GC Influencers
Most Influential GCs - Global-wide
Robert S Townsend of SoftBank Group Corp.
After almost 35 years practicing corporate law at Morrison & Foerster, Robert Townsend was appointed as Softbank’s first chief legal officer in August 2018. The M&A specialist is no stranger to the Japanese marketplace, having managed his prior firm’s Tokyo office before relocating to California, and comes armed with a wealth of experience acting for the company, having previously advised on Softbank’s acquisition of ARM Holdings for GBP24.3 billion and its purchase of a majority stake in Sprint Nextel for USD20 billion. Townsend’s role includes legal oversight and management of the company’s notably diverse array of businesses, across sectors including financial services, technology, ecommerce, media and manufacturing, alongside its blockbuster USD100 billion Vision Fund. However, despite the wide-ranging nature of his remit, Townsend can call upon his “very practical, solutions-oriented style” and his skills as a “very good negotiator” to ensure his success in his new environs.