PROFESSIONALS

Yoshi Masutani is the Founder and Managing Partner of Masuvalley & Partners, an international business law firm specializing in cross-border legal services. With experience spanning over three decades, Yoshi has led the firm’s expansion from the United States into Asia and Europe and has been instrumental in establishing multi‑jurisdictional legal strategies for global clients. His expertise includes IP prosecution, enforcement, portfolio strategy and international market entry. Yoshi is active in global legal events, sharing insights on monetization and international enforcement strategies.

Peter Martinez is licensed to practice law in California and is also registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He has practiced intellectual property law for over 25 years, which includes drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the electrical and mechanical arts, infringement and validity studies, and licensing programs. He is also experienced in domestic as well as international trademark filing and prosecution.

Hajime Otani currently oversees Masuvally and Partners Co., Ltd.’s entire Japanese operations, including all procedures before the Japan Patent Office.   

He possesses extensive experience in intellectual property protection, encompassing trademarks, patents, copyrights, and trade secrets, providing clients with comprehensive enforcement and strategic advisory solutions in Japan and major international markets.  

Leveraging his experience working at the Tokyo Customs Office, he has successfully managed numerous cases involving cross-border infringement, online piracy, and administrative actions.   

He has also served as an examiner for the patent attorney examination. 

He leads a multidisciplinary team integrating legal, investigative, and invention discovery expertise to deliver services across the entire intellectual property protection lifecycle. 

Mr. Xiao is a qualified Chinese Patent Attorney with over a decade of experience assisting domestic and international clients in protecting and commercializing their innovations. He is well-versed in navigating the intellectual property systems of China, the United States, and Japan, and is adept at addressing the diverse legal and procedural challenges that arise across these major jurisdictions. 

Throughout his career, Mr. Xiao has handled a substantial portfolio of cross-border patent matters, including international patent filings, prosecution strategy development, responses to office actions, and litigation support. His practice spans a broad range of industries, such as telecommunications, software technologies, and biotechnology, enabling him to provide technically informed and commercially grounded advice tailored to each client’s field of innovation. 

Gary Pham is a highly experienced intellectual property enforcement consultant and team leader at Masuvalley and Partners, where he manages the firm’s operations in Ho Chi Minh City. With experience in anti-counterfeit strategy and IP law enforcement, Gary has built a strong reputation for dismantling complex counterfeit networks throughout Vietnam and the ASEAN region.

Since 2020, he has fostered trusted relationships with major Vietnamese enforcement agencies — including the Department of Market Surveillance (DMS), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Vietnam Customs — enabling seamless coordination for investigation, raid planning, and prosecution of IP violators.

He leads a multidisciplinary Enforcement & Investigation Team that provides comprehensive IP protection services, from digital monitoring and online takedowns to covert investigations and field actions. 

Fluent in Vietnamese and English, he acts as a key bridge between multinational clients and local enforcement systems.

As part of Masuvalley and Partners — a regional firm specializing in brand protection and anti-counterfeit services across Southeast Asia — Gary delivers proactive, high-impact solutions for businesses seeking to safeguard their trademarks and innovations in emerging markets.

As a corporate risk and compliance consultant specializing in Asia, I support law firms and multinational corporations in addressing regulatory, commercial, and operational risks in the ASEAN region.

Drawing on my extensive regional experience and strong relationships with local authorities and regulators, I advise clients on corporate compliance, market entry strategies, internal control systems, and cross-border risk management. My work includes strengthening corporate distribution systems, monitoring commercial activities, and ensuring compliance with local legal and regulatory standards.

I assist companies and law firms in Japan, Europe, the United States, China, and Southeast Asia with their cross-border regulatory and business expansion strategies.

I focus on helping them navigate diverse legal and regulatory challenges when entering and expanding into overseas markets. Differences in local procedures, compliance requirements, and business practices often pose significant challenges for Japanese and international companies expanding overseas.

My work involves supporting smooth overseas business operations by coordinating registrations, regulatory filings, and governance structures tailored to each jurisdiction. By understanding both local administrative practices and my clients’ strategic objectives, I ensure efficient market entry, risk mitigation, and long-term business sustainability.

Katy Ngo supports international businesses in navigating cross-border corporate and regulatory matters, particularly assisting companies in Japan’s Kansai region with global market expansion.

She advises clients on international registration procedures, regulatory coordination, and jurisdictional compliance across Europe, the United States, China, India, and Southeast Asia. With a strong understanding of local administrative practices and international business structures, Katy helps companies streamline their overseas operations and reduce regulatory risks.

Her experience in managing multi-jurisdictional projects enables her to bridge communication gaps between local counsel and international stakeholders, ensuring clarity, efficiency, and practical solutions. By aligning legal procedures with broader business objectives, she assists clients in building stable foundations for sustainable global growth.

Pharuhat (Peter) Boonchomphu is a Corporate Risk and Regulatory Advisor and Partner at Masuvalley & Partners, leading the firm’s Bangkok office with over a decade of experience supporting multinational businesses operating in Thailand and across ASEAN.

Since 2012, Peter has cultivated strong working relationships with Thailand’s key regulatory and governmental bodies, including investigative authorities, customs agencies, and commercial enforcement units. His work focuses on helping companies navigate complex regulatory environments, manage operational risks, and establish compliant corporate structures within Southeast Asia.

