"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 IABA Members:


Some events are best experienced in person to be appreciated. Others are simply great because of their occurrence. History is made up of actions, acts, words and gestures that, when viewed retrospectively, mark the passage of time. We believe that the IABA is now entering such a new era.

Some 70 years after its founding, our institution has always maintained a strong presence in Brazil, home to the world's second-largest national bar association in terms of number of attorneys, and the largest throughout the Americas. Yet despite its history, our organization has never played such an important role as it does now, given its solid ties to the Brazilian Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados Brasileiros, or "OAB"), as further consolidated through talks among its respective leaders.

We witnessed this event during our historic Mid-Year Meeting and Council Meeting held on October 20th at OAB headquarters in Brasilia. Those present participated in a vibrant seminar with the OAB's Federal Advisors, as well as many senior partners from some of the largest law offices from around the world. In addition, the "Legal Tour" was a success, with highly-praised visits to the Brazilian House of Representatives, Senate and federal court system. Finally, the Council Meeting was held in the OAB's Council Hall, an incredible experience for all participants.

At the Council Meeting, we discussed and voted on important matters related to (i) the IABA's finances; (ii) the Annual Conference on Margarita Island; and (iii) the renovation of all important Committees and Sections at the IABA. Above all, we deepened ties between the IABA and the OAB, as well as with the IAB, thus increasing our organization's prestige in the process.

It has been an honor to serve the IABA, the Council and its thousands of individual members, and without a doubt our experience in Brasilia proves that we are on the right road. Close ties between the IABA and the OAB are now a reality. The future now provides all of us with numerous opportunities to work together on exciting projects. Thank you again for your continued support.





Fernando Fragoso, Presidente, Instituto dos Advogados Brasileiros, CEZAR BRITTO, Comision de "Relaciones Internacionales de la Orden de Abogados de Brasil (Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil-OAB); Laurent Martinet, Consejero del Colegio de Abogados de Paris; Ophir Cavalcante Junior, Presidente de la OAB; André de Almeida, Presidente de la Federación Interamericana de Abogados; Cesar Ruiloba, Presidente del Colegio de Abogados de Panamá; Laurel Bellows, Presidenta Electa, American Bar Association; Paulo Lins e Silva, Ex Presidente de la Unión Internacional de Abogados.



Laurent Martinet, Asesor Especialista para Asuntos Internacionales de la Barra de Abogados de Paris; Ophir Cavalcante, Presidente de la Orden de los Abogados de Brasil; André de Almeida, Presidente de la Federacion Interamericana de Abogados (FIA);




Fernando Fragoso, Presidente, Instituto dos Advogados Brasileiros; CEZAR BRITTO, Comision de "Relaciones Internacionales de la Orden de Abogados de Brasil (Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil-OAB); Laurent Martinet, Ophir Cavalcante Junior, Presidente de la OAB; André de Almeida, Presidente de la Federación Interamericana de Abogados; Cesar Ruiloba, Presidente del Colegio de Abogados de Panamá.



CEZAR BRITTO, Comision de "Relaciones Internacionales de la Orden de Abogados de Brasil (Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil-OAB); Laurent Martinet, Consejero del Colegio de Abogados de Paris; Ophir Cavalcante Junior, Presidente de la OAB; André de Almeida, Presidente de la Federación Interamericana de Abogados; Cesar Ruiloba, Presidente del Colegio de Abogados de Panamá; Laurel Bellows, Presidenta Electa, American Bar Association; Paulo Lins e Silva, Ex Presidente de la Unión Internacional de Abogados.



André de Almeida, Presidente de la Federación Interamericana de Abogados y Fernando Fragoso, Presidente, Instituto dos Advogados Brasileiros.



Ophir Cavalcante Junior, Presidente de la OAB y Cesar Ruiloba, Presidente del Colegio de Abogados de Panamá



CEZAR BRITTO, Comision de "Relaciones Internacionales de la Orden de Abogados de Brasil (Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil-OAB); Fernando Fragoso, Presidente, Instituto dos Advogados Brasileiros, CLÉA CARPI, Consejera Federal de la Asociacion de Abogados de Brasil, Vice-Presidenta de la Comisión de Relaciones Internacionales y Vice-Presidenta de la Asociación Americana de Juristas (AAJ); MARCUS VINICIUS FURTADO COÊLHO, Secretario General del Consejo Federal de la Asociacion de Abogados de Brasil (Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil – OAB); y André de Almeida, Presidente de la Federación Interamericana de Abogados.



Very truly yours,

Dr. André de Almeida
President