2019 Careers Handbook

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2019



2019 Careers Vice-President: Calvin Rokich 2019 Marketing Director: Paige Pittorino 2019 Careers Sub-Committee: Alexander Sparrow, Dhruvi Pindolia, Zac Bosnakis 2019 Marketing Officer: Elliot Holland 2019 President: Mike Myers

MAJOR SPONSOR Herbert Smith Freehills

PRINTING Graphic Source

CONTRIBUTORS Aaron McDonald, Aimee Riley, Andrew McLean, Asanka Gunasekera, Ben Tomasi, Daniel White, Emma Salsano, Fraser Ricupero, Her Honour Judge Fiona Vernon, Isabella Wilson, James Penn, Jasper Johnson, Jennifer Jacobs, Julia Burvill, Lisa Abbott, Lisa Duff, Mara Barone SC, Matheo Vinciullo, Matthew Plint, Amelia Ikin, Natalie Skead, Nicholas van Hattem, Rachel Lee, Sarah Tempest, Simon Bourke, Stephen Puttick, The College of Law, The Honourable Chief Justice Peter Quinlan, The Honourable Robert French AC

CORPORATE SPONSORS Allen & Overy, Allens, ANU, Ashurst, Bain, Baker McKenzie, Bennett + Co, Clayton Utz, Clifford Chance, College of Law, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, DLA Piper, EY, Gilbert + Tobin, HBA Legal, Herbert Smith Freehills, Hopgood, Johnson Winter & Slattery, Jones Day, K&L Gates, King & Wood Mallesons, Leo Cussen, McKinsey, MinterEllison, Norton Rose Fulbright, Price Sierakowski, Squire Patton Boggs, Steinepreis Paganin, Williams + Hughes, Wotton + Kearney Thank you to everyone who made this publication possible

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

BLACKSTONE


Acknowledgements Foreword Editorial

1 4 5

CAREERS TOOLBOX | 6

Clerkships Practice Groups Recruitment Dates Applications Online Testing Cover Letters Crafting Your CV Interviews Graduate Positions

8 10 14 15 18 20 24 30 32

PRACTICAL LEGAL TRAINING | 34

COMMERCIAL FIRM DIRECTORY | 44

CONTENTS

Allen & Overy Allens Ashurt Baker McKenzie Bennett + Co Clayton Utz Clifford Chance Corrs Chambers Westgarth DLA Piper EY Gilbert + Tobin HBA Legal Herbert Smith Freehills HopgoodGanim Lawyers Johnson Winter & Slattery Jones Day K&L Gates King & Wood Mallesons MinterEllison Norton Rose Fulbright Price Sierakowski Corporate Squire Patton Boggs Steinepreis Paganin William + Hughes Wotton + Kearney

46 50 54 57 64 68 71 75 80 83 86 89 93 97 100 103 106 111 115 118 122 125 129 132 136

COURTS | 140

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Your Pathway To Admission ANU School of Legal Practice The College of Law Leo Cussen

The High Court of Australia The Federal Court of Australia The Supreme Court of WA

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142 143 144

GOVERNMENT DIRECTORY | 146 AAT ACCC AHRC ALRC ATO CCC Commonwealth DPP Commonwealth Ombudsman DFAT DPC ICWA Legal Aid WA ODPP WA WA Ombudsman SSO

148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 163


TRENDS IN THE PROFESSION | 214 Tips for Clerkship Success Evolution the key to Survival The Piddington Society & Justice Project

216 218 220

MANAGEMENT CONSULTING | 180 Bain & Company BCG McKinsey & Company ARTICLES FROM THE PROFESSION | 186

COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRES | 164 Aboriginal Family Law Services 166 Citizens Advice Bureau WA 167 CCLSWA 168 Employment Law Centre 170 EDOWA 171 FCLC 172 Mental Health Law Centre 173 Street Law WA 174 SSCLS 175 Tenancy WA 176 The Humanitarian Group 177 WRAS 178 Womens Legal Service WA 179

Commercial Law Life at a Global Law Firm Life at a Global Law Firm Life at a Global Law Firm Clerking in Sydney Q&A: Litigator Edition From Senior Associate to Starting a Firm Life as a Workplace Relations Lawyer Life as a Banking Lawyer Life as a Tax Lawyer Courts On Being a Judge The Path to Becoming a District Court Judge Working as a Registrar’s Associate Life as a Barrister Government Working at the SSO Variety in the Legal Profession Film Law and Film Technology Innovation in Law Academia An Unexpected Diversion Criminal Law Life as a Criminal Defence Lawyer

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FOREWORD

The Hon Robert French AC Chancellor The University of Western Australia

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t is a challenge and a pleasure to write this Foreword. Typically the person who contributes a foreword has been provided with a manuscript of the book in advance. The exigencies of production in this case mean that the editors have not been able to meet that requirement. This may say something about whether they have a future career in legal publishing. It is, however, convenient for the writer of the foreword who is absolved from the usual ethical challenges that attend this task, namely: •

how much of the book to actually read;

what code phrases to deploy if it is unsatisfactory.

Answers to the second question include ‘a rich resource’ if the book is long and dense and unlikely to be read from cover to cover by anyone who has a life. ‘Thought provoking’ may be used to describe a book with which one generally disagrees. It is hard to apply any of these terms to a careers guide, read or unread. However the term ‘useful’ springs to mind having regard to the calibre of the contributors and the variety of their perspectives talking about careers for law graduates. It is important for any pending law graduate to bear in mind that a law degree can open a door to many career options including, but not limited to, front-end or back-end lawyering in a large commercial practice. Within legal practice itself there is an exciting range of possibilities for the new graduate. They are to be found in the public and private sector, in cities and in the regions. They include practice as a member of an in-house legal team serving corporations large and small and non-governmental organisations. Generalist and specialist legal aid and community legal service organisations may provide opportunities for hands-on experience with significant responsibility at an early stage in the development of a legal career. International dimensions of trade, commerce, regulation, environmental and criminal law, intellectual property and competition law may also open doors beyond our shores. Whichever path the new graduate chooses, she or he will be entering a transforming profession intersecting with significant technological change which will impact upon the way in which legal work is done and service is delivered. If nothing else, the new graduate will have to be adaptable. My advice to the law graduate is to expect the unexpected, to be ready for surprising choices and unthought-of contingencies. And remember, there is a world beyond the legal eco system with all its richness. There are many careers in which a law degree will be of inestimable value but do not involve legal practice. They may include careers in public service, public administration, the arts, journalism and many other areas. This book, which I praise sight unseen should, if it does its job, open up to its readers some of the choices which they may not already have thought about. In so doing through the life experience of its distinguished contributors it will do a great service. I commend the editors and the publication.

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Calvin Rokich

Paige Pittorino

Careers Vice Presiddent The Blackstone Society

Marketing Director The Blackstone Society

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nother year, another Handbook! This year we have produced the Blackstone Careers Handbook with each and every law student at UWA in mind. The Juris Doctor is a degree that equips us with skills for a wide range of future careers, and we hope that this handbook gives you a glimpse into some of the paths that will be open to you upon the completion of your studies. We are so excited to see what paths you all take in your future careers, and hope that this Handbook plays a small role in guiding you. This Handbook is the product of both the Blackstone Careers and Marketing teams, and would not have been possible without their tireless work. Further, we are so grateful to the professionals who donated their time to contribute to the Handbook. Having read their contributions in advance, we are so excited for everyone to read on and learn from their stories. If you’re at the stage of your degree where you are applying for clerkships or graduate positions, then this Handbook is the best place to start your research. The process of planning your career while at law school can be a scary and confusing task, so we have compiled all the information you need to make the process as painless as possible. If you’ve found yourself in a law degree and realised you have no idea what to do with it, then the articles contained in this Handbook may provide you with some inspiration. If nothing else, they will show you that the feeling of uncertainty is one that you share with many incredibly inspirational people. If you’re not sure whether commercial law is for you, then we hope you take comfort in this Handbook. There are so many paths outside of commercial law for you to walk and we have only included a tiny selection To everyone who reads this, we hope your future career is one that excites and fulfils you. We wish you all the best and cannot wait to see what the future holds!

EDITORIAL 5



CAREERS TOOLBOX The Careers Toolbox is designed to assist you through any application process. We have set out techniques for writing cover letters, CVs and attending interviews. We have also set out key information on clerkship and graduate information, including the recruitment dates for 2019. We hope this Careers Toolbox is a useful tool during the application process, as well as in the future. The Blackstone Careers team will also organise a variety of Careers Presentations during 2019 to supplement the information provided here. If you have any questions throughout the year please never hesitate to ask a member of the Blackstone committee.


CLERKSHIPS

WHAT IS A CLERKSHIP? A clerkship is an employment experience in a law firm or government department over the summer and winter holidays. They tend to run for 2 to 3 weeks and are generally paid.

Clerkships are regarded as important because many of the large international and national firms tend to only hire graduates that have completed a clerkship with them. However, it is also a critical note that, completing a clerkship does not guarantee a graduate position at the firm. Clerkships can give you an insight into the areas of law that really do and don’t interest you. Some students may even realise that practicing law isn’t for them after completing a clerkship, which shouldn’t be alarming as a law degree can provide you so many other opportunities. Regardless, completing a clerkship will still provide you invaluable real-life experience and skills that will help you regardless of where career path you pursue. Clerkships are designed for students in their penultimate year of study (students in their second to last year) and these students will generally receive preference over non-penultimate. However, this does not mean that you cannot apply as a non-penultimate students. Some firms don’t restrict themselves to just penultimate students - spend some time, do your research, in order to determine which firms would be best to apply firm. As a non-penultimate student, even if you don’t get offered a clerkship, there are still benefits to be had, such as going through the experience, and you will have honed your application skills and will be better placed next time.

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WHAT TO EXPECT? Expect to be given real work for real clients. You may be given tasks including sitting in on client meetings and taking notes for your supervisor, attending court, drafting correspondence, researching case law or legislation on a complex issue and writing a memorandum detailing the findings of your research. If you work for government departments, professional services firms or in other internships, your work will vary. Expect the work you’re given to be quite different from what you’ve learnt at university and embrace it! Don’t forget that a clerkship is also an opportunity for you to figure out whether you would want to start your professional career with that firm and in that area of law.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU? Firms do not expect their clerks to walk into the firm and know everything. Firms will run a number of training exercises such as research skills, getting to know the firm’s resources, letter writing and drafting memorandums. These exercises will provide you with many useful tips and many of the skills can be transferred into the remainder of your university studies and future careers. Be yourself. Firms want to see how you fit in with the culture of the firm, and whether they should put the time into training you and taking you on board. It’s also expected that you will work hard and put in effort to meet and get to know the staff. It’s important that you are enthusiastic and keen to learn more about the firm, even though the work can get tedious when you’re essentially at the bottom of the food chain. It’s also important that you’re professional and courteous (and not drunk at Friday night drinks...). 20 19

They provide students an opportunity to gain insight into what practical legal work is like and find the firm that suits you the best. You are given the chance to see how you work and operate in a professional environment and firms will often offer high performers graduate positions. Exposure to a variety of firms and cultures helps you to decide the career path you wish to pursue.


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A lot of firms have a buddy system in place which means you will have a buddy, usually a graduate lawyer or a restricted practitioner in your practice group, who you are partnered with during your clerkship. Your buddy is there to help you with any questions you may have and help you with figuring out how things work around the firm. It is not a problem if you have any silly or embarrassing questions, your buddy would have been in your position not too long ago so they will understand how you feel.

SOCIAL GATHERINGS Clerkships aren’t all just about working! Many firms will organise social events which provide a good break from all the stresses of work and an opportunity to socialise with the wider community of the firm. If your clerkship is in December you will likely attend the Christmas party and if your clerkship is in June, you will likely attend the end of financial year functions. Firms will generally also host Friday night drinks or other sporting competitions to engage with the clerks. It is important to make the most of these events as it is a wonderful opportunity to meet people from other practice groups in the firm and help you determine whether you would be a good fit at the firm.

GENERAL TIPS The night before Make sure that you have set your alarm and checked the train/bus times - you don’t want to be late Make sure you have an early night because you want to feel fresh and ready to go - first impressions count! Dress code Most firms have a corporate attire dress code. For males, this means suits, including a tie. Some firms don’t require their staff to wear ties but it is recommended to wear a tie on your first day and, if you don’t need to wear around the office, still bring one bring with you just in case you need to go to court or a client meeting . For females, this means a mid-length dress or blouse and a work shirt or dress pants. It is normal to feel nervous on your first day Don’t be! Remember that the firm was confident enough in your ability to choose you, so you should be as well! Your first day will usually consist of getting to know the other clerks, familiarising yourself with the computer systems, office tours and being introduced to your practice groups. Enjoy yourself, learn lots and have fun!

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What happens on offers day? If you are lucky enough to get an offer (or even a few offers), you will receive a phone call from the firm (usually HR or your interviewing Partner) any time between 9am and 11am. If you don’t need to be on campus, try and stay home so you’re not distracted by your peers! Do I have to accept the offer straight away? No, you have until 11am to decide. It’s very common to thank a firm for their offer and ask if you can call them back with your decision. This gives you the chance to consider everything on the table.


Litigation, Dispute Resolution and Insolvency; Commercial Law, Mergers & Acquisitions and Insurance; Minerals & Resources and Environment Law; Projects, Real Estate and Construction; and Public Law, Constitutional Challenges, Native Title, Litigation for State Projects. You may also hear the terms, ‘front end and back end’. The distinction refers to the work legal professionals do. Front end includes legal advice given in setting up business activities and operations (including mergers and acquisitions, and contracts) whilst back end refers to the work required when legal problems arise, typically exclusive to litigation. During your clerkship, the firm will likely hold presentation and seminars from across the firm’s practice groups. These provide great insight into the areas the firm works in and areas you may be interested in. Even if you know what area law you want to work in beforehand, always try keep an open mind and try new things - you may find that an area which you thought was very dull, is actually really interesting. Allen & Overy is a truly global adviser and boasts an extensive geographic footprint, with nearly 70% of our work involving two or more jurisdictions. We foster creative, independent thinking within a collaborative culture and, as a result, our lawyers are involved in many of the most influential commercial ventures, and are known for providing our clients with transformative solutions to the toughest legal challenges.

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PRACTICE GROUP INSIGHTS

WHAT AREAS OF LAW DO CLERKS GET INVOLVED IN?

Our 800+ lawyer global corporate practice regularly appears on the largest and most high profile international transactions across the 44 major business centres we operate in. The world’s leading businesses turn to Allen & Overy for advice on strategic and complex corporate law issues. In our Perth office, cross-border work is where we excel and almost all of our transactions are multijurisdictional. We advise on matters across the broad spectrum of corporate work, including public takeovers, private M&A, auctions, complex joint ventures, disposals and corporate restructurings, as well as general commercial, antitrust and corporate governance issues. We offer more than just first–class legal analysis. We offer strategic advice, transaction management and unmatched deal execution capability, based on our lawyers’ extensive domestic and international experience. Some of the Perth office’s recent deals executed include acting for:

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TOTAL on its 50:50 joint venture with the Adani Group in relation to LNG assets in India and the establishment of a co-branded retail network of 1,500 service stations and a gas/LNG marketing business across India. EMR Capital on its acquisition of an 80% interest in the Lubambe Copper Mine in Zambia from Africa Rainbow Minerals and Vale for USD97.1m.

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PTTEP on the sale of its 100% interest and operatorship in the producing Montara oil project. Vale on the sale of its 50% interest in the Eagle Downs Coal Coking project.


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Our Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) team has been recognised as the leading TMT law team in Western Australia. We act for a range of clients, including many of the world’s leading corporates, state government entities, major Western Australian organisations and a number of emerging start-ups.

We advise on the full-range of TMT projects and contracts, including in relation to strategic and transformational projects, IT and technology procurements, research and development collaborations and outsourcing, implementation, operational and support services arrangements. We also advise on complementary matters such as data rights, data security, intellectual property, privacy and project delivery strategies. To give you a snapshot of the type of work we do, we have recently advised: •

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A major international mining company in relation to a number of its strategy and innovation projects. The technologies being introduced as part of these projects include autonomous systems, machine learning, AI and IoT. RAC in relation to the procurement and trial of Australia’s first driverless shuttle bus and next generation autonomous vehicle. State of Western Australia in relation to its transformational $3 billion GovNext-ICT project. This project involved a fundamental change to the way in which the Western Australian public sector procures data storage, cloud and telecommunications services. Horizon Power in relation to its world-leading electricity smart-grid project. Public Transport Authority in relation to its Smartrider upgrade project. Western Power in relation to the procurement of services to survey many kilometres of transmission assets using pulsed-light aerial surveying. frugl in relation to its provision of data and analytics services to major retailers. AlphaIntell in relation to the commercialisation of its data acquisition and artificial intelligence based technology.

We also advise on general commercial matters, including major procurement and outsourcing projects. For example, we acted for the Rottnest Island Authority in relation to the drafting, preparation and negotiation of its agreement to outsource the facilities, utilities and support services on Rottnest Island. Our team is also playing a key role in the firm’s Australian National Blockchain (ANB) project. This project is investigating how we might use blockchain technology to design, build and commercialise a new ‘digital backbone’ for Australian business. We are particularly interested in how the ANB might enable smart legal contracts (SLCs), contracts which contain clauses that self-execute if specific conditions are met. SLCs are able to interact with external data sources such as industrial sensors, parliamentary websites and email notifications to update or trigger contractual conditions. Graduates and junior lawyers in our team benefit from working on a wide range of cutting-edge matters and work directly with our clients to provide practical, innovative and commercially-focused solutions.

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There is no doubt about it – banks have been a hot topic over the past year or so! Ever since the Banking Royal Commission was announced, everyone has a view on the banks, and rightly so. This is because, unless you're Kylie Jenner and have achieved the status of 'youngest self-made billionaire', it's likely that most things you do in life are going to require financing (or refinancing, if you're on the same side of being a millionaire as I am). The same is true for most companies. Consequently, the finance sector impacts on almost all aspects of commerce. This makes finance law, which deals with the legal aspects of the finance sector, an interesting and diverse area to work in. The Allens Banking & Finance department is a market-leading team that works on many high-profile transactions, which are often front-page news. The work that we do is broad and covers many different areas of finance (including project, asset and property financing, debt capital markets, securitisation, derivatives, funds, and insolvency and restructuring), as well as every sector of the economy. The transactions we work on often involve companies or assets located across borders, which means you will be exposed to varied legal jurisdictions. As a junior in the Allens Banking & Finance team, you will be heavily involved in every aspect of a transaction, sometimes being the client’s point of contact at the firm, drafting and negotiating agreements, and advising on different financing issues. The Perth Allens Banking & Finance practice has a team environment in which you will work closely with partners, senior associates and lawyers of all levels. This means that you are always supported, which is a big plus when the hours get a little longer and the work gets a little harder.

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Our workplace relations, employment and safety team advises clients on all aspects of workplace law including contentious and non-contentious matters. We assist clients manage complex industrial relations matters and provide strategic advice relating to enterprise agreement making, navigating industrial disputes and driving workplace change.

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Our team regularly appears in the Fair Work Commission in industrial matters and works with Australia’s leading industrial relations barristers in matters in the Federal and Supreme Courts around Australia.

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We assist clients with the management of employees, including in redundancy and restructuring situations and in the management of poor performance, misconduct and ill and injured employees. We represent our clients in dismissal matters both in relation to claims of unfair dismissal and adverse action made pursuant to the Fair Work Act (Cth) 2009 and with respect to common law contractual disputes in the District and Supreme Courts.

Clayton Utz also has a market leading workplace safety practice and advises clients on policies and procedures as well as assisting manage any safety incidents that occur. We represent our clients in safety prosecutions brought by mining and safety regulators.

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We represent clients from a broad range of industries including mining and resources, higher education, banking and financial services, maritime, agribusiness and aviation. Clayton Utz is also a trusted adviser to Government and acts in both contentious and non-contentious matters including representing the Federal Government in prosecutions.


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The Dispute Resolution (DR) practice group at King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) works on a diverse range of complex commercial disputes for clients ranging from household names such as major banks and global resources companies to charities and individuals through our pro bono program.

In Perth, the DR practice group has a number of specialty areas such as construction, workplace and employment, insolvency and general corporate commercial. We also work closely with colleagues in other KWM offices around the country, which means we are able to work on an even wider range of disputes, such as professional negligence and competition matters.

DR no longer just means litigation either. We work with clients on complex international arbitrations in Singapore and London, represent clients in mediations, and assist clients through other contractual dispute resolution mechanisms they agree to adhere to. This means we get to work with a variety of lawyers from around the country and the world to ensure our client has the best possible legal representation. I am in the general corporate commercial team, and in my first month in DR I have worked on submissions in the Supreme Court, applications in the SAT, commencing proceedings in the District Court, discovery in relation to a claim in excess of $1bn, and advising clients on a pending construction dispute. As a junior in DR there is a lot of discovery and research to be done. This means you are often the first one looking through the documents in relation to a dispute, which allows you to develop a deep understanding of the facts in a dispute. This means you are the ‘go to person’ regarding the facts of the case. It also means you get the chance to find the smoking gun that will prove your side’s version of events! Further, given the complex nature of the disputes we work on, the research tasks you are given are often in relation to technical and novel points. This means you get to really think about the law and how to pull together different cases to present a convincing argument in favour of your client’s position. This can often be challenging, but is satisfying when you see your arguments being used in submissions in court. In my first few months as a DR lawyer, I have also had carriage of a complex pro bono matter. This meant that I was responsible for briefing counsel, liaising with the client, drafting writs and statements of claim and commencing proceedings in court. This is an incredibly rewarding part of the job as well as it allows you to use your legal expertise to assist disadvantaged members of the community exercise their legal rights, when they otherwise may not have been able to. Patrick Mackenzie, Solicitor, King & Wood Mallesons

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RECRUITMENT DATES

SUMMER / WINTER VACATION CLERKSHIPS 2019/2020 Applications Open Monday 15 July 2019

Applications Close

Sunday 4 August 2019

Review and Interview

Monday 5 August to Friday 13 September 2019

Offers

Made: Friday 20 September 2019 at 9am Held Until: Friday 20 September 2019 at 1pm

GRADUATE RECRUITMENT 2019 1ST ROUND OFFERS First Round Offers Made Friday 26 July 2019 at 9am

First Round Offers Held Open To Friday 26 July 2019 at 5pm

GRADUATE RECRUITMENT 2019 STANDARD OFFERS Applications Open Monday 29 July 2019

Applications Close

Sunday 11 August 2019

Review and Interview Offers

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Monday 12 August to Friday 6 September Made: Friday 13 September at 9am Held Until: Friday 13 September at 1pm

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COVER LETTER

2 RESUME / CV

WHAT DO YOU NEED? 3 ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT

Each firm will require you to submit a scanned and certified copy of your transcript, either through cvMail or directly with the firm (depending on the firm’s application process). This means you only need to purchase one official copy from the university.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

As part of their application process, a number of firms require you to answer additional questions. These questions will usually focus on finding out more about you, your achievements, what you can offer the firm, why you decided to pursue a career in law and questions about your level of industry awareness.

APPLICATIONS

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Typical questions will involve asking you about specific situations, usually outside of university and your studies. For example, you may be asked ‘What do you feel is your greatest achievement, and what challenges did you face in achieving it?’ In other situations, your responses should have the effect of convincing the firm or organisation that you are interested in pursuing a career in law and your willingness to work with that firm or organisation. Such questions may include ‘What is your motivation for seeking a career in law?’ or ‘What has attracted you to this firm or organisation?’ Lastly, firms and organisations want to know that you are interested in the industry and that you will be able to assist their clients and provide innovative solutions. It is important that you conduct research in preparation for these questions! An example question may be: ‘Identify a current commercial issue that has attracted your attention recently. Why do you consider it important? Who are the key stakeholders and what are the implications for those concerned?’

ONLINE TESTING

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Corrs Chambers Westgarth have kindly provided us with a detailed explanation of their online testing procedures on page 18.

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In addition to a written application, a number of firms conduct online testing. The nature of these tests is to test your personality, your ability to work in a team environment and to assess how you deal with pressure. If you are asked to complete a test, it is recommended that you give yourself ample time as some can be time-consuming.


APPLICATION TIPS 1

Always remember that first impressions count! Your written application is the first impression you make to a firm so give it everything!

In your written application, ensure you address the selection criteria that the firm outlines. These are usually stated on their website.

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Try avoiding writing one generic cover letter that can be used for many applications. Every firm adopts different values and beliefs and therefore, it is recommended that you tailor your applications to each firm.

It is always important that proof-read your application numerous times. You want to make sure that it is free from elementary mistakes.

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NETWORKING EVENTS Many firms host a networking evening or a cocktail function as part of their application process. Firms will usually invite those candidates that have been successful in receiving an interview with the firm.

TIPS

These events are designed to see how you fit in a social environment and provides the firm with a good opportunity to get to know you in a more relaxed setting, outside of the interview.

Make sure you try to mingle and meet people.

At these events, it is best to speak to as many people as possible as it helps you to gain an understanding of the culture at the firm. It is also important to meet other applicants as this demonstrates that you are socialable and these people may even become your future colleagues.

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Always wear corporate attire. Be on your best behaviour. Don’t be ‘that person’ who drinks too much.

Just be yourself! The firm has chosen you to be part of this stage of the recruitment process for a reason.


cvMail is an online platform run by Thomson Reuters which provides information about the legal industry. It is a portal for students to apply to firms for clerkships, graduate jobs and to schedule interviews online. A number of firms, across all the states, now prefer using cvMail as their method of receiving applications. Be aware that firms often vary their application process, so ensure you are aware of any changes before applying.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? • •

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It is easy to use. It stores application data so that you can save time when completing multiple applications. It means that you only have to complete the firmspecific parts of the application. You only need to enter your personal and academic details once. Helps you to keep track of closing dates for each firm and the list of firms you have applied for. Enables you to book your interviews online. Allows you to browse detailed information about the firms and their application process. Sets out other helpful tips such as what to include in application and sample cover letters and CVs.

HOW TO GET STARTED? How to use cvMail? Visit cvmail.com.au to register as a ‘First Time User’. Create an account by inserting your name, email address and a password. You can then log in as a registered user using your email address and password. Personal Profile This will ask you to enter your personal information, such as full name, address, email, contact details and any language abilities. Academic Profile Create an education record for each relevant academic course. At first, this will require you to enter details for each course, such as the course name, length, institution, the units completed and the relevant marks.

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cvMAIL

WHAT IS CV MAIL?


ONLINE TESTING

THE LOW DOWN ON PSYCHOMETRIC ASSESSMENTS KINDLY PROVIDED BY CORRS CHAMBERS WESTGARTH After spending hours painstakingly drafting and submitting your clerkship applications, you are now waiting anxiously to hear from the firms you’ve applied to. You notice an email invitation from one, or several firms, to complete some online psychometric assessments and a mixture of relief and mild panic sets in – you have made the first cut, but what on earth are these online psychometric assessments all about? Psychometric assessments are objective assessments. They can provide an objective insight to a candidate’s ability, potential, alignment with firm values and how they are likely to behave in the workplace. Conducting assessments of a candidate’s ability and personality is now common practice amongst major law firms. At Corrs, these assessments play an integral part of the seasonal clerkship recruitment process, alongside the application form, cover letter, resume and structured interview. It is important to note that the assessments are one measure, and not the only measure that determines if you are successful in securing a clerkship.

A verbal reasoning assessment – measures the ability to interpret written or verbal information and reach conclusions. This is important for work involving the communication of ideas, the understanding of written information and analytical thinking. A workplace personality assessment – measures a candidate’s preferred ways of behaving, thinking and feeling. Students are often curious if we are looking for a particular “type” of person? The short answer is no. Personality assessment information is not used in isolation and hiring decisions are not based on personality assessment results. Rather, we use this information to tailor our interview questions to explore your preferences and the different dimensions of your personality. There is no right or wrong when it comes to personality!

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A logical reasoning assessment – measures the ability to analyse abstract, unfamiliar information and apply this to determine outcomes and patterns. This type of ability is important for a variety of roles that require complex problem solving.

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The type of psychometric assessments you may be asked to complete will differ depending on the firm you apply to. Corrs currently use the Talent Q platform, which incorporates adaptive technology and a variety of timed and untimed assessments. Assessments that use adaptive technology can often feel quite challenging, because the questions become progressively harder if the candidate answers correctly. This advanced method of assessment keeps the assessments shorter and takes less time to complete. At Corrs, we typically ask our candidates to complete one or more of the following:


Before commencing the online psychometric assessments, there are a few tips to consider: It is highly recommended that candidates complete the assessment in a quiet environment, free from distractions (eg. no social media, mobile phones, potential interruptions from family or roommates) and use a laptop or desktop computer with a reliable internet connection. Tablets and phone screens are too small, and will put you at a disadvantage, especially if the internet connection drops out. Make sure you carefully read the assessment instructions and attempt the practice questions before starting the actual assessment. This will help you to become familiar with the format and type of questions you will be asked during the assessment. When completing any personality assessment, candidates should respond with their initial instincts and avoid overthinking the question. First responses are normally the most reliable and reflective of your preferences. If you have any questions about the online assessments or how they are used in the firm’s recruitment process, feel free to contact the relevant HR representative to discuss your queries. And finally, take a deep breath, relax and have a go! Remember, these assessments are only used as one objective measure alongside the rest of your clerkship application.

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COVER LETTERS

WRITING COVER LETTERS Make sure you state what year of study you’re in and when you intend to graduate.

THE COVER LETTER

A cover letter is a job application letter which candidates use to explain to an employer why they are qualified for the position and why they should be selected for an interview. It is the means by which an employer will be able to gain their first impression and is a fundamental way for candidates to make their applications stand out from the rest.

Keep your cover letter to one page. Ensure your cover letter is addressed to the right person. If you have a particular interest in an area of law you know the firm specialises in, make sure you mention this.

THE ESSENTIALS

You should set out your personal details in the top right corner of your cover letter. This should include: your name, address, email and contact number. Below this, on left hand-side, you should include the name of the person you are addressing your cover letter to, their position within the firm, the name of the firm and the firm’s address. The use of a heading (in bold) goes a long way. Use this to state the position you are applying for - e.g. Application for 2019 [Firm] Clerkship Program.

Plan and write your cover letters well in advance.

Start your cover letter with “Dear [name you are addressing the cover letter to]”. It is best to avoid addressing them as “Sir/Madam” or writing “To Whom It May Concern”, as it shows the candidate has not researched the firm. If you are ever unsure, ask a friend or call the firm and ask. In most instances, the application will advise you to address your cover letter to a specific person, usually the Office Manager, Head of Human Resources, Partner or Principal of the firm.

Proofread your cover letter, get family and friends to read over it as well. Spelling and grammatical errors can detract from conveying a strong message.

A great cover letter will show off your achievements and focus quite heavily on why you want to work at a specific firm.

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It highlights how a candidate can contribute to the firm.

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Write in first-person. Ensure you tailor your cover letter to each firm and are satisfying the selection criteria.

Avoid using big words and colourful adjectives. You should write clearly, concisely, and in plain English.

THE BENEFITS OF A GOOD COVER LETTER

It shows how a candidate has prepared for their application by researching the firm, the nature of the position and ensuring that they address the selection criteria.

Highlight your strengths and how you can use these to benefit the firm.

It demonstrates your communication skills and an ability to write clearly.


E UR CT RU ST

1 INTRODUCTION

2 2

An introduction should outline the name of your degree, how far into your studies you are, the position you are applying for and when you are expecting to graduate.

ABOUT YOU This paragraph should set out the skills and qualifications you have that are necessary for meeting the selection criteria. You should support this with evidence/examples of past employment history, extra-curricular activities and volunteer positions. Ensure you are emphasising your skills (such as attention to detail, leadership, teamwork and ability to manage multiple tasks at one time) and how you can apply them if you were successful in getting the position.

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3 THE ORGANISATION

This paragraph should outline why you are interested in the specific firm. Use evidence to support this, such as sharing similar values with the firm or identifying appealing aspects about the firm. Additionally, conduct research about the firm, their various practice groups, any people you have met, interesting work that the firm is currently working on, recent matters the firm has completed or recent achievements or awards the firm has received.

CONCLUSION

A conclusion should thank the person addressed for their time and consideration of your application, and state that you look forward to hearing from them.

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SAMPLE COVER LETTER

KINDLY ANNOTATED BY CLAYTON UTZ

Michaela Ross 52 Litt Road SUBIACO WA 6000 0411 123 111 mishmishross@hotmail.com ATT: Jessica Human Resources Director Pearsonic Hardman Level 70 1 St Georges Terrace PERTH WA 6000

Commented [CU1]: Double check contact details are correct

Commented [CU2]: List full name Commented [CU3]: Double check that you have addressed the Cover Letter to the right firm/right person and that everything is spelled correctly. If you can't locate the relevant HR person, just include the firm name

RE: 2019 Clerkship Application Dear Jessica, I am currently studying the Juris Doctor degree at The University of Western Australia. I have an excellent academic record with an average of 70%, including a grade of 75% in property law. I am looking to gain experience in the legal profession and therefore I am interested in a vacation clerkship position at Pearson Hardman. I have previously completed a Bachelor of Arts degree (majoring in Law and Society and Business Law) with an average of 72%. My skills to date as well as my work ethic places me in a position to be well suited to clerking at Pearson. I have developed legal skills throughout my 10 month internship at a community legal centre. I have also developed leadership and teamwork skills through my committee member positions in the Blackstone Law Society.

Commented [CU4]: Either relevant HR rep or firm name will be substantial. Double check everything is spelled correctly.

Commented [CU5]: Specific subject grades are not needed. The Cover Letter should not be a lengthy version of your CV. Highlight the most important areas and go into detail of what makes you unique and why you want to work there. Do you balance work with extracurricular activities and maintain a high GPA? Call out anything significant that you would like ius to be aware of. Commented [CU6]: Is this the only reason you want to clerk at the firm? Can call out wat particular practice areas you are interested in. Commented [CU7]: Insert comma. Pay close attention to grammatical and spelling errors. Commented [CU8]: insert comma Commented [CU9]: Don’t abbreviate or shorten firm name.

Balancing all of these commitments with a full-time university degree has taught me to be resilient and work effectively under pressure which is particularly valuable in commercial law – given its fast-paced, high-pressure environment. My interest in applying for a clerkship with Pearson Hardman derives from my interaction with the firm at the Careers Fair earlier this year. I believe this opportunity would be invaluable as it allows me to develop my legal skills while being surrounded by the positive culture and environment of the firm. I am attracted to Pearson Hardman in particular as the firm has an excellent reputation within the profession and values pro-bono work. I think clerking here will help me become a well-balanced professional. Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. I look forward to your response and would welcome any opportunity to discuss it further at your convenience. Yours Sincerely Michaela Ross

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Commented [CU10]: What legal skills? This quite generic and would be better if explained in detail of what skills you have that would be beneficial to the firm during a clerkship.

Commented [CU11]: Expand on this, who did you meet, why was it significant? Did it make you want to apply for the clerkship program after your interaction because of something they said? Commented [CU12]: Move to the end of the paragraph ‐ seems out of place. Commented [CU13]: General statement. Would like more substance of why you are interested in working at the firm. This statement could be written by anyone. Its important to highlight you have done substaitnal research about thefirm and have been further than the homepage on the website. Commented [CU14]: Name the specific firm Commented [CU15]: Sincerely or Kind regards


10 PERTH LAW 05 CAREERS 19 FAIR PLCF

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CRAFTING YOUR CV

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A Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume is a brief account of a candidate’s education, employment history, qualifications, extra-curricular activities, hobbies, and interests. A candidate’s CV is usually sent together with a cover letter and should be tailored to highlight the skills and experiences relevant to the firm the candidate is applying to. Similar to a cover letter, it is the employer’s first contact they have with a candidate and therefore, presentation, format and structure are all essential.

SAMPLE CVS

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We have provided two sample CVs for your reference. They contain the same information, and are designed to show you that there is no one way set out your CV! The first CV shows a more ‘stylised’ presentation. The second shows a more standard format.

TIPS

Use professional language Highlight skills and qualifications relevant to the firm’s application criteria Attempt to keep your CV to two pages in length Proofread your CV, get family and friends to read over it as well. Spelling and grammatical error can detract from conveying a strong message There is no single correct structure to use. Choose a format that you like and ensure you are consistent throughout Use headings to divide your CV into sections, such as education, work experience, achievements and interests Avoid using large paragraphs for descriptions. 20 19

THE CV

Use short sentences and bullet points.


1

PERSONAL DETAILS

You should include your full name, address, contact number and email address.

PERSONAL DETAILS

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

4 EXTRA CURRICULAR

5 OTHERS

6 REFEREES

If you have extensive and relevant past experience, you may decide to include this first. You should outline all your relevant work experience, in reverse chronological order, so begin with your present/ most recent employment. Ensure you include your job title, start/finish employment dates, name of employer and responsibilities. Be sure to include the skills you developed and any achievements or accomplishments if you believe they are relevant.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

In this section, include your involvement at school, university or any community engagement. Examples include university societies, participating in competitions, sporting team or volunteering experiences. You should highlight the skills you developed in these positions, such as teamwork or leadership.

OTHERS

You may decide to include other headings to suit your personal circumstances or which may be particularly relevant to the position/firm you are applying for. You can include other headings such as: Interests, Achievements, Leadership or Completed Courses such as first aid or computer proficiency.

REFEREES

Referees may be included at the end of a CV as a point reference which prospective employers may contact. Referees are usually former or current employers, a teacher, or someone who is able to comment on your work and skills in a professional setting. Try to avoid including personal references, such as family members or close friends. You do not have to include referees and it is suffcient to say ‘referees available upon request’ under the heading. If you wish to include referees, two or three is usually appropriate. Ensure you include the person’s name, their position, the company name and contact number. If you decide to include referees, be sure to ask them for permission, inform them of the position you are applying for and the skills they are looking for.

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EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

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EDUCATION

You should outline your education history in reverse chronological order and include the name of the course, the institution and length of study. For tertiary study, you should include your GPA and/or WAM. Feel free to include your secondary study, including your university entry mark.

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EDUCATION


SAMPLE CURRICULUM VITAE KINDLY ANNOTATED BY CLIFFORD CHANCE Resume

WinstonWolfe Address Email

Phone LinkedIn Profile

Commented [1]: The format of Winston's CV is great; adding a few (very) simple colours, infographics and headings as well as keeping the CV to a good length - makes it much easier to read. Making the recruiter's job easier will always help your cause!

