An Adaptation of First They Came
by Pastor Martin Niemöller
First they came for the lawyers who took unpopular cases,
and I did not speak out
because I did not take those cases.
Then they came for the lawyers who challenged the government,
and I did not speak out
because I did not challenge the government.
Then they came for the lawyers accused of being “too political,”
and I did not speak out
because I wanted to stay neutral.
Then they came for me—
and there was no one left
to defend my right to be heard.
They don’t come for all lawyers at once.
They come for the easiest ones first—
the unpopular, the inconvenient, the visible.
And if we tell ourselves
“that’s not my case, not my client, not my problem,”
we will only realize too late
that what was being taken
was not their safety—
but our profession.
TOKYO, JAPAN – SABORNAY LAW Managing Attorney Ricky Aringo Sabornay served as a panelist at the Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA) seminar, held in partnership with the Tokyo Bar Association on March 25–26, 2026.
The event, themed “The New Roles of Lawyers in the Era of National Security and End of Free Trade,” convened legal professionals to discuss the evolving international economic and regulatory landscape. Discussions focused on recent shifts in global policy, including increased state intervention in cross-border M&A, the adoption of reciprocal tariffs, and changing immigration policies, which are increasingly framed within the context of national security.
During the seminar, Mr. Sabornay participated in the panel titled “Attacks Against Legal Professions and Counterattacks.” The session was moderated by Osamu Ito, Managing Partner at ITO International Law Office in Tokyo, and Amirali Nasir, UIA Counsellor to the President and representative of the Hong Kong Law Society at Nasirs in Hong Kong.
On the panel, Mr. Sabornay joined two highly distinguished legal practitioners: Naoki Maekawa, Managing Partner of the Osaka-based Maekawa Law Firm, recognized for his deep expertise bridging Japanese and common law in complex cross-border disputes; and Jacqueline Scott of Fortney & Scott, LLC in Washington, DC, a prominent figure in the global legal community who currently serves as UIA President of Honor.
Drawing on his cross-border practice and admissions in the Philippines, Japan, New York, and England and Wales, Mr. Sabornay provided an analysis of how current regulatory trends are impacting legal institutions and human rights advocacy. His presentation examined institutional responses in the United States alongside challenges faced by legal practitioners in the Philippines.
Institutional Responses to Regulatory Pressure
Mr. Sabornay outlined how the increasing focus on national security and executive branch policies have influenced the operational priorities of major law firms in the United States. He noted instances where regulatory pressure has prompted institutional shifts, leading some firms to prioritize corporate stability over certain types of public interest advocacy.
A key point of discussion was the resulting reduction in pro bono representation for complex immigration and civil rights litigation. Data presented indicated a decline in top firms’ representation of plaintiffs in Administrative Procedure Act lawsuits. Mr. Sabornay also observed that this environment has contributed to a migration of legal professionals toward boutique firms and nonprofits, while noting that several major firms continue to actively challenge state actions through the courts.
Parallels in the Legal Landscape
Expanding on the seminar’s theme, Mr. Sabornay drew comparisons to the Philippines to illustrate how legal frameworks can undergo systematic erosion.
He shared data indicating that over 110 lawyers have been killed in the Philippines since 1972, with a significant concentration in recent years. He explained the progression of these challenges, noting that attacks frequently begin with surveillance and red-tagging before escalating. The data suggests a pattern where legal professionals are targeted based on their representation of human rights cases or politically sensitive matters.
Mr. Sabornay noted that while the legal environments of the U.S. and the Philippines are distinct, cross-border practitioners should be aware of the common patterns that emerge when legal defense mechanisms face sustained pressure.
The Role of an Independent Bar
Mr. Sabornay concluded his presentation by emphasizing the structural importance of the legal profession. He adapted Pastor Martin Niemöller’s poem, First They Came, to illustrate the necessity of an active and independent bar.
He highlighted that the primary function of defending the legal profession is to safeguard the mechanics of justice and ensure that government actions remain subject to rigorous judicial scrutiny. Maintaining this independence, he argued, is essential for preserving public trust in democratic institutions during periods of regulatory and economic transition.