"My priority has always been to work with something that feels exciting and offers me room to develop"
Associate Maria Hirvelä from our Competition & Regulatory practice shares her career journey — from discovering a passion for EU law during her studies to finding the right fit at Krogerus. She reflects on how experiences such as the European Law Moot Court shaped her professional development, and how staying curious, learning from others, and maintaining a strong foundation outside of work continue to guide her path as a lawyer.
How has your career been so far, and how did you end up at Krogerus?
Rather than setting strict five- or ten-year plans, my priority has always been to work with something that feels exciting and offers me room to develop. During my studies, I discovered a particular interest in EU law. I set out to explore it as much as possible, through internships at law firms and in the public sector, optional courses, and even a moot court. Gradually, each experience helped me shape a clearer vision for what I wanted to do after graduation.
My traineeship in the Competition and Regulatory practice group at Krogerus was when it finally clicked for me. The skilled and welcoming team, interesting assignments, and a great firm culture made it feel like the right fit. I have been fortunate to continue my career here, develop professionally, learn from experienced colleagues, and be part of a supportive community.
You participated in the European Law Moot Court during your studies. How did the experience prepare you for your career as a lawyer?
My first week at law school introduced me to moot courts through a presentation that immediately captured my interest. However, it was not until a few years later that I finally decided to apply to represent my university in the European Law Moot Court competition. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to expand my EU law knowledge.
I had not anticipated how much I would learn beyond the legal subject matter itself (although there was plenty of that too). Over the course of two years, first as a team member and then as a coach, I gained new perspectives, honed my argumentation and language skills, met inspiring people, and had the opportunity to travel in Europe. I was drawn to advocacy, to understanding the client's perspective and turning it into legal arguments. The experience even influenced my decision to apply for a traineeship at Krogerus, since our team often trained at the office.
In retrospect, the moot court was easily the highlight of my studies and provided me a solid foundation for the start of my career.
You are still active in the ELMC. How does this involvement support your work as a lawyer?
I have helped organise weekly training sessions at our office for the University of Helsinki team, which keeps me connected to the competition and maintains Krogerus' long-standing relationship with the team.
Last spring, I also helped organise the opening ceremony of the Helsinki regional final at Krogerus. This gave me the chance to see all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into organising such events, and I gained some hands-on experience in project management and cross-functional collaborative work. I felt that I was able to contribute meaningfully while developing new skills, which made the experience especially rewarding.
It has been great to play a small part in giving others the chance to have the same experience I enjoyed so much. It also keeps me connected to the excitement of learning that continues to drive my own professional development.
Piece of advice you would give an aspiring lawyer
- Explore what genuinely interests you. Follow your curiosity, even when you are not sure where it will lead you. There is a lot of joy to be found in the learning process!
- The people are the best part. There is so much to learn from those around you, and nothing compares to the energy that comes from sharing a laugh.
- Maintain your foundation. Quality time with family and friends, regular exercise, proper sleep, and the occasional good book then are the cornerstones upon which everything else is built.
Maria's career in numbers
- 1 year of working as a lawyer
- 1.5 years at Krogerus
- Team member (2022-2023) and coach (2023-2024) in the University of Helsinki team for the European Law Moot Court Competition
