Having successfully negotiated, documented and closed billions of dollars of commercial transactions and investments into the U.S. and abroad, Masuda Funai takes pride in consistently delivering exceptionally high-quality, comprehensive and practical transactional legal counsel to businesses based around the globe and throughout the country. Most of our clients are foreign-owned companies seeking to do business and maximize their investments in the U.S. and we are the leader in mid-market Japanese mergers and acquisitions in the United States. Foreign-owned businesses require a high level of multicultural understanding and often have a distinct management approach. We understand many different perspectives and are committed to serving as a bridge to companies entering and doing business in the domestic market.
Our firm represents companies of all sizes in all phases of the business life cycle. Our experience ranges from complex M&A and financing transactions, to tax analysis and real estate deals, to joint ventures and other development arrangements, to general day-to-day operations counsel. We advise multinational companies in the establishment and growth of their operations and facilities in the U.S., frequently serving as their U.S. general legal counsel. Additionally, with the great majority of our transactions having some cross-border aspect, we are well versed in the regulatory issues that affect our clients’ transactions in the international environment, particularly in the areas of commercial (dual-use) and defense related export licensing, compliance and enforcement matters, U.S. trade sanctions, customs compliance and national security (e.g., Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States [CFIUS]) reviews. In everything we do, we focus on providing timely and highly personal services that fit our client’s time zone and commercial agenda.
Our attorneys take the time to clearly explain U.S. law and business practices every step of the way — and frequently in our client’s native language. Whether we are negotiating the terms of a deal or analyzing the risk inherent in a given transaction, our extensive economic and cultural understanding allows us to make doing business in the U.S. a more streamlined process.
Our unique ability to overcome the challenges international companies and executives face when operating in the U.S. demonstrates not only our understanding of the law, but also our unwavering sensitivity to distinct cultures and their specific commercial drivers. As a testament to our dedication, commitment, meticulous work product and ability to adapt, we are proud that relationships with many of our foreign-owned clients have continued for decades. Regardless of our client’s country of origin, industry or product line, our attorneys are experienced negotiators and counselors who deliver the perspective, depth, legal acuity, cultural intelligence and business acumen to guide them through even the most sophisticated matters and transactions.
Acquisition of precision manufacturing company in the Midwest working in the defense, medical and aerospace sectors for a Japanese publicly-traded acquirer.
Acquisition of defense and aerospace company in South Carolina for a global machine tool manufacturer.
Acquisition of half of a U.S. public company in the genetic testing industry for a Japanese global biotechnology equipment manufacturing company.
Represented a U.S. company in the technology sector with an investment from a large private equity group.
Represented a major Japanese trading company and its foreign subsidiaries in a series of acquisitions of a famous fashion and accessory brand and related businesses in the U.S. and other territories around the world from a U.S. seller.
Represented a major Japanese manufacturer of construction equipment in a global technology license and OEM supply arrangement with a multinational counterpart in connection with the manufacture, supply, sale, and distribution of hydraulic excavators in various territories around the world.
Lessee representation in a $16.2 million leveraged lease of manufacturing equipment in Indiana.
Acquisition of the metal coolant division of a publicly traded U.S. chemical company for a foreign chemical producer.
Divestiture of software subsidiaries to a public company for approximately $60 million for a foreign company.
Formation of a joint venture company to foster sales in the U.S. and, subsequently, the acquisition of the unowned portion to make the joint venture wholly owned by the foreign company for a foreign company in the material handling industry.
Management buy-out of a U.S. forklift distributor for a foreign trading company and foreign forklift manufacturer.
Formation of a joint venture for the manufacture and sale of manufacturing equipment to major automobile companies for a manufacturer of industrial equipment.
Acquisition of a laser control system company for a navigation product company.
Sale of its large stake in a semiconductor manufacturing equipment company for an electronics company.
Assisted the founder in the start-up and financing of a company with a proprietary plasma pyrolysis waste treatment technology.
Formation of a start-up to develop, patent and commercialize the spherical semiconductor and "Clean tube" Eprocesses for a lead venture capital investor and strategic partner.
Co-counsel for a large foreign consumer products manufacturer in connection with its $165 million acquisition of a U.S. manufacturer of dental care products.
Lender representation in a $25 million hotel acquisition financing.
Borrower representation for a NYSE-listed company in connection with a syndicated $200 million multi-currency credit facility.
Lender representation in a $40 million revolving credit facility supported by foreign parent guarantee.
Co-counsel for a leading foreign consumer foods manufacturer in connection with its $14 million acquisition of a genetics research and development company.
Represented the lender in connection with a $75 million standby credit facility.
Lender representation in connection with the restructuring and work-out of a $61 million financing.
Borrower representation in a $225 million syndicated credit facility relating to its acquisition of a division of a major U.S. automobile manufacturer with facilities in the U.S. and Mexico.
Foreign-based consumer products manufacturer representation in connection with the $165 million sale of its minority interest in a national U.S. retailer.
International automobile parts manufacturer representation in connection with its $230 million acquisition of a division of a Big Three U.S. automobile manufacturer.
International power tool and motor products manufacturer representation in connection with the divestiture of the off-shore subsidiaries in its power tool division's manufacturing operations in the U.S. and sales and distribution operations in Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan, including negotiation of worldwide technology and trademark licenses and ongoing supply agreements.
International consumer products and auto parts manufacturer representation in connection with its $325 million acquisition of a manufacturing division of a large U.S. conglomerate.
Multinational company with annual revenues of $1.6 billion representation in restructuring its U.S. group through streamlining operations and the use of holding company structure.
Represented a Japanese bank in connection with a ¥1.5 billion loan arranged with a currency swap arrangement.
Tennessee manufacturer representation in connection with a $45 million bond financing.
Credit enhancer representation in connection with a $62 million financing of a significant real estate acquisition and subsequent overseas syndication thereof.
Issuer representation in a structured $50 million issuance of variable rate preferred stock.
Credit enhancer representation in connection with the $80 million financing of a leveraged buy-out of an internationally renowned racetrack.
Israeli bank representation in connection with participation in syndicated financing of a U.S. sports stadium.
Issuing bank representation in connection with a $32.5 million standby letter of credit to support a purchase agreement between a German automobile manufacturer and a U.S. auto parts manufacturer.
Japanese multinational representation in creating a joint venture with a German auto parts manufacturer in the People's Republic of China.
Represented the sole shareholder of a North American franchisor of supermarket-based food service counters in the sale of the company to a publicly-traded Japanese food service company for $257 million.