Job Description

Build an exceptional legal team with us at the forefront of global finance. Working closely with business, compliance, controls, and legal colleagues overseas, you will support securities and derivatives transactions and related initiatives so they operate lawfully and effectively—from early-stage structuring through closing and post-closing matters. By engaging end-to-end on live matters as part of a team, you will strengthen your Japanese-law analysis and documentation skills while developing practical expertise in markets transactions and the mindset needed to succeed in a large, international organization. You will work side-by-side with four experienced securities lawyers and four paralegals with deep institutional knowledge, with additional on-the-job learning and mentorship opportunities from global legal colleagues. English is used daily (emails, drafting/reviewing agreements and other documents, and meetings), and senior lawyers will support you through reviews and joining calls so you can expand your coverage in line with your skill level.
As an In-House Counsel, Securities Transactions (Markets) (Assistant Vice President / Vice President) in the Markets Legal team, you will focus on Japan and cross-border transactional documentation and regulatory advice for financial markets activities.
Our team consists of four lawyers (all from leading law firms) and four paralegals, collectively covering (i) equities, equity derivatives, and listed futures; (ii) bonds and rates/FX derivatives; (iii) commodity derivatives; (iv) master agreements such as the ISDA Master Agreement; (v) securitized products, repack notes, Medium Term Note (MTN) programs, and fund transactions; (vi) credit-related transactions (e.g., loan trades); (vii) custody services; (viii) regulatory matters relating to these transactions; and (ix) ancillary agreements (e.g., Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and various service/outsourcing agreements).
We staff each area with at least two lawyers and encourage lawyers to cover multiple areas over time to achieve high quality and speed, continuous development and fairness, and a sustainable work-life balance.
You will be involved broadly across the full business lifecycle—from early structuring discussions through negotiation and post-transaction follow-up—building both transactional execution capability and the analytical rigor needed to help ensure new initiatives and issues are handled lawfully and appropriately.
English communication is essential, and even if you are not fully confident at the outset, you can build experience and confidence gradually with senior support.

Job responsibilities

• Draft and review transaction and related documents for securities transactions, derivatives, and structured products
• Negotiate transaction terms and contract provisions and propose practical solutions
• Advise on Japanese law and relevant cross-border regulations, assessing business impact and recommending approaches
• Partner with business, compliance, and controls teams to drive regulatory compliance and operational enhancements
• Support new initiatives, products, and templates by providing advice grounded in applicable laws and regulations
• Participate in domestic and cross-border projects relating to regulatory change, supervisory matters, and audits
• Manage external counsel, including engagement, instructions, and review of deliverables
• Communicate key issues and decision rationales clearly to stakeholders
• Improve standardization of recurring issues and contribute to template enhancements
• Admission to practice law in Japan
• 3+ years of practical experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts (not limited to financial transactions; M&A-related contracts are also acceptable)
• Native-level Japanese
• Ability to communicate in English (written and spoken)
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple matters concurrently, prioritizing effectively, and delivering work products by deadlines
• Demonstrated experience researching and organizing unfamiliar or out-of-scope legal issues and producing written work product (including recommended approach)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word / PowerPoint / Excel

Required qualifications, capabilities and skills

Preferred qualifications, capabilities and skills (no more than 7 bullets)

• Experience in any financial transactions such as securities trading, securities lending/borrowing, securities offerings/issuance, derivatives, structured products, or loan transactions
• Experience researching and advising on financial regulations
• Experience working effectively with multiple stakeholders to move matters forward
• Experience on cross-border matters and/or collaborating with overseas stakeholders
• Practical experience providing drafting comments in English, participating in meetings in English, and reviewing English-language contracts

J.P. Morgan is a global leader in financial services, providing strategic advice and products to the world’s most prominent corporations, governments, wealthy individuals and institutional investors. Our first-class business in a first-class way approach to serving clients drives everything we do. We strive to build trusted, long-term partnerships to help our clients achieve their business objectives.

We recognize that our people are our strength and the diverse talents they bring to our global workforce are directly linked to our success. We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. We also make reasonable accommodations for applicants’ and employees’ religious practices and beliefs, as well as mental health or physical disability needs. Visit our FAQs for more information about requesting an accommodation.