NOVA School of Law and Nova SBE bring global legal and business innovation programme to Portugal
LawWithoutWalls (LWOW)
13 to 15 March 2026
NOVA School of Law will be one of the hosts of the next edition of LawWithoutWalls (LWOW), a pioneering international programme in legal and business innovation, which in 2026 will be held in Portugal for the first time.
LWOW Sprint 2026 will take place from 13 to 15 March 2026, at the Nova School of Business and Economics (Nova SBE) campus in Carcavelos. This joint initiative between the two schools reflects the innovative spirit and integrated vision characteristic of NOVA University Lisbon.
Created by Professor Michele DeStefano, LWOW is an international experiential learning programme that brings together students, academics, and professionals from the fields of law, management, and technology. It promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in legal practice.
LWOW has been recognised by various entities—including the Financial Times, which honoured Professor Michele DeStefano for her work in founding the initiative – for its transformative approach to legal practice and education. LWOW challenges the traditional ways of teaching and practising Law, encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and the development of future professional skills.
The 2026 edition marks the 15th anniversary of the initiative and reinforces its commitment to promoting a global network of learning and innovation among universities worldwide.
LawWithoutWalls was founded on the belief that the future of Law hinges on collaboration between individuals from diverse fields, cultures and perspectives. Celebrating our 15th anniversary in Portugal, alongside Nova SBE and NOVA School of Law, represents the continuation of this mission seeking to inspire a new generation of legal and business leaders capable of innovating in an ever-changing world..
A global experience combining innovation, collaboration and impact
The LWOW Sprint is the programme’s culminating event: a three-day immersive and intensive experience in which international teams — composed of students, mentors, and professionals — present the innovative solutions they have developed throughout the programme to address real challenges in the legal and business sectors.
Prior to the in-person Sprint, participants take part in an online preparatory phase in which they explore topics such as leadership, communication, creativity, design thinking and the application of technology to Law.
The result of this process is the creation of Projects of Worth — practical and sustainable proposals that combine Law, ethics, management and technology, reflecting the collaborative and transformative spirit of LawWithoutWalls.
Opportunities for NOVA School of Law students
Students interested in taking part in this transformative challenge can apply here.
Thanks to the partnership between NOVA School of Law and the programme’s international organisation, five students on the Master’s in Law and Management programme will have the unique opportunity to take part in this international, collaborative experience free of charge. This experience goes far beyond an academic exercise, offering a practical, global immersion where students will work side by side with mentors and leaders from multinationals, law firms, and technology companies, developing innovation, management, and leadership skills within an interdisciplinary environment that is reshaping the future of legal education and practice.
The application deadline for NOVA School of Law students has been extended to 16 November, giving applicants additional time to apply for this unique opportunity.
Innovation and internationalisation in legal education
For NOVA School of Law, hosting LawWithoutWalls in Portugal is a significant milestone in its strategy to innovate and internationalise legal education. This reaffirms the School’s position as a leading European institution in training lawyers who are prepared for the challenges of the future.
LawWithoutWalls is a prime example of how legal education can be transformed through interdisciplinary approaches and global collaboration. This partnership reinforces NOVA School of Law's commitment to nurturing legal professionals and leaders who can respond creatively and ethically to the challenges of the future.