Renee Inomata, Attorney and Activist, Remembered as ‘Awe-Inspiring’

'She really cared about people.'

Renee Inomata, a Boston-area attorney, who was highly active ­— oftentimes behind the scenes — in the civil rights and Asian American initiatives, died on Dec. 1.

Inomata was involved with the Boston Bar Association and its foundation, the Boston Foundation’s Asian Community Fund, and many other groups. She also played a key role in advocating for local recognition of the work of World War II-era civil rights icon Fred Korematsu, who resisted the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during the 1940s. In addition, she has been credited with donating to public television programming.

“She had an ability to put people at ease,” said her longtime friend and colleague, Paul W. Lee, in an interview with Sampan. “She really cared about people.”

Lee, the co-founder and chair of the Asian Community Fund, described Inomata as devoted to Asian American initiatives and to mentoring young and aspiring attorneys. He said he’d known Inomata for decades, having met her through the Boston Bar Association and working with her when she provided pro-bono legal help to the Asian Community Development Corporation and volunteered with the Asian Community Fund. He said he was shocked and devastated by her death.

Inomata was a founding member of Asian Community Fund’s Steering Committee and co-chaired the group's first gala last year.

"We’re heartbroken by her passing," said the Asian Community Foundation's executive director, Danielle Kim.

“Renee lifted up everyone around her. She provided exceptional insight coupled with deep humanity, and held a genuine belief in the potential of our profession,” said Suma V. Nair, president of the Boston Bar Association, in a statement. “The BBA is profoundly grateful for all she gave to our community, and we will miss her dearly.”

'LIFTED EVERYONE UP': Renee Inomata is seen at the ACF’s inaugural gala in 2024, which she co-chaired. Courtesy photo by Lee-Daniel Tran.

The bar association and bar association’s foundation called Inomata a “beloved colleague, respected leader, and steadfast advocate for equity and opportunity in the legal profession.”

The BBA said Inomata was known for being committed to “service, generosity, and an unwavering commitment” to bettering the lives of marginalized peoples.

Inomata reportedly died after a brief illness. Her husband, Paul Lee (no relation to Inomata’s friend with the same name) owns the Hong Kong restaurant in Cambridge. Her husband could not be reached for this story. The two married in Cambridge in 2003.

Inomata graduated from Brown University and earned her law degree at Boston University School of Law in 1993.

She was a partner in the Employment Law Group at Casner & Edwards, which also called her a “friend and colleague.”

She had joined the firm in 2018, according to a post by Casner & Edwards, “and quickly became a beloved and valuable member of the Casner team.”

In the days after she died, several people and groups who knew her posted tributes online.

“My heart is heavy as I mourn the loss of my soul sister, Renee Inomata. She carried her private challenges with strength and grace, always finding ways to lift others up,” wrote a colleague, Payal Salsburg, an attorney who’d worked with Inomata.

“Renee was a trusted advisor, mentor, teacher, and friend,” wrote Casner Managing Partner Michael Zullas in a statement. “She had a unique ability to bring people together and bridge differences.”

The law group called Inomata a “true trailblazer and role model,” who helped “pioneer the firm’s widely respected Women’s Initiative as a way to advance the interests of both Casner women attorneys and clients.”

The group also called her “one of the most distinguished members of the Boston Bar.”

Inomata was involved in numerous nonprofit, university and legal groups, including GBH’s board of advisers and its Board of Overseers, Brown University President's Diversity Advisory Council, and Babson College’s Center for Women's Entrepreneurship and Leadership WINLab Program. She was also previously involved with the Asian American Commission Economic Development Committee.

“Renee had a huge impact on our firm and on the Boston legal landscape,” said Casner colleague and friend, Katie Von Kohorn, in a statement. “She will be sorely missed, both professionally and personally. Our thoughts today and in the days and weeks ahead are with Renee’s husband, Paul, and her extended family and friends.”

The Boston Bar Foundation also said it was mourning the loss of Inomata.

“Renee was well-loved and respected by the AAPI community and the community at large,” said Chinh H. Pham, a member of the Boston Bar Foundation Board of Trustees, in a statement. “Her commitment to our profession, her philanthropic work, and her mentorship reflected her vision for a better and just world.”

“She did so much community work on the side, it was really awe-inspiring,” her friend Paul W. Lee told Sampan. “She was very committed to empowering the Asian American community.”

But, he said, more than her community work, “We’re going to miss her as a person and as a friend. It’s very devastating to us.”