'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.'