In 2020, we celebrated the First Centennial that women have been admitted to study and practice law in many „Western" countries. They play a vital role in all legal professions but are still underrepresented in most of them.

The course "Women in Law - Contemporary Issues" analyzes the current situation of women in legal professions and raises awareness in female students and male allies for challenges and obstacles women face in their legal careers. We will embed the dicussion on gender in a broad perspective on diversity and explicitly invite students of all genders to join us. 

It focuses on 4 areas, which will be discussed in an interdisciplinary setting:

1. Women’s rights
   • The importance of international treaties for the protection and global advancement of women with a special focus on the Istanbul Convention and CEDAW. 
   • How can (female*) legal professionals contribute to the improvement of women’s rights? 
2. New work
   • digitization, automation, AI, work-life-blending, collaboration, remote work, agility – Quo vadis, (women* in the) legal professions? 
   • How will we shape the future of work in the legal professions? Which role will women* play in the implementation of new work? How can companies in the legal world become more, open-minded, agile, efficient, and innovative? How can women* in law combine professional development with personal growth? 
   • What does the legal workplace look like in the future? Including a critical analysis of platform-work
3. Anti-Discrimination 
   • (un)conscious biases
   • Eliminating microaggressions and micro-discriminations as a way to achieve gender equality in the legal professions
   • Gender Equality 2.0: What does an inclusive workplace look like in the legal field? What are the benefits of intersectional, interdisciplinary teams? 
4. Career planning
   • They have shattered glass ceilings, overcome bias, put in more work and hours than everyone else to reach their goals. Now, how do these women at the top defend and hold their well-earned positions? 
   • How can intergenerational support look like and why does it make all women* stronger? Focus on mentoring and networking

Through in-depth analysis of the current situation of women* in legal professions on a global scale, students' awareness of biases will be raised and the application of best-practice tools discussed. 

Students will be enabled to identify and combat unfair treatment and discrimination based on gender and other intersectional criteria.

This class is held in English. Students will hone their general and Legal English skills by actively participating in group discussions, giving a presentation and receiving peer and teachers' feedback for the improvement of their language and presentation skills.

regular presence (in both online and in-person sessions)

introduction, online self-study sessions as foundational basis for in-depth analysis of topic in class, feedback round, live presentations by students, peer review, class discussions

presence, presentation (45%), short paper (= handout) (30%), and active participation (25%)

no requirements

if you are on the waiting list, please attend the first session 

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none

come with an open mind and an interest in the topic(s)

all genders welcome; we encourage male colleagues to join us and become male allies

please contact Jasmin Malekpour-Augustin: jasmin.malekpour-augustin@wu.ac.at

Literature available in Learn