DLA Piper expands LA and Tokyo offices

DLA Piper LLP has appointed Henry Koda and William Androlia as special counsels to its Tokyo and Los Angeles offices respectively.

Koda and Androlia, join DLA Piper from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, where Koda helped to establish the firm’s Tokyo office.

Before joining Quinn Emanuel, the pair founded the IP boutique firm Koda & Androlia.

Both Koda and Androlia have international trade and high technology practices. Koda focuses on US-Japan patent, trademark and copyright litigation, infringement analysis, and licensing. Androlia focuses on US-Japan patent, trademark and copyright applications.

Androlia will be based in US while working with Koda, manager of DLA Piper’s Tokyo intellectual property group.

Alastair Da Costa, managing director of DLA Piper’s Asian practice, said: “The appointment of Koda and Androlia is an important part of our strategy as IP technology issues are so vital for Japanese companies, particularly those operating internationally and seeking growth opportunities in emerging markets.”