We are pleased to announce that our partner, Akira Kawamura was formally nominated as the next President of the International Bar Association (the "IBA") for a two-year term, effective January 2011. The nomination took place on October 7, 2010, during IBA Annual Conference in Vancouver, Canada.

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