NYSBA Signs MOU With Philippine Bar Association

NYSBA Signs MOU With Philippine Bar Association

6.21.2021

By Christian Nolan

The New York State Bar Association has entered into a cooperation agreement with the Philippine Bar Association (PBA) – the oldest voluntary national organization of lawyers in the Republic of the Philippines – during a virtual event June 17.

The agreement – officially called a memorandum of understanding (MOU) – formalizes the ongoing relationship between the two bar associations. According to the MOU, a significant number of members of the PBA are also admitted to practice law in New York State. As such, there is a longstanding mutual respect between members of the PBA and members of the legal profession in New York State.

This “underscores the need for closer relations between the legal professionals of the PBA and NYSBA,” said the MOU.

“The signing of the document is but the beginning of a strong friendship that will benefit and grow both of our historic and important organizations,” said NYSBA President T. Andrew Brown.

The MOU also makes note of both association’s staunch advocacy for the rule of law.

“At this time in our history, it is imperative that lawyers in our communities, in our state, and across the globe come together and stand up for the rule of law,” said Brown. “The rule of law is the bedrock principle of a civil society. It is our foundation as lawyers. It is the basis of our shared mission and our shared values as lawyers.”

On behalf of the PBA, the MOU was signed by its incoming president Rico V. Domingo. Domingo also serves as chair of NYSBA’s Philippines chapter of the International Section. Edward Lenci, chair of NYSBA’s International Section, also signed the accord. Additionally, Brown thanked Jose Perpetuo M. Lotilla for his exemplary leadership as president of the PBA over the past year.

Domingo said the agreement “rekindles the professional kinship” between members of American and Philippine bar associations, which dates back 130 years.

“We therefore extend to you, Andrew and Ed, and other members of our international chapter… our virtual fraternal handshake,” said Domingo.

As part of the agreement, NYSBA and the PBA also plan to exchange legal publications, materials and information, as well as lawyer visits at educational events and programs, especially those pertaining to international legal issues.

NYSBA has now entered into numerous MOUs with bar associations around the world, including other recent collaborations with the Milan Bar Association in Italy, Osaka Bar Association and Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association in Japan, Nigerian Bar Association, Seoul Bar Association in Korea, 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. The International Section has over 60 chapters around the world.