On Tax Ocka Stumm of Gleiss Lutz
Dec 5, 2023
Ocka Stumm is a tax partner at Gleiss Lutz in Frankfurt, specializing in transactional matters and tax litigation. In this discussion, she shares insights on the striking differences between the legal systems in the U.S. and Germany. Ocka also delves into her transformative experience as a secondee at Cravath, highlighting the importance of collaboration and mentorship in law. The conversation shifts to the art of negotiation, comparing transactional approaches to litigation, and ends with a light-hearted chat about hobbies and family activities.
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Ocka's Tax Law Journey
- Ocka initially found tax law uninteresting and leaned towards tax criminal law and white-collar crime.
- Ultimately, she returned to tax law and now balances transactional work with criminal tax matters.
Tax Law Rapidly Evolves
- German tax law changes rapidly, requiring constant learning and adaptation.
- Working with international clients reveals surprising differences and similarities in tax law approaches.
Transactional and Criminal Tax Work
- Ocka's practice is mostly transactional tax, including negotiation of SPA and management participation programs.
- She also handles tax criminal cases that can last many years, unlike U.S. where jail is more immediate.