NYSBA Enters Into Historic Agreement With Milan Bar Association

NYSBA Enters Into Historic Agreement With Milan Bar Association

4.29.2021

By Christian Nolan

Continuing its mission to expand its global presence, the New York State Bar Association and the Milan Bar Association in Italy – a mandatory bar association of about 25,000 lawyers – entered into a historic cooperation agreement during a virtual event April 28.

The accord – officially called a memorandum of understanding (MOU) – formalizes the relationship the two associations have built over the years. Several years ago, through NYSBA’s International Law Section, the two associations held a joint event in Milan.

“During these times, alliances such as ours are more important and meaningful than ever. That is why our relationship must expand beyond an occasional in-person event,” said NYSBA President Scott Karson.

Karson said the two associations would seek to exchange legal information, materials and publications recognizing their “mutual support for the rule of law and the development of legal research throughout the world.”

Additionally, Karson explained that the two associations hope to address international legal issues more effectively through international programs, virtual or in-person; outreach projects; and developing and improving their understanding of the laws of other jurisdictions relevant to international business transactions, commercial disputes, human rights, and the transnational delivery of legal services.

Milan Bar Association President Vinicio Nardo, whom Karson described as “a highly respected criminal lawyer who takes great pride in promoting civil and human rights for all,” also provided remarks before signing the historic agreement. Nardo discussed both nations’ efforts to overcome the health and economic crises brought on by the global coronavirus pandemic.

Nardo said it was “a decisive opportunity to team up as lawyers representing the two incredible associations.

“Because never, like now, we together can contribute to make our cooperation an incubator and accelerator of professional ideas and solutions to recover from the crisis,” said Nardo.

Also present at the virtual ceremony were Francesca Maria Zanasi, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Milan Bar Association; Jay Himes, chair of NYSBA’s International Law Section; and Andrew Otis, former section chair and program manager for the event.

The two associations formally entered into the MOU prior to the start of a CLE webinar “How To Enter the U.S. Market: New Framework, Old Tips,” which was sponsored by NYSBA’s International Law Section. Among the topics discussed during the webinar was the new Biden administration and the challenges that lie ahead in international trade.

NYSBA has now entered into numerous MOUs with bar associations around the world, including other recent collaborations with the Nigerian Bar Association, Seoul Bar Association in Korea, the Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association in Japan and the Bucharest Bar Association in Romania.

NYSBA, a voluntary bar association with over 70,000 members, has members in all 50 states and in over 100 countries worldwide.