ANULSS 2021 Clerkship Guide by ANU Law Students' Society

CLERKSHIP GUIDE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

2021

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ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

EDITOR’S NOTE

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

A WELLBEING PERSPECTIVE

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

FIRMS OFFERING CLERKSHIPS

KEY DATES

ACING THE APPLICATION

CV + RESUME WRITING

QUICK TIPS

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

PICKING A FIRM

THE (ONLINE) COCKTAIL EXPERIENCE

A CLERKSHIP EXPERIENCE

PREMIER SPONSOR FIRMS

MAJOR SPONSOR FIRMS

GENERAL SPONSOR FIRMS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

EDITOR’S NOTE Dear ANU Law Students,

lenges. For this reason, the 2021 guide has emphasised the value of seeking online opportunities and internships. This year we have included the ins and outs of online networking, alongside details of Forage’s Clerkship Tracker.

On behalf of the whole ANU Law Student Society body, I proudly welcome you to the 2021 Clerkship Guide! First and foremost, I want to offer my most sincere thanks to Ashurst for their support in producing this guide. To all our firm sponsors, your continued assistance and provision of insightful careers resources remain of immense use to our cohort of law students.

It is important to remember that a clerkship is not the only path. There is a diverse range of options for law students, both in the legal sector and otherwise. Many of these pathways are depicted in the 2021 Careers Guide – this can also be found on the ANU LSS website.

This guide intends to demystify the application and overall clerkship process. Through both student testimonies and material very kindly provided by our firm sponsors, we hope this guide inspires you to consider a clerkship pathway. To all those who have completed clerkships and kindly contributed to this guide, I must also offer my most sincere thanks. Your willingness to provide advice and insight in tackling this challenging process reflects the comradery and support that exists between ANU law students.

While this may be a stressful time, please remember to look after yourself. Prioritise your own wellbeing, take breaks and look out for those around you. For those about to embark upon the application process – good luck! It is undoubtably both a scary and rewarding experience, regardless of the outcome, we wish you all the best wherever your career pursuits take you. If this publication raises any questions, please feel free to contact us at lsscareers@ anu.edu.au

Whilst the disruptions of COVID-19 continue to be felt globally, industry continues to adapt and respond to these chal-

SASHA DANIEL Vice President - Careers

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME Hello and welcome to the LSS’ Clerkship Guide for 2021, proudly sponsored by Ashurst!

While it can sometimes seem as though clerkships are the be all and end all in terms of continuing your legal experience, it is important to note that clerkships are certainly not for everyone. Commercial law may not be the space for you, or you may prefer to find your way into the field by some other means- and that is entirely valid. Law is a versatile degree, and there are avenues to suit everyone’s skills and interests. Even if clerkships are not your thing, I hope that this Guide will provide some useful insights and skills that are transferable to whichever path you pursue.

With a publication of this scale, there are a lot of people who need to be thanked. First and foremost, I would like to express my immense gratitude to the LSS Careers team and the LSS Publications Director for their work in preparing the Guide- without them, this incredibly valuable resource simply would not exist. Further thanks go out to all of our wonderful sponsors for their contributions to this Guide, and for their ongoing support of our Society. Finally, thanks are also owed to the students and legal professionals who volunteered their time and energy to provide content for this Guide. There are few resources more valuable than the firsthand stories shared by these contributors, and we are very grateful for their willingness to support the ANU LSS and its law students.

Applying for clerkships is undoubtedly an exciting process- but it can also be incredibly stressful. I acknowledge that this is easier said than done, but please do not neglect your wellbeing during this time. The need for self-care is only heightened by the uncertainty of our current Covid-affected world, so please listen to your body and mind and prioritise what is best for you.

Now, to those students who are looking at beginning the clerkship process- good luck! It can seem like a daunting experience, but hopefully this Guide will help you feel as though you’ve got a handle on what the process will entail. Inside, you will find advice from previous clerks, information on the clerkship programs at different firms, and an overview of what the application stages might look like.

Finally, getting to the point in your law degree where you are looking at clerkships is quite frankly an achievement in and of itself. I applaud each and every one of you for all of your work thus far, and wish you success and happiness in your future endeavours. Whatever the next step is in your professional journey, I sincerely hope that this Guide will empower and equip you to work towards a fulfilling and exciting career.

EMMA CAMPBELL ANULSS President

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

A WELLBEING PERSPECTIVE As exciting and rewarding as it can be, the Clerkship application process can be a stressful, overwhelming and disheartening experience for many. Balancing resume writing, interviews, networking events, academic commitments, work commitments and social commitments, would place a significant burden on anyone’s mental and physical health and therefore, throughout this application period, it is paramount to ensure you are taking care of yourself. The LSS Equity team, and the wider LSS committee are always here to lend a helping hand so don’t hesitate to reach out when necessary. In the meantime, here are a few ways you can look after yourself during the clerkship application period.

protect your physical and mental wellbeing. 3. Accept and apply constructive criticism but also give yourself time to process outcomes Clerkship applications provide an invaluable opportunity to develop your professional skills. However, while you should definitely capitalise on the constructive feedback provided to you in the clerkship application process, ensure you take time to process the outcome of your application, before you immediately start to think about the next steps in your professional development. Talk to your friends and family about it, take time away from the process and when you’re ready, start to think about areas for improvement.

1. Maintain perspective When the importance of a clerkship is stressed as much as they are, maintaining perspective is often easier said than done. However, the crux of this comes in trying not to compare yourself to your peers. It is helpful to remember that the careers paths available to a law student after graduation are multifaceted and are in no way limited to one option. In 10 years, each member of your graduating cohort will find themselves in such a different position from one another, each achieving their own definition of success. Keeping that in mind, try not to compare yourself to the positions of your friends because clerkships are only one of many possible pathways available to you and while it may be right for some, that is not the case for everyone.

SAHANA DEVARAJAN Vice President (Equity)

2. Take frequent breaks to do the things you enjoy The application process can be incredibly time-consuming. When you combine this with pre-existing academic commitments and work commitments, you may find yourself sitting in front of a laptop, in a library for hours on end. While there are deadlines to meet, nothing should come at the expense of your mental and physical wellbeing. Take time to see your friends, call your family, go for a walk, have brunch with a friend and all the other things that keep you grounded. Follow our LSS Wellbeing page for weekly reminders, tip and tricks on the best way to 8

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

IMPORTANT INFO F irms

offering clerkships in

Firms

Canberra

Sydney

2021

Melbourne

Allen and Overy Allens Arnold Block Leibler Ashurst Baker McKenzie Clayton Utz Clifford Chance Corrs Chambers Westgarth DLA Piper Gilbert + Tobin Herbert Smith Freehills Johnson Winter & Slattery Jones Day King & Wood Mallesons K & L Gates Maddocks MinterEllison Norton Rose Fullbright Thomson Geer

Perth

Brisbane

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

K ey D ates For penultimate students, the clerkship season is fast approaching. This section intends to clarify the key dates on the clerkship calendar.

It is important to take note of these dates early, so as to feel prepared and allocate the necessary time for applications. The key dates are provided below, and please note the slight changes between states.

State

Applications Open

Applications Close

Offers Made

Offers to be Accepted

ACT/NSW

8th June

4th July and 14th July (firm dependent)

VIC

8th July

11th August

10th October

11th October

QLD

5th July

13th August

7th October

8th October

11th June

15th July

15th September 16th September

18th September 19th September

F orage C lerkship T racker The Forage Clerkship tracker is a highly useful resource that assists in staying on top of the clerkship process. Applicable for both domestic (top, mid, boutique) and international law firms, students may track their

application progress and status. The page is into four columns, as seen below, there is a Wishlist (for firms of interest), shortlist, first draft and applied.

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

ACING THE APPLICATION Applications, whether for clerkships, internships or volunteer opportunities, whilst exciting, remain a challenging process. The following section seeks to break down this process, clarifying what firms expect, alongside the general timeline of the application process (as well as a few tips and tricks from successful candidates.) When applying for any role it is important to plan ahead to provide for adequate time and planning. This includes taking note of key due dates, interview times and offers being released. This is particularly important for clerkship or graduate applications where a number of these roles close at the same time. Your Application is Likely to Consist of: • A cover letter • A resume; and • A Statement of Claims – this is a separate document, similar to selection criteria, requiring the applicant to outline how they meet the role’s requirements. The precise skills or qualifications will likely be stated outright. If a statement of claims is requested, you must submit one in order proceed to the interview or subsequent round.

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

CV + R esume W riting can connect with clients in a way that would put them at ease. Practically speaking, include real life examples in your responses, keep your answers brief (but ask if they would like you to expand further) and use hand gestures. For virtual interviews , place the camera at head height, have light shining onto your face (not from behind it), dress as if you are in the room, and avoid looking down often. Depending on your preferences, you can always hide self-view if it makes you more comfortable.

Acing an Interview The first thing to remember is YOU got to this point. Congratulations!! You’ve already impressed them, and it is easier to set yourself apart in person than it is on paper. Now they get to meet you (and your personality). At this point, the question they are asking themselves is not just ‘can this person do the work?’ but ‘can I work with this person?’ Also keep in mind that this industry is driven solely by client relationships - it has a direct relationship with income. This means it is a personal risk for partners, and financial risk for the firm, to put new people in front of clients. This interview is an opportunity to see how you meet and interact with people, how you operate under the spotlight and whether you would give a good impression of the firm.

