Share this article
Legal Internships in Finland: What You Need to Know
Finland offers several structured pathways for law students and recent graduates to gain practical legal experience. From summer traineeships at top law firms to the prestigious tuomioistuinharjoittelu (court training programme), legal internships in Finland provide essential stepping stones toward a successful legal career. This guide covers the main types of internship and trainee programmes, how to apply, and what to expect.
For a complete overview of the Finnish legal market, read our guide to legal jobs in Finland. Browse current trainee and junior openings on LegalAlphabet Finland.
Tuomioistuinharjoittelu — Court Training Programme
The tuomioistuinharjoittelu is Finland's most prestigious post-graduation training programme. Administered by the Oikeusministerio (Ministry of Justice), this one-year programme places graduates at district courts (karajaoikeus) across Finland as court trainees (oikeusnotaari).
Key Details
- Duration: 1 year
- Eligibility: Holders of the oikeustieteen maisteri (OTM) degree
- Salary: Approximately EUR 2,800–3,200/month (government pay scale)
- Title earned: Varatuomari (VT) — a highly respected credential recognised by all Finnish employers
- Application: Through the Ministry of Justice, typically in spring for positions starting the following autumn
- Selection criteria: Academic grades, motivation letter, and interview
What Court Trainees Do
During tuomioistuinharjoittelu, trainees assist judges in preparing decisions, conduct preliminary hearings, observe trials, draft judgments, and handle administrative legal matters. The programme provides unparalleled exposure to the Finnish court system and develops skills in legal reasoning, procedural law, and judicial writing. Most top law firms view the varatuomari title as a significant advantage when recruiting.
For the full path from law school through bar admission, see our guide to becoming a lawyer in Finland.
Law Firm Summer Traineeships
Finland's leading law firms offer paid summer trainee programmes (kesatyontekija or harjoittelija positions) that serve as the primary recruitment pipeline for junior lakimies roles.
Firms Offering Summer Programmes
| Firm | Duration | Compensation (EUR/month) | Typical Application Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roschier | 10–12 weeks | 3,000–3,500 | October–December |
| Hannes Snellman | 10–12 weeks | 3,000–3,500 | October–December |
| Castren & Snellman | 10–12 weeks | 2,800–3,200 | October–January |
| Krogerus | 10–12 weeks | 3,000–3,500 | October–December |
| Borenius | 8–12 weeks | 2,800–3,200 | November–January |
| White & Case Helsinki | 10–12 weeks | 3,200–3,800 | October–December |
| Bird & Bird Helsinki | 8–10 weeks | 2,800–3,200 | November–January |
| Merilampi | 8–10 weeks | 2,500–3,000 | December–February |
| Waselius & Wist | 8–10 weeks | 2,500–3,000 | December–February |
| Dittmar & Indrenius | 8–10 weeks | 2,500–3,000 | November–January |
What Summer Trainees Do
Summer trainees at Finnish law firms assist with real client work, including legal research, drafting memoranda and agreements, due diligence on M&A transactions, and attending client meetings. Top-performing trainees frequently receive offers for part-time work during the academic year and full-time junior lakimies positions upon graduation.
In-House and Government Internships
- Corporate legal departments: Companies like Nokia, Kone, Nordea, Neste, and OP Financial Group offer summer internships in their legal teams, providing exposure to commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, and IP management.
- Government internships: The Ministry of Justice, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and various regulatory agencies offer trainee positions. The Eduskunta (Finnish Parliament) also runs an internship programme for law students interested in legislative work.
- EU institutions: Finnish law students can apply for Blue Book traineeships at the European Commission, stages at the Court of Justice of the EU, and internships at the European Parliament through the standard EU application processes.
Application Tips
- Apply early: Top firms fill summer positions between October and January for the following summer. Late applications are rarely considered.
- Academic record matters: Strong grades in commercial law (kauppaoikeus), contract law (sopimusoikeus), and procedural law (prosessioikeus) are particularly valued.
- Language skills: Finnish is essential for domestic practice. English proficiency is expected. Swedish adds further advantage.
- Attend law fairs: The annual law fair at the University of Helsinki is the premier networking event for students seeking firm positions.
- Moot court experience: Participation in the Vis Moot, Jessup Moot, or Finnish national moot court competitions demonstrates advocacy skills and dedication.
Timeline
| Period | Activity |
|---|---|
| September–October | Research firms and prepare applications; attend law fairs |
| October–January | Submit applications to top firms and international offices |
| January–March | Interview rounds; mid-tier firms and in-house departments recruit |
| May–August | Summer traineeships run |
| Spring | Tuomioistuinharjoittelu applications for autumn start |
Final Thoughts
Finnish legal internships — whether at elite law firms, in the court training system, or within corporate legal departments — provide invaluable practical experience and networking opportunities. The tuomioistuinharjoittelu programme and its varatuomari title remain a unique and highly respected feature of the Finnish legal profession.
Start exploring trainee positions on LegalAlphabet Finland, read about top Finnish law firms that hire trainees, check Finland internships, and sign up for job alerts to be notified of new opportunities.
Key Resources for Legal Internship Applicants in Finland
Before applying for legal internships in Finland, familiarize yourself with the regulatory body overseeing the profession. The Finnish Bar Association (Suomen Asianajajaliitto) (https://asianajajat.fi/en/) is the primary regulatory and representative body for lawyers in this jurisdiction.
The legal market in Finland has approximately ~2,400 practicing lawyers. Key sectors driving internship opportunities include technology/TMT, data privacy, corporate M&A, IP/IT, energy/cleantech.
Finland has only ~2,400 attorneys, making it one of the smallest regulated legal professions in Europe. Over 80% of law offices have just one or two lawyers. Finland has the second-highest average lawyer salary in Europe.
Major law firms that regularly offer internship programs include Roschier, Castren & Snellman, Hannes Snellman. When applying, research each firm's practice areas and tailor your application to demonstrate knowledge of Finland's legal system, which is based on civil law system based on Swedish law.
Browse our Finland legal internship listings for current opportunities, or set up job alerts to be notified when new positions are posted.