Partner
Languages spoken
English | Japanese
Miharu Furihata represents US and international clients in a wide range of corporate issues including mergers and acquisitions, securities law compliance, venture capital investments, real estate and commercial loan transactions, licensing and real estate transactions. She advises clients throughout the entire business life cycle, from entity formation and operational readiness to growth through acquisitions, reorganizations and strategic exits, including business sales, restructurings and wind-ups.
In addition, she has extensive experience counseling clients on a broad spectrum of employment matters, including navigating California's evolving employment law landscape and managing employee complaints and related workplace issues.
Early in her legal career, Miharu served for several years as in-house counsel for NEC Corporation in Japan where she worked on license and joint development agreements and joint ventures for the company’s semiconductor group. Her in-house experience provides valuable insight into the business objectives and decision-making processes of Japanese companies, as well as the complex technological and commercial landscape of the semiconductor industry.
Since the summer of 2009, Miharu has been a regular speaker at the Orientation in USA Law Program at UC Davis Law School, introducing US style mergers and acquisitions to in-house counsel, attorneys and other legal professionals from all over the world. She is also a regular speaker for workplace harassment prevention training (as mandated by California law) for Japanese expatriates, focusing on latest developments of California discrimination law and cases in the context of Silicon Valley environment.
Representing Japanese companies in their asset, stock or other forms of acquisitions or divestitures of US businesses, including a fabless semiconductor company’s acquisition of a Silicon Valley startup and a food company’s acquisition and divestiture of a majority ownership of an ethnic food manufacturer.
Advising Japanese major companies regarding joint development projects with US startups.
Advising major Japanese companies regarding their investments in high-tech companies in Silicon Valley.
Working with a team of lawyers on a series of mergers and acquisitions for a NASDAQ traded company, focusing on securities law compliance.
Conducting sexual harassment and other workplace investigations and advising on employment issues for US subsidiaries of Japanese companies.