PEOPLE

Monika started her legal career in 2013 at a Chicago-based law firm. Her practice focuses primarily on general corporate, domestic and cross-border M&A, commercial transactions, and intellectual property matters. Throughout her career, she has assisted foreign clients enter and grow in the United States, supporting them in all stages of the business cycle from formation and expansion to divestiture and dissolution.

 

Monika represents clients operating in many different industries including automotive, energy, food and beverage, textile and fashion, chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, industrial machinery manufacturing, transportation, infrastructure, consumer products and software. She has represented clients of all sizes from Japanese publicly traded companies and Fortune Global 500 companies to start-ups.

 

After being promoted at the fastest possible track to become the youngest partner, shareholder, and board member at her firm, Monika decided to become independent to better serve her clients and to make a difference in the world.

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Professional History

• 2013  Started legal career at a Chicago-based law firm and was a member of three practice groups:
  (1) Corporate, Finance & Acquisition, (2) Commercial, Competition, and Trade Practice Group (2019 Vice Chair), and (3) Intellectual Property and Technology Practice Groups (2021 Chair)

• 2018  Completed two secondments in the legal departments of the headquarters of two large, global corporations

• 2019 Jan.  Became the youngest partner of the firm

• 2021 Dec.  Nominated and elected as a shareholder and a director of the firm at fastest possible track

• 2022 March  Opened Oceana Law P.C.

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Professional Activities

• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) International Law Committee –Vice Chair (2018-2020), Chair (2020-present)

• Chicago Mita-kai (Keio University alumni group) –Vice Chair (2019-2023）

• U.S.-Japan Council (USJC) Emerging Leaders Program (2020-2021),
  Emerging Leaders Program Steering Committee (2022-present)

• Global Kids Judo Network –Board Member (2020-present)

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Speaking Engagements

• “Create Your Dream Solo Firm that Supports Your Passions with Monika Oyama” an interview on the Lawyer on Air podcast, Season 4 Episode 8, aired on December 12, 2022, available here.

• “Going Global –How to Succeed in an International Legal Career” a panel discussion sponsored by the Committee of International Law, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) on December 8, 2021 (Washington D.C.)

• “Attacking the Post-COVID M&A Market: The Key Issues in Acquiring Divested Businesses in the U.S. and the Americas” a webinar on May 10, 2021

• “Brand Protection in the U.S. 101” a webinar on April 21, 2021​

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Publications

• “Amendments to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)” on M&P Legal Note 2023 No.8-3 (co-authored) (Japanese language only)  September 11, 2023

• “A New Route to Raise Capital and Realize Your Dream –Crowdfunding” on the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Chicago (JCCC) Newsletter, March 2014

• “The Changes in the Role of Assignment of Securities: Asset Based Lending” on Keio University, Horitsugaku Kenkyu Volume 41, 2009