Dr. Nick Oberheiden is a nationally recognized defense attorney who has represented diplomats, sitting U.S. governors, high-level DOJ officials, lawyers, doctors, prosecutors, and a plethora of businesses and their owners in audits, litigation, compliance, and defense matters.
Newspaper Interview Excerpts
First thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
Thank the Lord.
What made you choose law school?
I admire disciplined, structured thinking.
How would you describe your legal style?
Determined diplomacy—forceful, yet respectful.
Best negotiation tactic?
Make concessions that don’t matter.
How many courtrooms have you been to?
I have traveled all U.S. states several times. Whether in Alaska, North Dakota, Missouri, Texas, or New York: I have been in their federal courts.
How many cases do you handle on average?
My personal docket is typically around 80-100 cases.
How many assistants do you have?
None—believe it or not. No assistant, no secretary, no paralegal. I make my own reservations; faster than spending valuable time explaining my needs to someone else.
How do you stay organized?
If I may use a cliché—genetics; my German upbringing.
The last book you read?
Be a better dad today—from my friend, Ambassador Gregory Slayton.
The last book that you wrote?
It’s called Elegant Simplicity.
What is your advice to young lawyers?
Find a niche within a niche.
What alternative job would you enjoy?
Diplomat or historian.
Before you go to court, you?
Envision the scenery while listening to Richard Wagner’s Parsifal in the car.
How do you prepare for court?
Practicing my presentation in front of a mirror. Awkward, but very effective.
What does “winning” mean to you?
A bisserl was geht immer (there is always a little bit that can be done). Finding the hole. Much inspired by my Kung Fu days— Push forward whenever you see a way.
What is your hourly rate?
Consider your lawyer an investment.
Who are your most prominent clients?
In my line of business, I don’t tend to reveal names, only titles. A sitting governor, government officials, CEOs, publicly traded companies, and a lot of business executives.
What representation are you most proud of?
I always feel honored when judges and prosecutors ask me for help. It means something to me. They know the profession and if, among all the lawyers available, they choose me, I feel endorsed and verified.
What outcome are you most proud of?
In my very first case right after I opened my law firm in 2011, I set a new federal precedent.
Where is home?
Home is wherever I am. I take it with me.
Do you miss Germany?
People always ask me that question. Luckily, technology eases distances.
What is your favorite language?
Portuguese.
What is your personal motto?
The Courage to Be. It’s the title of a book by Paul Tillich. Create your own system and be the center of your own universe—no matter what others say. Pursue your path.
Talking about books, what are your favorites?
That’s tough. My home library covers centuries of topics and the world map of authors. I’ll answer by author… Proust, Kafka, Camus, Flaubert, Nietzsche, Keyserling, Coelho, Tolstoy.
Many lawyers seem to get tired of being a lawyer at some point. Any career regrets?
Sincerely, no. I love what I do. Every day.
How does a typical day look like?
I get up early, work out, take the kids to school, sprint to the airport, rush to court, dash home.
How much do you travel?
Enough to be liked by more than one airline alliance.
How do you relax?
Labor ipse voluptas. People who know me will confirm: I am relaxed.
Things you can’t live without.
Beside family, books and bubble water.
Guilty pleasure?
Guilty? Innocent until proven otherwise.
Dr. Nick Oberheiden,
Attorney-at-Law
Attorney, Nick Oberheiden
