Freshfields strengthens Global M&A and Capital practice with Tokyo partner appointment

Global law firm Freshfields has appointed Gregory Salathé as a partner in its Global M&A and Capital practice based in Tokyo.

Salathé brings more than 30 years' experience across Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, and New York, and is particularly well regarded for Japan-related private equity transactions. Prior to Morrison & Foerster, he served as Partner and Group General Counsel of PAG, one of Asia's largest independent alternative asset managers, giving him a rare combination of top-tier law firm experience and senior in-house perspective. His sector experience spans financial services, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, hospitality, consumer products, automotive, and life sciences.

"Gregory's appointment is a significant milestone for our Asia practice and a clear signal of our continued investment in Japan. As one of the world's most dynamic and strategically important M&A markets, Japan is central to Freshfields' global strategy,” said Matthew O’Callaghan, Asia managing partner at Freshfields. “Gregory's rare blend of top-tier private practice experience and senior in-house perspective, together with his deep roots in the Japanese market, makes him ideally placed to help our clients navigate their most complex cross-border transactions. We are delighted to welcome him to the firm."

Charles Hayes and Patrick Cichy, global co-heads of Freshfields' M&A and Capital practice, said: "Gregory is exactly the kind of partner our clients are looking for – someone who combines deep market insight with first-hand experience of how investment committees and boards actually make decisions on their most strategically sensitive transactions. His arrival significantly strengthens our ability to advise sponsors and corporates on complex cross-border deals in Japan, one of the most active and important M&A markets in the world."

Salathé added: "I am thrilled to be joining Freshfields at such a pivotal moment for the Japanese M&A market. The firm's global platform, deep sector expertise, and commitment to the Asia region make it the ideal home for the kind of complex, cross-border work I am passionate about. I look forward to working with the team to help clients navigate their most important strategic transactions.”

Salathé's appointment further underscores Freshfields' position as a market leader in global M&A and private capital, with Japan remaining a strategic priority for the firm.