Experiences from Hannes Snellman and Nordea’s Joint Trainee Programme

The purpose of the joint trainee programme is to offer law students the opportunity to experience what it would be like to work as a lawyer not only at a law firm but also in an in-house role at the largest bank in the Nordic countries. We have previously offered this joint trainee opportunity to associate trainees, but now we are happy to share that our first corporate sustainability & ESG legal trainee has also joined the joint trainee programme.

Veera Hyttinen started as a corporate sustainability & ESG legal trainee with us last Autumn, and after her traineeship she continued working at Nordea as a traineein the ESG Legal team which is part of Nordea’s Group Legal. Veera is a fifth-year law student at the University of Helsinki. During her traineeship, Veera has written her master’s thesis on the effectiveness of the sanctions regime of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, especially in cases of breach of the human rights due diligence obligation.

What initially drew you to the field of corporate sustainability and ESG law?

My interest in corporate sustainability and ESG law was sparked by a desire to contribute to meaningful change within the corporate world. The idea of helping companies navigate complex regulatory landscapes while promoting long-term value creation really resonated with me. In addition, corporate sustainability, and ESG cuts across many areas of law, so I am constantly learning new things.

How did your understanding of ESG evolve during your time at Hannes Snellman and Nordea?

During my time at Hannes Snellman and Nordea, my understanding of ESG evolved from a theoretical framework into more practical and strategic insight, shaped by real-world legal challenges, regulatory developments, and cross-practice collaboration. I learned to navigate regulatory uncertainty and contribute to sustainability goals in a way that aligns with legal obligations.

How did you find the combination of these two traineeships?

The combination of traineeships at Hannes Snellman and Nordea was enriching. Together, these experiences gave me a great view of ESG law – from advising clients to internal compliance. The joint trainee programme was thoughtfully designed to offer a law student a unique opportunity to experience both sides of the legal profession, and I found it to be a valuable learning journey.

What surprised you most about working at a law firm versus an in-house legal team at a bank?

What surprised me most was how differently legal work is approached. At Hannes Snellman, the focus was on delivering precise legal advice to clients, while at Nordea, legal work was more integrated with business strategy and risk management.

What advice would you give to law students considering this programme — especially those interested in ESG?

I would encourage law students interested in ESG to embrace the opportunity to experience both law firm practice and in-house legal work through this programme. In general, I would say that be curious and proactive. ESG is a fast-evolving field, and this programme gives you a front-row seat to its real-world application.

How has this experience shaped your career aspirations?

This experience has confirmed my aspiration to work at the intersection of law, sustainability, and business strategy. It has inspired me to pursue a career where I can contribute to shaping sustainable business practices through law.