Linklaters’ M&A practice in Tokyo continues to build a strong reputation in the Japanese market and is noted for handling complex and high-value M&A transactions, both public and private. The team has considerable expertise in the FIG and energy transition spaces, as well as in public M&A. A recent highlight for the firm included advising Toshiba Corporation on its take-private by Japan Industrial Partners. Cross-border M&A, strategic investments, joint ventures, and foreign direct investments are all key areas of activity for Tracy Whiriskey, who leads the team alongside Yoshiyuki Asaoka, a name to note for high-profile multijurisdictional transactions with a Japan nexus and public M&A.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Yoshiyuki Asaoka is a highly responsive partner who made himself available for endless physical and virtual meetings and provided much value-add which assisted us in steering our negotiations with our business partners.’
‘Tracy Whiriskey is a real standout in reinsurance transactions - excellent in terms of technical legal skills, understanding of complex actuarial and risk transfer concepts, and her ability to explain complex issues in a clear, engaging, and understandable way.'
- 'Jess Colthurst is an able lieutenant to Tracy - equally sharp technically, thoughtful in drafting and querying concepts as part of documenting what the clients want, super-responsive and a pleasure to deal with.'
- ‘The team is very responsive, strong technically, and commercial in approach - they are able to pull in specialist Japanese bengoshi team lawyers as and when required, but filtering their input to ensure that it is commercially applied.'
- ‘The team is highly competent and flexible in scoping out the work and billing for it. There is seamless coordination between different members of the team in different time zones.’
‘Their quality of work is of a high standard. They work quite efficiently and we would usually be able to come up with a mutually satisfactory fee proposal so overall they are good value for money.'
Key clients
- Actis GP LLP
- Carlyle
- Morgan Stanley
- Toshiba Corporation
- Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners
Work highlights
Advised Morgan Stanley on the restructuring of its joint venture in relation to its Japan-related research and equities business with strategic alliance partner MUFG (Alliance 2.0) and on select issues and transaction documentation relating to the restructuring of its global FX business joint venture collaboration with MUFG.
Advised Toshiba Corporation on its take private sponsored by Japan Industrial Partners.
Advised Tokio Marine on its strategic investment in Sierra Space Corporation along with MUBK and Kanematsu and on the sale of all of its shares in Arabian Shield Cooperative Insurance Company, a life and non-life insurance company in Saudi Arabia, to Alinma Bank.
Lawyers
Leading partners: Gaiben
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners: Bengoshi
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Yoshiyuki Asaoka
Practice head
Tracy Whiriskey; Yoshiyuki Asaoka
Other key lawyers
Jess Colthurst