This month, we talk to Moritz C. Schumann of Schumann Burghart LLP, our new member in the United States. We learn about the concept of double qualification, US business culture, short turn-around times, and much more.
Schumann Burghart LLP was founded by the two German attorneys Moritz C. Schumann and Christian Burghart. With offices on Broadway, in New York, and in Atlanta, the law firm specialises in services for German-speaking clients.
The concept goes beyond a pure focus on German-speaking clients: ‘we are the only firm in the United States that can offer advice in all legal areas, from establishing a company through contract drafting to litigation in the German language’, Moritz Schumann points out. ‘All attorneys are admitted to practice in Germany and the United States. They know both legal systems and they understand both cultures.’
This also applies to the two founding partners. After their studies in Germany, they obtained a Master’s degree from renowned US colleges, Mr Burghart from Duke University and Mr Schumann from Cornell University. ‘The original goal was to go back to Germany and pursue a career at a commercial law firm.’ However, plans changed by a happy chance as both met their spouses and decided to stay.
In a next step, Mr Schumann started to work for a major New York law firm, Paul B. Weitz & Associates, PC., specialising in litigation. During this time he gained valuable insights into the business culture and workings of US law firms.
The idea of an own law firm was born while co-working with Christian Burghart later on. ‘We had a common vision of our client approach and communication strategy’, Mr Schumann explains. He specifies, ‘we wanted to assure a German speaking contact person for our clients, at all times. An attorney with the ability to build a cultural bridge beyond the legal practice.’ Following careful considerations, the two attorneys dared the leap to found Schumann Burghart LLP.
Now, Moritz Schumann is pleased with the outcome, ‘everything is going well. We built the law firm based on the concept of double qualification of all attorneys. This way, we are familiar with both cultural systems, and we understand the principles of business at both sides of the ocean.’
To Mr Schumann, Europe's diverse cultural systems and jurisdiction share more commonalities with each other than with the US systems and jurisdiction, despite their cultural and linguistic diversity. With litigation being part of doing business in the US, a normal business routine is often perceived as aggression. ‘Because our clients are not familiar with this approach, it is our task to offer the most efficient solution.’
At the international level, Schumann Burghart LLP maintains business contacts with several Eurojuris members already. ‘We only have made good experiences. Now, we joined the network with the goal to stay up to date with European issues and our European colleagues' activities. We value our colleagues’ opinion and fruitful exchange with resulting benefits for all.’
Looking ahead, an Austrian lawyer specialising in real estate will join the law firm on 1st of September. ‘The new attorney will complement the team perfectly. Above all, our Austrian clients should feel taken care of in the best possible way’.
As a last remark, Moritz Schumann underlines, ‘client communication, in specific the short turn-around times, will continue to be an essential part of the law firm’s workings. Our clients should feel that we understand their business culture, that we are a trusted partner, just like a local law firm, even if we are overseas. We can assure, ‘nothing is lost in translation.’
Welcome to the network! We hope to meet you at the Eurojuris Congress in Dubai!
Links:
Schumann Burghart LLP: www.sbuslaw.com
Brochure:
Schumann-Burghart-Broschüre 2018, Deutsch
