Takeshi Takahashi focuses on international finance and he returned to the Tokyo Office in April 2001 after a three-year assignment in the firm’s New York office.   He was born in Japan and graduated from the Department of Law of the University of Tokyo (LL.B.) and the University of Chicago Law School (LL.M.).   Prior to joining White & Case in July 1997, he worked in a leading Japanese bank.   He concentrates on legal affairs involving project finance, equipment leasing and other cross-border structured finance transactions.   He has worked for a wide range of clients, which are mainly financial institutions, utility companies, transportation companies, and high-tech companies.  Mr. Takahashi is a member of the New York State Bar. In addition to his native Japanese, he speaks English (fluent) and French. He is registered in Japan as a Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi.