On October 24, 2025, I had the pleasure of visiting, together with part of our IP team, the exhibition held on the forecourt of Paris City Hall, dedicated to 125 years of pioneering achievements by women of the Paris Bar.
Drawing on a selection of rare archival materials, the exhibition highlights the groundbreaking legal careers of the women who paved the way in our profession, from Jeanne Chauvin, the first woman admitted to the Bar in 1900, to Dominique de la Garanderie, the first female bâtonnier in 1997.
I was moved by the paths of these pioneers, by the many obstacles they had to overcome -whether prejudice, rejection, or institutional barriers – and by their unwavering determination to claim their rightful place in a world that was not designed for them.
It is a powerful reminder that our profession was also built thanks to these committed women, who upheld the values of equality, justice, and courage.
Many thanks to the Paris Bar Museum and the City of Paris for this great initiative.
A must-see exhibition, open until November 7, 2025!
