Lawyer Leadership Summit 2026
Lawyers Shape Society.
Compassion Shapes the Lawyers.
For General Counsel, Law Firm Partners, Judges, and Senior Legal Leaders
June 20 - June 24, 2026
Overview
We are living through a historic shift. Many corporations now rival governments in power. The moral compass of those institutions often rests with their GCs and senior legal leaders.
Senior lawyers influence the lives of millions. In a time of unprecedented change, the compassion and judgment of legal leaders matter more than ever.
The future of law will be shaped by the people in this room.
Participants leave with new frameworks for ethical leadership, deeper professional relationships, and practical tools for navigating complex decisions in law and business.
Ischia, Italy — June 20–24, 2026
Limited cohort. Final seats available.
Speakers
Faculty are all volunteering their time because they care about creating a compassionate legal profession.
Scott Westfahl, Harvard Law School Professor and Director of Harvard Law School Executive Education
Michael Puett, Harvard Professor and Chair of the Committee on the Study of Religion
David Hempton, Harvard Divinity School Former Dean and Harvard Divinity School Professor
Brian Potts, University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor, Founder & Board Chair of The Legal Mentor Network
Elizabeth Pyjov, Loyola Chicago Law School and Business School Professor and Compassion in Law Expert
Our mission: Create a compassionate legal profession by building our ability to lead ourselves, lead others, and mentor the next generation.
Our focus: We will help you enhance the human skills that will be critical to how lawyers add value in an AI-driven world.
Who Attends
The five day summit in Ischia, Italy convenes a small cohort including:
Senior in-house counsel
Law firm partners
Judges and legal scholars
Legal tech founders
Legal administrative leaders
Bar association leaders
The cohort is intentionally diverse in scope and limited in size to create meaningful conversation and lasting professional relationships.
Attendees 2026
We already have commitments from legal leaders and executives working in public and private clean energy, venture capital, private equity, the utility industry, and major financial institutions. Attendees will also include leaders from leading global companies such as Mitsubishi, Salesforce, and other innovative organizations across the energy, technology, and finance sectors.
We look for attendees who are leaders in the field of law and are passionate about driving positive change in their profession and the world. This will be a great opportunity to get to know an exceptional group of people in a relaxed and engaging setting.
Video Testimonials
Why Attend
• This is the only lawyer-focused training that enhances lawyers’ leadership abilities through the multiple lenses of philosophy, theology, anthropology, science, law, and business.
• We provide an immersive, transformative experience with top Harvard faculty that inspires each attendee to find renewed meaning, energy, and purpose.
• Our curriculum will help shake up fixed mindset patterns in ourselves and in the legal profession.
• We are building a supportive, global network among lawyer-leaders who really want to help each other and who are focused on the human aspects of lawyering and how lawyers can add value in an AI-driven world.
• To enhance focus and deepen participants’ learning, we have chosen the ancient, culturally rich, beautiful island of Ischia for this Summit. We know from experience that participants will disengage from their daily routines and re-connect with nature, art and beauty and the most wondrous aspects of their own humanity and that of their fellow participants. Through this immersive experience, they will discover and appreciate more clearly that in an AI-driven legal profession, the most effective lawyer-leaders will be those who can access the human-centered skills and perspectives that AI will not be able to replace.
Curriculum
Our curriculum guides participants to engage deeply and thoughtfully with leadership frameworks and perspectives at the intersection of law and business, philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, and theology. Our highly interactive sessions will explore topics such as:
Ancient Greek Philosophers’ vision of the habits and practices of great leaders
How lawyer-leaders can apply motivational psychology to engage their people and build effective teams
Understanding how to leverage the neuroscience of compassion to lead oneself and others more effectively
Problem solving in a way that brings people together, leveraging the wisdom of ancient China
How to lead people and systems through change and uncertain times, applying empathy and key principles of adaptive leadership
The theology and practice of peace and its implications for lawyer-leaders who seek to build a better legal profession
The art and science of storytelling for impact and how lawyer-leaders can develop inspiring personal narratives to engage and motivate others
Mentoring with conviction, courage and compassion
Hosted by:
Legal Mentor Network
Lead with Compassion
In collaboration with:
Scott Westfahl, Director of Harvard Law School Executive Education
Experience transformative leadership training and gain connections to enhance your career for decades to come.
WHAT
The leadership summit is designed to be an immersive experience with remarkable people and a focus on helping implement both modern and ancient philosophies of leadership, as well as skills oriented toward refining your own approach to leadership and mentorship.
The opportunity to build genuine friendships and partnerships with dynamic leaders in the legal field to strategize together about ways to overcome challenges lawyers face today.
