Kiyoaki (Kiyo) Kojima is a Partner in the Corporate Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP.
Kiyo advises clients in corporate formation, governance, and compliance matters; mergers and acquisitions; secured transactions; joint ventures; leasing and licensing matters; distribution, franchise, and finance arrangements; and a wide range of commercial transactions.
An important part of Kiyo’s practice includes his work with international companies in relocating, operating, and/or establishing ventures in the U.S. He assists companies and investors with incentives and site selection; real estate acquisitions and construction agreements; corporate formation and governance; asset purchases and joint ventures; regulatory compliance; and contracts of all types to help ensure a seamless U.S. launch or transition for his clients.
He also counsels clients in virtually all areas of labor and employment law, including drafting and/or interpretation of employment agreements, company policies, and handbooks; union-avoidance training; countering discrimination and harassment claims; hire, fire and discipline issues; and dispute resolution procedures.
Active in the community, Kiyo is a member of the Atlanta Bar Association, a board member of the Japan America Society of Georgia, and a board member of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia. He also serves in “advisor” or “supporter” roles in various entities in Japan, such as Healthcare Innovation Hub (InnoHub), MEDISO (Medical Innovation Support Office of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare), and IDEC Yokohama (Yokohama Industrial Development Corporation).
Kiyo earned his J.D. from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. At Indiana University, he also received a Performers’ Diploma from the university’s Jacobs School of Music.
Prior to attending Indiana University, Kiyo earned his B.M., cum laude, from the prestigious Eastman School of Music, and his B.A., cum laude, from the University of Rochester. When not practicing law, Kiyo “moonlights” as a bassoonist and saxophonist in and around Atlanta and the Southeast.
He is admitted to practice in the state of Georgia. Kiyo is bilingual and bicultural in Japanese.
Member, Atlanta Bar Association
Board member, Japan America Society of Georgia
Board member, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia