Australian Government Solicitor Careers Guide 2019 by ANU Law Students' Society

CAREERS GUIDE 2019 THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY LAW STUDENTSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; SOCIETY

www.ags.gov.au

CONTENTS Editor’s Note

President’s Welcome

Applications 101

ANU GDLP

The College of Law

Public Law

Australian Government Solicitor

Community Legal Centres

Working in Courts

Criminal and Family Law

International Law

Legal Academia

Private law

Ashurst LLP

Clayton Utz

King & Wood Mallesons

Minter Ellison

Allens Linklaters

Clifford Chance

Gilbert + Tobin

Jones Day

Herbert Smith Freehills

Acknowledgements

Published by ANU Law Students’ Society’s exclusive printing partner

All images included are royalty free or are produced with permission from the author

ANU

EDITOR’S NOTE Dear ANU Law Students,

Please refer to the useful links pages at the end of each section for additional information. If there are any

On behalf of the Australian National University Law

questions regarding this guide, please feel free to email

Students’ Society, we would like to welcome you to the

us at lsscareers@anu.edu.au. We wish you all the best

2019 edition of the Australian Government Solicitors

on your career journey.

Careers Guide.

This year we strived towards providing an insightful and wide-spanning guide covering numerous career opportunities open to all law students both during and post your law degree. This year’s addition of Criminal Law, Family Law, and Legal Academia is indicative of the plethora of sub-sectors within the legal profession. We hope that it inspires you to consider pathways you may never have thought existed, or affirms your motivation to enter into a desired path. There are diverse opportunities available to us from the beginning of our degrees to not only define our career paths but also to help us develop, perfect and expand our skills. This guide presents contributions from a variety of students and graduates, identifying that there is career opportunities at each stage of your degree. We encourage you to challenge yourselves and remember that there are

Thanaya Naidu (2019 ANU LSS Vice President Careers)

numerous ways to achieving your goals!

Michelle Wang and Johnathan Grech (Careers Directors)

Foremost we would like to express our sincere appreciation for our sponsors without whom this guide would not have been possible. Your continued support allows us to provide an increasingly comprehensive guide

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this publication

each year and connect with an impressive number of

do not necessarily reflect those of the editors or the

law students.

Australian National University Law Students’ Society. Best efforts have been made to ensure all information

We are also extremely grateful to our contributors for so kindly sharing their experiences and testimonials. Your guidance has been nothing short of invaluable and inspiring, and we wholeheartedly thank you for

in this publication is correct as at February 2019 but is subject to change without notice. This information is merely advisory and should not be relied upon as being professional advice. This publication is distributed free of charge with the understanding that the authors, edi-

giving back to the ANU Law community. We hope that

tors and any persons related to this publication are not

your advice provides ANU Law Students with a pro-

responsible for the results of their actions or omissions

found idea of how their degrees and university experi-

on the basis of any information provided in this publica-

ence will lead them into incredible futures.

tion.

LSS

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME Welcome to the 2019 Careers Guide, proudly support-

Finally, to you, good luck! I hope that this Guide con-

ed by Australian Government Solicitor.

tinues to instil the belief that you can have a career in whatever field and whatever firm you want. One

I would firstly like to thank the Careers portfolio for all

undeniable fact that I’ve learnt this year is that a law

of their hard work in preparing an outstanding Careers

degree from the ANU is highly valued. Remember that

Guide. I would also like to thank all of our Sponsors

and be proud of the fact that you are studying at one of

for their continued support of the ANU Law Students’

the country’s best law schools. The options ahead are

Society.

endless!

I am absolutely thrilled with the quality of the Guide

All the best,

that has been put together this year and cannot wait for you to read it. This year’s guide continues to push

Rocky Lagudi

boundaries, highlighting an even more expansive array

President

of career options than ever before. With this in mind, I

ANU Law Students Society

am confident that the 2019 Careers Guide will prove a

lss@anu.edu.au

valuable resource for helping you determine your future career path and providing you with a variety of job application tools.

This Guide showcases only a mere few of the fantastic opportunities available to ANU Law students and graduates, both within Australia and the broader international landscape. Use this Guide as a foundation to help you consider your options, prepare for the job application process and seek out more information on a particular firm or field. We hope that you find the information inside useful!

Beyond publications, the LSS has an array of very exciting Careers events ahead. I strongly encourage you to attend them, whether that be our flagship Clerkship Information Evening (which is set to have more firms in attendance than ever before), or the variety of workshops and skills events yet to come. Use these events to your advantage, to get an indication of the type of environment you want to work in and the skills you need to get there.

A P P L I C AT I O N S 101

Applying for internships, clerkships and graduate roles can be an exciting process for those entering a new phase of their legal careers. Yet, the process can often be intimidating and stressful. The following section attempts to break down some of the steps within the application process to provide fresh perspective on securing the ideal position. Additionally, there is information and advice on preparing yourself for the application process.

When applying for any role it is important to plan ahead to ensure that you have adequate time to research the role and organisation, prepare for any assessment centres and practice for interviews. This is particularly important for clerkship or graduate application periods when the applications for different roles close at the same time.

ANU

‘SELLING YOURSELF’ IN YOUR COVER LETTER By Anwesha Sinha A 5th year Arts/Law student who is current working at the Tenants Union ACT.

A cover letter is a “get to know me” on paper. Let your

Remember cover letters are not only to let the em-

personality shine through your writing. It’s the best

ployers know why you are the ideal candidate for the

place to highlight and expand on the exciting things

position but also to let them know what the position

you’ve done that are overlooked on your resume.

does for you. That is, how does the position benefit you

Explain how your experiences in a professional and

and what you hope to gain from working with the com-

non-professional environment have provided you with

pany. Show initiative. Subtly, but surely, let them know

the skills necessary to effectively perform in the posi-

that you’ve done your research by talking about the

tion you are applying for.

whole range of opportunities the company can provide for your professional development and what makes you

Don’t panic if you have little to no professional expe-

want to work with them.

rience starting out. Everyone starts from nothing. My trick was to always talk about my passion for the po-

The last thing is to put effort into your cover letter.

sition that I was applying for. Admittedly, this is easier

It sets you apart so make sure it is specific to ev-

with positions that you actually want rather than those

ery position that you apply for. It is tedious, it can be

that you are just hoping to get for the sake of experi-

overwhelming and definitely is time consuming, but a

ence, but a little effort at the start goes a long way in

cover letter is important and don’t let anyone tell you

the future.

otherwise. You might be shortlisted from the first dozen application simply on your resume, but they might

A lot of job advertisements nowadays provide a criteria

shortlist again for who they want to interview- that’s

that they want you to address in your covering letter.

when your cover letter plays a pivotal role.

The best way to make sure you’ve covered everything, or at least as many as you possibly can, is to check items off as you write. As difficult and uncomfortable it might be to write in first person or to brag about your8

self, it definitely pays off.

LSS

SAMPLE COVER LETTER This material was kindly provided by ANU Careers Frank Ashbury 27 Appleby Rd Chapman ACT 2611 041234567 frank.ashbury@gmail.com

Mr James Smith, Graduate Recruitment Manager ABC Bank 210 Bourke St Sydney NSW 2001

16 April 2017

Dear Mr Smith,

After speaking to Jason Williams at the Tertiary to Work careers fair in Canberra last week, I wish to apply for a graduate position in the investment banking stream with ABC Bank. My interest in investment banking has grown over the last several years, particularly after my summer internship experience at WeInvest last year.

I am currently in my final year of a B. Commerce/B. Laws degree at Australian National University (ANU) and I hold a distinction average. I have been an active member of the Finance and Banking Society (FINSOC) at ANU and the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) for the past two years.

I developed strong analytical skills through my research into the deregulation of East-Asia’s financial sector in the past five years. I enhanced my strong communication skills as a volunteer guide at the National Museum and my teamwork skills in my part-time retail assistant role at David Jones. My organisational skills have been further developed in my position as paralegal with the commercial law firm Smith & Partners. I enjoy playing rugby and as a rugby coach for under 14s, I used initiative and my problem-solving ability in running local competitions.

ABC Bank’s global outlook and recent expansion into East-Asian markets appeal to both my legal and commerce backgrounds. I would enjoy contributing to ABC Bank’s growth in deregulated markets overseas, as well as in the domestic sector. I would also welcome the opportunity to learn from experienced staff in the mentoring program within ABC Bank’s graduate program.

Thank you for your time in this matter. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my application further with you and can be contacted on 0412 345 678.

Yours sincerely, Frank Ashbury frank.ashbury@mail.com

ANU

CREATING A STRONG AND ENGAGING RESUME By Lucy Bannon A fourth year Arts/Law student who has public and private legal sector experience and studied at Harvard University and The Hague Academy of International Law.

First and foremost – the headshot! Indulge in a profes-

Is it concise?

sional headshot so that you are not recycling a cropped

Make your resume aesthetically pleasing to ease the

photo of your 21st on your LinkedIn profile.

job of HR who are churning through hundreds of resumes. This can be achieved through writing concisely,

These are some key questions to ask yourself as you

avoid cluttering the space, maximising line spacing, us-

create your resume.

ing a professional font in size 11 or 12 and manipulating formatting to make your headings stand out whilst ad-

Is the information relevant?

hering to a maximum length of two pages. Remember

Your resume should include a number of essential

to always list the content from most to least relevant.

categories: 1.

Your personal details your name, address, email,

Is it customised to the role and firm?

phone number, and LinkedIn URL.

This is two-step process. First tailor your resume to the

2. Education, importantly your tertiary studies and expected graduation date. 3. Employment history is the most pertinent to

role description by relating your accomplishments to the required characteristics. Secondly, tailor your resume to the firm itself. Seek out their recent work, areas

potential employers. In this section be specific and

of practice, corporate values, and specialities of the

avoid using generalised descriptions. Prioritise your

relevant partners. Most of this information will be easily

accomplishments and the skills you adopted rather

accessible online. Demonstrate that you have taken the

than menial tasks you completed. Remember the

time and effort to learn about your potential employers.

phrase ‘results over responsibilities’. If you have legal experience it should come first. 4. Be creative and personalise your interests and additional achievements. 5. At the foot of your resume should be your refer-

Is it grammatically correct? Finally, take the time to ensure that your resume is well-formatted, concise and grammatically correct. After you feel you have satisfied this step ask a friend to

ences, include names and contacts to make every-

repeat the process. This is a simple task that if over-

thing available to your employer on first instance.

looked can prove fatal to the success of your application.

SAMPLE RESUME This material was kindly provided by ANU Careers Frank Ashbury 27 Appleby Rd Chapman ACT 2611 0412 345 678 frank.ashbury@gmail.com OBJECTIVE Driven and energetic, I am seeking to start my career in investment banking by using my strong communication and problem-solving skills and further developing my leadership skills in a graduate position with a leading multinational investment bank. EDUCATION 2016 – expected completion 2019 Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Commerce, Australian National University, Distinction average. 2017 Semester Exchange to University of Amsterdam 2015 Narrabundah College, ACT. ATAR: 98.2 SKILLS SUMMARY Communication •

Developed strong oral communication skills through my role as Community Volunteer with Oxfam Australia, presenting Oxfam’s work at community groups and schools, tailoring my language to different audiences.

•

Further developed written communication skills by drafting legal documents in my work as paralegal with Smith and Partners.

[Continue skills summary below] PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE March 2015 – present Paralegal, Smith & Partners, commercial law firm, ACT •

Drafting legal documents

•

Trial preparation, including interviewing clients

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE Mar 2017 – present Committee member, Finance & Banking Society (FINSOC) – ANU Branch •

Contribute to regular committee meetings and decision making on terms of reference and priorities and FINSOC events

[Continue experience below] VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE 2017 – present Learning Community Ambassador, Global Challenges Learning Community OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS 2016 ANU College of Business & Economics Undergraduate Merit Award PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS 2016 – present Student member, Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) REFEREES Sam Smith, Partner Supervisor Smith & Partners, Commercial law firm

02 6123 4567

Tracey Johnson, Finance Analyst Supervisor ACT WeInvest Pty. Ltd. 02 6123 7890

ANU

INTERVIEW TIPS By Jodie Newall A recent ANU graduate and a solicitor at Mills Oakley.

Be yourself. An organisation should be looking

If you require something from a role such as

for individuals, not replicas out of a mould. If they are

flexible working arrangements, do not be afraid to ask

taking the ‘cookie cutter’ approach to hiring, ask your-

for it. Remember that you will never get something if

self whether you really want to work there.

you do not ask for it.

Stand out from the crowd by avoiding clichés

If you have not heard back from the organisa-

and regurgitating buzz words as they do not demon-

tion within a reasonable period after the interview you

strate independent thinking.

can enquire politely, but acting arrogant or as if you’ve

already got the role does not make a good impression.

Do not be late, but do not be very early either!

If you get to the interview location more than five min-

It’s ok to be nervous!

utes before your scheduled interview, find somewhere nearby to chill– most interviewers are busy people and often have numerous meetings and commitments

In general when applying for jobs do not feel like you

scheduled.

need to have a career planned out during or straight

after university. In fact, be prepared to run with it and

Do not undersell yourself or the research you

have done. Be prepared to ask questions and set out

see where you end up. If anyone asked me when I was

what you want to gain from the position. That shows

studying, whether, I would find the areas that I have

that you’ve engaged with the information available on

worked in interesting, engaging or part of my career

the role and organisation.

plan, I would have said no. Every single role and prac-

tice area I have worked in has been fabulous for my de-

Find yourself a mentor or someone who has

worked in a similar role, so that they can give you

velopment as a lawyer and I’m so glad I took up those

advice and help you think of questions and issues that

opportunities. It can be easy to decide that working in

might arise in an interview.

a certain area or role would be out of your comfort zone and therefore not attempt it but, it is important to cease every opportunity. You will never know what happens if you do not.

LSS

SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Some of this material has been kindly provided by ANU Careers

Interviews are largely used to determine whether you will fit into the culture of a company and assess why you want to work there and what you want to get out of the role.

Types of interviews There are different types of interviews, the most common being one-on-one, group interviews (involving multiple candidates) and panel interviews (involving one candidate and more than one interviewer). Clerkship and graduate application processes can often involve a combination of interviews types, each of which contain a variety of questions.

Types of questions

General questions These are predominately used to gain a better understanding of your personality, career aspirations and why you would fit within the organisation and role.

Examples 1.

Where do you see yourself in three to five years?

What are looking to gain from this role/organisation?

What is the biggest challenge you think you will face in this role?

4. How do you deal with making mistakes or not achieving a goal? 5. How do you deal with stressful situations? 6. What motivates you?

Situational/hypothetical These questions allow the employer to assess at your ability to analyse a problem, think quickly and provide practical solutions to a problem. The employer is also interested in the reasoning process that you go through in tackling the hypothetical scenario.

Sector knowledge You may need to demonstrate your level of knowledge about a technical issue relevant to the role or industry. Ensure that you are up-to-date and aware of key issues. It can be useful to understand a problem or situation from different perspectives and be able to contrast and analyse different opinions. When researching, try and identify the firm’s perspective.

Asking questions It is essential that you prepare questions in advance of the interview to ask the employer, as this is a great opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge, skills and enthusiasm for the job. Some questions may even come to mind while you’re at the interview. Your questions should reflect your knowledge of the position as well as the organisation. Do not ask questions that can easily be answered by looking at the employer’s website. Instead, take the opportunity to demonstrate that you have done your research. 13

ANU

MAKING NETWORKING WORK FOR YOU By Julia Breiger A 5th year Arts/Law student who has extensive private sector paralegal experience.

Networking may seem daunting, but realising what

If you think you’re better bouncing off other people and

networking techniques work for you is the key to using

talking in a group, go to as many networking events as

it effectively. Personally, I’ve never gotten a job directly

you can, and bring friends who can make it seem less

from a networking event and am not aware of anyone

intimidating.

who has. Networking events are designed to help you get to I got my first job in a law firm by asking the director to

know other law students, lawyers and firms. They can

meet for coffee. I didn’t expect to come out of it with

be a great way to figure out what jobs are available and

a job, and certainly I was not overwhelmingly impres-

get an idea of different firms’ ethos and work culture.

sive because, I barely remembered saying more than

It’s also a way to build networks with students and

two words. I knew that I would stand out better one on

colleagues who may help you get a job. Even if you

one than when I was fighting to speak to a partner at

do not feel like you stand out to potential employers,

a networking event, and I got lucky that this partner I

networking events serve other purposes and some can

emailed was willing to meet me for coffee to mentor

be useful.

me. Remember there are opportunities to network in our Making networking work for you is the easiest way of

daily lives. At university we are surrounded by well-con-

making it seem not like networking. If you feel more

nected, experienced people, whether it is a lecturer,

comfortable talking to someone one on one, connect

someone you meet at the library or a judge at an LSS

to people in an industry who you admire or would like

competition. It is important to foster the relationships

to work with via email or LinkedIn and ask to meet them

you build with like-minded people as you never know

for coffee. This way you can get a chance to know them

when they may be useful.

without having to fight to get noticed.

LSS

CHOOSING EXTRACURRICULARS AMONGST A PLETHORA OF OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE As ANU students we are fortunate to have a variety of extracurricular opportunities available to us. Yet many find that there is an inherent pressure to boast an impressive list of extracurricular activities, maintain a good GPA, work, have a social life etc. One of the challenges many students face is choosing what extracurricular activities to participate in.

Key tips: 1.

Engage in activities which will bolster your legal, leadership and communication skills but be conscious to balance this with something that you are only doing for personal reasons even if it is going for a run or doing yoga.

Choose activities which will expand upon the skills you already have.

Push yourself to try something which is out of your comfort zone.

4. Do everything in moderation, while it is great to demonstrate to an employer you can manage numerous responsibilities, it is important to know your boundaries.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF A JD STUDENT By Rhiannon Oats A final year JD student. There is always going to be someone who has done more, my top tip is find what works for you.

Soccer The PARSA 6 A Side Competition runs all year round on Sunday afternoons at Willows. Everyone forms a nice small community and it is a great way to meet new people. The teams are mixed and the environment is inclusive of all skill levels. My advice - make sure you have plenty of subs! P.S. You don’t need to be a PARSA member to join this competition.

Negotiations I did novice negotiations and was a semi-finalist. Given the practical skills I gained - I can’t recommend it highly enough. Most legal disputes are settled by negotiations, so of course it pays to have some experience in that area. The judges are practicing lawyers who have extensive expertise and provide excellent feedback. It’s a great opportunity to practice your skills in trying to meet someone, find common ground and actually identify the right dialogue to achieve a resolution.

ANU

CHOOSING EXTRACURRICULARS CONTINUED RECOMMENDATIONS OF AN LLB STUDENT I started university with the best of intentions - that I was going to be the most committed member of those ten clubs I signed up to on Market Day, maintain a healthy lifestyle and get HD’s in every subject.As university began, I could feel my free time dwindling away.

As I’m sure you’ll hear many times - you get out of university what you put in. But heed my cautionary tale, don’t stretch yourself so thin you can only dip your toes into university life. I truly began to find balance at university when I prioritised the clubs I felt I could give the most to with my skills and time, and the ones that would reward me back. Personally, this began with the ANU Law Students Society - whilst this isn’t a plug, as a first year law student, this society gave me a lot of direction. It allowed me to meet new people (and start to see some familiar faces in my classes), have some friends that were interested in the same events, and learn relevant skills to my degree.

Extra-curricular activities are such an important part of university life, and open you up to a completely new avenue of people and opportunities. Nevertheless, it is subject to the balancing act we all try to perfect, as we begin to understand how we manage our time, and what truly makes us tick. Don’t be afraid to band up with a team of mates and try something completely new - whether it be a sport, hobby, or secret passion!

By Adelaide Bragias A 2nd year Criminology/Law student.

LSS

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING NEWS AWARE By Charles Light Charles is a recent ANU graduate who is currently a Tipstaff at the NSW Supreme Court.

Having an awareness of current political events and

stories in the headlines and asked prospective employ-

general news more broadly made applying for jobs

ers their opinion on the story. Whether it be the ALP’s

much easier. Personally, I found being aware of head-

proposed plan for changing the dividend imputation

lines made me more interested in the industries I was

system, understanding possible changes to negative

applying for, and reinforced my desire to work in that

gearing, the ongoing Royal Commission, or a recent

sphere. Numerous applications I completed specifical-

decision handed by the High Court – you can spin any

ly asked for current events and policy changes which

of these events into a question for an employer by

impacted their field, which highlighted the importance

asking how they believe this change will impact their

of remaining aware of developments wherever you

industry.

apply. In particular, if you are considering a future in the public service, having a basic understanding of the

Personally, the easiest way I found to be across news

breakdown of Parliament and the balance of power is

events was by downloading the ABC News app and

important.

reading the politics, business and current events section each day. Stories published by the ABC often have

A top tip for an interview would be to research any

a “key points” section which breaks down a news story

current pieces of legislation before Parliament that are

into three points, so if you’re lazy like me, you can still

relevant to the Department you are applying for. For

get across the news! Staying up to date is a really easy

example, it you are applying for the Department of So-

way to impress a potential employer during an inter-

cial Services, check if there are any social services bills

view, as it shows that you are well read, have initiative

before Parliament. Research if there are any amend-

and understand the broader context of society.

ments, what minor parties are saying about the bill, and the chances of the bill actually passing in Parliament. In the private sector, I have no doubt similar knowledge would be invaluable in an interview.

At the end of an interview, you will always be asked if you have any questions. I always relied upon current

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PUBLIC L AW The Australian Federal public sector and the State and Territory governments offer a diverse range of opportunities for ANU law graduates. Being positioned in Canberra, ANU students have the opportunity to work or volunteer in a public sector role during their degree. There are no concrete career paths for graduates to follow in public law, rather numerous paths to enter and flexibility to move between roles, departments and organisations. Positively working in the APS provides job security, excellent benefit schemes and promotes a healthy work-life balance.

A great advantage of the public sector is the opportunity to find and develop solutions to fundamental problems of justice, social policy and fairness. With this can often come great reward and a personal sense of satisfaction. Many of the roles presented in this chapter involve engagement with a broad spectrum of the community with whom ANU law students may normally not have the opportunity to meet.

LSS

ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT Application top tip! Keep up to date with opportunities by speaking to representatives at careers fairs and looking online. Not all paths to the same career begin through the graduate program, and applying for summer internships or the Temporary Employment Register may also take you to interesting roles in unexpected ways!

By Zareen Qayyum. A parelagel in the Mutual Assistance and Extradition Section and the Private International Law and Commercial Policy Unit What attracted you to this role and what does it

the law school. This meant that from early on in

entail?

my degree, I was aware of the opportunities that

During law school, I always wanted a taste of

the Attorney-General’s Department offered and

work outside of corporate law and the oppor-

what a job there would entail.

tunity to not only apply the law but also change it. The Attorney-General’s Department offered

One of the ways ANU directed me towards the

this in its policy-making roles. In my roles at the

Attorney-General’s Department was my partici-

Attorney-General’s Department I have done both

pation in a number of international law electives

casework in the Mutual Assistance and Extradition

I took at university, including the International

section, and policy work in the Private Interna-

Organisations course in Geneva. I met internation-

tional Law and Commercial Policy section. The

al law practitioners and like-minded students who

policy work I have completed includes research-

inspired me to seek a non-traditional career with

ing for briefing packs to the Hague Conference on

my law degree.

Private International Law and drafting memorandums about foreign bankruptcy policy.

How did you find this role? I entered my first role at the Attorney-General’s

How has ANU helped you to get to where you

Department after applying to the Temporary Em-

are?

ployment Register and waiting for many months

ANU’s location in Canberra uniquely shapes the

until I was called for an interview in a sporadic

opportunities available to students here because

hiring round. Once my contract at the Mutual As-

they can explore a variety of paths through ca-

sistance and Extradition section finished, I moved

reers fairs that advertise public service graduate

to the Private International Law Section – a role I

programs. We also have access to academics that

entered after making it known to my colleagues

may have a foot in the public sector and speakers

that I was passionate about working at the De-

from that sector who regularly attend events at

partment and about international law.

ANU

WORKING AS A PARALEGAL AT ACT GOVERNMENT SOLICITORS Application top tip! When applying for any role, I always think it is better to find the name and email address of the top HR manager or firm partner and send an email directly to them. This reduces the amount of internal work required at a firm to get your application to the people who can actually make a decision on what to do with them - ultimately increasing your chances of getting an interview.

By Tom Matz

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most

What personal qualities are required for success in

challenging aspect of your role?

your role?

The most rewarding aspect of my role is the opportuni-

Attention to detail and good organisational skills are the

ty to develop practical knowledge of the legal pro-

most important qualities required for my role. However,

fession, which is only possible when you work closely

it is also important to be a good communicator who is

alongside solicitors and counsel. The most challenging

not afraid to ask questions or receive criticism.

aspect of this role is the task of putting yourself in the head of the solicitor, with the goal of making their life as easy as possible through the work that you do.

What have you learnt from this role? As part of the litigation process, I have learnt how firms prepare for potential litigation by ensuring documents are ready to go when needed. I have also learnt the importance of pre-court communication, as well as how to best brief counsel to prepare for proceedings.

ABORIGINAL JUSTICE UNIT,

LSS

NORTHERN TERRITORY DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND JUSTICE By Lauren Skinner

Application top tip!

An Aurora Project

Don’t be afraid to let your personality come

intern.

through in personal statements and cover letters, employers are interested in who you are, rather than just your grades and accomplishments. They want to see how you will fit into their work environment. In particular, be clear and honest about why you want the role and what you hope to gain from it.

What does your role entail?

when I graduate and has also allowed me to make

The Aurora Project organises legal internship place-

strong contacts with potential future employers. If you

ments for university students and graduates in organ-

are at all interested in working with Indigenous Austra-

isations working with Indigenous peoples throughout

lians, I would highly recommend applying for an Aurora

Australia. I assisted in drafting the NT Aboriginal Justice

Internship. The options for organisations and locations

Agreement, which is an agreement between the NT

are extremely diverse and offer a perfect opportunity to

government and Indigenous communities in the Terri-

experience legal work firsthand.

tory. The agreement aims to reduce incarceration and recidivism rates of Indigenous Territorians; to encour-

What have you learnt from this role?

age Indigenous leadership; and to improve access

One of the best parts of this internship was having the

and navigation of Government services by Indigenous

opportunity to experience working in government and

Australians. I had the opportunity to visit two remote

to weigh-up the benefits of working in government

communities to conduct community consultations.

compared to a non-for-profit organisation. It was also important for me to get a taste of what working in this

What attracted you to this role?

area would be like, as the ongoing criminalisation and

I completed the elective ‘Indigenous Australians and

poor treatment of Indigenous Australians can be quite

the Law’ and found it both fascinating and horrifying. It

confronting and upsetting. I wasn’t sure whether it was

sparked my interest in working with Indigenous Austra-

something I could handle. While at times the work was

lians and the Aurora Project offered me the perfect op-

overwhelming, I found it extremely motivating to be

portunity to see what this area of the law would be like.

around people who were similarly driven to work to

While I wasn’t working directly with Indigenous clients,

improve justice outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

my internship gave me the opportunity to experience

I learnt a lot about the benefits of having a supportive

life in the Northern Territory and to get a feel for what

team of colleagues and was given a lot of support in

working in a government position in this area would

my role.

entail. This has provided me with more direction for

ANU

COMMONWEALTH OMBUDSMAN

Application top tip! Say yes to opportunities offered to you.

