Mar. 12, 2011

Japanese American Bar Association Celebrates New Name

The newly named Japanese American Bar Association hosted an Installation and Awards Gala along with the Philippine American Bar Association on March 4 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites. Formerly known as the Japanese American Bar Association of the Greater Los Angeles Area, the organization dropped the regional restriction to reflect its broader membership throughout California and the country. Both associations celebrated with more than 950 attorneys, judges, and elected officials, including Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye as the keynote speaker in one of her first public appearances after taking office. She swore in the new presidents of both associations: District Attorney of Los Angeles County Alison Matsumoto for the Japanese Bar Association and Corinne Orquiola of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP for the Philippine American Bar Association. Attorney Gloria Ochoa and Union Bank were also honored at the event.