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Christine Lagarde




Previous to her appointment as Minister of Finance, Lagarde was ranked the 30th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes Magazine The 100 Most Powerful Women in the World 2006 , Forbes.com. A noted antitrust and labour Lawyer , Lagarde made history as the first female chairman of the international law firm Baker & McKenzie .


BIOGRAPHY

Lagarde was born in . She later lectured there after graduating.

She has a post-graduate diploma ( DESS ) in Labour Law , a Master’s degree in English and a diploma from Holton-Arms School in Bethesda (USA).

She worked as an intern at the United States Capitol , as William Cohen 's congressional assistant.


BAKER & MCKENZIE

Lagarde joined Baker & McKenzie in 1981. In 1987, she was appointed partner. Four years later, she was elected Managing Partner of the Paris office.

Of the law firm, Lagarde said Baker & McKenzie is "a very democratic environment, which values people in terms of their work and their contribution." Think Tank: Women To Watch , EuropePWN.com

She joined the executive committee in 1995 and was elected Chairman in 1999. She implemented a 'client first' mentality and saw a 30 percent rise in the firm's profits during her tenure. She was reelected Chairman in 2002.


MINISTERIAL CAREER

As France's Trade Minister between 2005 and May 2007, Lagarde prioritized opening new markets for the country's products, focusing on the technology sector. On 18 May 2007 , she was moved to the Ministry of Agriculture as part of the government of François Fillon . Her finance portfolio in 2007 does not cover the Budget office. The following month she joined François Fillon's cabinet in the Finance Ministry to become the first woman to ever be in charge of economic policy in France.

She has made a controversial statement that France is a country that thinks too much, and that thinking prevents reforms to be implemented. New Leaders Say Pensive French Think too Much - NY Times


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