Kyouko Tachibana

Tachibana initially presents herself as somewhat awkward and unimpressive beside the accomplished Eri Kisaki. She readily acknowledges her record of losing cases, an admission that makes her offer to defend Kogoro seem questionable.

Beneath that presentation, she possesses substantial specialist knowledge and is more capable than her win-loss record suggests. She understands mobile communications and the unusual legal procedures surrounding Public Security investigations.

Her personal history also makes her emotionally invested in the institutions involved in Kogoro's case. Her former employee and boyfriend, Fumikazu Haba, was arrested by Public Security during a cybercrime investigation, and his reported suicide caused her profound grief.

Tachibana is a qualified lawyer with specialist knowledge of mobile phones and related technology. This expertise is particularly relevant in a case where digital evidence and remotely controlled Internet-connected devices play major roles.

She also has experience as a civilian supporter assisting Public Security. That background gives her knowledge of investigative practices that an ordinary defense lawyer might not possess.

Although she tells Eri Kisaki that she has never won a case, this should not be interpreted as proof that she lacks legal knowledge. Her role in the investigation demonstrates a more complicated professional history than her courtroom record initially suggests.

Tachibana approaches Eri Kisaki after Kogoro Mouri is arrested in connection with the explosion at the Edge of Ocean facility. She offers to become his defense attorney despite her conspicuously poor record.

Her unusual behavior attracts Conan Edogawa's attention as he investigates why evidence appears so strongly designed to implicate Kogoro. Tachibana's past connection to Public Security gradually becomes relevant to the case.

A year earlier, Tachibana's employee and romantic partner Fumikazu Haba was arrested after breaking into a game company while investigating hackers. Public Security announced that Haba had killed himself in detention, leading Tachibana to close her law office.

The apparent death is one of the key events behind Makoto Kusakabe's revenge against Public Security. The eventual revelation that Haba's death was staged changes the meaning of Tachibana's personal tragedy, although she spends most of the film believing that he is dead.

Kogoro Mouri becomes Tachibana's client after she volunteers to defend him against the accusations arising from the Edge of Ocean explosion.

Eri Kisaki initially intends to handle Kogoro Mouri's defense herself and is skeptical of Tachibana's record. The two lawyers approach the case from very different professional positions.

Fumikazu Haba was Tachibana's employee and boyfriend. [His reported suicide after being arrested by Public Security devastated Kyouko Tachibana and led her to close her office.](#spoiler)

Yuya Kazami knew Tachibana through her previous work supporting Public Security and was involved in the operation that resulted in Fumikazu Haba's arrest.

Conan Edogawa investigates Tachibana's background while attempting to understand the unusual circumstances surrounding Kogoro Mouri's arrest.