International law firm Withers continues to build on its range of legal offerings in Tokyo with the appointment of corporate partner Kazumitsu (Kaz) Goto (後藤 一光). Kaz focuses on international and cross-border corporate M&A matters. He joins from TMI Associates, where he was a partner, alongside associate Ryokei Abe (阿部 良慶).
Kaz brings vast experience representing Japanese and international clients in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, amongst other legal matters. He handles public and private M&A matters for strategic and private equity clients, cross-border joint ventures, and global capital markets transactions, including advice on financial regulation.
In recent years Kaz has represented several leading Japanese companies and venture capital funds in their investments in and acquisitions of start-ups in Japan and overseas. In addition, Kaz serves as external counsel for multiple early stage businesses, for which he provides advice on compliance matters and in connection with their capital raising activities.
Jeremy Wakeham, CEO of the Business Division, comments: “Kaz’s experience in cross-border mergers and acquisitions and high-profile deals will make him a strong addition to our bench strength of corporate tax, real estate and investment funds lawyers in the Tokyo office. His strong track record across sectors including technology, media and finance will augment our global corporate capabilities. The ability to offer corporate advice out of our Tokyo office will allow us to provide more downstream and investment-related advice and service the wider
spectrum of clients across Asia, Europe and the US.”
Kaz adds: “I am delighted to be part of Withers’ global corporate and Withers tech practice. Having served as a trusted advisor to many multinational companies and private equity firms in various deal contexts, joining Withers will allow me to provide high-quality advice to an even broader client base. Japanese companies continue to be very active in their global M&A projects. I am excited to be a part of the Tokyo team which will service these clients with our corporate capabilities alongside Withers’ various offices worldwide.”
About Withers
Withers is an international law firm with a broad-ranging client base including multinational corporations, governments, international institutions and individuals and their businesses.
With over 200 partners and more than 450 other lawyers, we have unparalleled expertise in commercial, tax, trusts, estate planning, financial services, litigation and international arbitration, public international law, real estate, charities, philanthropy, employment, family law and other legal issues facing individuals and their families. The firm has advised 66% of the top 100 UK Sunday Times Rich List, 25% of the Forbes 400 List, 35% of the Hong Kong Forbes Rich List, and 35% of Forbes Asia’s Richest Families list.
Withers has 17 offices worldwide in London, New York, New Haven, Greenwich (Connecticut), Boston, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Texas, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, the British Virgin Islands, Geneva, Milan, Padua and Cambridge.
