From the Life of a General Counsel – And Why My Clients Value Working with Me

There are moments when everything converges: legal complexity, commercial pressure, and the need for decisions at the CEO level — preferably in real time. That’s exactly where I come in. I make complexity simple.

A client has an international project. The big question: Are we even allowed to offer our services outside of Switzerland – legally speaking? Uncertainty is in the air. Management wants a clear answer – not legal noise.

What do I do?

I bring in an external expert – one of the top names in international law. And I make a simple request: Please include a concise, understandable summary for management.

The legal opinion arrives – complete with a summary. I forward it.

Five minutes later, my BlackBerry buzzes: “Tom, what’s the verdict?” I answer in one sentence: “Yes, we can – under certain conditions.”

Full stop. No maybes. No hedging. A decision is now possible. Execution can begin. That’s the difference between understanding the law – and communicating it effectively.

Why do clients value working with me?

Because I don’t just understand legal codes – I understand people. And because I’m an entrepreneur myself.

• I founded my first company at 16.

• My second at 20.

• Today, I’m building my own advisory practice as a part-time legal consultant and coach – and I’m also looking for an exciting new challenge as General Counsel in an innovative company.

  
  

I know both worlds: legal complexity and operational pressure. I know when details matter – and when it’s time to simply decide.

A Lawyer with an Entrepreneurial Mindset

My goal is clear: I don’t want to be the person who always says “no.”I want to be the enabler. The one who makes things happen. I help assess risks wisely – not miss out on opportunities because of fear.

And I truly believe: Great legal advice is measured by how clear it feels – not by how complicated it sounds.