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Masataka Ogasawara

Masataka Ogasawara

Attorney admitted in Japan Daini Tokyo Bar Association

Japanese, English

Since co-founding ZeLo and LegalForce, Inc. in 2017, he has led ZeLo to play a significant role in assisting Japanese and other start-up and mid-sized companies. ZeLo also frequently advises on FinTech applications such as crowdfunding, asset management, and lending services, under his guidance. he has particular expertise in blockchain technology and crypto assets; he serves as Legal Adviser of the Japan Blockchain Association, the top authority on the blockchain industry, and has one of the largest blockchain-related practices in the country. In addition, he continues to participate actively in dispute resolution matters (carried over from his time before ZeLo).

Education

2011
Graduate Schools for Law and Politics,The University of Tokyo (J.D.) (magna cum laude)
2009
Waseda University School of Law(third year waived)

Experience

2023
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023 - "Practice head" in Dispute Resolution: Independent Local Firms, Tier 4
2022
ALB Asia Super 50 TMT Lawyers 2022
2022
ALB Japan Law Awards 2022 Top Finalist - Managing Partner of the Year
2022
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022 - “Recommended Lawyer” in Dispute resolution: Independent local firms, Tier 4
2021
ALB Japan Law Awards 2021 Winner- Young Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)
2021
ALB Japan Law Awards 2021 Finalist - Managing Partner of the Year
2021
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021 - “Recommended Lawyer” in Dispute resolution: Independent local firms, Tier 4
2017
Founded ZeLo
2013
Joined Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
2012
Registered with Daini Tokyo Bar Association
2011
Passed Japan Bar Exam

Representative Works

  • Represented publicly listed companies in matters involving legal due diligence, acquisitions, mergers, company splits, and asset acquisitions.
  • Appeared before the Supreme Court of Japan on behalf of one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world and successfully obtained a judgment of dismissal in favor of the client.
  • Acted as joint-counsel before the Supreme Court of Japan with regard to the ‘right to be forgotten’ landmark ruling and contributed to the development of the criteria required for the deletion of search results in Japan.
  • Represented clients of various sizes (including listed companies) in restructuring matters at all levels of Japan’s judiciary, both for debtors and lenders.
  • Represented clients in cross-border M&A transactions, proxy fights and PMI litigation.
  • Successfully led numerous cases involving cross-border ICOs and IEOs.
  • Founded LegalForce, a company that developed Japan's first contract review support software, and ZeLo, a foreign law joint enterprise, to improve of the productivity of the entire legal industry and the quality of legal services.

Awards & Rankings

2023
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023 - "Practice head" in Dispute Resolution: Independent Local Firms, Tier 4
2022
ALB Asia Super 50 TMT Lawyers 2022
2022
ALB Japan Law Awards 2022 Finalist - Managing Partner of the Year (The Top 5 Finalists)
2022
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022 - "Recommended Lawyer" in Dispute resolution: Independent local firms, Tier 4
2021
ALB Japan Law Awards 2021 Winner - Young Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)
2021
ALB Japan Law Awards 2021 Finalist - Managing Partner of the Year
2021
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021 - "Recommended Lawyer" in Dispute resolution: Independent local firms, Tier 4
2020
ALB Japan Law Awards 2021 Finalist - Young Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)

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Activities

  • Appointed as the Legal Adviser of Japan Blockchain Association
  • Appointed as the Legal Adviser of Blockchain Contents Association
  • Member of the Task Force for the Creation of New Markets for Startups, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
  • CEO/Co-Founder, LegalForce, Inc.
  • Mentor for ''Girls in Tech Japan''

Publications

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Seminars

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Interviews

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ZeLo LAW SQUARE

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