Topics: ELSA Switzerland, European Law Students' Association (ELSA), student association, ELSA Law Schools, ELSA Traineeships, moot courts, extracurricular activities, studies, engagement, president, University of Fribourg, network, board.
Feel free to comment on Linkedin.
Reading time: 5 minutes.

Good morning, Ms. Lehmann, we are pleased that you could take the time for this interview. You are the President of the European Law Students' Association (ELSA) Switzerland. Could you describe your journey to becoming the President of ELSA Switzerland?

In my first weeks of study, I came into contact with the local representation of ELSA at the  University of Fribourg  and immediately became a member. Due to the motivated people on the then board of  ELSA Fribourg  and because I wanted to actively help organize the events rather than just benefit from the offers, I applied for the local board of ELSA at the University of Fribourg at the next general assembly.

In my second year as a local board member, in the fall of 2021, I got to know the nationwide network at the general assembly of  ELSA Switzerland. At that moment, I became fully aware of the size and significance of ELSA and quickly realized that I wanted to get involved at the (inter)national level in the future. However, at that time, I did not think that I would be running for the office of President at the next national general assembly in Lucerne a few months later. Rather, it was my predecessors from the then national board of ELSA Switzerland who motivated me to take this step – for which I am incredibly grateful to them to this day.

Can you tell us more about the goals and activities of ELSA Switzerland?

As the world's largest association of law students and young lawyers, ELSA operates on three levels: In Switzerland, ELSA is represented at every university law faculty with a local group that organizes events at the local level and is in direct contact with our members. Basically, our local groups function like any other student association or faculty group. However, they have the unique advantage of being backed by a Europe-wide network with (inter)national opportunities.

ELSA Switzerland  is the national umbrella organization that coordinates these nine local groups and brings them together at general assemblies and other national events. Additionally, the national board of ELSA Switzerland represents the interests of the Swiss members at the international level. On the international level, there are 43 national groups coordinated by the international board of ELSA, which come together twice a year at international general assemblies.

ELSA aims to prepare our members for professional life in an international environment, contribute to legal education, facilitate international exchange, promote mutual understanding, and connect people from across Europe. - Flavia Lehmann

Accordingly, ELSA pursues goals that extend beyond the boundaries of local or national groups. ELSA aims to prepare our members for professional life in an international environment, contribute to legal education, facilitate international exchange, promote mutual understanding, and connect people from across Europe. This is achieved through the organization of numerous events and other offerings, such as our Summer and Winter ELSA Law Schools with various legal focuses, held annually in over 50 different cities across Europe. In addition to many other projects, ELSA groups also organize different national and international moot courts and so-called ELSA Traineeships, which enable internships abroad.

Moreover, ELSA aims to encourage law students and young lawyers to contribute to the well-being of society, for example through our Rule of Law Education Programme or the Annual Human Rights Campaign. All these projects align with ELSA’s vision: "A just world in which there is respect for human dignity and cultural diversity."

Who would you recommend a membership to?

Essentially, all law students, as ELSA offers something for everyone. As an ELSA member, one can automatically benefit from the countless offers at local, national, and international levels without being personally involved in organizing these projects. Therefore, such a membership involves no time commitment but comes with numerous benefits.

If someone wants to become active and contribute to organizing our events, they can join a local ELSA board or an ad hoc organizing committee for a specific event. I would also recommend this experience to any student who has sufficient time alongside their studies and work. Being part of a board or organizing committee develops various soft skills that cannot be learned through studying books alone. Additionally, one meets a network of interesting, motivated, and incredibly committed individuals.

What skills and knowledge have you gained from your work at ELSA that are useful in your legal studies or professional life?

Being active in ELSA primarily means working as part of a team. This experience has made me realize how much more can be achieved as a team compared to what any individual could accomplish alone. In my role as president, I have also learned to coordinate, motivate, and best utilize the strengths of each team member.

Additionally, international collaboration and working with our local groups have taught me how to handle diametrically different views and working methods. Through interactions with students and practitioners from across Europe, I have been able to expand my knowledge of and understanding of different legal systems and perspectives.

The most rewarding aspect of my involvement with ELSA is that I now have access to a Europe-wide network, and the close collaboration within the team has led to close friendships that I hope will continue to support me on my future path. - Flavia Lehmann

Although ELSA is "just a student association," it is a valuable life school. As a board member of ELSA, I have learned to take responsibility and handle stressful situations and pressure. Another significant skill developed at ELSA is speaking and presenting to a larger audience. However, the most rewarding aspect of my involvement with ELSA is that I now have access to a Europe-wide network, and the close collaboration within the team has led to close friendships that I hope will continue to support me on my future path.

How have your experiences with ELSA Switzerland influenced your perspective on legal practice and the profession?

Through the (inter)national collaboration at ELSA, I have connected with inspiring people from across Europe, each bringing different cultural backgrounds and legal perspectives. These encounters have helped me broaden my own perspective and think outside the box. There is usually not just one path to a solution, and both the practice of legal professions and the various legal systems can vary significantly from country to country. My experiences at ELSA have also taught me that we lawyers sometimes take rules a bit too seriously and should remember to think practically as well.

Do you have any tips or strategies for other students who need to balance multiple responsibilities?

Organization is key! Once you have to balance multiple commitments, a detailed plan is essential. It is important to structure and prioritize the various tasks at hand. Especially when you do not have fixed working hours, as is often the case with ELSA or studying, it can be helpful to allocate specific time slots for different activities and reserve them in your calendar. For example, you might schedule a fixed time slot for answering emails from 8 am to 10 am on Tuesdays before your lecture starts at 10 am.

Additionally, you should be aware in advance of the commitments you are making. Especially in volunteer work, you should only take on as much as you can handle. It is only possible to be involved in multiple organizations or have various part-time jobs as long as you can fulfill all the tasks you have committed to.

Finally, communication with your colleagues is crucial. As long as you inform your team about when you might have less capacity and when you can take on more, you can better organize and support each other within the team.

What advice do you have for students interested in a leadership position in student organizations?

As the president of a student organization, the association you lead occupies an important place in your life. Therefore, you should be genuinely motivated for your role and willing to invest a lot of time and energy into the association.

It is equally important to transfer this motivation to your team members. In volunteer work, and particularly in student organizations, you should be aware that team members are still studying and may also have to work. The time and effort they dedicate to the association are voluntary. Therefore, it is crucial that they enjoy the work. Being passionate about the cause, leading by example, and motivating the entire team is, in my opinion, essential for a leadership position in a student organization.

Thank you for the fascinating insights into ELSA's association life. We wish you all the best on your future journey.

_{Translated by AI}