We are saddened by the news that our friend and colleague Renee Inomata passed away on December 1, 2025 unexpectedly from an illness. Renee was a trusted advisor and partner at Casner & Edwards, where she guided companies and executives through high-level, complex employment-related matters and solved sensitive employment situations with empathy and integrity. She served as the co-chair of the firm’s Women’s Initiative and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. Renee was previously a partner at Burns & Levinson, where she was the Chair of the firm’s Employment Group and a member of the Executive Committee.

Renee was a long-time member and supporter of AALAM. We remember her as a tireless leader, advocate, and philanthropist. Renee served as a member of the Boston Bar Association Council and was formerly a member of the Executive Committee. She was also a Trustee of the Boston Bar Foundation and a member of the Grants Committee. Moreover, Renee chaired the GBH Board of Advisors and was a GBH Trustee. Furthermore, Renee was an inaugural Steering Committee member of the Asian Community Fund and the Asian Business Empowerment Council at the Boston Foundation. For her unwavering support of the AAPI community, Renee received the 2023 AALAM Community Service Award. She was additionally recognized as one of Boston’s 50 Most Influential Asian American Pacific Islanders by Get Konnected!.

As we reflect on Renee’s legacy, we are reminded of her wisdom, generosity, and commitment to uplifting her community. Renee mentored and sponsored lawyers, promoted the advancement of women of color, and shaped important Boston institutions. We will miss her smile, kindness, and thoughtful advice. We are deeply grateful for her contribution and extend our condolences to Renee’s family, friends, colleagues, and everyone whose life was enriched by her.

Together in mourning,

AALAM Board of Directors