January 31, 2020: NYSBA and Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association (DTBA) Announce Formal Relationship

New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) President Henry M. Greenberg and Mr. Yamamoto Kohtaro, of Yamamoto & Shibasaki Law Offices in Tokyo and chair of the International Exchange Committee of the Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association (DTBA), signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two organizations on Thursday, Jan. 30 at the 2020 NYSBA Annual Meeting.

The signing ceremony took place during a meeting of NYSBA’s Executive Committee.

The two leaders met during NYSBA’s International Section Global Conference in Tokyo last November to discuss mutual cooperation and growth in Tokyo and Japan. Greenberg and section leaders also met with representatives from several major law firms and other leading bar associations in the Tokyo area. The DTBA was founded in 1923. With more than 5,600 members, it is one of the three largest bar associations in Tokyo.

“Lawyers around the world are more interdependent and deeply connected than ever, and we must act upon that,” said  Greenberg. “It is incumbent upon us to reach out to all our colleagues to build relationships and deepen our mutual understanding. The world needs lawyers everywhere to come together.”

Accompanying Mr. Yamamoto to New York, were Mr. Tanaka Mikio, of City-Yuma Partners in Tokyo and Vice Chair of the International Exchange Committee, and Mr. Nakajima Wataru, of Miura & Partners in Tokyo and a member of the International Exchange Committee..

They were greeted by International Section Chair Diane O’Connell, Vice-Chair Ed Lenci and Tokyo Chapter Chair Tsugu Watanabe, as well as the members of NYSBA’s Executive Committee.

“We were excited to welcome the Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association to New York and are honored to have the opportunity to continue developing long lasting relationships between our legal communities,” said O’Connell. “We look forward to continuing the energy generated during the International Section’s meeting in Tokyo this past fall.”

Like NYSBA, Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association is concerned with the protection of basic human rights and promotes social justice. The association is also active in the development of the judicial system and improving the status of lawyers in Japanese society.

An MOU memorializes the parties’ intent to cooperate in areas of mutual benefit. NYSBA and the DTBA are agreeing to work to develop and strengthen their relationship, with an eye toward cooperation in areas such as education, reciprocal visits of lawyers and exchange legal information and materials.

About the New York State Bar Association
The New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. Since 1876, NYSBA has helped shape the development of law, educated and informed the legal profession and the public, and championed the rights of New Yorkers through advocacy and guidance in our communities.

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Contact: Joan Fucillo 
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