“Do you have any questions for us?” Remember, clients are paying these people high rates for 6 minutes chunks of their time. Regardless of the outcome, you have them for free. Ask them questions! I once asked if they had any advice, and learned that keeping a jar of lollies on your desk can be the best way to meet new people. I ended up working in this partner’s team, and everyone loved him because of his endless supply of fantails. It can be hard to get a feel of the culture of each particular firm, so this is also a good chance to learn about their team environment or the firm environment (what is the culture like in their team, what role do junior lawyers play in particular matters, etc).

Before the Interview Preparation is key. I’d recommend having written dot point answers for major questions, like ‘why are you interested in this firm in particular?’ or ‘tell us a bit about yourself’. Don’t be too structured, if you focus on the exact words you are more likely to trip up, and your personality won’t shine through. How you answer is just as (if not more) important than what your answer is. Whatever you do, do it with certitude. For example questions, google clerkship interview questions and go through previous LSS clerkship guides or ones from other universities. List all the questions in one document, then answer them (actually speak them out as if you are in conversation). Practice them with a friend in a random order (or make questions up designed to throw each other off). Also make sure you know the particular firm and their strengths– through their website, people you have spoken to, clients they have acted for, or cases they worked on. Draw upon areas that align with your interests and goals. Finally, be on top of your resume and application. Skim it before the interview – this will likely be their starting point for questions. During the Interview These are real people. Show the same respect you would to anyone – introduce yourself and address each person. Smile, maintain good eye contact and a relaxed, open body language. Remember these are normal people you could see in the shops or on the street, imagine talking to friends or family (but in a calm, professional sense). They often ask about your hobbies out of genuine interest – expand on them and prioritise connecting with the interviewers over listing your achievements. They want to know if you

After the Interview Write down who your interviewers were, the questions they asked, and your answers. This will help you for second round interviews, or if you land the job, it’s a great way to build a relationship with the partner, senior associate or senior counsel that interviewed you. My number one tip on the clerkship process Be genuine - you can’t win somebody else’s race so make sure you run your own. Find practice groups you actually like, or if you don’t know specifically, just say so – and instead give examples of cases or clients of the firm that you were drawn to. Not only can recruiters tell when applicants are faking their interest, but successfully faking an interest still lands you in a position you won’t enjoy.

Written by BRIANNA WOODHEAD

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY interviews by recording yourself on your laptop, practising in front of the mirror or practising in front of your friends. Even though this may feel awkward or uncomfortable, it is really helpful to push yourself out of your comfort zone and practice in these contexts before the real thing. When you’re doing these practices, remember to think about how your various work, volunteer and other experiences demonstrate relevant skills and attributes that law firms are looking for. For example, you shouldn’t worry if you lack legal work experience but you should think about how your other experiences demonstrate relevant attributes like teamwork and communication skills.

Q uick T ips Tip 1: Make sure you put the skills, experiences and interests you actually want to talk about in your CV! Your CV is one of the very few pieces of information your interviewer will have about you, and they will probably use it to try to break the ice and get to know you better. Tip 2: Know the firm! Make sure you have done some solid research into the firm you are applying to – matters they have acted on, areas they specialise in, particular partners/ lawyers you are interested to talk to. Often, you’ll be asked ‘why commercial law’ or ‘why [firm]’, so you definitely want a good answer prepared for that.

Tip 9: Different interviewers (and firms) have different interview styles. Some will be extremely fluid and conversational, and others will follow more of a script. If there is an HR representative in the interview, it’s likely that it will be a little more structured - so prepare for the more standard interview questions. Otherwise, the most important thing is to follow the lead of your interviewer.

Tip 3: Create a narrative for your application that ultimately shows why you want to work at that particular firm. For example, if you’re passionate about environment and planning law, talk about how you’ve loved your enviro law courses, volunteered at the Environmental Defenders Office, and how you are really keen to get involved with the environment team at the firm. Or, if you haven’t had as much experience in the law itself, talk about your journey to date and why you are interested in giving commercial law a go!

Tip 10: Don’t be afraid to be a bit casual. As much as interviewers are looking to gauge your intelligence and motivation, they also want to know you are someone they and their colleagues would enjoy working with. Crack some jokes (Canberra is an easy way in) and try to develop a rapport. Asking personalised, interesting questions can be one way to do this.

Tip 4: Be clear and concise. Your CV should be laid out in such a way that it is easy and intuitive to read. The HR team goes through hundreds (if not thousands) of applications, and you want to make sure that your achievements are nice and clear so that they can absorb them even when bleary-eyed.

Tip 11: Don’t be afraid to ask your interviewer or HR representative to put you in touch with other people in the firm that do work you are interested in! Not only does it show you are interested in the work the firm does, but it allows you to learn more about areas you are passionate about, and to form connections with people working in those areas.

Tip 5: Prepare early. The clerkship process can be a gruelling few months, especially if you apply to quite a few firms, so start preparing your CV and application questions early to give yourself plenty of time to refine and perfect everything.

Tip 12: It is good to ask follow-up questions, especially about the specific work your interviewer does. This also means doing some research on your interviewer and their area – it shows you’re really engaged with the interviewer and the firm in general. Plus – lawyers love the sound of their own voices so they’ll definitely have plenty of interesting things to say!

Tip 6: Be authentic. Often the interviewing partners/lawyers will have done many interviews over the years, and can spot a fake from a mile away. You should feel comfortable talking about your interests and showing your true personality – and if they don’t like it, you probably wouldn’t have liked working at that firm anyways!

Tip 13: As cheesy as it may sound, don’t forget that the application and interview process is a chance for you to figure out which firm you will ultimately choose. The process can be long and exhausting but at the end of it all, you will have to make a decision about which offer you accept, so take every opportunity you can to figure out which firm is the best fit for you. Interviews are a great way to do this, particularly when you can ask your interviewers questions, so try to come up with questions that you genuinely want to know the answers to.

Tip 7: Make sure you know your CV and application really well before the interview. There is nothing more awkward than an interviewer asking you about a minor point on your CV and you completely forgetting you briefly played Quidditch in high school… Tip 8: Make sure you do practice interviews before the real thing! You can do practice 15

S ample Q uestions

Personal Tell us your story/Tell me about yourself. How do you deal with challenges? What are your best three and worst three qualities? How would your classmates describe you? Who is a role model in your life and why? Who do you most admire? What do you like to do in your free time? What do you do for fun? What is one quality that makes you unique? Do you want to undertake further education? Tell me something that is not on your resume/ application? When is it better to follow than to lead? Describe a time in which you failed at something? Tell me about a risk you have taken in your life? Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years? 10? What book are you reading now? If you could have lunch with anybody, dead or alive, who would you have it with, and what would you ask them? If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? What value matters to you most?

Commercial Law Why law? Why corporate/commercial law? Why [firm]? Specific interests in law/commercial law? What opportunities do you see in the changing legal environment? What is a current news story that you find interesting? Current issues/trends in commercial law? What do you think is a major challenge facing a firm like this? Clerkship-Related What qualities do you think make a good clerk? What are you hoping to gain from this role? Why not [your other degree/other work experience - i.e. consulting, banking, etc.]?

Do you work best when receiving clear instructions or when given flexibility in decision-making? Do you prefer working in teams or by yourself? When you have lots of tasks, how do you manage your time? Situational Questions Describe a time you came up with an innovative solution to a problem? Describe a time in which you showcased our firm’s value of XXX? Describe a time in which you dealt with a challenging team? When have you overcome a barrier? Describe a time you dealt with negative feedback? When have you helped/nurtured someone? Tell me about a time when you had to lead. When have you had trouble with other people accepting your views? How do you deal with stress? Is your GPA a good reflection of your abilities? Tell me about a major accomplishment. Tell me about a time you had group conflict, and how you responded. Tell us about a time when your manager

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

wasn’t present and you had to work/deal with a problem independently. What is the most unusual request you have had at work and how did you respond to it? Give us an example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem. Describe a time when you were faced with problems or stresses that tested your coping skills. Tell me when you set a goal and how did you achieve it. When have you gone above and beyond to do something? Tell me about a time you felt embarrassed. Tell me about a time you felt overwhelmed. Have you ever had to make a tough call or hard decision in a team environment? When did you have to make a decision that went against your morals and values but was necessary or appropriate in the situation?

How did you settle on your specific area? Clerk Life What do clerks in your team usually do? What does training for clerks and grads at FIRM look like? In terms of training, who do clerks get most feedback from, and how often would clerks get the opportunity to learn from Senior Associates or Partners? Would clerks only work for one main partner at a time, or are they shared among the team? I welcome challenges and embrace hard work, but how is a work/life balance achieved by the firm? How often is feedback provided? And by whom? Do we get a fair bit of partner interaction and opportunities to learn? 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 a graduate?

Questions for the Interviewer What was your path to [firm] and your path within the [firm]? What are some interesting projects you have been involved in – to the extent you can discuss them with me?

