About
Welcome to the ALB Japan Law Awards 2017!
Asian Legal Business is hosting the presentation of awards before Japan's legal circle. These prestigious awards will pay tribute to the outstanding performance of private practitioners and in-house teams that have significantly contributed to the evolving legal landscape of the region. Nominations will open on 1 March 2017, and we will accept submissions in the form of self-recommendations and third-party nominations.
The process will culminate in an awards ceremony on June 7, 2017. This black-tie banquet will be graced by illustrious members of the bench, legal associations and business circles, law firms, in-house departments, and the legal academe from across Japan and regionally.
Come and celebrate legal excellence with us! Put forward your own team or that of others you have worked with in the past year as an earnest act of recognition and gratitude for their great accomplishments and hard work.
JOIN THE NOMINATIONS NOW.
For inquries, please contact Yvonne at yvonne.lau@thomsonreuters.com or +852 2843 6547.
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Guest of Honour
Harumichi Uchida
Immediate Past President
Japan Competition Law Forum (JCLF)
Mr. Harumichi Uchida is a Senior Counsel at Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, and served as Partner at the firm from 1980 to 2016.
Harumichi Uchida has been a leading practitioner in the competition law practice area. Specifically, he was a founding member of Japan Competition Law Forum, first and sole association of lawyers in this practice in Japan. and the second President (2010-2015). Harumichi has developed relationship with ABA, IBA and IPBA as the first Japanese member of Int’l Task Force of ABA Section of Antitrust Law (2011-2016), Chairman of Competition Law Committee, IPBA(2010-2013) and Co-Chair of Int’l Cartel Workshop jointly organized by ABA/IBA (Tokyo, 2016). Harumichi had close contact with Japan Fair trade Commission as Council member of Roundtable Conference of JFTC, advisory board to JFTC (2007-2016), and Director of Fair Trade Institute (2016- ).
In other areas, Harumichi has served in boards of major Japanese companies and is a Director of Board of Keidanren, business Federation of major Japanese corporations (2012- ). Harrumichi has been a leader of international activities of Japan Federation of Bar Associations, Chair of Int’l Councils (2011-2016). Harumichi has been active in education of law students and was selected a professor of Keio University Law School in 2004, when law school system is introduced in Japan. Harumichi received many awards in his practice areas such as the Best Lawyers of the Year in Japan from various publications.
Categories
ALB Japan Law Awards 2017
Award Categories
Deal Categories
1. Debt Market Deal of the Year
2. Equity Market Deal of the Year
3. M&A Deal of the Year (Midsize)
4. M&A Deal of the Year (Premium)
5. Projects, Energy and Infrastructure Deal of the Year
6. Real Estate Deal of the Year
7. Technology, Media and Telecommunications Deal of the Year
8. Japan Deal of the Year*
Firm Categories
9. Banking and Financial Services Law Firm of the Year
10. Boutique Law Firm of the Year
11. Japan Deal Firm of the Year
12. International Deal Firm of the Year
13. Employment Law Firm of the Year
14. Insolvency Law Firm of the Year
15. Japan Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year
16. International Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year
17. International Arbitration Law Firm of the Year
18. Litigation Law Firm of the Year
19. Projects, Energy and Infrastructure Law Firm of the Year
20. Real Estate Law Firm of the Year
21. Regulatory and Compliance Law Firm of the Year
22. SE Asia Practice Law Firm of the Year
23. Shipping Law Firm of the Year
24. Tax and Trusts Law Firm of the Year
25. Japan Law Firm of the Year*
In-House Categories
27. Banking and Financial Services In-House Team of the Year
28. Innovative In-House Team of the Year
29. Technology, Media and Telecommunications In-House Team of the Year
30. Japan In-House Team of the Year
Individual Categories
31. Dealmaker of the Year
32. In-House Lawyer of the Year
33. Managing Partner of the Year
34. Woman Lawyer of the Year
* Not open for nomination
Submissions are now open.
