‘I am Bernice de Gouw, 24 years old, and I am pursuing a Master's in Law specializing in Conflict Resolution, the Judiciary, and Mediation at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.’ 

 

Why did you choose an internship at Wintertaling?

‘'First of all, because of the good balance between junior and more experienced lawyers. As a result, there is a high level of expertise and the work environment is dynamic. Additionally, the areas of law in which the practice is active align well with my legal interests, as does the firm's international orientation. Moreover, my internship was firm-wide, which really brought diverse areas of law to life for me. For instance, I moved from (the intricacies of) tenancy law to construction law, and handled issues regarding mergers and acquisitions and the WHOA procedure. In other words: no day was the same.'’

How would you describe the work atmosphere and culture within this office?

‘I find the high level of enthusiasm among the employees, who are willing to go that extra mile, to be characteristic of Wintertaling. The pace and standards are high, which guarantees a constant challenge for me. Additionally, the office is medium-sized and has an open and informal corporate culture. Because lines of communication are short, you brainstorm with both (senior) employees and partners. This way, you keep learning from and with each other. At the same time, there is plenty of room for socializing: from drinks and office outings to the annual winter sports trip!’

What were your main tasks and responsibilities during your internship?

‘My duties were very varied. For example, I conducted research into legal questions within various areas of law, drafted memos and advice, and attended weekly case law lunches and interactive knowledge sessions. Moreover, I had the opportunity to attend several court hearings.’

Can you give an example of a project or case you worked on?

‘During my internship, I worked on, among other things, a tenancy law question regarding the conditions under which a lease agreement can be terminated prematurely. To this end, I studied the lease agreement and the general provisions, and researched relevant case law and literature to gain insight into the client's legal position. With this analysis, I contributed to mapping out the legal options and risks for the client.’

What did you learn during your internship?

‘'The most important thing I learned is how to translate a legal-technical analysis into advice that seamlessly aligns with the client's needs. This was also where the biggest challenge lay for me. After all, client-oriented reasoning and communication require a different approach than I was used to as a student. More specifically, not a legal treatise, but short and concise advice without statutory articles or references to case law, and in simple language.'’

How has this internship changed or influenced your view of the legal profession?

‘Thanks to this internship, I have gained a better understanding of the work and the role of a lawyer in practice, and my interest in real estate practice has been sparked. Above all, the internship has wholeheartedly confirmed my enthusiasm for the legal profession!’

What are your future plans after this internship?

‘Since I enjoyed the internship, I started working as a working student at Wintertaling in February. I am combining this with completing my Master's degree. After this, I aspire to a career in the legal profession and am very curious about what the future holds.’

Do you have any tips for other students considering an internship in the legal profession?

‘I highly recommend it to everyone! As an intern, you are fully immersed in daily practice from day one, giving you a broad overview of all facets of the legal profession. This not only offers you valuable practical experience and the opportunity to expand your network, but also helps you discover whether the legal profession is really the right fit for you.’

‘My name is Frederique and I'm studying law at Leiden University. I just completed my bachelor's degree, which was part of a double degree with Leiden University College, where I studied International and European Law.‘

 

Why did you choose an internship at Wintertaling?

‘I wanted to experience the real-world environment before starting a master's degree. I was still debating between a few master's programs and hoped to gain a better understanding of them through an internship. The Wintertaling office appealed to me because I thought it had a nice structure and size. I also liked the atmosphere.’

 

What are your main tasks and responsibilities during your internship?

‘During my internship, I was involved in various cases, conducting case law research or conducting research. I also presented rulings and attended hearings and meetings.’

 

Can you give an example of a project or case you worked on?

‘One of the most enjoyable parts was analyzing the General Terms and Conditions of a lease agreement. This was because the project continued to evolve and new questions arose. This kept me motivated to continue working on the project.’

 

What do you find most challenging about your internship?

‘It was an incredibly educational experience in every respect. One of the most challenging aspects was formulating answers when there was confusion or ambiguity in the case law. This means you have to search for a line of reasoning in case law, for example, even though it's very case-specific. I learned how to articulate such a situation to clients, among others.’

 

What What have you learned during your internship so far?

‘I think this internship has contributed enormously to both my legal knowledge and my soft skills. In terms of content, a wide variety of topics were covered, allowing me to delve deeply into the subject matter.

In the area of soft skills, I received several assignments where the questions weren't immediately clear, or where I didn't know exactly what was expected of me. What helped was writing out the questions I received first and then asking targeted follow-up questions to gain a better understanding. I also learned how to discuss and analyze a statement.’

 

How has this internship changed or influenced your view of the legal profession?

