By Allison Torres Burtka
Michigan Law
The International Bar Association (IBA) serves as the global voice of the legal profession, made up of bar associations, law societies, and individual lawyers across more than 170 countries. At its helm this year is Claudio Visco, Michigan Law LLM ’83, one of Italy’s foremost international business lawyers.
Visco, a senior partner at Lipani Legal & Tax, steps into the role of IBA president for 2026 at a time when increasing threats to the rule of law, judicial independence, and the legal profession have challenged the international legal order.
“Knowing that I am part of a continuum working to uphold the rule of law, access to justice, and the independence of the legal profession fills me with pride but also with a deep sense of responsibility. We are witnessing unprecedented violations of these fundamental principles in jurisdictions where such developments would once have been unthinkable,” Visco said.
The IBA was formed in 1947 on the conviction that an organization of the world’s bar associations could contribute to global stability and peace through the administration of justice.
Conflicts and tensions in countries including Afghanistan, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Venezuela have put pressure on the IBA and required precise responses that are firmly rooted in international law, Visco said.
Visco and Jaime Carey, senior partner at the Chilean law firm Carey, have brought a new approach to the IBA presidency: a joint leadership arrangement that split the two-year presidential term, with each serving as president for a year but working together throughout the term. The IBA Council approved the arrangement, and Carey served as president in 2025. Before that, Visco and Carey served as joint vice presidents and secretaries-general.
Visco has held other positions in the IBA as well, including chair of the Bar Issues Commission, officer of the Diversity and Inclusion Council, and co-chair of the Securities Law Committee, and he has been a member of the Management Board since 2015.
Visco’s appointment is the latest in a long line of Michigan Law alumni assuming leadership positions in the profession, within the United States and abroad.
“It’s something very special to have one of our own in such a recognized position of leadership in the legal field. It really shows that Michigan Law graduates can leverage their experiences on the Law Quad and go anywhere their ambition leads them,” said Eric Christiansen, assistant dean for international affairs.
Setting priorities as president
Visco and Carey’s joint objectives for leading the IBA include defending the independence of the legal profession and judiciary, and addressing the implications of and regulations around artificial intelligence. They intend for the IBA to advance AI projects and to become a reference point and key player in this arena.
Other priorities include promoting gender parity and diversity in the legal profession and at large, improving underrepresented groups’ access to IBA annual conferences, and continuing to promote the IBA report on the social and economic impact of the legal profession.
“The role of lawyers as gatekeepers in defending the core values of our societies is too often underestimated,” Visco said. “I will work to increase awareness of this role together with bar associations, law societies, and international organisations including the United Nations, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Bank, the American Bar Association, the International Association of Lawyers, the International Association of Young Lawyers, the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe, LawAsia, and the European Law Institute.”
Visco said he aims to collaborate with other international organizations to advance the rule of law worldwide, with full respect for the legal profession’s core values. He also plans to enhance the IBA’s presence in areas such as Africa and the AsiaPacific region.
Michigan Law
The International Bar Association (IBA) serves as the global voice of the legal profession, made up of bar associations, law societies, and individual lawyers across more than 170 countries. At its helm this year is Claudio Visco, Michigan Law LLM ’83, one of Italy’s foremost international business lawyers.
Visco, a senior partner at Lipani Legal & Tax, steps into the role of IBA president for 2026 at a time when increasing threats to the rule of law, judicial independence, and the legal profession have challenged the international legal order.
“Knowing that I am part of a continuum working to uphold the rule of law, access to justice, and the independence of the legal profession fills me with pride but also with a deep sense of responsibility. We are witnessing unprecedented violations of these fundamental principles in jurisdictions where such developments would once have been unthinkable,” Visco said.
The IBA was formed in 1947 on the conviction that an organization of the world’s bar associations could contribute to global stability and peace through the administration of justice.
Conflicts and tensions in countries including Afghanistan, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Venezuela have put pressure on the IBA and required precise responses that are firmly rooted in international law, Visco said.
Visco and Jaime Carey, senior partner at the Chilean law firm Carey, have brought a new approach to the IBA presidency: a joint leadership arrangement that split the two-year presidential term, with each serving as president for a year but working together throughout the term. The IBA Council approved the arrangement, and Carey served as president in 2025. Before that, Visco and Carey served as joint vice presidents and secretaries-general.
Visco has held other positions in the IBA as well, including chair of the Bar Issues Commission, officer of the Diversity and Inclusion Council, and co-chair of the Securities Law Committee, and he has been a member of the Management Board since 2015.
Visco’s appointment is the latest in a long line of Michigan Law alumni assuming leadership positions in the profession, within the United States and abroad.
“It’s something very special to have one of our own in such a recognized position of leadership in the legal field. It really shows that Michigan Law graduates can leverage their experiences on the Law Quad and go anywhere their ambition leads them,” said Eric Christiansen, assistant dean for international affairs.
Setting priorities as president
Visco and Carey’s joint objectives for leading the IBA include defending the independence of the legal profession and judiciary, and addressing the implications of and regulations around artificial intelligence. They intend for the IBA to advance AI projects and to become a reference point and key player in this arena.
Other priorities include promoting gender parity and diversity in the legal profession and at large, improving underrepresented groups’ access to IBA annual conferences, and continuing to promote the IBA report on the social and economic impact of the legal profession.
“The role of lawyers as gatekeepers in defending the core values of our societies is too often underestimated,” Visco said. “I will work to increase awareness of this role together with bar associations, law societies, and international organisations including the United Nations, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Bank, the American Bar Association, the International Association of Lawyers, the International Association of Young Lawyers, the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe, LawAsia, and the European Law Institute.”
Visco said he aims to collaborate with other international organizations to advance the rule of law worldwide, with full respect for the legal profession’s core values. He also plans to enhance the IBA’s presence in areas such as Africa and the AsiaPacific region.
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