Building connections and promoting dual-skill career paths: Tom Combier’s commitment to Lawdencia Club

Originally from the Toulouse area, Tom Combier joined Audencia for the pre-master’s year of the Grande École Program with a clear goal in mind: to develop dual expertise in law and business. Very quickly, he and three classmates realized there was a need for a space to bring together students interested in legal careers. From this observation, Lawdencia Club was born, a new student organization dedicated to making law more accessible within the school and promoting students’ legal career paths.

Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your educational background? 

Before coming to Audencia, I attended an ECG (General Economics and Business) preparatory program in Saliège, near Toulouse. It was during my prep program that I discovered a genuine interest in literature, geopolitics, and diplomatic issues. This interest led me to pursue a career combining law and business, which is why I chose to enroll at Audencia to pursue a dual-degree program focused on these fields.

What inspired you to create Lawdencia Club? 

There are four of us co-founders, three of whom are enrolled in the dual-degree program in law and business. We started with a simple observation: there was no association dedicated to these students, even though the legal aspect is increasingly intertwined with business careers. There are approximately 350 Audencia alumni currently working in the legal sector. That’s a significant number, but one that hasn’t received much attention. 
We wanted to create a space to bring these students together, inform them, and support them, while offering them an association that fits with a demanding program like the dual-degree track. 

What process did you have to follow to set up this association? 

Since we had to start from scratch, we began in September by contacting Audencia’s administration to understand the steps involved. Next, we had to give several presentations on the project from different angles, and then appear before a committee made up of members of the administration. Then, the presidents of the existing associations had to vote on the creation of Lawdencia Club. 
Finally, we handled all the external administrative procedures, particularly those involving the prefecture. It was a great learning experience, almost like starting a small business! 

What is Lawdencia Club’s mission, and what are the goals of your term? 

Lawdencia Club’s primary mission is to make the legal field more accessible at Audencia and to demonstrate that it is a viable and exciting career path following the Grande École program. We also aim to strengthen ties between students and alumni in the legal sector. 
We will also offer educational content to inform students about everyday legal issues, such as signing a lease. A legal newsletter is one of our flagship projects. 
Our term also aims to organize a networking event with “legal alumni” and to develop a mentoring program to support current students pursuing this dual-track program. 

What departments make up the association, and what are their responsibilities? 

The association is organized into four complementary departments that form the backbone of its operations: 
•    The Events Department is responsible for organizing the alumni night and offering various activities, such as trips to the Nantes courthouse to attend public hearings.  
•    The Communications Division manages the newsletter, creates educational content, and promotes the association to students. 
•    The Outreach Division works to seek out partners and strengthen ties with alumni.  
•    The Education/Training Division is responsible for supporting dual-degree students through the creation of study groups and a mentoring system led by students further along in the program.

What message would you like to convey to students who might be reading this? 

For those hesitating to pursue a dual-degree program in law and business, I would say it’s a demanding but exciting path—one that’s highly rewarding and in great demand in the job market. 

For those who wish to start a club or launch a project that is close to their hearts: don’t hold yourself back. Even if things don’t work out, you always learn something. Every initiative is a valuable experience.

Find and contact the club via its Instagram account (@lawdencia_club).  

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