Clerkship Guide 2022 The Australian National University Law Students’ Society
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Acknowledgement of Country We pay our respect to the Ngunnawal-Ngambri custodians of the land on which the Australian National University Law Students’ Society operates. The ANU LSS acknowledges and celebrates the elders past, present, and emerging.
Acknowledgements We wish to thank all who have made the production and publication of the 2022 Australian National University Law Students’ Society Clerkship Guide possible. Our sincere appreciation goes to the authors who have contributed their wealth of knowledge and experience to the Guide. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the editors or the Australian National University Law Students’ Society. Although best efforts have been made to ensure that all the information in the publication is correct as at May 2022, this is subject to change without notice. This publication is distributed free of charge with the understanding that the authors, editors, and any persons related to this publication are not responsible for the results of their actions or omissions on the basis of any information provided in this publication. This information is advisory, and as such should not be relied upon as being professional advice.
Vice President (Careers): Alana Stone Publications Director: Emily Austin Vice President (Sponsorship): Thu Vu Careers Directors: Janee Emms Matthew Foster Sara Warner
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The ANU Law Students’ Society is grateful for the ongoing support of its 2022 sponsors:
Premier Sponsors
Major Sponsors
General Sponsors
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Contents Editor’s Note
5
President’s Welcome
6
Firms Offering Clerkships
7
Clerkship Tracker
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Clerkship Application Resources
9
•
Reading the Interpreting the Selection Criteria
11
•
Writing A Captivating and Concise Cover Letter
12
•
Assembling A Stand-Out Curriculum Vitae
14
A Wellbeing Perspective
19
Advice from Successful Clerks
20
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Maggie Tang: Making the Most of the Clerkship Application Process
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Jessica Hodgson: Is A Clerkship For Me? Putting Your Best Foot Forward In Your Clerkship Application
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Fia Sankoorikal: My Experience with the Clerkship Application Process
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Tom Dunbabin: The Top Tips For Success In Your Clerkship Application
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•
Kate Butler: Clerking and Working In Projects, Land, Environment & Planning, and Project Finance
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Premier Sponsor Firm Materials
29 30
•
Allens
•
Clayton Utz
34
•
Johnson Winter & Slattery
•
Thomson Geer
38 42
Major Sponsor Firm Materials •
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
•
Gilbert + Tobin
•
Herbert Smith Freehills
•
Jones Day
•
KIng & Wood Mallesons
•
Maddocks
•
MinterEllison
•
Arnold Bloch Leibler
•
White & Case
•
K & L Gates
General Sponsor Firm Materials
46 47 50 53 56 59 62 65 68 71 74
77
•
Baker McKenzie
78
•
Norton Rose Fulbright
•
McCullough Robertson
•
PricewaterhouseCoopers
79 80 81
Practical Legal Training Provider Materials • •
The College of Law Leo Cussen Centre for Law
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Editor’s Notes On behalf of the Australian National University Law Students’ Society, welcome to the 2022 edition of the Clerkship Guide, proudly sponsored by Ashurst. Clerkship application season is a notoriously nerve wracking time for law students. In this Guide, we seek to demystify the clerkship application process and provide you with tips and tricks to approach your applications with confidence. Our sincere appreciation goes to our corporate sponsors, especially the nineteen firms and two practical legal training providers who have contributed to this Guide. Our sponsors provide immense support to all of the endeavours of the Law Students’ Society. Their support of our careers team allows us to provide ANU students with the top opportunities to explore potential career pathways and prepare for a future in the law.
In this year’s Clerkship Guide, the LSS has partnered with the ANU College of Law Careers and Employability team to present the Clerkship Application Resources section. The central focus of this section is ‘finding your why’. The application process can be stressful and all-engrossing, and applicants may lose track of exactly why they are pursuing a clerkship or a career in commercial law. Our advice to you is to reflect on precisely what you are looking to achieve from a clerkship. With that in mind, the process of finding the right firm and practice area for you should become clear. In our Advice from Successful Clerks section, we have had the pleasure of featuring a number of past clerks from the ANU. My thanks goes to Maggie Tang, Jessica Hodgson, Fia Sankoorikal, Tom Dunbabin, and Kate Butler for generously giving up their time to contribute their insight to this Guide. On page 19 of this Guide, you will find an article from the LSS Vice-President (Equity), Kara Banks, A Wellbeing Perspective. As Kara explores in the article, it is of the utmost importance that students look after themselves during the application period. Make sure to maintain a balanced lifestyle and spend time doing things you enjoy. Importantly, remember that a clerkship is by no means the single pathway to a career in the law. If this publication raises any questions, please get in touch with us at lsscareers@anu.edu.au. Welcome, and happy reading!
Alana Stone ANU Law Students’ Society 2022 Vice-President (Careers)
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President’s Welcome It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2022 ANU LSS Clerkship Guide, presented by Ashurst. Securing a commercial clerkship can be a daunting process, so this carefully curated selection of content from industry experts, human resources specialists, and past clerks at elite firms will equip you with the knowledge and skills required to put your best foot forward. The LSS Careers team has curated a diverse range of content from across the legal world for this Guide, aiming to provide a deep dive into all the relevant information you need to know to apply for a clerkship. The material collected in this Guide is designed to help you position yourself to go into the application period feeling confident in your abilities, and emerge from it with an offer on the table. We are extremely grateful for the expert advice and viewpoints of our corporate sponsors, recent clerks, and other experienced professionals, and our thanks go to each and every contributor for giving up their time to provide their insight. With each unique perspective comes new insight, helpful tips and tricks, and relevant experience that will give you a fuller and more detailed picture of what you can expect at each stage in the application process. In the case of many of our corporate sponsors, the person who will be reviewing your application or sitting across the interview table from you has contributed their advice in these pages. This is a rare opportunity for insight into the recruitment process at elite commercial firms, and is not to be missed. As ANU’s peak representative body for law students, the LSS is proud to present our annual Clerkship Information Evening as one of the marquee events in a busy schedule of careers-focused events throughout the year. I encourage you to become a member and follow our Facebook page to ensure you don’t miss out on our array exciting offerings throughout the year. Our sponsors generously support these events, and their involvement guarantees that every offering is packed with important information and employability-oriented content. Investing your time in attending these events will equip you with the knowledge necessary to pursue and achieve your career ambitions, and I look forward to seeing you there.
My thanks go first and foremost to the LSS Careers team for the immense amount of work they have put into drafting and collating the content for this Guide. Their hard work is what makes this publication possible – without their consummate dedication and professionalism the Clerkship Guide would simply not exist. We are also incredibly grateful to our sponsors, whose support allows the LSS to offer such a diverse and high-quality range of events for our members. In particular we thank Ashurst for supporting this Guide as the naming sponsor. Finally, I thank you for your interest in the 2022 ANU LSS Clerkship Guide. I hope it provides information that will serve you well as you embark on your clerkship journey. All the best, and happy reading!
Henry Palmerlee ANU Law Students’ Society 2022 President
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Firms Offering Clerkships in 2022 Canberra
Sydney
Melbourne
Perth
Brisbane
a
a
a
a
a
Allens
a
a
a
a
Arnold Bloch Leibler
a
a
Baker McKenzie
a
a
a
a
a
a
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
a
a
a
a
Gilbert + Tobin
a
a
a
Herbert Smith Freehils
a
a
a
Jones Day
a
a
a
Johnson Winter & Slattery
a
a
K&L Gates
a
a
Ashurst
Clayton Utz
a
King & Wood Mallesons
a
a
a
Maddocks
a
a
a
McCullough Robertson MinterEllison
Adelaide
a
a
a
a
a
a a
a
a
a
a
Norton Rose Fulbright
a
a
PricewaterhouseCoopers
a
a
Thomson Geer
a
a
White & Case
a
a
a
a
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a
a
a
a
a
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Clerkship Tracker CLERKSHIP PROGRAMME KEY DATES Recruitment Process
Canberra and
Melbourne
Brisbane
Perth
Applications Open
6 June
4 July
18 July
27 June
Applications Close
3 July and 10 July (firm dependent)
14 August
12 August
31 July
Offers Made
14 September
19 October
12 October
16 September
Offers to be Accepted
15 September
19 October
13 October
16 September
Sydney
*Note that these dates are a guide. The deadlines may differ depending on the firm you are applying with.
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Clerkship Application Resources In this section of the Clerkship Guide, the LSS has partnered with the ANU College of Law Careers and Employability team to bring you the most current, relevant, and valuable information to boost your clerkship applications. You will find the following resources: •
Selection Criteria – Reading and interpreting the requirements of a clerkship selection criteria.
•
Cover Letter – Introducing yourself to your potential employer through a concise, focused and insightful cover letter.
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Curriculum Vitae – Highlighting your strengths, experiences, and how they relate to your potential employment through a well structured and considered CV.
•
Job Interview – Calming your nerves, preparing, and walking in with confidence for your clerkship interview.
FINDING YOUR WHY The question of ‘why’ should be your key focus throughout the clerkship application process. The most common message we receive from employers about the clerkship application is that they are looking for applicants with a genuine interest in working at their firm. No single law firm or organisation are the same. Each has a unique culture, focus, and identity. Applicants may struggle to articulate precisely why they have chosen to pursue a clerkship, why they want to be a part of the firm or organisation, and why they feel that their skills and passions are well suited to that firm or organisation. BEWARE of the ‘copy and paste’, mass application approach… More is not always better! Focusing on a smaller number of applications to firms that you have a genuine interest in working for will often result in better applications, with greater chances of success. CONDUCTING A SELF–ASSESSMENT The clerkship application process will require an honest self-assessment. Ask yourself the following questions: •
What are my strengths and areas for improvement?
•
What do I want to achieve, not only from this opportunity, but beyond?
•
What are my short, medium, and long term goals, personally and professionally?
•
What are my transferable skills from my current and previous jobs or volunteering experience?
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*Note: Do not underestimate the value of retail and hospitality experience! Employers want to hear about the skills and personal qualities you developed in this work. Law firms, in particular, are looking for well-rounded, personable and committed applicants.
Consider the key professional skills that law firms are looking for: •
Communication
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Teamwork
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Problem solving
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Initiative and enterprise (commercial awareness)
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Planning and organising
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Self-management
•
Trending skills in the legal field… - Conflict management and resolution - Diversity and inclusion - Emotional intelligence
Which skills have you already developed through previous work, volunteer or leadership experience? Which skills do you want to improve upon?
Finally, consider what you are looking to get out of a clerkship: •
To gain practical experience? … Insight into how professionals in the field approach problems and provide solutions.
•
To build a network? … Exposure to a network of experienced professionals, with the potential of ongoing job opportunities.
•
To develop key professional skills? … Improved communication, teamwork, or problem solving skills, just to name a few (see above).
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Reading and Interpreting the Selection Criteria The selection criteria are arguably the most important piece of information you will be provided with to inform your clerkship application. You must meet each criterion, and provide tangible evidence of this in your cover letter or CV.
Passion for the firm’s values of integrity, teamwork, diversity and inclusion. 1
When have you demonstrated integrity?
1
When have you demonstrated teamwork?
1
Do you take active steps to improve your awareness of diversity and inclusion?
Commercial awareness and insight. 1
Can you demonstrate an understanding of the commercial environment in which your clients would be operating?
1
Do you keep informed on the world of business and current affairs?
1
Can you assess risks and manage conflict?
Sample Selection Criteria Specter Litt Clerkship Selection Criteria At Specter Litt, we are looking for individuals with the following attributes: •
You are committed to building strong relationships with our clients and the rest of the Specter Litt team.
•
You are passionate about the Specter Litt values of integrity, teamwork, diversity and inclusion.
•
You have commercial awareness and insight.
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You have a consistently strong academic record.
•
You have a genuine interest in a career at Specter Litt upon the completion of your studies.
Top Tip: Convert the selection criteria into a checklist. This checklist will be something that you can refer back to during all stages of the application process. Use the checklist to structure your cover letter, addressing each attribute in a separate paragraph or combining certain attributes that you may cover with one example.
Consistently strong academic record. 1
Can you demonstrate commitment to your studies? (A ‘strong academic record’ does not necessarily imply a high distinction or distinction average. Potential employers will not necessarily be deterred if you have been actively seeking out professional or non-professional experience and developing your skills throughout your time at university, perhaps at the expense of your GPA.)
Genuine interest in a long-term career at the firm. 1
Are you a committed and loyal person?
1
Do you have a genuine interest in the opportunities, values and culture at this firm?
Commitment to building strong relationships with clients and colleagues. 1
Do you have strong verbal and written communication skills?
1
Do you have strong interpersonal skills?
1
Are you a trustworthy individual? (For example, did you handle money or a till in a hospitality or retail job?)
1
Are you a team player?
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Writing a Captivating and Concise Cover Letter A cover letter acts as your ‘get to know me’ on paper; The first insight your potential employer has into the skills, experiences, and interests that may make you the right fit for the role. As such, a strong and engaging cover letter is critical to standing out in a highly competitive profession.
Reflect and plan Start by reflecting on the experiences and achievements that have contributed to your development. If you are struggling to critically reflect on your personal qualities, seek advice from your peers or colleagues. Discuss your strengths, weaknesses, and what you bring to a team. Plan the structure of your cover letter.
Go into greater depth on the significant achievements that may be overlooked on your CV. If you have been provided with a selection criteria, carefully address each criterion. Make clear the connection between your past experiences and the demands of the role.
Connect with the organisation Take the time to research and consider the culture, focus, or interesting qualities of the organisation. Describe how and why you feel you would thrive in this environment. If you are applying to multiple organisations, avoid the copy and paste approach as much as possible. Each letter should be tailored to each organisation, clearly demonstrating a considered understanding of their unique values.
Style and syntax Keep your cover letter to a page in length. Short and to the point sentences demonstrating your ability to write effectively in a concise manner will also be important. Check for punctuation, grammar, or spelling mistakes with a fine-tooth comb!
Sample structure: •
Paragraph 1: Introduction
•
Paragraph 2: The organisation that you are applying to
•
Paragraph 3: How you meet the selection criteria
•
Paragraph 4: How your personal values align with that of the organisation
•
Paragraph 5: Conclusion and thanks
Frame your cover letter as the narrative of your pathway so far Describe the experiences and achievements that have brought you to this point, and how these moments pushed you to apply for this role. For example, if you are passionate about the environment, describe when you first developed that passion, how you volunteered at the Environmental Defender’s Office, specialised in environmental law or found a mentor working in environmental law reform. Demonstrate to the potential employer that this role is the natural progression in your pathway.
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Example Cover Letter
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Assembling a Stand-out CV Your CV provides a summary of your education, employment history, skills, and professional and volunteer experience. It is an important opportunity to market yourself and highlight your strengths. The following tips are a guide to constructing a strong CV.
Step 1: Career Objective •
This is a brief paragraph to inform potential employers of your intended career trajectory and aspirations.
•
This should be 1-2 sentences long.
Step 4: Other Achievements and Extra Curriculars •
This section will include any notable accomplishments and extra curriculars that may be relevant to the role or to your professional development, but do not fit into the education or work experience portions of your CV.
•
For example, a leadership role you held at university, or your involvement in a youth organisation or student society.
Step 5: Interests / Professional Interests •
Discussing your interest enables you to present yourself as a well-rounded, interesting candidate. It provides the potential employer with an insight into how you may fit in at the organisation.
•
Your interests may be raised as talking points during the interview, so make sure they are genuine!
•
When applying for a role in the legal profession or other highly commercial sectors, your interests section should have a particular focus on your passions within that profession. For example, when applying for a clerkship at a commercial firm, it will be valuable to indicate the practice groups that are of interest to you and why.
Step 2: Education •
Education should be chronological order.
•
You should include the institution, course, year of entry, and expected year of completion.
•
You should also include any academic achievements, honours, awards, or scholarships that you have received while studying, in addition to your current GPA.
•
presented
in
reverse
Undergraduate students may include their secondary study, particularly if you have an impressive ATAR or entrance mark.
Step 6: Referees •
You should provide at least 2 referees at the bottom of your CV. These individuals will be able to attest to your character, skills, work ethic, or past work experience.
•
You should include their full name, role, organisation, and contact information.
•
It is important to ensure that you have received approval from your referees before including their contact information on your CV. Let them know to expect correspondence, and give them a brief description of the role and what your application entails.
Step 3: Work Experience •
Work experience highlights the experiences, skills, and achievements that make you a strong candidate.
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As with education, work experience should be listed in reverse chronological order.
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You should include the job title, employer, start date and finish date, duties, and responsibilities.
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You may like to divide this section into ‘Professional Experience’ and ‘Volunteer Experience’.