EDUCATION WACE | Northshore High School | 2008 – 2013 ATAR: 96.5% | Mathematics, Mathematics Specialist, Physics, Chemistry and Literature

Bachelor of Science | University of Western Australia | 2014 – 2016 WAM: 75.5% | Majors in Physics and Mathematics

Juris Doctor | University of Western Australia | 2017 – Present WAM: 67.5%

Commented [2]: Simple infographics are a great way to help break-up a CV, making it easier to read and more aesthetically pleasing. However, be sure to select designs that can be easily read – for example the orange colouring makes the LinkedIn and email icons difficult to see. Commented [3]: Draw attention to the most important items first – order education / qualifications from newest + most relevant to oldest + least relevant. Commented [4]: Remove unnecessary details from your CV – secondary school results are irrelevant once you have obtained entrance to undertake a law degree. Commented [5]: Having your WAM displayed alongside the degree is very helpful for recruiters.

WORK EXPERIENCE Vacation Clerk | Suem & Wynn | Dec 2018 Three-week full-time vacatoin clerkship with the Litigation team. Involved attending client meetings, drafting documents, researching legal matters and document review.

Paralegal | Julius Butters and George | Feb 2017 – Dec 2018 Casual paralegal role in the Corporate team. The position involved document drafting, administrative duties, legal research and delivery of Court documents within short timeframes.

Logistics Assistant | Wallace Family Office | Jan 2016 – Feb 2017 Casual role during studies however was required to be on call during busy periods. Involved administrative duties, liaising with other departments and project problem solving.

Food Attendant | Big Kahuna Burger | Aug 2014 – Jan 2016 Casual role during undergraduate studies, approximately 15 hours per week. The position involved included opening and closing the restaurant, taking customer orders, cash management, food preparation and service.

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Commented [6]: Pay attention to spelling and grammar – errors in a CV often demonstrate a lack of attention to detail.


LEADERSHIP

Commented [ ]: Including a few key headings is a great way to enhance the readability of the CV.

Student Representative | UWA Academic Board 2019 Assistant to Julius | UWA Law School 2018 1st Year Social Representative | Blackstone Law Society 2017

Commented [ ]: Provide clarity where certain titles, groups or positions would not be well-known externally.

VOLUNTEERING Academic Mentoring | Blackstone Law Society 2019 Guide | Sculptures by the Sea 2018 Surf Life Saving | Cottesloe 2017

AWARDS Northshore High School | Year 10 Maths Top Student 2011 UWA Juris Doctor | Foundations of Law and Lawyering Top Student 2017

SKILLS

Commented [ ]: Be sure that any awards you include are relevant and timely for the role. Commented [1 ]: Where an award provides a point of difference for your CV and is relevant to the position, try to include it towards the beginning of your CV to capture the recruiter's attention. In this instance the award could be included immediately following the education section.

Communication Writes clearly and concisely, listens attentively and gathers appropriate information. Organisational Learns quickly, sets goals, multitasks, plans and arranges activities, and meets deadlines.

EXTRACURRICULAR Blackstone Witness Exam Competition | 2018 Blackstone Client Interview Competition | 2017 University of Vienna | One Semester Exchange |2016

Commented [11]: Tailor your application to the needs of a firm. For a global firm like Clifford Chance, international exchanges are a great way to demonstrate your interest and experience with travel. I would therefore recommend not burying this point of differentiation at the bottom of the CV – include it in the education section at the beginning of the document.

UWA Social Frisbee | 2014 – Current UWA Social Netball | 2016– Current School Prefect | 2013 Jazz Saxophone | 2012 – Current

Commented [12]: Extracurriculars are a good way for the recruiter to learn more about you as an individual. However, activities should be current / timely. Commented [13]: References are most useful when relevant to the application – in this instance Winston has chosen well.

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Mr Vincent Vega Senior Associate Julius Butters and George 08 9111 2123

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Mr Marcellus Wallace Owner Wallace Family Office 08 9111 3282

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REFERENCES


SAMPLE CURRICULUM VITAE 2 Winston Wolfe Address| Phone | Email

Education 2017 – Present

The University of Western Australia (Expected Completion End of 2020) Juris Doctor WAM: 67.5

2014 – 2017

The University of Western Australia Bachelor of Science WAM: 75.5 Majors: Physics and Mathemnatics

2008 – 2013

Northshore High School ATAR: 96.5

Work Experience Dec 2018

Suem & Wynn Vacation Clerk Three-week full-time vacatoin clerkship with the Litigation team. Involved attending client meetings, drafting documents, researching legal matters and document review.

Feb 2017 – Dec 2018

Julius Butters and George Paralegal Casual paralegal role in the Corporate team. The position involved document drafting, administrative duties, legal research and delivery of Court documents within short timeframes.

Jan 2016 – Feb 2017

Wallace Family Office Logistics Assistant Casual role during studies however was required to be on call during busy periods. Involved administrative duties, liaising with other departments and project problem solving.

Aug 2014 – Jan 2016 Big Kahuna Burger Food Attendant Casual role during undergraduate studies, approximately 15 hours per week. The position involved included opening and closing the restaurant, taking customer orders, cash management, food preparation and service.

Leadership

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2019

UWA Academic Board Student Representative

2018

UWA Law School Assistant to Julius

2017

Blackstone Society 1st Year Social Representative


olunteering 2019

Blackstone Law Society Academic Mentoring

2018

Sculptures by the Sea Guide

2017

Cottesloe Surf Lifesaving Club

Awards 2017

UWA Juris Doctor Foundations of Law and Lawyering Top Student

2011

Northshore High School ear 10

aths Top Student

kills Communication Writes clearly and concisely, listens attentively and gathers appropriate information. Organisational Learns quickly, sets goals, multitasks, plans and arranges activities, and meets deadlines.

Extracurricular 2018

Blackstone Witness Exam Competition

2017

Blackstone Client nterview Competition

2016

University of ienna One Semester Exchange

2016 – Present

UWA Social Netball

2014 – Present

UWA Social Frisbee

2013

School Prefect

2012 – Current

Ja

Saxophone

References r incent ega enior Associate ulius utters and eorge 9111 1

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r arcellus Wallace wner Wallace amily ffice 9111


INTERVIEWS

INTERVIEW OFFERS

TYPES OF INTERVIEWS

There is no set date for when students are offered an interview. Generally, firms begin to contact students at least a couple of weeks after the application deadline, usually by phone or email. If you are offered an interview, you should be extremely proud because it means the firm is interested in you.

Individual Interviews Individual interviews will require you to meet with someone from the firm’s human resources team and another member from the firm. This is the most common form of interview style. In these interviews, you will be asked a number of questions that assist the interviewers in geting to know you better and focusing on how and why you would fit within the firm. Additionally, it enables the interviewers to assess your communication skills and determine your confidence and ability to answer questions.

The purpose of an interview is two-fold. Firstly, being invited to an inteview means the firm believes you are suitable for the position and now they want to ascertain whether you will fit into their environment. This gives you an opportunity to reinforce the positive impression you have already made through your written application. You should elaborate on aspects that you have raised in your cover letter and CV, such as awards and achievements.

Group Interviews A number of firms conduct group interviews as an alternative to individual interviews. The aim of these interviews is to determine your ability to work within a team environment by requiring you to discuss particular problem scenarios or case notes as a group. The problem scenario will most likely be generic in nature, and tend to focus around ethics and technical related questions. During the problem scenarios, one or two ‘silent interviewers’ will be present in the room, who are there to observe the dynamics of the team and to assess the problem scenario.

Secondly, it gives you an opportunity to determine whether you would be a suitable fit at the firm. You should use this stage to learn more about the firm and the position you are applying for.

WHAT NOT TO DO »

Arrive late Poor presentation - improperly dressed and lack of cleanliness Bad manners, lack of eye contact

» » »

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW Preparation The interview stage is the best opportunity to make yourself stand out from the rest. Therefore, it is recommended that you prepare and ensure you do your research. Interviewers will want to see that you demonstrate an interest in the law, the Firm and exhibit a desire to join them. You should conduct research into the firm’s culture, what they look for in prospective employees and, if you are told beforehand, the interviewers.

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Be Yourself! The final step of preparation should focus on yourself! Ensure you have read through your CV and cover letter. You want to make sure that you are prepared for any questions relating to points you have raised in your written application. Making sure you are prepared in this regard shows the interviewers a greater sense of honesty and confidence.

Address the interviewer by the wrong name Not listen/not answer questions properly Have little or no knowledge about the organisation

Research The best place to start your research is this Handbook! For firms not featured this year, take a look at their website. This allows you to find out more about the firm’s values, different practice areas, biographies on various staff, recent transactions, information on their clerkship and graduate programs and whether the firm engages in pro bono or volunteering activities. Another effective method of finding out more about a firm is to talk to people who work, or have worked there. There are many opportunities for this, such as the Careers Fair and various oncampus presentations. This gives you the chance to ask questions directly to people who have experienced the work and culture of the firm. You should also consider researching the firm on other sources, such as in the news, the Australian Financial Review or the Lawyers Weekly. These sources provide up-to-date information about matters the firm is working on, whilst also providing insight into the legal profession generally. Many organisations want to see that you have commercial awareness, and it is therefore important to understand current events. 20 19

» »


SA QU MP ES LE TIO NS

Describe a time you have demonstrated leadership skills? What is your greatest weakness?

Tell me about yourself? Why have you pursued a career in law?

Why do you want to work in this particular area of law?

Why do you want to work at this firm?

Where do you see yourself in five years? Describe a time when you conflicted with another member of a team.

What sort of working environment motivates you?

Tell me about a time you worked under pressure. What is your biggest regret?

Describe a time when you were faced with a difficult problem. How did you approach it?

What has been your most enjoyable unit?

What has been your least enjoyable unit?

What is the most exciting/ interesting part of working for this firm? Why did you choose to work here?

What is a current issue facing the legal profession? What tasks would a clerk be required to undertake?

What attracted you to working in your practice group? What would an average day as a clerk be like?

TIPS

How is the health and wellbeing of employees encouraged in the firm? Does the organisation have policies in place for ongoing/further studies?

Does the firm engage in any community activities, if so, what? How would you describe the ‘culture’ at the firm?

How often is feedback provided?

Ensure you have all the relevant documentation.

Make sure you are on time punctuality is crucial so try to arrive at least 10 minutes early. When you are introduced to your interviewers, shake hands and smile. It is important to remember their names.

Maintain eye contact throughout the interview as it shows confidence. Being able to answer questions is only one part of the interview. Make sure you listen carefully to the question being asked.

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Does the firm offer any international opportunities?

Do you have any advice for someone interested in a career in law?

Make sure your clothes are clean and professional.

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Why did you leave your previous job?

What is your greatest achievement?

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Describe a time when you had to meet a difficult deadline. How did you approach it?

What skills can you contribute to this firm and this position?


GRADUATE POSITIONS

WHEN DO I START THINKING ABOUT GRADUATE POSITIONS? Obviously, the earlier you plan for your future the better prepared you will be for applying for graduate positions. As a rule of thumb, students should keep an eye on the market from the penultimate year of their degree, in order to make informed decisions about where they want to apply during their final year.

Graduate positions are the link between the culmination of your studies and your entry into professional life. Graduate programs give you the practical training and hands on experience necessary to aid your entry into the profession. In the legal profession, a firm’s graduate program typically includes a year-long practical legal training or articles.

HOW DO I APPLY? In most instances, an initial application will require a cover letter and CV. Depending on the firm, you may also have to undertake personality or competency testing, or answer further questions about the firm, the position and your suitability for the job. Even if you’ve clerked with the firm you are applying for, some firms may require you to interview again. Others may also host a social event where all applicants can attend and get to know each other.

WHERE CAN I BROWSE GRADUATE JOBS? In most instances, graduate jobs will be advertised through a firm’s website. Like the clerkship process, research is the key to finding the firm and position that suits you. cvMail is a great starting point if you’re looking to apply for several positions quickly.

OFFERS DAY

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What is a priority offer? Priority offers are now made by many firms to applicants who have previously worked or undertaken a vacation clerkship with that firm.

What is an early offer? A number of firms offer graduate positions to students after the completion of their vacation clerkship. If you are lucky to receive one, it gives you assurance for the year ahead! 20 19

What happens on offers day? Similar to vacation clerkship offers, firms will usually start notifying students of offers for a graduate position at 9am on the day. In contrast to vacation clerkship offers, your offer will be valid until 5pm, to provide you with extra time to make up your mind.

What is a market offer? Some firms also use the standard offer system where all interested applicants are required to submit an application and proceed through an interview process before offers are made.


P

PERTH LAW CAREERS FAIR

EL

Make the most of the people you know! The legal community in Perth is very small, and people are always willing to help. Don’t be afraid to ask questions during this process, as help is always just around the corner. Your peers, Blackstone and HR departments are all here to support you during the recruitment period.

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FIN YOUR NETWORK

Building your network is an important skill when entering the workforce. The Perth Law Careers Fair is a great place to start! Here, you will have the chance to meet representatives from the major law firms in Perth. Take this opportunity to find out more about their firms and to ask questions about what they look for in applicants, so you can tailor your applications effectively. You’ll make the best impression if you approach the firms with some knowledge and questions ready to go. This Handbook is the perfect resource to do some research so after you have finished reading it the Fair is the perfect chance to clear up any questions you have.

ON CAMPUS EVENTS

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In addition to the Perth Law Careers Fair, Blackstone are running many events on campus to prepare you for the applications ahead. These presentations give you a valuable insight into the recruitment processes of the firms and should not be missed! Afterwards, you will also have another opportunity to speak with representatives of the presenting firm.



PRACTICAL LEGAL TRAINING Practical Legal Training is the next step you will take after completing your law degree in order to be admitted as a lawyer. In this section, The College of Law have kindly provided detailed information about the steps to admission. Following that, we have provided profiles for the main practical legal training providers operating in WA.


PRACTICAL LEGAL TRAINING YOUR PATHWAY TO ADMISSION KINDLY PROVIDED BY THE COLLEGE OF LAW

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How do you become a lawyer in Australia? What qualifications do you need? Here’s a few straightforward answers to these questions.

2. PRACTICAL LEGAL TRAINING You need to do your PLT at the end of your university law degree – your Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent

In order to be admitted as a lawyer in Australia, you need to satisfy three requirements: • You’ve completed a law degree or equivalent course • You’ve undertaken a Practical Legal Training (PLT) program, which results in the award of the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice • You’re a fit and proper person.

qualification.

1. LAW DEGREE There are key areas of knowledge you will have to pass to obtain a Law degree, they are known as the ‘Priestley 11’: • Administrative law • Civil Procedure • Company Law • Constitutional Law • Contracts • Criminal Law and Procedures • Equity (including Trusts) • Evidence • Professional Conduct (including Basic Trust Accounting) • Property, both Real (including Torrens System Land) and Personal • Torts Beyond these basic requirements, individual Law Schools choose their own compulsory subjects and offer a broad range of elective courses. It’s worth noting the ‘Stale Learning Rule’, which means you have five years after you’ve graduated from law school to complete your PLT and be admitted, or it won’t be recognised.

Why? A Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor gives you the theoretical understanding of the law and fulfils only part of the criteria for admission to legal practice, as set forth by the Law Admissions Consultative Committee (LACC). PLT is all about you developing the practical skills and knowledge you will need to practice as a graduate lawyer. It is a combination of the study of subjects which help you learn the nuts and bolts of working in a firm or organisation as a professional lawyer and work experience under an approved senior practitioner.


You will have a lecturer who will mentor you through the course, provide you feedback and be available to help you by email, telephone or in person. The coursework component has excellent resources to assist you to complete assigned tasks. There are 5 core subjects: • Lawyer’s skills; • Ethics and Professional Responsibility; • Civil Litigation Practice; • Property Practice; and • Corporate and Commercial Practice. You also need to choose and complete two electives: • Administrative Law Practice • Banking and Finance Practice • Consumer Law Practice • Criminal Law Practice • Employment and Industrial Law Practice • Family Law Practice • Planning and Environmental Law Practice • Wills and Estates Practice

For more information about the pathway to admission, visit The College of Law’s website collaw.edu.au/admission You are also invited to join us at our free Career Lab workshops. Our workshops guide you through the steps of launching your career. Upcoming events: • Wed 22 May 2019: Campus to Career: Practical Legal Training Demystified • Wed 28 Aug 2019: The Step-by-Step Guide to Admission Visit www.collaw.edu/events to learn more.

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How does PLT work at The College of Law? We offer numerous full-time (15 weeks) and parttime (30 weeks) courses throughout the year. There are three components to the course: • Coursework; • Work Experience (either 75 days or 25 days plus 5 weeks of additional study, called the Clinical Experience Module or CEM); and • 10 hours of online Continuing Professional Education (CPE). The course begins with 5 days (Monday to Friday) of face-to-face workshops at the College’s Perth CBD campus and the remainder of the course is online.

3. FIT AND PROPER PERSON Of the three requirements you need to satisfy to be admitted as a lawyer in Australia, being deemed a ‘fit and proper person’ might seem the most mystifying. Essentially this is an issue of ethics – ensuring legal professionals charged with interpreting, arguing and in some cases, drafting the law are of good moral character. The ‘fit and proper person’ requirement imposes a duty on you to disclose any criminal, academic or general misconduct that may reflect on whether you are a fit and proper person. It is quite a broad requirement, and it is worth looking into the rules imposed by the admitting authority in jurisdiction in which you are seeking admission as a lawyer.

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ANU SCHOOL OF LEGAL PRACTICE

5 Fellows Road, Canberra ACT 2601 enquiries.aw@anu.edu.au 6125 7843 http//legalpractice.anu.edu.au

How does your PLT course differ from the other courses? The Australian National University (ANU) School of Legal Practice is Australia’s leading university provider of practical legal training (PLT). How is the course structured? The ANU GDLP program uses online learning to enable you to balance your PLT with employment, or other personal commitments and to study at ANU regardless of your location. When does the course start? We accept applications at any time through the year How long does the course run for? A minimum of 6 months. What work experience options (if any) are students able to choose from? GDLP students have the option of completing a 20, 50 or 80 day placement in an approved legal workplace. Overseas placements can be approved, subject to some conditions. Do you provide full time and part time courses? Yes More Information Designed to provide you with the practical skills and professional understanding you will need as a lawyer, the ANU GDLP builds on the knowledge you have gained in your Bachelor of Law degree or Juris Doctor. GDLP students are based all over Australia and the world. The flexible program allows you to tailor your studies to suit your personal and professional circumstances: you decide your start date, your face-to-face location, your individual mentor and when you want to graduate.

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Complete your Practical Legal Training at Australia’s #1 university ANU Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice The ANU Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP) is ideal for those who have completed a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor and are seeking to be admitted as a legal practitioner in Australia and some other jurisdictions. > Start your Practical Legal Training with a 4-day intensive in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane and complete the rest of the course online > Finish in as little as 6 months

Apply now WEB

legalpractice.anu.edu.au/gdlp EMAIL

slp.studentadmin@anu.edu.au FACEBOOK

facebook.com/ANUGDLP PHONE

+61 2 6125 3483


THE COLLEGE OF LAW

Durack Centre, Ground Floor, 263 Adelaide Terrace, Perth 6000 enrolments@collaw.edu.au (08) 9214 0200 www.collaw.edu.au/PLT

How does your PLT course differ from the other courses? As the leader that is aligned with the legal industry, The College of Law offers the largest range of flexible Practical Legal Training programs, all-purpose driven to put your hardearned degree seamlessly into practice. With more study freedom, lecturer support and practical task-based, hands-on learning, you’ll enter the profession with a profile that is more attractive to employers. You will benefit from: Just 5 days face-to-face attendance 15 week full-time or 30 week part-time online program More than 10 start dates in Perth CBD in 2019 25 or 75-day work experience options Part of the Western Australian legal profession for more than 10 years How is the course structured? Our aim is to ensure you transition successfully into your chosen workplace. We achieve this goal through the integration of three essential program components: 1. Coursework Complete five compulsory subjects and two electives. You will learn key areas of competence through everyday scenarios that parallel real-life practice. With no academic essay writing required, you will focus on solving problems and completing tasks using resources available. 2. Work Experience Designed to give you an insight into what it’s like to work in a real legal environment, this is your first opportunity to apply your skills to real-life legal problems. Choose from two formats: Short Format - 25 days of approved work experience + Clinical Experience Module (CEM); or

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Standard Format - 75 days of approved work experience.

3. Continuing Profession Education Open your eyes to the importance of ongoing professional education and career development. Choose 10 units from two series options: • Legal Series • Legal Business Skills Series If you choose to complete all 10 units from the Legal Business Skills Series, you will be awarded a Certificate of Legal Business Skills in addition to your GDLP. When does the course start? We offer more than 10 start dates a year in Perth so you can complete your Practical Legal Training at a time that suits you. How long does the course run for? 15 weeks - If time is of the essence to you, you can study full-time online and complete the coursework in just 15 weeks. 30 weeks - If you prefer to learn at your own pace while working or managing other commitments, you can study online part-time either during the daytime or evenings. How do graduates enrol in the course? You can apply via our online application form that will take less than 15 minutes to complete. Simply visit www.collaw.edu.au What work experience options (if any) are students able to choose from? We offer two formats for the work experience component of you training: - Short Format - 25 days of approved work experience + Clinical Experience Module (CEM) - Standard Format - 75 days of approved work experience Do you provide full time and part time courses? You can complete your coursework component in one of three study modes: online full-time, online part-time or online part-time evening. Choose the mode that suits your goals, timeframe and lifestyle. More information Visit www.collaw.edu.au/PLT or contact our Student Services Team on 1300 856 111 or enrolments@collaw.edu.au


Activate your career. Practical Legal Training programs that better activate your career. • 10+ start dates in Perth CBD in 2019 • Just 5 days face-to-face attendance • 15 week full-time or 30 week part-time online program • 25 or 75 day work experience options • Part of the Western Australian legal profession since 2008 • Membership to Collegiate - an online learning community

Con Pana

Lawyer, Federal Government of Australia Graduate of the Practical Legal Training program

Learn more at collaw.edu.au/PLT or call 1300 856 111


LEO CUSSEN

pltadmin@leocussen.edu.au 1300 039 031 http://www.leocussen.edu.au

How does your PLT course differ from the other courses? We believe that practical legal training should be just that – practical. Build your skills and confidence with a mentoring program you won’t find elsewhere. Small group training – to provide the finest practical training experience. Our blended learning program is offered predominantly online, but also has 13 days onsite so that you can better build skills and confidence through a personalised mentoring program. Can I start your PLT before finishing my law degree? The rules about starting your PLT have recently changed. If you have 1 or 2 law degree electives outstanding, you can now apply for approval to start your PLT while concurrently completing your electives. This means accelerating your pathway to admission. How is the course structured? Our online PLT is a blend of online and onsite activities over 21 weeks, complete either 4 weeks of professional placement or 9 weeks of professional placement (if an exemption from the 5-week coursework Careers Planning and Profession Ready Module is given). Applicants must have proficiency in email and internet applications, reasonable access to such resources and an aptitude for successful learning via online delivery modes. Contact days The PLT is suitable for law graduates who have other commitments during typical business hours. The course includes 13 face-to-face intensive contact days from Perth’s CBD. Attendance is a requirement. Trainees manage and conduct simulated files. This includes attendances at hearings, settlements, interviews, signings and other activities are scheduled on intensive contact days. Students develop excellent advocacy skills through civil and criminal file work.

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Online completion of Client Files Online PLT files are largely conducted via guided one-to-one online contact with mentors, except for attendance at hearings, settlements, interviews, signings and other activities that are scheduled on contact days.

Professional Placement Trainees will need to complete either 4 weeks of professional placement or 9 weeks of professional placement (if an exemption from the 5-week coursework Careers Planning and Profession Ready Module is given). Placement can be done shortly before or after the formal coursework, or concurrently with coursework. Placements can be organised with private law firms, community legal centres, government agencies, public interest organisations or inhouse. Optional Topics Can be chosen in Administrative or Family law. When does the course start? There are two intakes each year in Perth February and July. How long does the course run for? 5 months How do graduates enrol in the course? Online via www.leocussen.edu.au/apply What work experience options (if any) are students able to choose from? Trainees have access to a designated Graduate Placement & Careers Advisor. Do you provide full time and part time courses? We currently provide a full-time online course from Perth in February and July. We also offer a full-time and part-time onsite and online course from Melbourne’s CBD in January and July. More information Please visit www.leocussen.edu.au Phone: 1300 039 031 Email: pltadmin@leocussen.edu.au


Enrol Now

Practical Legal Training (PLT) Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice | Perth Course

We believe that Practical Legal Training should be just that – practical. Build your skills and confidence with a program you won’t find elsewhere. Established in 1972, our program is highly respected by legal professionals and taught by leading legal practitioners.

About Our course is thorough and challenging with a simulated file program strategically designed to develop practice skills, ensuring every Leo Cussen graduate has the essential skills required for an entry level lawyer.

Start your PLT before finishing your law degree The rules about starting your PLT have recently changed. If you have 1 or 2 law degree electives outstanding, you can now apply for approval to start your PLT while concurrently completing your electives. This means accelerating your pathway to admission.

www.leocussen.edu.au

Why Leo Cussen? • An outstanding reputation – Leo Cussen has offered practical legal training courses since 1974 • Career support – dedicated Graduate Placement and Careers Advisor to help with job search and preparation • Online course – online blended learning with 13 dynamic days of intensive, personalised, face-toface training split into 3 touchpoints at the beginning, middle and end of the course • Personalised mentoring – comprehensive feedback and support, with regular one-on-one feedback on your work as you do it from very experienced lawyers • Develop excellent advocacy skills – through compulsory civil and criminal file work and advocacy

• Gain strong legal business skills – run your own files, maintain client contact, meet deadlines and bill clients in practical settings • No theoretical exams – ‘learn by doing’, with continuous practical assessments

Enrol Now Intakes: • July 2019 • January 2020

www.leocussen.edu.au/apply W www.leocussen.edu.au T 1300 039 031 E pltadmin@leocussen.edu.au



COMMERCIAL FIRM DIRECTORY Gaining experience in a commercial law firm offers you an opportunity to develop a variety of legal skills and knowledge while working with various dynamic practice groups. The experience you receive at these firms go beyond what is taught at law school, in particular, client interaction. There is an abundance of commercial law firms in Perth so we recommend that you spend time learning about each firm’s culture to find which firm is the right fit for you. We have put together firm profiles of our major sponsors as well as other firms, outlining key information to assist you in making the right choice. Beyond the information provided, firm websites are a useful tool to gain greater insight. A number of firms attend Blackstone Careers Workshops, on-campus events or the Perth Law Careers Fair. This will provide you with opportunities to expand your network and ask any questions you may have.


ALLEN & OVERY

Level 12 Exchange Tower, 2 The Esplanade Perth WA 6000 Rachelle O’Keefe | australian.recruitment@allenovery.com (08) 6315 5900 Our Australian practice has three core groups: Banking & Finance, Corporate and Litigation. Within these, the practice areas are diverse including: International Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Projects, Structured Products, Funds, Competition, Tax, Energy & Resources, Litigation and International Arbitration. Number of Offices: 44 allenovery.com/careers/gradsaustralia ABOUT THE FIRM

Where is your firm headquartered? London, United Kingdom What are your firm’s core values? At Allen and Overy (A&O), we strive to uphold our values in everything we do – they are there to guide us in the way we work, in the decisions we make and in the way we interact with people, to ensure we preserve the unique culture of A&O. Our key values are: • Instinctively thoughtful We nurture relationships built on mutual trust, respect and inclusivity. •

Collectively ambitious We work together to turn opportunity into advantage.

Insightfully inventive We stay ahead by combining expert insight and imagination.

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Refreshingly open We thrive when we are open with each other, with our clients and to new ideas.

How would you describe firm culture? At A&O, we believe in the fundamental importance of collaboration and teamwork, of giving lawyers, graduates and summer clerks tasks that will challenge, stretch and support them in advancing their careers. We have developed a culture of learning, where lawyers at all levels are committed to helping graduates and clerks to understand not just what needs to be done, but why it is important. We believe that our people perform best when they are given the very best resources, facilities, opportunities and encouragement to explore their full potential. We believe that teams perform best when they focus on performance rather than hierarchies, and where they are comfortable socialising together as well as working together. How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? A&O was the first global elite law firm to commence operations in Australia. The firm is fully integrated with the global A&O network and now has over 100 top tier lawyers in Sydney and Perth. At A&O, we advise on our client’s most strategically important business decisions. With a track record of advising on complex, Australian and

cross-border matters for market leading organisations, we are able to offer the best of both worlds: the expertise and resources of a global elite law practice coupled with seasoned practitioners with Australian and international experience. We focus on innovative and expert legal solutions for our clients across a broad range of areas: mergers and acquisitions; private equity; capital markets; regulatory and funds; antitrust/competition; litigation and dispute resolution; banking and finance; infrastructure and projects; energy and resources; communications, outsourcing and technology; tax and real estate. What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? We believe it is our global reach and our local depth that sets Allen & Overy apart. Our people are more often than not local and they are handpicked. And even in such a large firm, you are part of a highly focused team, playing a significant role. Our clients are blue-chip. Worldwide we act for major institutions, financial powerhouses, mining giants; they could be based in your own home town or on the other side of the world. We act on some of the most important deals. From the moment you join the firm, you’ll be involved in helping our clients to protect and grow their assets.


What significant work has your firm undertaken recently? Litigation and International Arbitration: An international gas company in a series of international arbitrations arising from a large construction dispute, with over USD 3 billion in dispute. Banking: The Export Credit Agencies and lenders on the development and financing of the approximately USD8 billion Coral FLNG project to be moored in the Area 4 Coral South Offshore Basin, Mozambique. The first-ever project financing of a floating LNG vessel (FLNG), the first LNG project Mozambique and the approximately USD5bn financing was the largest project financing in African history at the time. Corporate: EMR Capital, on its acquisition of an 80% interest in the Lubambe Copper Mine in Zambia from Africa Rainbow Minerals and Vale for USD97.1m. What kind of pro bono work does your firm engage in? A&O, is very active in the pro bono space, both globally and here in Australia. In Australia, we have established a committee comprised of staff from the Sydney and Perth offices that are dedicated to community volunteering and building our pro bono practice. All staff have the option of regularly donating to our Global partner, Hope and Homes for Children. A&O’s Perth office has also built relationships with other local Western Australian organisations such as Lady Lawley Cottage - a residential respite care service for children with disabilities. We are also a stakeholder on the Law Access advisory committee overseeing the Western Australian Law Access clearing house, a system designed to help people obtain pro bono legal assistance in areas of law where there is limited or no assistance available from Legal Aid or any other agency.

SNAPSHOT Alexandra Ioppolo, Lawyer - Perth My journey at A&O has been a unique one. I studied law and Italian at UWA and aspired to a career which combined my skills in both, but I never anticipated that I would have that opportunity so early on in my career. Having successfully navigated part of my clerkship interview in Italian (which I have to say was completely unexpected but perhaps fortuitous), I secured a summer clerkship position in 2016. The stars aligned for me in 2017 when I was invited back by the Perth office as a paralegal to review a suite of commercial documents which were in Italian. Being entrusted with such a challenging and important task was initially daunting but having exposure to real international work at an early stage in my career was an invaluable and exciting experience. Notwithstanding this amazing opportunity, the one thing that cemented my desire to be part of the A&O fold was the working environment that A&O fosters. Everyone at A&O, no matter what their role, was incredibly welcoming, approachable and supportive during my time as a paralegal and I was immediately welcomed into the A&O family by a flood of invitations to lunches, after-work drinks, events and notably the Perth office’s 7-year anniversary celebration at one of the partner’s homes. The people at A&O come from all walks of life, from former trained vocalists, ballerinas and teachers to closet croquet specialists, sausage roll connoisseurs and donut enthusiasts. The prospect of working on high-value crossborder transactions with an eclectic mix of ambitious and driven yet light-hearted and sociable people was the key driving force behind my decision to join A&O as graduate in 2018.

CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? Summer, Nov/Dec. How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? 8 - 10 How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? Applications for clerkships must be submitted through our website at www.allenovery.com/ careers/australia. You can access the portal via the Australian sub-site of our careers pages. Candidates will need to attach a cover letter, curriculum vitae and their latest academic transcript. What tasks do clerks usually undertake? During the program you will gain practical experience in one of our practice areas, where you will work alongside A&O partners and lawyers on real deals, disputes and other client matters. Before you join us, we will ask you to indicate the areas that most interest you – this is a great opportunity to get hands on experience in an area of law that really appeals to you. In addition to your legal work you will attend training sessions and presentations aimed at broadening your understanding of our business and helping you to develop the skills you need to be a successful commercial lawyer. How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? There’s no such thing as a typical A&O candidate. We’re open minded and interested in people who share that quality. Beyond strong academic performance, we want to see evidence of teamwork, motivation and drive, communication skills, planning and organisation, critical thinking, commercial awareness, and commitment - both to a career in law and to a career with A&O. Do you offer clerkships to nonpenultimate year students? Yes

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CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? Yes How can students find these opportunities and apply? Applications for casual paralegal positions will only be accepted through our website at www.allenovery.com/careers/ australia. You can access the portal via the Australian sub-site of our careers pages. Candidates will need to attach a cover letter, curriculum vitae and latest academic transcript. GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a grad? We’re open minded and interested in people who share that quality. Beyond strong academic performance, we want to see evidence of teamwork, motivation and drive, communication skills, planning and organisation, critical thinking, commercial awareness and commitment - both to a career in law and to a career with A&O. What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? One of the main aims of our summer clerk program is to, where possible, select our future graduates – and so, applying to our summer clerk program is important.

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How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? Applications for graduate positions will only be accepted through our website at www. allenovery.com/careers/australia. You can access the portal via the Australian sub-site of our careers pages. Candidates will need to attach a cover letter, curriculum vitae and latest academic transcript.

How many graduates does your firm anticipate to hire in 2019? 3-5 Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? A&O graduates also have the opportunity to participate in the APAC Graduate Secondment Program, an exciting program which provides our graduates with the opportunity to experience a 6 month secondment to one of our Asian offices. During their secondment, secondees have the opportunity to expand their technical skills and experience a range of different practice areas in an international office, while experiencing the culture of a new city. These opportunities are subject to regional business needs of the firm. INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? Your interview is an opportunity to substantiate what you have said about yourself in your application and for us to get to know you better, and vice versa. Naturally, if you’ve come this far you want to impress, so make sure you get the basics right and remember to be yourself throughout. How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? Revise and practice Remember to revisit your application before your interview. The interview questions are likely to include details about school and university studies, your interests and achievements, work experience, why you have chosen this career and why you want to work at Allen & Overy. University careers services may offer mock interviews, so book one if you can. Getting feedback on how you come across in an interview scenario from someone you don’t know can be really helpful before the event.

Stay up-to-date You should expect to be asked questions about topical, commercial or business issues so start reading up on stories in the newspapers or online, and be prepared to discuss your opinions at interview. We want to find out what you think and why you think that way. Get the logistics right Before your interview, ensure you know the dress code, directions and the selection process. Make an impression First impressions count so dress appropriately, smile, maintain eye contact and offer a confident handshake. It’s not simply a case of impressing your interviewer – getting the first bits right will make you feel better and more confident, which will help you in the interview itself. Be confident and self-assured – if you have been invited to an interview, we already think you have potential, so remember this. Ask pertinent questions An interview is a two-way process, so while you will be expected to do most of the talking in an interview, this is also your opportunity to see whether the firm is right for you. It’s a good idea to prepare a couple of questions to ask at the end of the interview covering issues you genuinely want to learn more about. If you are unsuccessful at interview, ask for feedback so you know what to work on.



ALLENS

37/250 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000 Student.Careers@allens.com.au (08) 9488 3700 Banking & Finance, Projects & Development, Disputes; Investigations, Corporate Number of Offices Across Australia and Asia: 8 https://www.allens.com.au/careers/index.htm

ABOUT THE FIRM Where is your firm headquartered? Sydney What are your firm’s core values? Driven by excellence, Fostering greatness, In it together, Courageous and creative, Eyes on the horizon How would you describe firm culture? Work with us and you’ll discover it’s our approach that sets us apart as much as our expertise. We’re supportive, openminded and passionate. With a deep understanding of our clients, we tackle problems from every angle and we’ll do whatever it takes to find a solution. It’s that unwavering commitment that continually builds our expertise and ensures we sustain and enhance longterm client relationships. While our history proves what we’re capable of, we’re not complacent. We will continue to shape the future with and for our clients, our people and our communities.

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It takes determination, energy and talent to make it to the top of the legal profession. We’ll give you access to the best training and support to help you get there. At Allens, there will be ongoing opportunities to make an impact and drive your career. It’s up to you to make the most of them.

Our lawyers are rewarded on expertise, competence and performance rather than time with the firm. You’ll be encouraged to develop skills that extend beyond technical excellence and you’ll help others to do the same. We’ll make sure that you are ready for each promotion with individual career planning, focused training and a clear view of what needs to be achieved at each level. For our legal professionals, careers at Allens are a two-way deal. You’ll be expected to work hard, be driven to succeed and committed to excellence. We’ll be focused on your development and support your career aspirations in return. How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? With a rich history spanning almost 200 years, we have helped to shape the face of business, regulation and the legal profession in the AsiaPacific region, and continue to help shape what our world looks like with our clients, our people and our communities. Over this time we’ve grown in scale and reach, today offering clients a global network of 40 offices in 28 locations through our global alliance with Linklaters. We are privileged to hold some of the world’s longest ongoing client relationships, stretching back more than 150 years, and we’re committed to

bringing our talent, expertise and insights to continue solving their toughest problems and creating new ways forward to help them thrive. New and exciting market entrants sit alongside these established companies in our client base, drawn to working with us through the innovative repackaging of our services for the growing and fast-paced start-up market. What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? With our alliance partners, Linklaters, we connect our clients and our people with an international network of legal leaders. Our global team acts as one, sharing knowledge, best practice approaches and people to help solve our clients’ most complex problems. Our global network allows our people to accelerate their careers, offering international secondments and opportunities to work with the world’s best lawyers on the most complex multi-jurisdictional matters in the market. What significant work has your firm undertaken recently? We are privileged to hold some of the world’s longest ongoing client relationships, stretching back more than 150 years, and we’re committed to bringing our talent, expertise and insights to continue solving their toughest problems and


creating new ways forward to help them thrive. Recent projects include: • The acquisition of Westfield Corporation by UnibailRodamco – one of the largest public M&A deals in Australian corporate history; • Advising on the financing of Australia’s first commercialscale waste-to-energy facility in Kwinana Western Australia; • Assisting leading global online marketplace for independent artists, Redbubble, on its equity raising to fund the acquisition of TeePublic; and • Advising BAE Systems on its involvement in the Commonwealth’s Hunter class frigate shipbuilding program for the Royal Australian Navy. What kind of pro bono work does your firm engage in? As a firm, we see it as our responsibility to use our skills and resources to help others in the community. Our people contribute their time and expertise to work with inspirational organisations and people on community initiatives and pro bono matters, with a particular focus on alleviating disadvantage, advancing reconciliation, improving access to justice and promoting sustainability. Our proud history of leadership in pro bono and community work has seen us lead the way on Constitutional recognition, carbon neutrality, refugee rights and marriage equality. We work with disadvantaged individuals and for NGOs to promote access to justice and protect human rights and we provide legal and administrative support to Community Legal Centres to assist the homeless, refugees and asylum seekers. We contributed more 25,000 hours of pro bono legal work in FY18, including more than 9000 hours on human rights-related matters and more than 5000 hours for Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander individuals and organisations.

