Lawyer on Air

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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

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 

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 

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 

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: [email protected]

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