, thumbs up for the German Opportunity Card

The August 2023 Newsletter

Greetings!

August is a fun month. Whether you just returned from a vacation or are still getting ready for the month of August somewhere abroad. We hope you enjoyed it, spent time with your family, went on adventures and vacations, and applied sunscreen.

The month of July brought my 600th Morning Musing. What a personal achievement! You can watch it here.

This newsletter covers the German Opportunity Card, an opportunity similar to a Green Card or a H-1B Visa to come to Germany. We're happy to help you with potential opportunities to go and work in Germany.

Are you using "Thumbs-Up emojis”? If so, be careful. It may have a legal consequence. Read or watch more below.

If you are ready for more adventures, please take a look at our law interns' experiences.

Read more in the newsletter below!

Best wishes.

Reinhard von Hennigs &

Your Team at BridgehouseLaw LLP

Morning Musings

As you may know, Reinhard von Hennigs has been musing about current events and topics for over three years. The second book has been published and is now available on amazon.com. You can go ahead and order the book here.

In the meantime, do check out the Morning Musing library on YouTube.

YouTube Morning Musings

Enjoy Reinhard's third most-watched Morning Musing from the month of July.

Are you subscribed to our YouTube channel?

If not, subscribe here and get notified when new Musings drop.

Never miss out!

Did Google Steal the Idea For Google Earth? New Netflix Show About the Situation

What is the Meaning of a Thumbs Up emoji?

If you want to know the honest answer, talk to a farmer in Canada. He was held by a court to pay $50,000. A few weeks ago, this landmark court case was decided and found that a farmer entered into a legally binding contract with a thumbs-up emoji.

So the question is whether the farmer was obligated to pay, and the answer is yes, but how does this work when you enter into a contract when you end a text message with a thumbs up? It's not only a question of digital communication and contracts, but also, what does it mean when you don't have words when just a symbol is there to show intent?

To learn more, watch the complete Morning Musing or read the full article on our blog.

BridgehouseLaw is happy to help you and answer your contract questions.

What is the meaning of a Thumbs Up emoji?

What is the German Opportunity Card?

A few weeks ago, on June 23rd, 2023, the German parliament approved reforming the Skilled Immigration Act in Germany. This law has been in place since 2020 and aims to make it easier for skilled professionals from non-European Union countries to immigrate to Germany. This card is known as "Chancenkarte" in German.

With its vibrant economy, strategic location, and robust infrastructure, Germany has been a sought-after destination for global businesses looking to expand their reach. The German opportunity card is game-changing. It's game-changing because it opens the doors to a world of opportunities for entrepreneurs, for existing companies. The German market is substantial and foreign companies have a chance to tap into that.

By the same token, local companies in Germany can use the opportunity card to recruit talent from all over the world. In other words, the German market is open to the world, and the world is open to the German market. What are the critical aspects of this opportunity card, including the availability and the application process?

To learn more, watch the complete Morning Musing! Or check out our blog.

We here at BridgehouseLaw will happily answer your questions, provide more information, and assist you in exploring your chance of obtaining the Opportunity Card.

Travel. Explore. Discover.

Record numbers of people are traveling domestically and internationally for pleasure this summer. Many have taken to the friendly skies to explore foreign destinations, while others have opted to travel by car or rail, heading for destinations closer to home. This summer, travelers share a common desire to discover something new regardless of how people get to wherever they are going. The long months of quarantines and travel bans during the past couple of years have reinvigorated global tourism. This uptick in tourism is good for businesses and personal growth.

There are so many known advantages to traveling. First, traveling improves people’s mental health. While some aspects of traveling can be stressful, like packing necessities for the trip, traveling allows people to breathe and relax in new surroundings. People try new activities and foods when they travel, breaking the monotony of a regular day-to-day routine.

Second, traveling allows people to practice communication skills, whether through practicing and using a second (or third) language or having an unexpected conversation with a stranger. Either way, communicating with people outside of one’s normal sphere of influence gives the brain a boost of ‘feel good’ hormones and neurotransmitters that can positively impact a person’s confidence. Increased confidence correlates to more robust communication skills, relationships, and chances of success in future endeavors.

Third, traveling teaches people things about other cultures and histories. This applies to both foreign and domestic travel. People who embark on adventures to new and known places and are determined to try or learn something new gain new insights and respect for the place and the local people. A big part of being culturally aware stems from a person’s ability to adapt to unique circumstances and understand points of view from a different perspective. Tolerance, acceptance, and understanding are all necessities in a global business world.

Lastly, traveling is fun. Venturing into new locations, meeting new people, and trying new activities and cuisine are inspiring. People can let go of the mundane daily schedule and open themselves to new experiences. Undertaking unknown adventures sparks creativity and allows people to experience unique moments while traveling. These moments become the memories and stories people tell their friends and family when they return from their travels. In these reflective moments, people fully realize the benefits of traveling, exploring, and discovering the world around them and how those moments have transformed the person within them.

Crystal McBride, Law Clerk, BridgehouseLaw Charlotte

Summer Internship

My experience as an intern at BridgehouseLaw has been nothing short of fantastic. I was initially interested in the job because the firm specializes in international corporate law and immigration, which I had an interest in before law school. That said, upon starting the job, I found the work to be only a piece of what made my experience so fulfilling.

From the first day, I was welcomed with open arms and given challenging but manageable work. The attorneys were dedicated to making my summer as valuable as possible. They provided me countless opportunities to expand my boundaries, explore different areas of the law, and play an integral role in serving the firm’s clients. I genuinely could not have asked for more out of the internship than what BridgehouseLaw provided.

This position provided the opportunity to explore a wide variety of cases and work. Whether a student is interested in civil litigation, corporate work for large clients, or immigration, there is work to fit that interest. On top of that, the attorneys operate using an “open door” policy that allows you to ask questions whenever they arise. I found this policy served two critical purposes that facilitated professional growth and made my summer experience excellent: (1) I was able to take on large, ambitious projects with confidence, knowing I could lean on my supervising attorneys for guidance; and (2) it created a sense of community within the firm that improved work product and made coming to work an enjoyable experience.

While there was always plenty of work, we also set aside time for fun. We regularly had office-wide lunches both in and out of the office, celebrated birthdays, went to the Taste of Charlotte food festival, ate NC barbecue, jerk chicken, ceviche, and cheesecake, played music trivia, and went to Top Golf together.

This summer has been precious, fulfilling, and memorable. I highly recommend any law student – regardless of practice area of interest – to work for BridgehouseLaw.

Tristan Erickson-Cales, Law Clerk, BridgehouseLaw Charlotte