The International Bar Association (IBA) has announced Horacio Bernardes Neto as its new president.
The first Brazilian appointed to the presidency, Horacio is a senior partner with São Paulo firm Motta Fernandes Advogados. He takes over the role from Martin Šolc of the Czech Republic, and will hold the presidency for a two-year tenure until 31 December 2020. Prior to his appointment, Horacio has held the positions of IBA vice-president (2017–2018); IBA secretary-general (2015–2016); and chair of the IBA Bar Issues Commission (2013–2014).
In addition, James M Klotz, a partner in the Canadian firm Miller Thomson, has been appointed as the IBA’s new vice-president, and Almudena Arpón de Mendívil, of Spanish firm Gómez-Acebo & Pombo, as secretary-general.
Horacio Bernardes Neto commented: ‘I feel truly honoured to be president of this distinguished organisation, and my heart swells with pride at being the first Brazilian to hold the position. It means so much to me and to my colleagues in Brazil’s legal profession, for whose support and good wishes I am grateful.
‘I have been a member of the International Bar Association for almost four decades, and in that time I have met peers from almost every country. I consider my election to the presidency proof of the geographical diversity of the IBA, of whose work in the world I am a respectful advocate. Now, like my predecessors, I am in the fortunate position of being able to bring to bear global legal perspective and action on a number of pressing issues through specially created task forces, which I will scope in the coming days, in consultation with colleagues.’
