ひまわり基金法律事務所の実践

弁護士過疎対策の10年

抄録

The first Himawari Law Office was opened by Japan Federation of Bar Associations in Iwami, Shimane Prefecture in the year 2000. Ever since, Himawari Law Offices have been established throughout Japan. The author was attracted attention as the first lawyer to be sent to a Himawari Law Office as part of training newly admitted attorneys, and has continuously been involved in the development of Himawari Law Offices. The author attempts to raise a few issues regarding Himawari Law Offices by reflecting on their 10 years of practice and an overview of how the system dealt with lawyer shortages in the rural areas of Japan. This paper focuses on lawyers who are interested in serving for rural areas in Japan and analyzes how to keep quality of the lawyers, for the lawyers should deliver legal services appropriately in the rural areas. And The author is currently practicing at a law firm established in Fukushima Prefecture. The law firm encountered the great earthquake disaster that hit northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011. The earthquake disaster devastated the coastal areas, which, because of the shortage of lawyers, Himawari law offices were being strategically established. This paper also mentions the role of lawyers in the earthquake disaster, especially of lawyers belonging to the Himawari law offices in the devastated areas, which mission is to serve the public good.