If you have any inquiries, please contact yvonne.lau@thomsonreuters.com
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SUBMISSION PAGE
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Submission deadline in April
Judges
Judging Panel - ALB Japan Law Awards 2017
Each year, an independent judging panel of about 30 senior and expert legal industry leaders are selected to review the submission materials. The distinguished judging panel will be selected on the basis of their expertise and knowledge, and will be comprised from various sectors to correspond to the diverse list of award categories. A few featured judges will be released prior to the awards ceremony, and the remaining judges will be revealed on the evening of the awards.
Featured Judges for 2017
 | Takayuki Kitajima Takayuki Kitajima joined Unilever Japan K.K. in 2006 as General Counsel. He became the Director of Unilever Japan Holdigngs K.K. in 2009, and then Representative Director from 2012. Prior to Unilever, he joined Sojitz Corporation after graduating from Waseda University. After 18 years of in-house legal practice in Sojitz Corporation, Takayuki joined the law department of Johnson & Johnson K.K. |
 | Junko Mukoyama Junko is a board member at Avaya Japan Ltd. and in charge of all legal matters for the company. Before joining Avaya in 2004, she worked at an international law firm and patent firm as a trademark attorney and at a Japanese IT management company as counsel. She received an LLB from Chuo University, and an LLM from University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign. She completed a doctorate course in bankruptcy at Waseda University and published serveral articles in the fields of bankruptcy and intellectual property. She is admitted as an attorney in New York and a patent attorney in Japan. She is a member of ABI, INSOL, AIPPI, INTA, JTA and LES.
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 | William Herbert William Herbert has been President of the Japan In-House Counsel Network (JICN) since 2014. He is currently Legal Counsel at Nippon Becton Dickinson Company, the Japanese subsidiary of Nippon Becton Dickinson Company (BD), an American medical technology company that manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. William has held several in-house positions of increasing responsibility, including serving as Associate Director Otsuka Holdings Co. Ltd. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. William has a JD from the University of Washington School of Law, where he also earned al LL.M in Asian and Comparative Law. He is admitted to practice law in Georgia, New York and Washington.
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Finalists
SHORTLIST OF FINALISTS
*Please note this is a preliminary list of finalists. Kindly contact us if you have any inquiries.
FIRM CATEGORIES
Banking and Financial Services Law Firm of the Year
Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
Atsumi & Sakai
Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
Davis Polk & Wardwell
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Nishimura & Asahi
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
Boutique Law Firm of the Year
KUBOTA
Masuda & Partners
Ohno & Partners
Southgate Law
Japan Deal Firm of the Year
Atsumi & Sakai
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Nishimura & Asahi
International Deal Firm of the Year
Ashurst
Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
Clifford Chance
Davis Polk & Wardwell
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Morrison & Foerster
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Sullivan & Cromwell
Employment Law Firm of the Year
Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
Atsumi & Sakai
Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Herbert Smith Freehills
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Nishimura & Asahi
TMI Associates
Insolvency Law Firm of the Year
Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Nishimura & Asahi
Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners
Japan Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year
Abe, Ikubo & Katayama
Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
KUBOTA
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Nishimura & Asahi
Nakamura & Partners
Ohno & Partners
TMI Associates
International Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year
Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner
Hogan Lovells
Morrison & Foerster
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
International Arbitration Law Firm of the Year
Atsumi & Sakai
Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Herbert Smith Freehills
Morrison & Foerster
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Nishimura & Asahi
TMI Associates
Litigation Law Firm of the Year
Ashurst
Atsumi & Sakai
Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Morrison & Foerster
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Nishimura & Asahi
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
Projects, Energy and Infrastructure Law Firm of the Year
Allen & Overy
Atsumi & Sakai
Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
Herbert Smith Freehills
Hogan Lovells
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Nishimura & Asahi
White & Case
Real Estate Law Firm of the Year
Atsumi & Sakai
Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Nishimura & Asahi
Regulatory and Compliance Law Firm of the Year
Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Herbert Smith Freehills
King & Wood Mallesons
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
SE Asia Practice Law Firm of the Year
Atsumi & Sakai
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Shipping Law Firm of the Year
Atsumi & Sakai
Clifford Chance
TMI Associates
Tax and Trusts Law Firm of the Year
Atsumi & Sakai
Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Nishimura & Asahi
Withers
*Japan Law Firm of the Year
Finalists for this category will be announced at the awards ceremony on June 7.