Step 7: Formatting your CV •
It is important that your CV has a neat and professional look. Avoid bright colours or graphics that distract away from the substance of the CV.
•
Online sites like Canva have fantastic free and easy to use templates to format an impressive-looking CV.
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Example CV [Name]
[Contact number] [Email address]
[Objective]... Motivated, hardworking and passionate. I am seeking to start my career in commercial law by using my strong problem-solving and communication skills in a clerkship with a leading multinational commercial law firm.
EDUCATION Bachler of Laws / Bachelor of Arts The Australian National University | [First year] – [Expected year of completion] ◊ Grade Point Average ◊ Academic Achievements: o [Scholarship] o [Award] o [Academic prize]
International Exchange Program [Exchange University] | [Starting month and year] – [Finishing month and year] ◊ Grade Point Average ◊ [Any interesting programs you participated in during exchange]
Secondary Education [High School] | [Year of graduation] ◊ Results ◊ Academic Achievements
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE [Role] [Employer] | [Starting month and year] – [Finishing month and year] ◊ [Your responsibilities in the role] ◊ [Your skills developed in the role] ◊ [Your achievements in the role]
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OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE [Role] [Employer] | [Starting month and year] – [Finishing month and year] ◊ [Your responsibilities in the role] ◊ [Your skills developed in the role] ◊ [Your achievements in the role]
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE [Role] [Organisation] | [Starting month and year] – [Finishing month and year] ◊ [Your responsibilities in the role] ◊ [Your skills developed in the role] ◊ [Your achievements in the role]
Other Achievements and Extra Curriculars ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊
[Student organisation / society involvement] [Leadership position within an organisation, residential hall, or university society] [Academic mentoring] [Sporting or arts participation and achievements] [Any other achievements not mentioned in your education and experience sections]
Professional Interests ◊ [A description of any notable interests or passions]
REFEREES [Former Employer / Supervisor / Mentor / Colleague / Tutor] | [Contact details] [Former Employer / Supervisor / Mentor / Colleague / Tutor] | [Contact details] [Former Employer / Supervisor / Mentor / Colleague / Tutor] | [Contact details]
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Acing the Interview Congratulations! Now that you’re through to the next stage, it’s time to start thinking about the interview. The interview is the perfect opportunity to highlight how your skillset and experience makes you a great candidate for the role.
On the day •
Be prepared. Consider the sample interview questions below, and attempt a practice interview with a friend or family member. Walking in prepared will ease your nerves and increase your confidence.
•
What is the most unusual request you have had at work and how did you respond to it?
•
Tell us about a time when something at work was changing and how you adapted to that change.
Analysis and Problem Solving •
Give us an example of a time when you used good judgement and logic in solving a problem.
•
When have you set a goal and how did you achieve it?
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When have you gone above and beyond to do something?
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Describe a time you came up with an innovative solution to a problem.
*Check out the personal articles from successful clerks in this Guide for some practical tips on calming pre-interview nerves. •
•
Arrive on time (or early!) and dress in corporate attire – nothing too flashy. Remember that the potential employer is considering how you would represent the firm in front of a client. Importantly, this interview is as much an opportunity for you to learn about the firm as it is an opportunity for them to learn about you. Look to learn more about the firm and its values, and truly consider whether it is the right fit for you!
Communication Skills •
Describe a time when you had to use different communication styles to influence different groups or individuals.
•
Describe a time when you felt you did not communicate well. How did you correct the situation?
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Describe a time when you had to communicate a decision to stakeholders knowing that the outcome was undesirable.
Personal and Career Related •
Before we get started, could you briefly introduce yourself?
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Tell me about something that is not on your resume/ application.
Teamwork and Conflict Resolution
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What value matters to you most?
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Describe a time you overcame a barrier.
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Why law?
•
•
Why [firm]?
Describe a time in which you dealt with a challenging team.
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What qualities do you think make a good clerk?
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Have you ever had to make a tough call or hard decision in a team environment?
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What are you hoping to gain from this role?
•
Adaptability and Flexibility • •
Describe a time you dealt with negative feedback. Do you work best when receiving clear instructions or when given flexibility in decisionmaking?
Diversity and Inclusion •
When have you had trouble with other people accepting your views?
•
Tell us about a time that you successfully adapted to a culturally different environment.
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Acing the Interview
•
How often is feedback provided? Do we get opportunities for partner interaction?
•
In terms of pro bono work, how do these opportunities come up, and how do clerks and graduates usually structure this around their normal workload
•
What would you like to see from me as a clerk or graduate?
Integrity and Ethics •
Describe a time in which you showcased our firm’s value of ____.
•
When did you have to make a decision that went against your morals and values but was necessary or appropriate in the situation?
Management and Leadership •
Tell me about a time when you had to lead.
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Tell me about a time when your manager wasn’t present, and you had to work/ deal with a problem independently.
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Tell me about a time when someone was resisting you. What did you do?
Planning and Organisation Skills •
How do you deal with stress?
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Is your GPA a good reflection of your abilities?
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Describe a time when you were faced with problems or stresses that tested your coping skills.
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Tell us about a time when you had to complete a number of tasks with competing deadlines. How did you determine the priority tasks?
Questions for the Interviewer •
What was your path to [firm] and your path within the [firm]?
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What are some interesting projects you have been involved in – to the extent that you can discuss them with me?
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How did you decide to settle in your specific area of law?
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What does training for clerks and grads at [firm] look like?
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Would clerks only work for one main partner at a time, or are they shared among the team? Clerkship Guide 2022
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A Wellbeing Perspective The pressure to prepare for your career while at Law School starts to build up as you reach towards the end of your degree. While clerkships provide a great opportunity to get a feel for the legal industry and can give a head-start in the graduate positions, the application process can be demanding. Many law students are perfectionists or are afraid of failure so this can be a stressful time. It is important to prioritise your health to avoid burnout and stay on top of your physical and mental health.
It is okay to not want to do a clerkship A first suggestion is that even before you start applying for clerkships, think about your motivations for applying and what sort of subjects/ work have you enjoyed doing over the course of your degree. Clerkships are not for everyone, and it is okay to decide not to do one! There are many other options to get experience in the legal profession that can help jumpstart your career. While it may be impressed onto you in law school that clerkships are necessary, this is not the case, and it can be good to investigate other internships, opportunities etc. You can spend your summer doing other things you enjoy, working or going another program. You will still be able to get a job without a clerkship, so it is good to keep this in perspective. Balance your time It is also very important to balance your time well when applying to clerkships. Setting aside time so you are not rushing your applications means that when deadlines come around it can be less of a rush. Keeping key dates in your calendar and knowing what you must do for certain applications makes it a lot less stressful. That said though, with this extra workload it is very important to keep doing the things you enjoy avoid burnout. Make sure to do all the basic wellbeing things like eating well and getting a good amount of sleep. A lot of law students take on a lot of extracurriculars/ work/ opportunities in order to build their resume, try to not take on too much or you may become burntout and not put your best into the things you are doing. A lot of this is easier said than done but are very important.
Do not be disheartened by rejection A lot of law students were high achieving in high school and have a fear of failure. Rejection can be difficult to deal with and as clerkships are highly sought after with enormous numbers of applications for a small number of spots. Surround yourself with a good support network and do not throw in the towel after one rejection. This does not define you or how your career will turn out – other opportunities will come along. It can be hard to put yourself out there after facing rejection, but it is necessary to take advantage of all the available opportunities and you will have gained valuable skills through the process.
If you need any support the LSS is here to help! Good luck to all those applying to clerkships and remember to be kind to yourself throughout the process.
Kara Banks ANU Law Students’ Society 2022 Vice-President (Equity)
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ADVICE FROM SUCCESSFUL CLERKS
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Making the Most of the Clerkship Application Process Let’s face it – the clerkship application process is daunting. It feels like the rest of your life. People tell you that a clerkship is a direct pipeline into a graduate program, without which you may feel like you studied law for nothing. If you go through the whole process and are unsuccessful for a clerkship, it may feel like you’ve been chewed up by the whole legal industry and spit out with nothing to show for it. Therefore, I am writing this piece to help prospective applicants optimise their experience, regardless of if a clerkship comes out of it. Regardless of what stage of the application you get to, there is something to gain.
The Written Application When I started writing my cover letters and short responses to questions like ‘Why did you choose to study law?’ ‘What is a current legal issue that you are interested in?’, my thoughts were all over the place. I was forced to think about these fundamental questions which reminded me a lot about my areas of interest and what my goals were in studying to be a lawyer. This helped me to really focus my career ambitions and think about what I fundamentally wanted to achieve through a law degree, regardless of if I landed a clerkship or not. I also re-read over a cover letter that I had already submitted and found humiliating mistakes where I spelt the name of a firm wrong so hot tip: look for typos and do not edit with haste or in the very early hours of the morning. Needless to say, I did not hear good news back from that firm…
It also helped me to break out of my ignorance that commercial law was about working in an office on deals that seem larger than life. Instead, I learned a lot about the nuances of commercial-legal work and observed the passion of the lawyers for their areas of law.
The Cocktail/Networking Reception The cocktail networking evening is a great event to start building your professional network and talk to lawyers or graduates in a more casual and relaxed setting. This stage of the clerkship was particularly useful in helping me distil haphazard bits and pieces of information I had about different firms and their clerkship programs into a solid vision of each firm. I learned a lot about what sets each firm apart and their different personalities.
Ultimately… Don’t let unsuccessful applications be constant white noise in the background of your future applications (for anything). Think about what you learned or remembered about yourself in the process. Think about whether there is something else that you want to try that may be more readily available to you in this moment. Fate is baffling with her timing. Good luck and I hope you can appreciate the application process a little more!
The Interviews Ask your interviewers about their experience and why they chose a path of commercial/corporate law. What did the stretch of road between university and their present-day job look like for them? Did they ever want to do anything else? Why didn’t they? These questions are what I was/ am most interested in because I didn’t know that I wanted to do commercial law. I never saw myself as a commercial lawyer and as my parents reminded me (not sparingly, even when I was doing my clerkship) – I don’t even study commerce or anything even close. Hearing the diverse backgrounds and stories of my interviewers really helped me to focus my interests and think about the path I wanted to go down.
Maggie Tang
Australian National University Law Students’ Society
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Is A Clerkship For Me? Putting Your Best Foot Forward in Your Clerkship Application Why did you decide to pursue a clerkship? When applying for a clerkship, I was driven by the opportunity to: •
Meet and work with incredibly smart, driven and collaborative people.
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Learn and be challenged by diverse work, often in a fast-paced environment.
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Play an active role in the evolving business landscape (in Australia and globally), learning more about the social, environmental, technological and legal factors that businesses consider in their strategic decision-making.
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Have the guidance and support of a dynamic team.
If ANY of those factors resonate with you, a clerkship might be the right choice!
You have to ask yourself: ‘What do I you have to lose?’. At the bare minimum, you will gain invaluable application and interview experience and first-hand interaction with lawyers from a variety of practice areas and levels of experience. Throughout the application process you will get to know the culture and strengths of each firm and it will help shape your perspective on what you are looking for in your future career.
Key tips for success: 1.
STAYING ORGANISED: Create a ‘Master Document’ early on in the application process that you use to record key deadlines, necessary steps and documents for each firm, key values of each firm etc. A Word table is great for this. It will be your ‘best friend’ for knowing what stage you are at and what you need to do next (since it can be easy to get overwhelmed with the multiple moving parts of the different applications!).
2. CHOOSING THE FIRMS: There is no perfect number of firms to apply for, just do what feels right for your personality. Check out the firms’
websites, ask people who are already working in the industry, search on Lawyers Weekly and the AFR to learn about current matters and ultimately go with your gut in terms of which firms you want to apply for. 3. CUSTOMISE: Adapt each cover letter to each firm to really show them you WANT to work for them and that you’re willing to put in the effort to learn about what they stand for (it’s not a copy and paste job unfortunately!). Each firm will have unique ‘values’ and buzzwords that are great to add to your cover letter, written responses and/or resume and show how your past experiences demonstrate those values.
Acing your interview 1.
BE YOURSELF: As cringey as it sounds, the interviewers want to get to know YOU and what makes you tick (not who you think they want you to be). Trust me, if you stay true to yourself it will come across as confident and genuine in the interview, and you’ll often find yourself having great conversations about things you are honestly passionate about (no one is you and that is your power!).
2. BE PREPARED: Research what the firms are specifically looking for and think about how your previous experience can demonstrate those skills and attributes. Practice answering key questions like ‘Why are you interested in commercial law?’ and ‘Why do you want to work at OUR firm?’. 3. BE HUMAN: As well as demonstrating you are a smart, competent and hard-working law student, interviewers love to know you will be able to develop rapport and strong relationships within your team and with clients. Several interviewers told me after my interviews that they ultimately ask themselves: ‘Did I enjoy speaking with that person and do I want this person on my team, working with me every day?’. Show your interviewers you are ‘human’ and have the curiosity, EQ and enthusiasm to be a great team member.
How did you know this role was right for you? I was very fortunate to accept a clerkship with Allens in Sydney. I made that decision because a key priority for me is working at a firm that is PEOPLEORIENTATED.
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I wanted to be part of an organisation that provided connection, support and growth for its people. For example, during the application process Allens partnered us with ‘buddies’ to provide personalised support, as well as held events to get to know other applicants and lawyers at the firm. The role is right for me because I wanted a workplace that is both caring and high-performing. Every day that I clerked at Allens I was stimulated and challenged to find solutions, and also learnt from incredible people who are at the top of their field. I can see myself pursuing a career with Allens and I’m super excited for what’s to come! I encourage everyone who is interested in clerkships to apply, give it their all and never stop believing in themselves.
Jessica Hodgson
Australian National University Law Students’ Society
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My Experience With the Clerkship Application Process The anticipation was worse than the actual thing! Going into the application process I was extremely anxious about the road ahead and not optimistic about my prospects for success. However, once the process actually began, it stopped being this scary spectacle and quickly became just another item on my to do list like watching lectures. With each application I became more confident and comfortable in my ability to answer the questions.
Advice to students soon to be applying Stay organised! If you’re like me and want to cover your bases by applying to multiple firms, it’s important to keep track of dates and deadlines and diarise them so that you a) don’t miss them, and b) can prepare adequately ahead of time. I used an excel spreadsheet to keep track of dates, the different stages of applications that I was up to, and what I needed to do to prepare for each step of the process. Aside from this, don’t be afraid to form connections and talk to people to find out more about the application process. The most valuable information and guidance I received during the process was from connections I had made at the firms I was interested in.
I was very surprised by how quickly I was able to delineate these different dynamics across firms and form connections with certain people over others. It’s therefore very much an instinctual thing and trust me when I say, you will feel it! In terms of practice groups, the clerkship itself is all about trying out as much as you can. You don’t have to have it all figured out straight away. Law school is so different to practising law in the real world so be open to trying practice areas you might not know much about as it’s the best way to find which one is right for you.
Acing the interview My main tip is to draw on all different aspects of your life to answer the questions asked. Firms are looking for well-rounded people so don’t get bogged down in trying to demonstrate your technical proficiency. Remember to always to be friendly and kind to the interviewers, even if they don’t match your energy. A great attitude is what invites partners and associates to want to work with you, so a genuine smile goes a long way.
Determining whether a clerkship is for you If you have even the slightest interest in or curiosity about it, try it out! A clerkship is an amazing way to gain experience and exposure, over a short space of time, and you’re not locked in for life. From my experience, it is difficult to know for sure whether it’s for you until you actually try it. Going into the application process and the clerkship itself I had a very surface-level understanding of what each practice area entailed. However, once I got stuck into it, I could make a more informed assessment of whether this was a line of work I want to pursue.
Finding the right firm or practice group Finding the right firm is all about the people! All firms pride themselves on their unique culture, however I found particularly through the interview process, that the interpersonal dynamics varies significantly across firms and locations.
Fia Sankoorikal
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The Top Tips For Success In Your Clerkship Application I am Tom, a fifth and final year student doing a Law/ Economics double. Last summer, I had the privilege of doing two clerkships in Melbourne. Whilst there is no one recipe to obtaining a clerkship, I have assembled a few general tips that assisted me in the competitive process.
Things to consider in selecting which firms to apply for include: •
Where was the firm founded, and what will that mean for locations/clients?
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What are the major clients of the firm: do they work mostly for government or private industry?
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For firms with multiple Australian offices: what does each office of the firm specialise in? Which city would be of most interest to you?
Tips for cover letters and questions Why should you do a clerkship? If you’re interested in commercial law then obviously a clerkship is the pathway for you. A clerkship can also serve the opposite purpose: if you are on the fence about commercial law, the exposure a clerkship provides can help you lean one way or the other.
