The Legal 500

Within Independent local firms Leading individuals: bengoshi

Within International firms and joint ventures, Allen & Overy LLP is a first tier firm,

Allen & Overy Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo Horitsu Jimusho’s global reputation for banking and finance work extends to Japan. Recent highlights include advising The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and Mitsubishi UFJ Securities International on the £3.3bn acquisition of RBS’ project loan portfolio and assisting on a number of financings to Vietnam. Specifically, the firm acted for JBIC and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation on a two tranche $150m secured financing of Vietnam National Coal, Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited’s coal sales receivables. Tokyo office managing partner Aled Davies has ‘extensive knowledge and experience’ and Adam Moncrieff is a ‘very experienced lawyer that provides well-considered, reliable advice’. Ashley Young is now at the firm’s Hong Kong office.

Within International firms and joint ventures, Allen & Overy LLP is a third tier firm,

Allen & Overy Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo Horitsu Jimusho has recently advised on repackaging programme trades, structured bond issues and MTN updates for clients such as Nomura, Mizuho and Daiwa. It represented Goldman Sachs, Mizuho and Nikko Cordial as the arrangers on the international offering aspects of units in the Mori Trust Sogo REIT. Norifusa Hashimoto is ably supported by counsels Aaron Comerford and Seiji Matsuzoe. Clients appreciate their ‘depth of analysis, quality of documentation and timely response’.

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

Within International firms and joint ventures, Allen & Overy LLP is a second tier firm,

The M&A team at Allen & Overy Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo Horitsu Jimusho ‘doesn’t waste time’ and is admired for being ‘a tough negotiator’. The firm advised Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co on its recommended £292m cash offer for the entire issued share capital of ProStrakan Group; the Tokyo Electric Power Company on its participation in a 50:50 joint venture with Mitsubishi Corporation for the purposes of holding a 24% interest in Electricity Generating Public Company; and GE Capital Japan on its acquisition of the leasing business and assets from Kumamoto Koyo Corporation. Partners Nobuo Nakata, Osamu Ito and Simon Black are all highly regarded.

Within International firms and joint ventures, Allen & Overy LLP is a first tier firm,

Allen & Overy Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo Horitsu Jimusho’s ‘overall performance is brilliant’. The firm has a breathtakingly impressive project finance practice. It recently advised Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ on its acquisition of a portfolio of project finance assets, comprising loans and related assets of approximately £3.3bn from the Royal Bank of Scotland Group; acted on a $1.2bn acquisition of power assets in Mexico; advised on the financing of a $3.7bn second-stage oil refinery complex in Egypt; and assisted on the financing of the Donggi Senoko Lang liquefaction project. Clients include JBIC, The Export-Import Bank of Korea and NEXI. Office managing partner Aled Davies has ‘extensive knowledge and experience’, as too does his highly regarded finance partner Adam Moncrieff. Ashley Young has relocated to Hong Kong.

Within International firms and joint ventures, tier 4

Allen & Overy Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo Horitsu Jimusho has invested in a real estate practice with the hire of real estate finance counsel Mark Heimendinger from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. He has advised on a number of real estate portfolio workouts and restructurings and frequently advises on RMBS, CMBS and CDO transactions.

Within International firms and joint ventures, Allen & Overy LLP is a third tier firm,

Allen & Overy Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo Horitsu Jimusho’s Adam Moncrieff is establishing a reputation in shipping finance. His team advised JBIC and other lenders on the ship financing to a Norwegian ship owning company in relation to two roll-on/roll off vessels that are to be registered in Malta; and acted for a Swedish ship owning company in relation to two roll on/roll off vessels which are to be registered in Singapore

Within Independent local firms Leading individuals: bengoshi

Within International firms and joint ventures, Allen & Overy LLP is a first tier firm,

Allen & Overy Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo Horitsu Jimusho continues to impress in the securitisation, structured finance and derivatives space with a string of integrated international and Japanese domestic transactions and high-profile matters.