A law firm can engage in strategic efforts to be more diverse, equitable and inclusive, but its strategy and commitment must come from the top to be effective and enduring.
This is precisely the philosophy embraced by Ryan Kusuhara, lawyer and managing director of Kusuhara Law Corporation (KLC Law), Richmond's new satellite operation, expanding their client reach from the office sharing arrangement with Surrey's Panorama Law Group.
Kusuhara has built strong relationships within the Japanese- and Japanese-Canadian communities, where he is deeply respected for his cultural understanding and legal expertise. However, his practice extends far beyond these roots, with 70% of his clients coming from non-Japanese backgrounds.
This inclusive approach not only strengthens the community at large but also highlights the benefits of working with a lawyer who brings a fresh perspective to every case.
"Starting out, I wanted to be as open as possible to attract as many clients as possible, which was very beneficial for my development as a lawyer," he acknowledges. "I became in tune with a diverse set of needs by various communities and I was able to practice many different areas of litigation."
"However," he adds, "there was this need from the community of Japanese-speaking individuals that could really benefit from the fact that I was a bilingual lawyer. Over time, I came to strike this balance that has shaped my approach to practicing law."
Advantages of retaining legal counsel from another culture
Kusuhara points out that some law firms simply target and only interact with a segment of the community, and in those circumstances, they're clearly serving the needs of that specific demographic, but they're also missing out on an opportunity — a gap that Kusuhara is successfully bridging.
"Those firms, while they play an integral part in serving a need that exists in that specific community, also lose out on an opportunity by not appealing to the community at large," says Kusuhara.
He believes in the power of connecting with a broader client base, and with this, has built a trusted reputation for his clients from all walks of life, offering a welcoming environment where everyone feels heard, respected, and represented.
Hiring a lawyer outside your cultural community can offer unexpected advantages, and KLC Law underscores the value of diverse perspectives in navigating complex legal challenges.
"If a client is immersed in a specific community, when they encounter legal issues, the word can spread quickly," explains Kusuhara. "Sometimes they need to be shielded from community gossip or cultural dynamic beyond the legal issues they may be facing, by someone outside of their community.”
Kusuhara further speaks to the objectivity his firm can provide: "Occasionally, your judgment can be clouded by issues that are personal and important within your community. Sometimes, what you need is to get out there and obtain an objective opinion from somebody outside that community to help gain a fresh perspective on the legal merits of the case."
Serving multicultural communities with integrity, vision
By broadening your search to include a larger pool of lawyers, you are also better positioned to receive the highest quality of legal service available in the market.
Kusuhara prides himself on maintaining a degree of diversity among his firm and also taking on the challenging files that other law firms refuse. “Currently, I have one assistant, who speaks Japanese and was born here in Vancouver. Beyond that, I have team members that speak Cantonese, are Caucasian, were born in Fiji and so on.”
“I try to train my staff and lawyers to be both business people and an artisan at the same time,” he continues. “That means not sticking to only the problems we are used to handling, but to take on challenging, foreign matters that some firms may be uncomfortable with.”
Kusuhara's advice to anyone hesitant to hire a lawyer outside their cultural community, especially those worried of being misunderstood or represented effectively or fairly?
"Ultimately, you have to be comfortable with the law firm you are working with. At the same time, you are not going to know the services you are missing out on if you do not take the leap and talk to the law firms you would not normally consider. A good law firm should be able to make the client feel comfortable, appeal to them, and ultimately be a good fit for both."
For more information or a consultation in English or Japanese, contact Ryan Kusuhara at klclaw.ca (EN) or klclaw.ca (JP) or call 604-372-4550.