The first stage of application for any clerkship will usually prompt you to upload a resume, academic record and then either a cover letter or responses to some short answer questions. Your cover letter/ responses are the most important part of this stage (assuming your academics are in order!) My tips for cover letters/questions include:
There is value in doing the clerkship process for application and interview practice. The skills you can practice are transferable and difficult to otherwise practice in a genuine manner.
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Demonstrate your interest in the firm and the work they do
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Signal why you think the firm would be a good fit for you/what area of work they do is of particular interest
Is a clerkship really for you?
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Include some information about achievements/ experience that demonstrate your collegiality and teamwork skills
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Show of your knowledge of the firm, their history and their achievements
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Don’t provide the answer you think they want to hear – make it personal and genuine
I am of the firm opinion that we need to normalise not doing a clerkship. In some student circles, there seems to be a perception that you must get a clerkship to be a successful law student. Perhaps the ultra-competitive nature of the application process makes attaining clerkship seem like some defining, ultimate achievement. But the fact is that clerkships are not, and should not be, for everyone. Do not feel pressured to apply for clerkships, and if you do apply and do not get one, it is no indictment on your ability! One of my friends is a Rhodes Scholar, and she got rejected from every clerkship she applied for. The great thing about law is the breadth of practice that it offers – there is something out there for everyone.
Picking the right firm Most of the large firms work in very similar practice areas, have offices across the country and offices across the world. The differences between big firms are subtle, but that subtlety may end up being very important to you.
Tips for interviews Interviews are the most nerve-wracking part of the application process. They can be wildly varied in content and manner. My general tips include: •
Practice behavioural questions, and have a number of personal scenarios you can adapt to behavioural questions
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Know a bit about the history of the firm and the current areas they specialise in
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Have a reason why the firm is of particular interest to you, and what you could get out of working at the firm.
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Be aware of your professional plan – where do you want to be in 10 years, and how will the firm help you get there?
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Stay on top of general business/economics news (for a shortcut, read the AFR every now and then)
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Have some knowledge about general areas of growth and opportunity (for a shortcut, consider and predict what tech areas are growing or evolving)
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If asked a particularly tough question, go with the first answer that comes to mind
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Prepare a lot of questions to ask the interviewers and make them personal!
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Relax, smile, be confident and have fun
Tips whilst clerking Congratulations! You got a clerkship offer! Here are some tips to get the most out of your clerkship experience: •
Reach out to and connect with partners/lawyers in practice groups that interest you, even if it is not your own
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Get to know your fellow clerks! You might end up working with them
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Make a rolling list of work you’ve done and people you’ve worked with, for future reference
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Don’t be afraid to ask for help
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Have fun and don’t take it too seriously
Tom Dunbabin
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Clerking and Working in Projects, Land, Environment & Planning, and Project Finance In 2020-2021, I completed clerkships at three firms in Melbourne in their Projects, Project Finance and Land, Environment & Planning teams. After accepting a graduate offer from White & Case, an international firm, I worked as a paralegal in their Land, Environment & Planning team and I’m now a graduate there, completing my first rotation in Projects. When I first decided to apply for clerkships, I had very little idea about which firms to apply for or the different teams in firms or even what areas of commercial law I was interested in! As I’m interested in climate change and environmental law issues, and passionate about renewable energy, I started looking at firms which work on renewable energy projects. Targeting my applications to firms which work in this space helped me tailor my cover letters (which is incredibly important!) and, more often than not, my interest in this area provided a great discussion point in interviews. When researching which firms to apply for, I discovered that a lot of renewable energy project work is done in the Projects, Project Finance and Environment & Planning teams. Broadly speaking, Project Finance involves advising financiers (i.e. the people lending money) or borrowers about financing, developing and constructing projects. In Projects you work on the key contracts required to build and operate the asset e.g. the engineering, procurement and construction contracts for a wind farm. The Land, Environment & Planning team advises the project developers on the environment and planning approval processes, which can include native title, cultural heritage, planning issues and climate change considerations. Working as a clerk and a graduate in these teams can involve a wide array of tasks. A lot of my work in Land, Environment & Planning involved researching legislative and regulatory requirements and changes which affected our clients and their projects. As a clerk in Projects or Project Finance, you could be reviewing sections of a contract, helping with signings, conducting research on specific issues or creating flowcharts to help explain how a section of the contract works in practice for the client.
The work is intellectually challenging and includes a significant commercial component. Although Projects and Project Finance may sometimes can feel a bit removed from the black and white legal issues you study in law at university, it does require logical thinking and problem solving, as well as clear drafting skills, which are all skills you develop studying law. I find it very rewarding to work on projects which are, or will ultimately be, of benefit to society, whether that is assisting clients to build a new hospital or a solar farm. In my short time at White & Case, as a clerk, paralegal and graduate, I have already worked on Australia’s first offshore wind project, a new large scale battery project and the Suburban Rail Loop project in Melbourne. I have also researched and drafted a report looking at the environmental law issues for a potential project to export hydrogen from Australia and Singapore. Additionally, one of the (many) highlights from my clerkship in Land, Environment & Planning was undertaking research on Rwanda’s environmental laws for the United Nations Environment Program’s Second Global Report on the Environmental Rule of Law. White & Case lawyers around the globe contributed to this report on a pro bono basis and it was fantastic to play a small part in this project. As intimidating as the clerkship process is, ultimately it can be incredibly worthwhile and it is worth putting effort into your applications. You may also surprise yourself about how diverse commercial law can be in practice!
Kate Butler
Australian National University Law Students’ Society
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Firm Features In what follows, you will hear from some of the top commercial law firms in the country about what they are looking for in a clerkship applicant, and what you could gain from a clerkship at their firm. The following section will feature: Allens Clayton Utz Johnson Winter & Slattery Thomson Geer Corrs Chambers Westgarth Gilbert + Tobin Herbert Smith Freehills Jones Day King & Wood Mallesons Maddocks MinterEllison Arnold Bloch Leibler White & Case K&L Gates Baker McKenzie Norton Rose Fulbright McCullough Robertson PricewaterhouseCoopers
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PREMIER SPONSOR FIRMS
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Great change is here. Shape the future with Allens ALLENS CONFIDENTIAL PODCAST
graduates.allens.com.au/allens-confidential-podcast
ALLENS MEET AND ENGAGE meetandengage.com/allens
STUDENT NEWSLETTER
graduates.allens.com.au/life-at-allens
facebook.com/allenscareers/
linkedin.com/company/allenslawfirm
Allens is an independent partnership operating in alliance with Linklaters LLP. 18217D
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Find out more at graduates.allens.com.au 19306D
Great change is here. Shape the future with Allens At Allens, we’re focused on equipping our people with the skills and experience they need to be the lawyers of the future. We’re ready to define tomorrow. Are you? With us, you’ll be more than a lawyer. Our people are technical experts, but they’re also trusted business advisers who think bigger, more broadly and more strategically. Together, we solve complex legal challenges, and collaborate across practice areas and disciplines to guide our clients.
We work across borders too, thanks to our alliance with Linklaters. This provides opportunites for our firm and our people, including annual rotations in Linklaters London, Hong Kong and Singapore being available to our graduate lawyers.
An early legal career at Allens includes highly tailored training through the Allens Academy. Developed in partnership with the Australian National University, our Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice will help you transition from law graduate to legal expert and trusted business adviser.
In a rapidly changing world, we seek opportunities to innovate, embracing creative thinking, new approaches and emerging technology. We don’t just seek opportunities to benefit ourselves and our clients, we believe strongly in driving positive change to do right by our community too, as demonstrated through our strong pro bono practices.
Another fantastic initiative from Allens to engage future talent! As a candidate, I am excited at the prospect of joining such a fantastic and innovative firm. ALLENS CONFIDENTIAL PODCAST
graduates.allens.com.au/allens-confidential-podcast
ALLENS MEET AND ENGAGE meetandengage.com/allens
STUDENT NEWSLETTER
graduates.allens.com.au/life-at-allens
facebook.com/allenscareers/
Our teams are open, inclusive and encouraging, giving you the opportunity to learn and grow while feeling supported. You’ll have the flexibility to drive your own career, and we’ll recognise your achievements and hard work as you progress through the firm. Are you ready to begin?
linkedin.com/company/allenslawfirm
Find out more at graduates.allens.com.au Allens is an independent partnership operating in alliance with Linklaters LLP.
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STAY TRUE.
Staying true to your direction is what defines Clayton Utz. We’ve built a culture that’s unlike any other law firm, but don’t just take our word for it. A good lawyer needs compelling evidence so meet our people and judge for yourself. claytonutz.com/graduates
Academic brilliance certainly counts, but graduates who thrive here have something extra – a natural passion for connecting with people and a strong sense of self. That’s what staying true is all about. If you have these qualities, Clayton Utz is for you.
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CLERKSHIP PROGRAM If you’re a law student in your penultimate year, our Clerkship Programs will expose you to the fast pace of a full-service commercial law firm and show you the law in action. You’ll be working under the guidance of some of the sharpest legal minds in Australia, on challenging, complex and high-profile transactions and matters. You’ll be mentored by partners and lawyers who are leaders in their fields, in a firm where individuality is embraced and innovation actively encouraged.
GRADUATE PROGRAM It’s not just about wearing a suit. There’s always a gap between theory and practice, and post-university prospects can be daunting. How do you make the leap to working in the industry?
That’s where we come in. Once you’ve completed your studies, our national Graduate Program gives you the perfect foundation for your legal career. Our 2.5 week orientation program is designed to ensure that you’ll hit the ground running. It consists of PLT+, local training and a national orientation week in Sydney. Our rotations will help you discover different areas and find the right fit. From day one you’ll be working on complex and sophisticated legal issues, and with our innovative learning and development approach, you’ll get the support to become the best you can be.
You’ll get… • Three rotations of six months in our national practice groups • continuing legal education programs and professional development support • mentoring from some of the best lawyers in the country • a buddy who’ll give you the inside information
• the chance to participate in our Community Connect and Pro Bono programs and really give back
• meaningful performance feedback so you know you’re on • social and sporting activities, because we know it’s not the right track all work and no play.
We hire most of our Graduates from our Clerkship Programs. Occasionally, additional opportunities may arise. These opportunities will be listed on our website.
As a junior lawyer, your enthusiasm is in overdrive. Everything is interesting. You have a million questions for everyone. You want to be the best. And for me, I wanted to be the best lawyer and leader I could be. Right now I’m a corporate and tax lawyer, buying and selling companies, structuring investments and having the occasional battle with the ATO.
STAY TRUE.
So, a little while after I started at Clayton Utz, I joined the social committee. A powerful assembly fuelled by lunchtime pizzawielding lawyers making important decisions like choosing the Christmas party theme. They knew I liked pizza, but had no idea I was gay. You see, I wasn’t out at work yet and this became a genuine source of anxiety for a good two years. But In May 2015 this all changed... To listen to Luke’s full story, go to: claytonutz.com/graduates Academic brilliance certainly counts, but graduates who thrive here have something extra – a natural passion for connecting with people and a strong sense of self. That’s what staying true is all about. If you have these qualities, Clayton Utz is for you.
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STAY TRUE.
Clayton Utz Graduate, 2021
Staying true to your direction is what defines Clayton Utz. We’ve built a very special culture that sets our firm apart - but don’t just take our word for it. A good lawyer needs compelling evidence - so hear what Sabina has to say about her experience with us.
MY ROTATIONS
WHY CLAYTON UTZ?
When I was applying for clerkships, Clayton Utz stood out to me because of the very strong focus on pro bono work which differentiated them from other top tier corporate law firms. Despite being quite nervous to go through the clerkship interview process, I felt very comfortable during the Clayton Utz interviews as the interviewers were not only interested in learning about my previous work experience and legal knowledge but were also keen to hear about my personal background and interests. The cocktail night really cemented my desire to work at Clayton Utz as everyone was so friendly and welcoming, came from diverse backgrounds and spoke honestly about their experiences at the firm. I felt like I got a good sense of the culture at Clayton Utz from attending the event and now, after working at the firm for over two years, I believe that my experience from that night accurately reflected the great culture of this firm.
TIPS
Sabina Prus-Wisniowski
I would recommend asking a lot of questions at the interviews and the cocktail night to try to get a sense of the culture of the firm and whether you think it is the right fit for you. I would also recommend openly sharing your personal interests with your interviewers as they will want to learn more about you as a person!
My first rotation was in Public Sector - Litigation, which is where I had been a paralegal following my clerkship and before starting the graduate program. In this team I was heavily involved in a wide variety of tribunal matters including migration, NDIS and privacy matters. As tribunal matters are generally smaller and shorter than court matters, I enjoyed being able to work on matters from start to finish and being involved in all elements. I was also able to observe many conferences and hearings, this was always very interesting and gave me a better understanding of how to effectively engage in dispute resolution. My second rotation was in Major Projects & Construction. It was a completely different experience working on transactional matters and I enjoyed the challenge of working on high-profile and large-scale rail, energy and airport projects. I worked on matters that were regularly reported on in the media, making them even more interesting and rewarding. I have now started my third rotation in Real Estate which so far has been a very diverse experience as I have worked on matters involving selling, leasing and constructing property. During my graduate program I have also been involved in many pro bono matters and have volunteered at the Consumer Law Clinic. This pro bono work has allowed me to work closely with clients, learn new areas of law and work with a variety of people throughout the firm.
claytonutz.com/graduates
Simply a better Place to work Johnson Winter & Slattery was started by three lawyers who wanted to do things differently. We’ve grown rapidly to become one of Australia’s leading independent firms and now have offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. Working with us will give you all the benefits that come with working for a large corporate law firm and much more. We will put you at the forefront of Australian commerce, working with our clients on their most complex and business critical legal work – it’s what we do best. It’s our people that really sets us apart. We pride ourselves on being down to earth, approachable and, quite simply, a better place to work.
PRACTICE AREAS
• Competition & antitrust
• Corporate governance
• Dispute resolution
• Energy & resources
• Funds management
• Media
• Projects & construction • Corporate Employment • Intellectual property & IT • Regulatory
• Restructuring & insolvency • Debt finance • Foreign investment • Private equity • Tax
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ACCELERATE YOUR CAREER Our flexible team structure means you will not be held back. Our lawyers take on the work that reflects their ability, not their job title. You’ll also benefit from your own structured and bespoke professional development program. There are no barriers to your success with us.
GO YOUR OWN WAY Our business model is different to other firms. We want our lawyers to focus on the quality of their legal work and client experience. That means you won’t be under pressure to meet billing targets and you will not compete with your peers.
IT’S A VIBE THING What truly sets us apart is our people. We pride ourselves on being down to earth, approachable, and simply, a better place to work. Our ethos is: “we’re in it together” – it’s the cornerstone of our business and and it’s what we live by.
LET’S CHAT Wilma Lewis, Senior People & Development Consultant on email Wilma.Lewis@jws.com.au or phone 02 8247 9630. www.jws.com.au/en/firm/careers
A SNAPSHOT OF YOUR FUTURE Associate Blake Hunt shares his story and experience as part of the team. What does your role entail? As an associate at Johnson Winter & Slattery, my role covers a wide variety of legal work across different practice areas including intellectual property, dispute resolution, and competition law to name a few. At Johnson Winter & Slattery, junior lawyers are encouraged to get as much experience as possible in different areas of law to become more knowledgeable and to eventually find your ideal specialty. On a day-to-day basis, I review contracts, prepare court documents such as affidavits and do a range of legal research and drafting tasks.
very different to actually working in the field, whether that be law, HR, or any other career. It can really help to gain experience during university to make sure it is the right career for you. It can also be really difficult to land your first full-time graduate job, and I had to make countless applications before I found the right fit for me. Don’t let rejection dishearten you as everyone goes through it and often there are just so many good applicants that it can be hard to get noticed. Keep putting in the effort and take in the feedback that is given and the right opportunity will eventually come to you.
What is the most rewarding aspect and the most challenging aspect? For me, the most rewarding aspect is also the most challenging. Working across multiple areas and experiencing different parts of law, I don’t have one day that is the same as the last. I am constantly being exposed to new legal issues and challenges to solve for our clients. I find it extremely rewarding to have a role with such variability, but it also requires me to manage my time and workload effectively in order to switch between tasks.
What have you learned? The role has taught me so much more about the law, managing full-time work and even just myself as a person. I have definitely found a love for the challenge that the legal world presents, particularly the variability of a lawyer’s role and the ability to work with a range of different people and clients. It has also taught me the importance of time management, communication, and the need to maintain a good work life balance.
