Birke Vahesaar

Professional highlights

Estonian Law Students’ Union. As a member of the Estonian Law Students’ Union, I actively participated in the legal community and gained valuable insights into the legal profession. Participation in various events and activities helped me learn to work effectively with other members, hone my leadership skills and develop a deeper understanding of the Estonian legal system.  My role in the union included organising events, participating in legal debates and contributing to the development of legal education in Estonia. Through these experiences, I gained an understanding of the importance of building strong relationships and networks within the legal community.

Estonian Moot Court Competition. Participation in the Estonian Moot Court Competition, in which my team finished in the top three, was an impressive experience, yielding invaluable skills and knowledge. The competition helped me develop critical thinking skills and the ability to quickly analyse complex legal issues. I learnt how to effectively present legal arguments to judges and felt reassured in my ability to perform under pressure. What’s more, the opportunity to build relationships with other law students and lawyers has benefited my career development. Making the top three was a remarkable achievement that boosted my confidence and strengthened my passion for law. It was a testament to the hard work, dedication and preparation I put into the competition. All of this furthered my practical experience, skills and appreciation for the legal profession. Moreover, the moot case concerned environmental law. Taking part in the competition made me realise that environmental law is an area very close to my heart and one that I want to pursue. This experience eventually led me to focus my legal career on environmental law.

Mentoring as part of the Changemakers Academy and Help Estonia (Aitan Eestit) programme has provided me with valuable experience and helped develop skills that are directly relevant to my role as an assistant lawyer. As a mentor, I learned how to communicate effectively and to steer others towards their goals. This has been helpful in my role as an assistant lawyer, where clear communication with both clients and colleagues is of the essence. In addition, mentoring has taught me how to approach problems from different angles, which is in turn essential in finding creative solutions to complex legal issues.

Through the Help Estonia programme, I learnt to build relationships with clients and understand their needs. These skills have been invaluable in my work, in which building strong relationships with clients and understanding their goals is vital to achieving successful results.

Overall, my experience as a mentor and salesperson has helped me become a more versatile legal professional. I have gained valuable communication, problem-solving and relationship-building skills that are useful in my daily work. I am grateful for these experiences and believe that they have helped me become a better and more effective lawyer, who would be a valuable addition to any legal team.