Junior Commercial Contracts Counsel (Japanese Language Focus)

About Axiom: 

Axiom is transforming the legal services landscape by delivering innovative solutions ranging from individual secondees to fully integrated project teams that combine top-tier talent with cutting-edge technology. Join our innovative talent community and help drive impactful legal solutions to complex problems in various industries. 

Job Description:

We are seeking a Junior Commercial Contracts Lawyer with fluency or business proficiency in Japanese to support large-scale client projects across multiple industries. This role is ideal for motivated legal professionals with under five years of post-qualification experience who bring strong commercial contracting skills and are comfortable managing high-volume workflows. Candidates with CLM implementation experience and exposure to international or Japan-facing clients are highly desired.

Responsibilities:

• Draft, review, and negotiate a range of core commercial agreements, including NDAs, MSAs, and distribution agreements.

• Support large-scale contracting projects across industries, ensuring agreements align with business, operational, and strategic objectives.

• Assist with CLM implementation and contract management processes, including template development and contract database oversight.

• Collaborate with internal teams and clients, including stakeholders in Japan and other international jurisdictions.

• Provide clear, business-focused guidance on contractual risk, compliance, and commercial considerations.

• Stay current on relevant regulations and best practices impacting commercial contracting.

Minimum Qualifications:

• JD or equivalent, with active bar membership in good standing.

• 2–5 years of post-qualification experience; in-house experience preferred.

• Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating core commercial contracts.

• Fluency or business-level proficiency in Japanese (written and verbal) is required.

• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills.

• Ability to manage high-volume contract workflows in a remote or hybrid environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with CLM system implementation or optimization.

• Exposure to international contracts or Japan-facing clients.

• Experience working with cross-functional and multinational teams.

• Comfort operating as a generalist across multiple contract types and industries.

Compensation, Benefits & Location:  

This role offers a range of competitive compensation starting at $110,000, and a highly competitive benefits package in the alternative legal services marketplace that includes health benefits, 401k, and more. Axiomites also get access to professional development tools and resources and learning and development programs. Axiomites predominately work remotely, with the exception that some clients require on-site presence.  

Axiom is the global leader in high-caliber, on-demand legal talent. Covering North America, the UK, Europe, and APAC, we enable legal departments to drive efficiency and growth and meet the demands of today’s business landscape with best in breed alterative legal services.  

Axiom is a leader in diversity, inclusion, and social engagement. Diversity is core to our values and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are proud to be named a best place to work for LGBTQ+ Equality, earning top marks in the 2021 Corporate Equality Index for the second consecutive year. Axiom’s legal department is Mansfield certified and is committed to considering at least 50% diverse candidates for leadership roles and outside counsel representation.  

Learn more about working at Axiom. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: Axiom ensures equal employment opportunity in recruitment and employment, without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religious creed or belief, political opinion, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, age, disability, alienage or citizenship status, marital (or civil or other partnership recognized by law) status, genetic predisposition or carrie