What lead you to this role? I definitely didn’t take the “standard” path to becoming a lawyer. I studied a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and Law (Honours) at Macquarie University, while working part-time. During my first few years of uni, I interned for a couple of different law firms and even worked in a bottle shop. However, I primarily worked as a Legal Recruitment Consultant, learning the legal world from the other side of the interview chair. After a psychology honours year in 2018, I finished my degree in 2019 and landed my first full-time role at Johnson Winter & Slattery as a summer clerk. From there, I started as a Law Graduate in 2020 and became an Associate in November 2020. What advice would you give your university aged self? Try and gain as much experience as possible in the field you want to work in and don’t get disheartened if jobs are hard to come by as a graduate. While university gave me a great foundation of knowledge, studying from textbooks is often
Why this role? I was really attracted by the culture that JWS presented and the opportunity to gain experience in many areas of law. Johnson Winter & Slattery has a high partner to lawyer ratio, which has meant I get to work directly with senior lawyers who have great experience in their fields. Johnson Winter & Slattery also has a great collegiate culture and everyone is happy for you to knock on their door and ask any questions you have. What personal qualities are required for success? Life as a lawyer requires a lot of dedication and hardwork to make sure you are always best representing your client and fulfilling your duties as a legal practitioner. It also requires adaptability to changing circumstances, great communication skills and a passion for learning new things.
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Embrace your ambition. CLERKSHIP PROGRAM
WHAT’S NEXT?
Gain a realistic snapshot of what your future with us would look like.You will:
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a ‘get to know us’ session and an interview with one of our partners and the people & development team.You’ll also be invited to a drinks and networking evening, where you can meet our partners and lawyers to find out why they think Johnson Winter & Slattery is such a great place to work. If you’re successful, we’ll be in touch to let you know when you start!
• work closely with partners and senior lawyers across all of our practice areas • from day one, you will work on high profile, complex matters • benefit from your own structured and bespoke professional development program • receive guidance and mentoring from a strong support network
HOW DO I APPLY? Just submit your CV, covering letter and current official academic transcript via our website www.jws.com.au/en/firm/careers. You can address this to Wilma Lewis, our Senior People and Development Consultant.
LET’S CHAT Wilma Lewis, Senior People & Development Consultant on email Wilma.Lewis@jws.com.au or phone 02 8247 9630. www.jws.com.au/en/firm/careers
Reach your potential Join a major Australian law firm.
Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Perth | Adelaide
tglaw.com.au
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“ I felt included and part Who are we and what do we do? We have more than 560 people, including 127 partners, across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. We’re one of Australia’s 10 largest law firms and its 5th largest independent one. Our industry coverage and client work is diverse and we are regularly engaged on challenging, complex, commercial work.
What it’s like to work for us The law is an incredibly rewarding profession, but we recognise it can be demanding. For this reason we create an environment that is flexible, friendly, personable, collegiate and professionally stimulating. Our clients are at the centre of everything we do; so it is not only the collaborative, supportive relationships we have with each other, but also the well-established, trusting relationships we have with our clients, which make Thomson Geer a great place to work. Our wellbeing@work program supports employees to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle. We also have an active social committee, providing lots of opportunities to develop close relationships with your colleagues.
of the team from day one which made me comfortable being myself, and made it a pleasure to come to work.
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We’re ready for you We know you’re not just a student on work experience. We want to give you a realistic, stretching introduction to the legal profession. We offer a flexible, friendly and professionally stimulating environment that puts both our trusting client relationships and our staff’s wellbeing and development at the forefront. From day one, you’ll be an active participant in the team, involved in all aspects of legal practice, and working directly with experienced practitioners.
Are you ready for us? We are looking for hard-working and motivated law students who have excelled academically. Students who are customer focused, commercially minded, work well in a team environment and are enthusiastic about commencing their career with a major law firm. We are especially keen to talk to students who have, or are working towards a second degree in technical fields, such as commerce, engineering and science.
We want to hear from you If your ambition is to develop a career in commercial law and you possess the drive to make your ambitions a reality, we want to hear from you!
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Developing you We will dedicate time to your development as an up-and-coming lawyer in our team: an investment in you is an investment in our future, and the future of our valued clients. You will find that our partners and staff are approachable and happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. We encourage our clerks, graduates and trainees to get as much exposure to different practice areas and ways of working as they can – this is a reflection of how we work as a fully integrated, cohesive, national team.
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Our Graduate Program Students who complete a clerkship with us will be eligible to be considered for a position in our next graduate program. This program runs for 12 months and includes rotation among different practice areas to help determine the area of law which best suits you.
What I most valued about my clerkship with Thomson Geer was the people. Everyone was fantastic to get along with and were always happy to engage in conversation at any point. The other clerks were fantastic too and I have enjoyed my time at the firm immensely. Thank you for the opportunity!
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Our Clerkship Program
Our Clerkship application process
Our structured four week program helps clerks to learn through a combination of hands-on experience, training, coaching and observation. During your clerkship with us, you will:
Our recruitment process is efficient, informative and streamlined, acknowledging the often stressful nature of this period.
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Participate in a structured program.
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Undertake meaningful work for real clients, including opportunities to attend client meetings, observe court proceedings, conduct legal research, draft correspondence and court documents and develop technical skills in areas such as drafting, due diligence and disclosure.
The first stage of our process involves your application being submitted through our website. You will be required to respond to questions regarding your experience, interests and academic achievements, and will also need to submit a copy of your current CV and most recent academic transcript.
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Have the assistance and support of a supervising partner as well as a junior lawyer who remembers what it was like to be a new clerk and can act as a buddy and mentor.
The first round of our interview process is a video interview. This provides you with an opportunity to perform at your best, by providing you with time to consider the questions, conduct some limited research and then present your responses.
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Participate in a formal performance review process with your supervising partner and mentor to reflect on your development and capture feedback from your colleagues.
Those selected to progress beyond this stage will have an opportunity to engage directly with our Partners on their current and recent work and learn more about the firm.
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Who are we looking for? All of our clerks are viewed as potential graduates, and all of our graduates as potential leaders. We therefore look for the same qualities in our clerks and graduates that our lawyers need to possess. Our lawyers are genuinely interested in our clients and their businesses. They need a critical and curious mind and are passionate about developing solutions in their commercial context. Our lawyers work collaboratively in diverse teams with both senior and junior practitioners across legal disciplines and jurisdictions.
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I applied with Thomson Geer because it is a large Australian corporate law firm that is continuing to develop even further. I very much wanted to be a part of that growth and development. The depth and nature of work was also significant.
How can I make my clerkship application standout? Our clerks are curious, hungry to learn and committed to constant innovation and improvement. When we receive a clerkship application, these are the things that make you stand out from the crowd: •
A genuine interest in the areas of law in which we practice.
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Demonstrating an understanding of, and interest in, the commercial environment, as this helps our clerks contribute to the success of our clients.
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Demonstrating a dedication to pursuits outside of your university studies. Whether it be in work or community interests, or being able to show that you constantly seek opportunities to contribute more than is expected – in both your personal and professional pursuits. We hold in high regard a commitment to continuous self-improvement.
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We look for a strong work ethic in our clerks, so we look for an application that is able to demonstrate that.
And importantly, be yourself. A diverse range of people is important to our success and we love to see your personality in your application.
” How to apply Applications for our 2022/2023 Sydney Summer Clerkships open on 6 June 2022 through our website. For further information please contact: hr@tglaw.com.au
tglaw.com.au Thomson Geer @ThomsonGeer
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MAJOR SPONSOR FIRMS
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Firm Profile The combination of these factors creates a firm that celebrates its independence, is open to new ideas, has the courage to think and act differently from the rest of the market, and thrives on new challenges and opportunities.
What does Corrs Chamber Westgarth’s clerkship application process entail?
What does a day as a clerk at Corrs Chamber Westgarth look like? Who better to answer this question than someone who has completed a Corrs Chambers Westgarth seasonal clerkship program? Javier Cross recently graduated from ANU and was a 2021/22 summer clerk in the Corrs Sydney office. Javier commenced the Corrs Lawyer Development program in February 2022. A day in the life of a clerk at Corrs is a taste of life as a lawyer. You are assigned a graduate and an associate or senior associate as your buddy and mentor, as well as a supervising partner for each rotation. The work will be a mix of the work that each of the three assigns you – shadowing, drafting, and reviewing. On top of this, the firm makes every effort to teach you about the firm as a whole, and provide a social side to the clerkship. Your days will include training sessions, social events, networking opportunities and so much more.
What skills can clerks expect to gain from the program?
When applying for a Corrs’ clerkship you will submit your resume, transcript and complete an online application form answering two short written response questions. No cover letter is required. Those successful in securing an interview will be allocated a Corrs buddy who will provide support throughout the recruitment process which includes interviews, our Taste of Corrs and cocktail events.
What qualities and experience do you look for in potential clerks applying for your program? We look for clerks who can make a positive contribution to the firm and help us in delivering legal excellence and outstanding client service. We want people who bring out the best in those around them, work well in a team, and take pride in their work and achievements.
What is your top tip for prospective clerks applying to your program? Be prepared and be yourself.
Clerks can expect to gain time-management and legal drafting skills. It will also teach you how to confidently communicate ideas in group settings and to seniors. Why Corrs Chamber Westgarth? What qualities make your firm stand out? At Corrs, our culture is defined by excellence, collaboration, commitment and respect. Our lawyers work together across practice groups to deliver exceptional results and support you in building your future, wherever you want to take it. Our success is based on the success of our people. We encourage individuals to play to their strengths. And we bring our diverse and talented lawyers together to create top-performing teams.
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Corrs Chambers Westgarth is Australia’s leading independent Australian law firm. We’re known for delivering legal excellence, exceptional client service and outstanding results.
Our significant work
Diversity & Inclusion
We let our work speak for itself, and are proud to work with some of the biggest organisations in the world on their most important matters.
We strongly believe that diversity in all its forms should be embraced and celebrated. This benefits our people, our clients, our firm and the industry at large. Our culture is defined by excellence, collaboration, commitment and respect.
Our clients include more than half of the top fifty ASX‑listed companies, some of the largest privately owned companies in Australia and a number of global Fortune five hundred companies. We work with well‑known organisations like AGL, Amazon, BP, Blackstone, CBA, Coles, eBay, Google, Johnson & Johnson, Medibank, NAB, PayPal, TPG Telecom, Wesfarmers and Westpac. We also work with governments, Federal and State, as well as on major transactions that make the news.
Corrs’ Lawyer Development Program The Lawyer Development Program is designed for lawyers in the formative stage of their career. It aims to build the capabilities and relationships that will drive career progression and underpin future successes, as rapidly as possible. Unique features of the program include: •
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Mentor partner – Each lawyer is allocated a mentor partner (in most cases their supervising partner in their first rotation) who remains in this role throughout the program and potentially beyond. This will build a personal and enduring relationship that transcends everyday transactional work. Lawyers will also be supported in each rotation by a supervising partner and SA/SC who will source meaningful and challenging work.
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12 x 6 x 6 rotation structure – The first practice group rotation is 12‑months to ensure graduates have time to learn on the job and build strong capabilities and relationships in their first year. In the second year, when graduates have an increased level of experience and confidence, they will complete two 6‑month rotations in order to gain exposure and build relationships across different groups.
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Formal learning – The program incorporates comprehensive formal learning opportunities including our national Graduate Academy, local Graduate Orientation, practical legal training with the College of Law, practice group induction sessions, and the national Legal Excellence program.
We’ve established flexibility as standard business practice and an option for all our people, including partners. Even before COVID‑19 fast tracked the general approach to workplace flexibility.
Community & Pro Bono We think it’s important to contribute to the community and to facilitate access to justice. We perform around 20,000 hours of pro bono and volunteer work each year, helping those who need it most. We feel that it is our responsibility to ensure legal services are available not only to those who can afford it, but to those who cannot, to those who are disenfranchised and to those who have genuine legal issues of public interest that need to be pursued, even if those issues are unpopular or politically sensitive.
Wellbeing Program Corrs recognises the importance of health and wellbeing and is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace through a range of programs and policies. Our wellbeing program provides a range of initiatives to assist people in maintaining good overall health. Some of our activities include mixed netball, pilates and yoga, touch football, cricket day, Friday night drinks, family days, trivia nights, End of Financial Year party and Christmas Party.
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Your time as a clerk at Corrs
International Opportunities
During your time as a clerk, you will be allocated a supervising partner, mentor and buddy, who will support you through your clerkship experience. The majority of our graduates join us after experiencing a seasonal clerkship program. Our clerkships give you the opportunity to connect with partners and lawyers across the firm, learn what a ‘day‑in‑the‑life’ at Corrs is like, and experience the type of work we do and the clients we partner with. The Corrs seasonal clerkship program gives you the opportunity to work alongside some of Australia’s leading lawyers on high‑profile work for major Australian and international clients.
We invest in international experiences that help our lawyers grow their skills, cultural understanding and relationships worldwide. Through our long‑term relationships with leading law firms across the world, we advise on the most significant global matters and connect with the best lawyers internationally to provide our clients with the right team for every engagement. Our International Study Scholarship supports the continuing professional development of exceptional legal staff. The Scholarship provides financial support for the completion of further study at Oxford, Cambridge or a US equivalent (full‑time on campus).
You’ll be exposed to a broad range of interesting matters and have the chance to complete tasks such as conducting research, reviewing and presenting documents, attending client meetings, court hearings, mediations and settlements, as well as shadowing partners and lawyers in client meetings and business development activities.
Key dates Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
Perth
Clerkship Applications Open
Monday, 6 June
Monday, 4 July
Monday, 18 July
Monday, 27 June
Clerkship Applications Close
Sunday, 10 July
Sunday, 14 August
Friday, 12 August
Sunday, 31 July
Seasonal Clerkship Offers
Wednesday, 14 September Wednesday, 19 October
Wednesday, 12 October
Friday, 16 September
Cassandra Galea
Alarna Barling
Marianne Saliba
Jennifer Jacobs
People & Performance Consultant +61 2 9210 6314 cassandra.galea@corrs.com.au
People & Performance Consultant +61 3 9672 3070 alarna.barling@corrs.com.au
National Graduate Recruitment Manager +61 3 9672 3318 marianne.saliba@corrs.com.au
People & Performance Consultant +61 8 9460 1621 jennifer.jacobs@corrs.com.au
CorrsLawyers
@CorrsLaw
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
@CorrsLawyers
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Firm Profile
What does a day as a clerk at Gilbert + Tobin look like?
Why Gilbert + Tobin? What qualities make your firm stand out?
From your first day, you can expect to be involved in some challenging matters, and your work will be presented to clients. Often, you’ll work directly with a partner on a matter, or as part of a bigger team on larger transactions. While every experience varies, you might be asked to draft documents and memos, carry out research, attend client meetings and court, and assist with preparing for hearings or negotiations.
As a young and independent firm, we’re not constrained by tradition, so we are always open to change, new ideas and different perspectives on how to deliver the best outcomes to our clients. We work within a flat structure, which means our clerks and graduates have direct access to lawyers and partners who are experts in their fields, as well as matters that will improve their skill sets and career prospects.
“There is a great balance of mentorship, socialising and challenging work throughout the clerkship... In Disputes + Investigations I was given the opportunity to work on largescale arbitrations that spanned decades, as well as fascinating class action and administrative cases. In the Competition + Regulation group I was given the opportunity to work on matters including media monitoring for Meta and international competition matters such as drafting briefing notes for a telecommunications CEO to present at a public conference with the PNG Competition Regulator.” Taynissa Vakeeswaran, 2021 Summer Clerk.
We offer an informal and relaxed environment, approachable partners and lawyers, diverse teams, friendly people who care about the firm and the high-performance contribution they make irrespective of their role.
What skills can clerks expect to gain from the program?
G+T presents a unique opportunity for you to make a name for yourself through the matters and transactions you work on, with personal accountability yet supported by those around you. “Our culture is quite unique, with its focus on innovation and change. It challenges you to do better, and to be bold and stand by the advice we give. But one thing that surprised me when I joined is how caring it also is. It’s not just about getting the work done – there’s genuine empathy, and a lack of formality or bureaucracy.” Anna Sparkes, Chief People Officer.
While your most valuable learning will be the experience of working on real matters during your practice group rotations, you’ll also receive structured training – including sessions on the different practice areas, technology, how to create your personal brand, and business development. It’s a practical blend of on-the-job, workshop and online learning that covers a broad range of technical, interpersonal and leadership skills. You’ll also have access to G+T’s regular practice group training with other lawyers, as well as online resources to help you keep up to date with the latest legal developments.
