The Legal 500

Within International firms and joint ventures, Herbert Smith LLP is a second tier firm,

Led by James Robinson, Herbert Smith fields a highly experienced M&A team that includes partners James Watson and Rebecca Major. The firm advises Japanese clients investing and doing business overseas as well as international clients establishing and operating in Japan and includes specialist expertise on international merger control and antitrust issues. It recently advised Mitsubishi Electric on its 100% acquisition of Vincotech in an expedited auction process from a private equity seller. Other clients include JAPEX, Fujitsu, NEC, Sojitz, Toshiba Elevators and Sumitomo.

Within International firms and joint ventures, Herbert Smith LLP is a first tier firm,

Herbert Smith’s ‘responsiveness, ability to quickly grasp the core of the case and client-friendliness is excellent’. ‘The team is well-organised and highly motivated and accordingly provides top-quality services’. Construction and IP remain areas of particular focus, and the firm has extensive experience in both litigation and international arbitration. The firm is representing a major Japanese trading company in relation to ongoing multiple regulatory issues, investigations and overseas litigation arising out of international commodity trading. Managing partner Peter Godwin’s ‘insight into dispute resolution as well as human nature underlying the dispute is excellent. He can quickly grasp the core of the problem and the real needs of the client and provide pertinent advice’. ‘Though Gavin Margetson is young, his thought to the issues is deep and client-oriented. He thinks practically about what is the best solution to fix the disputes’. Dominic Roughton, David Gilmore and Emma Kratochvilova are also recommended.

Within International firms and joint ventures, tier 4

Herbert Smith enters the table this year. It recently advised a leading Japanese technology company with respect to a €400m patent licensing dispute; and has been retained by a leading telecommunications company to establish from scratch a world-wide patent licensing program, backed by litigation if necessary. Litigators Peter Godwin and Gavin Margetson were joined by senior associate, IP specialist and ‘excellent advisor’ Frederick Ch’en, who is ‘responsive and experienced’ and formerly from Linklaters LLP in London.

Within International firms and joint ventures, Herbert Smith LLP is a first tier firm,

Herbert Smith has an impressive depth of experience within the energy, infrastructure and mining sectors and the capability to advise clients, on the ground in Tokyo, through the lifecycle of major transactions and projects. It recently advised Mitsubishi Corporation on the $240m acquisition of a 20% stake in the Senoro Toili oil and gas field, Indonesia, from Medco; advised on upstream oil and gas acquisitions in the Middle East; and assisted two separate LNG projects in Australia and a shale gas investment in Europe. James Watson specialises in infrastructure projects, and Rebecca Major focuses on mining projects, particularly in emerging markets. Both also have extensive experience in advising on upstream and downstream oil and gas and LNG projects, as well as power and renewables projects. In 2011, David Clinch relocated to London.