Recently, Kirkland & Ellis announced the official establishment of its Tokyo office, welcoming partners Naoya Shiota and Clara Shirota, along with counsel Catherine Simes.

 

As Japan's economic, financial, and commercial center, Tokyo serves as the hub of legal services in the country. The Tokyo office marks Kirkland & Ellis's 24th office globally and its first in an Asian market outside Greater China, following the firm's existing 23 offices across the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

 

Naoya Shiota is admitted to practice in Japan and New York State, with over 20 years of experience. He has long advised global private equity institutions and Japanese corporate clients on complex cross-border and domestic transactions across industries including automotive, entertainment, and pharmaceuticals.

 

Clara Shirota is admitted to practice in Japan, Hong Kong, New York State, and England & Wales. She provides cross-border financing legal services to private equity funds and strategic investors, specializing in leveraged buyout financing, privatization financing, bank and bond financing, refinancing, and dividend recapitalizations.

 

Catherine Simes focuses on private equity and strategic investment matters, handling leveraged buyouts and other complex transactions, and advising private equity firms and their portfolio companies on corporate governance matters.