Attorney Host Program: Attorney Becker’s Charlotte-Cologne Experience

BridgehouseLaw’s Attorney Host Program (AHP) provides enriching professional opportunities for attorneys to work from a different BridgehouseLaw office. In early 2023, I was selected as part of the pilot program for BridgehouseLaw’s Attorney Host Program from Charlotte, North Carolina, and for the past two months, I have been living and working in the German city of Cologne. 

The past two months I have spent in Cologne have been fantastic for my professional development. 

Working from BridgehouseLaw’s U.S. Desk in its Cologne office, I have developed my German language abilities, gained exposure to and understanding of German and European Union law, and provided international legal advice to BridgehouseLaw Cologne’s clients. I have observed German legal proceedings, written legal opinions submitted to the German court, and even traveled to the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt to learn and observe the practice of U.S. international notaries. Of all my experiences these past two months, the most valuable has been the opportunity to observe and work closely with two of BridgehouseLaw’s German attorneys and partners, Attorney Kevin Villwock and Attorney Michael Heinze. 

Attorney Villwock and Attorney Heinze lead a well-organized office of attorneys, law clerks, and legal assistants in Cologne, providing complex and sophisticated legal advice in a wide variety of matters. Attorney Villwock is specialized in banking law and capital market law and regularly attends to complex estate administration and probate matters, and Attorney Heinze is specialized in commercial and corporate law, but the legal knowledge and capacity of their office are by no means limited to these areas. The Cologne office serves clients domestically and internationally with attention, care, and efficiency to achieve the client’s goals. 

Contributing to BridgehouseLaw Cologne’s international practice has been an immensely rewarding experience. I have greatly enjoyed working with BridgehouseLaw Cologne’s team of professionals and providing U.S. legal advice to its clients via client meetings, legal memos, or otherwise. 

On a personal level, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the unique cultural experiences I’ve had in Cologne, from celebrating Karneval to attending an FC Köln soccer match—all of which have made me appreciate what it means to be a Kölner.

I am now excited to return to BridgehouseLaw’s Charlotte office, equipped with new and developed skills to serve my international clients as well as BridgehouseLaw Cologne’s clients from abroad. Und nach Köln sage ich, bis zum nächsten Mal!

Caitlin Becker, Attorney at Law, BridgehouseLaw Charlotte