In the News

On September 17, 2025, three WaLAL board members met with Japanese law professor and Tokyo Bar Association member, Yoshitaka Wada, at his outreach request during his recent visit to Seattle. 

Professor Wada is an internationally-recognized legal scholar who teaches at the prestigious Waseda University School of Law and serves on the Disciplinary Committee of the Tokyo Bar Association. 

He told us he is particularly interested in WaLAL's peer support-focused Lawyer Assistance Program, and the possibility of initiating a program based on it in Toyko. Approximately 50% of Japanese lawyers practice in Tokyo.

Professor Wada sent us this photo from our meeting, and wrote:  "I would be delighted if you could utilize [the picture and information about our meeting] as evidence of [WaLAL] being recognized internationally."

L to R:  WaLAL Director of Peer Support Coordination and Training, Andy Benjamin;

Prof. Wada;

WaLAL President Leslie Hagin;

and WaLAL Secretary/Treasurer Loyd Willaford.