The Law Society is taking applications for Stage International. Since 1991 the Paris Bar has hosted an eight-week traineeship known as Stage International which attracts young French-speaking foreign lawyers from all over the world.
The aim of the internship is to help lawyers to learn about law and the practice of the legal profession in France and in an international environment. The traineeship offers a unique opportunity to create a sustainable professional and friendly network between young lawyers from diverse backgrounds. It allows lawyers from around the world to meet and compare their different legal systems.
The Stage International will be held from October to November 2025 (eight weeks). Lawyers will receive high quality training from renowned professors and lawyers in Paris and practical experience in a law firm. Tuition is fully covered by the Paris Bar.
The Law Society can put forward one applicant. The requirements of the Paris Bar are that the traineeships/internships are open to lawyers who are under 40 years of age and fluent in French.
Lawyers will be required to hold their own civil liability insurance and pay their own travel and accommodation costs.
View the internship description in English.
View the internship description in French.
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter (both to be provided in French and English) explaining your interest, your French experience and why you would be a good ambassador for the New Zealand legal profession fiona.mcdonald@lawsociety.org.nz by 5pm Friday 11 April 2025.
Each year, the New Zealand Law Society nominates one lawyer to participate in this traineeship, and I strongly recommend applying as it is an amazing opportunity.
The first stage is a traineeship at the Ecole de Formation du Barreau de Paris. We had the opportunity to learn about French and international law from senior professors, lawyers and judges in France. I can genuinely say that a part of my brain "lit up". I learned so much both from the course and from my cohort, which comprised 33 lawyers from different countries.
As a result, I learned not only from the teachers, but from my colleagues from around the world. It was so interesting for me to learn about the Court system in France as well as French law and "translate" the concepts from New Zealand law (common law) to French law (civil law) and compare legal systems from across the world.
It also made for a great networking opportunity with leading lawyers from around the world all of whom were impressive as international legal contacts but who also became great friends.
The second phase was a placement in a law firm in Paris. I was fortunate enough to have been selected by one of the members of the Conseil de l’Ordre, who was involved in organising the stage international to carry out my placement in his department, working in international arbitration. This meant that my placement supervisor was able to mentor me throughout the whole process and take an active role in my learning. After speaking with others in my cohort, it’s clear that the Barreau de Paris made a genuine effort to try and place candidates in firms that corresponded with their learning objectives and preferences.
Then of course, there is the fabulous opportunity to be in Paris, eat delightful pastries and get to know the city in a way you wouldn’t if you were just going as a tourist.
This is truly a unique opportunity to grow as a lawyer, expand your skills and your global network. Thank you to the NZLS and to the Barreau de Paris for the opportunity.