Over the past three months, Morais Leitão has had two German trainees (Rechtsreferendare) in its Lisbon office.
Anne-Christin Bochow and Patrick Schölles, trainees in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, got to know Morais Leitão in September 2017, with one of the various groups of foreign law students and trainees who have visited the firm in recent years, and elected its Lisbon office as their chosen destination to finalize their traineeship.
They worked side by side with the German Desk and with lawyers from various areas of activity. Anne-Christin collaborated with the litigation and arbitration teams and simultaneously with European Union law and competition group. Patrick supported one of the company's Corporate teams and its Team Genesis, a team that assists emerging technology companies and venture capital investors, and also worked together with the firm’s Macau office.
For both, the experience could not have been more positive, they say. In addition to the diversity of experience and knowledge, they also highlight the atmosphere at Morais Leitão and the cohesion of its teams where, as Anne-Christin notes, "everyone is available and accessible regardless of their position." Patrick also stresses the importance of working in innovative areas, alongside emerging technology companies, and in challenging sectors such as sports law.
Philipp Melcher, coordinator of the German Desk, points out that Morais Leitão has been a destination sought by young German lawyers and trainee lawyers and that the German Desk will continue to invest in these experiences.
