Kazu Shimizu is an experienced business lawyer who practices corporate, commercial and intellectual property law. He leads the firm’s Japan Business Team and is fluent in Japanese.
Mr. Shimizu represents and advises Japanese corporations in connection with their investments and operations in the United States, as well as major U.S. corporations doing business in Japan. He has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, green field investments, business process outsourcing, distributorship and sales representative arrangements, various service contracts, and technology and intellectual property related transactions. Working with his partners, Mr. Shimizu also advises clients on compliance, commercial litigation, products liability, tax, economic incentives, employment, immigration, real estate, construction, land use and a myriad of other matters.
Mergers and Acquisitions
- Advised a major Japanese electronics components manufacturer in connection with its strategic acquisition of a NASDAQ-listed manufacturer of wireless solutions based in Dallas, Texas.
- Advised a Japanese trading company specializing in industrial equipment in connection with its strategic acquisition of a manufacturer of complex automated machining systems based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Advised a Japanese bank in connection with its acquisition of the chemical materials and components business of a large Japanese electronics company.
- Advised a Japanese diesel engine manufacturer in connection with its strategic acquisition of a marine engine distributor based in St. Petersburg, Florida.
- Advised a Japanese telecommunications company in connection with its purchase of a majority stake in a multinational business communication systems and IT solutions provider based in the Philippines.
- Advised a Japanese lighting equipment manufacturer in connection with its strategic acquisition of a lighting fixture manufacturer based in Rhode Island.
- Advised a Japanese business communications systems manufacturer in connection with the divestiture of its subsidiary in Dallas, Texas.
- Advised a Japanese equipment manufacturer in connection with its proposed acquisition of an equipment manufacturer based in Pennsylvania.
- Advised a major Japanese trading company in connection with its strategic investment in an architectural products manufacturer based in Columbia, South Carolina.
- Advised a Japanese manufacturer of socks and hosiery in connection with its purchase of a majority stake in a New York-based sock manufacturer.
- Advised a Japanese online game content provider in connection with its investment in a mobile commerce venture company based in California.
- Advised a major Japanese trading company in connection with its purchase of a brand and other intellectual property rights related to performance textiles from a U.K.-based firm.
Foreign Direct Investment Projects
- Advised several Japanese automobile components manufacturers in connection with their establishment of manufacturing facilities throughout Georgia.
- Advised numerous Japanese companies in connection with their establishment of sales and distribution subsidiaries throughout the Southeast.
- Advised a Japanese industrial boiler manufacturer in connection with its establishment of a manufacturing facility in Rockmart, Georgia.
- Advised a Japanese manufacturer of agricultural and construction equipment in connection with its establishment of a manufacturing facility in Jefferson, Georgia.
- Advised a Japanese architectural siding manufacturer in connection with its establishment of a major manufacturing facility in Macon, Georgia.
Other Commercial Transactions
- Advised a Japanese bearing retainer manufacturer in negotiating long-term supply agreements with several of its key customers in Sweden, France, Germany and the United States.
Other Matters
- Advised a major Japanese electronics components manufacturer on various warranty and products liability issues.
Past Events
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September 10, 2009
Seminar
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May 20, 2009
Seminar
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October 23, 2008
Seminar
- The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia – Board Member
- The Japan America Society of Georgia – Board Member
- The Japan America Society of Alabama – Member
- The Japanese Business Association of Southern California – Member
- The Japan Society of New York - Member