Career prospects

A legal career to contribute to a more just and sustainable future

Major transitions need to be initiated and managed within the EU and its Member States and around the world. There is and will always be a need for lawyers who understand legal sustainability concepts and strategies, know how the law fostering these concepts and strategies is embedded in an international context, and know how it depends on national implementation and application. In short, the world needs lawyers who understand how sustainability operates within a multi-level legal order.

These are the lawyers needed to realise the transition processes at an EU and national level to further shape future law, meeting new and unforeseen sustainability challenges and cooperating in interdisciplinary teams to develop sustainable solutions. Whether you want to work in legal practice or the public domain, there’s always a need for well-trained graduates in this field.

After finishing your studies, you can work:

  • In law firms, especially European and internationally oriented law firms;
  • In regulatory agencies, at the European, national and international levels;
  • As a judge at the European and national levels;
  • In legal departments of large corporations or consultancy firms;
  • In legal departments of international companies; and 
  • As a legal counsel in start-up companies.

The Utrecht School of Law, particularly UCWOSL and RENFORCE, liaises with preferred partners from law firms, public administration and NGOs, mainly in the Netherlands. Professors and teachers involved in the programme have extensive professional networks, experience outside academia and ties with government and market institutions, providing students with the opportunity to broaden their academic and professional options.

Legal knowledge is key to learn from past mistakes and build a sustainable future!

Alumni stories

Curious about the jobs our alumni got? Browse the LinkedIn profile of our graduates below in Law and Sustainability in Europe.

  • Emma de Clerq

    PhD researcher Constitutional Law and teaching assistent at KU Leuven

    Leuven, Belgium

    LinkedIn
    Emma de Clerq
    View my profile on LinkedIn

  • Thomas Camilleri

    Environmental and Sustainability Lawyer I Legal Counsel at BYD Europe

    Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    LinkedIn
    Thomas Camilleri
    View my profile on LinkedIn

The programme aims to facilitate the connection between students and the job market, in particular through:

  • Visiting relevant institutions such as the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and the Dutch water authorities;
  • Inviting alumni to take part in various activities on campus, including informative presentations about their current employer and working environment, and/or social and networking events such as the annual career event;
  • Arranging internships; and
  • Organising events to prepare for possible future jobs, like this inspiration session about the sustainability lawyer of the future. 
     

UU Career Services

UU Career Services offers training related to career orientation and job application skills; examples include writing an application letter and CV and conducting a job interview. You can find more information about career services on UU Career Services for Dutch students or UU Career Services for international students. Furthermore, the alumni network supports graduates with workshops and meet-ups after graduation to expand your network and skills.

UU Careers Day

Once a year Utrecht University organises a Careers Day. The Careers Day offers the opportunity to sign up for workshops and trainings, and to meet recruiters at the careers fair. It’s also possible to join a job application training or have your resume checked.