TOKYO and DALLAS – Sept. 16, 2019 – Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP Shareholders Koji Ishikawa and Steven V. Walkowiak will participate in a panel discussion titled “The Rise of E-Sports in Japan” on September 19 at The Legal 500 GC Summit Japan being held in Tokyo.
Ishikawa, who is managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Tokyo office, will be the moderator of the panel and Walkowiak, who is co-chairman of the firm’s Video Games and Esports Practice, will be a member of the panel. Panel participants from across the Video Game landscape will discuss recent legal developments in Japan which will facilitate the significant expansion of competitive video gaming in Japan.
“The recent legal developments in Japan regarding gaming law makes our discussion of esports particularly relevant and timely,” said Ishikawa, who also is a member of the firm’s Global Corporate Practice. “We look forward to a discussion with our panelists to discuss not only the legal changes, but how those changes will affect the broader industry.”
Ishikawa focuses his practice on corporate finance and capital market matters. He is experienced in handling cross-border transactions and advising clients in the technology sector.
“The unique legal framework regarding esports in Japan pose interesting challenges, and more importantly opportunities for those properly situated to take advantage,” said Walkowiak, who is based in the firm’s Dallas office. “I look forward to discussing this rapidly expanding market in detail and providing as much information as possible to attendees regarding how to capitalize in one of the fastest growing segments of media and entertainment.”
Walkowiak advises clients in the esports and video gaming space, both with respect to regulatory matters and team management and governance. Walkowiak regularly advises clients regarding video game disciplinary decisions, league training, employment, and anti-corruption policies. He has served as a consultant and esports legal advisor, working with companies and individuals throughout sports, media, and entertainment to navigate the complex and evolving esports legal landscape in issues as diverse as antitrust and employment, media content licensing, and intellectual property. Walkowiak is a member of both the Esports Bar Association and Video Game Bar Association.
About Greenberg Traurig’s Video Games & Esports Group: Greenberg Traurig’s Video Games and Esports Group is at the forefront of the rapidly converging worlds of video games, esports, virtual and augmented reality, entertainment, mobile media, music, and social networking. Our team of attorneys works together with the firm’s Global Gaming Practice and Sports Law Practice to provide creative and innovative strategies for clients designed to evolve with the industry. We leverage deep industry knowledge with legal capabilities in many diverse areas including information technology, intellectual property, data protection, corporate and securities, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, labor and employment, regulatory/compliance, and others. With our vast resources and focused knowledge, we help video game studios, esports teams, publishers, content and rights owners, hardware developers, broadcasters, advertisers and other industry actors address virtually all legal aspects in this exciting industry sector.
About Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2100 attorneys in 41 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.