In 1996, I was the first apprentice at what was then Bruckhaus in Berlin to complete my apprenticeship as a legal and notary assistant. After successfully passing the exam, I was taken on as a permanent legal and notary assistant in 1999. A few years later, Freshfields gave me the opportunity to complete a further training programme to become a trained legal assistant. Since then, I have mainly carried out notary work. During my apprenticeship, I had already gained an extensive insight into things such as preparing deeds, co-ordinating appointments, the autonomous accounting of official certificates, the monitoring of deadlines and appointments for the entire Berlin office, and the preparation of notary audits. During my time at the notary’s office, I was responsible for selecting, supervising and training our apprentices, which I enjoyed very much. I have also had the opportunity of gaining an insight into other areas such as office management. In addition to my major tasks, I am a member of the Community Investment team. We are responsible for organizing the social projects that Freshfields participates in. People often ask me why I have stayed at the same firm for so long. The answer is this: my work is challenging, with highly responsible tasks and yet always varied. I appreciate the interaction and the chance to make a contribution with my professional, creative and organizational skills, and I feel supported and encouraged in this. I can do most of my work independently and I really appreciate that. I feel comfortable in a balanced environment with very different, open and appreciative colleagues and I look forward to further exciting tasks.

My “journey” through the world of the law firm began in 1981 when I started my apprenticeship as a legal and notary assistant at what is today known as Freshfields. During my apprenticeship at the time, I was already given intensive insights into an assistant’s work at an international law firm. Right from the very beginning, I was actively involved in everything that came up. After completing my apprenticeship, I was taken on as a secretary and was entrusted with the independent processing of dunning and enforcement proceedings. Later, I took over the role of secretary to a litigation partner. The work never became boring because, at the same time, I was temporarily assigned additional tasks (such as co-supervising our first computer system, training our legal and notary assistants in the lawyer’s department and was given responsibility for the cash-box). I have always appreciated this as a sign of the firm’s trust in me and in my abilities, the best motivation that you can have! Since 2005, I have been working as a Partner Assistant in the Finance practice group of our Frankfurt office, where I am responsible for two partners and several associates. We are an assorted crew and I feel very much at home in the team. The fact that we are an international combination certainly plays a major role. We all treat each other in an open-minded and friendly manner. The trust that is placed in me and my work here always gives me fresh motivation. And in addition, I am once again looking after our legal and notary assistants when they come here to get to know the role of a secretary.

In the summer of 2017, I started my dual apprenticeship as a legal and notary assistant at Freshfields. After passing the final exam at the start of 2020, I was taken on and am now working in the notary’s office at the Frankfurt location. During my apprenticeship, I was allowed to work in various departments in the firm, which meant I had the opportunity to get to know the various areas of jurisprudence, the in-house library and the notary’s office. It is three years of apprenticeship with the opportunity of taking the exam earlier. As part of the dual apprenticeship, I was given practical and theoretical training at the firm and at the vocational school. This included preparing written pleadings and documents, processing incoming and outgoing mail, monitoring deadlines and, above all, handling legal texts and their application. What I really appreciate about my work at Freshfields is the daily challenge which comes from handling a wide variety of cases in the areas of real estate law, commercial and corporate law. Here, I can satisfy my desire to work independently, which is why I was very pleased to be able to continue working for the firm after completing my apprenticeship.

I became interested in becoming a legal assistant very early on. While I was still at school, I completed various internships with a legal emphasis (for example, at a law firm as well as at the local and regional courts). The Hanseatic Bar Association originally drew my attention to Freshfields. They provide information about apprenticeships at law firms and notaries. I began my apprenticeship at the firm in 2000 and completed it after roughly two years. During my apprenticeship, I was able to take a look at almost every department. I was mainly trained in office management, secretarial work and bookkeeping, but I also worked in the reception and conference area, as well as in the library. After passing my final exams, Freshfields gave me a job in the Office Management department. And I am still there, working closely with everyone else in the office. In addition to space planning for the entire location, for example, I am responsible for distributing job tickets. My core tasks, however, are primarily in the field of personnel administration. After completing my apprenticeship as a foreign language correspondent, Freshfields gave me the opportunity to take part in further training programmes to become a trained legal assistant and HR officer. In my job, I especially appreciate working with the Office Management team, as well as the variety of my work. No two days are the same.