James Hough is the head of Morrison & Foerster’s New York Litigation Department. He specializes in complex commercial litigation, mediations, and arbitrations with an emphasis on intellectual property disputes. His extensive patent litigation experience includes a variety of technologies and subject matters.

Mr. Hough also has significant experience conducting internal investigations, particularly in Asia, where he has conducted or participated in nine (9) investigations. Mr. Hough practiced in Morrison & Foerster’s Tokyo office for four years and during that time was licensed as a gaikokuho jimu bengoshi and a member of the Dai-Ni Tokyo Bar Association

Mr. Hough practices primarily in the federal and state courts of New York. He also appeared as counsel of record in federal and/or state courts in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey and South Dakota. He is recognized as an authority on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance.

• Represented Random House in a high profile copyright case involving the best selling book "Memoirs of a Geisha."
• Represented SOFTBANK in two related arbitrations with a former joint venture partner.
• Represented Fujitsu Limited in a fraudulent inducement claim.
• Represented Fujitsu Limited in patent infringement litigation with Samsung SDI (PDP technology) and Samsung Electronics (DRAM technology).
• Represents Japan Telecom in an ICC arbitration concerning an undersea fiber optic communications cable.

Conducted the following internal investigations:

• Japanese chemical company: investigation requested by Board of Directors triggered by receipt of grand jury subpoena regarding possible antitrust violations. Investigation included EU and US subsidiaries.
• Japanese software company: investigation requested by management after receipt of allegation about possible theft of trade secrets.
• Japanese maker of semiconductor testing equipment: investigation requested by management concerning possible use of competitor’s patented technology.

  US software company: investigation of Japanese subsidiary of requested by Audit Committee after receipt of whistleblower complaint about revenue manipulation.

  • US company: investigation of Hong Kong subsidiary by Legal Department, conducted with Internal Audit and Corporate Security, after receipt of whistler blower complaint about self-dealing and possible FCPA violations. Investigation extended to operations in China and other parts of Asia.
  • US company: investigation of Taiwanese subsidiary requested by Legal Department focused on possible FCPA violations.
  • US company: investigation of Philippine subsidiary requested by Legal Department focused on possible FCPA violations.
  • Chinese NASDAQ-listed company: investigation requested by Special Committee of the Board focused on possible FCPA violations.
  • US company: investigation of Chinese representative office requested by Audit Committee after receipt of whistleblower complaint alleging self-dealing by senior management and cover-up of product safety issues.