MASUDA FUNAI - Key Persons


Asa W. Markel

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of the Firm 's Commercial, Competition & Trade
  • Principal, Los Angeles
Asa Markel, Chair of the firm's Commercial, Competition & Trade practice group, is a dual-qualified U.S. attorney and non-practicing English solicitor. His experience includes civil litigation, including first chair jury and bench trials, appellate argument and arbitrations. Asa's courtroom work ranges from business disputes to professional liability, admiralty and transportation, construction and employment law matters. He also advises foreign and domestic companies regarding their supply contracts, distribution arrangements, customs matters, export regulatory compliance, government contracts and protection of trade secrets. Learn More In his second decade of practice, Asa is a member of the firm's Litigation and Corporate, Finance & Acquisitions groups and Chair of the Commercial, Competition & Trade practice. He also leads the firm's International Trade & Logistics team. Diligent and always prepared, Asa is totally focused on continuously offering his clients strategic options and viable paths to achieving their objectives. Asa knows, from hands-on experience, how contracts and regulations will be enforced, which has given him an edge when negotiating and documenting agreements for his clients. A Super Lawyers "Rising Star," Asa brings diverse experience, practical legal advice and creative solutions to every matter. Prior to joining the firm, Asa practiced maritime and transportation law in California, where he advised on cargo damage claims, the professional liability of forwarders and customs brokers, marine insurance coverage issues for American, British and Japanese insurers, and international sales contracts. He originally worked for a respected civil litigation law firm in Arizona. Practice Areas Commercial, Competition & Trade

Benjamin F. Gould

Job Titles:
  • Principal, Chicago
Benjamin Gould, as Co-Chair of the firm's Corporate, Finance & Acquisitions practice group, represents global companies and financial institutions in M&A, debt and equity financing transactions and corporate law matters. He offers extensive experience in complex cross-border transactions, and has negotiated and closed deals ranging from hundreds of millions to billions of dollars in value over the course of his career. Accessible, diligent and patient, Ben is personally committed to helping his clients achieve their business objectives both in the U.S. and abroad. Learn More

Benjamin Marshall

Job Titles:
  • Society - Former Honorary Chairman / British - American Business Council of Chicago / Chicago Bar Association

Bryan Y. Funai

Job Titles:
  • Principal, Schaumburg
Bryan Funai advises U.S. and foreign companies on corporate structuring, business transactions, reorganizations and the establishment of subsidiaries, as well as regarding strategic development and business immigration. A founding member of the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers, an Illinois "Super Lawyer," and listed in Who's Who Legal in Corporate Immigration, Leading Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America, Bryan is a focused, astute strategist and highly effective negotiator. Learn More Bryan counsels clients on the establishment of corporations and limited liability companies, divestitures, consolidations and the sale of companies. He often represents clients in drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts, including, sales, confidentiality, purchase, acquisition, stock purchase, joint venture and license agreements. An experienced business immigration attorney, Bryan advises on the immigration ramifications of various corporate structures. He prepares business plans that comply with myriad immigration laws and advises on the immigration consequences of corporate reorganizations, worksite compliance and employment verification audits. His knowledge of all types of immigrant and nonimmigrant visas allows him to determine which is best suited to the needs of each client he serves. He also advises executives on their eligibility for permanent residency and the application process required to obtain this status. In his third decade of practice, Bryan is appreciated for his extraordinary service, consistently practical advice and ability to provide value that goes far beyond the law. Bryan speaks Japanese and frequently travels to Japan to remain current with changes at the Consular Posts in Osaka and Tokyo. He has authored immigration articles for the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the Japan External Trade Organization, and has been a contributing author to The Visa Processing Guide and Consular Posts Handbook (AILA), The Global Business Immigration Practice Guide (Matthew Bender) and Inside the Minds: Employing International Workers (Thomson Reuters). Bryan is frequently invited to speak at legal education and business seminars on corporate immigration topics in the U.S., Japan, the United Kingdom and China. Practice Areas Immigration

Christen J. McGlynn

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Associate, Chicago
Christen McGlynn is a business litigator with experience in complex civil and commercial litigation, including the defense of professional, products and general liability matters. She handles every aspect of the litigation process from drafting motions and pleadings, to conducting e-discovery, taking depositions, and representing clients in hearings in both state and federal court. Christen is valued for her strong work ethic and her ability to assist firm principals in identifying, assessing and managing legal issues and risks associated with complex claims throughout the dispute resolution process. Learn More Christen began her legal career as an Associate at a large insurance defense firm prior to joining Masuda Funai. She continues her passion for trial advocacy as a coach for the John Marshall trial team. Practice Areas Litigation Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd. is pleased to announce the addition of Christen J. McGlynn as an Associate in the Chicago office…

Dayne Kono

Job Titles:
  • Chairman, Chicago
Dayne Kono counsels business clients on corporate formation, governance and structure, strategic alliances, joint ventures, M&A, post-merger integration, licensing, and commercial transactions. He is a trusted advisor who consistently navigates clients' business plans through the complexities of cross-border investments. Dayne is often asked to meet with top executives to discuss strategic, sensitive and high-risk issues. With his broad, practical experience and network, which includes 10 years as President and Managing Director of Masuda Funai, he is appreciated for his clear communication, personal commitment and acute focus on each client's specific needs. Learn More Dayne is regularly retained to review business strategies, identify potential legal risks and implement governance and compliance policies to ensure that clients can succeed in changing markets and regulatory environments. Recently, Dayne has been asked to manage post-merger integration assignments for several acquisitions in North America by major Japanese corporations. He has also been instrumental in negotiating strategic alliances for Japanese-based multinationals that have expanded and are competing in the global marketplace. Dedicated to promoting stronger ties between the U.S. and Japan, Dayne is a Council Leader and former Board Member of the U.S.-Japan Council and currently serves as President of The Garden of the Phoenix Foundation. He was recently listed in Crain's Chicago Business as one of the Most Influential Minority Lawyers in Chicago. Practice Areas Corporate, Finance & Acquisitions

