The participation of four ALTANA partners at the annual IBA (International Bar Association) Conference in Vienna lived up to expectations. Every year this event offers an exceptional opportunity for exchange due to its international character, as demonstrated by the vast number of firms present from across the world. Participating in this event is part of ALTANA’s independent development internationally.

The Altana “task force” (Marianne Franjou, Guillaume Forbin, Philippe Goossens et Jean-Nicolas Soret) met a great number of legal colleagues from the US, Brazil, Switzerland, Italy, China, Chile and; of course, Austria, over three days for informal discussions or more concrete discussions pertaining to common projects.

Marianne participated in a Women Lawyers Interest Group event where she met, among others, representatives from one of Vienna’s largest firms, Binder Grosswang.

Jean-Nicolas attended a dinner organized by the firm Wolf Theiss, one of the principle independent Austrian firms which also, notably, has offices throughout central Europe. This dinner gathered over 300 lawyers from across the globe and was preceded by an exhibition of the contemporary artist Christoph Niemann.

On Wednesday, a meeting with the firm Chadbourne & Park LLP was organized by Jean-Nicolas.  Guillaume, Philippe and Jean-Nicolas enjoyed lively discussions, particularly regarding the recent ruling by the CJUE on data transfers, with this New York-based firm which also has several offices in the United States and internationally.

Philippe also participated at the dinner for the “Committee on Anti-corruption, Business Crime, Criminal law and war crimes”.

Finally, very fruitful conversations took place with one of Altana’s privileged partners, the Canadian firm Borden Ladner Gervais, on future projects well on their way.