Lawyer on Air

By: Catherine O'Connell
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  • Summary

  • I’m Catherine, the host of Lawyer on Air, the #1 podcast for legal careers in Japan. In each episode, I bring you award-winning insights and inspirational inside stories about working in law as a woman in Japan. Whether you’re dreaming of a career here or already practicing, this is your go-to guide for finding your place in Japan’s legal landscape. We’ll dive into what hiring managers look for, emerging trends in the legal market, what it takes to earn a seat on a Japanese corporate board, and how to thrive personally and professionally.
    Catherine O'Connell
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Career Success Economics
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Episodes
  • A Pathway to Board Success: Catherine's insights on leadership with guest host Akiyo Inoko Hewett (Part 1 of 3)

    A Pathway to Board Success: Catherine's insights on leadership with guest host Akiyo Inoko Hewett (Part 1 of 3)
    Nov 19 2024

    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:

    • Catherine’s favourite place to meet for a glass of her favourite beverage

    • Catherine’s own journey to her various board roles and how long it took

    • Step-by-step preparations for aspiring board members

    • Practical advice for navigating the selection process and securing board roles

    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

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    47 mins
  • Advocacy and Empowerment: Shining a light on family law and gender violence in Japan with Yumi Itakura

    Advocacy and Empowerment: Shining a light on family law and gender violence in Japan with Yumi Itakura
    Oct 20 2024
    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: How Yumi’s work supporting gender violence against foreign women in Japan is her true passion Some recent cases Yumi has worked on which demonstrate the challenges that foreign women face in Japan Yumi’s guidance on the four kinds of divorce proceedings available in Japan and what not to select if you are two foreigners deciding to divorce. Her favourite author, her favourite Hollywood actor and what she would do if she was not a lawyer 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/lawyeronairYouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair
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    43 mins
  • Creating your own path and embracing authenticity in the law and in governance with Ako Shimada

    Creating your own path and embracing authenticity in the law and in governance with Ako Shimada
    Oct 6 2024

    Ako Shimada is the Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of Ushio America Inc. Ako also serves as General Counsel for Ushio Europe BV and is an independent director for Fujitech. She shares her story of embracing her Japanese heritage and transforming her career. The discussion covers her journey from growing up in Japan to pursuing law in the U.S., her experiences in litigation and in-house roles, and her strategic approach to seeking board positions. You will hear a story of someone who is brave in speaking up about what they would like to do. Listen as each piece falls into place!


    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 Ako found her way to study law after a stint in journalism and studying psychology

    • Ako’s journey to owning her Japanese DNA and how that has transformed her life and career

    • The extraordinary story of being nominated for a board role by an activist company

    • Ako’s tips for preparing for board roles and networking

    • Her favorite authors and other fun facts

    About Ako

    Ako Shimada is Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Ushio America, Inc., in Cypress, California and General Counsel of Ushio Europe B.V. in the Netherlands, leading providers of light sources and solutions for a variety of applications including scientific, medical, semiconductor, entertainment, horticulture, and architectural applications.

    In her role as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Ako oversees the company’s legal, compliance, risk management, and corporate governance matters.

    Previously she held Assistant General Counsel positions at Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc., and Apria Healthcare LLC. Ako is also an independent outside director for Fujitec Co., Ltd. (TYO:6406), a publicly traded manufacturer of elevators and escalators headquartered in Japan with global operations and serves on the Nomination and Compensation Advisory Committee.

    She also serves as a board member of KA Imaging Inc. in Kitchener, Canada, a developer of cutting-edge multi-energy X-ray detectors and micro-CT scanners for a wide variety of applications.

    Ako serves as a board director of the Southern California Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel.

    She is also a Council Leader for the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC). USJC’s mission is to develop and connect diverse leaders to create a stronger U.S.-Japan relationship.

    Ako is also a charter member of the Japan Board Diversity Network, an influential global network of female board directors and senior professionals dedicated to improving corporate governance and board diversity in Japan.

    Ako received her bachelor’s degree in psychology (highest distinction) from Northwestern University and a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.


    Connect with Ako

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


    Links

    L’Effervescence https://www.leffervescence.jp/


    Connect with Catherine

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

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

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

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    56 mins

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