Meet Our Talent
Paul Johnson
Biotechnology Specialist
What was the most difficult aspect of adjusting to work and life in Japan initially?
Moving to Japan seemed like a crazy idea at the time and not having the familiar faces of family and friends you have left behind was quite challenging initially. There were no doubt times where it seemed an easy option to throw in the towel and return home, but I soon learnt that with a little bit perseverance, living and working in Japan could be a rewarding experience.
I can honestly say that working and living in Japan was and remains the best decision I have made.
What has been your fondest experience in Japan?
My fondest leisure experiences were each weekend (where possible) going for a drive to an obscure little town and discovering the Japan you don't get in the big cities. As a great admirer of fine food, I was more than willing (my waist not so much) to try the local specialties of every little village I visited.
What sort of work did you get and was it challenging?
The best thing about SHUSAKU YAMAMOTO is that the firm recognizes and rewards your talents early on by providing a hands-on opportunity to work with some of the biggest global innovators. Whether it was developing patent prosecution strategies, fighting tooth and nail over epic patent litigation battles, providing patent validity opinions or working on landmark patent court appeals, each and every activity was challenging. This challenging environment allows you to take a large degree of ownership in your work and provide a sense of accomplishment on completing the project leaving you hungry for more.
When I was not at work, I was .....
I was getting lost in the back streets of downtown Osaka trying to find the next best little restaurant or bar.
What is the most important thing that working at the Firm has taught you about yourself?
The most important thing I learnt about myself while working at the Firm was that by trusting my own abilities I can achieve my goals.
What advice would you give to entry level recruits?
Like anything you must give the opportunity at the Firm a good chance to ensure the best outcome for yourself. Thinking that you will achieve everything overnight will be self-defeating. Gaining the trust and respect of the people around you is critical for your success, not only in SHUSAKU YAMAMOTO but in every endeavor, and this can only be achieved by you giving your 100%.