Born on 1 June 1963 in Munich, Germany

• Studies in Slavic languages and literature, 1982-1987; studies in law, University of Munich, 1984-1989
• Magister Artium in Slavic languages and literature, University of Munich, 1987
• Diploma in comparative law, University of Strasbourg, 1988
• First and Second State exam in law, Universities of Munich and Heidelberg, 1989 and 1993
• Doctor of Law, University of Würzburg, 1993
• Research fellow at the Max-Planck-Institute for Foreign and International Social Law, Munich, 1993-2001
• Visiting researcher Harvard University, 1994-1995
• Legal advisor of the General Directorate Social Cohesion of the Council of Europe, 2001-2002
• Full professor of law and Director of the Institute for Eastern European Law, University of Cologne, 2002-2010
• Member of the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations of the International Labour Organisation, 2004-2010
• Substitute Member of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, 2006-2010
• Vice-President of the University of Cologne, 2010
• Judge of the European Court of Human Rights from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2019
• Vice-President of Section since 13 November 2012
• President of Section from 1 November 2015 to 31 December 2019
• Vice-President of the Court from 1 February 2017 to 31 December 2019.