The Power of Saying No: Building an International Legal Career on Your Own Terms with Yoshie Midorikawa
Yoshie Midorikawa is an inspiring international dispute resolution lawyer and a Co-founding Partner at Miura & Partners who has built a remarkable career on her own terms. From initially refusing to use English to becoming a leading voice in cross-border litigation - using English -, Yoshie shares her unconventional journey with refreshing honesty and humour.
Discover how this avid reader of detective stories transformed her love of mysteries into a successful legal career, why saying "no" at the start proved pivotal, and how she helped establish a law firm with over 30% female partners - a rarity in Japan. Whether you are an aspiring lawyer, seeking board positions, or simply curious about building an authentic career in a traditional culture, this episode offers practical wisdom wrapped in warmth and wit.
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In this episode you’ll hear:
Yoshie's surprising declaration against using English that later reversed completely
Why having 30% women in leadership transforms workplace dynamics and how Yoshie helped create this at her firm
The importance of switching from detail-focused analysis to big-picture thinking for board roles
Her favourite books and other fun facts
About Yoshie
Yoshie Midorikawa is a co-founding partner of Miura & Partners and has led the firm’s international dispute resolution practice since its launch in 2019. Since her admission to the bar in 2007, she has advised on a broad range of dispute resolution matters, with a particular focus on complex commercial disputes.
In addition to her practice as external counsel, Yoshie serves as an independent director on the boards of several listed Japanese companies across industries including consulting, manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, and real estate. Her board experience enhances her ability to deliver commercially grounded, practical legal solutions tailored to business realities.
Yoshie has been recognised as Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year at the ALB Japan Law Awards 2025. She is also ranked as a Next Generation Partner in Dispute Resolution by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific since 2023, currently shortlisted as Japan Female Lawyer of the Year by asialaw Awards 2025, and is recognised by Best Lawyers in Japan for her work in Litigation, International Arbitration, and Corporate Governance and Compliance.
She actively contributes to the legal community through regular publications and speaking engagements, particularly on Japanese law and cross-border dispute resolution including third-party litigation funding.
Admitted to practice in Japan and New York, Yoshie is a Council Member of the Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration (MCIA), and serves on the panel of arbitrators at the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association (JCAA), the Shanghai Arbitration Commission (SHAC), and the Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC).
She holds a J.D. from the University of Tokyo School of Law and an LL.M. from Columbia Law School.
Outside of her legal work, Yoshie enjoys spending time with her family and finding balance through yoga. She recently acquired the skills to sew dresses based on her daughter’s drawings, which she finds very rewarding. She is also a devoted fan of US and UK courtroom and intelligence dramas. Her passion for solving puzzles dates back to her school days, when she was an avid reader of detective stories.
Connect with Yoshie
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoshie-midorikawa-7663aa83/
Links
Le Marquis: https://hotel-chinzanso-tokyo.com/dining/marquis/
Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do: https://amzn.asia/d/bj7iR6Q
Connect with Catherine
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair
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