Japanese American Bar Association Gala

On Friday, May 16, in Downtown Los Angeles, the Japanese American Bar Association, JABA held its annual Installation & Awards Gala.

JABA is a nonprofit organization of Japanese American attorneys. It was founded in 1977 to protect first- and second-generation Japanese Americans rights and elevate their presence in the legal field.

Today, the organization provides networking, mentorship, education, and community service for Japanese and Asian American attorneys. JABA currently has about 300 members.
The Gala, now in its 48th year, also serves as a fundraiser and is held annually.

The ceremony opened with scholarship awards, followed by officer installations.
This year, Emily Kuwahara was sworn in as President.

At the Awards Ceremony, the Community Impact Award, which honors outstanding contributions to the community, was presented to the Little Tokyo Service Center.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Wendy Shiba for her work promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through the American Bar Association.

Entertainment was provided between segments, and the Gala ended on a high note.