Baptiste Robelin & Laurent Bidault: building Novlaw Avocats from scratch

For this new episode of The Cheat Code, we welcomed Baptiste Robelin and Laurent Bidault, both founders of Novlaw Avocats. Their story covers risk-taking, work-life balance, and reflections on the role of AI in the legal profession.

Launching without clients, in the middle of a pandemic

Laurent has been a lawyer since 2014. In 2019, he had the idea to create his own firm, but Covid put everything on hold. It was then, however, that he met Baptiste, driven by the same ambition. Together, they decided to launch, literally starting from scratch, without any clients.

His message is clear: entrepreneurship isn't as daunting as it seems. With a bit of courage and the right tools, you can build something solid. He openly shares the lessons learned and challenges overcome along the way.

Achieving success without sacrifice

One of Baptiste's biggest challenges over the past five years has been balancing a demanding professional life with time for his loved ones. With young children, every evening becomes a struggle to switch off from work. He refuses the idea of later regretting having missed out on his personal life because of his venture.

He also applies this conviction to his management style. He encourages his team not to work every weekend, to avoid burnout. This approach might be surprising in the industry, but he stands by it: respecting work-life balance strengthens loyalty and makes the structure healthier. For him, knowing how to disconnect is a condition for success, not a hindrance.

AI in the firm: a production tool, not for critical thinking

The topic of safeguards is currently a central focus for Laurent, who plans to implement an AI charter within the firm. The impact of artificial intelligence on the profession concerns him.

He specifically mentions a disappointing experience with an intern who used AI to draft their correspondence, and questions the risk this poses for the learning of young lawyers. AI is a powerful tool for saving time, but he fears that new generations might lose their ability to think for themselves.

On a daily basis, the firm relies on AI for legal research or creating presentations. The red line, according to Laurent, is never to outsource one's critical thinking. AI must remain a production tool. His conviction: we must adapt and integrate it responsibly, without giving up on training young lawyers.

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A candid discussion on entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and the future of the profession. Find the full discussion on The Cheat Code by OURAMA.