By Grace Dudley A Case Officer in Merits Review. What attracted you to this role?

This involves analysis of the case file, liaison with the

I was attracted to the Ombudsman due to its focus on

applicant and respondent in the matter which uses

assisting the community in its dealings with govern-

dispute resolution skills, and conducting legal research

ment. I also enjoyed Administrative Law at university

to draft reviewable decisions. In this kind of role, I have

and was lucky enough to be offered a position just

over time learnt how to trust my instincts, to think

after graduating. The role I was offered was a unique

strategically about my work, and to manage different

opportunity for me as it had varied legal, policy and

interests. Due to the small size of my team I have been

engagement opportunities which were focused on

able to work on project management skills and have

the early stages of implementing the Ombudsmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

learnt the importance of communicating clearly with

oversight role over the FOI Act in the ACT. In just over a

others to achieve the most effective results.

year I have been able to learn the work that goes into a project; from implementation before the FOI Act com-

This job equipped me with the skills required in the

menced to its present stage of full operation.

APS and in a range of professional jobs, such as conducting thorough research, writing briefs and reports,

Another chief reason I was initially attracted to stay the

managing your time, working within a team and with

Ombudsman was because I had developed a strong re-

senior employees, using effective communication skills,

lationship with my boss, who continues to be a mentor

and thinking strategically.

to me. I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by empowering, supportive people at work which is so

What advice would you give your university aged

important in the early stages of my career.

self? I would suggest that it is important to always be open

What have you learnt from this role?

to different opportunities. You may not know or expect

This role has taught me how to use my technical legal

which particular field your first job will be in, but if you

skills in the area of administrative and information law. I

are surrounded by supportive mentors and are given

manage merits review cases from beginning to end.

the chance to develop a broad range of skills, you can learn an immense amount.

LSS

ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS TRIBUNAL What does your role entail?

What personal qualities are required for success in

The AAT provides independent review of a wide range

your role?

of administrative decisions made by the Australian Gov-

Good communication skills;

ernment and some non-government bodies. It is similar

Ability to liaise effectively with registry clients,

to a court insofar as it hears parties to a dispute, but

including Tribunal members, other staff, parties to

dissimilar in so far as the AAT is tasked primarily with

applications and their representatives with sensitiv-

reviewing the merits of government decisions, whereas

ity, tact and awareness of different client needs;

courts consider the legality of those decisions.

Ability to develop productive relationships and work collaboratively in a team environment; and

My role as a Tribunal Assistant requires me to assist

4. Ability to acquire and maintain a general working

members of the AAT before, during and after hearings,

knowledge and an understanding of the functions,

and to assist in delivering registry and client services.

practices and procedures of the Tribunal.

On a typical day, I might be asked to:

•

Undertake hearing attendant duties;

•

Update the Tribunal’s computerised case management systems;

•

Conduct pre-hearing liaison with parties; and

•

Assist with the preparation of Tribunal orders, directions, decisions and reasons for decisions.

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most challenging aspect of your role? The most rewarding aspect of the role is the opportunity to observe matters progress from mere applications for review, to hearing, and to the final decision. Along the way, I have been able to further my understanding of how disputes are resolved, how parties interact with each other, and how hearings are conducted. The most challenging aspect was the steep learning curve, and thoroughness which is required of me as a representative of the AAT. There are a wide number of administrative tasks that need to be completed in order for the Tribunal to operate smoothly and efficiently. As such, I

By Sam Hagan

needed to learn what these tasks were, and be able to

A Tribunal Assistant.

action them correctly.

ANU

AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION By Matt Ryan A Policy Officer in the Reform and Competition Advocacy team.

Application top tip! Get a clear idea of the work the ACCC does before applying. Every government department and agency releases annual reports, and this is a great place to start.

What does your role entail?

At the ACCC you can work in really interesting areas

This role is broadly about considering and advocating

of corporate law - without the corporate hours and

for changes in the law to ensure the Australian econo-

burnout.

my is more competitive and consumers are better protected. Day-to-day, I draft submissions to government

Another attraction of the ACCC is the range of high pro-

reviews and committees, draft guidelines for business-

file work you can do. In the last year, for example, the

es to explain how recent changes in the law may affect

ACCC has assessed the Channel Nine/Fairfax merg-

their legal obligations, and conduct legal research.

er, investigated a cartel in the banking industry, and reported on the power of the digital platforms such as

During my grad year, I saw the diversity of the organ-

Facebook and Google.

isation, I helped investigate major Australian companies for breaching the Competition and Consumer

A third factor that made me apply for the ACCC was

Act, briefed senior staff to appear at Senate Estimates,

that I could work for the public good. The remit of the

drafted policy papers on a broad range of legal issues,

agency is to protect consumers and ensure that the

and assisted in assessing multi-billion dollar corporate

Australian economy works for everyone. It’s a nice

mergers.

coming home from work and knowing that you played a part in that.

What attracted you to this role? Something that attracted me to the ACCC was the

What advice would you give your university aged

work-life balance of the Australian Public Service. At

self?

the ACCC there is a really positive culture of having a

The advice for my university aged self would be to try

life outside of work. One example is that if you work

and see what’s out there in terms of a potential career.

more than your required 7.5 hours a day, you are able

There is a wide range of possible legal careers and

to claim the excess time as ‘flex’ which you can take

working at one of the big corporate firms is just one of

as leave. This means that if you’re working overtime

many.

consistently to meet a deadline, for example, you’re 26

rewarded with more time off.

LSS

AUSTRALIAN LAW REFORM COMMISSION, WORKING AS A LEGAL INTERN

Application top tip! I think that any work experience is good work experience. Many other interns at the ALRC had completed internships prior to this at the Aboriginal Legal Service, Legal Aid and Justice Reinvest.

By Darcy Jackman

What does your role entail?

reduce the number of Indigenous people in incarcer-

I worked on the Inquiry into the incarceration rates of

ation. I was also fortunate to be able to work closely

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people when the

with the Commissioner, Judge Matthew Myers, who

Commission began receiving submissions from various

has become a friend and mentor. He took a lot of time

government, non-government and private organisa-

during my internship to discuss my future and different

tions. I was allocated three chapters to work on: Alcohol

opportunities I may wish to consider post-graduation.

and Other Drugs, Women, and Police Accountability. I was assigned to the Commissioner of the Inquiry,

The most challenging aspect of the role was feeling

Judge Matthew Myers, and we worked closely together

overwhelmed by the content of the submissions. I often

to draft the three chapters for the final report. My role

felt like no law reform report was going to be able to

entailed going through every submission to the Inquiry

fix the complex problems facing Aboriginal and Torres

and drawing out information relevant to my assigned

Strait Islander people in the criminal justice system.

topics. I also conducted research using academic and non-academic articles and would sit-in on consulta-

What have you learnt from this role?

tion meetings with stakeholders. In the latter half of my

I learned that it was possible to combine my passion

internship I began to draft chapters for the final report

for social justice with a career in law. I really enjoyed

with the information I had collected.

my time at the Commission and it pushed me to find a position after I graduated from ANU law that allowed

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most

me to feel like I was positively contributing to my com-

challenging aspect of your role?

munity.

The most rewarding aspect of working as a legal intern at the ALRC was a sense that I was giving back to the community. While as an intern you are generally stuck at a computer, I think it was still clear that the work was important and that law reform was urgently needed to

USEFUL LINKS Attorney General’s Department/Australian Government Solicitors   https://www.ag.gov.au/About/Careers/Pages/default.aspx  https://www.ag.gov.au/About/Careers/Graduateprogram/Pages/default.aspx  https://www.ag.gov.au/About/Careers/Pages/Indigenousemploymentprograms.aspx

ACT Government Solicitor http://www.actgs.act.gov.au/careers_at_actgs

General Federal Department https://www.apsjobs.gov.au/ https://www.indigenouscareers.gov.au/

NAAJA  http://www.naaja.org.au/get-involved/careers/

Commonwealth Ombudsman https://www.ombudsman.gov.au/What-we-do/careers

Administrative Appeals Tribunal http://www.aat.gov.au/about-the-aat/working-at-the-aat

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission https://www.accc.gov.au/about-us/careers

Australian Law Reform Commission https://www.alrc.gov.au/about/careers

Australian Government Solicitor

Working at AGS can set you up for a

dynamic career in Australian law. We are unique among legal practices in Australia because we are a government agency set up to provide legal services to the Australian Government. Behind the scenes of almost every high-profile news item concerning the government and a legal issue, AGS is there. We believe we have the resources and expertise to perform this role in a way that no one else can – and we are the only practice with offices in each Australian capital city. You could start your legal career with us. We accept applications for graduate employment in February–April each year.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and graduates. Visit our website for free online publications – Legal Briefings, Commercial Notes, Litigation Notes and Express Law which provide updates on cases, legal developments and new legislation, results of judgments and appeals, as well as information on all the areas of law we specialise in. You can keep up-to-date with the latest legal publications, job opportunities, training and events by following us on Twitter.

@AGSgovLawyers

www.ags.gov.au

COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTERS Community legal centres are established and run by each state or territory, giving them the opportunity to focus on specific social issues of the state or territory. These centres are not-for-profit and are different from public, government run organisations and private firms. They form a third sector, which attempts to advance the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s access to justice, legal education and social welfare.

There are a diverse range of centres designed to tackle different issues or tailored to serve different sectors of the community. It is important to research what each centre aims to do and who can access their services before you apply. Completing the ANU Clinical Program or volunteering at one of the centres is an excellent way to gain an idea of the work they do and give back to the legal community.

Some of the Community Legal Centres have established graduate programs such as Legal Aid (NSW) or dedicated internship programs such as Legal Aid (NT), yet, most hire as needed and it is important to build networks in these organisations and look at relevant job boards.

LSS

CANBERRA COMMUNITY LAW What Does Canberra Community Law do?

who have fled from another state to find housing in

CCL provides advice and advocacy for Centrelink

Canberra or a person experiencing disability discrimi-

issues, Housing ACT and Disability Discrimination. It is

nation because a venue does not have disabled access.

also home to the Dhurrawang Aboriginal Human Rights

Helping those in need can be incredibly humbling and

program and provides a duty service at ACAT, where

feels pretty amazing when it goes right.

people who are facing eviction from Housing ACT can seek legal advice. I had the pleasure of shadowing two

In saying that, this can also be the most challenging

separate solicitors while working at CCL. This was fast-

aspect of the role. Interpersonal skills are absolutely

paced and exciting, as much of the time a duty lawyer

necessary. There have been times where I have had

has as little as half an hour to learn the facts of a situa-

someone crying on the end of the phone telling me

tion and represent that individual in the Tribunal.

about a quite distressing situation. This is rare, however, and I have only experienced it twice. If handling people

What did the Role Entail?

in emotionally intense situations is difficult for you, this

This is a great opportunity to experience what a law

internship may not be for you.

firm does daily. Day-to-day duties require running reception, and conducting general administration duties such as creating files, distributing and sending mail, scheduling and confirming client appointments, and data entry. You will be asked to conduct research for solicitors, sit in on the weekly CCL meeting and shadow the Duty Solicitor at ACAT.

A key role of an Admin Intern is to be the first point of contact for many seeking legal advice, and you can gain invaluable experience in being able to identify and synthesise the clients legal problem for the solicitors. All those years of applying HIRAC to problem questions finally comes in handy!

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most challenging aspect of your role? There is nothing more rewarding than being able to

By Sarah Monahan. An Admin Intern.

help someone. Interning at Canberra Community Law means that you are part of team that assist some of the most vulnerable people in Canberra. The matters CCL work on can be anything from domestic violence victims

ANU

YOUTH LAW CENTER Application top tip! When applying convey your passion for social justice, and highlight any of your relevant skills or experience.

By Zelie Appel Volunteering as a paralegal for the Youth Law Centre

However, these interviews were also incredibly reward-

was an eye-opening experience and a fantastic oppor-

ing and fun. For the most part, clients were humorous

tunity which I would strongly recommend to anyone

and very friendly. The facts of the cases were also

considering applying. It was the first time I began to

interesting and varied. One of the great things about

see my law degree as more than a series of abstract

YLC was the range of legal issues we were dealing

concepts and stressful assessments, and realised that

with. Because the Centre wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t confined to one area of

it is a practical tool which can be used to fight for social

practice, we were exposed to employment law, tenan-

equality.

cy law, family law, criminal law and consumer law.

What does the role entail?

What have you learned from the role?

