ACADEMIC PROGRAMME
Session 9 - AWN Session
The Invisible 'Rules': Gender, Bias, and Power Dynamics Young Women Lawyers Still Face and How to Overcome Them
DATE & TIME
LOCATION
🗓️ Thursday, August 27
🕐 14:00-15:00
📍 Grand Park Hall 1–3
Organised By
Organised by the AIJA Women Network
Description
Being perceived as ‘too young’, ‘too emotional’, ‘too female’, ‘too bossy’, or ‘not authoritative enough’; being interrupted, overlooked, or denied proper credit — these are just some of the invisible hurdles that, despite significant progress, women continue to face in the legal profession. This session explores the invisible ‘rules’ and unwritten expectations — unconscious bias, gendered assumptions, cultural norms, power structures and the double standards women face — and focuses on how to challenge them and create a fairer and more equitable legal profession.
SPEAKERS
Lisa Beisteiner
ZEILER
Vienna, Austria
Lisa Beisteiner is a founding partner of ZEILER and focuses on international dispute resolution, with a strong focus on international arbitration acting both as counsel and as arbitrator.
As a counsel, Lisa handles complex disputes across all industries, with a recent focus on energy, finance, construction and (post-)M&A disputes. She has acted under numerous rules, including the ICC, VIAC, LCIA, UNCITRAL and ICSID Rules, as well as in ad hoc proceedings, and has handled cases with amounts in dispute beyond EUR 1 billion. Lisa also represents clients before Austrian courts in commercial and corporate matters.
Lisa regularly sits as arbitrator. She started her career as arbitrator in 2011 and has handled numerous cases ever since. She regularly acts as chair of the tribunal, as sole arbitrator and as party-appointed arbitrator mainly under the ICC, VIAC and DIS Rules, as well as on ad hoc panels. Whilst her arbitrator work spans
many industries, she has a particular interest in technology, engineering & construction as well as cross-border supplies.
Besides, Lisa frequently lectures on dispute resolution at international and national conferences and has built a strong reputation for her academic work in the field, publishing e.g. on tribunal’s powers to adjust contracts, interim measures and emergency arbitration as well as co-authoring a study on dispute resolution in
Austria in cooperation with the University of Vienna.
Lisa is a member of the ICC Commission and currently active in the ICC Task force on the use of AI in International Arbitration. She is a former co-chair of YAAP as well as a VIAC National Advisory Board Member.
Lisa is listed as a Thought Leader and leading figure in all major directories.
She was admitted to the Austrian bar in 2011 (with distinction) and is a registered mediator (ZivMediatG). Lisa is a graduate of the University of Vienna (Mag. iur. 2005, Dr. iur. 2008, both with distinction).
Liam Schmid
Savonitto & Associates
Montreal, Canada
Liam Schmid is a civil litigation lawyer and arbitrator practicing at the Savonitto & Associates firm in Montreal, Canada. He specializes in cases involving international private law, cross border disputes, foreign judgment enforcement and arbitration. Other than that Liam practices as a generalist for all civil matters. They are a member of AIJA since 2024. Outside of work, Liam has a particular interest in militancy, feminism, and LGBTQ+ rights. They are also the proud parent of two cats (pictures available upon request).
Vera Steinhäuser
leadhers academy
Vienna, Austria
Vera Steinhäuser is a psychologist, leadership coach, and founder of the leadhers academy – a platform specializing in female leadership. For more than two decades, she has worked with organizations across industries to develop inclusive leadership and create workplaces where people can thrive. Her work combines evidence-based psychology with practical strategies to help leaders build trust, foster collaboration, and navigate change effectively. A particular focus of her work is supporting women in leadership and addressing the invisible barriers that continue to shape career progression. Vera is a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and executive advisor who is passionate about translating science into meaningful action. On this panel, she brings insights into the psychology of bias, power dynamics, and authentic leadership.
MODERATOR AND SESSION COORDINATOR
Anya LERNATOVYCH
Porter Wright
Morris & Arthur LLP
Pittsburgh, United States
Anya is a member of the firm’s Corporate Department where she focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, private equity transactions, and complex corporate and business law-related matters.
She provides strategic counsel to clients through all stages of a transaction, no matter its complexity or size. Anya’s practice concentrates on domestic and cross-border transactions where she drafts, reviews and negotiates a broad range of intricate commercial agreements for public and private companies, with a particular focus on navigating multijurisdictional considerations and aligning legal strategy with broader business objectives. She also advises clients on day-to-day general corporate and contract matters, including risk management and compliance.