Lawyers in Japan

[tomasurii]

Are there any American attorneys living/working in Japan who could provide advice or direction?

I'm a freshly-minted attorney living in Detroit, Michigan, married to a Japanese woman. We're contemplating moving to Tokyo within the next few years. My Japanese skills are elementary. I have been to Tokyo a number of times.

I understand that there are some opportunities for Ami lawyers in Japan, although numerous restrictions and requirements exist.

My primary interest is in working for a Japanese firm or corporation (I specialized in corporate law and international business transactions in law school). Does anyone know whether these organizations employ American attorneys with little to no experience? I have heard that some opportunities exist, but I don't know where to look.

And as I owe the devil my soul in student loans, I could not realistically teach English full time. Doesn't appear to pay enough.

Any advice or direction would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Tomasu

[Socratesabroad]

My primary interest is in working for a Japanese firm or corporation (I specialized in corporate law and international business transactions in law school). Does anyone know whether these organizations employ American attorneys with little to no experience? I have heard that some opportunities exist, but I don't know where to look.

I am not a lawyer, although I have worked for a large Japanese manufacturer in the past, so I can offer a little insight on their hiring practices. The only instance they would hire an American attorney (or one of any other nationality) with little to no experience AND no Japanese ability would be if the particular individual was, pardon the phrasing, 'shit-hot,' in the sense that he or she had some amazing ability, track record, or connections.

What you are looking for is an 'expat package' where the Japanese firm hires you abroad, pays you truckloads of money to come to and live in Japan, and caters to your every whim. Japanese firms do this quite rarely, and given both your lack of experience and negligible langauge skills (unless you speak other languages besides EJ), I find the chances of such a deal for you to be rather slim. Your best bet might be to look into non-Japanese banking/finance-related firms in the West that might hire you at an entry level and post you for 1-3 years to Japan.

And as I owe the devil my soul in student loans, I could not realistically teach English full time. Doesn't appear to pay enough.

Well, let me provide you with a little insight. For the hours worked, English teaching is far more lucrative than most jobs in Japanese firms. I've never taught English privately or at a school per se, but my friends who developed client bases and connections after a few years were quite happy financially, as compared to a 'salaryman' like myself.

Best of luck...

[Steve Bildermann]

I'm a freshly-minted attorney

Presuming you will be in Japan on a spouse visa then the best thing you can do firstly is to send in your resume to the American Chamber of Commerce who will distribute it to their members. Many are in the legal field and have ties to Japanese law firms. If you can get a recommendation from a US law firm all the better. Again many US law firms have ties to law firms in Japan - actually they have to because they are not allowed to operated independently in Japan.

Practically speaking as a non-Japanese you can't practice law on your own or even in a law firm that is accredited but you can get 'consulting' type assignments. It will depend on your cluster of talents. For instance I know one married couple both lawyers doing very nicely reading and translating contracts between chemical companies here and in the US. They know the vocabulary and the the legal in and outs. Took them a few years but now they 'own' that type of work in Japan.

[tomasurii]

The consensus seems to be that I work in the field here in the US for a few years before pursuing employment in Japan. And to seek work with a US firm in Japan, as opposed to a Japanese firm in Japan. And in the meantime work on my Japanese language skills.

I do have a few years of experience, but not in banking or finance, but rather as a border patrol cop along the US-Mex border, and as a fair housing investigator in Detroit; I also speak Spanish and German: but I strongly suspect these skills hold little currency in Japan.

Again, I appreciate your input. It's very useful.

tom

[Socratesabroad]

Tom, best of luck to you.

Just as a personal comment, I'll say that I made a big mistake when I became a local hire for the Japanese company I used to work for. Already in Japan, I was treated as a 'regular employee' so I received pretty much the same pay & benefits as a regular employee, which pale in comparison to an expat brought over.

Just like their Japanese counterparts stationed abroad, expats working for foreign firms in Japan have a rather envious lifestyle in terms of pay, benefits, living arrangements, etc. If I were you, I'd definitely look into foreign firms over Japanese ones and, when you're ready, I'd seek out that expat package.

That's what I plan on doing in a few years...

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

I'll second Socratesabroad here, hold out and get placed from OS rather than getting the job here. About the only benefit I get as a regular employee is the relatively low tax break. You would get this back damn quick via other benefits.

Don't discount the use of German, large german companies are here and would look at tri-lings. If you could speak Portuguese rather than spanish it would help in the areas with large Brazilian population for general law also.

best of luck anyway.

[gkanai]

I will third the comments about being an expat lawyer in Tokyo.

I have a number of American lawyer friends in Tokyo (SullCrom, PaulHastings, etc.) so get in touch if you want an introduction.

However, I would agree that your chances rise exponentially once you have more experience under your belt, preferably in areas that are relevant to Japan/Asia (which would be in areas such as real estate law, finance, etc.)

