Anthony Joji Taketa, a distinguished legal professional and native of Los Angeles, has made profound contributions to Braille Institute of America throughout his remarkable career. After earning his juris doctor degree from UCLA School of Law in 1983, Taketa embarked on a 24-year journey in litigation, handling a wide spectrum of cases that spanned business disputes, probate matters, real estate and construction law. His expertise and dedication attracted nationally recognized clients, including restaurant chains, contractors and financial institutions. His litigation experience and versatility as an attorney have been invaluable assets in every role he has undertaken.
In 1988, Taketa joined the prestigious law firm Poindexter & Doutré, Inc., where he became a shareholder in 1996. It was during his tenure at Poindexter & Doutré that Taketa began his association with Braille Institute of America, serving as outside counsel. In this role, he played a pivotal part in securing bequests and other critical gifts that furthered Braille Institute’s vision of empowering individuals with visual impairments to live “a life without boundaries.” This work was not only professionally significant, but it also laid the foundation for his deeper involvement with the organization.
In 2007, Taketa transitioned from outside counsel to Braille Institute’s in-house general counsel and corporate secretary. This shift marked a new chapter in his career, allowing him to immerse himself fully in the organization’s mission and strategic goals. By joining the Executive Leadership Team, Taketa contributed his keen legal insights and strategic thinking to initiatives that fostered Braille Institute’s growth and success. One of the crowning achievements of his tenure came in 2019, when he supervised the construction of a new 14,000 square foot Braille Institute center in Anaheim. The center stands as a testament to Taketa’s dedication and leadership in creating spaces that serve the needs of the visually impaired community.
A hallmark of Taketa’s work has been his leadership of Braille Institute’s robust bequests program, which secures more than 200 bequests annually. These contributions are a major source of revenue that enables Braille Institute to provide free programs and services to thousands of individuals across Southern California and nationwide. With seven centers in Southern California and a range of online and teleservice offerings, Braille Institute serves as a lifeline for the visually impaired, and Taketa’s leadership in sustaining the organization’s financial stability is integral to its success.
In December 2022, Braille Institute wel- comed Jim (Dimitri) Kales as its new CEO. Taketa quickly became a trusted confidant and strategic partner to Kales, ensuring a seamless transition in leadership and helping to align the organization’s legal and strategic priorities. Taketa’s role now extends far beyond traditional legal matters — he is instrumental in guiding the alignment of Braille Institute’s Board of Directors and Board Committees with the organization’s dynamic strategic plan. His vision and leadership are critical as Braille Institute embarks on an ambitious goal: to expand its reach from 20,000 individuals served annually to 200,000 over the next five years.
Taketa’s contributions to Braille Institute exemplify corporate counsel excellence. His ability to blend legal expertise with strategic foresight has made him an indispensable partner to the CEO, leadership team and Board of Directors. Through his commitment to advancing Braille Institute’s mission, Taketa has helped transform countless lives.
Learn more at BrailleInstitute.org.
