AIJA Meets Bar Leaders as Part of Its Strategic Expansion in Asia
The AIJA network is rapidly reaching out into Asian markets, and AIJA President David Frølich recently accepted an invitation to Hong Kong to mark the start of the Legal Year. Whilst there, he ensured that he made the most of his time to actively promote the benefits of AIJA in the region. The opening of the Legal Year is the biggest ceremony in the legal calendar in Hong Kong and “it was an honour to attend and represent AIJA there,” said Frølich. The visit included the opportunity to meet with the Association of Law Firms in Guangzhou – China’s third largest city – and their boards of directors.
And even more recently, AIJA visited also several Bar associations in Japan (JFBA, Tokyo Bar Association, Dai Chi, Dai Ni) and in Korea (Korean Bar Association).
“By making such visits, we intend to strengthen our connections and hopefully attract more Asian lawyers to AIJA,” said Frølich. “In due course, we hope to hold more seminars and other relevant activities in Asia. Several Asian countries fully recognise that they need European lawyers as much as Europeans need Asian lawyers. And the best way to meet young lawyers is of course through AIJA. I have personally experienced the genuine interest in working together, creating opportunities for the young Asian lawyers.”
The Annual Congress in Tokyo in August is a great example to continue this work, and extend AIJA’s networking opportunities in Asia. “Japan has more than 10,000 new lawyers joining the profession every year, almost all of whom are under 30 years of age,” said Frølich. “A lot of them will need to have an international focus, and the earlier they start to gain knowledge and network on an international scale, the quicker they will gain unique opportunities. That is, of course, what AIJA offers. Not only that, but you also get inspiration, make personal friendships, and create the networks that will form the core basis for your future career.”
By making sure that Japan, China, Korea and Asia at large, is well represented at AIJA events, broadens the networking possibilities and contacts for European members too.
“That is the beauty of networking and having a network,” said Frølich. “The goal is always, as our mission statement says, ‘to create unique opportunities for young international lawyers’ and that’s what we do through our events, through our publishing, and all our initiatives. And as we do that, we engage our members, we engage our staff, and we engage a community of young lawyers in a global scene.”