COMPETITIONS GUIDE
2017
Gilbert + Tobin
BE MORE Start today. Shape tomorrow.
A Gilbert + Tobin clerkship is both positive and challenging. You’ll work directly with partners and lawyers who will assist with your professional development and challenge you intellectually. While your main focus will be corporate work, everyone at G+T has the opportunity to assist on pro bono matters and participate in firm-wide activities. As you progress through your rotations you will develop invaluable skills and knowledge and gain first-hand experience of our various practice groups.
Our Sydney program runs for 10 weeks, consisting of two five-week rotations across the firm’s practice areas. During both rotations each clerk is assigned a supervising partner, mentor and buddy to assist with on-the-job training. Participating in our customised in-house training will build your confidence and help you understand the mechanics of legal practice. You’ll have the chance to jump right in and immerse yourself in a leading corporate law practice. And we’ll encourage you to contribute ideas and your own fresh perspective.
The G+T clerkship experience is open to students in their penultimate year of study. We’re not a prescriptive firm when it comes to our people; we invite individuality and diversity. We also hold ambition, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit in high regard. Our people are collaborative, passionate and dedicated – but most of all they enjoy what they do and never forget to have fun. We seek clerks and graduates who will complement our practice groups and don’t feel the need to take themselves too seriously.
Applications for 2017-18 summer clerkships in our Sydney office are open from Thursday 15 June to Sunday 16 July 2017. For more information about applying for a clerkship or for program dates please visit gtlaw.com.au, or contact Kristie Barton on 02 9263 4575 or at clerkships@gtlaw.com.au
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CONTENTS PAGE 4
COMPETITIONS MOOTING
8
NEGOTIATIONS
12
CLIENT INTERVIEW
16
WITNESS EXAMINATION
20
EXTERNAL COMPETITIONS
24
STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCE REPRESENTING ANU IN COMPETITIONS
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ANU Law Students’ Society
EDITOR’S NOTE
Published by ANU Law Students’ Society’s exclusive printing partner
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Gilbert + Tobin Competitions
EDITOR’S NOTE By Tony Zhang
Dear Australian National University Law Students, On behalf of the Australian National University Law Students’ Society, we are proud to welcome you to the 2017 Gilbert + Tobin Competitions Guide. This guide would not have been possible without our sponsors, who we would like to thank formally. Your consistent support of the ANU Law Students’ Society is greatly appreciated. Legal competitions are a fantastic opportunity for law students to use their law studies in a practical manner and develop skills that are not necessarily taught in the lecture theatre. They allow students to develop communication, research and teamwork skills whilst competing with like-minded peers. With more and more law courses such as Criminal Law and Procedure and International Law assessing students’ practical skills, it has now become more beneficial to start competitions early. LSS competitions run each year, with Senior Competitions held in first semester and Novice Competitions in the second. The champions of the Senior Competitions will be invited to represent ANU at the Australian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) Conference, which are held annually in July. There are also several external competitions that LSS members can take part in, such as the Sir Harry Gibbs Constitutional Law Moot and Kirby Contract Moot. I would like to thank the Competitions Directors: Joe Dean, Victoria Hoon, Laksshini Sundaramoorthy, Matthew Faltas, Nina Bokil and Jessica Sidi. Their tireless efforts ensure the competitions run smoothly. I would also like to thank Shani Horii-Watson for helping me create and edit this competitions guide. Competitions are a fantastic law school experience which allow you to learn and have a lot of fun at the same time. I would encourage everyone to give it a go! If you have any questions about the ANU LSS competitions, please contact me at lsscompetitions@ anu.edu.au. Tony Zhang Vice President (Competitions)
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Tony Zhang is a fourth year Commerce/Law student at the Australian National University. He is the current Vice-President (Competitions) of the ANU Law Students’ Society. DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the editors or of the Australian National University Law Students’ Society. Best efforts have been made to ensure all information in this publication is correct as at August 2017 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, editors and any persons related to this publication are not responsible for the results of their actions or omissions on the basis of any information provided in this publication. All images included are Royalty free or are produced with permission from author.
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B E C O M E KING & WOOD MALLESONS A little about what we have to offer Innovation is a way of life at King & Wood Mallesons. We are the only firm in the world created from a merger between a Chinese firm and an Australian firm. Combined with our global platform across Europe, the US and the Middle East, we are facing the future head-on – connecting the world to Asia and Asia to the world. The resulting mix of cultures and clients means that KWM is a melting pot of ideas where the only thing that will stop you is the size of your own vision. We embrace the workplace of the future, focused on what we get done not how we do it. We value mobility, flexibility and agile working. Always pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved, we are reshaping the legal market and challenging our clients to think differently about what a law firm can be. KEY STATISTICS
OUR PROGRAMS
Your role
• 27 offices globally. • One of the largest international legal networks in the Asia region with 500+ partners and more than 2000 lawyers. • #1 global brand in Asia and #14 global legal brand.* • Our clients are a mix of global financial and corporate powerhouses to the new industry-makers and all levels of government (some for over 200 years). • We are the only law firm able to practice Australian, PRC, Hong Kong and English law under one integrated legal brand.
SEASONAL CLERKSHIP PROGRAM
Clerks usually rotate through two different practice groups.
Applications open: Thursday 15 June 2017 How to apply: Via our online application system at
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’ll not just be watching from the sidelines. During your time in the team, you’ll be involved in telephone conversations, meetings, client visits and the deals the team is working on.
*Source: 2016 Acritas Sharp Global Elite Brand Index and 2016 Acritas Asia Pacific Law Firm Brand Index
REGIONAL PRESENCE The King & Wood Mallesons network extends across the following regions: • Asia Pacific (Australia, Mainland China including Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore) • Europe • Middle East • North America
kwm.com/careers We offer clerkships so that you get 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. For many, the clerkship is the first stage of continuous development at King & Wood Mallesons. Details of the Seasonal Clerkship Program We’ve designed a program to help you make the most of your time with us. During your clerkship, you’ll learn: • The day-to-day skills to get you started – taking instructions, meeting with clients, drafting memos and documents, managing your practice and professional relationships. • The core practice teams at King & Wood Mallesons – who they are, what they do, how they’re structured, the clients they work for, and of course, your role within them. • Our culture – working within your team, you’ll be exposed to, and also encouraged to be actively involved in, the many activities and events that help create our unique culture. • Our people – you’ll find that people from every part of the business will help you along, sharing their knowledge, and ensuring you have everything you need to fit in, and do well.
Every clerk receives feedback. Informal feedback is also provided on the job from partners, senior associates or solicitors talking you through the work you do. Our people have the opportunity to get involved in the many social and sporting activities that go on in the firm as well as the broader community in which we live. GRADUATE PROGRAM Our graduates participate in a targeted development program. We have a framework that cultivates valuable skills and that sets our graduates up for success now and in the future. 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 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.
