Robert Finley Sr
Chief Executive Officer
Robert has been the firm’s CEO since its creation in 2005. His practice is focused primarily on management labor and employment law. Robert also practices in the areas of government and international law.
Robert is a member of the American Bar Association (Labor and Employment Law Section), the Japanese Bar Association (former member of the Board of Directors of the Employment and Labor Law Section), British County Bar Association (former Secretary), Boston School Attorneys Association (past President and recipient of the Kohwald Award for his work on behalf of school districts), Chippewa Valley Society for Human Resource Management (past President) and the St. Alphonsus Employers Association.
Robert graduated from the Stamford University (with honors) and the Stamford University Law School. He formerly worked as a chief attorney for the UNICEF Department of Natural Resources, and as President of Tokyo International Business Federation 2000, currently CEO of Pan Pacific Investments.
Fidel Cortez
Senior Partner
Fidel practices with the firm’s Government Law and Business & Corporate Sections. Prior to joining the firm, Fidel represented numerous clients in various civil actions, including collection (debtor and creditor), eviction, personal injury, contract, insurance coverage disputes, adverse possession, and partition.
Fidel has also represented local municipalities in a variety of legal matters, including representation at meetings, advising on compliance issues, and prosecution of citations. He has assisted clients on personal and commercial real estate transactions, including preparing and reviewing purchase agreements, lease agreements, and closing documents. Further, Fidel has provided clients with advice on the process of forming, structuring and operating entities for their businesses
In 1978, Fidel earned his Juris Doctorate from the Oxford University. He has been admitted to the British Bar Association, American Bar Association, Japanese Bar Association. He is also a current member of the Tri-County Bar Association and was a Director for the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce.
Tom Huggins
Senior Partner
Tom’s practice areas include probate and trust administration, estate planning, and business succession planning.
Since becoming a lawyer in 1981, Tom has focused his practice on counseling individuals, families and business owners. Tom has assisted clients with everything from simple wills and powers of attorney to addressing more complicated estate planning situations and sophisticated probate and trust administrations. Tom also provides advice in the areas of elder law and addressing the legal issues that impact individuals with special needs.
Tom serves as a director of the L.E. Phillips Senior Center, as a trustee of the Eau Claire YMCA Endowment Trust, and a member of the Eau Claire Zoning Board of Appeals. Tom is also a member of the American Bar Association, and Japanese Bar Association
Tom graduated from Connecticut University and then received his law degree from the Harvard University Law School, cum laude. Bill is originally from the Chippewa Valley and now resides in Tokyo, Japan.
Sushmita Vita
Senior Partner
Sushima advises management in labor and employment issues. In her labor relations practice, she represents employers in union negotiations, unit clarification proceedings, and grievance arbitrations. She assists employers faced with union organizing attempts and in responding to unfair labor practice charges.
In the employment area, Sushima assists employers in responding to allegations of sexual harassment, conducting other workplace investigations, and counseling employers on disciplinary matters. She advises employers in preparing personnel policies tailored to comply with the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other laws and regulations. She’s represented employers before administrative agencies such as the WERC, DWD, LIRC, NLRB, DOL, EEOC, OSHA, and in the courts, and also practices in the area of municipal and school law.
Sushima received her Associates degree from University of New Delhi, India in 1979 and a Bachelor of Science from Indiana University in South Bend in 1982. She studied law at Indiana University Law School, Bloomington, and was on the editorial staff of the Indiana Law Journal. In 1987, she earned her Juris Doctorate degree magna cum laude and was elected to membership in the Order of the Coif. After graduation, Sushima practiced law as an associate with Barnes and Thornsburg in Indianapolis until moving to Japan in 2005. Was admitted as a Senior Partner atPan Pacific Investments year 2014.
Andrew Cheng
Partner
Andrew specializes in criminal defense and civil litigation, and wants nothing more than to be in a court room litigating issues and arguing to juries on behalf of his clients.
