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The European Young Bar Association: Empowering the Next Generation of Young Lawyers-By Shannon Gawley
As my term as President of the European Young Bar Association (EYBA) comes to a close, I’ve found myself reflecting on a year defined by fast-changing challenges, collaboration and the unmistakable impact of young lawyers who are not only engaging with the profession but actively reshaping it.
The EYBA was founded on 23 May 1993, a time when Europe was reimagining itself. The Cold War had ended, the European Union was beginning to take shape, and the legal profession was becoming more interconnected than ever before. A group of forward-thinking young lawyers saw the need for a voice for early-career legal professionals, one that could advocate for their interests, offer cross-border collaboration and help shape the future of law across jurisdictions.
Over 30 years later, that vision feels more relevant than ever.
The Changing Face of Law
Since the EYBA’s founding, the legal profession has undergone profound transformation. Technology has revolutionised how we practise law and the challenges we face have become more complex, urgent and globally interconnected.
At the same time, the profession is confronting long-overdue conversations around equality, mental health, inclusion and work-life balance. Where young lawyers were once expected to “simply observe and absorb”, they are now recognised as essential voices in shaping a profession that is ethical, sustainable and fit for the future. The EYBA exists to champion those voices and to give them the platforms, networks and access they need to create lasting change.
Building Networks and Driving Dialogue
This year, the EYBA continued its tradition of hosting three international conferences in Rome, Amsterdam, and soon Belfast, bringing together legal professionals from over 35 national and local bar associations.
Our Spring Conference in Rome centred on contemporary legal challenges of the European landscape. From AI to ESG perspectives and the Italian Code of Ethics, we heard from young lawyers about the challenges posed by society and meeting client expectations. Following this, at the Summer Conference in Amsterdam, discussions focused on the growing threats to the independence and safety of legal professionals. As those often closest to the realities on the ground, young lawyers are increasingly stepping up to contribute to the dialogue and help shape solutions needed to protect the rule of law.
Finally, we’ll conclude the year in Belfast with our Autumn Conference, where access to justice, legal innovation and the power of cultural and jurisdictional diversity will take centre stage. It’s a fitting finale in a city defined by legal transformation and political change.
Beyond the Events: Elevating Our Voice
Beyond our conferences, the EYBA has been continuing its efforts to ensure that young lawyers are heard at the highest levels.
Through the EYBA Council of Europe Committee, we monitor the ongoing challenges facing our members including the protection of lawyers and political interference. The committee regularly issues statements in support of the legal profession, particularly in defence of the rule of law and human rights. These are not abstract concerns; many young lawyers across Europe and beyond are experiencing these risks in their daily work.
The EYBA CCBE Committee actively represents the interests of young lawyers within the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), one of the most influential bodies in the European legal landscape. This liaison ensures that the voice of the next generation is heard in shaping the profession’s future.
This is further strengthened by the EYBA Research Journal, through which we showcase the work of early-career lawyers on vital topics such as human rights, AI and mental health, while promoting the findings of emerging legal minds.
The Power of Being in the Room
One of the greatest privileges of this role has been the opportunity to represent the EYBA at high-level events such as the European Presidents’ Conference in Vienna and the FBE General Congress in Bern. These forums bring together influential legal leaders to shape the direction of the profession, and they serve as a reminder of just how vital fresh perspectives and new ideas are to its continued relevance.
At each event, my message was simple: young lawyers are not merely the inheritors of tradition, we are co-authors of the profession’s future. We cannot continue speaking about “modernising the profession” while sidelining innovation or overlooking the lived realities of those entering the field today. If we want a legal profession that is fit for the future, the insights and experiences of young lawyers must be embedded at every level.
As President, and as a young woman, I’ve seen first-hand how vital female leadership is in shaping a more modern, inclusive legal profession. This year, I had the privilege of speaking at the Women in Law Conference in Warsaw, where the importance of visibility and systemic change was powerfully underscored. Throughout my term, I’ve worked alongside inspiring women leading bar associations, speaking on international stages and mentoring others. Their presence and impact cannot be overstated.
But we still have work to do. Gender parity remains elusive at the top of many legal institutions and structural barriers persist. The pressure on women to continually "prove themselves" is still disproportionately high. That’s why networks like the EYBA matter not only as professional platforms, but as communities of encouragement, visibility and empowerment.
Looking Ahead
More than 30 years since its founding, the EYBA has grown into a vibrant, influential and representative force within the legal community. But its strength has never come from its name alone, it comes from its people. It’s powered by young lawyers who dedicate their time, talent and passion to building a profession that’s more inclusive, ethical and future facing.
As I conclude my term, I do so with immense pride in all we’ve achieved and deep optimism for what lies ahead. Over three decades on, the EYBA continues to demonstrate that young lawyers are not just spectators to the evolution of the legal profession – we are active participants, innovators and leaders shaping its future.
Shannon Gawley
President, European Young Bar Association (EYBA)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-gawley-6149529a/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-young-bar-association/
June 25