From associate to founder: Guillaume Leclerc's successful bet

In a new episode of the Le Cheat Code podcast we welcomed Guillaume Leclerc, a partner in business law. After eight years in practice he took a decisive turn: launching his own firm, Victoris Avocat.

In a single year his growth has been spectacular. His positioning is clear: to become the lawyer of commercial relationships. A specialisation he owns fully, and one that let him stand out quickly in a very competitive market.

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Finding your place, and owning it

What comes out of his path is the power of positioning. Rather than staying a generalist, Guillaume Leclerc chose a precise course: commercial law and business relationships. That strategic clarity shaped his communication, his client base and his image.

In the episode he goes back over the challenges of launching his firm: entrepreneurial solitude, the need to structure his offer, constant learning. Going out on your own is not a stroke of luck, it is a considered decision backed by real working discipline.

Succeeding means listening closely to your clients, understanding their business stakes and adapting your approach continuously. Law does not sell on technical skill alone, it sells on the concrete value it brings to businesses.

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Modernity, AI and ambition: the new generation of lawyers

Another key element of his growth: using modern tools, notably artificial intelligence. Far from seeing those technologies as a threat, Guillaume Leclerc sees them as levers of efficiency. Automating certain tasks, working faster, freeing time for strategic advice: that is how he sees their use.

But he insists on one essential point: technology replaces neither effort nor continuous training. Success rests on curiosity, rigour and the ability to change. Train, listen to the feedback, adjust the strategy, and above all do not be afraid to try.

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Being a lawyer also means being an entrepreneur

A central point of the conversation concerns mindset. For Guillaume Leclerc, becoming a lawyer does not only mean mastering the law: it also means taking on the posture of an entrepreneur.

His involvement in the association of business lawyers (ACE) follows that logic. He argues that the entrepreneurial mindset is indispensable in the profession. Many lawyers start out with no established client base, and the reality can be brutal. Yet with the right mentality those obstacles become stages.

He describes a highly structured personal discipline, a rigorous daily organisation and an ability to stay in the fight through the harder periods. Growing your client base, aiming for partnership or starting your own firm takes consistency and strategy. That mindset is not innate, but it can be worked on.

One message comes through clearly in what he says: success in modern law rests as much on the ability to run a business as on legal skill.