What we say about the firm's legal practice in Japan
Banking and finance
Within International firms and joint ventures, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is a third tier firm,
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP specialises in real estate and investment finance. Recently, the firm advised Aozora Bank in its provision of $160m financings to SPVs owned by Blackstone funds and represented Citicorp North America as administrative agent and collateral agent in connection with the debt restructuring and Chapter 11 exit financing of Xerium Technologies. Audrey Sokoloff, Masahiro Shiga and counsel Robert Wray are recommended. Paul Huff has relocated to the firm’s Chicago office.
Corporate and M&A
Within Independent local firms Leading individuals: Corporate and M&A: bengosh
Within International firms and joint ventures, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is a first tier firm,
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has a first-rate practice advising on Japanese law, led by Mitsuhiro Kamiya, as well as its recognised prowess in providing international counsel. The firm recently advised Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (Japan) in its acquisition of a 51% stake in Air Tiger Express Companies; Rakuten (Japan) in its $247m acquisition of PriceMinister (France); Kirin Holdings in its $128m acquisition of Mercian Corporation; Fujirebio (Japan) in its $110m acquisition of Innogenetics (Belgium); and Baring Private Equity Asia in its acquisition of a majority stake in Primo Japan. Nobuhisa Ishizuka and Michael Mies also have extensive experience in M&A and corporate matters and are highly recommended.
Real estate and construction
Within Independent local firms Leading individuals: bengoshi
Within International firms and joint ventures, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is a first tier firm,
At Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Tokyo-based Audrey Sokoloff is head of the firm’s real estate and investment finance group in Asia and Masahiro Shiga leads the firm’s Japan law real estate practice. The firm recently advised China Investment Corporation in establishing a co-investment platform for investments in overseas real estate; and acted for Aozora Bank (Japan) in its financing of a Japanese distressed loan portfolio, which was acquired by affiliates of The Blackstone Group. Naoki Ueyama recently left the firm to join Paul Hastings LLP, and Paul Huff has recently relocated to the firm’s Chicago office.
Structured finance/securitisation
Within International firms and joint ventures, tier 4
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP excels at real estate finance and recently advised Shinsei Bank, Limited in its securitization of $1bn senior loan to Secured Capital Japan Co for its acquisition of Pacific Century Place, a 32-story office building in Tokyo. Masahiro Shiga is recommended.