I grew up in Waalwijk in the south of the Netherlands. After finishing school, I went on to study law at Tilburg University. I also studied abroad in Milan for a semester. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree in Dutch Law, I completed two Master's degrees in Private Law and Labour Law.

Now, I’m a Junior Associate in Employment at Linklaters Amsterdam. I’m located on the 21st floor of the World Trade Centre, with amazing panoramic views of the city. When I first started, I loved how welcome my colleagues made me feel. It’s a great atmosphere to work in.

I have a lot of responsibility in this relatively small department, which includes both an advisory practice and a litigation practice. I always work under the supervision of a more Senior Associate. In my case, it’s a Managing Associate. He’s my mentor, and teaches me a lot about labour law and the practicalities of being a lawyer.

There are plenty of pro bono opportunities on a national and international level, varying from legal work to community volunteering. I’ve given advice to startups overseas and worked at the Dutch Food Bank. I’ve even read books to children at a primary school for economically disadvantaged families.

My favourite moment so far was the first ski trip I went on. It was only two weeks after I joined, and most of the lawyers and notaries were there. This was a great way to meet all my colleagues and get to know them personally. As a result, I felt welcome at Linklaters Amsterdam from the very start.