Parisian Lawyers

1901

Their Life Very Different From That of American Attorneys

Lawyers in France, according to a Rochester gentleman, who has just returned from a three years' sojourn in Paris, do not have such an easy time as they do in this country, says the Rochester Union and Advertiser.

There, far from encouraging the bright young men of the land to enter into the legal profession, it would seem that that they are discouraged and every obstacle thrown in their path, the result generally being that it is only a rich man who can be a lawyer.

"Under the regulations at present in force," says this Rochester gentleman, "barristers, after they have kept their terms, and passed a sort of three years' novitiate, during which they have the title of advocate, but have no voice in the deliberations of the council of discipline, and are not inscribed on the rolls, can plead during the three years' probation, but it is a sort of empty privilege in nine cases out of ten."

When an eminent barrister in France employs a junior it is generally some one inscribed on the rolls; should he employ the probationer, the honor thus accorded him must suffice. He does not pay him. But he must live, and here is where the problem comes in, which is usually more easily solved by the American or English young lawyer than it is by his Parisian brother.

In the first place, there is the outlay for his gown, or beretta, which comes close to 80 francs, unless he prefers to hire it at the rate of 10 cents per day. Then he must engage some one to teach him deportment, for this is an essential qualification in this land, where King Etiquette rules with an iron hand. The services of a professor of the conservatory must also be called in to train his voice, unless nature has been kind to him in that respect. But these expenses are mere incidents. He must, above all, not live in small chambers and rent dingy offices. Poverty is a poor key to open the pockets of his clients.