Kengo Hirabayashi

Partner

About

Kengo Hirabayashi is a partner at City Lights Law Office. He has specialized knowledge on legal issues arising out of media, Internet, and entertainment services/business. Kengo's practice focuses on advising both Japanese and non-Japanese venture companies on various issues under Japanese laws. He has represented many clients in media, Internet, and entertainment industries. Through over 10 years of in-house experience, Kengo acquired strong team leadership and team development skills and capabilities to deliver commercially focused, user-friendly, expeditious, hands-on legal advice. Kengo started his professional career with the Tokyo office of Paul Hastings LLP in 2004 after he was admitted as a Japanese attorney. During the years with Paul Hastings, Kengo practiced in various areas including M&A, private equity investments, banking and securities as well as media, entertainment, and IT-related matters representing both Japanese and international clients. Kengo obtained his LL.M. degree from University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 2009. Kengo is a member of the Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association and is admitted to practice in Japan. Specialties: Information Law, Media Law, Internet Law, Entertainment Law

Country

Japan

City

Tokyo

Industry

Law Practice

Skill

Internet Law, Information Law, Entertainment Law, Intellectual Property, Copyright Law, Licensing, Legal Advice, Corporate Law, M&A experience, Private Equity, Joint Ventures, Japanese, English

Experience

Partner

City Lights Law Office

2013-6 - Present · 13 yrs 4 mos

Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Member

OpenWork Inc.

2020-8 - Present · 6 yrs 2 mos

Tokyo, Japan

Corporate Admin

SmartNews

2021-11 - 2023-3 · 1 yr 5 mos

Manager, Legal

SmartNews

2018-7 - 2021-10 · 3 yrs 4 mos

Legal Counsel

SmartNews

2017-3 - 2018-6 · 1 yr 4 mos

Director

SlowNews, Inc.

2019-2 - 2023-3 · 4 yrs 2 mos

Senior Counsel

LINE

2009-11 - 2016-12 · 7 yrs 2 mos

・Advocated, lobbied and negotiated with government officials re LINE's business (2015-2016). ・As a manager, led the legal team of over 15 members including in-house and seconded lawyers (2014-2016). ・Supported launch and rapid expansion of LINE in Japan and overseas (2011-2016). ・Provided legal advice relating to various internet services and entertainment business such as messenger, SNS, internet news, internet ads, video & music streaming, e-books, TV cartoon, publishing, merchandising, online game, e-money, e-commerce, CGM, portal, search engine (2009-2016). ・Led the wifi business transfer to KDDI Corp. (2011). ・Led the acquisition of livedoor Co., Ltd. (2010).

Associate

Paul Hastings

2004-10 - 2009-10 · 5 yrs 1 mo

Within 23 wards, Tokyo, Japan

・Represented entertainment companies and IT related companies in a variety of transactions, including distribution and licensing transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and the formation and management of joint ventures. ・Represented private equity funds and financial institutions in their respective businesses, including equity investments, structured financing and securitization; also arranged various types of preferred stocks, bonds and loans.