has since grown into one of the largest full-service law firms in Japan, housing over 150 attorneys who can provide a wide range of legal services, as well as Tokyo’s most influential woman in corporate law, Yoshiko Koizumi. pecialising in a myriad of legal areas, each of the departments at CY are in the top-tier of their respective practice areas. Dealing in domestic and cross-border corporate practices, energy, real estate, construction, finance, litigation and arbitration, compliance, criminal practice, white-collar crime, IP, bankruptcy, and estate planning, there is no shortage of expertise on show at this firm. In 2009, Yoshiko Koizumi joined CY, after working for Asahi Koma Law Offices and Nishimura & Asahi. Following her graduation from Tokyo University of Education in 1966, subsequent legal training, and second degree from the University of London at The London School of Economics and Political Science, Yoshiko has worked in law ever since. Yoshiko’s work has seen her deal in a multitude of areas already, ranging from the protection of Peter Rabbit characters in Japan, to battery manufacturers, and semiconductor material manufacturers. Her Peter Rabbit case proved to be particularly memorable for her, as she became part of a very select group of Japanese attorneys who represented non-Japanese companies to protect their IP rights in Japan. She has since been assisting the IP holder of Peter Rabbit in merchandising and expanding the fanbase of the character. Serving mainly Japanese and overseas manufacturers, construction companies, and engineering firms, Yoshiko strives to push herself in taking on projects which are cutting-edge and which very few female attorneys have a chance to work on. Another of her cases includes her defending the product liability of a semiconductor material. Working to defend the client in the United States and many other countries, she fought against plaintiffs who were all large, reputable and well-established corporations within the industry. Company: City-Yuwa Partners Contact: Yoshiko Koizumi Website: www.city-yuwa.com Winning the Case for Success S Many of her clients are working in challenging and innovative business environments, so her legal cases have no existing precedents. Working alongside these businesses, Yoshiko seeks to tackle the legal issues arising from such businesses with her razor- sharp creativity and passionate spirit. Her work has been recognised, having been invited to significant commemorative events for global companies and organisations, such as 100th anniversary events. Those events hosted guests who were people that have made a significant contribution to the company, society and global business. Working primarily with construction companies, Yoshiko is keenly aware that firms are having to develop more climate-resilient infrastructure to withstand the natural disasters that are becoming increasingly destructive and frequent, thanks to global warming. She also understands that firms around the world are facing challenges in becoming more environmentally-conscious, cultivating eco-friendly practices. Ultimately, the secret to CY’s success lies in their ability to take such a diverse group of attorneys and give them the space to work excellently as a team or individuals. Yoshiko continues to thrive in her role as partner, searching out and taking on innovative and exciting cases to test her intellectual prowess and make Japanese legal history.