Derek W. Strain

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate, Schaumburg
Derek Strain has practiced exclusively in the area of United States immigration and nationality law since 1997. He represents clients in all areas of immigration and nationality law including naturalization, family-based immigrant petitions, and employment-based immigration. His practice includes H-1B, L, E, and TN non-immigrant visas, PERM labor certification, and I-9s/employer compliance issues. Learn More Derek is valued for his ability to anticipate client needs and navigate the complexities of immigration decisions and how that can impact the company and individual for decades into the future. He provides customized solutions specific to the business objectives of his clients. Derek is involved in various legal and business associations and has been an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers' Association (AILA) since 1997. He served as the Chicago Chapter President from 2013-2014 and has since served on numerous AILA committees. Derek is a former Peace Corps Volunteer (Guatemala) and is fluent in Spanish. Practice Areas Immigration Education DePaul University College of Law, J.D., Law, 1996 University of Kansas, B.F.A., 1989

Eldon H. Kakuda

Job Titles:
  • Principal, Schaumburg
For more than three decades, Eldon Kakuda has represented large and small corporations established in the U.S. and owned by foreign shareholders. Eldon often serves as general outside counsel for clients that do not have internal legal departments. As such, he advises on a variety of legal issues, including contract review and negotiations, corporate establishment and maintenance, employment matters, pre-litigation strategy and immigration initiatives. Learn More Eldon's immigration practice includes representing employers in obtaining both immigrant and nonimmigrant workforce-related visas. He assists with the preparation and processing of E-1, E-2, L-1 and H-1 petitions and visa applications with the various U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offices, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, and the U.S. Consulate in Osaka, Japan. Notably, Eldon is a frequent speaker on various immigration issues, including E and L-1 nonimmigrant visa processing, along with changes in processing standards. In the area of employment law and human resources counseling, Eldon drafts, reviews and counsels corporate clients regarding employee personnel policies and procedures, including anti-harassment and electronic communication policies. He advises and assists clients in handling employee terminations and disciplinary actions to comply with various federal, state and local laws and regulations. In addition, he represents employers responding to charges made by employees to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Illinois Department of Human Rights. Eldon's clients come from a wide range of industries, including machine tool manufacturing, professional consulting, industrial printing technology, automobile parts suppliers and electronic components manufacturing. He is dedicated to providing exceptional service by listening to and understanding a client's particular issue and then providing legal advice and workable solutions that make sense to his clients. Eldon knows, from practical experience, how to work with clients to develop business strategies utilizing legal tactics that further client objectives. He makes sure that each client understands how the law applies to their specific matter and explains and solicits feedback on the various options to achieve a workable solution. Eldon's clients appreciate that he truly listens and cares about their specific needs. Practice Areas Immigration

Fazila Vaid

Job Titles:
  • Counsel
  • Principal, Schaumburg
As the Co-Chair of the firm's Immigration practice, Fazila Vaid assists multinational corporations and business professionals with temporary and permanent residence matters, including a full range of nonimmigrant and immigrant visas and PERM applications. Clients appreciate Fazila's ability to cut through the complex legalese of immigration law by streamlining and explaining the issues or problem at hand and providing a workable solution to realizing the right result. Learn More Fazila's practice focuses primarily on assisting companies to file H-1B petitions for foreign workers, TN applications for Canadian and Mexican nationals, B-1 and B-1 in lieu of H-1B visas for temporary visitors, and securing permanent residency for foreign nationals in the EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 preference categories. She also counsels companies engaged in trade and investment in the U.S. regarding the transfer of employees utilizing the E and L visa categories. In addition, Fazila provides strategic advice to employers on a wide range of immigration issues, including I-9 compliance and audits, corporate restructuring and mergers and acquisitions, complex Requests for Evidence, nonimmigrant visa waivers, and short and long-term immigration options for corporations and individuals. Fazila also addresses issues related to family-based immigration and citizenship and naturalization matters. Moreover, Fazila represents clients before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Labor, and numerous U.S. consular posts worldwide. She has been practicing immigration law exclusively for nearly two decades, and represents clients from a wide variety of industries including energy, information technology, finance, engineering, food manufacturing, automotive parts manufacturing, construction equipment manufacturing, and high-speed railway and railway manufacturing. Fazila has served as pro bono counsel to low-income individuals in asylum matters for the National Immigrant Justice Center. She lectures on immigration issues at professional and community organizations, conferences, universities and professional schools. In the past, she has served as pro bono counsel to low-income individuals in asylum matters for the National Immigrant Justice Center. Prior to joining Masuda Funai, Fazila worked in the immigration department of a mid-size law firm in downtown Chicago, where she represented corporations, universities, hospitals, medical institutions, foreign medical graduates and individual clients with temporary and permanent residence matters. Practice Areas Immigration Education IIT-Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D., 2000 University of Illinois, Chicago, B.A. Criminal Justice and Spanish, 1996

Frank Del Barto

Job Titles:
  • Presented at ICPAS' Employee Benefits Conference Via Simulcast

Frank Del Barto Presented

Job Titles:
  • Presented at ICPAS' Employee Benefits Conference Via Simulcast

Frank Del Barto Selected

Job Titles:
  • Business 2020 Notable Veteran Executive

Frank J. Del Barto

Job Titles:
  • Principal, Schaumburg
Frank Del Barto is an experienced employment attorney and former Chair of the Firm's Employment, Labor & Benefits Group. He counsels executives and HR managers on the full range of employment, employee benefit plan, and retirement plan matters. Frank's clients, which include domestic and Japanese companies, consistently appreciate his business acumen and practical point of view. Frank's innate ability to problem-solve by distilling complex obstacles into key decision points and workable solutions brings his clients back again and again. Learn More Selected as an Illinois Rising Star for seven consecutive years and an Illinois Super Lawyer in 2022, Frank advises executive management on employment discrimination, family and medical leave issues, wage and hour compliance, and employee classification concerns, as well as on critical litigation risk reduction strategies. He has negotiated and drafted numerous employment, severance and independent contractor agreements and employment policies and handbooks. Frank has successfully represented clients in administrative matters before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, the Illinois Department of Employment Security, and the Illinois Department of Labor. He has also successfully counseled clients on employment and wage matters in various state and federal courts. In addition, Frank advises on ERISA issues, COBRA administration, and myriad benefit plan reporting, disclosure and compliance matters. He has represented clients before the U.S. Department of Labor on compliance audits and Form 5500 penalty assessments. As retirement plan compliance has become increasingly more difficult, Frank has guided client management teams through complex 401(k) plan corrections with the IRS and has counseled clients on the formation and operation of plan committees to improve plan governance and reduce the potential liabilities associated with plan sponsorship. Prior to joining the firm, Frank spent fourteen years in the insurance industry working with Fortune 500 companies and prominent universities. This real-world experience allows him to bring a unique business-oriented perspective to the legal challenges faced by his clients, ever searching for solutions that fall within each client's acceptable risk tolerance. A former Army officer and graduate of the elite Airborne and Ranger Schools, Frank's pro bono practice concentrates on assisting military veterans and their dependents appeal disability compensation claim denials with the Department of Veterans' Affairs. A veteran himself, Frank is driven to assist fellow veterans in obtaining compensation for their injuries that are connected to or aggravated by their military service. Frank has received several awards for his pro bono service to veterans including from the Supreme Court of Illinois. In 2020, Crain's Chicago Business selected Frank as a Notable Veteran Executive for his dedication to veterans. Practice Areas Employment, Labor & Benefits

