Team size: 15

What are the most significant cases, projects, or transactions that you and your legal team have recently been involved in?

Our company recently achieved a favourable outcome in a highly complex litigation matter. Initially, the prospects for success appeared challenging due to the limited availability of evidence supporting our company’s position. Despite the inability to summon third-party witnesses to testify, our employees took the stand and provided compelling testimonies. Through strategic presentation and persuasive legal arguments, we successfully convinced the presiding judge to find in favour of our company’s stance. This victory underscores our legal team’s commitment to excellence and our ability to navigate intricate legal landscapes, ultimately securing a just resolution for our company despite the initial hurdles.

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

During periods of instability or crisis, managing legal aspects requires a proactive and strategic approach to ensure organisational resilience. In case of crisis, first, it is crucial to identify all pertinent issues and conduct a thorough root cause analysis to understand underlying factors and address them effectively. Transparency with stakeholders is equally critical; open communication helps rebuild trust and demonstrates accountability, which is vital during challenging times. The legal team plays a pivotal role in this process by providing expert analysis, identifying potential liabilities, and advising on compliance with relevant regulations.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

Since 2022, I have had the honor of serving as President of The Japan In-house Lawyers’ Association (JILA). Under my leadership, JILA launched the JILA In-house Legal Award in 2023, designed to spotlight the exceptional work of in-house lawyers and legal departments. The awards are divided into several categories: the In-house Award for individual achievements, the Team Award for corporate legal department accomplishments, and a Special Award for government agencies. We successfully raised over ¥15m from esteemed sponsors, including law firms and legal tech companies. I spearheaded the entire initiative, overseeing everything from planning and press releases to organising the award ceremony. The awards garnered significant attention, with winners celebrated in major media outlets. This recognition not only boosted the motivation and visibility of the winning teams but also fulfilled our goal of highlighting the vital contributions of in-house lawyers.

Based on your experiences in the past year, are there any trends in the legal or business world that you are keeping an eye on that you think other in-house lawyers should be mindful of?

In today’s fast-paced legal environment, the adoption of legal tech is becoming increasingly crucial. These tools significantly enhance efficiency by streamlining routine tasks, thereby allowing legal professionals to dedicate their time to more complex and strategic activities. Legal tech solutions improve accuracy in document review and contract management, while also fostering knowledge sharing among team members. Furthermore, they facilitate enhanced collaboration through cloud-based platforms, enabling seamless communication between teams and clients. By embracing legal tech, law firms and legal departments can boost productivity, reduce costs, and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving industry.