Tiny Family Alp Göçmen
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE MUSIC LOVER, LAWYER & NOTARY PUBLIC AND RUNNER
Alp in his office at the “law boutique” law firm Zwicky & Partner in Zug.
Decades ago, I ran a sneaker store in Zug, and it was Alp who recognized the value of slow-selling shoes (which later became bestsellers) and bought them from me. The many moments of relief led to a friendship that continues to this day. I'm naturally delighted that the former DJ, now a lawyer, has remained my loyal customer. ☺︎
Alp: I can still remember it clearly. It must have been around 1997/98.
Sibylle: Alp, what are your morning rituals?
Get up early, drink coffee first, don't smoke, which I don't always manage, then read and read and then walk with the dog (Aki) to the river or into the forest, jog or (in summer) swim.
Then, head to the office as early as possible and the workday can begin. ;)
Which type of The Tiny Factory Granola do you prefer and how do you enjoy your granola?
Sour Cherry. Preferably with fruit yogurt and fresh fruit.
The Tiny Factory is for you:
Very tasty, made with love, a great local product.
The energy food always with you.
What music do you like?
Electronic dance and bass music, drum 'n' bass, dub, downtempo, ambient, electronica, film music, deep house, and always techno from Detroit to Chicago to Manchester via Berlin to Istanbul. At the moment, I'm listening to a lot of "Rising Sun," "Calibre," "DJ Metatron," "Dwig," and "Boards of Canada," but also newer stuff like "Loraine James" and "Joy Orbison."
Which record is most valuable to you?
I own not only vinyl records (over 5,000), but also many CDs and a great deal of digital music. I don't have a favorite record, but rather many, because they are valuable because they are original records (first editions), or because they have acquired a high emotional value for me after 30 years. Then there are other records that remind me of certain moments, places, people, etc.
Alp with Aki. A selection from his record collection, which totals over 5,000 copies.
What does your everyday life as a litigation lawyer look like?
The daily routine of a litigation attorney is probably not that different from other legal professions. Aside from the occasional appearance in courtrooms or elsewhere, we also work extensively with and on files, engaging in continuous and sometimes lengthy file and legal studies. All of this requires a great deal of concentration, diligence, and, of course, perseverance!
Especially as a criminal defense attorney, I'm constantly struck by the distorted and biased image people have of us. We are neither accomplices nor assistants to our clients, even if we solely represent their interests. And in most cases, our everyday lives are far less spectacular and cinematic than is often suggested, especially in foreign legal publications. Nevertheless, it's the best job in the world!
Alp in front of his home in Zurich.
Your life motto:
Everything in moderation
What goes around comes around
Running makes me feel free and alive
And of course the famous quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe:
Pay attention to your thoughts; they become words. Pay attention to your words; they become actions. Pay attention to your actions; they become habits. Pay attention to your habits; they become character traits. Pay attention to your character; it becomes your destiny.
More information about Alp's Law Firm
