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Nick Wall

Partner

Nick is widely recognised in Tokyo among clients and peers for his legal skills, business acumen, and fully bilingual English and Japanese ability.

Nick has over 20 years’ experience advising on Japanese inbound and outbound corporate M&A and joint ventures with significant experience in a number of sectors including automotive, consumer and retail, financial services, manufacturing and technology.

Experience

Representative matters

MS&AD Insurance Group on its AUD500m acquisition of a minority stake in ASX-listed Challenger, an Australian financial services company.
PERSOL HOLDINGS (formerly Temp Holdings) on its acquisition of ASX listed maintenance services company, Programmed, by way of scheme of arrangement. 
NEC on its GBP475m acquisition of UK-based IT services company, Northgate Public Services, from private equity firm Cinven and other shareholders, including management. 
Kirin on its USD707m disposal of wholly-owned subsidiary, Brasil Kirin, Brazil's second largest brewery and drink company, to Bavaria, the local subsidiary of Heineken.
NTT Communications Corporation on its acquisition of a majority stake in the e-shelter group, a European market leader in the construction and management of data centres.
Alpha Corporation on the acquisition of the automotive locks business of Assa Abloy in Europe.
Daidoh Limited on its acquisition of a controlling stake (65%) in Pontetorto S.p.A, from Victoria S.p.A, Enrico Banci and Luigi Banci. Pontetorto is an Italian fabrics and textile producer, recognised as a leader in the design and production of top-quality technical fabrics for fashion and sportswear.
Fast Retailing (Owner of Uniqlo brand of clothing) on the acquisition of Nelson Finance SAS (French company which owns the Comptoir des Cotonniers brand of women’s casual wear), and Princesse tam.tam brand-maker Petit Véhicule.
Mitsubishi Corporation on the sale of Flexitech Holdings SAS, the world’s leading designer and supplier of hydraulic brake hoses to the automotive industry with facilities across France, Romania, the United States, Mexico and Brazil.
A group of financial institutions in relation to the global integration of their corporate lending business.
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc., on its acquisition of a minority stake (GBP 800 million) in ReAssure Jersey One Limited, a closed-book life insurer and a subsidiary of Swiss Re group.
Neopharma LLC in its acquisition of a factory manufacturing pharmaceutical products from an affiliate of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings.
A global financial institution on the formation of a joint venture with another global financial institution.
NKSJ Holdings on its acquisition of Lloyd’s of London’s insurer, Canopius Group.
Recognition
[Nick] is proactive in negotiations and has the ability to bring different parties on a matter together.
Chambers Asia Pacific 2023 (Corporate and M&A, Japan - International Firms)
Nick Wall is appreciated by a client for his quick responses and dedicated approach to mandates. He has particular expertise handling M&A transactions and joint ventures in the automotive, technology and manufacturing sectors.
Chambers Asia Pacific 2022 (Corporate and M&A, Japan - International Firms)

Awards

  • Leading Individual: Gaiben - Corporate and M&A (Japan - International Firms and Joint Ventures)
  • Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020-2023

Qualifications

Admissions

Registered Foreign Lawyer (England & Wales), Japan, 2012
Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 2004

Academic

LLM, London School of Economics (LSE), University of London, 2000
LLB, Hitotsubashi University, 1997  
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.