Real Estate Lawyer Haruhiko Ogasawara Joins Baker & McKenzie in Tokyo

Tokyo, February 15, 2010 – Baker & McKenzie GJBJ Tokyo Aoyama Aoki Koma Law Office (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise) is delighted to announce that Haruhiko Ogasawara has joined the Firm as a counsel in its Banking & Finance Practice Group in Tokyo.

Mr. Ogasawara, a prominent real estate lawyer in Tokyo, specializes in real estate securitisation, public offering of J-REITs and securitisation of loan receivables (structuring of RMBS, CMBS and ABS). He also has extensive experience in both domestic and cross-border transactions, involving M&A, leveraged buyout, debt financing and structured finance. In addition, he regularly advises leading companies on their reporting obligations under the securities laws.

Mr. Ogasawara joins Baker & McKenzie from Atsumi & Partners where he was a junior partner specializing in matters regarding real estate finance and J-REIT.  Prior to working with Atsumi & Partners, he was a senior associate with Morrison Forester LLP Tokyo Office/Ito & Mitomi where he extended his career on finance, capital markets and M&A.

He received his Bachelor of Law from the University of Tokyo in 1994 and also the Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court in 1996.  He attended the University of Pennsylvania Law School where he received his LL.M degree in 2002.  Mr. Ogasawara was admitted to practice in Japan as a bengoshi in 1996 and is also a registered attorney with the New York State Bar as of 2003.

“We are delighted to welcome Mr. Ogasawara to the Firm, whose substantial experience, especially in securitisation and real estate financing complements the existing strength of our banking & finance practice, as we continue to meet the growing needs of our clients here and abroad," said Yoshiaki Muto, managing partner of Baker & McKenzie's Tokyo Office. " His extensive background will add considerable depth to our real estate practice in Tokyo and beyond, and enhance our ability to add value to our clients.”