ERF Next Gen Law Working Party: relaunching a community for the future of law

Emma Dansbo

CirioAdvokatbyrå, City

Robrecht Coppens

Loyens & Loeff, City

As the legal profession continues to evolve at pace, the IBA European Regional Forum (ERF) is placing renewed focus on the next generation of lawyers and the future of legal practice through the relaunch of the Next Gen Law Working Party.

About the Next Gen Law Working Party

The Next Gen Law Working Party is one of the ERF’s five working groups and serves as a platform for exploring the key trends shaping the legal profession. Bringing together ERF Council Members, officers and practitioners across jurisdictions, the group aims to foster dialogue on how lawyers work, collaborate and deliver value in a rapidly changing environment.

A core ambition of the Working Party is to actively involve the next generation of lawyers from within member firms, creating a dynamic and inclusive community that bridges experience and fresh perspectives. It also seeks to connect closely with other ERF initiatives and working parties, reinforcing the Forum’s broader objectives of collaboration, professional development and cross-border engagement.

2026: from ideas to action

Following discussions at the ERF Officers’ and Council Members’ Retreat in Turin, the Next Gen Law Working Party is being relaunched in 2026 with a clear focus on turning ideas into concrete initiatives.

This year’s programme centres on building a vibrant community and addressing the key topics reshaping the profession – from technological innovation and artificial intelligence to talent, skills and the future structure of law firms.

Among the planned initiatives for 2026 are the following.

Series of interactive webinars

In a series of interactive webinars in the lead-up to the IBA Annual Conference in Copenhagen, each webinar will combine expert-led insights on practical tools and skills with moderated breakout discussions, designed to encourage meaningful exchange and engagement among participants. These sessions are expected to be organised in collaboration with the North American Regional Forum and the IBA Law Firm Management Committee.

Dedicated session

A dedicated session at the IBA Annual Conference 2026 in Copenhagen titled ‘How will AI impact the law firm of tomorrow? A look into the future from different perspectives will bring together diverse viewpoints to explore how emerging technologies are transforming legal practice.

Looking ahead

Beyond these initiatives, the Next Gen Law Working Party remains open to new ideas and contributions. Its goal is to create an engaged and forward-looking community within the ERF, where members can actively shape discussions on innovation, talent and the future of legal services.

ERF members are warmly encouraged to get involved and contribute to this growing initiative as the Forum continues to support the development of the next generation and strengthen its role as a dynamic platform for Europe’s legal community.