- Background
Due to the transnational character of our practice, we at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune engage non-Japanese lawyers, as Foreign Legal Associates (“FLAs”), in recent years, the number at any one time being between five and fourteen. Typically, our FLAs are men and women who have been admitted to practice in a foreign jurisdiction for at least a few years and who desire to add a Japanese component to their professional experience.
Several hundred individuals have participated in the FLA program since its inception in the early 1960’s. Although the majority of our FLAs have been from jurisdictions in the United States, FLAs have come to us from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, New Zealand, Ireland and China. In the majority of cases, the arrangements have been with individuals who have been seconded by their firms after having been associated with them for periods ranging from two to five years.
We believe that our FLA program offers our FLAs great exposure to a broad range of international transactions in a rather unusual context. While an FLA would generally be exposed to all legal matters in our firm that we undertake on behalf of our clients, it would be natural to expect that the work for an FLA with an Anglo-American background would relate primarily to American, Australian and European clients (including their operations in Japan), with an opportunity to participate in interactions with Japanese counterparties. Many former FLAs have utilized this acquired sophistication to establish successful practices as attorneys with expertise in Japanese and Asian matters.
Several hundred individuals have participated in the FLA program since its inception in the early 1960’s. Although the majority of our FLAs have been from jurisdictions in the United States, FLAs have come to us from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, New Zealand, Ireland and China. In the majority of cases, the arrangements have been with individuals who have been seconded by their firms after having been associated with them for periods ranging from two to five years.
We believe that our FLA program offers our FLAs great exposure to a broad range of international transactions in a rather unusual context. While an FLA would generally be exposed to all legal matters in our firm that we undertake on behalf of our clients, it would be natural to expect that the work for an FLA with an Anglo-American background would relate primarily to American, Australian and European clients (including their operations in Japan), with an opportunity to participate in interactions with Japanese counterparties. Many former FLAs have utilized this acquired sophistication to establish successful practices as attorneys with expertise in Japanese and Asian matters.
- Application Requirements
We are seeking highly qualified lawyers and solicitors who graduated with academic distinction from top law schools, with a minimum of two years of solid experience working at a top tier corporate law firm in their home jurisdiction.
These lawyers and solicitors should have a strong corporate or finance background and excellent documentation drafting skills, and transactional experience in such areas as mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, banking and finance. We find that individuals with this type of experience are most able to utilize their skills at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, given the nature of our current practice.
Currently, most of the work performed by our FLAs is English corporate or finance documentation intensive; therefore, Japanese proficiency is by no means a requirement, but native English fluency, both written and spoken, is absolutely necessary.
It is important to note that inasmuch as we are a Japanese law firm, it is not legally possible for any non-Japanese lawyer at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune to directly and primarily provide advice to clients on matters of Japanese law, rather, our FLAs work together with and assist our Japanese lawyers in providing advice to our clients.
These lawyers and solicitors should have a strong corporate or finance background and excellent documentation drafting skills, and transactional experience in such areas as mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, banking and finance. We find that individuals with this type of experience are most able to utilize their skills at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, given the nature of our current practice.
Currently, most of the work performed by our FLAs is English corporate or finance documentation intensive; therefore, Japanese proficiency is by no means a requirement, but native English fluency, both written and spoken, is absolutely necessary.
It is important to note that inasmuch as we are a Japanese law firm, it is not legally possible for any non-Japanese lawyer at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune to directly and primarily provide advice to clients on matters of Japanese law, rather, our FLAs work together with and assist our Japanese lawyers in providing advice to our clients.
- Compensation and Other Benefits
We offer compensation commensurate with the individual’s background and experience. Further, depending upon the character of the particular FLA’s work performance, in terms of both quality and gross productivity, a bonus may be paid, as of the end of each calendar year.
For individuals coming from overseas, we would also provide certain other support services, such as roundtrip airfare between the home city and Tokyo (including for a spouse, if accompanied), a moving allowance and a hotel allowance upon arrival in Japan, to assist in the FLA’s transition and relocation to work in Japan.
FLAs will also be enrolled in the Japanese national medical and dental insurance program.
We should also note that it is necessary for FLAs to obtain a visa permitting him or her to work in Japan. Our firm will assist in the preparation of most of the relevant documentation.
For individuals coming from overseas, we would also provide certain other support services, such as roundtrip airfare between the home city and Tokyo (including for a spouse, if accompanied), a moving allowance and a hotel allowance upon arrival in Japan, to assist in the FLA’s transition and relocation to work in Japan.
FLAs will also be enrolled in the Japanese national medical and dental insurance program.
We should also note that it is necessary for FLAs to obtain a visa permitting him or her to work in Japan. Our firm will assist in the preparation of most of the relevant documentation.
- Who to contact
If you meet our application criteria and this prospect appeals to you, please be so kind as to send us your resume. We would also like to receive a sample of your legal writing (in English, of course).
We prefer to receive applications by e-mail. Please direct them as follows:
James M. Minamoto
Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi
E-mail : james.minamoto@amt-law.com
To facilitate more prompt processing of your application, please indicate in the subject line for the e-mail as follows: “FLA HOME PAGE APPLICATION.”
We trust that the foregoing gives you some idea of the nature and purpose of our FLA program and appreciate your interest in our firm.
We prefer to receive applications by e-mail. Please direct them as follows:
James M. Minamoto
Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi
E-mail : james.minamoto@amt-law.com
To facilitate more prompt processing of your application, please indicate in the subject line for the e-mail as follows: “FLA HOME PAGE APPLICATION.”
We trust that the foregoing gives you some idea of the nature and purpose of our FLA program and appreciate your interest in our firm.