As paralegals, each morning we would select cases to

The main takeaway was realising that I wanted to work

work on for the day. This could involve drafting letters

for Legal Aid in the future. I was truly inspired by the

of demand, performing legal research, checking for

team of solicitors working there, who were brilliant

conflicts of interest and contacting clients. We would

and dedicated to helping clients and to teaching us

also conduct client interviews and brief solicitors, who

as much as they could. However, the practical skills I

would then provide legal advice.

gained conducting interviews, performing legal research and working on files were really valuable. I

What was the most rewarding and/or challenging

found that by the end of the semester, I was asking

part of the role?

more directed questions in interviews as I learned the

For me, client interviews were both terrifying and very

more common legal issues and solutions, which meant

rewarding. I was very nervous going into these inter-

I was able to brief solicitors more efficiently. I also

views at first, unsure of how to address clients, what

became more confident speaking with and assisting

questions I should ask to draw out relevant facts or how

clients, which often required compassion and patience.

to brief solicitors concisely without missing information. Interviews could also be very confronting as clients coming to Legal Aid were at a crisis point, and often 32

facing extremely difficult circumstances.

LSS

EXPERIENCE AS A PARALEGAL AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDER’S OFFICE ACT By Anna McNee

Application top tip! Tailor your applications for the clinical programs to what each community legal centre does, and demonstrate your experience and genuine interest in the relevant area of law.

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most

What personal qualities are required for success in

challenging aspect of your role?

your role?

The most rewarding part of being a volunteer para-

There isn’t really a measure of whether you are a “suc-

legal at the EDO was working on a project which had

cessful” volunteer paralegal or not, but to make the

community-wide concerns and helping people who

most of the opportunity and give back to the commu-

didn’t have the financial capability to seek advice from

nity, I found that the following personal qualities are

a private law firm. Having said that, one of the most

useful and/or necessary:

challenging aspects of the role was working with the knowledge that sometimes people who genuinely

•

needed legal assistance had to be turned away from the centre because the EDO simply did not have the

Passion or interest in the area of law you are working in;

•

Willingness to do any task you are asked to do - it’s

people or resources to take on any further matters. This

not all legal research and brief writing (someone

experience definitely brought to light the underfunding

has to do the photocopying!);

and associated issues community legal centres face on

•

Having completed the Administrative Law subject;

a daily basis.

•

Strong written and oral communication skills; and

•

Ability to multitask and prioritise work.

What advice would you give your university aged self? Make the most of the internship and clinical program opportunities ANU offers - many students do not get the opportunity to undertake course-credited work placement as part of their degree, nor get exposed to the community legal centre environment. Make sure you balance out your life (and resume!) by participating in sports, student societies, and activities which you genuinely enjoy - academics isn’t always everything!

ANU

ABORIGINAL LEGAL SERVICE (NT) What does the organisation do?

might not immediately appeal to you, it can be an in-

The ALS is an Indigenous non-government organisation

credibly immersive and educational experience.

which provides legal representation, advice, culturally appropriate information and referrals for Indigenous

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most

Australians. These services are offered through criminal

challenging aspect of your role?

law, children’s care and protection law, family law and

The most rewarding aspect of the role is that you be-

civil law divisions. The ALS also provides research and

come aware of the many ways that social, cultural and

advice for law reform and policy development.

economic marginalisation creates undesirable interactions with the law, and how many Indigenous Aus-

What does your role entail?

tralians are affected by that. It can educate you about

Firstly, I provided labour, doing research or performing

the nuances of racial division in Australia, but still leave

administrative tasks. This is not as boring as it sounds;

you motivated to learn more and be more involved.

the environment is fast-paced and there is an awesome

The most challenging aspect of the role is flexibility.

sense of satisfaction in helping lawyers who are under

At certain points, there may be no work, followed by

resource constraints. The second aspect of my role

numerous strict deadlines.

was practical and had plenty of variety. From talking to clients to driving the lawyers or court officers around in course of their daily duties, learning about local social and cultural issues or even appearing for clients in the Magistrate’s Court for the more minor matters. If you are enthusiastic and can engage with the diverse range of stuff that come up, you are likely to be given more responsibility. The people at the ALS are inspired by seeing students take an active interest in their brand of social justice lawyering and will go out of their way to encourage any passion in it that you demonstrate.

An intern’s role will also vary between legal divisions and ALS branches. Some branches are accustomed to having interns and will know how to delegate tasks to you from your arrival, while others may require you to be initially proactive in asking for work and demonstrating your capacity. Providing the lawyers with feedback about what is and isn’t manageable is a really healthy thing for the organisation generally. The branches that are less familiar with volunteers might be more rural ones, and while volunteering at an outback branch

By Dave Ierace A volunteer paralegal at the ALS

LSS

LEGAL AID (ACT) What does your role entail?

How did you know that this role was for you?

I have completed a range of tasks from shadowing

To be honest I did not know this role was for me until

paralegals and solicitors to creating briefs for upcom-

I had been volunteering for quite some time. I applied

ing cases. After a few months of volunteering I was

in first year in order to gain some practical experience

given the opportunity to attend and assist another

and Legal Aid was kind enough to offer me the chance

paralegal at the Magistrates Court. At court I occasion-

to work as a volunteer. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what part of the

ally sit-in on interviews with someone who has recently

organisation I was going to be volunteering for and was

been incarcerated and see how solicitors note vital

a while before I realised that I enjoyed the criminal de-

information in a short period of time before appearing

partment the most. In the beginning I was also unsure

in Court an hour later. I also perform a range of admin-

whether I enjoyed working in criminal law. However,

istrative tasks such as answering phone calls from the

once I started helping out in a greater capacity with

public, writing letters to clients about their matters,

more challenging tasks I realised that I truly loved the

lodging documents at the Magistrates Court, and help-

role. I enjoyed turning up and seeing the team and

ing out colleagues in a range of miscellaneous matters.

getting involved in the daily tasks. Ever since then I have enjoyed the team environment immensely and

What have you learnt from this role?

have developed a real passion for the criminal justice

During my time at Legal Aid I have learnt all about

system. For those wanting to volunteer at organisations

the practical side of the legal profession. In the class-

such as Legal Aid I would recommend applying early

room we are taught how to construct arguments and

on in your degree because it is worth it once you get

research effectively, which only represents a small

the hang of it all.

portion of what happens in the legal workplace. Legal Aid has taught me the day-to-day legal skills such as communicating to clients, preparing documents, navigating the courts and much more. Importantly, I have been able to see how clients move through the criminal justice system; from their initial arrest to final sentencing.

The other set of important skills I have learnt from Legal Aid relate to working in a team environment. In order to get work done and have a good time whilst doing it, effective teamwork and communication is required. I have learnt when to ask for assistance, when to show initiative, how to deal with interpersonal conflict and how to get along with others in a working environment.

By Andrew Harris A volunteer paralegal working in the criminal law department. 35

ANU

USEFUL LINKS General Advice https://www.actlawsociety.asn.au/public-information/useful-links  http://www.naclc.org.au/cb_pages/clc_jobs.php

Canberra Community Law https://www.canberracommunitylaw.org.au/useful-links.html  https://www.canberracommunitylaw.org.au/jobvolunteer-opportunities.html

Youth Law Centre https://www.youthlawact.org.au/index.php/who-we-are/links https://www.legalaidact.org.au/what-we-do/youthlaw-centre

Women’s Legal Service http://womenslegalact.org/support-us/volunteer/

Legal Aid (ACT) https://www.legalaidact.org.au/about-us/working-at-legal-aid

Tenants Union ACT http://www.tenantsact.org.au/about-us/working-with-us/

Environmental Defenders Office http://www.edoact.org.au/volunteer_2018

Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT http://www.alsnswact.org.au/about-als/get-involved/jobs/  http://www.alsnswact.org.au/about-als/get-involved/volunteers/

WORKING IN THE COURTS Working as a judge or magistrate can be described as the apex of the legal world due to position they have to influence the law and society. It has to be noted that the process to becoming a judge or magistrate is complex and competitive due to the small number of jobs available and the differing appointment processes in each state and territory. Starting your professional career as an associate or tipstaff can be an excellent way to build your network, gain a clearer idea on how judges complete their work and reach decisions.

Barristers are a type of lawyer who specialises in advocacy work before a Court and providing advice to solicitors. They are self-employed and independent from law firms which results in autonomy over the work one can focus on. Becoming a barrister generally involves completing reading requirements, which consistent of an exam and being supervised by a tutor.

ANU

WORKING AS AN ASSOCIATE TO THE CHIEF MAGISTRATE By Riley Boughton

Application top tip! Apply early and apply often. It never hurts your chances to be put on a temporary employment roster and it never hurts to apply again – many associates applied multiple times and got in.

What does your role entail?

However, the role has its challenging aspects. You’re

The job of any associate is to support a judicial officer in

always required to be thinking of at least four things at

their work. In the Magistrates Court, that means acting

once. Court doesn’t run without you – it’s entirely on

as a private secretary to the Magistrate and acting as

you to make sure that you’ve got the files, that you’ve

the court officer running the court. As the Magistrate’s

got the court setup, that you’ve got all the parties ready

private secretary, I help manage the Magistrate’s day. I

and that you know what’s happening. But if you like the

ensure that they have all their files, manage their diary

pressure as I do, then this ends up being just another

and manage the Magistrate’s time from police officers

rewarding aspect of the job.

seeking warrants to registry staff requiring documents to be signed. As the court officer running the court, I or-

What advice would you give your university aged

ganise all matters listed in court that day. I ensure that

self?

all parties are present and manage the order in which

Volunteer, sign up and get involved with every opportu-

the matters run. It’s my job to call up a defendant from

nity that you possibly can. I understand the pressures of

the cells and my job to administer the oath on witness-

university – not only do you need to get decent grades,

es. I even get to open the court and close the court (the

but you need to work to pay the bills and maintain

person who yells ‘please stand!’).

some semblance of a social life.

It’s an all-encompassing role that lets me experience

However, it was these opportunities that eventually

the full breadth of matters travelling through the Mag-

landed me where I am working today; not just because

istrates Court – and with such unique perspective as

they were on my resume, but because they gave me a

well.

taste of the various jobs and roles out there in the legal profession.

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most challenging aspect of your role? There’s no doubt that the best part of the role is the post-court discussion. Not only do I get to watch criminal cases all day (and a variety of other matters), but I then get to speak to the Magistrate about why they made certain decisions, what they expect from lawyers 38

and the compelling elements of each case.

LSS

THE LIFE OF A BARRISTER What does your role entail?

What personal qualities are required for success in

The role of a barrister is quite varied depending on your

your role?

practice and the needs of your client. My practice is

Being self -directed and motivated are crucial for suc-

very diverse in terms of the type of work I do. It rang-

cess as a barrister. It is also crucial to have the ability

es from personal injury and professional negligence,

and confidence to back yourself in decision-making

administrative review, care and protection hearings,

and also being able to constantly learn and hone your

coronial matters, through to criminal matters, including

craft. In criminal law, you additionally need to develop

summary hearings, jury trials, sentences and court of

an ability to effectively deal with some fairly harrowing

appeal work.

or challenging material and clients on occasion. Good manners and being respectful toward everyone in the

What my role entails varies depending on the type of

justice system are also important. I find that the more

matter I am briefed in. The work I carry out ranges from

challenging the material you are dealing with, the more

providing written advice on issues such as liability and

you need to maintain your courtesy and manners to

quantum for personal injury or medical negligence

effectively get through the matter. A decent sense of

matters, through to appearing as counsel in tribunals

humour and a glass of red wine at the appropriate time

or courts in summary hearing and jury trials, sentences

also never go astray.

and in appeals. This may entail not only oral advocacy, but written submissions as well.. All of my work also involves a level of client and professional relationship management.

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most challenging aspect of your role? The most rewarding aspect of my role is the advocacy. I love being in court and on my feet. I particularly enjoy cross-examination when you can forensically pull apart someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s evidence and systematically get the concessions you are seeking. I also thoroughly enjoy making submissions, be they prepared such as in sentencing hearings, or be it thinking on my feet and addressing an objection or an issue that has arisen. The most challenging aspect of my role can be the sheer volume of work and the time required to do a thorough job. It can be difficult to take the time required and still find some work life balance. On occasion it can also be challenging to deal with some of the factual material and evidence you see in matters.

By Katrina Musgrove Katrina was an ACT and Commonwealth prosecutor before coming to the bar in 2016.

As you are self-employed, the business administration side of the role, such as bookkeeping and paying your taxes is also not that enjoyable. Overall, the rewards outweigh the challenging aspects!

ANU

WORKING AS A BARRISTER What does your role entail?

What have you learnt from this role?

I advise and appear on behalf of clients in courts and

So much. I’m still on a massive learning curve. Probably

tribunals across a range of matters – predominantly

the biggest lesson so far is never be afraid to question

industrial relations law, discrimination law, administrative

what you see and don’t assume that everyone else has it

law, commercial law and professional discipline.  Pre-

“right” just because they’ve done it before.  Also, at some

paring a matter for hearing involves many stages and

point you have to back yourself, be brave and realise

tranches of work including: giving advice on prospects

that you too are the adult in the room.

of success, drafting affidavits, analysing evidence, and

writing submissions. Then of course there is the court/

What attracted you to this role?

tribunal hearing itself, which involves examining and

Freedom to be my own boss and answer to no one but

cross-examining witnesses and making oral submis-

myself (and the court), the intellectual rigour, and the

sions.  Before reaching the final hearing, there may be

challenge of doing a “hard job” that not many people can

many interlocutory skirmishes along the way, where

do.

you’ll have a ‘mini-hearing’ on a discrete issue involved

in the preparation of the matter for final hearing.

