About Me

As a partner in our Intellectual Property group in Beijing, I provide tri-lingual advice on both contentious and non-contentious IP matters, working particularly closely with our Japanese clients.

Having lived in China for over 28 years, I have acquired deep insights into the handling of legal matters in the PRC. Over the years, I have managed IP portfolios for global clients across numerous industries including licensing, gaming, publishing, retail, technology, electronics and engineering.

I have extensive experience in coordinating IP disputes including patents, copyrights, trade marks, trade secrets and unfair competition in China. I also lead Bird & Bird's anti-counterfeiting practice in China and work closely with regional partners and specialists in the Asia Pacific region on cross-border matters.

Spending a significant amount of my time in Japan, I host regular training seminars for our Japanese clients and key organisations such as JIPA and JETRO in Japan, China and Hong Kong.

I started my Chinese journey as a language student in Beijing in 1994 and was one of the first foreign students to study Chinese Law, undertaking the undergraduate programme at People's University in 1996.

After graduating, I worked for a leading Japanese law firm in Beijing and later moved to Shanghai to establish its second branch office. I then joined another leading law firm's IP group in Hong Kong and relocated back to Shanghai, working there for five years.
Education

Studied

  • Northwestern University, LLM, Law
  • People's University, Bachelor's Degree, PRC Law

Admissions

  • State Bar of New York, USA in 2012
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Testimonials

Representing beloved pillars of Japanese pop culture in China, Rieko Michishita takes advantage of more than two decades of living on the mainland to offer striking local insights to clients.

WTR 1000 2018

'Hotshot enforcer Rieko Michishita is a go-to for tricky cross-border anti-counterfeiting briefs between China, Taiwan and Hong Kong' and 'she is a particular favourite among Japanese companies seeking clued-up counsel across the water'.

WTR 1000 2017

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