The Career Path of Laure Tertrais, Alumna and Chief of Staff to the Chair of the French Financial Markets Authority
A former student at the university, Laure Tertrais is now chief of staff to the chair of the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF), where she brings her solid legal expertise and in-depth knowledge of financial regulation issues to bear in the service of public policy.
A graduate of the Paris Institute of Political Studies (1996) and holder of a postgraduate diploma (DEA) in business and economic law from Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University in 1994, she also holds a master’s degree in business law from Paris Cité University.
Since the beginning of her career, Laure Tertrais has distinguished herself through her commitment to the public interest. At the intersection of legal, economic, and financial issues, she assists the AMF Chair in advancing the institution’s strategic priorities and contributes to dialogue with all internal and external stakeholders. She also serves as a parliamentary advisor.
Her career path reflects a steadfast conviction: to use the legal rigor of regulation and the excellence of public policy to foster confidence in financial markets and protect investors.
What memories do you have of your years at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne?
I spent two wonderful years at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University.
This prestigious university, ideally located in the heart of Paris in the student district and close to the Republic’s major institutions—notably the Senate and, above all, the Panthéon—is also a place steeped in history for students. I have fond memories of the excellent instruction provided in the magnificent Richelieu lecture hall, located near outstanding libraries—notably Cujas and Sainte-Geneviève—where I regularly went to delve deeper into the course material. The university provided me with a supportive and inspiring environment in which to pursue my studies.
Were there any encounters—with students, faculty, or guest speakers—that made a difference in your academic journey?
Three professors had a profound impact on me during those two years: Professor Jacques Ghestin in civil law, Professor Yves Guyon in business law, and Professor Christian Gavalda in commercial and banking law. These professors were eminent figures in the field of law and the authors of reference works that I still keep in my professional library. The clarity of their lectures, the precision of their legal analyses, and the very high level of technical expertise and legal reasoning they imparted had a profound impact on my education. Passionate about their discipline and about sharing knowledge, they helped shape my approach to work. Their writings remain, even today, essential references for legal professionals.
Would you say that your time at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne played a role in shaping your professional career?
I arrived at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne after four years of law studies at Université Paris Cité. After completing my DEA, I enrolled at Sciences Po Paris in the public service program.
My time at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne was a defining moment in my career. It allowed me to consolidate the legal knowledge I had acquired during my first years of study while opening up new perspectives—thanks in particular to my research work—toward Sciences Po and my professional life. Those two years gave me the opportunity to delve deeper into the fundamentals of law and provided me with a real intellectual boost. I have fond memories of that time. The university’s approach, grounded in high academic standards, fosters in-depth reflection and develops essential analytical skills.
In fact, I’m not sure I would have passed the Sciences Po entrance exam without having completed this DEA at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, which I see as a true mark of rigor and excellence, providing the tools needed to address the most complex legal challenges.
Furthermore, during my second year of the DEA program, I devoted my thesis to the simplified joint-stock company (SAS), focusing on the theme of simplifying corporate law, even as this field was already beginning to grow in complexity.
Preparing and writing this thesis played an important role in my professional life. It allowed me to meet several key figures in the business world, notably the then-Secretary General and Director of Legal Affairs at Saint-Gobain—who was instrumental in the creation of the SAS—as well as the Director of Legal Affairs at the Mouvement des entreprises de France (Medef).
These encounters led to my first professional experience within Saint-Gobain’s legal department. I thus began to build a professional network, which was further enriched by the various internships I completed during my studies.
Have you ever run into any of the people from that period again during your career?
During that DEA program, I met one of my best friends, who remains so to this day. After a brilliant career as a lawyer, she became a legal counsel at a major corporation. We worked closely together during our studies and have always supported one another.
It’s always very rewarding to reconnect with former students years later to discuss our career paths and professional experiences.
The launch of the Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne Alumni Network is an excellent initiative. It helps strengthen ties between graduates, students, and the university, while promoting the sharing of experiences and knowledge. An alumni network represents a true collective strength that should be nurtured and cultivated.
Comments0
Please log in to see or add a comment
Suggested Articles
