Buchalter Adds to New Japan Practice Group
Buchalter Nemer announced that it has added Masahisa (“Masa”) Mitsunaga to the firm’s Los Angeles office, where he is a member of the Corporate, Intellectual Property and Japan practice groups. Mitsunaga joined from Liner LLP.
“Masa is 
a welcome addition to our Los Angeles office as we seek to bolster our corporate and IP offerings and grow our Japan Practice Group,” said Sabina Helton, shareholder and chair of the Japan Practice Group. “Masa strengthens our already highly-respected reputation in the Japanese markets.”
“Masa’s previous transaction experience is impressive – including involvement in the $660 million purchase of Miramax Films from Disney and related financing – and I look forward to seeing him continue that type of high-profile work at Buchalter,” adds Adam J. Bass, president and chief executive officer of Buchalter.
In a release, the firm said Mitsunaga has a deep understanding of the business and legal practices in the Hollywood and entertainment industries as he regularly represents broadcast, film production and distribution, talent management and toy and game companies on M&A matters, debt and equity finance transactions, and intellectual property matters. Mitsunaga also advises Japanese companies on legal considerations when entering or expanding in the U.S. market.
“The Asian entertainment industry is rapidly expanding into the U.S. and other markets, and with this expansion comes the ever-increasing need for executives to fully understand the intellectual property and media-related transaction legal landscape,” said Mitsunaga. “I’m thrilled at the opportunity to continue to advise my clients on these matters at Buchalter, a firm that promotes collaboration from top to bottom.”
Mitsunaga earned his LL.M. at University of Southern California Law School and his LL.B. from Keio University in Tokyo, Japan.
