Global law firm White & Case LLP has expanded its Japan Capital Markets practice with the hire of prominent capital markets lawyer, Mr. Norifusa Hashimoto, and his team.

Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Hashimoto was a partner and co-Head of Allen & Overy’s Capital Markets Group in Japan. He has joined White & Case with a team of two – Mr. Seiji Matsuzoe (Counsel), and Ms. Aya Kurahashi (Associate). All are Japan-qualified bengoshi (admitted to the National Bar of Japan).

Mr. Hashimoto brings to White & Case more than 24 years of experience in the Japanese market, a first-rate academic and professional pedigree, as well as a superb reputation for debt & equity capital markets work. His experience spans all areas of the practice, including debt private placements and repackagings, structured finance and general securities, as well as various asset securitizations such as auto loan, lease and consumer loan receivables.

“Japan is an important strategic market for White & Case – our Tokyo office is our largest office in Asia with close to 100 lawyers and we are one of very few international firms with a full service offering in Japan,” commented Barrye Wall, head of the Asia Region for White & Case. “Nori Hashimoto’s transactional practice will be a tremendous resource for our clients.”

“I am delighted to be joining the White & Case team,” said Mr. Hashimoto. “I am impressed by the Firm’s global platform, its long and established history and reputation in Japan, as well as its culture of integration between the international lawyers and Japanese bengoshi, which is critical to the success of any international firm in Japan.”

Christopher Wells, head of White & Case’s Financial Services Group in Tokyo, said: “Clients are increasingly expecting the international firms in Japan to be able to handle major domestic capital markets transactions as well as cross-border investments and offshore issuances. Having worked on both the cross-border and domestic markets for more than 24 years, Hashimoto-sensei adds a high level of domestic market expertise at a very senior level, and his expertise and contacts give us the credibility to provide Japanese market capital services at the same level as major Japanese firms.”