4 August 2005, Tokyo – Global law firm Shearman & Sterling LLP has announced that Kenneth Lebrun has relocated to the firm’s Tokyo office as Counsel.
Not a newcomer to Japan, Mr. Lebrun had worked for two years in Shearman & Sterling’s Tokyo office in 2000 and 2001. Prior to his return to Tokyo, he had practiced at the firm’s New York office, where he advised both U.S. and international clients on a broad range of transactions, including public and private mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and private equity
transactions. He also specializes in advising public companies on
corporate governance and takeover defense issues. Mr. Lebrun is admitted in New York and speaks and reads Japanese.
Shearman & Sterling’s Tokyo office has recently been involved in
high-profile transactions in Japan such as the Mitsubishi Tokyo Financial Group, Inc.’s merger with UFJ Holdings, Inc., Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.’s business combination with Sankyo Company, Ltd. and represented The Longreach Group in its purchase of a 24.98% interest in McDonalds Holdings Company (Japan), Ltd.
Mr. Lebrun commented on his move:
“As demonstrated by the record number of domestic M&A transactions in the first half of 2005, more than ever before Japanese companies have come to view M&A as a legitimate and important means for achieving their corporate objectives. It is an exciting time to be returning to Japan.”
Masahisa Ikeda, the firm’s Tokyo managing partner, commented:
“I am delighted to welcome Ken. With the rising levels of M&A activity in Japan, Ken’s background and practical experience will be a valuable addition to our corporate practice in Japan.”
