Building on its finance and corporate strength in Asia, Bingham McCutchen LLP has added Steve Lewis as a partner in the firm’s Japanese Practice Group and Financial Services Area in Tokyo.
Lewis joins Bingham’s Tokyo office from Herbert Smith LLP, where he founded and spent 10 years as managing partner of that firm’s Tokyo office. Lewis has guided clients in large mergers, acquisitions, investments and energy transactions across a wide variety of industry sectors in Japan. He has worked for many Japanese companies, including Sumitomo, Mitsui, Itochu, NTT DoCoMo and INPEX, and with major U.K. and EU corporations in Japan.
“Our commitment to Tokyo and Asia reflects the region’s importance to the financial services and corporate sectors,” said Bingham Chairman Jay Zimmerman. “Steve’s experience in handling major transactions in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and other emerging markets further strengthens our leading finance and M&A capabilities and will enhance the quality of services we provide to our clients who conduct business in Asia and globally.”
Bingham’s Tokyo office and Japanese Practice Group have assisted major Japanese corporate clients in their investments and M&A globally, with rapid growth in emerging markets, such as Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Middle East — regions where Lewis has vast experience and knowledge — as well as the United States and Europe, added Hideyuki Sakai, managing partner of the Tokyo office.
“The addition of Steve brings strength and experience in emerging markets and will allow us to better serve our clients in Asia, the U.S. and Europe,” Sakai said. “His insight into the marketplace will benefit not only our Japanese clients, but also those U.S. and European companies that conduct business in Asia.”
Bingham’s diverse global platform and its commitment to Asia attracted Lewis to the firm.
“Bingham is a market-leading firm, and its broad practice portfolio and global reach are significant assets and the right fit for my practice,” Lewis said. “I am excited about the opportunity to work with my new colleagues and provide the best possible services to our clients worldwide.”
Recognized as a leading lawyer by Asia Pacific Legal 500,Chambers Asia, Chambers Global and IFLR1000, Lewis has focused on mergers and acquisitions for many major Japanese corporations and has advised clients in sectors that include telecommunications, energy, insurance, real estate, technology, heavy industry and publishing.
Bingham’s Tokyo office has more than 70 lawyers (most of whom are Japanese bengoshi) providing a full range of business law services, including domestic and cross-border financial restructurings, corporate, M&A, finance, financial regulatory, investment funds, intellectual property, antitrust, litigation, employment, and real estate. Bingham is one of the largest international law firms in Japan.
Bingham’s leading role in Asia dates back to 1997, when the firm combined with Marks & Murase, a New York firm known for its complex cross-border work in Japan. In 2007, Bingham further expanded in Asia with the opening of its Hong Kong office and its combinations with two Tokyo firms — Sakai & Mimura, a leader in cross-border financial restructuring and M&A, and New Tokyo International, a premier insolvency, corporate and litigation firm. In February 2012, Bingham opened its Beijing office, providing financial services and corporate advice to major Chinese and multinational clients. The firm’s affiliated business, Bingham Consulting, also provides strategic guidance on the public policy aspects of cross-border trade and investment and regulatory matters. Lewis will provide legal services after his foreign lawyer registration is completed.
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