Mini Secondment Alumni

The Houthoff Mini Secondment Programme originated from the belief that besides the importance of keeping track of our old friends via e.g. our Alumni network, we should foster the development of new friendships. And as our work has an international angle most of the times, we thought we should actively invest in new international friendships.

This is when the Mini Secondment Programme developed. We invite the most talented, future partners from law firms we consider to be our Friends, and treat them to the Houthoff experience. The programme is set up for the secondees to continue their daily practice, combined with themed lunches, dinners and meetings. They all share an office with a so called Buddy. The Buddy is responsible for making the stay of the secondee as pleasant, and valuable as possible. The programme kicks off in our Rotterdam office during the International Film Festival Rotterdam. During the weekend the secondees are invited to our annual ski trip. The second week they spend in Amsterdam. The programme is topped off with a Closing Dinner in Restaurant Rijks. The programme is unique because of the combination of being able to continue daily business and build new friendships the same time. Our people benefit by learning more about our friends’ firms and jurisdictions and creating their own international network and friendships for live.

NAME

Laura Peni

COMES FROM

Helsinki, Finland

POSITION

Senior Associate, Roschier

SECONDEE AT HOUTHOFF

2018

Did you already know about Houthoff before the Mini Secondment?
I did know about Houthoff, but before the Mini-Secondment Programme I didn’t have any personal connection with anyone working at the firm.

What is the biggest difference between Houthoff and your own firm?
Actually I found that the two firms are very similar! What really struck me, though, was how sociable and outgoing the staff are at Houthoff, and I found that very positive!

What did you learn at Houthoff?
Apart from general information, I was introduced to Legal Design and technology, which I found really interesting. I also had the opportunity to join the tax practice’s case law lunch, which was good fun.

NAME

Julien Meillereux

COMES FROM

Paris, France

POSITION

Associate, De Pardiue Brocas Maffei

SECONDEE AT HOUTHOFF

2017

What is the biggest difference between Houthoff and your own firm?
Apart from the fact that Houthoff has its own bar, one thing I found particularly interesting was that Houthoff has several offices around the country. In France, everything is more centralised and very few law firms have offices in other towns and cities.

What did you learn at Houthoff?
I learnt more about the Dutch legal system. What was also new to me was that civil-law notaries and lawyers work together in the same firm. You don’t find that in France.

What is your nicest memory of the Mini Secondment?
I had such a good time during the programme that it’s difficult to choose one specific memory, but the skiing weekend in Laax was great fun. The restaurant in particular, in a teepee where they served delicious meat which Jacques discovered, was amazing. It was quite difficult to stand up again on the skis after that!

NAME

Malte Schrim

COMES FROM

Düsseldorf, Germany

POSITION

Associate, Noerr LLP

SECONDEE AT HOUTHOFF

2018

Did you already know about Houthoff before the Mini Secondment?
Yes, Houthoff and Noerr have close links. I had already been in contact with some of the Corporate/M&A team at Houthoff before during a cross-border transaction. But until my Secondment, all the contact I had was by phone or email.

What did you find, from a professional point of view, was the best part of the Mini Secondment?
I found it a fantastic experience to be able to work with Houthoff’s Corporate/M&A team. They always found time for conversations, and showed a lot of interest at a business and personal level.

What are must-dos in Düsseldorf?
From our office you have an amazing view of the city. You should also visit the K21 Art Museum, wander through the old city and eat something at ‘Brauerei im Füchschen’.

NAME

Simone Ambrogi

COMES FROM

Milan, Italy

POSITION

Managing Associate, Legance

SECONDEE AT HOUTHOFF

2018

What did you learn at Houthoff?
A lot of very useful Dutch words! I also learnt that delivering quality at a professional level goes hand in hand with the sociable and congenial atmosphere among colleagues.

During the Mini Secondment you expanded your network; have you worked with other Secondees since then?
Not yet, but during the Mini-Secondment a colleague did ask for a translation of a Dutch contract. My buddies in Amsterdam immediately offered their help, which goes to show that a network really does have its uses!