Franklin D. Roosevelt - President

Job Titles:
  • President

Fumiko Tokuyoshi

Job Titles:
  • Director of Global Client Services, Chicago
Fumiko Tokuyoshi leads the firm's Client Services team. She serves as a liaison with our clients for general inquiries and service questions or issues. Fumiko also facilitates communications between our attorneys and clients, often participating in critical conference calls and meetings, as well as providing follow-up and clarification to clients regarding cross-border language, culture and business differences. Born and raised in Japan, Fumiko reads, writes and speaks Japanese and English and she is well-versed in Japanese business culture. In addition to providing a myriad of support services to our clients and our attorneys, she also works with the firm's Marketing Department on client presentations and marketing collateral. Fumiko often travels to Japan to coordinate firm events and seminars and to participate in client meetings. Learn More Fumiko is active in various organizations including the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Chicago and the Japan America Society of Chicago, to name a few. She stays current on industry trends and issues impacting our clients' businesses in an effort to better understand the challenges facing our clients. Our Client Services team has one goal - to promote client satisfaction. Prior to joining Masuda Funai more than a decade ago, Fumiko was a Senior International Account Manager with a meeting planning company in Chicago. Education University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, M.S., Communication-Public/Corporate, 2000 Aoyamagakuin University, B.A., Law/Public Law, 1998 Languages Japanese

Gary Vist

Job Titles:
  • Principal, Chicago
Gary Vist offers extensive experience in complex, high-stakes business and commercial litigation in federal and state court, arbitration and mediation, as well as bankruptcy law-related matters. Achieving the right result is what consistently drives Gary to succeed on behalf of his clients. Known for his proven skill as a legal strategist, communication ability and constant accessibility to the clients he serves, Gary is personally dedicated to being better prepared than his opponents at every turn. Learn More Gary is a veteran "bet the company" multi-party litigator who has succeeded in claims with hundreds of millions of dollars at stake. Notably, Gary also has unique and substantial experience in handling litigation and investigations arising out of industrial accidents and catastrophic events, including matters involving the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (USCSB), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS), as well as insurance litigation involving both first-party property and third-party liability claims. Gary represents clients from a variety of industries, including printing, crystal-growing, heavy machinery, electronics, automotive, information technology, media advertisement and food products, among others. Originally from Kiev, Ukraine, Gary is fluent in Russian and Ukrainian. As a result, Gary handles a number of significant commercial and business litigation matters for clients that are based in, or have significant connections to, Eastern Europe, especially Russia, the Ukraine and Belarus. In addition to his formidable ingenuity as a tenacious advocate and results-driven litigator, Gary drafts and negotiates commercial agreements such as sales representative, license, supplier, distributor and non-disclosure agreements. He often represents clients during the arbitration of disputes in the course of such agreements. Moreover, since 2012 Gary has presented annual litigation seminars in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan on various subjects related to U.S.-based litigation. He is a member of Russian-American Chamber of Commerce and Ukrainian American Bar Association. He also maintains relationships with Ukrainian diplomatic channels in the U.S., and was an invited guest to the Washington D.C. gala at the Ukrainian Embassy celebrating 20 years of Ukraine's independence. Practice Areas Litigation

George H. Kobayashi

Job Titles:
  • President, Chicago
President of Masuda Funai, George Kobayashi serves as general counsel to Japanese companies entering the U.S. market. Fluent in English and Japanese, George worked in Japan and understands the Japanese business mindset and how commercial decisions are made and executed. George is valued for his skill in explaining American law and business in a way Japanese executives can understand and leverage to ensure ROI. George feels a sense of personal success when his clients succeed in the domestic marketplace. Learn More George maintains a unique practice focusing on the representation of Japan-based clients in a wide range of cross-border business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances and other commercial transactions valued into the hundreds of millions of dollars. As a member of the firm's Intellectual Property & Technology practice, George has represented and advised public and privately held companies in various industries, including information technology, fashion, application development, transportation, machine tool, automobile, robotics, food products and healthcare. George regularly assists his clients in all aspects of vertical distribution including franchising, dealership and distributorship programs, sales representative and commercial agency relationships, complex commercial licensing and co-branding arrangements, and direct selling and business opportunity relationships. George has appeared numerous times before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and regularly advises clients on trademark, service mark, branding, copyright and other intellectual property-related issues. George also has experience assisting companies internationally, including those in and from Japan, Mexico and Brazil, and has developed strong relationships with experienced business and legal advisors around the world to assist his clients' expansion into these markets. He has conducted numerous seminars, both in the U.S. and in Japan in English and in Japanese, on a broad range of commercial, intellectual property and other legal issues affecting businesses conducting cross-border transactions. Prior to law school, George worked in Tokyo as a Product Development Manager for 3Com Corporation and its predecessor US Robotics, Inc. While in law school, he studied comparative law in Tokyo and was a legal intern at the Tokyo office of TMI Associates. Practice Areas Commercial, Competition & Trade

George Kobayashi

Job Titles:
  • General Counsel to Japanese

Hirokazu Kishinami

Job Titles:
  • Associate, Schaumburg
  • Immigration Associate and a Member
Hirokazu Kishinami is an Immigration associate and a member of the firm's Japan practice. He was born and raised in Saitama, Japan and is fully bilingual in Japanese and English. Hirokazu's acute understanding of Japanese culture is a tremendous asset to our clients.

