Explore every episode of the podcast Lawyer on Air
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supercharge Your Lawyer Life for 2025 through Executive Coaching with Celina Lee | 15 Dec 2024 | 01:05:29 | |
Celina Lee shares insights from her journey as a lawyer, writer, podcast host, and executive coach. She discusses the importance of working with an executive coach to gain clarity, reframe past experiences, shoo away the naysayers and stay accountable. This episode is a great way to see out 2024, take stock of what you have achieved so far, and start dreaming about 2025 and the changes you might make in your career. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
About Celina Celina Lee is the founder of Live Your Dream Club and a globally recognized executive and career coach. She is also a lawyer, award-winning writer, and the host of Live Your Dream Podcast. She has extensive experience coaching many lawyers and other corporate professionals to achieve success and fulfillment in their careers, and has given speeches and delivered workshops in many countries. Celina started her career as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch and worked as a corporate lawyer at a law firm, Ropes & Gray LLP in New York City. On her Live Your Dream Podcast, which has listeners from over 100 countries around the world, she shares lessons learned in her journey as well as interviews from inspirational leaders from diverse industries about what they have learned in life and career. Celina is the founder of Give One Dream, a global movement that inspires people to pursue and achieve their dreams. She has been invited to deliver keynote speeches and speak at industry-leading events, universities, and organizations including TEDx, MIT, Stanford, Princeton University, and Google. Celina received her undergraduate degree from MIT and law degree from U.C. Berkeley School of Law. She is a certified professional coach and is a graduate of the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC). Connect with Celina LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celina-lee/ Website: https://celinalee.co/ Links The Hotel Chelsea, NY: https://hotelchelsea.com/ Connect with Catherine Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| AI and the Law: Insights from Tomoka Miho at IBM | 01 Dec 2024 | 00:56:53 | |
Tomoka Miho is an AI ethics expert and award-winning lawyer at IBM Japan. From her education in the UK to becoming a legal counsel, Tomoka shares her career journey, her thoughts on AI's impact on the legal profession. If you are wondering how you can be at the forefront of the new wave of generative AI or name and claim an area of specialty in this area then this is the episode for you. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
About Tomoka Tomoka Miho is a multi-award-winning lawyer who is Counsel and Trust & Compliance Officer at IBM in Japan. After graduating from law school in the UK, she qualified as a solicitor in the UK. First working as an associate at a major British law firm, she then returned to Japan and gained many years of experience in financial law as an in-house lawyer in the legal department of a foreign financial institution (UBS, 2005). Tomoka then worked as an Attorney with Deutsche Bank in 2015. She started with IBM at the end of 2021. Tomoka was a founding member of the Japan AI Ethics Team, which was established in the summer of 2022. She provides advice on AI ethics and risks to IBM from a legal perspective - specifically, through the review of cases such as IBM Japan's services and products that use AI, and the review of contracts, etc., based on IBM's “Principles of Trust and Transparency.” In her spare time, Tomoka likes walking, gardening, climbing and cooking. She’s a certified sushi chef and the mother of a pampered dog, Liz. Connect with Tomoka LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomoka-miho-99b55920a/ Links “W” Toranomon Station Tower: https://www.cardenas.co.jp/shop/restaurant/w-toranomon/ Tomoka’s book she co-wrote with her team: AI リスク教本 https://amzn.asia/d/bqPC8AR Swimmy: https://amzn.asia/d/eHYWnqt Who Moved My Cheese: https://amzn.asia/d/7Lr3MJH Connect with Catherine Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Breaking Boundaries: Miyako Ikuta on Patience, Perseverance, and Becoming a Global Lawyer | 15 Jul 2024 | 00:52:57 | |
Miyako Ikuta is a partner at Kitahama Partners in Tokyo registered to practice in France, New York, and Japan. Miyako shares her journey across multiple countries and legal systems and discusses her diverse roles, including serving as an auditor and outside director. and shares valuable tips for preparing for board roles. Additionally, she delves into her passion for privacy and data law, her experiences with the EU Court of Justice, and her advocacy for human rights. Miyako is truely making a big impact on the legal landscape in Japan, listen to hear the full story. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
