"IABA's mission is to promote and defend the rule of law  as the foundation  of a just and free society in the Western Hemisphere”

Dear Colleagues:


We are pleased to send you this newsletter a few weeks before our Mid Year Meeting, scheduled from October 20th to 22nd in Brasilia (capital of Brazil). Symbolically, our Seminar and Council Meeting will take place at the headquarters of the Federal Council of the Brazilian Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil), and will include the OAB's chairman and council members. In addition, we have prepared a comprehensive academic program for October 20th, followed by a visit to the Courts of Justice and the Brazilian Congress on October 21st, and a Council Meeting on October 22nd. All the while, IABA members will receive ample opportunities to network with their fellow Brazilian attorney colleagues.

With its 2.5 million inhabitants, Brasilia is the fourth most-populous city in the country, and enjoys Brazil's second-highest per capita GNP (US$19,000). Inaugurated by then-president Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira on April 21, 1960, it is Brazil's third political capital, having assumed that role after Salvador and Rio de Janeiro each held the distinction. Over a fifteen-year period, federal entities (including the Brazilian federal government's executive, legislative and judicial branches) were progressively transferred to the new capital. Urban planner Lucio Costa designed the city based on a "Pilot Plan", and renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer created many buildings there.

As immediately evident upon arrival, distances in Brasilia are far, thus making a car a necessity. Because Congress will be in session and many political, public and judicial events are also scheduled, few hotel rooms remain available. The IABA reserved a certain number of rooms at two hotels (Golden Tulip and Bonaparte), both of which have different features. The first one is farther away and quieter, and the second one is closer to downtown and more dynamic. In any event, IABA participants will have to arrange their own transportation to the Brazilian Bar Association's headquarters to attend ongoing events.

Finally, we report that a highly-productive Executive Committee meeting was held at the Paris Bar's invitation in the French capital. Over ten IABA members were present, including members of the Executive Committee, former presidents, and advisors to the President. Besides discussing the budget, finances, programming, and institutional review and management, we gave the Council of the Paris Bar an excellent presentation on the IABA. The Paris Bar recognized the IABA's important role throughout the Americas, agreed to continue to support and participate in our organization, and seeks to continue discussions regarding common themes. We would like to thank our colleagues who made the trip, specifically: Hugo Chaviano, Beatriz Martorello, Antonio Noriega, Paulo Miranda, Edson Miranda, Josh Markus, Claudio Pinho, Paulo Lins Silva (Past President), Leonardo Palhares, Jean Frederic Salans (Past President) and Patricia Cubas. I'd also like to gratefully acknowledge our colleague Laurent Martinet for having organized the event. Once again, my thanks to all of you.





André de Almeida (Presidente de la FIA) y Comité Ejecutivo reunido en Paris




André de Almeida hablando en el Consejo de la Barra de Paris




Looking forward to seeing you in Brasilia, I remain,

Very truly yours,

Dr. André de Almeida
President