Written by Tiger Lin, 2020 HSF Clerk

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

WHICH FIRM IS FOR ME? Carefree Lucky Dipping or Serious Wine Sipping: How to Choose a Firm

It’s that time of the year again. The sky turns grey, the birds stop chirping, and the poor deciduous trees stand stark-naked, deformed scarecrow-like. It is clerkship season.

that the majority of clerkships are with commercial firms - clerkships in public law are few and far between - you should spend some time actually doing some soul searching and reflecting on whether you can see yourself spending the next few years plugging away at commercial law.

As you brave the Antarctic Canberra winter, the deceptively sharp breeze cutting away at your ill-advised decision to walk to class, the only things keeping you warm are the millions of clerkship questions and concerns whizzing around your skull.

As someone whose worst subject was Contracts, I was slightly concerned. But know that : 1) law in practice is so different to what you do at university; 2) there is a real diversity of work in a commercial firm, and 3) firms sometimes have room for a few public lawrelated billable hours too!

What firm should I apply for? Am I good enough? Canberra/Sydney/Melbourne/ Brisbane? Do I even apply for a clerkship? Am I willing to sell my soul?

Plus - you’ll never know what it’s like unless you give it a shot.

And of course, accompanying those questions are the incessant rumours and pieces of folk wisdom about working in commercial law that are a dime a (several) dozen, and hopelessly inconsistent. Floating down the Chinese whisper pipeline, you may hear that X firm hires jocks, Y firm hires nerds, and Z firm is super private school; or that you just push paper your first few years; or the ‘go Big (6) or go home’ mantra - noting that Wikipedia now calls that a ‘historical term’.

2. Ignore rumours and unsubstantiated folk wisdom I feel like I set this one up pretty nicely in my preamble. The only way you will truly find out what you want to know about a firm and whether it is right for you is to go out there and talk to people actually from those firms. Different firms have different characteristics, and each have their own advantages and disadvantages. While some firms give you a chance to taste a huge variety of practice areas, others provide more opportunities to go overseas. While some have huge clerk and grad communities, others allow you to take on more responsibility and gain experience quicker.

So many questions. So many purported answers. What to do? Well aren’t you lucky there are multiple LSS guides every year giving you the authoritative answers. You’re welcome. So after that hopefully semi-entertaining preamble, here are some tips on navigating the clerkship decision process (my attempt to dress up publishable advice on this too-welltrodden path that is, unsurprisingly, quite consistent with similar pieces in previous LSS Clerkship Guides).

It is your duty to check this out for yourself, and figure out which is right for you. 3. Yak, yak, yak How do you do that, you ask? It’s all about talking. Although the word ‘culture’ is thrown around a lot, leading many people to cynically remark that all firms are essentially the same, ‘culture’ is a real thing!

1. Is commercial law right for you? This is a big one, especially at ANU where CIPL is a much beloved institution. Given 18

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY 5. Spread yourself fat, not too thin Contrary to the advice of many ‘health experts’ these days, this is a philosophy I fully embrace (whether by necessity or by lethargy is another question). Don’t apply to too many firms! I would suggest that it is advisable to apply to a handful of firms and do them well, rather than give a whole bunch of firms a half-hearted attempt. It’s also never fun when you start spending entire weeks up in Sydney attending various information evenings - and kind of awkward when you have clashing commitments with different firms...

Try to speak to as many people from different firms/the firms you are interested in as possible. This will help you get a meaningful insight into the kinds of people that work at different firms. Remember - although you are asking (begging?) firms to give you a clerkship, if you get in, you may be working there for a long time - so make sure that it is an environment that you can feel comfortable in. Of course, a big part of figuring this out will also happen during your actual clerkship. 4. Time to move? Studying at ANU also puts you in quite a unique position compared to many other universities. ANU law alumni are pretty well spread out across the country. In terms of firms, people have been known to do clerkships not just in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne, but also Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

So at the end of the day, if you’ve done your research right, when a firm asks you why you want to work for them, you should have a pretty solid - and genuine - answer ready to go. Good luck!

Have a think about where you’d like to work. Will you enjoy the ever-sunny, ever-beautiful Sydney beaches as I did? Or do you prefer the miserable, unpredictable gamble of a climate that is my hometown, Melbourne?

Written by TIGER LIN

It is also handy to consider that different cities have different clerkship cultures - for example, in Sydney, it is customary to do one long clerkship over the summer, whereas students in Melbourne and Brisbane do multiple, shorter ones. Obviously, there are pros and cons to each - so talk to people!

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

NAVIGATING THE (ONLINE) COCKTAIL EXPERIENCE Virtual Networking During the Clerkship Process

Firm Specific Information/Networking Sessions Some firms will host their major virtual networking sessions virtually. There could be 150 people in a zoom call, and that makes it hard to make personal connections and chat casually. Asking a question here and there is a good way to feel more involved (as long as they are genuine questions), even if it is just anonymously through a chat box. In real life, these events work off interaction so the organisers definitely like input from attendees.

Mentorship/Buddy Some firms assign you a mentor throughout the process - make use of them! They are good for questions you aren’t comfortable asking HR or interviewers, and can give you a better idea of the culture as a whole or in particular teams. Most have been through the clerkship process so can offer valuable advice for the application itself, and they may also help with interview preparation if they know the partner or senior associate on the panel. I had an interest in competition law, and while my mentor wasn’t working in that space, she was able to link me with a graduate lawyer who was.

General Advice for Virtual Networking • Check your internet well before the event. • If you know the speakers, google them beforehand and note down any questions you might have for them. • Dress as if you are in the room (professional). Keep the laptop at head height with light facing onto your face, and a tidy background. • Log on 5-10 minutes prior to the event. • Have a notepad ready to take notes (this will be useful when comparing firms you want to apply to later on). Don’t switch between computer screens/tabs - HR can easily tell when people’s eyes are bouncing about, and it gives the impression you aren’t paying attention. This is why I prefer to take physical notes (unless you can type them without looking distracted).

Chat Sessions Some firms have virtual chat groups for asking HR staff questions, and they might host an information session every week leading up to the closing of applications. A good place to ask more questions, or just to pop in and learn from others. Clerkship Evening The LSS Clerkship Evening is a MUST. With many other events virtual, this is your chance to really connect with firm representatives and learn directly from them. Go speak to representatives after the presentations, and if you can try to remember their names - you may see them in future (ie before interviews etc). Ask grads why they picked that firm, and how they made their decision (and if they say they liked the culture or the people, ask them why).

Written by BRIANNA WOODHEAD

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

CLERKSHIP SNAPSHOT During my clerkship I rotated through the Projects practice group. Throughout the application process last year, firms spent most of the time advertising and speaking about their flagship practice groups such as Corporate or Commercial Litigation. On the other hand, the Projects practice area was rarely publicised and was largely a mystery to me before beginning the clerkship. After having an amazing time as part of the Projects team, I am here to provide some clarity about the sort of work the Projects team does and also why you might be well suited to this practice area.

construction contracts, sitting in on client calls to discuss negotiation positions, conducting case research and helping draft contract provisions. Many of these tasks involved reading full length contracts which allowed me to gain a good understanding of the range of issues contemplated in a construction agreement. For example, a construction contract will often stipulate what will happen if the site of construction is found to have contaminated soil (ie which party will incur the additional costs). Moreover, I thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to help draft a contract provision, which involved taking instructions from the client and attempting to replicate their requests in contract form.

Broadly speaking, the Projects team is involved in major infrastructure and construction works (in many firms this practice area is called Construction and Infrastructure). For example, in order to build a city skyscraper, a major underground tunnel or a new public space, contracts between key stakeholders (including the government, developers and builders) need to be negotiated, written and executed. The Projects team will therefore be tasked with negotiating and preparing a wide range of contracts for any given infrastructure project. The types of infrastructure projects will vary across industries, meaning lawyers are given the chance to work on a variety of interesting projects across sectors such as energy, water, transport and government projects (often through Public-Private Partnerships). It should also be noted that my clerkship was with a ‘front-end’ Projects team, which meant that I was mainly involved in the negotiating and drafting of contracts. However, many firms have both ‘frontend’ and ‘back-end’ Projects teams, which means that lawyers (and clerks) may also be involved in ‘back-end’ construction disputes. This could include, for example, preparing for arbitration (or litigation) over a delay in construction works.

Overall, I would thoroughly recommend the Projects team to anyone wishing the undertake a clerkship. One of the key selling points of the Projects team, which I can absolutely agree with, is that you get to work on tangible matters. If you are someone who enjoys seeing the physical results of their work, then I’m sure that working on the latest city skyscraper or major road will be a good fit for you. Furthermore, if you are someone who enjoys combining their legal skills with their commercial acumen, then the Projects team (or any ‘front-end’ team for that matter) is something that you will likely enjoy. This is because the work that you do must take into account the commercial reality of the situation, especially when dealing with cutting edge infrastructure projects. I hope that this has given you some clarity about the sort of work the Projects team does. All the best for the application process!

