Sidley bolsters Tokyo office with ‘transformational hires’

From left: Simon Barrett and Olivia Matsushita

Sidley Austin has added Simon Barrett as a co-managing partner and Olivia Matsushita as a partner in its energy, transportation and infrastructure practice – a move described as “transformational hires for our Tokyo office” by Constance Choy, managing partner of the firm’s Asia-Pacific region.

Choy told Asia Business Law Journal that the addition of Barrett and Matsushita represents a “deliberate strengthening of our integrated global energy and infrastructure platform, designed to serve our clients investing abroad and deploying capital into Asia”.

The duo’s arrival from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman comes at a time of heightened activity in the energy and infrastructure sectors across the APAC.

“We are seeing increased investments and sponsors into sectors such as renewables, digital infrastructure, energy transition, and strategic assets globally. At the same time, there is continued interest into APAC’s infrastructure and energy markets,” Choy said.

Stepping into the co-managing partner role, Barrett expressed confidence in continuing to “build on Sidley’s strong Japan platform” as he has “worked in the Tokyo market for over 20 years”.

With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East putting the energy sector in the spotlight, Barrett acknowledged Japan has been affected but is diversifying its supply lines and increasing investment in critical areas.

“The conflict has reinforced Japan’s energy security concerns, given its reliance on Middle Eastern imports. In response, Japan is diversifying supply – looking to Southeast Asia, Australia and the US, while at the same time accelerating investment in renewables and alternative fuels,” he told ABLJ.

Previously head of Pillsbury’s finance and energy and infrastructure practice in Japan, Barrett brings more than 20 years of experience advising on complex, high-value, cross-border transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Matsushita was the managing partner of Pillsbury’s Tokyo office and a partner in the same practice group. She specialises in cross-border energy and transportation, acquisition finance, project finance and the financing of movable assets using a range of sophisticated structures.

The additions of Barrett and Matsushita follow Sidley’s strengthening of its energy, transportation and infrastructure practice in Singapore with the appointment of partner Alun Evans in May 2025.