Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu has pipped Nishimura & Partners as the highest recruiter of new lawyers in 2006 among the big four Japanese firms, taking on 30 new associates.

Nishimura & Partners took 29 from the pool of fresh lawyers, who have recently completed their legal research and training as apprentices to judges over two years.

The other two of the big four firms, Anderson Mori & Tomotsune and Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, recruited 21 and 20 new associates respectively.

Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu partner Yuko Tamai said its recruitment numbers were up from 22 last year, which was not intentional but reflected high quality candidates.

Tamai says the graduates it met with were attracted to the possibility of being involved in cutting edge work, as well as its internal training system, which sits first-year lawyers in the same office with partners so they can learn how to deal with clients effectively.

Among the big four, salary does not play a huge role, as they pay much the same.

Tamai said she expects the firm will continue to recruit between 20 and 30 lawyers a year for the next couple of years at least, as the volume of work increases and practice areas continue to diversify, requiring specialists in more areas.