Barcelona, Sant Ramon de Penyafort 2009

A short report on the official annual gathering of Cataluña Young Lawyers

“Felicidades”/ Congratulations to the GAJ (Grupo Abogados Jovenes) who in conjunction with the senior Barcelona Bar, organised the solemn opening on the occasion of the traditional “Sant Ramon de Penyafort” festivities.

The rainy weather did not affect Barcelona’s vibrant and hospitable mood, and did not discourage an impressive number of foreign delegations from across all Europe and overseas attending the official ceremony and the related social events.

The impeccably organized programme of the Barcelona Bar kicked off with a welcome reception at the Town Hall (Ajuntamento de Barcelona) where the local lawyers and foreign colleagues were addressed by the Mayor of Barcelona, the Barcelona Bar Association and the President of the Young Bar of Barcelona. This was followed later on by an informal dinner at the “Club Solo”, where participants enjoyed the opportunity to network with both old friends and new colleagues in relaxed surroundings.

The Friday program was superbly concluded by a sumptuous gala dinner hosted in the stunning premises of the Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya, on the top of the Montjuïc hill, which dominates the city of Barcelona. It was by any standards a superbly organized event, attended by an impressive number of foreign delegates in addition to the many prominent Barcelona lawyers.

On Saturday the attending EYBA executive officers gathered (courtesy of the Barcelona Colejo de Abogados) to hold an executive committee meeting wherethe materials to be presented for approval at the Copenhagen spring conference were jointly revised and discussed. In addition the proposal for the renewal of the EYBA website, alumni section, and current administrative issues were put on the table for review and debate.. The meeting concluded with an update on the preparation of the plans for the AGM in Amsterdam and a discussion of the next steps to be taken to implement them.

After the conclusion of the Executive Committee meeting and a short rest, in was time to get to the   Espais Actuals art gallery, a trendy modern art gallery turned, just for that night, into a lounge and disco bar. The Barcelona Young  Bar Association and their international guests enjoyed a sparkling and informal evening, tasted some Catalan specialties, and were greeted and addressed by Hector Sbert who expressed his special thanks to Amina Omar Nieto, GAJ delegate for international relationships, for her hard work and contribution in the organization of the whole event.The party, dancing and conversation went on into the early hours when attending guests said goodbye.

The Executive Committee can’t wait to see all of you  in Copenhagen!

Gabriella Geatti
EYBA executive officer for marketing and communication