The Women in Law Conference | Vienna | September 11-13, 2025

Program

International speakers & panelists | 3 in-depth panel discussions | 3 days of networking
Day 1
Sep 11, 2025

Check-In

Check-in will take place from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, including welcome coffee and cake. 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 Juridicum Vienna, Schottenbastei 7-9, 1010 Vienna, Entrance: Hessgasse

Welcome to Women in Law 2025

We’re starting off The Women in Law Conference 2025 with a warm welcome to all attendees. All Sessions take place at the Faculty of Law Vienna, Schottenbastei 7-9, 1010 Vienna,  [open map]
Ghada Waly
Director-General Ghada Waly
Ambassador Lindsay Skoll, CMG
Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner
Rechtsanwalt Franz Heidinger Wien
Franz J. Heidinger
President Women in Law Initiative
Alix Frank-Thomasser

Women in Migration – Law and Enforcement: Global Challenges, Local Solutions

TRACK 1: This panel will gather leading experts to explore the multifaceted challenges faced by women in migration, particularly through the lens of law and enforcement. With a focus on women’s rights, we will address critical issues such as gender-based violence, labor exploitation, access to healthcare, and the impact of migration policies on women’s safety and well-being. The discussion will highlight how these challenges differ across regions and examine effective global and local solutions aimed at safeguarding migrant women’s rights. Join us for an insightful dialogue on enhancing legal protections and creating inclusive migration policies that prioritize the needs of women. Moderated by: Dr. Koko Warner, Director at IOM – UN Migration
Gary McIndoe speaker at Women in Law Conference
Gary McIndoe
Dorota Beange speaker at Women in Law Conference
Dorota Beange
Ulrike Butschek, speaker at Women in Law conference 2025
Ulrike Butschek
Marie Segrave University of Melbourne Migration
Marie Segrave
Dr. Koko Warner, Director at IOM - UN Migration at Women in Law Conference Vienna
Koko Warner
Namira Negm Speaker Women in Law conference 2025
Namira Negm
Wisla-Plonka speaker at Women in Law Conference 2025
Joanna Wisła-Płonka

Interactive Q&A Session Track 1

Interactive Q&A Session to TRACK 1: Women in Migration – Law and Enforcement: Global Challenges, Local Solutions
Dr. Koko Warner, Director at IOM - UN Migration at Women in Law Conference Vienna
Koko Warner

General Information Session

The Wrap up and General Information Session will provide key details about the daily schedule, logistical updates, and other important information.
tba

Get-Together at Viennese Heuriger

The Women in Law Initiative invites all attendees to a traditional Viennese Heuriger (wine-tavern) at “10er Marie Heuriger“, Ottakringerstrasse 222-224, 1160 Vienna. Tram 44: Johannes Krawarik Gasse or via Subway U3: Ottakring
Day 2
Sep 12, 2025

Check-In with Breakfast

Check-in with breakfast from 8:30 AM to 9:15 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 Juridicum Vienna, Schottenbastei 7-9, 1010 Vienna, Entrance: Hessgasse

Welcome & General Information Session

The General Information Session will provide key details about the daily schedule, logistical updates, and other important information.
Rechtsanwalt Franz Heidinger Wien
Franz J. Heidinger
President Women in Law Initiative
Alix Frank-Thomasser

Conference Keynote

Join us for the keynote presentation. We will announce all keynote speakers here in due course.
tba

Legal Activism: Leveraging Strategic Litigation and Arbitration for a Just Future

TRACK 2: Join international legal experts for a dynamic discussion on the evolving role of strategic litigation and arbitration in resolving complex disputes across borders. This panel will explore the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in both fields, examining how legal strategies are shaping industries, human rights cases, and international relations. This panel will highlight how strategic litigation presents unique opportunities for women in the legal sector, empowering them to challenge injustices and advance gender equality. Whether through arbitration in global business conflicts or litigation to drive social change, our speakers will shed light on the impact and potential of these powerful legal tools in today’s interconnected world. Moderated by: Dr. J. Jarpa Dawuni
Alexander Wilfinger
Alexander Wilfinger
Linda Chanow
Linda Chanow
Fremuth-Wolf Women in Law Conference
Alice Fremuth-Wolf
Speaker Women in Law Conference 2025
Romana Wochner
J. Jarpa Dawuni WIL2025
J. Jarpa Dawuni
Women in Law Pakistan
Nida Usman Chaudhary
Dr. Guerrero Women in Law Conference
Marion Guerrero

Interactive Q&A Session Track 2

Interactive Q&A Session to TRACK 2: Legal Activism
J. Jarpa Dawuni WIL2025
J. Jarpa Dawuni

Networking Lunch Break

Sportlight: Meet the leaders of our mentoring programme
WIL MENTORING PROGRAM
Lauren Kohn
MENTORING WOMEN IN LAW
Aida von Schulman

Justice for All: Breaking (Bad) Barriers to Legal Access

TRACK 3: This panel will explore the critical need for legal advice, with a focus on supporting women and other marginalized groups. The discussion will address key topics such as pro bono legal services, legal aid and third-party financing of litigation as well as alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, contingency fee arrangements, class actions and AI solutions. Our panel of experts will shed light on how these services can empower individuals in vulnerable situations and the ways in which systemic barriers to justice can be overcome. The panel will also explore whether state or private entities are better suited to handle litigation funding and process financing taking into account quota litis implications (contingency fee arrangements) and pro bono litigation. Join us for a deep dive into creating fair and inclusive access to legal support for all. Moderated by Tatiana Veress
Ayse Yazir WIL2025
Ayse Yazir
Paul Yates Speaker at Women in Law Wien
Paul Yates
Tamara Walsh
Tamara Walsh
Women in Law Conference Vienna 2025
Fiorentina Azizi-Hacker
Sandra S. Yamate
Sandra S. Yamate
Dr. Sally Penni
Dr. Sally Penni
Moderator Women in Law Conference
Tatiana Veress

Interactive Q&A Session Track 3

Interactive Q&A Session to Track 3: Justice for All
Moderator Women in Law Conference
Tatiana Veress

Conclusion | Wrap up & Farewell

This session marks the conclusion of our conference and afterwards we look forward to welcoming all attendees to the Justitia Awards Gala 2025. Check-in at 7:00 PM, with the gala commencing at 7:30 PM
Rechtsanwalt Franz Heidinger Wien
Franz J. Heidinger
President Women in Law Initiative
Alix Frank-Thomasser
3:45 pm -7:00 pm

Time to Unwind for all attendees of the Justitia Awards Gala 2025

Justitia Awards Gala 2025

We are delighted to welcome you to the Justitia Awards Gala 2025. Please arrive early to allow sufficient time for check-in and seating (7:00 PM – 7:30 PM). Formal attire is requested. Location: University of Vienna, Großer Festsaal, Universitätsring 1, 1010 Vienna
Day 3
Sep 13, 2025

Women in Law Initiative Breakfast

We welcome you at our office at Alix Frank Rechtsanwälte GmbH, Schottengasse 10, 1010 Vienna
Rechtsanwalt Franz Heidinger Wien
Franz J. Heidinger
President Women in Law Initiative
Alix Frank-Thomasser

Social Program

Option 1: Tour of the Mozart House, Vienna Option 2: Walk through the vineyards and Lunch at a wine tavern