In theory I was also attracted to the flexibility of the Bar,

but in the early years the workload is very intense so

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most chal-

the flexibility has often felt more theoretical than real!

lenging aspect of your role?

With time, hopefully I will be able to find the flexibility in

The most rewarding aspect of the job is probably also

practice.

the most challenging part – being responsible for the

conduct of someone’s case at the final stage before the

How did you know this role was for you?

judge.  At that point, the barrister is the one who has to

I’m not sure that I even know this, yet!  But I would say

make the final ‘call’ on forensic decisions and how to

that now that I am at the Bar, it does feel like I have

conduct the case. It is a big responsibility, which means

reached a “conclusion” in the sense that I can’t imagine

a big sense of reward when you win.  When you lose,

going into anything else for the foreseeable future. As

there can still be a sense of reward (especially if you

a solicitor, I was always thinking about the next job, the

feel that you put the best possible case forward for your

next move, and so on. So the feeling of having finally

client) but naturally it feels even better when you win!

“arrived” is perhaps a way of knowing that this is the role for me.

What journey lead you to this role? It feels like it was a long journey to get here. I first knew I wanted to be a barrister way back when I worked as an associate to a judge on the High Court. However, it took me 10 years from that time to actually realise my intentions and go to the Bar. The delay was the result of

Application top tip! Don’t be too eager to slot yourself into a pigeon-hole at a law firm as soon as you graduate!

a mixture of wanting to do some other things first (like study overseas, travel, have children) and a fear of leaving the safe world of being an employed solicitor with

By Prue Bindon

a secure salary!  Mind you, although it feels like a long

Prue is an ANU Alumni with

journey, I don’t think I would change anything.

a background in commercial law before she came to the

What advice would you give your university aged self? Work hard and get the best results you can, because marks do matter and they do help down the track, although they certainly aren’t the “be all and end all”. Chop and change when you are in the early stages of your career so you get a broad experience base.  Then it gives you more options down the track or at least a better sense of which direction you want to go in.  40

bar in 2016.

USEFUL LINKS Australian Capital Territory Supreme Court Associateships https://www.courts.act.gov.au/supreme/public/employment_as_an_associateâ&#x20AC;Ż

Australian Capital Territory Magistrates Court Associateships https://www.courts.act.gov.au/magistrates/about_the_court/working_as_an_associate_to_a_magistrate_and_research_assistant_to_the_magistrates

Federal Court Associateships http://www.fedcourt.gov.au/about/employment/associates

High Court Associateships http://www.hcourt.gov.au/employment/applying-for-an-associateship-with-a-justice-of-the-high-court-of-australia?qh=YTozOntpOjA7czoxMDoiZW1wbG95bWVudCI7aToxO3M6ODoiZW1wbG95ZXIiO2k6MjtzOjk6ImVtcGxveWVycyI7fQ%3D%3D

New South Wales Supreme Court Associateships http://www.supremecourt.justice.nsw.gov.au/Pages/sco2_aboutus/sco2_careers.aspx

Becoming a Barrister https://www.actbar.com.au/coming-to-the-bar/

Becoming a Judge or Magistrate https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/becoming-a-magistrate-or-judge-in-nsw/

CRIMINAL AND F A M I LY L A W Criminal lawyers are generally classified into two categories. On the one side are prosecutors who are employed by a State, Territory or the Commonwealth government and represent the Crown. On the other side are defence solicitors those who represent the accused parties. Defence solicitors can work in public organisations and private firms. Many State, Territory or the Commonwealth Departments of Prosecution run clerkship or internship opportunities which can lead to graduate jobs, whilst there is no similarly directed path into criminal defence firms.

Working in criminal and family law can be extremely rewarding for all parties as you are making a tangible difference to oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life during what often is often an extremely stressful period. Compassion and resilience to dealing with emotive and difficult facts are all beneficial traits for both specialisations.

Family lawyers deal with a wide demographic of people, family structures and situations; from property settlements, to divorces, to adoptions. This means it is a rarely considered mundane. Due to dealing with clients in a very individualised setting, a significant aspect of family law involves counselling clients and helping them through often drastic life events.

LSS

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS NORTHERN TERRITORY

Application top tip! Employers of these organisations have told me they are eager to have law students come to help out. While it does necessitate financial security to travel and work without funding, the experience is undoubtedly worthwhile and formative. You can consider completing the internship as part of the Law Internship course as you can receive course credit for it. By Emma Henke

What does your role entail?

The opportunity to research real legal problems in a

I worked within a small team assisting prosecutors pre-

fast-paced environment gave me a unique glimpse of

pare for trials. This included conducting legal research,

life after law school and allowed me to enhance my

reviewing evidence and drafting legal arguments. I also

legal research skills. Moreover, I was afforded the op-

attended court to assist with the smooth running of tri-

portunity to appear in court and practice my advocacy

als and proofing of witnesses. I was fortunate enough to

skills.

go “out bush” to assist during circuit courts at Tennant Creek, Yuendemu and Papunya.

How did this contribute to my ANU degree? I completed this internship as an ANU ‘Law Internship’

What have you learnt from this role?

which allowed the internship to count as one subject.

Undoubtedly, the most valuable part of the experience

I took particular interest in how courtroom layout and

was the skills I gained and the unparalleled exposure

architecture affects Indigenous Australians’ access to

to the reality of the law’s operation. I was exposed to

justice choosing to write my 4800 word research paper

the reality of how the legal system disproportionately

on that topic. Returning to Canberra and undertaking

affects Indigenous Australians. This experience allowed

this project allowed me to reflect on my experienc-

me a unique opportunity to interact with complainants

es in the NT in a way that I was unable to while I was

and witnesses (often by way of interpreter). I learnt

wrapped up in the whirlwind experience. I found read-

about their stories within the legal system and how

ing academic writing on a similar experience also gave

language and cultural barriers affect ones’ experience

me new perspectives to view what I was exposed to.

of the system. 43

ANU

WORKING AS A CRIMINAL DEFENCE SOLICITOR What journey lead you to this role? I knew very early on that criminal defence was the area in which I most wanted to practice. I was very lucky and was offered a place in a small firm a few weeks before being admitted as a solicitor. A week after I was admitted I was appointed to the NSW Legal Aid General Crime Panel, which meant providing duty solicitor services to the Queanbeyan Local Court. I also received a number of referrals from ACT Legal Aid and the Aboriginal Legal Service as well as accepting retainers from private clients in both NSW and the ACT. What personal qualities are required for success in your role? The most important skills for a first year solicitor are time and relationship management. Developed organisational skills are also indispensable. A solicitor might sometimes be required in three separate courts in a single day, with client conferences booked between appearances. Missing a scheduled court date can be catastrophic for both client and practitioner and ensuring a diary is managed correctly is vital to building a successful practice. Managing relationships with personnel from every facet of the judicial system is also fundamental. A criminal solicitor needs to maintain professional relationships with police, corrections staff, prosecutors, magistrates, registrars, judges, associates, court officers and of course, clients and witnesses. This is more than just a matter of professional courtesy. Respectful communication and trust, even between opposing parties, is the currency upon which the court system operates. The administration of justice is as cooperative as it is adversarial, and no solicitor can provide competent services to a client in the absence of cooperative relationships.

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most challenging aspect of your role? The most challenging aspects of the role relate to the subject matter of the work. Some matters involve clients experiencing extraordinary levels of disadvantage. Others are clients for whom the result of a matter can have significant consequences in terms of their career development. Some matters contain very confronting allegations. It can, at times, also be challenging to manage theexpectations of a client regarding the range of available options. The challenge for a solicitor is to provide clear and accurate advice in such a way as to ensure each client can make an informed choice about their options.

Developing skills as an effective advocate in criminal courts requires a mixture of confidence and humility and can only be obtained with many hours of practice. Preparation is key. Mistakes are inevitable. The challenge is to learn from each experience, incorporate that into one’s practice and move forward. For finding an entry into criminal practice I would offer some advice: •

•

• • •

Spend as much time in court as possible. Get to know the language and etiquette of the court, it will prove invaluable when starting out. Get some work with a firm early on in your degree. Experience is very important to potential employers because the time available for training and mentoring new staff is extremely limited. Anything that reduces the time a potential employer needs to spend developing basic competencies will be looked upon favourably. Take on relevant extracurricular activities. Get experience in advocacy. Be involved in programs that demonstrate an ability to work effectively under pressure. The work of a criminal solicitor is fast paced and extremely dynamic.

Application top tip! Try and get involved in activities that demonstrate the ability to absorb large workloads and adapt to unforeseen circumstances.

By Ben Smith Ben has extensive experience in criminal law having worked for private firms and Community Legal Centres. He is a current PhD candidate at ANU.

LSS

WORKING IN CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAW: A PARALEGAL’S PERSPECTIVE By Sinead Allen

Application top tip! Don’t wait for a position to be advertised, put yourself out there and show them that you’re keen!

What does your role entail?

Canberra law firms are notorious for hiring through

I am lucky to have a great deal of variety in my role

recommendations and personal connections, so its

at McKenna Taylor. I spend a lot of time doing legal

important to get yourself out there. Volunteering is a

research tasks and preparing briefs for Counsel, which

great place to start, as it helps you to make valuable

involves analysing a brief of evidence and drawing

connections within the legal community, whilst gaining

observations on the strengths and weaknesses of the

practical experience in a legal setting.

case. I’m also often tasked with things like chasing up expert witnesses, analysing CCTV footage and taking

What personal qualities are required for success in

notes in client conferences. On top of this, I also spend

your role?

a lot of time running back and forth to Court to file doc-

There’s always lots going on in a criminal law firm, so

uments and taking care of other administrative tasks

organisation and time management are key. You also

such as photocopying and archiving.

need to have good people skills as you spend a lot of time interacting with clients and their families, as well

How did you find this role?

as chasing things up with Court staff and other stake-

I was recommended for this role based on my volun-

holders involved in the criminal justice system.

teer work with the Aboriginal Legal Service, which I became involved with through the ANU’s Indigenous

I think that resilience is another important quality that

Community Legal Clinic. I had mentioned to my course

is often overlooked. This might mean being able to

convener that I was looking for paid work in a criminal

bounce back when a client is refused bail or when

firm, so when they became aware that McKenna Taylor

you’re involved in a case that doesn’t go your way.

was looking for a paralegal, they passed my name

You’re also dealing with a lot of confronting material

along.

on a daily basis due to the nature of the cases that are handled by criminal firms. I am lucky that I work in a very supportive team, which makes things easier, but a career in criminal law definitely isn’t for the faint 45

ANU

WORKING IN FAMILY LAW AS A PARALEGAL By Crystal Holt A paralegal/ administrative assistant at Watts McCray.

Application top tip! Apply. If you get an interview, be your true, genuine self. You already have the skills needed to get to the interview, now you just need to demonstrate you fit the culture of the firm.

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most

bly experienced lawyers and learnt from their excel-

challenging aspect of your role?

lent mediation skills, people skills, professionalism and

Family Law is very rewarding due to the real, tangible,

dedication to justice and fairness. It is so important to

positive difference you can make to someone’s life in

gain mentors in your time at any job. Learning from

what can be a tough time. However, it can also be quite

other people’s first hand life and careers experience

a confronting field to work in. My main challenge is

has been invaluable.

finding the details of matters overwhelming. As a part time paralegal, I sometimes need to learn the ins and

What personal qualities are required for success in

outs of a client’s unique situation, while only meet-

your role?

ing them briefly once or twice or sometimes never.

In law school, you learn many tangible skills to be a

Although this can seem difficult, it can also help you

good lawyer in the ‘real world’, like how to answer a

balance the emotive aspect and ease into the work in a

problem question. But some of the most important les-

more moderated way.

sons required to work in many client facing fields of law are missing: the ability to be empathetic and compas-

The emotion inside this field can be confronting, but

sionate, yet professional and efficient. It is vital in Family

the rewards that derogate from working in family law

Law that you can understand their experience and the

substantially outweigh this. Clients are often so grateful

importance of your work has on their life. It is a fine

for all the hard work paralegals put in. Moreover, I find

balance between being understanding and profession-

that the lawyers are profoundly grateful for your assis-

al and is a skill that can be developed over time. If you

tance to create the best outcome for the client.

have trouble with client interaction I suggest emerging yourself in extracurricular activities such as Client Inter-

What have you learnt from this role? Working as a paralegal will teach you many technical and practical skills, such as collating briefs and using E-filing systems. The less practical side, however, has 46

been rich with lessons. I have been exposed to incredi-

view competitions where you can develop these skills.

