Contrary to popular belief, law is a very feminine field. There are many women in law school, and many women passing the bar. Women are in the majority, with 56.4% of lawyers in the workforce. However, as in many sectors, men are in the majority in positions of greater responsibility.
Today, I'm delighted to introduce you to Idaline Le Granvalet, 1m58 tall, a lawyer specializing in business law, a profession that is becoming increasingly feminized, but in which clients still seem to trust only men! It's not easy to be taken seriously when you're a woman, and even Thes so when you're petite !
I don't think I'm the kind of lawyer you'd like to have spontaneously on your cases. We tend to imagine a man who's a go-getter, who talks louder than the others. We look for a certain profile in the person who defends us. But I make it clear that I'm just as tenacious as a man. And that I can even do more than men!
First of all, would you mind introducing yourself?
I'm 30 years old and have been a lawyer for almost 4 years. I have a classic academic background: I have a baccalauréat L, a degree in European law and a Master's in business law. I passed the Paris bar exam, started working in Paris and then returned to the Lille bar about two years ago. I work in a law firm as a business lawyer.
Becoming a lawyer wasn't a vocation. Rather, it was a succession of opportunities that I seized over time. After graduating from high school, I went to the USA. I wanted to open up to the rest of the world. It was a very enriching year for me, which enabled me to learn a lot about myself.
When it was time to go home, I didn't know what to do, but I wanted a career. I didn't have any specific goals. I went to law school. Then, when my girlfriends decided to take the bar exam, I followed them. I passed, I passed and today I'm really happy to be here. It wasn't my vocation at the outset, but I'm finally realizing that being a lawyer is a step towards becoming the kind of woman I wanted to be when I was petite. The one who was gently laughed at because of her petite height, I was always the most petite of the family, and the fraiThet. I was laughed at and infantilized. Unconsciously, I chose this course of study and this path because I wanted to be an ambitious working girl businesswoman. The one who's strong and evolves in a masculine world!
How do you live with your size in your daily life and in your professional sphere?
I don't mind my size petite . In fact, if I were 10 cm taller, it would probably be better. My height helps me to lose credibility at work, in addition to looking young and being a woman. At work, I'm called "Mademoiselle", whereas my colleague is called "Maître". I'm often mistaken for the assistant. But I take it with a smile.
With clients, I don't think I have the profile of the lawyer they'd spontaneously like to have on their cases. We tend to imagine a man who's a go-getter, who speaks louder than the others. We look for a certain profile in the person who defends us. But I make it clear that I'm just as tenacious as a man. And that I can even do more than men!
Do you have an anecdote about a situation you experienced at work that you'd like to share with us?
So many of them!
One comes to mind. It concerns one of the first cases I handled in the firm where I currently work: it was the case of a man who had a funeral business. For various reasons, he had decided to hand over the business to a new owner. The day before signing the contract, this gentleman called me. He said to me: "For you, it's just a file. But for me, it's my baby. I've seen my company grow. I can't let it go into the hands of just anyone." This tall, imposing man in his sixties had really moved me. It was the first time I thought to myself that this kind of case couldn't be treated as just another case.
What I do on a daily basis is defend human beings and employees. I live great stories in this line of work, making them my own. In the end, this gentleman didn't sell his company. I realize how lucky I am to do a job that has meaning.
Would you like to tell us an anecdote from petite about your work?
One of the firm's partners had to leave for a hearing. It was impossible for him to put his hand on his dress. So I offered him mine. He tried on my dress and, of course, it was much too short for him. It was so funny! In fact, dresses are made-to-measure, they're very codified. You choose the fabric according to your use, and you can add details. Mine was lined in pink. I wanted to add a touch of fun to something that isn't fun.
How are you coping with your confinement at the moment? Do you telecommute?
I can work normally (I don't plead). We have videoconference meetings with customers. Right now, it's pretty tense because with the crisis, we're trying to save our customers' business.
What do you wear to work? What do you wear every day?
I dress in dresses or skirts. I very rarely wear pants. I always try to slim the figure by wearing short skirts or dresses and heels. I have a passion for shoes and only wear heels!
In terms of colors, I very often wear dark colors (black, navy blue). I love to wear clean, structured dresses, which I accessorize with colored shoes and handbags (like electric blue or orange).
And how do you dress these days in confinement?
My outfit has not EDITd. I get dressed and put on make-up in the morning, as if I were going to work. It also helps to keep up a work rhythm, even if you stay at home. At the moment, I really like wearing shirts, collars and so on.
What size shoe do you wear?
I wear a size 35.
You don't have too many shoe problems? Where can you find shoes in your size petite ?
Indeed, it's complicated to find shoes with heels. I can't buy from every brand, of course. I really like Louboutins. I always wear about a 10 cm heel, rarely more but rarely Thes. Depending on the brand, I wear a 34.5 or 35. I also buy from Cosmo Paris, which doesn't go below size 35. For boots, I go to Minelli or Jonak. I buy a size 36 and put a big pair of socks inside.
What about make-up?
I try to work the complexion as much as possible. I use foundation (a Chanel), powder and bronzer. On the eyes, I wear very light make-up: just a line of eye liner and some mascara. I love lipstick, but I don't wear it to work. I only wear it when I go out in the evening.
What's your favourite lipstick brand?
I love Yves Saint Laurent.
A few questions to get to know you better.
Your favorite garment
The timeThes petite black dress. I can go to the office in a black dress with a pair of black pumps and a blazer. It's an outfit in which I'm completely in my role. Then when I leave the office, I put on a perfecto and a pair of colored heels to go out for a drink. It's a timeThes, go-anywhere dress.
Your favorite piece at Petite and So What
The three things that never leave your handbag
My cell phone of course, a lipstick and a hairbrush.
Your last reading
"I promise you freedom" by Laurent Gounelle.
Your next vacation
My honeymoon in Bali in August!
Congratulations! When did you get married?
We got married last summer, but couldn't get away for lots of reasons.
Your favorite dish
Pizzas. My passion: Big Mama's truffle pizza.
Your latest crush to share with us
I'm taking advantage of this confinement to take up pilates. I'm not usually very sporty. But at the moment, the fact that physical exercise has been reduced to nothing has made me want to get moving. I need to exercise and channel the stress of work. I've been doing it for 45 minutes a day for some time now. And I understand why all my girlfriends are so keen on this sport, which really works the body!
Thanks Idaline!