Guillaume de Fréminville, business lawyer and founding partner of Rondot Eychène Fréminville, shares his journey from university to running his own firm. He tells us about his entry into the profession, the challenges he faced and the key elements that have shaped his approach to business law.
Becoming a lawyer was not an obvious choice for Guillaume de Fréminville. He turned to law out of curiosity, without having a clear vision of the profession. It was only through his studies and his first experiences that he became aware of his attraction to the profession. ‘My father used to call me a lawyer’, in reference to his precocious taste for debate and negotiation. But at lycée, he struggled to find his place. That all changed when he entered law school. He discovered a world that captivated him and realised that he had to adapt his working methods if he was to excel.
Instead of attending lectures, he focused on studying texts and doing in-depth work in tutorials. ‘My first semester was average, but then I changed my approach and my grades went up’. His academic career then took off without a hitch: a bachelor's degree at the Université Paris II Panthéon-Assas, followed by an exchange at Oxford University. ‘At Oxford, the teaching is totally different. The classes are interactive, and the teachers assume that you have already assimilated the basics. You get straight into critical analysis, and that's what fascinated me. On his return to France, he decided to further his education with a Master 2 in general private law at La Sorbonne, before taking an LLM in international arbitration at the London School of Economics.
Guillaume de Fréminville discovered the world of law firms during his first internships. ‘I quickly realised that legal advice wasn't for me. What I liked was strategy, confronting arguments, and litigation offered that’. He started at Clifford Chance, then joined Freshfields to specialise in international arbitration. In the end, however, he chose to focus on commercial and corporate litigation, which he found more varied and dynamic. ‘What I love is the opportunity to turn a case around. It's not just a question of law, it's a question of strategy.’ Intellectual curiosity is essential for him. ‘You have to be able to look beyond the obvious. A good lawyer is not content with the facts given by his client, he explores all possible avenues.’
After several years in renowned law firms, Guillaume decided to take things a step further by co-founding : Rondot Eychène Fréminville. ‘I've always had an entrepreneurial DNA. At some point, it just seemed natural to set up my own business. Setting up a law firm involves much more than simply practising law. ‘Management, recruitment, business development - it's all up to us. But the freedom that brings is incomparable. He stresses the importance of choosing the right partners. ‘You don't go into partnership with a friend, but with partners who share the same values and the same vision of the profession.
The first few years are a real challenge. You have to build up a clientele, manage the administration of a practice and make your mark in a highly competitive market. They learn to navigate these different responsibilities by developing prospecting strategies and strengthening their professional network.
According to Guillaume, to be a good lawyer, several qualities are essential: Rigour: ‘Law is a demanding subject. The slightest approximation can be fatal’. Curiosity: ‘You have to look beyond appearances and understand the economic and human issues behind each case. Adaptability: ‘No two cases are alike. You have to be able to reinvent your approach each time. He also stresses the importance of relationships. ‘A good lawyer doesn't work alone. They have to know how to interact with clients, judges and colleagues to build effective strategies. Humility is also an essential quality. ‘Arrogance is a trap. A lawyer should never set out with certainties, but with questions.
Guillaume de Fréminville also attaches particular importance to ongoing training. He believes that lawyers must constantly update their knowledge to keep pace with changes in the law and client expectations. He warns against the illusion that clients will come naturally. ‘A lawyer has to learn very early on how to develop his or her network. It's not enough to be good technically; you also have to know how to make yourself visible. He recommends attending conferences, publishing articles and attending as many professional meetings as possible. ‘You don't build a network by being interested, but by being genuinely interested in others. Trust is built over the long term. He also shares his experience of developing a personal clientele. He talks about the importance of establishing a relationship of trust with his customers and understanding their specific needs. ‘A loyal customer is one who knows they can count on you, whatever the context.
Today, Guillaume sees his job from two angles: continuing to develop his practice and passing on his knowledge to young lawyers. ‘Watching my colleagues grow and become more independent is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. He regularly takes part in conferences and mentors young lawyers within his firm. His aim is to support them as they progress and to instil in them the values he holds dear: rigour, passion and commitment.
Combining passion, rigour and ambition, Guillaume de Fréminville embodies the new generation of business lawyers, combining technical expertise with a strategic approach to litigation.
Written by Luis Leclerc.
Comments