IN-HOUSE CATEGORIES
Banking and Financial Services In-House Team of the Year
AIG Japan
Citigroup
Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities
Innovative In-House Team of the Year
INPEX Corporation
ITOCHU Corporation
Nissan Motor Corporation
Yokohama Rubber
Technology, Media and Telecommunications In-House Team of the Year
Asurion
Colt Technology Services
Fox Networks Group Japan
IBM Japan
SoftBank
Japan In-House Team of the Year
AIG Japan
Asurion
IBM Japan
INPEX Corporation
ITOCHU Corporation
Nissan Motor Corporation
Mitsubishi Chemical
Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES
In-House Lawyer of the Year
Brian Chi – IBM Japan
Hiromitsu Kato – INPEX Corporation
Kenji Tagaya – JERA Co.
Tomoko Akashi – Merrill Lynch Japan Securities
Masanori Sakaguchi – Mitsubishi Chemical
Surya Soni – Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities
Dealmaker of the Year
Miho Niunoya – Atsumi & Sakai
Hiroshi Kondo – Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
Jon Gray – Davis Polk & Wardwell
Tong Yu – Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
Alan Cannon – Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Izumi Akai – Sullivan & Cromwell
Masakazu Iwakura – TMI Associates
Managing Partner of the Year
Kazuaki Nagai – Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
Hiroo Atsumi – Atsumi & Sakai
Jeremy Pitts – Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
Eiichi Kanda – Clifford Chance
Jon Gray – Davis Polk & Wardwell
Lloyd Parker – Hogan Lovells
Ken Siegel – Morrison & Foerster
Fumihide Sugimoto – Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Eiji Masuda – Masuda & Partners
L. Mark Weeks – Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
Izumi Akai – Sullivan & Cromwell
Woman Lawyer of the Year
Setsuko Yufu – Atsumi & Sakai
Natsuko Sugihara – Clifford Chance
Emma Kratochvilova – Herbert Smith Freehills
Jacky Scanlan-Dyas – Hogan Lovells
Louise Stoupe – Morrison & Foerster
Kaye Yoshino – Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
Mitsuko Miyagawa – TMI Associates
DEAL CATEGORIES
Debt Market Deal of the Year
Asahi Group Holdings’ acquisition of the Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime Beer Brands from AB Inbev
Law Firms: Allen & Overy; Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise); Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Hogan Lovells
Banks: Deutsche Bank AG; Lazard; Rothschild
BPCE S.A.’s Issuance of Three-Tranche Samurai Bonds
Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi
Dai-chi Life Insurance’s Offering of 4% Step-Up Callable Perpetual Subordinated Notes
Law Firms: Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Sullivan & Cromwell
Banks: Goldman Sachs; Mizuho Securities; Morgan Stanley
Financing by the Offering of the Mandatory Exchangeable Trust Securities Exchangeable into ADSs of Alibaba Group Holdings
Law Firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Morrison & Foerster; Sullivan & Cromwell
Bank: Morgan Stanley
HSBC Holdings’ Debut Triple-Tranche TLAC Samurai Bonds
Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Clifford Chance
Banks/Accountancies: PricewaterhouseCoopers
Issuance of Hybrid Bonds by Mitsubishi Estate Company
Law Firm: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Bank: Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group’s Senior Notes Offering
Law Firms: Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Banks: Mitsubishi UFJ Securities; Morgan Stanley; MUFG Securities Americas
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group’s TLAC Bond Issuance
Law Firms: Mayer Brown JSM; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Banks: Mitsubishi UFJ Securities; Morgan Stanley
Mizuho Financial Group’s Debut SEC-Registered Senior Notes Offering
Law Firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Banks: Goldman Sachs; J.P. Morgan; Mizuho Securities
Offering of Convertible Bonds of Suzuki Motor Corporation
Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Clifford Chance; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Banks: Mizuho International; Nomura International; SMBC Nikko Capital Markets
Project Financing of 2x540MW Integrated Coal Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) Power Plants in Fukushima Prefecture
Law Firm: Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise); Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi
Banks: Mizuho Bank; Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation; The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ; The Development Bank of Japan
Series of Government-Guaranteed Bonds Issuances by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)
