Between what was and what comes next, a space opens up for new perspectives.
Pathways supports experienced leaders from corporations and law firms, as well as professionals from the financial sector, through one of the most significant transitions in their lives: bringing a long and defining professional career to a close and embarking on a new phase of life.
Pathways supports experienced leaders from corporations and law firms, as well as professionals from the financial sector, through one of the most significant transitions in their lives: bringing a long and defining professional career to a close and embarking on a new phase of life.
Our services are designed for companies and law firms that want to support departing leaders and employees through this transition with appreciation and respect – as well as for lawyers and bankers who want to actively shape this next chapter in a way that feels meaningful to them. Pathways also supports family business owners navigating succession and the transfer of their business.
Having spent decades ourselves in leadership positions in international law firms and corporations, we understand from first-hand experience what this transition involves – both professionally and personally.
We offer individual, practical guidance based on a genuine exchange between peers.
Depending on individual interests and goals, our conversation modules are complemented by networking opportunities and new perspectives and ideas. We also provide opportunities to engage with distinguished individuals from business, society and culture and explore how they have approached and shaped this new chapter in their own lives.
There are also opportunities to connect and exchange experiences with others going through a similar transition.
The Pathways Process:
Six modules for new perspectives
Finding direction does not happen by itself. It requires structure, reflection and the right people to talk to.
The Pathways process guides you through six interconnected modules over 7 to 10 sessions of 60 minutes each. Complemented by reading recommendations, cultural inspiration and networking opportunities, the process creates an individual pathway into your next chapter – personal, confidential and grounded in experience.
As an additional element, you will have the opportunity to engage in conversation with distinguished individuals from business, society and culture.
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1. Stocktaking
Your professional journey and personal story
Support in consciously reflecting on your current situation and identifying the first areas you would like to explore.
Together, we look back at your professional career and key stages of your life as a starting point for the coaching process.
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2. Values and Interests
Personal motivation and values
Identifying your individual motivators and sources of meaning.
Exploring the core beliefs and principles that have shaped you and your decisions.
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3. Navigating the transition
New perspectives on changing roles and identities
Reflecting on what it means to leave your previous professional role and this chapter of your life behind.
Exploring meaningful ways of marking the transition and beginning to shift towards a new perspective.
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4. Developing new perspectives and roles
Structured conversations supported by visualisation techniques
Exploring ideas and inspiration for new roles.
Developing and visualising possible scenarios for the future.
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5. Activating internal and external resources
Rest & movement, interests and networks
Exploring your individual strengths, capabilities and resources.
Identifying the people and networks that can support and accompany you in your next chapter.
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6. Turning ideas into action
Concrete planning, obstacles and solutions
Developing a detailed plan for translating the ideas and perspectives that emerged during the coaching process into action.
Exchange and Engagement
We provide opportunities to form peer groups where our clients can exchange experiences, perspectives and ideas about this new phase of life.
We also facilitate conversations, in both small and larger groups, with people who have already embarked on their own next chapter. They share their personal experiences and offer further inspiration and perspectives.
In addition, we connect you with individuals and representatives from society, business and culture to explore opportunities for meaningful personal engagement and identify concrete ways to contribute in cultural and social contexts.
What comes next is in your hands. We help you shape it.
Our Team
Pathways was founded by two lawyers who spent many years in a variety of leadership positions in business and who have personally experienced and shaped the transition they now support others through.
This shared experience provides the foundation for an open, informed and genuine exchange between peers.
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More than 25 years of international experience as a lawyer at Deutsche Telekom and as a senior leader in global corporations and international law firms, including Clifford Chance and Willkie Farr & Gallagher.
Many years as Head of Legal EMEA for global industrial corporations including Honeywell and Celanese, as well as a member of international leadership teams.
Extensive experience working closely with executive boards, management teams and partners of international law firms on strategic, legal and ethical issues.
Founder of MainKairos Consulting GmbH and advisor on succession and transition processes in family-owned businesses.
Trained business mediator with experience in international decision-making and conflict situations.
Long-standing involvement in the field of Ethical Leadership, including many years as a board member and faculty member of the international FASPE programme.
Member of various advisory boards, professional networks and governance bodies.
Studied law at the universities of Freiburg, Berlin and Konstanz and received his doctorate in law under Professor Hartmut Maurer, specialising in media law and constitutional law relating to religious organisations, at the University of Konstanz.
Passionate about literature, jazz and classical music; a cellist and sports enthusiast.
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27 years of experience as a lawyer and senior leader in the German financial sector, with responsibility for up to 530 employees, including:
Head of HR Compensation & Benefits at Commerzbank
Member of the Executive Board of Vorsorgekasse der Commerzbank V.a.G.
Member of the Executive Board of Commerz Real AG, based in Wiesbaden and Düsseldorf
Chief Credit Officer Corporates at Commerzbank
Assistant to Commerzbank CEO Dr Martin Kohlhaussen
Lawyer at Brinkmann & Partner, specialising in insolvency law.
Member of various professional networks and expert committees throughout his career.
Speaker at conferences and professional events.
Studied law and modern German literature in Freiburg, Berlin and Konstanz.
Doctorate in law under Professor Dr Werner F. Ebke and publication of his doctoral thesis Integrationsrecht und Finanzdienstleistungen (Gabler Verlag, 1993).
Volunteer work in social counselling in Frankfurt.
Passionate about music – particularly the piano – and literature.
Frequent asked questions
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Pathways is designed for experienced lawyers – including law firm partners, General Counsels and senior in-house lawyers – who are approaching the end of their professional careers or are currently navigating this transition.
Our services are also aimed at law firms and companies that want to offer departing leaders structured and appreciative support as they move into the next stage of their lives.
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Pathways is not career coaching in the traditional sense.
The aim is not to find the next job, but to consciously shape the transition into a new phase of life in a way that feels meaningful, fulfilling and personally right.
Our advisors bring their own experience from many years in senior leadership positions in law firms and international corporations. This creates a genuine exchange that goes beyond coaching methods and frameworks.
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The process consists of 7 to 10 sessions of 60 minutes each and is structured around six interconnected modules – from taking stock of your current situation and developing new roles and perspectives through to concrete implementation planning.
Sessions take place in Frankfurt am Main, with online coaching also available in some cases.
The process is complemented by recommendations for books, music and films as well as individual reflection exercises.
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Law firms that offer Pathways to departing partners or senior leaders invest in a culture that demonstrates appreciation not only at the beginning of a career, but also at its conclusion.
This helps create what are sometimes referred to as “Happy Leavers” – people who experience their transition positively and remember the firm as a fair and respectful employer.
This can have a positive impact both on the internal culture of the organisation and on its external reputation as an employer.
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The first conversation gives us an opportunity to get to know each other and explore where you currently stand:
Where are you right now? What is on your mind? What would you like to shape or explore in this new phase of your life?
Based on this conversation, the advisory process is tailored to your individual situation and needs.
The initial conversation is free of charge, confidential and without obligation.
Contact
Would you like to find out more or schedule an initial conversation?
Our introductory conversations are confidential, without obligation and free of charge.
We look forward to hearing from you.