AmCham Azerbaijan Hosted a Conference on ...
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AmCham Azerbaijan Hosted a Conference on Bridging the Gap Between Legal Education and Business Expectations
On June 5, 2026, AmCham Azerbaijan organized a conference titled “Bridging the Gap: Legal Education and Business Expectations”, initiated by the Chamber’s Legal & Compliance Committee.
The event commenced with opening remarks delivered by Mr. Zaur Karimov, Executive Director of AmCham Azerbaijan, who welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of strengthening the link between legal education and the evolving needs of the business community. In his remarks, Mr. Karimov also expressed sincere appreciation to the relevant government institutions, the leadership of AmCham Azerbaijan’s Legal & Compliance Committee, academic partners, legal professionals, and all stakeholders who contributed their expertise and valuable input to the organization of the conference. He further acknowledged the invaluable contribution of Azerbaijan’s legal, regulatory, and academic institutions, whose continued collaboration has been instrumental in advancing AmCham’s legal and compliance agenda.
The conference was opened with remarks from Mr. Anar Baghirov, Chairman of the Azerbaijani Bar Association, who addressed several pressing challenges facing the legal education sphere. He shared his perspectives on the existing gaps between academic training and practical legal work, underscoring the need for continuous modernization of legal education to better equip graduates for the realities of the profession.
The conference featured two panel discussions and an interactive session bringing together representatives from government institutions, academia, legal associations, law firms, and the corporate sector.
The first panel discussion, moderated by Ms. Bahar Kavuzova, Chairperson of the AmCham Legal & Compliance Committee, focused on “Expectations from the Next Generation of Legal Professionals.” The discussion brought together Mr. Fazil Hasanaliyev, Head of the Scientific-Educational Center of the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Mr. Amir Aliyev, Director of the Training Center of the Azerbaijani Bar Association; and Mr. Rashad Ibadov, Dean of the Faculty of Law at ADA University. The panel explored the competencies, practical skills, and professional qualities expected from future legal professionals and examined how legal education can evolve to better address the needs of both the public and private sectors.
The conference continued with an interactive session titled “The Employer of the Future Meets the Lawyer of the Future,” featuring AmCham Board Member Mr. Kamil Valiyev, Co-Managing Partner for Azerbaijan at Dentons Baku Office, Mr. Tural Damirov, Treasurer of ELSA Azerbaijan, and Ms. Aynur Aliyeva, Secretary General of ALSA Azerbaijan. The discussion provided valuable perspectives on the expectations of employers and young legal professionals, highlighting opportunities for closer collaboration between educational institutions and the legal profession.
The second panel discussion, moderated by Mr. Fuad Gashamov, Deputy Chairperson of the AmCham Legal & Compliance Committee, addressed “Current Challenges in the Professional Development of Legal Professionals.” The panel featured Ms. Leyla Hasanova Shahingoz, Head of Corporate Legal and M&A Department at NEQSOL Holding; Mr. Ilham Huseynov, Director of Legal Affairs Department at PASHA Bank; and Mr. Seymur Niftaliyev, Director of KPMG Law Azerbaijan & KPMG Law Uzbekistan and Member of the Azerbaijan Bar Association. The speakers discussed the challenges faced by employers in developing legal talent, the growing importance of practical experience and specialized skills, and the role of legal education in supporting the professional growth of legal practitioners.
The conference concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Kamil Valiyev, who reflected on the diverse perspectives shared throughout the event and underscored the value of open dialogue in addressing the changing needs of the legal profession. He expressed appreciation to the speakers and participants for contributing to a meaningful exchange of ideas and practical insights.
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