Career Stories | Mira Karjala, Legal Assistant, IP & Technology

Mira Karjala works as a legal assistant in our IP & Technology Team. Mira joined Hannes Snellman in January 2024 as a legal assistant trainee and was then appointed as a legal assistant after her traineeship. Mira holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a special focus on legal expertise from Laurea University of Applied Sciences.

How did you end up working at Hannes Snellman?

When I began my studies at Laurea, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the legal field. During one of our legal courses, we had the opportunity to visit Hannes Snellman’s office, where we received an introduction to the firm and learned about the role of a legal assistant. The welcoming atmosphere and the appealing description of the assistant position left such a positive impression on me that I knew right away I would apply for a traineeship here, and I was happy to be chosen for the job.

You started working as a legal assistant trainee and were then appointed as a legal assistant. What has been the biggest difference between the roles, or is there any difference?

The most significant change for me has been in my daily responsibilities. For instance, as a trainee, I had no involvement in invoicing, but now it is a major part of my monthly tasks. Additionally, as an assistant, I now interact directly with our clients and have less oversight compared to when I was a trainee. This shift has made my role much more independent.

How would you describe the Hannes Snellman culture?

Everyone here is incredibly hardworking and ambitious, always striving to achieve both our common goals and their personal ones. My colleagues’ dedication and drive keep me motivated to put in my best effort and continuously improve myself. Even though the work can sometimes be stressful and lead to long days, the office atmosphere remains welcoming and laid-back. Everyone treats their colleagues with kindness and respect.

What are you looking forward to learning during your career?

I look forward to truly understanding what it means to work as an assistant. Before joining Hannes Snellman, I had no idea how diverse and demanding this role could be. Additionally, I am keen to delve deeper into the legal aspects of my role. Working in the intellectual property team, I have developed a particular interest in trademarks and am eager to expand my knowledge in this area.

Do you have any advice for students applying for traineeships or the legal assistant traineeship in particular?

Honestly, I believe what helped me succeed in the application and interview processes was my genuine interest in the places I applied to. I prepared questions in advance about the traineeship and the company and tried my best to show why I would be a good choice for the traineeship.

FAVOURITE |

Book: Puhdistus by Sofi Oksanen; Lunch: Salad; Podcast: I don’t listen to any; Work Equipment: Standing desk; Afternoon Routine: Walk; Mobile Application: Calendar; Relaxation Method: Listening to music; Work Outfit: Black pants and cardigan; Social Media Channel: Instagram; Drink: Peach iced tea; Weekday: Friday; Leisure Activity: Gaming.