Our Lawyers
Your Competent Local Partners
ADWA Lawyers are familiar with the local mentality and will lead your business in Asia to success by combining legal expertise, cultural understanding and long-standing experience.
Christian A. Brendel
Your partner in Viet Nam
Christian A. Brendel is the founder and managing director of Brendel & Associates Law Co., Ltd. in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.

Introduction
Christian Brendel has been living and working in Viet Nam since 2005. He regularly advises and supports foreign diplomatic missions (the Embassy and the Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany as well as the Embassy and the Consulate of the Swiss Confederation). Mr Brendel also works for the Delegation of the German Industry and Commerce in Viet Nam (AHK) and supports the Austrian Trade Delegation. As an active participant, he is also strongly involved in the German-Vietnamese Dialogue on the Rule of Law.
Christian Brendel has lived and worked in Viet Nam since 2005. He is one of the few foreign lawyers with such an extensive professional and advisory experience in Viet Nam.
In addition to his legal and consulting activities, he was chosen by various clients to act in interim management positions (Illies & Co (GmbH & Co.) KG., Glatz Finepaper Co., Ltd., R&M Ship Technologies Viet Nam Co., Ltd. as well as Emsa Viet Nam Co., Ltd.).
Background
Born in Esslingen a. Neckar, Germany | |
2002 | First State Examination in Law, University of Konstanz |
2004 | Trainee in the Judicial Service, Practical Stage Baker & McKenzie, Ha Noi Office |
2004 | Second State Examination in Law, Landgericht Konstanz |
2005 | Associate, Lorenz & Partners, Bangkok |
2006 | Delegate of Lorenz & Partners Bangkok at Luat Viet Solicitors, Ho Chi Minh City |
2006 – 2008 | Managing Partner, Phuoc & Partners Law Co., Ltd., Ho Chi Minh City |
2008 – today | Managing Director, Brendel & Associates Law Co., Ltd., Ho Chi Minh City |
since 2011 | Attorney of Trust – German Embassy, Ha Noi |
Admissions
Germany, Freiburg Bar Association
Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, Ministry of Justice, registered foreign attorney-at-law
Languages
German, English, French
Contact Details
Brendel & Associates Law Co., Ltd.
D&D Tower, 10th Floor, 458 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai
Ward 2, District 3
Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
CELL +84 98 978 4791
TEL +84 28 3911 2008
FAX +84 28 3911 2010
www.brendel-associates.com
info@brendel-associates.com
brendel@adwa-law.com

Ho Chi Minh City Viet Nam
Go to this location »Rainer Burkardt
Your Partner in China
Rainer Burkardt is a founding member of ADWA and represents the network in the People’s Republic of China. He is the founder and executive counsel of the law firm “Burkardt & Partner Rechtsanwälte” in Shanghai.

Introduction
Rainer Burkardt has been working and living in China since 1997. He is one of the few foreign lawyers with long-term on-site experience counseling and working in China. From 2008 to 2010, Mr. Burkardt was a member of the Board of Directors of the German Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. In 2009 he was appointed as Trusted Attorney of the Consulate General of Austria in Shanghai.
Rainer Burkardt’s practice focuses on foreign direct investments, mergers & acquisitions, company law and contract law as well as labor law.
He mainly supports clients from Germany, Austria and Switzerland in the fields of automotive, machine and plant engineering as well as the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries, with their entry into the Chinese market and their subsequent business activities in China. Burkardt & Partner publishes the most extensive China investment guide written in the German language.
Background
Born in Bad Homburg, Germany | |
1995 | German First State Examination in Law, Frankfurt/Main |
1996 | German Second State Examination in Law |
1997 | In-house counsel at Lurgi AG and associate lawyer at ZhongLun law firm in Beijing |
1998 | Associate lawyer at Coudert Brothers law firm in Beijing |
1999 | Associate lawyer at Beiten Burkardt law firm in Beijing |
2001 | Beijing Normal University, Chinese language test (HSK) |
2003 – 2009 | Establishment of Beiten Burkardt’s office in Shanghai and partner at Beiten Burkardt law firm |
2009 – 2012 | Founder and Head of the German Desk at Squire Sanders law firm in Shanghai |
2010 | Chairman of the legal working group at the European Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai |
2012 | Establishment of the law firm Burkardt & Partner in Shanghai |
2013 | Arbitrator at the Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (SHIAC) |
Admissions
Germany, Frankfurt/Main Bar Association
People´s Republic of China (foreign lawyer)
Languages
German, Chinese, English, French
Contact Details
Burkardt & Partner
Suite 2507, 25/F, Bund Center
222 Yanan Road (East)
Shanghai 200002, P.R. China
CELL +86 186 1687 7153
TEL +86 21 6321 0088
FAX +86 21 6321 1100

Shanghai China
Go to this location »Michael Andreas Müller
Your Partner in Japan
Michael A. Mueller is a founding member of ADWA and represents the network in Japan. He is the founder and co-partner of Mueller Foreign Law Office.

