SAVE THE DATE | The Women in Law Conference | Vienna | September 10-12, 2026
|
Women in Law
Conference 2026

UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA | AUSTRIA | SEPTEMBER 10 - 12, 2026

JUSTITIA AWARDS 2026 | SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

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Justitia Awards Gala 2026
3 days of networking
4 in-depth panel discussions
Human Rights
Women´s Rights are
Welcome in Vienna
to Equity 2.0

From Backlash 

The Women in Law Initiative

The Women in Law Initiative connects female* legal professionals (and their male* allies) from all around the globe, organizes international conferences, and presents the annual Justitia Awards.

Women’s Rights are Human Rights: From Backlash to Equity 2.0

WOMEN IN LAW CONFERENCE 2026 | University of Vienna, Austria
September 10 – 12, 2026 – get your conference ticket CLICK HERE

EXCLUSIVE & DISCOUNTED AIR FARES NOW AVAILABLE 
We are pleased to offer exclusive travel discounts with our partner, the Lufthansa Group airlines. The global route network of Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines, Edelweiss and Discover. You can choose from an extensive network of around 310 destinations worldwide, as well as transatlantic flights operated by Air Canada and United. Get your discount on airline fares HERE

JUSTITIA AWARDS 2026 | September 11, 2026

Each year, our conference & Justitia Awards publication stands as a testament to the extraordinary achievements and transformative impact of women in the legal profession around the world. Explore the powerful stories and insights of our Justitia Awards 2025 Shortlist Winners & more.
CLICK HERE

Interested to become a sponsor? Contact us via mail: info@womeninlaw.info

Why join?

International speakers & panelists

4 in-depth panel discussions

3 days of networking

Delve into the most pressing topics for women* in the legal professions today. Join four tracks, and share your thoughts, experiences, and knowledge with women* and male* allies from around the globe.

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Welcome to Vienna!

Secure your ticket now and join us!
We are delighted to invite you to this inspiring and empowering event, the Women in Law Conference 2026, where legal professionals from around the world will come together to connect, exchange ideas and celebrate excellence in the legal field.
President Women in Law Initiative

Alix Frank-Thomasser

President | The Women in Law Initiative
Rechtsanwalt Franz Heidinger Wien

Franz J. Heidinger

Secretary General | Justitia Awards

Program 2026

Get your ticket here
Day 1
Sep 10, 2026
Day 2
Sep 11, 2026
Day 3
Sep 12, 2026
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Wien

Check-In & Welcome

Check-in will take place from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, including welcome coffee and cake. This is a great opportunity to meet fellow participants, network, and prepare for an engaging day ahead. All Sessions take place at the Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna
1:00 pm–2:00 pm
Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna
Franz J. Heidinger
Alix Frank-Thomasser

Welcome to Women in Law 2026 – Official Opening

We’re kicking off the Women in Law Conference 2026 with a warm welcome from Dr. Alix Frank-Thomasser, President of the Women in Law Initiative, and Prof. Franz J. Heidinger, Vice-President of the Women in Law Initiative. This session will feature opening remarks by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Brigitta Zöchling-Jud, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Vienna, and Eva Maria Holzleitner, Austrian Federal Minister for Women, Science and Research.
Rechtsanwalt Franz Heidinger Wien
Franz J. Heidinger
President Women in Law Initiative
Alix Frank-Thomasser
2:00 pm-3:30 pm
Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna
Sara Carnegie
Brankica Janković
Barbara Giovanna Bello
Margaret Thornton
Sandra S. Yamate
Susanne Hirschberg

Facing the Backlash: Defending Women´s Rights in a Time of Setback

TRACK 1: Focus on the global overview of current developments, including the DEI backlash in the United States and its global implications. Discussion on maintaining progress achieved over the past decades, the rise of right-wing movements, and the political landscape in Europe and beyond. Opening Keynote by: Professor Margaret Thornton
Sara Carnegie
Brankica Janković
Barbara Giovanna Bello
Margaret Thornton
Sandra S. Yamate
Susanne Hirschberg
3:30 pm-4:00 pm
Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna

Coffee Break & Networking

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna
Ed Frauenheim
Stefan Perner
Namira Negm
Nikolaus Forgó

Male Allies in Action: From Awareness to Engagement

TRACK 2: As male allyship declines among younger generations and in universities, this track examines toxic masculinity, generational shifts, and global best practices to strenghten engagement year-round. Keynote by Ed Frauenheim
Ed Frauenheim
Stefan Perner
Namira Negm
Nikolaus Forgó
5:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna

Day 1 Wrap-Up

Before we conclude the first day, we’ll recap the highlights and key messages from the sessions, answer any remaining questions, and provide all essential information for the evening events and the days ahead.
7:00 pm
Heuriger | Viennese Wine Tavern "10er Marie"

Get-Together at Viennese Heuriger

The Women in Law Initiative invites all attendees to the Mayor’s Reception at a typical Viennese Wine Tavern (Heuriger) at “10er Marie Heuriger“, Ottakringerstrasse 222-224, 1160 Vienna. Tram 44: Johannes Krawarik Gasse or via Subway U3: Ottakring. If you’re heading to the evening event directly from the conference, members of the Women in Law Initiative team will guide you to the location using public transport.
9:00 am - 9:30 am
Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna

