Foto: Gerichtshof der Europäischen Union
Yesterday, the European Court of Justice handed down a landmark decision for EU lawyers (C-807/23).
In this decision the CJEU declared national laws of EU member states which confine the practical training of aspiring lawyers to the member state for which they want to qualify as incompatible with EU law. The Court acknowledges that practical training can be an important part of the training for lawyers prior to the admission to the bar but ruled that such training can be received in every member state under the guidance and supervision of an attorney who is admitted to the bar to which a trainee lawyer wants to be admitted.
This case ends my year long battle for Austrian lawyers like Katharina Plavec, the named Plaintiff in this case and an outstanding legal talent, who wanted to train with me at Jones Day outside of Austria.
Her bravity to take this on and our excellent team work together with Sebastian Schwab and Thomas Kochberger, both Austrian qualified lawyers at Jones Day, through all stages of the proceedings paved the way for a new generation of European lawyers.
This win certainly marks a highlight in my career. Not (only) because I had personal stakes in it but because of its significance for the future of our profession.
I dedicate it to my father, Dr. Friedrich Willheim, who introduced me to this meaningful profession and inspired all I do professionally and much more. He was an attorney in Vienna, Austria. His office was around the corner from the main court building and he spent most of his work life walking between these two places. He left us by far too early and would have never envisioned the many and exciting ways we can practice law today.
Thank you, Dad!