I am a German-licensed lawyer and the founder of Hauerstein Consulting.

My mission is to assist foreign investors in navigating Indonesia's legal business environment and to support international organizations in implementing governance and rule-of-law programs across ASEAN and Africa.

I am fluent in German, English, and Indonesian, enabling me to work directly with regulators, officials, and clients without the need for translators or intermediaries.

The Problem That You Might Face

When I arrived in Indonesia over 20 years ago, I encountered a common challenge: asking the same question to different government agencies or local consultants often resulted in three different answers.

The most common phrase I heard was, “This is no problem, we are in Indonesia”, and "Everything can be arranged".

At first, this conflicted with my legal background, prompting me to learn the system on my own.

On the one hand, I realized that not everything is black and white, and that there are many different shades of grey.

On the other hand, I learned from my own experience that talk is cheap from those who are not accountable for their advice or do not have to pay under-the-table fees to solve what seems like no problem.

After working on over 60 development projects with Indonesian government institutions—and witnessing expensive mistakes made by foreign investors in Bali—I learned something fundamental about Indonesian law:

1. What's Written: The regulations that exist on paper.

2. What's Done: The actual application of those regulations by officials.

3. The Gap Between: This is where strategic thinking comes into play.

Most consultants rush to level three—the quick fix, or the silver bullet.

However, without a solid understanding of the first two levels, it's impossible to assess real risks or determine if someone is taking advantage of you.

This framework isn't a formula; it's a lens for understanding a complex system, helping you make informed decisions on compliance, risk, and strategy.

My Approach

I provide an honest assessment and a clear pathway to achieving the level of compliance that protects your investment or program. While this process may take longer than quick fixes, it is the only effective way to manage real risk.

For investors, I offer services including company formation (PT PMA), property law navigation, immigration coordination, tax compliance, and business regulations.

For international organizations, I provide regulatory impact assessments, program design, implementation support, and evaluation related to governance, rule of law, and business environment reform.

My Background

• Admitted to the German bar (Rechtsanwalt) with two state examinations

• Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Human Rights and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Law - Based in Bali since 2000

• Completed over 60 projects with government institutions in Indonesia, ASEAN, and Africa

• Worked on projects funded by the World Bank, USAID, EU, and ADB

• Trilingual in German, English, and Indonesian

Legal Note

I am licensed to practice law in Germany (Rechtsanwalt) and provide legal consulting services regarding Indonesian law. For issues that require representation before Indonesian courts or government bodies, I collaborate with licensed Indonesian advocates.

Stay Informed

I publish the "Nusantara Legal Update" every Friday, breaking down new Indonesian regulations and explaining their implications for your business or project before they become problematic. You can subscribe for free below.