Holidays!

Four months later, and still stuck at the office. But this time, something has changed. Exactly! Holidays! During July and August, lawyers have less work (or not, depending of your cases).

The best of it is I'm alone at the office for two weeks. Two great weeks! Relationship with my boss improved very much these times, like he trusts me for other things than just bringing the mails to the mailbox accross the street. I feel much more capable, and it feels great.

Many things have happened these last months. Globally, I have more personal work, more clients of my own, more time to work by myself. But some events have totally changed my opinion about ma situation.

First of all, my boss had insisted I went to a journey in Roma organized by the Jeune Barreau of my city. The Jeune Barreau is a group of young lawyers who have 25 years or less of experience as lawyer. They're elected each year by all the lawyers as young as them, with a President, important roles and trainees.

The tradition is, each year the Jeune Barreau organizes a journey. This year, they had chosen to go to Roma, because our President is very fond of that city. I never had been there, so I wanted to go, but the cost (fort the trainees, 350 euros) stopped me : I couldn't afford it. I couldn't believe my ears when my boss said : "You have to go, it's your first year and it's really important you get to know people. I'll pay for you". Well, the journey was planned for early June, but I was still very excited and scared about it.

The Jeune Barreau is also in charge of another event, taking place in January : a plea contest. Every first-year trainee must participate, as it is a part of our training. The best of it is that you can win prizes, one of them being a free ticket for the Jeune Barreau's journey. I made a pair with another trainee who I liked, and we choose to plea about the unemployment, which is quite important in our city. She was "defending" the State, while I was "defending" the unemployment. I must say I had fun doing that, but I still was very stressed.

We were due to plea as lasts. There were so many lawyers in the court room they couldn't get inside properly. Our jury was composed by elder lawyers and judges. I was terrified, and I sure went pink when it was my turn to speak.

Anyway, my adversary won a prize, and I won the Jeune Barreau's journey. It was a delightful day.

So, the 1st of June, I proudly took my suitcase to live the most intense holidays of my entire life. I couldn't give all the details, but you must know we drank much alcohol, danced until the sun rose almost each night and made friends. After discussing the matter again and again, I finally understood there was no way I could possibly leave this job after only one year. Not only because of all the good things and the colleagues, but especially because I have to get a good experience before hoping to become a judge. And that's what I want to do with my life, so... I decided I'd stay two more years. Even writing it now, I'm horrified by the idea!

A week after our return form Roma, we had the elections of the Barreau and the Jeune Barreau. I presented myself at the elections, but wasn't elected, because I didn't know most of the young lawyers. We were three candidates for three places as trainees : two guys (an old and a young fellow) and a girl, who had failed to be elected last year. I voted for her. The youngest guy had been the object of a vast campaign from the President-to-be himself (the identity of the next President is never a mystery), so he got a reasonable score. The older had an amazing score, because he's so friendly and knows so much people. The girl, which I like quite much, was elected, and I was so happy for her. But I lost, voices behind her. There happened a surprise : the new President was convinced by the other members of the Jeune Barreau, who I know quite good and who I appreciate, but who cannot vote for the trainees (only trainees vote for trainees), that I had to be with them. For once, it felt good being appreciated like this, and I don't regret entering the Jeune Barreau. Some of the others came to me saying very nice things, like they wanted me badly in their team, and everything. The President knew one of us was going to be cast aside, but apparently, and I'm glad about it, most of the Jeune Barreau members didn't want me to be left on the road. So I got "elected" too.

Now, the holidays are going on, and my life as a junior lawyer will continue...