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

Dr. Niklas Richter · 2026-08-20

Nele Somers didn't start Artes Law because she wanted to follow the traditional path of a lawyer. She started it because she wanted to build something on her own terms, without compromising who she is. That decision, made in 2018 when she was 34, has grown into a niche firm with offices in Antwerp and Hasselt, and big dreams for the future. Today, Artes Law specializes in intellectual property, technology, privacy, and cybersecurity. It's a space where many entrepreneurs unknowingly make costly mistakes. In a recent conversation, Nele broke down the most common legal pitfalls she sees—and how you can avoid them. ### The Legal Mistakes You Don't Know You're Making Most business owners don't think about legal protection until it's too late. Nele sees this all the time. Here are the big ones: - **Trademark timing**: You should register your brand name early. Waiting even a few months can mean losing the rights to someone else who files first. - **Freelancer work ownership**: If you hire a freelancer to design your logo, you might not own it. Without a written agreement transferring rights, the creator retains ownership. - **Trade secrets after departure**: When an employee leaves, your confidential information can walk out the door with them. Non-disclosure and non-compete agreements are essential. - **Shadow AI**: This is AI that employees use without company approval. It's a growing risk because it can leak sensitive data or create legal liabilities you don't know about. Nele explains these issues in plain language, making them easy to understand even if you're not a legal expert. The goal is to help you protect your business before problems arise. ### Building a Team and Culture That Works But the conversation wasn't just about legal advice. Nele also shared what it's like to run a business her way. Building a team and creating a culture where people actually want to work isn't easy—she calls it a bit of a utopia sometimes. Still, she's committed to it. She also talked about her own journey, including the five years she spent earning a PhD while working full-time and raising young children. She calls that her worst investment, not because it wasn't valuable, but because it cost her so much time and energy. She carried impostor syndrome for years, doubting herself even as she built a successful firm. ### Why She Refuses to Dim Her Light One of the most striking things Nele said was that she refuses to make herself smaller, even for the legal profession. That's a powerful stance in a field that often values conformity. She believes you can be both a serious professional and your authentic self. When asked what advice she'd give herself starting over, she didn't hesitate: "Don't be so insecure. You know more than you think." It's simple, but it's the kind of advice that resonates with anyone who's ever doubted their own capabilities. ### What You Can Take Away Whether you're just starting out or running an established business, there's a lot to learn from Nele's story. She's proof that you can build a successful career without sacrificing who you are. And her practical legal insights could save you from expensive mistakes down the road. If you're an entrepreneur, take a moment to review your own legal protections. Ask yourself: Is my brand trademarked? Do I own the work my freelancers create? What happens to my data when an employee leaves? These questions might feel uncomfortable, but they're essential for long-term success. Nele's journey shows that with the right mindset and preparation, you can build something meaningful—on your own terms.