At Rödl & Partner, Michael Quiring is more than an attorney — he manages teams, drives strategy, and oversees consulting services across law, tax, and business processes. He shares his personal story — from growing up in Almaty, adapting to life in Germany, and returning to build a career bridging legal and business practices across Central Asia.
Michael Quiring, Partner, Regional Manager for Rödl & Partner Central Asia, linkedin
About me
I'm a German attorney-at-law, currently serving as Partner and Regional Manager by Rödl & Partner Central Asia. We have offices in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and in Tashkent, the wonderful and sunny capital of Uzbekistan. I am also responsible for our activities in Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Depending on the request, we often cooperate with partners as part of our German Professional Services Alliance cooperation in these regions.
I am an ethnic German, but I was born in Almaty. Since it was still the Soviet Union at that time, it has been quite a while ago. My ancestors lived in different parts of the world: on my father’s side, the family is from Transnistria, which is now part of Moldova, and another part is from Crimea. They were deported to Kazakhstan during the Second World War. I was 11 years old when I moved with my parents to Germany — a major turning point in my life.
At home we spoke an old German dialect, but to be honest, Russian became my second mother tongue, which I had to master before even starting school. Since the age of 11, I grew up, studied, and obtained my qualifications and licenses as an attorney-at-law in Germany. Later, I returned to Kazakhstan and have been working for Rödl & Partner for more than 12 years.
About my work
It’s quite a funny story how I ended up in law. After moving to Germany, the first three to five years were an adaptation period — new culture, new mindset, a different way of life. In the 8th grade, a friend invited me to a family event. His father was an attorney-at-law, and that was my first encounter with the profession.
From then on, becoming a lawyer became my dream. I was further inspired by the 1960s legal drama Perry Mason, which awakened in me a desire to defend the interests of clients.
Studying law in Germany is a demanding and highly competitive process, especially if one aspires to become a defender, but that became my goal.
Along the way, I gained international experience. In 2009, I completed an internship at the German Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan. I completed numerous internships — both in Königsberg — present-day Kaliningrad and in other Baltic countries. Even during my studies, I began working as an assistant to a prominent criminal defense lawyer.
My professional path took an unexpected turn thanks to a Google advertisement — Rödl & Partner was searching for a partner in Kazakhstan. Within one and a half months, I made the decision, packed a single suitcase, and in July 2013, I relocated to Almaty. That was the true beginning of my career with Rödl & Partner, where I have been ever since.
Today, I have different roles within the company. I serve as a manager, overseeing administrative staff, but I also work as a legal and tax consultant. My role goes beyond managing teams — I also serve as a trusted advisor to clients operating in the region, helping them navigate the complex regulatory environment of Kazakhstan and its neighboring countries.
We also provide business process outsourcing services in areas like accounting for both international and local clients. Our interdisciplinary approach sets us apart from many competitors who specialize only in narrow areas like litigation. At Rödl & Partner, we emphasize having a single contact person who coordinates across legal, tax, accounting, and strategic matters — ensuring comprehensive solutions for our clients. Our aim is always to help clients operate more efficiently and confidently in a dynamic market environment.
In this context, I also serve as the coordinator for our cooperation partners in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Thus, I am responsible for overseeing the activities of Rödl & Partner and the members of the German Professional Services Alliance throughout the region.
First impressions
When I first returned to Kazakhstan in 2009 — after leaving in 1991 — I was struck by how much the country had changed. The Soviet mindset was giving way to new ways of thinking and behaving. I felt emotions I hadn’t experienced in Europe, and it was fascinating to compare these changes with other countries I had seen.
With regard to international business trips, I have particularly vivid memories of my visits to Uzbekistan. For instance, my trip to Fergana left a lasting impression on me — it is a distinct region with over 17 million inhabitants, characterized by its own cultural specificities. I was also struck by my visits to Dushanbe and Ashgabat — cities I have had the opportunity to visit on multiple occasions, each time discovering something new.
Professionally, I still think in German — the structure, the logic, the orderliness of how business and speech are organized. Of course, I have adapted it, since realities in Kazakhstan and across the region differ significantly from German business culture.
In my daily life, I value the cultural diversity I encounter in Central Asia. Traveling between countries, meeting people of different backgrounds, and experiencing varied customs have been unique opportunities for me.
From a personal perspective, I even find life here a bit better than in Europe. People meet more often, there are frequent invitations to business events, weddings, and social gatherings. I genuinely enjoy the strong sense of community here.