About Miyako Miyako is a Partner in the Tokyo office of Kitahama Partners. As a qualified lawyer in Paris, New York, and Tokyo, her main practice areas are corporate law, IP law, and data privacy law. She has extensive experience in court proceedings in France and Japan, so she is very able to handle litigation matters including cross-border arbitrations when requested. Most recently, she has been advising on and handling various cross-border matters in Europe, especially in regard to the EU regulations including the GDPR. From the start of her career she has always been active in cross-border transactions between Japan and France. Miyako studied an LL.B. in Japan (at Ritsumeikan University) and furthered her study of law in France (at Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Tours and the University of Paris II). She started her career as a French attorney at Baker & McKenzie, Paris, then moved to Mandel, Ngo, and Partners in the nineties. She lived in France for about 10 years including 1.5 years of living in Vietnam. Miyako then moved to the US in 1999, went to Columbia Law School where she studied for an LL.M. and then spent half a year at the EU Court of Justice (TFI) in Luxembourg. She moved to New York and joined Hughes Hubbard and Reed LLP and then returned to practice in Japan. Outside of the firm she is an auditor of the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency (a Japanese public agency under the governance of the Ministry of Environment) and is a corporate auditor of PCA Corporation (also listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange). She was previously a corporate auditor at Renaissance Inc. (listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange), Miyako is also an outside director of kaonavi, inc. (listed on the Growth Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange). Outside of work, Miyako is active, serving on the Data Issues Committee and the Working Group regarding Attorney-Client Confidential Communication at the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA), and on the Attorney Mediation Committee at the Daini Tokyo Bar Association. In the spring of 2024, Miyako restarted doing “Kokyo runs”, jogging with her colleagues around the Imperial Palace. She also completed a full marathon at the Tokyo Marathon in 2019. Miyako’s favorite pastimes are listening to the radio, watching sumo and kabuki, and going to operas. Connect with Miyako Website: https://www.kitahama.or.jp/english/professionals/miyako-ikuta/ Links Namamugi Fish Market: https://www.kanagawa-kankou.or.jp/spot/369 Connect with Catherine Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Navigating Maritime Law: A Journey around the world to Japan with Gillian Musgrave | 30 Jun 2024 | 00:51:02 | |
Gillian Musgrave is a seasoned lawyer with a rich background in maritime law and marine insurance. Gillian shares her journey from qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales to working internationally in London, Italy, New York, Singapore, and now as an in-house consultant in Tokyo. We go on a voyage of discovery into the depths of a truly fascinating and not so well known area of the law. Grab your sea legs, let’s get into it! In this episode you’ll hear:
About Gillian Gillian Musgrave is a lawyer who qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales in 1990. Her specialist area of law is shipping and marine insurance. Initially she worked in maritime law firms in London and Italy. She then moved in-house and worked for many years as a Director of Claims with a P&I Club, (a specialist insurer of shipowners’ liabilities) managing teams of claims executives in various company offices worldwide. For two years she also acted as the Head of Claims of a Lloyd’s Syndicate in the London insurance market. She is now working in Tokyo as an in-house Consultant to a Japanese insurance company giving advice on English law maritime matters. To this end she has become a Japanese registered foreign lawyer. Connect with Gillian LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-musgrave-33834741/ Links Bar Trench in Ebisu: https://small-axe.net/bar-trench/ Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky https://amzn.asia/d/0gSnSQXD Connect with Catherine Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Leading with Empathy: Toshimi Itakura's vision for a thriving legal team | 09 Jun 2024 | 00:51:57 | |
If you are at a crossroads and wondering if you should give up on that dream that hasn’t come true yet, then this is the episode for you. Toshimi Itakura is the General Manager of the Legal Department at Sojitz Corporation. Toshimi shares her inspiring career journey over more than 20 years and her professional experiences in the United States and London. Toshimi discusses her approach to career growth, emphasizing the importance of focusing on achievements rather than specific job titles and shares valuable tips on time management, leadership, and mentoring. You are going to love hearing from this ground breaker in the Tokyo legal world! If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
