TMI Associates and Simmons & Simmons, both leading law firms in their respective jurisdictions, built on their long-standing relationship by establishing a qualified joint venture in 2001, and re-registered their alliance as a foreign law joint enterprise ("FJV") in April 2005.

The FJV was set up to provide a comprehensive service across all legal areas, with a particular focus on finance, corporate, M&A, commercial, intellectual property, employment, and antitrust laws. The qualified joint venture between TMI Associates and Simmons & Simmons is one of the largest of its kind in Japan.

A groundbreaking development in the Japanese legal market, the FJV between our two firms was the first and only between an established, major Japanese law firm and a major international law firm that is based on equal footing.

The combined experience and knowledge of Simmons & Simmons and TMI Associates - both globally and locally - which arises from our unique FJV, enables us to deliver the highest quality advice in the most user-friendly way. We make a commitment to our clients to provide advice that will help them take advantage of opportunities and enhance their businesses. We aim to deliver solutions, not just identify problems.

Together, Simmons & Simmons and TMI Associates provide:

	premier specialist advice designed to meet the needs of international clients in all areas of the law;
	integrated, proactive teams of lawyers, fluent in English and Japanese, focused on achieving our clients' aims and protecting our clients' interests;
	full understanding of the legal and business cultures in which both Japanese and international companies operate;
	language interface, whether English or Japanese, suitable for the client and the demands of the situation in our advice, negotiations, and documentation; and
	a value-added, business-oriented service, based on a constructive and open approach and on the principle that it is important not simply to deliver a work product of the highest standard, but also to build personal relationships.

Our FJV is able to deliver a seamless service across issues, jurisdictions, and languages. Clients who benefit include:

	overseas clients looking for advice on investments or business operations in Japan;
	Japanese clients looking for advice on investments or business operations outside Japan; and
	clients running their businesses on a global basis looking for advice on Japan and other jurisdictions.