From trainee to department manager, a journey of trust

Meet Matthieu Quitté, head of the legal department. Won over by the quality of his duties and the atmosphere of his work environment, he has been pursuing his career at the university since his internship in 2019.

What I appreciate about the university and my job is the trust placed in me by the managers that allows me to take on a lot of responsibility and grow professionally

Matthieu Quitté

After graduating with a Master’s degree in Public Law and Litigation, Matthieu joined the university for a 4-month internship, which was extended into a one-year fixed-term contract. But his adventure at the University of Lille didn’t stop there!

In just 4 years, Matthieu has gone from trainee to head of the legal department, replacing the mentor who mentored him in the early days. ‘I benefitted, and still benefit, from great deal of trust placed in me by the managers. This means I can now take on a lot of professional responsibilities at my age’, confides the 29-year-old lawyer.

 

Litigation, but more than just that...

Cross-disciplinary activities are at the heart of what Matthieu does at the university. He receives, studies and litigates contentious cases in various fields, notably student life and human relations in the workplace.

But don’t be fooled into thinking that his day-to-day life is all about litigation. He provides legal advice and handling functional protection cases involving university employees. He also offers in-house training in drafting legal documents andacts.When necessary, Matthieu serves as the point of contact for law firms who deal with the university’s affairs.

‘What I like about this job is the opportunity to manage projects from A to Z, to be fully involved in them without being just one link in the chain’, says Matthieu, explaining what drives him.

 

A ‘stimulating’ job

In addition to the legal skills required to practice, Matthieu reveals that behavioural skills are just as essential. ‘Analytical skills, intellectual curiosity and a tenacious, competitive spirit are the keys to success in our line of work’.

Anticipation and strategy are the words that come up most often in exchanges with the lawyer, and rightly so. ‘This job requires preparation and long-term thinking. It’s essential to take a step back and not rush headlong into things’, explains Matthieu.

Although discreet about the details of the cases he handles, Matthieu says the job is pretty challenging. ‘Every victory, big or small, brings satisfaction to those who practise law’, he stresses.


What makes his day-to-day work particularly enjoyable is the friendly dynamic that reigns within his management team. ‘We have a lot of fun here, and that helps create a positive work environment’, he enthusiastically shares.