Why Did DLA Japan's Real Estate Co-Head Make a Shocking Move to White & Case? You Won't Believe What’s Next!

In a significant move within the legal sector, global law firm White & Case has announced the hiring of Eduard (Ed) Sheremeta as a partner at its Tokyo office, strengthening its mergers and acquisitions and real estate practices across the Asia-Pacific region. This strategic addition comes from rival firm DLA Piper, where Sheremeta had recently returned for a second stint in 2020.

With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Sheremeta specializes in advising debt and equity real estate investors on transactions throughout Asia-Pacific. His expertise encompasses a wide range of activities including acquisitions and dispositions, private equity and institutional investments, as well as secured financings. Notably, his work has a strong focus on pivotal markets such as Japan and China, where he collaborates with asset managers, private equity groups, financial institutions, and data center developers.

Sheremeta's career trajectory has also included significant tenures at firms like Ropes & Gray, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Japan's Atsumi & Sakai, and Canada's McCarthy Tétrault. His diverse experience positions him as a valuable asset to White & Case, particularly as the firm looks to enhance its capabilities in a rapidly evolving market.

"Ed's addition to the team will further strengthen our real estate and infrastructure capabilities in Asia-Pacific and globally,"

stated Vicky Landsbert, co-head of White & Case's global real estate industry group. This sentiment underscores the increasing demand for expertise in sectors that are becoming critical as clients seek to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Furthermore, Jun Usami, the office executive partner in Tokyo, emphasized the growing recognition among clients of the importance of real estate as a strategic asset class. He noted, “Clients across the Asia-Pacific region are increasingly recognizing the importance of real estate as a future-ready strategic asset class, and Eduard’s experience advising clients both in Japan and China will allow our global team to help clients further capitalize on these opportunities.”

With Sheremeta's arrival, White & Case now boasts a total of 49 lawyers in its Tokyo office, including 16 partners. This includes three partners who joined the firm in 2024: Shinsuke Yakura, Sayako Shiraki, and Eriko Sakata from Linklaters. The expansion highlights the firm's commitment to enhancing its footprint and service offerings in a key region of the world.

This development is particularly relevant as the Asia-Pacific market continues to evolve, driven by shifting economic dynamics and increasing investor interest in real estate. The integration of seasoned professionals like Sheremeta into firms such as White & Case is indicative of a growing trend where legal expertise must adapt to the multifaceted demands of global and regional clients.