About Toshimi Toshimi Itakura is the General Manager of the Legal Department of Sojitz Corporation. She graduated from Keio University and joined Sojitz Corporation in 2005. Sojitz is one of Japan’s sogo shosha, or general trading company, covering various industries globally including automotive, aerospace & transportation, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, metals & minerals, chemicals, agriculture, retail etc. After a few years at the Tokyo headquarters of Sojitz she studied abroad at Duke University Law School in the United States (LL.M.) and worked in the legal department of Sojitz Corporation of America as a qualified attorney-at-law (admitted in NY). Later in her career, she also spent 2 ~ 3 years, working in the legal department of Sojitz Corporation in London and seconded to the Herbert Smith Freehills London Office. In 2022, she was appointed as the General Manager of the Legal Department. Throughout her career, she has engaged in corporate legal practice in Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and has been involved in M&A, project finance, disposal of bad assets, collateral management, corporate restructuring, litigation and dispute resolution and other various matters and transactions. Apart from her work, Toshimi enjoys her life being an artist in the world of ballroom Latin dancing and playing the flute. Connect with Toshimi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toshimi-itakura-31b081152/ Links Gentle Dining Omotesando https://www.gentle-base.com/ Book: そうか、君は課長になったのか。https://amzn.asia/d/aDHyTEJ Connect with Catherine Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Becoming the heroine of your journey: From assistant's assistant to legal powerhouse - Seizing opportunities and overcoming challenges with Hiroko Miyazaki | 19 May 2024 | 01:03:41 | |
Hiroko Miyazaki is a legal luminary who has made her mark across various prestigious roles in Japan's corporate legal landscape. From her modest beginnings as a part-time law firm assistant to her ascent to Managing Director at 3M Japan, Hiroko's journey is a testament to the power of resilience and growth mindset. She opens up about her strategies for overcoming failure, the value of prioritizing tasks, and the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership. Pour yourself a glass of sake - Hiroko’s favourite - and join us for a conversation that promises to enlighten and inspire anyone aiming to master their leadership presence. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
About Hiroko Hiroko Miyazaki is truly a powerhouse in the legal and corporate scene. She was VP and Managing Director at 3M Japan, leading corporate affairs and making things happen until October 2023, when she broke away and is now on her next quest for brilliance. Before 3M, Hiroko was General Counsel at Alcon Japan, which was a part of the Novartis group at the time. She not only led the legal and compliance department, but also pulled off a major overhaul, turning the team into a bona fide business partner. She was leading counsel at Dell Japan, where she led the legal and contract management teams, earning accolades like the direct to the top award. Hiroko started her career in a part time job at a law firm as a supporting assistant. Then after passing the law exam from such humble beginnings, she became an associate in law firms and then took on her in-house legal roles and managing director work. Hiroko holds an LLM from the University of Washington and she is licensed to practice in both Japan and New York. Connect with Hiroko LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiroko-miyazaki-09235b13/ Links： Restaurant Kou: https://www.instagram.com/kou_sakurashinmachi/ Grow the Pie: https://www.amazon.com/Grow-Pie-Companies-Deliver-Purpose/dp/1108494854 Saying: 我以外皆我師なり “Ware igai wagashi nari”. I can learn from everyone. Connect with Catherine Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| A blue ocean journey as in-house counsel and legal pioneer in Japan with Akiko Kawaguchi | 28 Apr 2024 | 01:07:25 | |
Dive into the inspiring journey of Akiko Kawaguchi, a true pioneer in the Japanese legal world. Akiko shares her groundbreaking path of becoming the first Japanese qualified lawyer at Mitsubishi Corporation. In this episode, Akiko reflects on the historical events that shaped her pursuit of justice and logic, her courageous leap into the blue ocean of in-house counsel, and her belief in the transformative power of young minds. Tune in to discover how Akiko's passion for curiosity, continuous learning and embracing new challenges is shaping the future of law. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
About Akiko Akiko Kawaguchi is Assistant Division Director, Legal & Corporate Affairs Division for Chiyoda Corporation, a global engineering company headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. Akiko holds an LL.B. from Hitotsubashi University (1996) and an LL.M. from Columbia Law School (2005), with Harlan Fiske Stone Scholars. She is a licensed attorney admitted to practice in Japan (since 1999) and in New York, USA (since 2006). Akiko began her professional career in 1999 as the first Japanese qualified in-house counsel at Mitsubishi Corporation, so-called sogo shosha, unique corporate model in Japan to cover broader business “from ramen to rocket,” where she supported local and international business transactions and disputes. In 2019 while working at Mitsubishi Corporation, Akiko was heavily involved in negotiation and implementation of Chiyoda Corporation’s revival plan and then she was seconded to Chiyoda Corporation to directly support them. While the work is tough, she enjoys new challenge covering legal, compliance, corporate governance, IR, PR and sustainability, among others. Akiko has been actively involved in the Japan Legal community and has engaged in numerous activities to develop the capabilities of those who have legal background for them to break the silo to fly to higher sky. As one of the first penguins as Japanese in-house counsel, she was the founding member of the Japan In-house Lawyers Association (JILA). In 