White & Case LLP - White & Case Law Offices (Registered Association)‘s debt finance department is complimented by clients for its ability to ’work seamlessly across jurisdictions‘ and for its ’wealth of experience‘. The practice regularly advises on LBOs, restructurings, regulatory issues, buyouts and M&A financings, the latter of which practice head Zenya Onishi is the key contact. Clara Shirota, who clients commend for her ’business minded‘ skills and ’excellent client engagement‘, is the name to note for sponsor-side deals, and is additionally qualified in New York, England and Wales, and Hong Kong. The practice also provides advice on leveraged and structured financings, complex cross-border transactions, and private equity funds.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘They have a wealth of experience in the field given broad deal exposure in the market.’
  • ‘Clara Shirota is efficient and able to share useful structuring advice.’
  • ‘Able to work seamlessly across jurisdictions, sectors, and situations bringing the same standard of care to each element of the transaction.’
  • ‘Clara Shirota - excellent client engagement, extremely thorough, very business minded.’
  • ‘Clara Shirota is a very commercial banking lawyer who understands private equity financing needs.’

Key clients

  • Mizuho Bank, Ltd.
  • Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
  • MUFG
  • Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
  • CVC Capital Partners
  • Mizuho Bank
  • Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia Limited
  • MUFG Bank
  • SK ecoplant
  • Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank
  • Deutsche Bank

Work highlights

  • Advised global banking and financial services institutions on the $7.5bn acquisition of Hitachi Metals by Bain Capital.
  • Represented Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Mizuho Bank Ltd. and Aozora Bank Ltd., as Mandated Lead Arrangers in connection with the senior secured facilities provided to an acquisition vehicle of Bain Capital Private Equity, LP for its acquisition of Evident.
  • Advised Brookfield Asset Management on the debt aspects in respect of the financing for its acquisition of the Trimco Group, a leading global supplier of brand identity products, from Affinity Equity Partners.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners: Bengoshi
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Next Generation Partners: Gaiben
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Zenya Onishi

Other key lawyers

Clara Shirota