On September 16, 2026, the French-American Bar Association (FABA) held its annual rentrée networking event in Marseille. This edition was particularly significant as it marked the first time in the association’s history that such an event had been organized outside Paris.
For Attorney Anna Klein, a lawyer based in Marseille and a member of FABA’s leadership team, the event represented an important milestone in the association’s development and in its mission to strengthen connections among legal professionals interested in French-American legal and business relations throughout France.
Active Involvement in the French-American Bar Association
FABA’s mission is to promote exchanges among French, American, and international legal professionals. The association brings together attorneys, in-house counsel, academics, and other legal practitioners who share a common interest in the legal, professional, and cultural ties between France and the United States.
As the Vice-President of the association’s, Anna Klein plays an active role in organizing events and expanding FABA’s network. This commitment is closely aligned with her professional practice, which is firmly oriented toward international matters and, in particular, issues involving French-American dimensions.
Through her involvement, she helps create opportunities for meaningful interactions and collaboration among professionals working within different legal systems. In today’s increasingly interconnected economy, where commercial activities and business ventures frequently cross national borders, international professional networks have become an essential resource for legal practitioners.
Why Bring FABA to Marseille?
International legal organizations and networking events are often concentrated in Paris. However, many lawyers and legal professionals throughout Southern France maintain practices involving foreign markets, international transactions, and cross-border legal matters.
Based in Marseille, a city with a long tradition of international commerce and global connections, Anna Klein is particularly aware of this reality. Together with another FABA board member who is also based in the region, she helped promote the idea of bringing a FABA event to Southern France for the very first time.
The objective was to provide legal professionals from Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, and the wider region with an opportunity to discover the association, exchange experiences related to international practice, and expand their professional networks in an engaging and welcoming environment.
This initiative reflects a broader vision for FABA’s future: bringing members together wherever they are located, encouraging interaction among professionals from different regions of France, and building lasting bridges between national and international legal communities.
An Exceptional Venue for Meaningful Connections
For this inaugural Marseille event, participants gathered at the InterContinental Marseille – Hôtel Dieu, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Overlooking the Old Port and Marseille’s historic center, the venue provided the ideal setting for the type of informal conversations and professional connections that are at the heart of FABA’s networking events.
The date was also carefully selected. By scheduling the event in mid-September, participants were able to enjoy Marseille’s pleasant late-summer atmosphere while benefiting from the presence of numerous legal professionals visiting the city during the annual Juris’Cup.
A Promising First Edition
Nearly thirty participants attended this first Marseille gathering.
Most guests came from Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, although the event also attracted professionals from other regions of France, demonstrating the broader appeal of the initiative.
Beyond attendance figures, the most notable aspect of the evening was the quality of the interactions. Many participants emphasized the warm and welcoming atmosphere that characterized the event. Several attendees who had initially been hesitant about attending a networking event alone quickly found themselves engaged in meaningful conversations with fellow professionals.
A recurring theme in participant feedback was the presence of what many described as an “American-style networking spirit”: an open, approachable environment that encourages authentic discussions and long-term professional relationships.
For Anna Klein, this feedback was particularly gratifying. It confirmed that the values promoted by FABA resonate strongly with a growing community of professionals seeking to expand their activities and connections on an international scale.
A Practice with an International Perspective
The organization of this event also reflects the importance Anna Klein places on international engagement within her legal practice.
Assisting clients operating in a global environment requires not only a strong understanding of domestic legal issues but also the ability to work within international professional networks and communicate effectively with practitioners from different legal systems and cultural backgrounds.
Active participation in organizations such as FABA helps foster this perspective, enabling ongoing engagement with developments affecting French-American relations while building meaningful relationships with professionals who share similar interests and expertise.
Through this first Marseille edition, FABA demonstrated that interest in international legal exchanges extends well beyond Paris. The success of the event confirms the presence of a dynamic community of professionals eager to strengthen their international connections and participate in broader discussions shaping the future of legal practice.
For Anna Klein, the event represents another important step in her ongoing commitment to fostering French-American professional relationships and promoting a legal practice that is firmly connected to the international legal community.