J.B. Pritzker

Job Titles:
  • Executive Summary Illinois Governor
Executive Summary Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced on April 23, 2020, that the Illinois stay-at-home order will be extended…

Jennifer R.M.C. Watson

Job Titles:
  • Co - Chair
  • Principal
  • Principal, and Ryu Fukuyama, Associate, of Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd. and Scott Sneckenberger, Partner of
  • Principal, Chicago
Jennifer Watson advises clients on a broad range of business matters, including negotiating and documenting a wide variety of transactions, corporate reorganizations and restructurings, private placements and general corporate and shareholder matters. She assists clients with entity selection and formation of corporations, limited liability companies and other business entities, including counseling clients on the international, federal and state tax implications of these structures. In addition to being a lawyer, Jennifer is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), which allows her to add value beyond the law. Learn More Jennifer works closely with companies on mergers and acquisitions. She advises her clients on structuring transactions, including solutions for parties involved in unique and non-traditional transactions, and drafting and negotiating principal transaction agreements, in addition to conducting due diligence and requisite filings. As part of her employee benefits practice, she designs, drafts, reviews and counsels clients on executive compensation and employment agreements, qualified and non-qualified retirement plans and welfare benefit plans. Practice Areas Corporate, Finance & Acquisitions Jennifer R. Watson, Co-Chair of Masuda Funai's Corporate, Finance & Acquisitions Group, has been formally admitted to practice law in the…

Jiwon Juliana Yhee

Job Titles:
  • Principal, Chicago
Jiwon Yhee has represented clients across a wide variety of industries on business, IP, and employment dispute resolution and litigation, and other commercial matters. Jiwon's strengths lie in her practical approach to problem-solving and her ability to analyze and find solutions to the most complex issues and claims. Notably, she has served on client teams involving claims for damages in the hundreds of millions of dollars. In her commercial litigation practice, she represents both plaintiffs and defendants in actions asserting breach of contract, breach of warranty, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and other business torts and claims. She often handles matters involving the protection of intellectual property, including trade secrets, copyrights, and trademarks. In her employment litigation practice, Jiwon focuses on the defense of corporations under the FLSA, Title VII, ADEA, ADA and other federal statutes and their state equivalents. Jiwon has also routinely litigated cases involving the enforcement of non-competitive, non-solicitation, and other restrictive covenenats. Jiwon has successfully defended clients with limited English ability or whose documents are primarily in Korean. Jiwon also assists clients outside of litigation. Her experience includes drafting and reviewing the potential enforceability of confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, as well as sales representative and distribution agreements.

John B. Stanis

Job Titles:
  • Principal, Schaumburg
John Stanis is involved in a broad range of litigation, employment and commercial law matters. Fluent in Japanese, John represents U.S. subsidiaries of Japanese companies. John's clients appreciate his judgment and practical approach to handling their most important business decisions and challenges in the U.S. market. John understands the differences between the Japanese and American approach to business, and is able to explain even the most divergent perspectives while devising a solution that is workable for his client. Learn More John's litigation experience includes appearing in state and federal courts throughout the country. He represents clients in pursuing and defending claims involving product warranty and personal injury claims, distributor terminations, logistics disputes, wrongful employee termination, wage and hour claims, discrimination, harassment, misappropriation of trade secrets and corporate opportunities, non-competition and confidentiality agreements, title insurance, landlord/tenant and construction disputes, and creditors' rights in bankruptcy. John has extensive experience in counseling and training clients regarding compliance with state, federal and local anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws. He regularly works with clients to prepare and implement employee handbooks, executive agreements, and best practices for protecting intellectual property, employee discipline and terminations. His focus remains on maximizing each client's work environment and preventing, managing and defending against any claims that might arise. Moreover, John regularly assists clients in drafting and negotiating a wide variety of commercial, sales and product distribution agreements. These initiatives include secured sales contracts, sales representative and distributor agreements, bills of lading, logistics and transportation agreements, and obtaining freight forwarder and customs broker licenses and permits. John's proven instinct for offering the right solution, outstanding and multi-cultural people skills, and excellent writing and communication abilities often allow him to gain an advantage for the clients he serves. Prior to the practicing law and during his undergraduate studies, John spent a year at Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan. Practice Areas Litigation On Tuesday, October 14, 2020, John Stanis, Principal of Masuda Funai, presented at a virtual Northwest Human Resources Council (NHRC)…

Joji Kagei

Job Titles:
  • General Counsel to Japanese
  • of Counsel, Los Angeles
Joji Kagei serves as outside general counsel to Japanese-owned businesses. He advises on all stages of the business life cycle, ranging from incorporation and real estate initiatives, to mergers, acquisitions and dispositions, to employment and immigration law, to corporate restructurings. Joji services clients in the financial, automotive, real estate, manufacturing, transportation and food industries. He drafts, reviews and negotiates various commercial agreements, as well as analyzes, develops and implements dispute resolution strategies. During his lengthy career, Joji has also represented major banks and trading companies.

Joseph S. Parisi

Job Titles:
  • of Counsel, Schaumburg
Joseph Parisi represents international manufacturers, importers and distributors/providers of goods and services throughout the U.S. on their commercial operations. His experience includes drafting, reviewing and negotiating sales and distribution contracts and agreements, as well as major corporate mergers, acquisitions, restructurings and intellectual property matters. Joe makes a point of understanding the objectives of his clients in order to efficiently execute transactions that incorporate their strategic vision, business practices and profitability goals, and achieve the results they require to succeed. Learn More Joe advises clients regarding appointments and terminations of sales representatives and distributors, and assists such clients in complying with applicable state, federal and local laws and regulations. He counsels clients on the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), including secured transactions in the sale and purchase of goods. In addition, Joe is involved in dispute resolution, including drafting and negotiating complex settlement agreements. Joe's corporate experience includes the purchase and sale of corporate assets, mergers, acquisitions and business reorganizations. He has advised clients on the formation of business entities, including limited liability companies and joint ventures. Moreover, Joe serves as "general counsel" to various machinery, printing press, machine tool companies and food companies by counseling them on day-to-day issues including employment, corporate governance, litigation and other substantive legal disciplines. In addition, Joe represents clients in trademark matters, including prosecuting and resolving disputes and licensing arrangements. By learning everything he can about each client's specific business, Joe remains consistently focused on capitalizing upon the company's often unique strengths. Because Joe has worked with Japanese and other foreign and domestic businesses for more than four decades, he delivers the requisite experience and cultural acuity required to effectively advise and serve Japanese and other foreign owned corporations. Joe's reliable and steady approach to communication and problem-solving bring his clients back again and again. By getting to the heart of a problem and partnering with his clients to create legal strategies that support tangible business goals, Joe is able to find solutions that actually work within the framework of each client's business model. Practice Areas Commercial, Competition & Trade

