Roberto Cima
Leexè Legal Expertise, Milan

Arriving in Toronto for the 2025 IBA Annual Conference, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. My decision to apply for the European Regional Forum scholarship was driven by a clear goal: to deepen the international dimension of my practice in commercial and technology law. I wanted to reconnect with the international atmosphere I experienced as an Erasmus student in Utrecht. My goal was to expand my focus and engage with the legal profession on a global level.

As a first-time attendee, the size of the Conference was impressive and slightly overwhelming. However, thanks to the welcoming atmosphere of the Forum, I quickly felt comfortable.

The welcome I received was immediate. The buddy system was the most important part of this success. My assigned buddy, Alessia Cristiana Oddone Wales (Chair, Diversity and Inclusion Group), contacted me well before I landed in Canada. This established a personal connection immediately.

This sense of belonging grew during the informal brunch on 2 November. Meeting the Forum officers in a relaxed setting helped me see that this was not just a group of lawyers, but a community interested in supporting the next generation.

While the networking was excellent, the sessions provided concrete insights relevant to my daily practice. The session ‘How to score in football’s World Cup host countries’ was particularly interesting. Since the 2026 tournament is to be hosted by three nations, the panel explained the huge legal coordination needed for infrastructure and IP across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The session on Rebuilding Ukraine was also very useful. It went beyond general discussions to address the dual-track compliance required for lawyers. Speakers highlighted the complexity of structuring deals that satisfy private investors while navigating martial law and public-sector risks.

Finally, the session 'Deepfakes – can the AI Act protect Europe?' was directly relevant to my scholarship paper. The speakers concluded that the European Union’s AI Act is a necessary foundation but not a complete solution, citing issues like broad exceptions for creative works and a lack of victim remedies. The panel also contrasted the EU’s approach with the fragmented US landscape and China’s model. It became clear that national laws are already diverging – as seen in Italy and Denmark – creating a complex environment for us to navigate.

Sharing experiences with other scholars helped me see our daily challenges in a new light and made the week truly memorable. This experience gave me a professional boost that I have brought back home. It was the perfect way to connect the international student I was in Utrecht with the lawyer I am today. The Forum is, without a doubt, the best place to start this journey.