Thomson Geer

programs such as Justice Connect and Homeless Persons Legal Service.

Thomson Geer is a signatory to the National Pro Bono Resource Centre’s aspirational target of 35 hours of pro bono legal work per practitioner, per year. In fact, our lawyers can spend up to 50 hours per year on approved pro bono matters and receive financial credit for this time.

CLERKSHIP INFORMATION

During which periods do you offer clerkships?

We offer two, four-week clerkships over the summer period. One in November/ December and one in January/ February.

How many clerkship positions are available for 2021?

Four to six positions are available.

What tasks do clerks usually undertake?

Clerks undertake a range of tasks depending on the practice area they work with. Common tasks include: • attending client meetings; • observing court proceedings; • conducting legal research; • drafting correspondence and court documents; • due diligence and disclosure.

How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression?

Clerks at Thomson Geer are provided with meaningful work for real client’s right from the start of their clerkship. The best way for clerks to stand out is to: • show a real interest in the work and our clients; • commit to producing high quality work; and • demonstrate excellent communication skills.

What are some things students should avoid doing in their clerkship applications?

Devaluing their experiences. We have heard candidates say they have left non-legal work experience off their resume because they thought it was not relevant. But that part time job in retail or hospitality or somewhere else taught you valuable skills.

Unfortunately we also see many spelling errors in applications. Attention to detail is very important and spelling errors can make an otherwise great application stand out for all the wrong reasons.

Do you offer clerkships to non-penultimate year students?

We accept applications from penultimate and final year students.

GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION

What does your firm look for in a graduate?

We look for hard-working and motivated law students who have excelled academically, are customer focused, commercially minded, work well in a team environment and are enthusiastic about commencing their career with a dynamic law firm.

How can students apply for a graduate position at your firm?

First priority offers are made to those who completed a clerkship with us. If further graduate roles are available, they can be applied for through cvMail or our website.

How many graduate positions are available in 2021?

Three to four positions are available.

Does your firm offer any international opportunities for graduates or junior lawyers?

While we have strong links to international firms, we do not have an international office and therefore do not offer international opportunities.

INTERVIEWS

What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview?

Our first round interviews are performed by video and applicants are provided with questions and given time to prepare their responses.

We like to see well thought out responses that are relevant to the question and demonstrate an understanding of the work we do.

We also enjoy getting to know a little bit about our applicants outside of what we might see on their CV!

How can students best prepare for an interview with your firm?

Setting aside time to review the questions and carefully considering the answers they wish to give. Researching the firm and understanding our approach and the work we do.

CASUAL/PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT

Does your firm offer any casual or part-time employment?

Yes, we offer casual or part time employment when needed.

How can students apply for a position at your firm?

Our vacancies are advertised on the careers section of our website.

Tottle Partners

Level 40 108 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000

1 Office http://www.tottle.com/

ABOUT THE FIRM

What are your firm’s core values?

Tottle Partners values expertise, service and value.

Expertise: Our clients benefit from the extensive capability, experience and consistency of our talented lawyers, who are specialists in the areas in which they practise.

Service: We pride ourselves on providing a personalised, direct service. We are well resourced and committed to understanding our clients and their interests and forging strong relationships with them over years of working with them.

Value: We are results driven. We have a strong pragmatic and ‘value for money’ approach. We understand our clients’ need for certainty regarding costs.

How would you describe your firm’s culture?

The Tottle Partners culture is founded on all of our staff supporting and respecting each other and knowing that they are valued for their contribution. We are proud of our down to earth culture, where we work hard but know there is more to life than the daily grind.

How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms?

Our lawyers do not have to wait years to do challenging and interesting work; they work directly with our clients and senior lawyers from day one. We operate an ‘open door’ policy and do not work in a rigid hierarchy or team structure, which provides our lawyers with the opportunity to work with many of their colleagues in the firm and gain experience in a range of practice areas. With many of our partners having left large national firms to join Tottle Partners, we know the importance of flexible work practices and enabling our staff to achieve a positive work/life balance.

What significant work has your firm undertaken?

• Providing advice and representation to the builder of the largest solar farm in Australia • Successfully representing

The Agency in high profile litigation by a former director and major shareholder • Representing the WA Bell

Companies Administrator

Authority established by the state government in an effort to resolve the long running disputes arising from the collapse the Bell

Group of companies in the 1990s

Practice Manager | careers@tottle.com | (08) 9217 6715

Administrative and health law; building, construction and engineering law; Corporate advice, employment and workplace relations law; General commercial law, insolvency law, insurance law; intellectual property and technology law; litigation and alternative dispute resolution; Media and defamation law; Mining and resources law; Property, conveyancing and leasing.

What kind of pro bono work does the firm engage in?

We act pro bono for a range of not-for-profit and community organisations.

CLERKSHIP INFORMATION

During which periods do you offer clerkships?

Our clerkship program is open to students in their penultimate year of study, running for a period of 2 weeks throughout the summer and winter university holidays.

How many clerkship positions are available for 2021?

8.

What tasks do clerks usually undertake?

Our program provides clerks with the opportunity to gain experience in multiple areas of commercial practice and have direct access to partners. They are not limited to working within only one practice group. Applicants can read more about one of our recent clerk’s experiences at www.tottle. com/careers

How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression?

Students who apply and correctly follow the instructions on how to apply, will be looked at favourably. This shows attention to detail