Excellence: it’s a guarantee we give our clients. Intellectually rigorous, driven and eager to learn.

Commerciality: 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.

Flexibility: a key priority for the firm is to ensure our people feel they are trusted to work in a way that allows them to balance the needs of the firm alongside the pursuit of their own career and life goals irrespective of gender, age or life stage.

Commitment: positive people thrive in our environment. We look for people who can build sustainable careers with us, and successfully juggle work and a personal life while maintaining their wellbeing.

CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? Winter + Summer How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? 30 How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? Our recruitment process involves an online application, an online pre-interview component and one face-to-face interview. What tasks do clerks usually undertake? You’ll work with some of the most experienced lawyers in Australia and experience firsthand the type of work you could do as a lawyer with us. You’ll get to work as part of a team on real matters for our clients. If you’re driven, make the most of the opportunity and get to know our people, you’ll thrive during a clerkship with us. Your development supervisor and buddy will be there to support you and help you grow. Our clerkship program is a stepping stone to bigger things. Many Clerks go on to become Graduates with us. How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? We’re proud that there isn’t an ‘Allens’ type’. We know that diverse perspectives help solve complex problems, strengthen teams and enrich client relationships. While we celebrate our differences, it’s important to understand what unites us. These are attributes that our people have in common. These help us to succeed as a team and individually: •

Initiative: a curious mind is vital. The more adaptable you’re able to be and the more energy you bring with you, the more you’ll get out of a career at Allens.

Do you offer clerkships to nonpenultimate year students? Yes CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? Yes How can students find these opportunities and apply? We offer casual Research Assistant roles. These positions are typically offered to students who come through our Clerkship Program.

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GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a grad? We’re proud that there isn’t an ‘Allens type’. We know that diverse perspectives help solve complex problems, strengthen teams and enrich client relationships. The more you enjoy working with a diverse range of people, the greater your success will be. While we celebrate our differences, it’s important to understand what unites us. Initiative, excellence, commerciality, flexibility and commitment are all attributes that our people have in common. These help us to succeed as a team and individually. How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? Our Graduate program opportunities are typically filled with students who come through the Clerkship program. How many graduates does your firm anticipate to hire in 2019? 10 Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? Yes, our alliance with Linklaters connects our clients with an international network of legal leaders, spanning 40 offices in 28 countries. Our global network also allows our people to accelerate their careers, offering international secondments and opportunities to work with the world’s best lawyers on the most complex multijurisdictional matters in the market.

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Each year Linklaters recruits Australian students to join its London & Hong Kong offices. There is also the opportunity for Australian graduates in their second year to move to either London, Hong Kong or Singapore.

INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? The face-to-face interview is a chance for us to get to know you and for you to get to know us. During your interview, you’ll meet with members of our recruitment panel. We’ll want to hear about your university and work experiences, extracurricular involvement, career aspirations and interest in Allens. What are some less-obvious things students should avoid when interviewing? Ask questions you genuinely want to know the answer to don’t pretend to be interested in something you’re not, as the interviewers will see right through it. How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? When prepping for interviews, think of a few different broad scenarios that could apply to a number of questions as opposed to coming up with answers to specific questions. This will give you comfort in answering more questions and will avoid you being thrown off by a question that doesn’t sound like one your prepared for. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification of a question during an interview and if you need to, take time to collect your thoughts before you respond with your answer. Above all, just be YOU throughout the process. Don’t try to fit what you think is a particular firm’s perfect mould. The reality is there is no perfect mould and you want a firm that will hire you for who you are.


Great change is here.

Are you ready? At Allens, we’re focused on advancing our industry through 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. We work across borders too, thanks to our alliance with Linklaters. This strategic partnership opens up worlds of opportunity for our business and our people, including rotations in Linklaters London, Hong Kong and Singapore for our graduate lawyers. In a rapidly changing world, we seek opportunities to innovate, embracing creative thinking, new approaches and emerging technology. And we don’t just use them to benefit ourselves and our clients. We believe strongly in driving positive change to do right by our community too. Our teams are open, inclusive and encouraging, giving you the chance to learn and grow, but your development will be down to you. You’ll have the flexibility to drive your career, and we’ll recognise your achievements and hard work as you progress through the firm. Are you ready to begin?

Clerkship program

Will you make great change happen?

A clerkship with Allens is the first step in a rewarding legal career. The program will give you invaluable insight 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 projects.

> Programs run from three to ten weeks

Graduate program

> Ongoing support and buddy system

Clerkship > Available at our Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney offices

Comprising two 12-month placements in different practices, our graduate program offers exposure to stimulating legal challenges. In each rotation, you’ll gain a depth of experience that comes from seeing matters through. However, at Allens we don’t work in silos so you won’t be limited to working with one partner or by your practice areas. 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.

> Exposure to one or two practice groups

Early careers at Allens provide 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.

> A 12-month legal seminar series (Cornerstone Program)

Allens is an independent partnership operating in alliance with Linklaters LLP.

Graduate program > 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 > Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (via Allens Academy)

Find out more at allens.com.au/yourcareer 16774D


ASHURST

Level 10, 123 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000

Jacqueline Taylor, HR Consultant | Graduate.Programs@ashurst.com (08) 9366 8000 Our presence in the world’s leading financial and resource centres in Europe, AsiaPacific, the Middle East and the USA gives us the scale to attract global mandates, with cutting-edge capabilities in three key areas: Corporate, Disputes and Finance. Number of Offices: 26 https://www.ashurst.com/careers

ABOUT THE FIRM What are your firm’s core values? • Collaboration • Excellence • Innovation • Integrity • Accountability How would you describe firm culture? Open-minded, friendly, considerate – as people and as a firm we’re good company. There’s something about how we are with each other that leads naturally to collaboration. Actually, let’s go further: working together is how we thrive. We’re a community, and we want you to feel part of it. Don’t be fooled: this isn’t the place to come for an easy ride. Performing at a high level is important to everyone here, and that can mean working long hours, under pressure and to tight deadlines. We ask a lot of ourselves. We also give a lot to each other. Support is everywhere – from structured training, supervision and honest feedback. On a personal and professional level, whether you’re a partner or a graduate you know there’s someone who cares about your wellbeing as well as your billable hours.

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How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? With our technical expertise, local knowledge and

international network, we deliver an experience for our clients that other professional service providers find hard to match. We are committed to being a sustainable global law firm, having positive impacts for our clients, employees, profession, the environment and the communities in which we are based. What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? A variety of experience is essential in developing the kind of expertise that will set you apart. 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. The ways in which we support you in this are equally varied. Structured training helps you develop the highest standards of technical legal expertise, industry knowhow and business and legal skills. Honest, transparent conversations ensure you know exactly what we expect from you. Useful, constructive feedback helps you learn. A network of highly respected figures will not only inspire you, they will actively mentor your development.

CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? Winter + Summer How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? We offer clerkships in each of our Australian offices, application and recruitment dates are aligned to the state guidelines. You’ll firstly need to decide which office you want to clerk in, and only make one application via our online application form. What tasks do clerks usually undertake? You can expect to be involved in a wide variety of work and activities during your clerkship. Ranging from drafting, research for client advice, preparing file notes and case summaries to assisting with pro-bono matters and research projects. How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? There’s absolutely no Ashurst “type”. We want to actively involve a broad range of minds with a broad range of backgrounds, all united by a common set of strengths. There is no required past experience – but it is advantageous to have a diverse range of experiences that demonstrate the following competencies: • Excellent academic record and a passion to develop a career in an international


• • • •

law firm Outstanding communication skills Analytical ability, motivation, determination and drive Commercial awareness Teamwork and interpersonal skills GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION

What does your firm look for in a grad? • Commercial Instinct • Flexibility/Adaptability • Analytical ability • Resilience to tough situations • Communication skills • Team & Interpersonal skills • Motivation / Drive • Culture Fit How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? We predominately recruit our graduates from our seasonal clerkships. It’s important that you apply for a clerkship at the office of your choice. Any further graduate roles will be advertised on our website after the clerkship season ends. INTERVIEWS How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? There are many ways in which you can impress us in your application. Accuracy, clarity and honesty are a must but above all, we want to know the real you. For the interview process, be genuine and be prepared.

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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 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 make the difference.

Begin now at ashurst.com/careers

Connect with us on


Natalie Mascarenhas | natalie.mascarenhas@bakermckenzie.com (03) 9617 4200 Banking & Finance, Corporate (including Mergers & Acquisitions, Capital Markets and Private Equity), Commercial Real Estate, Construction, Dispute Resolution, Litigation and Insolvency, Employment & Industrial Relations, Energy, Resources, Infrastructure & Corporate, Environmental Markets, Technology, Communications & Commercial. 78 offices in 47 countries https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/locations/asia-pacific/australia

ABOUT THE FIRM Where is your firm headquartered? At Baker McKenzie, we are different in the way we think, work and behave. Like no other law firm, we were ‘born global’, so thinking and working globally is embedded in our culture. We opened our first office in Chicago in 1949, 70 years ago. Our next office was then opened in Caracas in 1955. We subsequently expanded throughout the US, South America and Europe during the following 3 years, and our Australian story began in Sydney in 1964. In order to grow our Firm, we have followed clients into new markets, each time establishing offices driven by local lawyers and talent. Our growth has therefore been organic, but with a strong connection to our other offices. This has given us a strong, common culture that runs through our Firm and unique understanding of the global economy. So, from the outset, we have not had firm ‘headquarters’. All of our offices have been, and continue to be run locally, but have the benefit of being strongly connected and integrated which provides our clients and people with unique and outstanding opportunities.

What are your firm’s core values? Quality and excellence together with integrity, honesty, team work and responsiveness are some of Baker McKenzie’s key values - and are central in us delivering outstanding service to our clients. The values that make us a unique and a great place to work are deeply embedded and you will notice our difference in all of your interactions with us, in Australia and across the globe. • We are passionately global, and leverage our global expertise for our Australian and global clients at every opportunity, recognising our strength is in our diversity. • We have a strong and diverse culture of friendship, inclusion and collaboration. • We are commercial pragmatists who make complex issues simple for our clients and we focus on our clients’ business needs. • We strive to stay ahead of the curve and encourage entrepreneurship. • We actively encourage and support contribution to the community, through our pro bono and community service programs.

BAKER McKENZIE

Level 19, CBW 181 William Street Melbourne Victoria 3000

• We want everyone at Baker McKenzie to reach their potential so we invest in global, regional and local world-class development and mobility programs for our people. Baker McKenzie is committed to diversity, inclusion, workplace flexibility, and equal opportunity. As the first truly global law firm, Baker McKenzie’s origins are rooted in the respect for and appreciation of difference. We understand that organisations work best when people with different backgrounds and multiple points of view are brought together. Our own diversity mirrors our commitment to exploring multiple perspectives to develop the best possible solutions for our clients and to fostering a culture of respect and inclusion that celebrates diversity. Diversity and inclusion are in our DNA. Diversity is central to our success. We are at home anywhere in the world and we rely on our people to navigate cultures, borders and practices with ease. What sets Baker McKenzie apart is our ability to leverage different languages, cultures, generations and perspectives we have to create a truly international law firm that places a real focus on diversity and inclusion.

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Our award winning diversity strategy, initiatives and programs are focussed in five areas, in which all of our people can participate: • BakerWomen – gender equality and supporting the progression of women; • BakerDNA – ethnic, indigenous and cultural diversity; • BakerBalance – supporting carers and parents, employee wellbeing and workplace flexibility; • BakerLGBTI – lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex diversity; and • BakerIndigenousEngagement – commitment to engagement with our Indigenous community - achieving better social, economic and cultural outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and to making a real difference in the lives of our nation’s First Peoples. How would you describe firm culture? Many of our Seasonal Clerks, Graduates and lawyers say that the reason they join us is because of our people and culture. In Melbourne, the size of our office enables everyone to get to know each other plus we have the benefit of a strong global connection to our other offices, offering something unique and special to our people. Our people are genuinely friendly and diverse, and enjoy coming to work everyday. Our social and sports committee contribute to the Firm’s social glue - offering regular Firm drinks, events and sporting activities. We also offer a range of social and financial benefits (including massages, discounted movie tickets, study assistance, corporate discounts, etc.).

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How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? In addition to our unique values, set out above, Baker McKenzie’s key difference is that, unlike other firms, we were ‘born global’. Our practices and culture are well established and integrated globally, which is why many clients and lawyers choose to work with us. We also have a global approach to development. Because we’ve been global from the beginning, we have well established regional and global programs and a deeply embedded culture of knowledge sharing, support and mentoring both within and across offices. Our global development roadmap, the Development Framework, clearly explains what success looks like at each career stage at Baker McKenzie. It shapes the way we recruit, select, develop, manage and promote our lawyers. For you, it means always having a clear career roadmap, empowering you to plan and drive your development – formally and on the job – at every stage. Our lawyers benefit from an Australian professional development curriculum based on the Development Framework – from black letter law to practice-specific skills and knowledge development at the local, regional and global levels. Our lawyers also attend regional/ global training and events/ conferences relating to their practices to help develop networks and legal skills. Further, they attend regional transition programs at each career stage which provide development in the key skills our lawyers need – like people leadership, business development and project management – and which enable them to foster relationships with international peers at the same career stage. Recently, programs have been held in Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Taipei and Tokyo.

We also provide our lawyers with opportunities to attend USA summer school courses and scholarships for full-time legal study overseas. In addition, the Firm offers opportunities for lawyers at varying stages of their career to work directly for clients or with our other offices in the Asia Pacific region and globally. In the last few years, we have placed lawyers in London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, Stockholm, Chicago, Washington DC, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Rio de Janeiro, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Taipei, Singapore, Shanghai, Bangkok, Tokyo, Jakarta, Myanmar, and of course, we have had lawyers across our network come to work with our Melbourne office too. What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? As stated above, Baker McKenzie’s key difference is that we were ‘born global’, meaning we have been global from the outset. For you, this means being a part of one of the world’s largest law firms and a network of 78 offices globally. It means being a part of a firm which is globally integrated beyond any other law firm. It means having access to worldclass development programs, and regional and global training. And it means experiencing cross-border and international work, and secondments with our offices and clients globally… all while working in a local firm which has a size that lends itself to our lawyers working directly with Partners and clients, having real responsibility and autonomy, and not just being ‘a number’ but having a real and meaningful part to play in the Firm. What significant work has your firm undertaken recently? Locally and globally, Baker McKenzie works on significant and high profile matters, for leading local and global clients. We have the experience, knowledge and expertise, both at a local and global level, to


meet complex demands from our clients. Some of our recent matters include: • advising Japanese bank Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation; • acting on an AUD 60 million capital raise by Megaport; • acting for MacPhersons Resources in their merger with Intermin Resources to combine the two companies through a scheme of arrangement; • acting on capital raisings for Centuria Funds to help fund the $645 million acquisition of 4 properties from the Hines office portfolio; • acting for Afterpay Touch Group on its UK expansion; • acting on the $466 million “WAM Global” investment fund float; • acting on AUD $500 million Macarthur Wind Farm refinancing. What kind of pro bono work does your firm engage in? Pro Bono and Community Services initiatives are an integral part of Baker McKenzie’s mission. Our Pro Bono, Community Services and corporate social responsibility programs aim to inspire staff to make a difference and collaborate with clients who share the same commitment to social justice. Baker McKenzie staff are actively encouraged to undertake pro bono work. We believe that the provision of pro bono legal services is a fundamental professional responsibility. Pro bono legal services Baker McKenzie is a signatory to the National Pro Bono Aspirational Target of at least 35 hours of pro bono legal work per lawyer per year. Our lawyers regularly undertake a wide range of pro bono legal work for disadvantaged clients in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane as well as not-for-

profit organisations. Some of our work includes assisting victims of domestic violence seek compensation; representing asylum seekers in court who are seeking judicial review of decisions relating to their refugee status; assisting asylum seekers prepare their statements in support of protection visas; helping the elderly, seriously ill clients and young people exiting the child protection system with their legal affairs; working with various organisations to prepare submissions and advocacy papers to support law and policy reform; presenting legal workshops to vulnerable and at risk youth; and much more. Our pro bono work extends globally, including the Asia Pacific region. Community Service and CSR Baker McKenzie staff also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of community service initiatives. Our community service programs include the LEAPS literacy and mentoring program in Sydney, and the MacChat program run by the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne where our staff volunteers visit patients during an evening and have a chat with them/keep them company. Baker McKenzie staff also have the opportunity to join their office’s Community Service Committee which is responsible for organising awareness and fundraising for each office’s nominated charities throughout the year. SNAPSHOT Daniel Conti, Associate Baker McKenzie resonated with me, on a number of levels, as an ideal Firm to begin my legal career because of its high calibre international and cross-border work; its friendly and collegiate culture; and its outstanding opportunities to work and undertake training overseas. I undertook a Summer Clerkship with the Melbourne office’s Corporate team and was fortunate to receive a Graduate position with the Firm later that year. Subsequently, I was excited

to be selected to undertake a four-week International Clerkship with the Firm’s London office, prior to commencing as a Graduate in Melbourne. Having expressed a strong desire to gain some exposure to international Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and Capital Markets, the prospect of spending two weeks in the London office’s M&A group and two weeks in its Structured Capital Markets (SCM) group was a fantastic opportunity. While the M&A and SCM practice groups in London are incredibly busy, they are very supportive and friendly. In addition to assisting both teams with research and advisory work, I had the opportunity to work on two incredibly interesting matters. Whilst working in the M&A team, I was fortunate to be involved in advising one of the Firm’s longstanding clients on its multi-billion dollar acquisition of the personal care and homecare brands of a Latin American consumer goods company. The deal involved 10 Latin American jurisdictions, an incredible amount of coordination and the consideration of many other areas of law (such as tax, competition and intellectual property). This significant deal allowed me to fully appreciate Baker McKenzie’s capability and capacity to facilitate such a strategic yet complex transaction. Whilst working with the SCM team, I was fortunate to be a part of concluding a USD$500m note issuance by an Eastern European bank on the Irish Stock Exchange. I also had the opportunity to attend a number of client meetings, professional development sessions on emerging areas of law and possible reform, and an energy derivatives trading conference - where I represented the Firm! Of course, I was also able to fit in some travel in my downtime! For anyone who has been to London, you would know it is laden with history and culture.

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To that end, I visited many museums (including the worldrenowned Natural History Museum), numerous landmarks (such as Westminster Abbey and Wembley Stadium) and, of course, a number of fantastic pubs - to soak up the British’s love for sport! I am very grateful, especially at such an early stage in my career, for the opportunity to have undertaken an International Clerkship with our London office - and to have built my knowledge, experience and global network. I look forward to continuing to build my career with the Firm in the years to come! CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? As Baker McKenzie currently does not have an office in Perth, our Melbourne office (and Sydney office!) welcomes applications from Perth law students. We have had a number of UWA law students interview with the Melbourne office for Clerkship positions in the past. We have also had UWA alumni join us as lawyers, later in their careers. In Melbourne, we will be conducting three Clerkship programs - a four week Clerkship from 25 November to 20 December 2019, 3 February to 28 February 2020, and end June to July 2020 (dates TBC). How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? Approximately 25 How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? Applications for Seasonal Clerkships should be submitted via our website www. bakermckenzie.com/careers/ Australia

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Applications should include a cover letter, as well as details of your work experience, extracurricular activities, interests, and academic results. We do not require you to upload your CV,

as the information from your CV is used to respond to the areas above. Candidates will attend one interview with two Partners or a Partner and Senior Associate. Candidates will also be invited to an information and cocktail evening attended by Partners and Associates so that you can meet as many people from our Firm as possible. In our interviews, we want to get to know all about you – your experiences, your interests, your achievements, your strengths and your abilities. We also want to know why you want to work with Baker McKenzie. To that end, our interviews are a mix of ‘getting to know you’ questions and ‘behavioural’ questions, so that we can get to know you and you can make the best impression. What tasks do clerks usually undertake? At Baker McKenzie, our aim is to give our Seasonal Clerks the opportunity to experience life as a junior lawyer with our Firm. Right from the start, our Clerks get involved in real work and are given real responsibility, just like our Graduates and junior lawyers. You will be exposed to our Australian and international clients through client meetings and telephone calls, client events and shadowing, and you will often have the opportunity to deal with clients directly. More specifically, the type of work that Clerks get involved in includes drafting correspondence, preparing Court documents, drafting advices or agreements, document review tasks, attending Court/ mediations, attending meetings with counsel, attending meetings with expert or other witnesses, attending settlements, preparing client alerts - and of course, you get to put to work those excellent skills which you gain at university - undertaking legal research, preparing memoranda and preparing case summaries.

Our Clerks also have the opportunity to participate in community service initiatives and pro bono files. How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? The Clerks who have ultimately succeeded during a Clerkship and in securing a Graduate position have, of course, performed strongly displaying excellent legal and technical skills. But they have also displayed commercial acumen and awareness, strong communication and interpersonal skills, enthusiasm and a great attitude, the ability to use their initiative, a clientservice focus, and a genuine interest (and excitement!) in working with us. They have also made an effort to be a part of Firm life - attending social events and professional development sessions, and have made an effort to get to know our people. Do you offer clerkships to nonpenultimate year students? Our preference is to take students in their penultimate year. However, we will consider final year students on a case-bycase basis. CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? Yes If yes, how can students find these opportunities and apply? To be added to our paralegal database, please email your CV and transcript to Natalie Mascarenhas, Talent Management Consultant, Baker McKenzie Melbourne.


GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a grad? Baker McKenzie looks for people who genuinely want to work with us and who understand our unique offering and position in the market. We look for well-rounded, motivated individuals who share our global perspective; who are intellectually curious and have sound academics; who display business acumen and are practical in their approach; who enjoy a challenge and seek new opportunities; who take responsibility and use their initiative; who act with integrity and honesty in all of their dealings, decisions and actions; who express themselves confidently while staying open to new ideas; who strive to provide excellent service to their clients; who seek a friendly, diverse, and inclusive culture; and who take seriously our role in making a difference to our local and global communities. What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? We generally recruit our Graduates from our previous Seasonal Clerks. Therefore, the best way to secure a Graduate position with our Firm is by undertaking a Seasonal Clerkship with us. Apart from performing well during a Clerkship, and exhibiting the qualities set out in the previous response, a good way to show your interest in the Firm is to undertake a Research Clerk role with our Library, undertake a Paralegal role with one of our practice groups, and/or make an effort to stay connected with the Firm, and our people, post-Clerkship. How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? We generally do not take applications from the market for Graduate positions, as we tend to recruit our Graduates from our previous Seasonal Clerks.

How many graduates does your firm anticipate to hire in 2019? 8 - 10

we have had lawyers across our network come to work with our Australian offices too.

Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? As set out above, our lawyers attend regional/global training and events/conferences relating to their practices to help develop networks and legal skills. Further, they attend regional transition programs at each career stage which provide development in the key skills our lawyers need – like people leadership, business development and project management – and which enable them to foster relationships with international peers at the same career stage. Recently, programs have been held in Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Taipei and Tokyo.

INTERVIEWS

We also provide our lawyers with opportunities to attend USA summer school courses and scholarships for full-time legal study overseas. In addition, the Firm offers opportunities for lawyers at varying stages of their career to work directly for clients or with our other offices in the Asia Pacific region and globally. The most relevant (and exciting!) opportunity for you is our International Clerkship program. Seasonal Clerks who accept a Graduate role with the Firm are eligible to apply for an International Clerkship, which is an opportunity to work in one of our overseas offices for a 4 week period. The Firm covers costs like flights, accommodation, visas, etc. In the last few years, we have placed International Clerks/ lawyers in London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, Stockholm, Chicago, Washington DC, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Rio de Janeiro, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Taipei, Singapore, Shanghai, Bangkok, Tokyo, Jakarta, Myanmar, and of course,

What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? As set out above, in our interviews, we want to get to know all about you – your experiences, your interests, your achievements, your strengths and your abilities. We also want to know why you want to work with Baker McKenzie. To that end, our interviews are a mix of ‘getting to know you’ questions and ‘behavioural’ questions, so that we can get to know you and you can make the best impression. Our global Development Framework also shapes the way we recruit and select our people, so our successful candidates will often display the key performance areas and personal qualities set out in the Development Framework. More generally speaking though, our successful candidates have displayed: • a genuine interest in our Firm - and they have researched our Firm beyond their Careers Guide or our promotional material; • strong communication skills - and the ability to answer the actual question put to them in an articulate, concise and considered manner; • intelligence and an ability to think on their feet; • commercial awareness and business acumen; • an innovative approach; • enthusiasm and engagement; • a growth mindset; • a global focus and interest; • a professional appearance; • an ability to highlight their experiences, interests, achievements, and strengths in their responses; and • an ability to build a rapport with their interviewers making them want to work with the candidate.

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What are some less-obvious things students should avoid when interviewing? While we don’t have any Firmspecific things that students should avoid, a couple of the key things to avoid are: • trying to be someone you are not - it is really important to be yourself so that you (and we) can see if the Firm is a good fit for you and you can build a rapport with your interviewers; • asking inappropriate questions (i.e. about salary or any controversial issues in the media relating to the Firm); • displaying arrogance; • treating junior lawyer buddies, reception or catering staff poorly - just because they are not your interviewers, doesn’t mean they are not an important part of the Firm; • clichés (!) - especially with your strengths or areas for development; • defensive body language ensure your body language suggests you are open, engaged and interested; and • leaving your mobile phone on loud - this goes without saying, but it has happened on a number of occasions! How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance! A critical element of setting yourself up for a successful interview is knowing as much as possible about the challenge you’re going to face. Find anyone you know who’s had an interview at the firm, talk to HR and legal representatives from the firm when they come to uni or careers fairs, read guides like this for an indication about the type of questions you might be asked, and conduct Google searches on “interview questions” and “behavioural interviews” to give you lists of practice questions that you can use as preparation.

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Then prepare a few points, as answers to each question, highlighting your strengths, capabilities, employment/work experience (legal and non-legal), academic achievements, extracurricular activities and other general experiences. Practice practice practice! Interviews can be challenging and none of us are born ready to ace them. For many, Seasonal Clerkship interviews are one of the first times they’ve engaged in such a formal process. So the best way to prepare for these is to practice! Sign up for mock interviews, practice with your family and friends, form study groups and practice with your fellow students. Finally, it’s also important to research the firm you are interviewing with. Part of convincing your interviewers that you’d make a valuable addition to their firm, is showing them that you have a sound understanding of the firm and know why you want to work there. While it is useful to research the firm on their website and in the media, the best way to gain an insight into the firm is by speaking to the people who know the firm best - the ones who are driving it forward. Speak to anyone you know who’s worked or Clerked at the firm, and talk to the representatives the firm sends out to careers events.


Your journey to a world-class career begins here

Baker McKenzie is Australia’s first global law firm. We’ve been developing global lawyers in Australia for more than 50 years – each started out as a law student, just like you. Become a world-class lawyer. Join the firm that was born global.

www.bakermckenzie.com/australia#careers

Find us at @BakersAUS

Find us on Facebook

Ready to explore our world? Natalie Mascarenhas +61 3 9617 4349 natalie.mascarenhas@bakermckenzie.com


BENNETT + CO

Ground Floor, BGC Centre, 28 The Esplanade, Perth WA 6000 Claire Vinnicombe | hr@bennettandco.com.au (08) 6316 2200 Administrative Law, Automotive, Civil Assets Forfeiture, Commercial Arbitration (International & Domestic) and Expert Determinations, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Commercial Transactions, Competition and Consumer Law, Corporate Advisory, Corporate and Commercial Regulatory Compliance, Corporate Finance, Initial Public Offerings and Secondary Capital Raisings, Corporate Insolvency, Reconstruction and Bankruptcy, Defamation, Directors’ Duties, Duties Law, Employment, Energy and Resources, Estate Planning (Wills, Probate and Succession) and Disputes, Insurance, Intellectual Property, Media, Mergers and Acquisitions, Personal Property Securities, Private Equity, Real and Personal Property, Planning and Conveyancing, Trusts and Managed Investment Schemes Number of Offices: 1 https://bennettandco.com.au/

ABOUT THE FIRM Where is your firm headquartered? Perth What are your firm’s core values? Bennett + Co’s core values are to achieve excellence through dedication, expertise and commitment in delivering commercial value to our clients. Bennett + Co also strives to responsibly and passionately contribute to the community through the application of our legal knowledge and skills.

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How would you describe firm culture? Bennett + Co has a strong culture of excellence, always striving to do better. Our unique organisational structure (we don’t have silos) and our flexible project team approach to complex and critical matters attracts talented and dedicated lawyers who are passionate and focussed. Our culture in this sense is cohesive and with a core group of people who have worked together for over a decade, our staff are close knit and supportive of one

another, both professionally and personally. How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? Bennett + Co is a midsized firm consisting of one of Western Australia’s largest litigation and dispute resolution practices together with an experienced corporate and commercial team. Unlike larger firms, Bennett + Co does not operate in silos or practice teams, but has a flexible needs-based project team focus which enables the dynamic and efficient execution of client matters. At Bennett + Co, the focus is on our work and the results we achieve for our clients. Whilst we have all the frills, professional development programmes, community and pro-bono programmes and the like, we don’t do those things to be seen doing them but because they are of real value. What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? We encourage our junior practitioners to be involved in every aspect of our practice from an early stage, giving

great exposure to managing client relationships, managing files, determining strategy and appearing in Court. We encourage autonomy and initiative amongst our junior practitioners to fast-track their professional development as much as possible, whilst maintaining close supervision feom the senior practitioners and mentors within the firm. In this environment, our junior practitioners are exposed to a wide variety of corporate and commercial matters, including some of the State’s most high profile, law-making litigation. What significant work has your firm undertaken recently? Bennett + Co acted for Mr Lloyd Rayney in the longest running defamation trial in WA (spanning 47 days) in respect of statements made by (then) Detective Senior Sergeant Jack Lee of the Western Australian Police to the media on 20 September 2007. The Court found that DSS Lee’s comments conveyed the defamatory imputation that Mr Rayney had murdered his wife and found that there were aggravated circumstances of


publication. Martin Bennett, founding Principal of Bennett + Co, acted for Mr Rayney for over a decade and obtained in this case the highest recorded damages award for defamation in Australian legal history. Bennett + Co acted for and successfully represented Mineral Resources Limited in Mighty River International Ltd v Hughes; Mighty River International Ltd v Mineral Resources Ltd (2018) 329 ALR 181, from trial which was conducted in February 2017 in the Supreme Court of Western Australia through to the High Court of Australia. The case dismissed a creditor’s challenge to the validity of a ‘holding’ deed of company arrangement which provides certainty to insolvency practitioners as to their ability to utilise holdings DOCAs as an alternative means of effectively managing the administration of companies. Bennett + Co (through Managing Principal Nathan Ebbs and Principal Dalitso Banda) instructed Mr Justin Gleeson SC, former Solicitor General of the Commonwealth and Dr Ben Kremer as counsel for Mineral Resources Limited. SNAPSHOT I’ve been with Bennett + Co since the commencement of the firm and have thrived in my practice here. I made it known that I had a passion for intellectual property litigation (although hard to find in WA) and sure enough obtained those opportunities. I made it known I wanted to travel for work and sure enough, I have regularly travelled interstate and, on occasion, overseas, despite my practice as a litigation lawyer being based predominantly in Western Australia. I genuinely enjoy my work. I have always had an honest and open relationship with the Principals of the firm and found them to be most generous with their time and expertise. Essentially, I’ve found that Bennett + Co is what you make of it. The firm will support you in whatever you are driven to achieve.

What kind of pro bono work does your firm engage in? • Esther Foundation • SciTech • IdentityWa • Riding for Disabled Association of WA Inc • EPIC Empowering People in Communities • Boab Health Services • West Australian Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation • WA Shalom Group CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? During semester. Generally each clerkship role involves a full day one day per week for a period of at least 6 months. How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? 5 – 10 How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? By emailing their CV, cover letter and academic transcript to our HR Manager, Claire Vinnicombe. What tasks do clerks usually undertake? Research, preparation of briefs, preparation for and attendance at Court, document review and discovery, attendance at client meetings, drafting advices, applications and submissions and generally assisting in the day to day conduct of files, where applicable. Our clerks have the opportunity to work with all of our practitioners, rather than being positioned in a single team, and often have the opportunity to work on client matters on an ongoing basis to see matters through to a Court hearing or resolution. How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? Be inquisitive, take initiative and be confident. Rather than simply focussing on a task in isolation, look at it in context, understand the broader picture and strategy, understand the purpose for which the task has been assigned, ensure a task is completed within the required

timeframe and offer to provide further assistance or additional information if necessary. Do you offer clerkships to nonpenultimate year students? Yes, in some circumstances. CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Does your firm offer casual or part-time employment for law students? Yes GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a graduate? Strong academic performance, passion and drive in your dedication to study, extracurricular activities, community or pro-bono work and relevant work experience. Mostly we look for a well-rounded, confident and open person who will share our dedication to the pursuit of excellence. What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? Ideally, our research clerkships provide an opportunity for us to get to know potential graduates from the research clerk pool. Nevertheless, candidates should present a strong CV (with no grammatical or typographical errors) ensuring you have well rounded experience both in the law and in community and extracurricular activities. Embrace all that university life has to offer, but focus on maintaining a strong academic performance throughout your university career. Find something you are passionate about and do it well with a focus on what you want from the future. Identify where your interests and passion for the law align with our work and highlight those areas. How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? Bennett + Co primarily looks to its existing research clerks when offering graduate opportunities. However, even if you have not been successful in obtaining

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a research clerk opportunity, applications for graduate positions can be emailed together with a CV, cover letter and academic transcript to our HR Manager. Strong candidates will always be considered. How many graduates does your firm anticipate to hire in 2019? 1-2 International Opportunities Although we don’t have offices or current secondment opportunities overseas, our work is varied and opportunities for work travel and attendance at interstate and international conferences will often arise. INTERVIEWS Things to avoid when interviewing? Don’t pretend to be someone you are not. Let your personality shine through and be genuine. To avoid giving the impression you’re just going through the motions in one of several interviews, show a genuine interest in the firm and our work. Try not to give the impression that this is one of several interviews you are attending, even if that is in fact the case.

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How can you best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? Look at some of the firm’s recent work and identify how your goals align with the culture and opportunities at the firm. At a minimum, read the Legal Affairs section of the newspaper in the couple of weeks leading up to your interview, check up on recent cases of interest (particularly the firm’s cases) and news in the Western Australian and Federal Courts, check the website profiles of all of the Principals of the firm (so you know who they are), or staff members who will be interviewing you, and come prepared with a list of any queries you might have about the firm, clerkship or graduate opportunities, the role and responsibilities of our clerks

or graduates and anything else which shows a serious and keen interest in securing a position at Bennett + Co as opposed to any other firm.



CLAYTON UTZ

Level 27, QV.1, 250 St. Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000 Alicia Pasquini | apasquini@claytonutz.com (08) 9426 8000 Banking & Financial Services, Commercial Litigation, Corporate/M&A/ Capital Markets, Environment & Planning, Major Projects and Construction, Restructuring & Insolvency, Workplace Relations & Employment Safety, Real Estate, Public Sector Number of Offices: 6 https://graduates.claytonutz.com/

ABOUT THE FIRM

Where is your firm headquartered? Sydney What are your firm’s core values? Trust, Respect and Cooperation How would you describe firm culture? Staying true to your direction is what defines Clayton Utz. At Clayton Utz, we’ve built a team of down-to-earth, collaborative lawyers who know that at the heart of exceptional client service is knowing what your client needs. How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? Clayton Utz is a leading Australian law firm, known for the strength of its independent culture and its confident and engaging approach.

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What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? We offer a best in class graduate program giving you the perfect foundation for your legal career. Our rotation program means you’ll 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 approach to learning & development, you’ll get the support you need to become the best you can be.

What significant work has your firm undertaken recently? VW, Banking Royal Commission What kind of pro bono work does your firm engage in? Clayton Utz is serious about pro bono best practice. We were the first large Australian law firm to establish an inhouse pro bono practice; the first to appoint a full-time pro bono partner; and the first to sign the National Pro Bono Target. Since 1997, our commitment to pro bono has helped to shape what it means to be a leading Australian law firm. In 2015, we became the first law firm in Australia to provide 500,000 hours of pro bono assistance (and counting). We have achieved this by focusing on our clients’ needs; collaborating with the legal assistance sector and other pro bono colleagues; and making pro bono work part of each of our lawyers’ everyday practice. SNAPSHOT During my time at CU, I have found that everyone here is willing to give their time to mentor, guide and nurture. It is also because of the people that I’m surrounded with every day that I am able to stay true to who I am as a person. It is no doubt that we get amazing high profile work and the experience has been unequivocally

invaluable, but the primary reason why I am drawn to CU is the people. The people at CU are genuine, respectful and helpful, and this has really made a big difference in my learning as a graduate lawyer. CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? Winter + Summer How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? 35 How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? Directly on our Graduate Careers Website What tasks do clerks usually undertake? Research, writing and drafting memos/letters, attending court and client meetings, pro bono, assisting with preparation of matters for hearings How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? Clayton Utz employs people with a wide range of backgrounds, skills, interests and competencies. We look for people who can contribute new ideas, who take a creative approach to solving problems, are personable, practical, commercially-savvy, as well as flexible.


