Reaching the peak of your legal career through a new way of leadership with Rika Nakajima

If you are finding that you are letting your current circumstances stagnate your legal career, then this is the episode for you. Rika Nakajima is one of the first Japanese women lawyers to hold the office of Representative Corporate Executive Officer in Japan, and as a single parent to two boys she has definitely not let her circumstances get in the way of her career and taking the leaps that have led her to where she is today.
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In this episode you’ll hear:

How Rika convinced her father to let her study abroad and ultimately become a lawyer
The transitions through various phases of Rika’s legal career both in the US and Japan
Why she decided to leave her role at PWC and what happened when she made that decision
The importance of diverse and impartial voices in the corporate boardroom
Why Rika was chosen for promotion to Representative Corporate Executive Officer at her organisation
Her favourite books and other fun facts

About Rika
Born and raised in Japan first attending Sophia University's Comparative Cultural department in 1990 Rika then took herself over to the United States to transfer to Brown University, graduating with a bachelor of arts and honors.
In 1992 Rika then went on to take her Juris Doctorate qualification at American university, Washington College of Law in 1997 passing the New Jersey State Bar in 1998 and the New York State Bar in 2001. Rika has had over 20 years experience, having worked in prominent law firms and companies across Japan and the US. Her first law role as a qualified attorney was Ernst & Young, both in New York and in Tokyo as a tax manager. She then transitioned to tax associate at Baker McKenzie and then moved to become the Legal and Compliance Manager at Macquarie Group in 2008.  Rika joined Shearman and Sterling, LLP as an associate in March 2012, After Shearman, Rika took on the role of Senior Manager at PWC and the office of General Counsel from October 2014, right through to December 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic Rika changed jobs being hired at Oracle, Japan as the associate general counsel and in fast succession, in July 2021 Rika took up the role of corporate executive officer followed by a second promotion to representative corporate executive officer in August 2021.
Connect with Rika
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikanakajima/
Links
Bubby’s Restaurant 
Happiness Becomes You, by Tina Turner 
Nitori CEO's book: 運は創るもの ―私の履歴書
Connect with Catherine
Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/