Work Experience Day Report: Visit to Statkraft's Legal Department

During my work experience day, I had the opportunity to visit Statkraft's Legal Department,
where my mum works as a lawyer.

Statkraft is a leading company in hydropower internationally and Europe’s largest generator

of renewable energy. It produces hydropower, wind power and solar power. Statkraft has
more than 6,000 employees in over 20 countries. The headquarters are in Oslo, Norway and
the second largest office is in Düsseldorf, employing more than 500 people. This experience
provided me with valuable insights into the legal aspects of the renewable energy industry
(which I will describe further in the report below).

The first moment I entered, I saw a big open space with modern
adjustable desks with many monitors and many people with headphones
working hard. I admire how concentrated everyone looked and how silent
the office was. It made me wonder whether all these people are
passionate about their jobs or just dedicated to finish their task as quickly
as possible. I assume that when you have chosen a profession that you
like, you will mostly likely enjoy it. You become your job and the job
becomes you. You come to like it no matter what.

During my time at Statkraft, I observed various tasks that lawyers perform daily. These tasks
mainly include drafting agreements, negotiating contracts, preparing to resolve disputes and
other various legal matters. The lawyers had many meetings as well. I gained an
understanding of the crucial role that legal professionals play in ensuring legal compliance
and minimising risks in the energy sector.

During my stay at Statkraft, I learned about Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). Before this I
have only heard about them in the movies. NDAs are legal contracts that protect confidential
information shared between parties. They prevent the unlawful disclosure of sensitive
information and are commonly used in the renewable energy industry to protect private
knowledge and business strategies. Imagine you have a secret, such as for example a new
recipe for your favourite dessert. You might ask your friends to promise not to tell anyone
else about it. Well, Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) work in a similar way, but for
businesses and the parties need to sign them. They stop people from sharing important
secrets about a company, like new inventions or special ways of doing things. They're
especially common in industries like renewable energy to keep their special ideas safe from
being stolen or copied by others.

I also learned several new legal terms and concepts during my visit *(check the red
Information Box below.)

All the lawyers were very friendly, and I even had individual discussions with some of them.
My mum`s colleague Giancarlo taught me some negotiation tactics, such as active listening
and how this skill can help me not only at work but also daily. From Sharon, a very nice law
clerk, I learned that dedication is necessary if you want people to respect you and trust you in
the work environment. She explained that to become a lawyer in Germany, you need to
complete a law degree (Jurastudium) followed by a period of practical training
(Referendariat), which includes passing two state exams and completing various legal
internships. Afterward, you can be admitted to the bar (Zulassung als Rechtsanwalt). She is
currently doing her legal internship at Statkraft.

Wim described that renewable energy is energy that comes from things in the nature that we
can use over and over again without running out, such as the sunlight, wind, rain, waves, and
heat from the earth. Tom is the boss of the legal department; he showed me some interesting
videos and pictures of Statkraft that are more than 100 years old. He said his job is easy
because he has an amazing team and all he needs to do is motivate and support them.

Statkraft has an amazing canteen. We had very tasty meals, as well as dessert and a drink.
Additionally, my mom's team organizes cake every Wednesday, and each member bakes a
cake and brings it to the office. They eat it during their team meeting while discussing
interesting cases. I signed an NDA, so I cannot disclose any information about the specific

cases 😊

Overall, my experience at Statkraft's Legal Department was enriching and educational. While
I gained valuable insights into the legal aspects of the renewable energy industry, I am still
undecided about whether to pursue a career in law. Nonetheless, I am grateful for the
opportunity to explore this field and for the valuable knowledge I gained during my visit.

* Information Box
Arbitration - The process of resolving disputes outside of court, often used in contractual
agreements.
Force Majeure - Unforeseeable circumstances that prevent parties from fulfilling contractual
obligations (such as storms, natural disasters, earthquakes etc).
Jurisdiction - The authority of a court to hear and decide legal cases.
Compliance - Compliance with laws, regulations, and internal policies.
Due Diligence - Thorough investigation or research conducted before entering into a
business agreement.
Injunction - A court order that restricts a party from taking certain actions.
Liability - Legal responsibility for one's actions or obligations.
Intellectual Property - Legal rights to intangible assets such as patents, trademarks, and
copyrights.
Indemnification - Compensation for loss or damage incurred by another party.
Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) - Tradable certificates representing the environmental
attributes of renewable energy generation.