Latham & Watkins Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise > Tokyo, Japan > Firm Profile

Latham & Watkins Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise > The Legal 500 Rankings

Japan > Projects and energy: International firms and joint ventures Tier 1

Latham & Watkins Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise’s project finance practice in Tokyo regularly acts as lead counsel to a wide range of clients, including lenders, borrowers, developers, and governmental entities, on projects across the APAC region. Recent highlights for the group include advising ECAs and lenders on the development and financing of a large-scale LNG project in Papua New Guinea. Practice head Stephen McWilliams has a strong track record handling major lender and sponsor-side mandates in the LNG, petrochemicals, infrastructure, and renewables sectors. Hiroki Kobayashi’s practice sees him advise Japanese sponsors and lenders on project development and finance matters in the oil and gas and power spaces. Richard Chul Kim has notable experience assisting sponsors, lenders, and government agencies with energy projects, while Richard Fleming handles power project transactions throughout Asia.

Japan > TMT: International firms and joint ventures Tier 1

Latham & Watkins Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise’s data and technology transactions group handles a wide range of complex deals in the TMT space, acting for e-commerce, fintech, start-up, and MedTech clients, among others. Hiroaki Takagi regularly advises Japanese and international companies and private equity firms on tech-related M&A with a Japan nexus. Yohei Nakagawa assists tech clients in connection with outbound and inbound M&A, strategic investments, and international joint ventures. Benjamin Han advises tech and telecoms clients on a variety of IP and commercial matters. Former practice head Stuart Beraha retired from practice in December 2023.

Japan > Corporate and M&A: International firms and joint ventures Tier 3

Latham & Watkins Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise has a longstanding presence in the Japanese M&A market, with leading clients in the automotive, tech, semiconductor, life sciences, and financial services sectors. Ji Liu leads the firm’s regional corporate group from Hong Kong. Hiroki Kobayashi has a wealth of experience in advising major Japanese and international companies on a wide range of corporate transactions with a Japan nexus. Hiroaki Takagi’s client base includes leading companies and private equity firms, both domestic and global, while Yohei Nakagawa is noted for his experience in the tech, life sciences, and media sectors. Ivan Smallwood has retired from practice.

Singapore > Projects: foreign firms

Latham & Watkins LLP’s project development and finance team regularly advises lenders, borrowers, developers, and state-related entities on projects throughout the APAC region. The firm is known for its expertise in structuring and executing project financings across the energy, infrastructure, mining, transport, and communications sectors. Stephen McWilliams, who is based between Singapore and Tokyo, focuses his practice in the LNG, petrochemicals, infrastructure, and renewables sectors. Don Stokes has over a decade of experience advising on renewable and conventional power, infrastructure and telecoms, and gas development and transportation projects. Owain Davies specialises in the LNG, power, and petrochemicals sectors.

Singapore > TMT: foreign firms

Latham & Watkins LLP has demonstrated its strong expertise in cross-border M&A and private equity transactions, along with start-up and venture capital matters. The firm’s standing brings it engagements from multiple jurisdictions in Southeast Asia, including top local, regional and global clients. It has also developed its reputation in privacy and cybersecurity, along with commercial contracts and outsourcing, and regulatory and licensing expertise. James Clayton-Payne is a leading transactional lawyer with a background in TMT deals. Counsel Esther Franks leads the office’s cyber and privacy practice and data and technology transactions team.

South Korea > Projects and energy: foreign firms

Latham & Watkins LLP advises lenders, borrowers, project companies, governments, and state entities on complex, high-profile projects across the Asia-Pacific. With the team spread across  Seoul, Tokyo, and Singapore, it excels in multi-sourced project financings across energy, infrastructure, mining, transport, and telecoms. Led by Stephen McWilliams, who brings significant experience in LNG, petrochemicals, and renewables deals involving Korean parties, the team also benefits from Richard Chul Kim’s Tokyo-based expertise in multi-jurisdictional financings with Korean sponsors, lenders, and government agencies.