Shunji Sato’s practice focuses primarily on trademark searches, prosecution, portfolio management, and international trademark protection for Japanese and multinational companies, as well as local start-ups. With over 28 years of experience, he has vast expertise in oppositions, invalidations, and cancellation proceedings before the Japan Patent Office, as well as trademark/design infringement and unfair competition suits before district courts and the Intellectual Property High Court. Mr. Sato is also highly skilled in providing strategic advice on brand protection based on his in-depth knowledge and experience.
Mr. Sato is an active member of INTA, where he is currently serving as Co-Chair of the Asia-Pacific Subcommittee of the INTA Bulletins Committee, and has served as a member of the Board of Directors and on the Asia-Pacific Global Advisory Council, among other committees and task forces. He is also a Secretary General of the Japan Trademark Association (“JTA”) and is an active member of the Trademark Committee of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association (“APAA”). He has been selected to serve on the JP Domain Name Dispute Resolution Panel of the Japan Intellectual Property Arbitration Centre.
Mr. Sato has been recognized as one of World Trademark Review’s Global Leaders since 2020. He is also honored to have been selected as a top trademark practitioner in other internationally renowned directories, including:
- The Legal 500 Asia Pacific;
- asialaw Profiles;
- Who's Who Legal:(Japan) Global Leader (Trademarks);
- Euromoney’s Expert Guide (Trademark – Japan); and
- Client Choice Award (Trademarks – Japan).
Mr. Sato obtained his law degree from Keio University and his LLM from the Santa Clara University School of Law in California. He frequently appears as a speaker or panelist at trademark-related national and international conferences.
Year Joined Firm: 1997
Education/Alumni:
- Keio University (LL.B.)
- Santa Clara University School of Law (LL.M.)
Network Memberships:
- INTA
- JPAA
- JTA
- APAA
- NTMs
- JIPAC
