Greenberg Traurig has made its Asian debut after opening a Tokyo office and forging an exclusive alliance with the Landwell-tied firm Hayabusa Kokusai Law Offices.
New York-based partner Kunichika Nakano – who has a licence to practice both in the US and Japan – will relocate to Tokyo to head the firm’s Japanese practice.
At the same time, Greenberg Traurig has also formalised ties with five-partner corporate specialists Hayabusa Kokusai Law Offices. It is understood Hayabusa will continue its association with Landwell firms outside the US.
The two firms will field unified teams on deals, advising both on Japanese and US matters. Regulatory changes that came into force this month allow foreign and bengoshi lawyers to advise together on both international and Japanese domestic transactions for the first time.
The move comes just a month after Greenberg Traurig concluded an Italian alliance with Studio Santa Maria, the former ally of Berwin Leighton Paisner-tied firm Kramer Levi Naftalis & Frankel.
