A lawyer in France who speaks your language
Advice, negotiation and litigation in civil and business law
Book an appointmentYour lawyer in civil and commercial law.
A single point of contact, concrete solutions.
Whether you are an entrepreneur or an individual,
I defend your interests with rigour and proximity — from advice to litigation.
Practice areas
By your side, whether you are an individual or a professional
Civil law
Civil law lies at the heart of society and covers, among other things, property law, leases, civil liability, construction law and consumer law.
Business law
Business law, or commercial law, governs the life of the company as well as all relationships between companies or between companies and their clients.
GDPR, AI and digital
With unique experience implementing ISO/IEC 27001 projects and integrating compliance frameworks in the digital world, the firm can help you achieve compliance and best cover your risks.
In practice, this could cover:
Contract law
From drafting to negotiation, I secure your commercial and civil contracts — and defend you if a dispute arises.
Construction law
I support clients, contractors and individuals at every stage of a project, and enforce your rights in the event of defects or delays.
Debt recovery
Formal notice, amicable settlement or court proceedings: I act quickly to recover the sums owed to you.
Civil liability and litigation
When damage occurs, I defend your interests before the civil courts and in reaching an amicable settlement.
Property and real estate law
Purchase, sale, leases, co-ownership or easements: I secure your real estate transactions and resolve your disputes.
Consumer law
I protect consumer rights and bring companies' commercial practices into compliance.
GDPR, AI and digital compliance
GDPR compliance, data governance and the framing of AI use: I roll out practical compliance frameworks — policies, records, impact assessments.
The firm
Proximity, professionalism, ethics
Bart Smekens was sworn in as a lawyer before the Antwerp Court of Appeal in 2010, then before the Toulouse Court of Appeal in 2026.
After his master's in economic law (2009), Bart obtained two additional master's degrees in management (2010) and business law (2013). He pursued an international legal career in the construction, industrial and legal technology sectors. After passing the HEDAC aptitude exam in Versailles in 2025, he joined the Albi bar to put his rich experience at your service.
Fees
Transparency and predictability
Fixed fee + success fee
A global fee for the defined service, based on the foreseeable difficulty of the matter, supplemented by an optional additional fee calculated according to the result obtained (gain or saving achieved).
Hourly fee
Fees are calculated according to the time spent and work performed, at an hourly rate set from the outset based on the complexity of the matter. A success fee may be added.
Book an appointment
First 15-minute video or phone call free and without commitment
Book a video meetingOr contact the firm immediately
A clear answer as soon as possible
Frequently asked questions
How much does a first appointment cost?
The first 15-minute exchange (phone or video) is free and without obligation. It lets me understand your situation and outline the next steps.
Do you work remotely or must I come in?
Both. I receive clients at the office in Carmaux and also work by video call and telephone. Appointments at another location can also be arranged if needed.
In which languages can I be advised?
In French, Dutch, English and German — both written and spoken.
How are your fees set?
Transparently and agreed in advance: either a fixed fee, optionally supplemented by a success fee, or billing by time spent. You know what to expect from the outset.
How quickly will I get a reply?
I reply to new enquiries within 48 working hours. For urgent matters, it's better to call.
Do you use AI, and can I submit AI-generated documents to you for review?
Yes, you can — but not in preparation for the free first meeting, and only if you have taken into account the instructions in the attached document.