- Background:
1967 – 1970
Worldwide seafaring as trainee and sailor
1970 – 1973
Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Sea Transport department
Dipl. Wirtsch. Ing. für Seeverkehr
Captain for global seagoing shipping
1973/74
Time at sea as Navigating Officer
1974 – 1978
Law studies at the University of Hamburg
1979
First state law examination
1979 – 1981
Internship at the Regional High Court in Hamburg
1981
Second state law examination
1982
Licensed as lawyer in Hamburg
since 1985
Partner of the partnership