MARY COSTA
ELLEN WICKS
People & Development Manager, Canberra Centre King & Wood Mallesons e. mary.costa@au.kwm.com
People & Development Coordinator King & Wood Mallesons e. ellen.wicks@au.kwm.com
Asia Pacific | Europe | North America | Middle East
www.kwm.com
Working out what to do with your law degree can be a tricky process. Sarah Lowe, a graduate solicitor at King & Wood Mallesons, sheds light on her experience as a junior lawyer working in the firm’s Canberra office. Sarah joined the firm as a summer clerk in the summer of 2013-2014 before becoming a graduate in February 2016. WHY KWM?
SARAH LOWE Solicitor King & Wood Mallesons
I certainly didn’t expect to become a commercial lawyer when I started law school and hadn’t seriously considered it as an option during my first few years of study. However, I attended the LSS Clerkship night in my third and fourth year and also got to know a couple of people that had completed clerkships at KWM (both later became KWM graduates). Hearing about the type of work that my friends were doing attracted me to the KWM clerkship. I began to experience the culture of KWM’s Canberra office firsthand through the selection process and this convinced me that KWM Canberra was where I wanted to be. The summer clerkship confirmed for me that KWM Canberra was the right choice. I gained so much valuable, hands on experience in big and exciting matters, while feeling supported in a culture that I really fit in to. HOW DID YOU COME TO BE A KWM GRADUATE? I applied for a summer clerkship in my fourth year of university and was pleased to be offered an interview. I was surprised to be welcomed into the office for what turned out to be a pleasant chat with two of the partners. This relaxed and friendly approach continued in my second interview and at the “Inside a Deal” cocktail evening. I was fortunate enough to be offered a clerkship that summer and was offered a graduate position when I finished. I happily accepted, but wanted to do something a little different for the year immediately after I finished uni. KWM were really flexible about allowing me to defer my start date for 12 months, and I commenced as a graduate two years after finishing my clerkship. WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCES HAVE YOU HAD? More than anything else, I have really appreciated the variety of work that I have been able to experience in my time as a summer clerk and as a graduate.
The size and culture of the firm allows plenty of opportunity for clerks, graduates and junior solicitors to undertake work across teams, across practice areas and across jurisdictions. This is fantastic for developing broad legal skills and adaptability, and it has given me the opportunity to try out all kinds of different things before deciding where I might want to focus my career. My experience as a summer clerk spanned matters as diverse as advising on major development projects and assisting with a Royal Commission. As a graduate I’ve assisted in major cross-border transactions, worked for significant local and national clients, and have even managed to spend some time in court without ever (officially) being in the dispute resolution team. My work as a graduate in the foreign investment team has been particularly exciting. This experience has given me a great insight into all kinds of major transactions by foreign investors into Australia, and provides a high level of direct client contact. WHAT’S NEXT? I’m really looking forward to starting my next graduate rotation in KWM’s Hong Kong office. When weighing up clerkship options I was really attracted to KWM’s focus on Asia. A real perk of the grad program is that graduates can apply to complete their final rotation in an interstate or overseas office and many are lucky enough to be given this opportunity each year. The partners here in Canberra were very supportive of my application and I’ve been fortunate enough to be offered a six month rotation in the Hong Kong office along with another graduate from Sydney. I’m really excited to experience working and living overseas and to continue to develop and grow professionally in a very different environment. When I return, I hope to settle into the mergers & acquisitions team to continue working in foreign investment as well as major transactions for the firm’s government and telecommunications teams. I hope that my experience in Hong Kong will give me a great insight into how foreign investors perceive and approach investments into Australia, as well as broadening my professional networks and connections, which will be very useful back here in the Canberra office.
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Gilbert + Tobin Competitions
KING & WOOD MALLESONS MOOTING WHAT IS MOOTING? Mooting is a simulated court proceeding that is used to test law students’ knowledge and application of the law to a set of agreed facts. Teams must research the area of law that applies to the fact scenario and then write up submissions to give to a bench. They will then need to present these submissions whilst answering any questions raised by the bench. The competition consists of teams of 2-3 people - a senior counsel, a junior counsel and an instructing solicitor (optional).
law school, where there are a set of agreed facts. Before the moot, teams must write submissions to the court on what the law is and how it applies to their particular circumstance.
SENIOR MOOTING DIRECTOR: VICTORIA HOON
WHAT ARE THE JUDGES LOOKING FOR? Competitors are judged on the structure and clarity of their submissions, knowledge of the law, ability to answer questions on their feet, quality of their oral advocacy and the calibre of their written submissions. So, make sure you research and know the law, and any cases you have used and be sure to triple check your submissions for typos. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE THE MOOT? The key aspect of mooting is that it is based on an appellate proceeding, solely concerned with resolving the legal issues in contest. That means one team will be the appellant and the other respondent. The problems given to competitors will be similar to problem question assignments at WHAT MADE YOU GET INVOLVED IN COMPETITIONS? During my first year I participated in negotiation. I found this a very worthwhile and enjoyable experience, which developed my interest in competitions.
Victoria is in the third year of her Law degree. In her first year, she competed in mooting and then went on to compete in numerous other external competitions. Her favourite subject is Corporations Law.
MEET THE DIRECTOR: NINA BOKIL
WHAT IS YOU FAVOURITE PART ABOUT MOOTING? The opportunities to work on a legal problem question as part of a team, meet new people and develop practical skills. WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS CONSIDERING PARTICIPATING IN MOOTING? Prepare well in advance of the moot, know the facts of your cases and have a clear structure for submissions. Attending the mooting workshop will be beneficial.