Written by ANDREW HARRIS

One of the highlights of my clerkship experience was the breath of work I was able to undertake as part of the Projects team. For example, I was involved in reviewing

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

PREMIER SPONSOR FIRMS

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inclusion and diversity strategy is supported by an Inclusion and Diversity Council, chaired by our Managing Partner. This council provides sponsorship, role-modelling and drives initiatives across our firm.

1. What does the Allens clerkship application process entail? As part of the online application process you will need to provide us with a copy of: • • • •

Your resume A cover letter Academic transcript Other supporting documents, such as your visa if applicable.

3. What opportunities are there to complete pro bono work or special interest projects during the Allens clerkship or graduate program? Pro bono work is a valued part of life at Allens. We encourage all our lawyers to get involved in pro bono work and most of our juniors do work. We work closely with the Homeless Persons Legal Service (HPLS), provide assistance for asylum seekers, work on indigenous justice projects and RACs (refugee Advice and casework service).

Our recruitment process involves: • An online application – uploading the above documentation. • Rare – an optional recruitment survey that gathers your educational, socioeconomic and personal information to provide us with a more complete picture of your background, understanding your achievements and any challenges that you may have overcome. • Assessment – strengths based online assessment. • Allens Insider Access – event with our lawyers • One interview in Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth, and two interviews in Sydney. • Second event pre-offer (Sydney only).

4. How has Allens adapted to the global challenges posed by COVID-19? Allens embraced the challenges COVID presented to accelerate our efforts to make flexible working mainstream and enhance our culture of connection and support. Our staff received a working from home allowance (monitors, office chairs etc.) and secure laptops which can connect to the Allens network from anywhere.

You will be allocated a junior lawyer as your buddy throughout the recruitment process.

Our people are well set up to work from home if they wish, or in the office. Those changes are enhancing people’s experience, supporting greater balance and wellbeing, and we are moving forward with a hybrid work model that takes those benefits forward.

2. What makes an application stand out to Allens? We’re proud that there isn’t an ‘Allens’ type’. We know that diverse perspectives help solve complex problems, strengthen teams and enrich client relationships. The more you enjoy working with a diverse range of people, the greater your success will be. While we celebrate our differences, it’s important to understand what unites us, and for us, that’s our firm values. These help us to succeed as a team and individually: • • • • •

In it together Eyes on the horizon Courageous and creative Driven by excellence Fostering greatness

Building a culture of inclusion ensures our people can reach their full potential. For us, this starts with strong leadership. Our

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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.

CLERKSHIP PROGRAM A clerkship at Allens is the first step in a rewarding legal career, and will give you invaluable insights into our work and culture. With support from a buddy and development supervisor, you’ll work on real matters for real clients and be involved in a variety of projects. The programs: run from three to 10 weeks;

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.

are available at our Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth

and Sydney offices;

feature ongoing support, including a buddy system; and include exposure to one or two practice groups.

GRADUATE PROGRAM

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 each rotation, you’ll gain a depth of experience that comes from seeing matters through to the end, and get exposure to stimulating legal challenges. At Allens, we don’t work in silos, meaning you won’t be limited to working with only one partner or by your practice areas. You’ll work alongside a range of partners and lawyers, giving you exposure to a wide variety of tasks. Working with different teams and leading organisations, you’ll grow a solid skills base and develop the agility needed to thrive in our ever‑changing world. The programs include: two 12‑month rotations in your areas of interest;

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.

secondment options in London or Asia, via our alliance

with Linklaters;

ongoing supervision, coaching and mentoring;

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?

completing a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice

(via Allens Academy); and

a 12‑month weekly legal seminar series

(Cornerstone Program).

Find out more at graduates.allens.com.au Allens is an independent partnership operating in alliance with Linklaters LLP.

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in which we work, and the application of the law in practice. A support network of supervising partner, lawyer and buddy are also provided and are fundamental to your on-the-job learning, as well as providing informal and formal feedback.

1. What does the Ashurst clerkship program entail? The Ashurst Seasonal clerkship consists of two rotations over summer. The work undertaken by clerks is varied and depends on the team you are in. Tasks include case law research, drafting legal expertise updates, note-taking during meetings and contract review. There will also be opportunities to be involved in attending court, drafting advice to clients, client secondments and accompanying lawyers to a pro bono clinic.

4. What opportunities are there to complete pro bono work or special interest projects during the Ashurst clerkship or graduate program? Social Impact at Ashurst encompasses our community involvement, place-to-work and environmental initiatives. Pro bono is considered a stand-alone legal practice and we regard pro bono legal work as an integral part of our professional responsibility. Both the Social Impact program and pro bono practice are led by a fulltime partner.

2. What skills do students need to demonstrate to be a clerk at Ashurst? There’s absolutely no Ashurst “type”. We want to actively involve a broad range of minds with a broad range of backgrounds, all united by a common set of strengths: • A passion to develop a career in an elite international law firm • Outstanding communication skills • Analytical ability, motivation, determination and drive • Commercial awareness • Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills

We recognise that lawyers have a moral obligation and a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those who would otherwise be without. At Ashurst we actively support you to give and develop your legal skill through our pro bono practice. You quickly get involved by supporting communities experiencing marginalisation and disadvantage, and the organisations that have taken up their cause.

3. What skills do clerks gain from completing a clerkship at Ashurst? Through a blended approach to learning, you will know what we expect from you from day one. Our training programs are designed to support you on your journey, allowing you the opportunity to take responsibility and produce the quality work our clients expect. We focus on teaching essential aspects of key areas in which the firm practices, to ensure you have a holistic view of the legal markets

Our global pro bono practice has a number of priority areas including: Citizenship & Global Displacement; Climate Crises & Resilience; Death Row & the Criminal Justice System; Financial Inclusion & Social Finance; First Nations Peoples; Gender Rights; LGBTI+ Rights; Modern Slavery; and Rural, Regional & Remote Australians.

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assessment we use during our selection process and completion of all games is mandatory. Failure to complete all games will result in your application not being reviewed or considered.

1. What does the Clayton Utz clerkship program entail? If you’re a law student in your penultimate year, our Clerkship Program 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. Our Clerkship Programs are our future pipeline for the Graduate Program. They are designed to give you a feel for what it’s like to be a Graduate and they are a great place to start your career. There is no set routine and allocated work will largely depend on the practice group and its specific needs at the time. However, some common responsibilities include: research, writing clients memos/letters, attending client meetings and court with lawyers, pro bono work, liaising with internal colleagues and assisting with the preparation of matters for hearings.

3)An invitation to complete a short Rare Recruitment survey You will be invited to participate in a short Rare Recruitment survey. This survey is not mandatory and you will not be marked down whether you choose to participate or not. Further details on the Rare contextual recruitment system can be found under ‘Rare Recruitment’ below. Please note this survey will ask for information from your time in high school, including grades, so try to have this ready. Once applications close, we will review all candidates. We’ll tell you the outcome of your application within four weeks of the closing date. If you’re shortlisted, you’ll progress to the interview stage and successful candidates will be made an offer. 3. What does a day in the life of a Clayton Utz clerk look like?

2. What does the Clayton Utz clerkship application process entail?

There is no set routine and allocated work will depend largely on the practice group and its specific needs at the time. However, some common responsibilities include: • Research; • Writing clients memos/letters; • Attending client meetings with lawyers; • Attending court with lawyers; • Pro bono work; • Liaising with internal colleagues; and • Assisting with the preparation of matters for hearings.

Applications for our legal programs are done via our online application form which can be accessed on our clerkship programs page. 1) Online application form Our online application consists of a few screens gathering basic information about your education, work experience, extra curricular activities and other achievements. You will have the option to upload your resume to assist with making the application process quicker (and strongly recommend you do so) as the system will transfer general information from your resume into the relevant screens, and therefore mean you only have to check it has transferred accurately and fill in any blanks. In addition to the basic information, you will need to upload your most recent academic results. We do not require a cover letter, however, we do ask a series of short questions in lieu of the cover letter.

4. What makes an application stand out to Clayton Utz? We’re looking for people who are personable, practical, commercially-savvy, as well as flexible. Our lawyers undertake complex and innovative legal work, so it’s important that our clerks and graduates are motivated individuals who aren’t afraid of a challenge. We are also interested in learning more about your outside interests. You need to be able to balance your professional and personal lives, and have fun! Most importantly, we are looking for people we’d enjoy working alongside. We want clerks and graduates who embody the firm’s behavioural values of trust, respect and co-operation and our foundation value of highest ethical standards in all that they do.

Once you submit this part of the application, you will receive an email, with instructions on how to complete the remaining two items: 2) An invitation to complete a Psychometric Assessment via pymetrics You will also be asked to complete a Psychometric Assessment via our assessment partner, pymetrics. This is the only online 29

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

STAY TRUE.

Isla Tobin Clayton Utz Graduate, 2019

MY ROTATIONS

Staying true to your direction is what defines Clayton Utz.

My first few weeks were filled with learning more about Clayton Utz and meeting my fellow graduate cohort. After our orientation, I started my first rotation in the Public Sector team where I also had the opportunity to gain some experience in the Major Projects and Construction team, who work on some of the largest transport developments in Australia. I really enjoyed the reward of seeing the real-world application of our work in action all around me.

