Conference programme

Women General Legal Counsel from around the world will discuss their road to leadership, successes, failures, cooperation with external law firms, everyday challenges and what keeps them awake at night.

This session will present a lively panel discussion featuring speakers from the artificial intelligence (AI) industry and top-tier law firms. We will delve into the transformative effects of AI tools and legal technology on the legal profession and discover how cutting-edge innovations are reshaping legal practices, enhancing efficiency and redefining the landscape of legal services. Let’s jointly discuss opportunities and challenges presented by this technological revolution.

Topic one: Taxing topics: global trends in taxation

Discussion Leader: Zahra Nurmohamed, Cassels Brock & Blackwell

Topic two: Current trends in project finance and development

Discussion Leader: Adeola Sunmola, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Topic three: Going private, staying private or selling

Discussion Leader: Rebecca Cochrane, Wildeboer Dellelce

Topic four: Director’s liability in M&A transactions

Discussion Leader: Beth McGrath, McInnes Cooper

Topic five: Proactive risk management: litigation pain points

Discussion Leader: Samaneh Hosseini, Stikeman Elliott LLP

Topic six: Diversity, inclusion and corporate social responsibility

Discussion Leader: Charlene Theodore, Chief Inclusion Officer, McCarthy Tétrault

Topic seven: Considerations in cross-border litigation

Discussion Leader: Erika Levin, Fox Rothschild

Topic eight: Corporate investigations and compliance

Discussion Leader: Maureen Ward, Bennett Jones

Topic nine: Employment in a remote world

Discussion Leader: Donna D’Andrea, Hicks Morley

Topic ten: The rise of private debt

Discussion Leader: Amanda Balasubramanian, Torys

Male law firm leaders from around the world who have committed to the IBA Women Lawyers’ Committee’s Male Champions for Change Initiative will share their experiences, including the successes and challenges, in advocating for and sponsoring women at their organisations.

Smaller and medium sized firms may have different marketing strategies from big firms, notably based on a firm’s brand which may be less known, on generally smaller budget and workforce, and in certain instances due to an offer of legal services less broad than in a bigger firm. Furthermore, women lawyers of these firms may be facing specific and unique challenges, in comparison with male lawyers or big firms’ women lawyers. In this panel, the speakers will share their experience and tips, and we will welcome ideas, comments and questions from the audience.