Lawyer on Air

Templates from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs

Apr 28, 202401:07:25

Small Seasons, Big Impact: Building a legal practice that you love in Japan with Saki Nakahara

Saki Nakahara joins us to share her story of finding her way to starting her own practice in the perfect area for her. We hear about how she spent a lot of time on the qualification she thought she should achieve because it was more difficult. However that experience then went on to become part of a strong foundation for her true calling. If you are wondering how starting your own firm could be a chance to do the work you want as well as incorporate some of your passions, this is a fantastic episode showing a different way to work in the law in Japan.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Saki became interested in the law at an early age
Finding her way to the work she really wanted to do after receiving the right information
The importance of emotions and how you want to “feel” in your practice
How Saki built a practice that incorporates how she wants her clients to feel
Her favourite podcasts, books and other fun facts

About Saki

Saki Nakahara is the founder and an immigration lawyer at Small Seasons & Co., where she provides clients with assistance for their business set-up, visa applications, and other legal services. Through her legal office, in particular where capacity allows, she loves providing specialized services to artists, creators, and anyone interested in exploring Japan's rich arts and culture scene.

Born in the UK, Saki spent her formative years immersed in diverse environments across the globe. Growing up amidst an international community, she developed a profound appreciation for cultural diversity and the interconnectedness of the world.

She was educated at the Canadian International School in Singapore from 2004-2005, Shanghai Community International School from 2006-2010 and undertook a summer program at SGH Warsaw School of Economics. She graduated from Keio University obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2015.

Saki started out her working career at Teach For Japan, and after that had a variety of experience in different industries and roles. She was a hospitality intern at Kagaya Ryokan a well-known Japanese Style Hotel established in 1906 and ranked 1st for hospitality for 33 years. After that she had an internship at Wahl & Case, Tech specialist recruiters and joined Rakuten as a Sales Associate in 2015. Her love for the law found her studying for the Shihoshoshi (judicial scrivener) exam while working as a legal assistant at June Advisors Group from 2019 to 2020 and at the same time working for Lumina Learning a visionary learning and development consultancy.

Saki shifted from studying for the Shihoshoshi qualification to Gyoseishoshi (Administrative scrivener) and having passed the Gyoseishoshi exam successfully in 2022, she established her own immigration law firm in July 2023.

In her spare time, Saki is devoted to shedding light on the Way of Tea and promoting creative ways to bring fulfillment to people's lives through Japanese cultures and heritage. She juggles a full-time digital marketing role at a marketing agency while also dedicating every morning to work for an immigration lawyer's office, in addition to managing her own legal practice.

By combining her passion for tea with her expertise in law and marketing, Saki is dedicated to fostering a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture and heritage on her entrepreneurial journey while striving to see the dots connect.

Connect with Saki

Website

Links

Favorite restaurant: KAKIDEN in Shinjuku

Book recommendation: The Comfort Zone: Create a Life You Really Love With Less Stress and More Flow by Kristen Butler

Japanese perfume company KITOWA

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Apr 14, 202459:02

Embracing change in law: Olga V. Mack's insights on technology, personal branding & thought leadership

I am thrilled to welcome Olga V. Mack, a renowned contributor to thought leadership on law and tech to the Lawyer on Air podcast. Olga takes us on a captivating journey, sharing her experiences from integrating art, science, and law to her impactful presence on LinkedIn and the evolution of her own podcast, "Notes to My Legal Self." Join us as we delve into her alternative to mentorship, AI innovation, and the power of individual excellence in the legal landscape. If like Olga, you do not like to wait in line, learn how you can be at the forefront of the exciting changes happening in the legal industry today.

In this episode you’ll hear:

Building your brand as a lawyer and how you can utilize LinkedIn to do that.
What it takes to find your niche as a lawyer through thought leadership
Olga’s take on ChatGPT and other software for Lawyers
Other Olga fun facts

About Olga

Olga V. Mack is an accomplished entrepreneur, executive, and attorney dedicated to harnessing transformative technologies for positive change. Serving as a Lecturer at Berkeley Law, Fellow at CodeX, The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, and a Generative AI Editor at law.MIT Computational Law Report, Olga is a strong advocate for the integration of innovative technologies that enhance functionality and accessibility across various domains. With a proven track record as an award-winning general counsel, operations specialist, and tech startup advisor, Olga encourages the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to drive progress and efficiency.

As a seasoned TEDx presenter, Olga leverages her unique blend of expertise in technology and business to inspire and educate audiences. Recognized as a top speaker and thought leader, she shares her insights through various platforms, including Forbes, Bloomberg Law, law.MIT Computational Law Report, Newsweek, Venture Beat, Above the Law, ACC Docket, and many other popular and industry publications. Olga's work revolves around exploring the transformative potential of emerging technologies across industries. Her accomplishments include being honored with prestigious awards such as Silicon Valley Women of Influence, ABA Women in Legal Tech, Make Your Mark, Corporate Counsel of the Year, and Women Leaders in Technology Law.

Join Olga in her mission to embrace technology for positive change and explore its impact on society, business, and innovation.

Connect with Olga

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgamack/

Links

Notes to my Legal Self: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-to-my-legal-self/id1531421449

ACC: https://docket.acc.com/author/olga-v-mack

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Mar 31, 202401:19:03

Making Partner in a Big Four Japanese Law Firm with Madoka Shimada

Madoka Shimada is Partner at Nishimura and Asahi, one of the “Big Four” law firms in Japan. You might have heard some things about what it’s like to work there but Madoka shares some of the innovations and how she has carved out a unique career for herself with her interesting combination of qualifications.

In this episode you’ll hear:

What inspired Madoka to look into the law as a career
How she took on an unusual study path in the US
What it’s like to be a partner in Nishimura and Asahi today
Her favourite book and other fun facts

About Madoka

Madoka is a Partner in the Tokyo office of Nishimura & Asahi.

She focuses on the antitrust and competition law area, providing a broad range of advice in the field of competition law, with a wealth of experience in, among other things, cross-border transactions. Madoka also has strength in trade secret cases.

Madoka advises clients on various matters of competition law, including domestic and international cartels, bid-rigging, M&A transactions, investigations by the JFTC, leniency applications and general antitrust law compliance. She is especially active in cross-border transactions.

Prior to N&A, from 1999 – 2004 Madoka was with Mitsui, Yasuda, Wani & Maeda. Madoka graduated in 2005 from Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (M.P.A.)

2003, Harvard Law School (LL.M.), in 1997, and The University of Tokyo (LL.B.)

Madoka serves as a member of one of the committees in the firm which has the role of planning various measures of training associates, coordinating their working environment, etc. D&I perspective, such as the introduction of paid childcare leave, is included in this function. She also serves as the head of the Editorial Board of N&A “Thought Leadership,” which is a new style of newsletters of the firm. Outside of the firm she serves on the Children’s’ Rights Committee at Daini Bar Association, as a consultee for kids at SNS consultation (once a month, using LINE).

Madoka is a mom of two teenage boys, joining a PTA activity for younger son, as an editor of the newsletter of the school. In her spare time, she goes to the theatre regularly and is a fan of musicals following from her passion at junior and senior high school where she was a member of the music club.

Connect with Madoka

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madoka-shimada-8151382/

Website: https://www.nishimura.com/en/people/madoka-shimada

Links

Toraya: https://www.toraya-group.co.jp/shops/shop-5

Seven Women Lawyers 7人の女弁護士：Amazon Prime

Invisible Women: https://amzn.asia/d/eaOxoyl

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Mar 17, 202451:12

Bridging Borders: The Diplomatic Lawyer in Japan with Kaori Oka

From her early days of wanting to be a diplomat and instead becoming a lawyer, Kaori Oka is now the diplomatic founder of Oka Fortuna Law, a law firm based in Tokyo. We follow Kaori’s exciting career path and see how time and time again she created and asked for opportunities to have the experiences she wanted not only in her career but also in her life. Kaori will surprise you with some fantastic insights into starting your own firm and being recommended for board positions.

In this episode you’ll hear:

What happened when Kaori attended the final interview for the Foreign Affairs department
How Kaori created her own opportunity for a secondment and international work experience
Kaori's advice on maintaining connections along the way of your career path
Her two favourite sayings that guide her, something that you don't know about her and what she's most looking forward to in 2024.

About Kaori

Kaori Oka is the founder of OKA FORTUNA LAW, a law firm based in Tokyo, Japan.

Kaori graduated from Tokyo University with an LLB and started her career in 2006 at Bingham McCutchen LLP, Tokyo office, being in charge of global M&A and high-impact cartel cases.

She then moved to Iwata Godo in 2010, seeing her mission as pushing forward Iwata Godo’s international practice, which was still very small at that time. As part of that, Kaori was seconded to HKIAC, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Center, and also seconded to two US law firms, Steptoe & Johnson, and Baker & Miller PLLC, both based in Washington DC to develop relationships with firms and organizations overseas.

Becoming a partner, and also satisfied to see the success of Iwata Godo in the international practice arena, she then moved to Deloitte Legal, Japan in 2016. There were only 5 lawyers at that time and Kaori fully enjoyed her role to develop Deloitte Legal Japan’s business and enhance the presence of Japan legal to Deloitte’s network.

In July 2023, Kaori opened her solo practice in Tokyo to devote her passion to helping foreign clients succeed in their business in Japan. Her expertise is general corporate, cross-border M&A and reorganization schemes and commercial transactions.

She is also a Supervisory Board Member at Maruwn Corporation and is nominated in two other listed companies in 2024 for similar positions.

Kaori enjoys her life by mountaineering, hiking, traveling, jogging, jazz, and 30 minute daily meditation. On top of that, she is a huge fan of dogs and is planning to get one this year, finally!

Connect with Kaori

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaorioka/

Links

ビストロヌガ Bistro Le Nougat https://www.lenougat.jp/

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Mar 03, 202401:00:21

Exploring Legal Ops in Japan: An inspiring career path in law and tech with Vivien Clancy

Vivien Clancy has a wealth of experience in the legal operations space which she brings to her current position in the Tokyo office of Herbert Smith Freehills. Vivien’s adventures and zest for life have all contributed to her fascinating career experiences. It goes to show that all experiences lead you to that next iteration of your career. If you are considering a legal operations role and wondering where to start, then this is the episode for you.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How a love of English led her to consider a career in law
The different experiences of working in an established law firm and a startup
Finding her niche in legal ops
What is design thinking and how to prepare for more AI in the future
Her favourite podcast and other fun facts

About Vivien

Vivien Clancy is a client relationship manager and legal operations specialist with a background in in-house and private practice. Vivien has a wealth of experience in the legal operations space, including supporting a mining major's legal transformation initiatives. Before moving to Tokyo, she was the Senior Legal Operations Manager in Singapore supporting the HSF Corporate teams across Asia on a variety of internal and client projects, including regional process improvement initiatives, embedding legal project management and developing the firm’s client advisory practice for legal operations. Prior to joining HSF, she was a senior in-house lawyer at a FTSE-listed MNC and a digital healthcare startup in Singapore, and a private practice M&A lawyer at Linklaters / Allens in Melbourne.

Connect with Vivien

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivien-c-3577602b/

Links

Bills: https://billsjapan.com/en

Legal Ops Podcast: https://www.legalops.fm/

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Feb 18, 202458:18

Working in-house and at a law firm concurrently in Japan with Yuka Yamada

Yuka Yamada has taken on an exciting adjacent working path in addition to being General Counsel, Head of Legal and Compliance at Mercedez-Benz Finance Japan, she is also Counsel at GI&T Law Firm. This is really an unusual opportunity and yet another way to do law differently. We are thrilled to bring you this episode to hear more about how Yuka is able to do this and what has been her career path to date to enable such a fantastic way of working.

