Co-Chair
Panagiotis
Drakopoulos
Co-Chair
Viktória Szilágyi
European Regional Forum
The European Regional Forum (ERF), established in 1989, has over 8,000 members. The forum is divided into four regions - Northern, Western, Central, and Southeastern - each led by a Chair and Vice-Chair. We have five working parties - communications, D&I, ESG, mental wellbeing, and next-gen law - and we organise four conferences annually (automotive & mobility services, fashion & luxury law, ESG and start-up) in addition to many leading and participating in many smaller initiatives.
Our goals include: addressing the needs of professional organisations and individual members, increasing participation in the IBA, fostering cross-border collaboration among European lawyers and bars and supporting the Rule of Law and civil society. The ERF promotes professional development and networking opportunities through our many initiatives.
European Regional Forum structure
What we do
See what activities the ERF has undertaken in 2024
Forthcoming conferences and webinars View All Conferences
Arbitral institutions: fortresses with glass ceilings? Part two
27 Oct 2026 1000 - 1115 GMT
Webinar
Private debt under the AIFMD II: game changer or targeted harmonisation?
27 Oct 2026 1200 - 1300 GMT
Webinar
Legal marketing and business development in the age of AI
29 Oct 2026 1430 - 1530 GMT
Webinar
Readiness for the EU AI Act across Europe – next steps and use cases for organisations
04 Nov 2026 1300 - 1400 GMT
Webinar
9th Annual IBA European Start-up Conference
12 Nov - 13 Nov 2026
Paris , France
7th European Automotive and Mobility Services Conference
17 Mar - 18 Mar 2027
Munich , Germany
European Regional Forum Council
The Council Members are the national representatives of the European Regional Forum (ERF) of the International Bar Association (IBA). Their primary task is to implement and support the objectives of the IBA in their home country in accordance with the guidelines of the ERF. This involves promoting a strong and robust civil society in support of the rule of law and the legal profession as well as to assist with the other public policy initiatives.
The role of the Council Member
The role of the Council Member is to initiate networking opportunities for existing and potential members in their home country. There is a specific emphasis on professional development and networking opportunities.
They also have a role in building and maintaining contact with their local National Bar Association as well as universities and other legal institutions in their country. This helps to increase the awareness of the IBA and its mission.
A Council Member may for example identify a particular legal/professional topic or issue relating to careers in the law or professional development.
The support from the ERF and the IBA may be useful in providing relevant expertise. This may include, for example, organising a meeting to look at a specific legal development in an industry sector or issues relating to law firm management.
In promoting these initiatives, Council Members will gain access to the depth of experiences and expertise of other lawyers within the IBA. This helps to provide practical assistance locally as well as increasing the profile of the IBA home countries.
Examples of these initiatives include networking luncheons with professional or industry speakers on a specific topic or seminars or bilateral days with lawyers from another country. It may also include university days to discuss specific themes including careers in the law and the rule of law.
Publications
Highlights from the 11th World Women Lawyers’ Conference
June saw the 11th World Women Lawyers’ Conference take place in Lisbon, Portugal. It brought together over 150 lawyers from across the globe, with a breadth of practice areas and sectors. We were treated to two days of lively discussions, engaging speakers and wonderful hospitality, organised by the host committee comprising several Portuguese law firms.
Released on Oct 09, 2026
Why the EU’s simplification of digital rules turned out to be not so simple
For the past two and a half years – since the European Commission took office on 1 December 2024 – its digital policy has been increasingly inspired by two principles: simplification and enhancing European competitiveness. This article analyses how and why the first principle has been so difficult to achieve and how this has effected European businesses.
Released on Oct 09, 2026
Join us in Paris for the 9th Annual IBA European Startup Conference
Are you passionate about startups, venture capital and the future of innovation in Europe? Then save the date: the 9th Annual International Bar Association (IBA) European Startup Conference is coming to Paris on 13 November 2026, at the beautiful Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel Hotel. Presented by the IBA European Regional Forum, with the support of the IBA Closely Held Companies Committee and the IBA Corporate Counsel Forum, this is the must-attend event for lawyers, investors, founders and anyone working in the startup world.
Released on Oct 09, 2026
ERF Next Gen Law Working Party: relaunching a community for the future of law
As the legal profession continues to evolve at pace, the IBA European Regional Forum 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.
Released on Oct 09, 2026
Committee Films
Scholarship Winners
Gianfranco Duretto – ERF Scholarship Winner 2024 – AI Paper
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a crucial component in the legal field. This paper delves into the current and future challenges that law firms of all sizes encounter as they incorporate AI into their operations. Despite AI’s significant advantages, such as enhanced efficiency and cost reduction, it also brings ethical and organisational issues. The paper addresses the ethical considerations of AI from two distinct perspectives: the intrinsic ethical issues associated with AI itself and the specific ethical considerations that arise when AI is applied within the legal profession, regulated by a specific set of deontological principles. Furthermore, it explores AI’s impact on the legal profession, including the potential for job displacement and the necessity for lawyers to acquire new skills.
The paper can be read here.
Subcommittees and other groups
The European Regional Forum also coordinates the activities of the following subcommittees/working groups.
- European Regional Forum Advisory Board
Join us on LinkedIn
If you are a member of the European Regional Forum, for additional networking opportunities, programs, interviews with fellow members and tips all exclusive to members, join our LinkedIn page at: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9295215/.