Legal Secretary – Bilingual (English/Japanese)

Legal Secretary – Bilingual (English/Japanese) at Baker McKenzie Tokyo

Baker McKenzie's Tokyo office in Minato-ku is seeking a bilingual (English/Japanese) legal secretary to support its team of Japanese and international lawyers. As one of the world's largest international law firms, Baker McKenzie requires exceptional bilingual secretarial support for its cross-border practice.

About the Role

As a Bilingual Legal Secretary, you will provide comprehensive secretarial and administrative support to partners and associates working on international transactions and disputes. The role requires native-level Japanese and business-level English, with the ability to draft correspondence, manage schedules, and handle confidential documents in both languages.

Working in the Minato-ku office, you will be part of a multicultural team that operates in both English and Japanese on a daily basis. The role involves supporting lawyers across multiple practice areas including corporate, dispute resolution, IP, and employment law. You will liaise with Baker McKenzie offices around the world.

Key Activities

• Bilingual (English/Japanese) correspondence and document preparation
• Schedule and travel management for international partners and associates
• Client billing and time entry support
• Filing and document management for cross-border transactions
• Coordination with Baker McKenzie offices worldwide

• Prepare and format legal documents, correspondence, and presentations in English and Japanese
• Manage partner and associate calendars, including meetings with international clients
• Coordinate international travel arrangements and expense reports
• Handle client billing entries, invoice preparation, and fee arrangement correspondence
• Manage incoming and outgoing communications in both languages
• Maintain filing systems and ensure document management compliance
• Liaise with Baker McKenzie offices globally on administrative matters

• Diploma or degree in secretarial studies, business administration, or related field
• 0-3 years of experience as a legal secretary, executive assistant, or bilingual secretary
• Native-level Japanese and business-level English (TOEIC 800+ or equivalent)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Experience with document management systems and legal billing software
• Excellent organisational, multitasking, and interpersonal skills
• Prior experience in an international law firm or multinational corporation preferred