Project Finance Associate, 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 have an opening for a junior to mid-level lawyer with a strong background in project development and finance or general finance. Based in Tokyo, this practice has an excellent market reputation and will provide exposure to top quality cross-border transactions across a wide range of sectors and geographies.

You will work as a core member of the Tokyo team, and be integrated within the regional Asia Pacific and global projects practices. You will be expected to take responsibility for and lead your workstreams, collaborating closely with more junior and more senior colleagues in the same and in other departments. The transactions will be challenging and stretch your commercial and technical legal skills. The workload will be intensive and demand consistently high levels of performance.

On a day-to-day basis, you will:

- carry out due diligence on greenfield and brownfield projects;

- review, comment on, draft and negotiate project and finance documentation;

- attend conference calls and meetings with clients and have a high degree of client contact;

- work in cross-office and cross-departmental teams, gaining exposure to partners and lawyers across the firm; and

- support with development of know-how, client briefings and with business development activities.

Your Experience

The successful candidate for this demanding role will possess the following attributes:

- 0-6 years' post-qualification experience;

- prior experience in project development, project finance or general finance;

- first class technical legal skills;

- sharp analytical and critical thinking skills, sound judgment and good instincts;

- self-motivated, driven and taking initiative;

- able to work independently, but know when to ask for guidance;

- enjoy solving problems rather than merely identifying them;

- be outgoing and work well in a team;

- dedication to client service and client care; and

- resilience.

Japanese language skills are a bonus, but not required.

Equal opportunities statement

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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