The well-renowned capital markets team at Clifford Chance (Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo) is lauded by clients as 'one of the best UK law firms in Japan', and complimented for its 'practical advice' on real estate asset acquisitions, innovative asset backed financing, and public convertible bonds. Leng-Fong Lai, who is dual qualified in England and Wales and Singapore, leads the team, regularly advising hedging providers, trustees, sponsors, and banks. The group is known for assisting clients with international debt cases, medium-term notes, and equity capital markets products, areas in which Reiko Sakimura has a great deal of knowledge. Key members within the practice also include Eiichi Kanda and of counsels Chihiro Ashizawa, Hajime Saito, and Matthew Ball.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Reiko Sakimura and Matthew Ball have great experience in the Japanese public sector. They always give us practical advice in a timely manner as they understand the market and our business very well.’
- ‘The team in CC has strong knowledge and plenty of experience in the market and is able to produce practical advice very quickly.’
- ‘Chihiro Ashizawa is outstanding, with her practical knowledge and experience.’
- ‘The Clifford Chance capital markets team led by Reiko Sakimura is highly reputable because of the team's commitments to transactions, providing legal yet commercial advice. The team has developed its capability and quality of service.’
- ‘Matthew Ball is one of the most reliable transaction lawyers in capital markets.’
- ‘One of the best UK law firms in Japan. Excels in capital markets both of debt and equity. Especially good at debt financings.’
- ‘Reiko Sakimura is very good and a business-oriented lawyer, and especially excels in debt offerings.’
Key clients
- Accenture plc
- Bank of America Merrill Lynch
- Barclays
- Commerzbank AG
- Daiwa
- HSBC
- Japan Bank for International Cooperation
- J.P. Morgan
- Lloyds Banking Group
- Mitsubishi UFJ
- Mizuho
- Morgan Stanley
- Nomura
- Nordea
- SMBC Nikko
- Standard Chartered
- Vena Energy
Work highlights
- Acted as English and US legal advisers to the joint lead managers on the issue of Rule 144A/Reg S USD-denominated bonds by the Metropolis of Tokyo, listed on the London Main Market and the Tokyo Pro-Bond Market.
- Acted as Japanese and English legal advisers to HSBC Holdings on its issue of Samurai Bonds comprising of 3 tranches of TLAC-compliant and 1 tranche of subordinated bonds (the first subordinated bond offering by a UK bank in Japan).
- Advised Vena Energy on the issuance of a green project bond to a global investment group, to finance a solar project in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates: Bengoshi
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Matthew Ball
Clifford Chance (Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo)Leading partners: Gaiben
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leng-Fong Lai
Clifford Chance (Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo)Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Leng-Fong Lai