Introduction
Michael A. Mueller had already lived in Japan starting at the age of 19 for almost three years. After having gained knowledge of the Japanese language, he studied law in Germany and then worked as interpreter for Japanese/German in Berlin for several years with numerous business-related stays in Japan. Starting in 2000, he practiced as a lawyer in Germany with a focus on German-Japanese legal relations. He moved together with his Japanese wife to Japan in 2006 and founded his own law firm. In January 2007 he was registered as Foreign Lawyer with the Japanese Ministry of Justice.
His clients are foremost manufacturers from German-speaking countries, but also from Japan, and include service providers and trade companies linked to the manufacturers. They range from medium-sized family businesses to listed corporations.
Mueller focusses on the entire bandwidth of legal questions regarding trade between Germany and Japan, the support of investment projects in both target countries as well as litigation.
Background
Born in Kiel, Germany | |
1983 – 1985 | First sojourn in Japan, language acquisition and cultural studies |
1986 – 1996 | Working for Japanese public television (Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK)) and as Japanese-German interpreter |
1996 | German First State Examination in Law , Free University of Berlin |
1999 | German Second State Examination in Law, Berlin |
2000 | Invention of a software concept and registration as a US patent |
2000 – 2006 | Attorney-at-law in Berlin with focus on German-Japanese legal communication |
2006 | Relocation to Japan |
2007 | Foundation of the Mueller Foreign Law Office in Tokyo |
Admissions
Germany, Berlin Bar Association
Registered Foreign Lawyer in Japan (GJB) at the Tokyo Bar Association
Languages
German, Japanese, English
Contact Details
Mueller Foreign Law Office
Shin-Kasumigaseki Building
3-3-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-0013, Japan
TEL +81 3 6805 5161
FAX +81 3 6805 5162

Tokyo Japan
Go to this location »Joachim Nowak
Your partner in Korea
Joachim Nowak is a founding member of ADWA and represents the network in the Republic of Korea. He is the first ever German-licensed attorney to work in Korea, and has significantly contributed to the legal advice of the European Business in Korea, especially with regard to Austrian, German and Swiss clients.

Introduction
Prior to coming to Korea to work for Kim, Shin & Yu as the first German-licensed lawyer in 1997, he held a variety of elected governmental positions in the German city of Überlingen am Bodensee from 1989 to 1998. During that time, he also completed a banker apprenticeship at the Bezirkssparkasse Überlingen am Bodensee and studied law at the University of Constance, and thereafter served as a Rechtsreferendar (a person receiving practical training in judicial or other legal work after having passed the first state examination).
During his 20-year career as a German lawyer in Korea, Joachim Nowak has represented numerous clients in a variety of matters, such as a variety of investments into Korea, company establishment, mergers & acquisitions, employment and labor law, antitrust law and insurance, re-insurance and banking law.
He currently manages European clients for the Hwang Mok Park law firm and serves as an arbitrator at the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board. He is also managing director of Nowak & Partner Co., Ltd., an advisory firm which offers German-speaking businesses in Korea services such as recruitment, crisis management, project management, and the business side of mergers & acquisitions (www.nowak-partner.com). In several of its niche markets Nowak & Partner is the Korean market leader. Mr. Nowak also publishes a German language company guide on Korea (third edition is currently being developed) and other publications.
Background
Born in Günzburg, Bavaria, Federal Republic of Germany | |
1988 | Completion of a banker apprenticeship at the bank Bezirkssparkasse Überlingen am Bodensee, Überlingen am Bodensee |
1990 – 1997 | Ortsvorsteher (District Mayor) of Bambergen (district of Überlingen am Bodensee) |
1996 | German First State Examination in Law at the University of Konstanz |
1996 – 1998 | Secretary General of Deutsch-Koreanische Juristische Vereinigung (German-Korean Legal Association) |
1998 | German Second State Examination in Law at the Landgericht (District Court) of Konstanz |
1998 | Kim, Shin & Yu: First-ever German attorney-at-law in Korea at the second oldest law firm in Korea at the time |
Since 1999 | Arbitrator at the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board |
2000 | DeRyook International Law Firm: Foreign Attorney at Law, Head of the German Desk |
2003 | SamWoo Partners Law Firm: Foreign Attorney at Law, Head of the European Desk |
2006 - 2018 | Hwang Mok Park - HMP Law, Senior Foreign Attorney at Law, Head of the European Desk |
Since 2008 | Counsel of Trust at the Austrian Embassy in the Republic of Korea (Vertrauensanwalt der Österreichischen Botschaft in der Republik Korea) |
Since 2009 | Founder and Representative Director of Nowak & Partner Co., Ltd. |
2012 | Founding President of the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK |
2017 | Founding Member of ADWA Pte. Ltd. - Alliance of German Business Lawyers in Asia (Allianz Deutscher Wirtschaftsanwälte in Asien) - located in Singapore |
2018 | Lee & Ko, Seoul, Partner, Head of European Desk |
Admissions
Germany, Munich Bar Association
Languages
German, English, Korean, French
Contact Details
Lee & Ko
Hanjin Building
63 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu
Seoul 04532, Republic of Korea
CELL +82 10 9001 6430
TEL +82 2 772 5948
FAX +82 2 772 4001