Check-In & Morning Coffee

Check-in & Morning Coffee from 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM. This is a great opportunity to meet fellow participants, network, and prepare for an engaging day ahead. We look forward to welcoming you at the Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna
9:30 am – 10:00 am
Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna
Franz J. Heidinger
Alix Frank-Thomasser

Day 2 Kick-Off

Join us as we welcome everyone back, highlight what’s ahead for the day, and share a few important announcements before the sessions begin.
Rechtsanwalt Franz Heidinger Wien
Franz J. Heidinger
President Women in Law Initiative
Alix Frank-Thomasser
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna
Annette Doms
Tamara Kraljic
Aida von Schulman
Ana Carla Bliacheriene
Sally Penni

AI and the Future of Work: Gender Equality in the Age of Automation

TRACK 3: Examination of AI-driven changes in the workplace, legal implications, and the ways automated systems reinforce gender bias. Focus on regulatory frameworks and the increasing scale of the challenge. The session will include an interactive workshop focused on practical legal applications and case studies.  
Annette Doms
Tamara Kraljic
Aida von Schulman
Ana Carla Bliacheriene
Dr. Sally Penni
Sally Penni
12:30 pm-1:30 pm
Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna

Networking Lunch

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna
Linda Senden
Jone Elizondo-Urrestarazu
Tathiene Piscitelli
Ayesha A. Malik
Paula Tavares

Roadmap to Equality and Women´s Rights in Practice

TRACK 4: A hands-on track addressing strategic litigation, tools available to practitioners across courts (European courts, human rights courts, U.S. context, etc.), and mechanisms to empower the next generation of human rights defenders. Aim: bridge the gap between legal norms and practical outcomes. Keynote by: Linda Senden
Linda Senden
Jone Elizondo-Urrestarazu
Tathiene Piscitelli
Ayesha A. Malik
Paula Tavares
3:00 pm-3:45 pm
Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna
Franz J. Heidinger
Alix Frank-Thomasser

Conclusion | Wrap up & Farewell

We’ll wrap up the conference with a short summary of the main takeaways, reflect on the discussions we’ve shared, and look ahead to the next steps in advancing women’s rights. Afterwards, we look forward to welcoming all attendees to the Justitia Awards Gala 2026.
Rechtsanwalt Franz Heidinger Wien
Franz J. Heidinger
President Women in Law Initiative
Alix Frank-Thomasser
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Altes Rathaus, Wipplingerstraße 6/8, 1010 Vienna

Justitia Awards Gala 2026

We are delighted to welcome you to the Justitia Awards Gala 2026. Please arrive early to allow sufficient time for check-in and seating (7:00 PM – 7:30 PM). Formal attire is required. Location: Altes Rathaus – Old Townhall, Wipplingerstraße 6/8, 1010 Vienna
10:30 am – 1:00 pm
TBA

Social Saturday

Breakfast at Alix Frank Rechtsanwälte followed by a walk through the vineyards. Lunch at a wine tavern

Academic Advisory Board

The Academic Advisory Board is charged with upholding the academic quality of The Women in Law Conference and setting its agenda.

Birgit Forgó-Feldner

Professor | University of Vienna, School of Law

Birgit Spießhofer

Europe Chief Sustainability & Governance Counsel | Dentons Europe LLP

Christian Berger

Economic Policy Advisor | Vienna Chamber of Labor; Lecturer at several universities

Christiane Wendehorst

University of Vienna, Department of Civil Law; President | European Law Institute (ELI)

Emma Lantschner

Ilse Reiter-Zatloukal

Head | Department for Legal and Constitutional History of the Law Faculty at the University of Vienna

Laura Carlson

Professor in private law at the Department of Law | Stockholm University

Lizzette Robleto de Howarth

Leader, Lawyer, Academic and Advocate | Senior Lecturer at The University of Law

Maeve O’Rourke

Director of postgraduate Human Rights Law Clinic | ICHR

Margaret Thornton

Emerita Professor | ANU College of Law; Barrister of the Supreme Court of NSW & the High Court of Australia

Marie-Therese Claes

Professor Gender and Diversity at WU Vienna

Satang Nabaneh

Director of Programs & Research Professor of Law | University of Dayton

Stefan Perner

Head | Institute for Civil and Civil Procedure Law | Vienna University of Economics and Business

Justitia Awards 2024

Justitia Awards 2023

Conference Venue

Faculty of Law Vienna
Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna, Austria
+43 1 523 27 27 info@womeninlaw.info

The Cloud One Vienna

Elisabethstraße 5, 1010 Wien | +43 1 5850505 | wien-staatsoper@motel-one.com
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Hotel Josefshof am Rathaus

Josefsgasse 4-8, 1080 Vienna | +43 1 404 19 | reservierung@josefshof.at | mention conference room allocation
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EXCLUSIVE AND DISCOUNTED AIR FARES

We are pleased to offer exclusive travel discounts with our partner, the Lufthansa Group airlines. The global route network of Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines, Edelweiss and Discover offers optimal connections and combinations, so you can take advantage of fast and direct flights to the event. You can choose from an extensive network of around 310 destinations worldwide, as well as transatlantic flights operated by Air Canada and United. Discounted rates are valid up to one week before and one week after the event.

Get your discount on airline fares here: https://www.lufthansa.com/content/lh/markets/at/en/event/the-women-in-law-conference-2026

Together with the Lufthansa Group airlines, we look forward to welcoming you at the Women in Law Conference 2026 in Vienna.

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