IN-HOUSE COUNSEL PROFILE: SIMONE KÄMPFER
CD: How do you mentor emerging legal leaders or junior litigators? Could you share an example of someone you have helped develop professionally?
Kämpfer: Mentorship, for me, starts with trust and responsibility. I believe the most effective way to develop junior litigators or emerging leaders is to give them exposure early – not just to interesting legal questions, but to decision making, stakeholder dynamics and the consequences of legal advice. I make a conscious effort to involve younger lawyers in complex matters, encourage them to voice their views, challenge them to think beyond technical excellence, while providing candid, structured feedback. The goal is not to create copies of ourselves, but confident professionals who develop sound judgment and clarity under pressure.
CD: What core values and competencies do you believe are essential for building trust with internal stakeholders, outside counsel and the judiciary?
Kämpfer: Trust in legal matters is built on three core pillars: integrity, clarity and reliability. Integrity means providing candid advice – even when it is unwelcome – and standing by it, particularly in high‑stakes or sensitive situations. Clarity is essential when navigating complex legal and regulatory risks. Stakeholders, courts and counterparties value concise, well‑reasoned positions over unnecessary complexity.
Jul-Sep 2026 issue
Deutsche Bank AG