What are must-dos in Rome?
My city of birth is Rome. St Peter’s Basilica and the Colosseum are absolute highlights in the city. And you mustn’t leave Rome without eating pasta at Felice a Testaccio, they serve the best carbonara ever!

NAME

Andrea Díez de Uré Loinaz

COMES FROM

Barcelona, Spain

FUNCTION

Associate, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo

SECONDEE AT HOUTHOFF

2018

What is the biggest difference between Houthoff and your own firm?
I myself feel that Houthoff and Gómez-Acebo & Pombo are similar in many ways. Both firms are having to deal with similar changes. One of these changes is the implementation of new technologies. We have already introduced a number of changes internally, but I had the impression that Houthoff was one step ahead in this area. In particular, I find the integration of Legal Design at Houthoff very interesting.

What did you learn at Houthoff?
I learnt a lot about the differences between the Spanish legal system and that in other countries. It’s also fascinating to see how Houthoff deals with challenges.

What is your nicest memory of the Mini Secondment?
Difficult to choose just one… The skiing weekend in Saalbach was a fantastic experience. But the last evening of the Mini Secondment was also very special, when we all went out for a meal together with the whole team.

NAME

Roger Freixes

COMES FROM

Barcelona, Spain

POSITION

Senior Associate, Cuatrecasas

SECONDEE AT HOUTHOFF

2017

What did you find, from a professional point of view, was the best part of the Mini Secondment?
I was excited to have had the chance to get to know Houthoff and the processes in an independent law firm. I also found Houthoff’s passion for innovation really special. I was particularly impressed by the Incubator programme that focuses on offering legal advice to start-ups, because Cuatrecasas also offers a similar programme.

During the Mini Secondment you expanded your network; have you worked with other Secondees since then?
I haven’t worked directly with any of them yet, but have with the firms where they work. I am still in close contact with other Secondees and am looking forward very much to seeing them again soon.

What are must-dos in Barcelona?
If you are visiting Barcelona, I advise you to leave your guidebook at home and explore the untrodden paths.  Go to ‘Casa des les Punxes’; this modern house designed by the Catalan architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch is definitely worth a visit. For the best pizza in town, you must go to Frankie Gallo Cha Cha Cha.

NAME

Noémi Gémesi

COMES FROM

Luxembourg

POSITION

Senior Associate, Arendt & Medernach

SECONDEE AT HOUTHOFF

2018

What did you find, from a professional point of view, was the best part of the Mini Secondment?
During the dinners together I had the opportunity to meet so many legal professionals, with whom I had some inspiring conversations on legal matters that concern us all in Europe.

What did you learn at Houthoff?
That a good law firm is so much more than simply a workplace.

What is your nicest memory of the Mini Secondment?
I returned to Luxembourg with so many great memories, which I am very grateful to Houthoff for. If I had to pick one thing, I think that the film evening was the most memorable for me. It was a personal and intimate evening with a great atmosphere, especially after the film. It shows courage and open-mindedness to organise such an event.

NAME

Philippe Harles

COMES FROM

Luxembourg

POSITION

Senior Associate, Arendt & Medernach

SECONDEE AT HOUTHOFF

2017

Did you already know about Houthoff before the Mini Secondment?
Yes, I already knew Houthoff through the Lex Mundi network; we had worked together on some cases. The Mini Secondment was the perfect opportunity for me to get to know Houthoff better.

During the Mini Secondment you expanded your network; have you worked with other Secondees since then?
Apart from requests for legal advice concerning Luxembourg law,

the Secondees have remained good friends and we are regularly in contact with each other.

Wat zijn must-dos in Luxembourg?
The fortress in Luxembourg is certainly worth visiting. You can also have a superb dinner at one of the Italian restaurants, or enjoy a drink at Café des Artistes. Let me know if you are ever in Luxembourg!