2021, she co-launched the Japanese Legal Operations Study Group to release legal operations framework “CORE8.” She is also the founding member of CLOC Japan Shared Interest Group. In 2023, she co-launched the Strategic Legal Governance Study Group with reputable Japanese companies’ GCs and chairs its subcommittee to explore the corporate function necessary to operate the company in the view of the management and to take necessary action. Outside of work, Akiko enjoys visiting various libraries and bookstores, strolling around the neighborhood (“wonder wander” according to Stanford school) and listening to rock music. Connect with Akiko LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akiko-kawaguchi-b24b8b100/ Links Bar Jiro: https://r.gnavi.co.jp/7fa704yu0000/ JILA: https://jila.jp/eng/ CLOC Japan interest group https://cloc.org/ Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Cho-Nam-Joo/dp/1471184285 Connect with Catherine Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Small Seasons, Big Impact: Building a legal practice that you love in Japan with Saki Nakahara | 14 Apr 2024 | 00:59:01 | |
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:
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 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 Templates from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Connect with Catherine Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Embracing change in law: Olga V. Mack's insights on technology, personal branding & thought leadership | 31 Mar 2024 | 01:19:03 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Making Partner in a Big Four Japanese Law Firm with Madoka Shimada | 17 Mar 2024 | 00:51:11 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Bridging Borders: The Diplomatic Lawyer in Japan with Kaori Oka | 03 Mar 2024 | 01:00:21 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Exploring Legal Ops in Japan: An inspiring career path in law and tech with Vivien Clancy | 18 Feb 2024 | 00:58:18 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Renew and Reimagine: Setting the Stage for 2025 with Catherine and guest host Akiyo Inoko Hewett (Part 3 of 3) | 24 Nov 2024 | 00:30:13 | |
This is Part 3 of 3, you can find Part 1 and Part 2 here. In this special session of the Lawyer on Air podcast, guest host Akiyo Inoko Hewett, an attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia, interviews Catherine O'Connell about her path to becoming a successful board member in Japanese corporations. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
About Akiyo Akiyo Inoko Hewett is the founder and principal of Inoko Law and Consulting, LLC, General Counsel at AI Medical Service America Inc. 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 Akiyo’s episode: https://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com/podcast/season-six-ep-1-akiyo-inoko-hewett Ako Shimada’s episode: https://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com/podcast/season-eight-ep9-ako-shimada Connect with Catherine Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Using your law degree without being a lawyer at top companies in Japan with Tomoko Konishi | 21 Jan 2024 | 00:42:08 | |
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! If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Mari Hiraizumi: Redefining corporate legal leadership and board membership in global corporations | 07 Jan 2024 | 00:59:04 | |
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:
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 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mari-hiraizumi-7557345/ Links Momotenashiya Shinbashi: https://www.torioka.com/eat/ Funao Winery, Okayama https://www.funaowinery.com/ Die with Zero, https://amzn.asia/d/5clkY1E | |||
| Thriving in law in the Japanese eDiscovery industry with Anitha Henderson | 10 Dec 2023 | 01:06:15 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Behind the scenes of mergers and acquisitions: Perspectives of an M&A Lawyer in Japan with Kotoe Oshima | 28 Nov 2023 | 00:52:42 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Navigating remote international work and work-life balance challenges with Sawako Ohgi | 12 Nov 2023 | 01:01:10 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Driving change in diversity and inclusion in Japan through ESG: Insights from Louisa Gawa | 29 Oct 2023 | 00:46:20 | |
Louisa Gawa 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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Creating fairness in the legal landscape of an organisation: Insights from Kenji Tagaya | 15 Oct 2023 | 01:14:53 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| The journey of Akiko Kikuchi: From private practice to leading an award-winning legal team | 01 Oct 2023 | 01:01:59 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| The power of listening: Insights from Sayaka Ohashi, Lawyer and Advocate | 17 Sep 2023 | 00:59:47 | |
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! If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Advice for aspiring board members at every level of their legal career with Catherine and guest host Akiyo Inoko Hewett (Part 2 of 3) | 24 Nov 2024 | 00:42:40 | |
This is Part 2 of 3, you can find Part 1 here. In this special session of the Lawyer on Air podcast, guest host Akiyo Inoko Hewett, an attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia, interviews Catherine O'Connell about her path to becoming a successful board member in Japanese corporations. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
