[Office Information Session Report ③]
Information Session Q&A - The Reality of Growth Environment, Work Style, and Compensation

Mimura Komatsu Law Office was established in 2019 by attorneys Ryoichi Mimura and Shunya Komatsu.
Initially, the firm started as a small one with five lawyers, but expanded its business, focusing on intellectual property, dispute resolution, and corporate law, and as of February 2026, has grown to a team of 24 lawyers.

On November 20, 2025, Mimura Komatsu Law Office held its first office information session, which was attended in person and online by approximately 30 lawyers, legal trainees, and law school students.
A lively exchange of opinions took place through a program that included an introduction to the firm's history and areas of practice, a panel discussion, a question-and-answer session, and a social gathering.

This article will introduce the growth environment, work style, and compensation at our firm, based on the answers to questions received during the Q&A session.
We will provide insights into working at our firm through practical, specific details such as the attitude we expect from new lawyers, our approach to career development, working hours and compensation guidelines, and our training system.

It seems that many of the lawyers who spoke today have gained experience at other firms before moving to your firm. What do you look for in new lawyers with little to no practical experience?

(I.e.
Well, first and foremost, for new lawyers with little or no practical experience, our primary desire is for them to "experience a wide variety of cases." Mimura Komatsu Law Office is less of a boutique firm and more of a firm with a diverse range of cases, so we think it's a good fit for people who are willing to try anything without being picky.
To be honest, especially during the first five years or so, it's best not to narrow your focus too much. You only truly grasp the connection between everything after experiencing the whole process, from company formation and fundraising to labor relations, contracts, and dispute resolution. If you specialize too early and say, "I'll only do this," it becomes harder to get a grasp of the bigger picture.
On the other hand, it's a different story for those who already have extensive experience in a second career. For example, if you have deep experience in a specific field in your previous job, you should leverage that strength. So, for newcomers, I think it's good to "try anything," and for experienced people, to "bring your existing skills and strengths."

Tanabe
I completely agree. While some people decide on their future field of study while in law school, I think in reality, very few people have a clear direction from the start. It's far more common for people to discover their direction through chance encounters or by working on projects.
That's why it's a waste to limit your potential at an early stage. Even if the industry is different, there are many projects with similar fundamental structures, and the more experience you have to draw upon, the more useful it will definitely be later on.
After nearly 10 years of practical experience, I've come to realize that every experience, no matter how small, will eventually connect to something else. The most important thing is to approach it with the mindset that it's for your own benefit.

Could you tell me about the training system for new lawyers?.

(I.e.
To be honest, we don't have a so-called "standardized training system." However, we always use a team system where multiple people handle every project. They attend meetings, conduct research, write drafts, and get reviews. It's a continuous cycle.
We always have a meeting about once every three months to talk about things like, "How are you doing lately?" and "What do you want to do?", and we try to reflect their wishes as much as possible.

Miyazawa
Outside of the major firms, on-the-job training (OJT) is the norm throughout the industry. Within that context, the opportunity to work with various senior lawyers is a strength of this firm.

Could you tell me the typical working hours and fees for a newly qualified lawyer?

(I.e.
For new employees, for example, those in their first to third year, the average working hours are around 120 hours per month. We basically use a time-based billing system, so we ask them to record how many hours they spent on each project. However, this is just an average, so those with children tend to work fewer hours, while some who want to work more work around 180 hours. There's quite a bit of variation depending on one's lifestyle.
Regarding compensation, we set a rate based on the year of experience, and for lawyers in their first to third year, it is often around 600,000 to 900,000 yen per month. We also consider using a fixed fee system for a while after joining the firm to allow new recruits to get used to the firm's cases and methods, but after that, we transition to a performance-based compensation system. With a performance-based compensation system, if you work normally, you can expect to start at around 10 million yen per year and gradually increase. Even as an associate, some lawyers earn 20 million to 30 million yen or more if they work a lot of hours.

Miyazawa
I get the impression that they're quite accommodating regarding working hours. Whether you want to work fewer hours to prepare for studying abroad, or conversely, to earn as much as possible right now, they're flexible with those kinds of adjustments.

Are there more one-off projects or ongoing projects?

(I.e.
My impression is that it's roughly a 50/50 split, but cases that start as a one-off and then become ongoing are very common.
I have over 100 client companies, and many of my consultations come through referrals. In particular, when I can handle their needs, including their expertise, market sense, and negotiation skills, they often switch to becoming my full-time advisors.

How many patent lawsuits are there?

Nitta
Patent litigation is large in scale, so it's difficult to talk about it simply in terms of the number of cases, but we usually have around five large cases ongoing. Looking at the firm as a whole, the number of cases involving the underlying parties is less than 10, but when you include related cases that arise from those, the volume becomes quite substantial.
In addition to litigation, we also handle a considerable number of intellectual property cases, including drafting opinions on grounds for invalidation and providing advice on patent strategies.

What are the key factors you consider when hiring?

(I.e.
It's about ambition and flexibility. Someone who can keep learning without being held back by misplaced pride. You can always improve your abilities later on.

Nitta
For newcomers, the most important things are basic writing skills and legal reasoning abilities. They don't need to be perfect, but it's crucial that they're at a usable level after some revisions.

Tanabe
I prioritize whether we can enjoy working together. Compatibility in relationships is especially important during busy times.

Could you tell me about your plans for the future development of your office?

(I.e.
We don't plan to expand unnecessarily, but we are interested in expanding into regional areas and establishing overseas bases. We want to be flexible and consider things according to the lifestyles and wishes of our members.

【2026.3.13】