Léon brings a mix of precision and realism: deep legal craft, but always with an eye on how arguments will actually land. Calm in a crisis, and candid about what the job really requires.
Q:
What did your first big case teach you?
In my first case I had a watertight legal argument. The partner overseeing it said I’d still lose because it didn’t lead to a reasonable outcome. I didn’t believe that could matter: don’t courts just apply the law? Sure enough, the point was lost (even if the case was won). Lesson learned: law in the books is only part of what determines outcomes.
Q:
What did you misunderstand as a junior lawyer?
I thought being smart was enough. Now I know that’s only the start: the better lawyer is almost always the one willing to put in the most work. 5% inspiration, 95% perspiration is not only for artists and athletes after all….
Q:
When a client calls in crisis, what’s your first move?
Reassure the client and make them feel we will do whatever it takes to solve the situation. Then I call my wife and tell her I’ll be home late.
Q:
A sentence you say when pressure is highest?
It’s a cliché, but it works: “keep calm and carry on. We have your back”.
Q:
How do you keep cross-border teams aligned?
I speak with colleagues daily via email or Teams, but nothing substitutes meeting in person. Real-life conversations create the bonds that make collaboration at a distance actually work.
Q:
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you be doing?
A press photographer. Law teaches you how the world works indirectly; being at the forefront of the news would excite me in the same way. I have great respect for journalists who help us understand what’s happening — sometimes risking their lives to uncover what others prefer to keep hidden.