Real Estate Associate

Withers

Job title: Real Estate Associate

Location: Tokyo 

About us

Tokyo is the largest metropolitan economy in the world and ranks as one of the top headquarters for Fortune Global 500 companies.

In Japan we provide legal services through Withers Bengoshi Houjin and Withers Gaikokuhou Jimu Bengoshi Houjin. They are separate but affiliated entities to Withers and assist the firm’s clients with Japanese and cross-border legal matters. We have expert teams of lawyers offering advice on real estate, corporate M&A and tax and have more than 20 years of experience assisting the firm’s clients with structuring Japanese and cross-border investment in the Asia-Pacific region.

Working with both domestic and international clients, the teams work in close collaboration with colleagues across Withers’ global office network to provide integrated, real-time advice to meet the complex and diverse needs of our clients.

Tokyo also boasts one of the largest number of US$ millionaire residents, and our lawyers have the expertise to provide private client advice, with Withers being the go-to firm for a number of private banks.

What are we looking for?

We are looking to hire an Associate to join the Withers Tokyo Real Estate team. The ideal candidate will have over 2 years PQE, will have worked in a Real Estate team and have experience with handling sale and purchase (first- hand and second- hand), leases and tenancies agreements, financing deals and structuring relating to property holding special purpose companies. The role will at times be demanding and fast paced so you will need to be an efficient worker who can prioritise, multi-task and remain calm under pressure. 

Areas of focus and responsibilities

The role is focused on advising and assisting an exceptional client base and will involve: 

• Drafting legal documents and correspondence
• Legal Research
• Giving advice to clients in writing and in person
• Managing the case file with supervision of a Partner.
• Assisting in the structuring and formation of various types of Real Estate deals

Given our multi-disciplinary approach in providing our clients with solutions, you will also get to collaborate with colleagues with an exceptional wealth of experience both in the Tokyo office and other offices, and other practice groups.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive. It is intended to describe the general content and requirements for the performance of this job and, as such, the role may include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.

Skills and experience 

• Have experience in property and project sale and purchases, leases and tenancies agreements, and structuring for property holding special purpose companies
• Experience in commercial and residential property investment including financing and refinancing
• 2 PQE and above
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent communication and drafting skills in English
• Open-minded, motivated and dynamic
• Japan qualified 

About Withers 

A law firm focused on people, performance, and collaboration.

For the past 125 years, we have supported some of the world’s most remarkable people and organizations at defining moments in their lives.

As the global private client firm, we are trusted advisors to families, founders, fiduciaries and businesses – and more than this, to governments, charities and financial institutions.

We structure, grow and preserve capital. We protect reputations and relationships, ideas and innovations. We secure our clients’ legacies across generations.

We are united in our commitment to integrity, quality and collaboration. We have a culture of high performance and deliver excellent service consistently across the firm. We provide tailored solutions built on trust and partner with our clients to achieve their goals.

Many of our clients are shaping the future, and creating solutions to tackle many of the world’s problems. It makes for a fascinating and challenging practice.

Our role is to get to know each individual client, find out where they want to be, and help them to get there – whether they are building a business, buying a home or protecting and defending their interests.

To meet their unique needs we are exceptionally collaborative, working together across teams and time zones. And we are agile – focusing on strategy rather than rigid ideas and traditional hierarchy.

We are delighted that we have been awarded Mansfield Certification Plus in relation to our recruitment and leadership progression efforts in the US and UK. This certification is an encouraging milestone as we continue to champion diversity within our organization and in the wider legal sector.

Join us to be part of a team that is always looking to the future. Where initiative, big ideas and bold moves are always encouraged. Where you can truly be yourself.

Information for Recruitment Agencies

Withers endeavours to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, Withers operates a preferred supplier list and will not be accepting unsolicited applications from non-PSL agencies for this role.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement 

It is the policy of Withers to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion.  Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability.

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