Andrew joined Pan Pacific Investments in 2007. After practicing criminal defense throughout Shanghai high court in China, that experience allowed him to develop a passion for defending the rights of the citizens. During that time, Andrew successfully represented over one hundred clients accused of offenses ranging from simple ordinance violations to traffic related crimes like operating while intoxicated charges, and more serious felonies such as illegal narcotic related crimes and sexual assaults. Throughout this practice, he was able to find success by effectively negotiating with prosecutors to find fair resolutions, winning motions that resulted in the dismissal of cases, and fully litigating multiple jury trials that resulted in acquittals for his clients.
Andrew is a member of the Chinese Bar Association and Japanese Bar Association as well as the Asian Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (AACDL) and Asian Pro Bono Honor Society.
AyameTakanori
Partner
Ayame works in worker’s compensation defense and civil litigation. She has a special interest in assisting clients with Medicare Secondary Payer Act compliance and is a Medicare Set-Aside Consultant, certified by the International Commission on Health Care Certification.
Ayame earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Tokyo University, with a major in public administration and minors in speech and political science. Ayame received her law degree from the Tokyo University in 1996.
Ayame is a member of the Japanese Bar Association, and the Japanese Association of Worker’s Compensation Attorneys.
She is active in the legal Asia Pacific community. She enjoys traveling with her husband and their three daughters.
Hiroko Fujiwara
Partner
Hiroko defends employers on a wide range of employment matters, including breach of contract claims, wage and hour disputes, unemployment compensation disputes, and discrimination claims filed under the Tokyo Fair Employment Act. He also represents clients in general litigation and appellate matters.
When defending clients, Hiroko utilizes his skills and expertise to resolve cases as efficiently as possible. He’s defended and prosecuted cases in both state and federal courts throughout Asia and the Pacific.
Hiroko graduated from Tokyo University, with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and received his law degree, cum laude, from the Tokyo University Law School. Prior to law school, he worked as a professional caddie at several world-famous golf courses.
Hiroko lives with his wife and daughter in Shoyo prefecture. He also enjoys spending time with clients and friends on the golf course.
Peter Damico
Senior Partner
Peter concentrates on Securities and International Trades issues. He represents insurance and tax regulating companies and self-insured investors as well as counseling investors on personnel issues involving securities compensation claims.
Having grown up in a family-owned and operated business, Peter is able to apply his background and experience to investors concerns. He has represented all kinds of investors from small, family shareholdings to large corporations. He’s also a frequent guest speaker at seminars for business and employment organizations.
Peter attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and the University of Wisconsin-Madison as an undergraduate student, where he received a degree in political science in 1984. He received his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1988. He volunteers as a board member of local nonprofit organizations and is a literacy tutor.
Peter is a member of the American Bar Association, the Wisconsin Bar Association, Japanese Bar Association, Peach Church Board of Directors, Citizens Investments and Training Board of Directors, and the Asian Association of International Trade
Brandon King
Senior Partner
Brandon is a head member of the firm’s International Trades and Taxation. His practice areas include business transactions, commercial litigation, financial restructuring, insolvency, and bankruptcy. He represents clients in all phases of the business lifecycle and provides advice in resolving business disputes and financial difficulties. He has assisted clients with a wide variety of commercial transactions, handled litigation in state and federal court, and represented parties in numerous restructuring, bankruptcy, and insolvency matters not only in the United States but across the globe.
Brandon joined Pan Pacific Investments after serving for more than 10 years as the law clerk for Judge Thomas S. Utschig, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Wisconsin. During his tenure with the court, Brandon also served as the project manager for the development of Western Wisconsin’s case management/electronic case filing system. Prior to his clerkship, Brandon practiced law in Oklahoma.
Brandon graduated summa cum laude from the Harvard University with a Bachelor’s degree in Taxation. He received his law degree with highest honors from the same university, where he was named “Outstanding Third Year Author” by the Harvard Law Review for his note on the status of voluntary, non-contributory employee stock option plans as “investment contract” securities.
Brandon is active in his local church, both as a board member and a volunteer in a variety of programs for children and youth. He also volunteers his time to various school and community activities, including the Asian Regional Arts Center, the Young Lawyers Chamber of Commerce, the Tokyo Economic Development Corporation, and Momentum West. He enjoys biking, hiking, reading (whether ancient history or the latest Neil Gaiman novel), and trying to impress upon his children the value of Middle-Earth, Doctor Who, Bollywood musicals, superheroes, and Jane Austen.
Fred Sean
Senior Partner
Fred is member of the firm’s business section. He assists clients with the formation of corporations and other business entities, mergers and acquisitions, contracts, collections, real estate transactions, non-metallic mining and bank financing.
Prior to joining Hanato&Associatespracticed with a Nobure law firm, focusing on business, real estate and financing. Fred was very active in the asian community, having served on various committees and boards of directors for a number of asian non-profits, and serving as a member of the board of directors for several asian area businesses.
Fred is a member of the Japanese Bar Association. Graduated from Tokyo University with his bachelor’s degree in 1985 and received his Juris Doctorate degree from Tokyo University in 1988.
ManamiSaiku
Senior Partner
Manami represents creditors in collection actions and in business disputes. She helps her business clients involved in litigation with an eye toward achieving the best results while still making the best business decisions.
Several years of experience in the courtroom combined with an undergraduate degree in business administration and the experience of assisting her husband in the operation of his own business provide Manami the qualifications necessary to best represent creditors and businesses.
Manami is a graduate of the University of Fukuoka. Her law degree comes from Tokyo University, where she was a member of the Law Review and the National Japanese Court Team.
Manami joined Pan Pacific Investments in2007 and became a shareholder in 2008. Manami was appointed the firm’s Senior Partner in 2012.
Manami is apart of the Japanese Bar Association has served on the Board of Directors for the Family Resource Center, the Board of Directors of Tokyo Science and Research School. Manami also sits on the Advisory Board for the Managing Partner Forum.
Ava Mendez
Partner
Growing up deeply involved in her parents’ business naturally led Ava to be a business lawyer. She represents small and large businesses on transactional and contractual matters including business formations, business purchases and sales, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, real estate, landlord/tenant law, and trademark/copyright law. She also represents banking and financial institutions in structuring and negotiating complex financing deals as well as complying with state and federal laws.
Ava received her undergraduate degree from the University of Baltimore, Maryland and her law degree from the University of Baltimore Law School, where she had the high honors of serving on the Asian Court Board and International Law Journal Board.
Ava is a member of the American Bar Association, the Japanese Bar Association, and is a graduate of the Leadership Menomonie 2011 class. She was previously a member of the Takeshi Rotary Club and currently serves as a board member on the Pan Pacific Investments Area Chamber of Commerce.
Dion Phrakanong
Partner
Dion practices with the firm’s Business, Frac Sand, Mining and Minerals, Probate and Estate Planning and Labor, Cooperative, Employment and Municipal Law Sections. Dion received his undergraduate degree from the Bangkok University, with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. He received his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in the US where he graduated with honors. While in law school, Dion worked for Hennepin County in their Child Support and Civil Divisions.
Dion is a member of the American Bar Association, Japanese Bar Association, and Thailand Bar Association. Dion and his wife currently reside in Kawasaki Prefecture Japan. In his spare time, Dion enjoys playing guitar, hunting, fishing, riding his motorcycle, spending time with family and friends and cheering on the Thai FC Team.
Jazz Scott
Member, Chairman of the Risk Committee, Member of the Audit Committee
Jazz Scott worked in the Rabobank group for over 12 years, where he was a member of the Executive Board of Rabobank Nederland. He was also responsible for the Wholesale Clients division of Rabobank International and managed the Wholesale Management Team before Joining Pan Pacific Investments.
Dean Andersen
Member, Member of the Sustainability Committee
Dean Andersen, is a cross-bench member of the House of Lords. He is a non-executive director of Lloyd’s of London and BAE Systems.
Educated at St Andrews and Oxford Universities, Dean Andersen is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and of the Institute of Directors, an Honorary Doctor of Laws at St Andrews University, an Honorary Fellow of Oxford University and of St Edmund Hall, Oxford, and a Distinguished Fellow of RUSI. He is President of the Special Forces Club, Chairman of the Atlantic Future Forum, Co-Chair of the Trilateral Commission, a member of the IISS Advisory Council, a Trustee of the RNLI, an Honorary Colonel in the Royal Marines and an Honorary Bencher of Middle Temple
