Catherine O'Connell Featured in Attorney’s Magazine

Many people know Catherine as the founder of a boutique law firm in Tokyo supporting businesses operating between New Zealand and Japan. Fewer realise that she was also a pioneer in establishing her own law practice in Japan as the first foreign female in history to do so, and she is the early adopter of the Fractional General Counsel model in the Japanese market.

Attorney’s Magazine recently featured Catherine's story, making her the first foreign lawyer practising in Japan to be profiled in the publication's more than 20-year history. While the recognition may have arrived eight years after the launch of her firm, it reflects the growing interest in alternative legal service models and the unique career path Catherine has forged in Japan. The article highlights Catherine's journey from New Zealand lawyer to Tokyo-based law firm owner, board member, and trusted advisor to companies navigating business across cultures.

If you are visiting Tokyo, feel free to stop by Catherine's office in the heart of the city for a Flat White and a conversation about business, governance, Japan, or what's possible when you are prepared to build your own path.