The first European Law Firm General Meeting of 2026 took place in Vienna on Friday, 30 January, marking a focused and dynamic start to the new year. Organized by the ELF Central Office, the meeting brought members together for a concise yet impactful day dedicated to strategy, collaboration, and future growth.

Members received updates from the Life Sciences & Healthcare Committee and the HR Committee, highlighting ongoing initiatives and key priorities for the year ahead. A key point of discussion was the ELF-AI Initiative. The session encouraged an open exchange on how artificial intelligence can be meaningfully integrated into legal practice and network collaboration, setting the tone for continued innovation within ELF.

The second part of the General Meeting focused on business development and international expansion. Discussions explored how targeted budget investments can generate cross-border work and tangible value for members. The session continued with a discussion on expanding ELF’s international contacts, followed by a presentation by external speaker Tzveta Kapatsinova on partnership models for cross-border growth and how European law firms can create joint client value, which sparked constructive dialogue on strategic cooperation and client-focused growth models.

Beyond the formal agenda, participants enjoyed shared meals in some of Vienna’s well-known restaurants, as well as pleasant walks through the city center, adding a social and cultural dimension to the meeting.

This 2-Days, business-focused General Meeting successfully set the course for 2026, reinforcing ELF’s commitment to strategic development, international cooperation, and member-driven value creation.