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 Isla has to say about her experience at Clayton Utz.

WHY CLAYTON UTZ? When deciding where I wanted to apply for clerkships, I was initially attracted to Clayton Utz because of the firm’s involvement in high-profile, exciting legal work. While that aspect particularly appealed to me, my experience during the recruitment process also gave me an appreciation of what a supportive and inclusive workplace Clayton Utz is.

After six months, I began my second rotation in the Workplace Relations, Employment and Safety team. I found the people-oriented nature of the work to be fascinating. During this rotation, I spent time on secondment at Canberra Community Law, which was a challenging but highly fulfilling experience. Clayton Utz takes justifiable pride in its Pro Bono practice, and as well as providing opportunities for lawyers to perform day-to-day pro bono work, the firm is also very supportive of longer-term opportunities, such as secondments.

From the very first day of my clerkship, the Clayton Utz team made every effort to ensure that I was having the best possible experience - and that continued when I started as a graduate in March 2019. I’ve not only had the support of my fellow lawyers, but also the support staff and People and Development team, who all work hard to ensure that our professional and personal needs are being met.

claytonutz.com/graduates

I am currently undertaking my third and final rotation in the Public Sector team, focusing on litigation and disputes work. My role involves a variety of court and tribunal-related work, as well as assistance with an ongoing Royal Commission, privacy impact assessments and general legal research. Soon I will have the opportunity to appear at a tribunal hearing on my own for the first time. I am very excited and looking forward to it! 30

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

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 • the chance to participate in our Community Connect and Pro Bono programs and really give back

• a buddy who’ll give you the inside information

• 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.

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Practical Legal Training Australian Capital Territory

‘I worked full time during my PLT, but the juggle wasn’t hard. I received continual feedback on my work to bring it to the highest standard. This gave me a head start at work whenever I was faced with tricky tasks.’ Kiarah Grace Kelly Collaborative Family Lawyer Graduate of the Practical Legal Training Program

Learn more at collaw.edu.au/PLT 32

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

Heading

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No face-to-face attendance

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15 weeks full-time or 30 weeks part-time study options

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Access to one-on-one appointments with a careers adviser

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15 days or 75 days work experience options - or online alternative

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Preferred provider to 5 of Australia’s biggest 6 law firms

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As a graduate lawyer, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to pro bono matters. We perform around 20,000 hours of pro bono and volunteer work each year, helping those who need it most. Corrs specifically provides pro bono legal services for disadvantaged individuals who might not otherwise have access to legal representation.

What does Corrs’ clerkship application process entail? 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.

We are the principal legal partner for the United Nations Refugee Agency in Australia. Other organisations we work with and support as part of our pro bono and community program include Hagar Australia, Justice Connect, The Salvation Army, The Big Issue, Very Special Kids, Oxfam and more. In Sydney, our work with Justice Connect and the Homeless Persons Legal Clinics (HPLS) we run in Newtown and Bondi Beach sees graduates helping people facing disadvantage who are ineligible for legal aid and cannot afford a lawyer. As a clerk you will have the opportunity to shadow our graduates at HPLS.

What is a special feature of Corrs’ culture? 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 topperforming teams.

What skills do students need to demonstrate to be a clerk at Corrs?

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.

We look for graduates who can make a positive contribution to the firm and help us in delivering legal excellence and outstanding client service. In exchange for your energy and commitment we’ll provide extraordinary learning and work opportunities here and internationally.

What opportunities are there to complete pro bono work or special interest projects during Corrs’ clerkship or graduate program?

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.

As a clerk you will also undertake a pro bono project for the duration of the summer which you will present to one of our pro-bono clients as a cohort.

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2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

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Candidates who are invited to our one on one partner interviews will also be asked to complete an online assessment.

1. What does the HSF clerkship program entail? As a clerk you will:

3. What makes an application stand out to HSF? Applications that stand out are the ones that personalise their applications to Herbert Smith Freehills. They are able to articulate why they are interested in commercial law and why they are specifically applying to our firm.

• Rotate through two different practice areas and assist our teams with delivering real work for key clients. You will also assist with research tasks, draft documents and client communication and attend client meetings and court hearings; • Attend workshops and presentations covering all our practice areas, legal skills, D&I and Pro Bono initiatives; • Have the opportunity to participate in Pro Bono and firm culture initiatives through our Diversity Networks (LGBTI, Ability, Multicultural, Gender Equity Matters, and Veterans Networks); • Contribute to ongoing innovation projects through our Innovation Lab Program; • Network with Solicitors and Partners from across the national firm.

Your application is about taking us through a narrative; what experiences have driven your developing skills and interest in commercial law? 5. Does HSF have any structures in place to promote women, LGBTIQA*+, neurodivergent, and/ or ATSI individuals? We have a range of global networks focused on supporting the LGBTI community, cultural diversity, mental health and wellbeing, and gender equity. Gender diversity is a critical component of our firm’s past, present and future and we are proud that Herbert Smith Freehills was the first major Australian law firm to appoint a female-identifying partner.

2. What does the HSF clerkship application process entail? Our application process includes a written application (cover letter, CV, updated academic transcript and a few short answer questions about your interest in Herbert Smith Freehills and commercial law more generally).

We also have public targets in relation to women in partnership and leadership positions, ensuring we have a full and robust pipeline of female talent.

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TOP TIPS WE ARE LOOKING FOR INDIVIDUALS 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. If you are invited to a first round interview, we will also ask you to complete our online psychometric assessment beforehand. There are no right or wrong answers to the questions – your responses simply provide insight into where your likely strengths lie.

PERSONALISE YOUR APPLICATION Tailor your application by conducting thorough research. Our brochure, website and social media channels are good places to start. You can then think about what stands out about us. The more you learn about us, our values and our areas of expertise, the more helpful it will be for your application: this proactive approach will demonstrate your motivation.

REMEMBER, IT'S A TWO WAY PROCESS Meet us at events, online and get to know our people. Think about who you will be meeting in advance and what you would like to ask them. Our lawyers can give you a real insight into who we are, what we do and how we do it. This is your chance to get to know us in a more informal environment and find out whether we are right for you.

LINK EXPERIENCE TO LAW When talking about your experience, explain how the skills you have gained are relevant to a career in law – and to Herbert Smith Freehills specifically. Consider the way we work and the skills and abilities we look for to deliver high-quality services to our clients.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR INDIVIDUALS 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.

SHOW YOUR POTENTIAL 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.

CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK Before you apply, don’t forget to double-check your application for typos.

HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM

HOW TO APPLY You can apply online by visiting careers.herbertsmithfreehills.com/au/grads Tell us about your academic credentials, the skills you have gained from extra-curricular activities and work experience, and why you have the motivation and potential to become a great Herbert Smith Freehills lawyer. 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’re committed to working with all candidates to enable them to demonstrate their potential throughout our process. If you have any disability-related queries or would like to have a conversation with our team about adjustments, please contact your local Recruitment Contact.

Contact: Rachel Kok Graduate Recruitment Adviser T +61 2 9225 5054 GraduatesSydney@hsf.com

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

360° THINKING ABOUT US With over 25 offices spanning Asia, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle east, we can show you exactly what a world class commercial law firm has to offer, giving you the chance to work as part of an international team, on high-profile matters, for some of the most significant organisations in the market. Our focus is on the future: the future needs of existing and new clients, the future of the legal profession and investing in our future lawyers. That’s why we aim to attract the best talent from a broad range of backgrounds, ensuring we are optimising our position as a progressive, forward thinking professional services business. At Herbert Smith Freehills, you’ll be given the opportunity to develop the skills you need to help solve our clients’ most complex challenges in thoughtful and innovative ways.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

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 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. 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. 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

We're looking for those who see things differently, the kind of people who bring new ideas and create innovative opportunities for our clients.

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.

CLERKSHIP PROGRAM

We select many of our graduates through our vacation clerkships. During this immersive experience, you’ll receive hands-on practical experience, actively contributing, 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 • Attend workshops and presentations covering all our practice areas • Contribute to our pro bono practice

JOINING US

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.

KEY DATES/DEADLINES SYDNEY Positions

30 - 35

Clerkship programs

1 Summer

Applications for all 2021/22 programs open

Tuesday 8 June 2021

Applications for all 2021/22 programs close

Wednesday 14 July 2021

Offers made

Thursday 16 September 2021

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.

• Work with cutting edge technology through our innovation projects • Networking opportunities to meet people across the firm

Contacts Rachel Kok Graduate Recruitment Adviser T +61 2 9225 5054 GraduatesSydney@hsf.com

HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

Get

moving with

PLT

at Leo Cussen.

Flexible course options - Our course, your way.

Be Inspired Be Mentored

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

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Virtual Internships Experience what it’s like to be a lawyer. 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.

Criminal Law

Free Self-paced Add to your CV

The virtual internships are free, entirely online, and accessible to everyone. Complete the tasks in your own time (with no deadlines) and add the experience to your CV!

Human Rights Law

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MAJOR SPONSOR FIRMS

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2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

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.

1. What does the Gilbert + Tobin (Sydney) clerkship application process entail? Complete the online application form and attach your cover letter, resume and academic transcripts. If your application progresses to the next stage, you’ll receive an email link to complete an online ability test.

