Blank Rome Maritime partner Kierstan L. Carlson will serve as a session coordinator and moderator at the International Association of Young Lawyers’ (“AIJA”) 63rd Annual International Young Lawyers Congress, being held August 25 through 30, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

About The Conference

The Congress will focus on practical skills for business development and networking, recognizing that success in law is about legal acumen as much as it is about relationships. In addition to legal knowledge and expertise, there will be a focus on essential business skills such as effective communication, negotiation, and leadership, providing workshops and discussions to help young lawyers excel both in and out of the courtroom. The critical importance of mental health in sustaining a successful legal career will also be acknowledged. Sessions will explore effective strategies for maintaining well-being, building resilience and achieving a balanced professional life in today’s demanding and flexible work environments.

Kierstan’s session, “Next Gen at the Helm—Charting the Seas for Energy Transition in Unsettled Waters,” will take place on Wednesday, August 27, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

About The Session

In order to meet the ambitious climate targets set by countries around the world, rapid developments across multiple sectors are required. But with many gaps in the law still existing and shifting political priorities, can these developments occur rapidly enough to meet the targets? The panel will focus on how the energy and transportation sectors, in particular, are grappling with the challenges of meeting climate change goals amidst global political uncertainty. Panelists will discuss pressing issues related to the development and use of alternative fuels, revamped infrastructure, and grid stability, among others, and will explore how environmental, social, and governance mandates help (or hinder) in the face of continuing gaps in the legal framework. The session will also assess how policymakers all over the globe are working to find suitable regulations to achieve climate targets and thus shape energy law for the next generation. This dynamic session will allow attendees to learn what can and will be expected in terms of energy law for the next 25 years.

Panelists:

  • Session Coordinator and Moderator: Gretta Walters, Chaffetz Lindsey LLP, USA
  • Session Coordinator and Moderator: Kierstan Carlson, Blank Rome LLP, USA
  • José Francisco Iturrizaga, Deloitte, Peru
  • Lotte Schat, AKD, Netherlands
  • Tunji Adeyemi, Banwo & Ighodalo, Nigeria
  • Tobias Beimel, Fleet Hamburg, Germany

AIJA is a global association devoted to lawyers and in-house counsel aged 45 and under and provides international opportunities for young lawyers to network, learn, and develop.

For more information and to register, please visit the event webpage.