Dr Markus Nauheim, a partner at Gibson Dunn’s Munich office, shares his journey from a small-town German student to a globally recognized corporate lawyer advising giants like Mercedes-Benz and KKR. 

Dr Markus Nauheim has dual qualifications in New York and German law, a doctorate from Mainz, and an LL.M. from Duke, Markus blends discipline, integrity, and an entrepreneurial mindset to navigate high-stakes M&A and compliance challenges. In this episode, he reveals how his basketball background fuels resilience, why client trust is paramount, and how thought leadership builds a standout legal career.

In this episode, Markus Nauheim discusses:
◽️ Finding purpose in law through responsibility
◽️ Global perspective from studying worldwide
◽️ Discipline via incremental career goals
◽️ Resilience from competitive sports
◽️ Balancing intense work with self-care

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⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:32 Meeting Markus Nauheim: Background and Career
01:05 Why Law: Choosing a Purposeful Career
03:19 Global Perspective: Studying in Germany, Hong Kong, Duke
06:22 Entrepreneurial Mindset in Law
06:59 Discipline: Staying Motivated in Law School
10:58 Specializing: Pursuing Media Law Doctorate
12:34 From Junior Lawyer to Partner
13:01 Sports Background: Building Resilience
18:43 Work-Life Balance: Avoiding Burnout
19:22 Client Relationships: Earning and Keeping Trust
21:16 Efficiency: The 80-20 Rule in Law
23:27 Perfection: Delivering Flawless Work
25:33 Teamwork: Spartans vs. Persians in Deals
26:36 Parallels Between Law and Finance
27:38 Importance of Relationships Over Technology
30:49 AI’s Role: Enhancing, Not Replacing, Humans
32:07 Becoming a Great Lawyer: Key Traits
40:28 Integrity: Saying No to Unethical Demands
41:37 Networking: Acquiring High-Profile Clients
44:37 Thought Leadership: Building Visibility
46:20 High-Pressure Moments: Staying Focused
50:46 Corporate vs. Personal Legal Challenges
51:24 Legal Advice for Non-Lawyers
54:45 Mentoring: Coaching Young Athletes
56:31 Legacy: Making a Community Impact
57:21 Future Goals: Teaching and Community Projects
58:46 Balancing Law with Personal Life
1:01:22 Healthy Longevity: Creating a Blue Zone
1:01:44 Key Takeaway: Align Career with Self
1:04:15 Outro

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📌 Resources
Dr Markus Nauheim:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mnauheim 
◽️ Gibson Dunn: https://www.gibsondunn.com/lawyer/nauheim-markus/

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): x.com/harveybsmith_

Personable Podcast:
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Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

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