Tapestry Head of Legal, North Asia

About Tapestry

Tapestry is a New York–based house of modern luxury, uniting the distinctive worlds of Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman. As an employer, the group offers the scale and sophistication of a global fashion leader while preserving the creative spirit and heritage of its iconic brands. Tapestry cultivates an inclusive, purpose-driven culture where design, craftsmanship, digital innovation, and commercial excellence intersect. Its teams are encouraged to think boldly, grow continuously, and contribute to a more responsible future for fashion, making Tapestry a compelling environment for talent seeking impact, creativity, and international opportunity.

Role & Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior legal leader for Tapestry Japan and Coach Korea, advising the President and Japan and Korea leadership teams and partnering with APAC and global Legal.
• Lead the North Asia Legal function across legal advice, contracts, intellectual property enforcement and brand protection, compliance, privacy and information security, disputes, and corporate governance.
• Partner with North Asia leadership to anticipate legal and regulatory considerations, develop practical solutions for business initiatives, own the regional legal risk agenda, report material risks and mitigation plans, and represent regional business realities in APAC and global Legal discussions.
• Translate APAC and global Legal priorities into North Asia plans; implement legal standards, policies, processes, templates, and delegation of authority across Japan and Korea; provide timely local legal guidance and allocate expertise and resources effectively.
• Coordinate with APAC and global Legal teams, escalate material or sensitive issues, and contribute to regional and global Legal initiatives.
• Run ethics and hotline programs, lead local aspects of internal investigations with HR and the TPR Law Department, oversee compliance with key Japanese and Korean laws, and manage privacy and data protection programs, including Korea ISMS certification and personal data incident response.
• Deliver compliance and privacy training to store and office management and keep policies and controls current as regulations change.
• Oversee corporate governance for TPRJ and CK, including board and shareholder meetings, resolutions, minutes, commercial registry matters, company seal control, approval records, and delegation of authority; advise directors and officers and support corporate transactions and entity changes.
• Develop and execute Japan and Korea brand protection plans; maintain senior relationships with Customs, police, Union des Fabricants, partners, associations, and regulators; direct significant civil and criminal enforcement actions and coordinate trademark and design portfolio strategy.
• Manage significant disputes, litigation, regulatory inquiries, and government relations; coordinate responses with the TPR Law Department and external counsel; select and manage external counsel and oversee scope, fees, and work quality.
• Own the North Asia Legal budget and headcount plan and track spending against plan.
• Lead, coach, and develop legal professionals across Japan and Korea, including onboarding the Korea-based Legal counsel; build succession and team capability, set objectives, allocate work, conduct performance reviews, and oversee the Legal Intern Program.
• Champion legal technology and AI tools, including contract lifecycle management, e-billing, and generative AI assistants.
• Act as a strategic leader and trusted executive partner, communicate persuasively across cultures and levels, drive results, collaborate across functions, and uphold the highest ethical standards.

Qualifications

• Law degree required; admission to the bar in Japan or another jurisdiction strongly preferred.
• At least 15 years of legal experience, including significant in-house experience at a multinational company; retail, luxury, consumer, or fashion experience is a plus.
• At least 3 years leading a legal team, including managing managers and developing talent.
• Experience advising senior executives and working with a global headquarters legal function; experience supporting Korea or the wider Asia-Pacific region strongly preferred.
• Deep command of Japanese law, particularly company law, commercial and consumer law, data privacy, and intellectual property; working understanding of the Korean legal environment.
• Demonstrated experience in corporate governance, compliance programs, privacy, and brand protection.
• Native-level Japanese and business-level English required; Korean is a plus.
• Ability to build and run a legal function, including its budget, processes, external counsel, and legal technology.
• Regular travel to Korea is expected.

Skills

Experience

At least 15 years of legal experience, including significant in-house experience at a multinational company; at least 3 years leading a legal team, including managing managers and developing talent.

Education

Law degree required; admission to the bar in Japan or another jurisdiction strongly preferred.

Culture

Tapestry fosters a collaborative, inclusive workplace where creativity, craftsmanship, and consumer insight come together across its portfolio of iconic fashion and lifestyle brands. As an employer, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking, global perspective, and continuous growth, empowering teams to shape meaningful brand experiences while contributing to a culture of innovation and belonging.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.