Services

My service offering is specifically tailored for in-house counsel in the United States and other non-European jurisdictions who require experienced and reliable guidance when entering or operating within Europe's complex legal landscape. I act as your strategic adviser, trusted general counsel, and coordinator of external legal services across Europe. My objective is to remove complexity, reduce uncertainty, and - most importantly - save you time and legal spend by enabling well-informed, efficient decisions from the outset.
 

Strategic Guidance 

Europe is characterized by a wide diversity of legal systems, regulatory frameworks, and legal cultures. While most European countries are market-based democracies with developed legal systems, the practical application of laws, regulations, and procedures can differ significantly from one jurisdiction to another. These structural differences frequently represent substantial barriers for foreign companies entering European markets. With more than 30 years of experience as a corporate attorney, in-house counsel and as a managing partner of an international law firm, I support you in developing effective and pragmatic market entry and operational strategies. This includes, in particular, identifying the most suitable and cost-effective legal resources for a given project or transaction, as well as assessing whether in-house capabilities should be established locally. My goal is to avoid costly missteps and to ensure that your legal operations in Europe are structured efficiently from the start.
 

General Legal Advice

When legal questions arise in unfamiliar jurisdictions, obtaining an initial, independent assessment from an experienced adviser is often critical before engaging external law firms and incurring significant costs. While modern AI-based tools can assist with specific legal research tasks, they cannot replace seasoned professional judgement grounded in decades of legal practice.

Although I am admitted to practice in Germany, I have also worked extensively in the United Kingdom and France and have spent most of my career advising on cross-border legal matters involving other European and overseas jusrisdictions. This international background enables me to provide well-balanced and commercially sound initial assessments even beyond German and European law. Where matters involve German or European antitrust, corporate or commercial law, I am frequently able to advise you directly, thereby reducing external legal fees. In all other cases, I assist you in defining the optimal approach and selecting the most effective path to resolution. 

Coordination of Local Counsel

Legal markets across Europe differ considerably - not only in substance, but also in working methods, billing practices, and professional culture. These differences can result in unexpected complexity, inefficiencies, and cost structures that diverge significantly from U.S. in-house expectations. Over three decades of international legal practice, I have built an extensive network of trusted first-class lawyers and experts across all relevant European jurisdictions. Drawing on this network, I support you by:

• Selecting the most suitable local counsel for each jurisdiction and matter;
• Negotiating commercially reasonable fee structures and avoiding customary "foreign client" premiums;
• Managing and coordinating local counsel to ensure quality, responsiveness, and alignment with your objectives; 
• Reviewing the invoices and ensuring adequate cost control.

This service allows you to delegate time-consuming coordination and oversight tasks to an experienced adviser who represents your interests, enabling you to focus on your core responsibilities while ensuring high-quality legal support at controlled cost levels throughout Europe.