About Me
Name
Reimi Yokoyama (Miyamoto)
Prior Education
University of Tokyo (JD, 2015); Waseda University (BA, 2012).
Before Ann Arbor
I lived in Tokyo, Japan.
Before My LLM Year
I was an associate lawyer at Atsumi & Sakai, a Japanese law firm.
What Makes Me Different From My Classmates
I am a mother of a four-year-old daughter, who attends the University of Michigan Children’s Center. My husband and my mother take turns coming to the United States to support me with childcare.
My Time at Michigan Law
Why I Chose Michigan Law
I felt a sense of closeness to Michigan Law even before coming to Ann Arbor. I had known four Michigan LLM graduates and two JD graduates at the law firm where I worked. They were all kind and diligent, and I often saw Wolverine goods displayed on their desks. Hearing about Michigan Law from them inspired me to study here and pursue a successful career like theirs.
Another important factor was that Ann Arbor is a great place to raise a child!
What Makes Michigan Law Special
Its small cohort. Being in an environment where I could see everyone’s faces and get to know their personalities made me feel at ease. Whenever I see the other LLM students, it feels comforting.
I also love the supportive culture here. JD classmates have helped me when I have been cold-called, and one classmate has kindly driven me home after seminars. This culture of helping each other is one of the things I appreciate most about Michigan Law.
My Favorite Classes
- Contracts with Professor Jeffery Zhang: I enjoyed the interaction between the professor and the students, and learned how to understand the big picture of each case.
- Legal Tech Literacy and Leadership with Professor Dennis Kennedy: I learned what is essential for associates working in the age of AI.
- Finding Career Satisfaction in Your 100-Year Life mini-seminar with Professor Matthew Andres: a fun and inspiring class where I reflected on what I want to value over a 100‑year life and explored the possibilities for my future career.
What Surprised Me Most About Michigan Law
How students study hard and play hard really surprised me. With a lot of reading and writing assignments, I see many students in the library even on weekends. At the same time, students also enjoy events like watching sports games, the LAWBreaks mini-golf event (the Underground Library turns into a golf course!), and Mr. Wolverine (the Latinx Law Student Association’s masc-presenting beauty pageant) with great enthusiasm.
My Favorite Memory from My LLM Year
It’s hard to choose just one favorite memory. Watching the opening football game, having my daughter’s birthday celebrated in my Research and Analysis in American Law class, and cheering for my LLM classmate (Ross Franke) who placed in the top three at Mr. Wolverine are all unforgettable moments.
The Most Difficult Thing About the LLM Year
Balancing student life and parenting was the most challenging part of the year. I sometimes found it hard to step away from my role as a mother, but with the support of my husband and my mother, I managed to make it work. The warmth and kindness my classmates and professors showed toward me and my daughter were also a tremendous source of support.
Favorite Study Spot
The Underground Law Library.
The Best Things About Ann Arbor
The beauty and peacefulness of every moment in all four seasons.
If I Could Time Travel, I Would Give Myself This Advice at the Start of My LLM Year
Don’t try to do everything at once. Look at what you were able to do, not what you couldn’t, and be kind to yourself.
Since the LLM program is only one year, you may feel it’s too short. But it’s impossible to give your full energy to studying, friendships, and family all at the same time. Even if you miss something or feel like you made a mistake, you will still gain so much more. So, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Keep looking forward and live each day with an open heart.
Fun Stuff
When I’m Not Studying
I spend time drawing and singing with my daughter. We also enjoy attending Momo Sensei’s parent-child music class—a wonderful children’s music program in Ann Arbor!
My Favorite Way to De-stress
I love having picnics in the parks. Ann Arbor has so many great ones, such as County Farm Park and Gallup Park. When it snows, I enjoy sledding with my daughter at the Huron River Golf Course.
Favorite Movie
Coco. I watched it with my daughter and husband at a free family screening at the Michigan Theater, sponsored by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan. It was the first movie we ever watched together in a theater, so it has become a special memory for me.
Favorite Musical Artist
Hikaru Utada, Clean Bandit.
Favorite Beverage
RoosRoast Coffee’s long pull.
Favorite Food From Home
Ramen and sushi. I can actually get really good tonkotsu ramen and a salmon and avocado roll at Slurping Turtle in Ann Arbor!