When I was 16, I was awarded a coveted place on the AFS student exchange program to study in Japan for a year. I was delighted to be placed in St. Agnes High School in Kyoto as a second-year high school student. I was able to experience the joy of childhood in Japan firsthand and thereafter I was hooked.

There are two quotes that really appeal to me: “Illegitimi non carborundum,” which I’ll leave you to translate, and “Be kind and have courage.” Together they emphasize resilience, drive and compassion — qualities that I aspire to and try to impart to our two daughters.

I’ve been at Hogan Lovells for almost 20 years now. In January 2009 I transferred from our London office to help launch the Tokyo Corporate team and develop the Tokyo office. Since then, we have grown from 30 people to over 100 and we are the No. 1 performing office in our expansive Asia network. We have a superb team here, which I’m terrifically proud to be a part of.

I’m a real deal junkie! I get a serious kick out of supporting our clients execute cross-border M&A transactions around the globe. My goal is to provide clients with prompt, practical and cost-effective advice they need to build long-term, successful business relationships in the new markets that they wish to operate in. Of course it's wonderful when our deals make the pages of the Japan Times as well!

Japan is one of the few places in the world that still has a little bit of magic — that is part of what makes it so unique and special. Our girls are growing up in a safe and fun community where lost wallets always make it home, where stadiums, movie theaters and bathrooms are always clean, where trains run on time and where following the rules is the norm. This creates a wonderful sense of community and togetherness that you don't often find elsewhere. One tip I have for people living in Japan is to take the time to become part of your local community, whether it be joining a local club or sports team, the local matsuri, or even just shopping with your local yaoyasan (greengrocer). Being part of that magic is very rewarding and terrifically good fun.