International & Cross-Border Capabilities (International Firms) | Global

Leading international law firm Baker McKenzie's Tokyo office is recognised by clients for striking the right balance between its local knowledge and executing advice at a global level. This makes it a highly popular choice to handle inbound and outbound cross-border transactions. The team coordinates closely with other Baker McKenzie offices across the firm's expansive international network, offering clients a gateway to major jurisdictions and emerging markets worldwide.

It has an impressive following among major multinational domestic and international corporations and financial institutions, working on transactions and joint ventures in the automotive, pharmaceutical and TMT sectors. The team is also highly regarded for its disputes practice, in which cross-border matters are routinely led out of the Japan office. It works on commercial litigation, patent litigation, investigations, trade secret misappropriation and international arbitrations, making it among the broadest disputes offerings in Japan.

White & Case is one of the top international law firms in Japan, housing a well-respected team based in Tokyo. It has an impressive following among major Japanese corporations and international financial institutions, which benefit from smooth coordination across the firm's international network when facing cross-border challenges. The team handles matters covering multiple jurisdictions and has a strong track record of working on a mix of inbound and outbound matters led from Japan.

The law firm is known for its market-leading strength in international projects, handling a full range of cross-border energy, infrastructure and financing matters for major Japanese corporations, lenders and sponsors, as well as Asia-based banks. The firm is also well established as an adviser on significant outbound mergers and acquisitions across a variety of industries including automotive, manufacturing, technology and agriculture.

The team stands out for its international financing work, particularly for its capital markets and banking practices. It is noted for its adept handling of aviation and structured finance, as well as securitisation matters, which are typically led from Tokyo and involve European, Middle Eastern and Asian jurisdictions. Its client base includes an impressive array of major domestic and global banks and companies. Financing teams also offer expertise in infrastructure, mining, power and renewable energy cross-border projects.

Freshfields offers international transactional and contentious capabilities, with the Tokyo office collaborating closely with colleagues across the law firm's international network to assist foreign clients in Japan and Japanese clients with their overseas business. The law firm has a leading global offering in multi-jurisdictional mergers that is complemented by its renowned merger clearance and competition law expertise.

Clients benefit from Hogan Lovells' breadth of experience leading cross-border mandates, regularly selecting the firm to handle EU-wide projects and arrange comprehensive input from local counsel across multiple jurisdictions. The law firm has particular strength working in the energy, finance and corporate/M&A sectors, which form the cornerstone of Hogan Lovells' international practice.

Linklaters' Tokyo team consists of experienced lawyers well versed in the handling of cross-border matters, particularly in the capital markets sphere. It is a popular choice for its capacity to coordinate transactions into the European market and frequently works on a mix of inbound and outbound deals. Its clients include major international banks and Japanese financial services clients that benefit from the firm's network.

Especially experienced in the financing and development of projects across South-East Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, and involved in the full spectrum of matters from renewable energy and sustainability projects to petrochemical and infrastructure developments, Milbank remains a favourite for homegrown Japanese clients as well as major international clients with interests in the ASEAN region.

Shearman & Sterling is a global law firm, and the team in Tokyo has particularly close links to its US hub. It has a strong focus on outbound work, assisting its Japanese client base with international business overseas. It attracts some major Japanese multinational corporations and banks for its on-the-ground US law advice, as well as its ability to coordinate efficiently with other offices across its international network.

Davis Polk & Wardwell's Tokyo office consists of distinguished US law-qualified financing and capital markets practitioners. Clients benefit from the cooperation between the Tokyo office and the firm's hubs in key financial centres across the USA and Europe.

Global law firm DLA Piper is frequently praised for its geographic reach, and its Tokyo office offers strong cross-border capabilities. Clients value the wide global network and cite it as a key attraction when facing multi-jurisdictional transactional challenges. The team handles both inbound and outbound work for its client base, which consists of Japanese multinationals and international companies.

The team has a multidisciplinary offering, and a particularly impressive offering in IP and life sciences. Work for clients in the pharmaceutical industry often has international aspects, on which the team works fluently in conjunction with its US-based colleagues. The firm's M&A, competition and tax teams also provide cross-border support for transactions into South-East Asia and Europe for clients in a range of industries.

The Tokyo office stands out for its expertise in the projects and energy space, regularly advising multinational and Japanese clients on high-profile transactional matters focused on South-East Asia. Additionally the team is noted for its work with startups and impressive corporate M&A practice. Clients benefit from the firm’s extensive resources and technical know-how.

Norton Rose Fulbright Tokyo provides a strong global offering across a plethora of diverse practice areas. The firm's international and cross-border capabilities are strengthened by its extensive international network and resources, which enable the firm to deliver a seamless service especially when collaborating with its foreign counterparts in APAC region offices such as Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Skadden is sought out in Japan for its notable US law capacity. The team leverages the firm's extensive international network on complex cross-border transactions, typically handling high-value mandates. It assists an impressive client base of major Japanese corporations, financial institutions and sovereign entities.