I have worked with the legal departments of various foreign and domestic companies as outside counsel, and the legal team at IBM Japan, led by Mr. Anthony Luna, in my experience is undoubtedly one of the best in the world.

We work together with IBM Japan as a legal representative or outside advisor for certain complex disputes and litigations. IBM Japan’s legal team takes a client-oriented approach in their day-to-day operations, while they strongly and reasonably advocate for their legal position in a coherent manner once a dispute arises.

The IBM Japan’s legal team proactively and continuously discuss strategies and legal arguments in the litigation together with its outside counsel as one team always with a view to achieving an optimal solution under the circumstances. On the other hand, regarding the confirmation of facts and evidence which is necessary for the litigation, the IBM Japan team will communicate and collect facts and materials in a timely and thorough manner for the disputes within relevant stakeholders and employees within the company. As a result, this strategic teamwork has led to the achievement of positive results in litigation, winning cases in the appellate courts that were thought difficult to win, or settling disputes in a way that is both legally reasonable and provides a suitable outcome to them.

To achieve the above, IBM Japan’s legal team naturally expects a high level of service from outside counsel as well. Most of their members themselves have significant experience as outside counsels from reputable firms prior to joining the IBM Japan legal team. They expect a precise legal and strategic analysis and a realistic assessment of the prospects for prevailing in the dispute. The IBM Japan legal team strives to be involved with and help shape the strategy with outside counsel. Even the evaluation of a single piece of evidence may be subject to lively discussion on how to handle. By using a team approach with outside counsel, they are able to develop a high level of confidence in outside counsel and entrust them with the progress of the case. It is also a rewarding experience for my firm to be able to work side-by-side with an experienced client to achieve a positive outcome.

To ensure that Ushijima & Partners can meet the expectations of the IBM Japan legal team, we always form a team with the best expertise and experience for the case and with a view to providing cost performance and efficiency, with estimates and periodic checkpoints to ensure the matter is on track in terms of budget and progress. We also strive to provide a broad range of strategies and take a flexible approach depending on client needs.

IBM has been long recognized as a reputable and leading corporation in the United States and internationally, and IBM Japan has a unique presence and is deeply rooted in Japan’s economic and social culture as IBM Japan has been operating in Japan for over 80 years. It is my experience that the current General Counsel of IBM Japan, Anthony Luna, who can fluently communicate in Japanese and understand Japanese corporate culture, leads the legal team in a manner that helps to bridge communication or cultural challenges that can arise from operating in a multinational environment, and he can provide a unique perspective based on his extensive legal experience abroad as well as in Japan on approaching legal matters.

Therefore, from my perspective and experience, it is well deserved that the IBM Japan Legal team was evaluated as one of the top in-house legal teams. I wish sincere congratulations to the IBM Japan legal team.

Mr. Shin Ushijima
Partner
Ushijima & Partners

Mr. Anthony J. Luna
General Counsel
IBM Japan, Ltd.