The Team
Attorney Responsibility
At our firm, only partner attorneys having 20+ years of of experience are in charge of providing services in respective fields of specialization.
The same patent attorney is responsible for handling each case entirely from the filing of an application through prosecution.
The Partners
Hiroshi Higuchi
Founding Partner
- Patent Attorney
- Qualified as a Litigating Patent Attorney (“Huki-Benrishi”)
- U. S. Patent Agent (Limited Recognition, 2008)
Hiroshi Higuchi is the managing partner of Allegro IP Law Firm. With more than 20 years of experience in the field of intellectual property law, Hiroshi handles patent and trademark matters in Japan for the most advanced companies and universities across the world. Before founding Allegro IP, Hiroshi was an attorney with Yanagida & Associates and served as the leader of the foreign clients team. Prior to joining the Yanagida firm, he was an in-house attorney with a Fortune Global 500 company and a US Patent Agent with a large boutique IP firm in DC area. He is qualified as a litigating attorney and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tokyo.
Practice Area
- Chemistry
- Life Sciences
- Biotechnology
- Medical Devices
- Trademarks
Experience
- Yanagida & Associates
- Sughrue Mion PLLC (trainee)
- Bridgestone Corporation (IP Department / IP Administration and License Unit)
Education
樋口 洋
弁理士 特定侵害訴訟代理業務付記
米国パテントエージェント試験合格
TOEIC 960
職歴：
柳田国際特許事務所
Sughrue Mion PLLC
株式会社ブリヂストン知的財産部
学歴：
東京大学 農学部卒業
所属：
日本弁理士会 (2005-)
– 国際活動センター（2011-2012; 2018-2021）
日本知的財産仲裁センター
– 調停人・仲裁人・判定人候補者（2019-2024）
- JPAA (Japan Patent Attorneys Association) (2005-Present)
– International Activities Center, JP Division | AIPLA PG | IPO PG, 2018-2022
– International Activities Center, EP Division, 2012
– International Activities Center, US Division, 2011 - JIPAC (Japan Intellectual Property Arbitration Center) – Mediator, Arbitrator & Panelist candidate, 2019-2024
- FICPI (International Federation Intellectual Property Attorneys)
- INTA (International Trademark Association)
- APAA (Asian Patent Attorneys Association)
- Speaker | Importance of Intellectual Property and Patents in Academic-Industry Collaboration | The University of Tokyo | Tokyo, Japan | September 2024
- Speaker | Patent Filing Requirements before the Japan Patent Office | MIPLA (Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association) virtual webinar | January 2022
- Speaker | Support Requirement in Japan | HIPLA (Houston Intellectual Property Law Association) online webinar | January 2021
- Speaker | Recent changes in Japanese IP laws | MIPLA (Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association) luncheon seminar | Michigan, U.S.A. | November 2019
- Panelist | Practicing IP in Japan | University of Michigan Law School IPSA| Michigan, U.S.A. | November 2019
- Speaker | New ruling on protection of extended pharmaceutical patent rights in Japan| AIPLA Mid-Winter Institute IP Practice in Japan Committee Pre-meeting | Florida, U.S.A. | January 2019
- Speaker | Protection of adidas Three-Stripes trademark protection in Japan | INTA | San Francisco, U.S.A. | May 2011
- Speaker | CAFC – Cordis Corp. v. Boston Scientific Corp. (Written Description)| JPAA International Activities Center | Tokyo, Japan | April 2011
- Speaker | IP High Court – Yokohama Rubber v. Yonex (Doctrine of Equivalents)| AIPLA Annual Meeting IP Practice in Japan Committee Pre-meeting | Washington D.C., U.S.A. | October 2009
- AIPPI World Congress | Online | October 2021
- Global Network Summit | Online | October 2020
- AIPLA | Florida, U.S.A. | January 2019
- APAA | New Delhi, India | November 2018
- INTA | San Diego, U.S.A. | May 2015
- INTA | Hong Kong, China | May 2014
- FICPI | Kyoto, Japan | April 2014
- APAA | Hanoi, Viet Nam | October 2013
- INTA | Dallas, U.S.A. | May 2013
- APAA | Chiang Mai, Thailand | October 2012
- INTA | Washington D.C., U.S.A. | May 2012
- INTA | San Francisco, U.S.A. | May 2011
- AIPLA | Washington D.C., U.S.A. | October 2010
- AIPLA | Washington D.C., U.S.A. | October 2009
- FICPI | Florence, Italy | October 2008
- AIPLA | Washington D.C., U.S.A. | October 2007
Kaori Kohno
Partner
- Patent Attorney
- Pharmacist
- Radiation Protection Supervisor
Kaori Kohno brings an extensive technical background to her intellectual property law practice, focusing primarily on pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and chemistry matters. She counsels clients on complex patent procurement matters. She has over 20 years of experience as a prosecutor before the Japan Patent Office. In addition to her prosecution experience, Kaori has developed vast experience in complex proceedings, such as appeals and oppositions. Before joining Allegro IP, she was an attorney with Yanagida & Associates. Prior to entering law practice, she served as a Pharmacist and a Radiation Protection Supervisor. She received a master’s degree from Kyoto University.
Practice Area
- Pharmaceutical
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Genetics
- Immunology
Experience
- Yanagida & Associates
- Food Products Company (R&D Medical Products)
- Ehime University (Department of Radiology)
Education
河野 香
弁理士
薬剤師
放射線取扱主任者
職歴：
柳田国際特許事務所
食品会社医薬品研究開発部
愛媛大学放射線科研究室
学歴：
京都大学 薬学部卒業
京都大学 薬学部修士課程修了
所属：
日本弁理士会 (2000-)
- JPAA (Japan Patent Attorneys Association) (2000-Present)
- Pharmacist (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) (1987-Present)