We are pleased to announce that our partner, Akira Kawamura was formally nominated as the next Vice-President of the International Bar Association (the "IBA") for a two-year term, effective January 2009. The nomination took place on October 17, 2008, during IBA Annual Conference in Buenos Aires.

Mr. Kawamura, currently the Secretary General of the IBA, has made a significant and lasting contribution to the operation of the IBA over a period of years.