Broadening horizons: Key takeaways from the Jurismus Congress

Broadening horizons: key takeaways and lessons learned from the Jurismus congress held in Vienna 2024

Rix & Kay Solicitors are proud and active members of Eurojuris International, the leading network of independent law firms in Europe. As members of Eurojuris, we are also actively involved in Jurismus, the junior lawyers’ division of the organisation and were delighted to have two of our trainee solicitors, Jonathan Laws and Jordan Ismail, attend this year’s annual Jurismus Congress in Vienna, an event meticulously designed for the next generation of legal professionals. This congress provided an invaluable platform for young and aspiring lawyers to connect, learn, and grow, blending professional development with unforgettable experiences.

An Event Tailored for Emerging Legal Professionals

Amongst many other things, the congress involved an array of training sessions aimed at equipping us young legal professionals with the skills and knowledge required for our burgeoning careers. One of the highlights was a bucket list visit to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) on our first day. There, we toured the fascinating facility, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and attended an insightful lecture on space law from the former acting director of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and strategies to combat drugs, crime and promoting ethics and good judicial conduct from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. The intellectual challenge of these sessions was perfectly balanced by a lively volleyball tournament a short walk away from UNOV, fostering camaraderie and teamwork among all those attending.

Strategic Communication at the Jurismus Academy and the City’s Cultural Richness

Day two of the congress brought a deep dive into the art of strategic communication, a Jurismus Academy session led by Michael Proksch, an attorney at Proksch & Partner Rechtsanwälte OG in Vienna, who is a very active participant in Eurojuris International and has been its president in the past. The session was incredibly engrossing, offering practical insights that we could directly apply to our professional careers. Michael’s expertise highlighted the importance of effective communication in the legal field, providing us with the tools to enhance our professional interactions with clients and other legal professionals.

Beyond the Academy sessions, the congress offered the chance to immerse ourselves in the cultural richness of Vienna. We marvelled at the city’s history through a guided tour and explored the vibrant Museum Quarter. The culinary delights of Vienna were also on full display, with visits to both traditional and modern restaurants that showcased the city’s diverse food scene. The Viennese Apfelstrudel surpassed its reputation!

Networking and Lifelong Friendships

While the educational sessions were invaluable, the networking opportunities were equally significant: Eurojuris and Jurismus are, at their heart, networking organisations to foster professional relationships throughout Europe and beyond. We had numerous chances to connect with peers from different countries, sharing experiences, forging collegiate relationships and learning about diverse legal practices and perspectives. We left Vienna not only with new contacts but with the hope of having made friends for life.

The beauty of building up a network of legal colleagues across Europe and the wider Eurojuris and Jurismus networks is that we can not only refer our clients to lawyers abroad if they need a service in another jurisdiction, but we are likely also to know the person to whom we make the introduction: we are truly making law easy for our clients!  And, of course, we are here to offer our services if any of our colleagues in the network have clients requiring English law advice.

Conclusion

The Jurismus Congress 2024 in Vienna proved to be a resounding success, offering a distinctive blend of professional development, cultural immersion and networking opportunities. Having returned home and had the opportunity to reflect on the long weekend, we have realised that we have taken away not only the knowledge and skills gained but also the memories of an incredible experience in one of Europe’s most historic cities. The congress has set a high bar for future events, emphasising the importance of continuous learning and the value of global connections in the legal profession. We look forward to future Jurismus events that will continue to broaden our horizons and deepen our professional and personal bonds.

Contact us

For more information on our involvement with Eurojuris, check out our Eurojuris page.

If you’d like to find out more about our work across Europe, reach out to Kathryn Paisley, Eurojuris Representative and the firm’s Head of Corporate and Commercial Law via e. KathrynPaisley@rixandkay.co.uk or t. 01825 744 447.

For more information on Jurismus and the work of junior lawyers, contact Jonathan Laws (e. JonathanLaws@rixandkay.co.uk, t. 01825 744 486) or Jordan Ismail (e. JordanIsmail@rixandkay.co.uk, t. 01732 441 721).