Dr. Julian Oberndörfer is a business-minded attorney with more than two decades of experience in the areas of commercial, intellectual property, and media law. As the founder and owner of OC Legal, he has had the privilege of advising startups, scale-ups, and multinational companies on their legal strategies, market entry, and business transformation.
His legal approach is entrepreneurial, pragmatic, and deeply rooted in an understanding of business operations. He not only provides legal advice but also supports companies as an external in-house counsel by aligning the legal framework with corporate goals to enable sustainable growth and minimize friction losses.
His global business network stems from his role as CEO of a global trade association, where he worked with stakeholders on every continent. During that time—and also in his previous leadership role at HSE—he discovered his passion for optimizing business processes and leveraging new technologies and applications to drive efficiency and innovation.
Throughout his career, he has worked closely with companies in the technology, e-commerce, media, and consumer goods sectors and has extensive experience in international expansion and cross-border legal structuring.
Driven by his deep interest in innovation and global business, he is now exploring new opportunities in the thriving UAE region—a dynamic hub for entrepreneurship and change.
Founded in 1999, the law firm was revitalized in 2013 with its move to Starnberg. We have assisted various German and international TV broadcasters, primarily in the areas of distribution, exploitation rights, and content contracts, but also in the area of regulation. A highlight was having played a key role in the founding of the TV station Zee.TV and later serving as its outsourced legal department. Our portfolio includes, among others, retail companies, product manufacturers and suppliers, and digital startups. 20 – present
Since 1999: OC Legal, Oberndörfer Law Firm
Founded in 1999, the law firm was revitalized in 2013 with its move to Starnberg. We have assisted various German and international TV broadcasters, primarily in the areas of distribution, exploitation rights, and content agreements, but also in the area of regulation. A highlight was having played a full role in “co-founding” the TV station Zee.TV and later serving as its outsourced legal department. Our portfolio includes, among others, retail companies, product manufacturers and suppliers, and digital startups.
2020 – present: Founder/CEO of StarMaxx5
GmbH: Founding and management of StarMaxx5 GmbH. StarMaxx5 operates the jewelry e-commerce platform favoro-jewellery.com. Version 2.0 of the online store has been live since December 2023; the platform sells international jewelry brands through all digital and social media sales channels. The platform was put on standby at the end of 2024.
2015 – present AK Medien/ IHK Upper Bavaria
Digital media specialists examine the latest developments and discuss their impact on future business areas, as well as how to integrate them into existing or new business areas in a practical way.
2013–2023 CEO of ERA Global
The management and restructuring of what was initially a purely European teleshopping association led to its renaming as ERA Global in 2018; since then, it has expanded to represent the industry’s interests worldwide. ERA Global is an international trade association that, in addition to engaging with international regulatory bodies—for example, on platform liability for IP infringements or counterfeiting—also represents the industry at the national level, such as before Ofcom. The association’s portfolio also includes international trade conferences and platforms that take place regularly in Europe and, since 2022, in the U.S. (Las Vegas, Chicago). Industry representatives meet to discuss business opportunities and best-selling products, while specialists provide insights into the latest developments regarding, for example, product innovations, customer engagement, and regulatory changes.
2013–2023 Advisory Committee of the European Audiovisual Observatory
Member serving as an expert on the Council of Europe’s advisory body on relevant developments across the European media sector.
2018–2023 State Media Committee (FDP)
Member of the Bavarian Liberals’ advisory committee tasked with reviewing the party’s media policy in Bavaria and providing recommendations on the direction of the parliamentary caucus.
2001–2013 Home Shopping Europe (HSE)
As Vice President of Media Law, Media Politics & Distribution, responsible for all aspects of media law, contract negotiations with content platforms (cable/satellite/IPTV/DVBH/OTT), regulatory support, and representation of the broadcasting group at the national and international levels within industry associations or directly with ministries and institutions. Responsible for interactive business models, particularly iTV via HBBTV
As Head of Country Management for Austria & Switzerland, I was responsible for the Austrian and Swiss markets, which accounted for more than 10% of total revenue. In addition to ongoing process optimization, this primarily involved managing local service providers and ensuring the efficient use of the local advertising budget. The European business generated through satellite spillover also falls within this area of responsibility.
2012–2013: Chairman of the Board of ERA Europe – Board Member since 2007
At ERA Europe (ERA Global since 2018), the sole representative body of the teleshopping industry at the European level, the primary issues were the revision of the TV Directive and the transformation of the B2B “self-regulation process” into a customer-oriented B2C complaint mechanism.
2006–2013 Chair of the AK Division/VAUNET (VPRT)
At ERA Europe (ERA Global since 2018), the sole representative body of the teleshopping industry at the European level, the primary issues were the revision of the TV Directive and the transformation of the B2B “self-regulation process” into a customer-oriented B2C complaint mechanism.
2000 2001 K+H Law Firm
My first position at a law firm while pursuing my doctorate. I primarily advised “New Economy” startups.
1999–2001 Deutsche Bank
Internship during my doctoral studies in the UI Payment division. Supervision and legal evaluation of innovative digital transaction processing methods.
Sara Bot is a trained AI multifunctional manager and agent. With her Austrian charm, she is always available to our clients to competently handle legal matters, forward them to the appropriate contacts, and prepare appointments. She is the administrative heart of our law firm. She is available to us 24/7. Still, sometimes we wish she weren’t just artificial intelligence. Simply talking to our smart assistant— Remoteand Extraordinary—is an experience in itself; her services are invaluable.