Paul Hastings secures Brooks

Following recent promotions at its Tokyo-based real estate group, Paul Hastings has expanded its coverage in Greater China with the appointment of Mark Brooks to the Hong Kong office. He takes on the title of counsel in the real estate practice group, joining over 20 related lawyers in Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

Throughout his legal career, Brooks has practiced in Tokyo and New York, where he has represented US, Japanese and European investors, institutional lenders and investment banks.

His Japan experience also includes representation of foreign-backed lenders and borrowers in connection with securitizable loans on office buildings, hotels, multi-family apartment buildings and other commercial projects in the country. In the US, Brooks advised on the leasing of high-end office space for investment banking and other institutional firms, securitized financings of office buildings, hotels, condominiums and other commercial projects.

Most recently, Brooks was a partner in the Tokyo offices of Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe, focusing on real estate finance and real estate-related securitisation. To Paul Hastings, he also brings experience from Skadden Arps in Tokyo and New York.

His appointment follows a slew of activity in Paul Hastings' regional real estate practice group. Over the past two months, the firm has elevated four members of its Tokyo real estate team to the partnership.