Nina is currently in the fifth year of her combined Laws and Science degree. During her studies, she has participated in mooting, negotiation and client interview competitions. She is the Novice Mooting Director. In terms of her favourite law subject, it’s difficult for her to decide ! Contact email address: u5162553@anu.edu.au
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Advice from the Expert: Adrian Trowell
Champion, 2017 King & Wood Mallesons Senior Mooting Competition
2. WORKLOAD. Mooting is a fair amount of work, but the pay-off in terms of your legal reasoning skills, your presentation abilities and your selfconfidence mean it’s totally worth the effort. Further, because the problem stays the same week to week, the vast majority of work will be done within the first week. 3.SUBMISSIONS & STRUCTURE. The first step is to prepare your written submissions. Submissions are essentially an outline of your case – you need to outline which side you’re arguing, what rulings you’re asking for from the Court, and how you’re structuring your arguments. Start by breaking down the overall argument into parts. If you have a torts problem, for example, submission one might deal with duty of care, submission two might deal with breach of duty, submission three might deal with causation, and submission four with damage. In this way you move systematically through what you have to prove (or disprove) to “win” the case for your client. Then, break down each submission further, outlining the key parts of your argument and citing the cases you rely on. Focus should be put on what you think the contentious issues are, as well as the crucial ones. 4. KNOW YOUR CASES AND KNOW THE FACTS. The standard question all judges ask, and one of the first you’ll get, is: “What are the facts of that case, Counsel?” Impress them early and know the answer. You don’t have to memorise every case you use, but you should be able to give a brief one to two sentence answer to that question for every case you use, and a more detailed answer for cases you cite frequently and rely on heavily. Citing a case when you haven’t read it, or don’t know the facts, is sloppy. 5. DON’T RELY ON PRINCIPLES – APPLY THE FACTS TO THE CASES. The other issue with not knowing facts is that you’re neglecting a key part of your argument. Judges will be much more impressed if you back your argument up with appropriate analogies. You could say, “Bolton v Stone means that you’re not negligent if it wasn’t
reasonably foreseeable”. Better yet: “In Bolton v Stone, the Court held that it wasn’t reasonably foreseeable that cricket balls flying over the fence would hit Mr Stone and cause injury because the ball was hit out of the grounds only once a season. The Court commented that this was a borderline case in terms of foreseeability. We submit that this case does/doesn’t resemble Bolton (depending on your client) because…” This shows that you know both the principles and the fact of the case you’re citing, and can then analogise with your moot scenario. 6. SUIT UP, BUT DON’T TRY AND ONE UP SUITS. Formalities and style are a key part of what you’re learning and practicing so suit up and take a formal approach to addressing the bench (that’s the judge). Make eye contact and don’t fiddle. A couple of general dos and don’ts: • Start your submission with, “May it please the Court” • When you come to your first citation, read it out in full, then say, “With your Honour’s permission, I will dispense with formal case citations” • “Your Honour” not “you”, “I submit” not “I think”. • Your opponents are “our learned friends” not “the other side/opposition” • Do not interrupt the judge, no matter how long-winded the question Leave the theatrics at the door; American courtroom dramas show horrendous oral advocacy practices. In Australia, lawyers stand behind the lectern when addressing the judge, they don’t walk about gesticulating wildly. Don’t sass the judge. Over-hammed oratory is frowned upon. Rhetorical questions should be left at the door, along with misrepresentations of facts/law and snarky observations about your opponents.Remember, it’s a conversation with the judge, not a debate.
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1. RELAX. Most people think mooting is scary… calm down, it’s actually not. The way mooting is structured, namely a conversation with your judge about the law and the facts, ensures that it’s much less intimidating once you begin that dialogue.
8. BUILD A NARRATIVE. Your “case theory” is a narrative crucial to both written and oral submissions. Ultimately, your case theory is your understanding of what you have to prove to win your case, and how you are going to prove it. This case theory drives your submissions, and provides structure and clarity to your legal arguments. Submissions prepared ad-hoc and without a case theory are nearly always jumbled and confused.
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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.
Gilbert + Tobin Competitions
CLAYTON UTZ NEGOTATION WHAT IS NEGOTATION? Often, before a case goes to court, attempts are made through negotiation to resolve the issue. For the Negotiation competition, a fact scenario, containing both general and confidential facts, are sent to competitors at least two days before each round. Both teams receive identical general facts, which contain basic information about the clients as well as some grounds of dispute. Each team will also receive confidential facts that are specific to their client. These facts are used to develop a strategy for the negotiation. Teams consist of 2 people acting as solicitors.
WHAT ARE THE JUDGES LOOKING FOR? You will be judged on your problem solving skills, team work and ability to persuasively yet respectfully communicate with the opposing team. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE NEGOTIATIONS? The negotiation time is 40 minutes, which is followed by a five-minute self-evaluation that is also assessed. Each team may take a fourminute break during the negotiation, however the clock does not stop.
At the end of the formal negotiation, each team will have an opportunity to reflect on their performance with the judge. In the reflection, you will discuss what you did well, the effectiveness of your strategy and areas for improvement. WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN COMPETITIONS? When I came to law school everybody was talking about mooting. I was interested but when I heard it took up eight hours of my week, I got cold feet. Negotiation had the excitement but less of the insane workload, so I gave it a go in my first year. That little dabble got me hooked.
MEET THE DIRECTOR: JOE DEAN
WHAT IS YOU FAVOURITE PART ABOUT NEGOTIATION? The best part of any good negotiation is the ‘click’ moment; a solution that addresses everyone’s issues. There is always plenty of hidden information to discover in negotiation, and piecing the puzzle of confidential facts together is always a lot of fun. Most of the questions are designed to make win-win scenarios possible — it’s just a matter of finding the path to that goal. WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS CONSIDERING PARTICIPATING IN NEGOTIATION? The most important thing to remember in a negotiation is that the facts in front of you are probably a statement of your client’s position. Always think beyond those basic facts about how flexible they are with that position, and what their real interests are. Working with interests in mind is the key to reaching creative and mutually beneficial solutions.
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Joe is a fourth-year Law and Commerce student. His favourite subject is legal theory, but he thinks jobs are cool too so he gets around Corporations Law. In his spare time, he listens to hip hop, play strategy games, and drinks red wine. You can catch him on the LSS organising the negotiation competition, which he really loves. Contact email address: u5558630@anu.edu.au
Advice from the Experts: Emma Rogerson & Zoe Vlahogiannis
Champions, 2017 Clayton Utz Senior Negotiation Competition Before you begin the negotiation you must carefully read the facts and know them thoroughly. From this, figure out your client’s priorities and areas in which you can compromise. Make an agenda that represents how you want the negotiation to flow in a way that details the key points of discussion and where interests for your party lie.
2. RELATIONSHIP
It is important to come to the negotiation with a positive attitude and not purely see it as adversarial. It is crucial that you have a positive relationship with the opponent, as this often leads to a better outcome and a strong relationship is an important factor in judging. It is also important to establish a clear and equal relationship with your partner. While you may have particular roles, both partners should be across all the issues and able to contribute solutions.
3. LISTEN
To achieve the best outcome for your client you need to understand what the party wants and what the conflict boils down to. The best way to achieve this and potentially exploit the other parties interests is to listen and clarify. Knowing what is important to each
side means you can more easily reach a mutually beneficial arrangement and will not be distracted by issues that can easily be solved or agreed on.
4. SOLUTIONS
You need to enter the negotiation with as many solutions to the different problems as possible. These solutions need to be flexible and outside the box. You should also consider which solution is best for your client and where they are willing to concede. Additionally you need to listen to and recognise good solutions the other party may propose and build on these solutions with the other team so they fit both your client’s interests.
5. REFLECTION
Reflection time with the judge is just as important as the negotiation. Think about your strengths and weaknesses in the negotiation and how such weaknesses could be improved upon. Acknowledge what the other team did well and how you could implement that in the future.