Seoul Korea
Go to this location »Dr. Andreas Respondek, LL.M
Your Partner in Thailand and Singapore
Dr. Andreas Respondek is a founding member of ADWA and represents the network in Singapore and Thailand. He is also the founder of the law firms Respondek & Fan Pte Ltd in Singapore and Respondek & Fan Ltd in Bangkok.

Introduction
Dr. Respondek is a German lawyer, an American Attorney at Law, a Chartered Arbitrator (FCIArb) and has academic degrees from four countries.
Dr. Respondek’s main areas of practice are international commercial, business and corporate law as well as international arbitration and healthcare.
Dr. Repondek regularly publishes articles in the following law journals: Aktuell China, Aktuell Thailand, American Review of International Arbitration, BddW, Bioforum Europe, Business Minds Singapore, Clyde & Co. Newsletter, Fruchthandel, Handbook for International Civil and Commercial Legal Matters, Journal of International Arbitration, Juriste International, JuS, RIW, SIArb Newsletter, Singapore Law Gazette, Transskript etc. He is also the author of the “Asia Arbitration Guide” covering 21 Asian countries, of a Singapore investment guide as well as a Thai investment guide.
Background
Born in Berlin, Germany | |
1981 | German First State Examination in Law, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg |
1983 | Master of Laws (LL.M.), with Fulbright Scholarship, Tulane University, New Orleans |
1983 | Passed bar exam, admitted as attorney at law in the state of Louisiana as a consequence of two Louisiana Supreme Court judgments |
1986 | German Second State Examination in Law, Stuttgart |
1986 – 1987 | Associate lawyer at international law firms in Germany |
1988 – 1989 | Trainee at Management Trainee Program of Commerzbank, Frankfurt & Singapore |
1989 – 1991 | Area Counsel and Secretary of the Executive Committee, Boehringer Mannheim International S.A., Luxembourg |
1991 – 1993 | Director Legal Services and Member of the Board, Boehringer Mannheim Overseas, Luxembourg |
1993 – 1996 | Director Legal Services and Member of the Board, Boehringer Mannheim Pte. Ltd., Singapore |
1996 – 1997 | Managing Director Boehringer Mannheim Thailand Ltd., Bangkok |
1997 – 1998 | Managing Director Boehringer Mannheim China Ltd., Hong Kong / Beijing |
1998 – 1999 | Regional Managing Director Asia Pacific Fresenius Kabi Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Singapore / Bangkok |
1999 | Founder & Managing Director of Respondek & Fan, Singapore / Bangkok |
2005 | Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration, CIArb, London |
2007 | Chartered Arbitrator (FCIArb), Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London |
Admissions
Germany, Berlin Bar Association
USA, Louisiana Bar Association
Languages
German, English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Thai
Contact Details
Respondek & Fan Pte Ltd
1 North Bridge Road
#16-03 High Street Centre
Singapore 179094
CELL +65 9751 0757
TEL +65 6324 0060
FAX +65 6324 0223

Singapore Singapore
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Bangkok Thailand
Go to this location »Dr. Jörg Schendel
Your Partner in India
German attorney Dr. Jörg Schendel represents the ADWA network in India. He is heading the German Desk of the firm of Suman Khaitan & Co. in Delhi, India.

