What do you do when you have two competing loves, such as Japanese language and law? Olivia Nomura didn’t settle for one, she went for both. In this episode, Olivia shares how she was able to become a Japanese speaking foreign lawyer working in Tokyo for a big international firm, who now manages exciting multi-jurisdictional M&A deals. Oliva shows us how she perseveres in the short term for her long term goals and finds innovative ways around obstacles that pop up along the way.

Welcome to the first episode of Season 3! You will love the Lawyer Extraordinaire for Episode One: Mariko Mimura. Mariko is a great example that stepping upwards and outwards is entirely possible at any stage of your career. She is also living proof that you can go from working in-house and return to a law firm role as an attractive value add to a firm having excelled on the inside of business at the coal face. She is an inspiration for how we can continue to reinvent ourselves on our own terms.

The first woman partner at a major international law firm in Tokyo is my guest in the finale of Season Two of Lawyer on Air. Not only is she a Partner but she is about to take her second maternity leave, so this is an episode not to be missed for anyone considering taking leave to spend more time with their family or considering a sabbatical and wondering how it might affect your career.

Being raised in a financially struggling family in the Philippines did not stop my guest Lani Vinas from becoming a top level legal director in a law firm in Japan. Whatever you might think are your limitations, this episode will blow them all away for you. Lani tells us her story of her childhood and how her hard work combined with the generosity of others made it possible for her to be where she is today working at a premier IP firm in Osaka, Japan.

If you are finding that you are letting your current circumstances stagnate your legal career, then this is the episode for you. Rika Nakajima is one of the first Japanese women lawyers to hold the office of Representative Corporate Executive Officer in Japan, and as a single parent to two boys, she has definitely not let her circumstances get in the way of her career and taking the leaps that have led her to where she is today.

It’s the Lawyer on Air “Bonenkai” (End of Year) Episode. Grab a glass of your favourite beverage and join Catherine and Jayne as they help you see out 2021, and welcome in 2022 with this bumper bonus episode. Make sure you listen to the end, ...we have some bloopers for you too ... because we like to keep it real! You’ll need a pen and paper to write down all the great tips we have compiled for your legal career and living your most authentic life in 2022.

If you have wondered how to make use of more legal tech for the benefit of the people and the organisation you work for, my guest Angela Yuen opens a door for us into the world of one of the biggest energy companies in Japan. Angela, a powerhouse herself, is a tireless supporter of women in law and championing young professionals to be the best they can be.

Jessika Colthurst did not start out her university career thinking she would be a lawyer, in fact she was studying accounting and psychology when an introduction to law lecturer piqued her interest. That was a catalyst for a series of decisions which has led Jessika to become an M&A rising star here in Tokyo. If you are feeling behind in your law studies or career or out of alignment with what you are doing, then this episode is for you.

Have you always wanted to be a lawyer but given up on your dream thinking it was too late? Well, my guest, Nicole Scoble-Williams is going to show you how absolutely anything is possible with her amazing career to date that traverses software engineering and IT, genetic counselling to law and the future of work. We certainly have a futuristic episode for you!

If you have ever wondered how your interests might intersect with a legal career, then this is the episode for you. My guest is Celeste Koravos, not only is she a lawyer but a certified engineer and skilled Japanese linguist. How did she create a unique career with her varied interests and talents? Listen to find out!