DLA Piper poaches 5-member investment funds team from Withers in Tokyo

Global law firm DLA Piper has hired a five-member investment funds team from rival firm Withers to bolster its Tokyo office, led by partners Koji Yamamoto (L) and Yoshiyuki Omori.

DLA Piper has hired a five-member investment funds team from Withers, led by partners Koji Yamamoto and Yoshiyuki Omori, to enhance its Tokyo office.  This hire marks DLA Piper’s first investment funds team appointment in Japan.  DLA Piper now has 34 lawyers in Tokyo, including eight partners.

Both Yamamoto and Omori had joined Withers in 2018. Joining the two partners in the move to DLA are counsel Wataru Sasaki and associates Hiroki Hosoda and Matthew Shiota.

Yamamoto, who previously headed Withers’ Japan funds practice, specialises in advising international asset managers on fund formation and regulatory compliance. He has experience assisting offshore fund managers and financial institutions with Japan-related matters, including capital raising, transactions on Japanese exchanges, and applications for financial regulatory registrations in Japan.

Meanwhile, Omori brings expertise in cross-border transactions and has represented Japanese institutional investors in their offshore investments. He advises both domestic and foreign financial investment institutions and investment funds on Japanese financial regulations.

“This is an exciting development for our Investment Management and Funds practice in Asia,” said Catherine Pogorzelski, international sector head for investment management and funds at DLA Piper, in a statement. “The arrival of Koji, Yoshiyuki, and their team significantly strengthens our client offering in Tokyo and provides us with deep regulatory expertise that is essential in Japan’s complex financial landscape. Their cross-border capabilities align perfectly with our global strategy.”

The new team will focus on advising domestic and international funds and financial institutions on capital raising, trading on Japanese exchanges, financial registration applications, and regulatory compliance in Japan.

Added Luke Gannon, head of corporate, and funds and investment management in Asia at DLA Piper: “The Japanese market presents substantial growth opportunities as we see increasing client demand for investment into Japan. With improved investor confidence in the region, this team brings precisely the specialised expertise needed to capitalise on these market dynamics.”

This marks DLA Piper’s first investment funds team appointment in Japan, which the firm describes as a “significant milestone” for its Asia Funds practice.

Masahiko Ishida, Country Managing Partner for DLA Piper in Tokyo, said: “Our Tokyo office has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, and this strategic hire represents another significant step forward. By combining this exceptional investment funds team with our existing strengths in M&A and real estate, we’re uniquely positioned to offer comprehensive solutions to clients navigating Japan’s evolving investment landscape.”

DLA Piper now has 34 lawyers in Tokyo, including eight partners.

DLA Piper has hired a five-member investment funds team from Withers, led by partners Koji Yamamoto and Yoshiyuki Omori, to enhance its Tokyo office.  

The new team will focus on advising funds and financial institutions on capital raising and regulatory compliance in Japan.  

This hire marks DLA Piper’s first investment funds team appointment in Japan, signifying a strategic growth milestone for the firm’s Asia practice.