Do you offer clerkships to nonpenultimate year students? Yes CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? Yes How can students find these opportunities and apply? On our website https://www. claytonutz.com/ under paralegal expressions of interest GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a grad? We’re looking for people who are personable, practical, commercially-savvy, as well as flexible. Our lawyers undertake complex and innovative legal work, so it’s important that our clerks and graduates are motivated individuals who aren’t afraid of a challenge. What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? Complete a clerkship to the best of your ability. Graduate offers are decided by how well a clerk performs during their 4 week clerkship. Being open to learning new things, having a great attitude, good attention to detail, flexibility, resilience and being able to ask and take feedback are all characteristics we look for during the clerkship.

Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? Yes, we offer a CU Abroad opportunity for Junior lawyers after they have finished their graduate program. INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? A well rounded candidate. We value all types of work experience, volunteer experience, extra-curricular activities, club participation, sporting or other involvement as well as unique experiences such as study abroad, travel or immersion programs. A candidate that shows their personality, confidence, problem solving skills, flexibility, resilience and an eagerness to learn. What are some less-obvious things students should avoid when interviewing? Be yourself! It’s easy to get caught up in the overwhelming application process and concerned about ticking certain boxes. We want to know the real you and see your personality, don’t be afraid to show your true self! How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? Spend some time on our website reading about our practice groups, research your interviewers and have questions prepared if they don’t naturally come up during the interview process.

How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? Apply for a clerkship, we hire most of our Graduates from our Clerkship Programs. Occasionally, additional opportunities may arise. These opportunities will be listed on our website. How many graduates does your firm anticipate to hire in 2019? 9

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STAY TRUE.

Staying true to your direction is what defines Clayton Utz. We’ve built a culture that’s unlike any other law firm, but don’t just take our word for it. A good lawyer needs compelling evidence so meet our people and judge for yourself. 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.


Melissa Urquhart | Grads.Perth@cliffordchance.com (08) 9262 5555 Banking & Finance, Corporate, Litigation & Dispute Resolution Number of Offices: 32 www.cliffordchance.com

ABOUT THE FIRM Where is your firm headquartered? United Kingdom What are your firm’s core values? We have identified and embedded across our firm the core elements that make up our unique culture – the ‘Clifford Chance DNA’. These values, designed to unite, differentiate and help drive priorities and strategic action, make up the eight Clifford Chance Principles: • Exceeding clients’ expectations • Local excellence, global standards • An ambition for success • Investing in talent • An adaptable and approachable team • Thinking ahead • Strength through diversity • Community You can learn more in the ‘About Us’ section of www. cliffordchance.com How would you describe firm culture? We are a premier global law firm committed to setting the standard for excellence in legal skills and client service around the world. Joining us means sharing that commitment, a drive to innovate and grasp new opportunities as we help our clients to address a wide range of business, financial and legal issues.

We’re looking for the brightest and most talented individuals irrespective of background – ambitious people who offer new ideas and fresh perspectives, and who will ultimately be able to give our clients a competitive advantage. If that sounds like you, and if your aim is to work at the cutting edge of commercial law, with outstanding legal and business training, and equally impressive ‘on the job’ experience, take a closer look at Clifford Chance. If global law firms are competing to provide the same kind of professional services, you might think we would all end up the same. The fact is, firms vary in spirit, culture and atmosphere. We’re one of the world’s largest law firms, but it often doesn’t feel like that. We have a professional, can-do culture. Partners are hands on with the work and newly qualified lawyers are expected to demonstrate leadership behaviour from a very early stage. Every single person is critical to the success of the team. How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? What makes Clifford Chance lawyers 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.

CLIFFORD CHANCE

7/190 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000

What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? Our two-year, international training and graduate programmes turn gifted beginners into professionals, with the aim of getting the breadth of experience you need to emerge as a confident business adviser. Our differentiator as a firm is our global reach. Truly international lawyers build their experience on global deals and with teams across multiple jurisdictions. Our training and graduate programmes are divided into four, six-month seats (rotations) that place you in different parts of our business, and include one international seat so you can capture the essence of working in an global firm. You will work in teams with different colleagues and clients, gaining exposure to the challenges they face and the ways in which we help them. While seat availability is subject to the needs of the business, we endeavour to allocate you seats which reflect your personal career ambitions.

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What significant work has your firm undertaken recently? Our credentials are built on market-leading deals and industry firsts. Recently we have advised on the following matters across Asia Pacific: • Our Australia, London and New York teams advised multinational commodity trading and mining company Glencore on the key refinancing and extension of its revolving credit facilities with an aggregate value of US$14.43 billion; • Our Hong Kong and Shanghai teams advised global private markets investment manager Partners Group on its US$1.34 billion acquisition via a joint venture of Dinghao Electronics Plaza, a large mixed-use office and retail complex in Beijing’s technology hub Zhongguancun; • Beijing and Hong Kong advised BOCHK (Holdings) on the establishment of a joint venture, Livi VB Limited, backed by BOCHK (Holdings), Jingdong Digits Technology Holding Co., Ltd. and the Jardine Matheson Group, which has been granted one of the first banking licences issued by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) to conduct virtual banking business in Hong Kong; and • Singapore and New York advised Blackstone and Bangalore-based developer Embassy Property Developments PVT Limited on India’s first real estate investment trust, Embassy Office Parks REIT, for an initial public offering of US$690 million. This is also Asia’s largest REIT in terms of office portfolio area, and was 2.57 times oversubscribed.

Responsible Business a central part of our strategy. We have over 6,000 people working for the firm, hugely talented and with a fantastic range of valuable skills and experience. Together, we can really make an impact. There’s also an important point here about individual development. Our people who are involved in this type of activity – whether it’s pro bono advice, mentoring local students, or working alongside clients on an environmental initiative – all have a much broader, more considered view of business life, and develop a wider range of really valuable life skills and business skills. For our lawyers, it’s a great way for them to understand the context beyond the immediate confines of the transaction or case. Feeling that you can have a positive impact on some of the more pressing issues facing society is also hugely motivating, and that’s an important aspect of ensuring that everyone here feels that Clifford Chance is a really great place to work.

What kind of pro bono work does your firm engage in? As a leader in our field we are rightly held to high standards in all we do. We are committed to inspiring the trust of our stakeholders by making

At the end of my clerkship I most wanted to work at Clifford Chance because of the mentality and temperament of my colleagues - where the firm has a culture of connectivity and genuine collegiality. From my

SNAPSHOT Adrian Fourie, Clifford Chance, Perth I pursued a clerkship with Clifford Chance because I was interested in the deals the corporate team was doing in the renewables space, and the cases the disputes team was running in the investor-state arbitration space. A highlight of clerking was being involved in much of this international facing work. Fortunately, Clifford Chance has a culture of giving junior lawyers as much responsibility as they are comfortable with, and can appropriately manage – which has meant I have really been able grow my skills and ability as quickly as I can.

first day, to yesterday, I have felt listened to, and no matter how busy someone is, they always seem to have time to engage with me on any issue I might have, and lend a hand. For clerks that have had the opportunity to work at other firms I hope they will understand why I think this is quite so important. A highlight for me of working at Clifford Chance is the international pipeline of work, and the options around travel, and travelling for work the firm offers. One of the biggest drawcards for Clifford Chance in Perth has always been that it is one of two magic circle firms in the city, and thus it really is international. Practically for graduates this means that every graduate has the option to do a 6-month rotation somewhere else in the network if they want (think Hong Kong, Tokyo, London etc). Additionally, more senior lawyers continue to have this opportunity, with options for further 6 to 18-month secondments elsewhere in the network, and plenty of other opportunities to travel CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? Summer How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? Submitting your CV, cover letter and academic transcript online at www.cliffordchance.com/ careers during the designation application period What tasks do clerks usually undertake? Throughout the training or graduate programme you will be closely supported both informally and through formal mentoring with advice and guidance from your supervisor in each of your seats, We will make sure that your energy and time are focused on activities that will best develop your legal and business skills.


You could be drafting and proofing documents, conducting due diligence on a client’s acquisition target, meeting clients, preparing documents for a court hearing or creating a data room ahead of a major transaction. Most of your time will be spent working in teams where you will make an important contribution to their success – you may even run some smaller transactions for clients. As you might expect, life as a trainee or graduate can sometimes be challenging, particularly around deadlines. You will be expected to deliver high-quality service consistently – often across different time zones, requiring commitment, energy and enthusiasm. How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? Clients expect more from their lawyers than ever before. They look to us as business partners on their journey to achieve their objectives. It’s not just about precedents and compliance, but finding new ways to build relationships and deliver the results that matter. To stand out with us you’ll have to be curious about our client’s business, and eager to explore new ways of addressing their needs. Showing us that you can work independently, and equally as part of a team will demonstrate that you have what it takes to be part of #teamcc. Do you offer clerkships to nonpenultimate year students? No CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? Yes How can students find these opportunities and apply? Casual employment is usually offered to past vacation clerks. Additional casual roles which may be available are usually advertised to local universities.

GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a grad? Our selection process is designed to identify people who have the right intellect, motivation and personal qualities to succeed as an international lawyer with Clifford Chance. To be successful you will need to demonstrate your potential to become a first-class lawyer and your willingness to take advantage of the many opportunities that you encounter. You will need to exhibit ambition, drive and commitment, the ability to articulate ideas clearly, and the desire to build relationships and deliver outstanding service. We’re also looking for business awareness, a keen commercial insight and a strong ability to lead and to manage.

How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? Simply head to www. cliffordchance.com/careers There’s loads of information online, including profiles and videos to give you a feel for what to expect with the firm. Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? Our extensive international network and the global nature of our business mean that it is both possible and beneficial for you to take one of your seats in one of our overseas offices. Secondments are an opportunity for you to acquire new skills and experience, develop your language skills and give you a valuable international perspective in a new business and cultural environment. INTERVIEWS

When completing your application consider how you can best demonstrate these qualities and try to provide examples from your academic life, work experience or other activities. We’re also looking for intellectual curiosity, common sense, strong interpersonal skills, an interest in business and the capacity to assimilate detailed information quickly. These are the qualities that will determine your future with us – not your background.

What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? Clifford Chance is one of the world’s top law firms because we think differently. Tell us what it is that makes you different – not what you think we want to hear. Tell us what makes you tick because we’re not interested in recruiting a ‘type’. Competition is fierce and the process will be challenging, but the people we want to hire will relish the challenges it brings.

What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? Above all, we are looking for people who aim for the very best in what they want to achieve and where they choose to work. Our selection process is one of the most rigorous you’ll come across. It’s designed to challenge you and to ensure we recruit the most talented people, but it’s also an opportunity for you to show yourself at your very best.

How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? As well as providing us with basic information about your background and education, this is your opportunity to tell us what it is that makes you exceptional – we receive a very large number of applications from people who’d like to join us, so you should think about how you’re going to set yourself apart. We want to know what you can bring to the work we do at Clifford Chance. This is a crucial part of the overall process, and we’ll be looking for excellent communication – make sure your answers do you justice.

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WHERE BRIGHT MINDS MEET

SEEKING LAWYERS FOR A CHANGING WORLD Clients expect more from their lawyers than ever before. They look to us as business partners on their journey to achieve their objectives. It’s not just about precedents and compliance, but finding new ways to build relationships and deliver the results that matter.

Think global

Collaborate

Embrace new challenges

#1

Local excellence global standards

It takes immense drive and motivation to stay ahead in a world that’s changing as fast as ours. If you’re excited and inspired by that, Clifford Chance could be the right firm for you. Dive on in at www.cliffordchance.com/careers


Jennifer Jacobs | jennifer.jacobs@corrs.com.au (08) 9460 1666 Arbitration; Banking & Finance; Commercial Litigation; Corporate; Employment & Labour; Energy & Natural Resources (ENR); Projects; Real Estate & Property; Restructuring, Insolvency & Special Situations (RISS); Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT). Number of Offices: 5 www.corrs.com.au/graduates

ABOUT THE FIRM

Where is your firm headquartered? Our Melbourne office is the headquarters of Corrs Chambers Westgarth. What are your firm’s core values? We may hail from different walks of life and have different ambitions and interests, but we are connected by our shared values and behaviours. It’s this that makes Corrs a truly great place to work. Our core values are: • Generous of Spirit: We respect and care for each other, our clients and our communities. We value difference. Trust and integrity are at our core. We build the firm today for tomorrow. • Connected: We build long lasting relationships with and for our clients. We work across boundaries for the benefit of our clients and our people. • Pioneering: We encourage insights that provide an edge for clients. We learn from experience. We will disrupt to create advantage. Change doesn’t scare us – we expect it, create it and work with it. • Agile: We think and act quickly when we need to. We take ownership and get things done.

Team players: We treat each other with civility and respect. We work together to solve problems. We rely on each other to deliver excellent performance all the time, not just some of the time. We encourage diversity of thought. To the point: We communicate openly and honestly with each other and our clients. We provide commercial and decisive advice to clients. We offer practical solutions: no fence-sitting, no spin. World class: We aim to be recognised as the benchmark of excellence within the global legal sector. We know what we are doing. We are relentless in the pursuit of success for our clients, our people, the community and the firm.

How would you describe firm culture? Ours is an energetic and exciting environment in which our people are motivated and challenged to do their best. An open culture, where people feel free to ask questions or talk through an issue. We seek out the best people to work for us, so we can provide the best results for our clients and we support and train them to do just that. We consider our learning and development to be the most innovative, progressive and supportive people development program in the industry.

Our culture is defined by collaboration and opportunity. A supportive workplace through teamwork, mentoring and flexible resourcing. Opportunity for professional and personal growth and innovative opportunities for both legal and business services staff. An open environment in which diversity in experience, opinions and skills is embraced and celebrated. And a reward and remuneration system that drives excellence across the board. Collaboration and opportunity extend well beyond the daily legal work. They extend into Corrs’ pro bono, community efforts and social events as well. Corrs people work together, but it’s not all work! How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? Corrs Chambers Westgarth is a premium independent Australian law firm. With offices around the country and strategic alliances throughout the Asia Pacific region and worldwide, we partner closely with our clients to create opportunities for them in Australia and on the global stage.

CORRS CHAMBERS WESTGARTH

Level 6, Brookfield Place Tower 2, 123 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000

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Corrs is a firm that thinks strategically, not just in its legal work, but also for the firm’s future and the success of its people. Corrs is known for its clear vision and ability to develop and implement strategy, as well as its lawyers’ ability to help clients achieve their business goals. Corrs’ culture of performance excellence drives this achievement and can be seen in our mentoring, coaching and comprehensive learning and development programs, both formal and informal. We draw on the best expertise in Corrs’ own lawyers as well as external specialists to make sure our people never stop learning. The combination of these factors creates a firm that celebrates its independence, is open to new ideas, has the courage to think and act differently from the rest of the market, and thrives on new challenges and opportunities. What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? At Corrs, you will not only have the opportunity to be a world class lawyer but also be at the forefront of client success. We’re committed to finding innovative solutions that help drive the success and competitiveness of our clients, our firm and our people. We strive to pioneer new ways of working within the legal industry by constantly evaluating market opportunities, technological advancements and partnerships that improve efficiency, add value and enhance client experience. We have won numerous accolades for our innovations and were recently named the sixth most innovative law firm in the Asia Pacific region by the Financial Times.

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Corrs is committed to ‘open innovation’, which means that we regularly partner with third parties to deliver better outcomes than either of us are

capable of on our own, and also open up our advancements to the market. This approach benefits not just our clients, but the legal profession (and at times other sectors) more broadly. Innovation in the legal industry calls for a different kind of thinking. And that’s exactly what we do at Corrs, we think differently. What significant work has your firm undertaken recently? We are excited to work with some of the biggest organisations in the world on their most important matters. Our clients include more than half the top fifty ASX listed companies, some of the largest privately owned companies in Australia and a number of global Fortune five hundred companies such as Google and Marriott International. We also act for large corporations, governments, banks and financial sponsors too. In the Perth office, we work with well-known organisations like Wesfarmers, Fortescue Metals Group, Hancock Prospecting, the Water Corporation, Cedar Woods, CBA, Seafarms and the WA Government. Recently we advised Wesfarmers on the $350 million sale of its Kmart Tyre and Auto Service (KTAS) business and advised the WA Treasury on the privatisation of the WA TAB and establishment of an entirely new legislative and regulatory framework for racing and wagering. What kind of pro bono work does your firm engage in? Helping others is a key aspect of the culture at Corrs and can be seen every day in every office at Corrs. We are a proud corporate citizen with an established Corrs Pro Bono & Community Program. It happens in three ways: pro bono legal work, volunteering and philanthropy. Corrs provides pro bono legal services for disadvantaged individuals who might not otherwise have access to legal representation through the conduct of nine legal clinics and referred public interest matters.

We also act for charitable and not-for-profit organisations with access to justice objectives, or who support one of our priority social causes. Pro Bono secondments also form part of the Graduate Development Program, so graduates are involved early in their time at Corrs. In Perth, our graduates have the opportunity to spend one day each week for five months at the Employment Law Centre of WA, the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA or the Street Law Centre. CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? Winter + Summer How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? 25 - 30 How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? All applications must be submitted online, via the firm’s website or through cvMail. What tasks do clerks usually undertake? Corrs’ Seasonal Clerkship Program is a great opportunity for you to experience the people, clients, work and culture that differentiates Corrs from other law firms. Clerks will spend the three week program working within one practice group. During the clerkship program, clerks will have the opportunity to draft advice, conduct research and review documents. Clerks are also encouraged to ‘shadow’ partners and lawyers on activities such as meetings with clients, barristers or witnesses; client phone calls; and mediations, settlements and court appearances. The clerkship program promotes a more hands-on approach to developing their knowledge and skills.


How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? At Corrs, we appreciate diversity in our clerk cohort and are not looking for identical or ‘cookiecutter’ candidates. The best way to make a good impression is to be genuine, approach each task with enthusiasm, complete tasks to the best of your ability and be open to receiving feedback and continually improving yourself. Do you offer clerkships to nonpenultimate year students? Yes CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? Yes How can students find these opportunities and apply? We recruit casual paralegals to support our busy practice groups throughout the year. Please note that these opportunities are typically offered to candidates in our seasonal clerkship pool but, from time-to-time, we recruit from the open market. Expressions of interest for casual paralegal opportunities can be submitted via email to the local People & Performance Consultant for their review and consideration. Interested applicants will need to provide a copy of their resume and latest academic transcript, together with an indication of their availability. GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a grad? As with our clerks, we appreciate diversity in our graduates and are not looking for identical or ‘cookie-cutter’ candidates. In particular, we look for wellrounded individuals who can demonstrate excellent academic performance, evidence of work experience (law or non-law related), as well as experience in leadership positions,

volunteering or community service, and other extracurricular activities. What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? During your time as a clerk or paralegal with Corrs, it is important to be genuine, approach each task with enthusiasm, complete tasks to the best of your ability and be open to receiving feedback and continually improving yourself. In addition to this, if you have a great attitude, communicate well and have excellent attention to detail, this will help you stand out from your peers. How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? Previous clerks will be eligible to receive a priority offer for 2020 Graduate positions. Corrs contacts eligible clerks about the priority recruitment process in June, with offers made in late July. If necessary, Corrs will open applications to the general market after the priority offer process. How many graduates does your firm anticipate to hire in 2019? 6-8 Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? Our lawyers strengthen our global network and their own careers by participating in the firm’s leading secondment and scholarship programs. We invest in unique international experiences to help our lawyers grow their skills, cultural understanding and relationships worldwide. Between 10 and 20 lawyers spend between three and 12 months working in one of our global network law firms. This provides an exciting professional experience for Corrs’ best lawyers so that they can immerse themselves in a different culture while gaining international experience

and developing valuable relationships. We have sent our lawyers on secondment to some of the world’s leading firms in the USA, UK, Japan, Singapore, China, Spain, France, India, Germany, Brazil and Indonesia. We’re looking at other opportunities in countries including Hong Kong and Italy. We are currently finalising arrangements for an international secondment opportunity for our future Graduates and details of the next exciting opportunity will be announced soon! INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? Interviews can be a stressful or daunting process, so being nervous is understandable and perfectly ok – most candidates are! With this in mind, we take a relaxed approach to interviews – think conversation, rather than interrogation. Ideally, we are looking for candidates who can build rapport with their interviewers and are comfortable articulating their experience, as well as demonstrating why they are studying law and pursuing a commercial law career. We want to know why you applied to Corrs and what you know about us as a firm. We also want to get to know you as a person, so come ready to talk about your hobbies, interests or passions outside of the law too. The interview should also be a two-way discussion, so asking questions is definitely encouraged and welcomed.

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What are some less-obvious things students should avoid when interviewing? While it is important not to waffle, it is equally important to ensure you answer the question in enough detail. Otherwise, expect the interviewer to repeat the question or drill down further if they do not feel you have adequately answered the question. It is also important to ensure you can talk knowledgeably about everything included on your cover letter or resume. If you have stated you have a strong interest in a particular area of law or a case, make sure you can engage in a conversation about that particular topic if asked during the interview. Don’t get caught out trying to bluff your way through an answer! And finally, if you are being interviewed by more than one person, make eye contact with everyone during your interview – and shake everyone’s hand before and after the interview too. How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? Don’t underestimate the importance of good preparation for your interview, as a lack of planning will be evident to those interviewing you.

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A few key tips on preparing for an interview at Corrs are: • Plan your trip: Make sure you know where the firm is located and how you plan on getting there. Will you take public transport, drive in or get a lift? • Be well presented: Organise what you are going to wear in advance and don’t leave it to the last minute. Is the outfit professional, comfortable and ready to go? • Arrive early: This ties in with planning your trip. Make sure you arrive 10 minutes early to your interview as this demonstrates you are organised, prepared and punctual.

Research the firm: Check out the firm website, as well as media or newspapers to pick up any current issues or news items relating to Corrs, our clients or the legal industry in general. Re-read your application: This will jog your memory on what you submitted and allow you to easily answer any cover letter or resume specific questions you may be asked. Relax: We want to get to know you as a person, so try to relax and go with the flow of the conversation, rather than being too stiff or rehearsed.


Be exceptional. Your journey from outstanding graduate to exceptional lawyer begins at Corrs.

From your first day at Corrs you will have the opportunity to accelerate your career in a high-performing and supportive environment. Our lawyers work together across practice groups to deliver exceptional results and support you in building your future, wherever you want to take it.

WWW.CORRS.COM.AU/GRADUATES


DLA PIPER

31/152-158 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000 graduaterecruitmentAUS@dlapiper.com (08) 9286 8000 Corporate, Litigation & Regulatory, Finance, Projects & Restructuring, Real Estate, Employment Number of Offices: 98 www.dlapipergraduates.com

ABOUT THE FIRM Where is your firm headquartered? London but we have 98 offices globally including 4 in Australia What are your firm’s core values? Be Supportive, Be Bold, Be Collaborative, Be Exceptional. How would you describe firm culture? We are committed to attracting, developing and retaining the best people across our practice and business services groups. Our continued success relies on our ability to provide a supportive, inclusive and motivating environment where everyone has a role to play in supporting the delivery of outstanding service to our clients. We offer exceptional career opportunities to our lawyers, aspiring graduates and business support professionals, in an environment that is challenging, rewarding and we believe, truly different from our competitors.

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How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? We help the world’s top companies with their businesscritical issues. Many of the deals we work on are complex and challenging – transcending not just practice areas, but borders, languages and legal systems. As a firm, we never stand still. We think nimbly and

seize opportunities. We’re ambitious and are never afraid to innovate. So if you possess these qualities too, there could be a bright future for you at DLA Piper. What significant work has your firm undertaken recently? DLA Piper is one of the world’s largest law firms, with lawyers in the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, positioning us to help companies with their legal needs around the world. As trusted legal advisors to approximately a third of the ASX 100 companies or their subsidiaries and all levels of government, we take great pride in delivering quality and value to our clients through practical and innovative legal solutions. Some of the most recent work includes advising Link group on its AU$2.3 billion listing on the ASX, advising the Australian Football League on the landmark acquisition of Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium and advising Investa Commercial Property Fund on the acquisition of a 75 per cent interest in Sydney’s landmark 420 George Street, to the value of AUS$450 million. What kind of pro bono work does your firm engage in? At DLA Piper we are committed to contributing to the wellbeing of communities around the world. We encourage our lawyers

to do pro bono work that is meaningful, impactful and supports those in need. New Perimeter, our non-profit, provides pro bono legal assistance in under-served regions around the world to support access to justice, social and economic development and sound legal institutions. Our Break into Law project is a worldwide initiative focused on removing barriers to employment within the legal profession, while we have pledged $6.5m over the course of our three-year partnership with UNICEF to improve child justice. We are proud to be signatories of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), as our support for the initiative underlines our commitment to responsible business. CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? Summer How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? 20 - 25 nationally How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? Online Application www.dlapipergradates.com


What tasks do clerks usually undertake? The best way to secure a place on our graduate program is to do a clerkship first. Not only will this give you a feel for commercial law in practice, it will give you an insight into what makes DLA Piper unique. As a summer clerk, you can expect a varied experience both in and outside the office. You will work in a creative, dynamic environment with some of the best legal professionals in the world, gaining first-hand experience doing real legal work. The clerkship is four weeks in duration, commencing with a two-day induction program in the local office. We offer summer clerkships in November and January. The induction program will give you the opportunity to hear from the firm’s senior leaders, to participate in professional skills training, to attend networking events and to participate in responsible business activities. All clerks are assigned a buddy (usually a current graduate) and a supervisor (senior associate or senior lawyer) who will support and guide you through the clerkship How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? While you could be studying from a range of degree subjects, you will need a strong academic record. But it goes further than that. You’ll need to be naturally inquisitive, have plenty of drive and possess a genuine commitment to your career path. Among other things, we’ll be looking at your extracurricular activities for evidence of these qualities. Do you offer clerkships to nonpenultimate year students? Yes

CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? No GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a grad? We offer graduate programs in all our Australian offices and have one intake each year in February. The graduate program starts with a national induction in Sydney, allowing you to meet and network with graduates from across our Australian offices. We will also send you to London in August to attend the International Graduate Induction, giving you exposure to the senior partners and enabling networking opportunities with international graduates.

Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? During the graduate program, we offer you the opportunity to apply for an international secondment. This usually lasts for six months and gives you the opportunity to work in one of DLA Piper’s overseas offices. As well as experiencing life in a different country, you’ll develop your legal knowledge in another jurisdiction and grow your professional networks across the firm. INTERVIEWS How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? Do your research and come along to one of our events to find out more about our opportunities. All listed events can be found on our website www.dlapipergraduates.com

You will have the opportunity to rotate in different practice groups. This will see you work alongside people at all levels of the business, including partners. As an integral member of the team, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running and make a real contribution from the outset. While much of your learning will be done on the job, you’ll also receive formal business skills training. This will develop your abilities in areas such as networking, business development, commercial awareness and financial management. We are looking for people who are naturally inquisitive, have plenty of drive and possess a genuine commitment to their career path How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? Online Application www.dlapipergraduates.com How many graduates does your firm anticipate to hire in 2019? 20 nationally

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EY

11 Mounts Bay Road, Perth WA 6000 perth.graduate.recruitment@au.ey.com (08) 9429 2222

Tax (advisory and litigation), trust law, corporate structuring, estate planning and asset protection, superannuation and charitable/philanthropic advice Number of Offices: 150 www.ey.com/au

ABOUT THE FIRM Where is your firm headquartered? UK What are your firm’s core values? Our values define who we are: • People who demonstrate integrity, respect and teaming • People with energy, enthusiasm and the courage to lead • People who build relationships based on doing the right thing How would you describe firm culture? Supportive, inclusive, peoplefocused and ambitious. How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? For the third consecutive year the Law practice in Perth has been named the top West Australian Tax Law firm by Doyle’s Guide. Our team specializes in tax (advisory and litigation), trust law, corporate structuring, estate planning and asset protection, superannuation and charitable/ philanthropic advice. We act predominantly for high net wealth individuals and their private corporate groups. We are Perth’s largest specialist tax law team and have a collegiate learning environment headed by senior and experienced tax lawyers.

We undertake work for our existing external clients, but also have access to EY’s internal network of clients in WA and nationally. This gives the team a broad range of clients with respect to the above practice areas. What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? Our Law team operates as a fully integrated commercial law firm within EY. EY is a Big 4 professional services organization with capabilities extending not only to Australia, but also globally. By joining Law at EY you will join a network of 2,500 lawyers globally. Our Law team operates as a national practice and so our work is not limited to the geographic boundaries of our local offices. EY has a strong focus on diversity and inclusiveness and promotes an environment where everyone feels accepted and supported. By joining our Law team you are joining a large network of likeminded individuals across EY who work together to achieve the best outcomes for our clients. What significant work has your firm undertaken recently? We have a very diverse practice and so if you speak to each lawyer within the team they will have a different matter they could point to! Recently we acted as legal counsel on one of Australia’s largest

private insurance claims. This claim is worth several hundred million dollars. We have undertaken a variety of roles on this matter including advising on the terms of the insurance policy and the settlement deed, and more recently dealing with the (complex) tax issues which arise from the claim, and developing an appropriate tax strategy for the proposed rebuild works. In another matter we have provided international and domestic tax advice to deal with the receipt of a gift worth several hundred million dollars. Following this we provided this client with structuring and succession planning advice to ensure this gift is adequately managed through several generations. We have also been acting for several clients who are looking to offshore various business and personal structures due to the changes in the Australian tax landscape. These are just a few examples of the types of matters we act on in our Perth office. CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? Winter + Summer. How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? 2-4.

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How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? The first step is to submit an online application at ey.com/au/ betterbeginsnow.

How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? The first step is to submit an application at ey.com/au/ betterbeginsnow.

What tasks do clerks usually undertake? Tasks include, but are not limited to, legal research, preparing legal memorandums, attending client meetings and drafting commercial documents.

How many graduates does your firm anticipate to hire in 2019? 2-4.

How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? We look for people who are technically capable but also those who are self-motivated and keen to make the most of the opportunities given to them. We look for people who are well-rounded, with good communication skills and enthusiasm, as well as those with a genuine interest in tax law and/or commercial law. Do you offer clerkships to nonpenultimate year students? No. GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a grad? We look for people who are technically capable but also those who are self-motivated and keen to make the most of the opportunities given to them. We look for people who are well-rounded, with good communication skills and enthusiasm, as well as those with a genuine interest in tax law and/or commercial law. What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? It is imperative that students demonstrate a general understanding of the work our law team does, through researching our website or speaking with our people at campus events.

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Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? There is no automatic movement of junior people around the globe, but depending on the individual and the nature of the work, opportunities can arise if someone wants to work overseas and they want to stay with EY. It is common for our lawyers to work on interstate matters, and there are plenty of opportunities which arise for our lawyers to work in our interstate offices for a few days or some weeks depending on the nature of the project they are working on. INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? Someone who is wellpresented, well-articulated and has a genuine interest in and understanding of the work our law team does. Our advice is to do your research and demonstrate your knowledge of EY and the role. In addition to your academic achievements, highlight your non-academic achievements such as involvement in the community, extra-curricular activities and leadership positions. What are some less-obvious things students should avoid when interviewing? Long winded answers. Consider the point that you are trying to get across, we know you are nervous so don’t be afraid to take a pause and consider the answer you are going to give before you start speaking. Also try to avoid saying um or using passive language. Be confident in why you have been selected for an interview and focus on your key strengths, these might

not be ‘time management’ or other skills that you think are necessary in a law firm. Whilst you will have these skills, your key strengths may actually be your oral communication or something else that you have developed outside of a professional workspace, use these to set yourself apart. How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? Find out who is interviewing you and look them up on LinkedIn, review our website and be familiar with what our team does. Skim over recent news and events in the tax space and practice the STAR interviewing approach.


EY Law

Since I joined EY Law, I have been exposed to various areas of law, this has meant that no two days are the same and each day provides new challenges and opportunities for me to continue to grow and develop. I have been very fortunate to have worked on complex legal matters early on in my career which has been an experience that I have found invaluable.

Helen Le Solicitor

EY Law is a legal practice within a global organisation. In essence, this means that being a part of this team gives me opportunities to collaborate with other teams to deliver approaches to complex issues. I have been able to work with a range of different professionals on different matters which has developed my knowledge in all areas of law as well as developed my knowledge in different sectors and industries.

© 2019 Ernst & Young, Australia. All Rights Reserved. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. ED none. APAC no. AUNZ00001046. IN1010880.

Being a part of EY Law means that you are in a position to be exposed to a variety of challenging work whilst learning from leaders of the field and being supported by your peers. I have been very fortunate to be part of a team that encourages learning and that provides me with a wide range of opportunities. EY Law in Perth has been recognised for the third year running as a Top Tier Tax Firm in Western Australia, and is part of the expanding global network which comprises of over 2,500 lawyers across more than 80 countries. The Perth team specialises in tax advice and tax disputes, trust law, business succession and estate planning, superannuation, not for profit and related corporate and commercial work.

Your exceptional EY experience begins now Our Clerkship Program is a great way to experience the working world during your summer (or winter) holidays. Show us what you’re capable of and you may be invited to join us after graduation in a full-time position.

Get connected ey.com/au/careers

bit.ly/EYLinkedIn_Careers

facebook.com/eycareers

instagram.com/eyaucareers

Our Graduate Program will put your knowledge to the test. Build your technical skills. Join us fulltime as a graduate and you’ll get early responsibility, support and training. We also offer our Game Changers Club and Career Compass Program to students who are due to graduate in 2021/2022. Please see our website for more details.


GILBERT + TOBIN

Level 16 Brookfield Place Tower 2, 123 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000 Lisa Harold | lharold@gtlaw.com.au (08) 9413 8400 Disputes + Investigations, Energy + Resources, Corporate Advisory Number of Offices: 3 www.gtlaw.com.au

ABOUT THE FIRM

Where is your firm headquartered? All 3 offices, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, contribute equally to the success of the firm. What are your firm’s core values? Challenge - Qualities of imagination, risk taking, the sense of “swimming upstream”, challenging the status quo, making our own way, building a distinct culture. Collaboration - A commitment to teamwork, recognising the value of combining work and energies for a shared goal. Diversity - A firm of diversity, rejecting sameness and harnessing the talents of very different people. Energy - The sense of urgency, ambition, self-starting, vitality, driving, developing and building, working with exceptional people. Excellence - Achieving excellence in all aspects of our work is the cornerstone of continued success.

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Integrity - An environment built on honesty and respect, being part of a team of equals, built on trust and relationships, treating each other with kindness and sensitivity.

Innovation - New ways of doing things which produce value for clients and encourage the personal and professional development of our people. How would you describe firm culture? Gilbert + Tobin is entrepreneurial, energetic and passionate. We are non-bureaucratic and value diversity, individuality, innovation and fun. We have a long heritage of giving back to the community through our Pro Bono practice and corporate social responsibility initiatives. How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? We deliver on our promise to provide real opportunities to advance your career from the moment you join us. What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? Our size and structure means you’ll have more contact with partners and lawyers, as well as closer involvement on client transactions. You’ll be given the opportunity to take responsibility for challenging work and commensurate with your skills and abilities. What kind of pro bono work does your firm engage in? At Gilbert + Tobin, pro bono is a vital part of what we do and who we are.

Our pro bono work has a particular focus on assisting Indigenous people and communities, people with disabilities and refugees. We undertake work in a range of areas including discrimination, employment, housing and asylum matters. CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? Summer and Winter How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? Approximately 20 How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? Cvmail What tasks do clerks usually undertake? You will participate in our customised in-house training which 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. We will encourage you to contribute ideas and your own fresh perspective. How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? Be enthusiastic and bring your full self to work each day. Speak up, share your ideas and don’t forget to have fun along the way.


Do you offer clerkships to nonpenultimate year students? Sometimes CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? Yes How can students find these opportunities and apply? On our website, and you can also let HR know you are interested in paralegal work at the end of your clerkship GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION

INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? Enthusiasm and someone who has a genuine interest in working with us. What are some less-obvious things students should avoid when interviewing? Being over confident or egotistical. How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? Know your CV and be yourself.

What does your firm look for in a grad? We understand that everyone has different strengths and abilities and that’s exactly what we’re looking for – a diverse mix of people with a broad range of skills, abilities and interests. What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? Make the most of every opportunity presented to them during their clerkships. Get to know as many people as they can in the firm and approach every task with enthusiasm. How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? Cvmail How many graduates does your firm anticipate to hire in 2019? Approximately 6 Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? Opportunities to go on secondments nationally and internationally are available as you progress in your career. Our graduates can complete an interstate secondment as part of the 18 month graduate program.

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THERE’S MORE

Not all corporate law firms are the same. The only way to understand the work and culture is to experience it for yourself. 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. You will develop invaluable skills and knowledge and gain first-hand experience of our various practice groups. Our Perth program runs for either three weeks in summer or two weeks in winter, providing a placement in Corporate Advisory, Disputes + Investigations and Energy + Resources. 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.

TOP 100

GRADUATE EMPLOYERS 2019

gtlaw.com.au/theresmore

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. Ready for more? Applications for 2019–20 clerkships in our Perth office are open from 15 July to 4 August 2019. For more information about applying for a clerkship or for program dates please visit gtlaw.com.au/theresmore or contact Lisa Harold on 08 9413 8411 or at lharold@gtlaw.com.au.


careers@hbalegal.com (08) 9265 6000 We act across the insurance space in: Accident & Health, Casualty, Coverage Disputes & Fraud, Dispute Resolution, Financial Lines, Health Law, Motor, Professional Indemnity, Property, Risk Management and Workplace Health & Safety, Subrogated Recoveries, Workers’ Compensation, and SRC Act Recovery. Number of Offices: 5 (Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Newcastle www.hbalegal.com. HBA Legal is also on LinkedIn. Follow us!

ABOUT THE FIRM Where is your firm headquartered? ‘Headquarters’ is not really in our vocabulary at HBA: all our people, regardless of where they are physically situated are equally important and valuable. We service clients nationally and internationally (out of the London insurance market) and part of our difference is that we put the best people on the job regardless of where they are located at no additional cost to the client. It means the work HBA lawyers do is not constrained by geographical boundaries. Our Perth and Sydney offices are equal in size, with a Director (who are also our co-founders) based at each location. What are your firm’s core values? We deliver our difference the ‘HBA Way’, built around four core values. We are: • Collaborative: we work in a partnership model with clients that starts with listening. We’ll take the time to understand our clients’ goals and drivers, and work with them to achieve them. • Generous: we spend time talking with all parties from the outset, including insureds and brokers. We’re sensitive to their needs and concerns. • Creative: we work flexibly, creating the best team for

our clients, and minimising costs through smart alternative fee-models and use of our in-house ‘outsourcing’ provider, Pillion Genuine: we have friendly people who simplify things and give it to our clients straight. We use plain English and clients feel confident in our clear advice.