In this episode you’ll hear:

The unfortunate incident that brought Yuka her interest in the law
The career path she chose looking for challenges and new knowledge
Taking time out of her career for parenting at a precious time
Growing her career goals with her experience and confidence
Her favourite saying and other fun facts

About Yuka

Yuka is a General Counsel, Head of Legal and Compliance of Mercedes-Benz Finance Japan, which is a group of the German automobile company. Also, from January 2024, Yuka started working at GI&T law firm as an attorney while maintaining her Mercedes position.

Prior to joining Mercedes, Yuka worked at Baker Mckenzie, a US based global law firm and Mitsui & Co., Ltd (Mitsui- Bussan), a major Japanese trading company as well as another German automobile company.

Yuka has significant experience in labor law, anti-trust law, personal data protection law and integrity topics which gives her diverse skills as both as an external attorney and in-house counsel.

Connect with Yuka

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuka-yamada-a28776221/

Links

Restaurant Okada: https://restaurantokada.com/

Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson https://amzn.asia/d/iW71lcx

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Feb 04, 202458:08

Using your law degree without being a lawyer at top companies in Japan with Tomoko Konishi

If you have finished your law degree but are not sure if you want to work as a “lawyer”, you might consider going to an in-house role such as Tomoko Konishi has done. Tomoko has had a truly varied career so far and is now working in corporate governance. With a law degree you really are able to serve society from all kinds of angles, this time Tomoko is doing it her own way, listen to hear more!

In this episode you’ll hear:

Tomoko’s choice to join an organisation in crisis
The wide scope of experiences Tomoko was able to have as part of the corporate planning team
Her boss’s words of encouragement to her when she returned from maternity leave and how that helped her
Her favourite book and other fun facts

About Tomoko

Tomoko is General Manager of Corporate Legal Unit in the legal group at JERA. She has worked her entire career inside companies, first with Bridgestone and now in the JERA team.

Tomoko graduated from the Kyoto University, Faculty of Law and joined Bridgestone Corporation in 2003 and moved to JERA in 2021.

Tomoko is the mother of two children and an American Cocker Spaniel

Connect with Tomoko

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomoko-konishi-a3b5a439/

Links

Yakitori “Isehiro”: https://www.newotani.co.jp/en/tokyo/restaurant/isehiro/

Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke: https://amzn.asia/d/gf3FXlN

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mari-hiraizumi-7557345/

Jan 21, 202442:09

Mari Hiraizumi: Redefining corporate legal leadership and board membership in global corporations

Mari Hiraizumi is a trailblazer in Japan. Not only is she the General Counsel and Executive Director for her organisation, but has been able to take on another external board role at the same time. This is truly groundbreaking with this trio of roles! If you are an in-house legal counsel and you are aiming for a board role at another company and wondering how to do that, then this is the episode for you.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Mari was able to get her university degree when her family wanted her to be a housewife
Noticing the opportunity for studying abroad and working at MOFA
How Mari was able to get an additional board role as an in-house lawyer
Her favourite phrase and other fun facts

About Mari

Mari Hiraizumi is the General Counsel, Head of Legal, and Executive Director ("Torishimariyaku") for GSK, a UK-based global pharmaceutical company, in Japan. Mari holds an LL.B. from Kyoto University (1997) and an LL.M. from New York University (2003). She is a licensed attorney admitted to practice in Japan (since 1999) and also in New York, USA (since 2004).

Mari began her professional career in 1999 as an associate attorney at Osaka International Law Offices. In 2002, she moved to the U.S. to study at NYU Law School. After obtaining her LL.M. from NYU, she worked for Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur, an Ohio-based law firm, as a foreign attorney for one year, providing support to Japanese car manufacturers and suppliers in the U.S. Midwest area.

Upon returning to Japan, Mari became a Deputy Director at the Social and Economic Treaties Division, International Legal Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she supported free trade agreements with countries including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Chile. This experience sparked her interest in working as an in-house lawyer rather than at a law firm.

In 2007, Mari transitioned to an in-house attorney role at Bayer in Japan, where she made significant contributions to developing the company's legal function. In 2019, she joined GSK, and in 2020, she became an Executive Director ("Torishimariyaku").

Since March 2022, Mari has also taken on the role as an external board member (“Torishimariyaku”) of a Japanese manufacturing corporation, Showa Aircraft Industry Co., Ltd. By doing so, she aims to be a role model for Japanese in-house counsels and contribute to multiple companies concurrently, highlighting the benefits for both companies and in-house lawyers themselves.

Mari is deeply committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). During her time at Bayer and Boehringer Ingelheim, she led D&I projects. Currently at GSK, she sponsors the Employee Resource Group called "SPECTRUM Japan" and supports the group in engaging in joint activities with other companies in the industry to drive change in the medical industry.

In 2021, Mari was recognized for her achievements, winning the ALB Japan Law Awards as the Woman Lawyer of the Year (In-House category). This year, she received two awards at the ALB Japan Law Awards, namely, In-house Lawyer of the Year and Woman Lawyer of the Year (In-House category). Additionally, she was listed in the GC Powerlist Japan chapter in July, a Legal 500 publication that highlights the most influential in-house lawyers and legal teams in the local legal industry.

Outside of work, Mari enjoys traveling, running, hiking, and visiting hot springs (onsen). To date, she has traveled to more than 50 countries. In 2021, she obtained certification as an "Onsen Sommelier" from the Onsen Sommelier Association, a private organization. She also has a fondness for ramen noodles and other affordable yet delicious local foods.

Connect with Mari

Links

Momotenashiya Shinbashi: https://www.torioka.com/eat/

Funao Winery, Okayama https://www.funaowinery.com/

Die with Zero, https://amzn.asia/d/5clkY1E

Jan 07, 202459:04

Thriving in law in the Japanese eDiscovery industry with Anitha Henderson

Anitha Henderson is an eDiscovery attorney in Japan. Anitha shares her journey from studying law to navigating a fulfilling career that intertwines with her passion for Japanese language and culture. From her experiences in the JET program to her love for communication in Japanese, Anitha's story is one of perseverance, adaptability, and embracing imperfection in the legal profession. Join us as we delve into Anitha's insights on eDiscovery work, the impact of AI in the legal industry, and her appreciation for small moments that give meaning to life.

In this episode you’ll hear:

The benefits of an extensive first career before going into law
Why building trust with your colleagues is key to being a successful part of a workplace
How Anitha created a trust ecosystem in her company in Japan and some great tips to working successfully here
Anitha’s views on the future of AI, such as chat GPT and its use in the work of lawyers
Her favourite books and other fun facts

About Anitha

Anitha is an eDiscovery attorney who focuses on managing Japanese language projects for cross-border litigation and for internal investigations. Her work includes starting from consulting clients and law firms, designing the most efficient workflows, managing reviewers, running AI analysis, and doing everything needed to make sure the project gets done defensibly, on time, in budget, and at a high quality.

She finds joy in providing first class service directly to Japanese firms that might not otherwise have access to it in their native language so close to home. She is fluent in Japanese and does 99% of her work in Japanese; this podcast will probably be the most English she has spoken in weeks.

She is also very easily bribed with Coca-Cola.

Originally from Florida, Anitha graduated from the University of Florida JD/MBA joint degree program and is a member of the Florida and Washington DC bars. She sends her love to her law school study group, Ashley, Nikki and Rob, for all their unconditional support over the years.

In her free time, Anitha loves watching way too much TV, playing casual video games, keeping up with her favorite idol groups (KAT-TUN and BTS), collecting anime trading cards, spending time with her host family in Kyoto, and traveling.

Connect with Anitha

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitha-henderson-488a467

Links

Al Cepo https://www.al-ceppo.jp/

Terry Pratchett, Disc World Series https://amzn.asia/d/08BBvbV

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Dec 10, 202301:06:16

Behind the scenes of mergers and acquisitions: Perspectives of an M&A Lawyer in Japan with Kotoe Oshima

Kotoe Oshima is an M&A associate at Shearman and Sterling's Tokyo office. Kotoe shares her international background and passion for advising Japanese companies on complex global transactions. Join us as Kotoe discusses the positive nature of Japanese companies, the importance of women in business, and her own journey of finding purpose in her work. Kotoe also turns the microphone on Catherine to find out more about what it’s like to go through a law firm merger on the other side of the table.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Kotoe experimented with various ideas for her career to then choose corporate law
Some of the different things in working with Japanese organisations on M&A deals
What it’s like experiencing an M&A situation between two law firms and Catherine’s advice for going through it with ease
The importance of purpose both inside and outside of work and how Kotoe is using her interest in aesthetics in an innovative way
Her favourite podcasts, books and other fun facts

About Kotoe

As a senior M&A Associate in Shearman & Sterling LLP’s Tokyo office, Kotoe specializes in cross-border M&A and particularly enjoys advising Japanese companies to achieve complex global transactions. As a Japanese citizen, she was born in Singapore, raised in Hong Kong and the U.K, before moving to the U.S. to pursue her undergraduate degree at Duke University and J.D. at Cornell Law School. Having started her career at Shearman’s New York office for 4 years, she relocated to Singapore to advise clients in SE Asia and India for 4 years before joining the firm’s Tokyo office where she is also experiencing living in Japan for her first time.

Kotoe is passionate about promoting the benefits of international experiences and collaborates with various institutions in Japan and the U.S. to organize events influencing cross-cultural diversity both at the student and professional levels. In her spare time, she loves to play tennis and the piano, ski, wake surf, cook and hike. Inspired by her grandparents, she also designs luxury elderly wear in her free time and hopes to dress the elderly population in beautiful clothes one day!

Connect with Kotoe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kotoe-oshima/

Links

Mixology Heritage: https://www.jrtk.jp/hibiya-okuroji/shop/detail_00013/

Sapiens: https://www.amazon.co.jp/Sapiens-Humankind-Yuval-Noah-Harari/dp/0062316095

Esther Perel, Where should we begin podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/where-should-we-begin-with-esther-perel/id1237931798

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Nov 28, 202352:42

Navigating remote international work and work-life balance challenges with Sawako Ohgi

Sawako Ohgi is the General Manager in the Strategic Legal Unit at JERA Co. From living overseas in a variety of countries as a child to managing a team remotely from the UK, Sawako's story is one of resilience, leadership, and determination. Join us as we delve into Sawako's in-house career path, her advice for in-house counsels, and her passion for balancing work and personal life.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How growing up in countries where the power supply was unstable helped Sawako to develop her passion for the work she does today
Navigating and overcoming infertility with the help and support of her organisation
Sawako’s story of managing to work remotely from the UK before the pandemic
Her favourite saying and other fun facts

About Sawako

Sawako Ohgi is General Manager, Strategic Legal Unit, Legal Group, JERA Co., Inc. and a New York qualified lawyer.

She spent 9 years at the International Affairs Division of Tokyo Electric Power Company handling M&As (domestic and international) and IPP development, project finance, and corporate law. Sawako was responsible for transferring overseas power assets from TEPCO/Chubu to JERA (2016). She also spent 3 years in the UK because of her husband’s transfer but continued to work fulltime remotely (2018-2021).

Currently, she is responsible for JERA's legal issues, contracts review, disputes and regulatory support and is also the mother of two daughters aged 10 and 12.

Connect with Sawako

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sawako-ogi-008a411/

Links

JERA Team mates:

Angela Yuen: https://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com/podcast/season-two-episode-seven-angela-yuen

Kenji Tagaya: https://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com/podcast/season-six-ep-8-kenji-tagaya

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Nov 12, 202301:01:11

Driving change in diversity and inclusion in Japan through ESG: Insights from Louisa Gaoua

Louisa Gaoua shares her journey to be working in ESG and compliance in Japan. She also opens up about her personal journey of developing a stutter as a teenager and how she was able to overcome it. You might be surprised by what she learnt from this life challenge and how it has become part of her success story. Tune in to hear her inspirational stories and learn practical tips for excelling in DEI and ESG initiatives working in Japan.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Louisa overcame a stutter as a teenager through delivering a speech on stage in Dakar, Senegal
The importance of allyship and caring for others for personal development
How silence can be critical in some situations, particularly in Japan
Tips for implementing ESG and DEI initiatives in your organisation
Her favourite saying and other fun facts

About Louisa

Louisa is an experienced ESG professional with a legal education, holding an MA in International and Anglo-American Laws, which qualifies her as a jurist under French law. She graduated in foreign languages, specialising in Japanese language and culture, and also completed a Masters of Science in Management.

