Natsumi is a litigator with experience representing trustees, executors, beneficiaries, individuals, governmental entities and business entities in all types of complex litigation matters including trust disputes, beneficiary claims, fraud, contract disputes and breach of fiduciary duty claims. Natsumi additionally has experience in appellate cases, bankruptcy proceedings and ERISA litigation.
Natsumi grew up in both the United States and Japan, cultivating a deep understanding of Japanese business culture and achieving fluency in Japanese. As one of the only Japanese-speaking lawyers in San Antonio, she brings a unique and valuable perspective to her legal practice. Prior to entering the legal field, Natsumi worked as a translator and interpreter in Japan, specializing in educational materials and legal documents. She later transitioned into teaching English, Japanese, and Mathematics to students ranging from pre-school to high school. During her time in Japan, she also developed textbook curricula tailored for English language learners.
As a three-time national and regional moot court champion, Natsumi was recognized as a top advocate and best brief at several competitions. During her last year of law school, Natsumi was inducted into the National Order of the Barristers and received the Patricia L. Scott Award, an accolade reserved for St. Mary’s’ most outstanding advocate each year. In addition, she received the Excellence in Appellate Advocacy Award from the State Bar of Texas which is given to the top appellate advocates in the state. During law school, Natsumi interned for the Honorable Beth Watkins at the Fourth Court of Appeals and the Honorable David A. Ezra at the Western District of Texas. She has continued to give back to the legal community by volunteering in various mentorship programs and working as an adjunct professor, primarily coaching the St. Mary’s Moot Court Team to compete in competitions across the nation. She is passionate about providing mentorship and opportunities to young advocates.
Natsumi advises clients regarding the developing jurisprudence in artificial intelligence’s impact on corporate culture and the law, and the implementation of policies and procedures focused on corporate and legal use of artificial intelligence. She is equipped to counsel clients on ethical considerations, transparency and accountability when utilizing artificial intelligence. Finally, Natsumi has focused on understanding the implications of the Business Courts to the future of Texas jurisprudence and commercial cases.
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J.D. – St. Mary’s University School of Law
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Texas State Bar
United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas
United States District Court, Southern District of Texas
United States District Court, Western District of Texas
United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
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Fluent in Japanese (JLPT Level 2)
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10 Under 10 Honoree – St. Mary’s University School of Law, St. Mary’s GOLD Council, 2025
Patricia L. Scott Outstanding Advocate Award, 2020
State Bar of Texas Award for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy, 2020
Order of Barristers, 2020
American Bar Association NAAC National Moot Court Competition, Top-Ten Oral Advocate, Regional Champion, 2020
Hunton Andrews Kurth Moot Court National Championship, Best Speaker, Scholarship Recipient, 2020
Civil Rights and Liberties Moot Court Competition, National Champion, 2020
Chicago Bar Association Moot Court Competition, National Champion, 2020
Federal Bar Association Moot Court Competition, Second Best Brief, 2020
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Guest Lecturer, "Preparations for an Oral Argument", Advanced Legal Writing, St. Mary's University School of Law, 2021-2025.
Speaker, "Expanding Downtown Horizons: Understanding Director Duties and Downtown Developments", Association of Corporate Counsel, San Antonio Chapter, 2023.
Speaker, “Special CLE Round Table: Efficiency and Ethics: Artificial Intelligence’s Impact on Corporate Counsel”, Association of Corporate Counsel, San Antonio Chapter, 2023.
Speaker, "Efficiency and Ethics: Artificial Intelligence’s Impact on Corporate Counsel Part II", Association of Corporate Counsel, 2024.
Speaker, “Who’s Your Client?: Navigating the Potential Pitfalls of Joint Representation,” Bexar County Women’s Bar Association Annual CLE Retreat, 2025.
Organization/Moderator for the San Antonio Asian American Bar Association – Essentials to Starting a Bar Organization, Asian Pacific Interest Section of the State Bar of Texas, 2025.
Panelist, Special Joint ACC/ HNBA Event: Thriving, Striving or Surviving- Finding Contentment in Your Legal Career, 2025.
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“Recent Texas Supreme Court Updates Related to Real Estate Contracts,” State Bar of Texas 45th Annual Advanced Real Estate Law, Chapter 2, 2023.
“Recent Texas Supreme Court Updates Related to Real Estate Contracts,” State Bar of Texas 46th Annual Advanced Real Estate Law, Chapter 3, 2024.
“Key Texas Supreme Court Rulings Impacting Contract Construction and Real Estate Jurisprudence,” State Bar of Texas 26th Annual Summer School: Sun, Sand, and CLE for the General Practitioner, 2024.
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San Antonio Asian American Association, Founding Member, President 2026
St. Mary's Law School Mentorship Circles: Mentor
Adjunct Professor, St. Mary's University School of Law
Co-Director of the Virgin Islands High School Moot Court Competition
Bexar County Women’s Bar Association, Coffee + Counsel Mentorship Program, Mentor
Bexar County Women's Bar Association, Member
San Antonio Young Lawyers Association, Member
State Bar of Texas, Business Law Section and Litigation Section, Member
San Antonio Bar Association, Member
Asian Pacific Interest Section of the State Bar of Texas, Member
Japanese American Bar Association, Member