CEO Insights Magazine

Achief legal officer is crucial for the smooth operation of any company, addressing complex legal issues and ensuring regulatory compliance. Kenta Mochizuki, an attorney at LAB-01 Law Office, embodies excellence in this vital role after accumulating legal and government affairs experience in - YAHOO! JAPAN, MERCARI, BYTEDANCE (TIKTOK), TWILIO and OVICE, in addition to his working experience in Embassy of Japan in Poland, Permanent Mission of Japan in Geneva and Personal Information Protection Commission. Admitted to the District of Columbia and New York State Bars, Kenta is also a Privacy Law Specialist accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and a Fellow of Information Privacy conferred by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). His extensive experience in financing, compliance, intellectual property, and international legal affairs underpins strong corporate governance and innovative business strategies worldwide. Kenta's diverse legal expertise makes him an invaluable asset in the corporate world. Let’s delve deeper into his story through this one on one interaction.

What strategies have you implemented to improve the efficiency of your department?

I clearly communicated future plans and objectives with my supervisor and the management team to establish and elevate the legal team. I maintained close communication with them to keep them updated on the team's progress and situation. The role of an in-house legal team is to proactively identify issues and problems within a company and provide solutions and concrete plans to prevent recurrence, while collaborating with external counsels. To achieve this, the in-house legal team must understand the needs and wants of business units early on and anticipate their legal queries, allowing for swift action. Therefore, I prioritize effective communication with business units to understand their needs, strive to be approachable and accessible, and continually build legal expertise and experience in relevant fields. Additionally, I frequently seek opportunities to exchange opinions with external counsels and other professionals, and attend seminars held by law firms.

Can you describe the measures you have taken to navigate and optimize legal technology solutions to maximize the department's performance?

First, I reach out to various in-house lawyers to gather information on useful legal technologies. Following this, I engage with several legal tech companies, exchange views and opinions, and test their demos to understand how these technologies can be integrated into my legal team. Additionally, I aim to limit the number of legal tech tools within the company to save on expenses and ensure we maximize the use of each tool without duplication. I frequently discuss with my colleagues the best ways to utilize these technologies and incorporate them into our routine legal operations. With the advent of generative AI, I plan to leverage it more in the future to reduce the workload for both my colleagues and myself.

Describe your leadership approach. What guidance or methodologies do you use to lead your team?

My leadership approach is fair and reasonable, amicable and reliable, efficient and productive. I often listen carefully to issues and problems within the company as well as my colleagues’ opinions, always considering how best I can assist in achieving solutions. The in-house legal team should collaborate closely with business units rather than rigidly imposing laws and regulations. It is essential for the in-house legal team to understand the company’s business model, size, phase, organizational structure, and the perspectives of the management team and other members. Simultaneously, the legal team must also grasp how to interpret laws and regulations, keep abreast of regulatory trends, and learn from other companies' successful practices. These tasks are comprehensive, but striking the optimal balance among various interests is vital. I continuously strive to find this balance to ensure that the legal team is not only a support function but also a proactive partner in the company's success. By maintaining this holistic understanding and approach, I aim to lead my team effectively, fostering a cooperative environment that enhances overall productivity and aligns with the company's strategic objectives. This balanced leadership methodology helps drive the department and company forward.

How do you stay current with ongoing industry trends?

As previously mentioned, I frequently engage in discussions with external counsels, in-house counsels from other companies, and various professionals. Additionally, I make it a priority to attend seminars organized by law firms, where I can gain insights into emerging trends and best practices in the industry. Furthermore, I dedicate time to conducting desk research, allowing me to stay updated on ongoing industry developments and advancements. This multifaceted approach ensures that I remain well-informed about current trends, enabling me to adapt strategies and approaches accordingly within my role.

What are your future aspirations that you aim to achieve moving forward?

My aspiration is to become a Chief Legal Officer (CLO) capable of offering pragmatic solutions to business units, considering the entirety of circumstances at any given moment. This involves not only staying abreast of the latest legal developments but also understanding the specific needs, desires, and dynamics within the company. I aim to encompass a broad spectrum of legal domains, including government relations, and establish myself as a supportive ally to business units, helping them achieve their objectives. My goal is to integrate legal expertise seamlessly with the operational goals of the organization, fostering a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship between legal and business functions. Ultimately, I envision myself as a CLO who is not only proficient in legal matters but also adept at navigating complex business environments, driving success through strategic alignment and proactive partnership.

Kenta Mochizuki, Attorney at Law, LAB-01 Law Office

Kenta Mochizuki, Attorney at Law at LAB-01 Law Office, is admitted to the District of Columbia and New York State Bars. He is an ABA-accredited Privacy Law Specialist and IAPP-conferred Fellow of Information Privacy, with certifications in CIPM, CIPP/US, and CIPP/E, specializing in comprehensive legal and compliance matters. He previously served as a member of the Multistakeholder Advisory Group of United Nations Internet Governance Forum and other policy committees established by the Japanese government and Japan Business Federation.