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A German trainee lawyer has joined a Sydney-based law firm for a three-month placement in what is understood to be an Australian-first initiative of its kind.
Swaab has hosted a trainee lawyer from German firm Graf von Westphalen (GvW) in what the Sydney-based practice says is potentially an “Australian-first” training placement, coordinated through the global Meritas legal network.
The three-month secondment brought German trainee lawyer Charlotte Schnitzenbaumer to Swaab’s Sydney office earlier this year, where she worked alongside local lawyers as part of her formal professional training in Germany.
Dr Christian Zerr, a partner from GvW, expressed that the placement marks a significant moment, with it being described as the “first within the network” to involve a trainee lawyer rather than a fully qualified solicitor or associate — a departure from the format typically seen in previous exchanges.
He highlighted the value of placements like this in shaping early-career legal experience, noting that while senior lawyers contribute technical depth, trainees bring fresh energy and openness that help deepen cultural exchange.
“An experienced lawyer would contribute deeper specialisation while a trainee like Charlotte brings enthusiasm, adaptability and openness that supports cultural exchange,” Zerr said.
“We want to create more opportunities for future secondments and knowledge exchange between Australian and German firms, and this has helped that goal.”
In a statement, the Sydney-based firm shared that her placement offered valuable immersion in Australia’s common law system, while also playing a role in “strengthening ties between the two firms”.
The exchange was made possible through Meritas, a global alliance of independent law firms spanning more than 90 countries and over 180 member firms worldwide, which has facilitated 65 lawyer exchanges and placements internationally since launching its program in 2019.
Speaking about her time during the exchange, Schnitzenbaumer explained how the placement offered a refreshingly different view of legal practice compared with larger, more hierarchical international firms, describing her time at a mid-sized firm as especially rewarding.
“My placement with GvW is part of my legal training in Germany, and given its size, I didn’t expect this type of international opportunity,” Schnitzenbaumer said.
“I have friends in large international firms, and it’s common to visit international offices, but I really believe my experience with Swaab has been better.”
