The law firm built for business in Japan

I know for sure that not everyone can hire a full-time lawyer on the team in Japan. But you can’t do business in Japan without a lawyer.

Uniquely in Japan, I understand that tension. So I created Catherine O'Connell Law, your outsourced legal counsel, what I call "Lawyer on Board."

This is the place where an outsourced, business-minded lawyer is there for you as your on-call internal lawyer to navigate you with smooth sailing on the seas of business and law in Japan.

You get access to the best of an in-house lawyer mindset, insights, and experience under the umbrella of a private practice law firm in Japan.

Let's Connect
 

How We Help you do business in Japan

We are your creative, flexible business law solution

Outsource your legal needs

  • Are you looking for a lawyer and need one soon but don’t have time to search?

  • Are you finding the Japanese legal market complicated and just want a simple solution for your legal needs?

  • Are you wanting to control costs via strategic outsourcing?

  • Do you need Japanese language support for contracts in Japan?

  • Do you have a substantial workload but not quite enough to justify the ROI on hiring a lawyer employee?

  • Are you looking for a reliable, experienced part time in-house counsel who can deliver quality work?

  • Have you been turned down by traditional law firms?

  • Do you need day-to-day legal service for contracts and a range of legal issues?

  • Are you too busy to spend your time getting your global contracts & policies suitable for use in Japan?

  • Are you looking for a solution that fills the gap between traditional big law firms and hiring a full time in-house legal counsel?

If you answered YES and are in search of affordable & flexible legal services, you have landed in the right place.

As the first foreign female to launch an award-winning law practice in Tokyo, I am the pioneer of delivery of fractional legal services in the Japan market. I know my way around business in Japan.

  • I am a modern lawyer revolutionizing the practice of law through a new breed of delivery of legal services in Tokyo Japan. With me on your side I will help you to expand access to affordable legal services on an outsourced basis.I help CEOs running smaller businesses and I help the bigger end of town as well. One thing in common is they all need an extra pair of hands to help out. 

    I act as outside general counsel to businesses, providing day-to-day advice and service on contracts and a range of legal issues. – and if your business needs are a good fit for our practice, I’m excited to help you find your way in business in Japan 

Awards & Accolades

- Kind Words -

  • practical solutions

    “I liked that she could understand the western mindset as well as Japan mindset and therefore come up with practical business solutions based on business customs as well as the law. Her advice was easy to understand for me with English as a second language.”

    -Tomohiko

  • Full of learning and wisdom

    “Catherine is an excellent interviewer, actively listening and eliciting deeper knowledge and nuggets of wisdom from her guests. She also asks fun, personal questions that give us insights into these interesting, powerful women.”

    -Christine

  • Efficient, balanced approach

    “Catherine's process is very transparent, and she was great at explaining the parameters to me upfront. I was delighted with the finalized agreement, and from start to finish had a great experience working with her.”

    -Donald

Listen to Lawyer on Air

Where I pour you a glass of wine at my favorite virtual wine bar in Tokyo while you listen to inspirational inside stories from my guests, as we relax and talk about what it’s like in life, and in the law, for women lawyers in Japan.

Latest Episodes

Featured
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)

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.

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

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.

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

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!