Ms. Akiko Yamakawa, Partner, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

There have been a number of recent developments on labour market conditions both as part of government reform agenda and also in response to recent highly publicised events.

Akiko Yamakawa, Partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer will discuss how to manage working hours and overtime issues and provide practical tips. Topics will include:

· Statutory regulations on working hours

· Alternative working hours systems available under law

· Overtime regulations, including:

- court precedents;

- practice of the Labour Standards Office;

- recent discussions relating to “White Collar Exemption” and other overtime    regulations and practical ways to mitigate risks.  

She will also provide an update on recent discussions on labour market reforms including the introduction of equal pay for equal work, and payment of severance allowance in lieu of reinstatement.

Akiko Yamakawa is a Partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer  and specialises in dispute resolution, employment and labour law and financial regulatory matters.  

Akiko’s career experiences include: advising various multinational companies on large scale redundancies; advising on employment related matters in connection with a joint venture between two financial institutions; advising a major retail company on various employment issues including advising on their plans for restructuring; advising a major US financial information services firm on various employment issues including termination of poor performers, advising on their plans for restructuring and representing the firm in various employment related litigations; advising a major US investment bank on various employment issues including termination of employees and disputes relating to remuneration; representing a global technology company in court to win a dismissal case; representing a major global financial institution on various litigations, including successful litigations relating to overtime work, various reinstatement claims by former employees and general commercial disputes; and advising a major domestic bank on various employment related issues and litigations including sexual harassment and reinstatement claims by former officers and employees.

Akiko is a Japanese bengoshi, a member of the Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association and the New York Bar.  She completed her LLB at the University of Tokyo and attended the Legal Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan. She completed an LL.M at Harvard Law School and speaks Japanese and English.