August 1, 2022: Emi Rowse Igusa has joined Kudun and Partners as a partner launching a brand new Japan Practice to cater to the burgeoning Japanese legal needs in Thailand. She is a specialist in commercial litigation and international arbitration and has represented numerous clients in arbitration cases under the ICC, LCIA, SIAC and TAI rules. She has extensive experience in advising clients on commercial contracts, shareholder and joint venture disputes, employment law, investigations (corruption, fraud and corporate governance) and competition law. In addition to practicing law, Emi is a professional counselor. She possesses a unique combination of skills as a lawyer and a counselor, allowing her to comprehend the psychology of dispute resolution, an increasingly topical issue in the field. Emi is half Japanese and speaks fluent Japanese.

Emi was previously a senior counsel and of counsel with Herbert Smith Freehills based in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Bangkok for over 10 years and Robertsons in Hong Kong as an associate for 7 years. Some of her landmark cases include representing a major Japanese trading house in an arbitration case relating to a dispute over a natural resources project, acting for a high net worth individual in Hong Kong in an arbitration over a family shareholders dispute and representing a major energy company in an arbitration concerning a multi-billion dollar dispute.

Emi has been active in CSR and Pro Bono and will be leading some of these initiatives at Kudun and Partners. As a counselor, her expertise in mental health will be beneficial to promoting mental resilience in the workplace.

“Kudun and Partners has a strong and well-respected market reputation in dispute resolution, and Emi joining us will further strengthen this. With her unique skillset and abilities, we look forward to achieving new heights and raising industry standards with our innovative solutions and paradigm-shifting approach. I look forward to working closely with her,” said Somboon Sangrungjang, partner and co-head of the firm’s dispute resolution, litigation and arbitration practice.

"I am delighted that Emi is joining our partnership," said Kudun Sukhumananda, the firm's founding partner. "At Kudun and Partners, we are constantly seeking new methods to bring ourselves closer to our clients to ensure we deliver a compelling level of service and fulfill our mission of delivering legal advice with a business mind. Japanese investments have always thrived in Thailand, and with the Covid-19 pandemic slowly but surely becoming a thing of the past, we feel it is time to equip our business with a dedicated Japan Practice to better serve our Japanese clients. ようこそ/Yokoso (welcome), Emi!"

Emi’s addition to the partnership increases the firm’s partner headcount to 15 partners, three of whom are female.

About Emi Rowse Igusa

Emi is a senior litigator with over 17 years of experience advising and representing clients throughout the Asia Pacific region on complex commercial litigation and international arbitration proceedings. Her experience includes advising clients across a wide range of industries, including financial institutions, energy corporations and global manufacturers. She has represented clients in arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA, SIAC and TAI rules. Emi’s expertise in dispute matters covers advising on commercial contracts, shareholder and joint venture disputes, employment, investigations (corruption, fraud and corporate governance) and competition law.

Emi is half Japanese and is fluent in Japanese.

Emi is a lawyer admitted by the High Court of Hong Kong. She holds a Master of Counselling (M. Couns.) from Monash University, Australia and a Postgraduate Certificate in Laws  (PCLL) from Hong Kong University, HK. She received her LL.B from Bristol University, UK.

Emi is passionate about working on social justice, particularly children's rights and protection, and is involved in the CSR and Pro Bono initiatives at Kudun and Partners. She is a keen advocate of mental health and well-being and holds a Master’s degree in counseling.

More information can be found on her profile in our website.

August 1, 2022