USEFUL LINKS CRIMINAL LAW DPP Plate Mock Trial Competition  https://www.actlawsociety.asn.au/events/event/the-dpp-plate-mock-trial-competition-5

International Criminal Court Moot  http://iccmoot.com/organization/     ASIO Graduate Opportunities  http://www.graduateopportunities.com/employers/asio/     ACT DPP https://www.dpp.act.gov.au/employment/current_vacancies      NSW Public Defenders Internship  https://www.publicdefenders.nsw.gov.au/Pages/public_defenders_intern.aspx

Commonwealth DPP https://www.cdpp.gov.au/careers

FAMILY LAW General Advice https://gradaustralia.com.au/law/family-law-area-of-practice

The Michael Taussig QC Family Law Essay Awards  https://www.familylawsection.org.au/events/event/michael-taussig-qc-family-law-essay-awards-73

NSW Legal Aid https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/family-law

I N T E R N AT I O N A L L AW

This section covers public and private international law. Public international law concerns itself with nations, their relations and actions, and intergovernmental organisations. Private international law is centred on corporations and their actions. International law provides the perfect opportunity for those who want to work overseas, broaden their cultural horizons and deal with a range of global issues from human rights to global warming.

The path to establishing a career in international law is perhaps more complicated than other sectors. Graduates can get involved by representing their nation state, working for an intergovernmental organisation or international law firm.

LSS

THE EXPERIENCE OF AN INTERN AT THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA By Tudor Filaret

Application top tip! Take every extracurricular opportunity offered by the ANU as these opportunities offer invaluable development that is directly applicable to an international organisation.

How did you know this role was for you?

To overcome slight frustrations and reach understand-

This opportunity ticked many boxes- professional,

ing, I became curious in otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal motivations

academic, and personal interests. Looking back, the

and their life experiences. This opened my mind and

nature of the work meant that all of my work was going

as a natural consequence, made working in a diverse

towards a case which would be formative to history and

environment and living in a foreign environment very

jurisprudence in areas of law that interest me. It was

enjoyable. The best outcome with taking this approach

also quite personally satisfying working on the conflicts

is that it often attracts lifelong friends, as was the case

in the Former Yugoslavia, as I was originally born in Ro-

with my ICTY colleagues.

mania. Bringing together my interests in an international diplomatic environment meant that this opportunity

Another personal quality I have found to be useful is to

was perfect for me.

stay motivated on tasks that were long and repetitive, such as reviewing a large volume of documents. To

I discovered that I wanted to work in an international

stay motivated on tasks such as this, I would remind

environment. I genuinely enjoyed learning from oth-

myself of the value of the work. The most valuable

ersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; life experiences and the world more broadly. The

thing I could do was to motivate my other team mem-

learning opportunities that come with living in a foreign

bers. As we were going through the same experience,

country are rare and unparalleled, and with the right

spreading positive energy meant that it came back

approach, I have made the most out of it.

around to me. Again, this made working on repetitive tasks pleasant.

What personal qualities are required for success in your role? The top personal quality that I have found useful is the ability to be resilient and adapt to change in an overseas environment. When I initially arrived in The Hague, it was difficult adjusting to the cultural norms of the Dutch. Working with colleagues from different nationalities further added to the complexities of adjustment.

ANU

WORKING AT THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT By Kathy Liu An intern with the Information and Evidence Unit of the Office of The Prosecutor.

Application top tip! Highlight or even improve any language abilities you have – this will make you equally competitive with all those other people applying in Europe who inevitably know at least two languages.

What does your role entail?

to the community and the world we live in, even if it

I was responsible for filtering and deciding on the

meant I was just editing for typos.

jurisdictional validity of communications from ordinary citizens alleging the perpetration of crimes under the

However, this also made the role challenging. Prior

ICC’s jurisdiction. This meant I had to assess the validity

to entering the institution, you have great optimism

of the communication against the substantive juris-

that everything you do there will make a concrete and

prudence of the Court. Additionally, I also processed

immediate effect on moving towards the institution’s

evidence by extracting metadata contained within each

mandate. Realistically, like any other organisation, your

piece and ensuring the integrity of the evidence was

work will inevitably only form a small part, but togeth-

preserved so that it would still be useful and reliable in

er, interns within these types of organisations do form

court.

an important foundation and are vital to their proper functioning.

Later, I also interned for the Appeals Section of the Office of The Prosecutor, which essentially acts as the

How did you know this role was for you?

legal advisor to The Prosecutor on complex points of

As with anything, I was never one hundred percent cer-

law. This meant that a lot of my time was occupied by

tain that I would enjoy this role, especially when there

case law research of other international criminal courts

are so many other factors to consider when moving

and tribunals. As a result, a lot of research memos were

your life overseas for half a year. I always endeavoured

involved, as well as the proofreading of submissions.

to keep an open mind and remind myself to make the most of this opportunity that I’m lucky to have!

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most challenging aspect of your role? The most rewarding part of my role was being part of an international institution whose mission was to fight against impunity and enforce global justice. This made me feel like I had the potential to make great changes 50

LSS

INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION ORGANISATION By Diya Sharma A legal intern.

Application top tip! Be proactive in seeking opportunities which demonstrate a strong interest in a particular field, and you will find the right organisation for you.

What does your role entail?

insightful taster into what a career in the field could

IOM is the leading intergovernmental organization

look like.

in the field of migration. My role involved compiling humanitarian claims and designing resettlement

IOM also fostered a work culture which aligned with

pathways for entrants, to ensure a seamless integration

my values and priorities. The office was staffed with a

upon arrival in Australia. Visa lodgments on behalf of

diverse range of nationalities and disciplines, which

offshore humanitarian applicants can often involve ref-

made for a dynamic workplace and broadened my

erence to complex and overlapping legislation, an ideal

perspectives. I was granted a high degree of auton-

opportunity to practice those legal research skills!

omy over my portfolio and with the support of my colleagues, provided with an array of professional and

As a component of the resettlement strategy, I en-

personal development opportunities.

gaged overseas missions, employers, community organizations, lawyers and migration agents. This

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most

highlighted the significance of community membership

challenging aspect of your role?

participation, in ensuring orderly and humane man-

It was rewarding to witness international legal instru-

agement of migration. I also dabbled in other projects

ments materialize in Australia and the Pacific specif-

involving the intersection of modern slavery framework

ic projects. The role enabled me to contribute in a

and migration, and skilled visa pathways.

meaningful way to the development of programs at the forefront of domestic and international migration law.

How did you know this role was for you? Having completed various internships and electives in

However, it involved a pool of highly vulnerable clients

the migration and refugee law space, this role extend-

in a highly politically charged context. It proved diffi-

ed the knowledge I developed in law school, and put

cult personally assessing the weight of a humanitarian

theory into practice.

claim against legislative priorities. This â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;balancing actâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is a fundamental component of migration programming,

A passion for migration law, specifically humanitarian

and exposed me to real world obstacles in the applica-

refugees, motivated me to apply, and it proved to be an

tion of migration law.

ANU

WORKING IN CORPORATE LAW FOR AN INTERNATIONAL COMPANY By John Grech An intern at Allbright Law.

Application top tip! Make your application unique. Firms have to consider hundreds of applications, many of which have similar characteristics. So, highlighting your individuality, and how this would benefit the workplace is vital.

What attracted you to this role?

What advice would you give your 1st year self?

My attraction to this position was headed by a long-

Throughout law school there is an overbearing yet

time goal to work internationally (particularly in China)

inherent pressure to know the exact direction of your

in commercial and corporate law. The exposure to

future career. It is my opinion, however that University

Chinese legal and corporate cultures, acquiring a more

and particularly the ANU exist fundamentally to guide

dynamic level of internationality and commerciality,

the individual’s talents, passions, ambitions, and goals

increasing my language skills, as well as just living in

toward a self-fulfilling and successful career, whatever

a different environment were all important factors in

form this may take. To do this, utilise the opportunities

guiding this decision.

and experiences available through the College of Law, the LSS, and the ANU at large. Volunteering, extra-cur-

What personal qualities are required for success in

riculars, competitions, law workshops, and networking

your role?

events are all ways to do this. Whilst it is important to

Perhaps the most important factor is a need for adapt-

base your decision to participate in these on your per-

ability and flexibility. Cross-cultural differences and

sonal strengths or interests, I would also encourage try-

language barriers – broadly speaking – demanded

ing something outside of your comfort zone. This might

a certain level of personal “malleability,” alacrity and

help you realise what you definitely like (and dislike).

enthusiasm. I would especially advise bettering the ability or skill of What have you learnt from this role?

‘networking’, which in turn will lead to a wider array of

This position taught me that even in the face of in-

people within your professional network. This network

tensely confronting situations, remaining professional,

will prove crucial when building your résumé and em-

composed, and undeterred is important in the legal

ployment portfolio.

world. Apart from this, I was exposed to more substantive legal matters such as contract formation, note taking during meetings, administrative duties, proofreading and editing various documents, and participat52

ing in educational seminars on comparative Chinese and Australian law.

USEFUL LINKS International Court of Justice https://www.icj-cij.org/en/employment

United Nations Office of Legal Affairs http://legal.un.org/ola/employ.aspx

ANU Japanese Arbitration and Negotiation Moot Competition https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/course/LAWS4266

Humanitarian Law https://beyondlaw.com.au/career-paths/international-opportunities

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees https://www.unhcr.org/internships.html

Internships around Europe https://law-ektron.tulane.edu/uploadedFiles/Summer_Abroad/Countries/Cambridge/Prof%20Hlass%20summer%20 intern%20research.pdf

Human Rights Careers https://www.humanrightscareers.com/

Euro based job board https://www.eurobrussels.com/jobs/legal

LEGAL ACADEMIA

The role of a legal academic involves numerous aspects and allows for a fair amount of self-directed university involvement and research. Legal academia provides the opportunity to often practice as a lawyer and teach overseas through university secondment practices. Some solicitors and barristers have the opportunity to tutor subjects or be involved in a university.

Many say that being an academic involves a high amount of focus and discipline to ensure that research is completed on schedule and administrative tasks attended to. Therefore these are important to consider before beginning an academic career. It must be highlighted that legal academia like other legal fields is highly competitive and requires excellent research skills and academic history.

LSS

A CAREER LEGAL ACADEMIC’S PERSPECTIVE I have been a legal academic for the whole of my career. I graduated from the ANU with an Arts/Law degree, completed a postgraduate masters course at Oxford University, and recently completed a PhD by publication. I was invited to join the ANU whilst studying in Oxford. Perhaps I am a product of my generation in that I have had one career and one employer, plus I took significant time out of the workforce to parent three children, but I don’t regret any of it. What does your role entail? The nature and challenges of my work have changed considerably over my career. Now my role entails convening and teaching (40% of my workload), research (40%) and administration and outreach (20%). I find teaching and research equally rewarding: they satisfy the extrovert and introvert in me. The most enjoyable aspect of teaching for me is getting students to think critically about the law and understand its principles.

Secondly, do a PhD and do it full-time. It can be difficult to secure an academic job without a PhD, but more importantly, it will give you invaluable training in research and writing, and a solid knowledge base to kick-start your publishing career. In my mid-twenties, I thought I’d been a student for way too long, but looking back I wish I’d done honours in Arts as well as Law and enrolled in a PhD immediately after my masters degree. My tip for securing an academic career is to be strategic: research in a neglected area, such as Torts or Equity; get some teaching (eg tutoring) experience and higher education qualifications, such as a Higher Education Academy fellowship, and enrol in that PhD.

What I enjoy about research is drilling down into a complex area of law and making sense of it in a way that will assist judges and practitioners. An academic has more freedom to explore legal problems thoroughly and from interesting angles without the pressure of billing clients. However, securing research funding is crucial these days; doing research that has impact and contributes to the public good is vital. Nonetheless, there is still considerable freedom to pursue issues of personal interest and concern. What personal qualities are required for success in your role? Personal qualities required for success as an academic include excellent time-management skills (I generally work alone and unsupervised and need to juggle small, urgent tasks with large, long-term projects), a touch of perfectionism (but not too much), empathy and concern for the welfare of one’s students and colleagues, along with good interpersonal skills, and finally, comfort with delayed gratification (research projects can be long and arduous; publication rewards come slowly).

By Professor Pauline Ridge

What advice would you give your university aged self? I would give two pieces of advice to my university-aged self. First, chill a little! It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of studies and career and forget to enjoy other aspects of life as well. Academic work is definitely not a nine-five job, so you need to set boundaries. 57

ANU

THE WORK OF A PUBLIC LAW PROFESSOR What does your role entail? My role as an academic is quite broad and varied.  Most academics have three responsibilities: teaching, research, and ‘service.’  My own interests are around public law – the law around government and the exercise of power so. Currently, I am teaching JD Administrative law, Advanced Administrative law and Citizenship law in the Masters program.  My research is in citizenship law, gender and constitutional law, and I have an interest in law, biography, oral history, and archives.  I have been able to extend my service to responsibilities within the law school (Chair of the Reconciliation and Action Plan Committee and a member of the Visitors Committee) and ANU (ANU Gender Institute Management Committee), as well as beyond the ANU in pro bono work in citizenship law and public policy contributions.

What journey lead you to this role? I studied Arts/Law in the mid to late 1980s at the University of Melbourne and then undertook my articles at Corrs Chambers Westgarth in Melbourne in 1989. After being admitted to practice I then worked for a further two and half years at Corrs before attending Harvard Law School.  My decision to undertake graduate study was based mainly on wanting to take a break from practicing law and think through what I wanted to do next.  It was while I was at Harvard that it dawned on me that being an academic would be a great career as I love all aspects of what academics do!