The program will also open you up to practical ancient philosophy of leadership, and the poetry, mythology, food, music, and wine of Italy.
Opportunity to learn leadership skills from top professors and leadership experts.
Small town authentic Italian life for 5 days.
Engage directly over the course of five days with renowned leadership experts.
Work together with and gain insights from your cohort
WHERE
Ischia, directly adjacent to the island of Capri, is an idyllic vantage point on southern Italy where we have the quiet we need to concentrate and build community.
Ischia combines a deep history – Homer included it as part of Odysseus’ journey in The Odyssey, W. H. Auden composed poetry about it, and it's the first place where the Ancient Greeks landed when they moved to Italy – lovely small towns, beautiful vegetation and nature, the sparkling Mediterranean sea, friendly people, and natural thermal hot springs that relax the body and mind.
It's a wonderful place to spend time at the end of June and meet industry leaders.
According to CNN, Ischia is “the paradise island that offers a taste of the real Italy.”
We believe that nature and physical beauty help break patterns and open up to a new way of thinking.
Speaker Bios
All faculty are presenting pro bono.
Daily Leadership Training with Harvard Law School Professor Scott Westfahl
Director of Education at Harvard Law School
Professor of Practice at Harvard Law School
Professional Development at McKinsey & Company
Professional Development at Goodwin Procter LLP
2009 - 2011 Chair of the Professional Development Consortium
A.B. Government Dartmouth College, summa cum laud, 1985
J.D. Harvard Law School, 1988
Scott A. Westfahl is the Director of HLS Executive Education and teaches courses on leadership, design thinking, and innovation within the law school’s J.D. curriculum. In 2024, his J.D. course Legal Innovation Through Design Thinking was recognized by Bloomberg Law as one of the law school innovations of the year. As the Director of Executive Education, he leads the HLS effort to support and develop lawyers as leaders across the arc of their careers, particularly as they advance to new levels of leadership and responsibility. He oversees and teaches in Executive Education’s core, global leadership programs for law firm managing and senior partners, emerging law firm leaders, law firm associates, senior in-house lawyers and general counsel. He also collaborates with HLS colleagues and other Harvard faculty to design and teach custom programs for law firms, law departments, governmental agency legal departments, state and federal judges and other legal-related organizations. He focuses his Executive Education teaching and writing on leadership, teams, talent development as strategy, design thinking and driving innovation and organizational alignment from a talent management and diversity and inclusion perspective.
In 2023 and 2024, Professor Westfahl participated as a keynote speaker and facilitator in major lawyer well-being Summits that brought together in-house and law firm leaders, as well as experts on protecting and promoting mental health and well-being. His latest case development and writing are focused on creating a more sustainable legal profession.
Daily Leadership Training with
Harvard Professor Michael Puett
Most teaching awards of any Harvard Professor
Bestselling author of ten books, including The Path
Joint Professor in the Harvard Department of Anthropology and East Asian Languages and Civilizations: Walter C. Klein Professor of Chinese History
Chair of the Committee on the Study of Religion at Harvard University
Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Science
Lectures at conferences and universities globally
Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Chicago
Michael Puett is the Walter C. Klein Professor of Chinese History in the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations. He is the recipient of a Harvard College Professorship for excellence in undergraduate teaching, the Joseph R. Levenson Memorial Teaching Prize, the Everett Mendelsohn Excellence in Mentoring Award, and the Star Family Prize for Excellence in Advising. He is also a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Science. He is the author of The Ambivalence of Creation: Debates Concerning Innovation and Artifice in Early China and To Become a God: Cosmology, Sacrifice, and Self-Divinization in Early China, as well as the co-author, with Adam Seligman, Robert Weller, and Bennett Simon, of Ritual and its Consequences: An Essay on the Limits of Sincerity. His interests are in the inter-relations between philosophy, anthropology, history, religion, and leadership.
Read his full bio here.
Presentations with Harvard Divinity School Professor David Hempton
Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor
Alonzo L. McDonald Family Professor of Evangelical Theological Studies
Dean of the Faculty of Divinity at HDS from 2012 to 2023
Fellow of the Royal Historical Society
Honorary Member of the Royal Irish Academy
Former Professor of Modern History and Director of the School of History in the Queen’s University of Belfast
BA, Queen's University Belfast
PhD, University of St Andrews
David N. Hempton has taught at Harvard University since 2007, joining from Boston University, where he served as University Professor. In 2021, he delivered the prestigious Gifford Lectures, presenting a series titled “Networks, Nodes, and Nuclei in the History of Christianity, c. 1500–2020.” He is a former chairman of the Wiles Trust and has held major research fellowships in both the United Kingdom and the United States, including from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
His scholarship explores religion and political culture, lived religion, Evangelical Protestantism and Pentecostalism, global Christianity since 1500, and secularization. He has published more than one hundred articles and chapters and authored numerous influential books, including Methodism: Empire of the Spirit (winner of the Jesse Lee Prize) and The Church in the Long Eighteenth Century (winner of the Albert C. Outler Prize). He has lectured widely across Europe and North America and has received distinguished teaching awards at both Boston University and Harvard.
