That’s what it says on my business card:

Attorney-at-law

Which areas of responsibility as a counsel are particularly important to you or do you particularly enjoy, especially in comparison to your time as an associate?

As counsel, you are – figuratively speaking – half a partner: you handle cases just as independently as a partner, but you have less entrepreneurial responsibility. Compared to my time as an associate, it’s a lot of fun to work on cases completely independently and to be the primary contact person for clients. I also always enjoy working with and training associates and trainee lawyers.

Was the position of counsel a conscious career goal for you?

Yes, that was definitely a conscious career goal for me, at least for the moment. I have three small children and believe that I can best fulfill my responsibilities as a lawyer and family man in the role of counsel. However, one of the most important points in Greenfort’s career planning is that no one is held in a role against their will. And who knows what will happen when the children are older. When—as is the case at Greenfort—all sides are interested in honest and lasting cooperation, anything is possible…

You work part-time and have taken parental leave—a combination that is not yet commonplace in the legal industry. How does Greenfort support you in balancing your career and family life?

In my view, two factors are crucial: great flexibility and genuine understanding. At Greenfort, we offer maximum flexibility in terms of working hours, meaning that every lawyer can work when and where they prefer. Of course, you have to attend court and client appointments on your own responsibility, but you don’t have to “sit out” a fixed time in the office. When the daycare center closes at noon again due to staff shortages or a child is sick, working from home and flexible working hours are worth their weight in gold. The understanding of colleagues and, in particular, partners is just as important. Everyone reacts positively when you have a sick child on your lap during a video conference, for example. Incidentally, working efficiently is also a trait that makes it much easier to balance work and family life.

What advice would you give to young professionals at Greenfort who are aiming for a career similar to yours?

I often encounter the misconception that it is difficult to balance work and family life in law firms, but easy in government agencies or legal departments. I cannot confirm this at all. I know many lawyers who work in government agencies or legal departments and have inflexible working hours and uninspiring tasks. For example, I start very early, but despite my 80% position, I spend at least three, usually four afternoons a week with my children. This level of flexibility in combination with exciting mandates is possible if you really try to balance your legal work with your family situation.