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1. PREPARE
WORKSHOP NOTES
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BE MORE
THERE’S MORE TO LAW AT GILBERT + TOBIN
GTLAW.COM.AU
Gilbert + Tobin
BE MORE Join the game-changers of Australian law. Over the summer of 2016/17 I was given the opportunity to be a summer clerk at Gilbert + Tobin in Sydney. Deciding which firm to join can be a daunting task, however G+T appealed to me due to the firm’s agile and progressive approach. The firm seemed to truly value juniors and was not afraid to adapt to meet new demands. These attributes, coupled with the laidback, genuine personalities of the people in the firm, where the reasons I chose G+T. Over the 10 week clerkship I rotated through Real Estate and Projects and Competition + Regulation. During my rotations I was involved in a large scale due diligence for a billion dollar resources company, assisted on Australia’s first criminal cartel, drafted advices, completed research tasks and was taken to client meetings. Outside of rotations I participated in G+T’s annual hackathon with Westpac, learnt basic coding and received fortnightly training on a wide range of commercial topics. I was also given a pro bono task, an innovation research project and opportunities to be more involved in various pro bono services. As you can see the 10 weeks is full of a variety of activities. The summer clerkship was also one of the most enjoyable summers I have had in Australia, as there was the weekly sport competition with clerks from other law firms, multiple Christmas
parties, weekly drinks and many social lunches. I was also clerking with 22 other law students, who were all friendly and interesting. The clerkship provided me with the perfect insight into working in a commercial law firm, followed by the opportunity to continue working as a paralegal in G+T’s Banking + Infrastructure practice. I am excited to begin my career in commercial law at Gilbert + Tobin, knowing the firm provides me with so many opportunities for development. Sean Macdonald 2016/17 Sydney Summer Clerk
Gilbert + Tobin stood out to me from the beginning of the clerkship process. I liked the fact it has a flat workplace structure and that all employees are valued equally regardless of their position or level of experience. I also really liked that the firm is constantly looking for new ways they can improve and use technology to streamline legal processes.
Find out more at GTLAW.COM.AU
Being a clerk at G + T exceeded all my expectations. My mentors and buddies made it easy to settle in. Every lawyer and partner I worked with took the time to brief me on a matter comprehensively before allocating work. This meant I could always understand how a task fit in to the big picture and I was able to learn a lot, very quickly. I was really surprised by how much responsibility I was given from very early on in the clerkship. I didn’t expect to be drafting affidavits and statements or corresponding with clients, but I found myself doing these tasks regularly. The lawyers and partners are approachable, friendly, and always willing to answer any questions. On several occasions people went out of their way to organise for me to sit in on client meetings, court matters, interviews or arbitrations. On top of this, people are friendly and welcoming, and nobody takes themselves too seriously. I felt so privileged to work at G+T and cannot recommend the firm highly enough. Amelia Noble 2016/17 Sydney Summer Clerk
Gilbert + Tobin Competitions
GILBERT + TOBIN CLIENT INTERVIEW WHAT IS CLIENT INTERVIEW? Client interview involves a client and teams of two competitors acting as solicitors. Each team will receive a small summary of the facts, but this will not encompass the client’s fact scenario. The aim of the competition is for the teams to interview the same client to extract as much information as possible about the client’s visit. This is done by asking relevant and precise questions. Some of the client’s information are harder to extract than others and will only be revealed when directly asked about them. Once you are confident you have a complete set of facts, or are near the end of your allocated time, you will need to summarise the information you have gathered. At the end of the interview, you will leave the room while the client and judge discuss how they think you went, before you do the same.
decision as to the legal avenue they should pursue. Your team work and oral communication skills are also important. You will be scored poorly if team members seem to be competing to ask questions towards the client. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE THE CLIENT INTERVIEW? Remember to introduce yourselves to the client and give them a firm handshake at the start of the interview and remind them that their interview (the first consultation) is free. Keep your questions clear and concise to ensure that the client does not get confused. Your main responsibility as a solicitor is to act in the best interest of the client, so make sure you ask your client about their ideal outcome from the interview.
WHAT ARE THE JUDGES LOOKING FOR? In this competition, specific knowledge of the law is not necessary, rather you will be judged on your ability to communicate effectively with a client and improvise in tricky situations. You will also be judged on how well your team can gather facts and assist the client in making an informed WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN COMPETITIONS? I got involved in competitions from my second semester of my third year and loved it! It was a great way to practically apply the theory I had learned in class and was a great way to meet new people and develop my communication skills.
MEET THE DIRECTOR: MATTHEW FALTAS
WHAT IS YOU FAVOURITE PART ABOUT CLIENT INTERVIEW? It’s been very interesting to watch the different personas that different clients bring to the table! It really challenges each team to adapt their interviewing style to the situation and think on their feet. WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS CONSIDERING PARTICIPATING IN CLIENT INTERVIEW? Make sure that you are questioning your client about pertinent legal matters. You have a limited amount of time, so make sure your questioning has a clear logical structure to it. You should also be prepared to deviate from your structure and think outside the box!
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Matthew is in the third year of his Commerce and Law degree at ANU. In his second year, he competed in mooting. His favourite subject is Succession. Contact email address: u5838343@anu.edu.au
Advice from the Expert: Matthew Ryan
Judge, 2017 Gilbert + Tobin Senior Client Interview Competition
HAVE A PLAN Make sure you go into the interview prepared. Have a list of ‘housekeeping’ topics you need to get through at the start such as costs and confidentiality, and have an idea of which of you will take which roles in the interview. For example will both of you take notes? Will one take the lead in asking open questions at the start, while the other then takes over for closed questions? How will you arrange your interview room? These should all be discussed before you go into the interview. Be sure to take notes of the feedback from the judge, and add them to your plan for next time. USE THE MOST OF YOUR REFLECTION It’s important to use the 10 minute reflection to give the judge information that you couldn’t say in the interview. Don’t just summarise what happened in the interview, because that doesn’t give the judge any new information for assessing you. For example you can discuss how you
organised your team, if there were any good strategies you used, or if there was an important part of the client’s story you couldn’t raise in front of them. Use of the reflection is a criterion your team is assessed on, but you can also use that time to maximise your points in the other criteria. SUMMARISE It’s always important to continually summarise and clarify what the client is telling you. This is important because it can help you discover any time or logical gaps in the problem, or prompt the client to give more pieces of their story. It’s always good to summarise about halfway through the interview, and then again at the end before you begin to discuss some options for the client. GIVE OPTIONS Clients like to feel empowered and it’s always important to give a range of legal and even non-legal options for your client at the end of the interview. Although Client Interview isn’t about delving into any substantive areas of law, it’s a good idea to do some research ahead of time on the likely options that are available in a specific scenario. For example, if the memo alludes to a divorce, have a look at how the family law disputes are resolved. There are also some stock standard options to have up your sleeve, for example the possibility of litigation, how ADR such as mediation works, or the basic outline of the criminal process. Remember that while you should give the client a range of options, it’s also important to explain each one’s benefits and drawbacks.
ANU Law Students’ Society
BUILD A RAPPORT Perhaps the most important thing in Client Interview is to build a rapport with the client. Your goal is to make sure they come back to your firm. Having a friendly and supportive demeanour, and even having some small talk at the beginning of the interview can do this. Remember it’s possible to be professional while also unpretentious. Building a rapport with the client also has benefits for other parts of your interview. For example if the client is comfortable with you then they will be more forthcoming with information and they will be more receptive to the legal options you give them.
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ABOUT US
WHAT WE LOOK FOR
If you want to make the most of your career in law, our global network is the perfect place to start. Our worldwide capabilities give us access to the most interesting markets, the most exciting clients and the most significant and complex transactions. For you, this means the chance to work on market-leading deals with some of the most experienced and talented lawyers in our industry, together with access to international secondment opportunities from early in your career.
