The Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles will be host to the Inter-Pacific Bar Association’s 18th Annual Conference from April 27-30, 2008. The Conference Host Committee comprises representatives from some of the world’s most respected law firms. Themed “Many Borders, One World,” the conference will allow over 800 business lawyers coming from 35 different jurisdictions an opportunity to remain up to date on business law and practice developments in the Asia-Pacific region. It is also expected to provide interaction among colleagues so as to improve professional relationships.

Referring to the Conference, the 2008 Conference Chair, LLP Gerold Libby, who is also partner in the Los Angeles office of Holland & Knight, says in his message, “Los Angeles is one of the world’s most exciting and dynamic cities. It is the largest business center on the west coast of North America. Its ports are the busiest in the United States, and Southern California is home to more Asian-invested business enterprises than any other region in the western hemisphere. The IPBA 2008 Annual Conference, the first time an IPBA Annual Conference will be held in the United States in more than 10 years, will be an ideal way to learn more about this part of the world, and why many in the United States and elsewhere consider Los Angeles the gateway to Asia.”

The conference is expected to have 40 educational and plenary programs which are to be organized by the Inter-Pacific Bar Association’s 19 law committees and the Host Committee. The Conference is expected to showcase a plenary session and 39 panel sessions that will be sponsored by the 19 IPBA Committees. They will feature 225 speakers from over 25 jurisdictions globally. Delegates from highly regarded international law firms will function as moderators and panelists. Arnold Schwarzenegger, California Governor, Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles Mayor and Susan Schwab, United States Trade Representative will be among the speakers.

during the Conference there will be respite from the hard work with events such as an “IPBA in Hollywood” evening at Culver City’s Sony Pictures Studios and a gala with the internationally known Getty Center as the venue.

Zongze Gao, a partner of China’s largest law firm, King & Wood PRC Lawyers, says, “It is a great honor and pleasure to invite you to attend the 18th Annual Conference of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association……..I believe the 2008 Conference will offer IPBA members an unsurpassed opportunity to learn about current legal developments in the Asia-Pacific region, to develop and enhance professional relationships, and to enjoy the traditional collegial friendship which is the hallmark of the IPBA,”