[Taro Toporific]

I... have more experience under your belt, preferably in areas that are relevant to Japan/Asia (which would be in areas such as real estate law, finance, etc.)

Conversely, without proper experience and Japanese ability you will be treated as nothing more than a proofreader AT BEST.

As an aside:
I review patents a few times a month here at Maybe-the-Largest-in-Japan Inc . I have NOT once in twenty years seen a single patent translation that was close to being correct technically, legally, and grammatically.

[gkanai]

Taro is 100% correct.

The gaijins I know who are lawyering in Japan are all top-notch Japanese scholars (in addition to passing the bar, etc.) Most of them are at least nikyu level (the Japanese national language proficiency test, 2nd level) or ikkyu (JLPT 1st level.)

So start studying Japanese intensively. Without it, you wont be considered for a position at a Japanese firm or even a US firm in Japan.

[Mulboyne]

Very late reply, probably out of date too but. here's one link I just stumbled on.
Made in Japan: The American Lawyer's Profile of MoFo's Tokyo Office and Practice (11/3/2003)

Japanese firms have another reason to worry: Japanese clients like the treatment they get from foreign attorneys who actively campaign for their work. Haruki has lost several clients to American firms that send "young attorneys to meet with them free of charge. I can't afford that," he says. Japanese clients have little sympathy. "So what? I have the right to choose the best legal services," says Masanobu Katoh, group president of Fujitsu Limited's Intellectual Property Group & Security Export Control Headquarters. On the basis of his experience with outside counsel elsewhere, Katoh says Japanese firms should be concerned. "Foreign firms do pose a threat to Japanese firms," he says. "They have to change."

[amdg]

[kurohinge1]

... Your best bet is to stay in the U.S., for a few years, build up some expertise and a first rate network, and then come over here on your own terms.

Definitely. I see advertising every week for jobs in Japan (always Tokyo) but only for those with at least 2 years experience in certain limited fields - mergers and acquisitions, structured finance, capital markets. Last week's selection included U.S. firm "Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy" looking for "quality lawyers" ...

So, I agree with all of the above - if you want to score a high paid role in Tokyo, first get some experience at home under your belt in those areas. Of course, even if you do go that path, whether that will give you the work-life balance you want is an entirely different problem ...

[gomichild]

Presuming you will be in Japan on a spouse visa then the best thing you can do firstly is to send in your resume to the American Chamber of Commerce who will distribute it to their members.

Just a warning here - no we won't do this at the ACCJ. The mail will just end up sitting in my mail box.

Any employment inquiries should go to e-central. The ACCJ doesn't handle direct requests to help with employment.

(removes her official hat)

[Steve Bildermann]

Just a warning here - no we won't do this at the ACCJ. The mail will just end up sitting in my mail box.

In that case I'll forward your comment back to the legal who told me he had had his resume distributed by the ACCJ when he arrived last year. Maybe he got his wires crossed.

Seems he did get a couple of interviews that way. Didn't get a job but was referred to a 'legal' translation company and got some part time work there.

In any case sorry if I posted bum info I be more careful in future.

[gomichild]

No worries matey - maybe he had some insider contacts or someone who helped him out.

I only know that if you send something to the web design manager regarding employment opportunities she'll just send you a link to e-central (but then she gets hundreds of dodgy mails a day - who can blame her?)

[kamome]

I have to say, though, the ACCJ is damn good for networking. Just get into some of their meetings or go to their events and you will get tons of business cards. Of course, you'll have to weed out the 99% of cards from shady "offshore investment" advisors who promise fabulous returns on Isle of Man tax shelters.

[Steve Bildermann]

No worries matey - maybe he had some insider contacts or someone who helped him out.

I followed up on this matter with my 'legal' contact.

Yes he had a contact. Apparently his father was partners with a long standing member (and former board official) and that was how his resume got to be distributed.

A route not available to all but in keeping with the traditions of Japan

[Anon]

I'm new here, and also interested in practicing law in Japan.

I'm currently in law school in my second year, good grades so far, law review, etc. My wife is Japanese, and we would like to move to Japan for a few years after I graduate. I know it would be easier to come w/experience, but my wife doesn't think she will be able to get a decent job if she comes when she is older.

I know Temple offers an LLM and study abroad program in Tokyo, do any of the lawyers, or anyone else have any idea if this would be beneficial? Certainly it would be good for networking, but I don't know what else.

I would be open to work for an american, or japanese company as well, although they tend to prefer attorneys with experience. My Japanese is not great, but I"m working on it, trying to speak mostly Japanese at home. I've been to Japan a couple times, and got along ok w/my limited language ability, but certainly couldn't have done business/negotiated transactions.

Should I post this in the other forums (jobs; schools), or do most people read them all?

I will of course apply to all of the american firms with offices in Japan, but does anyone else have any suggestions? Thanks.

[Taro Toporific]

I know Temple offers an LLM and study abroad program in Tokyo, do any of the lawyers, or anyone else have any idea if this would be beneficial? Certainly it would be good for networking...

