Steve is a market-defining business lawyer with a career forged by over 30 years of transactional advisory work in over 70 international jurisdictions.

For decades Steve has been trusted adviser to multinational Japanese corporations spanning a broad range of industry sectors. Steve now advises a select group of Japanese, UK and international clients which value his unique offering of international law firm quality transactional advice with personal service.

Prior to establishing Lewis Mathys Emmerson in 2015, Steve was Managing Partner of the Tokyo office of Herbert Smith Freehills (whose Tokyo office he founded in 2000). In his career spanning over 30 years, Steve has split his time between London (10 years) and Tokyo (20 years). Steve has focused on cross-border deals in emerging markets in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America as well as in Europe and the United States. Having advised on transactions in over 70 jurisdictions, Steve has built up a vast network of local counsel around the world.

As an M&A lawyer advising Japanese clients on company/business acquisitions in the UK and post-merger integration, Steve has advised on all areas of business law including acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, strategic collaborations, investment agreements, project finance, debt and equity finance, share option schemes, corporate governance, employment, pensions, insurance, mediation and dispute resolution.