The Legal 500

Within Independent local firms Leading individuals: bengoshi

Within International firms and joint ventures, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie GJBJ Tokyo Aoyama Aoki Koma Law Office is ‘one of the most distinguished and impressive firms’. It is currently advising the Japan International Cooperation Agency on a waste-processing facility in Indonesia and assisted a major Japanese bank as the mandated arranger and agent on a syndicated loan to rebuild a university building in Osaka. Global executive committee member Jeremy Pitts continues to manage relationships with financial services clients, and focuses on financial regulation and compliance. Head of the banking group Naoaki Eguchi has ‘excellent team management skills and overall law expertise’ and Gavin Raftery provides ‘industry expertise with great law experience’.

Within Independent local firms Leading individuals: bengoshi

Within International firms and joint ventures, tier 4

Highly regarded in particular in the Samurai bond sector, Baker & McKenzie GJBJ Tokyo Aoyama Aoki Koma Law Office shows ‘a very high degree of professionalism, reliability, availability and diligence’. The firm recently advised the Republic of Argentina on the exchange offer of its Samurai bonds and Euro notes. Ken Takahashi heads the practice group, which includes Hiroyoshi Kuromaru, who is ‘able to find relevant, often unique legal solutions’.

Within Independent local firms Leading individuals: Corporate and M&A: bengosh

Within International firms and joint ventures, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Hiroshi Kondo’s ‘experienced’ corporate and M&A group at Baker & McKenzie GJBJ Tokyo Aoyama Aoki Koma Law Office recently advised Mitsui Insurance Co in relation to their agreement with PT Asuransi Jiwa Sinarmas to form a strategic alliance by way of a new share subscription of 50% of the company, subject to the approval of the Indonesian Ministry of Finance; and Nabtesco with their acquisition of the Swiss auto-door manufacturer, Kaba Gilgen AG. Counsel Mina Aral-Ito recently returned to the Tokyo office from Cairo and offers expertise in the emerging markets of the Middle East and North Africa. The firm also has a market leading insolvency practice headed up by Shinichiro Abe.

Within International firms and joint ventures, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie GJBJ Tokyo Aoyama Aoki Koma Law Office’s dispute resolution practice has been bolstered with the arrival of Junko Suetomi from the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Yaeko Hodaka from Morrison & Foerster Ito & Mitomi. The firm’s dispute resolution group is co-chaired by Haig Oghigian and Yoshiaki Muto. Recent highlights include representing a multinational investment bank in an alleged securities fraud case in the Tokyo District Court; a large Japanese trading company in a litigation matter over the collection of approximately $20m triggered by the disputed scope of assigned work; and a client in an ICC arbitration regarding defective products sold in Japan by US manufacturer.

Within Independent local firms Leading individuals: bengoshi

Within International firms and joint ventures, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie GJBJ Tokyo Aoyama Aoki Koma Law Office’s IP group frequently advise on IP licensing, trade mark and design prosecution and IP enforcement and litigation. Recent highlights include representing QVC Japan in its negotiation for the naming rights to rename the Chiba Marine Stadium to QVC Marine Field; and a European furniture designer in a lawsuit in Japan against a Japanese furniture manufacturer and seller that was imitating the designs of its client’s product. Yasunori Hashiguchi’s ‘legal services are excellent. His response is quick and well thought out, precise and appropriate’. He co-heads the IP group with Ken Nakayama. Daisuke Tatsuno is also recommended.

Within Independent local firms Leading individuals: bengoshi

Within International firms and joint ventures, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie GJBJ Tokyo Aoyama Aoki Koma Law Office has one of the largest mining and resources teams in Tokyo, and has particular strength in oil and gas projects. The firm recently advised Sumitomo Metal Mining Co on a project to produce nickel/cobalt mixed sulphide in Mindanao Island in the Philippines. Paul Davis co-chairs the energy mining and infrastructure group and ‘provides practical solutions’. Fellow co-chair of the group Anne Hung, who has specialist knowledge of Kyoto Protocol-based projects, ‘quickly understands and precisely analyses the issues with deep insight’. Ian Gordon was promoted to partner in 2010.

Within International firms and joint ventures, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

‘Responsive’ Baker & McKenzie GJBJ Tokyo Aoyama Aoki Koma Law Office’s ‘business-orientated’ real estate and construction group is led by Seishi Ikeda and Alexander Jampel, who ‘never wastes a client’s time’. The firm represented Ajia Partners and the Ostara Japan Fund in connection with the acquisition of two elderly care facilities using a tax efficient TMK structure and in the issuance of limited recourse TMK bond to finance the acquisitions. Counsel Haruhiko Ogasawara is also recommended.

Within International firms and joint ventures, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie GJBJ Tokyo Aoyama Aoki Koma Law Office’s ‘service is excellent’. It recently assisted a commercial banking group on a ¥10bn new financing for a Japanese solar company; and advised a US-based real estate fund on a new financing of a large hotel portfolio in Japan. Naoki Eguchi and Ken Takahashi lead the structured finance and securitisation group, which includes real estate structured finance specialist Akiko Hosokawa and Seishi Ikeda who is, according to one client, ‘the best lawyer in the firm’.

Within International firms and joint ventures, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie GJBJ Tokyo Aoyama Aoki Koma Law Office’s tax group continues to impress both clients and contemporaries. It ‘provides a very professional, responsive and knowledgeable service’. The firm fields a full-service team comprised of Japan-qualified lawyers, tax attorneys (zeirishi), US-qualified tax lawyers, economists (both foreign and domestic), financial analysts and certified practicing accountants. The group advises on general corporate tax matters, transfer pricing and tax litigation. Recently, it advised a NYSE-listed software company with various corporate and tax advice (including due diligence) related to the $170m takeover of its Japanese subsidiary, from a Japanese venture capital firm; and acted for a NYSE-listed skin care company in a litigation matter at the Tokyo District Court with Japan customs. Group head Edwin Whatley has ‘good industry and tax technical knowledge, and gives us very practical advice’.