FALA Greet Consul General Ritva Jolkkonen at Finnish American Chamber of Commerce Welcome Reception in New York City

On October 22, 2008 at the Rooftop Solarium at 250 East 87th Street, New York N.Y., the President of the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce (FACC), Neal Beaton, Esq., of the law firm of Holland & Knight, hosted a Welcome Reception for Consul General Ritva Jolkkonen. Attending on behalf of the Finnish American Lawyers Association (FALA) were the following: Robert Alan Saasto, Esq. (President of FALA); Ernest Saasto, Esq. (Vice-President of FALA); Pasi Mantyla, Esq. (FALA web-site coordinator); Jans Johannsen, Esq., Michael Student, Esq., and Jussi (John) Hoaas, Esq., a recent graduate of the Maine School of Law and FALA's newest member. Also in attendance and pictured above with Consul General Ritva Jolkkonen were Mary Ellen Saasto, Tarja Koskela, and Katarina Hoaas.

In addition to the attorneys present from the FALA, there was a wide cross section present of notables from the Finnish community in New York City. This included members of the FACC, Finnish Consulate in NYC, Finlandia Foundation-NY Chapter; Finnish American Womens Network (FAWN), and Finland Center. Ritva Jolkkonen acknowledged her appreciation for the reception and the opportunity to meet and greet those present in her address to the group. The festive occasion was an excellent opportunity to mingle, network, and socialize in an informal setting.

Robert Alan Saasto, Esq.
President, FALA