She began her career at General Electric as an International Communications Specialist, then spent several years at Schneider Electric as a Group Sustainability Performance Manager before relocating to Japan.

Since her arrival in Japan, her main focus has been on diversity and ethics within an ESG agenda, initially in a law firm and more recently at Micron Technology. She approaches ESG from a compliance, risk, and performance management perspective.

Connect with Louisa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisagaoua/

Links

Lebanese restaurant, Le Bois le Vent: https://www.boislevent.com/

Junko Takagi: https://youtu.be/9l3woGXvsDY?si=_mHZTNs2Bg4De_Bi

Yoko Ogawa: https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%9C%AC-Yoko-Ogawa/s?rh=n%3A465392%2Cp_27%3AYoko+Ogawa

Molière: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moli%C3%A8re

Voltaire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltaire

Gisèle Halimi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gis%C3%A8le_Halimi

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Oct 29, 202346:21

Creating fairness in the legal landscape of an organisation: Insights from Kenji Tagaya

Kenji Tagaya joins Lawyer on Air as a very welcome male guest, fan of the show and ally of women working in the law in Japan. Kenji is General Counsel at Jera and shares his own lived experience of being a minority and how he uses that experience to help empower others. In addition to his career, Kenji is very active in volunteer activities and we hear about how he asks if he can join in and help and in doing this he has been able to use his skills for good outside of the office too.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Kenji’s interest in foreign affairs led him to an international career even without any international experience
Kenji’s lived experience of what it’s like to not be part of the majority and how he uses this in his work to help all team members succeed
How Kenji uses his skills in English for good and how it helps him to lead a fulfilling life
His favourite podcast and other fun facts

About Kenji

Kenji Tagaya is the Executive Officer, Head of Legal Group of JERA, which is one of the major energy companies in Japan, encompassing the entire energy supply chain from upstream fuel investment and fuel procurement through power generation. Prior to joining JERA in 2016, Kenji worked for a Japanese governmental financial institution (JBIC) and was involved in oil & gas and power project financing in Asia and the Middle East. He also spent time at Allen & Overy’s Projects Group in London as an Associate, and also at an international financial institution (EBRD) in London as a Principal Counsel, involved in development financing in emerging countries. He was awarded ALB (Asian Legal Business) Japan “In-house Lawyer of the Year” in 2017 and Chambers “GC Influencers” Japan in 2019. He received LL.B. from Kyoto University (Japan) and LL.M. from Georgetown University (US).

Connect with Kenji

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenji-tagaya-b6811675/

Links

Rokusei https://www.rokusei.co.jp/

“How I Built This” Podcast: https://www.npr.org/series/490248027/how-i-built-this

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair

Oct 15, 202301:14:53

The journey of Akiko Kikuchi: From private practice to leading an award-winning legal team

Akiko Kikuchi is a skilled general counsel with over two decades of experience in the legal industry. In this episode, we delve into the challenges of creating a career at a time when it was unusual to hire university graduate women in Japan. Akiko shares the benefits of building a strong team and how to get through the career challenges that might crop up for a general counsel. Get ready to be inspired and informed in this episode of Lawyer on Air.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Akiko gave up her first job offer for a study abroad opportunity, even though they had “already started making her uniform”
How adversity and even “war room” level organisation emergencies can be overcome
Bringing innovation and fun to compliance issues
Her favourite podcasts, books and other fun facts

About Akiko

Akiko Kikuchi is the General Counsel, Head of Law, Patents & Compliance, and Senior Operating Officer for Bayer, a global life science company, in Japan. Akiko holds law degrees in both Japan and England and is licensed to practice law in England and Wales as well as Hong Kong SAR of the People’s Republic of China. Akiko has worked in the legal industry for over two decades previously serving as the General Counsel for PwC Japan and General Counsel for GE Plastics Japan.

Akiko is a Japanese national born in Yokohama, but she spent her important formative years from age 3 to 8 living in London due to her father’s job. Through this experience, England very much became her second home. For study, she first obtained her BA in law from Keio University in Japan. She was awarded a scholarship by the Jardine Matheson Foundation to study law at the Honour School of Jurisprudence of Exeter College, Oxford University where she obtained an MA in Law.

In 2020, Akiko won the ALB Japan Law Awards as the Woman Lawyer of the Year (In-House category), and she led her team to win the Compliance and Risk Management In-House Team of the Year Award. This year in June, Akiko’s team won two awards at ALB Japan Law Awards, Innovative In-house Team of the Year and Healthcare and Pharmaceutical In-house Team of the Year.

Akiko is also a very active member of the Japan legal community and serves as the Co-President of Japan In-house Counsel Network and Executive Board Member of the Japan CLO Association. She was listed on the GC Powerlist Japan chapter in July, the Legal 500 list that highlights the most influential in-house lawyers and legal team in the local legal industry.

Outside of work, Akiko built a house with her husband 2 years ago and is very much into design and decoration. She lives minutes’ walk away from the ocean in Kamakura and enjoys going on walks to view the sunset. Akiko also enjoys wine, food and spas (hot springs). She is blessed with two sons – one, a 14-year-old teenager and another, a small furry toy poodle.

Connect with Akiko

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akiko-kikuchi-74826b45/

Links

Smoke Door: https://hotel-the-knot.jp/yokohama/smoke-door/

Shimon: https://www.seamon.jp/

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Oct 01, 202301:01:60

The power of listening: Insights from Sayaka Ohashi, Lawyer and Advocate

Sayaka Ohashi, a legal counsel specialising in employment law, shares how her experience of raising three children and listening to what they have to say, has greatly improved her practice in employment law. She also encourages male lawyers to embrace child-rearing as it can make them better professionals. Her reasons are a little different from what you might be thinking (you will need to listen in!) Sayaka has had a varied career with big law firms and now running her own practice also makes time for new hobbies and even a side business!

In this episode you’ll hear:

The importance of listening skills for all lawyers
How Sayaka practiced effective communication with her children that helped her support her clients too
The social pressures that Japanese mothers face and what can happen when you try to do it all yourself
Finding meaning in imperfections through the art of Kintsugi and creating a side business from learning about gardening
Her favourite book and other fun facts

About Sayaka

Sayaka Ohashi is a lawyer who has been practicing almost 20 years. Her focus is on employment, as well as supporting foreigners living in Japan on legal issues. She is also active as a translator/interpreter. Quite recently, she also started a business as a florist and enjoys creating container gardens.

Connect with Sayaka

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sayaka-ohashi-46292131/

Links

Artizon Museum restaurant https://www.artizon.museum/user-guide/museum-cafe/

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk: https://amzn.asia/d/8C5GKVk

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Sep 17, 202359:47

Creating a career in cross culture communication and the IP legal industry in Japan

Catherine interviews Yasuko Tanaka, a patent attorney, IP business consultant and founder of her own firm S-Cube Corporation. Yasuko shares how her own learning through lived experience of cross cultural communication in IP have led her to become a leader in this field in Japan. We explore her advice for people considering starting their own firm and discuss the growing popularity of IP law in Japan.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How important the skill of communication across cultures is in international business
What happened when Yasuko found herself in Washington DC on 9-11
How Yasuko’s experience gave her resilience for her next brave career pivots
What it was like for Yasuko to start her own firm and how she got her first customers
Her favourite TV series and other fun facts

About Yasuko

After graduating from Chiba University (Biochemistry, Faculty of Science) in 1990, Yasuko began working in the IP department of Teijin, followed by Pfizer Japan and 3M Japan, dealing with global patent prosecution in both English and Japanese, IP clearance and dispute, IP strategy/consulting, transactions, patent search, and IP education. Working for American multinationals, she was in a position to work closely with English speaking local representatives/counterparts on a daily basis and develop a deep understanding of cross-cultural communication.

Yasuko stepped away from her last company, 3M Japan, in March 2013 to launch her own venture “S-Cube Corporation” (IP Business Consultancy) in April of that year. Her mission is to improve the global competitiveness of Japan by leveraging Intellectual Property as a business advantage and the development of human resources.

In August 2013, she expanded her business, establishing S-Cube International Patent Firm. In addition to running her business, she was a part-time lecturer at the University of Toyama for a semester in 2016, as well as at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology since 2017.

Ms. Tanaka’s expertise and passion lie in developing IP strategies for manufacturing companies to extract greater value from their technologies, in educating IP professionals, and in supporting communication between foreign lawyers and their Japanese clients.

Connect with Yasuko

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasuko-tanaka-ab0a8640/

Links

Mistrale: https://www.mistrale-tokyo.com/

Soba & Co: https://sobaandco-kamiyacho.com/

新聞は考える武器になる: https://amzn.asia/d/iOB985L

TV show about IP Department: それってパクリッじゃないですか? https://www.ntv.co.jp/sorepaku/

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Sep 03, 202354:37

From briefs to boardrooms: How lawyers can climb the corporate ladder in Japan with Alkis Kotzampasis

Catherine invites legal recruiter Alkis Kotzampasis back to the podcast, to share his insights from his new position as Principal of Page Executive at Michael Page. They delve into the most effective ways to work with a recruiter and what to prepare for those interviews as well as the trends that are now affecting the market in Japan. This is must-know information for anyone wanting to take on a new role perhaps in the C-suite boardroom or anyone wanting to start working in Japan in the near future.

In this episode you’ll hear:

The state of the legal hiring market in the first half of 2023 and forward projections
What lawyers should be thinking about strategically as they aim for Executive C Suite and board positions
Why it’s important to share your brand with the recruiter when you start to work together
Changes in employee loyalty in the Japan market post COVID-19
Catherine shares her key insight for how to work successfully on a Japanese company board of directors
Who Alkis would most like to spend the day with and other fun facts.

About Alkis

Alkis has been an established recruiter with PageGroup in Japan since 2020.

Initially, he built the legal & compliance recruitment team of Michael Page from scratch and during this effort, he received regional top performer awards from PageGroup in 2021 and 2022. Impressed by his open-minded approach and his quick delivery, clients often quote his honesty, dedication and resilience as some key elements that differentiate him from competition.

Since April 2023, Alkis has transitioned internally to Page Executive, the executive search arm of the group. There he is assisting with the Japan launch and with building new client relationships. Page Executive is a brand with global recognition and has been quoted by Forbes as one of the top 1% executive search firms in the USA in 2022. It also has a strong track record across Asia Pacific with presence in Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China.

Alkis bread & butter under the Page Executive brand remains legal & compliance recruitment. He is currently working exclusively with top tier law firms to support their Partner hiring and with Global Corporates to assist with their Legal Director Japan hiring. The scope of his work under Page Executive has also expanded with Alkis being given the opportunity to build strategic relationships with Global Board Members and Japan Board Members of additional functions. The aim remains to provide them with any advice they seek on the market, assist them with their personal progression goals and recruitment challenges, and in general offer them with great service. All in a confidential manner.

Since our last recording, Alkis has spent his free time significantly expanding the list of countries he's visited and the number of cuisines he's tried, which are the two main activities he engages in when not working.

