Rieko Michishita

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.