Julie T. Emerick

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate, Schaumburg
Julie Emerick focuses on helping clients streamline the global migration process and develop strategic plans for employment-based nonimmigrant ("temporary work") and immigrant ("Green Card") matters. She has represented clients in various professional, consulting, manufacturing, energy, IT, educational, and entertainment fields. Julie is committed to knowing her client's short- and long-term objectives and helping them navigate the immigration stage of their journey. She has been instrumental in effectively negotiating immigration matters for her clients in an ever-changing environment, from travel restrictions to "work from anywhere" concerns. Learn More Julie provides counsel to employers on the unique immigration issues affecting corporate start-ups, mergers and acquisitions and employee transfers, as well as work stoppages, and employee layoffs. She works with clients on the full immigration life cycle, from determining the appropriate visa classification for initial hire, through the sponsorship for Permanent Resident status and eventually, if desired, U.S. citizenship. Julie brings creativity to the immigration legal process by knowing her clients and communicating their mission and story in the immigration petitions submitted. Practicing immigration and nationality law for nearly three decades, she is appreciated by her clients for her personal commitment and level of care for their specific needs. She advises corporate clients on the creation of Form I-9 and E-Verify compliance policies and instructional programs; and defends employers in worksite, wage and sick leave, document abuse and discrimination investigations conducted by U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Labor (DOL), the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) of the Department of Justice and local governments. Julie represents individuals helping them achieve their dream of American citizenship and in reuniting families through family-based immigration. She provides pro-bono counsel to members of the U.S. military and victims of crimes. Prior to joining Masuda Funai, Julie was a solo practitioner of immigration and nationality law in Chicago. Julie has served the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) in several roles for AILA's USCIS Case Assistance Committee, USCIS Benefits Policy Committee, USCIS Service Operations Committee, USCIS Field Operations Committee, various USCIS Service Centers Committees and as liaison to the Administrative Appeals Office. Practice Areas Immigration Education University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, J.D., Law, 1992 John Carroll University, B.A., International Relations, Foreign Policy, 1988

Karl W. Von Drathen

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Corporate, Finance
  • Principal, Chicago
Karl Von Drathen is a member of the Corporate, Finance & Acquisitions group. He represents a diverse clientele engaged in complex debt and equity financing transactions, credit facilities, loan arrangements, and general corporate law matters. He has expertise in public and private finance and securities issues related to debt issuance into the public markets. He handles financing matters and bond offerings from hundreds of millions to billions of dollars in value. Learn More Karl also works closely with global corporations on mergers and acquisitions, advising his clients on domestic and international acquisitions and negotiating financial and corporate transactions. Before joining Masuda Funai, Karl was Senior Counsel for a large international law firm. His practice included representing lenders, borrowers, and investment banking firms in secured and unsecured transactions and serving as general corporate counsel for health systems nationwide. Practice Areas Corporate, Finance & Acquisitions Education University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, J.D., magna cum laude, 2000 University of Southern California, B.S., cum laude, 1996

Kathie Gaber

Job Titles:
  • Co - Chair
Kathie Gaber has more than three decades of experience representing and advising domestic and international corporations and individuals regarding business immigration and related employment issues. Kathie is valued for her immediate responsiveness to her client's needs, as well as her honest evaluation of their options and viable paths to realizing their objectives. Known for her straight-talk approach, Kathie is committed to going above and beyond for every client she serves. Learn More Kathie represents clients in acquiring nonimmigrant and immigrant visas in a variety of categories, including investors, multinational transfers, specialty occupation workers, extraordinary artists and performers, students and researchers, among others. She also assists clients in acquiring U.S. citizenship and conducting immigration audits, as well as counseling on the immigration ramifications of mergers and acquisitions and other immigration-related employment issues. Her clients consist of publicly traded and privately owned corporations and individuals located throughout the U.S. and on six continents. She has represented companies from a variety of industries including transportation, construction and equipment, food, banking and financial, healthcare, high tech and automotive. As Co-Chair, Kathie manages more than 15 attorneys and paralegals who collectively file approximately 2,500 petitions and applications with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the State Department (DOS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) each year. In addition, she is a frequent speaker on immigration issues for clients and organizations and has been quoted in print and on air for National Public Radio. Kathie has also been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, Illinois Super Lawyers "Top Women Lawyers," and Leading Lawyers. Prior to joining the firm, Kathie was employed with the Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) as a General Attorney in the Chicago District Office, and as Assistant General Counsel in the Office of the General Counsel in Washington, D.C. She also represented the INS as Appellate Counsel before the Board of Immigration Appeals in Falls Church, Virginia. Practice Areas Immigration Education Emory University, J.D., 1985 University of Michigan, B.B.A., 1981 and B.A. Speech Communication, 1982 (Evans Scholar)

Kathleen M. Gaber

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of the Immigration Practice Group
  • Principal, Schaumburg
Masuda Funai is pleased to announce that Kathleen Gaber, Chair of the Immigration Practice Group, has been elected a Fellow of the American… Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd. is pleased to announce that Kathleen Gaber has been selected to Crain's Custom Media's "Chicago's…

