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Éric Dupond-Moretti

Éric Dupond-Moretti is a French lawyer and politician best known for serving as France’s Minister of Justice from 2020 to 2024.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Éric Dupond-Moretti is a French lawyer and politician best known for serving as France’s Minister of Justice from 2020 to 2024. Before entering government, he built a high-profile career as a criminal defence lawyer in Lille and Paris. Canadian readers may know him as a prominent French justice minister and criminal defence lawyer involved in major legal and political debates in France.

Born in Maubeuge in 1961, Dupond-Moretti trained as a lawyer and began practicing criminal defence in 1984. He became known for a long career in Lille before moving to the Paris bar in 2016. He founded the law firm Dupond-Moretti et Vey.

Political career

Dupond-Moretti entered government in July 2020 when he was appointed Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals. He remained in the role through several cabinet reshuffles until September 2024. He served under successive governments led by Jean Castex, Élisabeth Borne, and Gabriel Attal.

Public profile

As a defence lawyer, he became widely known in France for handling high-profile criminal cases. Public sources describe him as one of the country’s best-known and most outspoken criminal lawyers.

Controversies

During his time as minister, he was placed under judicial investigation in 2021 in a case concerning alleged illegal conflict of interest, and later acquitted in 2023 according to secondary sources.

Key facts

  • Practiced as a criminal defence lawyer from 1984 before joining government.
  • Worked in Lille for about thirty years and later joined the Paris bar in 2016.
  • Appointed France’s Minister of Justice in July 2020 and held the post until September 2024.
  • Served under successive governments led by Jean Castex, Élisabeth Borne, and Gabriel Attal.
  • Founded the law firm Dupond-Moretti et Vey.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know him as a prominent French justice minister and criminal defence lawyer involved in major legal and political debates in France.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Éric Dupond-Moretti?
He is a French lawyer and politician who served as France’s Minister of Justice from 2020 to 2024.
When was Éric Dupond-Moretti born?
He was born on 20 April 1961.
What was his profession before politics?
He was a criminal defence lawyer, starting his legal career in 1984.
Which governments did he serve under as justice minister?
He served under the governments of Jean Castex, Élisabeth Borne, and Gabriel Attal.
Where did he practice law?
He worked in Lille for about thirty years and later joined the Paris bar in 2016.

References

  1. Gouvernement françaishttps://www.info.gouv.fr/personnalite/eric-dupond-moretti
    Supports: Birth date and place, legal career start, Lille practice, Paris bar membership, and ministerial service dates.
  2. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89ric_Dupond-Moretti
    Supports: Overview of his career as lawyer and Minister of Justice from 2020 to 2024.
  3. Galahttps://www.gala.fr/stars_et_gotha/eric_dupond-moretti
    Supports: Career highlights, high-profile cases, ministerial appointments, and reported departure from office.
  4. La Croixhttps://www.la-croix.com/France/Politique/eric-dupond-moretti
    Supports: Appointment as justice minister and continuation through later governments.
  5. Grands Avocatshttps://www.grands-avocats.com/avocats/eric-dupond-moretti/
    Supports: Biographical details on his legal career and reputation.
  6. YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AlDN_TLfxA
    Supports: Public profile as a well-known criminal defence lawyer and reactions to his appointment.