The Legal 500

Within International firms and joint ventures, tier 4

Paul Hastings LLP recently advised PT Cirebon Electric Power in the financing of a coal-fired power plant in Cirebon, Indonesia and represented a consortium of investors on the $270m financing of a coal-fired power project in the Philippines. Finance and projects partner Joseph Kim is recommended.

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

Within International firms and joint ventures, Paul Hastings LLP is a third tier firm,

Paul Hastings LLP has recently advised Samsung Electronics Co in its $1.375bn agreement with Seagate Technology; and Kobe Steel in its acquisition of a 44.3% equity share in Wuxi Compressor Co. Toshiyuki Arai ‘has deep knowledge, technical ability and experience of legal and business practice in China’. Kenju Watanabe and Ted Johnson are also recommended. Matthew Berger splits his time between Palo Alto and Tokyo. Jun Usami and Ayako Kawano left the firm to join White & Case LLP- White & Case Law Offices (Registered Association).

Within International firms and joint ventures, tier 4

Paul Hastings LLP was hit by the departure of a team of its litigators, including former practice group head Yoshihiro Takatori and Shinsuke Yakura, to Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. However Matthew Berger, who splits his time between Palo Alto and Tokyo, continues to advise on IP disputes and special counsel Setsuko Ueno assists clients in employment disputes and union matters.

Within International firms and joint ventures, tier 4

At Paul Hastings LLP, corporate partner Matthew Berger, who splits his time between Palo Alto and Tokyo, focuses on technology transactions and intellectual property counseling and advice, predominantly for clients in high technology industries such as the semiconductor, life sciences and alternative energy industries. IP litigators Yoshihiro Takatori and Shinsuke Yakura have left the firm and joined Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP.

Within Legal market overview,

The legal market in Tokyo, particularly among the international firms and joint ventures has been volatile. When their joint venture came to an end in April 2011, a team of 10 bengoshi transactional lawyers transferred their allegiance from Clifford Chance Law Office to K&L Gates. K&L Gates also welcomed a smaller finance team from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP in turn welcomed a group of litigators from Paul Hastings LLP who took another hit with the departure of two corporate bengoshi partners to White & Case LLP- White & Case Law Offices (Registered Association). White & Case LLP- White & Case Law Offices (Registered Association) however suffered a blow when Morrison & Foerster Ito & Mitomi took over its transactional tax team.

Within International firms and joint ventures, Paul Hastings LLP is a third tier firm,

Joseph Kim is an impressive projects and finance force at Paul Hastings LLP. The firm advised Korea East-West Power on its acquisition of Jamaica Public Service Company from Marubeni Corporation; and acted for the Export-Import Bank of Korea, Asian Development Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and ING Bank in relation to thefinancing of a 200MW coal-fired power project in Cebu.

Within International firms and joint ventures, Paul Hastings LLP is a second tier firm,

Paul Hastings LLP’s real estate group is led by Josh Isenberg, who is ‘very knowledgeable both with the legal issues and market practice’. The firm has ‘a strong foreign law team’ and continues to advise Fortress Investment Group in relation to a range of their acquisitions of performing and non-performing loans. Of counsel Naoki Ueyama recently joined the team from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Ayako Kawano left the firm to join White & Case LLP- White & Case Law Offices (Registered Association).

Within International firms and joint ventures, tier 5

Paul Hastings LLP continues to advise Fortress Investment Group on a range of their acquisitions of performing and non-performing loans. As restructuring and workout activity accelerated, Josh Isenberg’s team also represented a variety of international banks in key loan workout and restructure deals. Ayako Kawano has left the firm to join White & Case LLP- White & Case Law Offices (Registered Association).