HBA partners with clients to take on their challenges, and our flexible approach means we structure service, fees and anything in between to suit each client. We talk like real people, and through our culture of innovation, we have fun finding ways to make things better. How would you describe firm culture? #NewLaw Our ‘One HBA’ business model harnesses the skills and experience of our entire national network, breaking apart old school silos and restrictions to success. HBA Legal was formed to challenge the traditional law firm model and instead bring clients fast, efficient, and commercially savvy legal services. Our mission remains the same today as at the beginning – to simplify and solve clients’ problems across the insurance industry, working

HBA LEGAL

Level 20, 140 St Georges Tce, Perth WA 6000

innovatively in all that we do. At its inception, HBA eliminated the shackles of bureaucracy and traditional thinking so often seen in the big firms, enabling true business partnerships where we focus on the clients’ business goals and we see significant success to that end. This is achieved the ‘HBA Way’, following NewLaw principles, which pivot on flexibility, accessibility and innovation. How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? HBA’s entire philosophy revolves around effective and timely solutions and working collaboratively with in-house teams. Big business can depend on HBA for a focus on optimal outcomes, resolution of matters at the first realistic opportunity, and a strong working partnership characterised by responsiveness and honesty. One of the factors that continues to set HBA apart from the rest, in our specific area of defendant insurance litigation, is our fixed fee structures and monthly retainers. Fixed fee and ‘no win, no fee’ scenarios are common in plaintiff “mum and dad” style firms. But HBA acts for big corporations and big business in defending claims made against them, and fixed fees/ monthly retainers among HBA’s competitors are rare, if

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found at all. HBA is continuing to challenge the status quo in regards to legal fees. It means working with HBA is attractive to clients, and that means our lawyers get quality interesting work day-in and day-out. HBA people also enjoy: • a values-based business with a customer focus • a culture of innovation, where employee ideas are part of the mix • mentoring from legal experts, and continual growth and learning • minimal bureaucracy where you can create and achieve with support • ‘One HBA’ business model for cross team collaboration • opportunities to get involved across service areas and projects What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? If you are interested in specialising in insurance litigation, at HBA you work with award-winning and industry leading practitioners in this space. When you join HBA Legal you are not just joining a law firm: you are part of the HBA Group. This means there are lots of opportunities to grow an exciting career in the rapidly changing legal industry. Together, HBA Legal, Paratus and Pillion are three allied businesses that power new solutions and exceptional outcomes for clients. HBA Group’s vision to pioneer change in the legal industry, and help relieve clients’ commercial pressures, is being realised. HBA Legal had long identified that claims in the insurance sector were not being dealt with efficiently and were therefore costing insurers and businesses far more than they should. As a result, Paratus was born.

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Today, Paratus is the only company in Australia to offer a full claims, legal and risk

management service in one package. Pillion, based in Newcastle NSW, is the engine room of innovative technology driven solutions for the HBA Group as well as home to a team of paralegals servicing HBA nationally. In a nutshell: HBA lawyers provide the legal advice that makes Paratus unique as a claims management business. Pillion helps HBA Legal and Paratus keep their admin costs down to support the very competitive fees they offer clients, while also delivering savvy IT solutions to support both businesses. That’s evolution. That’s innovation. That’s HBA Group. Read more about HBA Group on page 218. What significant work has your firm undertaken recently? At HBA, you get all the great benefits that come with working in a small to medium sized firm, but the work you get your hands on is in the same ilk as what you’d expect to find in a big firm. We partner with underwriters, brokers, insurers, insureds, and large self-insured companies. We are one of Australia’s leading defendant-only legal practices, forging the way in creative problem solving and commercially oriented solutions. Due to client confidentiality we are unable to detail specifics of our work, but what we can say is that we act for top 20 ASX listed companies as well as state governments and the Commonwealth. Our clients are across industries such as retail, transport, hospitality and health, and include car park operators, managers of shopping centres and cleaning companies (and their insurers).

SNAPSHOT Melissa Wroe, Senior Associate, Perth HBA Legal truly promotes and encourages work life balance, in line with its values of being generous and genuine. The firm recognises that work life balance means harmony between the different aspects of a person’s life and that when you find the balance ‘sweet spot’, you become the best version of yourself. We have people who work part time, full time, from home, the office, interstate and abroad as well as various other flexible arrangements depending on the individual. Personally, HBA has supported me to pursue things of interest to me including pro-bono work and being part of several industry committees, as well as allowing me to work flexibly. HBA realises the importance of workplace culture and encouraging collaboration to propel the business, and ourselves, forward. We have a collaborative culture, where everyone works alongside each other toward an ultimate goal. We are doing away with the silo mentality, because we realise that we are better when we are working together as part of one team. I don’t just work with one Partner: I work for multiple Partners nationally. This allows me to learn from a range of practitioners across the entire firm, giving me a greater pool of knowledge and experience to leverage and learn from. Importantly, HBA firmly has its creative cap on! We have a dedicated ICT team, and the lawyers work with those experts to create new and exciting products to assist in delivering the best possible service to our clients. By combining our legal and IT minds, we are able to come up with the best solutions to problems and promote change for the better in the legal industry.


CLERKSHIP INFORMATION How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? HBA does not have a clerkship program currently. CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? Yes How can students find these opportunities and apply? Vacancies are posted on our website hbalegal.com as they arise. Click on ‘Join us’. GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a grad? First and foremost: a genuine interest in insurance law and a passion to forge a career in the defendant insurance litigation space. What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? Keep an eye on our website as we will advertise relevant vacancies sporadically across the year rather than on set intake schedules. Also, we’d love you to follow us on LinkedIn. We post many of our job ads on our page, but also following us on LinkedIn is another way to get to know us a little better over time to determine if what we offer is the right fit for you. Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? Our people absolutely get the chance to be part of the work we get out of the London insurance market (while based in Australia).

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An evolved firm and NewLaw leader … HBA Legal is home to the most forward-thinking insurance litigation experts in the country. We keep bureaucracy to a minimum and strive for a culture of collaboration. Founded in Perth, with considerable growth over the past seven years, HBA brings seamless solutions to clients within the insurance industry across Australia and the London market. Our flexible approach means we structure service, fees and anything in between to suit each client.

hbalegal.com

Creative • Collaborative • Genuine • Generous

HBA Legal is part of the HBA Group, so there are lots of opportunities to grow an exciting career in the rapidly changing legal industry.

hbalegal.com

Creative • Collaborative • Genuine • Generous


Carissa Milligan | Carissa.Milligan@hsf.com (08) 9211 7777

HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS

QV1, 250 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000

Corporate, Dispute Resolution, Finance, Real Estate, Projects, Employment Industrial Relations and Safety Number of offices: 27 https://www.herbertsmithfreehills.com/

ABOUT THE FIRM Where is your firm headquartered? Co-head-quartered in Sydney AU and London UK What are your firm’s core values? • Be among ‘the best of the best’ law firms and professional services businesses in the world; • Work with our clients to provide what they want, how they want it delivered and where they want it delivered; • Provide exceptional legal services as the core of our business with other related services forming part of the way we serve our clients; • Be connected with and contribute to the communities we participate in; • Be a community of exceptional people who are committed to the business and its clients and perform outstandingly in our different roles; • And uncompromisingly live our Values, believe in our Vision and implement our Strategies. How would you describe firm culture? Diversity can be easy to say, but harder to do. We believe allowing people to perform to the best of their abilities requires a culture of openness and authenticity, one that

allows each of us to bring our whole selves to work. We work hard to create such a culture. Wherever you join us, you’ll find talented people with different views, experiences and backgrounds. How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? We’re proud of our culture. It’s supportive and it’s nonhierarchical. When you join us as a graduate, you’ll find that your growth is supported at all levels across the firm – 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 that will give you the skills you need to become a brilliant lawyer. And it’s an environment in which your perspective, ideas and experiences will make a real difference. What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? At Herbert Smith Freehills, you’ll be part of a culture of client focused innovation and engagement which is continuously evolving for our own and our clients’ benefit. We’ll encourage you to think and work differently and you’ll be given the opportunity to develop the skills you need to work with our clients to solve their most complex challenges in thoughtful and innovative ways.

What significant work has your firm undertaken recently? To give you a snapshot of some of the work we do, we have recently advised; • A major international mining company in relation to a number of its strategy and innovation projects. The technologies being introduced as part of these projects include autonomous systems, machine learning, AI and IoT. • RAC in relation to the procurement and trial of Australia’s first driverless shuttle bus and next generation autonomous vehicle. • State of Western Australia in relation to its transformational $3 billion GovNext-ICT project. This project involved a fundamental change to the way in which the Western Australian public sector procures data storage, cloud and telecommunications services. • Horizon Power in relation to its world-leading electricity smart-grid project. • Public Transport Authority in relation to its Smartrider upgrade project. • Western Power in relation to the procurement of services to survey many kilometres of transmission assets using pulsed-light aerial surveying.

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frugl in relation to its provision of data and analytics services to major retailers. AlphaIntell in relation to the commercialisation of its data acquisition and artificial intelligence based technology.

What kind of pro bono work does your firm engage in? At Herbert Smith Freehills our focus is on using our expertise and leadership to increase access to justice and opportunity for the benefit of local and global communities. At the core of Herbert Smith Freehills’ approach is a long-standing and proud tradition of providing pro bono legal services and advocacy. This commitment to pro bono legal services for members of the public has developed into a broader program of volunteering and charitable giving that involves a wide range of people across our firm. Many of our vacation clerks participate in pro bono and community work and describe it as one of the highlights of their clerkship. For more information about our pro bono and community work visit: herbertsmithfreehills.com/probono-and-citizenship SNAPSHOT Jasper Johnson, Solicitor: Mergers & Acquisitions At Herbert Smith Freehills, Graduate lawyers complete three six-month rotations in different teams. During my time as a Graduate I rotated through Banking and Finance (Perth), Mergers & Acquisitions (Perth) and Mergers & Acquisitions (Singapore).

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One of the best things about starting your career at Herbert Smith Freehills is being part of a large and diverse cohort of Graduates (I was one of 12 Graduates from five different universities). Your Graduate cohort is a key support network in your first year, and being part of a large group means that this

support is amplified. You also spend a lot of time with the other Graduates during your first year and very quickly become close friends. At Herbert Smith Freehills, Graduates organise a charity quiz night and other social events, become deeply involved in the firm’s various community initiatives and represent the firm in both social and business development events. As a Graduate, you are a key member of the teams that you rotate through. In these roles you’ll attend Court, draft core commercial contracts, be part of client meetings, research niche legal points, review market practice, and assist with writing legal advice and progressing transactions. For me, a big highlight of the experience was the opportunity to work with lawyers across the world and to contribute to massive transactions and disputes that have real commercial impact. Herbert Smith Freehills goes to great lengths to create an environment where Graduates are encouraged to think independently, commercially and creatively. From day one, Graduates are allocated a Supervising Partner, Senior Associate and Solicitor (‘buddy’) who are individually responsible for providing coaching and mentorship. CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? 2 Summer + 1 Winter How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? 40 – 45 clerkships How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? Applications for vacation clerkships should be submitted via our online careers portal. Your application should include a brief cover letter, a current CV and a recent copy of your academic transcript. We ask all candidates to answer a few short questions about their interest

in Herbert Smith Freehills and commercial law generally. Candidates who are invited to interview will be asked to complete an online assessment. Applications open 15 July 2019. What tasks do clerks usually undertake? 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 of the legal sections 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. How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? It can be tempting to talk in generalisations about your attention to detail, exceptional communication skills, time management skills or ability to work effectively in a team. It’s much more powerful if you can demonstrate it. Try to be specific and use examples to demonstrate skills like communication, time management, and ability to work effectively in a team. Give examples from your work or other experience that illustrate the skills we are looking for Do you offer clerkships to nonpenultimate year students? Yes CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? Vacation Clerks may be invited to return as a casual Paralegal during their final year of study. These opportunities are dependent on business need and the individual’s availability.


How can students find these opportunities and apply? These positions are a byproduct of the vacation clerkship application process. You will be asked at the end of your clerkship if you have availability to pursue casual Paralegal work. GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a grad? 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. We have prepared some more detailed information on our website: careers. herbertsmithfreehills.com/au/ grads/join-us What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? Since working together is a good way to get to know each other, we often fill graduate positions through our vacation clerkship program. How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? We encourage students to participate in our vacation clerkship program and we fill the majority of our graduate positions through this program. We do not currently have a separate graduate recruitment program planned. How many graduates does your firm anticipate to hire in 2019? 12 – 15 graduates

Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? Much of our work has a crossborder element and we aim to offer a seamless, integrated service. Our international offices share a number of clients and work together to advise on multi-jurisdictional matters and regulatory issues. We recognise that international secondments provide considerable benefits to our clients, to the firm and to our graduates. In 2017, we sent 10 Australian graduates to our international offices including Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, London and Seoul. INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? We aim to make the interview as relaxed as possible. It’s less about us asking a list of prepared questions and more about giving you a chance to tell us all about yourself. Even so, the interview is your opportunity to present yourself in the best light. We’re particularly interested in your work experiences, extracurricular activities and interests, and why you think Herbert Smith Freehills is the right place for you. What are some less-obvious things students should avoid when interviewing? There are a couple of specific interview tips that can help you to appear at your best. • Listen carefully to the question, and don’t hesitate to check that you’ve understood it correctly or ask for clarification • Take your time - a period of silence may feel like a lifetime but it’s better to pause than rush into the wrong answer • Be honest. If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so. Often you can use the opportunity to ask a really good question

Make eye contact with the interviewers. Try to relax and avoid fidgeting as it can be distracting Take a breath before answering

How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? Before the interview you will have had a chance to attend an event where you can meet our lawyers in an informal setting. We hope that you will be able to take the opportunity to come along and chat with our graduates as well as junior and senior lawyers. You will be able to ask any questions, and generally get a feel for what working with us is really like. Your interview is a chance to show us your professional, business side - so all those tips about turning up on time and dressing in a professional corporate style are useful. Beyond that - try to let us see you at your best.

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

EVERYTHING ABOUT US With over 20 offices spanning Asia, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle east, 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

Great lawyers are both curious and creative. We encourage you to challenge assumptions and open yourself up to new ideas. It’s this growth mindset that creates opportunities for you and your clients. So, what exactly are we looking for? There’s no single path to becoming an exceptional commercial lawyer. We look beyond your academic record and your technical aptitude. We’re focussed on finding people who have the curiosity to explore all the angles and the empathy to place themselves in their client’s shoes. Building great relationships takes a certain understanding and as our global village gets ever smaller, we look for graduates who think of themselves as citizens of the world.

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’ll truly discover what it’s like to work at Herbert Smith Freehills, working alongside lawyers and partners. We’ll support you throughout your time with us with extensive training, touching on all aspects of the firm. We’ll also invite you to an exciting range of workshops and events, giving you the opportunity to network with people across the firm and the diverse groups we engage with. This is your unique opportunity to show us who you are. With us, you’ll be a part of everything. From the very start, you’ll be client-facing, gathering insights across diverse matters. You’ll be working in highlyspecialised teams, equipped with the resources you’d expect from a market leader.

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 PERTH Approximate number of positions

40–45

Clerkship programs

Summer 2019/20 & Winter 2020

Applications for all 2019/20 programs open

15 July 2019

Applications for all 2019/20 programs close

4 August 2019

Offers made

20 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 Carissa Milligan Graduate Recruitment Consultant T +61 8 9211 7556 carissa.milligan@hsf.com

© Herbert Smith Freehills 2019 NOF186936_v8_advertorial_A4_Perth /080419


Janni Gibb, HR Manager | j.gibb@hopgoodganim.com.au (07) 3024 0177 Capital Markets, Commercial Contracts, Competition, Construction, Corporate Advisory and Governance, Digital Assets, Dispute Resolution, Environment, Finance, Health and Safety, Insolvency and Restructuring, Insurance, Intellectual Property, Mergers and Acquisitions, Native Title and Cultural Heritage, Planning, Property, Resources and Energy, Taxation, Technology, Privacy and Data Protection, Workplace and Employment Number of Offices: 2 www.hopgoodganim.com.au

ABOUT THE FIRM Where is your firm headquartered? Brisbane What are your firm’s core values? Trusted experts in our fields. Pride in who we are and the quality of the outcomes we produce. Respect for who we are and genuinely privileged to help our clients. We take ownership of our clients’ problems and value the relationships we foster. Proud of our combined capability and stronger when we work together. How would you describe firm culture? HopgoodGanim enjoys a reputation as a place where people love to work. We describe our culture as ‘The HG Way’ and central to this is a theme of ‘Business Mateship’. Business Mateship was a phrase coined many years ago to capture the culture of friendship created by our founding Partners and to describe how the people of HopgoodGanim, our clients and other stakeholders come together and interact. That is, we believe in treating each other, and our clients, as we would treat our friends.

CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? Feb/March, April/May, June/ July and Nov/Dec How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? 10 How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? Via our careers page on our website: https://www. hopgoodganim.com.au/page/ careers What tasks do clerks usually undertake? Real legal work, inclusive of: research tasks, client meetings, court and mediation attendance, drafting of legal advice and correspondence, contributions to articles and alerts. How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? Seek feedback, take on the extra opportunities across the firm, work hard and have a genuine passion for the law and enjoyment for working at HG Do you offer clerkships to non-penultimate year students? Yes

CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

HOPGOODGANIM LAWYERS

Level 27, Allendale Square, 77 St Georges Tce, Perth, WA 6000

Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? Yes How can students find these opportunities and apply? Via our careers page on our website: https://www. hopgoodganim.com.au/page/ careers/graduates-and-clerks GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION

What does your firm look for in a grad? Relationships are crucial We’re looking for graduate lawyers who will thrive in our relationship culture. Your training will see you in front of clients most days of the week. Being able to connect and form a positive and professional relationship with colleagues and clients is really important.

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Commercial acumen While good results at university are highly regarded, the ability to understand commercial problems is equally as important in the people who join our team. Commerciality is something that we train for, but we also look for graduate lawyers who are passionate about learning about an industry or market sector. Deliver a real service Hand in hand with our relationship culture is the importance of delivering an exceptional client experience consistently. Every single member of the HopgoodGanim team has a role to play in what our clients experience when they work with us and our graduate lawyers are no exception to this. The future of the legal profession is exciting. Our graduate lawyers will shape the future of this firm, the services we deliver, how we deliver them and how we work, so we’re looking for people who are excited by the changes our profession is undergoing and who are ready to be a part of this change process with us. What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? Take part in our Clerkship Program. How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? To apply for a role with HopgoodGanim, please submit a covering letter, your CV including contact details for three referees and your full academic transcript via our website. HopgoodGanim follows the Vacation Clerk & Graduate Recruitment Dates for 2019 as recommended by the Law Schools of Curtin, ECU, Murdoch, Notre Dame and UWA. How many graduates does your firm anticipate to hire in 2019? 2-3

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Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? No. INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? Those with unorthodox experiences and backgrounds. We want to hear about how you managed to juggle full-time University commitments with a full-time/part-time job. What are some less-obvious things students should avoid when interviewing? Don’t big note yourself. How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? Read about our firm, our clients, our matters and everything in between. Get to know what we do and what we are about.


Discover extraordinary opportunities

We are HopgoodGanim. A leading legal and advisory firm that helps achieve exceptional outcomes. From Brisbane and Perth with clients in all corners. We solve the big problems for large corporates, private business, government and private clients.

/ To apply and find out more hopgoodganim.com.au/careers Search HopgoodGanim Lawyers on LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook


JOHNSON WINTER & SLATTERY

Level 4, 167 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000 Wilma Lewis | Wilma.Lewis@jws.com.au (02) 8247 9630 Transactional & Advisory and Dispute Resolution Number of Offices: 5 www.jws.com.au

ABOUT THE FIRM

Where is your firm headquartered? Adelaide What are your firm’s core values? At JWS, each of us has an opportunity to make a significant impact on the culture of the firm. These values to which all members of the firm are committed to include: • to conduct ourselves with integrity and a positive intent with a view to constructively advancing the position of the firm and clients; and • to facilitate a structure and environment which promotes and rewards collaborative behaviour. How would you describe firm culture? The culture of the firm is authentically: • friendly; • professional; • focused; • dynamic; • open; • collaborative; and • enabling.

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Our partners are committed to ensuring that: • members of the firm conduct themselves with integrity, while encouraging open communication, reliability and accountability; and

we maintain a professional environment which promotes and rewards collaborative effort.

Teamwork and collegiality are also fostered informally through a variety of social activities, Associates and Partners Conferences, and firm based sports teams. How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? JWS is a national law firm where young lawyers play a meaningful role in strategic and complex transactions and disputes, and build relationships with executives from Australia’s most successful companies through close client contact. What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? Our lawyers thrive in an open environment with few internal administrative boundaries. The absence of formalized teams means that junior lawyers get to work alongside different specialists right across the firm. And our low leverage structure means that this is normally with partners What significant work has your firm undertaken recently? QANTAS Assisted with the reauthorization of price and capacity fixing by various airlines under the Jetstar brand.

MACMAHON HOLDINGS Acted in the issue of 44.3% of issued capital of Macmahon to a subsidiary of PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMNT) and award by AMNT to Macmahon of a US$2.9 billion life-of-mine mining services contract at AMNT’s Batu Hijau copper-gold mine in Indonesia. SNAPSHOT Chambers Asia-Pacific 2019 JWS is well known in the market for its expertise in advising in the energy space, underpinned by personalised service. The ability to work directly with the partners and draw upon their expertise was also a major consideration. CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? Winter + Summer How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? 8 How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? Written applications should include a covering letter, CV and current official academic transcript. They should be addressed to Wilma Lewis, Professional Development Advisor. All applications must be submitted via cvMail.


What tasks do clerks usually undertake? Examples of work done by the clerks at JWS include: • research on a particular case law or matter; • preparation of a brief for counsel; • drafting of letters for a corporate takeover bidder and ASIC; • review of an Investment Management Agreement; • drafting of directors’ resolutions; • preparation for and attendance at a meeting in relation to trademark applications; • preparation of the documents needed for a witness interview; • attendance at court to hear closing statements on a case; • preparation of a full summary report for a client on discussion and orders made at a directions hearing; and • research and preparation of a memorandum summarising points on the legislative history of continuous disclosure obligations. How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? We look for candidates who: • are enthusiastic about succeeding in a service driven environment; • have excelled academically; • are committed to the continual development of their technical and commercial skills; • are excellent communicators; • will thrive in a collaborative environment; and • demonstrate a genuine interest in the commercial affairs of our clients and Australian commerce. Do you offer clerkships to nonpenultimate year students? No

CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? Yes How can students find these opportunities and apply? To learn more about current opportunities, please visit our website https://www.jws.com. au/en/firm/careers and read about our latest opportunities. GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? The primary criteria for assessment of graduate applications are outstanding academic achievement, excellent communication skills, and a demonstrated interest in commercial law. INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? You should be able to articulate why you consider JWS appealing, and why you want to work with us. What are some less-obvious things students should avoid when interviewing? Answer the question that you are actually asked in the interview. Don’t just repeat the answer you have rehearsed at home. How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? Explore our website and understand our business and what makes us different. You will also be able to find information on recent matters that we have worked on.

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Your career. Your choice. Join our clerkship program and experience a snapshot of your future with us. www.jws.com.au/careers

SHAPE YOUR CAREER Develop strong technical and client service skills, and benefit from professional development programs and mentoring from Australia’s best lawyers. THRIVE WITH NO BOUNDARIES Collaborate with diverse teams of specialists across the country, and work side by side with experienced partners. Dip your toe in various practice areas, free of financial targets. EMBRACE YOUR AMBITION Build relationships with Australia’s most successful company executives. Contribute to our reputation for practical commercial solutions and outstanding client service, and play a meaningful role in complex transactions and disputes.


Catherine Davies | catherinedavies@jonesday.com (02) 8272 0571 Global Disputes, Energy & Resourcing, Employment Number of Offices: 43 www.jonesday.com

ABOUT THE FIRM What are your firm’s core values? The Firm is distinguished by: a singular tradition of client service; the mutual commitment to, and the seamless collaboration of, a true partnership; formidable legal talent across multiple disciplines and jurisdictions; and shared professional values that focus on client needs. Jones Day’s commitment to client service means our lawyers work together in a collaborative atmosphere where teamwork is essential, respect for and from colleagues is the norm, and credit is shared for a job well done. In fact, every facet of the Firm is structured to promote an environment that’s clientfocused, but also professionally fulfilling for lawyers at any career stage. We expect our lawyers to focus completely on a client’s needs, with the full support and encouragement of their peers. We recognize that partners and associates alike contribute to the Firm in a variety of ways, and we reward lawyers for their overall contributions to the Firm and for promoting the Firm’s values. How would you describe firm culture? The Firm’s 125 years of sustained growth—in experience, reputation and successful client interaction—

have been built by its dedication to a ‘One Firm Worldwide’ philosophy, which fosters the creation of interoffice and cross-practice teams, assembled to ensure that clients receive the best possible guidance and representation, without regard to barriers conventionally imposed by geography, borders, time zones or language. How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? Lawyers who join Jones Day in Australia benefit from exposure to a broad range of domestic matters as well as those with global reach through our lawyers in more than 40 offices; a friendly and dynamic office environment, supported by the established resources of a large global law firm; and an opportunity to make tangible contributions from day one as new lawyers work directly with associates and partners. SNAPSHOT Tim Atkins, Paralegal and Graduate I started at Jones Day nearly three years ago. I worked as a paralegal in the Perth office during my second last year of University, and have now finished my first year as a graduate in the Sydney office. Jones Day makes an effort to work as seamlessly as possible between offices around Australia, which gives

graduates like myself great opportunities to work in, or with colleagues from, other offices.

JONES DAY

Central Park, 51/152-158 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000

I have spent some time in litigation, where I had the chance to assist with discovery, preparing affidavits and legal research. I have also worked in the competition and regulatory space, where I assisted with merger clearance applications with the Australian, New Zealand and Singapore competition regulators. I also enjoyed attending our regular New Lawyers Group training sessions. As a core component of the graduate program, Jones Day sends all graduates to Washington, D.C. for the New Lawyers Academy to support us in our development and encourage us in building relationships with international colleagues, which was a fantastic experience. CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? Yes How can students find these opportunities and apply? https://www.jonesdaycareers. com/australia/

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GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a grad? We are seeking highly skilled graduates who are interested in working as part of an integrated team of lawyers on a truly global scale. How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? https://www.jonesdaycareers. com/australia/ Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? Our graduates will work on multi-jurisdictional matters with our other offices on a daily basis. INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? We are seeking candidates who have a strong desire to forge a successful career in commercial law. We don’t expect you to have any prior experience or know what area of practice you want to work in as we will provide the training and guidance; however, we are looking for individuals who are smart, hardworking, reliable, agile, driven and committed. So be yourself. We seek wellrounded, interested, and interesting candidates of all backgrounds and personalities. Let your best professional, enthusiastic self shine through in the interview. How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? Research the firm by visiting our website and reading the profiles of some of our partners and associates as this will give you an insight into the work we do and the firm’s culture and priorities.

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Working at Jones Day… One Firm WorldwideSM Jones Day is a global law firm with more than 2,500 lawyers in 43 offices across five continents. The Firm is distinguished by: a singular tradition of client service; the mutual commitment to, and the seamless collaboration of, a true partnership; formidable legal talent across multiple disciplines and jurisdictions; and shared professional values that focus on client needs. The Firm’s 125 years of sustained growth—in experience, reputation and successful client interaction—have been built by its dedication to a ‘One Firm Worldwide’ philosophy, which fosters the creation of interoffice and cross-practice teams, assembled to ensure that clients receive the best possible guidance and representation, without regard to barriers conventionally imposed by geography, borders, time zones or language.

Australia Jones Day’s presence in Australia has grown significantly. The Firm has added new offices in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane over the last five years in addition to our office in Sydney, reflecting our commitment to expanding our service to the Australian market. Our lawyers work in a dynamic and stimulating multidisciplinary environment by collaborating with colleagues from different practices and different offices worldwide. We continue to attract many of the legal industry’s most highly regarded and sought-after lawyers while maintaining our focus on promoting internal talent through the ranks.

The New Lawyers Group Jones Day recognizes that many law students leave law school not knowing which practice they want to enter. We also believe that a more well-rounded lawyer is a better lawyer and that a wide range of experience is valuable to a new lawyer. Accordingly, many years ago Jones Day created the New Law yers Group, which allows new associates to gain exposure to different practice areas and lawyering styles at the Firm before making a commitment to a specific-practice.

We provide extensive training through the New Lawyers program. Each November, we bring together new associates from across the Firm at the “New Lawyers Academy” in Washington for three days of hands-on training and meetings with Firm leaders. In addition to helping them understand Jones Day’s culture, organization and operation, the Academy gives our new lawyers the opportunity to meet their peers in the Firm’s other offices.

Graduate and Summer Clerkship Program We run summer clerkship program selected positions to talented students who are their penultimate year at university. We give our summer clerks real work for real clients, to provide them an opportunity to learn what the practice of law at a large firm is all about. Providing challenging assignments also allows us to assess summer clerks’ potential to deliver first rate legal services and to flourish in Jones Day’s culture. We aim for summer clerks t become future graduates of the Firm.

A Culture of Client Service and Collaboration Jones Day’s commitment to client service means our lawyers work together in a collaborative atmosphere where teamwork is essential, respect for and from colleagues is the norm, and credit is shared for a job well done. In fact, every facet of the Firm is structured to promote an environment that’s client-focused, but also professionally fulfilling for lawyers at any career stage. We expect our lawyers to focus completely on a client’s needs, with the full support and encouragement of their peers. We recog-nize that partners and associates alike contribute to the Firm in a variety of ways, and we reward lawyers for their overall contributions to the Firm and for promoting the Firm’s values.

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


K&L GATES

44 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000 Sophie Birdsall | sophie.birdsall@klgates.com (08) 9216 0900 Real Estate, Labour Employment and Workplace Safety, Energy Infrastructure and Resources, Litigation and Dispute Resolution Number of Offices: 46 http://www.klgates.com/

ABOUT THE FIRM Where is your firm headquartered? K&L Gates is an international law firm based in the United States, we have offices located in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

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What are your firm’s core values? There are many law firms to choose from. But what if there were a law firm that really is different from the others? • Law firms often talk about many of the same things - having great lawyers, delivering excellent client service, offering global capabilities. At K&L Gates, we consistently provide all those things to clients, and indeed, we often surpass expectations in those areas. But that’s what we do - it isn’t who we are. • K&L Gates is about more than practising law or making a living. It’s about building something amazing - creating a legacy for you, the firm, our clients and the communities we serve. We thrive in an inclusive and socially conscious environment that embraces our diversity and takes a holistic approach to the career evolution of all our professionals, an approach that ultimately enables us to serve clients more effectively. Here you can

make a difference, lead the way, and let your innovation shine. We are all in it together. We come up with big ideas and then roll up our sleeves to get the job done. We are a global community of entrepreneurs and selfstarters. We are nimble and ambitious with a high level of integrity, resolve, and strength of character. Although we take pride in our willingness to run through walls for clients, we also value the importance of laughing with clients, colleagues, or friends. We genuinely enjoy working with each other and for our clients. We expect you to work hard, but we don’t want you to be a robot.

We have doubled in size in the last decade. You don’t do that by waiting for someone to show you the way. There is no “that’s the way it’s always been done” at K&L Gates instead we have adapted and evolved as we’ve experienced our exponential growth. We guide our clients through their most complex legal issues while they shape their futures, businesses and industries. The net result of building a unified and globally integrated law firm is that we are confident that we can do this better than our competitors.

At K&L Gates, we are looking for smart, imaginative and hardworking people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and ideas to join us. Perhaps our search for talented visionaries and your search for important and impactful work lead to the same place. And hopefully, you’ll agree that we are different from all the other law firms - and the right place for you to grow your career. How would you describe firm culture? Practising commercial law challenges all lawyers in so many ways. The rewards of developing commercial experience, long lasting relationships with colleagues and clients are realised through hard work, persistence and passion for the work that you do. At K&L Gates, we talk openly about the potential impact that work and lifestyle can have on wellbeing and encourage everyone to understand their own limits as well as look out for others. We encourage everyone to proactively manage their wellbeing and put in place strategies for themselves. The firm offers sporting activities through its Sports Club, connection with others through its Social Club as well as flexible working to enable the balance between life needs and work. We encourage our lawyers to proactively plan annual


leave and offer additional leave through our Purchased Annual Leave program. With a proactive and disciplined approach to managing wellbeing, we believe that our lawyers will enjoy a long and healthy career in the law for many years. As a firm committed to diversity and inclusion, we engage our lawyers through mentorship, teamwork and a steadfast belief in the power of our people to change the legal profession and the power of our profession to change society. We work to provide opportunities for all of our lawyers to develop their practices and careers in meaningful ways. Our firm wide Diversity and Women in the Profession Committees lead the charge for diversity and inclusion throughout the firm. These committees span the globe, are supported by full-time staff and include members of the firm’s Management Committee. The firm has various employee resource groups at the firm wide and local office levels, including groups for women lawyers; LGBTIQ+ employees and allies; and working parents. We are committed to collaborating with our clients and communities to further our goals and we strive to maintain an inclusive culture that enriches the experience of our people, enabling them to better serve our clients. We encourage cooperation and teamwork and provide fair and ethical treatment of all employees. How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? Choosing a career at K&L Gates is choosing to be a part of a progressive and innovative law firm that continues to grow year on year. We work with market leaders across many industries in a range of exciting areas of commercial law. We have a onecompany, one-team mentality, constantly seeking ways to add value to our clients and your career objectives. We look to recruit talented people, then

provide the opportunities and support for them to achieve their best. Your career will benefit from unprecedented exposure to high profile deals on an international platform. You will have access to a global knowledge bank to help you develop and grow. Most importantly you will be part of a straight talking culture where you are recognised for what you do and how you do it. Join us and you will join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to providing exceptional client service. Learn what makes our global law firm different: Check out our Facebook page: /klgatesgraduaterecruitingau Check out our brand video on YouTube: /klgateslaw Or visit our Careers page at www.klgates.com for application details. What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? K&L Gates is one of the largest law firms in the world with offices located across five continents sharing one clear vision. We are a fully integrated network of lawyers and legal professionals who believe that clients need more than technical legal skills; they need insightful and practical advice on the diverse issues that affect their businesses, delivered with unparalleled client service. Our combination of practice strength, global platform, and unsurpassed client service is a true differentiator in the legal services marketplace. Our client-first approach extends beyond our firm’s internal structure and examines the broader legal, industry, and regulatory trends. Our lawyers are exceptionally skilled at identifying issues in advance based on deep industry knowledge, but we are even better at helping clients solve them.

With a strong presence in key capital cities and world commercial and financial centers, we represent a broad array of Global 500, Fortune 100, and FTSE 100 corporations in nearly every major industry, including technology, manufacturing, energy, transportation, telecommunications, financial services, health care, life sciences, sustainable development, and infrastructure, among others. We are leading legal advisors relating to industries critical to the economies of both the developed and developing worlds – technology, manufacturing, energy, transportation, telecommunications, financial services, and life sciences, among others. With the extraordinary inbound investment into Australia from Asia, especially from China, and four of Australia’s five largest trading partners – China, Japan, Korea, and India – located in the region, the firm has the resources on the ground to handle the most sophisticated legal requirements. What kind of pro bono work does your firm engage in? We actively encourage our lawyers to provide pro bono legal representation and to participate in other charitable, community, educational and professional activities. Each lawyer has a minimum number of pro bono hours they must achieve each year. Our lawyers handle hundreds of pro bono matters each year in an effort to pursue justice and strengthen communities around the globe. Our work includes litigating civil rights cases; establishing and advising nonprofit organizations; providing guidance to young people who face adversity; supporting the homeless; protecting victims of online abuse, human trafficking, and discrimination; and otherwise working to improve the lives of those who face hardship with little access to legal services. One example is our acclaimed Cyber Civil Rights

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Legal Project, which assists victims of non-consensual pornography. Another example is the collaboration by lawyers in our Australian and U.S. offices in producing a widely-adopted best practice guide to assessing applications for asylum on the grounds of sexual or gender identity. Each year, the firm highlights a selection of recent pro bono work and awards in For the Public Good. Ideally you will be involved in pro bono matters during your clerkship. This will be dependent on the nature of the work that is available in the practice area during your clerkship. SNAPSHOT I chose K&L Gates because they seemed to be one of the truly global firms which to me indicated seemingly endless career opportunities. I was a summer clerk at the firm and had a really positive experience as I found everyone to be super helpful, welcoming and accommodating. So when I was offered a graduate position I couldn’t say no. It sounds a bit cliché but I have been surprised as to how much fun it has been, particularly in terms of the social aspects of the year. I think being part of a graduate cohort and therefore having many people who are at the same level as you, provides a strong support network. It also means that you have the chance to make friends with your peers who are going through the same experiences as you. There have also been many events we are able to participate in which makes it easy to develop relationships with people throughout the firm. For example, in August the grads got to run a firm wide trivia night which was certainly an entertaining night. We have a very flat management system where everyone has direct contact with partners and work with them on a daily basis.

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CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? Summer How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? 12 How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? We ask that applicants apply via cvMail. If successful in obtaining an interview, they will have the opportunity to meet as many K&L Gates people as possible during group events and interview process, meeting with a combination of Partners/ Senior Associates and HR team members. What tasks do clerks usually undertake? During your clerkship at K&L Gates, you will benefit from being involved in real legal work. This will include participation in client meetings and court visits, research and drafting of advice and general support within one or more of our practice areas. You will participate in a comprehensive induction program that continues throughout your clerkship to learn important skills to lay the foundations for a successful legal career. You will work closely with partners, senior associates and have the support of a junior lawyer or trainee lawyer as a buddy. There are also a number of social and sporting activities that are organised to help you to network with others across the firm and, most of all, have fun! How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? We believe in hiring individuals who will become a part of our collaborative, committed and diverse team. More specifically, to be successful at K&L Gates you will have: • Leadership experience: You’re a self-starter committed to personal and professional development. And you’ve demonstrated initiative, tenacity and

• •

• •

potential. Curiosity: You’re a strategic thinker who solves problems creatively. Maturity: You possess sound judgment and have excellent people skills. You’re confident and professional. Passion: You must be dynamic, enthusiastic and excited about our firm. First class communication skills: You possess the ability to speak and write clearly and intelligently. Attributes of a team player: You’re approachable, adaptable to a variety of situations and enjoy participating in group activities. You’re a good listener, and you’re always willing to share thoughts and ideas.

