Italian American Bar Association of Michigan
Lawyers Preserving our Italian Heritage.
Founded in 1931
President's Message
It is an honor to serve as President of the Italian American Bar Association of Michigan (IABAM) for the 2026-2027 term. This year our Executive Board is comprised of Stefania Gismondi, Chris Ferlito, Vincenzo Sarti, Robert Penrod, and myself. We are excited for another fun year for our organization with meaningful events and initiatives. We welcome both our returning and new members as we continue our work to promote the interests of Italian American legal professionals here in Michigan and preserve our cultural heritage.
Since its founding in 1931 as the Italian Lawyers Club of Michigan, this organization has been a cornerstone of Michigan's Italian American legal community. In its earliest days, it provided one of the few avenues for Italian attorneys to bond and support one another. Today, IABAM remains one of the oldest and largest ethnic bar associations in the country. While the professional landscape has evolved greatly since 1931, IABAM's strength has always come from how much our members personally care about celebrating their cultural heritage together with likeminded colleagues. This is what makes us unique. This year's Executive Board is committed to keeping that spirit alive through events that celebrate our Italian heritage, support our community, and bring us together, while continuing to foster the professional collaboration and network of relationships that have long defined this organization.
I'm proud to be a second-generation Italian American, with grandparents who came to the U.S. from Pacentro and Pietransieri, two small towns up in the mountains of Italy's Abruzzo region. Stories like theirs live on in so many of our members' families as well. IABAM gives us a place to continue to embrace where we came from, together, and to continue both the personal and professional legacy.
We invite all members to stay connected, attend our gatherings, and subscribe to our email list for updates. Please contact iabam1931@gmail.com to do so. Your participation and ideas are what keep this organization vibrant. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me or any Board member with your questions or suggestions as we continue to build upon IABAM's rich legacy.
Simone Fabiilli
President, IABAM