She Built a Law Firm Her Way—and Now Teaches Entrepreneurs to Protect Themselves

Dr. Niklas Richter · 2026-08-20

### The Lawyer Who Refused to Fit the Mold Most lawyers follow a well-worn path: prestigious firm, long hours, climb the ladder. Nele Somers did something different. In 2018, at age 34, she walked away from convention to start Artes Law—a niche firm focused on intellectual property, technology, privacy, and cybersecurity. Her reason? She wanted to build something on her own terms, without compromising who she is. That decision paid off. Today, Artes Law operates offices in Antwerp and Hasselt, with ambitions to expand to Ghent and Leuven. Her goals are bold: a team of 30 people and revenue of $10.8 million (€10 million). But this isn't just a story about growth. It's about the journey—the mistakes, the doubts, and the hard-won lessons along the way. ### The Legal Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make Every Day In our conversation, Nele didn't hold back. She sees entrepreneurs making the same legal missteps repeatedly, often without realizing it until it's too late. Here are the big ones she highlighted: - **Trademark timing**: Many business owners wait years before registering their brand name. By then, someone else may have claimed it, forcing a costly rebrand. - **Logo ownership**: If you hire a freelancer to design your logo and don't sign a contract transferring the rights, the freelancer legally owns it. That means they could sell it to someone else or demand payment for continued use. - **Trade secret leaks**: When an employee leaves, your confidential information can walk out the door with them. Without proper non-disclosure agreements and exit protocols, you're exposed. - **Shadow AI**: This is the quiet risk. Employees are using AI tools like ChatGPT without company approval, feeding sensitive data into systems you don't control. Nele calls it a ticking time bomb for many businesses. These aren't exotic problems. They're everyday realities for anyone running a company. The good news? Most are preventable with the right legal groundwork. ### Building a Team and Culture That Works Beyond the legal advice, Nele's approach to leadership is refreshingly honest. She admits that creating a workplace where people genuinely want to be is sometimes a utopian goal. Yet she keeps trying. Her philosophy centers on authenticity. She refuses to disappear into a corporate persona, even in a profession known for stiff formality. That means showing up as herself—flaws, doubts, and all. It's a lesson many founders could take to heart: you don't have to become someone else to succeed. ### The Impostor Syndrome and the Doctorate She Regrets Nele's journey hasn't been smooth. For years, she carried impostor syndrome, constantly doubting whether she deserved her success. She also made what she calls her worst investment: spending five years earning a doctorate while working full-time and raising young children. The toll on her time and energy was immense, and in hindsight, she questions whether it was worth it. That kind of honesty is rare. Most entrepreneurs only share their wins. Nele shares the struggles too, which makes her advice all the more credible. ### Her Advice to Her Younger Self When asked what she'd tell herself starting over, Nele's answer is simple: "Don't be so insecure. You already know more than you think." It's a reminder that confidence often comes after action, not before. If you're waiting to feel ready, you might wait forever. Start where you are, protect your assets, and trust your instincts. For more episodes like this, subscribe and leave a five-star review if you find these conversations valuable. Special thanks to our partners: Teamleader, Victus Sales, and the BlackBird Buy-and-Build Class, which teaches entrepreneurs how to grow through acquisitions in just four days.