NYSBA Expands Global Presence Through Historic Collaboration With Nigerian Bar Association

NYSBA Expands Global Presence Through Historic Collaboration With Nigerian Bar Association

8.13.2020

By Christian Nolan

As part of its continued mission to expand its global presence, the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) has entered into a historic collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) through the NBA Women Forum.

The alliance with the NBA Women Forum – officially called a memorandum of understanding (MOU) – will involve the joint implementation of initiatives to advance and empower women in the legal profession and all women under the law, for success. The MOU between the two associations was signed today during a virtual ceremony with more than 500 people in attendance.

“It is my honor to continue and expand upon NYSBA’s ambitious plan to connect and create relationships with bar associations and legal organizations around the world,” said NYSBA President Scott M. Karson. “During these uncertain times, I believe that alliances such as this are more important and meaningful than ever.

“The NBA Women Forum and NYSBA’s Women in Law Section will work together to advance women in the profession, recognize the importance of women’s issues around the world, and exchange information and materials as they relate to women’s legal rights,” Karson said.

“As a strong advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment, I am proud of the partnership that has ensued between the New York State Bar Association and the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum,” said Nigerian Bar Association President Paul Usoro. “It is my firm belief that this partnership will generate measurable and laudable outcomes for this generation of female lawyers and the future to come.

“It is not only a promising development in the arduous but worthwhile journey to achieving gender equality and inclusive development, but also a call to action to those who are yet to join forces in driving the change that is critically required at this time,” Usoro continued. “Empowering women is essential to creating the future we want, and collaborative efforts always win.”

The Nigerian Bar Association, which was established in 1933, is the non-profit umbrella professional association of all lawyers admitted to the bar in Nigeria and a member of all statutory bodies that regulate the Nigerian bar and bench. With over 120,000 members representing lawyers registered in Nigeria, the association is engaged in the promotion and protection of human rights, the rule of law and good governance in Nigeria.

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

Photo Caption: The MOU between NYSBA and the NBA was signed today during a virtual ceremony. Top row, left-to-right: Ms. Ayotola Jagun, head of the NBA Women Forum’s External Relations Committee; NYSBA President Scott M. Karson; Terri A. Mazur, chair of NYSBA’s Women In Law Section. Middle row left – Mrs. Chinyere Okorocha, vice chair of the NBA Women Forum; middle row right – NBA President Paul Usoro. Bottom row, left-to-right: Carlos Ramos-Mrosovsky, representing NYSBA’s International Law Section; Dr. Foluke Dada, second vice president of the NBA; Sheryl Galler, chair-elect of NYSBA’s Women In Law Section.