Bird & Bird, a renowned international law firm, is poised to establish a presence in Tokyo by the end of the year, with the recruitment of Hiroyuki Iwamura, former head of Ashurst Tokyo’s UK and European Japanese practice, as a partner.
Christian Bartsch, CEO of Bird & Bird, expressed enthusiasm for the firm’s expansion into Japan, citing the country’s vibrant tech landscape and the growing international aspirations of Japanese clients. The Tokyo office inauguration signifies a strategic move in alignment with Bird & Bird’s overarching five-year strategy, underscoring the firm’s commitment to supporting Japanese clients in their global endeavors.
Iwamura, a seasoned legal professional with extensive experience in facilitating Japanese companies’ entry into the UK and EU markets through M&A, joint ventures, and subsidiary establishment, has been tapped to spearhead the Tokyo office’s operations. His multidisciplinary expertise, encompassing qualifications as a solicitor in the UK, an attorney in New York, and a registered foreign lawyer in Japan, positions him as a pivotal asset in navigating the complexities of cross-border transactions.
The Tokyo office is primed to cater to Japanese clients seeking outbound cross-border assistance across Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in key sectors such as renewable energy, life sciences, technology, and media. Moreover, the office will specialize in providing comprehensive legal services in areas including intellectual property, dispute resolution, and data protection, with a focus on facilitating cross-border transactions from Japan to Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific in the technology space.
While Bird & Bird intends to bolster its Tokyo team by recruiting additional partners and associates specializing in key sectors, the firm clarifies that it will not engage in inbound transactions into Japan.
With established offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Singapore, Bird & Bird’s foray into Tokyo underscores its commitment to providing strategic legal counsel and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.