Experiences from Hannes Snellman and Nordea’s Joint Trainee Programme

Jotham Berhanu is a final-year law student at the University of Lapland. Additionally, he is pursuing a master’s degree in economics and business administration. Jotham spent a total of five months in the joint trainee programme arranged by Hannes Snellman and Nordea. At Hannes Snellman, Jotham worked in the Dispute Resolution Team and at Nordea, he worked in the Large Corporates & Institutions Legal Team.

How did your time as an associate trainee at Hannes Snellman prepare you for your traineeship at Nordea?

My time at Hannes Snellman provided an excellent foundation for my traineeship at Nordea. Working within the Dispute Resolution Team strengthened my legal writing skills and taught me to handle complex matters with precision and confidence. These capabilities proved invaluable when transitioning to an in-house environment, where the ability to assess risks and communicate them clearly and in a timely manner is critical to success.

How did you find the combination of these two traineeships?

Experiencing both private practice and an in-house legal function gave me a well-rounded view of how different stakeholders approach similar issues. The continuity between the two traineeships created a smooth learning curve, enabling me to apply insights gained in one environment directly to the other.

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

I was mainly surprised by two things. First, although I knew in theory how regulated the banking sector is, I had not realised just how complex and overlapping the regulation can be. Second, I was struck by the similarities in how the two organisations (HS and Nordea) operate. Working in both environments requires close collaboration with colleagues and a solid understanding of commercial realities. While I have experience in in-house legal teams, the banking sector was new to me, and I am truly grateful to Hannes Snellman and Nordea for the chance to see that side of the table.

How has this experience shaped your career aspirations?

This experience has reinforced my ambition to pursue a career that combines legal expertise with a broad understanding of business operations. Having worked at law firms, in-house roles in both listed and privately held companies, and now through this programme at the largest bank in the Nordic countries, I am progressing toward becoming a trusted advisor with a comprehensive understanding of the wider strategic context, despite being early in my career.

I look forward to continuing to build on this experience as my career progresses.

What would you say to applicants applying to our associate trainee programme who are also eager to continue at Nordea?

I would encourage them to apply with an open mind, as this programme offers a unique opportunity to develop professionally across two top-tier organisations. I believe a legal advisor adds the most value when they truly understand a client’s day-to-day realities, and this joint programme gives you the chance to experience that from day one.

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.