20 Years in Practice – Reflection #14: My American Guitar

In 2017, just a few years after founding the firm, we did something extraordinary as a family. For three months, just before our kids started school, we embarked on a tour across the U.S. and Québec.

👉 And because I couldn’t just take the time off, I took my office with me on the road. Because I am convinced you can do almost anything — if you plan well enough and are surrounded by people who support you.

And plan we did. And put together a fantastic itinerary combining unknown places and new encounters with our American past, host families and friends.

Travel and work, but with plenty of time together — to look at the world and each other beyond the usual office rhythm. Time to remind myself, a practicing lawyer and arbitrator, that childhood doesn’t pause for anything. It moves fast and silently — you never get a second chance to spend it with your children.

❤️ This trip was possible because of many people, most importantly my team — in particular Joseph Schwartz, then in his first year as partner, who stepped up and carried responsibilities so I could step out. Thanks to each of you.

I am sure this is what I had on my mind in the photo below while I steering our camper van across the Columbia River Estuary, an impressive scenery where the massive Columbia River meets the Pacific, also marking the end of the Oregon Trail by Lewis and Clark and their guide Sacajawea.

📌 Visit my blog MyAmericanGuitar (link in the comments) for more on the tour, the music, the stories, and all the wonderful people next to my team who made it all happen, who inspired us, supported us, hosted us, guided us, and who include (in the order of appearance in preparation of and during the tour) Alexander Schwager, John Faulk, Henryk Berlet, David Bernhard, Francois Cartier, Clémence Cartier, Julie Nieuweweme-de Bruijn, Bas NieuweWeme, Brendan Connell, Sarah Steele, Aaron Steele 🇺🇦🌈, Brian Clauss, Benjamin Cohen, and Jeff Michalczak ❤️

🔜 Next stop: Reflection #15 – Flying With The Eagles.

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About Wagner Arbitration

The law firm WAGNER Arbitration has its offices in Berlin and specializes in dispute resolution with a focus on arbitration. In addition, the firm offers comprehensive counseling services related to domestic and international business disputes and transactions.