STEP UP - Inclusive internship for law students to build the next generation of talent

What is STEP UP?

It's a paid summer internship program which aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the tier-one legal job market in Europe. It's designed to improve access and provide equal opportunities for law students from diverse backgrounds and skillsets.

A fantastic opportunity to get paid work experience within top organisations.

30+ participating companies last summer*, including...

^*We will soon update this page with the companies for Step Up 2025

If your company is interested in joining as a participating company, hosting one or more interns, click here

This program is supported by:

What does it involve?

One summer, two top companies.

This is a two-month full-time paid summer internship You'll spend July working in the legal department of one of our participating companies, then move to a different organization in August. Both will be based in the same country Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands or the United Kingdom.

Why should I apply?

Get the experience and connections you need to help move up the legal ladder. STEP UP can give you a unique opportunity to build your network, get tangible experience within the legal profession and gain direct exposure in an international environment.

We believe that our strengths come from our differences. As our legal ecosystem evolves, we need you, the next generation of legal talent, to step up. To meet tech advancements, tackle tough ethical questions and navigate uncharted environmental challenges.

If you would like to apply for the program, click here

2025 Application dates:

BE/NL/FR/UK: Open as of October 1, close February 28.

DE: Open as of November 1, close March 31.

We expect to inform successful candidates by the end of May 2025.

Testimonials

During this internship, I’m discovering what a “real” job inside a big company like FedEx is like, and how my actual knowledge as a student can be applied on the spot. I’m acquiring new skills in contract drafting, legal monitoring, and much more.

I really like how the FedEx Legal department is supporting me and how they facilitate my participation in the team’s work on my scale. I learn more and more every day, while being perfectly integrated in the team.

Imrane Boulaiche, STEP UP Legal Intern, France

Working at FedEx is above all working as a team.

Certainly, the research is individual, but the contact is very close between the teams. This is its strength, a united mentality and outstanding experience.

I learned that the Legal team is very multidisciplinary; covering a large panel of activities that go from health and safety to lobbying.

Zahra Kachar, STEP UP Legal Intern, Belgium

I’m doing a Master’s in Tax Law, and I applied for the STEP UP internship because I was really curious about how law is practiced in the real world.

I also wanted to get familiar with the kinds of departments there are in a Legal team and about how they operate.

I’m enjoying my journey with FedEx.

Hamza Essabiri, STEP UP Legal Intern, The Netherlands

Thanks to the internship I explored a career as a legal counsel.

Mehmet Kemal, Belgium

Step Up in a few words:

Inclusion and sharing.

Jamel Akalay, France

Step Up in a few words:

Enrichment and friendly, open!

Dabo Danfakha, France

The power of Step Up

Are you ready to STEP UP?

How to apply