EMPOWER NEXTGEN - meeting young lawyers where they are
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WELCOME TO
THE 2025 AIJA ANNUAL CONGRESS IN WASHINGTON D.C.
Kato AERTS
President of AIJA
2024 / 2025
Welcome to AIJA’s 63rd Annual Congress, set to take place in Washington D.C. – the beating heart of the legal profession
It is my distinct pleasure to invite you to join us for what promises to be an inspiring and transformative event. This Congress is designed with you in mind—young lawyers eager to grow, connect, and make a difference in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.
AIJA is the only global association devoted to lawyers and in-house legal counsel aged 45 and under. The unique focus on young legal professionals sets AIJA apart, and this Annual Congress is a testament to our commitment to empower the next generation of legal talent.
Our theme, “Empower NextGen: Meeting Young Lawyers Where They Are,” reflects this mission. We understand the unique challenges young lawyers face, and we’re here to provide not just knowledge, but also the tools, support, and connections you need to thrive in this challenging and exciting profession.
Washington, D.C., home to more than 80,000 lawyers, is the ideal destination for this Congress. As a global hub for law, governance, and policy, it offers a unique backdrop for young lawyers to expand their knowledge, gain new perspectives, and connect with the pulse of the legal profession. The city’s rich legal community makes it the perfect place to explore new opportunities and build relationships that can propel your career forward. The Organizing Committee and the AIJA team have worked relentlessly to put together an amazing program showcasing the most impressive venues and landmarks D.C. has to offer, fully immersing you in the city’s rich culture and vibrant atmosphere.
The academic program, carefully crafted by the incredibly talented Academic Coordinators, will focus on practical skills for business development and networking, recognizing that success in law is about legal acumen as much as it is about relationships. In addition to legal knowledge and expertise, we’ll focus on essential business skills such as effective communication, negotiation, and leadership, providing workshops and discussions to help young lawyers excel both in and out of the courtroom. We’ll also acknowledge the critical importance of mental health in sustaining a successful legal career. Our sessions will explore effective strategies for maintaining well-being, building resilience and achieving a balanced professional life in today’s demanding and flexible work environments.
Echoing the wise words of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”, this Congress encourages you to identify your professional goals, and build a community of lifelong professional contacts and friends who will help you achieve them.
Let’s make this Congress not just a gathering, but a defining moment in the future of our profession, and in your journey as a young lawyer.
I look forward to seeing you in August 2025!
#aijaatheart
Kato Aerts
President of AIJA 2024/2025
CONGRESS THEME
CONGRESS THEME
BUREN
Netherlands
DORDA Rechtsanwälte GmbH
Austria
Dimitrov, Petrov & Co
Bulgaria
GATE AVOCATS
France
Empower NextGen: Meeting Young Lawyers Where They Are
AIJA empowers NextGen. Our focus in 2025 is to help young lawyers develop professional skills and expand their international network. AIJA mentorship program will encourage young lawyers to take the next steps in their careers and get experienced help for a specific project or assignment. Joint publication efforts will showcase our members’ expertise and put them at the forefront of shaping tomorrow’s legal services.
During the 63rd Annual Congress in Washington DC, all these goals will accumulate under the theme: Empower NextGen – Meeting Young Lawyers Where They Are
The Congress will offer a solid multidisciplinary program, focusing on must-have skills for young lawyers, both from a legal and practical perspective. We want to empower young lawyers to unfold their full potential and become better professionals. Experienced lawyers are an essential part of young colleagues’ advancement, and they represent an integral part of the process. The academic program will consist of two tracks: the Legal Track and the Business Skills Track.
The Legal Track will offer a robust scientific program with sessions organized by AIJA’s 20+ commissions which will allow participants to learn about and discuss hot topics, trends and policies in their respective practice areas while also discovering differences and similarities in approach beyond generations. The sessions aim to offer engaging discussions, amongst others, about the generation gap, leading to a thorough understanding of the “other” generation and how we can all learn from each other for a better professional future and advancement of our organizations.
The Business Skills track, supported by AIJA’s SCILL [Board], will offer participants an opportunity to explore and improve their non-legal skill set. We will focus on topics such as Business Development, in particular legal submissions and referral strategies, Professional Liability and Mental Wellbeing. We consider these topics to be essential for any lawyer, regardless of their age, position and stage of career. We plan to have lawyers, young and old, potentially AIJA alumni, share their experience, supplemented by external speakers from the legal industry, such as service providers and insurance companies, as well as psychologists or academics.
The academic program will also offer an intriguing session prepared by AIJA’s Women Network focusing on certain aspects of the legal profession for both female and male lawyers, as well as the In-House [Board] that will share the perspective of chief legal officers in corporate and non-corporate organizations.
We look forward to sharing expertise and knowledge with participants, to discuss and develop a successful approach to legal challenges and opportunities and to build bridges between generations, during the Congress and beyond.
Empower yourself, empower your young generation! And meet each other where you are.
63rd International Young Lawyers’ Congress – Academic Coordinators
Timothée Giard, GATE AVOCATS, France
Friederike Henke, BUREN, Netherlands
Christian Ritschka, DORDA Rechtsanwälte GmbH, Austria
Radina Tomanova, Dimitrov, Petrov & Co, Bulgaria
See you in Washington D.C. !
Katja Garvey
United States
Jens Rügenhagen
Germany
Welcome to the beating heart of American law and politics, where the past echoes in the corridors of power and the future unfolds with every decision made. Welcome to D.C.!
As Co-Chairs of the Organizing Committee for the 63rd International Young Lawyers’ Congress, we extend our warmest greetings to each of you—empowered, dynamic legal minds, young at heart and in spirit, while representing diverse jurisdictions across the globe.
In Washington, D.C., every stone bears witness to the evolution of jurisprudence and governance. From the majestic Capitol to the hallowed halls of the Supreme Court, this city breathes the spirit of democracy and the rule of law. As we gather here, we stand at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, ready to explore the cutting edge of legal practice in a world that is ever more interconnected and complex.
Throughout this Congress, we invite you to engage deeply with topics that resonate globally and focus on empowering the next generation: besides the latest relevant developments in different areas of law, the academic program of our Congress will be dedicated to the development of skills needed by young professionals to succeed in the modern legal landscape. Implications of AI in legal decision-making or the evolving landscape of environmental regulations are only few examples of present and future challenges. Our program is designed not just to inform, but to inspire—equipping each of you with insights and strategies that will shape the legal landscape of tomorrow.
Beyond the sessions and workshops, Washington, D.C. offers a tapestry of experiences—from its lively neighborhoods to its world-class museums and a diverse cultural scene. Take this opportunity to connect with fellow professionals, develop new partnerships, and become part of a strong global legal community.
Together with our outstanding Organizing Committee, we as Co-Chairs are committed to ensuring that your experience here is not only productive but memorable as well. We encourage you to seize every opportunity to learn, network, and contribute your own perspectives to the conversations that will unfold over the last week of August 2025.
Again, welcome to D.C.—where the future of law is yours to shape.
63rd International Young Lawyers’ Congress – Co-chairs of the Organizing Committee:
Katja Garvey, Porter Wright, USA Jens Uwe Rügenhagen, GSK Stockmann, Germany
OrganiZing Committee
Academic Coordinators
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