About Akiyo Akiyo Inoko Hewett is the founder and principal of Inoko Law and Consulting, LLC, General Counsel at AI Medical Service America Inc. 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 Akiyo’s episode: https://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com/podcast/season-six-ep-1-akiyo-inoko-hewett Ako Shimada’s episode: https://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com/podcast/season-eight-ep9-ako-shimada Connect with Catherine Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Creating a career in cross culture communication and the IP legal industry in Japan | 03 Sep 2023 | 00:54:37 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| From briefs to boardrooms: How lawyers can climb the corporate ladder in Japan with Alkis Kotzampasis | 23 Jul 2023 | 01:09:07 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Embracing career challenges and enjoying the journey with Aya Saito | 09 Jul 2023 | 01:17:18 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer | |||
| Always go for the best: Taking legal career opportunities head on with Naoko Matsuzaki | 25 Jun 2023 | 01:12:01 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Self branding through kindness and thoughtfulness for your successful career in law with Akiyo Inoko Hewett | 11 Jun 2023 | 01:04:37 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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 Connect with Catherine Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer | |||
| Grab opportunities in your legal career or create them yourself with Asako Ouchi | 28 May 2023 | 00:56:54 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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
Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Looking for a board role? Lifting the lid on the black box of board roles in Japan with Catherine O’Connell | 14 May 2023 | 00:40:16 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| From pharmacology to international patent lawyer in Japan with Mami Hino | 30 Apr 2023 | 01:00:30 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Balancing career and sporting achievements with Tomo Greer Foreign Associate and Ironman Triathlete | 16 Apr 2023 | 00:57:07 | |
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! If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Japan qualified or foreign qualified lawyer? Yui Ota-Barclay shares her experience | 02 Apr 2023 | 00:59:21 | |
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:
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 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuiotabarclay/ 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| A Pathway to Board Success: Catherine's insights on leadership with guest host Akiyo Inoko Hewett (Part 1 of 3) | 19 Nov 2024 | 00:47:00 | |
In this special session of the Lawyer on Air podcast, guest host Akiyo Inoko Hewitt, an attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia, interviews Catherine O'Connell about her path to becoming a successful board member in Japanese corporations. This is Part 1 of 3 where Akiyo asks all the questions you have been wanting to know. Akiyo bravely reached out to Catherine to ask her for this opportunity that would benefit all listeners of Lawyer on Air. In Part 1, Catherine generously shares all the steps and timelines for board readiness. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
About Akiyo Akiyo Inoko Hewett is the founder and principal of Inoko Law and Consulting, LLC, General Counsel at AI Medical Service America Inc, and member of “Next on Board”. 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 Akiyo’s episode: https://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com/podcast/season-six-ep-1-akiyo-inoko-hewett Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya Gallery 11: https://gallery11.jp/ Connect with Catherine Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Civil and common law international arbitration in action in Japan with Carlotta Bruessel | 19 Mar 2023 | 01:06:17 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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 Arbitration Club link coming soon. Connect with Catherine Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Pivot to unlock your career potential with Andrea Sanada Ng | 05 Mar 2023 | 00:59:21 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Andrea Ng | People | K&L Gates (klgates.com) Links Yamazato | Restaurants, bars, and room service | Dining | The Okura Tokyo Indiana Jones movie list - IMDb Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis - IGN Connect with Catherine Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| What you need to know about joining the Japan legal market in 2023 with Sam Inohara | 19 Feb 2023 | 01:07:09 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Leveraging volunteer opportunities to sustain your legal career with Marose Pereira | 05 Feb 2023 | 00:55:36 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| From lawyer to legal recruiter in Japan with Mindy Allen | 22 Jan 2023 | 01:08:19 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Developing a growth mindset to become founding partner of a joint enterprise law firm in Japan with Rika Beppu | 08 Jan 2023 | 01:05:03 | |