We want to see that you are able to demonstrate all of this, but most importantly, we want you to be yourself! Do you offer clerkships to nonpenultimate year students? Yes CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? Yes How can students find these opportunities and apply? We recruit casuals from candidates who have completed our Summer Clerk program. GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a grad? We believe in hiring individuals who will become a part of our collaborative, committed and diverse team, so it is important to us that you can demonstrate this and provide us with an understanding of our firm and why you want to be a part of it. Solid academic results are important but to be a successful lawyer you need to demonstrate talent and skill in a variety of


areas. You need to be able to demonstrate your commerciality, logic and attention to detail, as well as an enthusiasm for delivering exceptional service. We want to see that you have the ability to manage the balance between your university, work and personal life. Showcasing these experiences and how they have enabled you to understand the commercial issues our clients face is just as important. Our graduate program is designed to give you the technical expertise and commercial context to succeed. Throughout the year you are supported with a buddy, supervisor and mentor. Partners and senior lawyers will support and guide you through each rotation and support your career development. Your buddy, a junior lawyer, will help you transition into your new role. Your professional development program runs weekly. It combines Practical Legal Training (delivered in-house by the College of Law) with sessions presented by partners, lawyers, external presenters and our professional development team. Our program delivers skill development in 2 key areas – fundamental legal abilities and professional legal skills which incorporate: • legal technical skills (analysis and judgment); • client service (client and business knowledge, networking); and • personal effectiveness (communication, work ethic, motivation and maturity).

How many graduates does your firm anticipate to hire in 2019? 3 Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? You will have many opportunities to be involved in an array of firm events and activities to match your interest, whether they be social, sporting, business or community focused. INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? We want to see that you are able to demonstrate your passion, great communication skills, enthusiasm, but most importantly, we want you to be yourself! What are some less-obvious things students should avoid when interviewing? Remember to be yourself, research the firm with so that you can draw on that knowledge, try not to exaggerate your experience/skills or bend the truth. How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? Spend some time researching the firm, look on the K&L Gates website, K&L Gates Graduate recruitment Facebook page and prepare some questions linked to your own interests.

What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? We generally recruit our Graduates from those who complete the clerk program. If you are enthusiastic and eager to learn with great academic achievements. How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? We recruit our graduates from our Summer Clerk program.

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verb 1. to make a move in your life or career for the better.

K&L Gates LLP. Global legal counsel across five continents. Empowering you to create next. To learn more about joining our collaborative team of passionate professionals, visit klgates.com/careers/.

klgates.com

BRISBANE | MELBOURNE | PERTH | SYDNEY


Shenae Djulbic | shenae.djulbic@au.kwm.com (08) 9269 7000

KING & WOOD MALLESONS

Level 30, 250 St Georges Tce, Perth WA 6000

Banking & Finance, Dispute Resolution, Projects & Real Estate, Mergers & Acquisitions Number of Offices: 27 www.kwm.com

ABOUT THE FIRM Where is your firm headquartered? Hong Kong What are your firm’s core values? • Client centric - Putting our clients (inside and outside the firm) at the centre of everything we say and do. • Dynamic & entrepreneurial - We are passionate about challenging the market to create a shared future, together. Bold in our aspirations and confident in our execution. • One team, one firm - Our belief in the power of together delivers the best results for our people, our clients, and the firm. We operate as one family, one firm working collaboratively and supporting each other across all cultures. • Excellence & innovation - We combine quality and creativity, with the ability to get the right results through innovative solutions. • Stewardship - We will build a stronger firm for the future generations by nurturing clients and our colleagues to excel at everything they do. • International perspective - Connecting learning and understanding to open doors and unlock opportunities in our local and international markets.

How would you describe firm culture? King & Wood Mallesons is a firm with a community feel with room for everyone to make their mark. Our people are the difference and we believe the power of together delivers the best results for our people, our clients, and the firm. We are committed to supporting a culture that encourages and embeds diversity and inclusion, both within the firm and across the broader legal sector. We are results orientated and have a track record of high achievement and performance in life, not just in our professional and academic careers. We also have a strong focus on recognising and acknowledging our staff’s contributions and at our core are client centric –partnering with each client to help them to achieve their business goals. Many graduates state one of the main reasons they joined the firm was the people. Here’s what our people have to say: “KWM staff are extremely supportive and welcoming to all clerks and graduates. The teams are made up of diverse and sociable people, who come from a variety of different backgrounds. This diverse network of people helps foster a true sense of community within the firm.” – 2019 KWM Law Graduate, Laura Jackson

“It is a given that you will work on high-calibre and interesting matters at KWM. One of the main reasons I chose KWM was the culture. The people at KWM are hard-working, but down-to-earth and generous with their time. You will learn a lot through hands-on experiences and will be asked to take responsibility for your work from the start.” – 2018 KWM Law Graduate, Emily Bell

How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? Our ability to connect Asia to the world and the world to Asia, is our key differentiator. With all the facets of a worldclass law firm and unique Asia perspective, we act as a bridge between East and West and help our clients cut through the cultural, regulatory and technical complexities of getting deals done in new markets.

King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) is a unique employer for a number of reasons. As the only global law firm that can practice Chinese, Hong Kong, UK, European and Australian law, we offer real depth and local connections in China. Our Australian practice spans international, local and regional clients. With an ambition to help clients to shape their business for the future – we can help you to shape your world too.

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That’s because our people are our future and a significant source of pride to us at KWM. We have a legacy of excellence spanning more than 200 years but we know that our future is in the hands of the next generation of lawyers. As such, at KWM we make your development our priority, and encourage our lawyers to be innovative and creative in meeting our clients’ challenges. What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? Our people are encouraged to shape their own career path, supported at every step 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. Our graduates are critical to the success and evolution of our business. At King & Wood Mallesons, we let you go beyond the law to become what you want to be. 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.

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What kind of pro bono work does your firm engage in? A core belief at King & Wood Mallesons is that we have a responsibility, inherent in practising law, to use our legal skills to give back to the communities in which we live, work and operate. As such, the KWM Community Impact program was introduced in 2001 to formalise the firm’s ongoing commitment to pro bono and community work. Some examples of what our KWM Graduates are involved with include: attending the Street Law Clinic one day per week and weekly support to the National Children’s and Youth Law Centre.

SNAPSHOT Laura Jackson, 2019 KWM Law Graduate I always knew I wanted to work at a law firm that encouraged professional growth in their solicitors, but that was also supportive and encouraged personal growth. After meeting a number of solicitors at KWM’s networking events, I was impressed with how passionate everyone was about their work and the firm. Not only this, they were all incredibly welcoming and approachable, which made the decision to clerk with the firm even easier. My clerkship with KWM definitely exceeded my expectations. Throughout my time in the Dispute Resolution team, I was provided with exposure to a number of matters at all stages of the process, ranging from initial client instructions to current court proceedings. The two things that impressed me the most was how helpful and welcoming everyone was (all the way from new graduates, up to the partner level), and that the work clerks were tasked with was all meaningful work. I would recommend a clerkship with KWM to any law student who has an interest in commercial law. There is no better place to learn about the workings of a commercial law firm, than with a leader in the field. It is an incredible place to learn and grow as a lawyer, and is a firm that will encourage you to grow and excel as a lawyer and as a person. CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? Winter + Summer How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? All applications are made through our recruitment system which is accessed via our careers website [www.kwm.com/ careers].

What tasks do clerks usually undertake? Our clerkships give you a clear picture of what it’s like to be a lawyer at King & Wood Mallesons (KWM). You’ll get to know our people, the way we like to work, our culture, practice areas, clients and more. During a clerkship at KWM, you’ll learn: The operational “nuts and bolts” – our technology, real-world financial systems, research and support resources, firm policies, procedures and the structure and approach of the firm itself. The day-to-day skills to get you started – taking instructions, meeting with clients, drafting memos/documents, managing your practice and professional relationships. Our core practice teams – who they are, what they do, how they’re structured, the clients they work for, and of course, your role within them. Our culture – you’ll be exposed to (and encouraged) to get actively involved in the many activities and events that define KWM. Our people – you’ll find that people from every part of the business will help you along, sharing their knowledge, and ensuring you have everything you need to succeed. How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? • Get involved! – join in with various social and team based activities. • Ask questions – we have an open and honest culture, it’s fine to ask questions and we actively encourage you to do so. • Share your thoughts and ideas - the ‘power of together’ is all about sharing your thoughts and ideas to improve what we do, think differently and create value for clients and each other. • Build connections – genuine and authentic conversations, be yourself!


Team player – help solve problems through teamwork, collaboration and engagement. Legal Knowledge – aim to demonstrate a logical and systematic approach to understanding concepts and legal issues. Research – ensure you know the firm and show your interest

Do you offer clerkships to nonpenultimate year students? No CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? Yes GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a grad? Results orientation – a track record of achievement and performance in life, not just your academic career. Individuals who, through commitment and resilience, have demonstrated their ability to identify and achieve stretch goals. Intellectual curiosity - to us, intelligence is not measured by your GPA. We want deep thinkers who seek out information and diverse views to reach a practical and efficient solution to business problems. Client centricity – we work in our clients’ worlds and partner with them to achieve their business goals. We need people who can stand in the shoes of the client and experience it from their perspective. Learning agility – the international legal landscape is changing every day. We need people who demonstrate personal flexibility and an openness to dealing with change. Broad perspective – we are growing the international law

firm of the future. We seek out people with diverse perspectives who through challenger thinking help to create new insights and innovative opportunities across our global network. Commitment to a legal career – we recognise that it is rare for people to have 20 year careers with the same employer. We are looking for people that will have a commitment in the medium term to KWM. In return we will steer you to become your best self by identifying your key strengths and developing you into the best possible lawyer. Team work – we operate as one family, one firm working together and supporting each other across cultures. We want people who build relationships and rapport with others through emotional intelligence and a collaborative working style. How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? King & Wood Mallesons’ Perth centre follows the first round offers process. Former vacation clerks and law clerks will be eligible to apply for a Graduate position via our careers website [www.kwm.com/careers]. Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? King & Wood Mallesons offer a domestic and international secondment program where we regularly transfer partners, lawyers and other staff between our offices. A transfer can be for a short period of 3 to 6 months or for a longer period of up to 3 years.

INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? Though interviews can be nerveracking, try to relax as much as you can (little things like turning up early and having a read over your cover letter and CV can really help!). Remember that the interview is just an opportunity for the firm to learn more about you and for you to learn more about the firm. It also helps to do some research beforehand, as it will help you frame why you want to be at KWM, which in turn will help you formulate questions about the things we do that you find most interesting. Also, don’t be afraid to let your personality show – there is no single “type” at KWM. What are some less-obvious things students should avoid when interviewing? Treat the interview more like a chat than some sort of test – your interviewers want to get to know you but it’s also a chance for you to get to know KWM. Answer honestly, and ask questions when they occur to you. How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? • Research the firm and interviewers (if known) • Know your CV/application • Think about your experiences • Prepare questions

Transfers between offices assist with the sharing of knowledge and experience around the firm, with benefits both to our people and to the firm’s clients, and help in the development of future leaders of the firm.

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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. 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. 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. 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

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 Seasonal Clerkship Program Applications open: 15 July 2019 Applications close: 4 August 2019 How to apply: Via our online application system kwm.com/careers 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. 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. • 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.

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.

Your role Clerks are allocated a practice group and may also have the opportunity to work across other teams of interest. You’ll be allocated a supervisor in your practice group 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.

SHENAE DJULBIC People & Development Advisor, Perth T +61 8 9269 7643 shenae.djulbic@au.kwm.com


Sandra D’Souza | sandra.dsouza@minterellison.com (08) 6189 7800 Human Resources & Industrial Relations, Infrastructure, Construction & Property, Corporate M&A, Energy & Resources, Finance, Dispute Resolution, Insurance & Corporate Risk, Tax Number of Offices: 15 www.minterellison.com

ABOUT THE FIRM Where is your firm headquartered? MinterEllison is an international law firm, headquartered in Australia, and regarded as one of the Asia-Pacific’s premier firms. How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? We are a borderless firm – meaning our multi-disciplinary and industry-facing lawyers collaborate across our offices in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the UK delivering truly seamless and innovative solutions to our clients. At the same time, our independence makes us agile to change with client and market demands. The firm has a clear strategic direction and a strong plan for growth as we advance our peoples’ careers with record numbers of promotions. Last year, the firm won the award for ‘Best Learning & Development Program’ at the Australian HR Awards. The win highlights our commitment to our people and to providing second-to-none development programs and initiatives. What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? Giving our people the opportunity to explore their interests and fast-track their career - that’s what we

believe in at MinterEllison. The MinterEllison clerk and graduate programs are comprehensive learning programs designed to give you the skills to be more than just a technically excellent lawyer. You will become a trusted adviser to our clients and develop a thorough understanding of the commercial landscape we operate in. What kind of pro bono work does your firm engage in? At MinterEllison, we take great pride in developing genuine, long-term relationships with our community. Each year we provide support and assistance to people and organisations in a variety of different ways. The focus areas of our community work are driven by our people with a focus on breaking cycles of disadvantage. Our community partnerships ensure that resources are targeted effectively where assistance is most needed, with our contribution including pro bono legal work, staff volunteer hours, in-kind support and financial assistance in the form of community grants and a matched workplace giving program. In 2018 our people commitment to over 32,000 hours of pro bono work which had a commercial value of $9.7 million dollars. We have strong local pro bono practices and

MINTERELLISON

Allendale Square, 77 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000

a national commitment to the Homeless Persons Legal Clinics in Brisbane and Melbourne, and the Homeless Persons Legal Service in Sydney. Some of the other initiatives we were involved in were the annual Darkness to Daylight Challenge, the Vinnies CEO Sleep out and partnership with the Westpac Foundation on a number of social enterprises. CLERKSHIP INFORMATION

During which period do you offer clerkships? We offer a 10 week Clerkship Launch Program from Monday 25 November 2019 to Friday 7 February 2020. How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? 8-9 How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? By applying through our website https://graduates. minterellison.com

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What tasks do clerks usually undertake? Our clerkship program offers critical and meaningful work experience, structured by a comprehensive orientation program and learning on the job to build both technical skills and commercial knowhow. During our program you will: • work closely with partners and lawyers on active matters to meet deadlines; • produce quality and meaningful work; • participate in tangible learning & development activities; and • attend social and networking events. How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? At MinterEllison we are not looking for people to fit a mould. Academics are just one piece of the puzzle and we recognise the strength that diversity can bring to a team. Work experience, extra-curricular activities, sporting participation, music and travel are all important criteria to us. At MinterEllison we want you to bring your whole self to work - individual strengths and diversity are what build our teams up to be the successes they are. Do you offer clerkships to nonpenultimate year students? Generally we will offer our Clerkship Launch Program and Graduate roles to penultimate students with opportunities to paralegal in their final year of study as this builds our pipeline of future talent. CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? Yes, see above.

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How can students find these opportunities and apply? Students can apply through our website https://graduates. minterellison.com . Applications open on 15 August and close on 4 August.

GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? Whilst we do not currently have any vacancies for 2020 graduates roles, we are happy to consider applications in case our situation changes. Students should apply through our website as well. INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? We have some great tips and advice on our website which will assist you in preparing your application and when interviewing https://graduates. minterellison.com


MinterEllison achieves the right balance between celebrating individualism and teamwork, which has created an environment where diversity, inclusion and personal growth are highly valued.� Tyrone Kelly 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


NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT

Level 30, 108 St Georges Terrace, Perth, Australia 6000 Brooke Wheeler | brooke.wheeler@nortonrosefulbright.com (08) 6212 3222 Litigation, Insurance, Employment & Labour, Construction, Banking & Finance, Financial Restructuring & Insolvency, Real Estate and Corporate Number of Offices: 5 www.nortonrosefulbrightgraduates.com/au

ABOUT THE FIRM

What are your firm’s core values? Quality, Unity and Integrity How would you describe firm culture? Our values of Quality, Unity and Integrity are the foundation of our culture. Our focus is on providing consistently high quality legal services to clients across the business as industry experts. We operate in a team culture, collaborating and sharing information and knowledge across disciplines and markets to achieve the best results for our clients. We value our people – they are our most important asset and we promote a culture of respect for the individual. We build long term relationships with our clients and colleagues by being trustworthy, open and fair. We value our culture and work hard to preserve it. How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? By being industry experts, prioritising diversity & inclusion and ongoing learning and development.

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Knowing how our clients’ business works and understanding what drives their industries is fundamental to us. Our lawyers share industry knowledge and sector expertise across borders,

enabling us to support our client’s anywhere in the world. We have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We aim to be an employer of choice worldwide by valuing difference, promoting a culture of respect for each individual, and encouraging workforce diversity in all aspects and at all levels. We offer education assistance support to all staff and design and deliver development programmes addressing our employees’ specific needs. Our award winning International Academies are delivered to Associates, Senior Associates and Special Counsel at the relevant stages of their career. What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? We take the view that we are only as strong as our people – which is why quality training and flexible work programmes are paramount to our business. You will be supported by an empowering culture that fosters collaboration, responsibility and professional development from the outset. We deliver an extensive range of training programmes targeted at specific stages of our lawyers’ professional development.

What significant work has your firm undertaken recently? Norton Rose Fulbright Australia is a firm of choice for the oil and gas, natural resources, and energy sectors. We represent key industry players including Chevron, Woodside, BP and South32 in both disputes and corporate advisory matters. We recently successfully acted for Chevron in a SAT appeal against the land valuation for the Wheatstone LNG project, for a global oil and gas supermajor in a three week high-value arbitration arising out of one of the largest LNG projects in the world, and for BP in its successful defence of Supreme Court proceedings commenced by Velocity Frequent Flyer. We are also advising an oil and gas major in relation to complex crossborder investment structures. What kind of pro bono work does your firm engage in? We focus our CSR efforts in support of human rights, Indigenous rights, rights of the LGBTI community, rights of women and children, rights of homeless people and rights of those in the community who are otherwise less fortunate. We do this through pro bono legal support, charitable giving and fundraising, volunteering, our environmental sustainability initiatives and through the actions and initiatives identified in our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).


SNAPSHOT Sassica Hoolahan, Lawyer What I enjoy the most about working at Norton Rose Fulbright is definitely the people! The people you work with make such a difference and the people at Norton Rose Fulbright are fantastic. I have had the opportunity to work in an engaging team full of lawyers who have been great mentors to me as a graduate. Everyone is genuinely so approachable. I have never felt uncomfortable seeking further instructions if I have been unsure about a task or needed further clarification on an issue. Working in a team of approachable and supportive people makes a huge difference to your confidence and the quality of work you produce, and overall learning experience. From sporting events and challenges, to trivia nights and drinks, there is always a social event to attend. The social events provide great opportunities to meet people outside of your team and hear about the work other teams are doing. Most teams also have their own social events throughout the year, and are great ways to get to know everyone. CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? Summer How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? One, 10-week programme. How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? Through the Norton Rose Fulbright job board; https://www. nortonrosefulbrightgraduates. com/au What tasks do clerks usually undertake? Our summer clerkship programme offers a real taste of life as a Graduate, including: attending clients meetings and

teleconferences, visits to court, research, preparation of court documents, drafting deeds/ contracts, discovery and much more! There will also be additional activities for you to take advantage of including: • Key skills training with our Learning and Development team • Q&A sessions with our leaders • Presentations about practice areas and deals • Networking and social events How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? • Be authentic and bring your whole self to work • Be curious and get to know your practice groups and the firm • Be proactive and willing to take on all tasks • Be involved in team and firm events and activities Do you offer clerkships to nonpenultimate year students? No GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a grad? Strong academic results are important, but not the only criteria - Norton Rose Fulbright seeks well-rounded candidates who have strength beyond academia including work experience and extracurricular interests. We also look to candidates with strong commercial awareness, a global outlook, open mindedness and long term motivation for a career in the law. What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? By being themselves throughout the selection process, and demonstrating a genuine interest and knowledge in our firm and the opportunities it has to offer.

How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? Through the Norton Rose Fulbright job board; https://www. nortonrosefulbrightgraduates. com/au How many graduates does your firm anticipate to hire in 2019? Norton Rose Fulbright will be hiring up to 5 graduates to commence our Graduate Program in Perth in February 2021. Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? Our Graduate Program provides you with the opportunity to do a six month secondment in one of our international offices within your first two years with the firm. So far, our Graduates have done secondments in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, South America and the United States of America. INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? • Prepare for your interview by researching our firm, your interviewer and be ready to explain your interest in Norton Rose Fulbright. • Be yourself and be honest in your responses. • Be prepared to provide specific examples of situations where issues/ obstacles arose and how you overcame it, rather than giving generalisations. • Make the most of opportunities to meet Norton Rose Fulbright staff during the recruitment process. • Remember, interviews are a two way process so make sure you ask questions to ensure we are the right fit for you.

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What are some less-obvious things students should avoid when interviewing? You need to demonstrate that you have done your research on the firm you are interviewing with. Every firm has a very unique culture and set of values, and it’s important that you try to demonstrate your understanding of this. The other thing to consider is don’t feel pressured to answer straight away – a 5-10 second pause to collect your thoughts and think about how you will structure your response is more effective than responding straight away and taking a long time to give your answer. Make sure your answers are clearly structured by using the STAR method. How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? In addition to the points above, arrive early, do your best to calm your nerves and know your resume inside out!

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Norton Rose Fulbright balances freedom for personal development with regular and consistent guidance. Perth Summer clerkship Our summer clerkship offers you a real taste of life as a Graduate. The clerkship involves doing many of the things our Graduates do, including attending clients meetings and visits to court. You will also enjoy exposure to our deals, culture and practice areas. There will also be lots of additional activities for you to take advantage of including: • key skills training • talks about practice areas and deals • networking and social events

What are we looking for? • • • • • •

Commercial awareness Global outlook Open mindedness Curiosity Strength beyond academia Long term motivation

Relevant dates 15 July 2019 - Applications open 4 August 2019 - Applications close 19 August 2019 - Interviews commence 20 September 2019 - Offers made To see how you could de ne your own path within our global legal practice, visit: nortonrose ul r ht raduates co

Progress with purpose

austral a


PRICE SIERAKOWSKI CORPORATE

Level 24, 44 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000 apply@pricesierakowski.com.au (08) 6211 5000 Corporate, Energy and Resources, Mergers and Acquisitions, Insolvency and Reconstruction, Litigation, Commercial Law Number of Offices: 1 http://pricesierakowski.com.au/ ABOUT THE FIRM

Where is your firm headquartered? Perth CBD What are your firm’s core values? We value teamwork, commitment and responsibility. How would you describe firm culture? We have a supportive culture where staff work as a close team to achieve our client’s commercial outcomes. How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? We are a boutique commercial law firm. Our expertise is in high level corporate work, including capital raisings, mergers and acquisitions, resources and energy, reconstructions and litigation. What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? At Price Sierakowski Corporate, solicitors enjoy big firm work but in a more personable and engaging culture. We are looking for hard working individuals who thrive in a team environment. We have a genuine interest in helping clients across a wide range of commercial practice areas. We offer clerkships one day a week during semester or during semester break

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What significant work has your firm undertaken recently? A number of significant IPO, takeovers and corporate reconstructions. What kind of pro bono work does your firm engage in? We have acted for a number of charity and private individuals on a pro bono basis (eg Visibility, Leukaemia Foundation) CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? Winter + Summer How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? 10 How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? Emailing a cover letter, CV and academic transcript to apply@ pricesierakowski.com.au What tasks do clerks usually undertake? Clerks undertake meaningful work from day one of their clerkship, working on transactions with experienced solicitors. We only place one clerk in the firm at any time, so students enjoy sole exposure to training, development and client opportunities.

How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? By demonstrating the ability to work in a collaborative environment and taking initiative. An undergraduate degree in Commerce and completion of the Corporations Law unit is beneficial. Do you offer clerkships to non-penultimate year students? No GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a grad? Someone who has shown that they are aligned to the company culture, works well in a team and has a genuine interest in practising corporate law. What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? Although we don’t strictly offer graduate positions to students who have completed a clerkship, it is beneficial to go through our program to build relationships with the team. How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? Emailing a cover letter, CV and academic transcript to apply@ pricesierakowski.com.au How many graduates does your firm anticipate to hire in 2019? 2


INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? Research of the firm’s recent transactions, professionalism and a discussion on relevant experience. How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? Research the interviewers and recent firm transactions. Read the WA Business News, follow ASX trends, and be knowledgeable about what is happening around Perth.

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ALLIED TO YOUR INTERESTS • • • • • •

Capital Markets Energy & Resources Mergers & Acquisitions Insolvency & Reconstruction Litigation Commercial Law

As a graduate lawyer with Price Sierakowski Corporate you will enjoy transaction experience early in your career and client contact from day one. Our individually tailored mentoring and CPD programs provide a ‘fast-track’ for high performers. Our staff enjoy high level corporate work in a casual and friendly office. Easy application process, simply send your CV and cover letter to apply@pricesierakowski.com.au or go to www.pricesierakowski.com.au PHONE FAX

(61-8) 6211 5000 (61-8) 6211 5055

EMAIL info@pricesierakowski.com.au WEB www.pricesierakowski.com.au


Hannah Robins | hannah.robins@squirepb.com (08) 9429 7444 Banking & Finance, Dispute Resolution, Projects & Real Estate, Mergers & Acquisitions Number of Offices: 47 https://www.squirepattonboggs.com/en

ABOUT THE FIRM Where is your firm headquartered? Squire Patton Boggs does not have a ‘headquarters’. Instead, we operate on the philosophy of ‘One Office, Many Locations’. Our 47 offices spread across 20 countries are encouraged to work seamlessly and collaboratively together without an overly bureaucratic ‘head office’ approach. What are your firm’s core values? Our values play an integral role in our everyday operations assisting to shape our daily actions and decisions • Collaboration - We work together globally to build trusted relationships with each other and our clients. • Professionalism - We act ethically and uphold the highest standards of professionalism. • Excellence - Thinking differently, we continuously innovate and inspire others. • Diversity - We value diversity; we recognise and embrace each person and their contribution. • Responsibility -We are accountable to ourselves, our teams and to ensuring the firm’s success; we support the wellbeing of each other and our communities.

How would you describe firm culture? Our culture emphasises and rewards collaboration, accountability and responsibility; we work to support our clients, our people and the wider community. Our core values are intrinsically linked to our culture; these values are not just words on a page but provide the foundation of the decisions that we all make daily. We recognise the value that each individual person is able to make to the firm. We work hard to build a diverse and inclusive culture that makes coming to work each day a pleasure. While we enjoy the challenging nature of our work we also understand the importance of coming together to spend time in a more informal social setting. With this in mind we provide opportunities for staff, ranging from social functions to volunteering days and sporting activities. We also have generous wellbeing programs to keep our people happy and healthy in both mind and body. How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? Our founding clients included the entrepreneurs of the day, such as the legendary JD Rockefeller. They invented, created, discovered and built. That spirit is reflected in our culture, which emphasises agility, creativity and

SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS

Level 21, 300 Murray Street, Perth WA 6000

pragmatism. While our global network provides an extensive pool of resources, connections and international expertise, our Australian offices are boutique in size and nature providing you with access to hands on, client facing legal work from day one. Our people, including paralegals and graduates, are working directly with partners and clients, providing you with the chance to contribute in a meaningful way from the very beginning.

What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? From the outset you will be provided with the tools, practical experience and opportunities you need to set your own challenges and define your career path. You’ll have the opportunity to connect to a global network of colleagues and clients, working on high quality commercial work from day one. Our firm is committed ensuring you receive the support you need to grow and progress in your legal career. Alix Poole and Isabella Mosole provide an inside look at their experience working as a paralegal in their final year at university:

“I really noticed a difference between being an intern and a paralegal. At times, the full-time study load and working hours

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were intense but the support of each member of the team, the flexibility offered and my enjoyment of working at Squire Patton Boggs ensured that I met my commitments to both work and study.” - Alix Poole, Law Graduate. One of the best things about taking a paralegal position is that you immerse yourself in the firm and its culture, or “how they do things there”. It is critical to find a place that suits your outlook on life and your working style. I was thrilled when Squire Patton Boggs approached me with the offer of a graduate position, which I commenced in February 2019. The reward of job security with this wellrespected and diverse law firm has made the effort of juggling study and employment worthwhile.” - Isabella Mosole, Law Graduate.

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What significant work has your firm undertaken recently? Like most business law firms, we do a broad range of commercial law work for a diverse group of clients. Some highlights over the past year include: • Achieving a very successful outcome for our clients in multiple multimillion dollar financial products class actions relating to collateralised debt obligations and other complex structure financial products. • Our Construction and Projects team specialises in complex constructionrelated disputes and international arbitrations. We are currently acting on multiple disputes and international arbitrations for large companies within the Energy and Resources sector including several large scale LNG and iron ore projects. • We have provided advice on venture capital transactions for technology start-ups and their

investors. Our experience in this area is enhanced by one of our partner’s Silicon Valley experience and dual US / Australian qualifications. What kind of pro bono work does your firm engage in? Our pro bono work is focused on: • Disadvantaged youth • Homelessness • Alleviation of poverty • Access to justice Over the past three years we have provided almost $1.8 million worth of fee support and more than 4,000 hours support on pro bono matters. Some of the causes we have supported include: • Law Access • Cancer Council • YouthCare • Bloom • Many Rivers • Busselton Women’s Refuge • Community Housing Coalition of WA • Classroom of Hope We are a signatory to the National Pro Bono Target and are committed to undertaking at least 35 hours of Pro Bono legal work per lawyer per year. SNAPSHOT Jonathan Riley, Associate: Litigation Squire Patton Boggs places considerable importance on creating opportunities and giving responsibilities to their juniors where possible, which I experienced first-hand. In my final year at UWA, I was offered a casual paralegal position in the Corporate and Regulatory teams, which varied from one to five days a week. Not only did this make the transition from studying to full-time work quite easy, but I was able to experience what life would be like as a graduate and build my professional networks from an early stage.

I commenced work as a graduate in the litigation team, who were involved in relatively large-scale and high-pressure court proceedings at the time. Drawing on my previous experience helped me settle in quickly in the team and take on a number of responsibilities that I might not have otherwise been offered. As I had already experienced a number of areas within the firm, I had the opportunity of settling in the litigation team after one rotation (as opposed to three or four), which I believe has helped accelerate my career from an early stage. CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? Yes How can students find these opportunities and apply? We advertise directly on seek and through our website as opportunities become available. Keep an eye out from emails from your Law Society representatives as well who will also be kept in the loop if we are currently recruiting casual paralegals. GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a grad? We are looking for collaborative people who will thrive in our culture. Some key characteristics that we look for in our people are proactivity, initiative, resilience, curiosity, enthusiasm and passion to contribute to the success of our firm. What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? In your cover letter, choose three qualities that you think you possess that will make you a match for our culture. Those individuals that demonstrate this together with innovation,


entrepreneurial qualities and a hunger for a challenge at our firm will put themselves ahead of the pack and make yourselves stand out in our application processes. We look for people who will contribute positively to our collaborative culture, and continuing growth and success. How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? Our firm does not participate in the standard graduate recruitment dates. A lot of our graduates are recruited from our current casual Paralegals that work across our offices but should an opportunity arise, we will advertise through our website and seek. Your Law Society representatives will also be notified in this case.

There is always something small that will separate you from the pack. That is what we are looking for from our people. It is those individual characteristics that make our culture what it is today. How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? Be yourself. We want to recruit like-minded people who will thrive in our firm. We want to get to know you and what drives your passion for the law.

How many graduates does your firm anticipate to hire in 2019? 6 Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? It has happened in the past but not something that is guaranteed. It is very dependent on the individual and opportunities available within our teams at the time. INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? Your unique personality shining through. We want to learn about you and for you to tell us about yourself, not what you think we want to hear. What are some less-obvious things students should avoid when interviewing? A common mistake graduates make during interview is reciting your generic law school achievements. We all know you are intelligent individuals who are studying law, but we want to know more! Ask yourself what are you passionate about and why do you want to work for our particular firm.

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Be One of Us Be commercial. Whether they are household brand names that have changed the way we work, live, shop or play, or start-ups just about to shake things up all over again, our clients are clever, creative and commercial. So are we. You will learn how to adapt what you’ve learned about the law to real-time scenarios. Be connected. From day one, you will be part of our global office – working alongside lawyers across the country and all around the world. Be committed. Our culture emphasises and rewards collaboration, accountability and responsibility. We support our clients, our teams and our community. Be empowered. From the very start we give you the tools, know-how and options you need to set your own challenges and define your career path. If you want to be part of the fastest growing global law firm in Australia, be smart and talk to us about career opportunities at Squire Patton Boggs. Be one of us.

squirepattonboggs.com

Squire Patton Boggs

SPB_Careers

Squire Patton Boggs Careers


Elaine Whelan | ewhelan@steinpag.com.au (08) 9321 4000 Corporate, Commercial, M&A, ECM Number of Offices: 2 www.steinpag.com.au

ABOUT THE FIRM What are your firm’s core values? • Growth • Reliability • Excellence • Accountability • Teamwork How would you describe firm culture? Our people are the key to making our firm a great place to work and as such we strive to create a dynamic environment with on the job learning and a friendly, team-oriented environment with a focus on the sharing of knowledge. How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? We: • Focus on the training and development of our team and look to promote from within. • Encourage our team to respect and support one another and pull together in times of need. • Operate a truly flat structure, meaning our lawyers are exposed to a variety of work, from Partners and senior lawyers across our firm from day one. • Believe in honest, direct and open communication with each other at all times. • Will provide ongoing feedback to our team members both positive and constructive to help them become

• •

• • • • •

better lawyers. Strive for excellence in what we do ensuring we focus on the little things. Always strive to provide our clients with commercially orientated advice that adds value and achieves our clients’ objectives. Do our best to know our clients well and to understand their expectations of us. Understand that our profession is a service industry built on trust and relationships.

What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? We are now one of Perth’s largest independently owned corporate law firms, specialising in corporate, energy & resources, and commercial matters. We are consistently identified as the most active advisor in the area of initial public offerings in Australia and one of the most active advisors in the mergers and acquisition space. We act for a large number of ASX listed and private company clients around Australia and overseas in the areas of mining and resources, technology, biomedics and other general commercial industries. We have over 30 lawyers and graduates on our team, so our wealth of corporate knowledge is second to none. If you are interested in a career as a

Corporate lawyer and seek first hand, frontline exposure with one of Australia’s leading corporate law firms then we would love to hear from you

STEINEPREIS PAGANIN

Level 4, The Read Buildings, 16 Milligan Street Perth WA 6000

CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? Summer + Winter How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? 16+ How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? By directly emailing a CV, Cover Letter and Academic Transcript to HR.

What tasks do clerks usually undertake? We treat our Vacation Clerks as we would our new Graduates. So, essentially we provide an experience as to “what life would be like, as a Graduate, working for Steinepreis Paganin”. We take a view that Vacation Clerks want to experience what life would be like if they took up a Graduate role at Steinepreis Paganin, therefore that is what we provide you with. From day one you will be working with our lawyers on live client matters.

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How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? Clerks genuinely need to have an interest in corporate & com- mercial law. As we only practice within this space it is paramount that you are certain you want to practice within this area of law. Other than that, we look for clerks that are keen, interested, team players and are willing to learn. Do you offer clerkships to non-penultimate year students? Not typically. GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a grad? Someone who is interested in Corporate & Commercial law, who reflects our values in their behaviours - a team player who is willing to learn. What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? Submit an application for our Vacation Clerkship program. Some of our recent Graduates joined us this way, however that is not always the case. If you were unsuccessful in securing a Vacation Clerkship, please reapply and ensure you state why you think you would be a good fit for our Firm. How many graduates does your firm anticipate to hire in 2019? 4 INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? Someone who demonstrates a good work ethic and who communicates openly and honestly. Experience of working or playing on a team is also desirable.

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What are some less-obvious things students should avoid when interviewing? Please do not recite the contents of the Firm’s website. How can students best prepare for a clerkship or graduate job interview with your firm? Just be yourself!


Overview Steinepreis Paganin was established in October 1997 by founding partners Roger Steinepreis and David Paganin. We are one of Perth’s largest independently owned corporate law firms specialising in corporate, energy and resources and commercial matters. Now with offices in both Perth and Melbourne.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Our Clients We act for a large number of ASX listed and private company clients around Australia and overseas in the areas of mining and resources, technology, biomedics, agriculture and other general commercial industries.

Other Benefits

Type of work Lawyers at our Firm can expect to be exposed to some or all the following transactions: Equity capital markets – IPOs, Chapter 11s Rights issue/ offer documents / prospectus Due diligence / verifications Notice of Meetings Takeover bids and mergers Scheme of arrangements Corporate restructuring

Learning and development focus through our comprehensive annual training roadmap Social responsibility and giving back through the Steinepreis Paganin Charitable Foundation and volunteering days Genuine care for health and wellbeing through our EAP program and flu vaccines Teambuilding opportunities through our calendar of social events Support and development focus through our mentoring and buddy schemes

Our Values

Working Culture

At Steinepreis Paganin we live and breathe our values of Growth, Reliability, Excellence, Accountability and Teamwork as we believe they make us GREAT at what we do. We pride ourselves on delivering quality work for our clients in an efficient way and we look to bring on graduates and clerks who reflect these values through their behaviours, both personally and professionally.

