Tools for Learning and Life
Laura Laitinen was halfway through her studies at the Faculty of Law when she joined Castrén & Snellman as an Information Service Trainee. Laura had previously worked in a small law firm specialised in family law, and she felt it was time to see what life was like in a larger firm.
'I wanted to learn thorough information retrieval skills that would help me in my studies, as well as in working life later on. The university doesn ’ t offer very much training in this area,' Laura says.
Information Service Trainees receive information requests on a daily basis from lawyers working in different expertise groups. To find the answers, they search legal literature, case law and legal databases. In addition, information service trainees follow current events in different branches of law and prepare summaries for the expertise groups on what is currently happening in their branch and what kind of legal reforms are under way.
'The work has been a lot more varied than I expected. In a big office, you get to look at so many branches of law. I have also conducted a few extensive background studies, which has been challenging. I've learned a lot and developed an eye for choosing the right starting point for my searches.'
When carrying out demanding tasks, Laura collaborates with her colleagues in a good team spirit.
'No one knows everything, but you can always ask someone for help. In our team, we get to work with all the firm's expertise groups, but we can also divide tasks according to our personal interests in the law. Everyone in the office has welcomed us trainees with open arms. The lack of hierarchy inside C&S is not just talk.'
Laura would recommend traineeships in information services to any law student.
'This is a useful experience for each and every student. You learn to be critical about sources, which in turn helps assessing what information to use and what not to use in your master's thesis.'
Senior Counsel Jouko Huhtala | Translator Aksu Tuominen | Office Manager, St Petersburg Anna Medvedeva | Senior Associate Mikko Huimala | Information Service Trainee Laura Laitinen