The IPBA Publications Committee is seeking articles for the September 2026 issue with the theme:

The Constructive Role and Challenges of Litigators in the New Landscape

Traditionally, litigators have been seen as adversarial advocates – zealous representatives of their clients’ interests within the confines of courtroom procedure. Domestically, their powers and duties are well defined by national codes of civil procedure, evidence rules, and professional conduct standards. Their core mandate has been to advance their client’s case efficiently and effectively under judicial supervision, with an emphasis on procedural compliance and substantive argumentation.

However, the landscape is shifting dramatically. Modern disputes increasingly involve cross-border elements, complex regulatory frameworks, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and evolving societal expectations of the legal profession. Litigators are no longer merely combatants in a zero-sum game; they are being called upon to act as constructive problem‑solvers, facilitators of efficient justice, strategic risk managers, and even guardians of the rule of law. The rise of lawyer‑led mediation, pre‑litigation settlement conferences, collaborative lawyering, and integrated in‑house/external litigation strategies all point to a broader, more constructive role.

Key topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• The evolution of litigators from adversarial advocates to constructive dispute architects – new roles, mindsets, and skill sets;
• Insights into the challenges and opportunities litigators face in domestic versus cross-border cases, including cultural, linguistic, and legal system differences;
• The balancing role of litigators among courts, clients, opposing parties, and the broader public interest – including ethical tensions and professional responsibilities;
• Strategic collaboration between in‑house counsel and external litigators: moving beyond instruction to genuine partnership;
• Case commentaries that illustrate how a constructive litigation approach achieved a superior outcome for all stakeholders;
• Future trajectories: technology, AI, alternative fee arrangements, and the changing expectations of clients and society.

We welcome articles examining legislative, judicial, and professional responses to these developments, as well as forward‑looking proposals for the training, regulation, and practice of litigators in the new landscape. This issue aims to advance understanding of the constructive potential of litigation practice – not merely as a means of winning cases, but as a force for fair, efficient, and sustainable dispute resolution in an interconnected world.

The deadline to submit articles and other content is

July 17, 2026

Requirements for publication of an article in the IPBA Journal's "In Focus" section are:

• Articles with a focus on the main theme will be accepted for consideration.
• Authors are suggested to provide a brief synopsis of the intended article to the publications committee in advance of writing.  This is to help avoid duplication with other articles and ensure that the article will be selected for publication.
• Authors and co-authors must be members of the IPBA. Please provide your IPBA membership number(s) along with the article. Your membership ID number(s) can be found next to your photo in your online profile, in the Member Only section of the IPBA web site. Or, contact the IPBA Secretariat.
• The article cannot have been published elsewhere in print or digitally.
• The ideal word count of the article should be between 1500 to 2000 words.
• Along with the article, submit a lead paragraph of approximately 50 to 60 words giving a brief introduction to, or overview of, the article's main theme.
• Provide a biography of the author(s) in up to 100 words.
• Provide high resolution photo(s) of the author(s), at least 500KB in size (JPEG).
• The article must be of good quality both in terms of technical input and topical interest for IPBA members.
• The article must not be written to publicize the expertise, specialization, or network offices of the writer or the firm at which the writer is based.

Items for Other Sections Wanted!

IPBA Events, Committee Updates

• Tell us about IPBA events held in person or online.
• Report on IPBA Committee activities such as events, get-togethers, meetings, leadership notes.
• If you have a lot of photos, the write-up should be around 400 words.
• If you have fewer photos, the write-up should be around 800 words.
• Photos of the event should be high resolution, at least 1MB (JPEG) in data size.

Did You Know?

• Tell us about peculiar laws in your jurisdiction that others might find interesting or surprising.
• If you have more photos, the write-up should be around 400 words.
• If you have fewer photos, the write-up should be around 800 words.
• Photos should be high resolution, at least 1MB (JPEG) in data size.

Celebrations

• Tell us about cultural events and festivals in your jurisdiction.
• If you have a lot of photos, the write-up should be around 300 words.
• If you have fewer photos, the write-up should be around 600 words.
• Photos should be high resolution, at least 1MB (JPEG) in data size.

Authors and co-authors must be members of the IPBA.

All submissions should have the name, firm name, and city of the submitting party or parties, and photos should be high resolution for publication.
 

Send your submissions to Scott Li andFrédéric Dal Vecchio.

Deadlines for the September 2026 edition are: June 17th - Article synopsis •  August 17th - Completed article. The themes will be announced soon.

The new Journal will only be successful with your contributions! We look forward to hearing from all of you.