Jukkapekka Engren on mastering self-leadership

The path to mastering self-leadership is often unconventional. Today, an Executive Legal Assistant at Roschier, this individual’s background lies in the fields of art and fashion.

Jukkapekka Engren, or JP as he is affectionately called by his colleagues at Roschier, began his journey in Rauma, a small town in western Finland. Growing up in a close-knit community, his childhood was safe and laid-back. “I grew up in a small town where everyone knew each other,” he recalls. His mother, a nurse, and his father, a firefighter, along with two older siblings, provided a stable environment. However, it was his sister’s move to Stockholm which first inspired him to venture beyond small-town life.

“Follow your dreams, keep your eyes open, and always be interested in the things around you. You never know when opportunity knocks.” 

“We used to visit her many times in a year, to the extent Stockholm became more familiar to me than Helsinki,” he says and laughs. “I eventually moved there to pursue studies in languages, art, fashion and cultural history, among other things.” 

“I’ve always been a creative person and interested in the arts and fashion. I like it when everything is aesthetically pleasing and that’s something I bring to my personal and professional life,” adds Jukkapekka.  

The interpretation of the law 

Eventually, he returned to Finland. He joined the Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences which allowed him to train in different workplaces before settling on a career path. It was here that Jukkapekka was introduced to the world of law firms, which ultimately led him to Roschier. “I was interested in the business operations of law firms,” he explains. “I liked the high level of professionalism and collaboration one finds here.” 

He joined Roschier as an Assistant Trainee in 2020, and his career took off. Within months, he was promoted to a part-time legal assistant, balancing work with his studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. By the time he graduated in 2021, Jukkapekka was appointed as an Executive Legal Assistant. This gave him more responsibility and expanded his role by introducing him to new tasks and challenges.  

“Law may seem like a fixed thing, but it’s how you present and interpret it that makes it interesting,” he explains, drawing an analogy between creative interpretation in fashion and the way the law is argued and applied. 

Learning to lead 

One of the most difficult aspects of Jukkapekka’s role has been learning to work independently and mastering self-leadership. “It can be challenging to be your own boss and work without constant supervision,” he admits. However, he quickly learned to ask for help when needed and to rely on his colleagues for support.  

“We have a great system of mentorship here,” he explains. Each new assistant is assigned a tutor and a mentor to guide them through their professional development. Jukkapekka’s tutors and mentors helped him quickly adapt to the pace of work at Roschier.  

While the work culture at Roschier may seem formal from the outside, Jukkapekka says the dayt-to-day atmosphere is far more relaxed than one might expect. “We’re not stiff or overly formal,” he says, “but we still maintain high standards of customer service and professionalism. It is a nice balance.” 

Looking back on his career, Jukkapekka is proud of how far he has come. His advice to other youngsters planning their career is simple but powerful “Follow your dreams, keep your eyes open, and always be interested in the things around you. You never know when opportunity knocks.”