Latham & Watkins has hired Ivan Smallwood, Noah Carr, and Stuart Beraha for the Tokyo office as partners in the corporate department. The trio was hired from Morrison & Foerster’s Tokyo office.

M&A growth

Latham says the firm is poised to capitalize on the strong and growing outbound M&A market in Japan with the new team. The group advises Japanese companies and financial investors on outbound M&A, joint ventures, strategic investments, and IP and technology licensing matters. Mr Smallwood and Mr Carr have extensive experience advising Japanese companies and sponsors on structuring and negotiating outbound acquisitions, investments and divestitures, strategic alliances, and joint venture transactions. Mr Beraha has a practice focused on technology, content, branding, and other intellectual property development, licensing and partnering transactions.

Strategic goal

Stephen McWilliams, office managing partner of Latham & Watkins in Tokyo, said “Ivan, Noah, and Stuart have stellar reputations for handling complex M&A and related transactions and are widely acknowledged as leaders in their respective fields.” He added, “Their stature in the business community and track record advising major Japanese companies on complex cross-border matters will bolster our strategic goal of expanding our practice in Japan and across Asia. Each one brings a wonderful mix of experience and talent.”