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BE BOLD BE PART OF THE ACTION Gilbert + Tobin is a leading transactions, regulatory and disputes law firm, committed to outstanding citizenship. We guide our clients through defining moments in their business and are renowned for our ability to get things done.
We employ a diverse mix of talented and ambitious people who are attracted to the firm because of its entrepreneurial spirit, creative approach and capacity for change. These are the reasons we enjoy a reputation as the most successful corporate law firm to emerge in Australia in many years. We advise many of Australia’s and the world’s leading organisations and focus on the most dynamic sectors. Our clients and projects span Australia, Asia and emerging African markets. Located in the heart of the CBD, the partners and lawyers in our Sydney office include some of Australia’s leading practitioners in: + Banking + Finance
+ Disputes + Investigations
+ Competition + Regulation
+ Pro Bono
+ Corporate Advisory
+ Real Estate
+ Energy + Infrastructure
+ Technology + Digital
+ Intellectual Property If you want to challenge your thinking and stretch your abilities, this is the firm for you. There has never been a better time to be a part of our story and enjoy the stimulating challenge of working with Australia’s most innovative corporate law firm.
WE DELIVER ON OUR PROMISE TO PROVIDE REAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE YOUR CAREER. WE PROVIDE THE CHANCE TO BE DEEPLY INVOLVED IN INTERESTING, CHALLENGING WORK MUCH EARLIER IN YOUR CAREER, ACCELERATING YOUR OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPERIENCE.
Find out more at www.gtlaw.com.au/bebold DANNY GILBERT, MANAGING PARTNER
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR? The G+T clerkship experience is open to students in their penultimate year of study, as well as final year for our Melbourne and Sydney offices. We’re not a prescriptive firm when it comes to our people; we invite individuality and diversity. We also hold ambition, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit in high regard. Our people are collaborative, passionate and dedicated – but most of all they enjoy what they do and never forget to have fun. We seek clerks and graduates who will complement our practice groups and don’t feel the need to take themselves too seriously.
WHAT WILL YOU EXPERIENCE? Depending on your location, you’ll complete two, four-week rotations across the firm’s practice areas in summer, or a seasonal clerkship over a number of weeks in winter or summer. All clerks are assigned a supervising partner, mentor and buddy to assist with on-the-job training for each rotation - an immediate support network to help smooth the transition from university and assist with your professional development. While your main focus will be corporate work, everyone has the opportunity to assist on pro bono matters, innovation projects and participate in firm-wide activities.
HOW WILL YOU LEARN?
WE’RE BIG ON BOLD Standing up for what you believe in and standing out in the crowd. Having the confidence to take risks and the courage to say no. Trusting in the tradition of embracing innovation. Being adventurous, spirited and unexpected. At Gilbert + Tobin, we believe in being bold.
During the clerkship you’ll take part in our customised in-house training, and cover topics such as research, analysis, drafting, developing technical skills, interpersonal effectiveness, teamwork, business development and client orientation. As you progress through your rotations you’ll develop invaluable skills and knowledge and gain first-hand experience of our various practice groups. Understanding the mechanics of legal practice through research, drafting memos, attending court and meeting clients will all help to build your confidence. And we’ll encourage you to contribute ideas and your own fresh perspective.
GRADUATE PROGRAM Our clerkship program is the primary pathway for graduates at G+T, however we also invite interest from graduating students who may have clerked elsewhere or taken up other opportunities in their penultimate or final year of studies. Keep an eye on our website for active graduate vacancies.
KEY DATES OFFICE
APPLICATIONS OPEN
APPLICATIONS CLOSE
Sydney
6 June 2022
10 July 2022
Perth
27 June 2022
31 July 2022
Melbourne
4 July 2022
14 August 2022
CONTACT KRISTIE BARTON
Early Talent Manager
+61 2 9263 4575 | kbarton@gtlaw.com.au
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Firm Profile
What does a day as a clerk at Herbert Smith Freehills look like? You will gain a deeper understanding of life at the firm and what your future could look like if you join us. Some key features of our seasonal clerkship program include the opportunity to:
We’re focused on finding people who have the curiosity to explore all the angles and the empathy to place themselves in their client’s shoes. Building great relationships takes a certain understanding and as our global village gets ever smaller, we look for graduates who think of themselves as citizens of the world. We recognise and value the differences that make us unique. By embracing diverse views, we can provide our clients with innovative solutions. We are not looking for the finished product and we know that gaining legal work experience is increasingly difficult. What we are looking for is your potential to become a Herbert Smith Freehills lawyer. Demonstrate the transferable skills you have gained through the experience you have, legal or non-legal.
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Attend client meetings, and be part of delivering real work to our key clients.
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Research tasks, BD work
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Attend workshops and presentations with your team
What is your top tip for prospective clerks applying to your program?
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Contribute to the pro-bono team
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Be part of our Digital Law Group and Innovation team by volunteering to work on their projects
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Attend networking events with clients and HSF staff
We recognise and value the differences that make us unique. By embracing diverse views, we can provide our clients with innovative solutions. Be yourself throughout the application process and emphasise the qualities that make you stand out.
What does Herbert Smith Freehills’ clerkship application process entail? Candidates are asked to submit a CV, cover letter and transcript. We will also ask you a few questions about your “Why HSF” and your interest in commercial law. We conduct two round of interviews both one on one with a Partner. We will also invite you to an Information Evening and Cocktail Party before your first and second interviews respectively. Clerkship offers are based on feedback from our partners, and discussion among the recruitment panel.
What qualities and experience do you look for in potential clerks applying for your program? Great lawyers are both curious and creative. We encourage you to challenge assumptions and open yourself up to new ideas. It’s this growth mindset that creates opportunities for you and your clients. So, what exactly are we looking for? There’s no single path to becoming a commercial lawyer. We look beyond your academic record and your technical aptitude.
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ELEVATE YOUR EXPERIENCE CAREERS IN COMMERCIAL LAW careers.herbertsmithfreehills.com/au/grads
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@HSFGRADUATESAU
ELEVATE YOUR EXPERIENCE ABOUT US
With over 25 offices spanning Asia, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East, careers at Herbert Smith Freehills offer our graduates the opportunity to experience being part of a truly global law firm. Working with some of the most significant organisations in the world, opportunities to have social impact, and learning from our world-class team every day will enable you to create solid foundations on which to build your career in law. We’re proud to say that we put people first. Our firm is built on a diverse culture, reflective of the societies in which we live and work. That’s why inclusivity is key to our success. At Herbert Smith Freehills, you’ll be valued for what makes you different and accepted for who you are. We recognise the power of diversity and inclusion to drive innovation, collaboration and business outcomes. So, whether it’s working on the latest advancements in digital law, taking part in some of the biggest mergers and acquisitions around, or helping people through our extensive pro bono work – you’ll develop the skills to solve the most complex challenges in thoughtful and innovative ways.
WE WELCOME DIFFERENT
Great lawyers are both curious and creative. We encourage you to challenge assumptions and open yourself up to new ideas. So, what exactly are we looking for? There’s no single path to becoming an exceptional commercial lawyer. We look beyond your academic record and your technical aptitude. We’re focussed on finding people who have the curiosity to explore all the angles and the empathy to place themselves in their client’s shoes.
HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM
We're Herbert Smith Freehills, one of the world's leading international law firms. Join us and you'll be at the centre of high-profile cases, highimpact deals and you'll grow from new experiences every day.
In line with our 10 Actions for Change we are proud to use the Rare Contextual Recruitment System (CRS). The CRS allows us to understand each applicant’s achievements in the context that they have been gained. We understand that not every candidate’s achievements look the same on paper – and we want to recruit the best people, from every background.
JOINING US
CLERKSHIP PROGRAM
KEY DATES/DEADLINES
We select many of our graduates through our vacation clerkships. During this immersive experience, you’ll receive hands-on practical experience, as you work on some of the diverse challenges facing the team you’re collaborating with. You will gain a deeper understanding of life at the firm and what your future could look like if you join us. Some key features include the opportunity to: • Sit within a specific team, delivering real work for key clients • Before you join, submit a preference for a team to tailor your experience • Navigate the first step of your career with partner and graduate mentoring support
We offer a range of summer and winter clerkships across our Australian offices. If you have queries about graduate or vacation clerk positions, please visit our website: careers.herbertsmithfreehills. com/au/grads/vacation-clerkships or contact one of our graduate recruitment consultants.
SYDNEY Positions
30-35
Clerkship programs
1 Summer
Applications for all 2022/23 programs open
6 June 2022
Applications for all 2022/23 programs close
10 July 2022
Offers made
14 September 2022
Please note: An application should only be submitted to the office where you intend to start your career as a graduate. Multiple applications will not be considered.
• Attend workshops and presentations covering all our practice areas • Contribute to our pro bono practice • Work with cutting edge technology through our innovation projects • Networking opportunities to meet people across the firm
Contacts Elizabeth Pittaway-Burnell Graduate Recruitment Consultant T +61 417 399 400 GraduatesSydney@hsf.com
© Herbert Smith Freehills 2022 NOF227445_A4_Advertorial_SYD_v4 /130422
Firm Profile What does Jones Day’s clerkship application process entail? Applications must be made online. Please visit: https://www.jonesdaycareers.com/australia/summer-clerks/summer-clerks.
What does a day as a clerk at Jones Day look like? Summer Clerks work closely with Associates and Partners, engaging in a wide variety of tasks including drafting transactional and dispute related documents, conducting research, attending court hearings and client meetings, writing opinions and research memos, gaining insight into business development and building client relationships, and learning about the mechanics of closing a deal and the key steps and processes involved in a major dispute. We work with industry leading local and international clients and our Summer Clerks gain first hand exposure to the high calibre nature of the work that we undertake.
Why Jones Day? What qualities make your firm stand out? Jones Day is a global power house with 42 offices and more than 2,500 lawyers. We are the largest law firm in the United States and one of the ten largest law firms in the world. We are recognized as one of the most elite law firms in the world and hold approximately half of the Fortune 500, Fortune Global 500, and FT Global 500 as clients.
What qualities and experience do you look for in potential clerks applying for your program? We do not expect our Summer Clerks to have any prior legal experience, all required training will be provided in induction and on the job. Each Summer Clerk is assigned a buddy to support their learning, assist with questions and help with introductions to other team members.
What is your top tip for prospective clerks applying to your program? Show us your authentic self. Whilst we are looking for exceptional and independent individuals with strong analytical and communication skills, it is also important to show us who you are outside of your studies and law. Overall, we are seeking people who want to do the highest quality work in a friendly and cooperative environment, who demonstrate the ability to rise to a challenge and who are committed to constant growth in a dynamic professional environment
What stands us apart from our competitors is our commitment to client service. This commitment and the unique structure of the Firm ensures that lawyers work together collaboratively across offices and jurisdictions to gain the best outcome for the client. Teamwork, respect for and from colleagues and shared credit is essential and forms the core values of the Firm. Every facet of Jones Day is structured to promote an environment that’s clientfocused and team orientated. Jones Day has grown rapidly within the Australia market over the last 8 years. With four offices nationally in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, further growth is planned.
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Working at Jones Day… One Firm Worldwide® Jones Day is a global law firm with more than 2,500 lawyers in 42 offices across five continents. The Firm is distinguished by: a singular tradition of client service; the mutual commit-ment to, and the seamless collaboration of, a true partner-ship; formidable legal talent across multiple disciplines and jurisdictions; and shared professional values that focus on client needs. The Firm’s 125 years of sustained growth—in experience, reputation and successful client interaction—have been built by its dedication to a ‘One Firm Worldwide’ philosophy, which fosters the creation of interoffice and cross-practice teams, assembled to ensure that clients receive the best possible guidance and representation, without regard to barriers conventionally imposed by geography, borders, time zones or language.
Australia Jones Day’s presence in Australia has grown significantly. The Firm has added new offices in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane over the last five years in addition to our office in Sydney, reflecting our commitment to expanding our service to the Australian market. Our lawyers work in a dynamic and stimulating multidisciplinary environment by collaborating with colleagues from different practices and different offices worldwide. We continue to attract many of the legal industry’s most highly regarded and sought-after lawyers while maintaining our focus on promoting internal talent through the ranks.
The New Lawyers Group Jones Day recognizes that many law students leave law school not knowing which practice they want to enter. We also believe that a more well-rounded lawyer is a better lawyer and that a wide range of experience is valuable to a new lawyer. Accordingly, many years ago Jones Day created the New Lawyers Group, which allows new associates to gain exposure to different practice areas and lawyering styles at the Firm before making a commitment to a specific-practice. We provide extensive training through the New Lawyers program. Each year, we endeavor to bring together new associates from across the Firm at the “New Lawyers Academy” in Washington for three days of hands-on training and meetings with Firm leaders. In addition to helping them understand Jones Day’s culture, organization and operation, the Academy gives our new lawyers the opportunity to meet their peers in the Firm’s other offices.
Graduate and Clerkship Program We run clerkship programs at Jones Day across our offices in Australia that offer selected positions to talented students who are in their penultimate year of university. We give our clerks real work for real clients, to provide them an oppor-tunity to learn what the practice of law at a large firm is all about. Providing challenging assignments also allows us to assess clerks’ potential to deliver first-rate legal services and to flourish in Jones Day’s culture. We aim for clerks to become future graduates of the Firm.
A Culture of Client Service and Collaboration Jones Day’s commitment to client service means our law-yers work together in a collaborative atmosphere where teamwork is essential, respect for and from colleagues is the norm, and credit is shared for a job well done. In fact, every facet of the Firm is structured to promote an environment that’s client-focused, but also professionally fulfilling for lawyers at any career stage. We expect our lawyers to focus completely on a client’s needs, with the full support and encouragement of their peers. We recog-nize that partners and associates alike contribute to the Firm in a variety of ways, and we reward lawyers for their overall contributions to the Firm and for promoting the Firm’s values.
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JONES DAY AUSTRALIA THE FACTS Jones Day’s Australian offices, an integral part of the worldwide Firm, are seeking highly skilled graduates and lawyers who are interested in working as part of an integrated team of lawyers on a truly global scale. Joining Jones Day means starting your career in a dynamic global law firm, in which you will find ample opportunity to acquire the full array of skills and experience necessary to meet the legal-services needs of sophisticated clients on a worldwide basis.
FIRM OVERVIEW AUSTRALIAN OFFICES
2500 4 42 17 LAWYERS WORLDWIDE
Detroit Chicago Minneapolis San Francisco Silicon Valley Los Angeles Irvine San Diego Dallas
OFFICES
COUNTRIES
Amsterdam Cleveland Pittsburgh Boston New York Washington
Brussels London Paris Madrid
Düsseldorf Frankfurt Munich Milan
Columbus Atlanta Miami
Beijing Shanghai Tokyo
Taipei
Saudi Arabia
Hong Kong
Dubai
Mexico City
Singapore
Houston
Brisbane Sydney São Paulo
Perth Melbourne
AUSTRALIA MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE Antitrust & Competition Law Banking, Finance & Securities Business Restructuring & Reorganization Capital Markets Energy Environment
Financial Markets Global Disputes Intellectual Property Labor & Employment Mergers & Acquisitions New Lawyers Group Private Equity Pro Bono
CLERK RECRUITMENT Sydney and Melbourne offices take part in the NSW Summer Clerkship Scheme and the LIV Seasonal Clerkship Program. Sydney: Applications open on 6 June 2022, Application close at 11.59 pm on 10 July 2022 Melbourne: Applications open on 4 July 2022, Applications close at 11.59 pm on 14 August 2022 Applications must be made online. Please visit us at www.jonesdaycareers.com/australia and follow the links to the relevant page.
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Firm Profile We are looking for people who have an intellectual curiosity and are intrinsically motivated. Excellent marks are not necessarily a predictor of career success.
Why King & Wood Mallesons? What qualities make your firm stand out? King & Wood Mallesons is known for our legal excellence where our people have the opportunity to do challenging and cutting-edge work for market leading clients, in Australia and around the world. Our KWM Graduates participate in our Digital Bootcamps, designed to upskill our lawyers of the future across our suite of LegalTech tools. We have also removed billable targets for Graduates as a way of encouraging an open mindset in the drive for efficiencies during the formative stage of our lawyers’ careers. Our global footprint and unique depth and breadth in Asia give our people exciting cross-border and cross-cultural experiences. We enable our people to build their cultural intelligence and international skills by working with each other across regions and collaborating around shared opportunities.
