Benjamin Desaint is a Founding Partner and CEO at FACTORHY Avocats, bringing extensive expertise as a lawyer specializing in labor law, with a focus on social security and social protection law. His practice caters to a diverse clientele, including Very Small Enterprises (VSEs), Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), and large accounts. Benjamin serves as the Vice-President of at CPME 92, and a formal industrial tribunal advisor in Nanterre during 4 years.
Prior to establishing FACTORHY Avocats, Benjamin initiated his professional journey in the corporate sector as the Head of Legal and Social Affairs France within the German METRO Group. Over time, he honed his expertise in employment and labor law, exclusively representing employers. By 2014, he ascended to a partnership position at his previous firm. Benjamin also undertakes governance roles in various HR associations and employer organizations, in addition to fulfilling teaching responsibilities in his field. His multifaceted background showcases a comprehensive understanding of legal and social intricacies within the business landscape.
User-Friendly Solutions
FACTORHY Avocats stands out as a prominent firm specializing in employment and labor law in France, according to Benjamin. The firm prides itself on providing high-quality services to clients with a strong emphasis on building robust relationships and offering strategic support. The team’s commitment to innovation is evident through the introduction of SECURHITY software, a tool designed for the comprehensive, secure, and user-friendly management of professional risks. This innovative approach reflects FACTORHY Avocats’ dedication to delivering cutting-edge solutions and enhancing the overall client experience in the field of employment and labor law.
Leadership Journey
Benjamin believes that as a business leader, continual growth and development require the courage to make decisions, even if it means taking a less-than-ideal path. Leadership, in his view, involves pushing boundaries, maintaining momentum, and staying attuned to market dynamics and client needs, followed by decisive action.
Leading by example for teams and partners is crucial, with a focus on achieving impeccable standards in growth, investment, and project execution. This approach is seen as essential for maintaining credibility and providing inspiration. A key aspect of this leadership journey is the ability to bring people along, fostering a shared vision and collective effort.
According to Benjamin, many emerging business leaders today may lack this combination of audacity, vision, and exemplary conduct, which is vital for navigating the complexities of modern business environments and inspiring meaningful change.
Reflection on Managing Significant Growth
According to Benjamin, the most significant barrier in his career was the risk associated with founding FACTORHY Avocats. Looking ahead, he envisions significant growth for the firm in the next five years, with plans to expand internationally and increase the number of lawyers and staff. This expansion is driven by a combination of the firm’s law practice and innovative HR solutions.
The primary challenge Benjamin identifies has been effectively managing this growth, which is reflected in the substantial increase in the team size from 35 to over 130 members. Navigating and planning for further expansion, both within France and abroad, poses a complex and dynamic challenge for the organization. Despite the challenges, Benjamin’s vision underscores the commitment to sustained growth and innovation for FACTORHY Avocats in the coming years.
Leadership in Action
In his role as Founder and CEO, Benjamin shoulders various responsibilities such as strategic planning, growth management, and overseeing legal operations at FACTORHY Avocats. One of the most fulfilling aspects of his position is witnessing the team thrive, expand, and consistently deliver exceptional results.
When it comes to hiring new team members, Benjamin emphasizes key traits that align with the organization’s values and vision. He looks for individuals with a future-oriented mindset, valuing not only task completion but also a focus on identifying opportunities for success. Autonomy, creativity, and the ability to think freely and propose innovative solutions are traits that he considers essential for potential team members. This approach underscores the importance of fostering a forward-thinking and dynamic team culture within FACTORHY Avocats.
Technological Transformation
Benjamin identifies the most significant change in the legal services landscape as a shift towards a more strategic and technical approach, with technology playing a crucial role in enhancing service quality and efficiency. He acknowledges that new technologies have become integral to daily operations as corporate advisors. In the recruitment process, emphasis is placed on individuals who embrace these technologies rather than fear them.
According to Benjamin, the legal profession has evolved beyond a focus on legal omniscience. He advocates for a role that involves strategic, engineering-like guidance, moving beyond being merely a source of knowledge. This shift is reflected in the revenue trends of many law firms, indicating the challenge they face in adapting to this change.
While embracing tools like OpenAI, Benjamin asserts that this doesn’t diminish the role of attorneys; instead, it brings them closer to enhanced data recovery and utilization—a form of ‘augmented attorney.’ However, he emphasizes that what truly makes a good lawyer is the ability to make decisions among various options, shaped by years of experience and a nuanced understanding. This decision-making skill, often referred to as ‘experience,’ is a uniquely human attribute that technology can support but not fully replace, especially in areas like social law where complex human factors are at play.
Efficiency through Innovation
Benjamin aspires to make significant improvements in three areas that impact society, technology, and people’s lives. He strives to enhance legal techniques, focusing on ongoing research and development across his organization. His goal is to elevate expertise and service quality for clients. Additionally, Benjamin aims to simplify professional risk management through tools like SECURHITY, utilizing technology to make processes more efficient for businesses.
Dedicated to fostering high-level service, Benjamin innovates within the legal industry by introducing premium offerings. His vision is to set new standards and contribute to the advancement of legal practices and overall service quality.
Strategic Foresight
Benjamin’s vision for FACTORHY Avocats is centered on accelerating the firm’s growth, particularly in international markets. This strategic vision involves expanding the firm’s global footprint by opening offices abroad, such as in Montreal. The approach includes leveraging the combined strengths of FACTORHY’s law firm activities and innovative HR solutions to drive growth and establish a more prominent presence on the international stage. This expansion plan reflects Benjamin’s commitment to positioning FACTORHY Avocats as a key player in the legal and HR services landscape on a global scale.
