Family lawyer Nickie Groen: ‘I've found my calling’
Alumni interview
Nickie Groen was among the first students to enrol on Leiden’s Master’s in Child Law in 2012. Now, after more than thirteen years as a family lawyer, she returned to her amla mater to deliver the opening lecture of her former programme.
What was it like being back at the faculty?
‘It was great, but a little surreal. It felt strange to be in a lecture hall again, only this time standing at the front rather than among the students. I could easily imagine what it felt like to be sitting there, and I could sense the excitement of those who were just starting out.’
You did the same master's programme at our faculty in 2012. What attracted you to the programme?
‘During my bachelor's degree, I took an elective in family and youth law. Many of my other courses felt quite abstract, but family and youth law is firmly rooted in society. That's what appealed to me most: you're not just dealing with a legal case or a company; you're helping people with very personal issues. The work affects children, and that’s something I find very important.
Did you know from the start of your studies that you wanted to work in family law?
‘Not at first. It was really after taking that elective course that I realised this was what I wanted to do. I’d always been community-minded, though. I organised summer camps for children from difficult home situations and volunteered with the Children's and Young People's Legal Advice Centre in Leiden.’
How did you end up becoming a lawyer?
‘At first, I never wanted to become a lawyer. I thought the profession was too closely associated with Amsterdam’s Zuidas business district. But shortly before graduating, I had the opportunity to experience the work of a lawyer specialising in child law. I saw how she helped people facing real problems, speaking to them in a down-to-earth way and supporting them when they felt overwhelmed. That experience changed my perception of the profession entirely. I realised this was the kind of work I wanted to do. Thirteen years on, I know I’ve found my calling.’
You also handle cases that fall outside traditional family structures, such as surrogacy and multi-parent families. What drives your interest in these more complex forms of parenthood?
‘There’s still not much legislation on these family structures. That makes the field both challenging and fascinating, because there’s genuine scope to make an impact. My personal circumstances also play a role. My husband is the donor father of the children in his sister's family. When he told me about it ten years ago, my immediate reaction was: that's legally very interesting. What’s your legal position in a situation like that? What rights do you have? And will the child ever know who their biological father is? Because there’s so little information, you can really make a difference.’
What’s the most rewarding part of your work?
‘Helping other human beings. I support people and reassure them that they’re not facing things alone, whether it’s a divorce or care proceedings involving their children. I become a source of support, helping them navigate the situation and look for solutions. And even when there isn’t an ideal outcome, people know that someone has stood by them and fought for them.’
What’s your best memory of your time in Leiden?
‘My graduation ceremony was a special moment, of course, but the real highlight was the celebration afterwards. I held it at Augustinus, the student association I was a member of. Everyone who’d meant anything to me during my studies was there, including my parents and relatives from Friesland who hardly ever came to Leiden. They got to hear all the stories about me as a student, shared in songs and speeches. Receiving my degree that day was the icing on the cake’.
Finally, what advice do you have for current students?
‘You can come a long way with enthusiasm and perseverance. Take the time to discover what you're really passionate about, explore how that connects to a particular field of work, and make the most of your years as a student to pursue it. Stay focused on your goals and you’re far more likely to achieve them.’