Annual Conference


Seoul 2013

The 23rd Annual Meeting and Conference in Seoul was held April 17-20, 2013, at the Sheraton Grande and Walkerhill in the outskirts of Seoul, Korea. A record-breaking number of delegates were in attendance (over 1100), enjoying the educational committee sessions and entertainment only Korea can offer.

IPBA President (at the time) Lalit Bhasin welcomes the delegates to the conference.


The atmosphere was lively, with good food, good wine, and good conversation.


IPBA President-Elect Young-Moo Shin looks on as IPBA President Lalit Bhasin and AIJA President Thierry Aballea sign an extension to the MoU signed in 2010.


Delegates learn the Gangnam Style dance.

Suresh Divyanathan, Membership Committee Chair, speaks about how new members can get the most benefit out of their IPBA membership.


The Women Business Lawyers Committee invited a speaker to address the issues women face in the workplace and at home.



The Silent Auction and Raffle raised almost US$25,000 for North Korean refugee students of law in South Korea.

Golf! The Pre-Conference tournament players.


Golf again! Post-Conference tournament. You can see the same die-hard golfers at both tournaments.

Suresh Divyanathan, Membership Committee Chair, speaks about how new members can get the most benefit out of their IPBA membership.


The Women Business Lawyers Committee invited a speaker to address the issues women face in the workplace and at home.



The hall was packed with delegates to watch the K-pop show at the Gala Dinner.

Suresh Divyanathan, Membership Committee Chair, speaks about how new members can get the most benefit out of their IPBA membership.


The Women Business Lawyers Committee invited a speaker to address the issues women face in the workplace and at home.


Suresh Divyanathan, Membership Committee Chair, speaks about how new members can get the most benefit out of their IPBA membership.


The Women Business Lawyers Committee invited a speaker to address the issues women face in the workplace and at home.



The IPBA Scholars pose with IPBA leadership after receiving their certificates of participation. Left to Right: Tatsuki Nakayama, Scholarship Committee (SC) Vice-Chair; Kwon Hoe Kim, SC Vice-Chair; Tin Thiri Aung, Scholar (S) from Myanmar; Jia "Meph" Gui, S from China; Gmeleen Tomboc, S from the Philippines; Thai Trung Kien, S from Vietnam; Darya Shkittina, S from Russia; Rojina Thapa, S from Nepal;Lalotoa Mulitalo, S from Samoa; Lalit Bhasin, IPBA Immediate Past President; Varya Simpson, SC Chair; Ty Srinna, S from Cambodia; Ido Shomrony, S from Israel. (Not pictured: James Jung, S from New Zealand.)


The Scholars reported that they enjoyed the conference and the opportunity to meet so many exciting people from around the world. Read more about the Scholars and see their reports HERE.


The Scholars and a special guest speaker from Korea taught delegates about business culture in their jurisdictions.


A visit to the Seoul High Court was arranged by Scholar James Jung from New Zealand, followed by lunch at local law firm Yoon & Yang, organized by Keil Hur.

The Officers and future Officers meet to discuss important matters for the IPBA.


The Committee Chairs discuss programs for the Seoul Conference and beyond.


Arriving up to three days before the conference, the IPBA Council works hard discussing business matters of the Association.


IPBA Council members, L to R: Malaysia JCM, Dhinesh Bhaskaran; Banking, Finances, and Securities Committee Vice-Chair, Jan Peeters; Deputy Secretary-General, Yap Wai Ming; Germany JCM, Gerhard Wegen; Korea JCM, Chang-Rok Woo; Singapore JCM, Vi Ming Lok.


The Officers of IPBA hold a meeting to discuss matters of the Association, while incoming Officers observe.


The outgoing and incoming IPBA Officers. L to R, front row (current status is indicated): Miyuki Ishiguro, Deputy Secretary-General; Yap Wai Ming, Secretary-General; Bill Scott, President-Elect; Young-Moo Shin, President; Huen Wong, Vice President; Lalit Bhasin, Immediate Past President; Alan Fujimoto, past Secretary-General. L to R, back row: Suresh Divyanathan, Membership Committee Chair; Yong-Jae Chang, Membership Committee Vice-Chair; Christopher To, past Committee Coordinator [and currently Webmaster]; Sylvette Tankiang, Deputy Committee Coordinator; Caroline Berube, Publications Committee Chair; Allan Leung, Program Coordinator; Sumeet Kachwaha, Deupty Program Coordinator.


The hall was packed with delegates to watch the K-pop show at the Gala Dinner.

Yukiko Okazaki of the Secretariat mans (womans?) the Secretariat Booth in the Exhibition Hall.


Delegates could take a break from the mentally stimulating sessions by using the internet connection or collecting various goodies at the sponsor booths.

Lunchtime was a great opportunity for networking and running into friends made at past IPBA events.


The atmosphere was lively between sessions as well.

The Annual General Meeting is a chance for all members of IPBA to learn about the business of the association. Lunch is followed by the meeting on the last day of the conference. The Officers report on IPBA activities over the past year, including relationships with other organizations; committee leadership and activities; programs such as IPBA regional conferences; the IPBA Journal; membership status; and the upcoming Annual Meeting and Conference.