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.

Following testing, successful applicants will be invited via email to participate in a video interview, which you can complete via your PC or any mobile device, anywhere you feel comfortable. There’s no preparation required for these and no right or wrong answers!

3. What skills do clerks gain from completing a clerkship at G+T? Through our customised in-house training, you’ll cover topics such as research, analysis, drafting, developing technical skills, interpersonal effectiveness, teamwork, business development and client orientation. Working directly with partners and lawyers you’ll develop invaluable skills and knowledge and gain first-hand experience of our various practice groups.

Upon successful completion of the video interview stage, candidates will be invited to participate in an assessment centre in August. This comprises of an interview with a partner and a lawyer, an individual exercise and a group activity. You’ll also have an opportunity to network with a selection of lawyers, graduates and former summer clerks.

Understanding the mechanics of legal practice through research, drafting memos, attending court and meeting clients will all help to build your confidence.

Second round interviews take place in September with another partner in one of your practice areas of interest. You’ll also meet a representative from the HR team and have a coffee catch up with your buddy. Prior to your second interview we’ll ask you to complete the online Occupational Profile Questionnaire, a quick test which identifies your preferred working style and behaviours within a workplace context.

4. What skills do students need to demonstrate to be a clerk at G+T? We look for applications which reflect a candidate’s ambition, determination and entrepreneurial spirit; qualities we believe it takes to succeed both at G+T and to meet the challenges of the future of law.

Lastly, there are networking functions either side of the selection process, so you have plenty of opportunity to gain a better feel for G+T and help decide if this is the firm for you.

We look for a range of skills you may have obtained from a variety of sources, not just limited to your work experience. These include skills such as commerciality; problem solving; teamwork; and resilience.

2. What is a special feature of the Gilbert + Tobin firm culture? As a young and independent firm we’re not

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

ARE YOU READY TO BE BOLD? There’s never been a better time to be part of Gilbert + Tobin. From day one, our flat structure allows you to take ownership of challenging work and cutting-edge projects. Work directly with partners and team leaders – nobody is too important to take time to explain things clearly, or give a helping hand. Our open and welcoming culture underpins our continued success in Australian corporate law. Through our pro bono practice, we are actively making a difference, every single day. If you’re comfortable being challenged, as well as challenging us on the way we think and operate – you’ll fit right in. We’re not worried about you being you. We’re counting on it.

gtlaw.com.au/careers 47

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

in a wide variety of tasks including drafting transactional documentation, conducting research, writing advices and learning about the mechanics of closing a deal.

What is a special feature of the Jones Day firm culture? Jones Day, Sydney offers a summer clerk experience that is different to other major law firms. Jones Day distinguishes itself by: • giving clerks exposure to a broad range of domestic as well as regional and international work; • offering clerks the combination of a friendly and dynamic office environment supported by established resources of a large global law firm; and • ensuring that a clerk’s contribution to the Firm is real from day one as clerks work directly with associates and partners.

You will also have the benefit of training sessions and seminars that provide you with insight into the practical ‘nuts and bolts’ of legal practice, as well as the substantive legal work that we do at Jones Day. Throughout your clerkship, you have the opportunity to participate in specific clerk functions, sporting activities as well as numerous social functions available to all staff members. We want you to finish your summer clerkship with an accurate picture of what being a Jones Day lawyer is like.

What skills do students need to demonstrate to be a clerk at Jones Day? We are looking for exceptional and independent individuals with strong analytical and communication skills. Apart from strong academic achievements, it is important to demonstrate an ability to deal effectively with people in a professional environment.

What opportunities are there to complete pro bono work or special interest projects during the Jones Day clerkship or graduate program? Through our “One Firm Worldwide” ethos, Jones Day’s Sydney Office participates in the Firm’s global pro bono initiatives which often involve high profile issues of international importance.

You should be flexible and creative in your approach to work, and be able to work cooperatively and responsibly in a teamwork setting.

We also participate in domestic initiatives to contribute to the local community and all clerks are given the opportunity to get fully involved in both global and domestic work.

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.

See: https://www.jonesday.com/en/firm/ pro-bono?tab=global-initiatives-dd709b660e5d-4897-abc4-4c75dbe92231

What does a day in the life of a Jones Day clerk look like? At Jones Day’s Sydney Office we offer our clerks real work for real clients, to provide you with opportunities from day one to learn what the practice of law is about. You will work with graduates, associates and partners

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

Working at Jones Day… One Firm WorldwideSM 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 commitment to, and the seamless collaboration of, a true partnership; 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 Law yers Group, which allows new associates to gain exposure to different practice areas and lawyering styles at the Firm before making a commitment to as pecific-practice.

We provide extensive training through the New Lawyers program. Each November, we 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 Summer Clerkship Program We run a summer clerkship program at Jones Day across our offices in Australia that offers selected positions to talented students who are at their penultimate year at university. We give our summer clerks real work for real clients, to provide them an opportunity to learn what the practice of law at a large firm is all about. Providing challenging assignments also allows us to assess summer clerks’ potential to deliver first-rate legal services and to flourish in Jones Day’s culture. We aim for summer clerks to be become future graduates of the Firm.

A Culture of Client Service and Collaboration Jones Day’s commitment to client service means our lawyers 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 recognize 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.

Applications must be made online. Please visit us at www.jonesdaycareers.com/australia. 49

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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.

1. What does the Maddocks clerkship program 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.

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.

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.

4. What opportunities are there to complete pro bono work or special interest projects during the Maddocks clerkship? What distinguishes Maddocks is the di versity 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.

2. 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; • Conducting legal research and drafting memorandums on novel points of law; • Assist in the drafting of submissions; • Drafting affidavits and other court documents; • Attending tribunals, Supreme Court and assisting with the required preparation; • Writing eAlerts and other articles; and • 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.

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 work with each other, for our clients and improve by empowering our people to create ideas and drive change.

3. What is a special feature of the Maddocks firm culture? A firm’s culture describes how things are done and 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 50

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

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.

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

What specific qualities does your firm look for in a potential Clerk?

What training and development opportunities does your firm offer?

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.

The graduate program gives you the opportunity to rotate through multiple practice groups. You will gain practical experience in different areas of the law which are of interest to you. We boast one of the largest service offerings, providing you with the opportunity to rotate through various transactional, advisory and litigious practice groups.

What are some interesting cases that your firm has worked on?

Our structured development program includes: • the MinterEllison Practical Legal Training program in partnership with the College of Law • ongoing technical legal skills sessions to ensure you develop your technical excellence • a strengths based program focusing on developing behaviours, such as business acumen and communication styles.

Our work with clients delivers real impact. In a fast-paced, fast-changing business environment, our focus on building authentic and enduring relationships across industries and sectors enabled us to help our clients embrace the opportunities and navigate the challenges in the market. • Some recent work for the firm includes: • Advising Klarna, one of Europe’s largest banks, on its ‘buy now, pay later’ joint venture with CBA, which increased its equity stake to US$300m. • We are a strategic adviser to SingTel Optus on its joint venture with Vodafone for the rollout of the 5G network. • MinterEllison’s Commonwealth Government team has been the longterm legal advisers to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) on the environmentally critical Douglas Shoal Remediation Project.

When you start your career with us, you receive tailored learning in both technical and commercial skills such as client interaction, business development and interpersonal dynamics. Our program provides everything you’ll need to build a successful, long-term legal career.

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Your future. Your choice. Choose to make an impact. Never underestimate the power in you to make an impact

It’s your path Our program ensures you have the development you need, when you need it. It’s this flexibility that provides our graduates with many opportunities to learn on the job, while being constantly supported by lawyers and partners who want you to succeed.

MinterEllison clerks and graduates become well-rounded, technically excellent lawyers who help to solve some of our clients’ most complex challenges. But we also empower you to be so much more.

By the end of your graduate rotations, you’ll have an extensive network within and outside of the firm. You’ll have experienced transaction, litigation and advisory work and you’ll be supported when deciding where to settle.

Joining us is just the beginning You’ll gain exposure to a wide variety of business areas, skills, teams and challenges, helping you to understand where your strengths and interests lie. You’ll be given exciting and challenging opportunities and responsibilities, because we want you to be more than just a technically excellent lawyer. We want you to create lasting impacts.

“The biggest impact I want to have as a lawyer is working with our clients to deliver a solution that not only meets their goals now, but also creates long-term, meaningful impacts for the future.”

Joining us for your clerkship is only the beginning. You’ll accelerate your legal and business acumen by working alongside highperforming partners, lawyers and professionals in a diverse, collaborative and innovative environment. You’ll have access to an awardwinning learning and development program, and we will provide you with career building opportunities designed to guide you on your best career path.

Emily Hill Lawyer 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

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

1. What does the K&L Gates clerkship program entail?

3. What is a special feature of the K&L Gates firm culture?

At K&L Gates you will participate in a comprehensive program to learn important skills which lay the foundations for a successful legal career. This program has been designed to develop your legal knowledge and business skills, as well as to give you a broader insight into various practice areas. You will work closely with partners, senior associates and have the support of a junior lawyer or graduate 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 to have fun!

