Tomoko Nakajima is not just any partner at Freshfields, she is an absolute trailblazer in the legal profession in Japan. You will hear how Tomoko tutored herself to pass the bar without attending law school and overcame deeply entrenched Japanese cultural “norms” with her courage and willingness to speak up and ask questions. Tomoko shares what it was like to be part of the historical Kansai Airport deal, and how she eventually became a partner at Freshfields. Along the way, Tomoko was challenged to stick up for herself and for her values, revealing her superpower. Her story is a powerful testament to perseverance and the impact of making bold decisions. Hear Tomoko as you’ve never heard before in this riveting 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:

• How Tomoko passed the Japanese bar without attending law school

• How she made a positive impact on one of the biggest infrastructure transactions in Japanese history

• The ultimatum she gave her firm when they did not offer her a partnership (yes, she did that!)

• Her legal superpower and other great insights

About Tomoko

Tomoko Nakajima is a Partner in the Tokyo office of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and head of Japan’s M&A practice.

Tomoko has more than two decades of experience in M&A becoming an M&A expert. Her approach to M&A is international combined with a deep knowledge of the Japanese market. Tomoko truly understands the challenges Japanese clients face when entering or acquiring in overseas markets and works closely with clients to execute their complex cross-border mandates. Tomoko also advises on real estate and infrastructure transactions.

Tomoko received her Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Affairs in 1997 and passed the Japanese Bar in 1996 and started her career at Shimazaki International Law Office, a boutique law firm specializing in capital markets and venture capital.

From 1997 to 1999, Tomoko attended the legal training and research institute of the Supreme Court of Japan.

In 2002, Tomoko joined Freshfields in Tokyo as an Associate and received the opportunity to study at the University of Chicago Law School, obtaining her master’s degree in law in 2005 and she was admitted to the California Bar in 2006, then returned to Freshfields Tokyo in 2007. Tomoko was made a Partner in 2023.

Tomoko was named Woman Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm) in the ALB Japan Law Awards 2024. In her spare time, Tomoko enjoys (muscle) training, Pilates and listening to music.

Connect with Tomoko

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomoko-nakajima-27467279/

Connect with Catherine

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Ayako Shotoku, Group General Counsel and Chief Risk Management Officer at Panasonic, shares her journey detailing her unexpected pivot from an international marketing role to go on to become the head of Panasonic's legal team and also an Executive officer and board member. Ayako opens up about her early career, including her decisive transition into law, the influence of mentors, and the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone. Ayako also reflects on her challenges, notable mistakes, and the invaluable lessons they taught her. If you are wondering if you are cut out to lead hundreds of people in an organisation, 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:

• What happened when Ayako’s marketing section was closed and she was assigned to the legal department

• Her learnings from challenges inside the company and in her leadership role

• The importance of mentoring forward in gratitude for mentorship received

• Her favourite bar, a memorable travel experience and other fun facts

About Ayako

Ayako Shotoku is a Director, Member of the Board, and Executive Officer at Panasonic Holdings Corporation, where she serves as Group General Counsel and Chief Risk Management Officer. With a career spanning over three decades at Panasonic, she brings extensive experience in legal, compliance, and risk management to the table.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Comparative Culture at the University of Tsukuba and an LL.B. from Chuo University. She also obtained an LL.M. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Her career at Panasonic has been marked by consistent advancement and leadership. She joined the company, then Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., in 1991 and has since navigated the complexities of legal and compliance in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. From serving as General Counsel for various key divisions, including Automotive and Connected Solutions, to her current role overseeing the entire group's legal and risk strategy, she has consistently demonstrated her ability to lead and innovate within a global corporation.

In her free time Ayako likes traveling, visiting places she has never been to, slow jogging and watching movies/dramas.

Connect with Ayako

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E5%BD%A9%E5%AD%90-%E5%B0%91%E5%BE%B3-2a98b6163/

Links

Bar Augusta https://tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270101/27002511/

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

In this solo episode marking the final installment of Season 9, Catherine reflects on the growth and significant impact of 'The Lawyer on Air Podcast' over nearly 100 episodes. Catherine shares heartfelt stories about how the podcast has positively influenced her life and the lives of listeners and guests worldwide. To celebrate this milestone, Catherine unveils a special surprise at the end. Join us as we toast to the journey so far and look forward to an even more exciting Season 10.

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:

• The highlights, the challenges and rewards of starting the podcast

• The importance of inclusivity, and the community it has built

• Powerful stories about career transformations, personal connections, and the unexpected reach of the podcast.

