In Marseille, the SBL firm wants to offer a transversal approach to business law
As we previously announced, the Paris firm Schmidt Brunet Litzler (SBL), specializing in business law, has just created a branch in Marseille, located at 6 cours Pierre Puget, in premises shared with another law firm. At the head of this new firm, which covers the entire southern region, Master Marie André Nivet. Born in Marseille, she initially practiced at the Parisian headquarters, from 2010, before registering with the Marseille bar in December 2021. After several administrative formalities, SBL was able to formalize the opening of her practice on March 23. Currently the only permanent partner in Marseille, Me Marie André-Nivet provides the link with the other partners of the group and has the mission of developing SBL’s Marseille clientele. A first step, which calls for broader development in the Southeast over the next few months. Maintenance.
Gomet’: Marseille is the only city where SBL is physically present apart from Paris. Why did you choose to set up in Marseille?
Marie-André Nivet: First, we already had several clients in the South, notably in Marseille, Aix or Toulon. The advantage of having an office on site makes it possible to visit them directly. The human link is very important for SBL, in order to know the activity of our customers, mainly companies, and to realize their problems. It is also a way to create a bond of trust.
“There is an unrivaled entrepreneurial dynamism in the region, in sectors as varied as boating, fashion, jewelry and catering”
Me Marie André Nivet
Even before formalizing the creation of the antenna, I already make round trips between Paris and Marseille. In the end, I wanted to return to my hometown and that coincided with SBL’s desire to recreate a branch in the South. Because historically, there has already been one! In 2015, the firm, which was then called Schmidt-Brunet, formed an economic interest group with other law firms. This group then separated… We missed this link in the South. There is an unparalleled entrepreneurial dynamism in this region, in various fields such as boating but also fashion, jewelry or even catering… Finally, Marseille is an important jurisdiction: the Commercial Court has particular jurisdiction in business law .
For the moment, you are alone in the Marseille cabinet. How do you manage this whole area?
MAN : I am physically alone but I am in constant contact with the four other partners: Audrey Tannou, Delphine Brunet, Philippe Schmidt and Bénédicte Litzler. Each of us has his own speciality: for my part, it is intellectual and industrial property law. When a client consults me on a question, for example, of social or tax law, I put him in touch with one of my colleagues in the Paris firm. Partners can travel from Paris to come, if necessary.
Space should not be a constraint. Our ambition is to offer a transversal approach to business law, to support our clients throughout their legal journey since the creation of their company, whether on the social, tax, intellectual, commercial or personal data level. This is what tells us: it is rare for a firm to cover all aspects of a discipline.
Are you considering recruitment?
MAN : Yes. Recruitment of collaborators and staff is planned to forge a solid team that would take care of this entire South-East zone. She will be added to the 20 people who were already working in Paris because even if there are two physical entities, the SBL firm remains a unit. On the other hand, there are currently no plans to integrate another partner at this time. At SBL, one generally becomes a partner after several years in the firm, when a bond of trust has been activated.
You are part of the international network of MSI accountants and lawyers, which covers 100 countries. Who is it ? How does setting up in Marseille strengthen your presence in this network?
“50% of our customers are international”
Me Marie André Nivet
MAN : 50% of SBL’s clientele and activities abroad. We are present in many countries. The advantage of being part of networks such as MSI or Intra (international network of lawyers in intellectual property law) allows you to be in contact with colleagues from all over the world. Thus, when one of our clients encounters a problem that crosses borders, we can contact these trusted colleagues to take stock of the legislation in their country, for example. The goal is to show the client that we can centralize everything internally, without having to allow two different firms, sometimes on two different continents. This also sets us apart from other business firms. Strengthening our presence in the South of France allows us to broaden our offer for both local and international customers. Finally, the watchwords of SBL’s strategy are as follows: internationalization, centralization and transversality.
Useful links :
> SBL’s website
> [Télex éco] Raedificare, Kawa, Citeo, SBL, Cuadra Scoping chorus
> News from businesses in the region in our economy section