Legal Counsel

This role provides legal, compliance and business affairs support for NBA Asia, based in Tokyo and focusing primarily on the NBA's Japan business. The attorney supports the Marketing Partnerships, Merchandising, Events and Basketball Operations departments across the Asia region. The attorney collaborates with NBA lawyers in the New York headquarters and other regional offices.

• Provide timely and actionable legal and business affairs counsel for NBA Asia business teams, serving as the primary attorney supporting the Japan business.
• Advise business teams, in particular the Global Partnerships department, on the development, structuring, execution and commercialization of events across the region, working closely with colleagues in Tax, Risk Management, Events, Basketball Operations, Player Marketing and other departments.
• Draft, review and negotiate contracts across all business lines, in particular marketing partnership, merchandising, promoter and various service provider agreements for Global Partnerships.
• Advise on various regulatory issues and strategic initiatives in the region, and work with outside counsel as needed.
• Implement organizational best practices, controls and policies, and provide regular training for existing and new business staff.
• Manage the due diligence process for prospective business partners and service providers.

• Minimum 10 years combined experience at a top tier law firm and legal department of a multinational corporation.
• Cross-border transactional and compliance-related experience.
• Strong technical skills, including excellent written and oral business communication and strong contract drafting, negotiating and issue-spotting skills.
• Fluency in both English and Japanese.
• Ability to work successfully with people from diverse cultures.
• Ability to work on multiple projects and engage with multiple stakeholders in a challenging and fast-paced environment.
• Ability to make timely, nuanced recommendations for business decisions based on reasoned legal analysis and the strategic objectives of the organisation.
• High level of commitment to quality work products and organizational ethics and integrity.
• Law degree from a reputable law school and admission to practice law in Japan or another relevant jurisdiction.

• Admission to practice law in a US state.

• Eligible employees have the option to work remotely one day per week.