In Their Own Words French Intern Learns Law, Philadelphia Style

I !" ! #!$ %&'()*& +,-" #’E.-#) ()% really appreciated your By Thomas Bernard sity battle/eld in France. soon (hopefully) to the same profession? Avocats Rhone-Alpes, in Lyon, France. I members’ dedication But the symposium I have been invited to many committees’ am serving as an intern at Wilson Elser and commitment to the made me understand events and I have been able to appreciate Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP, community’s good. diversity does not have the friendly atmosphere and analyze the the /rm of Chancellor-Elect Kathleen It has been a real a /xed de/nition. 0e will to make diversity and equality a real- Wilkinson. 0e reason I /nd myself in honor to meet with symposium taught me ity. I guess my mind has changed and I Philadelphia is because I am required judges and attorneys that diversity may never understand perfectly the quality and aim to take two internships before I become who took the time be completely ful/lled of those committees. Even if we did not a lawyer in France. I am taking the bar to welcome me and because life and society’s take the exact same path, I really believe examination in October 2012. Prior to explain to me some changes always bring crossroads are numerous and both paths serving at a well-known Parisian law /rm of the common-law new challenges that lead to justice. in March, I am doing my /rst internship speci/cities. Our systems have to be undertaken. I might not have understood all in the City of Brotherly Love. are totally di2erent and Attending this national the subtleties of the Philadelphia Bar You might be wondering why I chose the way to practice as well, especially the event organized by the Philadelphia Bar Association but I have been impressed the USA? Apart from my strong will to ethics rules leading the profession. For Association will certainly be one of my by the work you do for the good of the live “the American Dream” and walking example, French lawyers are not allowed best memories. community, astonished by the proli/c the “streets of Philadelphia,” the Lyon to advertise. So it has been an interest- What strikes me the most is your committees, the wide activities o2ered to Bar set up institutional links with the ing experience, on my way to court, to struggle for equality, characterized by the the members (pro bono, reports, recom- Philadelphia Bar Association. Under this analyze legal advertisement on the buses, committees you have. Even law student mendations, conferences, law expertise) partnership set up by Michael Scullin, the and to see lawyers advertise on television. associations have gender and racial sec- and your daily struggle for civil rights honorary Consul of France in Philadel- Apart from the death penalty still used in tions. As the president of the Lyon Law enforcement. phia and Wilmington, and member of Pennsylvania, what surprised me the most Student Association, I know we do not I have spent three tremendous months the International Law Committee, Kath- is the high rate of settlement of civil cases. have those kinds of committees in France. in your company and cannot wait to see leen o2ered me this invaluable opportu- On one hand, it is very impressive to We do not highlight di2erences or have you at the next meeting or luncheon. I nity to discover the Pennsylvania system reach an agreement in most cases. On the groups of lawyers who belong to di2er- would like to thank all of the Philadelphia and observe how American attorneys other hand why would I settle a case if a ent groups based on their race or gender Bar Association’s members for helping practice every day. So far, my internship client is not liable for the damage? or ethnic background. Observing your me to gain experience, and particularly has been a thrilling and tremendous Also, I have found the jury selec- system makes me question myself. What thank Kathleen Wilkinson for being an experience due to Kathleen’s dedication tion process fascinating. You might know would have been my reaction if one of irreproachable and passionate mentor. and willingness. Every single day teaches we do not have civil juries in France. the law students wanted to set up a Black Attending these Philadelphia Bar Associa- me something new. Although a jury is picked before certain Law Students Committee? Honestly, I tion events has strengthened my deep aim More than just having a wonderful criminal courts, the selection process is would have been surprised and wonder- to be a lawyer involved with the Lyon Bar and highly interesting time at Wilson di2erent. Lawyers, judges and prosecu- ing why he or she would have wanted to Association. Elser, whose attorneys, paralegals and tors are not allowed to ask questions in underline di2erences that could be sourc- secretaries have extraordinarily welcomed order to select jurors. To strike a person, es of discrimination. Do we not belong !omas Bernard is an intern with Wilson me, Kathleen has given me the chance to they rely on information they have (sex, to the same law student community and Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP. discover the Philadelphia Bar Association. age and profession) and appearance at the 0at’s why you might have seen me at- court. Prior to the selection, a committee tending many of the Association’s events. is in charge to pick fair jurors based on It took me a while to understand the legal criteria. Even though the process purpose of the Philadelphia Bar Asso- could change between states and counties, ciation. How can a bar gather together your selection is much more sophisticated lawyers and judges? Bars in France hold and I have had passionate conversations administrative functions (validate lawyers’ about the strategy. registration, their specializations and I have attended great events, such as the conditions of professional practice); the excellent and unforgettable “Sympo- regulatory functions (draw up the rules sium on Diversity in the Legal Profes- of procedure for the Lyon Law Society); sion.” During my /ve years studies at Jean /nancial functions (determine the budget Moulin Lyon III University, professors and the subscriptions to be paid by have been teaching me discrimination, each lawyer); and disciplinary functions especially at the workplace. But the ques- (maintain discipline within the Law tion of diversity in the legal profession has Society and ensure that their members never been brought even during my time comply with the terms of their oaths. at the law school. In my mind, French 0ey can pronounce disciplinary sanc- Bars have focused their attention on tions) and only lawyers belong to them. women’s rights in order to give them the After a few weeks, going to meetings, same work conditions and career promo- attending Board of Governors meetings, tions. French bars have tried to bridge the enjoying substantive law expertise, I have gap between female and male lawyers. understood more and more the purpose Reaching equality between women and of your mighty organization. I have men has been and still is the main diver- philadelphiabar.org January 2012 Philadelphia Bar Reporter 11