Member Voices: Ryo Ida
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Ryo Ida |
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You completed a WLG | immersion experience, wherein you travelled to CMS Germany. How long did you stay, and what was your primary area of focus while there?
My stay at CMS Germany was from October 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, and my primary area of focus is M&A and general commercial law.
Moving from the legal culture at City-Yuwa Partners (Japan) to a German firm is a unique shift. What was the biggest surprise regarding the work style or office culture in Germany compared to Japan?
The most surprising thing was that every associate is provided with a private office. In Japan, it is common for associates to work in open-style booths without doors, while private offices are generally reserved for partners. At CMS Germany in Stuttgart, I was amazed to see that every associate has their own sunlit private room.
Additionally, though this likely depends on the specific team even within Germany, I felt that internal communication was more vibrant. We had opportunities to gather as a whole team at least once a week, such as through "Jour Fixe" meetings or even cultural outings like visiting art exhibitions during lunch breaks. Furthermore, I noticed that the remote work adoption rate is higher than in Japan, making the work style feel significantly more flexible.
Can you share a specific example of a project where you felt your perspective as a Japanese lawyer provided unique value to the German team?
In a matter involving advice for a multinational corporation, we had a task that required obtaining signatures and seals from the representative of their Japanese branch, followed by an Apostille certification. This project took place during the busy year-end period and required urgent preparation of documents, making timely reporting to the client essential.
Japan still maintains a culture that heavily emphasizes the use of seals (hanko), and many aspects of its bureaucracy remain analog, which differs greatly from European practices. In this situation, I believe I was able to provide value by acting as a bridge, explaining Japanese administrative customs, the necessary timeline, and the specific documentation required to the German team.
Beyond the office walls, what is one specific interaction (a dinner, a cultural site, a conversation) that made you feel truly welcome or changed your perspective?
Since my secondment coincided with the Christmas season, I was fortunate enough to experience German Christmas culture firsthand. In Germany, there is a beautiful tradition of inviting family and close friends to one's home on Advent Sundays. I was honored to be invited to the home of a partner to experience this. Being there with our respective families and spending such warm, personal time together made me feel truly welcomed.
Beyond that, I felt embraced in so many ways, from being taken to football matches and visiting Christmas markets to sharing dinners with colleagues.
What is one habit or perspective from the host country's work culture that you have brought back and tried to implement at your home firm?
When I return to Japan, I want to focus on increasing communication within my team. In the past, I often declined firm-organized social events, but going forward, I plan to participate more actively to foster better team dynamics.