Law Firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Banks: Barclays; Citigroup; J.P. Morgan
SoftBank’s Acquisition of ARM Holdings
Law Firms: Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise); Davis Polk & Wardwell; Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Herbert Smith Freehills; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Morrison & Foerster; Slaughter and May; White & Case
Banks: Goldman Sachs; Mizuho Financial Group; The Raine Group; Robey Warshaw
Sprint Equipment’s Sale-Leaseback Financing
Law Firms: Jones Day; Latham & Watkins; Nishimura & Asahi; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe; Schulte Roth & Zabel; White & Case
Banks: Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ; MUFG Union Bank
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group’s Debut SEC-Registered TLAC Notes Offering
Law Firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Banks: Citigroup Global Markets; Goldman Sachs; SMBC Nikko Securities
Suzuki Motor Corporation’s Dual-Tranche Convertible Bonds
Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Clifford Chance; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Banks/Accountancies: MUFG Union Bank; Seimei Audit Corporation
The Metropolis of Tokyo’s Rule 144A Global Bond Issuance
Law Firms: Clifford Chance; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Banks: Barclays; J.P. Morgan; Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith; Nomura International
Equity Market Deal of the Year
Kyushu Railway’s Global IPO
Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Sullivan & Cromwell
Banks: J.P. Morgan Securities; Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities; Nomura Securities
LINE Corporation’s Dual-Listed IPO
Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Banks: Goldman Sachs; Morgan Stanley; Nomura Securities
Offering of Convertible Bonds of Kyushu Electric Power Company
Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Clifford Chance
Offering of Convertible Bonds of Suzuki Motor Corporation
Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Clifford Chance; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Banks: Mizuho International; Nomura International; SMBC Nikko Capital Markets
Recruit Holdings’ Global Offering of Common Shares
Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Sullivan & Cromwell
Banks: J.P. Morgan Securities; Morgan Stanley; Nomura International; Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
M&A Deal of the Year (Midsize)
Acquisition of Shares of Message Co by Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Holdings
Law Firm: Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Sullivan & Cromwell
Business Integration between Yonekyu Corporation and Itoham Foods
Law Firms: Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nakamura, Tsunoda & Matsumoto
Management Buy-Out Project
Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; TMI Associates
Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical’s Acquisition of Sagent Pharmaceuticals
Law Firm: Kirkland & Ellis; Nishimura & Asahi; Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Bank: Morgan Stanley
Sumitomo Corporation’s Acquisition of Fyffes
Law Firms: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Banks: J.P. Morgan; SMBC
Sumitomo Metal Mining's Purchase of 13% Undivided Interest in Morenci Copper Mine (Subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan)
Law Firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Sullivan & Cromwell
M&A Deal of the Year (Premium)
Alibaba Group in Connection with Share Purchase from SoftBank
Law Firms: Latham & Watkins; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Sullivan & Cromwell
Asahi Group Holdings’ acquisition of the Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime Beer Brands from AB Inbev
Law Firms: Allen & Overy; Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise); Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Hogan Lovells
Banks: Deutsche Bank AG; Lazard; Rothschild
Concordia Financial Group Business Combination between Bank of Yokohama and Higashi Nippon Bank
Law Firms: Davis Polk & Wardwell; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Shearman & Sterling
Hon Hai’s Acquisition of Sharp
Law Firms: Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise); Nishimura & Asahi
Banks: J.P. Morgan; Mizuho Financial Group; Morgan Stanley
Komatsu America’s Share Acquisition of Joy Global
Law Firms: JunHe; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz; Zhong Lun
Banks: Goldman Sachs; Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group; Morgan Stanley
Nippon Life Insurance Company’s 80% Acquisition of MLC Limited
Law Firms: Allens; Ashurst; Herbert Smith Freehills; Nishimura & Asahi
