Law School Law at the Top

Can you introduce yourself?

My name is Mathieu FONTAINE, notary in Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, partner in a firm with two offices and a branch office, located in Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, Pierrelatte, and Suze la Rousse, in the Drôme department.

Regional communications representative for notaries at the Grenoble Court of Appeal, then Chair of the steering committee for communications for notaries at the Grenoble Court of Appeal between 2014 and 2018, Chair of the 3rd commission of the 113th congress of French notaries in 2017, then President of the Regional Council of Notaries of the Grenoble Court of Appeal from 2019 to 2021, I carry out my duties as a public official within my office by constantly investing myself in my professional bodies.

Do you specialize in a particular area of your field (real estate, divorce proceedings, etc.)?

I am responsible for the Business Law department within my organization. This department is dedicated to supporting business owners and company executives in all aspects of their professional and personal lives.

What are the strengths of your profession?

Notaries, as public officials, are impartial legal professionals responsible for drawing up authentic contracts under the authority of the State. This mission entrusted to them by the State is both an honor and a responsibility.
It allows us to practice all areas of law without exception. It requires rigor, competence, and knowledge of the law that is constantly renewed through continuing education.
Our role as public officials also brings us into contact with the entire French population, placing us at the heart of families, local communities, and businesses. This makes notaries privileged partners of institutions, indispensable advisors to French citizens, and essential legal professionals for businesses.

What connection do you have with the Law School you studied there)?

Having studied in Montpellier, I discovered the Law School relatively late, mainly through friends who were studying there. There, I found high-quality education, a university campus that fosters a sense of community, and a close-knit faculty that offers its students much more than just a university degree. When I moved to Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, a town within the jurisdiction of the Grenoble Court of Appeals, I immediately wanted to get involved with the school.  

Why did you decide to present your profession at the Law School ?

The profession of notary is relatively unknown, despite significant efforts by professional bodies to raise awareness. Subject to strict professional secrecy, the role of notary is the subject of many misconceptions and numerous slanders.
Law students at universities are not very aware of authentic deeds and the functions of public officials. Their teenage dreams tend to steer them toward careers as lawyers or magistrates, influenced by television series and movies.
I felt it was important to share my vision of the notarial profession in general, and my job in particular, with students in order to introduce them to an unknown but fascinating world!

What do you remember about this meeting?

This meeting was fascinating. The large number of students were particularly attentive and curious. The questions asked were very relevant. I really enjoyed talking about my job and interacting with them.