Publications for European Regional Forum

Getting to Know the ERF – Julie Book

Get to know the European Regional Forum’s Council Member for England, Julie Book.

Released on May 15, 2025

Getting to Know the ERF – Annalise Papa

Get to know the European Regional Forum’s Treasurer, Annalise Papa.

Released on May 12, 2025

Getting to know the ERF – Caterina Iodice

Get to know the European Regional Forum’s Council Member for England, Caterina Iodice.

Released on Apr 28, 2025

Getting to Know the ERF – Petros Fragkiskos

Get to know the European Regional Forum’s Council Member for Greece, Petros Fragkiskos.

Released on Apr 28, 2025

Getting to Know the ERF – Birgitta Van Itterbeek

Get to know the European Regional Forum’s Council Member for Belgium, Birgitta Van Itterbeek.

Released on Apr 27, 2025

IBA Real Estate Section’s 15th Real Estate Investments Conference, London, 4–6 June 2025

The back-and-forth on trade tariffs stirs up financial markets and deepens recession fears around the world. But what does a looming trade war mean for real estate? At this year’s real estate investment conference in London, Jennet Siebrits, who heads Global Commercial Real Estate Services’ (CBRE) UK market research team, shares her insights into what might be ahead of us. It is a long-standing tradition for the real estate investment conference to start with a macro-economic and geo-political outlook. The conference, organised by the IBA Real Estate Section and supported by the European Regional Forum (ERF), is being held for the 15th time in London this year.

Released on Apr 23, 2025

Report from the IBA Automotive and Mobility Services Conference

We were happy to see 110 participants in Munich on 27 March, in the unique location of Upside East for a day of discussions concerning the very challenging times that the automotive industry is now facing. Attendees had a chance to ease into the conference at the welcome cocktail which took place the evening before and it was good to see many familiar faces showing that the conference is becoming a familiar item on the IBA calendar.

Released on Apr 23, 2025

The IBA ERF’s ‘Big Retreat’ 2025 from an officer’s perspective

This year brought a slight change in how we approached our Big Retreat. The Officers’ Retreat and the Council Members’ Retreat were joined into a single event which took place in Budapest at the start of March 2025. Our Senior Vice Chair, Viktória Szilágyi from Lakatos Köves and Partners, carried out the work as this year’s gracious host and needed to accommodate such a large crowd with a full schedule. She certainly lived up to it!

Released on Apr 23, 2025

Reflections on the IBA European Regional Forum Retreat in Budapest

Arriving in Budapest, I was excited to join my first IBA European Regional Forum (ERF) retreat as a council member. Bringing together over 50 officers, council members and Advisory Board members, this was a great (and slightly daunting!) opportunity to immerse myself in the ERF and find out more about their current and upcoming projects.

Released on Apr 23, 2025

IBA 5th European Automotive and Mobility Services Conference, Munich – a family meeting of the IBA’s automotive community

The 5th European Automotive and Mobility Services Conference, held on 26–27 March 2025, at Upside East in Munich, Germany, brought together industry leaders, experts and stakeholders to address the pressing challenges and opportunities within the automotive and mobility services sector. The conference provided a platform for in-depth discussions on supply chain issues, the transition to electric vehicles, the role of artificial intelligence and the evolving regulatory frameworks impacting the automotive industry.

Released on Apr 23, 2025

Getting to Know the ERF – Martin Provaznik

Get to know the European Regional Forum’s Communications Group Chair, Martin Provaznik.

Released on Apr 21, 2025

Getting to Know the ERF- Tomás Pessanha

Get to know the European Regional Forum’s Council Member for Portugal, Tomás Pessanha.

Released on Apr 14, 2025

Getting to Know the ERF – Ruta Karpiciute

Get to know the European Regional Forum’s Council Member for Lithuania, Ruta Karpiciute.

Released on Apr 8, 2025

Getting to Know the ERF – Laura Nieto

Get to know the European Regional Forum’s Council Member for Andorra, Laura Nieto.

Released on Mar 21, 2025

Getting to Know the ERF – Jelena Gazivoda

Get to know the European Regional Forum’s Council Member for Serbia, Jelena Gazivoda.

Released on Mar 21, 2025

Getting to Know the ERF – Gábor Damjanovic

Get to know the European Regional Forum’s Council Member for Hungary, Gabor Damjanovic.

