Only around 30–35% of partners in major law firms in France are women, and in top-tier firms, equity partner representation is often closer to 20–25%. Across Europe, women hold just 20–30% of senior leadership roles in law firms. This is the gap Her Counsel exists to address, and why we continue to bring it to cities across Europe.

Last night in Paris, Her Counsel brought together a group of women shaping the future of law, not through panels or presentations, but through conversation.

The room brought together leaders from in-house teams, private practice, and legal innovation. Some met for the first time, others reconnected. All shared a sense of curiosity, openness, and ambition, a willingness to engage beyond surface-level exchange and lean into more honest, meaningful dialogue.

Her Counsel is not about performance. It is about presence. A space to exchange experience, challenge perspectives, and explore ideas, freely, and without agenda. In a profession that often rewards certainty, moments like this create room for reflection, nuance, and new ways of thinking.

A speaker that set the tone

At the centre of the evening was a keynote from Carine Denoit-Benteux, Madame la Vice-Bâtonnière, a voice of both authority and perspective.

At the center of the evening was a keynote by Carine Denois-Bonteux, Madame la Vice-Bâtonnière, a leading voice combining authority and insight. She assumed her role as Vice-President of the Paris Bar on January 1st, overseeing a membership of 37,000 lawyers. 

Madame la Vice-Bâtonnière reflections were measured and deeply resonant, examining the evolving relationship between law and technology. She emphasised that digital innovation is a major focus for the Paris Bar, highlighting the upcoming “Digital Week,” which will bring together stakeholders from the digital sector for collective engagement. Madame la Vice-Bâtonnière underscored the critical role of AI for both current practitioners and the next generation of lawyers.

There was a clarity in her message: the role of counsel is not simply changing, but widening. With this shift comes both opportunity and responsibility, as well as the importance of initiatives such as Her Counsel. She emphasized this point vividly:

“These meetings that you organise, I believe are absolutely essential. These moments of exchange, in more informal settings. That's what we need. We obviously need formal moments and official positions, but we also need these exchanges’’ 

This sentiment underscores why Her Counsel remains so important: creating spaces outside traditional structures to foster genuine connection.

Why this matters

Progress is visible, but not yet evenly distributed. The gap is no longer about entry. It is about advancement, visibility, and influence. Her Counsel exists in that space, creating connection, sharing perspective, and building momentum among women who are navigating, and shaping, that next step.

It is a reminder that careers are not built in isolation. That access and proximity matter. And that ambition is stronger, and more sustainable, when it is shared.

Looking forward

Paris marks another step in a growing global conversation.From Stockholm to London, Madrid and beyond, Her Counsel continues to bring together women shaping the future of law, across jurisdictions, roles, and perspectives. Each gathering strengthens relationships, deepens dialogue, and builds a network that extends far beyond a single evening.

What starts as a conversation becomes something more lasting, a shared sense of direction, and a collective push forward.

Sources: Conseil National des Barreaux (France), European legal industry reports, incl. Global Legal Post