IBA Annual Conference Copenhagen 2026
4 Oct - 9 Oct 2026
B6 2, Level 0
Session information
Unique challenges: the realities of work and life for government and public lawyers
Monday 5 October (1615 - 1730)
B6 2, Level 0
Committee(s)
Forum for Government and Public Lawyers
(Lead)
IBA Professional Wellbeing Commission
Professional Ethics Committee
Description
Government and public lawyers operate at the intersection of law, policy and public accountability. Their work carries profound responsibility to the public, to ethical standards and to the rule of law, yet often unfolds under intense political, institutional and personal pressures. This session will explore the complex realities of legal practice within the public sphere, examining the unique challenges these lawyers face, including high workloads, moral and ethical tensions, public scrutiny, and the impact of bureaucratic and political environments on professional judgement. The session will also highlight strategies and support that can help public lawyers maintain ethical integrity, mental health and work-life balance while continuing to serve the public interest effectively.
Session / Workshop Chair(s)
| Andrew Mackenzie | Scottish Arbitration Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland; Co-Chair, Forum for Government and Public Lawyers |
Speakers
| Pascal Charles Dutru | Ministry of Communication and IT, Doha, Qatar; Co-Vice Chair , Forum for Government and Public Lawyers |
| Alessandra Mourão | Nascimento e Mourão Advogados, São Paulo, Brazil; SPPI Council Member |
| Marius Røe Nåvik | Bane NOR, Oslo, Norway |
| Desi Vlahos | ACAP, Miami, Florida, USA |