Keith W. Groebe

Job Titles:
  • Principal, Chicago
Keith Groebe represents businesses and investors throughout the U.S. in connection with industrial, commercial, corporate, agricultural, residential, entertainment and hospitality real estate. His clients include landlords, tenants, developers, lenders, investors, buyers and sellers. Keith is nationally recognized in the field of site selection, economic development incentive procurement and foreign direct investment (FDI), having been personally involved in over 325 FDI projects. Learn More A veteran negotiator, outstanding writer and "big picture" advisor, Keith is committed to achieving his clients' specific objectives on every matter. Clients appreciate that Keith takes their problems and challenges to heart, and that he demonstrates a vested, personal stake in the achievement of their goals. By understanding every facet of a deal and all relevant facts and contingencies, Keith anticipates and mitigates potential obstacles before any disruption occurs. With over four decades of practice, Keith remains focused on tackling even the most complex challenges his clients face. Detail-oriented and valued for his consistently meticulous work product, Keith remains focused on the end game, aggressively pursuing the right result for each client he serves. A former Special Assistant to the Attorney General of Illinois, Keith has authored numerous articles and spoken locally and internationally on real estate issues such as site selection, economic development incentives and foreign investment in U.S. real estate. Keith is consistently recognized as a "Top Rated Lawyer" and "Super Lawyer". Notably, he achieved the distinction of being recognized with an AV Preeminent® Rating in Real Property Law for more than two decades by Martindale-Hubbell. Practice Areas Real Estate On Monday, October 8, 2018, Keith Groebe, Principal of Masuda Funai's Real Estate Practice Group, marched in the front ranks of the…

Kenton P. Knop

Job Titles:
  • Director of the Chicago Chapter of the Japanese American Citizen League
  • Koichiro Sato Co - Authored an Article in Kokusai - Shoji - Homu
  • Senior Associate, Los Angeles
Kenton Knop focuses his practice on matters concerning the sale of goods and related commercial litigation, data privacy laws and data breach response, intellectual property and antitrust matters. As part of his commercial practice he drafts and reviews distribution agreements, sales terms and conditions, confidentiality agreements, and license agreements. In addition, Kenton's practice includes non-profit organization law, including counseling clients on establishing non-profit organizations and obtaining 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status for such organizations. Kenton supports a number of the firm's Japanese-owned clients and his fluency in Japanese enables him to effectively communicate. Learn More Prior to joining Masuda Funai, Kenton served as Associate Special Counsel to the three co-lead counsel for the Auto Dealership Plaintiffs in the Automotive Parts Antitrust Litigation, in scores of antitrust cases that are an outgrowth of one of the largest international antitrust investigations in history. In 2015, he was a summer associate with Masuda Funai. Kenton currently serves as the Director of the Chicago Chapter of The Japanese American Citizen League (JACL) and he is a member of the firm's Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Before law school, Kenton participated in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program as a Coordinator for International Relations for the City of Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan. Kenton currently holds Level One certification for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and Level Two certification for the Test of Proficiency in Korean. Practice Areas Commercial, Competition & Trade Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd. is pleased to announce that Kenton P. Knop has been admitted to practice law in the State of…

Kevin Borozan

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate, Chicago
Kevin Borozan is a skilled litigator with experience in all phases of employment litigation. He represents employers in a wide range of matters involving wage and hour violations, employment benefits disputes, trade secrets and non-competition agreements, and allegations of discrimination and harassment. Kevin's employment law expertise includes advising and counseling employers on a myriad of daily employment-related issues and workplace relations matters from discipline and terminations, reductions-in-force, restrictive covenants, compensation and benefits, to wage and hour pay practices and compliance with applicable federal and state employment laws, such as ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, and Title VII. Learn More Kevin is dedicated to achieving the best results for his clients from both legal and practical perspectives. Prior to joining Masuda Funai, he was a Senior Associate in the employment group of a national law firm. Practice Areas Employment, Labor & Benefits

Michael S. Golenson

Job Titles:
  • Principal, Chicago
Michael Golenson's litigation and dispute resolution practice is focused on intellectual property, particularly patent claims in federal courts and at the United States International Trade Commission (ITC). He is experienced in all phases of the litigation process, including trial and appellate work, motion practice, fact and expert discovery, claim construction, development of case strategies and defenses and pleadings. Michael has successfully worked on claims with values that range from millions to a half a billion dollars at stake. Learn More In addition to his litigation practice, Michael routinely counsels clients regarding freedom-to-operate and patentability of inventions, as well as various other IP and litigation issues. Michael is a registered Patent Attorney and has experience in handling AIA post-grant proceedings at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as part of an overall litigation strategy. He also has experience drafting license agreements and conducting settlement negotiations. Michael is appreciated by clients for his objective analysis of the matter at hand, as well as for his ability to clearly communicate the pros, cons and viable paths to resolution. Michael has been involved in legal matters that represent a broad range of technologies. His experience includes automotive vision-based driver assistance systems, banking products and systems, consumer and commercial printers, digital cameras, image processing, cellular telephones, telecommunications, mechanical devices, baking and food processing systems, gaming devices, medical devices, liquid crystal displays, stem cell therapies, home building products and drug testing devices. Prior to joining Masuda Funai, Michael spent more than seven years practicing intellectual property law with a major international law firm and a large national law firm. Prior to his law firm experience, Michael clerked for the Honorable Edward A. Bobrick (Ret.), Special Master to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and arbitrator/mediator with JAMS Arbitration, Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Services. He also served as a Judicial Extern to the Honorable Ronald A. Guzman of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Practice Areas Intellectual Property & Technology

Mitchell W. Pollard

Job Titles:
  • Associate, Chicago
Mitchell Pollard is a real estate attorney focusing on matters involving the purchase, sale, or lease of commercial real estate. In his practice, he reviews and drafts purchase and sale agreements, construction contracts, leases and financing documentation, in addition to assisting with site selection and acquisition, due diligence, title and survey examination, entitlement issues, and property development issues and new construction. Learn More Mitchell is committed to facilitating the real estate objectives of the firm's clients. He began his legal career with a one-year clerkship at the Tennessee Court of Appeals (Civil Division) and, prior to joining Masuda Funai, he was a real estate associate in a suburban Chicago law firm. During law school, Mitchell pursued a joint Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration (JD/MBA) degree. He was a member of the University of Memphis Law Review, becoming an Articles Editor, and he served as a Research Assistant to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. Practice Areas Real Estate Education University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, J.D., 2020 University of Memphis Fogelman College of Business and Economics, MBA, 2020 University of Dayton, B.S., magna cum laude, 2017