Actually, the networking angle for a Temple LLM is not a huge advantage in large Japanese companies. Here deep in the fetid bowels of Japan Inc., Temple Japan has a reputation of a school that produces students who aren't not fully functional in either the Japanese or gaijin environment. Whether it's true evaluation or not, most Japanese bucho doing the hiring will starting sucking air when they see Temple Japan (or Sophia) on a resume.

[Mulboyne]

[Anon]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the info.

Taro Toporific,

Do you know of any well respected LLM programs in Japan that would be worthwhile? Do you think an LLM from a good American University would be useful b/c of the additional classes on international matters?

Mulboyne,

That's interesting, I wasn't aware of the prior restrictions. Thank you.

Does anyone have any general job searching advice, I'm finding it very difficult even to compile a list of firms to contact. Also, clearly Tokyo has more firms, but how is the legal market in Osaka?

[Anon]

A few more questions about American lawyers in Japan. Does anyone know if it is possible to work for American accounting firms, or perhaps teach law in a University setting?

Here in the US most accounting firms hire a fair amount of JDs, as do various other fields, i.e. insurance, real estate, as well as large corporations. Are there similar oppurtunities in Japan?

Also, I would love to teach law at a University, be it American law, comparative law, international law, etc. Is this a feasible option?

Thank you for your advice.

[Taro Toporific]

ADoes anyone know if it is possible to work for American accounting firms, or perhaps teach law in a University setting?

Foreign accounting firms do hire laywers here... there a couple who belong to this forum who have tried that f'ed route. Needless to say it's "a start for a n00b lawyer" but no foreign lawyer ever wants to remain a such a deadend job.

Real teaching of alien law in a University setting is a rarity since the Japanese government started their Let's-rid-Japan-of-alien-professors Campaign five years ago. There are private universities that hire a handful on engrish teaching lawyers for international business courses. It high pay for engrish teaching but modest pay for a lawyer. WARNING: Engrish teaching "international business" is a guaranteed way to trash one's law carreer and to create resume black hole.

See Japanese universities discriminate against foreign teachers...Japan has the lowest number of tenured foreign educators in the OECD [Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development] - there are more tenured foreigners in one single major American university than in all of Japan.
Also
Learning a Lesson: The Uncertain Future of Foreign Academics in Japan

[kamome]

Oh man, DO NOT work for an accounting firm in Japan if you're a n00b lawyer. I did exactly that after law school and it ROYALLY FUCKED my career. How? Because the partners in the Japanese office of a U.S. accounting firm don't know jack about training foreign hires, and your J.D. will not be valued by a bunch of accountants. In fact, I'm back now (permanently) in the US of A on a career resuscitation mission.

My advice: stay in the U.S., get your work experience with a law firm there (minimum 3 years), THEN explore options with law firms in Japan. Accounting firms do diddly squat for you unless you want to be a tax lawyer for the rest of your life. And even then, you should work in the tax department of a law firm before you venture into an accounting firm.

Oh yeah, Taro is right: stay away from Temple U's LLM program. I never went there, so I can't say whether their program itself is good or not. But I also haven't heard anything within the Tokyo legal market indicating that a candidate with a Temple degree is more desirable than a candidate without one. If you're thinking of going the LLM route, stick with an LLM from a good U.S. school. That kind of degree will make you much more marketable in both the short- and long-run.

[gkanai]

Kamome has good advice.

The key is the issue with your wife. What's more important to her: living in Japan or a good job?

If you move here right after school she might be able to get a better job but you with your JD, you'd be making 6 figures in a few years in the US (if you're good.) I have no idea what your wife does or what her qualifications are, but if she can be making 6 figures in Japan a few years out of uni. then power to her- you got lucky!

My point is that I'm assuming that you have more upside with your JD than she does, and you've already invested in it 3 years. If you don't build up US experience with your JD before you come to JP, then you're giving up A LOT. You'll likely be hired as a local, not as an expat, you won't have US experience to share with clients, etc. etc. It's a vicious cycle.

So work in the US for a few years, and then move to Japan. That's the smartest way to do it.

[Anon]

Thanks for the advice guys. For whatever reason, my server wasn't allowing me to view the page, I could only get to it through the email notification.

Taro,

Thank you for the info - that seems pretty dismal. The last thing I need is that kind of job uncertainty.

Kamone,

I'll take that heart - I was/am a little concerned about the experience I would get at an accounting firm, especially in Japan.

gkanai,

You raise good points, as you mentioned, going to Japan would mean a large pay cut - most likely I will be making 6 figures right out of school, assuming I am offered a permanent position after my summer, which is the usual hiring process.

My wife and I have talked about it, I think I will try to work here in the US first, particularly in international transactions, M&A, etc. I'm assuming this is the valued skill set in Japan - but I admit that I don't know much about the Japanese legal market. I suppose in the meantime I'll try to work on my Japanese as well.

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate it.