Corporate partner Masahiko Ishida appointed as sole Country Managing Partner in Japan

DLA Piper has announced the appointment of Masahiko (Masa) Ishida as sole Country Managing Partner (CMP) in Japan, effective immediately. Masa has held the role of Co-CMP, alongside Corporate Partner Lance Miller, since May 2022. Lance, who was appointed CMP in October 2015 is retiring after 18 years with the firm.

In addition to the CMP role, Masa also heads the firm’s Corporate practice in Japan. He has over 20 years’ experience advising multinational clients with a wide range of M&A, PE/ VC investments, capital markets transactions and other corporate governance matters.

Masa is dual qualified in Japan and the US (New York). He was educated at the University of Tokyo, and gained his Master of Laws from Columbia University, where he was also a Fulbright fellow. Masa started his private practice legal career at the leading domestic firm Mori Hamada & Matsumoto. He also spent time working as an investment banker in the US and Japan before joining DLA Piper Tokyo in 2011. This valuable industry experience allows him to provide clients with practical legal advice based on commercial knowledge and deep insight of the Japanese and offshore markets.

Commenting on the appointment, Satpal Gobindpuri, Regional Managing Partner in Asia, said: “I am delighted to announce Masa as sole CMP in Japan. As a world class city, Tokyo plays a critical role in our long term strategy and vision for DLA Piper in Asia. I have every confidence in Masa’s ability to continue growing our business in Japan, and I look forward to seeing the Tokyo office develop under his leadership.”