A little anecdote for the evening

Good evening, dear readers! Today I would like to tell you a little anecdote instead of discussing an abstract legal case or verdict as usual. It’s about humanity, trust and the art of being a true partner.

Meeting an exciting startup

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting the CEO of an exciting startup at a Medianet event in Berlin. He was intrigued by my unusual combination as a nerd and a lawyer, and we exchanged contact information.

An unexpected call

Then, completely unexpectedly, I received a call from him. He was desperate. His startup was in legal trouble and the previous lawyer had resigned. He desperately needed help and was looking for someone with not only legal expertise, but also an understanding of the technical side of his business.

Time pressure and chaos

To further complicate the situation, a court case was pending less than a week after the call. He now had no lawyer, the colleague had left a lot of mess, and it was hard for him to find a replacement. The clock was ticking and the nerves were on edge.

More than just a lawyer

At such times, it is easy to take advantage of the situation and charge high fees. But that would not be in the spirit of my philosophy. I firmly believe that as an attorney I not only provide legal services, but I am also a partner and supporter to my clients.

I took the time to carefully review the documents and familiarize myself with the case. Together with the managing director, we worked out a strategy and I negotiated with the other side. Finally, we were able to reach a fair settlement.

Satisfaction and focus on the essentials

Yes, I may not have received the maximum in fees under the RVG. But that was not my goal either. My goal was to help my client solve his problems so he could get back to his core business. And that is exactly what we have achieved. The startup is satisfied and can now move forward with its business without the distractions of legal disputes.

A true partner

This anecdote reinforced for me the importance of not just putting words on a website, but living them. As an attorney, I pride myself on being a trusted partner to my clients. I am convinced that this is the way we can grow not only as individuals but also as a society.

So the next time you read on a website that someone wants to be a trusting partner, ask yourself: are they living it? And if you yourself are in a position to offer support, remember: Be more than words. Be a true partner.

In today’s fast-paced world, where everything often happens at the last minute, it is even more important that we can rely on each other. My client needed someone who understood not only his legal concerns, but also his technical concerns. He needed someone willing to dig in and act quickly.

I am glad that I could be there for him during this critical time. It fills me with pride and joy to know that I have been able to make a difference not only as a lawyer, but also as a person.

Let’s all work to build true partnerships and live the values we espouse in our daily actions. Because at the end of the day, it’s the relationships and trust that count.

With this in mind, I wish you an inspiring evening and hope that this anecdote will encourage you to always do your best and be a reliable partner for those around you.

Author: Marian Härtel

Marian Härtel ist Rechtsanwalt und Fachanwalt für IT-Recht mit einer über 25-jährigen Erfahrung als Unternehmer und Berater in den Bereichen Games, E-Sport, Blockchain, SaaS und Künstliche Intelligenz. Seine Beratungsschwerpunkte umfassen neben dem IT-Recht insbesondere das Urheberrecht, Medienrecht sowie Wettbewerbsrecht. Er betreut schwerpunktmäßig Start-ups, Agenturen und Influencer, die er in strategischen Fragen, komplexen Vertragsangelegenheiten sowie bei Investitionsprojekten begleitet. Dabei zeichnet sich seine Beratung durch einen interdisziplinären Ansatz aus, der juristische Expertise und langjährige unternehmerische Erfahrung miteinander verbindet. Ziel seiner Tätigkeit ist stets, Mandanten praxisorientierte Lösungen anzubieten und rechtlich fundierte Unterstützung bei der Umsetzung innovativer Geschäftsmodelle zu gewährleisten.