Peter leads a multidisciplinary team that provides end-to-end corporate risk management solutions. His advisory services cover regulatory compliance, distribution channel monitoring, internal investigations, commercial dispute coordination, and strategic response planning. He assists clients across diverse industries—including luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, consumer electronics, and automotive sectors—in designing governance frameworks that protect brand integrity while ensuring operational continuity.

Ploywarong Klinhom serves in the Accounting and Human Resources function at Masuvalley and Partners Co., Ltd., where she is responsible for overseeing accounting and financial operations for all offices within the firm, as well as managing human resources functions for the Thailand office. 

In her accounting and finance role, Ploywarong Klinhom manages and supervises end-to-end accounting operations across all offices, including the preparation and review of income and expense accounts, financial statements, and cash flow management. She also coordinates with external auditors and provides financial information and support to management to ensure that the firm’s financial operations are accurate, transparent, and compliant with applicable laws and regulations. 

On the human resources side, Ploywarong Klinhom oversees HR administration for the Thailand office, covering recruitment and hiring processes, employment contracts and employee benefits, personnel data management, labor relations coordination, and the implementation of internal policies. Her work supports structured operations and fosters a positive and well-organized working environment. 

Somkamol Cha-um is an Anti-Counterfeiting Specialist at Masuvalley and Partners, based in Bangkok, Thailand. With a dual academic background in law and English, she plays a key role in the firm’s regional brand protection efforts, particularly in the digital enforcement and cross-border coordination spheres.

Since joining Masuvalley, Somkamol has contributed to a wide range of anti-counterfeiting operations, including e-commerce surveillance, online infringement takedowns, and coordination with platform operators such as Lazada, Shopee, TikTok Shop, and Facebook Marketplace. Her thorough reporting and precise communication with online marketplaces have been instrumental in the timely removal of counterfeit listings.

She also provides critical support for local and international investigations, working closely with enforcement authorities in Thailand on market sweeps, intelligence gathering, and strategic enforcement planning. Somkamol routinely engages with government agencies and foreign associates, facilitating effective communication for cross-border projects and regional IP protection strategies.

Sutiwat Kumnerdwum is an IT Support and Investigator at Masuvalley and Partners Co., Ltd., based in Bangkok, Thailand. He has been with the firm since 2021 and brings a strong focus on information technology, providing technical support for the firm’s internal systems and digital platforms to ensure smooth and efficient operations across organizational tools and workflows. 

Sutiwat plays a key role in supporting system functionality, troubleshooting technical issues, and assisting teams in the effective use of internal platforms and digital processes. His work helps maintain operational continuity and supports the firm’s technology-driven environment.

In addition to his IT responsibilities, Sutiwat supports investigative activities related to online infringement and digital platforms. He assists with data collection, evidence review, and coordination in matters involving online copyright and intellectual property violations, working closely with investigators and internal teams. 

Through his combined technical and investigative support, Sutiwat contributes to the firm’s efforts in protecting clients’ intellectual property within digital environments, bridging technical operations with enforcement and investigative processes. 

Papada Jonggirattikarn is a Paralegal Assistant at Masuvalley and Partners, Bangkok Office.

She plays a key role in preparing and processing official forms and documents for trademark and patent applications submitted to the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP).

Papada is experienced in monitoring deadlines, following up on applications with the DIP, and preparing written reports and professional correspondence for clients, including English–Thai and Thai–English translation, and translation review.

Her responsibilities further extend to conducting legal research, and assisting with various tasks related to patent prosecution and trademark registration. With strong attention to detail and a proactive support, Papada contributes significantly to the smooth handling of client matters and the team’s overall efficiency.

Mr. Wang Ping currently serves as the China Intellectual Property Enforcement Director at Masuvally and Partners Co., Ltd., overseeing the firm’s overall business operations in China. He possesses extensive experience across intellectual property protection, including trademarks, patents, copyrights, and trade secrets, providing clients with comprehensive enforcement and strategic advisory solutions both within China and in key international markets.

He maintains long-term collaborative relationships with key Chinese enforcement authorities such as the State Administration for Market Regulation, the National Intellectual Property Administration, and the General Administration of Customs, and has successfully managed numerous complex cases involving cross-border infringement, online piracy, and administrative actions.

Zhao Fangyuan specializes in corporate registration, corporate governance, and human resources management, with a strong focus on supporting foreign-invested enterprises operating in China.

With over 10 years of experience working for Japanese companies in China, she has developed deep expertise in HR management, labor compliance, and corporate administration within cross-cultural business environments. Her background includes overseeing employment contracts, internal regulations, payroll compliance, and regulatory filings, ensuring that companies operate smoothly under Chinese corporate and labor laws.

Zhao also advises clients on company formation, restructuring, and ongoing corporate compliance matters. She is experienced in assisting Japanese and international businesses with navigating China’s regulatory framework, particularly in areas involving labor law, internal governance systems, and risk management.

Ligali (Aji) qualified as a solicitor in 2017, having trained at a leading City law firm. He holds a Masters Degree in Entrepreneurship from the prestigious University of Cambridge Judge Business School. Aji specialises in advising start-ups (including product businesses, technology ventures and accelerators) and small businesses on a range of commercial and corporate matters, and has experience advising music artists, managers, agents, designers, and other members of the creative industries. Aji is also the director and founding solicitor of UK based law practice Eta & Associates, who partner with Masuvalley & Partners on select English law issues.