Katsumi Shirai
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman’s Tokyo office has expanded both its local Japanese law capabilities and legal services for energy, real estate and finance with the addition of Japan and New York law-qualified Katsumi Shirai from Jones Day to its partner bench.
Simon Barrett, Pillsbury’s senior partner in Japan, told Asia Business Law Journal that, as Japan saw a surge in foreign capital, particularly in renewable energy and real estate, Shirai’s arrival expanded the firm’s local capabilities and allowed it to offer clients on-the-ground expertise.
“His dual qualification in Japan and New York, combined with deep experience advising international clients, strengthens the Tokyo office’s ability to handle complex cross-border transactions, and support both inbound and outbound investments,” said Barrett, who also heads the firm’s finance practice as well as the energy and infrastructure practice in Japan.
The energy and real estate finance lawyer, who has joined Pillsbury from Jones Day where he was a partner, represents several foreign companies and financial institutions, particularly Asian funds, investing in domestic renewables and real estate investment trusts (REITS).
Barrett said his firm also had US and EU clients wanting support in domestic renewables and REITS, which Shirai’s presence now allowed them to service. The senior partner added that Shirai would play a key role in Pillsbury’s core industry groups, including energy transition and real estate, as well as in its Japan client teams.
Shirai has been active in the renewable energy space in Japan, having advised KK Gaia Power (now GF Corporation) on its construction of a 92-megawatt solar power plant in the Kyushu region of Japan, one of the largest solar installations in the country.
At Pillsbury, Shirai will lead the firm’s Japan law-qualified attorney (Bengoshi) team, which currently includes corporate counsel Masao Kasatsugu on the project finance and asset finance team. He will also work closely with Barrett and energy partner Olivia Matsushita – who is also managing partner of Pillsbury’s Tokyo office – in leading the firm’s Japan operations.
AloJapan.com