Welcome to ILN-terviews, a series of profiles of ILN member firm attorneys, designed to give a unique insight into the lawyers who make up our Network.

For our latest interview, we chose ILN member, Erik Bettin of Michel LLP in Berlin, Germany.

In one sentence, how would you describe your practice?
We are a Berlin based mid-size law firm offering high quality services for companies, especially in the real-estate-business or in real-estate related matters.

Who would be your typical client?
Our typical client is a national or international company or individual investing in the German real-estate-market and asking for advice in such transactions.

What would you like clients and potential clients to know about you?
That we try to make a difference by being creative, knowing about our clients’ business and offering a very personal approach.

What has been your most challenging case? Why?
Several years ago a big commercial German bank was sued for a very large amount and the in-house counsel gave me the case, remarking that he saw no chance of avoiding payment for his bank. I disagreed and in the end, the German federal court dismissed all claims. It was my first case for this bank and surely it wasn’t the last one.

What has been your proudest moment as a lawyer?
Every time clients realize that it was the right decision to take our advice.

What do you do when you’re not practicing law?
Enjoying time with my wife and kids and practicing all sorts of sports.

What would surprise people most about you?
That as a kid, I lived in Peru for five years.

What has been your most memorable ILN experience)?
Dining in Castel Sant´Angelo on a very lovely night at our meeting in Rome.

What career would you have chosen if you weren’t a lawyer?
I was always dreaming about being a professional in sports, but I wasn´t talented enough.

If a movie were made of your life, who would you want to play you?
Daniel Craig

How would you like to be remembered?
I hope life gives me some more time to think about that.