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 thrive in an inclusive and socially conscious environment that embraces our diversity and takes a holistic approach to the career evolution of all our professionals, an approach that ultimately enables us to serve clients more effectively. We are nimble and ambitious with a high level of integrity, resolve, and strength of character. We also value the importance of laughing with clients, colleagues, or friends. We genuinely enjoy working with each other and for our clients.

2. What does the K&L Gates clerkship application process entail? 4. What skills do students need to demonstrate to be a clerk at K&L Gates ?

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.

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.

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!).

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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.

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

our domestic and global network to meet the needs of our clients as those needs evolve. We realise results through a culture of collaboration, innovation, high performance and engagement.

1. What skills do clerks gain from completing a clerkship at KWM? Our clerkships give you a clear picture of what it’s like to be a lawyer at KWM. You’ll get to know our people, the way we like to work, our culture, practice areas, clients and more.

3. What skills do students need to demonstrate to be a clerk at KWM?

During a clerkship at KWM, you’ll learn: • The operational “nuts and bolts” – our technology, real-world financial systems, research and support resources, firm policies, procedures and the structure and approach of the firm itself. • The day-to-day skills to get you started – taking instructions, meeting with clients, drafting memos/documents, managing your practice and professional relationships. • Our core practice teams – who they are, what they do, how they’re structured, the clients they work for, and of course, your role within them. • Our culture – you’ll be exposed to (and encouraged) to get actively involved in the many activities and events that define KWM. • Our people – you’ll find that people from every part of the business will help you along, sharing their knowledge, and ensuring you have everything you need to succeed.

We are looking for clerks who are keen to get involved, ask questions, share their thoughts and ideas, build connections and be a team player. It is our responsibility as a firm to ensure that you feel comfortable bringing your whole self to work. 4. How has KWM adapted to the global challenges posed by COVID-19? One of the biggest challenges has been, and continues to be, the level of uncertainty –from a health, wellbeing and economic perspective. It is still unclear whether Australia will be materially impacted by a second or subsequent wave prior to a successfully implemented vaccine program or what the full impact of the pandemic will be on the broader economy and the legal market in Australia and around the world. COVID-19 has been the world’s largest ‘working from home experiment’ and has presented a once-in-a-generation opportunity for businesses to embed a culture that truly values and encourages flexibility and autonomy. A

2. How do you assess whether potential clerks will fit into the KWM firm culture? KWM recruits agile, client centric and ambitious people with a global, dare to grow mindset. We understand that technical excellence is only one facet of a successful lawyer. We believe in team work and the ‘Power of Together’. We are not a collection of siloed practices but work closely across

s a firm we agreed to make a symbolic commitment to intentionally retaining the positives we have experienced during the initial COVID shutdown period, and this came to life through our firm-wide initiative ‘Reimaging our Future.’

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Clerkship Profile careers.kwm.com/en/graduates-australia

LUCY PITTAR

LAW CLERK KING & WOOD MALLESONS SUMMER CLERK INTAKE: 2019/20 AREAS OF ROTATION: Projects & Real Estate and Mergers & Acquisitions UNIVERSITY: Australian National University DEGREE: Bachelor of Laws (Hons) / Bachelor of Arts THE APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW PROCESS: The application process confirmed to me that KWM was the firm I wanted to work at! The interviewers were friendly and welcoming, and the interview style was relaxed and conversational – this put me at ease and showed me the positive culture at KWM. The firm also held an ‘Inside a Deal’ evening, which gave me a concrete example of the kind of work I might be involved in at the Canberra KWM office. This helped me see myself working at KWM. The whole process also allowed me to meet lots of my future colleagues, which I really enjoyed – I knew I would love working in such a friendly and supportive office! THE CULTURE: KWM has a lovely culture. Everyone has been so welcoming and supportive, from the very start of the interview process, all the way through to the end of my summer clerkship. Everyone was always happy to answer my questions and to support me in trying new things. The firm is very social, and there were plenty of opportunities to get to know people at morning teas and over firmwide lunches every Wednesday!

THE WORK:

THE SOCIAL LIFE:

I was really interested in and engaged by the work that I was given as a summer clerk. I worked on a range of projects and particularly enjoyed being involved in putting legal advices together. This was challenging at times, but I was given plenty of support in attempting new things and really relished the opportunity to hone my legal skills. In Projects & Real Estate (P&RE), I attended meetings with clients, drafted leases and reviewed legal documents to ensure they protected our clients’ interests. In Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), I read over contracts and researched case law and legislation to provide advice to some of KWM’s major clients about their legal rights and obligations.

There were a lot of social events over the summer, which were a great way to get to know the other people at the firm. We had the annual firm Christmas party at Pialligo Estate, which was a beautiful venue. I also attended events with the Canberra Innovation Network and the Property Council of Australia during my summer clerkship. Everyone is very social and I had lunch with different people from the office almost every day!

THE SUPPORT: We received a lot of thorough and useful training at the start of the clerkship. All clerks were also paired with buddies in their practice groups, who were great contact points for questions (and coffee). The office is full of friendly and approachable lawyers who were always happy to answer my questions. PRO BONO AND COMMUNITY: KWM places a lot of value in their pro bono work, and there are often opportunities to get involved in pro bono matters. The summer clerks from Canberra and Sydney worked on the ‘ChangeChallenge’, where we got to design a solution to a real-world problem for CARE Australia, one of KWM’s pro bono clients. This was a great experience, which allowed us to apply design thinking principles to a real-world problem, and get feedback on the solution we devised. It was really rewarding work! 57

WHY I CHOSE KING & WOOD MALLESONS: I chose KWM because I knew that the training and resources would be world-class. I was also impressed by KWM’s international presence as one of the leading firms in Asia, and by the opportunities to work at one of KWM’s Asian offices as a graduate. Finally, I genuinely liked the people I met during my interview process – and it is so important to have a positive relationship with the people you work with.

MY CLERKSHIP VS. MYEXPECTATIONS: I thought that clerks would be given very ‘cushy’ work, like simple administrative tasks and not much in the way of legal work. Instead, I was really excited to be given challenging tasks on a range of matters, and to be able to see the real-world consequences of the work that I put together. I was also really impressed with how thorough our training was, and I learnt a lot! WHO WOULD I RECOMMEND A KWM CLERKSHIP TO: I would recommend KWM to people who are motivated to take on new and challenging work. KWM is also a great fit for people who are friendly, personable and hardworking!

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

GENERAL FIRM SPONSORS

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BORN GLOBAL At Baker McKenzie we are different in the way we think, work and behave. Like no other law firm, we were born global. 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 Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. In Australia, we act for leading multinational and domestic companies on market leading local and global transactions. Founded in 1949, Baker McKenzie is one of the world’s largest law firms by markets, revenue and headcount. We offer our clients and lawyers the uncompromising commitment to excellence expected of a leading firm and a distinctive way of thinking, working and behaving as a passionately global and genuinely collaborative firm. We understand the challenges of the global economy because we have been a global law firm from the start.

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, the Summer Clerkship Program runs from late November to early February each year during which Clerks complete two practice group rotations. 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 senior lawyer and 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. We work with each Graduate to create a tailored development plan and career goals. To help you reach your goals, we provide targeted learning opportunities — from seminars on core legal topics to practical skills development in areas such as communication, drafting and presenting. We work hard to facilitate on-the-job learning and the many ways it happens — through informal mentoring relationships, client secondments, involving Graduates in global teams working on international deals and in managing their own files for our award-winning 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.

Our regional practice group structure means many of our lawyers attend regional training in our Asia Pacific offices. Once Graduates complete their Graduate Program, they will attend a regional orientation program with other mid-level Associates from the Asia Pacific region. The Firm also offers opportunities for lawyers at varying stages of their careers to work directly for clients or with our other offices globally.

What does the Firm look for?

Baker McKenzie looks for people who genuinely want to work with us and who understand Baker McKenzie's unique offering, values and position in the market. We look for well-rounded, motivated individuals who share our global perspective; who are intellectually curious and have sound academics; who display business acumen and are practical in their approach; who enjoy a challenge and seek new opportunities; who take responsibility and use their initiative; who act with integrity and honesty in all of their dealings, decisions and actions; who express themselves confidently while staying open to new ideas; who strive to provide excellent service to their clients; who seek a friendly, diverse, and inclusive culture; and who take seriously our role in making a difference to our local and global communities.

Thrive in a culture of inclusion

Quality and excellence along with team work, integrity and responsiveness are central in delivering outstanding service to our clients, as you would expect in a top tier law firm. The values that make us a unique and great place to work are deeply embedded and you will notice our difference in all of your interactions with us, in Australia and across the globe. We are passionately global, and leverage our global expertise for our clients. We strive to stay ahead of the curve and encourage entrepreneurship.

We actively encourage and support contribution to the community, through our pro bono and community service programs. We want everyone at Baker McKenzie to reach their potential so we invest in global, regional and local world-class development and mobility programs for our people. Our award-winning diversity strategy, initiatives and programs are focused in six areas: BakerWomen – gender equality and supporting the progression of women BakerDNA – ethnic, indigenous and cultural diversity BakerBalance – supporting carers and parents, and workplace flexibility BakerPride – lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex diversity BakerIndigenousEngagement – commitment to engagement with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community BakerWellbeing – commitment to mental health and wellbeing.

