AIJA, The International Association of Young Lawyers, elected at its 2020 General Assembly a new Vice-President for the 2020-2021 term of office, as well as a new Secretary General.
François Barré (Azam-Darley Associé) will take on his role as President, as First Vice-President Anna Wyrzykowska (WKB), as Immediate Past President Paola Fudakowska (UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office), as Secretary General Jean-Philippe Arroyo (JP Karsenty & Associés), and as Deputy Treasurer Eduardo De La Pena Bernal (Reed Smith LLP).
At the General Assembly, François Barré, President of AIJA set out his outlook for the association with a focus on Innovation.
I am honoured and excited to take on the leadership of the association in a period of fundamental changes brought globally by the pandemic. In the next year we will continue to accelerate our digital transformation with new ideas, tools and platforms: as always, to best serve our members and grow internationally while still remaining innovative. Whether online, in-person or in a hybrid format, 2021 is going to be fantastic because we are ready. I feel lucky to work with dedicated members in the Bureau, Extended Bureau and the Commissions to bring to life the association’s strategy which is supported by three core pillars in 2020-2021: international expansion, digital implementation, sustainable innovation. Join us, don’t be shy, #WeAre AIJA'.
Moreover, we are pleased to welcome Anna Wyrzykowska, AIJA’s First Vice-President for the year 2020-2021.
I am grateful for the trust and confidence which our members have seen fit to place in my candidacy. AIJA is a global, diverse and inclusive network of lawyers working together for a better future for our profession. I am proud to be the newly-elected First Vice-President of our beloved association. And I look forward to working hand in hand with the President and other members in the leadership team to continue to bring high-standard content to our members and strengthen our association’s innovation capabilities.
AIJA would like to thank Paola Fudakowska for her effective leadership in a time of great uncertainty, as well as for her commitment to promoting Diversity and Inclusion during her presidency (2019-2020). The association would also like to acknowledge Xavier Costa (Outgoing Immediate Past President 2019-2020) and Emiliano Ganzarolli (Outgoing Secretary General) who have offered their pragmatism and experience to navigate the association through these past years.
The General Assembly took place on 28 August 2020 at AIJA’s first-ever virtual annual congress (2020congress.aija.org). The event brought together 350 participants from more than 50 countries in the world to discuss diversity and inclusion in law and the legal profession.
Background information
About François Barré, AIJA President 2020-2021
François Barré specialises in advising company managers in their business in France and abroad. He developed a specific practice in structuring and implementing investments together with their funding (loans, securities, acquisitions and asset management). He acquired recognized competence in the field of start-ups, and assists high-growth potential companies throughout their business. Azam-Darley & Associés is a full service international law firm based in Paris.
About Anna Wyrzykowska, AIJA First Vice-President 2020-2021
Anna is a partner in WKB, Wierciński, Kwieciński, Baehr, Poland. Her practice is focused on real estate, M&A transactions and corporate law. She heads real estate practice and is a co-head of the firm’s French desk. Anna is also a lecturer on corporate and real estate law at The Warsaw Bar Association and an author of the numerous publications, including two commentaries on company law.