What does King & Wood Mallesons’ clerkship application process entail? All applications are made through our recruitment system which is accessed via our careers website and are in line with the local law society recruitment guidelines. In our application, we will ask a series of short answer questions, information on your employment and academic history and any extracurricular activities and volunteering work. As part of the application, you will also undertake a practical strengthsbased assessment.
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Intellectual curiosity - to us, intelligence is not measured by your GPA. We want deep thinkers who seek out information and diverse views to reach a practical and efficient solution to business problems.
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Client centricity – we work in our clients’ worlds and partner with them to achieve their business goals. We need people who can stand in the shoes of the client and experience things from their perspective.
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Learning agility – the international legal landscape is changing every day. We need people who demonstrate personal flexibility and an openness to dealing with change.
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Growth mindset – we are growing the international law firm for the future. We look for people who seek out learning opportunities and embrace challenges.
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Team work- we operate as one family, one firm working together and supporting each other across cultures. We want people who build relationships and empathise with others.
What is your top tip for prospective clerks applying to your program? Keep in mind the only thing we have before we meet you is your application, so use it to engage us, don’t use the same example to answer two different questions. Keep an open mind and be yourself, don’t hesitate to show this throughout the recruitment process.
We conduct 1 round of video interviews and 1 round of face-to-face interviews, with an ‘Inside a Deal’ event in between the interviews.
What qualities and experience do you look for in potential clerks applying for your program? We value a range of skills and experiences in our employees and recognise that a diversity of strengths leads to best results.
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TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR CAREER PATH
We’re King & Wood Mallesons. The top tier international law firm, from Asia, for the world. The world’s leading organisations turn to us to unlock opportunities and deliver smart, considered, and confident advice. Where others see problems, we see possibilities.
Innovation is in our DNA. We equip our people with the skills to partner with our clients and bring to life pioneering solutions which will help them to adapt, reinvent and evolve. We believe innovation comes from giving our people room to grow. At KWM, our people are encouraged to shape their own career path, supported every step of
the way with world-class training, coaching and hands-on experience. Diversity of thought, perspective and experience is critical to our culture. We provide a broad, inclusive and open environment in which our people are fully supported to bring their whole selves.
Our impact:
We are making progress towards our target of 40% female representation at partnership level
Our LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Network at KWM (LINK) raises awareness of and advocates in relation to LGBTIQ+ issues and concerns, and promotes inclusion, provides support and builds a sense of community for LGBTIQ+-identifying people and allies
Delivered more than 50,000 hours of pro bono legal service in FY21
333 organisations + 2,680 individuals received legal assistance in FY21
Our programs SEASONAL CLERKSHIP PROGRAM Applications open: 6 June 2022 Applications close: 3 July 2022 How to apply: Via our online application system at kwm.com/careers We offer clerkships that give you insight into what it’s like to be a lawyer at King & Wood Mallesons. You’ll get to know our people, the way we work, our culture, practice areas, clients and more. You will learn the day-to-day skills to get you started, the core practice teams at King & Wood Mallesons, our culture, and our people. You’ll find that people from every part of the business will help you by sharing their knowledge and supporting you through the early stages of your career and beyond. GRADUATE PROGRAM We offer a unique future-focused experience and invest heavily in your development to support you throughout your journey. You will benefit from a bespoke comprehensive learning and development program tailored specifically for our graduates. Our
Our commitments:
$740,913 was raised & donated via DigDeep® (workplace giving project) to 27 community organisations in FY 21
graduate program has an emphasis on legal excellence, technical expertise, commercial skills, knowledge management, legal project management, innovation, social and self-development and client focus.
Reduce our emissions by:
We offer:
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Becoming certified carbon neutral by December 2022
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Setting science-based targets by December 2023 and reaching net zero emissions by 2050
Culture of innovation, collaboration and high performance.
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Multiple career pathways where you can shape your future.
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World-class training and coaching to unleash your full potential.
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High impact work for the world’s leading organisations.
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Relationships that last a lifetime.
Source 100% renewable energy for our Australian operations before 2024.
Key contact: Update and re-certify our Environmental Management System by June 2022.
KAY LU PEOPLE & DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR CANBERRA TEL EMAIL
+61 2 6217 6645 KAY.LU@AU.KWM.COM
Undertake various energy, paper, water and waste reduction initiatives (ongoing).
careers.kwm.com/en/graduates-australia
CAITLIN PLESEK SEASONAL CLERK INTAKE: 2021/2022 Area/s of rotation: Mergers & Acquisitions and Dispute Resolution University: Australian National University Degree: Bachelor of Laws (Hons) / Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics
What kind of support did you receive as a clerk?
What was your clerkship experience vs. your initial expectations?
What is the culture like at KWM?
My initial expectation was that clerks would mainly be completing administrative work. This was not the case! I was given work to complete across a range of interesting and complex matters. Something I really enjoyed was following the progress of matters that I had worked on throughout my clerkship program.
KWM is a fantastic place to work! The people are friendly, welcoming and supportive. Something that really stood out to me was how happy people were to answer my questions – if I had questions about a task I was working on, or wanted some more background information about a matter, everyone was very happy to sit down and talk through things further with me.
What was the application and interview process like?
What kind of training did you receive?
What was the highlight of your clerkship?
The application process involved a written application, 2 rounds of interviews and an ‘Inside a Deal’ evening. Something I really liked about the KWM application process was the practical task you had to complete as part of your written application. This let you demonstrate your practical skills and how you would work as a clerk!
In the first week of the clerkship we had a number of training sessions to prepare us for working as a KWM Clerk. We learnt about KWM as a firm and the different procedures and policies in place. We received practical training on the systems used on a day-to-day basis and attended workshops on legal research and writing.
It is difficult to pick just one highlight of the clerkship program! The Legal Technology Project is a definite highlight for me. Along with the Sydney Office, we were placed into small groups and had to develop a pitch for a new piece of legal technology for the firm. We had to prepare a prototype of the legal technology and a presentation to pitch the project to a panel. It was interesting to see the different legal technology ideas across the teams. It was also fantastic to see the firm’s commitment to innovation and technology.
We had numerous training sessions throughout the clerkship program. These training sessions gave us information about the firm, policies and procedures. We were also paired with a buddy and development coach in each of our rotations. Our buddies were a great point of contact for day-to-day questions, and our development coaches gave us feedback on our work.
careers.kwm.com/en/graduates-australia
Firm Profile What does the clerkship program at Maddocks entail? Our clerkship program is the first step for students seeking graduate positions. From Day One you will experience what it’s like to work at Maddocks. This means you will have challenging, meaningful work, gain exposure to clients, be given a good level of responsibility, work in a supportive and collaborative team and have regular access to our Partners. The training you receive throughout your clerkship will ensure you are thoroughly prepared and ready to get involved in and contribute to client work straight away. The program begins with a comprehensive orientation which includes training and development activities. You will also meet the people you will be working with. During the program you will rotate through two practice groups of your preference and be supported in each rotation by a buddy and coordinator. You will receive feedback from Partners and others you work with, and a feedback review at the completion of each rotation. It is important to have fun too, and you will have plenty of opportunities to experience life at Maddocks through a range of social activities.
What does a day in the life of a Maddocks clerk look like? As a summer clerk at Maddocks, you will be involved in a variety of work. Some of these tasks can include; •
Drafting correspondence, including letters of advice;
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Conducting legal research and drafting memorandums on novel points of law;
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Assist in the drafting of submissions;
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Drafting affidavits and other court documents;
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Attending tribunals, Supreme Court and assisting with the required preparation; and
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Writing eAlerts and other articles.
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Working directly with partners and senior lawyers
A clerk can stand out at Maddocks by being your authentic self, being enthusiastic and engaged. It is important for clerks to ask questions about tasks and to proactively seek work from a range of lawyers.
what is valued in the firm. We are proud of our culture, where all of our people have a vital contribution to make towards the success of the firm and are given opportunities to get the most out of their careers. Clients are at the heart of everything that we do. At Maddocks, we champion true collaboration between our lawyers, our secretaries and our shared services teams. Unified, skilled teams mean stronger outcomes for our clients. Flexible working practices have long been a part of our culture. We recognise that work is what people do, not a place where you go. As an employee you will have access to market-leading working and parental leave arrangements. All of our employees can take advantage of our great learning and development programs, mentoring and networking opportunities. Our people are encouraged to participate in seminars and training programs, with partners dedicated to continuing legal education. We also run a number of social and sporting activities, from fun runs and triathlons to regular social functions, where everyone is invited to participate. What opportunities are there to complete pro bono work or special interest projects during the Maddocks clerkship? What distinguishes Maddocks is the diversity of our client base and our people. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and to making a difference in the communities in which we operate, means there are opportunities for you to play a greater role than your everyday role. Alongside our extensive mentoring program, applicable to all our people, we have a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace. This is encapsulated in the work that us undertaken by our Maddocks Women, Maddocks Pride and Maddocks CALD (Culturally & Linguistically Diverse) groups. These groups are open to all Maddocks people as a way of promoting career development and networking opportunities for women, LGBTQ and culturally diverse employees and their allies. We provide pro bono legal services and financial assistance to community organisations and individuals in need. There are opportunities for all of our people to complete pro bono work, assist community groups to receive crucial funding and volunteer with community organisations.
We take the fun of creativity seriously. Law firms need to be constantly evolving, so we train and encourage our people to closely examine the way we What is a special feature of the Maddocks firm work with each other, for our clients and improve by culture? Clerkship Guide 2022 32 6244 empowering our people to create ideas and drive change. A firm’s culture describes how things are done and
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Your career begins on
Day One
From Day One you will have challenging, meaningful work, gain exposure to clients, be given a good level of responsibility, work in a supportive and collaborative team and have regular access to our partners. The training you receive throughout your clerkship will ensure you are thoroughly prepared and ready to get involved in and contribute to client work straight away. The program begins with a comprehensive orientation which includes training and development activities. Join our clerkship program and become part of a firm where you’re involved from Day One.
Scan this QR code to find out what it’s like to work at Maddocks.
Your career begins on
Day One
During Maddocks clerkship program you will rotate through two practice groups of your preference, with support in each rotation from a buddy and coordinator. You will receive feedback from partners and others you work with, and a feedback review at the end of each rotation. Of course it’s important to have some fun too and you will have plenty of opportunities to experience life at Maddocks through a range of social and sporting activities. Join our clerkship program and become part of a firm where you’re involved from Day One.
Scan this QR code to find out what it’s like to work at Maddocks.
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Firm Profile What does MinterEllison’s clerkship application process entail?
What does a day as a clerk at MinterEllison look like? A clerk in the Canberra office will typically work on a variety of matters involving our clients such as the Commonwealth, companies, and private individuals. The tasks and completed tasks range from drafting an advice to assembling court documents for a hearing. A clerk will have the opportunity to observe interesting hearings and meetings with clients, consultants, and judicial officials, providing an insight into how MinterEllison lawyers navigate every aspect of the legal system.
What skills can clerks expect to gain from the program? As a clerk and then a lawyer, you will learn every single day and constantly have questions. It makes such a difference to feel free to approach team members to ask questions, bounce ideas off them or ask for further guidance. A great support system we use is being assigned a buddy. As a clerk and as a graduate, you will be assigned different buddies in each team you work in and other team members will look out for you, even if they aren’t your assigned buddies.
Why MinterEllison? What qualities make your firm stand out?
In summary our application process involves, an online application form, games based psychometric assessment, a video assessment and in person interviews. Further useful information is available here.
What qualities and experience do you look for in potential clerks applying for your program? At MinterEllison we are not looking for people to fit a mould. Academics are just one piece of the puzzle and we recognise the strength that diversity can bring to a team. Work experience, extra-curricular activities, sporting participation, music and travel are all important criteria to us. We want you to bring your whole self to work - individual strengths and diversity are what build our teams up to be the successes they are.
What is your top tip for prospective clerks applying to your program? Bring your whole self to the clerkship process and draw from your life experiences as you connect with people in the firm. Minters is interested in learning about you and how your experiences and interests have shaped you and led you to pursue a clerkship. It’s important to be yourself and demonstrate your unique strengths because Minters wants to hear about how your particular skillset and personality can add value to the team.
At MinterEllison, undoubtedly our amazing people are our biggest drawcard and make the most significant impression on our prospective clerks. As a Firm we’re driven by a strong sense of purpose. We create lasting impacts with our clients, our people and our communities. We know, in a world of relentless disruption, we also need to think beyond the law. We’re driving digital transformation and embedding a culture of curiosity and innovation. We’re investing in adjacent consulting capabilities that enable us to provide seamlessly integrated solutions to our clients. And our people are committed to making a meaningful difference in the communities they live and work in.
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DISCOVER
EXCEL
ASPIRE
Your future. Your choice. Choose to make an impact. At MinterEllison, we provide our clerks and graduates with exceptional training, development and experiences.
Learn by working on real challenges Right from the start you’ll work on real client engagements, preparing you for any challenge. Discover new areas of practice, and learn the technical knowledge and tools you need to achieve your career ambitions.
Discover industry and market insights Our industry programs span across all of our practice groups, ensuring collaboration amongst our teams that creates real impact for our clients:
Health & ageing
Financial services
Real Estate
Education
Energy & Resources
Government
Infrastructure
Bring your whole self to work We want our people to be exactly who they are at work by fostering an inclusive workplace. We want you to excel as a future lawyer. It’s all in your hands now.
Make an impact You’ll have the chance to work with our Pro Bono and Community Investment program and market-leading social enterprise practice:
Pro bono
63K+ hrs of pro bono services
RAP impact
Social impact
4,800+
over 100
pro bono hours supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations
For information and to apply visit graduates.minterellison.com
MinterEllison Virtual Internship Want to experience a true-to-life day of a MinterEllison lawyer? Our interactive virtual internship offers you an insight into the commercial work we undertake here at MinterEllison. Curious?
graduates.minterellison.com
new social enterprise and Indigenous business clients engaged and supported
DISCOVER
EXCEL
ASPIRE Your future. Your choice. Choose to make an impact. Lauren Barrett, Graduate, Canberra shares her career journey, hints and tips. Tell us a bit about yourself? I am Canberra born and bred, and I am currently a graduate lawyer at the MinterEllison Canberra office. I started at Minters as a clerk in the summer of 2019/2020, and then began the graduate program at the start of 2021. My time at Minters so far has been a great learning opportunity and I’ve also been lucky to work and connect with a range of talented and supportive people.
What rotations have you done? As a clerk, I rotated through the Dispute Resolution team, the Insurance and Corporate Risk team and the Competition, Risk and Regulatory team. As a graduate, so far I have rotated through our Public Admin team and again through our Competition, Risk and Regulatory team. I’ve intentionally tried to get a taste of different teams in both the transactional/commercial and the litigation space to see where I am suited and what subject matter interests me – that’s the beauty of the rotations!
What was it that attracted you to MinterEllison? As a university student, I hoped to work somewhere that I would learn new skills and be exposed to a diverse range of matters and clients, but most importantly to me, I hoped that I would work alongside people who would challenge me, support my learning and growth, and that I would get along with on a personal level. During the clerkship process, I found that everyone at Minters was down to earth and easy to talk to, which was the key factor that attracted me to the firm.
graduates.minterellison.com
How has the team at MinterEllison helped to support you? As a graduate lawyer, I’m learning every single day and I constantly have questions. It makes such a difference to feel free to approach team members to ask questions, bounce ideas off them or ask for further guidance. Another great support system is being assigned a buddy. As a clerk and as a graduate, I have been assigned different buddies in each team that I have worked in, and they have always been patient, supportive and encouraging. I’ve also found that all your team members will look out for you, even if they aren’t your assigned buddies.
Do you have any advice for those going through the clerkship process this year? Bring your whole self to the clerkship process and draw from your life experiences as you connect with people in the firm. Minters is interested in learning about you and how your experiences and interests have shaped you and led you to pursue a clerkship. It’s important to be yourself and demonstrate your unique strengths because Minters wants to hear about how your particular skillset and personality can add value to the team.
If you could tell your uni-self one thing, what would it be? Take every opportunity that is offered to you during your university years! Getting involved in activities, clubs or programs, or going on student-led trips can lead to so many great things, including making new friends. Once you start putting your hand up for things, a snowball effect occurs and more exciting learning and social opportunities tend to get thrown your way. Having a go and taking opportunities also makes you a well-rounded person as you enter your career.
Firm Profile
What does a day as a clerk at Arnold Bloch Leibler look like? During your clerkship, you will experience a glimpse of our graduate program, including information sessions with each of our practice groups and involved in a number of extra-curricular and networking activities. You will be given real work, real responsibility and real contact with partners and clients in meetings. A highlight of our clerkship program is a day out with one of our clients. We find that this unique experience connects the dots for clerks to see and meet the people that lie at the heart of the firm’s identity. It also provides the opportunity to hear from our clients about why they have chosen ABL and what they’re looking for when they come to us for legal advice.
