WELCOME TO THE Lawyer on air podcast
I’m Catherine, the host of Lawyer on Air, the #1 podcast for legal careers in Japan. In each episode, I bring you award-winning insights and inspirational inside stories about working in law as a woman in Japan. Whether you’re dreaming of a career here or already practicing, this is your go-to guide for finding your place in Japan’s legal landscape. We’ll dive into what hiring managers look for, emerging trends in the legal market, what it takes to earn a seat on a Japanese corporate board, and how to thrive personally and professionally.
Tune in and join the Lawyer on Air community by subscribing on your favorite podcast app below.
TOPICS YOU’LL HEAR ON THE SHOW…
Navigating your legal career
Leadership in law
Life as a woman lawyer
Podcast Accolades
Best Podcast by a Kiwi Abroad | Bronze Award
2021 Quill Podcast Awards Nominee
2022 Quill Podcast Awards Nominee
Lawyer on Air is produced by award winning Jayne Nakata of PodLaunch with Jayne, winner of the BCCJ BBA Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2022.
Our special thanks to Kristen McQuillin for the design of our Lawyer on Air podcast logo!
Recent Episodes
Pushing Doors Open: Catherine O'Connell on Strategic Patience, Governance, and Giving Back
Guest Host Yoko Oshima leads this episode’s interview with host Catherine O’Connell as Lawyer on Air reaches the milestone of 5 years on air and 100 guests. Catherine shares her remarkable journey from a shy New Zealand teenager to an award-winning lawyer, podcast host, and board member at companies like Toyota and Fujitsu. You will hear about the pivotal moments that shaped her career, and why she believes courage must come before confidence. If you love listening to LOA and want to know more about Catherine, this is the episode for you.
Don't Stop Believing: One Lawyer's Journey Through Loss, Grief, Leadership, and Gender Equity
"I thought you didn't want to be a partner" - Maya Ito heard these stunning words at a meeting to discuss her firm’s view that her lack of career progression at Big Four law firm Nishimura & Asahi, was simply because she had children. Plot spoiler: she's now a partner at that same firm, she’s leading cross-border project finance deals, and all the while, she’s running an almost entirely female team. Maya shares a deeply personal story of utter loss that forever changed how she approaches every single day of her life, reveals the Japanese warrior philosophy that defines her service to clients, and also explains why monthly team lunches replaced late-night drinking sessions. If you are looking up at senior partners wondering how they got there, or simply want to know what it really takes to sustain a career in Big Law while living with no regrets, grab your headphones and get ready to get to know Maya Ito in a way you never have before.
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 Gumma 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.