Meet Alexander Popp

Hi, I'm Alex.

I split my time between being an M&A attorney and managing partner of the firm. So, about half the time I work on M&A transactions, have client meetings, draft contracts and negotiate deals. The other half I spend on our organisation, on people development and implementation of our strategy.

My day has only 24 hours, like everybody else's. This is a challenge, but setting priorities, preparation and communication help me plan ahead. And, any management position comes with difficult decisions that need to be made – there is no way around that. But here too, communication is key.

My whole Schoenherr story started when my career as a musician ended – or rather never quite began. I joined the firm and learned from the best; from Guido Kucsko how to be an amazing lawyer, and later from Christoph Lindinger how to rock M&A, manage a law firm and lead and develop people. My promotion to partner and later to head of our corporate/m&a practice gave me a lot of opportunities to learn how to lead big teams. The most recent milestone was being elected managing partner, which is a great chance to change and develop an organisation. Along this exciting way, I got to advise on some of the most interesting M&A deals in Central Eastern Europe.

Don't plan your career too cautiously and precisely. There is not only one narrow path to your goal, and some ways only develop through changes of plans. Be authentic and focus on your strengths.

You might end up on a stage rocking with your band in front of an audience of hundreds anyway, just not the way you originally imagined. For me, this meant performing with my band Poison Pill at our firm's latest Christmas party.