Why Arnold Bloch Leibler?
Our interviews are informal as we feel it’s the best way to get to know you − we also know that we deal with incredibly impressive candidates, and we know you’re assessing us too − so we like for you to feel comfortable and to be able to make a judgement on whether you can see yourself working with us. After your interview, we provide you the opportunity to have a coffee with one of our graduates or junior lawyers. They have been through the clerkship process and can answer any questions you have for them.
What qualities and experience do you look for in potential clerks applying for your program? We look for exceptional people who are seeking, and can provide, something extraordinary. We value good grades and intelligence, as well as life experience, lateral thinking, imagination and a passion for the law. We look for people who know how to use initiative and accept shared responsibility for their career development. The other personal qualities we consider are a willingness to learn, sense of humour and preparedness to assume responsibility.
ABL is well known for being the go-to firm when it matters. We pride ourselves on providing strategic guidance and solving complex problems related to our clients’ commercial interests, legal position and reputation. This means that our legal staff are exposed to interesting and varied work where they can fully utilise their skills and potential. We do not try to be everything to everyone − rather, we strive for excellence in our chosen areas of expertise. We encourage our employees to bring their whole selves to work each day, recognising that diversity of thought, background and life experience all contribute to our distinctive culture and the solutions we deliver for each of our clients.
The Application What does the Arnold Bloch Leibler clerkship application process entail? We keep things simple in the application process - you’re asked to upload your CV, transcript and a covering letter. When it comes to the interview, we only hold one round. You’ll meet with two partners and a member of HR for approximately half an hour.
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Great minds think differently At Arnold Bloch Leibler, we believe great minds think differently. From your very first day, you will work alongside thought leaders in the profession on important and complex cases that will provide opportunities to flex your thinking, offer direct input and gain in-depth knowledge.
What can you expect from our program? Your clerkship will provide you with a unique insight into the experience you would have as a Law Graduate at Arnold Bloch Leibler. You will quickly become immersed in our culture, have the opportunity to work with partners on active matters and be given real responsibilities. What do we look for in candidates? We value good grades and a sharp intellect, as our work is complex and intellectually challenging – but our shortlisting process doesn’t end there. We value life experience, lateral thinking, commercial acumen, resilience, imagination and a passion for the law. We appreciate people who use initiative and can accept shared responsibility for their career development, with a willingness to learn and a sense of humour. To find out more visit: abl.com.au/careers
Key dates Applications open: Monday 4 July 2022 Applications close: Sunday 14 August 2022 Interviews: Late August/September 2022 Offer day: Wednesday 19 October 2022
Key contact Hayley Brown Human Resources Manager hbrown@abl.com.au
Great minds think differently “My graduate year was challenging and at the same time extremely rewarding. Like all graduates at ABL, I had direct contact with my supervising partner on a daily basis and I was trusted to work on meaningful tasks with real responsibilities. I am continually encouraged to think outside the square and contribute my ideas. I surprised myself with how much I learnt in just 12 months.”
To find out more visit: abl.com.au/careers 70
Firm Profile What qualities and experience do you look for in potential clerks applying for your program? What does a day as a clerk at White and Case look like? There’s no typical day as a clerk at White & Case. Our Vacation Clerkship offers real insight into life as a White & Case graduate, meaning each experience will be unique as you join our team and meet the demands of our global clients. You’ll contribute to real work, attend client meetings and be supported by industry leaders. You can also expect to get involved in our Global Pro Bono practice and multiple diversity committees, as well as engage with the wider team at our regular social events.
Why White and Case? What qualities make your firm stand out? Over the past 100 years, we’ve built an unrivalled network of 45 offices in 31 countries. That investment is the foundation for White & Case’s client work in 180 countries today. Many White & Case clients are multinational organisations with complex needs that require the involvement of multiple Firm offices. Our reputation is built on an ability to execute tough deals in challenging places, whether at the highest levels of global corporate life, in transitioning markets or across our London-New York axis. To help develop a taste for global thinking, we guarantee our graduates a six-month overseas seat in our offices across the Asia-Pacific and wider network, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Tokyo.
At White & Case we actively seek out people with a range of attributes to further enhance our already globally diverse teams. In saying that, alongside academic excellence there are certain attributes that we know are proven for success: •
You have a global mindset: An interest in working globally and cross-cultural awareness is essential for the work we advise on, the nature of our clients, and the diversity within our teams.
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You are driven to succeed: Like us, you’re not afraid of hard work and you’re dedicated to achieving great results. You have ambition to be a successful global lawyer.
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You’re a team player: We act as one Firm and one team, and look to recruit graduates with the same collegial outlook.
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You take initiative: You ask meaningful questions and seek feedback on your work, with the intention of constant improvement.
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You’re client focused: Our graduates are exposed to clients from the very beginning. They’ll come to depend on your focus on detail and simplifying the complex.
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You have integrity: We have a global reputation for first-class legal work, and you’ll work towards building and maintaining trust with our clients and your colleagues.
The Application
What does the White and Case clerkship application process entail? •
Applications can be made on our careers website: www.whitecase.com/australiagrad
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Initial application: CV; transcript; cover letter
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2nd stage: Psychometric testing and video interview
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Final stage: 2X individual partner interviews
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Graduate careers in law As a graduate in one of our Australia offices, you will have the opportunity to work on challenging cross-border client matters providing you with the international experience and exposure from day one. Join us and make your mark. whitecase.com/careers
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110
of the only law firms to offer a guaranteed overseas seat
Australian offices in Melbourne and Sydney
nationalities represented across the Firm
45
Tier 1
87
offices across 31 countries
by The Legal 500 for Project Development and Project Finance
languages spoken across the Firm
Together we make a mark
Global Citizenship sits at the core of our Firm. Melbourne Associate, Thuy Finch discusses how clerks and graduates can get involved and how rewarding the work can be. Working in pro bono in our Melbourne office Working for a law firm with such a vast global network generates unique opportunities that are fast-paced and exciting to work on. Our Global Citizenship team, headquartered in New York, co-ordinates pro bono matters for organisations like the United Nations, The World Bank, and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty Project. One of the most rewarding areas within the pro bono practice comes from the many opportunities to advise a diverse range of clients within the community that we live and work in. These include individuals in need of specific legal advice or assistance, or charitable organisations seeking legal advice about their corporate governance or regulatory obligations.
Making an impact and taking ownership In Melbourne, our work with Justice Connect and its Domestic Building Legal Service connects us directly with those seeking pro bono legal services. In a
recent matter we advised a client on the creation of a new charitable organisation, enabling a scholarship program for indigenous children seeking access to learning opportunities in the performing arts sector. “There are lots of opportunities to get involved in and take ownership over your work to drive a pro bono matter,” explains associate Thuy Finch. “In any matter, you are working with a senior lawyer and a partner, who are counting on you to be across the materials and encourage you to share your ideas.”
Global pro bono matters Recently, the Melbourne office coordinated a global research project for the United Nations Environmental Programme (“UNEP”), in collaboration with the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice. The project involved the research for the preparation of UNEP’s 2020 Environmental Rule of Law Indicators Report, which aims to assess the global state of environmental rule of law and examine global trends. Our research spanned over 193 UN Member States and involved over 260 employees from 35 White & Case offices. Graduates, vacation clerks and paralegals were given a unique opportunity to get involved with a topical area of law under the supervision of Australian Pro Bono Partner, Michelle Keen.
Thuy Finch Associate, Melbourne
A chance to put law classroom learning into practice Thuy points out that working on pro bono matters also benefits the lawyers: “It allows junior lawyers to demonstrate some of their key strengths and implement skills that are taught theoretically in law school, in real practice. For example, vacation clerks and graduates can contribute meaningfully with tasks such as conducting legal research, preparing preliminary drafts and participating in interviews with the pro bono client.” A final note from Michelle. “Pro bono is a chance to make a difference to global and domestic policy. Through this work, we impact individuals’ lives and work closely with fantastic charitable and other not-for-profit organisations. It also gives graduates and associates an opportunity to work with people across practice groups and delve into different areas of law. It is a completely rewarding experience.”
Firm Profile What does a day as a clerk at K&L Gates look like? During your clerkship at K&L Gates, you will benefit from being involved in real legal work. This will include the participation in client and practice group meetings, court visits, research and drafting of advice and general support within one our eight practice areas:
What does K&L Gates’ clerkship application process entail?
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Corporate
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Energy, Infrastructure and Resources
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Finance
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Asset Management and Investment Funds
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Labour, Employment and Workplace Safety
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Litigation and Dispute Resolution
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Policy and Regulatory
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Real Estate
Ideally you will be involved in pro bono matters. This will be dependent on the nature of the work that is available in the practice area during your clerkship.
What skills can clerks expect to gain from the program? At K&L Gates you will participate in a comprehensive program that continues throughout your clerkship to learn important skills to lay the foundations for a successful legal career. These learning sessions have been designed to develop your legal knowledge while you rotate through two practice groups, working closely with partners and senior associates while also having the support of a junior lawyer or trainee lawyer as a buddy. There are also a number of social and sporting activities that are organised to help you to network with others across the firm and, most of all, have fun!
Why K&L Gates? What qualities make your firm stand out? At K&L Gates, we foster an inclusive and collaborative environment across our fully integrated global platform that enables us
to diligently combine the knowledge and expertise of our lawyers and policy professionals to create teams that provide exceptional client solutions. We marry process with vision, success with dedication, and method with passion. We seek and welcome the talents of those from different age groups, genders, identities, races, or cultural backgrounds. These are the threads that make up the fabric of our firm.
Applications for our clerkship program are made online, via our website. Applications should include a cover letter, CV and academic transcript. We will also ask you some questions as part of our application process. You will experience a two stage interview process with us. Your first interview will be with a Partner and a member of our Human Resources team. The first interview is an opportunity to get to know each other and expand on your application and interest in K&L Gates. The second round interview will consist of a group activity. You will work through a series of legal scenarios with a group of candidates and two Partners. The group interview is aimed at assessing your ability to demonstrate analytical skills, critical/commercial thinking and teamwork (an essential skill for our lawyers!). What qualities and experience do you look for in potential clerks applying for your program? We are looking for smart, imaginative and hard-working people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and ideas to join us. We seek out clerks who have a variety of experiences both personally and professionally. Whilst experience in legal/commercial environments is advantageous, it does not mean that your experience in retail is not! Showcasing these experiences and how they have enabled you to understand the commercial issues our clients face is just as important. First impressions count, so make sure you consider this when preparing for your interview. BE YOURSELF. Know your CV and application back to front. Be honest in your responses and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Clerkship Guide 2022
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DISCOVER Looking for a law firm that really is different? Where you can be empowered to DISCOVER quality work and clients, DEVELOP through opportunities to learn more while growing your career, and THRIVE in a diverse and inclusive culture? Then join our global community of talented visionaries. To learn more about how you can discover, develop, and thrive in a dynamic global law firm, visit klgates.com/careers.
THE K&L GATES EXPERIENCE. K&L Gates LLP. Global counsel across five continents. Learn more at klgates.com.
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DISCOVER. DEVELOP. THRIVE. THE K&L GATES EXPERIENCE. K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located across five continents. In Australia we have four offices in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. FULLY INTEGRATED
OUR PRESENCE
INNOVATION
We are a fully integrated network of lawyers and legal professionals who believe that clients need more than technical legal skills; they need insightful and practical advice on the diverse issues that affect their businesses, delivered with unparalleled client service. Our combination of practice strength, global platform, and unsurpassed client service is a true differentiator in the legal services marketplace.
With a strong presence in key capital cities and world commercial and financial centres, we represent a broad array of Global 500, Fortune 100, and FTSE 100 corporations in nearly every major industry, including energy, financial services, health care, infrastructure, life sciences, manufacturing, sustainable development, technology, telecommunications and transportation amongst others.
Our Innovation Committee is comprised of partners, lawyers, IT and support staff. It is committed to creating innovative legal services, fostering behaviour that enhances innovation and assisting our lawyers to deliver innovative legal work solutions for our clients.
A BROAD RANGE OF PRACTICE AREAS
FORMAL TRAINING PROGRAM
COLLABORATIVE CULTURE
In conjunction with on-the-job experience, we provide formal training sessions. On day one, you will receive an in-depth induction to the firm as well as training on relevant IT systems, followed by other sessions over the course of the clerkship and graduate programs. These sessions have been designed to develop your legal knowledge and business skills, as well as to give you a broader insight into the various areas of law in which we practise.
We truly believe that working together is better. Your supervisor and buddy will help you settle into the office and you will work closely with the partners, special counsel, senior associates and lawyers in your team. You will be provided with opportunities to build strong relationships, both within your team and the wider firm network. We provide and encourage a collaborative environment in which you can grow and develop.
We have nine core practice areas across Australia. As part of your clerkship you will complete rotations within at least one of these. In your graduate year, you will experience multiple areas across three rotations.
HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE You will be embedded into the practice areas and be involved in real legal work right from the start, giving you an in-depth experience and providing a real insight into life as a commercial lawyer at K&L Gates.
K&L Gates is about more than practising law or making a living. It’s about building something amazing - creating a legacy for you, the firm, our clients and the communities we serve. We are looking for smart, imaginative and hard-working people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and ideas to join us. Perhaps our search for talented visionaries and your search for important and impactful work lead to the same place.
APPLICATIONS
Learn what makes our global law firm different:
Contact details
Check out our Facebook page: /klgatesgraduaterecruitingau Check out our brand video on YouTube: /klgateslaw Or visit our Careers page at www.klgates.com for application details.
We accept graduate and clerkship applications in line with law society guidelines in the relevant state. Please check our website for application dates by office location. Tania Brierley Recruitment Consultant P +61 3 9640 4214 W www.klgates.com
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GENERAL SPONSOR FIRMS
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BORN GLOBAL Baker McKenzie invented the global law firm - so we are different in the way we think, work and behave. Like no other law firm, we were 'born global'. We have followed clients into new markets, establishing offices driven by local lawyers and talent. And our growth has been organic, giving us a strong, common culture that runs through our Firm. Our unique culture, developed over 70 years, enables our 13,000 people to understand local markets and navigate multiple jurisdictions, working together as trusted colleagues and friends to instil confidence in our clients. We also understand the challenges of the global economy because we have been a global law firm from the start. Baker McKenzie has been thinking globally in Australia for more than 50 years. In 2014, we opened our Brisbane office making our Australian practice the fourth largest in our network of 76 offices with more than 80 Partners and 220 lawyers across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. In Australia, we act for leading multinational and domestic companies on market-leading local and global transactions.
Our clerkship program Right from the start, our clerks get involved in real work. You will be exposed to our Australian and international clients through client meetings, shadowing, research and other everyday activities within your assigned practice group. Our clerks work closely with other lawyers, are guided by a supervising partner and enjoy the extra support of an experienced associate “buddy”. You will develop practical and legal skills through our national learning program and by attending workshops specifically designed for clerks, as well as Firm-wide sessions. In Sydney, our clerkship program takes place from late November to mid February. Clerks who accept a graduate role with Baker McKenzie are eligible to apply for an international clerkship, with the opportunity to work in one of our overseas offices in the year following their clerkship.
Our graduate program Over the course of the program, graduates gain experience in different areas of law before they join a particular practice group as an associate. You will be supervised by a partner and have an associate “buddy” in each rotation to oversee your on-the-job and formal learning.
Develop globally At Baker McKenzie, we have a deep commitment to development. Our dedicated Leadership & Learning team facilitates sessions in five key areas for our graduates legal learning, managing your career, the business of law, business development & client service, and people & self-leadership. We work hard to facilitate on-the-job learning and the many ways it happens too - through informal mentoring relationships, client secondments, involving graduates in global teams working on international deals and in providing them with the opportunity to manage their own files as part of our pro bono program. We also bring graduates from our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane offices together to help our people foster networks across the Firm, and support professional development by covering the costs of Practical Legal Training and your admission.
Funds
Thrive in a culture of inclusion Quality and excellence together with integrity, honesty, candor, teamwork and responsiveness are some of Baker McKenzie's key values - and are central in us delivering outstanding service to our clients. The values that make us a unique and great place to work are deeply embedded - you will notice our difference in all of your interactions with us, in Australia and globally: We are passionately global, and leverage our global expertise for our Australian and global clients at every opportunity, recognising our strength is in our diversity. We are a truly multicultural firm united by a genuine and robust culture of friendship, inclusion and collaboration. Dispute Resolution, Litigation and Insolvency
Environmental Markets
Employment & Industrial Relations
IP/Tech
Banking & Finance Corporate
dealings, decisions and actions; who express themselves confidently while staying open to new ideas; who seek a friendly, inclusive and diverse culture; and who take seriously our role in making a difference to our local and global communities.
