Avi Bitton is not just hacking off the big UK firms. He has has made himself even more unpopular amongst Parisian law firms by launching a union to represent associates. And his candidates seem to be resorting to guerrilla tactics.

Firms throughout France claim that their associates are self employed, which means they have bugger-all rights and can be fired pretty much at will. However Manifeste des Avocats Collaborateurs (or MAC) is a new union intended to fight the associates' collective corner. It is fielding candidates for election to both the Paris and National Bar Councils.

One such candidate, Olivier Wielblad, turned up at a recent hustings hosted by Orrick. However, according to the firm, that was despite not having been invited or even having asked for an invitation. He blagged his way into the meeting, then jumped up at the end and started to give his pitch. Orrick partners told him to sit down and behave himself, and Wielblad claims that one of them wrestled the microphone from him (although the firm says that he handed it over himself).

An angry Frenchman yesterday

With admirable sang froid, Wielblad said "Do not worry madam... I will not touch the buffet, I will cost you nothing!". Although the firm said that he was allowed to stay for an hour and chat to all the lawyers, proving that there really is such a thing as a free lunch.