CSV co-president Elisabeth Margue says working as a lawyer has taught her that you need to be able to provide evidence in an argument Library photo: Patricia Pitsch / Maison Moderne

CSV co-president Elisabeth Margue says working as a lawyer has taught her that you need to be able to provide evidence in an argument Library photo: Patricia Pitsch / Maison Moderne

Throughout the summer, Delano is interviewing people from Luxembourg political and public life about their first job and lessons learned. This week, co-president of the CSV Elisabeth Margue talks about learning on the job as a lawyer.

Margue studied at the Sorbonne in Paris and completed a Master of Laws (LLM) degree at the London School of Economics. She joined the CSV in 2007 and was chair of the party’s youth wing from 2016 to 2018, becoming vice-president under Frank Engel at the start of 2019.

With Engel’s resignation in March 2021, Claude Wiseler is elected the CSV’s new president and Margue currently serves as co-president. Outside of politics, however, the 32-year-old is a senior associate at law firm Arendt & Medernach.

What was your first job and how long did you do this job for?

I work as a lawyer in the dispute resolution practice area at Arendt & Medernach. I have been doing this job, which is actually my first job, for over six years now.

What’s your best/worst memory?

As a litigator you defend people’s and companies’ interests in court. You treat cases that impact your clients’ everyday life. I frequently have to deal with personal injury cases--following car accidents or surgery for example--in which the involved parties experience difficult physical or psychological situations, which can sometimes be hard for me as a lawyer. Winning a case for a client is, on the other hand, a truly rewarding moment.

What did you learn that helped your career further along the way?

I learned that proof matters. You can have the best arguments but your case is only as strong as the evidence you can submit to the court. At university, you spend a lot of time learning the basic principles, but you only learn the job when you come to apply the principles to your case.

What did you spend your first salary on?

I bought furniture for the apartment I was about to move in to.

Why did you quit? 

I never quit.