In a ceremony held at the Paris Bar Association on April 10, 2025, Dominique Attias, a trailblazing figure in the French legal world, was awarded the title of Officier de la Légion d’Honneur—Officer of the Legion of Honor—in recognition of her decades-long dedication to justice, children’s rights, and the defense of fundamental freedoms.

The award is one of the highest civilian honors in France, bestowed by presidential decree and announced in the Journal Officiel on July 9, 2024. Attias joins a distinguished cohort of recipients whose work has shaped French public life and international human rights advocacy.

A Lifetime of Commitment to Justice

Dominique Attias has had a long and impactful career. She served as Vice President of the Paris Bar from 2015 to 2017 and later as President of the Council of European Bars and Law Societies (CCBE) from 2021 to 2022. The CCBE represents more than one million lawyers across Europe, and under her leadership, it continued to champion rule of law and human rights across the continent.

Currently serving as President of the Administrative Council of the European Lawyers Foundation, Attias has been particularly vocal in defending vulnerable populations, including children and political prisoners. Her long standing support for the Iranian Resistance, and especially Iranian women, reflects her global outlook on justice and democracy.

“This is a true honor,” said Paris Bar Vice President Vanessa Boussard during the award ceremony. “You’ve been a role model for us, for me in particular, as Vice President of the Paris Bar. Everyone knows your role in defending the vulnerable, especially children.”

The Legion of Honor: France’s Highest Distinction

The Légion d’Honneur (Legion of Honor) was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 and remains the highest French order of merit, both military and civil.

Women in the Legion of Honor

While historically dominated by male recipients, the Legion of Honor has seen an increasing number of women recognized for their contributions to French society. Notable female recipients include:

• Simone Veil, Holocaust survivor and former French Minister of Health, who was awarded the Grand Cross for her role in advancing women’s rights and European integration.
• Gisèle Halimi, lawyer and activist, recognized for her work in decriminalizing abortion and advocating gender equality.
• Catherine Deneuve, celebrated actress, who received the rank of Commandeur for her contributions to French cinema.
• Christine Lagarde, current President of the European Central Bank and former Managing Director of the IMF, who holds the rank of Commandeur.

Dominique Attias now joins this esteemed group of women who have broken barriers and reshaped their respective fields.

Attias’ recognition serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of principled leadership, advocacy, and the ongoing struggle for equality and human rights. Her career reflects the evolving face of the French legal profession, and the growing presence of women at its helm.

We congratulate Dominique Attias, for her international influence and commitment to cross-border solidarity in the legal fight for justice and equality for women and girls.