Meet The troubleshooter, Johannes Wikström
A career in law can begin in many ways – sometimes as a lifelong ambition, other times as a result of curiosity and chance. It can be shaped by an interest in multiple subjects, a spur of the moment decision, or even an unexpected opportunity. What starts as an unplanned choice can quickly turn into a fast-paced and fulfilling profession.
For Johannes Wikström, the journey into law was the product of curiosity and opportunity. “I was interested in a variety of subjects including law, politics, social science, and even history. I applied to the law program and then forgot about it. Then one morning I woke up to an email saying I got into law, and I thought, ‘Why not?’” he laughs. It’s a path that could easily be described as accidental, yet it has led him to a fast-paced and fulfilling career as an Associate at Roschier.
Johannes joined Roschier fresh out of law school, choosing the firm from an array of other law firms in Sweden. “I think I had applied to dozens of the best law firms in the country and had given interviews at most of them,” he says. “Roschier was a very specific choice I made during this process. The people I met during the interview were very professional, and the firm had a solid reputation. All in all, I had a very good feeling about the firm.”
In the little over two years he has been at Roschier, Johannes has already built up a reputation for hard work and efficiency working on different transactions. While his work record is impressive, when asked to highlight a significant milestone, he brings up the firm’s Christmas dinner from his first year. Johannes was one of two Roschier employees picked to cohost the dinner, an experience he describes as a “trial by fire” that helped him successfully bond with colleagues. “That was scary and fun at the same time. I’d only been here for four months, and no one really knew me back then,” he recalls.
Living on the edge
At Roschier, Johannes has also thrived under a supportive system that gives new associates a high degree of responsibility from the start. “I’ve been entrusted with important work streams early on,” he says. “They say you need 10,000 hours to get really good at something, right? I’m well on my way.”
A key part of what Johannes enjoys about his work is the dynamic nature of transactions. “Transactions are like projects with a lot of moving parts. You work with so many different advisors – financial, tax, environmental, and more. As the lawyer, you’re often leading the entire project on behalf of the client,” he explains. “It’s fast paced, and the transactions normally don’t last too long, so you never get bored. I like that intensity.”
“I like working as a project leader, bringing together different advisors from widely different organizations and managing the team to achieve a common goal. It’s a huge part of what we do at Roschier, and I enjoy it.”
Describing himself as “social, happy, and easygoing,” Johannes credits his collaborative nature and love of teamwork for playing a key role in his career so far. “I like working as a project leader, bringing together different advisors from widely different organizations and managing the team to achieve a common goal. It’s a huge part of what we do at Roschier, and I enjoy it,” he explains.
The troubleshooter
That said, the ability to navigate high-pressure situations and juggle stakeholder expectations is also key. Luckily, this is something Johannes has been able to display consistently. “One of my colleagues calls me his ‘troubleshooter’,” he says with a grin. “When something needs to get done, I focus on execution. I’m not afraid to be tough when necessary and work to make sure things are moving forward.”
Despite his rapid development, Johannes remains grounded, acknowledging that there is always more to learn. “I’m constantly learning by doing on the job. Every transaction teaches me something new,” he says.
When asked about his future, Johannes is open minded but pragmatic. “I’m ambitious, but I know that I’ll probably change my mind about things along the way. Right now, I’m happy where I am, but I don’t try to plan too far ahead. You never know what might change in two years, and I don’t want to limit myself by focusing too much on long-term goals.”
Johannes may be a relative newbie at Roschier, but he is already making his mark as someone who is not just taking care of business but actively shaping the culture and success of the firm.