Topics: Education path, founder, attorney, notary public, law firm owner, mediation, alternative dispute resolution, day-to-day work, law firm, general practice, Droxler Attorneys at Law.
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Hello Mr. Droxler, we are delighted to have you as the founder of your law firm for this interview. Could you explain your career path to becoming a lawyer and a notary public?

After completing my gymnasium studies with a focus on economics and law, I was not sure what to study next. Through connections, I had the opportunity to spend a few weeks at a law firm in Winterthur. I really liked the tasks to be solved, the working atmosphere, and the collegial interaction, so I decided to study law in Zurich with the goal of becoming a lawyer in the future.

During my studies, I worked part-time in the legal department of the FIFA Arbitration Tribunal. There, I met a lawyer who helped me secure an internship at a law firm in the canton of Schwyz.

The Schwyz lawyer's license offers two advantages: firstly, being a lawyer automatically means being a notary public, and secondly, the written lawyer exams are open book. After my lawyer internship, I diligently obtained the lawyer's license within a year and on the first attempt.

In addition to your work as a lawyer, you also work as a mediator. In which cases do you recommend mediation as an alternative to litigation in court?

Mediation is recommended when a "swift" solution is sought or when non-legal interests need to be considered. Essentially, it is suitable whenever the relationship between the parties needs to be preserved after resolving the conflict and when interpersonal or personal interests play a significant role. This is particularly applicable in disputes related to inheritance law, family law, employment law, as well as conflicts between business partners.

In mediation, the focus is on the needs of the parties rather than the legal dispute itself. The emphasis is on the present and the future, rather than the past. Ideally, through conflict resolution in mediation, the parties learn to resolve future disputes amicably as well.

The potential to reach an amicable agreement and the acceptance of a concluded agreement are much higher and more efficient compared to a court proceeding, and it is also more cost-effective for the parties involved.

If a "quick" solution is sought or if non-legal interests need to be taken into account, mediation is an option. - Samuel Droxler

Would you like to give us an insight into your daily work?

First of all, it must be said that I enjoy working with people. I have the privilege of attending many meeting and negotiation appointments, which I find enjoyable.

My workday starts with the obligatory coffee and organizational matters. Initially, I handle the day's mail, including email correspondence and any callbacks, unless I already have an appointment at 8 o'clock. Besides the aforementioned appointments, I am also active in forensics. This primarily involves drafting legal documents and other submissions, writing letters, and studying files. Unfortunately, the time to work in a concentrated and unhindered way, as well as to make dogmatic and substantiated legal clarifications, is often too short.

Here, I would like to have a «legal assistant», «legal secretary» or «paralegal», who would not only relieve me of administrative tasks and some correspondence with clients and authorities, but would also provide simpler legal information directly, make clarifications and thus lighten my workload.

To continue at this point: In 2014, just a few years after completing your studies, you founded Droxler Lawyers. What motivated you to take this step and what skills do you believe are required for the successful establishment of a law firm?

Since my studies, I always had self-employment in mind. Having my own law firm and thereby being independent seemed to me then as it does now as an academic, to be desirable. In this context, I decide myself about my business conduct, take full control and thus the responsibility for my actions, but in return, I am also allowed to reap the fruits of my success.

The founding of a law firm should never occur due to a lack of alternatives. To be successful, an indispensable entrepreneurial will, solid business conduct, and a good portion of competence are required.

I appreciate the familial and dynamic environment and see myself as a boss who fulfills his duty of care towards his employees. We know our clients and are directly in touch with life. This was not always the case in my previous positions. - Samuel Droxler

How does Droxler Lawyers differentiate itself as an employer from other law firms?

You would have to ask my employees that. I appreciate the familial and dynamic environment and see myself as a boss who fulfills his duty of care towards his employees. We know our clients and are directly in touch with life. This was not always the case in my previous positions.

Furthermore, as generalists, we are versatile and assist our clients in complicated situations.

And what do you particularly appreciate about your work in your own general practice?

The direct contact with the clients and their recognition and appreciation for our services.

In conclusion, we would like to hear your perspective for lawyers who aspire to a career in a general practice. What advice would you like to give them?

In a general practice, there is little monotonous routine work, so boredom has no chance. It remains a challenging environment in which one may work. One learns to think interconnectedly, solution-oriented and foresightedly, and acquires a 100% depth of production and broadens their horizon.

One should always be open to results and yet goal-oriented. If the former is missing, one misses out on opportunities and chances. If the latter is missing, one is aimlessly on the move and risks getting lost.

Thank you very much for the interview and for sharing your personal experiences with us, Mr. Droxler. We wish you all the best and much success in the future.