Wiljami Siitonen likens Roschier to a professional sports team
Being a good lawyer takes more than just knowing the law – it requires hard work and a willingness to navigate opposing views and interests.
“I come from an entrepreneurial family,” says Wiljami Siitonen. “I have always been taught that if you put in the work, you can achieve any goal you set out to accomplish. While this has helped me in my career as an attorney, I believe it would have helped in any profession I set out to do.”
This approach has seen him rise the ranks at Roschier to become a Senior Associate specializing in M&A, private equity, and venture capital.
Caught between many paths
That’s important as Wiljami had considered many other options when he first set out to build a career.
“During high school, I spent a lot of time thinking about whether to pursue studies in business or law. I even considered political sciences as an option. Each had its appeal, and I was confident any one of those choices would have a great path to take. That also made it very difficult for me to choose one over the other.”
In the end, he credits his decision to enter law to his family. “My close family members have had a big influence on my life, and I recall discussing career paths with them. Those discussions ended up being quite valuable and nudged me into applying to law school. I haven’t looked back since.”
A lawyer at just 23 years of age
The path eventually took him to Roschier, where Wiljami completed his first traineeship some ten years ago. As more traineeships accumulated at Roschier and other workplaces, Wiljami recalled how much he enjoyed himself at Roschier and was keen on having his last traineeship before graduation take place there. But what happened next took him by surprise.
“I had a year or so to go with my studies, and I applied to Roschier to do my final traineeship before I graduate. One of the partners in the team suggested, since I had already trained at Roschier, that I join Roschier as a lawyer upon graduation. I obviously said yes!”
“It is as if you are in a professional sports team – that is at the level at which we operate. It makes you push harder, and you learn and grow professionally. I feel that if you can make it at Roschier, you can make it anywhere.”
A decade since joining Roschier for the first time, how does Wiljami feel about being catapulted into the profession?
“I was 23 when I started here as a lawyer, and so I was in quite a rush to graduate. In hindsight, people might say I could have spent a year or two more studying or doing something else, but I haven’t regretted the choice even once.”
The feeling of being in a pro sports team
At Roschier, Wiljami advises Finnish and international clients in complex cross-border transactions, representing private equity and venture capital sponsors, corporate clients, and emerging companies. He loves the firm’s working culture and ambitious spirit, which he says fuels his desire to be at his best every day.
“It is as if you are in a professional sports team – that is at the level at which we operate. It makes you push harder, and you learn and grow professionally. I feel that if you can make it at Roschier, you can make it anywhere.”
Wiljami admits that working with transactions isn’t always easy as the work is both fast-paced and at times taxing.
“The challenge of this job is when things happen, they happen fast, and you need to be able to think on your feet and then produce stellar advice and work in next to no time at all. Operating at this level never gets easy but you certainly learn to embrace it.”
Pride for a job well done
Wiljami believes that he has a long career and many great experiences ahead of him. However, if he could give one piece of advice to his young self, it would be this.
“I’m not a particularly patient person. I like things to happen instantly if not yesterday. In transactional work, this is not necessarily a bad quality or approach to have. However, it may not translate to all areas of life similarly well. So that is something I would ask from my younger self. Just be patient, things will happen, and you will get there.”
Despite the challenges of his role, Wiljami feels the sense of accomplishment at the end of it all is what makes it worthwhile.
“The proudest moments in my career have been challenging deals that have resulted in successful outcomes for clients. When you’ve worked hard on something, got it over the line together with the client and deal team, and raised a glass to success, that is a great feeling!”