Specialist Legal Services
Legal Help For Businesses Trading between Japan and New Zealand
Whether you are thinking of expanding your Japanese-based business overseas, or you are a New Zealand-based business wanting to expand into the challenging but exciting market of Japan, Catherine O’Connell Law is here to help.
I am a bi-lingual (English and Japanese) New Zealander with three decades of experience engaging with Japan and passionate about helping those seeking New Zealand law advice to engage in inbound or outbound commercial transactions and trade between New Zealand and Japan.
expertise and services for new Zealand and japan-based businesses
Our services include ad-hoc, ongoing, or project-based advisory and retainer arrangements; full- or part-time, in-person, or virtual secondments; and workshops/training for your team. Our expertise in general corporate and commercial law, as well as compliance and regulatory
EXAMPLES OF EXPERTISE AND SERVICES for New Zealand-based businesses:
Providing general market intelligence to build your knowledge about the legal, business, and cultural landscape of Japan
Introducing trusted Japan legal/other specialists to deepen and broaden your connections in Japan and support your plans (e.g. company registration documentation, tax advice, accountancy, and intellectual property – IP specialists)
Collaborating with your New Zealand-based advisors to form a cohesive team to advise you
Addressing your legal challenges in Japan by preparing, negotiating, and drafting business agreements with your suppliers, service providers, customers, employees, contractors, distributors, and local joint venture business partners
Lessening the reputational risks related to remote governance of your Japan operations by obtaining our guidance on best practice compliance for your business
Leveraging the benefits of signed and ratified Trade Agreements in the Asia Pacific region for your international trade with Japan
EXAMPLES OF EXPERTISE AND SERVICES for Japan-based businesses:
Providing general market intelligence to build your knowledge about the legal, business, and cultural landscape of New Zealand
Reviewing agreements from New Zealand business/joint venture counterparts that are governed by New Zealand law, and advising you as to the risks and where you can leverage your strengths to negotiate better terms of business
Enhancing your cross-cultural communications with bi-lingual (Japanese and English) language support and tactical support to help with your communications and negotiations with your New Zealand business counterparts - face to face, over email, or via Skype
Introducing trusted New Zealand-based legal/other specialists to deepen and broaden your connections in New Zealand and support your plans (e.g., New Zealand company registration documentation, tax advice, accountancy, intellectual property, employment law, and IP specialists.
Collaborating with your internal legal team and Japan-based advisors to form a cohesive team to advise you
Addressing your legal challenges in New Zealand by preparing, negotiating, and drafting business agreements with your suppliers, service providers, customers, employees, contractors, distributors, and local joint venture business partners
“We would not hesitate to recommend Catherine as a trusted partner when you want practical, business-focused advice from a western lawyer with a deep understanding of Japanese language, culture and people.”