Initiative A curious mind is vital, as is plenty of initiative. The more adaptable you’re prepared to be and the more energy you bring, the more you’ll get out of your career here. You’ll be able to steer a path that turns possibilities into realities.
Excellence
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
Excellence is essential; it’s a guarantee we give our clients. Intellectually rigorous, driven and eager to learn, you’ll set the highest standards for yourself and strive to be the best you can be.
It begins with our people
Commerciality
It’s our people who make us great. It is our priority to ensure they are constantly challenged, recognised, rewarded and empowered throughout their careers.
Successful lawyers understand that law is more than an academic pursuit. It’s about understanding the client – their objectives and the challenges they face – as well as the wider commercial environment in which we operate.
Our unique way of working
Resilience
We adopt a flexible approach to the way we work, which builds strong and diverse teams, and is one of the reasons our lawyers tell us a career here is so rewarding. You won’t be limited to working with a particular partner or group. Instead, you will have the opportunity to drive your career by working with a range of lawyers and partners.
Positive people thrive in our environment. We look for people who can build sustainable careers with us; people who successfully juggle a busy life and varying commitments while maintaining their wellbeing. Like us, you’ll believe that leading a full, active life outside the law can make you a better person to work with.
We make the complex simple
Well-rounded
We are known for the quality of our legal minds. That’s why we attract some of the most complex legal work, and why our lawyers are recognised as the best in the profession.
Our clients often tell us we have ‘great people’. And it’s true. We look for diversity – people who bring a fresh perspective and energy to everything they do, with the ability to create strong relationships with each other and with clients.
Life-long learning
Teamwork
As a graduate, we’re committed to giving you the best professional and personal development opportunities. Our training programs provide graduates with practical legal education of the highest professional standard. You’ll build your knowledge of the law and business and find an area of law that inspires you. We will support you with leading learning and development programs to round out your skills and put you on the path to becoming a market-leading lawyer.
The ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with others is of fundamental importance to working successfully at a commercial law firm. Negotiations involve work with multi-disciplinary teams across borders and successful lawyers work to reach the best possible outcome in transactions, mediations and arbitrations.
CLERKSHIP PROGRAM Come and explore a career with us by applying for one of our clerkships. Our clerkships offer ambitious penultimate-year law students an insight into the workings of a large corporate law firm, and offer an exceptional opportunity to experience our work, people and culture. Anything is possible with us – provided you are willing to work hard and are committed to achieve whatever you put your mind to.
Attention to detail Lawyers are expected to have an accurate and meticulous approach to their work. You need a good eye for detail to be able to communicate effectively on paper with both colleagues and clients. Attention to detail is part of providing a quality service to our clients.
HOW TO APPLY www.allens.com.au/careers ww.linklaters.com/ukgrads www.linklaters.com/hkcareers 15306D
GENEVA SEKULA At the start of 2015 when my law school was abuzz with the prospect of completing clerkships, I had not decided if I was even going to apply. I had heard a lot about cocktail nights and canapés and interviews, but I didn’t know much about what completing a clerkship actually entailed or why I should sacrifice my beloved summer holidays to do one. Having spent the summer at Allens, I can definitely recommend doing a clerkship. It’s an invaluable way to see the inner workings of a commercial firm.
opportunity to experience first-hand how commercial law operates in a different legal system. I had some memorable experiences zipping through Saigon traffic on a motorbike and visiting tourist hotspots; certainly different to the weekends I would have been having at home! Although I didn’t come back particularly fluent in business Vietnamese, I definitely came home with a broader international perspective on commercial law, and felt privileged to have been able to experience life in one of the Asian offices.
I was unspeakably nervous on the first day of my first rotation. I had never worked in a law firm before and I was concerned that I didn’t remember an awful lot from my first year Contracts class at university. I needn’t have worried. That first day I hardly got through any work because the people in my team kept stopping by to say hello, have a chat and see how I was going with everything. I was amazed at how genuinely interested everyone was in getting to know me and making sure I was feeling confident in my work.
I was exposed to lots of different work during my time at Allens. I helped to draft letters, write research memos, conduct title searches, proofread contracts, and attend meetings, among many other things. But the summer was much more than simply doing a job. It was an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the firm and we went to a number of seminars which helped to shed more light on the culture of the firm. We heard about Allens’ pro bono work and presence in the community and about the alliance with Linklaters, we heard from a panel of partners who gave us insight into their career progression with the firm, and we heard from a panel of graduates who answered any and all of our questions. I attended Christmas parties (yes, plural), was invited to welcome yum cha, and had many, many coffee catch-ups with lawyers and other clerks. Beyond the legal work and the firm, the clerkship is a great way to expand your social networks. We also went to inter-firm trivia nights and the clerk cruise, and had lots of other opportunities to get to know each other, and the clerks at other firms.
This was indicative of the wider culture of the firm and I was deeply impressed by how supportive and enthusiastic everyone was, and how much time the lawyers were willing to take to explain tasks to me or answer my questions. The firm instigates a formal support network with a buddy, development lawyer and supervising partner, which was a great source of comfort and helped to keep me on track. But, beyond that, there were plenty of lawyers who were keen to get involved with the clerkship and offer their help and feedback. One of the reasons I decided to go to Allens was because I saw it as a firm where there would be opportunities to work overseas, and having an international dimension to my career was important to me. I hadn’t ever guessed that my first chance to travel with Allens would be in my sixth week working for the firm. After the Christmas break, instead of boarding a train to Wynyard, I found myself boarding a plane to Ho Chi Minh City where I was to complete a three-week rotation. The Ho Chi Minh City office was very different to the Sydney office. For one thing, it was a lot smaller, and the contracts were in both Vietnamese and English. I had an amazing time in Vietnam experiencing different food and a different culture, but also having the
Allens is a firm full of opportunities. In 10 weeks I travelled internationally, went on an overnight trip to a client office, went on a tour of a coalmine, experienced a Women at Allens panel, visited the Sydney Children’s Hospital, and had the chance to work on pro bono matters. I can’t tell you exactly what to expect from an Allens clerkship, because you never know what opportunities will be there for you to take. The clerkship program gives you the chance to peer inside a commercial firm and to think about your future. I loved my time with the firm and can’t wait to start my career. A clerkship with Allens feels like unlocking the door to an incredible future and I would recommend it to anyone.
CLERKSHIPS AND GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN A GLOBAL NETWORK
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ALLENS WITNESS EXAMINATION
Gilbert + Tobin Competitions
WHAT IS WITNESS EXAMINATION?
Witness Examination is a mock criminal trial where two competitors compete against each other as defence and prosecution. Each competitor will have a witness during the round. The fact scenario is released one hour before each round begins. During the hour before your round, you will consider the questions and issues that may be raised by your opponent and prepare your witness so that they know the fact scenario. Ethical considerations and rules of evidence must be kept in mind at all times when speaking to a witness before and during the round. If your witness lies, or shows obvious signs of collusion, you may be excluded from the competition. You will be required to conduct an evidence-in-chief and cross-examination to extract oral evidence from your and opponent’s witness.
