Interview with Carina Bennek

Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us what motivated you to become a lawyer and what your professional career has been like so far?

My name is Carina and I am a lawyer at GxG. I studied law at Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main, specialising in Law & Finance. My desire to become a lawyer was not set in stone from the start, as I chose this degree programme and law more by chance. During my studies, I had the opportunity to work as a student assistant in various international commercial law firms at an early stage. There, I not only got to know the day-to-day workings of a law firm, but also met many inspiring and interesting people who ultimately motivated me to become a lawyer.

If I hadn't chosen law, I could have easily imagined becoming a journalist. I find the opportunity to shed light on topics of public interest, tell stories and critically scrutinise social developments very exciting.

Why did you choose GxG?

A decisive factor for me was the corporate culture at GxG. In addition to professional excellence, the firm attaches great importance to teamwork, open communication and a collegial atmosphere. Our team always treats each other with respect, understanding and motivation. This is exactly the kind of working environment I wanted when I started my career. I also particularly appreciate the fact that I am fully involved in client work even as a young professional and have the opportunity to take on responsibility early on. This combination of support and trust sets GxG apart from many other law firms and offers a great opportunity to develop professionally and personally.

The exchange with colleagues, solving problems together and the opportunity to learn from each other make the work not only efficient, but also very valuable on a personal level. Especially in the legal field, where details and different perspectives are important, teamwork is an invaluable advantage.

Is there a book that has particularly inspired or impressed you?

One book that has made a big impression on me recently is ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ by Khaled Hosseini. It tells the moving story of two Afghan women, Mariam and Laila, who meet in a world characterised by war and oppression. The book is about friendship, love, loss and the strength of the human spirit under extreme conditions.

What particularly inspired me was the extraordinary resilience of the two main characters, who do not give up despite heavy blows of fate.

Their story showed me how important it is to stand up for justice and the rights of the weak, even if the road to achieving this is often long and arduous.

‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ also showed me how important solidarity and cohesion are in difficult times, both in a personal and professional context.

And one last thing: Your favorite movie quote?

The night is darkest before dawn. But I promise you: The dawn is breaking.

- Harvey Dent, The Dark Knight