Links

Unpausable playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3aCekQmbR0CYMxzdkhzFqN

Unpausable playlist explanation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/168bSEfOFJQK5TaGD2Pa_HalepmuPt9Kd/view?usp=sharing

Connect with Catherine

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

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

Naoko Tahara is Senior Manager of Legal Japan at Olympus Corporation. As a new recruit to a law firm, she took the chance to study Chinese intensively when some of her cohort said she shouldn’t. Listen to hear what happened next in this fascinating career dive with Naoko. If you are wondering if the challenging opportunity that has landed at your feet is really for you, 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:

• Naoko’s experience growing up in several overseas countries

• The life changing experience of taking an opportunity to study Chinese with her firm as a new associate

• How she made the most of career breaks and family changes

• Her initial challenges when she went to an in-house role

• Her favourite podcasts, books and other fun facts

  
  

About Naoko

Naoko Tahara is a Senior Manager of Legal Japan at Olympus Corporation. She graduated from Keio University Law School and became a Bengoshi (Attorney-at-law admitted in Japan) in 2009. Since then, she has 15 years of experience in Cross-border Business, specialising in Global Compliance and General Corporate Matters.

She started her career at Uryu & Itoga, a corporate law firm with offices in several Asian countries, and had a chance to work and study in China (2010-2011) and Singapore (2017-2018). After she finished the LLM program at the National University of Singapore, she joined the legal department of Recruit Co., Ltd. in 2018.

At Recruit, she developed existing expertise and also became involved with Data Privacy issues and Capital Markets matters. After spending about six years at Recruit, she joined Olympus Corporation in 2024. As a senior manager of Legal Japan, she is now in charge of the Business Support Group, which proactively supports Olympus's business through legal assistance for strategic projects and daily legal support for business divisions.

Regarding her personal life, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 9-year-old son. Her hobbies are Chinese Language and Chinese Tea. She learned them in Beijing when she worked for her first law firm back in 2011.

Connect with Naoko

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/naoko-tahara-82b2361b6

Links

Shisen Restaurant: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/tyomy-sheraton-miyako-hotel-tokyo/dining/

Book: なぜ働いていると本が読めなくなるのか https://amzn.asia/d/fShhknh

Connect with Catherine

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

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

Shiho Kagasaki is an Associate at MinterEllison based in Australia. We hear from Shiho why she loves working in the law so much and how her recent passion for ballet contributes to her pursuit of grace and poise in her work life, too. If you are also an up and coming associate wanting to hear from a sempai (more experienced co-worker) 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:

• Why Shiho enjoys the multifaceted work of being a lawyer

• The importance of networking and what Shiho believes is important when building a network

• The parallels between ballet and the law

• Her favourite podcast and other fun facts

About Shiho

Shiho Kagasaki is an Associate at MinterEllison, presently based in Australia.

After obtaining her Bachelor of Laws at Griffith University and completing her Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at The Australian National University, she was admitted as a lawyer in Australia in 2017. She has since practiced in various areas of law, including Plaintiff Personal Injury, General Insurance and Class Actions in her previous roles. Corporate Risk & Insurance is her current area of focus at MinterEllison.

Shiho currently specialises in the management of non litigated and litigated matters and works for both Australian, Japanese and International Insurers as well as Australian and International Corporations.

Connect with Shiho

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiho-kagasaki-4072a4118/

Links

Nyorosuke Ungai restaurant: https://kiwa-group.co.jp/nyorosuke_ginza/

Legal High: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_High_(Japanese_TV_series)

The Balanced Ballerinas podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3vPmGkYbpsvo8JAaytJf1s?si=481f054555724b27

Connect with Catherine

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

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

Earl Rivera-Dolera is an accomplished arbitrator with extensive experience in Singapore, Vietnam and Japan. Earl shares her transition from a tribunal law clerk to becoming a prominent figure in international arbitration, the valuable lessons from her mentors, and her advice for those aspiring to enter the field. Arbitration is gathering steam in Japan so this episode is a wonderful fountain of knowledge of what it’s like to work in this area 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:

• How Earl’s initial interest in detective stories led her into law

• The challenges and enriching experiences she faced moving from the Philippines to Singapore, Vietnam, and Japan

• The intriguing cultural nuances in arbitration in different countries

• The blend of competence and confidence needed to succeed in the arbitration landscape

• Her favourite podcast, book and other fun facts

About Earl

Earl is a Partner at Tokyo International Law Office specializing in dispute resolution (i.e. arbitration, litigation, mediation) and investigations. She represents clients or acts on matters in arbitrations across key hearing jurisdictions such as Japan, Singapore, London, Vietnam, and New York under major arbitral institutions like ICC, SIAC, HKIAC, LCIA, VIAC, KCAB, SCC, ICSID. Her expertise spans a wide spectrum of sectors including but not limited to traditional and renewable energy, commodities, cross-border sale of goods, and construction.

