Eliana Tuijn – Legal Counsel at EBN – has recently made the transition from the legal profession to the corporate sector. In this interview, she talks about her career orientation, the differences between working as a lawyer and as a corporate legal counsel, and why the latter is a better fit for her.

Can you briefly tell us about your background?

In 2012, I started studying law in Utrecht, a long-cherished dream. After graduating, I became a trainee lawyer in the AKD Litigation team in 2019, During my studies, I completed multiple internships in law firms. which was a challenging role. Na mijn advocaat-stage heb ik mijn carrière voortgezet bij een klein kantoor in Eindhoven.

Why did you want to switch to the corporate sector, and how did you choose EBN?

After several years in the legal field, I realized that I wanted to be more involved in corporate processes. I had the opportunity to draft a set of contracts for a client starting a new venture. This required intensive collaboration to develop a workable set of agreements. I found this way of working enjoyable and started to enjoy litigation less. I then began to think about what I really wanted and the type of company I wanted to work for. It was important to me that my work contributes to a better future. I’ve done a lot of sustainability work on my own 1920s house, so I was looking for a company that plays a role in the energy transition. EBN turned out to be a perfect match.

What role did Legal People play in your transition?

Interestingly, I had seen the job advertisement in the NRC’s Saturday newspaper. I thought it might be worth pursuing. That same week, Legal People reached out to me via LinkedIn about this position. Legal People then efficiently managed the process leading up to the interviews. I also had a good opportunity to debrief with a consultant from Legal People.

What are the biggest differences between the legal profession and the corporate world so far, in your opinion?

As I expected, you are much more involved in the business operations. On the other hand, more pragmatism is expected of you; the legal aspects are no longer the most important in your decision-making. This was an adjustment at first but it makes the work more challenging.

Finally, do you have a tip for people who are currently in the orientation phase based on your own experience?

If you’re considering a switch, think about what you would like to change in your job. Also articulate this during interviews, so you can determine if a new position is a good fit. You can discuss this with Legal People as well; they will definitely think along with you and help determine if a vacancy is suitable or not.

If you’d like to have an exploratory discussion about the next step in your career, contact us. We’re here to help.