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE THE WITNESS EXAMINATION? To compete in witness examination, you must provide your own witness for each round. Your witness need not be a law student at ANU. You will be expected to present an opening argument, evidence-in-chief, cross-examination and a closing speech. Each round lasts 90 minutes. Although Witness Examination seems like competition for individuals, it is incredibly important that you work with and prepare your witness. An unprepared witness can often be harmful to your case.
WHAT ARE THE JUDGES LOOKING FOR?
During the evidence-in-chief and cross-examination, you will be judged on your communication and legal skills, the manner you conduct yourself towards the witnesses and your ability to object when your opponent makes a mistake.
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN COMPETITIONS? I decided to get involved in competitions to gain some practical legal experience that went beyond the textbook. It was also a great opportunity to socialise with friends and was a really fun (sometimes stressful) activity to do together. I started off with the LSS’ novice mooting competition and have continued to moot since.
MEET THE DIRECTOR: LAKSSHINI SUNDARAMOORTHY
WHAT IS YOU FAVOURITE PART ABOUT WITNESS EXAMINATION? My favourite part about witness examination is that you have little preparation time and are forced to think on your feet. You have to uncover creative solutions to complex problems and only have an hour to do so. This is also means that in terms of time commitment, it’s a very manageable competition to participate in. WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS CONSIDERING PARTICIPATING IN CWITNESS EXAMINATION? I would highly recommend witness examination to any students who are considering competitions, My main tips would be to stay calm during the preparation time and attend the workshops. Also, make sure that you have a reliable witness you can count on for the rounds.
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Laksshini is in the second year of her Arts and Law degree. She is majoring in International Relations and Economics. In her first year she competed in mooting. Her favourite subject is Australian Public Law. Contact email address: u6078745@anu.edu.au
Advice from the Expert: Rebecca Dixon Champion, 2017 Allens Senior Witness Interview Competition
2. ORGANISE YOUR WITNESS WELL IN ADVANCE Competitors supply their own witnesses for each round, and without a witness, you can’t compete. This means that it’s important to find someone who will turn up when they say they will. 3. ESTABLISH A CASE THEROY Whether you’re prosecution or defence, you want to present a clear story to the judge- it will make your side much more believable and interesting. Make sure you also make it clear how the evidence matches your theory more closely than your opponent’s.
4. TIE YOUR CASE BACK TO THE LAW You will usually be given the relevant sections and it can be helpful to go through each of the elements of the alleged offence in your opening and closing statements. This is also a good way to start if you haven’t quite got your case theory together. 5. ALWAYS ACT PROFESSIONAL Even when your witness is being unhelpful or your opponent says something ridiculous, remember to be polite and professional, and try not to use informal language. Also remember to observe courtroom etiquette- again, there are lots of great sources online if you’re unsure. 6. FAKE IT ‘TIL YOU MAKE IT Witness Examination can be intimidating, but act as confident as you can and eventually you’ll feel that way! 7. HAVE FUN Law school competitions are a rare opportunity to improve legal skills and try out public speaking techniques without any consequences. The worst case scenario is that you won’t win, so give it your best shot and enjoy!
ANU Law Students’ Society
1. READ THE RULES AND BRUSH UP ON YOUR EVIDENCE KNOWLEDGE You’ll need to know about objections (leading question, relevance, and opinion are probably the most useful), and the Browne v Dunn rule. Don’t worry if you haven’t done Evidence yet, there’s a lot of information online and in my experience other students and staff have been happy to lend a hand. The concepts you need to know for Witness Examination are quite basic, but it’s important that you understand them before you compete.
WORKSHOP NOTES
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MOVE YOUR MIND
Graduates in Law
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 we’ll help you enrich and expand your worldview, grow your skills and influence new ways of thinking. In other words, we’ll help you move minds.
Begin now at careers.ashurst.com Connect with us on
ASHURST At Ashurst, you won’t just be learning from the past or from specifics. You will also be developing the instincts to tackle the most complex issues in international law and building an understanding of each client’s business. We want a broad range of minds, all united by a common set of strengths.
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time zones
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countries
WE’LL HELP MOVE MINDS
CURIOUS?
Internationalism is part of the fabric of our firm. It’s not just how many offices we have in how many countries. It’s how closely, how seamlessly and how naturally all of those offices work together.
The best way to understand what it feels like to work here is to actually work here! Every year, we hold clerkships in each of our offices to give you an intensive experience of our culture and the kind of work we do.
Pick up the phone. Send off an email. In the world’s largest financial and business centres across Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and the USA, there are Ashurst lawyers who’ll answer you – swiftly, efficiently, skilfully.
SO WHAT DO THE NUMBERS MEAN?
25
offices
More access to intellectually demanding, multijurisdictional work. Great international mobility and secondment opportunities. Most of all: collaborations. Across the firm, you will find the same engaging culture wherever you are based.
3,150 people
1,250+ lawyers
400+
OUR STRENGTHS We’re renowned for helping our clients navigate through a complex and constantly evolving global landscape. With 25 offices across the world’s leading financial and resource centres in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and the USA, we operate at the cutting edge of the financial, resources and infrastructure, corporate and new economy markets. We tackle diverse areas of law, including finance, M&A, disputes and competition. In each, we offer advice that’s as commercially astute as it is technically accurate.
We work hard to make sure they’re as useful and as stimulating as possible. You’ll spend time in our departments, where you’ll work with a supervising partner, a lawyer and a buddy who’ll get you involved in real work.
STARTING YOUR CAREER As a firm, everything we do is characterised by a pursuit of insight, understanding and clarity. We share our clients’ ambitions and we cut to the heart of their issues with speed and clarity, whether we’re working locally or globally. As a graduate, you’ll benefit from a tailored rotation plan, in-house PLT and global firm structured aQ training to help develop the highest standards of technical legal expertise, industry know-how and business and legal skills.
APPLY What you say in your application is up to you: but be sure to express your personality and tell us why you want to be a commercial lawyer – and why you’d like to join Ashurst in particular. We need people with a rare kind of mindset: an openness to the way you work, an agility to the way you think, and a strong desire to keep evolving as a professional.
