At Clifford Chance, the real estate practice works alongside the firm’s dispute resolution and finance team to assist domestic and international investors, developers, banks and funds with the full gamut of real estate matters. Of particular note is the practice’s broad expertise, which spans asset acquisitions and divestments, developments, M&A, joint ventures and equity capital raisings. Real estate specialist Eiichi Kanda heads up the group, which include Leng-Fong Lai, who often acts for sponsors and financiers on real estate investment and financing, and banking and finance expert Yusuke Abe. Another key names is counsel Yoshiaki Shimizu, whose practice spans real estate development, structured finance and fund regulations.

Morrison Foerster‘s real estate practice is equipped to assist clients with a broad range of real estate asset types and the full lifecycle of real estate investment, from fund formation, acquisitions and real estate financing to dispositions and public offerings. The team is jointly led by managing partner Masahiro Shiga, whose expertise spans private equity, project finance for renewable energy transactions and real estate investment trusts, and Theodore Seltzer. Seltzer focuses on representing domestic and international investors in real estate finance transactions and distressed loan portfolio acquisitions. Joshua Isenberg is recommended for office, industrial, hotel, retail and mixed-use projects. Narutake Takasu is especially sought after to handle general corporate matters as well as sales, acquisitions and leasing transactions for corporates. Junichi Kurokoshi regularly acts for banks and private funds on asset management matters for commercial and residential properties.

The real estate group at White & Case LLP - White & Case Law Offices (Registered Association) advises developers, institutional investors, investment funds, banks and corporates on both outbound and inbound real estate matters. Led by Mizuho Yamada, Matthew Secomb and David Robertson, the team is geared to handle all stages of the real estate investment cycle, including acquisitions, dispositions, financings, project development and construction disputes. From Singapore, Secomb represents leading Japanese clients in arbitration cases under the ICC and UNCITRAL rules. Yamada is especially sought after to advise on data centre projects and Robertson is a key contact for international arbitration matters involving energy and infrastructure projects across EMEA and Asia. Another name to note is Ayako Kawano, who has extensive experience handling real estate fund formation, acquisitions and dispositions.

Led by Mitsuharu Kataoka, the real estate practice at DLA Piper Tokyo Partnership Gaikokuho Kyodojigyo Horitsu Jimusho handles the full range of real estate matters, including acquisitions and dispositions, financings, commercial lease agreements and regulatory issues. The team leverages the firm’s global network to assist domestic and international clients with both inbound and outbound transactions. Often collaborating with the firm’s finance, projects and restructuring group, Kataoka advises on securitisation transactions, leases, acquisitions and concessions of office, residence, retail and data centre projects.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP‘s real estate team advises asset managers, investment firms, private equity funds and insurance companies on cross-border acquisitions, financings and joint ventures.  Yuko Ino and Koh Ueda left for Greenberg Traurig in June 2023.

At Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, the real estate practice sits within the firm’s broader construction, energy and infrastructure group. The team is prominent in the power, petrochemicals, infrastructure and oil and gas industries, where it acts for major trading houses, contractors and financial institutions on construction disputes, project development and finance transactions. Simon Barrett heads up the team advises on the acquisition and disposal of project assets, trade sanctions and compliance matters. Barret works alongside Olivia Matsushita.

Established in 2018, the real estate practice at Withers Japan, Zeirishi Houjin handles the full spectrum of real estate financing work across the residential, commercial and industrial property sectors. The group attracts a roster of leading investment and asset management firms seeking assistance with a wide range of matters, most notably real estate acquisitions and dispositions, financings, leasing matters and property M&A. Structured and acquisition finance expert Gerald Fujii shares the practice’s leadership with Naoki Ueyama, Steven Wheeler and Toshihiko Tsuchiya, who is qualified in both Japan and New York. Ueyama is specialised in real estate finance while Wheeler focuses on licensing matters, onshore and offshore ventures and bank lending.

Led by Katsumi Shirai, the real estate team at Jones Day advises global financial institutions, investment funds and multinational companies on real estate investment transactions, financings and energy project acquisitions across Asia, especially Japan.

Mayer Brown GJBJ is particularly known for its strong track record in assisting clients with high-value projects, construction disputes ad EPC matters across the infrastructure, energy, chemicals and transportation sectors. Rupert Burrows heads up the team and advises trading houses, utility companies, banks and EPC contractors on complex project development. Burrows works alongside counsel Brett Thornton.