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Legal Internships in Switzerland — Understanding the System
Switzerland's legal internship landscape is shaped by the country's mandatory practical training requirement. Unlike some jurisdictions where internships are optional career development tools, the Anwaltspraktikum (in German-speaking cantons) or Stage d'avocat (in French-speaking cantons) is a compulsory step on the path to receiving the Anwaltspatent — the licence to practise as an attorney. In addition to this mandatory training, Swiss law firms, companies, and courts offer voluntary internships and clerkships at various career stages.
The Mandatory Anwaltspraktikum / Stage d'avocat
The Anwaltspraktikum or Stage d'avocat is the formal practical training period required before or alongside the cantonal bar examination. The duration ranges from 12 months (in cantons like Zurich, Bern, and Basel-Stadt) to 18 months (in Geneva and Vaud). During this period, trainee lawyers (Praktikanten/Stagiaires) work under the supervision of a licensed attorney and typically rotate through different areas of practice.
Key features of the Praktikum:
- Court stage: Most cantons require a portion of the training to be spent at a court (Gerichtspraktikum/Stage judiciaire). Trainees assist judges with legal research, draft judgments, and observe proceedings
- Law firm or legal department stage: The remaining period is spent at a law firm, corporate legal department, or government agency. Trainees draft legal opinions, attend client meetings, and assist with litigation and transactions
- Supervision: A licensed attorney (Praxisausbildner/Maître de stage) is formally responsible for the trainee's development
Compensation for Praktikum Positions
The Praktikum is paid in Switzerland, although stipends are significantly lower than full associate salaries. Typical monthly stipends in 2026:
| Employer Type | Monthly Stipend (CHF) |
| Top law firms (Big Six) | 3,500 – 5,000 |
| Mid-tier law firms | 2,500 – 4,000 |
| Cantonal courts | 2,000 – 3,500 |
| Government departments | 2,500 – 3,500 |
| Corporates (in-house) | 3,000 – 4,500 |
The Substitut Role
In some French-speaking cantons, particularly Geneva, the role of Substitut (or avocat-stagiaire) is a formal designation for trainees who have completed a portion of their Stage and are permitted to appear in court under supervision. Substituts at Geneva law firms gain significant courtroom experience, which is highly valued by employers.
University-Level Praktika and Summer Internships
Swiss law firms also offer voluntary internships to law students during or after their BLaw or MLaw studies. These are distinct from the mandatory Anwaltspraktikum and serve as a way for students to gain early exposure to practice and for firms to identify future recruits:
- Summer internships: Typically 4–8 weeks during university breaks. Offered by most large firms and increasingly by mid-tier practices
- Semester internships: Some firms offer 3–6 month placements that can be integrated into the MLaw programme
- Court internships: The Federal Tribunal in Lausanne, cantonal superior courts, and district courts offer clerkship-style internships for advanced students
Which Firms Offer Structured Programmes?
The following firms are known for well-organised Praktikum and internship programmes with formal mentoring, training sessions, and rotation opportunities:
- Homburger — Highly structured programme with exposure to multiple practice groups
- Bär & Karrer — Offers Praktikum positions across all offices
- Lenz & Staehelin — Zurich and Geneva Praktikum with client-facing work from an early stage
- Walder Wyss — Large intake with formal mentoring programme
- Baker McKenzie (Zurich/Geneva) — International programme with potential for cross-office secondments
Application Process and Timing
- When to apply: For Praktikum positions at top firms, apply 6–12 months in advance. For the court stage, application windows are published by each canton's judiciary
- What to submit: CV, cover letter (in the relevant language), university transcripts, and references. Some firms require writing samples
- Language requirements: Applications to Zurich firms should be in German; Geneva firms in French. English CVs may be accepted at international firms
Browse current Praktikum and internship openings on our Switzerland internship listings. For a full overview of the qualification pathway, read our guide to becoming a lawyer in Switzerland.