Earl has served as arbitrator for cases seated in Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and India. She has served as sole arbitrator, chair of the tribunal, and party-nominated arbitrator. She is impaneled as an arbitrator or mediator at several institutions, including JCAA, KCAB, CAAI, AIAC, THAC, HKIAC, SIAC, and E-bram, and has been appointed under the ICC rules.

Her experience includes working as a tribunal law clerk for leading international arbitrators in proceedings held globally, from Nigeria and London to France, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, and the USA, under institutions like ICC, SIAC, LCIA, AIAC, AMTAC, VIAC, KCAB, SCMA, AAA-ICDR and ICSID.

With involvement in more than 180 matters, her work in dispute resolution encompasses total claims exceeding US$8 billion.

Earl has co-authored two editions of “Halsbury's Laws of Singapore: Arbitration” and authored the definitive guide, “Arbitration in Vietnam”.

Her hobbies include: hiking, onsen-hopping (in Japan), reading true crime/ detective stories, piano-playing and singing.

Connect with Earl

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

Website: https://www.tkilaw.com/en/members/earldolera

Links

Huberman Lab: https://www.hubermanlab.com/

The Relentless Elimination of Hurry: https://amzn.asia/d/13b1obf

Connect with Catherine

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

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

Do you really need law firm experience to have a great legal career in Japan? Let’s hear another diverse story, this time from Michiko Hirai, senior corporate counsel at Amazon Web Services Japan. Discover her untraditional journey from sales in the semiconductor industry to law and how she uses her experience in building business relationships to be a stand out member of her team.

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:

• The advice Michiko received that helped her to take her first step in her career

• How learning sales helped her to be a better in-house lawyer even without law firm experience

• How Michiko structures her day to do “two jobs” as a lawyer and as a parentMichiko’s surprise question for me and a reminder of some advice I gave her that stuck

• Her favourite book and other fun facts

About Michiko

Michiko Hirai is a Senior Corporate Counsel at Amazon Web Services Japan G.K.

She graduated from Keio University and began her professional journey in sales, focusing on semiconductor products for the Asian market.

Recognising her true calling, Michiko transitioned to the legal field, joining Toshiba Corporation's legal team. There, she specialized in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and global antitrust matters.

In 2011, Toshiba sponsored Michiko's pursuit of an L.L.M. at the University of Chicago Law School. Upon completing her degree and obtaining admission to the NY Bar, she returned to Toshiba, where she provided legal support for their semiconductor business.

Seeking new challenges, Michiko joined Amazon Japan's legal team as a contract manager in 2014. After seven years with Amazon Japan and becoming a counsel, she transitioned to Amazon Web Services Japan G.K. in 2021. She is now a Senior Corporate Counsel supporting sales and marketing business in AWSJ.

Outside of her professional life, Michiko is a mother to a six-year-old son. She enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Connect with Michiko

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michiko-hirai-1a07702b/

Links

Smoke and Mirrors Bar: https://www.smokeandmirrors.com.sg/

The Cultural Map: https://amzn.asia/d/7bUYdbB

Connect with Catherine

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

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

Catherine speaks with special guest, Shinsuke Kaneko, about his diverse career path from working as an associate at Morrison & Foerster, experiencing the start-up world and becoming a solo practitioner at his own firm, Verse. Shinsuke shares a pivotal early career challenge and how a moment of courage helped him unlock opportunities. If you are feeling like technology is getting away from you and you can’t keep up with it, please listen to Shinsuke’s explanation of why getting out of your office is so important!

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:

Shinsuke’s misunderstanding as a first year associate and how he overcame his situation

Creating your own fans and why your weakness is your greatest strength you haven’t harnessed yet

The importance of understanding technology in the market where your clients are

Shinsuke’s advice for aspiring lawyers, particularly those who are good at worrying and overthinking

About Shinsuke

Shinsuke Kaneko is a sole practitioner lawyer at his law firm, Verse. He has worked at Morrison & Foerster, Accenture, and a Japanese startup, dely (de-li). As a tech lawyer, he has consistently followed technology trends, such as IT, DX, UX, and AI. He is always expanding his business scope from legal through corporate and HR to become a better advisor to entrepreneurs and managers. Recently he started learning ping pong again for the first time in 30 years. He loves talking about the benefits of being bad at something. He also believes that the joy of playing something is the key to enjoying his life fully in this aging society.

Connect with Shinsuke

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shinsuke-kaneko-00425895/

Links

Botan: https://www.facebook.com/sakababotan

Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai/

GenSpark: https://www.genspark.ai/

Fellow: https://fellow.app/

Connect with Catherine

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

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