‘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.’
