Field reports.
Lawyers
"When I was about to move from Bavaria to Schleswig-Holstein in 2012, Brock Müller Ziegenbein was not one of the first firms on my "wish list" as a North German mid-sized law firm. However, because the corporate law/M&A department led by Hauke Thilow had a very good reputation - even beyond Schleswig-Holstein - I took a look at the Kiel law firm anyway.
After the very first meeting with Hauke Thilow, I realised that I wanted to work here. I immediately felt at home and could very well imagine saying goodbye to the familiar world of large law firms and working on the Kiel Fjord.
My plan to initially work part-time in order to do my doctorate alongside my job was supported from the outset. And so I began to devote myself daily to the varied and challenging tasks of an M&A lawyer at BMZ. I enjoyed advising on corporate law issues and supporting transactions of varying complexity and size. From the very beginning, I had direct client contact, which over the years developed more and more into a largely independent advisory role. There is no back office in Hauke Thilow's team.
The tasks were very varied and highly challenging from a professional point of view. It was often impossible to predict in the morning how the day would develop. Of course, this also meant that you couldn't always predict when you would be able to leave the office in the evening. But the special thing about BMZ was that we always faced all challenges together. The small, highly motivated team worked together in a trusting and enjoyable way, always with the aim of developing efficient, technically outstanding and pragmatic solutions for the individual client.
Even after my parental leave, I was immediately reintegrated into the team and fully involved in mandates. Thanks to great flexibility on both sides, I was able to manage the balancing act between child and career. When I moved back to Bavaria after almost six years for personal reasons, it was not easy for me to say goodbye to BMZ.
Overall, my time at BMZ was very exciting and extremely instructive. I found working in Hauke Thilow's team a real enrichment, both professionally and personally."
Dr Bettina Wirth-Duncan, lawyer at BMZ's Kiel office in the corporate law/M&A department from 2013 to 2018
Traineeship
"In spring/summer 2024, I completed my legal traineeship at BMZ's Flensburg office. I would like to emphasise straight away that I really enjoyed the traineeship.
During my time at BMZ, I was not permanently assigned to any of the lawyers' specialist areas, so I was able to get a taste of the various fields of activity at the law firm. On the one hand, this allowed me to work on cases that were very close to the exam, for example in sales, tenancy or corporate law, and on the other hand, I gained insights into areas of law that were previously unknown to me, such as medical or canon law. This colourful mix of familiar and new legal problems meant that everyday life during the ward was never boring.
However, the ward was not only convincing because of its legal content. It should be emphasised that it was a lot of fun, especially because of the people I was able to work with. Right from the start, I had the feeling that I was well accepted into the firm. When questions arose, there was always someone I could discuss them with. The feedback and criticism of my work was also consistently constructive and very helpful with a view to the exam.
When asked whether I would recommend other trainees to complete their legal clerkship or elective clerkship at BMZ in Flensburg, I can answer with a resounding "yes". Anyone who has already enjoyed the civil court clerkship or who generally enjoys civil law and is motivated to apply and expand their knowledge in legal practice will certainly have a good time at the firm.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone at the firm for the pleasant and instructive time. Thank you!"
Lukas Lewin
"In winter 2019/20, I completed my traineeship as a lawyer at BMZ in Kiel. I was particularly involved in the medical law department and received an excellent education there. At the same time, I was able to gain insights into other areas such as M&A or public construction law and attend client meetings and court hearings. I would particularly like to emphasise the professional and always friendly cooperation. Overall, I can only recommend the traineeship to any ambitious trainee lawyer who is willing to learn. The traineeship helped and motivated me both professionally and with regard to the exam. I would therefore like to thank everyone and especially Dr Rochlitz."
Tobias Brandenburg
"I really enjoyed my legal traineeship at the Kiel office. I felt warmly welcomed by the entire team and was integrated into the work processes right from the start. The tasks were varied and very instructive for the exam, especially in administrative law. I was able to gain many exciting insights into the work of a lawyer - from the first client meeting to the court hearing. Thank you very much for the great time!"
Inga Stöterau
"I spent my legal clerkship at BMZ in Kiel. I would make this choice again at any time! All the lawyers and staff are very friendly, so you immediately feel welcome and the traineeship offers a good, comprehensive insight into the work of a lawyer. I particularly liked the fact that it is possible to gain an insight into all areas of law and the work involved in the firm. It should also be emphasised that special care was taken to ensure that I was given tasks to work on that would help me for the exam. I can only recommend anyone to complete their legal traineeship at BMZ!"