‘"It has only increased my passion for the legal profession. Before my internship, I was already interested in the legal profession, but my perspective was primarily theoretical and based on what I had learned during my studies. During the internship, I experienced how versatile and dynamic the work in practice is."’

 

What are your future plans after this internship?

‘"I'm going to take some courses at the University of Naples first, to broaden my horizons and learn Italian. After that, I'll start my master's degree. That will probably be Civil Law at Leiden University."’

 

Do you have any tips for other students considering an internship in the legal profession?

‘"I would look beyond the big firms, if only to see what suits you best. I think the learning opportunities at this firm are enormous."’

 

How would you describe the work atmosphere and culture within this office?

‘I found the atmosphere at the office very pleasant. It's a great mix of an intellectually stimulating environment and an open atmosphere. I think this makes it ideal for young people to learn the trade.’

'My name is Mar, I am from Barcelona and I am currently doing an internship at Wintertaling as part of my master's degree in Law.'

Why did you choose an internship at Wintertaling?

‘I was selected for the Erasmus+ ICAB grant, which offered internships at various law firms in Amsterdam. I chose Wintertaling because one of its core practice areas is Mergers and Acquisitions, a legal area I find most interesting, and also because of the firm's size and values.’

What are your main tasks and responsibilities during your internship?

‘During my internship, I worked on a wide range of cases and assignments for various lawyers, which allowed me to gain experience in multiple legal areas.’

Can you give an example of a project or case you worked on?

‘'One of the most important projects I worked on during my internship involved supporting a startup.

My main responsibility in this project was to assess the company's Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy for compliance with the GDPR. This involved identifying potential legal risks, investigating how personal data was collected and processed, and making recommendations to improve data protection compliance.

In addition, I provided general legal advice regarding a potential expansion of the company, including initial guidance on legal considerations that may arise if the startup were to operate in other countries or scale up its services.

This project gave me the opportunity to gain practical experience with privacy law and legal compliance within a real startup environment, and to understand how legal advice plays a key role in the early stages of a company's development.’

What did you find most challenging during your internship?

‘The most challenging aspect of my internship was the language, as it was the first time I worked entirely in a foreign language. Initially, it was especially difficult to familiarize myself with legal terminology in English, especially when working with technical documents such as contracts., legal opinions and court rulings.

Over time, however, I noticed a significant improvement, thanks to daily exposure to professional legal language and continuous practice. Communicating with lawyers, reading legal documents, and writing emails in English helped me become much more confident and accurate in my legal communication.’

What have you learned during your internship so far?

‘During my time here, I've learned a tremendous amount, both professionally and personally. Working closely with the lawyers gave me valuable insight into how legal work is done in practice, and I've learned a great deal by observing their way of thinking, analyzing, and interacting with clients.

Professionally, I've learned the most about privacy law and mergers and acquisitions. In particular, I've gained practical experience in reviewing and understanding contracts such as Share Purchase Agreements (SPAs), Asset Purchase Agreements (APAs), and Shareholder Agreements (SHAs). This has helped me better understand how transactions are structured and how legal risks are identified and managed in corporate law processes.’

How did this internship change your perspective on legal work?

‘This internship showed me that personal growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone and taking on new challenges. Initially, I was apprehensive about going abroad to work alone and in a different language, but this ultimately became one of the best aspects of the experience.

Moreover, this internship confirmed that the area of law I enjoy most is corporate law. It also inspired me in how a law firm should be run. If I were ever to start my own firm, I would definitely try to apply the values, work ethic, and professional approach I experienced at Wintertaling.’

What are your plans for the future after this internship?

‘After this internship, I plan to return to Spain to take the bar exam and begin my professional career at an M&A law firm in Barcelona, where I hope to further develop my skills in corporate law.’

Do you have any tips for other students considering an internship in the legal profession?

‘I would say that law is a very broad field with many different specializations and career opportunities. It's perfectly normal to feel a little lost at first, as there's so much to learn and everything can seem overwhelming. My advice would be to stay curious, be patient with yourself, and seize every opportunity to learn. Over time, you'll discover the areas that interest you most and gain more confidence through experience.’

How would you describe the working atmosphere and culture at Wintertaling?

‘From my first day, I felt welcome and fully integrated into the office. As an intern, I was involved in all company activities and treated as part of the team, not just a student. What I appreciated most about my internship at Wintertaling was the guidance and support I received, as well as all the organized activities. Furthermore, the team is very approachable and helpful, which creates a positive and motivating work environment.’

‘My name is Tim Peeters and I'm 25 years old. Just before my internship at Wintertaling, I completed my master's degree in Private Law at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.'


