Morrison Foerster (MoFo) and Paul Hastings advised Japanese forestry and housing company Sumitomo Forestry on its approximately JPY689 billion (USD4.5 billion) all-cash acquisition of US homebuilder and residential real estate company Tri Pointe Homes.
MoFo was led by Randy Laxer, a Tokyo partner and the co-head of the Asia M&A and private equity practice, and New York-based M&A partner Joe Sulzbach. Paul Hastings’ legal team was led by M&A global co-chair Eduardo Gallardo.
“We advised Sumitomo Forestry on [the] US HSR [Hart-Scott-Rodino Act] as well as other customary approvals and permissions required from relevant authorities in connection with the proposed transaction,” Laxer told Asia Business Law Journal.
According to report, the HSR Act, as amended, requires all companies and individuals engaged in certain mergers or acquisitions that meet or exceed the notification thresholds to file a pre-merger notification with the Federal Trade Commission’s Premerger Notification Office and the Department of Justice Antitrust Division before completing the transaction.
The acquisition is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026, subject to approval at a shareholders’ meeting convened by Tri Pointe Homes, the receipt of customary approvals and required permissions, and the completion of additional necessary procedures.