Our key areas of practice
(including Mergers & Acquisitions, Capital Markets and Private Equity)
We are commercial pragmatists who make complex Our regional practice group structure means many of our lawyers attend regional training in our Asia Pacific issues simple for our clients and we are passionately offices. Once graduates complete their graduate program, committed to service excellence. they will attend a regional orientation program with We strive to stay ahead of the curve, bring other mid-level associates from the Asia Pacific region. entrepreneurial energy to our work, embrace The Firm also offers opportunities for lawyers at varying innovative change - and our curiousity continues to stages of their careers to work directly for clients or push new boundaries and challenge existing norms. with our other offices globally. We actively encourage and support engaging with our community, through our pro bono and What does the Firm look for? community service programs. Baker McKenzie looks for people who genuinely want We want everyone at Baker McKenzie to reach their to work with us and who understand Baker McKenzie's potential so we invest in global and local development unique offering and position in the market. We look and mobility programs for our people for well-rounded, motivated individuals who have a performance mindset and strive to be the best in Our award-winning diversity strategy, initiatives whatever they do; who are intellectually curious and and programs are focused in five areas: have sound academics; who display business acumen and are practical in their approach; and who have a global BakerWomen – gender equality and supporting the mindset and are passionately committed to service progression of women excellence. We look for people who enjoy a challenge BakerDNA – ethnic, indigenous and cultural diversity and seek new opportunities; who constantly look for ways to achieve better results while learning and BakerWellbeing – commitment to mental health and growing; and who take proactive ownership and wellbeing, workplace flexibility and supporting responsibility for their careers. And we look for people parents/carers who act with integrity, honesty and candor in their
Energy, Resources, Infrastructure & Corporate
Commercial Real Estate Construction
Tax
BakerPride – lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex diversity BakerIndigenousEngagement – commitment to engagement with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and to making a real difference in the lives of our nation's First Peoples.
How to apply Applications for clerkships can be submitted via www.bakermckenzie.com/careers/Australia. Applications should include a cover letter, as well as details of your work experience, your extra-curricular activities and interests, and your academic results. Applications for clerkships open at 9.00am on 6 June 2022 and close at 11.59pm on 3 July 2022. Nicola Bell - Talent Consultant +61 2 8922 5272 TalentManagement.Australia@bakermckenzie.com
www.bakermckenzie.com/careers/Australia Baker & McKenzie, an Australian Partnership, is a member firm of Baker & McKenzie International.
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Norton Rose Fulbright Australia Together we are change navigators
We provide the world's preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. We are based in more than 50+ cities across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. In amongst that global network, you’ll find some of the finest minds in the legal sector. Recognised for our industry focus, we are strong across all the key industry sectors: financial institutions, energy, infrastructure, mining, commodities & agribusiness, transport, technology & innovation, and life sciences & healthcare. Wherever we are, we operate in accordance with our global business principles of quality, unity and integrity. We provide the highest possible standard of service in each of our offices to maintain that level of quality at every point of contact.
Clerkship program Our clerkship program offers you a real taste of life as a graduate and is the primary source for our graduate academy which feeds directly into our international opportunities. Wherever you look, you will be immersing yourself into new opportunities such as attending client meetings, visits to court, and exposure to our deals, culture and practice areas. There will also be a lot of additional activities to take advantage of including: Key skills training sessions with our learning & development team
Discussions about practice areas, key sectors and deals with clients
Q&A sessions with heads of practice and our chief executive partner
Pro bono initiatives, various committee groups and networking events
Once you apply, your application will be reviewed taking in to account a variety of factors. If successful in securing an interview, you will also be invited to an information evening to learn more about our firm and meet our people.
Graduate academy This is the most important part of your journey with us. It is also a journey in itself. Over the course of the program, you will develop a vast range of knowledge and skills, gain exposure to different sectors and work environments, and will ultimately build up the experience you need to become a qualified lawyer. We offer a 2 year program consisting of 4 x 6 month rotations. Our aim is for each graduate to complete at least one transactional and one litigious rotation All graduates will be enrolled in their Practical Legal Training (PLT) with The College of Law and will receive continuous training throughout the program All graduates will be admitted to practice within their first year of the program
All graduates have the opportunity to apply for an international rotation and pro bono secondment All graduates will be supervised by a partner and a mentor, in addition to being paired with a buddy who has recently completed the graduate program 12 months into the program, graduates can be permanently placed in a team of preference as a lawyer. Others will benefit from a 3rd or 4th rotation
International opportunities Working in a global firm means global opportunities – and that means getting the experience of working in our global offices. We are committed to our graduates building connections with their peers overseas, build upon their legal knowledge in a different jurisdiction and experience life on the other side of the world so that when they return, they can play a pivotal role in our global connectivity and contribute to our success as a truly global law firm.
Contact us If you would like to learn more about our opportunities and how to apply, please visit our website or contact us directly. australian.graduates@nortonrosefulbright.com | nortonrosefulbright.com/graduates
Law around the world
nortonrosefulbright.com
Clerkship and graduate programs
Unlocking success. Together
Each year, we offer clerkships to law students who want to be involved in the real work of a legal firm – not just to observe. We will provide you with the fundamentals to truly understand our business and clients, across all industry sectors and services. Our 18-month graduate program is an opportunity for recent law graduates to complete a structured training program in a highly supportive environment. Participants will gain exposure to different practice groups within our firm while completing the fully funded Practical Legal Training (PLT) program.
Clerkship program Our clerkship program is not only a great opportunity for law students to gain valuable practical experience, but it’s also a chance to understand our mission and the culture at McCullough Robertson. Many of our clerks will go on to join our firm through our graduate program. We offer clerkships to pre-penultimate and penultimate law students in our Brisbane office and clerkships to penultimate law students only, in our Sydney office.
Selection process Apply
Learn more about us
Interview(s)
Offers made
Submit your interest in a clerkship with us
Meet the team and learn more about the firm
Meet the Partners and Senior Lawyers
Congratulations, welcome to the team!
Graduate program Our graduate program consists of 2 x 9-month practice group rotations to complete a qualification to practice while undertaking invaluable on-the-job training. Participants develop their skills with exposure to a variety of legal work with the possibility of joining the firm permanently on completion of the program.
Program structure
Placement 1: Becoming a qualified lawyer February
Formal training:
• Fully funded Practical Legal Training (PLT) • Includes 9 study days • Learning and development framework
Support network: • Supervisor #1 (Partner) • Supervisor #2 (Senior Associate) • Graduate Buddy (Lawyer)
August November
• Senior Buddy (Senior Associate)
Placement 2: Developing your legal skills December
Work-based learning:
• Move to a new team for additional experience • Focus on practical application • Become more involved in client work
Support network:
August
Discuss options for placement 2
Complete Practical Legal Training (PLT)
• Supervisor #1 (Partner) • Buddy (Lawyer)
Congratulations!
Now you’ve successfully completed the graduate program, we’ll discuss opportunities to join the team permanently.
Apply to be admitted as a lawyer
Write your career story with us
If you see yourself taking on real responsibility and forming genuine professional relationships sooner, then connect with us today to start the first chapter in your legal career.
Visit www.mccullough.com.au for more information.
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Practical Legal Training Provider Features
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MANY CLAIM FLEXIBILITY. THE COLLEGE OF LAW DELIVERS ON IT. Kerala PLT Graduate
Just like the last metres of a marathon, Practical Legal Training is the final run you need to become a practising lawyer. You know - the court-appearing, contract-preparing, law-talking kind. And in the final stretch, you need practical and flexible expertise. That’s where we come in. 100% ONLINE OR MIXED
YOUR PLT AT A GLANCE
SIX INTAKES A YEAR Start when you're ready with rolling intakes
Learn where you want
15 OR 30 WEEKS
15 OR 75 DAYS
LOCAL
Study at your pace with part and full-time options
Work experience options to match your life commitments
Part of the ACT legal profession since 2004
Learn more at collaw.edu.au/PLT
THE PLT FOR ME IS REAL-WORLD TASKS, NOT OLD-SCHOOL THEORY. Damon PLT Graduate
So, you want to enter the legal workforce with confidence? Our Practical Legal Training programs deliver real-world tasks with real-world experts so you hit your career stride from day one.
PRACTICAL POWER
LEARN WITH LAWYERS
SET UP FOR SUCCESS
Leave the theory behind. It’s time for workshops, real-world tasks, and feedback you’ll actually use.
Get support, feedback, and industry insights, from experienced lawyers.
Launch your legal career with 12 months support from a career coach and access to resources.
Learn more at collaw.edu.au/PLT
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Juggling full-time work, parenting and PLT possible through the College of Law, says Kerala Drew
It sounds like a cliché, but you genuinely have the ability to massively impact people’s lives as a criminal and family lawyer, and truly make a difference.
Despite achieving First Class Honours from a topranked British university, Kerala Drew found the path to qualifying as an Australian lawyer fraught with roadblocks. She had worked and volunteered through England, Hong Kong, China and Malaysia, but securing local work experience - and joining the local Women Lawyers Association, where she now sits on the Board as student advisor - proved crucial.
This might be securing gradual time with children for a father who has been absent in their lives, or ensuring a young person has no criminal conviction recorded. I thoroughly enjoy my days as a duty lawyer, which means I attend upon the courthouse and see all of those who have notices to appear, or who have been remanded in custody. The work is fast paced, stressful and often unpredictable, but it is in this role I find I truly thrive.
We caught up with Kerala to learn how she landed her first job in law, what set her College of Law PLT experience apart from prior study, and what advice she might have for lawyers looking to join the Australian legal profession.
What was your first job in law? What led you to your current role? I ended up getting my first real job in Australia by volunteering as part of my PLT placement. I always knew I was interested in criminal and family law and stumbled across a Gumtree post noting that Wallace Davies was looking for PLT students. I jumped at the opportunity, and volunteered for a month. I then ended up getting a paid job in employment law, but one week in, Wallace Davies rang, and offered me a paid position. I felt so guilty leaving the employment law firm, but thankfully they were so understanding. I knew my heart was in criminal and family law and I haven’t looked back since!
Where do you work now, and what is the most rewarding aspect of your role? Four years on, I’m still at Wallace Davies. However, I’ll soon be moving to the Bar. This has been a goal of mine since I was around 10, so I am very excited to finally reach this milestone. I am really excited to see what the future holds, and I am looking forward to putting into practice the skills I have been working on for the last few years. The most rewarding aspect of my role is securing a good outcome for a client in court.
How have your PLT studies helped with what you do at work? My PLT studies have helped me in so many different ways. Firstly, it has no doubt helped my time management skills. I studied full time, whilst working full time, whilst parenting full time! Juggling all those different demands at one time was a lot, but it taught me the importance of setting a schedule, and following it. A side tip I always have is to put in deadlines for a few days before things are actually due. That way, even if something pops up out of the blue that needs to be dealt with urgently, hopefully you can still meet your assignment or filing deadlines. Secondly, my PLT studies essentially kickstarted my career! Had it not been for the work experience component, I may have never ended up where I am today. The work experience component also allows students to explore different areas of law, before they fully commit to one area of practice. I think if you are unsure which area of law you may enjoy, having the chance to explore different areas to see what they are actually like is invaluable.
What has set your PLT experience apart? The flexibility was by far what set the experience apart. Having access to most of the material online as soon as the course started was invaluable for a type A person like me. It meant I could plan my work schedule to align somewhat with my study schedule – fitting in assignments in my slightly less hectic weeks at work.
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PLT Sponsors It also meant if you are juggling family life, you could study in the evening once the children had finally settled for the night. from the College of Law to this day. Essentially you were your own boss with respect to managing the work, which worked really well for me. The support you receive is second to none – I would often email my tutors with any questions I had, and the oral feedback you receive after your assignment is invaluable. I still use the textbooks from the College of Law to this day.
You’ve studied and volunteered around the world. What advice would you have for well-travelled lawyers keen to practice in Australia? For those who have practised abroad, or are seeking to start their career in Australia, be prepared for a lot of setbacks. It was frustrating for me to have to re-study a number of university modules to ensure I complied with the Priestley 11, and I felt like I hit roadblock after roadblock. Keep the end goal in sight, as it is so worth it when you finally reach that goal. Also, don’t be afraid or ashamed to start your career by volunteering. I found it so difficult to find paid work, notwithstanding the fact that I had worked/ volunteered in England, China, Hong Kong, and Malaysia and had achieved first class honours from one of the top universities in England. Once you start to have a few recognised Australian law firms, or workplaces on your CV, I found it so much easier to find work. Finally, join as many different organisations or societies as you can. I have made some fantastic friends and colleagues through the local Women Lawyers Association and I am now on board as their student advisor.
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Get
moving
with
PLT
at Leo Cussen.
Run your own cases in simulated practice and be coached by skilled and supportive lawyer mentors. Join our extensive legal network and be part of our community. Be Ready with a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at Leo Cussen.
www.leocussen.edu.au/PLT
Virtual Internships Leo Cussen has partnered with Forage to build two Virtual Internship Programs designed to provide students with valuable insight into what it’s like to solve real issues in legal practice. Free
Self-paced
Add to your CV
Criminal Law Human Rights Law
My Clerkship Experience Lily Pang, Seasonal Clerk Studied: Bachelor of Laws (Hons)/Bachelor of Arts, Australian National University Rotations: Employment, Dispute Resolution Why Ashurst
Career development at Ashurst
I chose Ashurst because of its reputation of being a top law firm with great culture. Ashurst ranks Band 1 in a number of practice areas, leading to work that is intellectually stimulating and rewarding. The firm is made up of friendly, down to earth and intelligent people with a genuine interest in their work and also in each other. Ashurst’s vision is to be the world’s most progressive global law firm which translates to a mind-set that is always looking for better ways to deliver to our clients, community and people.
The initial two day induction program in Sydney was very helpful and I felt very welcomed within the firm. Over the course of the clerkship we continued to have training on legal research, diversity, pro bono and all the skills needed to excel at a global commercial firm. For example, we received training on ‘how to research like an Ashurst lawyer’ which built on the research skills we gained at university.
Your work as a clerk During my Employment rotation I had the opportunity to work on a variety of matters. I drafted file notes, wrote advices, prepared briefs to counsel and conducted legal research. While rotating through Dispute Resolution I attended a number of case conferences, drafted conference reports, researched caselaw and drafted correspondence for a Government client. Throughout both rotations, I received clear instructions when tasked and felt welcome to ask any follow up questions where needed. As clerks we also got involved in four projects. In teams, we worked on a pro bono project, tendering project, a project on innovating the clerkship recruitment process and also a project exploring an area of Commonwealth commercial activity.
Social aspects of the clerkship As a clerk cohort we all got along very well. The first time the Canberra clerks all met each other was 7 AM on a Monday when we travelled to Sydney together for the clerkship induction. Travelling with each other was an opportunity for us to get to know each other very well very quickly. During our first rotation we were in the office so would see each other and organised regular Friday night dinners. The second rotation was virtual (due to risks of Omicron) but we still had weekly catch ups over MS teams, where we would check in on each other and provide updates on our rotations, work and general wellbeing. We have all become very close friends over the course of the clerkship. I feel very lucky knowing we will have each other as we navigate the next steps in our legal careers.
Connect with us on
We were also each allocated a buddy- a junior lawyer who provided invaluable career mentorship and guidance throughout the clerkship experience.
Ashurst in the community During the clerkship, I had the opportunity to work on a pro bono project with Canberra Community Law. My project partner and I were responsible for researching legislative changes and amending the public housing chapter, a resource used to give an overview of laws and policies on Public Housing in the ACT. The Canberra Employment team also provided assistance to small business employers and employees on workplace responsibilities in light of public health orders and policy developments from COVID-19.
Application tips My biggest tip is to research the firm assiduously. Knowing and including information that isn’t instantly ‘Google-able’, such as the current projects the firm is working on, the culture of the firm and specific tasks you will be doing will make you stand out as a candidate. An in depth understanding of the firm and how you fit in with its growth strategy is critical to a strong application. If you can, also try and speak to someone who has done the clerkship, has worked at the firm or is a current employee, as this will give you the most accurate and current insights into the firm and its operations.
Who Should Apply If you are interested in working alongside the brightest minds of the legal industry who also happen to have the biggest hearts… please apply!
Begin now at ashurst.com/students