My path began in Germany, where I studied law and then worked for a bank. After emigrating to Australia, I studied law again and qualified as a barrister of the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia.

In 2002, I completed postgraduate studies in international commercial and sports arbitration and developed an interest in digital dispute resolution. In the same year, I also became a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).

In the same year, I represented Queensland as mediation co-counsel and began advising parties, lawyers and governments at federal and state level on national, regional and international mediation, arbitration and litigation matters. This was followed by stints as a lawyer for the Australian Parliament and the Australian Government.

In 2014, I became Chief Counsel and Attaché to the Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (Hague Conference). I worked on the Hague Conference instruments on international commercial and financial law and civil procedure. I also advised the Secretary General on the law of international organisations.

Since 2020, I have been working as an independent and accredited mediator and arbitrator, an activity which is very diverse and international and in which my bilingualism (English and German), my experience in civil and common law as well as my Australian and German citizenship are very advantageous. Also beneficial is my extensive training in Online Dispute Resolution (ODR).

My expertise is widely recognised. I am a member of several leading international mediation and arbitration panels. I also teach courses in mediation, and I am proud to coach mediation and arbitration teams at moot competitions. I am a much-published author and regular speaker at webinars, seminars and conferences and am happy to share my experience and insights.

I am available as a sole and panel arbitrator in international commercial, investor-state, art, cultural property, travel and tourism, probate and estate, corporate and sports disputes. I have two niche interests: disputes involving micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and their particular dispute resolution needs; and commercial and employment disputes involving international organisations.

I am a member of leading referee lists, including:

• German Institute of Arbitration (DIS) (GER).
• Vienna International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) (AUT).
• Swiss Arbitration Association (ASA) (CH).
• ADR International Register (NL).
• Belgian Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (CEPANI) (BEL).
• Court of Arbitration for the Arts (CAfA) (NL);
• Câmara de Arbitragem e Mediação de Santa Catarina (CAMESC) (BRZ);
• International Centre of Arbitration - Chamber for Belgium and Luxembourg (CIABLP) (PER / LUX).
• Geneva International Institute for Dispute Resolution (GIDI) (CH).

Investment arbitration between a state and a multinational company concerning statutory health measures. Claim: > AUD 100 million. Arbitration

Arbitration between two companies concerning the purchase of organic food. Claim: €50,000. Arbitration Arbitration between an international organisation and an employee concerning an alleged unfair dismissal. Demand: > €100,000. Arbitration

Arbitration between two companies in relation to a commercial transaction. Claim: >€50 million. Arbitration

Arbitration (appeal) between an international organisation and an employee concerning an alleged unfair dismissal. Claim: > €50,000. Arbitration

Arbitration between a state and a private individual for personal injury caused by a fall on a school campus. Claim: AUD 300,000. Arbitration

Arbitration between a state and a private individual for personal injury resulting from a fall on a school campus. Claim: A$300,000. Arbitration Arbitration between a state and a private person in relation to injuries sustained during incarceration. Claim: AUD 200,000. Arbitration

Arbitration between a state-owned company and a private individual in connection with several allegedly failed commercial transactions. Claim: A$550,000. Cease and desist

Negotiation between two companies to avoid a dispute over certain electronic devices. Value of the transaction: > €100 million USD.