We are pleased to announce that our partner, Akira Kawamura has been elected the next Secretary General of the International Bar Association (the "IBA"), effective January 2007. He will be the first East Asian national to hold this post and to serve the IBA at such a high rank.

Mr. Kawamura, currently a Council Member, Member of the Management Board and the Chair of Bar Issues Commission of the IBA, has made a significant and lasting contribution to the operation of the IBA over a period of years.