Welcome
As a US-based fully qualified German lawyer with a substantial global network, I support companies of all sizes and industries in the variety of their international business activities.

is of utmost importance to all companies. Increasing European regulations on Privacy, Data, AI, and the Digital Economy in general require international tech companies to comply irrespective of a local presence. With more than 30 years of experience in Europe and the US, I guide US businesses referring their international regulatory compliance and support focused incident responses.
can be complicated but doesn't have to be. US companies are often challenged by the comprehensive legal framework they are confronted with when expanding overseas. Having advised hundreds of companies on international law, I provide solid and practical solutions for their expansion and the international law topics associated with doing business in Europe.
are key for successfully doing business internationally. Finding the relevant contacts can be difficult but is decisive for business success. I leverage my substantial international network, in particular in Europe and the US, thereby helping companies and people build the business relations they need for achieving their international goals.
REGULATORY
COMPLIANCE
INTERNATIONAL
EXPANSION
BUSINESS RELATIONS
Special
Focus

CMS will join forces with various international organizations and companies at these Tech Weeks. Stay tuned for news about the CMS events and meet me there.
News Stand
Germany
United States
International
Born and raised in Germany, I am a fully qualified German attorney and a Certified Specialist Lawyer for IT Law. I have over 20 years of working experience in top-tier European law firms in Germany advising mostly international clients, in particular US tech companies.

Re-located to Silicon Valley and San Francisco for more than 11 years, I have successfully co-founded and scaled the first US offices of three major international law firms. Together with my international teams, I provide on-the-ground European legal expert support for US companies.
Having lived and worked in Germany, Switzerland, Canada, and the US, I consider myself truly international. I hold executive positions, am an elected member of leading German-American business organizations, and substantially engage in international partnerships.
About Me
I am passionate about fostering international relationships. Besides being a partner of the international law firm CMS in our Silicon Valley representative office, exclusively working on multijurisdictional topics, I am an elected member of several German-American organizations and have assumed leading positions in some of them to support the friendship between my home countries Germany and the USA.



Heidelberg
Club
International




Truly
International
Chairman of the
Board of Directors
An active community of leaders and professionals from large international companies, SMBs, start-ups, and service organizations to foster German-American business.
Member of the central Executive Committee
The vibrant association of over 2,500 members from law, industry, and society promoting and cultivating interest in US and German law and their intersections.
Member of the Board of Advisors
Bringing together the most seasoned thought leaders in the areas of privacy and security law by delivering hands-on activities and practical takeaways.
USA | Germany | since 2022
USA | Germany | since 2025
Washington D.C. | since 2020
Member of the Executive Board
The premier organization for C-Suite leaders in Silicon Valley, providing community, connections, and thought leadership to enable both personal and organizational growth.
Silicon Valley | 2020 - 2023
Board
Functions
I regularly speak at international conferences, lecture at universities in Germany and the US, and lead trainings. Topics include international trade, privacy and compliance, international AI regulations, European and US law developments, and international expansion.























Speaking
Engagements
Partner
CMS Representative Office, Inc.
2024 - Present
Mountain View, CA, USA
Establishing CMS’s first US office in Silicon Valley
Providing legal support to clients and business partners
Driving recognition of the CMS brand in the US
Partner
Bird & Bird
2018 - 2024
San Francisco, CA, USA
Co-founded Bird & Bird's first US office in San Francisco
Established Bird & Bird's strategy in the US market
Increased brand recognition and built partnerships

Partner
Taylor Wessing US
2014 - 2018
Menlo Park, CA, USA
Co-founded Taylor Wessing's first US office in Silicon Valley
Co-Head of Taylor Wessing's US group
Built and established Taylor Wessing's US strategy
Partner
Taylor Wessing Germany
2003 - 2014
Frankfurt/Main, Germany
Speaker of the German Partners' Board (2012 - 2014)
Managing Partner Frankfurt/Main office (2005 - 2009)
Built the Frankfurt/Main IT practice
Associate / Senior Associate
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
1998 - 2003
Frankfurt/Main, Germany
IP / IT Practice Group
Focused on Tech Transactions and Privacy
Seconded to Squire Sanders, San Francisco (2000 - 2001)
Associate
Clifford Chance
1996 - 1998
Frankfurt/Main, Germany
IP / IT Practice Group
Focused on Outsourcing and Tech Transactions
Fostered the Internet-Law practice
Assistant Professor
University of Trier
1994 - 1996
Trier, Germany
Lectured German Civil Law
Managed a team of research assistants
Lead researcher for Unfair Competition commentary






Substantial
Experience
Some Material
My
Business Picture
of the
Month
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