‘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.’