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 8 June 2021 and close at 11.59 pm on 4 July 2021. Angelique Holden Talent Management Consultant +61 2 8922 5596 angelique.holden@bakermckenzie.com

We have a strong culture of friendship and collaborative working style. We are commercial pragmatists who simplify issues for clients.

Our key areas of practice     

Banking & Finance Capital Markets Commercial Real Estate Construction Dispute Resolution

 Employment  Energy, Resources and Infrastructure  Environmental Markets

 Financial Services & Structured Transactions  Insolvency  Intellectual Property  Media

   

Mergers & Acquisitions Private Equity Tax Technology & Communications

www.bakermckenzie.com/careers/Australia Baker & McKenzie, an Australian Partnership, is a member firm of Baker & McKenzie International.

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

GET TO KNOW US What areas of law do we practice?

When should students apply?

Across our two Australian offices, Perth and Sydney, we advise clients on their most complex matters in areas including Corporate, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Antitrust & Competition and Global Financial Markets.

You can apply between these dates. Sydney: 8 March 2021 – 14 May 2021 Perth: 13 July 2021 – 2 August 2021

What kind of work can a clerk expect to do?

Why are we different? Our teams work across borders, languages and jurisdictions and share insights and expertise to achieve our clients’ commercial goals.

Our clerkship program is designed to provide you with a real insight into a legal career at Clifford Chance in Australia. Throughout the program, you will work alongside all levels of lawyers, including partners, while you assist with real-time matters.

Secondly, we’re pioneers and work on many ‘first-of-akind’ deals.

You will have two rotations which allow you to experience two different practice areas.

Finally, it’s the nature of our people - highly professional and self-assured, with an entrepreneurial streak. We embrace our culture of learning and collaboration.

Throughout the clerkship you will hear from various practice areas across the region which helps you develop a comprehensive understanding of life at a leading international law firm.

CLERKSHIP PROGRAM Who is eligible for clerkships? Students must be at least in their penultimate year and are available to participate in the 2023 Graduate Program.

GRADUATE PROGRAM Do we make graduate offers to the open market, or just through clerkships?

When are our clerkship programs held?

Graduate offers are primarily made from our clerkship program. However, we also consider applications from students who have not participated in our clerkship program.

Sydney: 28 June 2021 – 16 July 2021

Perth: June to July 2022

How many clerks do we take? Sydney: 4 – 6

How many graduate jobs do we offer?

Perth: 4 – 6

Sydney: 4 – 6 Perth: 2 – 4

To submit your application, scan the QR code below.

Enquiries Melissa Urquhart

Grads.Australia@CliffordChance.com

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

Your career. Your choice. ACCELERATE YOUR CAREER

A BIT ABOUT YOU

will not be held back. Our lawyers take

looking for graduates who have not only excelled academically, but have great communication skills, thrive in a collaborative environment and want to deliver legal advice that will propel clients forward.

If you are enthusiastic, driven to succeed and want to

own structured and bespoke professional development program. There are no barriers to your success with us.

HOW DO I APPLY?

GO YOUR OWN WAY

academic transcript via cvMail. You can address this to Renee Patu, our Professional Development Advisor.

Our business model is different to other the quality of their legal work and client experience. That means you won’t be under pressure to meet billing targets. You will compete with your adversaries, not your peers.

LET’S CHAT Renee Patu, Professional Development Advisor on email renee.patu@jws.com.au or phone 02 8247 9653. To learn more about our programs, visit our website: www.jws.com.au/careers

IT’S A VIBE THING What truly sets us apart is our people. We pride ourselves on being down to earth, approachable, but always high performing. Our ethos is: “we’re in it together” and it’s what we live by.

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

Create Yourself When it comes to creating a fulfilling career, it’s the little things that matter. The opportunity to grow, the flexibility to be yourself and the impact you create. Explore new possibilities and create your career, together with PwC. We’ll help you thrive, just as you are, regardless of your background or degree. Discover you, at pwc.com.au/careers

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

Reach your potential

Join a major Australian law firm. Starting your legal career at Thomson Geer will not only offer you real, hands-on experience across a wide variety of commercial disciplines and industry sectors, it will also instil in you an ethical code to serve you throughout your working life.

We’re ready for you

Are you ready for us?

With over 560 people, including 126 partners across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, we’re one of Australia’s 10 largest law firms and its 5th largest independent one.

We’re looking for hard-working and motivated law students who have excelled academically, are customer focused, commercially minded, work well in a team environment and are ready to commence their career with a major law firm.

We offer a flexible, friendly and professionally We are especially keen to talk to students who have, or are working towards a second degree in technical stimulating environment that puts both our fields, such as commerce, engineering and science. trusting client relationships and our staff’s wellbeing and development at the forefront.

How to apply

From day one, you’ll be an active participant in the team, involved in all aspects of legal Applications open 8 June 2021 via cvMail or practice, and working directly with experienced our website. practitioners.

tglaw.com.au Thomson Geer @ThomsonGeer

Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Perth | Adelaide 63 tglaw.com.au

Nina is a change navigator

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

When you’re playing futsal, you attune to a pace that’s fast. Fast and critical thinking as part of a team comes naturally to Nina. Currently on our graduate program, she’s putting her speed of thought to good use on secondment, walking – or running – in the shoes of our client. We’re providing the next generation of lawyers like Nina with the knowledge, skills and understanding to help our clients achieve their goals on the global stage – always staying one step ahead of the competition. We don’t simply adapt to change. We thrive on it. Law around the world nortonrosefulbright.com

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

2021 CLERKSHIP GUIDE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS P remier S ponsors

M ajor S ponsors

G eneral S ponsors

ANU LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

My Clerkship Experience Julian, Seasonal Clerk

Studied: Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of PPE, ANU Rotations: Transport & Infrastructure and Dispute Resolution 1. WHY ASHURST

What drew me to Ashurst at first was its standing in the legal sector – particularly its top-of-the-line government practice, international network of clients and reputation for innovating. But when I tell people about Ashurst today, the first thing I mention is the culture – the fact that every person I spoke to at Ashurst was incredibly friendly, that I never felt like there was a question too dumb to ask and never felt intimidated in the slightest by anyone working there. I mention the fact that the firm has a clear culture of building its people up – I knew from day one that the firm would work to turn me from a fledgling clerk into an experienced and skilled lawyer, and that my friendly coworkers would support me every step of the way.

2. YOUR WORK AS A CLERK

My work as a clerk was always varied and interesting, varying widely in scope. Tasks ranged from compiling chronologies for complex disputes to working with more senior lawyers on drafting urgent legal advice; from preparing documents for negotiations to researching international case law to assist a partner. My research and writing skills improved incredibly quickly, and it was very satisfying knowing that the work I was doing wasn’t just academic – it was going to help a client on an important matter. Most importantly, whenever I didn’t know how to do something, there was always someone to ask – and they were always ready and willing to help.

3. SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE CLERKSHIP

The most direct relationships you’ll have as an Ashurst Canberra clerk are with your clerk cohort and your buddies. Your clerk cohort will become very tight-knit very fast, and you’ll quickly find yourselves relying on one another and working as a team, trading skills and tips. Your buddies, similarly, will give you the basic rundown on everything you need to know – and be there to teach you however you need. But there’s no shortage of opportunities to socialise with the wider team – whether grabbing coffee, chatting at the Christmas party or attending Friday Night Drinks, I felt welcomed by every person I spoke to.

4. CAREER DEVELOPMENT AT ASHURST

From the second our induction in Sydney started to the last day of our clerkships, Ashurst demonstrated a real commitment to building up the skills of every clerk. First and foremost, the clerks had regular training sessions – legal research, writing, how to work in teams, and the opportunity to attend continuing legal education seminars run by industry-leading lawyers on their areas of expertise. But just as important was the day-to-day training – the feedback received on research memos and written reports, the conversations with my grad buddies and supervising lawyers about what I can do better, were absolutely instrumental to preparing me for real legal work.

5. ASHURST IN THE COMMUNITY

Ashurst made very clear to clerks that pro bono work was taken exactly as seriously as billable work, and every lawyer I spoke to – from grad to partner – clearly dedicated real time and energy to their pro bono work. As clerks, we had the opportunity to develop innovative legal solutions for major community organisations, and were provided with full support from senior lawyers to achieve the best possible outcome for those organisations.

6. APPLICATION TIPS

Make sure you highlight your life experiences and interests in your application. Good grades are important, but you’ll spend the lion’s share of your interview talking about what life experiences you’ve had and how you think they’ll help you at Ashurst. Plus, they’re a big help in starting up a conversation with your interviewers and getting to know more about them!

7. Who Should Apply

Anyone who’s interested in working at the upper echelon of law in a friendly and supportive environment. If you’re the kind of person who likes a variety of work, is passionate about the law and wants to go home every day a better lawyer than when you woke up, Ashurst is the right place for you. I’d particularly recommend Ashurst’s Canberra office for anyone who wants to work in private practice while also being interested by government work.

careers.ashurst.com