William Bourdon

William Bourdon, born in 1956, is a prominent French lawyer affiliated with the Paris Bar Association, specializing in criminal law, particularly in the areas of white-collar crime, communications law, and human rights. His legal career is marked by a strong commitment to advocating for victims of globalization and crimes against humanity. Since 1979, he has been a key figure at the law firm Bourdon Simoni Voituriez and has established himself as one of the leading international lawyers in his field.

Bourdon hails from a notable family; his father, Philippe Bourdon, was an engineer and manufacturer, while his grandfather, Pierre Bourdon, served as chief engineer at Michelin. His academic journey included attending Lycée Janson-de-Sailly and earning a master’s degree in private law from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, along with a degree from Sciences Po.

From 1994 to 2000, Bourdon held significant roles within the Fédération internationale des droits de l'homme, first as Under Secretary-General and later as Secretary-General. In 2001, he founded Sherpa, an organization dedicated to defending victims of economic crimes, where he continues to serve as president. His legal practice has seen him represent high-profile clients and organizations, including Transparency International and the Fédération des Congolais de la Diaspora.

Bourdon gained recognition in the 1980s for his defense of marginalized groups, including prostitutes in the Jobic affair. He has taken on numerous cases involving human rights violations, including those related to the Rwandan genocide, and has defended protestors and social activists. Notable cases include representing Sud-PTT unionist Cyril Ferez during a controversial protest and defending André Barthélemy against charges related to civil disobedience. His work has left a significant mark on the landscape of human rights law in France and beyond.