Withers has hired investment funds specialist Junko Pitt (Shiokawa) as a partner in its Hong Kong office from offshore law firm Harneys as part of its expanding focus on Japan.

Pitt, who started her career at Nagashima & Ohno (now known as Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu), also had stints as an associate at Sullivan & Cromwell, and as a director at Barclays Capital. She then spent more than eight years at offshore law firms in Hong Kong, first at Conyers Dill & Pearman, and then at Harneys, where she became a partner. Pitt has experience in fund structuring, formation and financing transactions of private and listed companies.

Pitt’s hire comes at a time when Withers is looking to expand its services to Japanese clients. The firm has announced that it will hire additional staff at its Tokyo office later this year.

Withers opened its Tokyo office in 2015, and focuses on entrepreneurs and high net worth clients. 

To contact the editorial team, please email ALBEditor@thomsonreuters.com.