For a number of years, Brynjar Østgård, from Tromsø, has graced himself with a number of different positions in the Bar Association. Or whether it is the association that has adorned itself with Østgård – it is not good to say. In any case, it has been a kind of coexistence, and that has now come to an end.
Recently, Østgård stepped down as leader of the Troms Bar Association’s district, marking the end of more than eleven years as a shop steward in the association.
– I think it’s eleven years anyway – I don’t remember what it was like, he admits.
He sits at the bar at the dim and homely Amtmandens in Tromsø. The venue invites low shoulders, which basically suits Østgård well – despite the fact that he towers almost two meters above the ground.
Skravla leaves, and he talks about the association life he has been so involved in. Advokatbladet listens.
A champion of the free lawyer
– After my years in the Representative Council, there are two things in particular that I am particularly pleased to have been a part of, he begins.
Those who know Østgård would probably have guessed correctly that the first concerns precisely the law on lawyers and his eternal hobby – the independence of lawyers.
– I myself feel that I was able to highlight the independence of the legal profession for the Bar Law Committee, which was set up a few years ago. It meant something to be able to have a hand in the game at this particular point, even if what we actually managed to achieve is perhaps limited.
Østgård has always been a keen skeptic of the Advocates Act.
– It can give the impression that the independent lawyer was created by the state, and I think that is wrong. Basically, we derive our existence from civil society, and we must hold on to this independence. The more you regulate and institutionalize our work – the more independence is challenged, he explains.
– Many still seem to be so satisfied that we have finally got our own lawyer’s act. I know I’m a rather lonely swallow here, he admits.
Østgård’s second milestone is linked to the Board of Representatives itself – the Bar Association’s highest body.
– I got through an amendment to the articles of association which means that the Representative Council now has a working committee that leads the body and the meetings that are organised. Before the change came, I experienced the Representative Office as a half-asleep sand-spreading body. The intention was therefore that this should be a measure to revitalize the Representative Council as the Bar Association’s highest body, and I feel that we have succeeded in that, he says.
The father of perks
Østgård lights up as he recalls yet another personal milestone.
– Before, it was actually the case that the Board of Representatives was not automatically invited to the Bar Association’s annual speech. Than that! I brought it up with Merete Smith: “It is not right that members of the Bar Association’s highest body should not be invited to the Annual Speech!”
– Then it was changed, and since then I have been a permanent fixture at the Grand Hotel, he smiles.
After all, it must be a bit of a luxury to be a shop steward, he adds.
– Plus it is a kind of recognition that the Representative Council is the highest body. Then it is natural that we are present. So it’s not just that Brynjar Østgård likes nice dinners!
– Two things can be true at the same time, right?
– Fine dinners are a positive side effect, Østgård winks.
A rewarding association life
Last year was the last time he participated in the Årstalen.
– I will actually miss that. And everything else too, to be honest. It is really rewarding to have a position of trust. It’s incredibly fun to meet so many cool people, and not least to get to work with them. We have a general secretary who fulfills his role in a great way – who is visible, strong and clear. And we have a secretariat which is always helpful and positive, and which makes the job as a shop steward much easier, he says.
Østgård reacts with optimism when Advokatbladet shares the news that Thommessen partner Siri Teigum has been appointed as the new head of the Norwegian Bar Association after Jon Wessel-Aas.
– I think that is very positive. Firstly, because it contributes to the large law firms becoming part of the community to a greater extent, and that it perhaps demolishes the image that the association is “not for them”. Secondly, because Teigum has a lot of experience and is incredibly skilled.
– In fact, I also think it can help our fight for an increased legal aid rate if there is a business lawyer who stands in the breach. The fact that she takes part in this fight, even if she is not personally affected by it, can represent an important weight, points out Østgård.
Burning passion for the law
– Now that you have finished your position of trust, what will you do with the time you have to spare?
– It will probably go to office work, I know myself right.
– If free time offers first, what do you do then?
– Well, what do I do in my spare time, really? Good question. The children are adults, and I guess I don’t have any hobbies that immediately stand out. Apart from the fact that I am very fond of reading – I even read non-fiction for pleasure. I am passionately interested in law and think it is so funny. Preferably slightly older literature that deals with more basic and principled issues, he explains.
He recently acquired the six-volume work that was published on the occasion of the Constitution’s bicentenary – a purchase that probably illustrates his interest in literature.
– On the floor at home, I have several stacks of books that I read a little here and there. I never read books from A to Z. Either I get bored, or something else is suddenly more exciting.
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No rainy days
Although Østgård describes the law as his life’s great passion, this passion has also come with a price. An estimated staggering number of working hours.
– I will probably say to myself on my last day that “Brynjar, you sat in the office too much in your time”, and then I will nod and acknowledge that “well, I probably did”. I can live with that. And die with.
He takes a break. Greets passing guests – shouts “hello” and seems to be on a first name basis with most people. Soft and bone-hard at the same time. Conservative but open. Charismatic, with a voice that carries through Amtmanden’s. Kav North Norwegian.
“Hello, Rode, come in and have a glass!”.
Suddenly he is back on track. He continues:
– You can ask yourself: Should you be dissatisfied?
– I have chosen a subject that interests me as much after forty years as when I started. I have a profession that is interesting and varied. I earn so well that I manage well. I have good health and a good mood. I have two healthy children who are doing well. I have a boyfriend and a cat. I have a settled relationship with my ex-wife. Then you really can’t complain.
“Age is just a number”
Østgård stretches out his arms, points and illustrates:
– If you line up the entire world’s population in a row from those who have the worst to those who have the best, then I stand right up there. When life is put into perspective, I guess I don’t really have any rainy days.
Except for May 14th, mind you. Then Østgård turns sixty-five.
– It is not natural. It goes against my whole personality!
