OFFICERS
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President: James M. Toma President-Elect: Steven K. Yoda Vice President: Kenneth Tanaka |
Treasurer:
Mark J. Furuya Secretary: Mark Hanasono Immediate Past President: Audra Mori |
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
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Catherine Endo Chuck Alex H. Fukui Sabina A. Helton Katherine M. Hikida Jeff Ikejiri Diana Iketani Iorlano Keiko Ishida Ryan Iwasaka Hikari Kimura Patricia Kinaga |
Emily Kuwahara Mike H. Madokoro Alison Matsumoto Susan Roe Michelle K. Sugihara Mike Suzuki Kent Wakuta Dennis T. Yokoyama Mark K. Yoshida |
ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Honorable Fred J. Fujioka
Alternate Public Defender Janice Y. Fukai
The Honorable Ernest M. Hiroshige
The Honorable John M. Mayeda
Mr. Gilbert N. Nishimura
Ms. Rose Ochi
The Honorable Vincent H. Okamoto
The Honorable Kathryn Doi Todd
COMMITTEES
If you are interested in becoming involved with a JABA committee, please contact the committee chair. We welcome your involvement!
Business Lawyers Group
BLG offers programs of interest to business lawyers, including receptions with elected and appointed officials.
Eric Y. Nishizawa – en@nishizawalawoffices.com
Kenneth Tanaka – kentanaka@us.mufg.jp
Community Education Committee
The Community Education Committee sponsors and coordinates law days and legal clinics for the community, and partners with other community service organizations to provide legal education. The CEC also publishes the JABA Attorneys List which includes members who volunteer to be on the list for public distribution. (JABA does not endorse any of the attorneys listed.)
Kenneth Tanaka – kentanaka@us.mufg.jp
Kent Wakuta – kwakuta@gmail.com
Corporate Affairs
The Corporate Affairs committee handles corporate governance issues, including the annual meeting, elections, changes to articles of incorporation, and the bylaws.
Douglas Sugimoto – dsugimoto@roll.com
Catherine Endo Chuck- cchuck@mcbirneychuck.com
Diana N. Nishiura – dnishiura@msn.com
Foodie Group
The Foodie Group is a way for JABA members to meet in a casual, social setting while trying out the delicious culinary options available in Southern California. The Group tries all types of cuisines and meets about once every two months. Suggestions are always welcome! If you are interested in planning or organizing, please contact:
Mark J. Furuya – mfuruya@archernorris.com
Judicial/Non-Judicial Appointments
The Judicial Appointments Committee sponsors a mentorship program matching attorneys interested in judicial appointments with members of the bench and evaluates candidates for judicial and non-judicial appointments. If you are a current member interested in becoming a judge or commissioner, or a current member of the judiciary who would like to become a mentor, please contact:
Katherine Hikida – katherine.hikida@usdoj.gov
Law Students Committee
The Law Students Committee provide s support to law student associations at area schools in co-sponsoring conferences, seminars, and job fairs.
Susan Roe – sroe@pubdef.lacounty.gov
Membership
The membership committee maintains the JABA membership list. If you would like to join JABA or renew your membership, please download the membership application.
Ryan Iwasaka – riwasaka@ggfirm.com
Steven K. Yoda – syoda@orrick.com
Programs
The Programs committee plans a variety of programs for JABA members, including networking receptions, the annual Marco Polo night, Dodgers night, MCLE seminars, and annual holiday party/toy drive for non-profit organizations.
Alex Fukui – alex.fukui@calbt.com
Kent Wakuta – kwakuta@gmail.com
Pro Bono
The Pro Bono committee coordinates volunteer opportunities for JABA attorneys to provide pro bono legal assistance to underserved members of the Asian Pacific American and other communities.
Alex Fukui – alex.fukui@calbt.com
Running Group
The JABA Running Club is a social group for runners, joggers, and walkers of all ages. We are a social group that strives to promote JABA’s presence and service to the Japanese community and community at large. Moreover, our frequent meet-up events and charity runs allow JABA members, friends, and family members to connect and stay active.
Gary Dote – jabarunning@gmail.com or check us out at www.jabarunning.blogspot.com
The Shin Issei/Japanese Lawyers Group
The Shin Issei/Japanese Lawyers Group committee works to foster closer relationships between JABA and Shin Issei and Japanese attorneys practicing in Los Angeles. It also provides for networking opportunities among these groups.
Sabina Helton – shelton@mcguirewoods.com
Keiko Ishida – kishida@ftccc.net
Website
The Website committee maintains the JABA website. If you would like your event added to the JABA calendar, or have photos to share please contact the administrators at:
Mark J. Furuya – mfuruya@archernorris.com
Sabina A. Helton – shelton@pmcos.com
Young Lawyers Group
The JABA Young Lawyers Group provides younger JABA members with networking opportunities and mentors who will provide career guidance. YLG offers a mentorship program which pairs up younger members with more experienced JABA attorneys.
Kent Wakuta – kwakuta@gmail.com
Emily Kuwahara – ekuwahara@crowell.com
