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.
How many courtrooms have you been to?
I have traveled to 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 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?
In the famous distinction between the organized, responsible, logical Apollo and the artistic, creative, emotional Dionysus, I might lean more toward Apollo.
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 Wagner.
How do you prepare for court?
Practicing my presentation in front of a mirror. Awkward, but very effective.
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 or prosecutors ask me for help. 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?
I am 100% content where I am.
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, Twain, Nietzsche, Keyserling, Coelho, Gamal Hamdan, Tolstoy et al.
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.
What 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.
Besides family, books, and bubble water.
Guilty pleasure?
Guilty? Innocent until proven otherwise.
What drives you?
The feeling of being unfinished. Constant self-improvement.
Are you curious?
Intellectually, yes. About other people’s lives or gossip, not at all.
Dreams
Dreams are desires without courage (Schnitzler).
Reading goals
I would like to read Theodor Mommsen’s History of Rome.
Idols
Pope John XXIII and Thomas Jefferson, for their broad education, wisdom, and impressive moral depth.
What’s your idea of a perfect day?
It begins like this: instead of saying “Have a nice day,” I tell my children, “Make it a nice day.”
Favorite quotes
Personality begins where comparison ends (Karl Lagerfeld).
Favorite painting
The Lonely Poet (Carl Spitzweg, 1839).
Dr. Nick Oberheiden,
Attorney-at-Law
Attorney, Nick Oberheiden
