Two candidates have officially declared their intention to run for bâtonnier of the Nîmes bar association, setting the stage for an election that will determine the leadership of approximately 400 lawyers in the southern French city.
The contest features Frédéric Mansat-Jaffré and Philippe Rèche, both experienced attorneys with over two decades of practice before the courts of Nîmes and surrounding jurisdictions. Their candidacies were confirmed in mid-April 2026, with the election expected to take place in June to select a successor to the current bâtonnière, Séverine Moulis, whose term concludes in December 2026.
The race highlights contrasting visions for the future of the local legal profession, with Mansat-Jaffré emphasizing a platform centered on protection, simplification, and unity across all legal specialties. His campaign slogan—“protéger, simplifier, rassembler”—reflects a goal to strengthen collegiality while modernizing the bar’s services and accessibility.
According to verified biographical information, Mansat-Jaffré has held leadership roles within the regional legal community, including past presidency of the Union of Young Lawyers of Nîmes and service on the Bar Council. He currently serves on the Regional Disciplinary Council attached to the Nîmes Court of Appeal, underscoring his involvement in professional oversight and ethics.
His campaign proposes transforming the bar from a traditional auxiliary of justice into an active “engine of justice,” advocating for greater proximity, transparency, and responsiveness to members’ needs regardless of their practice area—be it corporate, civil, criminal, labor, or public law.
The election process will follow standard procedures for selecting both a bâtonnier and a vice-bâtonnier, maintaining the current structure in which Romain Léonard serves as vice-bâtonnier. Voting will be conducted among the bar’s registered members, with results expected to shape the institution’s direction through Moulis’s successor’s mandate, beginning in January 2027.
As the June vote approaches, members of the Nîmes bar will evaluate the candidates’ records and proposals, weighing continuity against change in a profession navigating evolving societal expectations and regulatory demands.
The outcome will not only influence internal governance but similarly affect how the bar engages with courts, public institutions, and the broader community in the Gard department and beyond.
For updates on the election timeline, voting procedures, or official statements from the candidates, members are directed to consult the Nîmes Bar Association’s official communications channels as the process unfolds.