Banks/Accountancies: KPMG; Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities; PricewaterhouseCoopers
Merger Transaction between Joyo Bank Ltd and Ashikaga Holdings
Law Firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Merger Transaction between Nomura Real Estate Master Fund Inc and Top REIT
Law Firm: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Nippon Life Insurance Company’s Acquisition of Mitsui Life Insurance
Law Firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Nissan Acquisition of Equity Stake in Mitsubishi Motors
Law Firms: Latham & Watkins; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi
Oil Merger between JX Holdings and TonenGeneral
Law Firms: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Jones Day; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Morgan, Lewis & Bockius; Nishimura & Asahi; Shearman & Sterling
Banks: Citi; Daiwa Securities; Mizuho; Nomura Securities
Panasonic’s Acquisition of Hussmann Corporation
Law Firms: Debevoise & Plimpton; White & Case
Banks: J.P. Morgan; Morgan Stanley; Nomura Holdings
Panasonic Healthcare’s Acquisition of Bayer’s Diabetes Care
Law Firms: Gleiss Lutz; Hengeler Mueller; Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
SoftBank’s Acquisition of ARM Holdings
Law Firms: Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise); Davis Polk & Wardwell; Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Herbert Smith Freehills; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Morrison & Foerster; Slaughter and May; White & Case
Banks: Goldman Sachs; Mizuho Financial Group; The Raine Group; Robey Warshaw
Sompo Holdings’ Acquisition of Endurance Holdings
Law Firms: Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Shearman & Sterling; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Banks: Citi; Morgan Stanley
Sumitomo Financial and Leasing’s Acquisition of General Electric’s Leasing Business in Japan
Law Firms: Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise); Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Banks: Goldman Sachs; J.P. Morgan
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking and American Railcar Leasing M&A
Law Firm: Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Toyota Motor’s Take-Private transaction of Daihatsu Motor
Law Firms: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Shearman & Sterling; TMI Associates
Yokohama Rubber’s Buyout of Alliance Tire Group from KKR
Law Firms: AZB; Nishimura & Asahi; Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Projects, Energy and Infrastructure Deal of the Year
Caribbean Gas Chemical Limited Methanol and Dimethyl Ether Plant
Law Firms: Ashurst; Fitzwilliam Stone Furness-Smith & Morgan; Hamel Smith; Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy
Bank: Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ; Japan Bank for International Cooperation
Central Java Coal-Fired Project
Law Firms: Allen & Overy; Ali, Budiardjo, Nugroho, Reksodiputro (ABNR); Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy; Mochtar, Karuwin & Komar (MKK); Shearman & Sterling
Banks: Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ; DBS Bank; Japan Bank for International Cooperation; Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation; Mizuho Bank; Norinchukin Bank; Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation; Shinsei Bank; Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Jawa-7 Coal-Fired IPP
Law Firm: Hogan Lovells
JERA Co Inc. Project
Law Firms: Chadbourne & Parke; Morrison & Foerster
Oil Merger between JX Holdings and TonenGeneral
Law Firms: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Jones Day; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Morgan, Lewis & Bockius; Nishimura & Asahi; Shearman & Sterling
Banks: Citi; Daiwa Securities; Mizuho; Nomura Securities
Privatization of Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport
Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Clifford Chance; Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi
Banks: Mizuho Bank; Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Project Financing of 2x540MW Integrated Coal Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) Power Plants in Fukushima Prefecture
Law Firm: Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise); Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nishimura & Asahi
Banks: Mizuho Bank; Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation; The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ; The Development Bank of Japan
Real Estate Deal of the Year
Merger of Daiwa House Residential Investment Corporation and Daiwa House REIT Investment Corporation
Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Banks: Daiwa Securities; Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley; Nomura Securities
Merger Transaction between Nomura Real Estate Master Fund Inc and Top REIT
Law Firm: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Purchase and Sale of Mitsubishi Fuso Portfolio
Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Clifford Chance; Jones Day; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; White & Case
Banks: Aozora Bank; Shinsei Bank; Tokyo Star Bank
Technology, Media and Telecommunications Deal of the Year
Hon Hai’s Acquisition of Sharp
Law Firms: Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise); Nishimura & Asahi
Banks: J.P. Morgan; Mizuho Financial Group; Morgan Stanley
LINE Corporation’s Dual-Listed IPO
Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Nishimura & Asahi; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Banks: Goldman Sachs; Morgan Stanley; Nomura Securities
SoftBank’s Acquisition of ARM Holdings
Law Firms: Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise); Davis Polk & Wardwell; Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Herbert Smith Freehills; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Morrison & Foerster; Slaughter and May; White & Case
Banks: Goldman Sachs; Mizuho Financial Group; The Raine Group; Robey Warshaw
Sprint Equipment’s Sale-Leaseback Financing
Law Firms: Jones Day; Latham & Watkins; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe; Nishimura & Asahi; Schulte Roth & Zabel; White & Case
Banks: Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ; MUFG Union Bank
*Japan Deal of the Year
The finalists for this category will be announced at the awards ceremony on June 7.
COMPLETENESS AND ACCURACY OF INFORMATION – Please note that the inclusion of banks and legal advisors in the transactions essentially reflects the information provided by nominating organisations. Therefore, any omission of a party involved in any of these transactions should not be taken as a commentary on the role assumed by that party.
Winners
ALB JAPAN LAW AWARDS 2017 – WINNERS LIST
Deal Categories
Debt Market Deal of the Year
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group’s TLAC Bond Issuance
Law Firms: Mayer Brown JSM; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Banks: Mitsubishi UFJ Securities; Morgan Stanley
Equity Market Deal of the Year
Kyushu Railway’s Global IPO
Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Sullivan & Cromwell
Banks: J.P. Morgan Securities; Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities; Nomura Securities
M&A Deal of the Year (Midsize)
Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical’s Acquisition of Sagent Pharmaceuticals
Law Firms: Kirkland & Ellis; Nishimura & Asahi; Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Bank: Morgan Stanley
M&A Deal of the Year (Premium)
SoftBank’s Acquisition of ARM Holdings
Law Firms: Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise); Davis Polk & Wardwell; Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Herbert Smith Freehills; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Morrison & Foerster; Slaughter and May; White & Case
Banks: Goldman Sachs; Mizuho Financial Group; The Raine Group; Robey Warshaw
Projects, Energy and Infrastructure Deal of the Year
Privatization of Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport
Law Firms: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune; Clifford Chance; Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Nishimura & Asahi
Banks: Mizuho Bank; Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Real Estate Deal of the Year
Merger Transaction between Nomura Real Estate Master Fund Inc and Top REIT
Law Firm: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Technology, Media and Telecommunications Deal of the Year
SoftBank’s Acquisition of ARM Holdings
Law Firms: Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise); Davis Polk & Wardwell; Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Herbert Smith Freehills; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Morrison & Foerster; Slaughter and May; White & Case
Banks: Goldman Sachs; Mizuho Financial Group; The Raine Group; Robey Warshaw
Japan Deal of the Year
SoftBank’s Acquisition of ARM Holdings
Law Firms: Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise); Davis Polk & Wardwell; Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Herbert Smith Freehills; Mori Hamada & Matsumoto; Morrison & Foerster; Slaughter and May; White & Case
Banks: Goldman Sachs; Mizuho Financial Group; The Raine Group; Robey Warshaw
Firm Categories
Banking and Financial Services Law Firm of the Year
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Boutique Law Firm of the Year
