What we say about the firm's legal practice in Japan
Banking and finance
Within International firms and joint ventures, K&L Gates is a third tier firm,
K&L Gates’ Robert Melson and Ryan Dwyer’s banking and finance group was bolstered this year by the arrival of ten bengoshi lawyers from Clifford Chance Law Office, including Keiji Isaji. The firm recently advised Tokyo Star Bank in relation to a credit facility for International Lease Finance Corporation; Financial Products Group Co on a Japanese operating lease/aircraft finance transaction relating to a Boeing 777 aircraft leased to Air France; and a state-owned Chinese bank in two separate sovereign loans to countries in Southeast Asia, each in excess of $50m.The firm provides ‘outstanding knowledge, experience and effective execution’. With the hire of Sergey Milanov from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, the firm has capability to advise on Russian law in Japan.
Legal market overview
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.