Nationality: New Zealand
Time Living in Japan: More than 17 years
Employer: Catherine O’Connell Law
Current Job Title: Principal, Founder CEO, Lawpreneur, Flexible lawyer
Areas of Expertise: Commercial Business-experienced legal advice and solutions, writing and editing (general and travel), Social media maven, Content Creation and Cross-Cultural Communication
Education: Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts (Japanese) , Foreign Registered Lawyer, Japan; Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand; Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England & Wales,
Favorite Things About Living in Japan: The public transport system, takkyubin delivery system, safety in the streets, art galleries and exhibitions from overseas, convenient and fun place to live and work where there is always something to do. I especially love being involved in the thriving global business community in Tokyo, especially through the Australian & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan, and the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan.
Favorite Places to Visit in Japan: Kurashiki in Okayama, Miyajima in Hiroshima Kagawa prefecture in Shikoku (especially staying at Kotohira-Kadan and heading to Naoshima island) and Kaga-Onsen in Kanazawa (especially Beniya Mukayu Ryokan and 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art) and the towns of Magome and Tsumago on the Nakasendo trail. I love exploring local cuisine, craft shops, shrines and temples and chatting with locals in small-town “mum & dad”-run shops and bars
BIO: Catherine is Principal, Founder and CEO of her own boutique, secondment-based flexible New Law firm, Catherine O’Connell Law. She is the first foreign female to set up her own practice in Tokyo and was a finalist in the British Chamber Entrepreneur of the Year Business Awards in the same year. Catherine has been in Japan 17 years working primarily in In House roles at Panasonic, Olympus and Mitsubishi Motors as well as in private practice at Hogan Lovells in the Tokyo and London offices and 10+ years in New Zealand in private practice.
Published Works:
–Contracts for Business Webinar
–NZ Lawyer
–Radio NZ
–Asia Business Law Journal