Mentorship Training with Brian Potts, University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor, Founder & Board Chair of The Legal Mentor Network
Brian is a partner at an AM Law 100 law firm and a Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. What Brian is best known for, however, is being a mentor and a connector. As the founder and board chair of The Legal Mentor Network, he’s passionate about fostering connections across the legal industry as a whole.
As a law student, Brian was rejected by each of the top 100 law firms in the U.S. — including the one where he made equity partner less than a decade later. After posting about this experience on LinkedIn in 2020, he found himself inundated with requests for mentorship. Over the next few months, he built a nationwide network of attorneys willing to mentor law students and recent J.D. grads — which formed the beginning of what is now the nationwide Legal Mentor Network. Brian has since connected thousands of mentors and protégés through the program, personally mentored more than 1,000 individuals, and helped thousands of others obtain mentorship.
Most recently, Brian was asked to speak about the UN on mentorship.
Brian is known for his authenticity with clients and his eagerness to serve not only as an attorney, but as a business connector.
Daily Leadership Training and Experience Curated by:
Elizabeth Pyjov, J.D. MTS
Loyola University Chicago Law School Faculty
Quinlan School of Business Loyola University Chicago Faculty
New York City Bar Well-Being Committee Member
J.D. Harvard Law School
MTS Harvard Divinity School, Theology Degree
B.A. Harvard College, Romance Languages and Literatures
Certification Stanford Medical School, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Pedagogy of Compassion
Experience working with the teams at Baker McKenzie, Carlyle Group, Columbia Medical School, Deutsche Bank, Library of Congress, the New York State Supreme Court, Novartis, Ropes & Gray LLP, & Warby Parker
Elizabeth is a lawyer, thought leader, speaker, and CEO who holds three Harvard degrees, speaks five languages, has lived in seven countries, and studied neuroscience at Stanford Medical School.
Her professional experience spans being a funds attorney at Sidley Austin, doing policy work at the United Nations, conducting legal investigations for the New York Attorney General's Office, marketing for Italy's top television station RAI in Rome, and working as a literary translator for Italian Nobel Prize-winning author Dario Fo.
Elizabeth combines what she learned about ritual and meaning at Harvard Divinity School, her literature degree from Harvard College, the rigor of Harvard Law School, and her time studying with the Dalai Lama to think outside the box and address modern challenges in the legal world.
She currently runs three organizations: Lead with Compassion, Self-Compassion for Lawyers, and Happiness Sangha. She is also Business School Faculty at Loyola University.
Elizabeth Pyjov's clients include Bessemer Ventures, The Carlyle Group, Columbia Law School, the Library of Congress, the New York State Bar Association, the New York State Supreme Court, Perkins Coie, Ropes & Gray, and Weil Gotshal. She regularly lectures at Harvard Law School.
“We have created a program centered on growth and leadership for high-achieving attorneys, enabling them to shift patterns. For a few days, legal executives are able to shift their vantage point in order to re-evaluate and be strategic about their impact as leaders on their lives and on the profession.”
Movement Specialist and Yoga Teacher: Larisa Forman
Larisa Forman has been practicing yoga for 20+ years and teaching in the Boston area for over 10 years. Larisa leads workshops and immersions both nationally and internationally, leads a 200 hr Yoga Teacher Training here at The Yoga Loft, is a frequent presenter at The Nantucket Yoga Festival, and her yoga class was chosen as a part of "The ideal wellness day in Boston" by Well+Good.
Larisa is a yoga innovator blending the deeply traditional with the latest developments in fitness science, combining the Western obsession with the physical body and the Eastern approach to the Mind/Body/Spirit connection. Larisa received her 200H with PranaVayu Yoga founder David Magone in Boston and her 500H with her beloved guru Sri Dharma Mittra in NYC. Larisa is a Sanskrit enthusiast and loves meditation. Sharing these ancient techniques with the modern-day practitioner brings her tremendous joy :)
“I spent years living in Italy, and the food in Ischia is the most delicious Italian food I’ve ever had.”
L’amore si misura in piatti cucinati – Love is measured in cooked dishes (Italian Proverb)
Wine has been produced in Ischia for almost 3,000 years. It was introduced by the Ancient Greeks in the 8th century BC, and Ischia is still famous all over the world for its wines.
