Senior Associate – Private Equity

Senior Associate – Private Equity at Baker McKenzie Tokyo

Baker McKenzie's Tokyo office in Minato-ku is seeking a senior bengoshi to join its Private Equity Practice Group. The firm's global PE platform and deep Japan expertise make this an ideal role for a lawyer seeking to work on cross-border buyouts, growth equity investments, and fund formation matters.

About the Role

You will advise private equity sponsors, sovereign wealth funds, and institutional investors on leveraged buyouts, management buyouts, and growth equity investments in Japanese companies. The role requires advanced knowledge of the Companies Act (会社法), the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (金融商品取引法 / FIEA), and structuring considerations including tax and regulatory aspects of PE transactions.

Working from the Minato-ku office in a bilingual environment, you will handle both inbound investments by international PE funds into Japan and outbound acquisitions by Japan-based PE sponsors. You will leverage Baker McKenzie's global network to coordinate multi-jurisdictional transactions. Japan's PE market has grown significantly, with record deal values attracting global sponsors.

Practice Areas

• Leveraged buyouts and management buyouts of Japanese companies
• Growth equity and minority investments
• PE fund formation and regulatory compliance
• Exit strategies including IPOs, trade sales, and secondary sales
• Portfolio company governance and management incentive plans

• Lead private equity transactions as the senior Japan-qualified associate
• Draft and negotiate share purchase agreements, shareholders' agreements, and management agreements
• Advise on transaction structuring including tax, regulatory, and governance considerations
• Coordinate with Baker McKenzie offices globally on cross-border PE deals
• Advise on portfolio company governance and director fiduciary duties
• Support fund formation and investor side-letter negotiations
• Mentor junior associates and contribute to practice group development

• Registered bengoshi (弁護士) with the JFBA (日本弁護士連合会)
• 8-15 years of post-qualification experience in M&A, corporate, or private equity law
• Extensive experience with PE transaction structures under the Companies Act (会社法)
• Knowledge of FIEA (金融商品取引法) fund regulation and AIFM requirements
• Native-level Japanese and business-fluent English (LL.M. strongly preferred)
• Track record of managing PE transactions from origination to completion
• Understanding of leveraged finance documentation and intercreditor arrangements