Connect with Alkis

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alkis-kotzampasis-5a171812a/

Company Profile: https://www.pageexecutive.com/consultant/alkis-kotzampasis

Email: alkiskotzampasis@pageexecutive.com

Links

Talent Trends: https://www.michaelpage.co.jp/en/talent-trends/the-invisible-revolution

Nuit (Nakameguro): https://nuit.tokyo/ / https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1317/A131701/13263261/

Giannis Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2QCiJC06y4 (another inspiring short video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-AW_ZxPSwwo)

Rough summary of his story: https://olympics.com/en/news/giannis-antetokounmpo-origin-story-basketball-legend

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Jul 23, 202301:09:07

Embracing career challenges and enjoying the journey with Aya Saito

In this episode, Aya Saito, shares her journey from a kind of identity crisis to finding her style and authentic self in a unique role. Her career challenges became accomplishments that she even enjoyed! I’ve not heard of any guest so far in six seasons refer to their challenges in this way. Through the power of conversation, Aya uncovers these gems even though she didn’t know they were there! Join us for another fabulous episode from one of our own women in law in Japan.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Aya navigated an identity crisis that has helped her to find her style in her career
How her biggest challenges have also been her biggest achievements and even enjoyable
How she dreamt up her next role instead of diving straight into looking for what was available
Keeping up to date and staying relevant by taking part in outside of work activities
Her favourite restaurant, Japanese food and other fun facts

About Aya

Aya is a member of the Global Legal Team at Boston Consulting Group based in Tokyo office, where she is supporting Japan and South Korea. Aya is a qualified attorney in Japan (Bengoshi). Prior to joining BCG, Aya was in private practice with an Osaka boutique law firm specializing in international transactions, intellectual property and dispute resolution for Kansai corporations. She then moved to Tokyo to join the Legal team at Accenture, where she handled large outsourcing and technology deals, and other complex legal matters. She has co-authored several books with fellow Bengoshi, and is also a CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner). Aya is a mother to a 4 year old boy. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, swimming, yoga and travelling.

Connect with Aya

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aya-saito-545138121/

Links

Ryukotei Chinese Restaurant: https://www.ryukoutei.net/

More than enough: https://www.amazon.co.jp/MORE-THAN-ENOUGH-ELAINE-WELTEROTH/dp/0525561587

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair

Jul 09, 202301:17:18

Always go for the best: Taking legal career opportunities head on with Naoko Matsuzaki

Naoko Matsuzaki, a Managing Director at KPMG, shares her reflections on defining moments in her career, including how working with clients and colleagues can lead to offers to take up amazing study and job opportunities. Naoko has come across many challenges in her career, not to mention trying to start her career in the “hiring ice age”! But she always found a way. This is an inspirational story of what can happen when you give things a try and just do your best.

Special shout out to John Lindsay as you will LOVE this episode for your windshield time. Also, Tove Kinooka listen out for a fabulous horse analogy you will absolutely love.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Naoko got her first position during the "hiring ice age" before the concept of DEI
Taking the chance to apply for the best US law schools with the help of a surprising ally
The reverse culture shock of returning to a Japanese corporation
The value of different career experiences and viewpoints that add value to a team
Her favourite book she recently read and other fun facts

About Naoko

Naoko is a graduate of law from Keio University and is a managing director at KPMG. As a core member of the leadership of a new team, she assists clients on mitigating corporate misconduct, namely prevention, detection, and incident response and enhancement of a compliance program for her clients. Her team is currently like an internal startup, working on building this new practice within the next few years.

Naoko holds an LL.M. from Stanford Law School and an LL.B. from Keio University in Tokyo, is natively fluent in Japanese and English, and has lived and worked in Japan and the U.S. She is a member of the American Bar Association and has lectured on international panels regarding anti-corruption. Naoko also enjoys horseback riding. She is a certified horseback rider of the Japan Equestrian Federation and sometimes participates in British style dressage competitions.

Connect with Naoko

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naokomatsuzaki/

Links

Die with Zero: https://amzn.asia/d/hNGWbLF

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Jun 25, 202301:12:01

Self branding through kindness and thoughtfulness for your successful career in law with Akiyo Inoko Hewett

You are going to love this episode featuring one of the biggest fans of Lawyer on Air and a successful lawyer in her own right, Akiyo Inoko Hewett. Akiyo got my attention with her thoughtful and insightful post on LinkedIn; little did I know that she was a big LOA fan! In addition to being an avid listener, she has forged a career for herself as a bilingual international lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia. If you are wondering about different places to start a law career, this episode is packed with great examples of how Akiyo achieved this.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Akiyo has used LinkedIn to make contact with people she would like to learn from (including myself!)
The importance of not talking down to clients and even asking them for advice sometimes
How Akiyo networked her way to a job and won the position because of her thoughtfulness as well as her legal skills
Her favourite Japanese food and other fun facts

About Akiyo

Akiyo Inoko Hewett is an Associate in the Corporate Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP.

Akiyo is a member of the International Practice Team. She is passionate about serving both domestic and international clients who deal with cross-border transactions. Akiyo’s practice includes corporate formation, corporate governance and compliance, as well as various types of commercial transactions.

Akiyo earned her undergraduate degree from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, her J.D. from Keio University Law School, and her LL.M. from Emory University School of Law. While in law school, she attended several United Nations conferences as a legal advocate on international human rights law. Akiyo passed the Japanese bar exam and is eligible to practice law in Japan. She also passed the Georgia bar exam and is admitted to practice law in Georgia, USA.

Akiyo loves to meet new people and build friendships. She is a member of the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the Japan-America Society of Georgia, and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia.

Connect with Akiyo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akiyo-inoko-hewett-3ba626126/

Links

Bulgari Ristorante https://www.bulgarihotels.com/ja_JP/tokyo-osaka-restaurants/tokyo/il-ristorante

Ramona Houston’s podcast: https://ramonahouston.com/podcast/

Love Train by Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNro3uBlqVg

Sarah Ouis of Law But How? https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-ouis-lawyeruk/ Link to Akiyo’s LinkedIn post

My comments on LinkedIn

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair

Jun 11, 202301:04:38

Grab opportunities in your legal career or create them yourself with Asako Ouchi

Asako Ouchi takes us on an amazing journey through her career so far - you will need to hold onto your seat for this one! Tokyo, London, Shanghai, Tokyo, Asako created opportunities for herself to get what she wanted from her career and she did not let her circumstances get in the way of at least asking. Often this approach turned into an opportunity, so I highly recommend listening to this particular career journey for anyone who is thinking that what they want might not be possible because of a circumstance.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Asako’s grandfather inspired her to look into a career in the law
Her first miserable attempt at a memo in BigLaw and what she learnt not to do
What she learnt from her secondments and why she decided to move in-house
What she wishes she had done as a university student that would benefit her career today
Her favourite sayings and other fun facts

About Asako

Asako Ouchi is a Senior Attorney at IBM. She undertook study at the Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan (2010) and obtained her qualification for Legal Professional Practice from Keio University Law School (Juris Doctor, 2009) and Keio University (Bachelor of Laws, 2007).

Asako joined Anderson Mori & Tomotsune in 2011 as an Associate in their Tokyo office to March 2020 assisting in all aspects of legal issues for Japanese and Foreign clients, with a focus on competition law, corporate law and labor law.

During her time with Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, Asako had the opportunity for several secondments in-house and to a UK law firm.

First she was seconded to the compliance department of a Japanese shipping company for one year (June 2013 - June 2014) to assist with ongoing cartel matters and to help develop better solutions for competition law compliance.

Her second secondment was as a foreign attorney to the London office of Field Fisher Waterhouse (July 2016 - June 2017). There she assisted Japanese companies involved in cartel investigations in the EU and provided seminars for potential Japanese clients explaining to them the effect of Brexit.

Asako also spent time in the Shanghai office of Anderson Mori Tomotsune (October 2017 - September 2018) dealing with multiple international cases in the area of M&A, cartels, and other general cooperate matters.

Asako experienced a further secondment to the legal and compliance department of Novartis Pharma K.K. (October 2018 - March 2020) which led to her being hired by them, in April 2020 as their Legal Counsel and then Senior Legal Counsel in the Oncology Unit (integrated with the Pharma Unit mid-August 2022) before she then joined IBM in April 2023.

In her spare time, Asako enjoys her time going out with her family especially taking time out with her kids and focusing on them. She is also community minded and participated in the school parents board as a meaningful external activity working towards a sustainable future for her community.

Connect with Asako

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asako-ouchi-9082b2232/

Links

Bistro Hutch: https://www.facebook.com/BistroHutch/

Keio University Founder, Fukuzawa Yukichi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukuzawa_Yukichi

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

May 28, 202356:54

Looking for a board role? Lifting the lid on the black box of board roles in Japan with Catherine O’Connell

Catherine O’Connell has the microphone spotlight switched on her in this episode. Hear more about what it has been like for Catherine has taken to get herself to where she is today on the Independent Audit & Statutory Board of Fujitsu and nominated as Independent Audit and Supervisory Board Member at Toyota Motor Corporation. Catherine shares how her “unglamourous” work experience as a lawyer at the coalface in manufacturing companies has now become a shining diamond that has led her to these exciting positions.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Catherine was invited to leave behind a position because she “wasn’t a leader or strategic”.
Her learnings from those adverse circumstances and how she overcame them to be stronger and the kind of leader she always wanted to be
Catherine’s favourite saying that guides her in her decision making
Overcoming the challenges and having confidence to get that first outside board position
Her favourite places for a coffee or a glass of champagne in Tokyo

Links

Apero: https://apero.co.jp/ja

The National Art Center Tokyo: https://www.nact.jp/shop/restaurant_cafe.html

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

May 14, 202340:16

From pharmacology to international patent lawyer in Japan with Mami Hino

Mami Hino was enjoying her career in pharmaceuticals until it was made clear that she would need to leave the company after marrying someone from the same industry but a different company. This set Mami on a path to retrain as a patent lawyer, learn English to be able to study in the US to get to where she is today. It’s an astounding story of turning unfortunate circumstances into opportunities.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Mami started her career in pharmaceuticals and transitioned into being a patent attorney
How she overcame her English language struggles to study law in the US
What happened on 9/11 when Mami was working in Midtown New York City.
The struggle of finding a way to improve on DEI in Japan
Her favourite sushi restaurant and other fun facts

About Mami

Mami Hino is a partner of Abe Ikubo & Katayama, a Japanese Patent Attorney and admitted to practice in New York.

Mami has represented the world’s leading technology companies for many years in disputes, litigation and transactions. Her practice is focused on invalidity trials and resultant IP High Court appeals, cross-border infringement litigation, strategic patent prosecution, client counselling, and opinions.

Mami is also a registered pharmacist. It is due to her background as a registered pharmacist that Mami has built extensive experience representing innovative pharmaceutical companies to protect their patents, including by filing patent term extension applications, defending patents in invalidity trials and IP High Court appeals, and filing preliminary injunction requests and/or patent infringement suits against generic drug companies.

Mami had to quit her previous company due to marriage with her husband and then went on to obtain her JD and became a U.S. attorney.

Mami obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmaceutical sciences from Kyoto University and a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law. She is the first chairperson of the diversity committee of Japan Patent Attorney Association.

Connect with Mami

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mami-hino-3b1379/

Links

Aux Bacchanales: https://www.auxbacchanales.com/shops/#kioicho 　

Suzu Sushi restaurant: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1309/A130903/13046817/　

Hakone Honbako: https://hakonehonbako.com/

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Apr 30, 202301:00:30

Balancing career and sporting achievements with Tomo Greer Foreign Associate and Ironman Triathlete

Today’s episode carries a content warning for sexual harassment. We don’t go into detail, but if this is a difficult topic for you, please skip minutes 31 to 35 of the episode.

Tomo Greer wanted to be a professional athlete but came to find her way as both a lawyer and an athlete. It turns out you can do both! Tomo’s story of finding her way to becoming an Ironman competitor as well as a busy associate in a law firm in Tokyo, is so inspiring to anyone wanting to build their career as well as pursue a sport seriously. Even if you are not interested in becoming a triathlete, perhaps you might reconsider what you do have time for amongst your priorities after you listen to this episode!

