'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.’