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Your legal internship at MAAK Advocaten
Get to know Dutch and international legal practice from the inside. At MAAK Advocaten, an Amsterdam law firm for the manufacturing industry, you work with our lawyers on real files: commercial disputes, contracts, product liability and compliance, and privacy. Our practice is international, so English or German is all you need to start. We help you get to know Dutch law along the way.
The internship is paid (€650 to €2,000 gross per month, depending on whether you are a student or a graduate, your level of education and your experience) and can support requirements you have to meet at your own university or in your home country. On request, we issue a declaration or certificate.
Key facts
| Position | Legal intern (stagiair) |
|---|---|
| Location | Kraanspoor 34, 1033 SE Amsterdam |
| Compensation | €650 to €2,000 gross per month, depending on student or graduate status, level of education and experience. Holiday as provided by law |
| Duration | Usually 2 to 3 months, agreed with you |
| Hours | 32 to 40 hours per week |
| Start | Four start dates per year, always on the first day of the month: February, April, June and September |
| Application deadline | Six weeks before the start date |
| Places per year | 8 |
| Working language | English or German. Dutch is a plus. |
| Who can apply | Graduates and students in the final phase of their studies |
| Contract | Internship agreement (stageovereenkomst) drawn up by MAAK |
| Supervision | Remko Roosjen or one of our other partners |
| Contact | Lonneke Bont, hr@maakadvocaten.nl |
About MAAK Advocaten
MAAK Advocaten N.V. is a law firm in Amsterdam, registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK 75953668). We are 19 registered lawyers, all members of the Dutch Bar, supported by around 10 additional legal staff. Address: Kraanspoor 34, 1033 SE Amsterdam. Website: www.maak-law.com.
We specialise in the manufacturing industry. We advise on trade and commercial disputes, Dutch and international contract law, product liability and product compliance, corporate law and M&A, transport law, and privacy and data protection, nationally and across borders.
Purpose of the internship
The internship is first of all an introduction to Dutch and international legal practice in Amsterdam. It also lets you meet requirements that your own university or country may set for you. It is not primarily a recruitment programme. If you turn out to be a good fit, we are open to working together afterwards, and several former interns have come back to MAAK as legal staff.
What you will do
Depending on the files running, you will:
- research Dutch and European law and write memos for the lawyers;
- draft documents such as summonses, statements of defence and letters to opposing parties, always reviewed by a lawyer;
- translate and summarise foreign-language documents for international clients;
- attend client meetings and court hearings in files you worked on;
- take part in the weekly firm meeting.
Interns do not advise clients on their own: all work is supervised by a qualified lawyer. You are supervised by Remko Roosjen or one of the other partners of the firm.
Who we are looking for
- Law graduates, or students in the final phase of their studies.
- Strong academic record and clear, accurate legal writing.
- English or German as your main working language. Some Dutch is a plus.
- Willingness to learn about the Dutch legal system, Dutch law and Dutch case law.
- Knowledge of product compliance, EU regulation and related areas fits our profile and is an advantage, but is not required.
- EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can start directly. Non-EU students are welcome too. Depending on your nationality and the length of your stay you may need a visa, a residence permit or a work authorisation; see “Visa and permit” below.
Compensation, costs and support
- Paid: €650 to €2,000 gross per month, depending on whether you are a student or a graduate, your level of education and your experience. The compensation always meets the Dutch statutory minimum. The lower amounts relate to fewer hours than full availability. Holiday is as provided by law.
- Travel: we do not pay a travel allowance. If your situation is exceptional, we can agree on a separate arrangement.
- No fees: there is no fee for applying or taking part, and we charge no costs to interns.
- Housing: finding a place to live in Amsterdam is a challenge, and we cannot guarantee housing. If needed, we actively help you look for suitable accommodation.
- Visa and permit: non-EU interns may need a visa, a residence permit and/or a work authorisation, depending on nationality and length of stay. You prepare your application. MAAK supports you actively towards the Dutch authorities, including supporting declarations, and tells you in good time which documents we need from you. MAAK pays the actual statutory fees (leges) for the visa and permit. Any other costs connected with your visa and permit are for your own account. The authorities decide on every application. We cannot guarantee approval and accept no liability if a visa or permit is not granted. Please apply early, because procedures can take time.
- Other costs: MAAK does not contribute to other costs, such as travel to the Netherlands, local transport, housing or health insurance.
- Agreement: you sign an internship agreement drawn up by MAAK. If your university needs a declaration or its own internship form, we cooperate. On request, we issue a declaration or certificate.
How to apply
Send us:
- an extensive CV;
- a motivation letter;
- your transcript of grades;
- preferably one or more references from the legal field, with name, role and contact details;
- your best example of your own written work, for example your thesis or another piece, preferably not generated with AI.
The CV, motivation letter, transcript and writing sample are required.
E-mail Lonneke Bont at hr@maakadvocaten.nl. Or call +31 (0)20 210 31 38 on weekdays between 9:00 and 18:00. Apply at the latest six weeks before the start date.
Selection in three steps
- We review your application and writing sample.
- We interview selected candidates in one or more digital video meetings. The first interview takes place online, and you speak with at least one of the partners.
- We make you an offer and agree on period, start date and contract.
You will hear from us within 28 days. We select without discrimination on grounds such as gender, origin, age, religion or disability. MAAK applies a modern diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policy.
Your data. We use your application data only for this selection, in line with the GDPR. If we do not select you, we delete your data within one month. We keep the data of candidates who are still under consideration for a maximum of three months. See our privacy policy.
Frequently asked questions
Is the internship paid?
Yes. The gross monthly compensation ranges from €650 to €2,000, depending on whether you are a student or a graduate, your level of education and your experience. The compensation always meets the Dutch statutory minimum. The lower amounts relate to fewer hours than full availability.
How long does it last?
Usually 2 to 3 months, agreed with you.
Do I need to speak Dutch?
No. English or German is what counts. Some Dutch is a plus.
Can I do the internship if I am not from the EU?
Yes. Depending on your nationality and length of stay you may need a visa, a residence permit or a work authorisation. We support you actively towards the Dutch authorities, provide supporting declarations and pay the actual statutory fees (leges). We cannot guarantee that a visa or permit is granted and accept no liability if it is not. Apply early.
Can you help me find housing?
We cannot guarantee housing, but if needed we actively help you look. Amsterdam housing is tight, so start early.
Can the internship count towards my university requirements?
It can. We cooperate with declarations your university needs, and on request we issue a declaration or certificate.
Can I be offered a job afterwards?
The internship is not primarily meant for recruitment, but a good fit can lead to a position. Several former interns later returned to MAAK as legal staff.
Who supervises me?
Remko Roosjen or one of the other partners of the firm.
What our interns say
“Great internship with excellent insights about the law firm, the advocacy and the (Legal) culture in the Netherlands. I learned a lot!”
Jonatan Gebhardt, intern