KUBOTA
Japan Deal Firm of the Year
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
International Deal Firm of the Year
Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)
Employment Law Firm of the Year
TMI Associates
Insolvency Law Firm of the Year
Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
Japan Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
International Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year
Hogan Lovells
International Arbitration Law Firm of the Year
Herbert Smith Freehills
Litigation Law Firm of the Year
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Projects, Energy and Infrastructure Law Firm of the Year
White & Case
Real Estate Law Firm of the Year
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Regulatory and Compliance Law Firm of the Year
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
SE Asia Practice Law Firm of the Year
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Shipping Law Firm of the Year
Atsumi & Sakai
Tax and Trusts Law Firm of the Year
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Japan Law Firm of the Year
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
In-House Categories
Banking and Financial Services In-House Team of the Year
Citigroup Japan
Innovative In-House Team of the Year
Nissan Motor Corporation
Technology, Media and Telecommunications In-House Team of the Year
IBM Japan
Japan In-House Team of the Year
IBM Japan
Individual Categories
Dealmaker of the Year
Izumi Akai – Sullivan & Cromwell
In-House Lawyer of the Year
Kenji Tagaya – JERA Co.
Managing Partner of the Year
Ken Siegel – Morrison & Foerster
Woman Lawyer of the Year
Setsuko Yufu – Atsumi & Sakai
Quotes
General Inquiries
Yvonne Lau
Events Researcher
Phone: +852 2843 6547
Email: yvonne.lau@thomsonreuters.com
Tracy Li
Senior Awards and Operations Manager
Phone: +852 2847 2046
Email: tracy.li@thomsonreuters.com
Sponsorship Inquiries
Amy Sim
Sales Manager
Phone: +65 6870 3348
Email: amy.sim@thomsonreuters.com
Amantha Chia
Head of Legal Media Business, ASEAN and North AsiaPhone: +65 6870 3917
Email: amantha.chia@thomsonreuters.com
Book Now
Event details:
Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Time: 6:30pm sharp, cocktail
Venue: The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, 2/F, Grand Ballroom
Tokyo Midtown, 9-7-1, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6245 Japan
Price of table/seat includes:
• Cocktails
• Four-course gourmet dinner
• Live entertainment
• Unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks
• Black-tie awarding ceremony
For more information, contact Tracy at tracy.li@thomsonreuters.com / +852 2847 2046.
FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ELIGIBILITY
How do I know if I am eligible to make a submission?
We highly encourage all firms, individuals and in-house teams to submit, as we have numerous award categories to choose from. We welcome both past participants and newcomers to join the submission for the awards. The full list of award categories and nomination forms can be found at legalbusinessonline.com/awards/japan-law-awards-2017.
Is self-nomination permitted?
Yes, we accept self-nominated submissions. We also accept third-party submissions, should you wish to nominate an external party or vice versa.
Is there a fee required to make a submission in the law awards?
No, there is no fee payment required for you or your firm/team to make a submission.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
When will the finalists and winners be announced?
The shortlist of finalists will be released around 4-8 weeks prior to the awards ceremony. The winners will be exclusively announced at the awards ceremony on June 7, 2017 in Tokyo.
When do the submissions open? When is the deadline to submit?
The submissions will open in March. The final deadline to submit will be in April. For any questions relating to submissions and deadlines, please contact Yvonne.Lau@thomsonreuters.com.
NOMINATION PROCESS AND ASSESSMENT
How are the finalists chosen?
Asian Legal Business will compile all of the submission entries, and the ALB editorial and research teams will extensively review each submission to ensure the criteria are met in order to advance to the shortlist of finalists. We stress that this process is fair, impartial and not subject to external influences.
How are the winners chosen?
Once the shortlist of finalists have been announced, an independent judging panel will review and select their top three choices for the award categories they are assigned to. The scores for each award category will be tabulated, and the individual/firm/team with the highest score will be announced as the winner.
