Pieter Riemer
Partner
Corporate
Joined: 2005

"If I am correct, I’m currently the only person here in the Linklaters office in Amsterdam to graduate from Nijmegen University. I studied law in the eighties under the late Harry Honée and, as many of us do, I also have good memories of my days as a student. At the time, very few graduates from Nijmegen decided to go to what we call the “Randstad”. Although I very much enjoyed the green hills of Nijmegen, I was keen to get involved in Dutch business and the Randstad was the place to be.

I’ve been a lawyer now for 20 years, and have spent considerable time abroad. I have not regretted a single moment. When I go back to Nijmegen to lecture or for pleasure, I am always surprised to see how little things have changed. As before, students still do not naturally look to the Randstad as a place to start their career. I think that is a pity. By joining a truly global firm such as Linklaters, our new lawyers get the chance to spread their wings. Many different cultures are represented in our office in Amsterdam. People are hired because they are good, not because of their background. Also, we have entered a new era in the law. Business has grown to be more international and Linklaters is the kind of firm clients want to use. In Amsterdam, we offer a mix of Dutch and global knowledge that makes work both challenging and fun. I honestly believe it is the ultimate way to start a promising career."