NAME

Andreas Jarbø

COMES FROM

Oslo, Norway

POSITION

Partner, Advokatfirmaet Selmer DA

SECONDEE AT HOUTHOFF

2017

What did you learn at Houthoff?
Although the law may be different in Norway and the Netherlands, the culture, the passion and attitude of the people at Houthoff was very much the same as at Selmer. Also, your project management systems presentation was impressive.

During the Mini Secondment you expanded your network; have you worked with other Secondees since then?
Not formally, however, during my engagement related to the implementation of the EU Market Abuse Regulation in Norway I reached out to my friends from Houthoff and the other Secondees to learn how their respective jurisdictions had implemented certain points of the regulation in order to provide additional comfort to the legislative committee.

I have also, I believe, been able to contribute to some minor work floating in the direction of some of my new friends.

What are must-dos in Oslo?
A personal favorite sightseeing site is the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, located near our offices at Tjuvholmen. For dinner, Brasserie Ouest and Galt are both great choices for semi-formal dinners (i.e. high quality food, but no white tablecloths).

NAME

Clothilde Beau

COMES FROM

Paris, France

POSITION

Associate (Banking & Finance / Litigation), Gide Loyrette Nouel

SECONDEE AT HOUTHOFF

2018

What is the biggest difference between Houthoff and your own firm?
This is a difficult question because I had a feeling that Gide and Houthoff have a lot in common when it comes to fostering national legal tradition and culture in the context of the globalization of the practice of the law. Still, I was impressed by the fact that many your lawyers at Houthoff go abroad on secondments in other law firms.

What did you learn at Houthoff?
So many things! My most striking experience was attending Sarah van Hecke’s presentation on Legal Design. Her work is impressive. In my opinion, her approach to legal practice is very interesting and valuable for lawyers.

What is your nicest memory of the Mini Secondment?
The movie festival in Rotterdam was a great networking event! As for Amsterdam, I would say that the closing dinner at the Rijksmuseum was remarkable.

NAME

Federica Scialpi

COMES FROM

Chiomenti, Milan

POSITION

Associate (Banking & Finance)

SECONDEE AT HOUTHOFF

2017

What is the biggest difference between Houthoff and your own firm?
I think that our two firms have a quite similar culture and share common values, we belong to the same work approach.

What is your nicest memory of the Mini Secondment?
Beside the experience of expanding my network and getting to know new colleagues, one of the most fun and amusing things was certainly the ski trip. A great experience, in every way, I had the chance not only to visit a new part of Switzerland but also the opportunity to get to know the colleagues better, in a very different environment, obviously much more relaxing than usual.

What are must-dos in Milan?
The must-see sites in Milan are for sure the beautiful Duomo Cathedral and Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper, alongside the Royal Palace and Castello Sforzesco are both breathtaking. But Milano is also the capital of design and contemporary art, you can’t miss Prada Foundation and both design districts, Ventura Lambrate and Zona Tortona. You can find great restaurants throughout the city, but the typical and most traditional dishes are the famous risotto alla Milanese and cotoletta, one of my favorites spots is Taverna Moriggi, an old inn where you can have an authentic taste of Milan.

NAME

Dörte Singer

COMES FROM

Stuttgart, Germany

POSITION

Legal counsel, Bosch Thermotechnik GmbH

SECONDEE AT HOUTHOFF

2017

What did you learn at Houthoff?
At Houthoff I met extremely caring, warm-hearted people in a highly professional setting. The combination of both was noticeable from the very first moment – a very fascinating and motivating experience.

During the Mini Secondment you expanded your network; have you worked with other Secondees since then?
Yes, rather in relation with questions for which a quick answer in the European context was required. ‘‘How is this aspect dealt with in your country? In Germany, we handle this as follows:…’’.

What did you find, from a professional point of view, was the best part of the Mini Secondment?
I highly appreciated my assignment to Houthoff colleagues of the same expert field. What I enjoyed a lot were the expert discussions and nowadays, in my current position as an in-house-lawyer, I am very happy to know qualified colleagues in the Netherlands which I could call in case of emergency!

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