I am Rie Nishida, a bilingual Japanese attorney proficient in English, based in the bustling heart of Tokyo.
Licensed to practice in both Japan and New York, I founded Shinjuku International Law Firm in 2021, nestled near the serene Shinjuku-Gyoen National Garden. My vision was to create a firm that caters to clients from all around the world, offering expert legal services in criminal defense and civil litigation.
As a boutique law firm, we are a close-knit team comprising myself, a proficient English-speaking paralegal, a Japanese paralegal, and a collaborating attorney from an associate firm. This structure allows us to offer personalized and attentive legal services, focusing on the specific needs of each client.
My legal journey began with my admission as a Bengoshi (Japanese lawyer) in 2012. I am a proud member of both the Tokyo Bar Association and the New York Bar. My educational background includes a Juris Doctor from Hitotsubashi University, completed in 2011, and post-graduate training at the Supreme Court of Japan's Legal Research and Training Institute in 2012. Further enhancing my international legal expertise, I was a Visiting Fellow at UC Berkeley in 2015 under the Japan Federation of Bar Associations and earned my Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of Texas School of Law at Austin in 2016.
Whether you need assistance in English with criminal defense or civil litigation matters in Japan, I am here to provide you with skilled, compassionate, and effective legal representation. At Shinjuku International Law Firm, we bridge the gap between Japanese and international law, ensuring your legal needs are met with the highest standards of excellence.
Founded in 2021
50 people in their team
We are dedicated to championing civil and human rights through our expert legal services in civil litigation and dispute resolution. Located in Japan, our firm is committed to guiding clients through the complexities of the Japanese judicial system, ensuring their rights are vigorously defended and their voices heard.
We understand that disputes can be challenging and stressful, particularly when they fall under the jurisdiction of the Japanese legal system. Our team is equipped to handle a diverse range of civil disputes, offering strategic guidance and robust representation.
To start, we offer a free first-time phone consultation, allowing us to understand your situation and provide preliminary advice. For further in-depth discussions and strategy planning, our fee is 22,000 yen (approximately 220 USD) per hour.
We believe that many civil disputes can be effectively resolved through private negotiation. Our approach focuses on thorough analysis of evidence and a comprehensive understanding of each case's strengths and weaknesses. This strategic groundwork is key to achieving favorable outcomes for our clients.
Our expertise extends across various facets of civil and human rights law:
We are more than just legal representatives; we are committed advocates for your rights and interests. Whether you are facing a complex legal dispute or seeking guidance on civil rights matters, our team is here to support and guide you every step of the way.
Navigating legal disputes can be daunting, and our goal is to offer clarity and support throughout the process. We specialize in a range of services tailored to address and resolve disputes efficiently and effectively.
Our approach to resolving disputes starts with private negotiation, an essential step in achieving favorable outcomes.
Our firm is also proficient in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including mediation and arbitration. These methods provide a less adversarial and often more efficient way of resolving disputes outside of the traditional court system.
We are dedicated to standing by your side through every step of your legal journey. We understand the intricacies of the Japanese judicial system and are committed to providing you with the knowledgeable guidance and effective representation you need.
We are a distinguished criminal defense law firm dedicated to upholding your rights and providing exceptional legal representation in Japan. Our team, led by experienced and knowledgeable attorneys, specializes in navigating the complexities of the Japanese criminal justice system, ensuring that every client receives the highest standard of legal care.
We offer a wide range of criminal defense services, including but not limited to arrests and searches, bail bond services, criminal litigation, drug crime defense, representation in drunk driving cases, sex crime defense, and handling speeding and traffic tickets. Our expertise covers every stage of the criminal process, from investigation to trial.
Understanding the financial aspect of legal services is crucial. We follow a clear, straightforward fee structure to ensure our clients are well-informed from the outset:
Initial Consultation
We offer a free first phone consultation. This initial conversation allows us to understand your situation and discuss the next steps.
Investigation Phase: Fees start from 440,000 Yen to 1,100,000 Yen. During this critical phase, our goal is to work towards your earlier release and strive for non-prosecution.
Success Fee: Depending on the outcome, success fees range as follows:
Trial Phase:
We understand the stress and uncertainty that come with facing criminal charges. Our commitment is to provide you with a robust defense, informed guidance, and compassionate support throughout the legal process. Your rights and best interests are our top priority.
Lawyer
Meet Rie Nishida, the founding lawyer of Shinjuku International Law Firm, a dynamic legal practitioner with a profound commitment to criminal defense and dispute resolution. Admitted as a bengoshi (lawyer) in Japan in 2012 and a member of both the Tokyo Bar Association and the New York Bar, Rie brings a unique blend of international perspective and local expertise to her practice.
Rie's academic journey is as impressive as her professional trajectory. She completed her legal education at Hitotsubashi University and its Graduate School of Law, earning her Juris Doctor (JD), followed by training at the Legal Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan in 2012. Her early career began at a boutique law firm in 2012, where she honed her skills in criminal defense and dispute resolution, handling cases ranging from minor offenses like shoplifting to more grave matters including drug offenses, bodily injury resulting in death, and white-collar crimes.
With a growing interest in criminal defense and criminal justice reform, Rie embarked on an international academic journey. She was a visiting fellow at the University of California Berkeley Graduate School of Law (2015-2016), sponsored by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, where she delved into criminal defense and constitutional issues, particularly focusing on the capital punishment system. Furthering her specialization, she pursued and obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Law, where she studied various aspects of criminal defense, especially concerning capital punishment cases.
Upon obtaining her LL.M. and being admitted to the New York State Bar Association in 2017, Rie returned to Tokyo. She joined Vanguard Lawyers Tokyo, a firm known for serving multinational clients in Japanese labor law, dispute resolution, and corporate internal investigations. Here, Rie expanded her expertise to include employment litigation, commercial litigations, and regulatory investigations.
Rie is actively engaged in efforts to reform death penalty laws in Japan. As a member of the Death Penalty Due Process Review Project, comprised of lawyers and scholars, she is deeply involved in addressing the implementation of the death penalty and broader concerns within the Japanese criminal justice system. Her advocacy extends to representing death row inmates in their retrials, demonstrating her commitment to due process and justice.
In 2021, Rie's journey led to the inception of Shinjuku International Law Firm. Driven by a passion for providing comprehensive legal services with an international understanding and local acumen, Rie Nishida stands as a beacon of expertise and advocacy in the legal landscape.
For those in need of a skilled lawyer with a rich background in criminal defense, dispute resolution, and a heart for justice reform, Rie Nishida of Shinjuku International Law Firm is an unparalleled choice.
