Shimon Takagi has been a licensed Japanese attorney-at-law (Bengoshi) since 1990; he is also admitted as a U.S. attorney in the State of New York. He handles matters in the areas of corporate and tax law, corporate transactions (acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances), structured finance (bank, asset-based and project finance), securities, real estate and commercial and tax litigation for Japanese and non-Japanese clients. Prior to joining White & Case, Mr. Takagi was a local partner for another major international law firm from 1999-2002; he also served in varying roles at other law firms in Japan and the United States. From 1998-1999, he worked as the director of financial planning in the Private Banking Division at UBS Trust & Banking.