In 1991, a group of lawyers with a shared interest in the Asia-Pacific region founded the Inter-Pacific Bar Association. Thirty-five years, 65 jurisdictions and 1500+ members later, the IPBA is bringing its annual conference to Sydney — and for the first time in 21 years, Australian lawyers have a front-row seat.
"It was never a goal of mine to be president-elect," says James Jung. "I just continued with the organisation because I love the people and the organisation, and one thing led to another. It took about 15 years.”
James Jung shares why Australian practitioners should have the IPBA on their radar. As President-Elect of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association and Executive Director of International Strategy at the College of Law, he brings a practitioner's perspective on what international legal networks can offer — and why IPBA Sydney 2027 is an opportunity that may not come around again for another two decades.
What Is the IPBA?
"The IPBA stands for the Inter-Pacific Bar Association,” James explains. “It's an international association of business and commercial lawyers with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Members are either Asia-Pacific residents or have a strong interest in this part of the world. The organisation has been around since 1991, and the Sydney conference will be the 35th annual conference.”
The IPBA's orientation is firmly commercial, though its scope has broadened in recent years.
"We focus on the commerciality of the law. Having said that, environmental law, ESG, climate change, and AI are all very popular committee areas within the organisation," he says.
From Young Lawyer Scholar to President-Elect
James's path to the IPBA's top elected role began with a fortuitous connection in his home city of Auckland.
"I first got involved about 15 years ago when there was an IPBA leadership meeting in Auckland, New Zealand, where I grew up. I got involved on the host committee side of things through a long-time IPBA member and good friend, Neil Russ. That's how I got started in connecting with a lot of people," says James.
From there, a scholarship changed the trajectory of his career.
"I was asked to apply for an IPBA Young Lawyer Scholarship, which I ended up getting. The following year, I attended my first-ever IPBA conference in Seoul, South Korea, which was quite unique for me given that I'm ethnically Korean. That's where it all got started. I began as a young lawyer scholar, and I'm now the president-elect!" he says.
Why the IPBA Stands Apart: The Right People in the Right Place
In a crowded field of international legal associations, James is clear about what makes the IPBA different.
"I love other international law organisations which all carry their benefits. But personally, the IPBA is a better fit for me given the geographical focus and my own background. A lot of our members are from the Asia-Pacific region, though we also have many Europeans and Americans who are interested in the region," he says.
For James, the distinguishing factor is not programming or prestige. It is the quality of the relationships the organisation fosters.
"For me, it's really about the people. Some people come to these conferences because they want to get business out of it, which I totally understand. But I think instead of looking for a direct gain, it's about a long-term strategy which will overtime turn into referral work. It's about building friendships, which I value more," says James.
"The IPBA has members from 65 jurisdictions. Over the last 15 years, I've made so many friends who I consider not just professional colleagues but genuine friends. People attend IPBA conferences because they want to catch up with those friends. That's a little different from other organisations," he says.
How the IPBA Shapes Law Across the Region
The IPBA's value extends well beyond networking. Senior members carry knowledge back into their home jurisdictions and, in some cases, into the rooms where policy is made.
"Through our annual conferences and committee sessions, we share a lot about issues, law, and practicality. How can we do business better? We don’t just drill down on the technicalities of the law. It's about how, practically speaking, we can work through issues and help clients," says James.
"Some of my friends have shared knowledge gained at these conferences with their clients back home. At times, it has even resulted in some small changes to the law in their country. These recommendations are persuasive because many who attend these conferences are very senior members of their respective jurisdictions. They have connections to decision-making powers. They sit on advisory committees," he says.
IPBA Sydney 2027: A Gateway for Lawyers across the Region
James wants Sydney 2027 to serve as a genuine gateway for lawyers across the region, not just those based in New South Wales.
"It will be 21 years since we last had this conference in Sydney. It could be another 21 years until we have the next one. We want to attract lawyers from all of Australia. And going beyond that, I want to make this an Australasia event, bringing in colleagues from New Zealand and the Pacific Islands," he says.
"I've spoken with friends in Fiji and Papua New Guinea, for example. They don't often get a chance to attend international law conferences because they're just so far away. But Sydney has direct flights and is a lot cheaper and easier to visit. I want to draw those people in, because I really think it's a good organisation for lawyers to connect, learn from one another, and build long-lasting friendships," James says.
How can you get involved? Registration, speaking and sponsorship
The IPBA Sydney 2027 conference is expected to attract between 800 and 1,000 attendees, consistent with recent conferences in New Delhi, Chicago, and Tokyo.
"New Delhi had over 850, Chicago had almost 900, and Tokyo had almost 1,500 lawyers. We’re aiming for similar numbers," says James.
Registration is open via the IPBA Sydney 2027 website, with early bird pricing available until July.
Australian practitioners with an interest in speaking are encouraged to put their hand up. The conference will feature 52 committee sessions across a broad range of practice areas, and James is keen to see local lawyers on the panels, not just in the audience.
"You could get in touch with myself, or with our IPBA program coordinator Robert Rhoda, who you can find on the website (https://ipba.org). You can also reach out to Tin-Lok Shea, our IPBA Jurisdictional Council Member (Head) for Australia, who is also on the organising committee. Just talk to any of us and we can explain what you need to do and potentially recommend you for some of the session programs," says James.
The IPBA Annual Meeting and Conference 2027 will be held at the Hyatt Regency Sydney from 7 to 10 April 2027. For Australian lawyers looking to expand their regional networks, contribute to international legal discourse, and build relationships that extend well beyond a single conference, it is a rare opportunity on home soil. Early bird registration is open now at the IPBA Sydney 2027 website.
For lawyers interested in practising in the ASEAN region, the College of Law offers a range of postgraduate courses majoring in ASEAN+6 Legal Practice.
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