Tobias Bogdanski

  • Born 1975
  • Studied law at the Humboldt University of Berlin and the Université Paris X - Nanterre (also studied French cultural studies)
  • Practical experience including: German Bundestag, European Parliament, courts, law firms, public prosecutor's offices, companies, administrations
  • Legal clerkship at the Higher Regional Court of Hamm (NRW), lecturer in civil law
  • Many years of management experience in a family-run property management company
  • Development workers in West Africa
  • Geschäftsführer der Bogdanski Hausverwaltungs GmbH
  • Personal membership of, among others: Transparency International Deutschland e.V. (The Coalition against Corruption), ADFC - Allg. Deutscher Fahrradclub e.V., Deutscher Alpenverein, Sektion Berlin e.V., Mach' meinen Kumpel nicht an! - for equal treatment, against xenophobia and racism e.V.

In dialogue

Mr Bogdanski, why did you become a lawyer?

The professional code of conduct for lawyers describes it aptly: ‘Lawyers guarantee the participation of citizens in the law. Our work serves the realisation of the rule of law. That's what it's all about: helping people obtain their rights in the best possible way. A lot is written, it is the implementation, the legal reality, that counts. As a lawyer, I have a decisive role to play here.

Mr Bogdanski, what is your title all about?

(laughs) The D.E.J.F. (Paris X) stands for the Diplôme d'Etudes Juridiques Francaises and Paris X for the University of Paris Nanterre, which has the somewhat French administrative number 10. It is the diploma of French law studies that can be obtained by foreign students from partner universities after passing examinations in the undergraduate programme. A nice reminder of the year spent studying in Paris at this suburban university, which gained some political notoriety in the 1968s.

Why are you a good lawyer?

I don't like to talk myself up. My clients appreciate me because I take a level-headed approach and don't get into unnecessary fights, I work particularly carefully, listen to them and want to understand the legal cases with all the background and facts. I want to find solutions to problems and achieve good, long-lasting results. Unfortunately, we lawyers often learn that we have to concentrate on the files and legal assessments. The client is then quickly perceived almost as an ‘incalculable disruptive factor’. As a development worker in particular, I have learnt to appreciate the advisory approach and proceed accordingly. Even if it admittedly takes more time at the beginning, you are jointly protected from unpleasant surprises later on. Because by the time the court makes enquiries, it's usually too late.

I also enjoy my work and can often convey this to dialogue partners. For me, the greatest satisfaction is knowing that I have provided the best possible advice and that I have achieved or negotiated the best possible result / the highest possible sum for the client.

What can you be annoyed about and what are you happy about, Mr Bogdanski?

I am annoyed by racism, threats, meaningless bureaucracy and intellectual inflexibility. Unfortunately, all of this can crop up from time to time, but I often manage to emphasise the advantages of solutions. As a cyclist and mountain hiker, I can also be very persistent and tenacious (laughs)!

I'm happy to meet curious, humorous and courageous people with backbone anywhere in the world and I like to laugh a lot. I am always amazed and fascinated by people, nature and culture in all their facets all over the world.

The questions were asked by Kathrin Meyer and Biton Coulibaly.

What clients report:

Landlady A: ‘Everything Mr Bogdanski tackles succeeds. I've been delighted with my lawyer for years!’

Property manager S: ‘I always notice that Mr Bogdanski himself is a practitioner in property management. He is quick, precise and practical and often has good tips.’

Managing Director H: ‘To be honest, Mr Bogdanski sometimes torments me. He wants to know everything exactly. In court, however, I often realise that the judge wanted to know exactly the same thing and asked more. We haven't lost anything yet!’

Flat seller M: ‘I'm glad that Mr Bogdanski was recommended to me. I would still be waiting for my purchase price for the flat today. Mr Bogdanski clearly explained the risks of the original draft contract to me and advised me to take the sale into my own hands. That went very well and resulted in a 20% higher purchase price!’

Flat buyer, Mr and Mrs M: ‘It was good that Mr Bogdanski wanted to have all the information provided by the sellers and the estate agent verified and that he himself has experience as a property manager. Many important details could be clarified in advance and the notary's draft contract was changed significantly.’

Tenant D: ‘Of probably over 10 court cases in recent years, I have not lost once with Mr Bogdanski. I have the feeling that the courts always understand what is at stake with him. Everything runs very smoothly.’

Entrepreneur B: ‘Mr Bogdanski is encouraging and always finds a good solution. I have never experienced a lawyer who has negotiated so vigorously and successfully for me in court.’

Managing Director W: ‘I quickly receive a precise assessment and detailed pleadings from Mr Bogdanski. He is always very easy for me to contact and asks the crucial questions.’

Managing Director O: ‘Finally a lawyer who listens and asks questions and doesn't lecture me on how I should have behaved better.’