Mr. Masaru Funai

Job Titles:
  • Retired, Chicago
Masaru Funai was a co-founder of the firm and for more than 40 years, he assisted Japanese companies entering the U.S. market, advising them on all phases of establishing a business, including the incorporation of U.S. subsidiaries, the acquisition of existing U.S. businesses, the formation of joint ventures in the United States and the establishment of distributorship and other sales networks. During the height of the huge wave of Japanese investment into the U.S. from the 1970s through 2000, Masaru was the most prominent legal advisor in the U.S. Midwest for Japanese corporations. Learn More Masaru served as an advisor or on the board of directors of several privately held companies. Over a period of three decades, he also served as legal counsel to the Consulate General of Japan in Chicago and as a legal advisor to the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago ("JCCC"), an organization comprised of more than 400 Japanese businesses. While assisting the JCCC, Masaru was the driving force behind the establishment of the JCCC Foundation a not-for-profit organization that, in the 26 years since its formation, has awarded more than $5,000,000 in grants to educational and cultural organizations in the Chicago area. In 2001, Mr. Funai was honored by the Government of Japan with The Fourth Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, a Japanese order established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji. The honor is awarded to those who have made distinguished achievements in research, business and industry, healthcare, social work and government. Education Northwestern University School of Law, J.D., 1957 University of Hawaii, B.A., 1952 Languages Japanese Mr. Masaru Funai was born on June 25, 1930 in Hamakua, Hawaii to Japanese parents who had immigrated to Hawaii in 1902 from Japan in search of a better life. Mr. Funai's father first grew coffee and then went into truck farming, helped by Mr. Funai and his six siblings. In high school, Mr. Funai was very active in student government. In college, he was an Army Reservist, which gave him the opportunity to qualify for the GI Bill. Mr. Funai graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1952 and then joined the Army to fulfill his military commitment. He won a commission with the Military Intelligence Service and was sent to the Fort Riley campus for Military Intelligence School. After Mr. Funai completed Military Intelligence School, he was assigned to the Far East Command, and he completed his military career as a First Lieutenant. Mr. Funai attended Northwestern University School of Law where he obtained his Juris Doctorate in 1957. After his admission to the bar, Mr. Funai worked for an insurance company. In 1961, after being a solo-practitioner for some time, Mr. Funai joined Mr. Masuda's practice, where he became a trusted advisor and legal counsel for numerous multi-national corporations. Throughout his career, he continued to serve the Japanese America community, frequently on a pro bono basis. Mr. Funai was awarded the Fourth-Class Order of the Sacred Treasure by the Emperor of Japan and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in 2001. Mr. Helmut Eifert was born on November 4, 1929 in Hessen, Germany. Mr. Eifert earned his Bachelor of Science and law degrees from Northwestern University. In 1958, he set up a general practice at 134 North LaSalle on the 13th Floor, four floors below Mr. Masuda's office. In early 1969, Mr. Masuda asked Mr. Funai to hire a new associate. Mr. Funai asked Mr. Eifert, who was a classmate from Northwestern, to join the practice and in March of 1969, Mr. Eifert became the third member to join the Firm. After a long battle with cancer, Mr. Eifert passed away in 1995. Mr. Jim Mitchell was born the son of a minister in Emporia, Kansas. Mr. Mitchell attended Northwestern University for his undergraduate and law school education. Graduating in the top of his law school class, he was a member of the law review and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. After graduation, Mr. Mitchell was hired by Schiff, Hardin & Waite and was a member of their litigation group. From 1962 to 1964. he worked in the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. In 1970, Mr. Mitchell joined Masuda, Funai and Eifert. However, the ministerial bug bit and he began attending theological studies at the University of Chicago while at the Firm, and soon became Reverend Mitchell. Reverend Mitchell left the Firm in 1986 to devote his time to the ministry in Michigan and Indiana. Mr. Mitchell passed away on December 28, 2018.

Murray L. Gordon

Job Titles:
  • of Counsel, Chicago
Murray Gordon has over four decades of experience in cross-border tax planning and tax examination defense for members of the life sciences, professional services, specialty chemical, personal care, automotive, heavy equipment and technology industries. He has designed and implemented tax-effective supply chains, monetized and tax-effected intellectual property, performed due diligence in acquisitions, prepared business segments for divestiture, and developed other structures that have enabled clients to optimize both the returns and taxation of their intangible property (i.e., brands, trade secrets, patents, trademarks, corporate reputation, etc.), high-value operations (i.e., marketing, logistics, manufacturing, product design, etc.), and investments. Learn More Murray has served as a tax attorney and partner with two major Chicago law firms, in-house tax counsel for several Fortune 100 life sciences companies, tax director of a well-known personal care corporation, and an executive director with a Big Four accounting firm. In the course of his work, he has traveled throughout Europe and Asia, working extensively with non-U.S. parent and subsidiary corporations, and frequently presented at international tax conferences. His approach to client service is first to understand the relevant manufacturing or professional service industry-the competitive landscape, the research, product and process design, manufacturing, marketing, distribution, and sales processes. Then, he asks about how the client sees itself within its industry, its processes, and its goals and objectives. These discussions, conducted in an efficient, concise, and frank manner, enable both the client and Murray to develop the appropriate strategies that will optimize the client's tax position and that will be sustainable on examination. Practice Areas Corporate, Finance & Acquisitions Education New York University School of Law, LL.M., 1976 Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 1975 Brandeis University, B.A., cum laude, 1970 We are excited to announce the recent addition of Murray L. Gordon to the Corporate & Finance team in the Chicago office. Murray will serve…

Muslim Bar

Job Titles:
  • Association - Former Secretary and Board Member

Nancy E. Sasamoto

Job Titles:
  • Principal, Chicago
Nancy Sasamoto advises management in all aspects of employment law, as well as represents business interests in complex commercial litigation and dispute resolution. A trusted advisor, Nancy is dedicated to understanding client priorities within the framework of each organization's specific goals and tolerance for risk. She has also advised on employment law and commercial litigation matters where hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars are at stake. Learn More Nancy's employment law expertise includes defending employers in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies in matters that involve claims of discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful discharge, violations of wage and hour statutes and the enforcement of covenants not to compete. She has extensive experience with executive employment contracts, severance agreements and personnel policies, as well as with issues related to leaves of absence, harassment investigations and employee fraud and embezzlement. She also assists clients in implementing reductions in force and restructurings. Moreover, Nancy is an experienced trainer and frequently presents programs on harassment prevention, legal compliance and business ethics. In addition, Nancy represents business clients in commercial litigation and in administrative matters before federal agencies that involve such issues as antitrust, licensing and intellectual property. She has successfully litigated large-scale and complex distribution disputes, dealer termination, breach of warranty, trademark infringement and trade secret cases. Her outstanding writing abilities and honed, productive communication skill, together with her personal commitment, help to achieve the right result for the clients she serves. Nancy Chairs the firm's Diversity & Inclusion Committee and she is a frequent author and speaker on employment law and commercial litigation topics. Prior to joining the firm, she served as a trial attorney for the United States Department of Justice, Antitrust Division. Practice Areas Employment, Labor & Benefits

