A nerd in a lawyer’s robe: How I bridge the gap between law and technology as a lawyer

There are moments in my career as a lawyer when I wonder if I am too nerdy for my profession. But then I remember that it is this very “nerdiness” that sets me apart and allows me to provide a unique service to my clients.

I recently had an initial consultation with a client who wanted to build a business based on Discord. She was both surprised and fascinated that I knew what Discord was and how it worked. During our video consultation, I was able to surprise them with my knowledge of Github, Laravel, deploying code, communicating a bot with Discord via the API, and pull requests. She was confused that she didn’t have to explain to me what all these things were – proof that as a lawyer, I’m deep in the subject.

My technical knowledge goes far beyond what one would expect from a lawyer. I used to do my own programming in my spare time and devoured books on Java, Javascript, Pascal and other programming languages. I know the differences between object-oriented and functional programming, understand the intricacies of data structures and algorithms, and can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various database models. I am familiar with technical terms like “RESTful API”, “Microservices”, “Docker Container”, “Agile Development” and “Scrum”. I can talk about the benefits of “Continuous Integration” and “Test-Driven Development” and explain the differences between “front-end” and “back-end” development.

This technical knowledge is not only theoretical. I have been an entrepreneur myself for 25 years and have applied this knowledge in practice. I’ve created websites, optimized databases, and even programmed a simple Discord bot. This hands-on experience allows me to understand the technical challenges and opportunities my clients face.

I am no stranger to the games industry, the esports industry, and the blockchain industry. I have advised clients involved in video game development who had legal questions about licensing agreements, copyrights, and privacy. Not only was I able to provide them with legal advice, but I was also able to understand and incorporate technical aspects and industry trends.

In the esports industry, I helped clients who wanted to work out contracts for players and sponsors. With my understanding of the dynamics and specifics of Esports, I was able to ensure that the contracts were both legally sound and industry specific.

In the blockchain industry, I have advised clients who wanted to integrate cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies into their business models. With my knowledge of smart contracts, ICOs and DeFi, I was able to help them avoid legal pitfalls and optimize their business models.

I believe that my technical knowledge and passion for these industries give me an advantage. They enable me to better understand my clients’ business realities and provide more effective legal solutions. Sometimes I may be a little too nerdy, but if it means I can better serve my clients, then I wear that title with pride.

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.