Alina Schmidt
"An entertaining position with many exciting mandates from a wide range of legal areas. You are actively involved in the client work, but at the same time work independently. One of the highlights of the education programme was attending sessions at the local court independently. Overall, an interesting and challenging education in a pleasant atmosphere."
Malte May
"I really enjoyed my time at BMZ. We trainee lawyers were immediately integrated into the day-to-day work and had the opportunity to experience at first hand what everyday life as a lawyer is like and what problems and tasks arise.
We were introduced to all the lawyers at the office right at the beginning of the placement, which meant that we were seen as part of the team from the start and felt like one. This was particularly evident in the fact that we were able to approach anyone at any time with our questions and the lawyers approached us with interesting tasks, even if we were not directly assigned to them. This included not only the local office, but also the other offices, which regularly approached us with various tasks. During my time at BMZ, I was not only able to work on tasks relating to medical law, but also on general public law, civil service law, property law, tenancy law and tax law, for example.
During our station, we were assigned to a lawyer. We received the majority of the files to be processed from him and he was our main point of contact for all questions. If we wanted to, we were also able to familiarise ourselves with the work of a notary during this time and, of course, attend court hearings.
For all those who can imagine working as a lawyer themselves later on, it is particularly important to get an overview of what has to be done in a law firm in addition to the purely legal work, because unexpected tasks can also have to be dealt with or problems can arise. To get an impression of this, it was very rewarding to talk to the secretary and the trainer, who were able to report on a wide variety of problems.
Perhaps a brief comment on the working atmosphere, as it is often said that this is not good in law firms with several locations. I never had this impression. Regardless of whether you already knew the colleague from your own location personally or a colleague from another location called, you were always treated as a colleague on an equal footing.
To summarise, I can say:
I really enjoyed my time at BMZ. It was varied, instructive and interesting."
Lucas Augustin
"At my own request, I completed my legal traineeship at the law firm mainly in the field of medical law. However, I was also able to work on files from the areas of general civil law and public law, so that my exam preparation was not neglected.
My work at BMZ also gave me a very good insight into the day-to-day work of a law firm and I was able to gain my first practical experience. I particularly liked the fact that I was allowed to attend court hearings independently. The working atmosphere was open-minded and always friendly and I was completely satisfied with the support I received.
I felt that I was in very good hands and received the support I needed."
Eva Beute
"I was at BMZ for both the legal traineeship and the elective traineeship in public law and have never regretted this choice. During the legal traineeship, I had the opportunity to attend client meetings, argue cases before the local court and draft my own pleadings, for which I also received detailed feedback. Overall, I was able to gain a good insight into the different facets of the legal profession and had a lot of fun at work. I was also excellently prepared for the exam during the elective stage. I had the opportunity to give several presentations on files and always felt that I was in good hands at BMZ."
Anette Purucker
Research assistant
Julius Hardt reports on his first impression as a research assistant at BROCK MÜLLER ZIEGENBEIN
I. My profile
I am a 6th semester law student at the Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, specialising in commercial law with a focus on banking and capital market law. I am an honorary member of the board of ELSA-Kiel e.V.
II. Why BMZ?
As a student in the state capital of Kiel, you quickly stumble across the well-known law firms in the state and BMZ is right at the top. Many of the firm's lawyers are involved in the university education of students, for example by giving lectures in the basic and specialisation areas of study, holding key qualifications courses and the like.
Students studying law in Kiel get to know BMZ. As probably the largest commercial law firm with four offices in the federal state, BMZ offers the perfect mix of Schleswig-Holstein flair, a supra-regional clientele and highly qualified lawyers with various specialisations.
III How is the work at BMZ organised?
The tasks that I was able to take on as a research assistant at the Flensburg office in my first few months were very varied, challenging and always very interesting. The work includes the preparation of both written pleadings and client letters, individual research on legal matters and the preparation of academic articles.
You can observe a very steep learning curve through the work on the client. Another great advantage is that you also have to work on cases that are based on the core curriculum of the law degree programme. This allows you to put into practice what you have already learnt and consolidate the compulsory subject matter of both state examinations. I have benefited from the close support and helpful feedback from the firm's lawyers, which has helped me to make significant progress as a budding lawyer. In addition, there is a pleasant working atmosphere and a modern office with a great view of the Flensburg Fjord.
IV. Can you recommend BMZ?
My answer is simply: Yes!
If you are looking for challenging work on exciting mandates in a supportive environment, BMZ is the right place for you.
Julius Hardt