THE AUTHORS:
Aurélie Arenales Huet, President of WLW France & Partner at BFPL Avocats
Mounia Tbarka, Co-President of the Young Section of WLW France & Associate at BFPL Avocats
On June 18th, 2024, the French Chapter of Women in a Legal World (WLW) was officially inaugurated at the BFPL Avocats office in Paris. This event marks a major milestone in WLW’s international expansion, underscoring its mission to promote and empower women’s talent in the legal profession globally. The French team, led by Aurélie Arenales Huet, international arbitration counsel, and arbitrator, partner at BFPL Avocats, showcased their commitment to this mission through a well-organized and inspiring event.
French Inauguration Event Highlights
The inauguration was a prestigious event featuring distinguished speakers such as Isabelle Rome, former France Minister Delegate for Gender Equality, Diversity, and Equal Opportunities and actual France Ambassador for Human Rights; Dominique de la Garanderie, the first female head of the Paris Bar; Vanessa Bousardo, current Vice-President of the Paris Bar; and Simon Dufeigneux, Director of Public Affairs at Sisley. Their participation highlighted the importance of gender equality in the legal profession and provided invaluable insights from their careers.
The event brought together a diverse group of influential women from various legal sectors, including partners from top law firms, general counsel from major international corporations, judges, and judicial officers. Notable attendees included Catalina Echeverri Gallego, partner in international arbitration at Wordstone; Ana José Varela, CFO at the OECD; Ana Prado Blanco, General Counsel at Mercedes-Benz France; Melissa Ordonez, partner in international arbitration at Hogan Lovells; and Cécile Vaullerin, Deputy General Secretary of the Conseil d’Etat, among others.
WLW’s Origins
Dedicated to promoting and empowering women in the legal profession, WLW is a non-profit organization founded in Spain in 2018 by Marlen Estévez, its President and international arbitration and litigation partner at Roca Junyent, Clara Cerdán Molina, its Vice-President and General Counsel at Solarig, and Ana Belén Martínez Enguídanos, its General Secretary and Director General of the General Council of Procurators of Spain. Valentina Yane Gauffin, Legal Manager at KS Ventures AG in Switzerland, acts as President of the Young Section in Spain, a pillar of WLW’s mission of empowering legal women from the start of their careers through academic alliances, special mentorship programs, and unique networking opportunities, among other regular initiatives. Just six years since its inception, WLW already boasts almost 1,000 influential female members across various legal sectors and has established chapters across Spain and internationally.
Spotlight on the French Team
In the presentation events that led up to the inauguration of the French Chapter, Aurélie has shared how her career and personal life had spanned various continents providing her with unique opportunities to connect with colleagues and students from various horizons, each time revealing the crucial importance and power of meaningful connections in career development, echoing the wisdom of the African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together”. Aurélie’s passion for the law, her professional ties to Spain, including her first arbitration cases, and her knowledge of Marlen Estévez through various serendipitous encounters made this alliance with an association founded in Spain feel incredibly natural and almost inevitable. According to Aurélie, what truly makes WLW unique and both professionally and intellectually invigorating is the chance to meet and connect with legal women across all legal disciplines – which rarely occurs in practice – to reflect and work together on topics and challenges that concern all women in law. This allows for uplifting collaboration and creative results. WLW’s sectoral committees also facilitate the exchange and mutual promotion of women’s talent in their respective areas. The cross-generational makeup of the association is also particularly fulfilling with seasoned professionals sharing their experience and network with younger practitioners, who, in return, bring a wealth of innovative ideas and perspectives, creating a dynamic environment of growth and mutual support. Last but not least, the association’s international dimension is a major distinctive asset that sets it apart from other existing women’s organizations in France, offering a wealth of opportunities for the association and its members.
Alongside Aurélie are:
- Mounia Tbarka and Mélissa Haddadou, Co-Presidents of the Young Section, and both associate lawyers specializing in litigation and international arbitration at BFPL Avocats. They share a passion for mentoring young female lawyers and promoting diversity within the legal profession.
- Allison Junoy, General Secretary, who brings extensive experience as Sisley’s Group Chief Legal and Compliance Officer and former Chief Legal Officer at Paris Saint-Germain. Allison, a former attorney, is motivated by a commitment to breaking down barriers for women in law and fostering environments where female legal professionals can succeed.
- Charlotte Hammelrath, Membership Manager, mediator and partner in labor law at BFPL Avocats. Charlotte’s dedication to resolving conflicts and promoting fair labor practices is an asset for the association’s mission to support and advocate for women in all aspects of their legal careers.
The French team’s vision is clear: advancing WLW’s goals in France and helping women to thrive and excel in their legal careers.
WLW’s Mission and Strategies
WLW is dedicated to promoting women’s talent and leadership in all legal professions through:
- Networking Events: Facilitating connections and fostering a supportive community.
- Coaching, Mentoring, and Leadership Programs: Providing guidance and support to foster professional growth and develop leadership skills.
- Specialized Seminars and Training Sessions: Keeping members informed on the latest legal trends and challenges.
- Legacy Creation through Publications: Preparing comprehensive legal reports on key issues and documenting, through interviews and books, the experiences of women leaders to inspire present and future generations.
WLW adopts an inclusive approach, integrating men into the dialogue about promoting female talent. The organization also amplifies its impact by working hand-in-hand with other women’s networks such as the Gender & Governance Action Platform (2GAP), Femmes de Loi, Femmes d’Exception, and Notaires au Féminin. These collaborations enable WLW to leverage collective expertise and develop powerful strategies to address and overcome barriers faced by women in the legal profession.
Future Events and International Expansion
WLW France is in the process of finalizing the composition of its Executive Committee and will have its next event in fall at Sisley in Paris.
WLW is continuing to expand internationally with the creation of new chapters abroad in Ecuador, New York, Dubai, Uruguay, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Mexico.
Conclusion
Women in a Legal World is a pioneering force in the legal profession, dedicated to promoting and empowering women through education, networking, and mentoring at an international level. The inauguration of the French chapter marks a significant step forward in this mission. By fostering an inclusive and supportive community, WLW is paving the way for a more diverse and equitable legal industry in France.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Aurélie Arenales Huet is the President of WLW France. She is an international arbitration counsel and arbitrator at BFPL Avocats with extensive experience in complex international arbitration cases across sectors such as construction, energy, pharmaceuticals, defense and aerospace, and information and communication technologies. She has practiced with top firms in Paris, Los Angeles, and Latin America and holds a dual Master’s degree in English and French Laws from King’s College London and the Sorbonne. Trilingual in French, English, and Spanish, and adept in both civil and common law systems, she excels in managing arbitration proceedings and in navigating cultural idiosyncrasies.
Mounia Tbarka is a junior associate in litigation and international arbitration at BFPL Avocats and Co-President of the Young Section of WLW France. With a background in business law and experience gained from law firms in France and the United States, as well as legal departments in the French banking and automotive sectors, she focuses on corporate and commercial litigation and international arbitration. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Law and ESG and is fluent in French, English, and Arabic.
*The views and opinions expressed by authors are theirs and do not necessarily reflect those of their organizations, employers, or Daily Jus, Jus Mundi, or Jus Connect.
