Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP‘s team provides advice on real estate financings, acquisition financings, and LBOs to clients including private equity companies and corporate borrowers. Team head Makiko Harunari, who is based in Hong Kong, leads the team and brings experience in cross-border transactions. Other key contacts include associates Atsushi Usui and Chenyu Cui, commended for their ’comprehensive work‘.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The service is the most meticulous among international law firms and they move ahead of time without instructions. The explanations are also very detailed, not simplistic, and they provide excellent service to their clients. The fact that they are bilingual is also significant, and the fact that we can get professional explanations in both Japanese and English saves us a great deal of time.’

  • ‘Makiko Harunari's team consists of bilinguals including Atsushi Usui and Chenyu Cui. Their work is comprehensive and well explained. STB works in organised matters and their information or requests for clients are well organised and centralised so that clients can save time.’

Key clients

  • KKR & Co. Inc.
  • The Blackstone Group
  • SoftBank

Work highlights

  • Advised KKR in financing related to the acquisition of the Hyatt Regency Tokyo by funds managed by KKR and Gaw Capital Partners from Odakyu Electric Railway Co.
  • Assisted KKR in financing related to its $2bn acquisition of Mitsubishi Corp.-UBS Realty.
  • Advised KKR in connection with financing related to its acquisition of Bushu Pharmaceuticals Ltd. from BPEA EQT.

Lawyers

Leading partners: Gaiben
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Makiko Harunari

Other key lawyers

Atsushi Usui, Chenyu Cui