TOKYO, JAPAN (March 1, 2011) – Morrison & Foerster announced that Eric Roose, a leading international tax transactions lawyer in Japan, has joined the firm's Tokyo office as a partner. He is joined by Of Counsel Michael Shikuma along with two Japanese tax specialists (zeirishi), Yasuo Igarashi and Takeo Mizutani. The arrival of Mr. Roose and his team gives Morrison & Foerster, already the largest U.S. law firm in Japan, a preeminent tax platform to complement its leading Japanese real estate, capital markets, M&A, finance, litigation, technology transactions, and fund formation practices.

Mr. Roose, who is also a certified public accountant, has more than 25 years of experience advising global clients on business and investment activities in Asia. He focuses on U.S. tax advisory work for clients whose international investment vehicles have either inbound or outbound tax issues. His clients include major investment funds, venture capital firms, private equity investors, and hedge funds. He also counsels technology companies, financial services firms, and real estate funds in their tax matters, including investment activities in Japan, China, and Singapore. Mr. Roose regularly advises multinational companies dealing with numerous international tax jurisdictions.

Few global law firms in Japan offer tax counsel to clients. Mr. Roose and his team are one of the rare exceptions and have developed an elite practice built around structuring and advising on tax-based transactions.

"We are thrilled to be adding Eric and his team, clearly the top tax law specialists in Japan." said Ken Siegel, managing partner of Morrison & Foerster's Tokyo office. "The group offers a terrific complement to our practice groups in Tokyo – especially real estate, corporate and fund formation, and is a great addition to our global tax practice. Their arrival strengthens our ability to offer full service representation to our clients."

Mr. Roose said, "Morrison & Foerster is widely recognized as the top international law firm in Japan. Its strong global platform and market-leading practice areas in Japan were very attractive to me. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to help grow the tax practice in Tokyo as well as the firm’s real estate, fund formation, and M&A practices."

Mr. Roose is a frequent speaker at international tax conferences and has authored numerous articles on tax-related topics. He is recognized as a leading tax attorney by Chambers Asia, PLC Which Lawyer, Asia Pacific Legal 500, and Tax Director's Handbook.

Mr. Roose earned his J.D., summa cum laude, from the College of Law at the University of Illinois, and graduated with Distinction from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Business Administration.

Mr. Roose and his colleagues join from White & Case.