Unlocking Equal Pay
This panel discussion, Unlocking Equal Pay, focuses on a book presentation, “Bridging the Gender Pay Gap through Transparency.” Romana Wochner is a policymaker at the Chamber of Labor. “Law is social, and it’s not only social, but it’s a very political field.” When she was still studying at the University of Vienna, law was often taught as a given fact, not as something shaped by people's decisions. If we continue with the idea that laws make ideas become reality, gender equality and the feminist perspective should have an easier path. At least, that’s what we should hope for and work towards, according to her.
Young Voices: The Future of Law
“The panel discussion "Young Voices: The Future of Law" featured an inspiring group of young legal professionals who explored how the legal profession can evolve to attract and empower Gen Z. Lauren Kohn, a High Court Advocate, highlighted the importance of aligning law with Gen Z values such as inclusivity and flexibility. Ceren Şanlı Budak, a Turkish attorney, addressed the progress and systemic challenges faced by women in Turkey's legal profession. Sophie Tesarik of VIAC spotlighted gender disparities in arbitration, with only 34% female representation among confirmed arbitrators in 2023. Jessica Puhr stressed the need to "walk the talk" by implementing measures to support women and adopting gender-neutral language in legal communication. Nina Atanasovska, an ELSA Vienna representative, shed light on how university trends influence women’s career choices, often steering them away from private practice due to work-life balance concerns. The panel concluded with a call for systemic change to create a legal profession that embodies Gen Z values of equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring women are empowered to lead in shaping the future of law.”