Released on Mar 5, 2025

A landscape in transformation

A report on the discussion on legal technology held at the IBA’s 7th Annual European Start-up Conference in Stockholm, taking place on 13 November 2024. Participants discussed the challenges and opportunities present by artificial intelligence, embracing change and individual responsibility for professional development.

Released on Jan 27, 2025

Seventh Annual IBA European Start-up Conference, Stockholm: report on panel session: ‘To list, to sell or to flip to the US: succesful exit methods in Europe’

A report on the panel session ‘To list, to sell or to flip to the US: sucessful exist methods in Europe’. Participants discussed recent challenges in the initial public offerings market, the ‘dual-track’ strategy and the role of legal advisors among other interesting points.

Released on Jan 27, 2025

IBA ERF announces changes to officer positions for 2025

The IBA European Regional Forum (ERF) is pleased to announce changes to its officer positions for 2025. These changes reflect the organisation's commitment to diversity, inclusion and the evolving needs of its members.

Released on Jan 27, 2025

IBA ERF activities for 2025

The year 2025 promises to be an exciting and dynamic one for the IBA European Regional Forum members. With a full calendar of events and initiatives, we look forward to engaging with our members. Here’s a preview of what’s ahead.

Released on Jan 27, 2025

Using the practice of law to facilitate change and to accelerate a just transition

A session report from the joint session of the IBA Regional Fora at the IBA Annual Conference 2024 in Mexico City.

Released on Nov 14, 2024

Session report two: IBA Annual Conference in Mexico City

A session report from the diversity and inclusion session at the IBA Annual Conference in Mexico City.

Released on Nov 14, 2024

Session report one: IBA Annual Conference in Mexico City

A session report from the diversity and inclusion session at the IBA Annual Conference in Mexico City.

Released on Nov 14, 2024

Highlights from the IBA Annual Conference 2024: venture capital trends

Highlights from the IBA Annual Conference 2024.

Released on Nov 14, 2024

European Fashion and Luxury Law Conference summary

The European Fashion and Luxury Law Conference, meticulously organised by the European Regional Forum (ERF) of the International Bar Association (IBA) in Milan on 23 April 2024, was a resounding success. The event, which was fully booked, showcased a remarkable assembly of speakers, each highly esteemed within the industry. These speakers brought with them a wealth of knowledge and expertise, which they shared across a series of discussions and presentations.

Released on Jul 14, 2024

Electrifying discussions: a recap of the 4th European Automotive and Mobility Services Conference

Innovation was the leading topic at the 4th European Automotive and Mobility Services Conference convened on 14 March 2024. Nearly 100 delegates gathered at Upper East, a unique venue boasting an industrial chic vibe on the 9th and 10th floors, located behind Ostbahnhof station.

Released on Jul 14, 2024

IBA European Regional Forum annual retreat

Over the course of 16–18 May this year, the IBA European Regional Forum Officers, Council Members and Advisory Board Members held their annual retreat in sunny Santorini under the hospitality of gracious host and colleague Panagiotis Drakopoulos and Drakopoulos law firm who ensured that the event, dubbed ‘THE BIG RETREAT’, went off without a hitch.

Released on Jul 14, 2024

Professional growth and scenic beauty

The IBA European Regional Forum (ERF) recently hosted an exceptional conference in the picturesque setting of Santorini (huge thanks to the hosting law firm – Drakopoulos – for all their dedicated and hard work with this!). This event masterfully combined a series of compelling professional programmes with unique social activities, offering attendees the opportunity to engage deeply with both the legal landscape and the stunning vistas of Santorini’s past and present.

Released on Jul 14, 2024

Reflections on the IBA European Regional Forum retreat in Santorini

This year’s retreat was held in Santorini, Greece between 16–18 May. It was an unforgettable event that brought together legal professionals from across Europe. Hosted by the esteemed Drakopoulos law firm, the retreat offered a unique blend of professional development and personal enrichment against the stunning backdrop of Santorini’s iconic landscapes.

Released on Jul 14, 2024

IBA European Regional Forum retreat in Santorini

As a newcomer to the European Regional Forum (ERF), I had no idea what or who to expect on my inaugural retreat. I clearly need not have worried and should have known that I would be warmly welcomed by a wonderful group of people at a beautiful sunset dinner in Oia. I quickly learned that incredibly valued friendships had been formed within the group and I could see what a close-knit and talented group of individuals this was. I was excited to see what we could achieve!

Released on Jul 14, 2024