Naureen Amjad

Job Titles:
  • Principal, Chicago

Reika A. Nakayama

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Associate, Chicago
Reika Nakayama is an associate in the Corporate, Finance & Acquisitions and Intellectual Property & Technology groups. As one of the newest members of the firm's Japan practice, Reika is fully bilingual in Japanese and English. Prior to joining Masuda Funai, Reika was a summer associate at the firm in 2021. She was previously a legal intern in the Adult Sex Crimes & Trafficking Division of the Harris County District Attorney's Office in Houston, Texas, a lawyer support assistant for an international law firm, and a legal translator for law school faculty at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan. Practice Areas Corporate, Finance & Acquisitions

Reinhold F. Krammer

Job Titles:
  • Principal, Chicago

Riebana E. Sachs

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate
  • Co - Presented at GACC 's Virtual Expert
  • Member of the Employment Group
  • Senior Associate, Chicago

Robert S. White

Job Titles:
  • Principal, Schaumburg

Satoshi Murahata

Job Titles:
  • Client Services Representative, Chicago

Shane Bekian

Job Titles:
  • Associate, Los Angeles

Steven L. Katz

Job Titles:
  • Principal, Chicago

Tadashi Tahara

Job Titles:
  • Associate of Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell Ltd., Has Been Formally Admitted to Practice Law in the State of Illinois
  • Associate, Chicago
  • Member of the Firm
Born in Kyushu and raised in the Tokyo area of Japan, Tadashi Tahara is an integral member of the firm's Japan practice, representing Japanese corporations and their U.S. subsidiaries throughout North America in all stages of business. He is bilingual in Japanese and English, and his understanding of Japanese business and culture is invaluable to the firm's clients. Learn More Tadashi's corporate practice experience focuses on cross-border and domestic business transactions, including due diligence in mergers and acquisitions, financing agreements, and developing share purchase and shareholders agreements. As a member of the firm's Commercial, Competition & Trade practice, he works on a myriad of commercial transactions, including sales representative and distributorship relationships involving the development, manufacture, and sale of goods, services, and technology, manufacturing and supply arrangements, warehousing and OEM agreements, and equipment leases. Prior to joining Masuda Funai, Tadashi spent about 6 years as an associate attorney at a law firm in Tokyo, Japan, and he was a legal intern for The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representation in Japan, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan. Practice Areas Corporate, Finance & Acquisitions Education Columbia Law School (New York, NY), LL.M., Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, 2021 Tadashi Tahara, an associate of Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell Ltd., has been formally admitted to practice law in the State of Illinois…

Takayuki Nakata

Job Titles:
  • Visiting Foreign Attorney, Los Angeles
Takayuki Nakata is a Visiting Foreign Attorney from the law firm of Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu in Tokyo, Japan, where he is a licensed Japanese attorney. His practice focuses on mergers & acquisitions and intellectual property transactions, as well as general corporate matters, both domestic and international. Learn More Takayuki obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Tokyo and his LL.M. from UCLA School of Law, where he was placed in the top 10% of his class. His deep understanding of Japanese law and business enhances the firm's ability to counsel its many Japanese clients in the United States. Practice Areas Corporate, Finance & Acquisitions Education University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, LL.M., 2023

Thomas P. McMenamin

Job Titles:
  • Retired, Chicago
Thomas McMenamin represents a diverse, international clientele from Japan, the U.K., France, Italy and the U.S. engaged in cross-border acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, restructurings and complex financings. Clients and colleagues alike rely on Tom's vision, creativity and ability to integrate new ideas into existing business models. Tom's cultural savvy, humor and calming demeanor allow him to create solutions where they are needed, especially when negotiating and closing high-value transactions. Learn More

Timothy J. Hammersmith

Job Titles:
  • Co - Authored the Article, "Basic Fundamentals of Real Estate Ownership & Leasing in the United States in Comparison With the
  • Co - Authors an Article for Business Houmu Magazine - the Fourth Segment
  • Co - Authors an Article for Business Houmu Magazine - the Second Segment
  • Co - Authors an Article for Business Houmu Magazine - the Third Segment
  • Principal at Masuda Funai, Co - Authored the Article, "Basic Fundamentals of Real Estate Ownership & Leasing in the United
  • Principal, Chicago
  • Real Estate Lawyer and Chair
Tim Hammersmith is an experienced real estate lawyer and Chair of the firm's Real Estate practice. He is focused on the sale, purchase, new construction and leasing of commercial, industrial, retail, multi-family dwelling and other types of real property. Tim also advises on real estate-related tax matters, litigation and dispute resolution. In his third decade of practice, he represents domestic and international businesses and individuals with a primary focus on supporting and facilitating their operational objectives and underlying business goals. Learn More Tim represents both landlords and tenants with respect to a variety of leasing matters, not only including lease negotiations, but also regarding complex construction/tenant build-out contracts. Additionally, Tim advises on real estate litigation involving disputes over title, property boundaries, easements, rights of ingress and egress, title insurance matters and landlord tenant contract disputes. Tim also provides tax counsel on real property tax matters, including contesting real estate tax assessments on commercial, industrial and multi-family investment grade properties and representing not-for-profit entities in the area of real estate tax exemptions, representing industrial use clients in obtaining real estate tax incentives, as well as advising on real estate tax leasehold issues. Tim is consistently valued for his ability to get clients into the right property where they can quickly, efficiently and legally conduct their businesses. Clients also appreciate that Tim understands the importance of helping them maximize the return on assets in the event of a disposition. Because Tim has been involved in resolving a range of real estate litigation and disputes, he brings a wider viewpoint to real estate transactions and often better positions his clients throughout the negotiation process. Likewise, Tim's depth of substantive knowledge and experience in real estate transactions allows him to better represent his clients in disputes and litigation matters concerning real property issues. Tim Hammersmith co-authored the article, "Basic Fundamentals of Real Estate Ownership & Leasing in the United States in Comparison with the…