My journey is set out more at http://www.womenaustralia.info/leaders/biogs/WLE0613b.htm

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most challenging aspect of your role? I must admit that I find all aspects of academic life rewarding!  I love teaching and sharing my interests with students, and I have found the opportunity to meet with so many interesting students over the last 25 plus years enriching. I also enjoy following the careers of many former students.  I have always enjoyed being able to choose an area of research of my own choosing and contributing to the thinking around it – and I have also been able to maintain my practicing certificate so I have been involved in the development of citizenship law itself and I have linked the practical work I do with my research and public policy work. Another rewarding aspect is the opportunity to meet academics from all around the world.  I had a sabbatical period based in two Universities in Israel – Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University and it was a wonderful period. The biggest challenge is in balancing all aspects of your work. Having a family and being committed to balancing work and family, and other community responsibilities, is a healthy way to ensure you don’t do academic work all the time!!

By Professor Kim Rubenstein

LSS

A CORPORATE LAW ACADEMIC’S PERSPECTIVE By Professor Kath Hall

What does your role entail?

Challenging: Academic writing (it takes so long!) and

There are 3 main parts to my job - teaching (Corpo-

course/teaching admin.

rations Law; LJE; Transnational Anti-Corruption Law (LLM)), research (ie I am part of a large research project

What advice would you give your university aged

on reform to Corporate Whistleblowing Laws in Aus-

self?

tralia), engagement (I’m the Deputy Director, Transna-

Be yourself! In law (and life) we are always comparing

tional Research Institute on Corruption (ANU), Chair IBA

ourselves with others. This makes us think we have

sub-committee on Corruption, and Chair College of

to do what everyone else is doing to succeed. It also

Law Access & Equity Committee). Within each of these

makes us think we are never quite good enough. I now

roles there are many smaller jobs so it can be challeng-

know this isn’t true. So I would tell myself focus on what

ing making it all fit.

you love, what you are good at and what makes you happy, and the rest will work out. There really is no one

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most

else in the world quite like us - so our paths have to be

challenging aspect of your role?

our own. I would also say - things aren’t always going to

Rewarding; I love teaching (really!) I plan to still be

be easy or fun but in the end the tough times will teach

giving lectures and talking with students when I’m 70+.

you the most in life and you will end up being grateful

I also love engaging with stakeholders (IBA, Gov-

for them.

ernment, NGOs) on the regulation of corporations in developing economies (ie foreign bribery laws). I lived in Asia for many years and know there is incredible poverty in this part of the world - the extent of which can be pretty overwhelming. I have also seen the benefits good foreign investment can bring. I believe my generation will be judged for what we did (and didn’t do) to address global inequality, so I want to do what I can. 59

USEFUL LINKS Opinions and blogs https://gradaustralia.com.au/law/planning-your-law-career-path-in-academia https://www.lexisnexis.com/legalnewsroom/lexis-hub/b/careerguidance/posts/pursuing-a-career-in-legal-academia https://www.timeshighereducation.com/unijobs/en-au/listings/australia/ https://thesiswhisperer.com/read-some-phd-student-blogs/

ANU Opportunities https://law.anu.edu.au/about-us/job-opportunities-anu-law

P R I VAT E L AW Private sector law is perhaps one of the most diverse sub-sections of law due to the numerous fields within, the different sizes and structures of companies and organisations and the ever growing transnational nature of the industry. There are different types of work, the most common being litigious, transactional or advisory.

The size of a firm is often indicative of the types of clients it usually assists and of the level of speciality a lawyer may achieve. For example, a sole practitioner will often practice in different areas whilst a senior partner at a large multinational firm will generally specialise and become renowned for their skill.

One of the best ways to gain experience in this field is by applying for clerkship and internship programs, particularly in commercial law. They are an excellent way to develop legal skills, broaden your commercial knowledge and identify what practice groups or specific fields interest you.

When considering different opportunities it is important to assess what firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culture suits you. Whilst there are many perks to working in private law, it is important to think about the work-life balance you are hoping to achieve because certain private law firms expect more of its solicitors than organisations in other industries.

ANU

PERSONAL INJURY LAW By Penny Wong A paralegalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective

Application top tip! When I started my law degree, I struggled with a lack of confidence in my abilities and this often held me back from applying for opportunities or being proactive in seeking them out. I have now learnt to always apply for opportunities that catch my eye and be proactive in finding them.

What does your role entail?

What have you learnt from this role?

I conduct legal research, draft court documents, create

My role has given me the opportunity to develop strong

briefs and letters to Counsel, and liaise with clients. I

interpersonal skills which are often overlooked at uni-

also perform a wide range of data and administration

versity. I have learnt from regularly conducting inter-

tasks using corporate information systems such as

views with clients that communication skills such as

LEAP. In order to perform these tasks efficiently and

empathy and active listening are important aspects of

accurately, I rely on a number of core skills including

working in a legal environment. These skills are easily

attention to detail, organisation and time management,

transferable to other roles I have worked in and have

problem-solving and an advanced knowledge of Word

allowed me to more effectively navigate the complex-

and Excel processing.

ities that arise when dealing with clients from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds.

What is the most rewarding aspect and most challenging aspect of your role? The most rewarding aspect of my role comes from being able to use my legal skills to achieve just outcomes for clients who have suffered from serious physical and psychological trauma. The most challenging aspect of the job is dealing with the lengthy process of litigating a dispute. It can be very difficult to observe the impact of this process on your client, particularly if they are suffering from ongoing or permanent disability and are unable to access appropriate treatment and care until they receive compensation.

LSS

WORKING IN EMPLOYMENT LAW By May Oboodi May has extensive paralegal experience in employment law at Bradley Allen Love and is currently an associate to Vice President Hatcher SC of the Fair Work Commission.

What attracted you to the role?

What advice would you give your university aged

My path arose out of a business need: the Employment

self?

team at BAL Lawyers required a paralegal and thought

Seek more opportunities early on. It is important to

I was suitable. I quickly found that the variety of the

follow your natural curiosities and to constantly expand

work (litigious and advisory) as well as the complexity

your knowledge and skill base. Seeking guidance from

of the legal landscape surrounding employment and

a later year student would be a wonderful starting point

industrial relations highly engaging. Uniquelt, Employ-

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; I never underestimate the lessons and tips that are

ment law is one of the only areas of commercial law

reflective of first-hand experience.

where your client base can vary dramatically between large enterprises and individual employees. Using your

When applying for roles, approach any application with

legal skills and knowledge to assist clients to resolve

confidence. I look back on many university experiences

their employment issues is extremely rewarding.

such as travelling, choosing to undertake exchange in a foreign language, and living at college as being

â&#x20AC;ŻWhat did your role entail?

invaluable. University is not only a time to increase your

I would undertake legal research, prepare documents

knowledge of the law; it should also be a time to learn

for court, and even liaise with clients. What I am espe-

more about the world around you, interact with people

cially grateful for during my time at BAL lawyers was

that you normally would not encounter, and build the

the amount of responsibility and autonomy that I was

social skills and resilience that will equip you through

afforded. This allowed me to develop my written legal

adulthood. These are the qualities that will ultimately

skills as well as to receive hands on experience when

set you apart in the workforce.

it came to drafting complex legal documents such as enterprise agreements.

I now play a different role in the dispute resolution process. As an associate at the FWC, I receive the applications that I was once involved in drafting. I am gaining a

Application top tip! Do not doubt yourself and thereby exclude yourself from opportunities for fear of rejection.

sophisticated understanding of the dispute resolution procedure as well as witnessing outstanding advocacy and decision-making. 63

ANU

AN INSIGHT INTO THE WORLD OF MIGRATION LAW By Alice Zhu

Application top tip! When applying for a role, look up new amendments to migration legislation and policies, as the law in this area is constantly changing. It’s both useful and impressive when someone understands the changes and its effects.

What does your role entail?

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most

My role is split into several different aspects. I work

challenging aspect of your role?

on visa applications, Administrative Appeals Tribunal

I find the most challenging parts of my role are the

cases, Federal Court cases and I also manage client

never-ending deadlines and large number of cases.

relationships. Working on visa applications involves

The main difficulty is ensuring that I follow up with each

researching legislative requirements, ensuring that cli-

client so that we receive all the information and docu-

ent documents meet the criteria and then lodging and

ments needed to meet the deadlines.

running various visa applications. The most rewarding aspect is definitely being able to I also work on Tribunal and Federal Court cases regu-

make a difference in people’s lives. I’m lucky enough to

larly. I write submissions for both which entails a large

work in a firm that is able to take on a number of cases

amount of research, not just into case law and legis-

pro bono or at a reduced fee. It’s always humbling to

lation, but also into current news and world events. It

remember what a big impact we can make on people’s

is interesting to be able to use current events to prove

lives and to see how grateful people are when we help

why and how the law applies in a case, which is some-

them is a huge reward.

thing I didn’t do very much of at university. Fortunately, I have been exposed to a lot of Court proceedings

What personal qualities are required for success in

which is something I was never exposed to during my

your role?

studies.

You need to develop a great attention to detail. Clients, generally, aren’t able to remember everything perfectly

I also maintain and manage client relationships, which

and, as a result, they often give inconsistent information

can be both rewarding and frustrating. Because I speak

which can be a huge problem in migration law. It’s also

Mandarin Chinese, I deal with a number of our Chinese

important to be determined and hardworking, because

clients and it’s gratifying to be able to understand them

the cases don’t ever stop and you need to constantly

better and know how to help them. Due to the nature

be on top of everything.

of migration law, I am privy to their personal stories and the privates details of their lives.”This makes every case unique and gives me a sense of purpose.

IMPORTANT CLERKSHIP APPLICATION DATES

make the difference

to your career, clients and community

Aim beyond pure legal knowledge. Beyond commercial advice. Be known for something more: a clarity of thought and an instinct for problem solving that can influence governments and leading businesses the world over. Join us and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll help you enrich and expand your worldview, grow your skills and influence new ways of thinking. In other words, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll help you make the difference.

Begin now at ashurst.com/careers

Connect with us on

Make the difference at Ashurst As a global law firm with a rich history spanning almost 200 years, we’ve established ourselves as a leading adviser to corporates, financial institutions and governments, on all areas of the law including finance, M&A, disputes and competition. We’re renowned for helping our clients navigate through a complex and constantly evolving global landscape. With 26 offices across the world’s leading financial and resource centres, we offer the reach and insight of a global network combined with deep local market knowledge. Our people are our greatest asset. We bring together lawyers of the highest calibre with the expertise, industry experience and regional know-how to provide the incisive advice our clients need. As a global team we have a reputation for successfully managing large and complex multi-jurisdictional transactions, disputes and projects.

Ashurst around the globe

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offices

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partners

As a junior lawyer, your enthusiasm is in overdrive. Everything is interesting. You have a million questions for everyone. You want to be the best. And for me, I wanted to be the best lawyer and leader I could be. Right now I’m a corporate and tax lawyer, buying and selling companies, structuring investments and having the occasional battle with the ATO.

STAY TRUE.

So, a little while after I started at Clayton Utz, I joined the social committee. A powerful assembly fuelled by lunchtime pizzawielding lawyers making important decisions like choosing the Christmas party theme. They knew I liked pizza, but had no idea I was gay. You see, I wasn’t out at work yet and this became a genuine source of anxiety for a good two years. But In May 2015 this all changed... To listen to Luke’s full story, go to: claytonutz.com/graduates Academic brilliance certainly counts, but graduates who thrive here have something extra – a natural passion for connecting with people and a strong sense of self. That’s what staying true is all about. If you have these qualities, Clayton Utz is for you.

CLERKSHIP PROGRAM If you’re a law student in your penultimate year, our Clerkship Programs will expose you to the fast pace of a full-service commercial law firm and show you the law in action. You’ll be working under the guidance of some of the sharpest legal minds in Australia, on challenging, complex and high-profile transactions and matters. You’ll be mentored by partners and lawyers who are leaders in their fields, in a firm where individuality is embraced and innovation actively encouraged.

GRADUATE PROGRAM It’s not just about wearing a suit. There’s always a gap between theory and practice, and post-university prospects can be daunting. How do you make the leap to working in the industry?

That’s where we come in. Once you’ve completed your studies, our national Graduate Program gives you the perfect foundation for your legal career. Our 2.5 week orientation program is designed to ensure that you’ll hit the ground running. It consists of PLT+, local training and a national orientation week in Sydney. Our rotations will help you discover different areas and find the right fit. From day one you’ll be working on complex and sophisticated legal issues, and with our innovative learning and development approach, you’ll get the support to become the best you can be.

You’ll get… • Three rotations of six months in our national practice groups • continuing legal education programs and professional development support • mentoring from some of the best lawyers in the country • a buddy who’ll give you the inside information

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

• meaningful performance feedback so you know you’re on • social and sporting activities, because we know it’s not the right track all work and no play.

We hire most of our Graduates from our Clerkship Programs. Occasionally, additional opportunities may arise. These opportunities will be listed on our website.

think differently/thinkKWM At KWM we believe in a culture of collaboration. Grow as an individual, succeed as a team. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Power of Together.

careers.kwm.com/en/graduates-australia

As an elite international law firm headquartered in Asia, we are reshaping the legal market by challenging our people and our clients to think differently about what a law firm can be today, tomorrow and beyond. We thrive on exceeding the expectations of our clients, and as such the world’s leading organisations turn to us to unlock their biggest opportunities and deliver solutions to their most vexing challenges.

REGIONAL PRESENCE

Graduate Program

The King & Wood Mallesons network extends across the following regions:

We offer a unique training experience with multiple rotations and a bespoke comprehensive learning and development program for our graduates. We invest heavily in development to support graduates in fulfilling their potential.