Friendly and social working environment Team oriented and collaborative approach to work Open door policy and approachable partners Knowledge sharing culture

What our Graduates say about us “ he est thing a o t eing a ra ate at teine reis aganin is that o are gi en the o ort nit to ta e on or earl in o r legal career hilst also eing ro i e ith a strong s ort net or to ra on if o nee hel he learning an e elo ment of all la ers t es eciall ra ates are one of the firm’s central goals ” J McAuliffe “ eing a ra ate at tein ag ill ic l e elo o r legal s ills as the firm ro i es its gra ates ith a high le el of res onsi ilit an the o ort nit to comm nicate an interact ith clients from the eginning t is also a great team en ironment here all the la ers are a roacha le an in este in o r learning an e elo ment ” S Rodriguez

For further information please contact: Elaine Whelan, Human Resources Manager Email: ewhelan@steinpag.com.au Ph: 9321 4000 Mob: 0438 509 307

Phone on 9321 4000 or

30+ Corporate Lawyers & Graduates Established 1997 Australian Corporate Market Leaders


WILLIAMS + HUGHES

25 Richardson Street, West Perth WA 6005 Dominique Engelter | dominique.engelter@whlaw.com.au (08) 9481 2040 Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Commercial Law & Contracts, Intellectual Property, Information Technology & Software Number of Offices: 2 www.whlaw.com.au

ABOUT THE FIRM

Where is your firm headquartered? West Perth What are your firm’s core values? Williams + Hughes operate on core values established by our founding partners in 1986, these values reflect our mission of making the client central to all that we do: • We are passionate about what we do • We act with honesty and integrity • We provide excellent legal service underpinned by commercial understanding • We are responsive and reliable How would you describe firm culture? As an independent firm Williams + Hughes has created a culture that gives lawyers the opportunity to provide our clients with the best possible legal advice. We are committed to providing outstanding results for our clients while maintaining a healthy work life balance for our people.

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How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? Williams + Hughes is a proudly independent, Western Australian firm, respected as experts in commercial and litigation law. What our clients appreciate and keep coming back for is our

pragmatic approach and positive outcomes. We deliver commercially realistic solutions tailored to provide the best possible results for our clients. What makes our practice unique is the way we work to deliver a positive outcome for our clients. We are creative and precise in our thinking, pragmatic in our approach, responsive to our client’s changing needs and understand the importance of achieving practical commercial solutions. A key point is that we work hard to understand our clients’ industries. Often we become trusted business advisers, and are involved in the early stages of developing transactions rather than being brought in later to document agreed deals. We are the exclusive Western Australian member firm of Meritas, the world’s largest global alliance of independent business law firms. This membership augments our local services and has been used successfully by clients for various cross border and international transactions. Meritas allows us to access the expertise of over 7,500 lawyers in 183 law firms globally. What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? Our litigation and dispute resolution team is one of the larger dedicated commercial

litigation teams in Western Australia. Our lawyers deal with a wide range of disputes across various sectors, for local, national and international clients. We look for gifted graduates that are not only smart but can develop into competent advocates. Our commercial law team has dedicated industry experience working on large and varied commercial transactions across Australia. Our ASX listed and high net worth clients require discretion but offer complex and interesting transactional work in return. We look for technically astute and commercially savvy graduates who aspire to progress quickly in their careers and become trusted advisors with industry expertise. Working at Williams + Hughes gives you an outstanding opportunity to forge your own career in law. You will be thrown straight into real client work, but don’t worry you will be supported and mentored every step of the way by our experienced team. Williams + Hughes employs a low-leverage model, meaning that you will have the opportunity to gain experience in both commercial and litigation and a broad understanding of different industries including mining, resources, construction and more. Most importantly you will be part of a straight talking


culture where you will be recognised and rewarded for what you do and how you do it. What significant work has your firm undertaken recently? Significant work we have undertaken recently includes: Advised TSX-V listed conglomerate gold specialist Novo Resources on their farmin agreement with Pioneer Resources; Advised Coogee Chemicals in relation to a multi-decade chlorine supply agreement with Cristal; Acting for Fogarty Wine Group, WA’s largest wine producer, on numerous acquisitions, including Evans & Tate brand purchase and transactions with McWilliams, purchase of winery assets and vineyard properties, financing transactions and more; We also act on significant work for private and confidential clients. What kind of pro bono work does your firm engage in? We are committed to supporting charitable groups, educational institutions and specific community programmes. This includes doing pro-bono work and making donations as well as presenting seminars to community and educational organisations that will benefit from our knowledge and skills. Organisations we have supported in recent years include the following: • Cancer Council WA • Bush Heritage Australia • Rotary Club of Crawley Charitable Foundation • Sussex Street Community Law Services • Dogs Refuge Home (WA) Inc • Legacy • Pollinators Geraldton CLERKSHIP INFORMATION During which period do you offer clerkships? Winter + Summer

How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? 15 How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? Please email your cover letter, CV and academic transcript to careers@whlaw.com.au What tasks do clerks usually undertake? At Williams + Hughes, clerks can expect to be doing real work from day one. Clerks will be given relevant tasks from ongoing cases including researching legislation and case law and writing memoranda on your findings, writing articles or taking notes in court. The broad range of work we do means no two days are the same and the work is interesting and challenging. How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? The clerks who make the best impression are those who are genuinely interested in the work we do and demonstrate an ability to deliver results in the ‘real world’ of private practice. Being diligent and hardworking is key, as is having an opinion and not being afraid to express it. Do you offer clerkships to non-penultimate year students? No CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION What does your firm look for in a grad? We look for candidates with a great attitude and strong academic results. Attention to detail and good communication skills are also vital. We’re looking for people who can work independently and don’t need to be micromanaged. While experience working in a law firm is a bonus it is not essential. What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? Do great work while you are with us, don’t be afraid to ask questions to clarify instructions and ask for and act on feedback. What can students do to increase their likelihood of securing a graduate job with your firm? Do great work while you are with us, don’t be afraid to ask questions to clarify instructions, ask for and act on feedback. How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? Please email your cover letter, CV and academic transcript to careers@whlaw.com.au How many graduates does your firm anticipate to hire in 2019? 2

Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? Yes How can students find these opportunities and apply? Opportunities will be advertised on the Williams + Hughes website and through relevant Blackstone Society social media.

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Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? Williams + Hughes retains its identity as an independent Western Australian firm whilst being a member of Meritas, the world’s largest global alliance of independent business law firms. Meritas is recognised as a Tier 1 elite global legal alliance and is rated in the top 10 law firm networks in the world (Chambers and Partners 2018). Our membership with Meritas opens doors to interstate and international secondment opportunities for our lawyers. INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? We are looking for people who are motivated and eager to learn. We are very passionate about what we do and love to see that same enthusiasm in interviews. Let us know why you believe a career in law is right for you and where you see yourself in five years. What are some less-obvious things students should avoid when interviewing? Be sure to tailor your responses to the firm you are applying to. For example Williams + Hughes is WA based, so its best not to talk about wanting to work in Sydney. Don’t focus too much on what you stand to gain from the role as an individual, remember we want to employ people who are not just in it for themselves. We are passionate about what we do and look for that in potential employees, but be professional about it.

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Be sure to listen carefully and answer the questions you have been asked - we know you have done a lot of preparation for the interview but be sure you listen to the whole question before you launch into your response.

Don’t exaggerate your experience or skills, it may be tempting but is more likely to trip you up in an interview. Be specific when talking about your experience and skills, give examples. What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? Get to know who we are and what we do. Give some thought to where you see yourself in five or 10 years. We’d like to hear about your career plans and how you’d like to see your career progress.


INTERESTING + CHALLENGING Our litigation and dispute resolution team is one of the larger dedicated commercial litigation teams in Western Australia. Our lawyers deal with a wide range of disputes across various sectors, for local national and international clients. We look for gifted graduates that are not only smart but can develop into competent advocates. Our commercial law team has dedicated industry experience working on large and varied commercial transactions across Australia. Our ASX listed and high net worth clients require discretion but offer complex and interesting transactional work in return. We look for technically astute and commercially savvy graduates who aspire to progress quickly in their careers and become trusted advisors with industry expertise.

SUPPORT + MENTORING Working at Williams + Hughes gives you an outstanding opportunity to forge your own career in law. Direct access to multiple Principals and senior lawyers ensures you are exposed to a variety of work, have the opportunity to see and learn from a selection of different styles, and be mentored by a group of people with expertise in different areas. We encourage our lawyers to take on responsibility and to work closely with clients.

LOCAL OPPORTUNITY + GLOBAL REACH Williams + Hughes retains its identity as an independent Western Australian firm whilst being a member of Meritas, the world’s largest global alliance of independent business law firms. Meritas is recognised as a Tier 1 elite global legal alliance and is rated in the top 10 law firm networks in the world (Chambers and Partners 2018). Our membership with Meritas opens doors to interstate and international secondment opportunities for our lawyers. WHLAW.COM.AU


WOTTON + KEARNEY

Brookfield Place Tower 2 Level 1, Suite 1 123 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000 Jessica Meyer | jessica.meyer@wottonkearney.com.au (07) 3236 8720 Insurance Law - General Liability & Financial Lines Number of Offices: 6 www.wottonkearney.com.au

ABOUT THE FIRM

Where is your firm headquartered? Sydney What are your firm’s core values? Every day, each of us makes choices about how we act and what we say. Our values serve as a consistent reminder of the high standards we expect of everyone at Wotton + Kearney. We value behaviours that build strong relationships, demonstrate excellence and foster a diverse and inclusive culture. Relationships - are the cornerstone of our business Excellence - we’re the best in business for what we do Diversity - underpins how we treat each other How would you describe firm culture? We have one focus – we eat, breathe and sleep all aspects of insurance law. We are the trusted advisors when insurers and their customers are faced with the most valuable, reputation-breaking, highly complex matters.

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How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? We’re invested in building a great place to work. A high performing team provides

support and encouragement to all the people connected as part of that team. Culturally, it is important to us that if you are part of the high performing W+K team that you feel supported and valued for your contribution. These are some of the ways we achieve this goal: • Above-market remuneration • Incentive rewards for lawyers • Flexible work arrangements • Involvement in our Community Footprint program through pro-bono legal services and CSR initiatives, allowing you to give back • A generous employee referral program • Ongoing investment in your career progression and development • Fantastic and regular social events throughout the year • Access to health and wellbeing initiatives, as well as financial and retail benefits What are the most compelling reasons students should aspire to work at your firm? Wotton + Kearney offers you the opportunity to work with some of Australia and New Zealand’s leading insurance companies, government agencies and non-profit organisations on their most important customer challenges.

We are a growing community of professionals across our 6 offices that can help you realise your career potential, where your talents are nurtured and where you will get the support and tools you need to help shape the future of insurance law. What kind of pro bono work does your firm engage in? We are committed to our Pro Bono, CSR and Community Footprint programme. Contribution to the communities in which we live is a way of life for our Lawyers and it’s at the core of how we conduct ourselves and how we do business. Our Community Footprint program was established in January 2012. Since then, we’ve nurtured it to become a key initiative across all of our offices. Through our pro bono work, we assist those who are unable to obtain legal aid or afford legal representation, while our CSR initiatives enable us to contribute in other ways to charitable organisations, the community and the protection of the environment.


CLERKSHIP INFORMATION How many clerkships is the firm anticipating to offer in 2019? 0 How can students apply for a clerkship with your firm? We do not currently run a clerkship program but instead recruit paralegals all year round to join our team. Our paralegals join us on a casual basis and feed into our grad pipeline. CASUAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Does your firm offer casual or part time employment for law students? Yes! How can students find these opportunities and apply? Please submit your CV, Cover Letter and Academic Transcript to join.us@wottonkearney.com. au GRADUATE JOB INFORMATION

Does your firm offer graduates or junior lawyers international opportunities? At W+K, we want our lawyers to experience, first-hand, how our clients operate. However, not all clients are the same and gaining an insider’s knowledge of what is important to them through secondments makes us better lawyers and gives us a unique perspective on how to help clients resolve claims. You will be actively encouraged to pursue secondment opportunities in the Australian market, as well as in one of the international offices of our Legalign Global alliance partners, as part of our talent exchange program. INTERVIEWS What does your firm like to see in a clerkship or graduate job interview? Having done your research on the firm is an obvious one! Come prepared with questions and know who your interviewer is. Communication is key and well as having the right attitude and drive to succeed.

What does your firm look for in a grad? The attributes we look for are: • being a team player; • a love of learning; • curiosity about clients and our business; • an innovative and solutions-mindset; and • adaptability to change. How can students apply for a graduate job with your firm? Please submit your CV, Cover Letter and Academic Transcript to join.us@wottonkearney.com. au How many graduates does your firm anticipate to hire in 2019? 2-3

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THE TRADITIONAL LAW FIRM MODEL IS TIRED THIS IS ITS WAKE UP CALL Ba

WE’RE NOT YOUR TYPICAL LAW FIRM As Australia’s largest and fastest growing legal partnership, we are proud to offer our staff unrivalled career development opportunities and provide them with a chance to work with Australia’s most highly regarded commercial organisations, as well as Commonwealth Government and State Government Departments and Agencies. Our differentiators include the following factors:

• • • •

A lower ratio of solicitors to partners than any other major Australian law firm ensures that our team members interact with clients much earlier in their legal careers. Our solicitors also benefit from having greater access to partners, which accelerates their professional development. Our transparent career development framework ensures that all team members are aware of the firm’s expectations at each level, and what is required to advance to the next career stage. We pride ourselves on promoting and rewarding talent based solely on merit, which allows all team members to reach their potential. We are committed to providing an environment that supports and encourages all team members to progress. Our focus is on removing any barriers that may restrict any of our team members from developing their careers with us. Our clients are as diverse as we are, and our lawyers’ varied backgrounds and skill sets support us in providing our clients with innovative and tailored legal solutions.

OUR CLERKSHIP AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS

JOIN OUR NATIONAL TEAM

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HWL Ebsworth has over 1,200 staff with more than 250 Partners across our 9 offices, operating in the following areas of law:

HWL Ebsworth offers a unique Graduate program whereby we recruit for our Law Graduate program through the Clerkship program.

• • • • • • • • • • •

Within the Clerkship program you will gain a genuine insight into our Practice Groups and culture. The program is tailored to present you with hands-on experiences and training to develop your legal skills and knowledge whilst providing feedback, support and the chance to network with a range of practitioners throughout the firm. You will be exposed to a broad range of work within your designated Practice Groups and the program has been designed to enable us to get to know you on both a personal and professional level.

Banking and Finance Commercial Construction and Infrastructure Health Insolvency and Securities Enforcement Insurance Litigation Planning, Environment and Government Property Transport Workplace Relations and Safety

Following the successful completion of our Clerkship program, Clerks may be offered a Law Graduate position for the Law Graduate program. The Law Graduate program provides you with the opportunity to gain solid indepth experience while rotating through different Practice Groups to assist you in determining your direction post admission. The firm will also look to support our Law Graduates with their PLT and admission to practice requirements.

INTERESTED? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW We are excited to recruit for our Clerkship and Law Graduate programs in our Perth office and applications are open to final and penultimate year students. To apply, you will be required to complete the online application form via our website and provide a copy of your academic transcript along with any additional supporting documentation that you would like us to consider. After submitting an online application, shortlisted applicants will progress through a two stage recruitment process including attendance at an Information & Assessment Centre and an individual panel interview. To apply, visit our Graduate Centre on our website - www.hwlebsworth.com.au

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QUESTIONS Please contact a member of our Human Resources team if you require further information.

Applications open: Monday, 15 July 2019 Applications close: Sunday, 4 August 2019 Assessment & Information Centre &/or Individual Panel Interviews: From Monday, 19 August 2019 Offers to be released: Friday, 20 September 2019

Kiren Singh Human Resources Advisor P +61 8 9420 1517 E Perth.Applications@hwle.com.au

Sarah Shepherdson Human Resources Assistant P +61 7 3169 4933 E Perth.Applications@hwle.com.au

Adelaide | Brisbane | Canberra | Darwin | Hobart | Melbourne | Norwest | Perth | Sydney hwlebsworth.com.au



COURTS Associateships are the best way for students and recent graduates to get a real taste of the court room experience. As an associate you will be working closely with one or more judges, usually for a period of one or two years. In this section we have compiled profiles from associates in various courts to help you understand the work they do, and how to apply for the job.


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Ben Tomasi Associate to Chief Justice Kiefel 2018

Why did you apply to be a judge’s associate? The opportunity to learn from a Justice at the apex court really is unparalleled. The work is without exception interesting and challenging, and by the time the issues reach the High Court they are all important. You are also exposed to the very best appellate advocates in the country. I suppose that explains why anyone applies, but I was also fortunate to have a strong interest in constitutional law, which is in one sense the core work of the High Court. What does your work involve? The work varies a lot between the Justices, but the basic work is similar. Principally, you are there to assist the Justice in their discharge of their constitutional functions. This might involve preparing memos on upcoming cases, conducting research into particular issues and proofing judgments prior to their publication. You also sit in court and look after the material the judge needs during hearings, and help them find the things they need. How and when can interested individuals apply for a position? Appointments are generally made two or three years in advance. For example, I sent an application in February 2016, was interviewed in November 2016 and commenced in January 2018. However, an associate who interviewed at the same time as me only commenced in January 2019. The judges all have slightly different timeframes, however, so the best approach is to call the chambers of the Justice/s you would like to work for (not during a High Court sitting week – check the website) and find out. The associates are all very nice, and know that it can be daunting to pick up the phone and call. Who can apply for a position? / Are there any requirements? Again, it varies between the Justices, but as a minimum, associates at the High Court have very good First Class Honours degrees. For the JD, this would probably mean being in top 5% of your class. It is also unusual for an associate to be appointed immediately out of university; most have done some work as a solicitor before starting. Increasingly, the Justices consider it desirable to have some post-graduate qualification in law, which does not include the

JD. Because of the inherently personal nature of the role, each Justice gives different weight to the relevant factors. My advice is to be realistic about your chances – there could be 100 applicants for a single position – but don’t discount yourself either. The worst outcome is that you get a “no thanks”. What does the application process involve? Again, it varies between chambers but generally speaking you would send in a cover letter, a transcript, a CV and some written references. The references in particular should be able to verify your academic abilities, as well as your ability to work closely with the judge. Most of the Justices then conduct interviews. If you make it to the interview stage, it probably means you have the qualifications for the job. The interview is a chance for the judge to see whether you have a suitable personality for the role. Some of the Justices have very intense interviews, with lots of questions about the law, and others focus more on personal matters. In the former case, I tend to think that it is as much about finding out whether you are genuinely interested in the law as it is about testing your knowledge. In the latter case, there is very little preparation you can do. Either way, it is an achievement in itself to get the interview. What do judges usually look for in applicants? As I have mentioned, strong academics are a must. Beyond that, it really depends on the judge. This is why I would counsel all prospective applicants to apply widely (and not limit themselves to one judge, or even one court). You really cannot tell who you will click with. I tend to think most judges don’t want associates who don’t have any interests outside the law, so make sure you use your time at law school to pursue other things you are passionate about.


Why did you apply to be a Judge’s Associate? I applied to this role for a few reasons. First, I ultimately want to head to the bar or otherwise be working in court, and working for a judge is the best way to get some insight into the behind-the-scenes operation of the court. It also looks excellent on your resume as a steppingstone to working at places where court work forms part of the job. Second, an Associateship is a fantastic mentoring opportunity: you get to spend a whole year working one-on-one with one of the best legal minds in the country. Third, an Associate or Research Associate normally works pretty good hours: I haven’t worked past 6pm this year! What does your work involve? As a Research Associate, my role is more legal and less administrative than a regular Associate. Mainly, I perform discrete research and proofreading tasks for my Judges. The work involves lots of reading through parties’ submissions, documents and case law, writing memos and piecing things together in a way that helps the Judge operate smoothly. I also spend some time in court filling in for the other Associates if they’re unable to make it or I’ve spent a lot of time working on the case. How and when can interested individuals apply for a position? Unlike the Supreme Court, Judges of the Federal Court run their own recruitment schedules, which means that the timetable for each Judge is different. All the positions are advertised on the Federal Court website. Who can apply for a position? / Are there any requirements? In Western Australia, positions are normally offered to fresh graduates or people with one or two years’ practice under their belts. In the Eastern States, you’ll be competing against lawyers with several years’ experience. What does the application process involve? Most Judges will request a CV and cover letter, and have one round of interviews.

THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Simon Bourke Research Associate to Justices Banks-Simith and Colvin 2019

What do Judges usually look for in applicants? A successful candidate for this role will have strong academics, proven research skills, and the ability to effectively communicate orally and verbally. I strongly recommend mooting, and also recommend undergoing the Advanced Legal Research program: both of these will show that you have research and communication skills. Judges also want someone who they’ll be happy to work with for at least a year. This means that applications for Associateships are often quite subjective, but it also means that a successful applicant will be a proven team player.

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Matheo Vinciullo Principal Associate to the Chief Justice; Research Associate to Justice Banks-Smith 2017- 2018 Why did you apply to be a Judge’s Associate? I had two reasons. First, I wanted to learn more about advocacy. Second, I was not settled on a career in commercial law. Generally speaking, a Judge’s associate position will hold you in good stead no matter where you take your law degree. You have the privilege to watch and learn from the brightest minds in the legal profession. It also allows you to consider where you want your career to start which – in my view, we are not given adequate time to do while studying. What does your work involve? An associate’s job varies from day to day and depending on which chambers you work in. Generally speaking, you will conduct legal research, proof-read judgments and you may be asked to assist with drafting. A large part of your job is administrative. This includes liaising with solicitors and court staff. You will also have the privilege of sitting in court and assisting with the day to day running of court hearings. How and when can interested individuals apply for a position? How: email the relevant Judge’s associate a soft copy of your cover letter, resume, and academic transcript. When: the majority of judicial officers advertise together in April / May. However, advertisements are also released on an ad hoc basis. Advertisements are published on the Supreme Court of WA website. Advertisements are also sent directly to the Blackstone Opportunities Facebook page - so following that group is the easiest way of knowing when an advertisement has been circulated. Who can apply for a position? / Are there any requirements? Who: each advertisement specifies who may apply. Generally speaking, judges seek applications from penultimate students. However, there are also part-time positions.

Requirements: similarly, each advertisement has different requirements. These include (but are not limited to) a law degree, high academic achievement and editorial experience. However, if you do not fill these criteria, it is still worth applying. In this circumstance, ensure that you highlight in your cover letter why you are suitable for the job despite not having filled the listed requirements. What does the application process involve? After filing your application, you will (for better or worse) hear back from the relevant Judge’s associate within 2-4 weeks. Following this, candidates are short-listed for interviews. Interviews typically last for 20 minutes. The content of the interview depends on the judicial officer – typically, you will be asked about certain aspects of your resume or cover letter. What do Judges usually look for in applicants? Once you have ticked off certain criteria, Judges are looking for something that distinguishes you from other candidates. Whether that’s an interesting hobby, what you’re passionate about, or how you got to where you are now, it is considered by Judges and it often makes the difference. Accordingly, make sure your cover letter and resumes are not bland and speak to your unique characteristics.


Amelia Ikin Associate to the Principal Registrar 2017- 2019

Why did you apply to be a Registrar’s Associate? In January 2017 I was brought in to work full time for two months while they found a permanent Associate. This came about through a connection I had made during work experience in school. During this two months, I applied through the formal application process (outlined below) and was offered a two-day per week position to accommodate my studies. What does your work involve? Working for the Principal Registrar involves a lot of legal research, proof-reading and writing. The Principal Registrar sits on a large amount of Committees which I attend with her and is heavily involved in the long-term planning of the Supreme Court. Under her direction, I complete many major projects, such as changes to the electronic Court System (eCourts) in accordance with lawyers’ and the Court’s needs. I am also required to assist as a general Registrar’s Associate, which involves before, during and after court assistance. How and when can interested individuals apply for a position? Registrar Associates are staff of the Department of Justice (rather than Personal Staff as Judge’s Associates are). Hence, applications are made through the Government Jobs Portal - search. jobs.wa.gov.au. On the Portal you can sign up to receive emails for vacancies you may be interested in. Most often the application will be a ‘pool process’. This means that even if you are unsuccessful for the current available position, you will be considered for positions which open in the next 12 months.

What does the application process involve? The original application through the Portal involves submitting a CV and a written statement on the ‘Selection Criteria’. This involves commenting on your past experiences (through work and study) addressing your ability to meet the essential work requirements. There are many helpful pages online which can assist with writing Selection Criteria however my biggest piece of advice would be to ensure you use specific examples, rather than making general comments on your skills. The next stage is an interview, which will be in front of a panel of three senior Court staff. After this, applicants will be chosen. What do Registrars usually look for in applicants? Although past administrative experience is desirable, this is not essential. Computer skills are very important, as too are written and verbal communication skills – the job involves writing to and speaking with members of the legal profession on a daily basis. Provided that you have a strong work ethic, attention to detail, passion for the law and a flexible approach to work, you will be looked upon favourably. Do you have any memorable experiences? I most enjoy the ad-hoc projects I work on. Most recently, I was involved in writing and designing the new Supreme Court website. I also love how hard working, knowledgeable and friendly every single Registrar is – being able to discuss legal concepts with them, as well as have personal conversations is something truly incredible.

Who can apply for a position? While there is no set mould, usually First or Second year students are looked at more favourably. This is because while not overlylegally challenging, the position requires a significant amount of knowledge about the Court processes. These can only be learnt through experience and time in the position. The Court prefers if individuals can stay in the position for the duration of their degree.

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GOVERNMENT In this section, we have compiled a directory with various Government departments that students should consider applying for if they are interested in working in the public sector. One benefit of working for the Government is the unique nature of the work that each of the various departments offer. Another of the major factors why professionals are choosing to work in Government departments rather than commercial firms is the structured working hours. This promotes a healthy work/life balance, especially to those seeking 9-5 working day.


ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS TRIBUNAL

Level 13, 111 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000 recruitment@aat.gov.au 1800 228 333 Child support; Commonwealth workers’ compensation; Family assistance; Paid parental leave; Social security and Student assistance Migration and refugee visas and visarelated decisions; Taxation; Veterans’ entitlements www.aat.gov.au

What is the focus of the organisation? The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) conducts independent merits review of administrative decisions made under Commonwealth laws. We review decisions made by Australian Government ministers, departments and agencies and, in limited circumstances, decisions made by state government and non-government bodies. We also review decisions made under Norfolk Island laws. How does the organisation seek its employees? Members of the Tribunal are statutory office holders appointed by the Governor-General. From time to time the AAT seeks to have appointed persons with professional skills or knowledge in areas including aviation, actuary, social work, specialist or general medicine, compensation law and so on. The AAT also employs staff under the Public Service Act 1999. Staff are Commonwealth public servants and are employed as either on-going or non-ongoing to perform a range of duties including management of the AAT’s Registries, conducting conferences, legal research, provision of client services and support services to Members. The AAT has offices in all states of Australia and in the Australian Capital Territory. The AAT is an equal opportunity employer which upholds the APS employment principles and actively encourages a diverse and inclusive workplace. How do you apply to work at the organisation? The tribunal uses a web-based e-recruitment system for lodgment of job applications. When applying online via the e-recruitment system for the first time you will need to register and provide a valid email address. This will then generate an automatic email that will be sent to your nominated email address and contains a password that allows you to resume or review your job application.

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When submitting an online application, you will be required to provide a written statement of claims against selection criteria. Your statement against each criterion should be clear, concise, relevant and generally no longer than half a page (approximately 400 words). It is recommended that you check the job advertisements via the link on this page for any specific application instructions. You will also need to attach a current resume. Please check the individual job advertisement for any specific job requirements.


Jocelyn Lindbeck or Candice Field | HRrecruitment@accc.gov.au (02) 6243 1013 Competition, fair trading and regulating national infrastructure for the benefit of all Australians www.accc.gov.au

What is the main focus of the organisation? The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is an independent Commonwealth statutory authority whose role is to enforce the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. The ACCC is responsible for promoting competition, fair trading and regulating national infrastructure for the benefit of all Australians. What does the organisation look for in a potential employee? Graduates must have completed a three year degree by the time the graduate program commences. Graduate areas of study could include, but are not limited to: • law; • public policy; • financial modelling; • industrial economics; and • econometrics. Our program focuses on providing graduates with a coherent combination of on-the-job learning and formal training. It is a major recruitment and training program that provides for individual needs and interests. Staff at all levels across the ACCC and in other agencies began their careers as ACCC graduates. What kind of work do your employees do? Duties will vary, as the work completed in each of our Branches is very different. However, as an ACCC/AER graduate you will be expected to: perform a broad range of tasks across different work areas, such as: • analysing information, assisting with investigations, responding to correspondence, undertaking research, contributing to meetings and staff papers/ recommendations, and presenting to committees; • build professional relationships and work cohesively with others; and • participate in all formal training as required, including orientation, investigation skills, regulation skills, presentation skills, writing

skills and other professional development training. What advice would you give a student applying to the organisation? Here at the ACCC/AER, we have high expectations of our graduates. We create a challenging environment for our graduates to succeed in. To be considered for the ACCC/AER 2020 Graduate Program, you will: • have an interest in industry regulation, competition policy and consumer protection; • have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with all people; • be conscientious; • be able to acquire new skills and an understanding of complex concepts quickly, and apply these to different situations; • have excellent analytical, critical thinking and problem solving skills; and • possess a minimum of a Bachelor degree. Successful candidates for the ACCC/AER 2020 Graduate Program will: 1. understand the ACCC and AER’s purpose, functions and strategies; 2. have excellent analytical, critical thinking and problem solving skills, and the ability to work well with others; 3. be able to acquire new skills and understand complex concepts quickly, and apply these to different situations; and 4. be conscientious, self-assured and resilient.

AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION & CONSUMER COMMISSION

Various Locations

Are there opportunities for students or graduates at the organisation? Current vacancies https://accc.bigredsky.com/page.php?pageID=106 Graduate opportunities https://www.accc.gov.au/about-us/careers/ graduate-opportunities Intern opportunities https://www.accc.gov.au/about-us/careers/ intern-opportunities

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AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

Level 3, 175 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Catherine Dempster (02) 9284 9600 Law, human rights, policy, education www.humanrights.gov.au/

What is the main focus of the organisation? The promotion and protection of human rights in Australia. What does the organisation look for in a potential employee? A mix of relevant work experience, qualifications and personal qualities. What does the work at the organisation involve? This varies from investigation and conciliation of complaints under our laws to policy/research, education and corporate roles such as HR, Finance, IT and legal. Provide broad-ranging legal advisory services to the Commission. This includes: • intervention and Amicus Curiae • litigation • legal analysis for our policy work; • support on contracts and tenders; administering the Commission’s administrative law requirements (such as the Information Public Scheme requirements and FOI legislation); • advice on discrimination law and human rights matters; and • conducting AHRC complaint processes (relating primarily to ILO conventions and the ICCPR). What advice would you give to a student applying to the organisation? Provide relevant examples of how your knowledge, skills and experience applies to the job you are applying for. Does the organisation offer any opportunities to students still studying? We have two intern intakes per annum.

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What is an interesting piece of work the organisation is currently working on or has recently completed? The Commission has announced a major project: ‘Free and Equal: An Australian conversation on human rights’. Throughout 2019 we will be talking with people nationally to identify what

makes an effective system of human rights protection for 21st century Australia? The Commission is undertaking a major project on the relationship between human rights and technology. The Project will develop innovative ways of ensuring the rapid rise of new technology protects and promotes human rights. The Commission conducted a national survey to investigate the prevalence, nature and reporting of sexual harassment in Australian workplaces and the community more broadly.


Claudine Kelly | info@alrc.gov.au (07) 3248 1224 Federal Law Reform www.alrc.gov.au

What is the main focus of the organisation? The Australian Law Reform Commission is a federal agency operating under the Australian Law Reform Commission Act 1996 (Cth), and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act). The ALRC conducts inquiries—also known as references into areas of law at the request of the AttorneyGeneral of Australia. Based on its research and consultations throughout an inquiry, the ALRC makes recommendations to government so that government can make informed decisions about law reform.

Commission members and legal staff as legal interns. Interns work on a voluntary basis and may work with the ALRC for a day a week for one semester, or for three weeks over the summer break.

What does the organisation look for in a potential employee? Excellent legal research and writing skills, experience in policy development, the ability to synthesise complex information, and the capacity to contribute to and work within a team.

What is an interesting piece of work the organisation is currently working on or has recently completed? In December 2018, the ALRC completed and submitted its report on class action and litigation funding to the Attorney General, and the report on the review of the family law system is to be submitted to the Attorney General in late March 2019. The Government announced in December 2018 its intention to consult with the States and Territories on the terms of a potential reference to the ALRC on the remaining five recommendations of the Religious Freedom Review. Those recommendations deal with current exemptions to anti-discrimination provisions in Commonwealth, State and Territory law.

What kind of work do your employees do? Undertaking legal research, analysis, writing and legal policy development, attending stakeholder consultations, providing support to other legal officers and supervising interns. What advice would you give a student applying to the organisation? The ALRC will only consider applications that address the selection criteria: • strong legal research skills; • ability to analyse and communicate complex information; • excellent written communication skills, including the ability to write clear and concise documents, including research briefs and memos; • ability to work independently with professional guidance; and • work experience, or interest in, law reform and/or social policy development. Are there opportunities for students or graduates at the organisation? The Australian Law Reform Commission provides opportunities for current law students in their penultimate or final year to work alongside

Internships provide an opportunity for students to increase their awareness of law reform issues while also allowing the ALRC to benefit from students’ research and writing skills. Interns are supervised by a staff member, and undertake research work determined by the needs of the ALRC.

AUSTRALIAN LAW REFORM COMMISSION

Level 4, 119 North Quay, Brisbane QLD 4000

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AUSTRALIAN TAXATION OFFICE

THIS PROFILE HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE BLACKSTONE SOCIETY USING PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION 45 Francis Street, Northbridge WA 6003

ATOUniversityPartnershipProgram@ato.gov.au

Taxation www.ato.gov.au

What is the main focus of the organisation? Our role is to effectively manage and shape the tax and superannuation systems that support and fund services for Australians, including: • collecting revenue; • administering the goods and services tax (GST) on behalf of the Australian states and territories; • administering a range of programs that provide transfers and benefits to the community; • administering the major aspects of Australia’s superannuation system;and • being custodian of the Australian Business Register. What does the organisation look for in a potential employee? Candidates must possess relevant work-related qualities to be suitable to work for us. As part of assessing your suitability, the ATO consider: • your ability to perform the role being filled; the ATO use a range of assessment approaches such as video interviews, online testing, behavioural interviews and assessment centres; and • personal qualities such as honesty and integrity, as well as cultural fit. What kind of work do your employees do? Applications are open throughout the year and vacancies on the program occur at various times in various locations, according to our business needs. Supported by your manager, you would work to established priorities and procedures while exercising some autonomy. You may undertake procedural, clerical, administrative support and operational tasks.

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What advice would you give a student applying to the organisation? As a student, visit the University Partnership Employment Program (UPEP) page on the ATO website. Positions for the UPEP are open all year round. For graduates, visit the ATO Graduate Program page on the ATO website.

Are there opportunities for students or graduates at the organisation? Yes. There are opportunities for both students and graduates at the ATO.


Vanessa Malu Cecchi | info@ccc.wa.gov.au (08) 9328 1751 To expose and disrupt serious misconduct and corruption, giving the WA community confidence that public officers act in the public interest. www.ccc.wa.gov.au

What is the main focus of the organisation? To improve the integrity of the public sector by reducing the incidence of serious misconduct, corruption and organised crime.

to stay up-to-date with current vacancies and specific roles available at the Commission. We encourage all law graduates to apply for any opportunity that interests them.

What does the organisation look for in a potential employee? Our staff have a wide range of qualifications, experience and skills. We value integrity, relationships with others, accountability, leadership and teamwork. Our staff are expected to maintain the strictest confidentiality.

What is an interesting piece of work the organisation is currently working on or has recently completed? Our work is exciting, interesting, challenging and diverse. You can read about our latest investigations on our website - ccc.wa.gov.au/ news and stay up-to-date by following us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

What kind of work do your employees do? Our legal work offers many rewarding and valuable experiences, including the opportunity to appear as Counsel Assisting the Commission, to appear in the Supreme Court as Counsel representing the Commission, to be intimately involved with skilled investigators on highly sensitive, topical investigations, to work with the full range of the Commission’s coercive and investigative powers, to draft reports for tabling in Parliament, and to work closely with the Commissioner, the Hon John McKechnie QC. What advice would you give a student applying to the organisation? We are a vibrant workplace where people are inspired and committed to work collaboratively to achieve a corruption free public sector. You can be inspired by viewing our work first hand - visit our website to download our reports (www.ccc.wa.gov.au/reports) and when we have public examinations you can view online via our website. Are there opportunities for students or graduates at the organisation? We are constantly on the look-out for hardworking individuals who value transparency and integrity. We have a highly collaborative and agile workforce and we inspire and support our people through strong leadership across all levels. If you would like to work with us, register an account with www.jobs.wa.gov.au and set up your profile

CORRUPTION AND CRIME COMMISSION

Level 5, 45 Francis Street, Northbridge WA 6003

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THE OFFICE OF THE CTH DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS CAREERS HANDBOOK 2019

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THIS PROFILE HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE BLACKSTONE SOCIETY USING PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION Level 1, 226 Adelaide Terrace, Perth WA 6000 recruitment@cdpp.gov.au (02) 6206 5666 Criminal Law www.cdpp.gov.au What is the main focus of the organisation? The Office of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) is an independent prosecution service established by Parliament to prosecute alleged offences against Commonwealth law. We aim to provide an effective, ethical, high quality and independent criminal prosecution service for Australia in accordance with the Prosecution Policy of the Commonwealth. What does the organisation look for in a potential employee? We’re looking for people who value integrity, honesty, impartiality and who want to make a difference. Working alongside our experienced prosecutors, you’ll have the opportunity to actively participate in shaping our organisation and work with our partner agencies to deliver services that contribute to a safer Australia. What kind of work do your employees do? Commonwealth criminal activity continues to evolve and expand reflecting changes in contemporary society and posing significant threats to Australia. Rapid technological development and the increasingly international nature of society enables innovative, highly coordinated and sophisticated criminal activity. A large part of the CDPP’s practice involves serious and organised criminal activity as offenders constantly look for vulnerabilities to exploit for criminal gain. The prosecution of terrorism offences aims to deter those who seek to threaten to harm Australia and its people by politically motivated violence, attacks on Australia’s defence system and the promotion of communal violence.

Are there opportunities for students or graduates at the organisation? For information regarding any current vacancies or recruitment opportunities, you can contact the CDPP Recruitment team or visit the CPDD website for more information regarding vacancies.