In this episode you’ll hear:

Overcoming an identity crisis from having two cultures and languages
How sport has been a driver for her mental strength
Tomo’s thoughts on how skills trump passion
Her top tip for finding the right firm to join
Her favourite books and other fun facts

About Tomo

Tomo Greer is a Foreign Associate at Tokyo International Law Office.

Tomo is half Kiwi, and half Japanese, born in Fukuoka, made in New Zealand, and with some added spices added in Bangkok!

Tomo is a New Zealand qualified M&A and corporate lawyer based in Tokyo. She has a wide experience across industries and has experience outside the field of law in tech, publishing and advertising.

Tomo relocated to Japan in 2020 from Bangkok, spending 3 years working at a Japanese law firm. Beyond the corporate veil, Tomo is a passionate triathlete and proud Ironman with several age-group wins. She is ranked 5th amateur female in Japan for 2022. Tomo is also a former competitive semi-pro Muay Thai fighter in NZ and Thailand.

Connect with Tomo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomo-greer-0612/

Website: https://www.tkilaw.com/members/tomogreer

Links

Iki Cafe: https://www.ikiespresso.com/

OL Oslo Brewing https://www.oltokyo.jp/

So Good They Can’t Ignore You https://www.amazon.co.jp/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuiotabarclay/

Apr 16, 202357:08

Japan qualified or foreign qualified lawyer? Yui Ota-Barclay shares her experience

Becoming a “Bengoshi” (Japan qualified lawyer), did not suit Yui Ota-Barclay so she took a chance to become a foreign qualified lawyer instead. In this episode, Yui shares her unique path to becoming an associate at Norton Rose Fulbright based in Tokyo. This is another diverse story of how things can work out for you even though it might not be on that 5 year plan you had in mind.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Yui viewed being different and a minority in the US as a positive thing
Why showing your vulnerabilities is truly important for all people to enable us to flourish
How Yui is helping to make a change to a diverse and inclusive future in the area where she lives
Yui’s hot tips on food and travel
Her favourite podcast, book and other fun facts

About Yui

Yui Ota-Barclay is an Associate at Norton Rose Fulbright based in Tokyo. Yui is a transactions lawyer admitted in New York. She specialises in Asset finance with a focus on the shipping and energy sectors.

Yui was raised in Yokohama, Japan, and spent one year in Colorado, U.S. as an exchange student during high school. She graduated from Keio University (Bachelor of Laws) in Tokyo in 2012 and thereafter obtained a Master of Laws degree from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. in 2013.

After completing an internship with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, Office of International Affairs, where she focused on international collaboration for consumer protection matters, she joined the Tokyo office of Norton Rose Fulbright in 2014.

She then worked in the London office for one and a half years and was involved in transactions with clients based in the U.K. and Europe before returning to the Tokyo office in 2021.

Yui is a strong advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. It’s her passion. She leads, and has been actively engaged in, the Diversity and Inclusion initiatives at Norton Rose Fulbright, both in Tokyo and across the global platform. Yui is a member of the Gender Equality Committee of Kanagawa Prefecture, which aims to guide local government policy on gender related issues. Yui also joined the executive committee of Women in Law Japan as a volunteer in 2023.

A fun fact about Yui is that she is a keen runner and in 2022, she ran a total of 1,015km - that’s the equivalent of 24 marathons!

Connect with Yui

Links

Barny Akasaka: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1308/A130801/13218865/

Yui’s articles:

I am somebody’s wife https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en/about/re/stringers/in-tokyo-la-and-cape-town-issue-20

What it is to be a Japanese woman: https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en/about/re/the-essay/what-it-is-to-be-a-woman-issue-21

Way of Life https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en-au/about/re/way-of-life/yui-ota-in-japan-issue-14

The guide – Tokyo culture https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en/about/re/the-guide/tokyo-culture-issue-11

Where to eat [in Tokyo] through morning noon and night https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en/about/re/eating-out/in-tokyo-and-yokahama-issue-19

Ladies who London Podcast: https://www.ladieswholondon.com/

Women and Family in Contemporary Japan book: https://www.amazon.co.jp/Women-Family-Contemporary-Japan-Holloway/dp/0521180376

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Apr 02, 202359:22

Civil and common law international arbitration in action in Japan with Carlotta Bruessel

Carlotta Bruessel brings her fascinating experience of qualifying in both civil law and common law to Japan in the area of international arbitration. This is a story of an unusual career path in the law which is so important to hear. Carlotta is also passionate about connections and collaborations so it is exciting to see her idea to form a club to help bring young arbitrators in Japan together to share their expertise and have fun too.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Carlotta has had quite the international itinerary before coming to Japan to a Big Four Japanese law firm
The combination of civil law and common law that is bringing her an exciting career in international arbitration
Carlotta shares her tips on how to master your Zoom interview for landing a legal role in Japan
Carlotta’s main mantra she has for every single day adjusting to her life in Japan
Her favourite cafe, books and other fun facts

About Carlotta

Carlotta Bruessel, is an arbitration practitioner working for Nishimura & Asahi as a Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi to represent Japanese and international companies. At Nishimura & Asahi her practice focuses particularly on the pharmaceutical, manufacturing and construction sectors and most recently, she has been interested in the renewable energy space Carlotta completed an LL.B in England & Wales while studying in Scotland, followed by an LL.M in International Law and Trade in Geneva. As a result of this, she has experience in both civil and common law jurisdiction and is very interested in how these two legal frameworks overlap and can be utilized in arbitrations to create the best outcomes for parties. Carlotta has previously worked at HKIAC in Hong Kong and, before moving to Tokyo, was a Senior Associate at Herbert Smith Freehills in Sydney. She has also worked at two UN institutions (the International Law Commission and UNCTAD). She is admitted to practice in Australia and speaks fluent German and English, as well as basic French and Japanese.

Connect with Carlotta

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlottamalenabruessel/

Links

Cafe Hato

The Japanese Mind

Let Tokyo Eat Cake

Arbitration Club link coming soon.

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Andrea Ng | People | K&L Gates (klgates.com)

Mar 19, 202301:06:18

Pivot to unlock your career potential with Andrea Sanada Ng

We are thrilled to bring you Andrea Sanada Ng to share her unique story of becoming a lawyer and finding her own way to a happy career after pivots and turns. We don’t always have the perfect conditions or information when making choices about our careers but Andrea shows us that things can work out, even when you think they won’t.

In this episode you’ll hear:

Why Andrea decided to go to law school after working for a few years
The challenge of securing her first position in Japan without PQE
How Andrea made the jump into big law from in-house for the first time
Her favourite book and other fun facts

About Andrea

Andrea Sanada Ng is an associate in K&L Gates’ Mergers and Acquisitions practice group. While born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Andrea has spent most of her adult life outside of Canada. She studied and worked in three different cities in the United States before being admitted to the New York bar in 2017. Soon after that, Andrea decided to move back to Tokyo, Japan, as she had spent some time in Tokyo as a youth and always had a desire to return. After some twists and turns, Andrea eventually found her way to an in-house position for one of Japan’s entertainment and gaming companies: Sega Sammy Holdings. After four years as an in-house counsel, concentrating on commercial contracts and intellectual property, Andrea decided to make the jump to BigLaw and joined K&L Gates in February 2022.

Andrea has always been passionate about supporting and engaging those who may have experienced discrimination or exclusion because of lack of access to resources. This stemmed from her time volunteering with the Riverdale Immigrant Women’s Centre in Toronto, and is reflected in her past involvement with the Lori E. Talsky Center for Human Rights of Women and Children and in her continued pro bono services through the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts New York. Andrea completed her Bachelor of Arts, Honours, in political science from the University of Western Ontario and earned her Juris Doctorate from Michigan State University College of Law. She lives in Tokyo with her husband and their criminally pampered cat.

Connect with Andrea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-sanada-ng-704504b3/

Links

Yamazato | Restaurants, bars, and room service | Dining | The Okura Tokyo

An Immense World — Ed Yong

SEGA SAMMY HOLDINGS

Indiana Jones movie list - IMDb

Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis - IGN

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Mar 05, 202359:21

What you need to know about joining the Japan legal market in 2023 with Sam Inohara

From time to time I invite an ally of women lawyers in Japan onto the show, and someone I would love you to meet is Sam Inohara. Even though he did not graduate from a top 10 law school, he has created a unique career path in Japan, culminating in his present position as Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright Tokyo office. In this episode, he explains why you should consider Japan in your international law career and what the situation is here now with the legal market.

In this episode you’ll hear:

Sam’s very unconventional way to come to work in Japan and also join one of the biggest international law firms in Tokyo
The benefit of putting your ego in check and compromising to meet in the middle when it comes to getting a legal role
An update on the legal market and how it’s actually growing
Surprising facts about being a foreign registered lawyer in Japan and the number of Japanese lawyers per capita
Sam’s top tips for people considering coming to work in Japan

About Sam

Sam Inohara is a California-qualified lawyer and has been living and working in Japan for over 20 years. He is a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright where his practice focuses on mergers & acquisitions and matters adjacent to M&A.

Connect with Sam

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-inohara-25a2431/

Website: https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en-jp/people/137735

Links

Kawakamian: https://www.kawakamian.com/shops/tokyo.php

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Feb 19, 202301:07:10

Leveraging volunteer opportunities to sustain your legal career with Marose Pereira

Marose comes from a family of inspirational women and she will definitely inspire you with her outlook on life and how she has made the most of opportunities that have presented themselves to her. Marose shares with us how her outside activities are actually a way to improve her knowledge and network in her chosen area of arbitration.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Marose was first inspired by her own mother studying law and running for office
Why Marose chose Japan to do postgraduate study
How she was able to help orchestrate an internship at the law firm she would then work at
Improving yourself outside of legal study, taking part in volunteer activities as a way to learn
Her favourite podcast and other fun facts

About Marose

Marose is a Counsel at Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners and is a registered foreign lawyer licensed in both the Philippines and the State of New York.

Marose joined Oh-Ebashi in 2008 after briefly working at the Graduate School of Law of Kyushu University, where she completed her LL.M. in International Economic and Business Law in 2007. Prior to studying at Kyushu University, for almost six years until 2006, she worked at Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos Law Offices, one of the top corporate firms in the Philippines.

Marose serves as a Volunteer Public Relations Officer of the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association (JCAA), which is the leading commercial arbitral institution in Japan.

She is also the co-Founder and Vice-Chair on the Executive Committee of Energy Related Arbitration Practitioners (ENERAP) - Japan Chapter (since 2021) and is Vice-Chair, Technology, Media and Telecommunications Committee of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association.

Marose also lectures at Kyushu University, and in 2023 will teach a course at Temple University in Tokyo. She has also published several articles about Philippine legal updates and the rules of the JCAA.

Connect with Marose

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marose-pereira-02394aab/

Links

Rose Bakery: https://www.rose-bakery.jp/

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Feb 05, 202355:36

From lawyer to legal recruiter in Japan with Mindy Allen

Mindy Allen is sharing her knowledge of the Japan legal recruitment market with us in this episode. She has made a transition from lawyer to legal recruiter since we last spoke with her. We’ll dive into not only why she chose to move away from legal work for now and what it’s like to be a recruiter. She gives us her up to date insights for lawyers who want to know more about career moves in the near future.

In this episode you’ll hear:

What helped Mindy to make the switch from experienced lawyer to recruiter
The difference between recruitment for a position in-house vs private practice
How to best work with a legal recruiter depending on your needs
Why it’s better to start a relationship with a legal recruiter before you need their services
Mindy’s observations and predictions for the Japan legal market

About Mindy

Mindy Allen works with law firms and companies in Japan to identify candidates who will enhance their practices and legal departments. She also provides guidance to Bengoshi, Gaiben and other foreign-qualified lawyers, as they navigate their legal careers in the Japanese legal market.

