Career Stories | Elli-Noora Karttunen, Senior Legal Assistant, Tax

Elli-Noora works as a senior legal assistant in our Tax Team. She assists lawyers in assignment-related work and different client-related processes and helps other legal assistants with administrative tasks, such as invoicing. Elli-Noora joined Hannes Snellman in 2021, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Karelia University of Applied Sciences with a particular focus on law. Currently, she is pursuing her master’s degree in business management and leadership at Karelia University of Applied Sciences. Elli-Noora has now worked with us for more than three years, and we thought that this would be a good time to ask her how the three years have been.

You have been working at Hannes Snellman since November 2021. How has it been so far?

Working at Hannes Snellman since 2021 has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I've had the opportunity to tackle challenging tasks that have pushed me to grow professionally, and the wide range of new things I've learned has kept my work both interesting and engaging. The environment here feels like a second family, making each day at work enjoyable, whether we're at the office or working remotely. Additionally, the various trainings provided have been instrumental in supporting my development and ensuring I stay up to date with the latest developments in our field.

What is the best part of your job at Hannes Snellman?

The best part of working at Hannes Snellman is undoubtedly the amazing and supportive colleagues and the great collaborative atmosphere, which makes the work fun and productive every day. The positive environment fosters creativity and innovation, allowing everyone to thrive and contribute their best.

What is the most important thing you have learned while working in a law firm?

The most important thing I have learned is to perceive the big picture, but at the same time you must be able to pay attention to the smallest details. Never underrate the importance of attentiveness.

What kind of skills are important for a legal assistant?

Attentiveness, good organisational skills, and an ability to cope with a fast-paced working environment.

Establishing priorities is necessary to complete everything that needs to be done. Prioritisation is important because it allows you to focus your attention on the tasks that are important and urgent, so that you can later handle lower priority tasks. In addition, the ability to communicate effectively with others is a core skill.

What would you say to business students considering a law firm as their future employer?

Working in a law firm allows for continual professional development and gives you a broad range of skills for working life. I think that it can also be an eye-opening experience because you are able to see life from a different point of view when working in the world of law.

If you like work that requires precision and work well in a somewhat hectic environment, then a law firm is definitely worth a try.

One theme popping up in working life discussions is purpose at work. To conclude this interview, we would like to ask you what the things are that keep you going and motivated in your work — what is the purpose of your work?

Learning new things and discovering more efficient ways to accomplish tasks are significant motivators for me. The diverse range of tasks and the unique challenges that come with the work not only keep me engaged but also drive my passion for continuous improvement and innovation.

FAVOURITE | Way of Commuting: Tram. Book: Where the Crawdads Sing. Lunch: Home-cooked food Podcast: I’m not a big fan of podcasts. Work Equipment: Extra monitor. Afternoon Routine: Gym. Mobile Application: Calendar Relaxation method: Sports. Work Outfit: Trousers and a blouse/blazer. Power Song: Imagine Dragons — Believer. Social Media Channel: Pinterest. Drink: Water and Pepsi Max. Weekday: Saturday. Leisure Activity: Travelling.