DLA Piper Women's Lounge focusing on female pioneers in male-dominated industries

The focus of this year's event was on successful female role models from the business world, including guests, former banker Regina Prehofer and Christine Catasta, the first woman to make it to the top of one of the Big Four auditing firms in Austria. They were joined by a selection of successful female lawyers from across DLA Piper international offices, including Dr Jasna Zwitter-Tehovnik, LL.M., who is admitted to the bar in four countries, speaks five languages and primarily advises in the traditionally male-dominated areas of infrastructure, finance and banking law, DLA Piper Austria has almost 40 percent female equity partners, making it a pioneer among the major commercial law firms in Vienna.

The annual event was held at the Kelsen restaurant in the parliament building overlooking Vienna. Guests discussed their careers, achievements, do's and don'ts with Dr Prehofer and Dr Catasta, who both climbed to the highest management level in male-dominated industries and were, or are still are, active board members and supervisory board members at various Austrian companies. Along with DLA Piper’s Dr Zwitter-Tehovnik they hosted a panel discussion recognising the potential of women and actively promoting equal opportunities and diversity.

The panellists discussed the positive effects of diversity in management teams and women in management positions. “Diverse, agile teams with different perspectives generate better ideas and creative solutions. A balanced proportion of women and men up to the top management level demonstrate better performance”, commented Dr Maria Doralt, DLA Piper partner and head of the DLA Piper initiative LAW (’Leadership Alliance for Women") Europe. An important goal, both for the Leadership Alliance for Women founded by DLA Piper in 2006 and for the speakers, is to inspire and encourage women to succeed in every industry and at every level.

Maria Doralt added: “Diversity is part of our DNA and firmly anchored in the everyday life of our law firm. Among the large commercial law firms in Vienna, we have almost 40 per cent women in the equity partnership and thus the highest proportion of women among Viennese commercial law firms. This makes us pioneers in the Austrian market."