Originally from New York, Mindy practiced corporate law in both New York and Tokyo for over a decade before joining Major, Lindsey & Africa. She has resided in Tokyo since 2014 and is fluent in Japanese. In addition to serving on the Executive Committee of Women in Law Japan and as a lecturer at Keio University Law School’s LL.M. program, Mindy is an avid baker and loves spending weekends at the beach with her husband and dog.

Connect with Mindy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-allen-8391107/

Website: https://www.mlaglobal.com/en/people/mindy-allen

Links

Mindy’s episode from Season 1

Tetote: http://tetote-apartment.com/

Urn Chai & Tea:https://store.urn-jp.com/

Mindy’s article English Japanese

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rika-beppu-21b55830/

Jan 22, 202301:08:19

Developing a growth mindset to become founding partner of a joint enterprise law firm in Japan with Rika Beppu

Rika Beppu was adamant she would forge her career through her own hard work as an English lawyer working in a UK firm. When her firm offered her the role of a lifetime and an opportunity to be the founding partner of a new office in Tokyo, this really challenged her idea of how she had planned her career and it did not include Japan! Listen as we hear how Rika navigated her career to where she is today.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Rika came to be inspired to study law after living with a law student in the US.
Why she decided to pursue her law career in the UK, intentionally avoiding firms with connections to Japan
What happened when she was offered a founding partner position in Tokyo
How Rika has thrived in her board role as an outside director
Her favourite saying and other fun facts

About Rika

Rika Beppu is a corporate M&A lawyer who has been practicing law in Tokyo as a foreign-registered lawyer for the past two decades.

After her first degree from the English Language and Foreign Studies faculty of Sophia University, Rika studied and worked in the UK as an English law solicitor.

She then came to Tokyo to open the first joint enterprise between a large Japanese law firm and an international law firm.

Rika advises Japanese corporates in their global M&A transactions which span the globe. More recently she has been involved in divesting non-core global businesses of Japanese companies.

She is passionate about equality in the workplace and in society and has been inspired by her experience as an Asia Society Young Global Leader fellow to contribute to and give back to society in different ways. This led her to be instrumental in founding Women in Law Japan in 2016 together with a group of amazing like-minded female legal professionals.

She has also become active in the Lawyers for LGBT & Allies Network in Japan which fully supports equal marriage rights in Japan.

In her role as chair of the legal services committee of the European Business Council (that is, the EU Chamber of Commerce in Japan), she advocates for a level playing field for foreign registered lawyers, in particular, she is advocating that the three-year work experience rule should be abolished in its entirety.

In June 2022, Rika was appointed as an outside director of Mitsubishi Materials Corporation and is relishing this new challenge.

Connect with Rika

Links

Segafredo Hiroo

Who moved my cheese

Asia Society Young Global Leaders

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Jan 08, 202301:05:04

The power of taking a sabbatical with Tina Saunders

Tina Saunders ticked all the boxes as she moved through her career as a lawyer, but when she was offered partner track, she hesitated. Listen and hear what happened next when Tina asked for a one year sabbatical from her firm.

In this episode you’ll hear:

The importance of education for Tina and how she became a highly valued attorney at her firm
What happened on the day of her partner interview?
How she took a one year sabbatical and found herself in Japan
The transition from law firm to professor and finding the perfect dream position
Her favourite books and other fun facts

About Tina

Tina is Director, Beasley School of Law, at Temple University Japan Campus (TUJ). Tina joined the TUJ faculty in 2013, teaching Civil Procedure and Torts and since 2016 has been managing the TUJ Beasley School of Law programs: That is their Master of Laws (LL.M.), Juris Doctor (J.D.) semester abroad and non-degree Certificate programs in U.S. and International Law.

Tina received her law degree from the University of Maryland Carey School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration from Howard University.

Tina served as a law clerk for Judge Lynne A. Battaglia at the Maryland Court of Appeals and then entered private practice at Venable LLP in Baltimore, Maryland.

Tina took a one year sabbatical, traveling in Japan and other countries and ultimately saw Tina leaving her law firm career to start a new adventure and work as an educator.

Outside of work, Tina loves making cocktails, hiking, jogging and for her mindfulness, she has taken up adult coloring.

Connect with Tina

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-saunders-64067015a/

Links

Bar Trench: https://small-axe.net/bar-trench/

Michelle Obama’s book: The light we carry.

Toni Morrison: Recitatif

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Dec 22, 202201:36:42

Create your dream solo firm that supports your passions with Monika Oyama

Monika Oyama never thought she would set up her own law practice, especially when she made partner at a firm at a young age. Listen as we hear how Monika was able to start her own firm that incorporates her “dream firm” aspects that she wrote down in a journal years ago while also contributing to causes that mean a lot to her. Thanks to Mangyo Kinoshita at southgate for introducing Monika to us!

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Monika was guided to law even though her family are all scientists
The skills that contributed to her becoming partner at a young age
The decision to go solo and to create a firm that supports her passion for ocean conservation
Her favourite podcast and other fun facts

About Monika

Monika graduated from Keio University with an LLB in 2010 and Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law, attaining her JD in 2013. She is licensed in Illinois, California, and New York. Monika started her career in 2013 at a Chicago based firm after being promoted at the fastest possible track to become the youngest partner, shareholder, and board member at her firm.

In March, 2022, Monika opened her solo practice which focuses mainly on general corporate, domestic, and cross-border M&A commercial transactions and intellectual property matters. Monika has many leadership roles including the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association International Law Committee previously as their vice-chair and now chair. She's also vice chair of the Chicago Mita-kai, which is the Keio University Alumni Group, and she has been giving her time to Global Kids Judo Network as their board member since 2020 and was also part of the US Japan Council Emerging Leaguers Program 2020 to 2021. Monika has a wide variety of interests including traveling, cooking, wine, tasting, gardening, Spanish, Latin music, dancing, culture, as well as scuba diving, tennis and golf.

Connect with Monika

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monikaoyama/

Website: https://www.oceana.law/

Links

Podcast: https://hubermanlab.com/category/podcast-episodes/

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Dec 11, 202249:29

Launching your own firm in Japan treating clients as your team mates with Akiko Araki

Akiko Araki shows us that in addition to big law there is another way to do law in Japan. Your way.

Akiko is the founder and Managing Partner of Araki International IP & Law. We follow her career from her first inspiration to be a lawyer to cleverly setting up her own practice when she transitioned into studying IP law.

In this episode you’ll hear:

Akiko’s inspiration for becoming a lawyer when she was young
How she learned to be an associate who practices effective rather than perfect work
Finding her niche in the area of IP law and deciding to register her own law firm name early on
What it’s really like to run your own law firm
Her favourite book and other fun facts

About Akiko

Akiko Araki is the founder and Managing Partner of Araki International IP & Law. After a ten-year career with major law firms including US-based global firms, she founded Araki International to create an accessible platform for international clients who need legal supports to develop their business. As an attorney admitted both in California and Japan, she supports clients especially in cross-border matters, advising on Intellectual Property (IP), technology transactions, IT, data privacy, consumer law, labor law, general corporate and dispute resolutions. With its culture of promoting collaborations, Araki International welcomes various opportunities to work with clients and colleagues in a professional and friendly way.

Connect with Akiko

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akiko-araki-397740122/

Website: https://arakiplaw.com/en/

Links

Poseidon: https://www.poseidonrestaurant.com/

Ally Mcbeal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ally_McBeal

Steve Jobs

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Get on Board by Olga Mack

Nov 27, 202256:03

From law firm owner to becoming a patent attorney in Japan with Maria Abe

Maria Abe shows us that anything is possible with a little bit of an adventurous heart and a willingness to try new things even when you are unsure. Maria has navigated the challenges of starting her career during the World Financial Crisis of 2009 and takes us on a fascinating journey of how she came to be a practicing lawyer in Japan. A truly inspirational story for anyone who is feeling like the chips are stacked against you just now.

In this episode you’ll hear:

What Maria did when she graduated during the world financial crisis and legal jobs were highly contested
How she started her own law firm with zero contacts and only a small amount of experience
What brought her to Japan and how she navigated the job market even though she didn’t have the typical experience that is traditionally sought after
What she likes about working at Vanguard Lawyers Tokyo.
Her favourite book and other fun facts

About Maria

Maria is an associate at Vanguard Lawyers Tokyo, which was named Employment Law Firm of the Year and Boutique Law Firm of the Year in 2022 at the ALB Japan Law Awards this year. Maria focuses on employment law, disputes and investigations, as well as general corporate matters. Maria uses her knowledge and experience to help clients gain a more nuanced understanding of the Japanese legal landscape.

Prior to joining Vanguard, Maria worked at the patent firm, Sakamoto and Partners, gaining experience in the area of patent and trademark law.

Before coming to Japan Maria owned and operated her own law firm in the state of Ohio in the U.S. She was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 2011 and passed the U.S. patent bar in 2016. She recently was also admitted as a registered foreign attorney (Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi) under the laws of the State of Ohio in Japan and is a member of the Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association.

Maria received her B.S. in physics from Dickinson College and her J.D. from Ohio Northern University.

Maria speaks English, German, and (some) Japanese. She is also a mother to a one-year-old daughter and a cat mom to a 6-year-old, one-eyed, rescue cat. Maria loves to travel and host house parties where she cooks for her guests.

Connect with Maria

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-abe-6a739321/

Links

Divino:http://divino-cucina.com/

Episode with Akiko Yamakawa: https://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com/podcast/episode-two-akiko-yamakawa

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Nov 13, 202201:10:27

Finding your sweet spot at the top of legal at Google Japan with Yuko Noguchi

Yuko Noguchi shares how she narrowed down the many options she wanted to pursue with the help and advice from respected colleagues and lecturers. Yuko has done an amazing job of achieving the kind of career that many would envy, culminating in her current role as Head of Legal at Google, Japan. Listen as she takes us on an unbelievable journey through the bold choices she made to be where she is today.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Yuko had a quiet start academically until her teachers pointed out her abilities
The way she narrowed down the options of all the things she wanted to do after law school with the help of some useful advice
How she made a name for herself through her research
The thought processes that helped her to move to an in-house position
The things she looks for when she is hiring candidates at Google Japan
Her favourite book and other fun facts

About Yuko

Yuko is Director and Head of Legal at Google Japan Inc. Yuko’s responsibilities include overseeing many Google-related legal issues for the territory of Japan. She is the legal representative on the Japan management team, managing a legal team of 15 members. Her team covers a wide range of matters, including product counseling, commercial negotiations, dispute resolutions and advice on regulatory compliance.

A full bio is here.

Connect with Yuko

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuko-noguchi-99556710/

Links

Book: 心の盲点

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Oct 30, 202201:33:52

From sales executive to law firm partner with Yumiko Ohta

Are you wondering if you could be an associate in a law firm, even though you are “older”? Yumiko Ohta didn’t let anything stand in the way of passing the bar exam and joining a law firm later in life. Now a partner in one of the best places to work, Yumiko shares her story of leading her career and family choices.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Yumiko came to be working in sales rather than the law after university
How she took a chance to study for the bar exam after giving birth
Starting out “late” as an associate in a law firm but finding her place as a person with real life experiences
Deciding what your priorities are and going after them
Her favourite book and other fun facts

About Yumiko

Yumiko is a partner at US-based global law firm Orrick Herrington and Sutcliffe LLP in its Tokyo office. Yumiko is a member of the Employment Law Group and focuses mainly on HR matters as well as various corporate transactions including compliance, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, litigation and general corporate transactions.

Before joining Orrick, Yumiko was an associate at Tanabe & Partners, where she acquired the basic foundational skills to practice law.

She also has experience serving as a statutory auditor for Japanese corporations and also served as a court appointed mediator for 10 years.

Prior to practicing law, she worked at Mitsubishi Corporation in the Sales section for seven years. While there, she was involved in LNG projects and other global business.

Yumiko attained her LL.B. from the University of Tokyo and is a member of the Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association. She is also offers up her time as Vice-Chair of Human Resource Management, Committee of American Chamber of Commerce (ACCJ).

