The Legal 500

Within International firms and joint ventures, Jones Day is a third tier firm,

Jones Day’s banking and finance practice has continued to strengthen both in volume and sophistication. John Roebuck’s department includes the notable talents of leasing and structured finance expert David Deck, project finance specialist Kaoru Umino, and Eric Sedlak, who focuses on cross-border financial transactions. The firm recently advised OCBC on the issuance of JPY Sendai Logistic Special Purpose Company Series 2 Unrated Term Bonds and assisted Mizuho Corporate Bank and a syndicate of lenders in the refinancing of M/V Kodaijisan.

Within International firms and joint ventures, Jones Day is a second tier firm,

Jones Day advised Nidec Corporation in its acquisition of the motors and controls business of Emerson Electric Co; RHJ International in its sale of its 77.9% interest in Niles Co to Valeo for ¥15.5bn; and The Norinchukin Bank in its ¥15bn acquisition in Mitsubishi UFJ Nicos Co. Nobutoshi Yamanouchi heads up the corporate and M&A department. Stephen DeCosse is recommended while ‘Scott Jones is more like a prophet for us. His instinct is always right’. In 2011, M&A specialist Thomas de Muynck relocated to Tokyo from the firm’s office in Brussels.

Within International firms and joint ventures, tier 4

Rika Sato’s international litigation and arbitration group at Jones Day handles a range of disputes such as labour tribunals, motions of assessment within insolvency proceedings, ADR proceedings as well as litigation. Scott Jones is an arbitration specialist, and Masatomo Suzuki is experienced in real estate disputes. Yuichiro Mori is also recommended.

Within International firms and joint ventures, Jones Day is a second tier firm,

Jones Day has domestic and foreign IP law capability which covers both patent and soft IP (trade mark and copyright) matters. For US patent litigation issues, Nobutoshi Yamanouchi’s team calls on the expertise of its colleagues in Shanghai. In Tokyo, the firm’s IP practitioners are ‘exemplary - response times are exceptional, industry knowledge and appropriateness of advice are likewise excellent’. Clients include Dell, Starbucks Corporation, Canon Marketing Japan and Nidec Corporation. Of counsel Michiru Takahashi is ‘very thorough and knowledgeable’ and ‘obviously cares a great deal about client relationships’. Scott Jones has a strong technical background and as a result ‘a wealth of experience’.

Within International firms and joint ventures, Jones Day is a second tier firm,

At Jones Day, Masatomo Suzuki and Hirohazu Ina have real estate experience and expertise. The firm recently advised GE in the secured lending to the fund formed by Fortress that invests in non-performing loans; and acted for IBJ Leasing Co in the purchase of a lease portfolio from Siemens Finance Services KK. Other clients include Goldman Sachs Realty Japan, Hilton Grand Vacation and OCBC.

Within International firms and joint ventures, Jones Day is a third tier firm,

David Deck is the star securitisation and leveraged lease financing partner at Jones Day. The firm recently advised Macquarie Bank in connection with certain MACRS leases; the total value of this deal is $250m. In another matter for the same client, the firm assisted it in providing the equity defeasance in a UK tax lease with Hanjin Shipping; again, its total value is $250m.

Within International firms and joint ventures, Jones Day is a third tier firm,

Koichi Inoue’s tax team at Jones Day works in collaboration with the firm’s M&A, real estate, and finance lawyers. Recently, the firm provided a US hi-tech company with detailed legal and tax analysis to figure out an optimal transaction scheme for equipment leases; and provided legal and tax advice regarding therestructuring of Japanese companies that had Chinese subsidiaries.