Was there a moment during your studies or practical legal training when you decided you wanted to become a partner at a law firm?
Christine Mattes:
During my studies, I thought I would eventually become a judge. It was my traineeship at Gleiss Lutz that ultimately sparked my interest in practicing law. What convinced me to join the firm was the combination of complex legal issues, high standards, and an exceptionally collegial working environment. Over time, I took on increasing responsibility in casework and became involved in recruiting, the training of our young lawyers, and business development – until it eventually became clear to me that I wanted to help shape the firm’s future as a partner.
Andrea Preuße:
During my training, I wanted to explore as many different facets of the legal profession as possible and try out a wide range of areas. It wasn’t until my elective placement – spent at a law firm in South Africa thanks to Gleiss Lutz’s international connections – that I decided to pursue a career in antitrust law. After I started working as a lawyer, I soon set my sights on making partner and building a long-term future at the firm. Over the years, that goal only grew stronger.
“On the one hand, if you want long-term success as a lawyer at this level, you need to enjoy digging deep into complex issues and leaving no stone unturned in developing the strongest possible arguments for your clients. ”
Dr. Christine Mattes, PartnerWhat professional and personal skills do you think are needed to become a partner?
Christine Mattes:
Gleiss Lutz looks for candidates with strong legal knowledge and above-average exam results. On the one hand, if you want long-term success as a lawyer at this level, you need to enjoy digging deep into complex issues and leaving no stone unturned in developing the strongest possible arguments for your clients. On the other hand, you need to be able to make practical decisions when it is not in the client’s interest to get bogged down in legal debates. Developing a strong instinct for these things early in your legal career is one of the qualities that set successful partners apart. It is also important to enjoy working with people – both clients and colleagues – because at the end of the day this profession is a “people business”.
Andrea Preuße:
Legal excellence, the ability to work well in a team, a commercial mindset, decisiveness, discipline and perseverance, and often a certain degree of creativity. That may sound like a lot, but the list could be even longer. However, it’s important to remember that no one starts out as a partner. It’s an intense journey and a tremendous learning experience. But above all, it’s an interesting journey – and with the right mentors and colleagues around you, it can also be a lot of fun. It’s a privilege to be able to learn from the best while meeting remarkable people and forming lasting friendships along the way.
How has your role changed since becoming a partner?
Christine Mattes:
Since becoming a partner, I’ve taken on full responsibility for winning new mandates and managing client matters. I serve as the client’s primary point of contact, oversee the matter, bear ultimate responsibility for the legal advice, and also handle the billing. The difference is more apparent on paper than in day-to-day work. For one thing, I had already been involved in these tasks for several years, and for another, I can still consult with other partners on important questions. In addition to my own work on client matters, I am responsible for building and leading a team of associates, assistants and trainees.
Andrea Preuße:
My responsibilities will undoubtedly increase, for instance by taking the lead on matters and assuming a greater role in HR and business development. But not everything changes overnight. Instead, you are gradually introduced to these responsibilities – and, in some cases, the challenges that come with them – and prepared accordingly.
“I never felt like I was being forced into a rigid career path; it always felt flexible and adaptable.”
Dr. Andrea Preuße, PartnerDid you have the opportunity to shape your own path to partnership at Gleiss Lutz? Do you think family planning can be a barrier to becoming a partner?
Christine Mattes:
My path to becoming a partner was somewhat unusual: I was promoted to associated partner while on maternity leave with my first child. After that, I used the firm’s doctorate programme to write my doctoral thesis – I was given time off and received an advance on my future salary. After rejoining the firm, I worked part-time before taking another maternity leave for our second child. So having a family is definitely not a barrier to becoming a partner at Gleiss Lutz. There are many different models for combining family life with a legal career, always tailored to the individual needs of each family.
Andrea Preuße:
I never felt like I was being forced into a rigid career path; it always felt flexible and adaptable. Whenever adjustments are needed – whether that means taking time off, reducing your hours or something else – these can be discussed openly with the relevant people to find a solution together. Adjustments like that are not an obstacle to becoming a partner – quite the opposite: if you raise the issue early on, the firm will support you. There can be many different reasons for this. At the end of the day, we all have lives outside the firm that sometimes require individual solutions. The key is having the freedom to shape your own path.
What are your next goals as partner?
Christine Mattes:
My goal is to build a strong, motivated team that draws on each person’s individual strengths and genuinely enjoys working together – because that is the foundation for excellent results. In terms of my practice, I would like to further expand my work advising companies on infrastructure projects, particularly in the area of the energy transition. I also see significant potential in expanding our work for clients on regulatory compliance matters. This will allow us to create value for our clients while providing growth opportunities for our team.
Andrea Preuße:
A key focus for me is building my own team and, in the process, further developing the antitrust practice at Gleiss Lutz’s Hamburg office. I also want to continue strengthening the global reach of my practice, in particular through my close ties with London, where I lived and worked for several years and helped open our first office outside the EU.
What three adjectives describe you the best?
Christine Mattes:
empathetic, determined, conscientious.
Andrea Preuße:
ambitious, loyal, cheerful.
