On February 17, 2026, a training session was held for the 2026 winners of the Paris Bar Incubator‘s legal tech support program.
The training focused on presenting the legal and ethical framework applicable to lawyers developing digital solutions, within the legal framework governing related and ancillary commercial activities of lawyers.
Paris Bar Incubator – 2026 Incubation Program
At the request of many entrepreneurial colleagues, the Paris Bar Incubator offers this training annually to all lawyers who have completed the IBP’s incubation program.
This program provides selected colleagues with a three-month intensive support program to help them move from idea to a functional solution, and potentially beyond. A maximum of four new projects will be selected to participate in the next session, which will take place from mid-April to mid-July 2026.
Participants will dedicate the equivalent of at least half their time to developing their legal startup alongside leading experts in the legal and judicial innovation ecosystem (coaching, workshops, and inspiring presentations, etc.), in accordance with the incubatees’ charter.
Legaltech for Lawyers – Related and Ancillary Business Activities of Lawyers
The training provided by Amaury Sonet (Valmy Avocats), former member of the Bar Council, and Pierre Xavier Chomiac de Sas (PCS Avocat) focused on presenting the following topics:
- Digitalization of the profession
- Business activities of lawyers
- Legal and ethical framework
- Structuring activities
- Structuring communication
As a reminder, the National Bar Council, in a resolution concerning exceptional business activities and the application of professional ethics to lawyers managing companies in 2023, reiterated the strict and full application of all ethical rules, particularly the National Internal Regulations (RIN), to lawyers developing business activities related to their profession.
This training provided an opportunity to exchange ideas with lawyers and answer all their technical and practical questions related to the development of their projects, many of which are based on AI solutions serving lawyers and their clients in various fields.
Lawyer Legal Tech – Legal & Ethical Framework
At the intersection of commercial and regulated activities of lawyers, the legal and ethical framework surrounding these activities requires particular attention. Indeed, the activity carried out by a dedicated commercial company involves the marketing of products and services that must be separate from the lawyer’s practice.
This falls under the exception to the principle of incompatibility of commercial activities carried out by lawyers.
The training clarified the ethical provisions specifically applicable to lawyers managing such structures: essential principles, conflicts of interest, communication rules, prohibition of fee-sharing and referral fees, professional secrecy, rules regarding the professional address, and conditions for searches.
Lawyer-led Legal Tech – Business Structuring & Communication
The discussions during the training clarified the conditions under which lawyer-led startups can be prepared and registered. Particular attention was paid to the corporate purpose outlined in the articles of association, which require all the necessary wording to avoid the potential invalidity of the company if its activities fall under the exclusive purview of lawyers.
The training continued with a discussion of the specific rules governing lawyer communication, both direct and indirect, as well as communication related to the activities of the associated and ancillary commercial company.