Local Experience
The owner of the villa where we will be staying owns an organic fruit and vegetable farm, and the food we'll be eating is sourced from there.
All the food for the duration of your stay is included. We will eat fresh fruits, vegetables, pasta, and salads as well as meat, seafood, and fish, with vegan and vegetarian options available.
Special dietary restrictions such as gluten-free, allergies, and sensitivities are happily accommodated.
A lot of the food we will be eating is grown in the garden at the villa.
LOCATION
Each guest is allocated a private room in a beautiful villa hotel with daily maid service.
Trainings will take place at one of the two beautiful Italian villas where we will be staying, one in front of the other. The villa hotel includes a rooftop terrace with a jacuzzi, and mineral hot springs are at your disposal on the property, as well as saunas, Turkish baths, and spas. You’ll enjoy the gorgeous views of the island from the rooftop terrace.
You can lounge on the terraces, wind down in the spa, enjoy an Aperol Spritz in the courtyard, and have traditional Italian multi-course meals in the dining room while building the future of what the legal profession becomes.
Excursions around the island on days 2, 3, and 4 are included.
“The goal is to create a truly magical experience for the attendees that impacts their life positively long-term and changes their habits for the better.”
Feedback on Prior Events in Ischia by Lead with Compassion
OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK
As you enjoy your time on the island you will meet accomplished lawyers and professionals who are leaders and changemakers in the legal profession. Here is what previous participants have said:
What Is Included
Immersive, highly engaging daily LeLeadership sessions led by Harvard and other top facultytraining
Curated excursions around the island
Private hotel room with daily maid service and high-speed internet
Dinners with local wines each night
Networking events
Pick up from the airport and drop off at the airport
Round-trip boat transportation between Naples and Ischia
Transportation all over the island during your stay
Breakfast, lunch, and five-course dinner each day
Spa access 24/7
Italian culture immersion series
Restorative yoga and mindful movement daily
Opportunities for daily guided meditations
Curated book of Italian poetry from 50 different poets
Connections and strategies to enhance your career for decades to come
Discovering more compassionate paths to innovative leadership strategies
The event fee is $6,500 and may be eligible to be covered by your organization’s learning and development budget..
Part of the fees go toward supporting the non-profit The Legal Mentor Network, which helps build an inclusive, compassionate legal profession.
This payment can be split up into monthly payments over 6 - 12 months, interest-free.
REIMBURSEMENT
Most of the leadership summit expenses are typically reimbursed by each attorney’s organization.
Here is language that you can share with your organization:
This invite-only summit is an immersive and transformative experience for leaders in the law. It is developmental from both a networking and a skills-based perspective. TThe event is centered around will include world-class professional development and leadership training. There will also be daily leadership learning sessions with Harvard-based and other top faculty, with trainings by a world-renowned Harvard professor. In all, we estimate that approximately 75% of the event cost covering those sessions and the rest applied to lodging, meals and group networking and other activities. will cover go toward professional development trainings.
Here is a letter you can share with your organization to highlight the benefits of the program training and receive reimbursement for the summit.
DETAILS
Dates: June 20 - 24, 2026
Place: Ischia in Italy
Directions: Fly into the airport in Naples, Italy. There is a direct flight from New York - Naples, for example. You can also fly into Rome and take a 1 hour train ride to Naples. We’ll pick you up at the Naples airport or train station.
Plus One: You are welcome to bring a plus one.
REGISTRATION
Registrations include a 3% platform processing fee.
This payment can be split up into monthly payments over 6 - 12 months, interest-free, if you select Affirm or Klarna at checkout at the link below. If you have questions about that, text Elizabeth Pyjov at 650-922-4262.
Here is a letter you can share with your organization to highlight the benefits of the training and receive reimbursement for the summit.
Plus one participants are welcome to participate in every part of the event (see itinerary).
This Team Will Welcome You
“Successful lawyers, like successful people in all walks of life, are lifelong learners who never stop growing.”
All ticket sales are final and non-refundable. However, if you're unable to attend, we’re happy to offer a credit equal to the amount paid. This credit can be applied toward a future event.
Get in Touch
Have any further questions? Please reach out to the event creator and curator.
Elizabeth Pyjov
+1 (650) 922-4262
elizabeth@leadwithcompassion.com
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethpyjov/
If You Can’t Attend &
Want the Benefits
If you can’t make it to this retreat but still want the transformation, there are other ways to join the journey:
📱 You can sign up for inspiring daily texts from Elizabeth Pyjov.
💙 You can do a Self-Compassion and Happiness Program.
Or, if you’d like to chat with Elizabeth Pyjov, you can book a call with her or send a text to 650 -922 -4262.