The first conference of the International Section of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) took successfully place in Vienna end of October. Some 150 lawyers form all over the world had the opportunity to discuss legal issues and to exchange views in almost 30 panel and plenary discussions.
“We are pleased that the conference in Vienna was so well received”, says Otto Wächter, who joint Co-Chair of the NYSBA´s Austrian Chapter with Filip Boras (Baker & McKenzie) and as such mainly responsible for the organisation of the event.
The focus of the conference was “Rebuilding the Transatlantic Marketplace: Austria and Central Europe as Catalysts for Entrepreneurship and Innovation”. It focused on regulatory and administrative law as well as dispute resolution. The conference took place at the Hotel Kempinski and the Vienna International Center (UNO City) in cooperation with UNICITRAL.
Federal chancellor Werner Faymann opened the conference and in his speech highlighted Austria´s role as a hub and intermediary between different economic and legal cultures. Alexa Wesner, US ambassador in Austria emphasised the ties between the United States and Austria as well as the essential entrepreneurial spirit of both countries. The presentation of Georg Kodek, senior judge at the Austrian Supreme Court, in the Vienna International Center was certainly the legal highlight.
“Our guests were not only delighted by the subject of the conference but also excited about the great organisation and the many sights of Vienna that we could show them”, explains Otto Wächter. The programme also included a cocktail reception at the top floor of the Austrian Palace of Justice (Justizpalast), a visit to a vine tavern (Heuriger), a ride wide a historical tram around the ring road as well as the gala dinner in the Upper Belvedere including a special guided tour by Alfred Weidinger, co-director of the Belvedere and Klimt expert.
Next year´s NYSBA conference will take place in Sao Paolo, Brazil. You can find all information how to join the Austrian Chapter of the NYSBA and the organisation at www.nysba.org/ilp/.
