Laughing out law(ed). The Berryer Conference and lawyers’ humor
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Despite a growing interest in humor studies through the study of professions, lawyers in France have not been studied through this lens. Yet, this kind of study offers an interesting perspective on how lawyers talk about their own work, outside of their official discourses, as can be seen in the case of the “Berryer Conference.” Since the 2000s, elite Parisian lawyers have re-invented the mock trial as an institution entirely devoted to this task. Held in Paris’ historic court house, the “Berryer,” as it is known, comes off simultaneously as a comic act, an improvisational event, and a parody of old-fashioned eloquence. This article deals with its history, the typical functioning of a Berryer and its humor. It also explores how indicative this event is for the history of eloquence and professional orality in France, as well as the recent developments of the legal profession.
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