Recently appointed Vice-President of the French American Bar Association (FABA), Anna Klein contributed, with the rest of FABA team, to the organization of the first FABApéro of the year, thereby continuing a long standing tradition. This afterwork was held on February 11, 2026 at O’Sullivans pub (Franklin D. Roosevelt) in Paris.
The format is intentionally simple: an after-work gathering, open to members and non-members alike, beginning at 7:30 pm, with a welcome drink and shared aperitif boards. No formal speeches. No panel. Just space for conversation.
Despite heavy rain that evening, nearly 70 participants attended. That turnout said something important. It confirmed that the need for connection within the Franco-American legal community is real and sustained.
Informal setting, substantive discussions
During FABApéro, the setting is relaxed, but the conversations are not superficial.
That evening, discussions ranged from artificial intelligence, data protection, and compliance to arbitration, cross-border practice, and international mobility. Experiences were shared from New York, San Francisco, Paris, and Marseille. Some spoke about current cases, others about professional transitions or new collaborations between France and the United States.
The exchanges were natural, but also concrete. Business cards were exchanged. LinkedIn connections were made. Referrals were exchanged. Conversations that began months ago continued in person.
In a profession structured around expertise and technical precision, these informal moments often provide the foundation for meaningful professional relationships.
Complementing formal conferences
As part of the French American Bar Association, the FABApéro is not as an alternative to conferences, but a complement.
Conferences allow for structured analysis and in-depth discussion of legal developments. Gatherings like this one allow for something different: continuity. They keep the dialogue active between events. They create trust, which is essential in any cross-border collaboration.
When lawyers operate internationally, knowledge of the law is only part of the equation. Confidence in the people you work with matters just as much.
A community in motion
Many profiles were present: lawyers in various areas of practice, in-house counsel, notaries, and students exploring international careers. That mix reflects the broader reality of transatlantic legal practice today — varied, mobile, and increasingly interconnected.
The FABApéro plays an essential role in sustaining that ecosystem.
The February gathering confirmed that the Franco-American legal dialogue remains active and engaged. In a context where international cooperation is constantly evolving, maintaining these spaces for exchange feels less like an option and more like a necessity.
Anna Klein is honored to play a central role in the dynamism of the French American Bar Association is looks forward to continuing this transatlantic dialogue in the months ahead.
