From September 24 to 27, 2025, ABL members gathered in Istanbul, Türkiye, for the 49th ABL Conference. Hosted by DMF Legal at the Swissotel The Bosphorus, the conference brought together lawyers from across the globe for a rich program of professional exchange, legal insights, and networking opportunities in one of the world’s most historic cities.

We extend our thanks to DMF Legal for their outstanding preparation and warm hospitality. Their efforts ensured the success of our event, from logistics and program design to social activities that allowed participants to experience Istanbul’s cultural and historic heritage.

The keynote address was delivered by İbrahim Özden Kaboğlu, President of the Istanbul Bar Association. His reflections on “The Actual and the Pseudo-Constitutional Agenda” provided a thoughtful introduction to the conference and set the stage for further discussion on constitutional law and human rights.

The speaker lineup highlighted diverse and timely topics:

• Assoc. Prof. Murat Sevinç (Ankara University) – The Current Position and Fundamental Issues in Turkey’s Constitutional Journey

• Knut-Magnar Aanestad (Saga Legal AI, Norway) – LegalAI – Strategic Adoption for Medium-Sized Law Firms, including a practical workshop on developing AI strategies

• Dr. Yiğitcan Çankaya (Atılım University) – Algorithmic Discrimination in the Workplace: Bridging the Regulatory Gaps

• Yasin Ekmen (Secretary General, ISTAC) – Arbitration in Türkiye and ISTAC

• Dilan Kaya (DMF Legal) – International Solidarity Against Violence and Discrimination Towards Women

• Serdar Hizir (DMF Legal) – Technological Innovations and Emerging Models Affecting the Insurance Industry: A Legal Approach

• Aslan Kaya (DMF Legal) – Civilization and Law: The Shared Struggle of Humanity

• Alejandra Jiménez Beretta (Hilton Global Associates, USA) – The Impact of AI in Investigations

Our Inside ABL session featured valuable member-to-member contributions:

• Pranati Pandit (MMB Legal, India) – Unlocking India: Practice Areas and Market Entry

• Laura Gobernado (MG Abogados, Spain) – Procedural Efficiency in Spanish LO 1/2025: New Mechanisms and Reforms

• Stefano Candela & Pasquale Di Mino (Lexsential Studio Legale, Italy) – Driving Innovation in Digital Transactions: The Lexsential–Tokenance Collaboration

Alongside the professional program, members enjoyed curated networking opportunities, including a private Bosphorus boat tour and cultural visits, which provided the chance to experience Istanbul’s unique setting at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.

We thank DMF Legal—Serdar, Aslan, Dilan, and their team—for their generosity and commitment, which made this event a true success.