Naples immigration attorney Norma Henning spends her days helping people realize the American dream. She guides newcomers through the intense, time-consuming bureaucracy they face when pursuing U.S. citizenship or work visas.

But the 42-year-old Bavaria native practices another important role with a foreign focus: She's an honorary consul for the Federal Republic of Germany. The volunteer position involves aiding German nationals who might encounter emergencies while abroad.

She also helps entrepreneurs and businesses find the information and resources they need to set up shop in this market-which often facilitates opportunities in Latin America.

Henning, who is now an American citizen, arrived in this country in 1986 and earned her undergraduate and law degrees in the United States. She is the only honorary consul in Florida, serving 21 counties and working with the German consulate in Miami.

GB: What sorts of business opportunities are Germans pursuing here?

Henning: I have import-export clients. I have consultants. I have [clients who own] restaurants. We have people in real estate. Pretty much anything that makes sense in this growth market. There are so many different business ventures that are attractive to people who have good ideas. Maybe five years ago, I might have said, "Oh, they all want to go into real estate." But now that has changed, and now more active businesses are importing fashions or consulting with large car manufacturers than I have seen before.

GB: Why is Southwest Florida attractive to Germans?

Henning: There is a perceived impression of more safety [in Southwest Florida] than on the east coast [of Florida]. There have been some horrible crimes committed against tourists, and we saw more Germans come over to the west coast because it is considered quieter, laid-back and safer. Germans just love Florida because it is not gray and overcast. When they come here, they see the growth and opportunity, and they see that with entrepreneurial spirit, you can really make a go of it here in Southwest Florida.

GB: How does Germany contribute to Florida's economy?

Henning: Germany is an important partner for Florida, representing $4.8 billion in trade. Since 1994, trade [with the United States] has grown by 50 percent. In my district alone, of about 20 counties, the official count of those Germans who register themselves with the consulate is about 50,000 [full- or part-time residents]. Florida is not exactly a high-trouble spot, so some people don't register. We have about 200,000 unofficially.

GB: How else does the Florida connection benefit German businesses?

Henning: A lot of European businesses use Florida as a springboard to do business in Latin America because of [the state's] frequent flight connections [to Germany] and the political stability. Also, you have a lot of expertise in Florida with doing business in Latin American countries.

The main [German] imports are vehicles and machinery, also aeronautical and space technology, electrical equipment, optical and surgical instruments and beverages. Some of [the companies] are, for example, Volkswagen, Porsche and Siemens. They chose to open U.S. locations in Florida.

GB: When you advise foreign businesses, you tout Florida's "notariate" system. What does that designation mean?

Henning: Florida is one of only a few states that has recognized the difficulty that results [from] moving between two different legal systems. For example, Latin America is civil-code based; it doesn't have common law passed down through precedent cases [as in the United States]. That often creates difficulties when you are trying to certify something in a Latin American country because all we have here [in many states] are notary publics. Here, anybody can become a notary public, but in Latin America, Germany and France, the only people who can become notaries are licensed attorneys.

Florida is one of the few states that has established a Latin-style notariate. That means special courses are available to lawyers so you can show [Latin American businesses] you have experience. It shows you can prepare notarial documents that are also admissible in Latin American courts and that go before authorities who facilitate trade.

GB: In what ways do Germans conduct business differently than Americans?

Henning: Culturally, Germans are more direct. What presents a problem is if [a German] goes to a bank and applies for financing. Generally, here, bankers are very polite and they tell [customers] that they have an interesting idea and look forward to working with them in the future, and they basically compliment them out of the office. An American would understand you did not just get financing. But in Germany, if someone had an idea that didn't merit financing [the bank] would say, "Sorry, we can't help you, have a nice day." European businesspeople interpret American politeness and small talk as a binding "yes" in business. And that sometimes gets people into trouble.

GB: What effect has Southwest Florida's weakened residential real estate market had on German business people?

Henning: I have noticed that some Germans who previously were running real estate brokerages are getting into different ventures. People have become a little more careful. I keep telling people that now is the time to buy again.

GB: How has the war in Iraq affected Germany's relationship with the United States?

Henning: There certainly was a period of a cooling off in the relationship, but that has been thankfully overcome with the political guard change. We have Chancellor [Angela] Merkel, who has a very pro-American approach.

The basic feeling amongst the population really hasn't changed that much. Germans were just as horrified as Americans to see body bags coming back to the U.S. People who are friends on a very deep level care for one another. Amongst the population there has always been a very strong connection between the nations and the people, even when political relationships sour at some point. That's what keeps relations going.