Introduction
Dr. Schendel has been practicing international business law for many years. In addition to his law degrees and legal practice, he is holding a Ph.D. and has taught, researched, and published in Asian Studies. Since 2012, he has been living in and working from India.
His professional focus includes all legal issues that are relevant for business relations between Central Europe and India, such as for contracts, investments, the formation of companies, the shaping of joint ventures and M&A projects as well as in company law and labor law.
Dr. Schendel is familiar with the requirements and the expectations of German-speaking companies and always ensures that they receive legal advice in familiar form.
The law firm of Suman Khaitan & Co. has been serving Indian as well as international clients since 2004. As a full-service business law firm, it operates nationwide, advising on and representing in corporate and tax matters, litigation, regulation, and arbitration. Over the years, the firm has built an extensive network of other law firms, service providers, and with Indian chambers of commerce and business associations, which facilitates entry into the Indian market for German-speaking companies.
Background
Born in Berlin/Germany | |
1990 | German First State Examination in Law (equivalent to J.D.), University of Heidelberg/Germany |
1994 | M.A., Ohio State University/USA |
1995 | German Second State Examination in Law, Berlin |
1995 - 1997 | Lawyer, Oppenhoff & Rädler, Berlin/Germany |
1997 - 2003 | Graduate studies and Ph.D., South Asia Institute, University of Heidelberg/Germany |
2003 - 2004 | Lawyer, Malmendier Rechtsanwälte, Berlin/Germany |
2004 - 2006 | Assistant Professor, University of Toronto/Canada |
2006 - 2012 | Lawyer, Eggers Malmendier Rechtsanwälte, Berlin/Germany |
since 2012 | In India, practicing international business law in cooperation with a German law firm |
since 2019 | German Desk, Suman Khaitan & Co., Delhi/India |
Admissions
Germany, Berlin Bar Association
Languages
German, English, French, Burmese
Contact Details
Suman Khaitan & Co.
W-13, West Wing, Greater Kailash Part-II
Delhi 110048, India
CELL | +91 97 11 08 04 03 |
TEL | +91 11 49 50 15 00 |
FAX | +91 11 49 50 15 99 |
www.sumankhaitanco.in
germandesk@sumankhaitanco.in
schendel@adwa-law.com

Delhi India
Go to this location »Stefan Schmierer, LL.M
Your partner in Hong Kong
Stefan Schmierer represents the ADWA network in Hong Kong. He is Managing Partner at Ravenscroft & Schmierer and advisor to the German Consulate in Hong Kong.

Introduction
Stefan Schmierer has been living and working in Hong Kong since 2009. Most of his clients are medium-sized companies from Germany and Austria that are already based in Hong Kong or are considering opening a branch in Hong Kong. Over the past ten years, Stefan has advised and represented a large number of local and foreign clients in all aspects of commercial, corporate and tax law. In addition, Stefan Schmierer has worked for many years as a consultant to the German consulate in Hong Kong and as a trusted attorney to the Austrian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.
Stefan Schmierer has lived and worked in Hong Kong since 2009. He is the only German lawyer admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong that permanently resides in Hong Kong and advises clients in all areas of German and Hong Kong law.
In addition to legal advice, Stefan Schmierer offers other services in Hong Kong, including business advice, Company Secretarial Services, accounting and auditing.
Background
Born in Stuttgart, Germany | |
2000 | Completion of a banker apprenticeship in Stuttgart |
2005 | German First State Examination in Law at University of Regensburg, Bavaria |
2006 | Master of Laws (LL.M.) at Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis, USA |
2008 | German Second State Examination in Law at Landgericht (District Court) of Regensburg, Bavaria |
2006 – 2008 | Roedl & Partner, Nuremberg and Beijing: Part-time position as legal trainee and trainee lawyer |
2009 | Roedl & Partner, Stuttgart: Associated lawyer for commercial and tax law |
2009 – 2017 | Lorenz & Partners, Hong Kong: Registered Foreign Lawyer in Hong Kong |
2017 - 2020 | Robinsons, Lawyers: Partner and Head of German Desk |
Since 2020 | Ravenscroft & Schmierer: Managing Partner |
Admissions
Germany, Stuttgart Bar Association
Solicitor in Hong Kong
Languages
German, English
Contact Details
Ravenscroft & Schmierer
22nd Floor, Bupa Centre
141 Connaught Road West
Hong Kong, SAR
CELL +852 9229 6603
TEL +852 2388 3899
FAX +852 2385 2696
www.rs-lawyers.com.hk
sschmierer@rs-lawyers.com.hk
schmierer@adwa-law.com

Hong Kong Hong Kong
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