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Legal Internships and Trainee Positions in Romania
Romania's legal career pipeline runs through a combination of summer internship programmes and the formal stagiu (traineeship) system regulated by UNBR. Understanding both pathways is essential for law students aiming to join top firms in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, or Timișoara.
Browse current trainee and entry-level openings on our Romania internships board and set up job alerts to be notified of new positions.
Understanding the Romanian Legal Internship System
Summer Internships (Practică)
Most top Romanian law firms offer structured summer internship programmes (practică) lasting 4–8 weeks. These are aimed at law students in their 3rd or 4th year and serve as the primary recruitment pipeline for future stagiar positions.
What summer interns do:
- Legal research and memorandum drafting
- Assisting on due diligence for M&A transactions
- Attending court hearings as observers
- Reviewing contracts and regulatory filings
- Participating in workshops and presentations by senior lawyers
Top firms like NNDKP, TZA, and CMS Romania run competitive summer programmes that receive hundreds of applications for 10–20 places. Performance during the summer internship is the strongest predictor of receiving a stagiar offer.
Part-Time Internships During Studies
Many firms also offer part-time internships during the academic year, allowing students to work 15–20 hours per week alongside their studies. This model is particularly common in Bucharest, where proximity to major firms makes it practical.
Stagiu (Formal Traineeship)
The stagiu is a mandatory 2-year traineeship that graduates must complete after passing the UNBR bar admission exam. This is a full-time, paid position with formal obligations. For the complete qualification pathway, see our how to become a lawyer in Romania guide.
Top Employers for Legal Trainees
Elite Firms (Highest Competition)
| Firm | Summer Intake | Stagiar Salary (RON/month) | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| NNDKP | 15–20 | 5,500–7,500 | M&A, banking, energy, disputes |
| Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații | 12–18 | 5,500–7,500 | M&A, banking, energy |
| PeliPartners | 8–12 | 5,000–7,000 | Corporate, PE, capital markets |
| Filip & Company | 8–12 | 5,000–7,000 | Banking, M&A, competition |
International Firms
| Firm | Summer Intake | Stagiar Salary (RON/month) | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMS Romania | 10–15 | 6,500–9,000 | Energy, real estate, corporate |
| Dentons Romania | 8–12 | 6,000–8,500 | Corporate, banking, energy |
| Wolf Theiss | 6–10 | 6,000–8,500 | M&A, banking, real estate |
| Clifford Chance Badea | 5–8 | 7,000–9,500 | Banking, M&A, capital markets |
| Kinstellar | 5–8 | 6,000–8,000 | M&A, PE, disputes |
In-House Trainee Opportunities
Some major Romanian and multinational companies offer stagiu positions, though they are less common than in private practice:
- OMV Petrom — Romania's largest oil and gas company offers legal trainee positions in energy regulation and commercial law.
- UiPath — Romania's tech unicorn occasionally recruits legal trainees for IP, commercial contracts, and data protection work.
- Banca Comercială Română (BCR) — Banking regulation and compliance trainee roles.
- Orange Romania / Vodafone Romania — Telecoms regulatory and commercial law positions.
Application Timeline
| When | What |
|---|---|
| January–March | Top firms open summer internship applications |
| March–April | Interviews, written tests, and assessment centres |
| May | Offers extended for summer programmes starting June/July |
| June–August | Summer internship programmes (4–8 weeks) |
| September–October | UNBR bar admission exam held |
| November–January | Stagiar positions offered to successful exam candidates (often from intern pool) |
Key insight: Apply for summer internships by February or March of your 3rd year. The top firms fill their summer programmes quickly, and many extend stagiar offers to their best summer interns before the bar exam results are even published.
What Top Firms Look For
- Academic performance: Strong grades in civil law, commercial law, EU law, and procedural law. Top firms recruit primarily from the University of Bucharest and Babeș-Bolyai University.
- English fluency: Essential at all top firms for cross-border work. Written and spoken proficiency is tested during interviews. French is a valuable bonus.
- Moot court and competitions: Romanian students who participate in the Vis Moot, Jessup Moot Court, or ELSA competitions are highly sought after — these demonstrate advocacy skills and international exposure.
- Legal publications: Articles published in student journals like Pandectele Române or Revista Română de Drept Privat strengthen applications.
- Genuine sector interest: Demonstrating knowledge of Romania's energy, tech, or EU law landscape sets you apart.
- Initiative and curiosity: Romanian firms value candidates who show proactive interest in legal developments and can discuss current affairs knowledgeably.
Compensation for Interns and Trainees
| Role | Monthly Pay (RON) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Intern (4–8 weeks) | 2,000–4,000 | Stipend-based; some firms unpaid |
| Part-Time Student Intern | 1,500–3,000 | 15–20 hours/week during term |
| Stagiar Year 1 | 4,500–8,000 | Full-time, varies by firm type |
| Stagiar Year 2 | 5,500–9,500 | Annual increment |
International firms pay the highest stagiar salaries — sometimes double mid-tier domestic firms. For full salary data post-qualification, see our Romania salary guide.
Tips for Securing a Trainee Position
- Apply early: Summer internship applications open in January–March. Start preparing your CV and cover letters by December of the previous year.
- Attend law career fairs: Events organized by ELSA Romania, local barouri, and individual firms are prime networking opportunities. Bucharest Law Week is particularly valuable.
- Prepare for written tests: Many firms include a written test in their selection process — typically a case study or legal problem in civil or commercial law.
- Tailor your applications: Research each firm's Chambers and Legal 500 rankings, recent deals, and practice strengths. Explain specifically why you want to work there.
- Build your profile: Moot courts, ELSA activities, legal aid clinics, and student journal publications all distinguish strong candidates.
- Consider regional firms: If you study in Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, or Iași, local firms and regional offices of national firms offer less competitive entry points with excellent training.
Find Your Trainee Position
Romania's structured training pathway produces well-prepared lawyers for one of Europe's most dynamic legal markets. Start your journey by browsing openings on our Romania internships board, explore the full jobs board, and sign up for job alerts. For firm-specific information, read our top law firms guide, and for the full qualification pathway, see how to become a lawyer in Romania.