Baker & McKenzie GJBJ Tokyo Aoyama Aoki Koma Law Office (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise) announced the expansion of its corporate/M&A practice with the addition of a team of highly regarded lawyers from Linklaters. The team includes partners Hideo Norikoshi and Jiro Toyokawa and associates Kiyoshi Endo, Seiji Tomimoto and Daisuke Wakamatsu.

“We welcome this highly regarded, experienced team to our Firm,” said Eduardo Leite, Chairman of Baker & McKenzie’s Executive Committee.  “Their vast experience and in-depth knowledge of cross-border M&A transactions on behalf of Japanese clients will further enhance our ability to respond to the rapidly changing needs and opportunities of corporations in the world’s third largest economy.”

The Firm is expanding its cross-border M&A and corporate counseling capabilities in response to increased international investment and expansion by Japanese companies across the world and the Asia Pacific region.

“Japanese companies have been making aggressive moves abroad as a result of a strengthening yen and recognition of the need for greater geographic diversity following disruptions to their operations due to the tsunami and earthquakes in 2011,” said Yoshiaki Muto, Managing Partner of Baker & McKenzie’s Tokyo office. Muto noted that the consumer goods and pharmaceutical sectors have been particularly active in Europe and Asia.

“As the largest international law firm in Japan and a larger global footprint than any other law firm, Baker & McKenzie provides an unequaled platform for the growth of our corporate/M&A practice and our corporate restructuring services,” said Norikoshi and Toyokawa.