Why an internship at Wintertaling?

‘The year before my internship, I was a board member of the QBDBD student association. In my role as board member for External Affairs, I had several encounters with Wintertaling. During those visits, I got to know the office and some of the staff better, and I developed a very good feeling about the atmosphere and identity.

What struck me was that Wintertaling doesn't just do what everyone else does, but has its own unique vision and approach. The people are incredibly friendly, approachable, and above all, normal (in the best possible sense). I also found it remarkable that everyone is a certified professional and that the firm uses a different application process than usual. All of this made Wintertaling very appealing to me.’

What are your main tasks and responsibilities during your internship?

‘During my internship, I tried to work with as many lawyers as possible. My work included legal research, case law review, due diligence, and helping to write memos. I also had the opportunity to attend a hearing, which was a valuable experience.

There were also plenty of fun moments outside of work: Friday drinks at the office, a dinner at the NHow hotel after the autumn meeting and the company outing in November.’

Can you give an example of a project or case you worked on?

‘One of the cases I worked on involved a real estate matter, allowing me to immediately put my theoretical knowledge into practice. During the investigation, I sometimes felt like a real detective: I delved into files, studied relevant sources, and performed various calculations to arrive at a well-founded recommendation. It was without a doubt one of the most enjoyable projects I've ever been involved with.’

What did you find most challenging during your internship?

‘One of the biggest challenges was translating my theoretical knowledge into practice. You learn a tremendous amount during your studies, but as soon as you step into an office, you immediately realize that things often work differently in practice.

Another challenge was adjusting to a 9-to-5 routine. It was a bit of an adjustment at first, but after about a month, things got much better.’

What have you learned during your internship so far?

‘I've learned that practicing law is truly different from studying law. I've also seen that a healthy work-life balance is possible, certainly different from the image you often have of the large Zuidas offices.’

How did this internship change your perspective on legal work?

‘The internship showed me how versatile the legal profession is in practice and how much impact you can have as a lawyer in both large and small cases. I also experienced how valuable an open and informal office environment is for your development and motivation.’

What are your plans for the future after this internship?

‘I don't know exactly what the future holds. Now that I've graduated, I'm looking for a (nearly) full-time job, but I still have to figure out exactly what path that will take.’

Do you have any tips for other students considering an internship in the legal profession?

‘Yes, I would encourage other students to have an internship at Wintertaling even if they are just a little bit curious about commercial law practice. It is a very good way to discover what area of law interests you.

You really get a front-row view of the behind the scenes. You get to see the email contact between clients and attorneys, you get to know all the background information about cases, you can be present at meetings or calls with clients and sometimes you even get to send (minor) emails to clients.’

How would you describe the working atmosphere and culture at Wintertaling?

‘I would say the work atmosphere is nice. It’s very informal to begin with. Unless there is a specific important event, everybody wears the clothes they are comfortable in, you can talk to anyone about non-related law subjects and there is a WhatsApp group chat for the whole firm where people send updates about events or coming to the office etc. There is also little hierarchy. If you have a question, you can just walk in the room of the person to whom the question is aimed, including the CEO.’


Next step at Wintertaling

After completing his internship, Tim Peeters will remain at Wintertaling. Starting in January 2026, he will join the team as a legal assistant, where he will further develop his legal career.

‘My name is Jan Leemans. I love rugby and try to visit a new country every year. I completed a bachelor's degree in Law in Society at VU University Amsterdam and last year I followed the civil effect programme.’

 

Why an internship at Wintertaling?

‘I knew Wintertaling from the Startup Clinic at VU University Amsterdam. Later, during the Amsterdam Legal Business Day, I attended a workshop organised by the firm, where I immediately felt a good connection. That motivated me to apply for a job there.’

 

What are your main tasks and responsibilities during your internship? Can you give an example of a project or case you have worked on?

'During my internship, I was involved in various ongoing cases, including court proceedings and transactions. For these cases, I researched legal issues and collected relevant case law.

The case that appealed to me most concerned the breakdown of negotiations in the pre-contractual phase. We assisted a client who wanted to claim damages.'

 

What did you find most challenging about your internship and what did you learn from it?

‘The most challenging aspect for me was quickly familiarising myself with complex cases and directly applying legal knowledge in practical situations. I learned how to establish a clear legal framework and substantiate it with case law. I also gained a lot of insight into the practical side of the negotiation process.’

 

How has this internship changed or influenced your view of the legal profession?

‘I am pleasantly surprised. My focus was not necessarily on the legal profession, but this internship has made me consider the field more seriously.’

 

What are your future plans after this internship?

