Schoenherr CEE Compass

10:30 – 11:15 | Registration & Welcome Coffee

11:15 – 11:40 | Welcome & Opening Remarks 
Thomas Kulnigg (Partner | Schoenherr)
Alexander Popp (Managing Partner | Schoenherr)
Gudrun Stangl (Partner, COO | Schoenherr)

11:40 – 12:00 | Keynote
Maya Ben Dror (Co-Founder, COO | ComplexChaos.ai)

12:00 – 12:45 | Panel 1 | AI & Intellectual Property 
What does it mean to protect innovation in an age when machines can create? With artificial intelligence increasingly becoming embedded in business processes, also intellectual property risks need to be addressed.
This panel will explore how innovation can be protected in the age of AI, from safeguarding AI-generated content to navigating copyright and licensing challenges when using AI tools. Our internal and external experts will examine IP risks related to the use and creation of AI technologies — whether in software development, content creation, or marketing campaigns — and discuss how liability issues and compliance requirements are being handled across various CEE jurisdictions.
The panel will also share and discuss international real-life case studies of IP disputes around AI, highlighting why awareness of these issues is essential for companies leveraging AI.

Panellists: Paul Fischer (Head of Legal | AKM), Marko Kon (Singer, Recording Artist, Eurovision Song Contest participant), Lukas Obermayr (CEO, Producer | CREECS GmbH), Andrea Radonjanin (Partner | Schoenherr)
Panel Host: Dominik Hofmarcher (Partner | Schoenherr)

12:45 – 14:00 | Lunch

14:00 – 14:45 | Panel 2 | AI Governance
As we face ongoing regulatory adjustments, how can companies implement effective, ethical AI strategies that balance innovation with compliance?
With the growing adoption of artificial intelligence, organisations are under increasing pressure to implement sound AI governance frameworks. This panel will examine how firms are approaching AI governance in practice: what key principles guide their strategies, how is implementation managed, and what challenges arise along the way.
The panel will also explore the interplay between AI Act and GDPR, highlighting both compliance risks and potential synergies. Finally, the discussion will offer practical insights into building responsible, transparent, and legally sound AI systems within the corporate environment.

Panellists: Gerald Bader (Head Data Analytics & AI | Atos), Gabriele Bolek-Fügl (CEO | Compliance 2b), Thomas Jirku (Sr. Data Scientist | IBM Österreich),  Daria Rutecka (Partner | Schoenherr)
Panel Host: Daniela Birnbauer (Attorney at Law | Schoenherr)

14:45 – 15:30 | Panel 3 | Implementing AI Solutions in Practice
From law firms to in-house legal teams, how is AI being adopted in real-world settings – and how does it reshape collaboration and mindsets?
The successful deployment of AI tools goes beyond mere technical adoption. It demands a cultural shift, targeted training, and alignment with broader organisational strategy.
This panel will explore how organisations across Central and Eastern Europe are integrating AI into their operations. We will discuss practical approaches to implementation, highlight best practices for managing change, and examine how AI is reshaping workflows, decision-making processes, and cross-functional collaboration.

Panellists: Philipp Bousa (Vice President CIO & Digital Officer | OMV), Gabriela Popescu (Corporate, External and Legal Affairs Lead, CEE | Microsoft), Andrei Salajan (Director Legal Tech & Innovation | Schoenherr), Anna Stadler (Team Leader Legal | Vienna Insurance Group), Merve Taner (Legal Counsel AI & Product Advisory | Erste Bank)
Panel Host: Thomas Kulnigg (Partner | Schoenherr)

15:30 – 16:00 | Coffee Break

16:00 – 16:45 | Panel 4 | Strategic Importance of AI in Defence
How is AI shaping the security and defence sector?
In some industries – such as the security and defence sector, the role of AI is gaining geopolitical significance. Driving important transformation, defence-related AI technologies are gathering speed, while also intensifying calls for regulation, clear governance, transparency, and ethical guidelines.
This panel will explore the strategic and legal dimensions of AI-powered defence innovation. It will focus on practical solutions for creating synergies between the civilian, defence and AI sectors. Further, our experts will discuss current trends in integrating AI into security and defence capabilities, as well as policymaking and ethical considerations.

Panellists: Attila K. Csongrady (Partner | Schoenherr), Stanislaw Kastory (Co-Founder | Expeditions Fund), Zafer Uysal (Director Military Vehicles System Engineering | OTOKAR Otomotiv)
Panel Host: Iustin Armasu (Partner | Schoenherr)

16:45 – 17:00 | Closing remarks

17:00 – 19:00 | Snack, drinks & networking

The conference will be hosted by Gudrun Stangl (Partner, COO | Schoenherr) and Thomas Kulnigg (Partner | Schoenherr).

Participation in the Schoenherr CEE Compass is free of charge, please register via this registration link. 

Meet our speakers:

	Iustin Armasu Partner | Schoenherr, Romania
	Gerald Bader Head Data Analytics & AI | Atos
	Maya Ben Dror Co-Founder, COO | ComplexChaos.ai
	Gabriele Bolek-Fügl CEO, Compliance 2b
	Philipp Bousa Vice President CIO & Digital Officer | OMV
	Daniela Birnbauer Attorney | Schoenherr, Austria
	Attila K. Csongrady  Partner | Schoenherr, Austria
	Paul Fischer Head of Legal | AKM
	Dominik Hofmarcher Partner | Schoenherr, Austria
	Thomas Jirku  Sr. Data Scientist | IBM Österreich
	Stanislaw Kastory Co-Founder | Expeditions Fund
	Marko Kon  Singer, Recording Artist, Eurovision Song Contest participant
	Thomas Kulnigg Partner | Schoenherr, Austria
	Lukas Obermayr  CEO, Producer | CREECS GmbH
	Alexander Popp Managing Partner | Schoenherr, Austria
	Gabriela Popescu Corporate, External and Legal Affairs Lead, CEE | Microsoft
	Andrea Radonjanin Partner | Schoenherr, Serbia
	Daria Rutecka Partner | Schoenherr, Poland
	Andrei Salajan Director Legal Tech & Innovation | Schoenherr, Austria
	Anna Stadler Team Leader Legal | Vienna Insurance Group
	Gudrun Stangl Partner, COO | Schoenherr Austria
	Merve Taner Legal Counsel AI & Product Advisory | Erste Bank
	Zafer Uysal Director Military Vehicles System Engineering | OTOKAR Otomotiv

MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Weiskirchnerstraße 3, 1010 Vienna

Accessible by public transport: Tram 2 or U3 (stop Stubentor). Please note that tram 2 will suspend service from 6:50 pm onwards, due to the Vienna Night Run.

Viennese taxi companies
Taxi40100 | +43 1 40100
Taxi31300 | +43 1 31300

questions | contact
If you need any assistance or recommendations, feel free to reach out to us via email at events@schoenherr.eu or call our event planning team: Julia Raffetseder | +43664800603239

Following hotels are conveniently located in the vicinity of the conference venue: