The 75th annual conference of the International Bar Association (IBA) begins in Paris this weekend, running from Sunday (29 October) until 3 November.

This year, for the first time in two decades, the event will be held under the presidency of a woman, Almudena Arpón de Mendívil Aldama (pictured), who has the aim of highlighting the legal profession’s contribution to society.

The IBA President said that the event aimed to enhance dialogue and cohesion among its members, as well as seek solutions to common challenges.

“Further, exchanges at the conference will help the rule of law globally, which is at the core of the legal profession and, thus, of the IBA,” Arpón de Mendívil added.

Challenges

Much of the conference will be devoted to topics that are likely to pose significant challenges for the legal profession in the coming years.

These include:

• Artificial intelligence (AI),
• Environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues,
• Preparing the legal profession for the future, as well as talent attraction and retention,
• Enhancing the contribution of the legal profession to society,
• Promoting and defending the rule of law, which the IBA believes needs to be more actively promoted and protected by the legal profession.

The Law Society of Ireland’s Antoinette Moriarty (head of Law Society Psychological Services) will participate in a discussion on wellbeing on Tuesday 31 October.

The IBA President will also chair a section of the conference devoted to the new female leadership of law firms.

Among the speakers will be Myra Garret of Irish law firm William Fry, who chairs the IBA’s Public and Professional Interest Division.