After this internship, I will start a master's degree in Maritime & Transport Law at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

 

Do you have any tips for other students considering an internship in the legal field?

‘Just apply, even if you are unsure whether you meet all the qualifications. An internship is the ideal place to discover how things work in practice.’

 

How would you describe the working atmosphere and culture within this firm?

‘The working atmosphere is very pleasant. It is an office with an informal culture where people work hard. There is always time for a coffee or a chat, but also plenty of challenges and work. For me personally, that is a nice balance.’

‘My name is Joël Daniël, I am 22 years old, studying law at VU University Amsterdam and will complete my bachelor's degree in January. I am particularly interested in corporate law, technology and information law.’

 

Why an internship at Wintertaling?

‘I chose to do an internship at Wintertaling because I wanted to learn about the legal profession in practice, particularly corporate law. Ultimately, I was attracted to this medium-sized firm with its young people and open, informal corporate culture.’

 

What are your main tasks and responsibilities during your internship? Can you give an example of a project or case you have worked on?

'My main duties and responsibilities mainly consisted of researching case law and translating complex legal issues into a clear legal framework.

I worked on a dispute between a buyer and a seller concerning an earn-out arrangement. Wintertaling represented the seller, and my tasks in that case included researching how we could refute the other party's defence on the basis of literature and case law. I also attended the hearing at the Amsterdam District Court, which was a very enjoyable experience. It gives you an insight into how significant the interests can be in practice and how the solicitors, client and judges interact with each other in the courtroom.'

 

What did you find most challenging about your internship and what did you learn from it?

'The most challenging aspect of my internship was thinking strategically in the client's best interests. During my studies, I was mainly trained to look at issues from multiple angles. In practice, however, I had to get used to the fact that you focus entirely on the interests of one party and therefore really take sides. I also noticed that in practice, legal issues were examined in much greater depth than during my studies, which I found very interesting and instructive.

During my internship, I learned to work more efficiently and to carefully collect case law and apply it effectively to specific cases. This has further strengthened my analytical skills.'

 

How has this internship changed or influenced your view of the legal profession?

‘During this internship, I gained a good insight into what a day in the life of a solicitor looks like and what tasks are involved. I also learned how important it is to choose a law firm where you feel comfortable, as you spend a lot of time with your colleagues.’

 

What are your future plans after this internship?

'My plan is to successfully complete my bachelor's degree in January and then gain more practical experience through internships before starting my master's degree.'

 

Do you have any tips for other students considering an internship in the legal field?

'I would definitely recommend students to do at least one internship before choosing a master's programme, as you can only be sure whether you like a particular area of law once you have experienced it first-hand.'

 

How would you describe the working atmosphere and culture within this firm?

‘The atmosphere in the office is very pleasant and accessible. You can walk into anyone's office, whether it's to ask a question or just to have a chat. We work hard, but there's always room for humour and fun, which makes it a pleasant place to work.’

'My name is Rosa Meder, I am 21 years old and completed my bachelor's degree in law at the University of Amsterdam in January. In March and April, I did an internship at Wintertaling. This was such a positive experience for me that I stayed on as a Working Student. From September, I will start the Master's in Private Law at the University of Amsterdam, which I will combine with my work at Wintertaling.'

Why an internship at Wintertaling?

'I chose to do an internship at Wintertaling because of the medium-sized nature of the firm, the diversity of specialisations and the young, energetic working atmosphere. This dynamic environment immediately appealed to me. During my internship, I had the opportunity to work on a variety of cases within different areas of law. My work included case law research and working out legal issues for lawyers.'

What are your main tasks and responsibilities during your internship? Can you give an example of a project or case you have worked on?

'I worked on many different cases and assignments for various lawyers, so the assignments varied widely. This made the work substantively challenging and educational. What I found most challenging about the internship was that you are constantly encouraged to think and learn new things. Many issues require in-depth thinking first, which makes you learn an awful lot. It's also nice that you really collaborate on cases.'

What did you find most challenging about your internship and what did you learn from it?

'During my internship, I improved my legal research skills. I soon noticed that I became increasingly efficient and quicker at searching case law and relevant literature. The case law meetings also ensured that my legal knowledge was enhanced. Besides learning a lot during my internship, I also had a great time at the office, which made the internship complete for me.

Before my internship, I did not have a clear picture of what the legal profession looks like in practice. The internship did give me a good and positive picture of that now, which has strengthened my ambition to enter the legal profession.'

Do you have any tips for other students considering an internship in the legal field?

'I will also definitely encourage other students to do internships at Wintertaling, because I think Wintertaling is perfect for that. The internship is office-wide, giving you insight into the practice of different areas of law. In addition, the atmosphere at Wintertaling is incredibly nice; I always felt at ease there and everyone was open to helping each other and learning something.'

