IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award 2026 – call for nominations
Monday 30 March 2026
The International Bar Association (IBA) is now receiving nominations for its 2026 IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. The Award will be presented to the winner at a dedicated ceremony during this year’s IBA Annual Conference, taking place from 4–9 October 2026 at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Award is free to enter and open to all lawyers – IBA members and non-members alike. The winner will receive:
- free registration to attend the 2026 IBA Annual Conference in Denmark;
- a contribution towards accommodation and travel costs to attend the Annual Conference;
- one year’s free IBA general membership; and
- free membership of the IBA Young Lawyers’ Committee.
The Award will be presented by the IBA Young Lawyers’ Committee to a young lawyer who has shown not only excellence in their work and achievements in their career to date, but also a commitment to professional and ethical standards as well as to the larger community. This Award is made in recognition of William Reece Jr, a former IBA President, distinguished as one of the finest and most respected legal experts due to his leadership as an accomplished lawyer, extensively published scholar, lecturer and outstanding community servant.
Zeina Obeid and Pranav Srivastava, Co-Chairs of the Young Lawyers’ Committee, commented: ‘The IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award celebrates the dedication, talent and impact of the rising generation of legal professionals. Having proudly presented this award in previous years, we have seen firsthand how important it is to recognise exceptional young lawyers. If you are making a meaningful contribution to society, we encourage you to apply and share your story.’
The deadline for submitting nominations for the Award is 2359 (BST) on Sunday 10 May 2026. Shortlisted nominees will be contacted at the email address provided on the nomination form. Any queries about the nomination process should be sent to george.little@int-bar.org.
Click here to access a nomination form, terms and conditions and full details regarding this award.
ENDS
Contact: IBApressoffice@int-bar.org
Notes to the reader
- Click here to read about the recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Young Lawyer Award.
- Click here to watch the Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year Award 10th Anniversary film, featuring interviews with the winners of previous years.
- The International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, is the foremost organisation for international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. Established in 1947, shortly after the creation of the United Nations, with the aim of protecting and promoting the rule of law globally, the IBA was born out of the conviction that an organisation made up of the world’s bar associations could contribute to global stability and peace through the administration of justice.
- Find the IBA on social media here:
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Website page link for this news release:
Short link: https://tinyurl.com/mryz6463
Full link: https://www.ibanet.org/IBA-Outstanding-Young-Lawyer-Award-2026-call-for-nominations