Life is never boring with Niki M.Demirbilek

Niki joined our Frankfurt office shortly after it was established. We spoke to Niki as she reflects on her career journey from associate to starting her own successful underwriting agency, AMANIKI.

How did you come to join Norton Rose Fulbright?

I joined in April 2002. I had left Germany to work and study in the US and, on returning, was keen to work for an international law firm where I could use the experience I had gained in the States. It was quite soon after 9/11 so no US firms were really hiring but Norton Rose Fulbright had only recently opened three new offices in Germany and was focussed on building up its practices there. I was interviewed by the English partners and the fact that I would be working alongside a corporate finance team based in London really appealed. I accepted the offer and joined the Frankfurt office. I was very excited as it was my first proper job as a fee-earner with a full salary.

Who was a particular inspiration for you at that time?

I worked mainly with Campbell Steedman who was leading the German practice at that time. I also started doing a lot of international work with Dirk Otto and Simon Cox. It really was an exhilarating time. Everyone was new and my colleagues in Frankfurt were a lovely team to be work with. In my opinion, those early years were some of the best and I am still in contact with many of my former colleagues.

Campbell Steadman played an important part in my career. He involved me in some memorable and interesting deals right from day one and I worked across many different jurisdictions. There was no “back office” start for me. Campbell sent me to Romania, Turkey, Greece and Dubai and I learnt so much. He was such a brilliant mentor, teaching me how to negotiate as well as many soft skills. He also was very funny and always helped me to see the humorous side of a difficult situation.

What are your favourite memories of the firm?

I had so many good times with the firm but one does stand out. It was our first “away day” event in summer 2002 when all three German offices went to Ijsselmeer in the Netherlands for a sailing trip. We were all still so new and it was a good team building event as well as a lot of fun. On arrival, we bought our supplies for the weekend but they only just managed to last until the end of the first evening – who knew sailing was such thirsty work! We were all given a fleece with our name on it and I’m proud to say I still have mine today.

I also enjoyed being able to come to London and spent a lot of time there. Quite early on I was sent on a training course on UK law just outside of London. It a great opportunity to spend time with other colleagues who, like me, had different law qualifications. The training and testing was pretty intense but it has stood me in good stead ever since. I stayed at the firm for six years and left on good terms and I am still instructing Norton Rose Fulbright now.

Where did your career take you next?

In 2008, I joined AIG moving in-house and into insurance, with a focus on M&A insurance. At that time, I was the only senior underwriter at AIG based in Frankfurt and enjoyed being able to work on M&A with a different perspective. I worked hard to build up their German practice but then I moved to Zurich and to DUAL where I then set up their entire German practice from scratch. After three years, I decided it was time for something new so I took the big step to set up my own company in M&A insurance.

What do you enjoy about running your own company?

Running my own company is certainly the most challenging and rewarding thing I have ever done. Although I have 10 years’ experience working in private practice as well as specialised insurance experience from AIG , Zurich and DUAL, I have had to adapt to a completely different way of thinking. Being an entrepreneur, I have had to combine my business acumen with my legal skills and look at things from every different angle. I was always used to having a lot of responsibility and it helped that the people I reported to trusted my skills and ability. However, it is a completely different story if the responsibility for absolutely everything rests on your shoulders. Before I would get my pay check every month but now paying salaries each month is all on me and I take the wellbeing of my employees very seriously. I have to ensure my business is a success. I really do enjoy it though and, if you asked me whether I would do it again, I would not hesitate to say yes. I started the business before the pandemic and things were going well then Covid hit. It was certainly not the easiest time for a new business but thankfully things have picked up again in the M&A field. In fact, we are now so busy that I need to employ more new people so that growth is exciting. One thing I can say is that my life is never boring!

What do you enjoy doing when not working?

I spend most of my time working but travelling is my passion, especially to new and far destinations. Where I can, I try to combine travel with work. Understanding how to negotiate or how businesses run in different cultures is something I take great pleasure in. Living in the US was a good learning curve and I do love London – so much so that I have an office there. When I left AIG I travelled the whole of Australia in a camper driving myself and then, before I started AMANIKI, I went to Florence and did a language and a master cookery class. I enjoy wine and have done several wine-tasting tours in South Africa and Italy. I do miss travelling and look forward to exploring to some far flung destinations as soon as I can.