Attorney

Illumina is seeking a highly motivated and strategic attorney to provide legal support for its Japan business and, as needed, across Asia Pacific. The role involves advising on legal matters, drafting and negotiating commercial contracts for products and services, ensuring compliance with laws and policies, and managing employee relations. The attorney will also handle transactional documents, develop agreements, and improve operational efficiencies within the legal team. This position is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Must Have

• Provide actionable and sound legal counsel on matters as designated by the Director, Legal, APAC.
• Advise and support the Japan business and supporting functions, managing projects, deals, and initiatives.
• Work closely with commercial operations and Contracts Administration team to review, draft and negotiate terms and conditions on the sale of Illumina products and services.
• Enable the business to be compliant with applicable laws, corporate policies and procedures, industry codes and guidelines.
• Advise on employee relations matters, preparing and reviewing legal documentation as required.
• Review, draft, and negotiate routine transactional documents such as real estate leases, non-disclosure agreements, and master services agreements.
• Develop, review, drafting and negotiating agreements such as consultancy, grants, research collaborations, sponsorships, and speaker agreements.
• Identify and implement opportunities to increase operational efficiencies within the Legal and Contracts Administration organization.
• Assist with the monitoring and assessment of external counsel on assigned projects.
• Support on corporate secretarial matters as necessary.
• Law degree from a recognized law school.
• Legally qualified to practice in Japan (preference), or other jurisdictions (preferably USA or UK).
• Approximately 8 years of post-admission experience (both in-house and top tier law firm).
• Ability to identify key issues and consistently apply a high standard of integrity, professionalism, legal knowledge, expertise and business ethics.
• Track record in providing practical, commercially focused and value-added legal advice with a “can do” attitude.
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills.
• Strong communication skills in Japanese and English, both verbal and written.
• Able to work autonomously as well as within a team environment.
• Very comfortable with changing priorities in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Skilled at dealing with a broad range of people across all levels.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to adapt and iterate seamlessly in a fast-paced and multi-matrixed environment.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook required.
• Must be very detail oriented and pro-active.

Good to Have

• Additional professional or academic legal qualification outside of Japan.
• In-house legal and compliance experience with a multi-national life sciences company.
• Private practice experience in advising the healthcare industry.
• Private practice experience in providing general commercial, regulatory, including privacy, competition, marketing and/or compliance advice.
• Some experience in commercial litigation and general employment law.
• Familiarity with the US Foreign Corrupt Practice Act, U.K. Bribery Act, privacy and regional employment laws.
• Experience in representing a company subject to regulations in the United States.

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Illumina is looking for a highly motivated, energetic attorney that is creative and strategic with a drive to deliver results in a fast-paced, innovative environment. The primary responsibility of the attorney is to provide legal support for Japan and, on an as need basis, to Illumina’s commercial organization across Asia Pacific. The attorney will work collaboratively with the regional legal team as well as colleagues from the global legal organization and external legal counsel as needed. This position will be based in Tokyo, Japan.

All About You

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Provide actionable and sound legal counsel on matters as designated by the Director, Legal, APAC. This includes:

• Advising and supporting the Japan business and supporting functions, managing projects, deals, and initiatives, as well as successfully drive them to completion..
• Working closely with Illumina’s commercial operations and Contracts Administration team to review, draft and negotiate terms and conditions on the sale of Illumina products and services.
• Enabling the business to be compliant with applicable laws, corporate policies and procedures, industry codes and guidelines by supporting the development of legal documentation and the preparation of training materials.
• Advising on employee relations matters, preparing and reviewing legal documentation as required.
• Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating routine transactional documents such as real estate leases, non-disclosure agreements, and master services agreements.
• Developing, reviewing, drafting and negotiating agreements such as consultancy, grants, research collaborations, sponsorships, and speaker agreements.
• Identifying and implementing opportunities to increase operational efficiencies within the Legal and Contracts Administration organization through standardization of legal documentation and establishment of better processes.
• Assisting with the monitoring and assessment of external counsel on assigned projects where applicable, to ensure consistent delivery of prompt, cost effective and quality legal services.
• Supporting on corporate secretarial matters as necessary and instructing and liaising with external corporate secretarial services vendor as appropriate.

All listed tasks and responsibilities are deemed as essential functions to this position; however, business conditions may require reasonable accommodations for additional task and responsibilities.

Preferred Education:

• Law degree from a recognized law school
• Legally qualified to practice in Japan as preference, open to considering candidates qualified in other jurisdictions, preferably the United States of America or the United Kingdom.

Preferred Experience:

• Approximately 8 years of post-admission experience (both in-house and top tier law firm)
• Ability to identify key issues and consistently apply a high standard of integrity, professionalism, legal knowledge, expertise and business ethics.
• Track record in providing practical, commercially focused and value-added legal advice with a “can do” attitude
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills
• Strong communication skills in Japanese and English is a must, both verbal and written
• Able to work autonomously as well as within a team environment
• Very comfortable with changing priorities in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines
• Skilled at dealing with a broad range of people across all levels
• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to adapt and iterate seamlessly in a fast-paced and multi-matrixed environment
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook required
• Must be very detail oriented and pro-active

Additional Experience:

• Additional professional or academic legal qualification outside of Japan
• In-house legal and compliance experience with a multi-national life sciences company
• Private practice experience in advising the healthcare industry
• Private practice experience in providing general commercial, regulatory, including privacy, competition, marketing and/or compliance advice. Some experience in commercial litigation and general employment law would be desirable
• Familiarity with the US Foreign Corrupt Practice Act, U.K. Bribery Act, privacy and regional employment laws would be advantageous
• Experience in representing a company subject to regulations in the United States would be advantageous

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact accommodations@illumina.com. To learn more, visit: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.