Legal traineeship at Siemens Legal and Compliance

What makes the Siemens legal department stand out for you?  

One of the reasons I chose Siemens was because it has a large, effective legal department that handles many — and often very complex — cases internally. The combination of close daily collaboration with the business, the international scope of advising a globally active company, and the very high professional standards is, for me, unique.

How did the application process for your elective clerkship go?  

It was straightforward, despite the strict pandemic-related measures in place at the time. I submitted my application documents via the online portal and received an invitation to a phone interview just a few days later. I then had a very pleasant conversation with one of the mentors for legal clerks — who turned out to be my supervisor during the clerkship — and received positive feedback and a concrete offer within a few days.

What were your tasks during your time at Siemens?  

Right from the start, I was involved in updating the team’s internal knowledge base, which also allowed me to gain insights into a legal field that was new to me. Shortly afterward, I had the opportunity to not only support but also significantly contribute to an important legal brief. I was allowed to draft the initial version and gathered the necessary information through meetings with business partners —some of which I conducted independently and on my own responsibility. Throughout the clerkship, I also supported various advisory topics through research and participated in calls with business partners.

Lars Mahlstedt has been a legal counsel (Syndikusrechtsanwalt) at Siemens AG since October 1, 2022.

What opportunities did the Siemens legal department offer you and which area did you choose?  

During the application process for my elective clerkship at Siemens AG, I was offered three specific options: working in a corporate law-focused team within the central M&A department, joining an operational advisory team in one of Siemens’ business units, or working in a team that advises on export control and international sanctions.

I ultimately chose to work in the area of export control and international sanctions. The team is part of Siemens AG’s central legal department in Munich.

How did the collaboration with colleagues in the legal department go? Were there interfaces with other departments?

My clerkship from August 2020 to November 2020 was unfortunately heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It definitely didn’t reflect a “normal” clerkship at Siemens. Fortunately, I still had the chance to get to know Siemens’ locations in Munich.

At the same time, my team worked primarily virtually during that period, which went smoothly. I was very impressed by how quickly digital work and collaboration methods were established. Contrary to my initial concerns, I always felt well integrated and included in the team.

What internal training opportunities were available during your clerkship?

Within the team, colleagues took a lot of time to explain things and provide feedback. I was also able to regularly attend internal and external meetings. My assigned mentor, in particular, gave me a comprehensive introduction to the previously unfamiliar legal field of export control and international sanctions, including its nuances and specific characteristics. As a legal clerk, I also had access to Siemens’ training and development database, which was very helpful.

Did your time at Siemens help you prepare for your future career path?

The clerkship at Siemens especially helped me broaden my view of potential legal career paths and figure out what I personally enjoy doing. It also highlighted the differences between working as a “traditional” lawyer and as a legal counsel within a corporate legal department. These insights were extremely valuable for starting my career.

Dr. Tim Schöffski has been a legal counsel (Syndikusrechtsanwalt) in the legal department of Siemens AG in Munich since February 15, 2021.

Why did you choose Siemens for your legal/elective clerkship? What interested you about Siemens?

During my legal clerkship, I had a part-time job in one of the Contract Management teams at Siemens Mobility GmbH. Doing my elective clerkship in the corresponding Legal Counsel team completed my overall picture of the legal department and its role within the company. It also helped me discover which function best matches my skills and brings me the most enjoyment. At Siemens, the tasks are diverse, and you have the opportunity to work on and shape complex issues within a great team.

What was the supervision like during your time in the Siemens legal department? 

In my team, there was a dedicated colleague who acted as a contact person and mentor for legal clerks, always available with advice and support. Additionally, all colleagues who assigned tasks were always willing to explain the background and answer further questions. There’s a very positive feedback culture, which allows you to learn a lot from the work you discuss.

What characterizes the working atmosphere at Siemens? How did you experience it?  

The working atmosphere is very pleasant — both within the team and in collaboration with business partners. Everyone is willing to support each other and share existing knowledge. Each person can contribute their individual strengths and is appreciated for it. Thanks to open communication within the legal department, effective collaboration is possible.

Sarah Jepsen has been a legal counsel (Syndikusrechtsanwältin) in the legal department of Siemens Mobility GmbH in Erlangen since December 1, 2022.