• Asia Pacific (Australia, Mainland China including Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore) • Europe • Middle East • North America

OUR PROGRAMS

With ambitious thinking and innovation in our DNA, we partner with our clients to bring to life pioneering solutions which will help them to adapt, reinvent and grow. We believe innovation comes from giving our people room to grow, and as such actively encourage input and ideas from all levels of the firm.

kwm.com/careers

Our people are encouraged to think differently and shape their own career path, supported at every step of the way, with world-class training, coaching and hands-on experience. There is no ‘one size fits all’ career model, and we offer multiple opportunities for our lawyers to gain experience and thrive.

During your clerkship, you’ll learn: • 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.

At King & Wood Mallesons we provide you with the opportunities to reimagine a career in law to become what you want to be. Are you ready?

KEY STATISTICS: • Most Popular Overall Law Employer in the 2018 AFR Top 100 Graduate Employers Rankings • One of the Top 100 Graduate Employers in GradAustralia’s 2018 Student Survey • Top 15 global brand* • 27 international offices; • One of the largest international legal networks in the Asia region with 500+ partners and more than 2000 lawyers; • Our clients range from a mix of global financial and corporate powerhouses through to new industry-makers and all levels of government • With an unmatched ability to practise Chinese, Hong Kong, Australian, English, US and a significant range of European laws under one integrated legal brand, we are connecting Asia to the world, and the world to Asia. *Source: 2018 Acritas Global Elite Law Firm Brand Index

Our clerkships give you a clear picture of what it’s like to be a lawyer at King & Wood Mallesons. You’ll get to know our people, the way we like to work, our culture, practice areas, clients and more.

• Our people – you’ll find that people from every part of the business will help you by sharing their knowledge and ensuring you have everything you need to succeed. Your role

What you’ll learn The program provides a practical business foundation for junior lawyers. You’ll receive: • Meaningful work covering a wide range of practice areas • Client contact and an in-depth understanding of how they operate in a commercial and regulatory environment • The opportunity to work as part of a team with a range of partners, senior associates and solicitors in different practice groups • A practical understanding of areas of our legal practice • A comprehensive knowledge of the firm, our technology, our resources, our processes and, of course, the people you’ll work with. As part of the Graduate Program, we also offer a Practical Legal Training (PLT) course with the College of Law to our Australian Law graduates, ensuring that you meet the requirements for admission to legal practice. The program also promotes and supports the mobility of our staff across our offices by giving you the opportunity to apply to go on exchange in one of our interstate or overseas offices. Through this, you are able to access a greater choice and variety of destinations and on-thejob experience.

Clerks usually work in one or two different practice groups, depending on the length of the clerkship. You’ll be allocated a supervisor in each of your practice groups and you’ll work closely with the partners, senior associates and solicitors in that team. It’s a hands-on role, so you won’t just be watching from the sidelines. Our people are encouraged to get involved in the many social and sporting activities that go on in the firm as well as the broader community.

BONNIE ROBINSON People & Development Coordinator, Canberra T +61 2 6217 6751 bonnie.robinson@au.kwm.com

The game has changed. Be part of it.

The world is being disrupted and market demands are changing. The next generation of graduates will transform the future of legal services – we can give you the skills you need to do it well.

We are global leaders

Your success is our success

MinterEllison is a prestigious, international law firm, headquartered in Australia. As one of AsiaPacific’s leading firms, we’re borderless. We have the best people, working on the best matters, regardless of location. Our multidisciplinary and industry-facing lawyers collaborate closely across our offices in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the UK. Our independence means we can adapt in parallel with our clients and market demand. In fact, we often lead the way.

Which is why we celebrate and invest in our people. We consistently have a record number of promotions, and last year, won the award for ‘Best Learning & Development Program’ at the Australian HR Awards. We’re committed to helping our people achieve their best. And our development programs and initiatives are second to none.

With MinterEllison, you can be a global leader too. You’ll have the opportunity to work with renowned lawyers and experts from around the world. And to build remarkable solutions that go beyond one region’s laws and grasp the global picture. Essentially, you can be as agile, innovative and creative as we are.

We support you to succeed Our award-winning Clerk and Graduate Programs ensure a supportive and highly engaging experience to provide you with the best career start. Be assured that you will become a wellrounded lawyer; developing excellent technical and business skills; and collaborating with a highly reputable legal network. Our graduates accelerate their legal and business acumen through exposure to our partners, lawyers and professionals in our collaborative and innovative work environment. You will have the opportunity to rotate across different practice areas, and be exposed to inspiring and challenging transactional, advisory and litigation work.

We’re always working to open more doors for you. Recently, we restructured our organisation to make it even easier to collaborate across all our offices and access an international network of brilliant legal thinkers. Our structure also offers new career paths, allowing you to seamlessly work across multiple practice areas. Contact Gill Morphett Talent Business Partner gill.morphett@minterellison.com graduates.minterellison.com Clerkship positions Number of positions available: 6-8 Opening date: Tuesday 11 June 2019, 9am Closing date: Sunday 14 July 2019, 11.59pm Method of application: 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

I chose MinterEllison because of its emphasis on learning. There is a strong culture of knowledge-sharing and mentorship, which is particularly important for young lawyers. I find the people here are warm, knowledgeable and eager to teach.â&#x20AC;? Ann Wen Vacation Clerk

The world is full of relentless disruption. Now is the time to reimagine the future as we know it. The next generation of graduates will mark a change in closing the gap between who we are today and where we are headed to better meet market demands. More than ever, we need creative thinkers, innovators and agents of change.

The game has changed. Be part of it.

graduates.minterellison.com

Great change is here.

Are you ready? 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

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.

> run from three to 10 weeks;

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: > 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.

An early legal career at Allens includes highly tailored training through the Allens Academy. Developed in partnership with the Australian National University, our Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice will help you transition from law graduate to legal expert and trusted business adviser.

In a rapidly changing world, we seek opportunities to innovate, embracing creative thinking, new approaches and emerging technology. We don’t just seek opportunities to benefit ourselves and our clients, we believe strongly in driving positive change to do right by our community too, as demonstrated through our strong pro bono practices.

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?

Graduate program 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; > secondment options in London or Asia, via our alliance with Linklaters; > ongoing supervision, coaching and mentoring; > completing a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (via Allens Academy); and > a 12‑month weekly legal seminar series (Cornerstone Program).

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

16774D

Will Brown – ANU alumni & Allens Graduate One of Allens 2019 Graduates and Australian National University JD alumni Will Brown shares his clerkship experience in a feature with Lawyers Weekly. Having spent the best part of five years studying at the ANU, it felt like the right time to make the move from the nation’s capital to the place most commonly mistaken for the nation’s capital, Sydney. After several brief glimpses into life at Allens, it was with much excitement that I awaited the start of my Summer Clerkship. I could picture it – exciting work, new colleagues, and Christmas functions to boot. I did not, however, foresee a trip to the Sydney Children’s Hospital, an advanced screening of Jumanji, losing to a rival firm in soccer (controversially and in wet weather…) and karaoke on a Thursday night somewhere in Surry Hills. Trying to imagine life inside a commercial law firm is quite difficult. Most of the work is confidential and each person’s experience and perspective differs greatly. I had always thought - or at least hoped that I would fit in and that I would be given a chance to use my skills not just commercially, but in the context of helping other people too. After several days of training and exploring the less travelled parts of Microsoft Word, we were let loose onto the floors to join the teams for our first rotation. For me, this was Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT). Here, I was met with genuine warmth and excitement. The arrival of clerks, I was told, meant it was almost Christmas. In the weeks since, I have had the privilege to work on large-scale service agreements in addition to novation deeds, licences, advice on cryptocurrencies and even the issue of zero-ratings and net neutrality. It has been a process of constant learning, navigating new laws and trying to anticipate the regulation of new and exciting concepts.

By the same token (couldn’t help myself), I have also worked on a number of Allens Accelerate matters. Accelerate works with aspiring entrepreneurs in the embryonic stages of starting their own companies, many of which could have a big impact on a number of sectors in the coming years. What has really rounded out my experience has been the chance to work on pro bono matters. While clients are always grateful for receiving advice, there is something really rewarding when you can make a difference for a client that would not ordinarily be in a position to access legal services. Allens has a strong commitment to pro bono work and clerks are encouraged to get involved from day one. Aside from having front-row seats for a senior colleague’s rendition of Geri Halliwell’s It's Raining Men, the highlight of my Allens experience has been the people. There is a genuine team spirit among the clerks and it has been a pleasure getting to know so many interesting people from all over the country. Special thanks must go to the entire TMT and People & Development teams, without whom my experience would not have been as seamless and enjoyable as it has been. In the last few weeks, a sense of confidence has been instilled in me by the lawyers I work alongside. Despite having complex matters to attend to before Christmas, they have all taken the time to explain new concepts to me and give me detailed feedback on their work. Particular thanks must go to Ian McGill, my supervising partner. No matter how busy he has been, Ian has set aside time to review my work and provide feedback which has allowed me to increase the standard of my work immeasurably. His approachability has allowed me to ask questions and to work with confidence, without fear of making mistakes while I learn. I am also grateful to Connie Ye and Alice Williams who have also been formally involved in mentoring me during this process. Now I can't wait to see where my career at Allens takes me!

Ready for great change? Find out how to apply via allens.com.au/yourcareer Allens is an independent partnership operating in alliance with Linklaters LLP.

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

How many graduate jobs do we offer?

Across Australia, our core areas of focus are Corporate, Banking & Finance, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Antitrust & Competition.

Sydney: 4 – 6

Why are we different? Firstly, our collaborative and adaptable culture. We work together across borders, languages and legal systems, sharing insights and expertise to achieve our clients’ commercial goals. Secondly, we’re pioneers, working on many ‘first of a kind’ deals. Finally, it’s the nature of our people. Highly professional and self-assured, with an entrepreneurial streak, they embrace our culture of learning and are more than happy to share their expertise and knowledge.

Your contacts Kelly Byrnes, National HR Manager & Melissa Urquhart, HR Advisor

Perth: 2 – 4

Do we make graduate offers to the open market, or just through clerkships? Graduate offers are primarily made from the clerkship pool however applications from students unable to complete a clerkship program are still accepted and considered.

How / when should students apply? Sydney

Perth

Applications open: March 11, 2019

Applications open: July 15, 2019

Applications close: May 19, 2019

Applications close: August 4, 2019

Grads.Sydney@cliffordchance.com Grads.Perth@cliffordchance.com

Clerkships

What kind of work can a clerk expect to do?

Students must be at least penultimate year and eligible to participate in the 2021 Graduate Program

Our clerkship program is designed to provide you with a real insight to life at Clifford Chance in Australia.

When are our clerkships held?

Throughout the program, you will work alongside all levels of lawyers, including partners, while you assist with real-time matters.

Our Clerkship program in Sydney runs in Winter; in 2019 it will run from 1 July – 19 July. Our Clerkship program in Perth runs in Summer; in 2019 it will run from 2 December to 20 December.

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

You will have two seat rotations, allowing you to experience two of our three practice areas. Throughout the clerkship you will hear from various departments across the region, helping you to develop a comprehensive understanding of life in a magic circle law-firm.

Applications should be submitted online at www.cliffordchance.com/careers

BE MORE

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BE PART OF LAWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FUTURE

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Join us as a Herbert Smith Freehills Vacation Clerk and you’ll do more than just experience life at a leading law firm, you’ll be a part of everything we have to offer.

Everything about us

With 27 offices around the world, we can show you exactly what a world class 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

We recruit people with the desire and ability to be exceptional, commercial lawyers. This means that we look for more than just a great academic record and strong technical aptitude. We seek people who are curious, empathetic and understand the importance of building relationships with clients and colleagues. We also look for an international mind-set and a desire to work within our global network, not just one office. Complex cross-border deals. A market-leading Disputes division. Worldwide reach. If you’re ready to be a part of it all, we’re looking forward to hearing from you.

HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM

Clerkship program

There’s nothing more important than finding a role and an organisation that’s right for you and there’s no better way to really get to know our profession than gaining practical, hands-on experience. Our vacation clerkships will immerse you in our business, networks and the international world of law. We encourage students to participate in our vacation clerkship program and we fill the majority of our graduate positions through this program. As a vacation clerk, you will be given extensive training on all aspects of the firm, drafting and research skills. Current lawyers and partners will speak to you about what they do and the nature of work in each part of the firm. You’ll attend workshops and presentations that will give you an insight into the depth and breadth of our practice areas and international reach. You’ll be invited to a range of events giving you the opportunity to network with partners, associates and graduates, as well as with your fellow vacation clerks.

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 team.

Key dates/deadlines SYDNEY Approximate number of positions

30-40

Clerkship programs

Summer 2019/20

Applications for all 2019/20 programs open

11 June 2019

Applications for all 2019/20 programs close

14 July 2019

Offers made

18 September 2019

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.

Our global practice groups • Alternative Legal Services (ALT) • Competition, Regulation and Trade • Corporate • Dispute Resolution • Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety • Finance • Projects and Infrastructure • Real Estate

Contacts James Keane Graduate Recruitment Manager T +61 2 9322 4313 james.keane@hsf.com © Herbert Smith Freehills 2019 NOF186936_v7_advertorial_A4_Sydney /210219

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PREMIER SPONSORS

MAJOR SPONSORS

GENERAL SPONSORS

www.ags.gov.au

Guide Designed by Sonny Scott