Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years.

As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.

At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.

All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your goals. Our ambition

The Opportunity

Our internship

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Tokyo is offering a limited number of internship opportunities to students who are interested in exploring a future career in the legal industry and gaining first-hand experience in the Japan office of a leading global law firm. The internships are available to both law and non-law students, including postgraduate students.

About the internship

What you can expect

You will work alongside our partners and associates on tasks and projects for our clients, giving you real insight into the depth and breadth of our practice areas. You will also have the opportunity to meet partners, associates and trainees in Tokyo as well as across our global network.

In addition, you may be involved in workshops and presentations and invited to a range of formal and informal social events.  By the end of your internship, you should have a clearer sense of whether a future career with an international law firm is right for you, and whether Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a place you may wish to pursue that ambition. 

Note that our Tokyo office operates as a Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi Jimusho (registered foreign law office), and hence we do not practice Japanese law and do not employ Japanese-qualified lawyers. Our lawyers are qualified in jurisdictions outside Japan, and the focus of our offering is cross-border transactions and disputes for Japanese corporate clients.

Eligibility

To be eligible for our Tokyo internship scheme, you must:

• be a current student or a recent graduate, with study of law preferred but not required;

• be fluent in English and have a high level of proficiency in Japanese;

• have the appropriate Japanese visa or other permission required to legally participate in this internship. Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is unable to assist with, or sponsor, applications to live and work in Japan;

• have the means to support your own living arrangements and expenses; and

• be able to commit to a four-week internship in order to maximise the benefits of this scheme.

If you require any adjustments to participate in the internship or application process, please provide the details in your application.

We are looking for self-motivated candidates with strong academic and extracurricular achievements, excellent organisational and communication skills, and a collaborative approach.

During the internship, you will be encouraged to proactively seek opportunities to assist our lawyers and business services teams, including Business Development. You should also ask questions, seek feedback and take opportunities to learn from colleagues. We also encourage you to arrange time to speak with colleagues to learn more about their careers and experiences.

Practice group rotations

Unless agreed otherwise, your internship will be arranged so that you spend time in both the Disputes and Corporate practice groups. As a general rule, each practice group will host one intern at a time.

Our Corporate practice

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a market leader in high-value, complex and multi-jurisdictional corporate non-contentious work. With over 26 years' experience on the ground in Tokyo, our practice focuses on outbound cross-border M&A transactions and strategic investments for Japanese clients around the world. We have invested deeply in cultivating strong, lasting relationships with key market players, including leading Japanese trading houses, industrials and corporates, and other global clients in TMT, manufacturing industrial, healthcare & pharmaceuticals sector.

In addition to our market-leading corporate practice, interns may gain exposure to our Projects, Energy & Infrastructure (PEI) team, which advises on globally significant projects and investments across the energy, power, mining and infrastructure sectors, supporting clients throughout the full project lifecycle. Drawing on our integrated global network, the team provides commercially focused advice on complex cross-border transactions, developments and joint ventures, including those arising from the global energy transition. Our market-leading practice in Japan receives consistent praise and awards, including top-tier rankings in Chambers Asia-Pacific and Asia Pacific Legal 500.

Our Dispute Resolution practice

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world leader in dispute resolution. We bring international experience and sector knowledge to the resolution of disputes for leading Japanese and international corporations, including trading companies and financial institutions. With over 26 years' experience on the ground in Tokyo, we advise on international arbitration, commercial litigation and other forms of ADR, and are trusted advisers on construction and real estate disputes across the world. We have particular experience in matters arising in the energy and resources, TMT, manufacturing, industrials, healthcare, pharmaceutical, infrastructure and consumer sectors. We also frequently assist our clients with corporate crime and investigations matters. Our market-leading international arbitration practice in Japan is consistently recognised, including through top-tier rankings for Dispute Resolution and Construction in Chambers Asia-Pacific and Asia Pacific Legal 500.

Internship period

The internship scheme has a maximum duration of four weeks. Interns will generally spend two weeks in each of our Disputes and Corporate practice groups. The internship will usually take place between June and August, but timing can be flexible, subject to availability and mutual agreement between the successful candidate(s) and Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Tokyo.

Application information

Applications for the 2027 internship scheme will be open from 5 October 2026 to 25 October 2026.

If your initial application is successful, you will be contacted for an interview.  

We interview on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early.

What we offer

• Placement in our market-leading Corporate and Dispute Resolution practice groups for an agreed period, up to a maximum of four weeks in total.

• Insight into the work of a leading global law firm.

• A diverse, friendly and engaging working environment.

• Internships are unpaid in principle; however, paid internships may be offered in exceptional circumstances.

Team

Location

Contract type

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.