I thought I had nothing in common with new Prime Minister of Japan Suga san. But strangely I am finding a sudden #alliance with him because I too am striving for this dedication to an exercise routine, and focus on health and wellbeing. Read more here…

Often, we don’t know that the little things we say have a massive impact on others. I was reminded of this recently by a legal staff member at one of my large corporate clients. Read more here …

I tend to aim for perfection in everything I do. I grew up with my mum saying: “if a job’s worth doing, then it’s worth doing well.” Mixed into my perfection recipe is a good dollop of shyness. Especially in front of a live video camera - which is where I found myself this week. Read more here …

“The Business Karaoke Podcast, sponsored by Design Thinking Japan, modernizes the dialogue around doing business in and with Japan for the modern global leader. Through sharing stories of both failure and success, we give global leaders with a passion for Japan, and Japanese leaders with a passion for the global market, the tools they need to operate more effectively and with impact.　In this episode we are joined by the first foreign female to set up her own law practice in Tokyo, Catherine O’Connell. Catherine O’Connell is Principal Founder and CEO of her own boutique, secondment-based flexible NewLaw firm, Catherine O’Connell Law which she founded in 2018. In this conversation, she takes us on her journey from success as an in-house lawyer for companies such as; Panasonic, Olympus and Mitsubishi Motors to her now role of entrepreneur and CEO. We explore her innovative contributions to the business community. We’ll dive deeper into the concept of a legal health check and her belief that a healthy lawyer makes a happy lawyer.”

Get out the party hats! We are celebrating Catherine O’Connell Law and Catherine O’Connell being nominated as finalists in the ALB Japan Law Awards, announced on July 10, 2020.

“Next Level” word of the year in action. First with upgrading my ACCJ membership from “Individual” to “Commercial” and also elevating my role from Vice Chair to Chair of the ACCJ Legal Services & IP Committee

Choosing a word or phrase of the year can inspire you for 365 days. From “Audacious” in 2019, to “NEXT LEVEL” in 2020

The Christchurch native became the first foreign female lawyer to establish a solo practice in Tokyo.

“Having male champions is so crucial for progress. Changes are happening in Japan but they are tiny, tiny steps often introduced by a few progressive companies and law firms. I’ve heard of cases where employers are talking openly about career planning for both men and women, but, particularly for women, taking into account the possibility of parental leave at some stage.” - Catherine O’Connell

A huge thank you to the BCCJ for hosting Catherine O’Connell at the Small is GREAT XV- Tips for entrepreneurs last week. Full article here.

On 26 June, at the invitation of ANZ Bank Catherine presented to a group of 40 lawyers and accountants from NZ Law and NZ Chartered Accountants (NZCA) during their Combined Offshore Conference 2019. NZ Law and NZCA are associations of independent law and accounting firms with 55 and 30 members respectively across New Zealand.