Our core values guide the decisions we make and actions we take
We confess that we didn’t actually “set” our organizational values from the start. We have discovered them based on what our clients and collaborators have given to us in feedback as we have worked alongside them and now we strive for in all interactions with any person we work with because that’s what our clients told us they expect from us.
Value & Integrity – we are nothing without our integrity so we are honest and respectful and ethical in our actions. We honour our commitments and are accountable for our actions, successes, and failure and from that our value is delivered.
Ease & Friendliness – we want to make working with a lawyer easy and so our aim is to be friendly and approachable in all our interactions. We are serious about your business and we also want to enjoy our work, so we strive for being serious about having fun and having fun while being serious.
Agility & Flexibility – we wouldn’t be basing our entire business model on flexible legal services if agility and flexibility were not at our core! We don’t believe that the billable hour is the only way to value what we do for our clients. We believe in flexible fee arrangements and are open to considering various ways to work with our clients.
Impact & Purposeful - We value relationship-building meetings with clients We measure our success by outcomes and client satisfaction. We are devoted to our society and community through our volunteer activities and want to be an example to the next generation of lawyers.
Humility and Curiosity - We believe in being a forever learner lawyer and are consistently devoted to professional development programs. Our radar is always up for curious moments and to reflect them in all our interactions with you – we may ask you some curious questions as we go on our work journey together! We love curious questions from you too!
Over 22 years of experience as a lawyer and three decades of connection with Japan and New Zealand
I have an extensive background in law, business, corporate governance and cross-cultural communications. Prior to founding Catherine O’Connell Law Office, I practiced in a wide range of in-house roles and I am one of the few foreign lawyers to have worked in the manufacturing industry in Japan. My in-house work is balanced with foundations in private practice in law firms in Japan, New Zealand, and London and current outside board roles.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES
Barrister & Solicitor – New Zealand (since 1995)
Solicitor – England & Wales (since 2009)
Registered Foreign Lawyer – Japan (since 2018)
REGULATORY MEMBERSHIPS
New Zealand Law Society (New Zealand)
Solicitors Regulation Authority (England & Wales)
Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association (Japan)
UNIVERSITY DEGREES
B.A. (Japanese) – University of Canterbury (1994)
LLB. – University of Canterbury (1994)
JAPANESE LANGUAGE
1985 - 1986 Japanese language course: Christchurch Institute of Technology (CPIT) – First in class 1985 and 1986
1986 – New Zealand Nationwide Japanese Language Competition – First place
1987 - 1990 Tour Guide for Japanese tourists with JTB New Zealand
1990 – 1995 University Lecturer of 1st year Japanese; Police & Court-approved Japanese Translator
Nihongo Noryoku Shiken Level II
EXPERIENCE IN LAW PRIOR TO FOUNDING CATHERINE O’CONNELL LAW
1995 - 2002 Anderson Lloyd (incorporating Flesher Sandford/Caudwells), Christchurch, New Zealand
Senior Solicitor
2002 - 2003 – Olympus Corporation, Tokyo
In-House Counsel
2004 - 2007 – Panasonic Electronic Devices and Panasonic Corporation, Osaka
Senior In-House Counsel
2008 - 2012 – Hogan Lovells, Tokyo
Senior Associate, Corporate Team
2008 - 2010 – Mitsubishi Motors Legal Department (secondment)
2010 - Hogan Lovells, London
Senior Associate, Corporate & Commercial Team
2012 - 2017 – Molex Japan LLC
Head of Legal, APAC North Regional Counsel, Division Counsel
ORGANISATIONS I SUPPORT
Women in Law Japan (WILJ), previously President, Advisory Board
Australian & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ANZCCJ), Executive Council, Vice Chair
American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ), Legal Services Committee, Co-Chair
Criticaleye
Global Women
JCCI TCCI - JNZBC Japan Committee
MOJ Translation Committee
SPEAKING | PANELS
Participated as a panelist discussing topics of focus for in-house legal teams such: "Establishing a culture of good governance and transparency”, “Compliance and Regulatory Issues for International Companies”, “The Transformative Role of Legal Counsel” and “Information Security issues for In-House Counsel”
Conducted series of training on NDA and Contracts for “buy” and “sell” side in Japan and Asia for sales/marketing/procurement/HR/finance employees, to understand risks and effect of contracts/NDAs
Facilitated “Leading with Integrity” training for management team
Facilitated “Careful Communications” workshop for sales management team
A SAMPLE OF SOME OF THE WORK WE HAVE DONE
Prepared a Partnership Agreement for Japan-based foreign partners identifying liability, risk, privacy & data-collection issues
Supported a maturing foreign business based in Japan with in-house legal counsel ad-hoc advisory support to strategise various issues including recovery of unpaid commission, new outbound business venture with US-based marketing company, IP rights related to on-line gaming app.
Provided ad-hoc legal support for Japan based technology SME facing a shareholder dispute
Supported ad-hoc advisory support for several companies seeking trade mark registration in Japan and collaborated with patent attorney business partner for pre-screening trade mark and application process.
In collaboration with Japanese labor lawyer provided ad-hoc advisory on various Japanese employment matters for both employer and employee side to negotiate amicable exit/separation of employees in Japan subsidiary of foreign corporates.
Provided ad-hoc corporate governance and overseas subsidiary oversight advice for Japanese law firm for their Japanese client’s overseas subsidiaries in Asia and Canada