Asia Making Links University Programme – Tokyo

About us

People want a law firm they can trust, one with global capabilities that has a commitment to investing in excellent client service and empowers its teams to deliver innovative solutions. We want to stand out for our distinctive Linklaters mindset, so that our clients want to work with us above all others.

To do this, we recruit and develop exceptional people and encourage them to think and do things differently. We serve our clients as a team, with a common focus on innovation, efficiency and agility.

Making Links Asia University Programme

The Making Links Asia University Programme is designed to help talented university students with underrepresented backgrounds succeed in their early legal careers by developing technical and professional skills whilst building up strong commercial fluency and a global outlook.

The programme will be offered in our network offices in Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Riyadh, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo, and its content will be delivered in English.

The programme will include:

• a series of interactive webinars and online learning organised on a regional basis (from January to June)
• one-on-one coaching sessions
• a paid work experience programme in the closest local office
• an additional sponsorship of two-weeks’ salary which will be paid at the beginning of the work experience programme
• invitations to local office activities throughout the programme
• a strong focus on developing confidence using English (written and oral) in a professional setting

Who is eligible?

We are looking for first year students from a law school in Japan who have an underrepresented background, are committed to pursuing a career in commercial law and demonstrate consistent academic performance.

Application Process

Please submit your CV, transcript of records and a cover letter. If you do not submit your transcript of records and a cover letter, your application will not be considered. As part of your cover letter, please include the following:

• What makes you a good candidate for the programme? In particular, please elaborate on how you identify as having an underrepresented background. If you do not address this in your cover letter, your application will not be considered.
• Why are you applying for the programme?
• What do you hope to achieve with the programme?
• Why are you interested in commercial law and Linklaters?

Shortlisted students will be invited to a short video interview with a member of the HR team.

Application Deadline: 31 October 2026

Technical Skills:

This list of duties and responsibilities above is not exhaustive. It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for, the performance of this job. As such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.