Former Linklaters Tokyo chief joins MoFo in Japan

Morrison & Foerster has recruited Linklaters veteran Tony Grundy, six months after the capital markets partner retired from the magic circle firm's Tokyo office.

Grundy launched Linklaters' Tokyo office in 1987 and was most recently managing partner of the office between 2000 and 2007.

His practice focuses on international debt, equity and the adaptation of European products to the Japanese market. He has also advised on refinancings and restructurings.

MoFo has one of the largest presences in Japan of any international firm, with over 30 partners. However, Grundy will be the first English law-qualified partner in the office.

"Tony is generally viewed as one of the leading English lawyers in Tokyo. We are thrilled to begin offering English law advice to clients in Japan with someone of Tony's stature leading our team," commented MoFo's Tokyo office managing partner Ken Siegel.

Firm chairman Keith Wetmore added: "Adding leading English, US and local capital markets lawyers in all of the key financial centres is a strategic focus for the firm."

The US firm launched in Japan in 1987 and the office now has around 110 lawyers on the ground.

Linklaters replaced Grundy as office managing partner last year with joint managing partners Paul McNicholl and Akihiro Wani.

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