Who will be on the judging panel for the ALB Japan Law Awards 2017?
There will be an independent judging panel of about 30 senior and expert legal industry leaders to review the submission materials. The judging panel will be selected on the basis of their expertise and knowledge, and will be comprised from various sectors to correspond to the diverse list of award categories. A partial list of judges’ names will be released prior to the awarding ceremony, and the remaining judges will be revealed on the evening of the awards.
What will my contact information/my client’s information be used for?
All contact information provided will not be disclosed to external parties; and will only be seen by our ALB research team and the judges panel. We keep the information on record internally, in case we need to contact you or your client regarding any questions or discrepancies in the submission form.
Where will my name/firm name/team name be published if we are a finalist or winner?
As a finalist and/or winner, your firm/team/individual name will be published in Asian Legal Business awards materials and print magazine. For more information, please contact us.
Is my submission confidential?
Any information you submit will only be reviewed by the ALB team and independent judging panel, whose names will be published. The material submitted will only be disclosed to the above; if there is any information that is strictly confidential, please mark clearly on the nomination form. Though we do our best to maintain the security of the information you provide, any information you transmit to us is done at your own risk and Thomson Reuters is not responsible for any unauthorized transmission of information.
SPONSORSHIP, PARTICIPATION AND OTHER
I would like to sponsor the ALB Law Awards.
Please contact Amantha.Chia@thomsonreuters.com or (+65) 6870 3917 for further details regarding sponsorship.
I am interested in being an official partner of the ALB Law Awards, as a media/legal association.
Please contact Yvonne.Lau@thomsonreuters.com or call (+852) 2843 6547.
My practice area or specialty is not listed, but I would like to participate in the Awards.
Please get in touch with our ALB Law Awards research team at Yvonne.Lau@thomsonreuters.com. or (+852) 2843 6547.
Can I participate in Awards across the region?
Yes, you can participate in more than one market. Please note there may be specific criteria for each market; key dates for 2017 and information listed below.
Malaysia Law Awards | April 6 2017 (Kuala Lumpur)
Shilton Sharpe Quarry ALB China Law Awards | April 20 2017 (Beijing)
SE Asia Law Awards | May 19 2017 (Singapore)
Japan Law Awards | June 7 2017 (Tokyo)
The Macallan ALB Hong Kong Law Awards | September 8 2017 (Hong Kong)
Philippine Law Awards | October 6 2017 (Manila)
Indonesia Law Awards | October 26 2017 (Jakarta)
Korea Law Awards | November 16 2017 (Seoul)
Who should attend the Awards Ceremony? Can I attend?
We welcome all finalists and non-finalists to join the Awards Ceremony; please contact Amy.Sim@thomsonreuters.com or call (+65) 6870 3253.
I would like to order a winner’s trophy and/or certificate (for finalists and winners).
Please contact Amy.Sim@thomsonreuters.com. or call (+65) 6870 3348.
How can I receive communications related to the ALB Law Awards?
Please email Yvonne.Lau@thomsonreuters.com to subscribe to the ALB mailing list.
Asian Legal Business – Who are We?
Asian Legal Business (ALB) is owned by Thomson Reuters, the world’s leading source of intelligent information for business and professionals. With its portfolio of leading titles, law awards, in-house legal summits and online services, ALB provides authoritative and unbiased insights and unmatched networking and business development opportunities to legal professionals throughout the Asia-Pacific.
ALB combines news and analysis from its team of professional legal journalists and the expert opinions of senior industry professionals with Reuters news and insights that power businesses across the globe.
Please visit legalbusinessonline.com for further information.
Asian Legal Business – Law Awards
The ALB Law Awards are the pre-eminent legal awards in Asia-Pacific, held annually in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and China. The Awards are comprised of months of intensive research and culminate in a black-tie Awarding Ceremony in each of the markets. We cordially invite you to take part in these prestigious awards – and celebrate legal excellence with us.
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