ESG SDG
This panel discussion focused on ESG and SDG, how to build a prosperous future for all and how legal professions can embrace ESG and SDG principles.
Successful Legal Professions 2030+
AI automates tasks like document review and legal research, allowing lawyers to focus on complex tasks requiring human skills such as emotional intelligence and creativity. While AI transforms many areas of law, complex litigation and strategic advisory roles remain unaffected. Legal professionals must adapt to AI, enhancing efficiency without losing the essential human element in certain practices. AI can also make legal services more accessible and reduce biases, promoting equality. However, it is crucial for lawyers to integrate AI responsibly, ensuring ethical standards and confidentiality are maintained.
Confronting Gender-Based Violence: Challenges, Insights, and Calls for Action
Experts at the Women in Law Conference 2024 Unveil the Complex Realities of Gender-Based Violence, Highlighting Legal Gaps, Cultural Challenges, and the Urgent Need for Global Action Against Femicide
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.”
Decoding CEDAW: Austria’s International Obligations to Combat and Confront Gender Stereotyping
This text explores the complex and intricate relationship between law and gender stereotypes, particularly focusing on Austria's obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The growing interest and research in gender stereotyping within the area of human rights and women's rights is undoubtfully noteworthy. Nonetheless, legal complexities arise in defining and confronting gender stereotypes, given their subtle, yet significant influence on societal norms and individual liberties. This examination seeks to assess Austria’s compliance with its obligations under CEDAW, highlighting both the efforts made and the challenges faced in eliminating harmful and wrongful gender stereotypes. This is done through the lens of the analysis provided by the CEDAW Committee’s case-law and Austria’s reports and communication in the past years. While Austria’s engagement with the CEDAW Committee is not without flaws and has room for improvement, it does demonstrate some tangible effects.
Intergenerational Career Planning: Insights from the Women in Law Conference
The Women in Law Conference highlighted topics like intergenerational career planning, importance of networking, and flexibility in career paths. Alisa Grafton focused on networking skills and human connections. The traditional trajectory for lawyers is shifting, with younger professionals preferring diverse experiences. Susan Cox emphasized networking and the importance of a supportive framework. Marita Haas underscored transparency in career paths, while Ingeborg Edel stressed adaptability. A shared theme was embracing flexibility and diversity, and understanding varied needs of different generations in the legal profession.
Gen Z will make the legal professions more diverse.
A panel of young professionals discussed the influence of Generation Z, born between the late 1990s and mid-2000s, on the legal world. They predicted that Gen Z's digital savviness, commitment to diversity, work-life balance, and social justice advocacy will bring significant transformations. Gen Z's preference for experiential learning will also reshape legal education methods, making the profession more adaptive and ready to address 21st-century challenges.
How to take the next step: From Anti-Discrimination to Gender Equality 2.0
The future legal workplace will undergo significant transformation due to technology integration, remote work, and ethical challenges. Women have a critical role to play in this evolution by mentoring, driving innovation, and promoting inclusivity. Companies must embrace technology, encourage innovation, and implement flexible work policies to be more open-minded, efficient, and innovative.
New Work – Tech, Platforms, and AI
The future legal workplace will undergo significant transformation due to technology integration, remote work, and ethical challenges. Women have a critical role to play in this evolution by mentoring, driving innovation, and promoting inclusivity. Companies must embrace technology, encourage innovation, and implement flexible work policies to be more open-minded, efficient, and innovative.