Senior Associate, Corporate, Tokyo

Who We Are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

The Role

We are looking for a Senior Associate to join our highly successful corporate practice in Tokyo. Our teams specialize in advising on some of the world's largest and most complex Corporate and M&A transactions. Our diverse clientele includes public and private corporations, private equity investors and financial institutions, governments, and international bodies. Our lawyers provide a seamless integrated service across our network of offices and across different areas of expertise.

As a Corporate Associate, you will engage in a broad spectrum of activities, focusing on public and private M&A and private equity transactions into and out of Japan. Your role will encompass involvement in various stages of growth and pre-IPO investments, strategic joint ventures, leveraged buyouts, and auction sale processes. In terms of sectors the group handles investments across all major sectors such as energy and infrastructure (particularly renewables), tech, real estate, industrials, private funds, healthcare, agribusiness and more.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver expert legal advice and services on complex M&A and private equity transactions.
• Engage with a diverse client base on high-profile deals, ensuring seamless and effective legal solutions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across our global network to provide integrated legal support.
• Lead transactions with confidence and minimal oversight, while effectively managing multiple work-streams.
• Cultivate and maintain client relationships, contributing to business development and client retention.

Your Experience

• The candidate should be 3 - 6 PQE (UK notional) with a law qualification from the US, England & Wales, Australia, or other common law jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated expertise in M&A (especially in private equity or energy & infrastructure), preferably gained in a top-tier private practice within an international setting.
• Proactive and independent with a proven track record of initiating and nurturing client relationships.
• Exceptional team player with the ability to lead complex deals and coordinate with various stakeholders.
• Proficient in legal drafting with impeccable attention to detail and clarity.
• Fluent or native proficiency in Japanese is highly preferred.

Equal Opportunities

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.  This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm. 

Find out more about our inclusive culture here

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