An interview with our Munich team

posted on June 10th, 2021

I took many detours before settling in Munich and with ABP. I grew up in Rhineland-Palatinate. After graduating from high school, I lived in the US for 1.5 years working as an AuPair. After several moves across Germany and a degree short, I started school in Munich to become a foreign language correspondence clerk. During this course, I discovered my passion for translating and followed up with a program to become a state-certified translator. During this time, while working a side job at a law firm, I was invited to a networking event for legal translators. After finishing my studies in Munich, I got my master’s degree in London. Back in Germany – almost three years after the networking event – I received a message from one of the participants asking if I was interested in becoming part of her team. This participant was Lisa Eiden, who is now my colleague and Head of Translation Team.
 

The two main factors making this job so interesting for me are the distinct use of the language on the one hand, and on the other hand, the contents. When working with patents, translators have to stick to quite a rigid structure and conciliate it with the grammatical requirements of the respective languages. It is always a great feeling to meet these challenges and to produce a text that satisfies the demands of both the language and the IP-specific text types. On top of this, the variety of the patent applications offers an interesting insight into a range of different subjects, and with each translation, I gain new knowledge.
 

ABP does not feel like an impersonal large law firm. The colleagues know each other – across all locations. Whether you are administrative staff or a Partner – everyone is treated as equals. The tasks are interesting and diverse, the location in the heart of Munich is great for commuting and provides plenty of lunch options, and "having to” go on a business trip to the beautiful Austrian countryside is always a welcome change of pace.