Connect with Yumiko

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yumiko-ohta-84b330140/

Links

Yakitori Abe: https://hitosara.com/0006049203/?cid=gm_hp

Bottled Lightning: https://www.amazon.com/Bottled-Lightning-L-M-Weeks-ebook/dp/B09ZWQT54Y

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Have you ever wondered if it was too late to do that law firm experience, to go in-house or to law work in a completely different area? It is never too late to fill a gap in your CV, as my guest Chika Hirata shows us in this episode! Chika is mentor to up and coming professionals, and loves to give back, just as she was mentored by one of our most popular episode guests, Lawyer Extraordinaire, Royanne Doi.

Oct 16, 202201:13:03

Strategically planning your lawyer CV in your legal career with Chika Hirata

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Chika’s mentor was instrumental in helping her find her way to her legal career
Why it’s best to develop your career through the method that works for you: OJT or theoretical study
How identifying gaps in your CV can help you to strategically collate the experience to get senior roles
What is ethics and compliance work really like and what kind of people thrive in ethics and compliance roles
Her favourite books and other fun facts

About Chika

Chika joined Takeda in June 2018 and is currently the Head of Japan/JPBU Ethics & Compliance. She is in charge of strategic planning and leading global initiatives for global Takeda as a member of the Global Ethics & Compliance Leadership Team. Chika leads and supervises various initiatives related to Ethics and Compliance, Data Privacy and Enterprise Risk Management at Japan Pharma Business Unit. She also works closely with senior leaders in Japan to embed corporate values and culture in daily business activities with higher ethical standards.

Chika has worked at various global financial institutions, in private practice as a lawyer, and a member of senior management teams. She has extensive and rich experience in corporate governance, change management, team building and talent development in multicultural environments. Throughout her career, she has committed herself to being a disrupter regarding Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the context of Japanese corporate culture, and is passionate about mentoring and coaching talents from diverse backgrounds. Prior to joining Takeda, she was responsible for Corporate Secretariat and Legal Affairs as Statutory Executive Officer, SVP & Chief Legal Officer at MetLife Insurance in Japan.

Chika is admitted to practice in the State of New York.

Connect with Chika

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chika-hirata-3058696/

Links

Brasserie Va-tout https://brasserievatout.jp/

Black Box Thinking https://www.amazon.co.jp/Black-Box-Thinking-Surprising-Success/dp/1473613779

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Oct 02, 202201:02:36

Making partner in a law firm and taking parental leave in Japan with Yuka Teraguchi

Yuka Teraguchi never dreamed she would make partner in a law firm and also be able to start a family. My Lawyer Extraordinaire guest is now doing both and I’m so glad to share this episode with you so we can bring her story into the spotlight for a moment. You will be inspired as to how you can find that specialty that you can be great at and overcome the uncertainties of being promoted during your career.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Yuka went from Computer Science major and “code monkey” to IP litigator
Finding something she could be great at instead of just “fine at”
The benefits of law clerking and litigation experience
What happened when Yuka was put on the list for partner
The advice that helped her decide to go ahead with having a family
Her favourite books and other fun facts

About Yuka

Yuka Teraguchi is Co-Head of Morrison & Foerster’s Tokyo Litigation Department and focuses her practice on representing technology clients in IP and commercial disputes. She is also a member of her firm’s Women’s Strategy Group and Mental Health Steering Committee, promoting a diverse, inclusive, and healthy work environment. Outside of her work, she enjoys riding trains and buses with her two-year-old child who loves anything with wheels.

Connect with Yuka

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuka-teraguchi-5b51b1b/

Links

PST Pizza Studio Tamaki: http://pst-tk2-ad.com/

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Junko Ohara | Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

Sep 19, 202201:04:15

Inspiring the next generation of lawyers with Keiko and Junko Ohara

Keiko Ohara and Junko Ohara are mother and daughter lawyers and my guests in Episode One of Season Four! If you are wondering what the journey of being a lawyer and a parent might be like and what your own kids might be thinking as you try to navigate your career, this episode will give you insights that might surprise you. It’s a really heartwarming episode that goes to show that parents and children don’t always have the full picture of a situation but that even years later you can come to an appreciation of what your parents went through.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Keiko became a lawyer and how she furthered her studies in the US taking her small baby Junko with her
Leaving a law firm to go out on her own despite the challenges of raising a family
The pressure of growing up in a lawyer family and how Junko overcame them
How Junko negotiated a return to work after maternity leave that suited her work and her parenting style
Their favourite books and other fun facts

About Keiko Ohara

Keiko Ohara is founder and partner at Kamiyacho International Law Office. Keiko has worked in the Tokyo office of Komatsu, Koma & Nishikawa and at Weil Gotshal & Manges in New York.

Her firm focuses on representing foreign companies investing and doing business in Japan. She also assists Japanese companies doing business with foreign companies. She helps clients with general corporate matters, M&A commercial contracts, employment matters, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance.

Keiko is outside independent director at Financial Products Group Co., Ltd. and Fujikyuko Co., Ltd. She is an Independent Statutory Auditor at Taisei Corporation and Auditor at the NGO Save the Children Japan. Keiko sits on the Committee of foreign lawyers and international legal practice at the Japan Federation of Bar associations.

Keiko is on the committee on foreign special members and international legal practice at the Daiichi Tokyo Bar Association. Keiko qualified as a Bengoshi in Japan in 1988 and as a New York state attorney at law in 1993. She has a BA in economics and an LLB in law from Keio University and achieved her LLM from Harvard law school.

About Junko Ohara

Junko Ohara is a Japanese lawyer. After qualifying as a lawyer, she joined Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s Tokyo office and is working as an associate to date. She is a member of the Global Transaction team and specializes in general corporate work, in particular cross-border public and private M&A. She also advises on various commercial and real estate transactions and helps international clients navigate and understand the Japanese market. She also assists clients on equity-based compensation schemes and compliance issues, including anti-bribery, sanctions and data protection laws. She has a strong interest in pro bono work as well and has been an active member of activities to protect children and LGBTQ rights in Japan. She is a mother of a daughter and a dog (both 1 year old).

Links

Bolt Restaurant

Sep 04, 202201:02:05

Top tips for banishing perfectionism and mastering speaking up

Striving for perfectionism and how that prevents people from speaking up is one of the key things that has been coming through from season three on the Lawyer on Air Podcast. This prevents people from speaking up or asking questions for fear of embarrassment or showing oneself as lacking in knowledge or understanding. Let’s hear from three of our lawyer extraordinaire guests on these topics and make sure you listen to the end for my top tips, too!

In this episode you’ll hear:

What you can do when you are struggling with perfectionism
How we can give others opportunities to speak up and to hold the space for them when they do
Tips for law firm partners and lawyer leaders to create ways to allow junior lawyers to speak up
The benefits of building a solid foundation in your law career

Links

Olivia Nomura’s Episode: https://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com/podcast/season-three-ep2-olivia-nomura

Lexi Takamatsu’s episode: https://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com/podcast/season-three-ep6-lexi-takamatsu

Hiromi Shiraishi’s Episode: https://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com/podcast/season-three-ep9-hiromi-shiraishi

Connect with Catherine

Website: https://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com/contact

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Aug 21, 202236:28

Creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable law firm in Tokyo with Matthias Voss

You may have been listening with envy to the women lawyers from Allen & Overy (A&O) who have been featured on the show so far. Well in this episode we bring you the Managing Partner of the Tokyo A&O office, Matthias Voss. You’ll hear what their hiring process looks like and the motivations that guide the way that the firm is run. It is a must listen for anyone wanting to enter a law firm in Tokyo in the near future.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Matthias came to be Managing Partner of the Tokyo Office
What he looks for when a CV comes across his desk - it’s different to what you might think!
The question that Matthias always asks candidates interviewing for a position
The work in progress on maternity and paternity leave at A&O
What Matthias sees as the future of law in Tokyo and globally
His favourite restaurants and bars in Tokyo and other fun facts

About Matthias

Matthias is the Managing Partner of the Tokyo and Seoul offices of Allen & Overy. Matthias has a strong track record advising international project companies, sponsors and financiers on their investments and their commercial and financial arrangements for a wide range of often complex energy, oil and gas, petrochemical, natural resource/mining, power and infrastructure investments in around the globe. He also frequently assists clients in developing corporate structures and contracting strategies, including bidding, construction and supply and offtake arrangements. He has extensive experience working on complex financings involving multiple ECAs and MLAs. Matthias speaks English, Mandarin, French, German and some Japanese.

Connect with Matthias

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allenoverymatthiasvoss/

Links

Bunon: http://www.bunon.jp/

Cellar and Grill: https://www.cardenas.co.jp/shop/restaurant/w-aoyama/

Tokyo Whiskey Library: https://tokyo-whisky-library.com/index.html

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

Aug 07, 202252:45

Overcoming perfectionism to help others with Hiromi Shiraishi

Hiromi Shiraishi is my guest today and she shows us how when people put up their own barriers that stop you from advancing in your career, you can choose to step around them and find your own path. If you are working as in-house counsel and want to know how you can be more visible and help others more effectively in the organisation, then this is the episode for you.

We would love to see more of our legal eagles helping with organisations such as Kids Door because we know the power of language to open up opportunities.

In this episode you’ll hear:

Hiromi’s non-linear path to a career in law
Being dissuaded to apply for overseas postings because she was a woman
What Hiromi does as in-house counsel to be seen more in her organisation
How Hiromi started to let go of perfectionism and help others in her team
The importance of pro-bono work and volunteering for your own learning as well as helping others
Her favourite podcasts and other fun facts

About Hiromi

Hiromi is Country Counsel for HP and has worked as in-house counsel for Renova Inc, Nokia Solutions and Networks Japan. She also has a solid Law firm background having worked at Nishimura and Asahi in Japan, and two law firms in the US.

Hiromi also had the unique experience of working for the Japanese government in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs International Legal Affairs Bureau in Tokyo advising other government ministries and agencies.

Hiromi is a member of the Japan Federal Bar Association and Dai-Ni Tokyo Bar Association and is also admitted in the State Bar of California.

Educated at Tsuda College in Tokyo and attaining a BA, she then went on to do her legal qualification, at the Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan and LLM at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law in Los Angeles.

Hiromi has also authored several publications such as “Cloud Computing and Protection of Personal Information in Chapter Three of “Legal Practices and Cloud Computing”, and she also wrote the chapter called Movement to Reduce Barriers to Access to Information, in the publication entitled “Commentary on Revised Copyright Act”.

Hiromi is a super contributor to the community through volunteering by way of English tutoring for underprivileged high school students with “Kids Door”.

Connect with Hiromi

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiromi-shiraishi-9b380b161/

Links

Kids Door: https://kidsdoor.net/

La Maree de Chaya https://chaya.co.jp/

Hidden Brain Podcast

Planet Money Podcast

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

The Tokyo American Club: https://www.tokyoamericanclub.org/index.php/en/

Jul 24, 202201:00:44

Land your dream legal job in Japan with Alkis Kotzampasis

We have a wonderful special guest on the show from Michael Page, Tokyo, Alkis Kotzampasis. Alkis shares the latest trends in the Japan legal market and how you can best work with a recruiter even if you are not looking for a new position right now. I have worked with Michael Page myself over the years so I knew they would give us honest and useful advice for how to make best use of their services.

In this episode you’ll hear:

Alkis’ favourite episodes of the Lawyer on Air podcast and his reasons why!
How long it takes for a candidate placement from initial contact to starting a position
Which industries are hot right now in the Tokyo legal market
The benefits of using a recruiter in Japan
A wild story about retention bonuses!
Is it really possible to move between industries in the legal field?
The importance of building rapport when looking for a new position
Alkis’ top tips for succeeding in your job search and why you should create a relationship with a recruiter before you need to work with one

About Alkis

Alkis enjoys assisting lawyers realize their potential. He is also advising his clients on how to source the best legal talent for their teams. Due to the busy nature of the legal profession, Alkis understands that it is difficult for many legal professionals to keep themselves updated on the job market and he aspires to fill that gap of knowledge with the information he provides them.

