Japan honors Greenville attorney with Order of the Rising Sun

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Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP partner Henry M. “Buzz” Burwell has been honored by the government of Japan with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.

The order, which is the highest civilian honor not reserved for politicians or royalty, was bestowed on April 29.

The award is given to those who have made great strides in the fields of international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, advancements in their field, development in welfare, or preservation of the environment, the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta said in a news release.

Burwell is the founder and former chair of the Japan-America Association of South Carolina, which he started in 1988.

His work as founder of the organization contributed to promotion of interregional exchange and a stronger understanding between Japan and the United States, the news release stated.

He has been active in the U.S. business and legal communities since the inception of his legal career and had the opportunity to return a Japanese ceremonial military flag in ceremony in Tokyo in 2005 at the bequest for his father, who took the surrender of the flag in 1945 in Chengdu, China, where he flew as the group commander of the 27th Troop Carrier squadron under the Flying Tigers led by Gen. Claire Chennault, the release said.

As a senior partner in the firm’s Greenville office, Burwell is co-leader of the International Practice Group. He is also a member of several practice groups including Defense Industries and Sanctions and is focused in the fields of automotive, aviation, business immigration and customs and trade.

Established in 1897, Nelson Mullins is an Am Law 100 firm of more than 1,000 attorneys, policy advisors and professionals with 33 offices in 17 states and Washington, D.C.