Morrison & Foerster is pleased to announce that Dale Araki has joined the firm as a partner in the Tokyo office.  Mr. Araki, one of Japan’s leading M&A lawyers, specializes in representing Japanese, European, and U.S. companies in a wide variety of cross-border acquisitions, investments and joint ventures.

Mr. Araki represents buyers and sellers in acquisitions and investments, manufacturing and technology joint ventures, and restructuring transactions.  In addition, Mr. Araki regularly represents clients in transactions involving high-value intellectual property assets, including IP rights acquisitions, complex licensing arrangements and investments related to software and other entertainment properties. 

Ken Siegel, managing partner of Morrison & Foerster’s Tokyo office, said: “We have seen continued and expanded interest in cross-border transactions from our Japanese clients this year, notwithstanding the challenges of this spring’s events.  Dale’s addition gives us greater breadth and depth as Japan’s strong corporations continue to broaden their global footprint through transactions that we can handle for them. We are pleased to welcome him to the team.”

“Morrison & Foerster is the dominant U.S. firm in Japan, has a strong global platform, and boasts client relationships that are second to none,” said Mr. Araki. “This provides a tremendous opportunity for me and the clients that I represent.  I look forward to working with my new colleagues to continue to expand our joint practice.”

Mr. Araki received his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1986 and his B.A. from the University of Hawaii in 1982. He joins from O’Melveny & Myers where he was head of the Tokyo office from 1994 to 2002. He also spent time in the firm’s West Coast offices.