‘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.’