Celebrating 90 Years of the UJA of Grenoble: An Interview with the Association’s President

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The UJA of Grenoble celebrated its 90th anniversary during an evening at the Bastille on June 9th. How was the evening?

The evening was successful, with more than 90 participants for our 90th birthday. We were able to mix the younger generation of lawyers with more experienced professionals. We also shared this moment with non-Grenoble lawyers, for example from the neighboring bar of Lyon, but also the president of the federal office (FNUJA) Me Sonia Ouled-Cheikh. His presence was important because beyond our local missions, we participate in national work. We are carriers on subjects which interest the profession at the national level.

What is the role of the UJA today? What has changed since its creation?

The Grenoble UJA was created on July 12, 1933. We found a document from the prefecture which stipulates its statutes at the time: to strengthen the bonds of camaraderie and professional solidarity between lawyers of the same generation. 90 years later, we have emancipated ourselves. The UJA is above all a place of listening for young people entering the profession, who do not know the bar. It is also a meeting place for colleagues. The UJA provides answers to the questions that all young lawyers ask themselves: invoicing, clientele, administration… Our mission is support and training. Our three pillars are listening, support and training.

^{Missions adapted to new needs and new tools}

You are very present on social networks. Is it easier to reach your audience?

Yes, today we can communicate. It’s lucky and it’s easier to reach the right audience and deliver the right message. Our target audience is young lawyers from the Grenoble bar, but thanks to social networks, it is also easier to share our work with UJAs from other bars.

The Dauphin of the Bâtonnier must be elected this June 12th. Have you started to forge links with Me Michèle Girot-Marc?

We are not working together yet, it is too early since his mandate will not begin until the 1^is January. But we met during the preparation of the discussion time with the lawyers, which replaced the traditional debate organized by the UJA. Since there was only one candidate, there was no need to call it a debate, but we wanted her to be able to explain her program. We wanted her to have the opportunity to answer the questions that the young bar asks itself. We had prepared a questionnaire for colleagues, to discuss with the audience on the issues for the profession. The six months of the Delphinate will also be very important to know how she positions herself in the bar vis-à-vis the unions. However, we did not give voting instructions or encourage colleagues to go and vote. It is not our role.