John Lane

Overview

John’s practice focuses on complex cross-border litigation and defending companies in multi-jurisdictional government investigations. He also advises clients on corporate governance and regulatory issues – including sanctions and export-control regimes – and on HR and employment matters.

Described by clients as ‘excellent’ and as a ‘key name’ (Legal 500), John guides companies through times of crisis by thoroughly understanding their business and providing pragmatic, commercially sensible advice. He has negotiated numerous successful resolutions for Japanese companies facing class actions and other contentious matters outside Japan. He helps his non-Japanese clients achieve their goals in Japan, particularly when their previous attempts may have failed.

John has spent time on secondment at Goldman Sachs as well as at the Bank of England where he was involved with the establishment of the Prudential Regulation Authority.

John has been named as one of the Top 30 Litigators in Asia by Asian Legal Business.

Experience
Financial services and insurance

• Acting for a global investment bank in a Financial Services Agency (Japan) investigation into allegations of inappropriate use of confidential client information
• Advising an insurer on a Financial Conduct Authority (UK) enforcement investigation into the alleged mishandling of client pensions
• Acting for a global wealth manager in an enforcement investigation by the Dubai Financial Services Authority into various regulatory issues
• Acting for an investment bank in its successful defence of an $8 billion claim by a Turks & Caicos SPV for breach of contract in relation to prime brokerage and FX trades made during the Global Financial Crisis

Healthcare

• Advising a US-headquartered life sciences company on an internal investigation at its Japanese subsidiary
• Acting for a US pharmaceutical company in a regulatory investigation concerning the alleged off-label promotion of certain drugs in Japan

Manufacturing, transport and logistics

• Representing a Japanese heavy-duty vehicle manufacturer in class actions in Australia, Canada and New Zealand
• Advising a Japanese automotive company on a wide-ranging criminal investigation by the US Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency (in association with US counsel)
• Advising a Japanese industrial manufacturer on criminal proceedings in the UK
• Advising a Japanese logistics company on allegations of harassment at its Australian subsidiary

Energy / other

• Acting for a global energy company in relation to allegations of harassment at its JV business in Japan
• Acting for a global consulting company in relation to claims for breach of fiduciary duty against its former directors in Japan
• Advising a construction company in relation to allegations of bribery and corruption by a former employee
• Advising a European technology company and its Japanese partner on export controls in relation to dual-use products

Awards

• Legal 500 Asia Pacific – Next Generation Partners ‘Risk management and investigations’ (2025 and 2026)
• Asian Legal Business – one of the ‘Top 30 Litigators’ in Asia (2025)
• The University of Melbourne – Criminal Law prize (2007)