Legal Internships in Greece 2026 - Askisi Training Guide
The askisi (training period) is the mandatory bridge between law school and qualification as a dikigoros in Greece. Choosing the right firm for your askisi shapes your legal career. This guide explains the system, highlights the best employers for trainees, and shows you how to secure a position in 2026.
Understanding the Askisi System
Every law graduate in Greece must complete an 18-month askisi under the supervision of a qualified dikigoros before sitting the bar examination (dikigoritikes exetaseis). The askisi is registered with your local Dikigoritikos Syllogos and involves practical legal training alongside experienced practitioners.
Key Facts About Askisi
- Duration: 18 months (some bar associations allow reduction for LLM holders)
- Registration: Must be registered with a Dikigoritikos Syllogos (Athens, Piraeus, Thessaloniki, etc.)
- Supervisor: A dikigoros with minimum 5 years of experience must supervise your training
- Stipend: Monthly compensation ranges from EUR 700-1,200 depending on firm size and location
- Hours: Generally full-time during standard business hours
Top Firms for Askisi in Athens
Zepos & Yannopoulos
Offers a structured training program with rotation across practice areas. Trainees gain exposure to corporate, banking, and energy law matters. The firm is known for mentoring and frequently retains trainees as associates after qualification.
Bernitsas Law
Excellent for trainees interested in banking and finance law. The firm's heavy involvement in NPL transactions provides hands-on experience in complex financial deals.
KG Law Firm
With offices in Athens and Thessaloniki, KG Law offers askisi positions in competition law, corporate, and shipping. The firm's EU law practice provides unique training opportunities.
Potamitis Vekris
Strong training in corporate transactions, real estate, and energy law. The firm handles significant deals that give trainees early responsibility.
Top Firms for Askisi in Piraeus (Maritime Focus)
Lambadarios Law Firm
The premier choice for trainees interested in maritime law. Located in Piraeus, the firm provides direct exposure to charterparty disputes, ship finance, and admiralty proceedings. Trainees attend Piraeus court hearings and interact with shipping clients regularly.
HFW Greece
International maritime law experience in a global firm setting. Trainees benefit from both Greek and English law perspectives and exposure to ship finance and marine insurance work.
In-House Askisi Opportunities
Alpha Bank and National Bank of Greece
Both systemic banks offer askisi positions in their legal departments. These provide structured training in banking compliance, corporate governance, and regulatory affairs with strong mentoring programs.
Tsakos Energy Navigation
A unique in-house shipping law askisi opportunity at a NYSE-listed tanker company. Ideal for graduates who want in-house maritime law experience from the start.
Askisi in Thessaloniki
Bahas Gramatidis & Partners
Northern Greece's leading firm offers askisi positions in corporate law, IP, tax, and litigation. The smaller office size means trainees get more hands-on responsibility earlier.
How to Secure an Askisi Position
- Start early: Begin your search 3-6 months before graduation
- Target your applications: Focus on firms that practice in your area of interest
- Prepare your CV: Include academic performance, language skills, and any legal experience
- Network: Attend law school career events and bar association functions
- Check LegalAlphabet: Browse legal internships in Greece for current askisi openings
After Your Askisi
Upon completing askisi, you will sit the dikigoritikes exetaseis. Many firms offer continued employment to trainees who pass the bar exam. The relationships and expertise you build during askisi form the foundation of your legal career.
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How to Stand Out in Legal Internship Applications
Securing a competitive legal internship requires more than strong grades. Employers in Greece 2026 Askisi Training look for candidates who demonstrate genuine commitment to the profession and practical readiness to contribute from day one.
Write targeted cover letters. Generic applications rarely succeed. Research each firm thoroughly: mention specific practice areas, recent high-profile matters, or community initiatives that align with your interests. Show you understand what the firm does and explain why your skills match their needs.
Build demonstrable legal skills early. Participation in moot court competitions, legal aid clinics, and law review journals signals that you can research, write, and argue effectively. If your university offers client interview or negotiation competitions, those experiences are equally valuable to prospective employers.
Develop a legal writing portfolio. Compile your best research papers, case analyses, or published articles. Even a short commentary on a recent court decision in Greece 2026 Askisi Training shows independent thinking and writing ability. Firms increasingly value candidates who can produce clear, well-structured legal documents.
Start networking before you apply. Attend bar association events, legal conferences, and university career fairs. Connect with practicing lawyers on LinkedIn and request informational interviews. Many internship positions are filled through referrals rather than formal advertisements, so relationships matter.
Apply early and follow the right timeline. Most reputable firms recruit 3 to 6 months ahead of the internship start date. Mark application deadlines in your calendar and submit materials well before the closing date. Late applications are often discarded regardless of quality.
Craft a strong legal CV. Highlight academic achievements, relevant publications, language skills, and technical proficiency with legal databases like LexisNexis, Westlaw, or local equivalents. Include any volunteer legal work or pro bono contributions.
Follow up professionally. After submitting your application, a brief follow-up email after two weeks is appropriate. Be polite and concise. After interviews, send a thank-you note within 24 hours referencing specific topics from your conversation.
Make sure to leverage your university career services office, which often has direct relationships with firms hiring interns. Stay persistent, as even unsuccessful applications build experience and connections for future opportunities. Sign up for job alerts to receive internship notifications directly.