partners
To start moving your mind, begin now at careers.ashurst.com
Gilbert + Tobin Competitions
EXTERNAL COMPETITIONS ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS TRIBUNAL (AAT) MOOT The AAT National Mooting Competition is an annual competition conducted over five rounds at both state or territory and national level involving fact scenarios drawn from a variety of administrative law areas. Each round of the competition concerns a different practice area of the Tribunal’s jurisdiction and is adjudicated by Members of the Tribunal. The competition aims to expose students to the merits review jurisdiction of the Tribunal, highlighting the differences between Tribunal practice and procedure and that of the courts. Date: Starts on 14 August Venue: ACT Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Canberra ANIMAL MOOT The Australia New Zealand Intervarsity Moot on Animal Law (ANIMAL) is hosted by The Animal Law Institute and is sponsored by Voiceless the animal protection institute. It is one of the largest moots in Australia and New Zealand. It is also the only animal law moot for Australian and New Zealand law students. Date: 16-17 September Venue: Monash University, Melbourne BAKER MCKENZIE NATIONAL WOMEN’S MOOT This competition is aimed at addressing the equity issues facing women at the bar and is the only national moot in which all competitors must be female. The Moot encourages increasing accessibility for women in the law industry. It is also a great opportunity for female law students to gain advocacy experience and network with eminent legal practitioners who will judge the moots. Date: 25-28 September Venue: University of Sydney, Sydney CASTAN CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS LAW MOOT The Castan Centre Human Rights Moot is the only one of its kind in the country, providing young lawyers the chance to develop their knowledge of human rights. The competition is based on Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. Date: 30 August - 1 September Venue: Monash University, Melbourne
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SIR HARRY GIBBS CONSTITUTIONAL LAW MOOT The Sir Harry Gibbs Constitutional Law Moot is a high calibre moot which brings together Australia’s best constitutional law mooters to compete in Melbourne. The competition is structured as a four moot round-robin, followed by three knockout finals rounds. There is a $1500 prize for the winning team, and a $500 prize for the second placed team. In 2016, the ANU team won the competition. Date: 23-25 September Venue: University of Melbourne, Melbourne THE
HONOURABLE MICHAEL KIRBY CONTRACT LAW MOOT The Kirby Moot is a fixture in the legal calendar and has strong support from the County Court of Victoria, members of the Victorian Bar, various law firms and practical legal training institutions. Several high calibre law professionals are invited to judge the rounds and provide feedback to students. Winners of this competition win prize money and usually go on to compete in international mooting competitions. Date: 23-25 September Venue: Victoria University, Melbourne UOW & ANU CRIMINAL LAW MOOT This year, the University of Wollongong Law Students’ Society, in conjunction with The Australian National University, introduced and hosted a new Intervarsity Criminal Law Moot. ANU Legal Workshop lecturers were in attendance and were available to answer questions, and to talk about what the ANU GDLP can offer by way of flexibility, electives, course start dates, compulsory courses and legal placement requirements. Date: 11-12 August Venue: University of Wollongong
WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS CONSIDERING PARTICIPATING IN EXTERNAL COMPETITIONS Since you’ll be representing ANU, we want you to be the best candidate for the competition. That’s why we recommend that you: • Get experience from internal comps beforehand so you’re comfortable with the structure of legal competitions • Make sure you can dedicate the amount of time and effort required for the competition before you apply • Take the preparation and research stage seriously so you can get the most out of the competition. WHAT IS YOU FAVOURITE PART ABOUT EXTERNAL COMPETITIONS? My favourite thing about external competitions is that it gives you the opportunity to compete against some of the best teams from all over Australia. It also allows you to get constructive feedback from judges with extensive legal experience and diverse career backgrounds.
MEET THE DIRECTOR: JESSICA SIDI
Jessica is a third year straight Law student. She has competed in mooting and the ANIMAL Law Moot. Her favourite law subjects are Contracts and Consumer Protection and Product Liability law.
ANU Law Students’ Society
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN COMPETITIONS? I decided to get involved in mooting during my first year because I wanted to develop my advocacy skills and put the legal studies I learned to some practical use outside of the classroom. I really enjoy participating in legal competitions because it encourages me to come up with creative ways to approach complex problem questions.
Contact email address: u5807021@anu.edu.au
WORKSHOP NOTES
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ABOVE AND BEYOND BE A PART OF EVERYTHING
GRADUATE CAREERS IN LAW Join Herbert Smith Freehills 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 - whether you’re working on a high-profile takeover, catching up with an overseas client or taking on some challenging pro bono work. It’s an environment in which your perspective, ideas and experiences will make a real difference. Don’t just experience everything, be a part of it.
SEARCH HSF GRADUATES FOR MORE
BE A PART OF EVERYTHING
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GLOBAL REACH
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. Takeovers and mergers. Arbitration and litigation. Finance and real estate. As a world class professional services business, our work is incredibly varied. Thanks to the quality of our global network and world-class Business Services professionals, we work with some of the biggest international organisations on some of their most ambitious projects. Herbert Smith Freehills is a place where you won’t just experience everything, you’ll be a part of it. So if you’ve got the drive and ambition to become a brilliant lawyer, we’d like to hear from you.
YOUR DEVELOPMENT We view you as the partners of the future, so it goes without saying that your development is incredibly important to us. Our full service practice and extensive work for international clients means you’ll enjoy a varied experience across contentious and non-contentious departments.
26 offices, including associated offices across Asia-Pacific, EMEA and North America
And there’s more to that than just a great academic record. There’s fantastic perception and communication skills. There’s confidence and collaboration skills. Empathy, an international mindset and diligence. And there’s the drive to not only experience everything, but to be a part of it.
OUR GLOBAL PRACTICE GROUPS • Alternative Legal Services (ALT) • Competition, Regulation and Trade
We have prepared some more detailed information on our website: careers.herbertsmithfreehills.com/ au/grads/au/grads/join-us
• Corporate • Dispute Resolution • Employment, Pensions and Incentives
INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE SECONDMENT PROGRAM Our international network means that we can offer opportunities and experiences that are unrivalled in scope. In 2014 we launched our international secondment program for Australian graduates to our Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and London offices and we are continuing to expand our secondment program.
As well as getting exposure to a huge breadth of work, you’ll be supported to grow your career and reach your goals with flexible training and development plans. Individually designed, these plans will allow you to gain experience in all areas and help you find what’s best for you and your career.
To read more about our international graduate secondment program including some recent experiences from our graduates go to our website: careers.herbertsmithfreehills.com/au/grads/ graduate-program
WHAT WE LOOK FOR
JOINING US
We are interested in who you are and the strengths you can bring. We look for exceptional people from a diverse range of backgrounds with the passion and ability to become truly brilliant lawyers.
We offer a range of summer and winter clerkships in each of 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.
