Meet Erika Sunaoka

Erika Sunaoka is a law clerk at Nazzaro PLLC, where she brings a globally grounded legal perspective and a strong focus on corporate and environmental law. With over a decade of experience navigating complex legal and business matters across Japan, the U.S., and the Asia Pacific region, Erika has advised on international mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and cross-border transactions across diverse industries.

Prior to joining Nazzaro PLLC, Erika served as in-house counsel at a leading Japanese conglomerate, where she played a key role in managing high-value international projects. Her work included overseeing potential real estate investments in Japanese ski resorts—conducting business analyses, structuring deals, planning milestones, and negotiating with Asian developers. She also led due diligence efforts and negotiated agreements for timberland acquisitions in New Zealand and advised on M&A transactions involving U.S.-based housing development companies.

Erika’s background spans both legal and business functions, giving her a practical understanding of business operations and the ability to align legal strategies with organizational objectives. She is experienced in drafting and reviewing a wide range of commercial agreements in both English and Japanese. 

Erika earned her Juris Doctor degree from Waseda Law School in Tokyo, Japan, and is currently pursuing a U.S. Juris Doctor degree at Seattle University School of Law. She serves as a Research & Technical Editor for the Seattle Journal for Social Justice and volunteers with Communities Rise, a nonprofit legal clinic supporting small businesses and community organizations.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Erika enjoys practicing yoga, exploring cultural destinations, and spending time with her beloved puppy, Mochi.