LAWYERS IN CONCERT:
CONNECTING, CREATING, AND COMMITTING TO SERVICE
AIJA 2026 Annual Congress
Congress theme
Congress venue
Elite networking
President of AIJA 2025/2026
WELCOME TO
THE 2026 AIJA ANNUAL CONGRESS in Vienna
See you in VIENNA
Servus* AIJA!
Servus* to Vienna – where imperial elegance meets modern innovation, where tradition is etched in stone and progress resonates in every corner. As Co-Chairs of the Organising Committee for the 64th International Young Lawyers’ Congress, it is our distinct pleasure to welcome you to the Austrian capital, a city whose soul is as rich in legal heritage as it is in culture, music, and diplomacy.
Framed by imperial palaces, elegant boulevards, and iconic concert halls, Vienna stands as a symbol of legal tradition, international cooperation, and the enduring pursuit of justice. Home to the United Nations, the OSCE, and numerous other international organizations, Vienna has long served as a meeting place for ideas, dialogue, and decisions that shape our today’s world.
The 2026 Annual Congress invites you to explore the pressing issues and transformative innovations that define the legal service industry today. From the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into legal workflows to the global push for sustainability, equity, and access to justice, the program is designed by the Academic Coordinators to stimulate, challenge, and inspire. It is this spirit of collaboration and innovation that defines the Congress – Lawyers in Concert.
Our venue in the heart of Vienna captures the spirit of the Congress perfectly: timeless, sophisticated, and filled with energy. Just steps away from timeless architectural treasures like the Hofburg Palace and the Vienna State Opera, this location offers an extraordinary setting for deep discussions, bold ideas, and new connections.
But a truly memorable Congress is not only about academic excellence. It is equally about building relationships – through meaningful conversations, shared cultural experiences, and discovering the vibrant life of Vienna together. Over these few days, we encourage you to dive into Vienna’s vibrant lifestyle: enjoy a slice of Sachertorte in a historic coffeehouse, stroll along the Danube, explore the galleries and courtyards of the MuseumsQuartier, and discover why Vienna consistently ranks among the world’s most liveable cities.
Together with our dedicated Organizing Committee, we are honoured to host you in our home city. We are committed to making this Congress an unforgettable experience filled with dialogue, and a rediscovery of the law’s transformative power.
Welcome to the 64th International Young Lawyers’ Congress. Let’s embrace Vienna’s energy and be part of a community driving legal innovation. Servus* to Vienna!
Co-Chairs of the Organizing Committee:
Teresa Waidmann, Schönherr Rechtsanwälte, Austria
Lukas Wieser, Zeiler Rechtsanwälte, Austria
*”Servus” is a common, friendly greeting in Austria, equivalent to “hello” or “hi”. The term originates from the Latin word meaning “servant” or “at your service”, which interestingly connects to the concept of legal service and dedication to others in the legal profession.
Lukas Wieser
Teresa Waidmann
CONGRESS THEME
Michel segers
Philipp Haymann
Sophie Gilliam
Daniela Flores
LAWYERS IN CONCERT: CONNECTING, CREATING, AND COMMITTING TO SERVICE
Join the beat of AIJA’s 64th International Young Lawyers’ Congress in Vienna, the world’s ‘capital of music’ !
With centuries of history, Vienna is an international capital and a crossroads of culture and ideas—a city renowned for its triple C’s: coffee, classical music, and cake. Just as music transcends languages and borders, so too does our profession when we connect through our harmonized ideas and values. It is the ideal setting for an inspiring gathering, bringing together a broad spectrum of skilled and like-minded legal professionals from every corner of the world.
The “Academic Quartet”—your dedicated academic coordinators—is “pulling the strings” to orchestrate a programme that truly resonates in Vienna, the “City of Ideas”.
In the spirit of “Lawyers in Concert”, we draw inspiration from Vienna’s unique legacy, where law, philosophy, and the arts flourished side by side, and breakthroughs often happened through great thinkers at the intersection of disciplines.
Our academic sessions and workshops, crafted in harmony with AIJA’s Commissions and Boards, will hit all the right notes: exploring today’s most pressing topics, setting new standards, and creating space for real exchange. This is more than a programme—it is an open stage.
In true AIJA spirit, it is your opportunity to move from the audience to the ensemble: to share, learn, and grow together.
The congress theme—Lawyers in Concert: Connecting, Creating, and Committing to Service—reflects 3 C’s key pillars of the modern legal profession in this day and age, that are the backbone and rhythm of our congress:
CONNECTING
AIJA offers unparalleled opportunities for young legal professionals to connect and engage. It is the ideal platform to build a strong global network of legal professionals for developing your business. In a world in an ever-growing need for diplomacy and collaboration, we also aim to strengthen ourselves through our togetherness. Connect to learn the necessary skills for a meaningful connection with peers, friends, clients, and society.
CREATING
To thrive as a lawyer in today’s rapidly evolving world, creativity and adaptability are indispensable. As technology transforms legal tools and frameworks, the profession must reinvent itself. The modern lawyer is no longer just an interpreter of laws, but an orchestrator of advanced tools—especially AI—delivering innovative, industry-specific solutions.Our congress is a stage for innovation - we will think outside the box of traditional legal frameworks. Expertise today goes beyond legal knowledge - it requires learning from industry leaders, collaborating across sectors, and engaging clients as true partners. In this new era, successful lawyers are both legal minds and industry specialists, leveraging technology and creativity to provide real value.
Committing to Service
Every meaningful connection begins with a simple greeting—just like “Servus” in Vienna, a word that opens doors and hearts. At this year’s congress, let us take “servus” beyond a welcome. Let us turn it into action. Together, we will explore what true service means in our profession: How can we reimagine legal practice to be more client-centric, more responsive, and more impactful? How can we, as lawyers, rise to the challenge of better serving not just our clients, but society at large? AIJA remains unwavering in our commitment to the rule of law and the defense of fundamental human rights—values that will always differentiate us lawyers from other service providers.
This congress is a celebration of who we are as legal profession and who we aim to become as young international lawyers with a global focus. AIJA’s congress in Vienna is a concert – and everyone will play an invaluable piece of its unique symphony.
Join us for AIJA’s 64th International Young Lawyers’ Congress in Vienna, to connect, create and show our commitment to service, where excellence, inclusion, and service will always be in harmony!
Organising Committee
ACADEMIC COORDINATORS
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