Our law firm would not run for long without our assistants. Hanna Rajamäki is one of them. She found her way into the job by accident, but now wouldn’t want to do anything else.
‘I never thought I would end up in this career back when I was studying marketing and communications. After graduating, I got a job at a different law firm, and fell in love with the business’, she says.
Hanna happened to be put in the employment law team, and that field of law instantly grabbed her interest.
Eight years later in 2016, Hanna noticed a job posting that looked like it was written just for her and decided to apply. That is how she joined Castrén & Snellman’s employment team.
The Best Service for Clients
Assistants are consummate professionals and trusted aides who enable our lawyers to focus on their core competences.
‘We know we’ve succeeded at our job when our lawyers don’t have to think about what we do at all’, Hanna says.
Every workday is different.
‘Some people seem to think that this job is the same day in and day out, but there is actually a lot of variety in our tasks. We take care of all kinds of things behind the scenes to ensure clients get the best service.’
According to Hanna, the most important characteristics for an assistant to have are the desire to help and a genuine interest in your what you are doing and in developing your work.
‘Being interested in your team’s area of law is also a very big plus. It adds a lot of meaning to the work.’
Soft Values in a Tough Business
Hanna says she enjoys working at Castrén & Snellman a great deal.
‘C&S maintains soft values even though the business is quite tough and hectic. The firm puts a great deal of effort into employee wellbeing and takes its employees into consideration comprehensively.’
As a few examples, Hanna mentions exercise breaks, a wellbeing programme and the small surprises that the firm has sent to its employees at home to cheer them up during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Boost in Working Life from Motherhood
Hanna particularly appreciates the value the firm puts on work-life balance.
Hanna worked at C&S for a year and a half before going on parental leave for three years. She says that the firm has a very positive attitude towards parental leave.
‘Everyone treated parental leave like a natural thing and felt that there is more to life than work.’
Castrén & Snellman launched what it calls the Bridge initiative to seek to help employees balance work and family life. The Bridge initiative and her supervisor have made returning to work very easy.
‘I’ve gotten a great deal of support in coming back to work. Even though many of the people and systems have changed, I’ve been able to get back into work mode quickly.’
Hanna says that motherhood has given her renewed energy in working life, as well.
‘Becoming a mother has improved by organisational and time management skills because I have to get things done in time to pick up the kids from day care. On the flip side, it’s easy to forget about work the instant my children run into my arms.’
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