As the current Manager of the Legal & Compliance team in Michael Page, Alkis has developed a vast network of clients since coming to Japan. His practice focuses both on law firms and in-house. He has successfully introduced candidates in different industries such as technology, finance, energy & others and at varying levels in seniority such as Legal Counsels, Legal Directors, Compliance Managers, Associates and Partners.

In terms of personal accolades, Alkis was the no.1 biller for Michael Page Japan in 2021 and member of the top-10 in Michael Page Asia.

Alkis grew up in Athens, Greece. He studied in the UK in Durham University and Lancaster University. He then moved on to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg for an internship, worked for a year in Athens, fulfilled his military obligation right after and came to Japan in January 2020. When not recruiting you’ll find him trying delicious food, playing sports, travelling or all at the same time!

Connect with Alkis

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alkis-kotzampasis-5a171812a/
Email: alkis.kotzampasis@michaelpage.co.jp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just.alkis/

Links

Talent Trends Report:

English: https://www.michaelpage.co.jp/en/talent-trends/the-great-x

Japanese: https://www.michaelpage.co.jp/talent-trends/the-great-x

Bar Amber: http://baramber.jp/

Aladdin: http://www.persia-aladdin.com/

Jul 10, 202251:08

Trust your gut with your law career in Japan with Bonnie Dixon

Even when your law career doesn’t go smoothly, perhaps you have been laid off or there are other challenges on your path, trusting your gut can help you to find the right way forward. My guest is Bonnie Dixon, the first foreign woman to be made a partner of a Japanese law firm. You will not believe how Bonnie created this opportunity for herself. Bonnie also shows us other ways we can serve our countries, either as a commercial attache in business or in the community as a scout leader.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Bonnie came to Japan for the first time as a child and the influence it had on the trajectory of her life
Surviving two crumbling law firms, but finding her way by trusting her gut
Refusing a job offer but laying a groundbreaking opportunity on the table in return that was accepted
The importance of marketing and networking skills for lawyers and the different ways that can look
Her favourite Netflix show and other fun facts

About Bonnie

Bonnie Dixon is a Partner at Atsumi & Sakai in Tokyo. In 2005, when Bonnie joined the firm she became the first non-Japanese attorney to become a partner of a domestic Japanese law firm since the Occupation of Japan.

Bonnie serves clients in cross-border transactions and dispute resolution matters and her practice includes general corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, employment law, cross border litigation and antitrust matters. She’s consistently in Best Lawyer and other rankings.

Bonnie is licensed to practice law in the State of New, admitted in 1982 and is admitted to the Court of Appeals of the First Circuit. Bonnie is registered in Japan as a Foreign Registered Lawyer. She has extensive experience in international transactions, cross border labor and employment, structured finance, banking transactions, investment funds, etc.

Educated at the University of Michigan with a B.A., majoring in Japanese and Political Science in 1978, and the University of Michigan Law School, attaining her J.D. in 1981, Bonnie speaks and reads fluent Japanese and has worked in Tokyo for more than twenty years in the aggregate.

Before returning to Tokyo in 2002, Bonnie practiced law in New York City, where she became a partner of Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, and later of Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP.

Recently, Atsumi & Sakai has established an office in New York, to be formally named as Atsumi & Sakai New York LLP. This expansion will be led by Bonnie, who will serve as managing partner of the New York office.

In her spare time, Bonnie produces translations of Kabuki and Bunraku dramas. Her translation commentaries can be heard through the Earphone Guide service available for rent at the National Theater in Tokyo and at the National Bunraku Theater in Osaka. She is an avid hiker and enjoys camping and other outdoor activities. Bonnie was the founder and for years served as the Scoutmaster of Troop 5 of the Far East Council of the Boy Scouts of America. During her tenure as Scoutmaster, Bonnie was the only female scoutmaster of the BSA program in all of Asia. She currently serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 5’s female scouts.

Connect with Bonnie

Please email Catherine to be connected with Bonnie.

Links

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Jun 26, 202255:13

Boosting your legal career in Japan through your guiding principles with Lexi Takamatsu

Lexi Takamatsu had just sat down for the very first time in her new home in the US, opened her laptop to find an email which would change the trajectory of her life again. Lexi shares how by finding what she likes about her legal practice and focusing on those areas, opportunities have come to her that she never imagined.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Lexi came to be a lawyer after a foray into insurance
The similarities between the law and Japanese language
The email that upended her carefully laid plans
Lexi’s transition from US law firm to Japanese law firm
How Lexi is breaking new ground in creating an international litigation team in a Japanese law firm
Her favourite book and other fun facts

About Lexi

Lexi is an international disputes specialist, who has represented companies in U.S. domestic and international litigation and arbitration, including commercial disputes, intellectual property disputes, and corporate governance disputes.

She is also experienced in internal investigations and compliance, and was seconded to a large Japanese company to assist with a major internal compliance and white collar investigation.

Lexi attained her BA from University of Southern California 2008, and JD from U.C. Berkeley, School of Law in 2015. She was admitted in California in the same year (2015
and is admitted as a registered foreign lawyer in Japan as of 2021 and a member of the Daini Tokyo Bar Association

In 2015, Lexi completed a one-year clerkship (2015-2016) for a U.S. Federal District Court Judge in the Central District of California, assisting the Judge in drafting opinions for the civil litigation cases on her docket.

In 2016 Lexi joined the U.S. law firm, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in Los Angeles, California. After 2 years with Skadden Lexi joined the disputes department of Morrison & Foerster’s Tokyo office where she was from 2018 to late 2020. At MoFo she was in the disputes department working on cross-border intellectual property and contract-based disputes.

Lexi joined Mori Hamada in September 2020, she is working to expand Mori Hamada’s international arbitration practice, while also assisting in various disputes and white collar investigations.

Lexi is a fluent speaker of Japanese and also reads and writes in Japanese having received her JLPT N1 certification in 2018.

Connect with Lexi

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexi-takamatsu-a423a339/

Links

Routinery App

Burnout by Emily Nagoski https://www.amazon.co.jp/Burnout-Secret-Unlocking-Stress-Cycle/dp/1984818325

Jun 12, 202201:07:19

From art curator to construction law with Hojung Jun

How do you become an art curator but then become a lawyer working in construction law? Hojung Jun shows us how you can take time to discover your niche and come to love the law by finding exactly where it suits you to work in this incredibly vast industry. She shows us a fascinating side of the construction industry and how it can be complex, exciting and international.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Hojung defied expectations to become an art curator in New York before pursuing her law career
How she found her way from art law and IP to construction law and is loving it
How she transitioned from law in Korea to Japan and the differences between the two countries
How a certain focus group became a room she hosts on Clubhouse
Her favourite books and other fun facts

About Hojung

Educated at Ewha Womans University in Korea and the University of Illinois College of Law, Hojung obtained her JD in 2009 and was admitted to the New York bar in the same year.

As a New York qualified lawyer and experienced all around the globe, Hojung regularly advises on and negotiates complex construction agreements, subcontracts, concession agreements, joint venture agreements and partnership agreements in relation to infrastructure, power and mine development projects. She does this for major Japanese and Korean companies - both on the investor and contractor side.

Her recent focus also includes renewable energy (such as solar, wind power and battery storage) and digital transformation.

After finishing her undergrad, Hojung started her career as an art curator in Washington DC organizing exhibitions for museums and galleries and working with
various international artists, and then she went to law school in Illinois.

During law school, Hojung had the unique experience of summer interning at the Permanent Mission of Korea to the United Nations in New York in 2007.

She’s also had in-house experience from 2010-2014 working for a major construction company in Korea.

She moved to Japan in 2014 and joined another international law firm before Baker & McKenzie. She has been seconded to Tokyo Gas and is now currently seconded to Toyota Tsusho Corporation.

Connect with Hojung

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hojungjun/

Website: https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/people/j/jun-hojung

Links

Clubhouse: https://clubhousedb.com/club/396908948-legal-bento-box

Le Pain Quotidien: https://www.lepainquotidien.com/jp/ja/#.W1kgoGD7SM8

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

May 29, 202201:05:29

Exceeding other people’s limitations on you with Junko Mukoyama

Overcoming glass ceilings, cultural differences and English language challenges, Junko Mukoyama is my next inspirational guest on Lawyer on Air. She explains how Japan has changed so much in just one generation but also the barriers she came up against in her career and how she took control of her career and ended up smashing through them.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Junko came to be a lawyer at a time the women often didn’t work outside the home in Japan
What Junko did when people told her to “be satisfied with what she had achieved”
How Junko balances Japanese and Western culture in her work and how it helps her to achieve her potential in her life too
Junko’s advice for young lawyers who are worried about their English level
Her favourite books and other fun facts

About Junko

Junko is a board member and senior corporate counsel of Avaya Japan Ltd. Avaya provides products and services to enhance and simplify communications and collaborations. She is in charge of all legal matters for the Japan operations including contract negotiation, compliance, personal data protection and dispute resolution. Before she joined Avaya in 2004, she worked for Yuasa and Hara as a trademark attorney and for Nihon Unisys Ltd. She is a member of the Japan Patent Attorney Association and New York State Bar. She received LLB from Chuo University, and Master of Laws from University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign and Waseda University. She has been studying bankruptcy and IP at a graduate school of law and published articles in bankruptcy and IP fields. She is a member of AIPPI, INTA, JTA, ABI and INSOL.

Connect with Junko

To connect with Junko, please contact Catherine O’Connell

Links

Ikiru Bokura 生きる僕ら：原田マハ

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148

May 15, 202251:53

Hiring, retaining talent and the future of law in Tokyo with Ken Siegel

What would it be like to work in the Tokyo office of a major law firm such as Morrison & Foerster (MoFo)? Well in this episode we bring you the Managing Partner of the Tokyo office, Ken Siegel, sharing his insights and experience with over 25 years of working in Japan at the top of M&A law. It is my great pleasure to give you this rare opportunity to hear from Ken about the latest on hiring, retaining talent and the future of law in Tokyo.

In this episode you’ll hear:

Ken’s favourite places for a drink or a meal in Tokyo
Do you really need to speak Japanese to be successful in Tokyo?
What Ken looks for when he is hiring attorneys and how graduates can stand out from the pack
Ken’s thoughts on the future of law particularly in Tokyo
Ken’s top advice for up and coming lawyers and law students

About Ken

Ken Siegel is the Managing Partner of Morrison & Foerster’s Tokyo office and the head of the office’s 50 attorney M&A team. Ken’s practice focuses on the representation of high-technology companies in acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances.

Ken has been consistently ranked as one of the leading U.S. attorneys in Japan. Among other things, he is the only attorney rated as a “Star Individual” for M&A in Japan (the level above Band 1) by Chambers Global, having been ranked at this level for twelve consecutive years (2011 – 2022 editions), and having been ranked in Band 1 for the prior decade. According to Chambers Asia Pacific, Ken is “commercial and pragmatic, an incredible M&A attorney” who “deserves tremendous credit for his M&A practice” and has “outstanding acumen, experience and leadership.”

Ken has been resident in Japan since 1994, and managing partner of the Tokyo office since 1997.

Ken received his B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from Amherst College in 1981. He studied Japanese language at Stanford University’s Inter-University Center for Japanese Language in Tokyo and at the Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), receiving a graduate degree in International Affairs in 1983. He received his J.D. degree in 1986 from the University of Chicago Law School.

Connect with Ken

Please connect with Catherine to be introduced

Links

Mixology Heritage: https://www.jrtk.jp/hibiya-okuroji/shop/detail_00013/

Kinobi: https://kyotodistillery.jp/

Connect with Catherine

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148