Program 2026
International speakers & panelists | 4 in-depth panel discussions | 3 days of networking | Preliminary programDay 1
Sep 10, 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
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.
Franz J. Heidinger
Alix Frank-Thomasser
2:00 pm-3:30 pm
Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna
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
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna
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
Nadine Nembach
Joan Toth
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.
Day 2
Sep 11, 2026
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
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.
Franz J. Heidinger
Alix Frank-Thomasser
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna
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.
Mariella Rieder
Selen Yakar
Julia Kalus
Annette Doms
Ana Carla Bliacheriene
Aida von Schulman
Sally Penni
Tamara Kraljic
12:30 pm-1:30 pm
Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna
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
Ayesha A. Malik
Paula Tavares
3:00 pm-3:45 pm
Faculty of Law, Juridicum, Rooftop, Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna
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.
Franz J. Heidinger
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
Day 3
Sep 12, 2026
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