Life as a Graduate in a National Firm

Life as a Graduate at Clayton Utz

Caitlyn Cooke

Lawyer, Clayton Utz

How did I get here?

I graduated from UWA with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Physiology and Pharmacology. I really had no idea what else to do next, so decided to try out law. The next thing I knew, I had graduated with a Juris Doctor in December 2019.

I did a clerkship with Clayton Utz in June/July 2019. I was initially attracted to the firm’s strong pro bono practice, its top-tier reputation, and its commitment to developing its people.

After completing my clerkship, I was offered a graduate role, which I happily accepted. I began as a graduate in the 2020 cohort.

Life as a Graduate

At Clayton Utz, graduate lawyers complete three, six-month rotations in different teams. I rotated through Corporate M&A and Equity Capital Markets, Major Projects and Construction, and am presently in the Restructuring and Insolvency practice. As a graduate, you are a key member of the teams through which you rotate. You will attend Court, help to draft commercial contracts, undertake legal research and assist with writing legal advice.

Highlights of my rotations include working on two initial public offerings in the Corporate M&A and Equity Capital Markets team, as well as working on a high-profile construction dispute during my time in the Major Projects and Construction team, which attracted media coverage.

The great part of being a graduate at Clayton Utz is really feeling like you are part of a team. Each team I have rotated through has been invested in my development and in helping me to improve as a lawyer. I have developed some great professional relationships. Starting my career as part of a graduate group is something I have also appreciated. My graduate cohort really relied on each other in our first year, as we navigated starting our careers during lockdown. Once office life got back to normal, we organised a charity quiz night, morning teas and other social events, which got us involved in firm life.

Pro Bono work

As well as its large and diverse commercial practice, Clayton Utz is a leader in pro bono. Every graduate is given a pro bono matter to run when they start their first rotation, which they run by themselves. I was assigned a criminal injuries compensation claim and I was able to get my client the jurisdictional maximum payout ($75,000!), which was a great feeling.

Clayton Utz also has relationships with Law Access and Women’s Legal Service WA. I had the opportunity to go on secondment to both of these organisations, which was invaluable as I was able to gain experience in other areas of law, such as family law.

Social responsibility is important to me, and I am grateful that Clayton Utz allows its lawyers to give back to the community through its pro bono practice and community partnerships.

Some parting advice

I have definitely learnt a lot during my first year as a graduate. I would offer this advice to you as future law graduates: 1. It is ok to make mistakes. You are not expected to know everything when you are starting out in your career. As long as you put your best foot forward and try to learn from the experience, you will be fine. 2. Remember to relax. Your first year as a graduate could mean late nights and weekend work. Make sure to take the time to foster your interests and relationships outside of work. 3. Keep an open mind. I recommend clerking at different firms and volunteering at a community legal centre. Choose the path that is right for you. If you are offered a graduate position, wherever that may be, remember you will be in the office five days a week, 48 weeks a year. It is important for you to determine whether you are the right fit for the firm and, equally, for the firm to determine whether you are the right fit for them.