What is the IPBA

The Inter-Pacific Bar Association ("IPBA") is an international association of business and commercial lawyers who live in, or otherwise have a strong interest in, the Asia-Pacific region. It was established in April 1991 at an inaugural conference held in Tokyo attended by more than 500 lawyers from the Asia-Pacific region.

Why You Should Join the IPBA

1. Asia - the Economic Growth Engine of the World

Asia is the fastest growing region in the world, covering 30% of the world's land mass, yet with 60% of the world's population. In the last decade, China's average GDP growth was 10.5% per year. India averaged over 7% growth a year, while South Korea averaged more than 4% a year in the same decade. If you want to expand your legal business, you need to be engaged with people throughout Asia.

2. IPBA - the Pre-Eminent Bar Association in the Asia-Pacific

The IPBA has over 1,200 members in more than 65 jurisdictions worldwide and a track record of 24 years of successful annual conferences around the world. With 23 specialist committees to choose from, the IPBA has representatives in the entire spectrum of business and commercial legal work. We are a close-knit organization so you will always be able to make new friends, whether in the same area of law across the world or from your own neighborhood across different practice areas.

3. The Annual Conference and Member Get-Togethers

Taking place in a different city every year, the highlight of the IPBA calendar is undoubtedly the Annual General Meeting and Conference. With 600 to 1000 delegates, the conferences are small enough so that everyone can enjoy the events and sessions without feeling like just part of a crowd.

Apart from the Annual Conference, the IPBA sponsors other regional events, including an annual Asia M&A conference in Hong Kong, events in Paris, and a Construction Industry event in Hong Kong. The IPBA leadership also organize annual local and regional seminars, and some jurisdiction members organize golf tournaments so that local members keep in touch throughout the year.

4. Conference and Seminar Savings for IPBA Members

As part of a well-respected organization, IPBA members are frequently offered generous discounts at events organized by other associations and entities throughout the Asia-Pacific. You can be assured that events carrying the IPBA name have the same high quality as IPBA events. Check out calendar of events for more information.

5. Make Yourself Known Through Our Membership Directory, the IPBA Journal, and Speaking Opportunities

As a member, you will also appear in the IPBA online Membership Directory and the annual printed Membership Directory. Both are important reference sources for potential referrals among IPBA members (and now also potential referrals through APEC, as noted below). Also as a member, you are eligible to be considered as a speaker at the Annual Conference and locally organized IPBA events, and may submit substantive papers that will be considered for publication in the IPBA Journal, a professional publication issued quarterly.

6. Corporate Counsel Participation

Recognizing the importance of the role of corporate counsel in Asia-Pacific legal affairs, the IPBA has taken the steps to further welcome the participation of in-house corporate counsel as members, speakers, and conference participants. In light of company budgetary constraints, the IPBA has reduced both membership fees and the Annual Meeting and Conference registration fees for corporate counsel, to make it easier to participate in IPBA activities.

7. IPBA and APEC Cooperation

In 2010, the IPBA and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation ("APEC") forum concluded a memorandum to bring both organizations closer together to help promote trade and cross-border investment in the Asia-Pacific. The first act in this new are of cooperation is for the IPBA members' directory to be made available to all APEC officials as well as private parties who are interested in finding legal resources within the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, the first joint session between APEC and the IPBA was held at the 2011 Kyoto/Osaka Annual Conference, and at every conference since then.