How would you describe the working atmosphere and culture within this firm?

'The working atmosphere and culture at Wintertaling are very approachable, you don't get the idea as if there is a strong hierarchy between them. I also felt welcome in the office from the first moment and I was involved in everything, as if I were a real employee.'

'My name is Alicia, I’m from Spain and this year I finished my Master’s degree for access to the legal profession.'

 

Why an internship at Wintertaling?

'I found out about Wintertaling through the ICAB (Ilustre Colegio de Abogados de Barcelona)’s international internship programme. This organisation offered me the opportunity to complete my internship at Wintertaling, which I was keen to accept, as I am very interested in corporate law. I also received excellent references about the company atmosphere from previous interns.'

What are your main tasks and responsibilities during your internship? Can you give an example of a project or case you have worked on?

'I created deal sheets, a closing agenda, a schedule, and presentations for internal use on M&A trends. I also conducted research on EU regulations (specifically those relating to AI) and helped with the drafting of a legal document for a case.

Of all the tasks I completed during my internship, I learnt the most from creating deal sheets, as these documents summarise the most important clauses of the M&A agreement for investors. Working on this project gave me first-hand experience of M&A agreements and helped me familiarise myself with the language used in this field.'

What did you find most challenging about your internship, and what did you learn during it?

'The language was definitely a big challenge. Although I had studied English from a young age, using it every day in a professional setting was quite different. However, it was ultimately a great way to improve my English and gain more confidence.

In terms of the legal aspects, M&A transactions have their own language, with many different clauses and concepts I hadn’t encountered before. It was difficult to understand the transactions at first.

I learnt a great deal, particularly regarding M&As: how the agreements work, the negotiation process, and all the different elements of such transactions. This internship has made me realise that I want to specialise in M&A law in my career.'

What are your future plans after this internship?

'I am returning to Spain to take the bar exam and qualify as a lawyer. I intend to look for a job in M&A in Barcelona to deepen my knowledge of the law, ideally in a company with a good working atmosphere.'

Do you have any tips for other students considering an internship in the legal field?

'I would advise them not to worry if they find legal cases or legal language difficult to understand at first. Law is a very broad subject, and even after graduating from university, there is still a lot to learn. So, if there’s something they don’t understand, they shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions and take the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues.'

How would you describe the working atmosphere and culture within this firm?

'Unbeatable. Wintertaling organises many activities outside of work to include everyone and promote a positive working environment. They also dedicate a lot of time to teaching and training interns. It is a very good place to learn.'

'I am Nikola, 21 years old and I am in the final year of the Bachelor of Law at the University of Amsterdam.'

 

Why an internship at Wintertaling?

'What specifically attracted me to Wintertaling are the many areas of law in which Wintertaling operates and its unique corporate structure. During your internship, you will primarily support lawyers in sorting out legal issues. In addition, there is of course room to go along to hearings and client meetings. This offers an excellent opportunity to explore different facets of the legal profession and to be directly involved in the work of experienced lawyers.'

 

How did you like your internship?

'During my internship, I collaborated on a variety of issues, for example, researching a specific qualification from the Environment Act. The biggest challenge was setting up a good ongoing schedule regarding multiple ongoing assignments. Thanks to this internship, I got a better idea of the practical side of law, something that had been little covered during my studies. Wintertaling has given me a completely new picture of the legal profession. Starting next school year, I will start the Master's in Commercial Legal Practice at the UvA and I recommend future student interns to go through their internship with an open mind. The working atmosphere at Wintertaling is very accessible and from day one you already feel part of the team.'

'My name is Adriaan, I am 23 years old and I study law at Leiden University. During January and February '25 I did a student internship at Wintertaling.'

Why an internship at Wintertaling?

'The fact that the internship is office-wide means that in a short time you are introduced to the practice of different areas of law. You are included in cases from moment one and challenged by thinking along in legal issues. In the beginning of your internship it can sometimes be difficult to assess how best to cooperate with the different lawyers. However, the open atmosphere in the office at Wintertaling makes this as easy as possible. Everyone's door is always open to spar about your questions.'

How did you like your internship?

'Working at a law firm has really enthused me to start working as a lawyer myself. In the coming months, I will be busy writing my undergraduate thesis, after which I will pursue a master's degree in civil law. All in all, I can only encourage doing a student internship! It is the perfect way to get an idea of what it is like to work in a law firm in two months. The working atmosphere and the friendly contact with the whole team have made my internship at Wintertaling a time that I look back on with pleasure!'