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:
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 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rika-beppu-21b55830/ Links Asia Society Young Global Leaders Connect with Catherine Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| The power of taking a sabbatical with Tina Saunders | 22 Dec 2022 | 01:36:42 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Create your dream solo firm that supports your passions with Monika Oyama | 11 Dec 2022 | 00:49:28 | |
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! If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Launching your own firm in Japan treating clients as your team mates with Akiko Araki | 27 Nov 2022 | 00:56:02 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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 Connect with Catherine Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer | |||
| From law firm owner to becoming a patent attorney in Japan with Maria Abe | 13 Nov 2022 | 01:10:27 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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. Maria received her B.S. in physics from Dickinson College and her J.D. from Ohio Northern University. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair | |||
| Advocacy and Empowerment: Shining a light on family law and gender violence in Japan with Yumi Itakura | 20 Oct 2024 | 00:42:59 | |
Yumi Itakura is a feminist theorist and practicing lawyer who runs the Sakura International Law Office in Japan. The conversation delves into Yumi's extensive work on addressing gender violence, workplace discrimination, and sexual harassment, especially for foreign women. We are so fortunate to have Yumi working on these issues to support families and women in particular. If you are wondering what it’s like to work in this area or you are in need of legal support for a family matter such as divorce or a gender violence related matter in Japan then this is the episode for you. You can find a full list of Yumi’s recommended legal resources and lawyers on the page for this episode on my website. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
About Yumi Yumi Itakura, is a feminist theorist and a practicing lawyer admitted in Japan as a bengoshi. She is at the Sakura International Law office and has been based in Tokyo for 20 years. Yumi graduated from Tsuda University with a BA in International Relations (1994) and did her Diploma at the Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan (2005). Yumi was a visiting scholar dispatched from the Japan Federation of Bar Associations to the University of California, Berkeley School of Law to research the U.S Labor system for gender equality in the workplace. After working in the Tokyo Public Law Office and in a private law firm in Tokyo she took the step to open her own practice. Yumi specializes in family law and labor law. She has worked in the fields of domestic violence, discrimination in the workplace, sexual assault, and harassment for many years through her legal consultation, representing victims in their legal proceedings as well as advocacy activities as a member of Gender Equality Committee of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations. As there is an increasing number of cases where foreign national women living in Japan are also suffering from gender related violence and discrimination in the family and the workplace. They can find it difficult to locate a capable lawyer to help them in Japan. Yumi Itakura is one such lawyer who can provide legal services to foreign clients in both Japanese and English. Yumi is also an adjunct lecturer of labor and employment law at Hitotsubashi Business School of Law. In her spare time, she likes to do yoga and listen to Jazz fusion music. In particular, Yumi is a big fan of Eliane Elias and Pat Metheny Group. Connect with Yumi Sakura International Law Office: https://skrint-law.com/en/ Links Star Bar Ginza: https://www.starbar.jp/ Bar Lupin Ginza: http://www.lupin.co.jp/ Natsuo Kirino https://www.amazon.com/stores/Natsuo-Kirino/author/ Connect with Catherine Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair | |||
| Finding your sweet spot at the top of legal at Google Japan with Yuko Noguchi | 30 Oct 2022 | 01:33:52 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer | |||
| From sales executive to law firm partner with Yumiko Ohta | 16 Oct 2022 | 01:13:02 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer | |||
| Strategically planning your lawyer CV in your legal career with Chika Hirata | 02 Oct 2022 | 01:02:36 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer | |||
| Making partner in a law firm and taking parental leave in Japan with Yuka Teraguchi | 19 Sep 2022 | 01:04:14 | |
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. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear:
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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.oconnell.148 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oconnelllawyer | |||
| Inspiring the next generation of lawyers with Keiko and Junko Ohara | 04 Sep 2022 | 01:02:04 | |
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:
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). Junko Ohara | Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Links | |||