1968-1991 Professor for Civil Law and Roman Law at the University of Frankfurt/Main. Founder and publisher of
Forschungen zur Byzantinischen Rechtsgeschichte, of Rechtshistorisches Journal, and Gegenworte. Since 1980 director of the Max-Planck-Institut für Europäische Rechtsgeschichte (Max-Planck-Institute of European History of Law). Since 1995 President of BBAW (Berlin Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften).
