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About JABA

The Japanese American Bar Association (“JABA”) was founded in 1977 in Los Angeles, California. Over the years, JABA has provided a special forum for members of the legal profession with interests and ties to the Japanese American community to discuss issues, network, and serve our community.

RESOURCES

Looking for an Attorney?

The JABA Attorneys List includes members who volunteer to be on the list for public distribution.

JABA Founders

  • Eric Y. Abe

  • Hon. John F. Aiso

  • John Y. Asari

  • Jasmine L. Aseka

  • Hon. Ernest M. Hiroshige

  • Louis K. Ito

  • Hon. Edward Y. Kakita

  • Gerald K. Kitano

  • Hon. Jon M. Mayeda

  • Robert Y. Nagata

  • Gilbert M. Nishimura

  • Rose M. Ochi

  • Hon. Vincent H. Okamoto

  • Chiyoko Sakamoto

  • Stanley S. Uyehara

Judicial Candidate Mentoring Program

If you are interested in becoming a judge or commissioner, or if you are a judicial officer interested in mentoring, please contact Judicial Appointments Committee Chair Mike Madokoro at (310) 380-6519. You must be a JABA member to participate.

JABA Past Presidents

  • 1977 Honorable (Ret.) Edward Y. Kakita

  • 1978 Honorable Ernest M. Hiroshige

  • 1979 Honorable Jon M. Mayeda

  • 1980 Honorable Kenji Machida

  • 1981 Louis K. Ito

  • 1982 Michael R. Yamaki

  • 1983 Leslie K. Furukawa

  • 1984 Ronald N. Ito

  • 1985 Honorable Howard L. Halm

  • 1986 Carol Matsunaga

  • 1987 Judith K. Otamura-Kester

  • 1988 Honorable Robert M. Kawahara

  • 1989 Honorable Fred J. Fujioka

  • 1990 Gerald M. Sato

  • 1991 Ronald N. Ohata

  • 1992 M. Dick Osumi

  • 1993 Bruce L. Ishimatsu

  • 1994 Neil R. Nagano

  • 1995 Mia Yamamoto

  • 1996 Dee A. Hayashi

  • 1997 Michael K. Suzuki

  • 1998 Diane M.L. Tan

  • 1999 Andrew J. Yamamoto

  • 2000 Alex H. Fukui

  • 2001 Eric Y. Nishizawa

  • 2002 Tomas A. Guterres

  • 2003 Bill H. Seki

  • 2004 Hon. Akemi Arakaki

  • 2005 Craig Osaki

  • 2006 Patricia Kinaga

  • 2007 Anne Inoue

  • 2008 Dennis Yokoyama

  • 2009 Katherine Hikida

  • 2010 Diana Nishiura

  • 2011 Hon. Alison Matsumoto

  • 2012 Hon. Audra Mori

  • 2013 Hon. James Toma

  • 2014 Steve Yoda

  • 2015 Ken Tanaka

  • 2016 Sabina Helton

  • 2017 Mark J. Furuya

  • 2018 Ryan Iwasaka

  • 2019 Mike Madokoro

  • 2020 Catherine Endo Chuck

  • 2021 Kira T. Conlon

  • 2022 Staci Tomita

  • 2023 Harumi Hata

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