• Finance • Projects and Infrastructure • Real Estate
GRADUATE EMPLOYERS 2016
CONTACT
James Keane Graduate Recruitment Consultant T +61 2 9322 4313 james.keane@hsf.com
KEY DATES AND DEADLINES BRISBANE
MELBOURNE
PERTH*
SYDNEY
Approximate number of positions
25-30
70-80
45-50
30-35
Clerkship programs
2 summer
2 summer 1 winter
2 summer 1 winter
1 summer
Applications for all 2017/18 programs open
27 February 2017
10 July 2017
17 July 2017
15 June 2017
Applications for all 2017/18 programs close
20 March 2017
13 August 2017
6 August 2017
16 July 2017
Offers made
8 May 2017
12 October 2017
20 September 2017
4 October 2017
*Perth vacation clerkship dates to be confirmed 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. HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM
© Herbert Smith Freehills 2016 NOF166714_Syd_v1 030217
Gilbert + Tobin Competitions
REPRESENTING THE ANU IN LAW COMPETITIONS Madhav Fisher
Champion, 2017 King & Wood Mallesons Senior Mooting Competition ANU Representative at ALSA The sausage sizzle line stretches across the lawn. You see early-bird students clutching triangles of white bread, and filling them with condiments. Tomato sauce and mustard fly about. Just in front of the holy of holies: the barbecue, two students sitting at a table ask you if you would like to do competitions. “But, the workload,” you think, “Is it really worth it?” In short: yes, it is worth it. There is no substitute for experience, pressure makes diamonds, and clichés are clichés for a reason. Competitions at ANU allow students to practice their legal skills in a safe and challenging environment. Competitions give participants the closest experience to practicing law, with the added incentive that the result doesn’t matter other then as a learning experience or a good story. On the 5th of July of this year, those who won the internal senior competitions represented the ANU at the annual ALSA Conference. Every year, the ANU and universities from around Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific send representatives to compete in Witness Examination, Client Interview, Negotiation, International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Mooting and Championship Mooting. This year, our fantastic Client Interview and IHL Mooting teams both broke into the quarterfinals, and our IHL team of Claire Paton, and Sophia Collins made it to the semi-finals. However, ALSA is not just about competitions. Participants were able to meet law students from all around Australasia, listen to speakers from ACT Legal Aid and the Law Society among others. They were able to hear a (moot) judgment from Professor William Gummow AC, Professor Pauline Ridge and Chief Justice Helen Murrell of the ACT Supreme Court. For those who enjoy the finer things, we were treated to drinks at the Boat House and, dinner at Parliament House and the War Memorial. The hardest part of competitions is signing up. For everything else, an entire community of academics, students, and the LSS Competitions team is there to support you.
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Victoria Hoon
ANU 2017 ALSA Paper Presentation Representative 2017 UOW & ANU Criminal Law Moot 2016 Animal Moot Team The best aspect of competing in external competitions has been the opportunity to meet new people. I found it extremely rewarding to meet other law students from around Australia and New Zealand that share the same interest in mooting as me. My interaction with other competitors also enabled me to see their different mooting styles and adopt features of their mooting styles that I felt would work well for me to further develop my mooting skills. I also made great friends from the competition which was a bonus. External competitions are a great way to further expand your interest in a particular subject or to learn something completely new! Whilst it may seem extremely daunting to learn a whole new area of law, it is exciting and rewarding to be able to successfully present your findings during the competition. Furthermore, it is a great opportunity to further develop and practice your mooting skills. Before the competition, make the most of the assistance that is offered to you. Practise moots and guidance on structuring submissions can be very helpful in your preparation for the competition and will help develop your mooting skills overall. Once you’re at the competition, embrace the whole experience! As well as competing, participate in the other events that are offered, explore the host city and make an effort to get to know your fellow competitors. I really enjoy participating in mooting and have always been keen to improve my mooting and legal skills. I was also attracted to external competitions because of the wide range of competitions offered. They also gave me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone, enhance my mooting experience, travel to another city and represent ANU. I chose to compete in the Australia New Zealand Intervarsity Moot on Animal Law as animal rights have been and continue to be an issue in our society. As a result, I was interested to see how see the application of animal rights protection in the legal context.
WORKSHOP NOTES
ANU Law Students’ Society
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Gilbert + Tobin Competitions
Collaborate Licenced conveyancers Jacinta Lagana and Ashley Wilson, meeting to review an off the plan contract containing special conditions for a client.
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ANU Law Students’ Society
Innovate
Partner Gareth Jolly and Associate Cameron Loughlin after winning the firm’s national Hackathon for their new legal service app.
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Your journey begins with a world-class summer clerkship Real client work. Invaluable coaching. A tailored development program. A genuine insight into working with our Firm – while building great friendships. Plus, we offer the unique opportunity to build your global knowlege and network – through an International Clerkship. Become a world-class lawyer. Join the firm that was born global.
www.bakermckenzie.com/en/locations/asia-pacific/australia#careers Find us at @BakersAUS
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Ready to explore our world? Angelique Wanner +61 2 8922 5596
UNIQUELY ALEXANDER Accepting a clerkship at HDY, working with industryleading lawyers that I can call both colleagues and friends, has been the perfect kick start to a successful career in the law. Unlike other firms, the fact that HDY offered three rotations was a huge draw-card for me, as coming straight from law school I felt very unsure of which area of law I wanted to pursue. During the clerkship I experienced both litigious and transactional practice groups. I completed rotations in Commercial Litigation & Intellectual Property, Construction & Procurement, and Mergers & Acquisition. Through each rotation I was assigned a Supervising Partner, Supervising Senior Associate, and Buddy. From the first instance to the last, I was mentored, coached and supported in every aspect. There was a real sense of comradery within the firm that ensured no question was ever too stupid and no mistake was ever un-fixable. In Commercial Litigation & Intellectual Property I was involved in an urgent interlocutory application in the NSW Supreme Court. My days consisted of attending court, drafting subpoenas and affidavits, and helping the team research our best line of argument. Whilst rotating through Construction & Procurement I assisted in drafting and refining contracts for the building of a major NSW infrastructure, as well as an extremely time-sensitive adjudication application. Finally, in Mergers & Acquisitions I was helping the team advise on directors’ duties, company obligations and the rights of shareholders in a hostile company takeover. On top of this, I had the opportunity to assist with various pro bono matters including the Refugee Advice & Casework Service. In all my rotations I was meaningfully involved in the matters and felt that I was a necessary and valued member of each team. My summer clerkship at HDY was an exciting, challenging and rewarding experience that exposed me to a variety of opportunities – both legal and social. Clerking at an industry-leading firm, surrounded by people who were personally invested in my professional development is something that typifies the excellence and uniqueness for which HDY is well known. Choosing HDY, I know that my career is in the right hands. Alexander Proudford Summer Clerk 2016/17
UNIQUELY A PLACE TO THRIVE
UNIQUELY COLLABORATIVE
UNIQUELY DETERMINED
UNIQUELY YOU
Gilda Carter, Graduate Recruitment Manager T: +61 2 9947 6532 E: summerclerks@hdy.com.au
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Gilbert + Tobin
BE MORE If you share our ambition to be the best, Gilbert + Tobin will place you on that trajectory.
We employ a diverse mix of talented and ambitious people who are attracted to the firm because of its entrepreneurial spirit, creative approach and capacity for change. These are the reasons we enjoy a reputation as the most successful corporate law firm to emerge in Australia in many years. We advise many of Australia’s and the world’s leading organisations and focus on the most dynamic sectors. Our clients and projects span Australia, Asia and emerging African markets.
From our state-of-the-art office in Barangaroo, the partners and lawyers in our Sydney office include some of Australia’s leading practitioners in: + Banking + Infrastructure + Competition + Regulation + Corporate Advisory + Energy + Resources + Intellectual Property
Some firms may talk about providing unique opportunities. We deliver on our promise to provide real opportunities to advance your career. We provide the chance to be deeply involved in interesting, challenging work much earlier in your career, accelerating your opportunities and experience.” Danny Gilbert, Managing Partner
+ Litigation + Pro Bono + Real Estate + Projects + TMT + Project Services
If you want to work for a first-tier corporate law firm, and you want to be the best you can be, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Find out more at GTLAW.COM.AU