Right to
Dr. Julia Ecker – Attorney
I can claim no credit for having been born in Austria and being permitted to live here, enjoying all the personal rights and freedoms this brings. I am fully aware that this is both a coincidence and a privilege, and therefore I am a willing to advocate for those less privileged.
It is my strong belief in human rights which inspired me to study law. Since 2003 I have been working in fields such as the law relating to aliens and asylum law, where fundamental and human rights are exposed to specific risks.
Through my work as an attorney I can help people in difficult situations by giving them comprehensive support in these legal fields.
Efficient and well-organized, it is second nature for me to remain calm no matter what.
My professional background
I studied law at the University of Vienna, where I also undertook specialist training in fundamental and human rights and wrote my doctoral thesis on the subject of family reunification.
My studies were primarily in German and partly in English; I also have basic language skills in French and Spanish.
I passed the bar examination with top marks in 2010 and undertook practical training to become an attorney in Vienna at the law firm of Soyer Embacher (now Soyer Kier Stuefer), as well as the law firm of Embacher Neugschwendtner. I became a member of the Vienna Bar in 2011 and worked as partner in the law firm of Ecker Embacher Neugschwendtner until 2017, when my second son was born.
After a short break to focus on my family, I opened my own office on Vienna’s Opernring in January 2019.
My work
I advise, support and represent persons who wish to enter or immigrate to Austria, who are seeking protection here from persecution, who would like to work in Austria, who are seeking to obtain Austrian citizenship, or who would like to bring their family to Austria. I assist them during all stages of these procedures.
I find it rewarding to cooperate with colleagues and NGOs throughout Austria, allowing me to find the best possible solution to each individual problem. For many years I have been a member of a network of lawyers specializing in asylum law (Netzwerk Asylanwalt).
I regularly write and publish in my specialist fields. I give presentations and teach in a legal advice course run by Caritas, as well as at the University of Vienna within the Refugee Law Clinic of the Vienna Law Clinics.
The Profil magazine ran an article about my colleagues and me:
Fighting from the Sidelines (Die Kämpfer im Schatten):
This small group of Austrian asylum lawyers uses all means available in a constitutional democracy to fight against xenophobia, struggling desperately for their recognition as specialist lawyers. Some of them fear that they are fighting a losing battle.
(March 25 2013)
Specializations
After giving you a fair analysis of your options and chances of success, I support you with commitment and competence, at a fair price.
Law on settlement and residence
Austria operates a restrictive and complicated immigration system. My service is to outline to you the options available under the relevant legal provisions and to prepare the appropriate application on your behalf. I advise and represent you, as needed, during all stages of the application process.
Law governing the employment of foreign nationals
When trying to access the Austrian labor market, those without Austrian nationality are confronted with complex regulations. I assist foreign nationals as well as companies when applying for the necessary permits under the regulations on residence and labor law, and I also advise persons on setting up as self-employed.
Law on asylum and related to aliens
Asylum law and the law relating to aliens have been my specialist fields of expertise since 2003. For many years I have also been part of the network of asylum lawyers (Netzwerk Asylanwalt). Depending on what service is needed, I advise and represent asylum seekers from filing an application to the final decision, and I also support them in proceedings before the immigration police authorities.
Law on citizenship
After living in Austria for several years, people often wish to obtain Austrian citizenship. My service is to give you a comprehensive overview of your options and the requirements for naturalization.
Fundamental and human rights
Human rights violations can be the result of decisions by authorities or courts, but also of the direct application of the state’s authority and use of force. My service is to advise you and represent your interests before the Austrian authorities, and before the European Court of Human Rights.
Administrative criminal law
Administrative fines and penalties lie in wait in practically all areas of Austria’s administrative law. I also advise and represent clients in administrative criminal proceedings.
Appeals to the Supreme Administrative Court
Anyone wishing to file an appeal with the Supreme Administrative Court has to be represented by an attorney. I can look back on many years of successfully representing clients before the Supreme Administrative Court and will be pleased to defend your case.
Complaints to the Constitutional Court
In proceedings before the Constitutional Court, the parties also have to be represented by a lawyer. I have accumulated experience with this type of service over the course of many years and won numerous complaints proceedings.
Feedback on my services
Successful cases
Below you find a selection of rescinding decisions by the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Administrative Court based on my complaints or appeals:
Publications
In recent years I have contributed to a number of publications on asylum law, as well as the laws on residence and citizenship:
My Team
Azize Limani
I completed my bachelor's degree in law in North Macedonia from 2007 to 2011.
At the same time, I worked for a notary and learned various notarial skills.
After moving to Austria, I started training as a legal office assistant at the beginning of 2022 and attended various courses.
From November 2022 to March 2024 I did my internship as a legal assistant with Julia Ecker.
Since completing my training in May 2024, I have been working for her as a legal assistant, while also studying for my master's degree in civil law.
Samira Shukry
I am studying law at the Juridicum in Vienna. Before I started working with Julia Ecker, I worked in a law firm specialized in civil law and civil procedure law.
In the summer of 2021, I completed an internship at the Diakonie Flüchtlingsdienst. Ever since, I have been voluntarily supporting people at asylum application appointments.
In addition to my studies and my work with Julia Ecker, I am a founding member of the "Grad Recht" association which provides free legal advice to climate activists.
As part of the "Junge Rechtswissenschaft" at the Juridicum, I was part of a team organising a course in which students offer rental law advice to people in need.
In addition, I am a team member and speaker at She*Talks, a women's empowerment and networking project at the University of Vienna.
Address
Opernring 7/18, 1010 Vienna Austria
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