Nick Wall
Partner
Tokyo
Nick Wall
Partner
Tokyo
Contact Details
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.
Expertise
Practices
Sectors
Qualifications
Professional
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
Related articles
Publications: 09 December 2022
Southeast Asia, Japan, UK and Middle East primed for deal-making in 2023
We expect these four markets to be a nexus for M&A activity in the months to come. And while the primary drivers are different, they all share a common trait – a relative openness to foreign…
Publications: 12 November 2021
Podcast: APAC M&A Insights - Japan’s shifting attitudes change M&A market dynamics
Experience highlights
Advising MS&AD Insurance Group on its AUD500m acquisition of a minority stake in ASX-listed Challenger, an Australian financial services company.
Advising PERSOL HOLDINGS (formerly Temp Holdings) on its acquisition of ASX listed maintenance services company, Programmed, by way of scheme of arrangement.
Advising NEC Corporation on its GBP475m acquisition of UK-based IT services company, Northgate Public Services, from private equity firm Cinven and other shareholders, including management.
Advising 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.
Expertise
Practices
Sectors
Qualifications
Professional
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
Other noteworthy experience
Advising:
- 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)
"Nick is very good at negotiating."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2022 (Corporate and M&A, Japan - International Firms)
Strong business acumen and negotiation skills
Legal 500 Asia Pacific (Japan) 2017
