White & Case snaps up last remnants of Japan’s Mitsui Yasuda

White & Case Kandabashi Law Offices has become the latest firm to raid Mitsui Yasuda Wani & Maeda after the Japanese practice saw the bulk of its lawyers move to Linklaters.

Bengoshi finance lawyer Toshio Dokei has practised with Mitsui Yasuda for the past nine years, with the last three years as a partner.

In July Linklaters announced the appointment of Mitsui Yasuda name partners Mitsushiro Yasuda and Akihiro Wani and a team of more than 20 lawyers to give the magic circle firm Japanese law capability.

At the same time, Morrison & Foerster local outfit Ito & Mitomi picked up partners Katsuhiko Fujihira and Yukako Wagatsuma. Meanwhile, most of the remaining bengoshi, led by Hiroshi Meada, were due to move to Nishimura & Partners next month.

Last month Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe snapped up Mitsui Wani corporate partner Masami Totani and four associates to join its joint venture, Orrick Tokyo Law Offices.

White & Case has also appointed Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom senior associate Dominic Gregory as a partner.