A group of France’s top lawyers, including M&A legend Jean-Fran-cois Prat and senior partners from Clifford Chance (CC) and Allen & Overy (A&O), have entered this year’s Paris Bar Council elections.

The unprecedented involvement of business lawyers is viewed as part of a push to raise their voice within the influential Bar, and sees partners from five international law firms standing for election to the council, which takes place on 23-24 November.