The Art of Not Comparing: A journey to partner at a top law firm in Japan with Akemi Suzuki
Akemi Suzuki is a corporate M&A partner at the Tokyo office of Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu. Akemi joins us for an honest conversation about career pivots, personal challenges, and finding your own path in the legal profession.
From walking an hour to elementary school in rural Gunma to becoming a respected M&A and data privacy expert in Tokyo, Akemi shares the unexpected turns that shaped her career.
This episode is perfect for lawyers at any stage who want to hear authentic stories about building a meaningful career while staying true to yourself.
If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here!
In this episode you’ll hear:
Why Akemi nearly turned down partner track due to family planning fears, and the conversation that changed everything
How a simple word from an in-house boss revolutionised her understanding of what clients really want
How having children forced a career pivot that ultimately expanded her expertise and made her more valuable
Why being called "old-fashioned" became a badge of honour and a lesson in embracing diverse perspectives
About Akemi
Akemi Suzuki is a corporate M&A partner at the Tokyo office of Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu. She has 25 years of experience representing Japanese and international companies in a wide range of complex cross-border transactions. She serves as co-chair of the firm’s technology, data and start-up practice team and advises multinational clients on various data privacy and data governance matters. She is a two-time winner of the Woman Lawyer of the Year award from the ALB Law Awards, and has received many other professional accolades. In addition to her extensive client work, Akemi is passionate about initiatives addressing societal issues, such as mental well-being and equity & inclusion. Akemi has served as the firm’s DE&I committee for six years and now leads the firm’s pro bono efforts.
Connect with Akemi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akemi-suzuki-graham/
Links
Wellness App mentioned by Catherine: “Insight Timer” https://insighttimer.com/
Connect with Catherine
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair
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