Career Story | Jatro Pihlavamäki, Associate, M&A

Jatro Pihlavamäki works as an associate lawyer in our M&A Team. He advises domestic and international clients on all types of transactions, including acquisitions, divestments, joint ventures, group restructurings, and venture investments. Jatro joined Hannes Snellman in 2024.

Let’s start from the beginning. Can you tell us how you ended up studying law?

Unlike many of my colleagues, being a lawyer was never a childhood dream of mine. I always dreamt of becoming an astronaut or a scientist for NASA, but I did not eventually have the scientific interest to put in all the work required for it. However, as we nowadays also have space lawyers, maybe I can be one of the first lawyers to be sent to the future colonies in Mars. Although, they probably want to keep it as a lawyer-free space (pun intended)…

I actually did not end even think about law school until my senior year in high school, when we really had to start choosing where to go for our studies. I had always performed well in school, but I didn’t have an idea where I wanted to apply, only where I didn’t. Then, our guidance counsellor suggested that I take an evening course concerning the foundations of the Finnish legal system, which the University of Lapland offered to the students at our high school, and I found it really fascinating. After the course, I decided that I would at least apply to law school during my year of conscription. Even though I failed my entrance exam on the first try, preparing for the exam convinced me that this would be my thing. Happily, after two more tries, I passed the exam.

Before you became a lawyer you had a wide range of jobs—from factory work to football coaching and even military training. How have these experiences shaped your approach to legal work today?

I’ve certainly learned a lot of skills which I still find useful in my work. For example, working as a coach and military instructor has given me so many opportunities to practice public speaking so that now I can present myself confidently and clearly. All in all, I think having a versatile background gives one the tools to survive and find new approaches in changing situations.

You have been active in everything from Pykälä’s Spex to martial arts. How do these passions outside work influence your mindset as a lawyer?

I’ve always loved to try new things. Even if it doesn’t end up becoming a lifelong passion, I think one always ends up learning something useful along the way. Doing improv theatre at the university has taught me creativity and mental flexibility as I’ve learned not to get too caught up on ideas – if it does not work, I change the approach. On the other hand, martial arts have taught me that perseverance is the key to results. If you show up, focus, and try to do the little things right every day, you might not notice results in a day or a week, but look back a month, a year, or a decade, and you’ll notice how much you’ve learned.

You are involved in Oikismentorointi, supporting students from diverse backgrounds as they consider studying law. Why is this work important to you, and what advice would you give to someone who is unsure whether the legal field is right for them?

I believe anything is possible through hard work and dedication. However, we must acknowledge that some people have to work a lot harder for the same things. Growing up in a blue-collar family in a small town in Central Finland, I did not really have any role models to look up to in respect of higher education or anyone to ask the “stupid” questions from. By being involved in Oikismentorointi, I can offer that opportunity to a young person considering a career in law but who does not have anyone to discuss their thoughts with.

For someone considering pursuing studies in law, but wondering  1) whether they have what it takes or 2) whether they would belong, I would like to say that 1) you can find that out only by trying and 2) even though there might be a law student archetype, there are a lot of different people with diverse backgrounds studying law, which is also extremely important for the inclusivity of law and justice.

One final question. Hannes Snellman co-operates with the Päätös podcast, which focuses on decision-making. What do you consider the most important decision you have ever made, professionally or otherwise?

Perhaps the decision to move to Helsinki to study law has been at least one of the most important decisions in my life, as it meant that I came to live in a new city and found a whole new friend group and hobbies. Luckily, everything worked out quite well, and I now enjoy my new life here in the capital city, although, I sometimes miss the slower lifestyle in the Finnish Lakeland.

FAVOURITE | Book: All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque; Lunch: Salmon soup on a sunny summer day; Podcast: In general, I’m not that much into podcasts, but Päätös podcast has actually been one of the most interesting ones I’ve listened to!; Work Equipment: Laptop; Afternoon Routine: 3pm pudding in our Café Courtyard; Mobile Application: Spotify; Relaxation Method: Sauna and a swim in a lake; Work Outfit: You never miss with a suit; Social Media Channel: Instagram; Drink: Strawberry Funlight; Weekday: Saturday; Leisure Activity: Brazilian jiu-jitsu, i.e., involuntary yoga