489/469 Wellington Street , Perth WA 6000 recruitment.twenty@ombudsman.gov.au

Administrative decision making and practices in public authorities www.ombudsman.gov.au What is the main focus of the organisation? The Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman safeguards the community in its dealings with the Australian Government. We also have oversight of some private sector organisations. If an Australian Government agency has treated you unfairly or unreasonably, we can help you find a solution. Our service is free and we are independent. We make sure the actions of agencies are fair and responsible by: • • • •

handling complaints; conducting investigations; performing audits and inspections; and encouraging good administration.

What does the organisation look for in a potential employee? The Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman provides a list of duties and traits outlining their ideal candidate for each of their vacancies. What kind of work do your employees do? It is dependent the type of job. For a list of current vacancies, visit www.ombudsman.gov.au/ what-we-do/careers/current-vacancies.

THE COMMONWEALTH OMBUDSMAN

THIS PROFILE HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE BLACKSTONE SOCIETY USING PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION

What advice would you give a student applying to the organisation? Be aware of the current vacancies page for information regarding jobs. Are there opportunities for students or graduates at the organisation? No. Positions open from time to time and can be found on the Cth Ombudsman website.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE CAREERS HANDBOOK 2019

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THIS PROFILE HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE BLACKSTONE SOCIETY USING PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION Level 25, Exchange Tower Sherwood Court (off St Georges Terrace) Perth WA 6000 gradrec@dfat.gov.au (02) 6261 9811 International law, trade and development policy advice. www.dfat.gov.au What is the main focus of the organisation? The Department’s purpose is to make Australia stronger, safer and more prosperous by promoting and protecting our interests internationally and contributing to global stability and economic growth, specifically in the Indo–Pacific region. The Department provides foreign, trade and development policy advice to the Government. We work with other government agencies to ensure that Australia’s pursuit of its global, regional and bilateral interests is coordinated effectively. What does the organisation look for in a potential employee? The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) operates in a complex and dynamic international environment. In our employees, we value: • responsiveness to the Government we serve, and to a wide range of other clients, such as parliament, business and individual members of the Australian public; • knowledge of the international environment and issues relevant to the promotion and protection of Australia’s national interests; • the capacity to operate with sensitivity in many distinct cultural environments, while projecting clearly and confidently our Australian identity; • vigilance in the protection of sensitive information handled in the department, both in Australia and overseas; • high standards of ethical and personal conduct, especially overseas where, in representing Australia, officers have a real impact on our international reputation;

contemporary management approaches, encompassing best practice, family friendly policies, continuous improvement, performance evaluation, strict accountability and a strong commitment to training and development; and personal and corporate flexibility, versatility and adaptability, all of which are necessary in a portfolio characterised by a uniquely diverse agenda and an often demanding and unpredictable environment.

What kind of work do your employees do? During the course of these programs, you will undertake a tailored learning package delivered through the Diplomatic Academy. You will develop a broad knowledge and understanding of the Government’s foreign, trade and aid policy priorities and the department’s financial and corporate context. You will also complete four work placements, giving you first-hand experience of the department’s priorities, namely Policy and Corporate Management. Are there opportunities for students or graduates at the organisation? There are only graduate positions available at DFAT. Our two-year graduate programs will kick start your career in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). In 2020, DFAT will offer two graduate programs based in Canberra: policy and corporate management.


Dumas House 2 Havelock Street, West Perth WA 6005 hrrecruitment@dpc.wa.gov.au (08) 6552 5848 Administration of the Executive, Government servicers and Government policy management www.dpc.wa.gov.au What is the main focus of the organisation? The Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) supports the Premier as head of the Western Australian Government. DPC is responsible for providing quality policy and administrative advice and support to enable the Premier and Government to serve the WA community well. DPC was established in 2001 under the Public Sector Management Act 1994. What does the organisation look for in a potential employee? The Department requires people with a wide range of experience and is particularly interested in recent university graduates who enjoy working in a team environment, can adapt quickly to change and have excellent communication skills, initiative and determination. As future leaders in the public sector, passion, commitment and a thirst for knowledge are essential. You don’t need a specific academic background as long as you can demonstrate academic achievements, have an interest in issues that affect the community of Western Australia, and want to think, talk and write about how Government might solve some challenges. You will need to be a good communicator who thinks clearly and is not scared of putting up original ideas. You will need to understand that there are rules and processes around what we do in the public sector but be willing to ask why. What kind of work do your employees do? As a graduate you can expect to undertake a range of duties throughout your rotations. An example of some of these duties may be: • Negotiating with other public servants, community members or companies; • Drafting correspondence, internal memos, briefing papers and reports. • Drafting briefings for senior executives, ministers and the Premier and submitting Submissions and Comments to Cabinet. • Responding to Parliamentary Questions and drafting speeches.

• • • • •

Preparing discussion papers for the community, looking at feedback and making recommendations for Cabinet. Researching and writing up issues from other jurisdictions. Participating in Departmental or Interdepartmental Committees. Meeting people who want to change a government decision or solve a problem. Attending official functions involving dignitaries and community members.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PREMIER AND CABINET

THIS PROFILE HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE BLACKSTONE SOCIETY USING PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Are there opportunities for students or graduates at the organisation? The DPC offer a graduate development program. Check for updates on their website.

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INSURANCE COMMISSION OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA CAREERS HANDBOOK 2019

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221 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000 hr@icwa.wa.gov.au (08) 9264 3333 Insurance law, motor vehicle/ insurance claims www.icwa.wa.gov.au

What is the main focus of the organisation? The Insurance Commission of Western Australia is a statutory corporation and Government Trading Enterprise owned by the Western Australian Government. We are the State’s insurer, providing injury assistance to motorists, and self-insurance to Government. We provide motor vehicle injury insurance for more than 1.8 million drivers and 2.8 million vehicles in Western Australia. We also provide selfinsurance arrangements for the Government, covering over 169 WA public authorities for workers’ compensation, property and liability. What does the organisation’s graduate program involve? The Insurance Commission actively seeks graduates and young professionals to join our organisation. We offer training and professional development to build your career and help you achieve your goals. Working with us will provide you with public sector experience and a skill set that is transferable to the global financial services and insurance industries. Are there opportunities for students or graduates at the organisation? The Insurance Commission offers opportunities in a dynamic, flexible and innovative work environment for talented people. We value innovative thinking from people who are team players committed to delivering excellence to our customers and stakeholders.


positions@legalaid.wa.gov.au (08) 9261 6222 Criminal, Civil and Family law

www.legalaid.wa.gov.au What is the main focus of the organisation? Legal Aid WA is an independent statutory body set up by the Legal Aid Commission Act 1976 (WA). We provide information, advice, representation and other legal help for low or no cost. We also provide specialist services through our: • Dispute Resolution Unit • Children’s Court (Protection) Services • Domestic Violence Legal Unit • Child Support • Civil Litigation Assistance Scheme • Elder Abuse Unit • Family Advocacy Support Services (FASS) • Family Court Services (Duty lawyer) • Independent Children’s Lawyers • Mortgage Hardship Service • Social Inclusion Program • Youth Law Team The type and amount of help depends on the legal problem, the client’s finances and our resources. What does the organisation look for in a potential employee? • Excellent written and oral communication skills - plain English! • Ability to show empathy • Genuine interest in social justice • Experience with our client group • Life experience and diversity What kind of work do your employees do? • Information services - through our telephone information line, web chat, community legal education, our website and a range of publications and kits. • Legal advice - through duty lawyers at court or advice appointments which may be face to face, over the telephone or by video conference. • Minor assistance - through solicitors or paralegal advisors who help with negotiations, drafting of letters and court documents, and preparation for court. • Representation in court - through duty law-

LEGAL AID WA

32 St Georges Terrace , Perth 6000 WA

yer services or acting on a grant of aid (for certain legal matters only where person’s income and assets are below a specified level).

What advice would you give a student applying to the organisation? Where possible, choose to study units at university that reflect your interest in legal aid work - for example family law, criminal justice, social justice, working with diverse people, or dispute resolution. Get as much experience as possible dealing with our client group and refer to this in support of your application. Relevant experience does not just have to be legal - for example customer service experience is useful too. Demonstrate your commitment to social justice through action, for example through volunteering. Ensure your application is well written - use plain English and headings, check that your spelling, grammar and formatting are correct, and keep to the page limit. Make sure you address the selection criteria. Are there opportunities for students or graduates at the organisation? Yes. We accept applications for our Volunteer Internship Placement (VIP) Program and Practical Legal Training (PLT) Program annually. Only law students entering their final year of study are eligible to apply for the VIP Program. Applicants for the PLT Program must be graduating and intending to enrol in an approved practical legal training course, but not yet admitted to practice. Recruitment for these programs is via the WA Government Jobs Board website. We also offer some opportunities for volunteer placement through the various university internship programs.

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THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS FOR WA CAREERS HANDBOOK 2019

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Level 1 International House, 26 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000 dpp@dpp.wa.gov.au (08) 9425 3999 Criminal law www.dpp.wa.gov.au

What is the main focus of the organisation? The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Western Australia (ODPP) is the independent prosecuting authority for the State of Western Australia, responsible for the prosecution of all serious offences committed against State criminal law. The ODPP acts independently of the Government in decision making on criminal prosecutions. The Director is, however, responsible to the Attorney General for the operation of the Office. The ODPP does not investigate crime - that is the role of investigating agencies such as the WA Police and the Corruption and Crime Commission. Does the organisation accept vacation clerks? Yes What is the structure of your clerkship program? The ODPP actively contributes to the training and development of future lawyers by running a vacation clerkship program. The ODPP offers a number of vacation clerkships during the midyear (winter) and end of year (summer) university semester breaks. Vacation clerkships are offered to law students who are typically in their last, or second last year of study. During the two-week clerkship period, students will be provided with an opportunity to learn about the nature of the work that the ODPP performs. Does the organisation hire graduates directly? No

PERSONAL PROFILE I applied for a position at the ODPP because I believed that it would provide me with unparalleled opportunities to practice the two aspects of law that had drawn me to study a law degree in the first place – criminal law and advocacy. Within the first few weeks of commencing at the ODPP, you will be appearing in court. Within the first years of commencing at the ODPP, you will be conducting your very own jury trials. The nature of the work is invariably interesting, and can involve reading text messages between drug dealers and being involved in high-profile trials. With this said, I would not recommend the ODPP for those who have expectations of ruthlessly cross-examining witnesses in front of an adoring jury. Representing the State in serious criminal matters requires compassion, humility and dedication – and it is far more challenging than Netflix might have you believe. The pace and volume of work is relentless. Trials are all consuming and emotionally exhausting. File management responsibilities will necessitate the review of graphic and distressing material. While court appearances and fascinating files will always be perks of the job, it is the people that you encounter that make the job worthwhile. From talented colleagues, committed police officers, and incredibly brave victims of crime, you will be inspired to pursue excellence, and rewarded for it in ways you may never have expected.


Rebecca Poole | mail@ombudsman.wa.gov.au (08) 9220 7555 Administrative decision making and practices in public authorities www.ombudsman.wa.gov.au

What is the main focus of the organisation? The Ombudsman provides access to justice, advances human rights for vulnerable and disadvantaged populations and promotes the rule of law. The Ombudsman is an independent and impartial officer of the Parliament who reports to the Parliament rather than the Government of the day. The Ombudsman utilizes all aspects of public law in undertaking their work. What does the organisation look for in a potential employee? Most positions at Ombudsman Western Australia require excellent conceptual and analytical skills, a high level of written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills and an understanding of the principles of independence, reasonableness and procedural fairness. People from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for vacancies at Ombudsman Western Australia. What kind of work do your employees do? The office of the Ombudsman has four principal functions, which are: • Providing access to justice to Western Australians regarding the administration of government; • Making recommendations about ways to prevent or reduce child deaths and family and domestic violence fatalities through the undertaking of reviews; • Undertaking major investigations with the powers of a standing Royal Commission; and • Undertaking a range of inspection and monitoring functions of particular powers given to agencies of the State. What advice would you give a student applying to the organisation? Contact the person in the job advertisement to obtain an understanding of the advertised role and information about the job, and provide a comprehensive curriculum vitae that details your qualifications and your duties and achievements in your current and previous work. The CV needs to show that you have the skills, knowledge

and capacity to do the work of the advertised position. Are there opportunities for students or graduates at the organisation? Ombudsman Western Australia provides law students an opportunity to apply for the office’s Clerkship program during the university vacation. These opportunities are advertised on the Western Australian Government Jobs Board (jobs.wa.gov.au) each year and the office also informs universities when the program is advertised.

OMBUDSMAN WA

Level 2, Albert Facey House, Wellington Street, Perth WA 6000

What is an interesting piece of work the organisation is currently working on or has recently completed? Following an investigation by the Ombudsman, including considering relevant legislative and regulatory requirements, a review of relevant literature, analysis of good practice and consultation with local governments, the Ombudsman has developed Good Practice Guidance for local governments regarding their role in collecting overdue rates owed by people in situations of vulnerability. The Good Practice Guidance is designed to assist local governments to consider their own policies and practices for the collection of rates and overdue rates in respect to people in situations of vulnerability and identify any aspects of these policies and practices that may present opportunities for improvement to ensure that the process is efficient and effective for local governments and is fair and equitable for all ratepayers.

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PERSONAL PROFILE Alison Cameron, Senior Investigating Officer I have always been drawn to public law because it is both interesting and intellectually challenging, and allows me to affect meaningful change by improving access to justice. During my time at the University of Western Australia I chose to write my Honours thesis on administrative law, and so it was a natural choice for me to pursue a career here at the Office of the Ombudsman. Our work is diverse and provides an opportunity to develop and implement exceptional interpersonal, communication, legal reasoning and statutory interpretation skills. Some of the interesting work we undertake includes: • Investigating administrative law issues arising within systems in the public sector; • Developing recommendations for improving public administration, including policy amendments; and • Working collaboratively with complainants from diverse backgrounds and senior staff at government departments, local governments and public universities to resolve complaints. Our office is a supportive working environment with access to flexible working arrangements, a collegiate atmosphere, strong leadership and professional development opportunities. Working for the Ombudsman is incredibly rewarding, intellectually challenging and meaningful.

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Kirsten Chivers | k.chivers@sso.wa.gov.au (08) 9264 9673 Government Law www.department.justice.wa.gov.au What is the main focus of the organisation? The State Solicitor’s Office provides the West Australian State Government and Ministers, and over 120 client departments, instrumentalities and statutory corporations, with legal advice and representation across all areas of law. Our practice teams include Advice, Policy and Public Law, Litigation (including civil matters and public and general law matters), Native Title and State Lands, Commercial and Counsel. What does the organisation look for in a potential employee? While the State Solicitor’s Office looks for graduates with excellent results in their law degrees, we also want to employ people who have a commitment to public service, and understand that working in government can be different to working for private clients in a private practice. You should be able to work well with others, and at the same time work independently when required (and it is required a lot). We need graduates who are prepared to have a go at advocacy despite the fear. We want to create an office full of interesting people who will maintain the happy working environment in which all State Solicitor’s Office employees are privileged to work. What kind of work do your employees do? Working at the State Solicitor’s Office as a graduate involves rotating through our practice areas and engaging in the full range of work that each of our practice teams undertake. This will include actually appearing in court on a range of interlocutory and other matters, contractual drafting and assisting in preparing advice and client correspondence, as well as having the opportunity to observe other more senior practitioners in court. As a restricted practitioner you’ll have your own prosecutions to conduct in the Magistrates’ Court, your own advice files and you’ll assist on bigger matters as part of a team. You never need “settle” in one practice area if you enjoy maintaining a variety of work, but you can develop expertise if you have a passion for a particular area of law. There is substantial in-house training for junior staff (including mock court sessions before you head to court on your own) and continuing professional development opportunities throughout your career.

THE STATE SOLICITOR’S OFFICE

David Malcolm Justice Centre, Perth WA 6000

What advice would you give a student applying to the organisation? Please only apply if you are genuinely interested in the law, particularly government law, and are prepared to work hard and spend some time going to court in the first five years of your career. In regard to your application; do your research before you apply, make your application stand out, proofread properly, highlight your areas of interest and ability and most importantly convince us you actually want to work at the State Solicitor’s Office. Are there opportunities for students or graduates at the organisation? In addition to our Law Graduate Programme, the State Solicitor’s Office also offers excellent paid Vacation Clerkships each summer and winter for law students, giving them the opportunity to gain practical legal experience with a leading law office. The carefully structured vacation clerkship programme ensures that participants are well mentored and gain experience in as many of the State Solicitor’s Office practice areas as possible.

What is an interesting piece of work the organisation is currently working on or has recently completed? The State Solicitor’s Office is involved in a number of areas of law, providing a variety of work for our solicitors. We provide advice on a range of legal issues for government and Ministers, with approximately 4000 requests for advice received in 2018. Our Commercial team has been involved in a number of recent major infrastructure projects including the new Perth Stadium and the new Museum. The organisation of the State Solicitor’s Office is designed to be flexible with a broad appreciation of the operations of government and the skill set required to cater to the diverse legal demands that government generates. Consequently, while every lawyer is a member of a practice team, they may also be adjunct members of one of more additional teams and also members of specific interest groups such as counter terrorism and emergency management, Hague convention or constitutional law.

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COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRES In this section we have compiled profiles of the major Community Legal Centres in Perth. Volunteer positions are a great way for students to get involved and give back to the community whilst developing skills you will need for a career in law. Volunteer positions at Community Legal Centres (CLCs) can provide you with an opportunity to aid those socially and economically disadvantaged, as well as provide you with exposure to various areas of law. The tasks that volunteers at CLCs would be required to undertake are wide ranging including identifying legal problems, writing memorandums of advice, conducting legal research and other administrative duties. Some positions will also require you to communicate directly with clients face-toface or over the telephone, as many CLCs operate on a telephone advice line.


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890 Albany Highway, East Victoria Park WA 6101 Nicky Davison, Human Resources Manager (08) 9355 1502 www.afls.org.au

Do you hire volunteer paralegals? Yes What is the focus of your CLC? To provide legal and community support for victims of family violence for Indigenous women, children and men. What does the work at your CLC involve? Criminal Injuries Compensation; Child Protection and Family Support; Family Violence restraining orders, Family law (children’s issues). What are the benefits of taking a position at your CLC? Understanding the impact of family violence within the Indigenous community. Very rewarding. How can students apply? Call or email our Human Resources Manager. Roughly how many positions are available for students in 2019? 2 What attributes do you look for in an applicant? • Honesty • Dedication • Compassion • Passionate and committed to assist victims of family violence Do you offer any opportunities for graduates looking to do their Practical Legal Training? Yes


Elena Mauen, Volunteer Coordinator manager@cabwa.com.au

www.cabwa.com.au

Do you hire volunteer paralegals? Yes What is the focus of your CLC? Citizens Advice Bureau of WA provides 3 core services: • information & referrals; • a legal service including initial advice and document preparation; and • a low-cost mediation service. What does the work at your CLC involve? Our mission is to connect clients with information and services so they can make an independent and informed decision. We answer phone and walk-in queries on a wide range of legal and non-legal issues and provide information as a first point of action. If need be, we will then book a legal appointment with one of our staff or visiting lawyers, provide referrals or direct clients to our mediation service. What are the benefits of taking a position at your CLC? CAB is a volunteer-based organisation with minimum paid staff, so our volunteers are at the core of providing client services and have a great deal of responsibilities. The role is extremely varied, with plenty of opportunities to learn and attend training. Our volunteers are exposed to clients from all paths of life and get an overview of legal concepts, alternative dispute resolution and legal processes. There is also the possibility of trying different roles. How can students apply? To volunteer at CAB, you should send your expression of interest with a recent resume and cover letter to Elena, Volunteer Coordinator on manager@cabwa.com.au. Roughly how many positions are available for students in 2019? 10 What attributes do you look for in an applicant? Excellent communication and customer service skills, the ability to find information using internet and search engines, computer literate and a passion to help others.

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU OF WA

Level 1, 25 Barrack Street, Perth WA 6000

What advice do you have for students looking to apply? Be open to learn, show initiative and be flexible.

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CONSUMER CREDIT LEGAL SERVICE

Level 1, 231 Adelaide Terrace, Perth WA 6000 Gemma Mitchell, Managing Solicitor | hr@cclswa.org.au (08) 6336 7020 www.cclswa.org.au

What is the focus of the CLC? We provide advice and representation to members of the WA community in the areas of consumer credit, banking and finance, and Australian Consumer Law. What does work at the CLC involve? Volunteer paralegals operate the telephone advice line. They take instructions, draft advice and deliver advice; under the close supervision of the supervising solicitor. Volunteer paralegals also assist solicitors with case file work, in the delivery of community legal education and in drafting law reform submissions. Do you hire volunteer paralegals? Yes. What are the benefits of taking a position at the CLC? Volunteer paralegals get direct client contact by providing front-line legal services. They also receive close supervision, mentoring and ongoing training throughout their time at CCLSWA. How do students apply? By completing the online form on our website. How many positions are there available? We recruit all year round and have approximately 20 volunteer paralegals on our roster at any one time. What attributes do you look for in an applicant? Our volunteers are passionate about the law, and we have a strong team that works hard to assist our clients. Our clients may be having a difficult time, so resilience is a key skill that we need from our volunteers. You will also need to be in your penultimate or final year with at least a credit average. Some legal or clerical work experience is helpful, but not essential. What advice do you have for students looking to apply? This is a great opportunity to directly interact with clients and learn how to draft advice. You will learn how to talk to clients, what questions to ask clients and inadvertently improve your client interview skills. You will have the opportunity to partake in different kinds of volunteer roles from presenting at conferences, to preparing law reform pieces for politicians. Volunteering at CCLSWA is a great way to build up the skills necessary for the legal workplace. During your time at CCLSWA, you will learn where to look for the answers and how to best research. Knowing where to look is just as important as knowing the answer. Are there any opportunities for graduates looking to do their practical legal training? Yes, although we are limited to the number of graduates we can supervise at any one time.

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PERSONAL PROFILE Georgia Turco My name is Georgia Turco, I graduated from UWA with a Juris Doctor at the end of 2018. I took time out of my schedule while studying to volunteer as a paralegal at the Consumer Credit Legal Service (WA) (CCLSWA). CCLSWA is a Community Legal Centre that provides free legal advice to consumers in the areas of banking, finance, and related consumer disputes. As a volunteer I worked on the Telephone Advice Line, providing advice to clients over the phone. My role at CCLSWA involved taking detailed instructions about the client’s consumer credit or consumer law matter and then drafting advice. After this advice was checked by a solicitor I delivered the advice to the clients over the phone. My experience at CCLSWA helped me to develop not only my legal reasoning skills in drafting client specific advice, but also fundamental communication and interpersonal skills. I have also had the opportunity to give presentations to the community and draft memorandums of advice for the solicitors working at CCLSWA. Volunteers also work on other projects of importance to CCLSWA such as social media and website posts. The skills that I have developed through volunteering at CCLSWA are invaluable and I believe they helped me to become not only a better student, a better legal thinker but also better member of the community. My advice to others interested in volunteering is to ask for help when you need it, but also have the confidence to back yourself. You know more than you think you know! Whilst it is a steep learning curve to understanding the various aspects of the services that CCLSWA delivers, the supervising solicitors, and other volunteer paralegals are always willing to steer you in the right direction. I decided to stay on at CCLSWA and do my Practical Legal Training through College of Law and was then lucky enough to be employed as a paralegal and now as a solicitor. Whilst not everyone will not be as fortunate as myself to gain employment at CCLSWA, I would encourage all law students to take the opportunity to volunteer.`

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EMPLOYMENT LAW CENTRE

Perth Sara Kane (08) 9227 0111 www.elcwa.org.au

What is the focus of the CLC? We are a community legal centre that provides free, employment law advice, education, advocacy, representation, information and referrals to vulnerable, non-unionised employees in Western Australia (WA). We assist with issues such as unfair dismissal, adverse action, unlawful termination, underpayment of entitlements, breach of contract, bullying, equal opportunity and occupational safety and health. We also work on law reform and educating the WA community to promote a better understanding of this complex area of law. Our law reform and community legal education are informed by our clients and their experiences. Do you hire volunteer paralegals? Yes, we hire paid paralegals and have volunteer opportunities for law students. What does work at the CLC involve? Our paralegals provide legal advice to vulnerable WA workers under the supervision of our solicitors. Some of our volunteers take phone calls on our Advice Line, determine whether callers are eligible for our services and take instructions from clients. Other volunteers assist solicitors with client appointments, do research or develop community legal education materials. How do students apply? If you are interested in volunteering, we encourage you to email us at administration@elcwa.org.au with your resume, academic transcript and a cover letter telling us about why you want to volunteer at ELC. What attributes do you look for in an applicant? ELC looks for paralegals and volunteers who have a demonstrated interest in social justice issues and employment law and are able to make a regular commitment each week. In general, we prefer paralegals and volunteers who have some legal background – for example, students who are at least in the second year of a law degree. We put a lot of time and effort into ensuring that our volunteers gain tangible legal and practical skills from their experience with us.

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Unit 18 CityWest Lotteries House 2 Delhi Street, West Perth 6005 edowa@edowa.org.au (08) 9420 7271

www.edowa.org.au

What is the focus of the CLC? EDOWA’s commitment to the WA community and environment is at the core of our organisation. We aim to empower the community to protect and preserve the environment through understanding, applying and improving environmental laws. What does work at the CLC involve? Students studying law and related disciplines frequently volunteer their time to help meet the demand for the EDO’s services. Volunteers without legal training also provide invaluable support by assisting with administrative tasks, fund-raising and general research. Do you hire volunteer paralegals? Yes. What are the benefits of taking a position at the CLC? The work you do will look great on your resume. Law students will learn to find their way around the Supreme Court library and undertake legal research with a real practical focus and application. You also work in a fantastic office and meet some great people, including volunteers from around the world. How do students apply? If you are a law student still subject to your supervised practice requirements, please email the following information: 1. Current curriculum vitae 2. Most recent academic transcript including administrative law and a completion of at least 1 of the following 3, all with a grade of ‘credit’ or higher; • environmental law • energy/natural resources law • maritime law/law of oceans 3. A short sample of written work or research relevant to environmental law (3 pages or more)

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS OFFICE (WA)

THIS PROFILE HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE BLACKSTONE SOCIETY USING PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION

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FREMANTLE COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRE CAREERS HANDBOOK 2019

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THIS PROFILE HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE BLACKSTONE SOCIETY USING PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION Level 1, Suite 31 Fremantle Malls 35 William Street, Fremantle WA 6160 fclc@fremantle.wa.gov.au (08) 9432 9790

www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/fclc

What is the focus of the CLC? FCLC offers a range of services to disadvantaged, disempowered and vulnerable clients. Disadvantaged people are not only more likely to experience large numbers of legal problems, but they are also more likely to experience a wide range of often substantial legal problems. A variety of measures indicate that people with a disability, single parents, unemployed people, people subject to family violence and abuse, people living in disadvantaged housing and/ or homeless and Indigenous people constitute the disadvantaged group that is most vulnerable to legal problems. FCLC offers a comprehensive set of services to effectively meet the needs of its target group. What does work at the CLC involve? FCLC provides legal information, advice and assistance to the community and limited representation regarding restraining orders at the Fremantle Magistrates Court. This is provided to the most disadvantaged, vulnerable and CALD clients. Do you hire volunteer paralegals? Yes. What are the benefits of taking a position at the CLC? Gain hands on experience in an empathetic, supportive learning environment. How do students apply? Send your CV and cover letter to fclc@fremantle.wa.gov.au How many positions are there available? Between 8 and 12 depending on the number of active internships being supervised. What attributes do you look for in an applicant? Great people skills, strong research skills, ability to adjust to different areas of practice, and definitely a strong commitment to justice and equality for all people before the law. Are there any opportunities for graduates looking to do their practical legal training? Yes, we have placements through the ANU College of Law programme in conjunction with the Piddington Justice Project, but have also offered placements where the student shows dedication to our clients and the law.


reception@mhlcwa.org.au (08) 9328 8012 www.mhlcwa.org.au/

Do you hire volunteer paralegals? Yes What is the focus of your CLC? Legal representation of people who have mental health issues in the following areas: • Criminal law; • Guardianship and administration; • All matters under the Mental Health Act 2014 (WA); and • Violence Restraining Orders. What does the work at your CLC involve? The Centre provides a range of services to clients such as: • Assistance for clients and other professionals via our Telephone Advice Line; • Representation for involuntary patients under the Mental Health Act 2014 at their Mental Health Tribunals; • Representation for clients who are appearing before the Start Court at Perth Magistrates Court; • Assistance and representation at the State Administration Tribunal for Guardianship and Administration matters; • Representation for our clients with criminal matters; and • If we are unable to assist, we will offer suitable and professional referrals to other organisations. Student Volunteers help with: • Managing the Telephone Advice Line where we provide legal advice for clients with mental health issues; • Assisting the lawyers with case files and preparation for MHT hearings; • Legal research and drafting documents; and • Administrative duties to assist with the smooth running of our CLC.

MENTAL HEALTH LAW CENTRE

225 Hay St, Subiaco WA 6008

What are the benefits of taking a position at your CLC? • Practical experience in applying the law to people’s situation & legal issues • Developing communication skills in speaking to people with complex needs • Developing legal skills necessary for a successful career in law • Volunteering also enhances your career options How can students apply? Email your current resume, academic transcript and availability to reception@mhlcwa.org.au. What attributes do you look for in an applicant? An applicant must: • Be in their last or second last year of a law degree; • Be able to commit to one (or more) days a week for a period of 6 months; • Have strong written and verbal communication skills; and • Have strong legal research skills. Do you offer any opportunities for graduates looking to do their Practical Legal Training? Yes

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STREET LAW CENTRE WA INC

PO BOX 6236, East Perth WA 6892 Office Co-ordinator (08 ) 9221 7661 www.streetlawcentre.org.au

What are the main areas your CLC deals with? Issues affecting people experiencing homelessness - Debts, Criminal Law (minor charges), Discrimination, Early release of superannuation, Guardianship and Administration applications, Police Complaints, Criminal Injuries Compensation, Freedom of Information applications, Fines and Infringements, Redress, Violence Restraining Orders Do you hire volunteer paralegals? Yes What is the focus of your CLC? Driving change to eliminate homelessness by providing access to justice for people experiencing homelessness. What does the work at your CLC involve? Provision of free outreach legal services that provides advice, advocacy and casework for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. What are the benefits of taking a position at your CLC? The opportunity to work in diverse areas of law, provide access to justice for the disadvantaged, to have on the ground experience and exposure to legal issues. How can students apply? Follow the Street Law Centre Facebook page and call the office for information for the next recruitment round. Roughly how many positions are available for students in 2019? 6 What attributes do you look for in an applicant? A demonstrated interest in social justice. Attention to detail in written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work under minimal supervision. Good research skills. Final year students. Do you offer any opportunities for graduates looking to do their Practical Legal Training? Yes

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What advice do you have for students looking to apply? As we are a small team at Street Law Centre, you may have to start working on tasks before getting briefed. Sometimes the circumstances of our clients can be confronting. While we only help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, we cover a wide range of law areas. There are many common issues we see, but you may be required to research a very specific law area, for example, can you argue that the corner of public park you sleep in is your dwelling, if you’ve been sleeping there for more than six months? We usually only take final year law students, but may consider other years depending on experience, particularly in dealing with challenging issues, the homelessness sector and direct client service.


29 Sussex Street East Victoria Park WA 6101 sscls@sscls.asn.au (08) 9432 9790 www.sscls.asn.au

What is the focus of the CLC? Sussex Street Community Law Service Inc is a ‘non profit’ non government community based organisation that provides access to accountable, non judgemental and effective legal services to low income people in the community. What does work at the CLC involve? The Night Legal Service is run on Monday and Thursday nights to provide advice to those unable to afford legal advice or assistance through Legal Aid. Without ongoing pro bono assistance provided by the solicitors on our roster the service would not operate. Do you hire volunteer paralegals? Currently there are no volunteering positions available, please keep checking updates on our website. What are the benefits of taking a position at the CLC? Deliver legal and social services, community education and law reform to promote social justice. How do students apply? Check the website for vacancies. Unfortunately, there are no volunteering positions available currently. What attributes do you look for in an applicant? Applicants who will uphold Sussex Street Community values are ideal candidates. These attributes include: • High quality client service • Working within a community development framework • Access and equity • Acceptance of diversity in the community • Use of funds with integrity and accountability • Responsiveness to changing community needs • Collaboration and consultation with stakeholders • Involvement of the community in service

SUSSEX STREET COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRE

THIS PROFILE HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE BLACKSTONE SOCIETY USING PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION

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TENANCY WA

2/18 Plain Street, East Perth WA 6004 Kate Davis, Principal Solicitor | admin@tenancywa.org.au (08) 6263 8556

www.tenancywa.org.au

Do you hire volunteer paralegals? Yes What is the focus of your CLC? Tenancy WA is a not for profit specialist community legal centre that provides quality legal services to residential tenants anywhere in Western Australia. We are the central resource unit for the Network of Tenant Advocates across Western Australia, and we provide the state-wide telephone advice line for tenants. The Tenancy WA team is made up of lawyers, tenant advocates, support staff and volunteers, all of whom are committed to supporting the fundamental human right to safe, secure and affordable housing. Our mission is to protect the right to housing for all tenants through advocacy, advice and education. We advise a wide range of tenants across Western Australia, with issues ranging from return of bond and maintenance to inquiries about eviction and homelessness. We also provide a Duty Advocacy Program to the Perth Magistrates Court. What does the work at your CLC involve? We offer advice to residential tenants on our advice line, in person and on our website to improve their capability to maintain successful tenancies and resolve their own tenancy issues. We also provide community education activities for tenants and professional development for community service workers and tenant advocates. Tenancy WA relies on volunteer students and graduates to assist our tenant advocates and solicitors with administrative and research tasks in the delivery of our tenant advisory services, community legal education programs and law reform work.

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What are the benefits of taking a position at your CLC? The clients of Tenancy WA are those who are facing injustice, whose legal problem is not profitable, and whose life circumstances are affected entirely by this problem. We also work with communities to initiate community legal education and law reform projects that are preventative in outcome and that strengthen the community. How can students apply? If you are a law student or recent graduate, and are after information, you are welcome to contact us at admin@tenancywa.org.au. Roughly how many positions are available for students in 2019? 20 What attributes do you look for in an applicant? • Commitment to social justice • Ability to relate to and work with clients in a positive manner • Willingness to undergo training • Ability to accept and seek supervision • Commitment to completion of agreed tasks • Willingness to work in a team Do you offer any opportunities for graduates looking to do their Practical Legal Training? Yes


Kathy Bogoyev, Principal Solicitor communications@thehumanitariangroup.org.au

https://thehumanitariangroup.org.au/

Do you hire volunteer paralegals? Yes What is the focus of your CLC? The Humanitarian Group is focused on empowering vulnerable people by providing professional and accessible migration assistance, legal advice and education. We help people new to Australia from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including humanitarian visa holders, asylum seekers, refugees and people who are otherwise disadvantaged in their access to legal services. What does the work at your CLC involve? The work at The Humanitarian Group involves providing migration and legal assistance. Volunteers assist with both legal work and administrative support. We also have a number of bilingual volunteers. What are the benefits of taking a position at your CLC? At The Humanitarian Group, you will develop invaluable legal skills in an environment where you are well supported and supervised, but also have the opportunity to work independently with clients. You will also have the satisfaction of using your skills and knowledge to assist vulnerable people. How can students apply? Information about how to apply is available on the volunteer page of our website. We ask that volunteers are able to commit to at least one day per week for a minimum of six months. What attributes do you look for in an applicant? • Legal knowledge • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to communicate with people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) backgrounds and working with interpreters • Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to work independently in a fastpaced environment.

• •

High level of computer literacy generally, and specifically in Microsoft products Interest in social justice

Do you offer any opportunities for graduates looking to do their Practical Legal Training? Yes What advice do you have for students looking to apply? Make sure you tailor your application to the selection criteria and proofread your application. PERSONAL PROFILE I completed my practical legal training (PLT) with The Humanitarian Group from May 2018 to September 2018 and then continued on as a volunteer until early 2019. I chose to complete my PLT at The Humanitarian Group because I am interested in migration law and social justice. During my time at The Humanitarian Group I developed useful skills that I can use throughout my career, including learning about various migration law issues and gaining hands on experience working with clients. I found the knowledgeable support of all the staff and volunteers positive and encouraging. My experience has been rewarding not only because I have gained experience within areas that I am truly passionate about, but also because the work The Humanitarian Group does provides access to justice to vulnerable people. I would recommend anyone with a passion for social justice and who is considering volunteering at The Humanitarian Group to do so!

THE HUMANITARIAN GROUP

Ground Floor, 445 Hay Street, Perth WA 6000

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WELFARE RIGHTS & ADVOCACY SERVICES CAREERS HANDBOOK 2019

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98 Edward Street, Perth WA 6000 Kate Beaumont | welfare@wraswa.org.au (08) 9328 1751 www.wraswa.org.au

Do you hire volunteer paralegals? Yes What is the focus of your CLC? Social security law and tenancy law. What does the work at your CLC involve? Providing legal advice and representation to clients in the areas of law we work in, delivering community legal education and providing input into law reform work. What are the benefits of taking a position at your CLC? We are a small organisation and you would get the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of our practice. How can students apply? Send an email to welfare@wraswa.org.au with a CV, short statement including your experience and availability. Roughly how many positions are available for students in 2019? 2 What attributes do you look for in an applicant? Ability to relate to vulnerable people, reliability, interest in social justice and in learning about social security law. What advice do you have for students looking to apply? Be realistic about your time commitments before committing to something else.


www.wlswa.org.au

Do you hire volunteer paralegals? Yes What is the focus of your CLC? We provide legal advice and assistance to women experiencing financial disadvantage in WA in the areas of family law, care and protection, family violence and criminal injury compensation. What does the work at your CLC involve? We provide legal advice, assistance with some legal tasks (e.g. drafting court documents) and in some cases representation in court (Family Court of WA, Children’s Court and sometimes Magistrate’s Court). What are the benefits of taking a position at your CLC? We are very active in policy and law reform activities and are connected to and contribute to national networks and activities. We have more discretion than other CLCs (who may be bound by geographic catchment) which means we can be more creative in finding opportunities for volunteers to help our clients. How can students apply? Email info@wlswa.org.au with your resume and brief letter explaining why you would like to volunteer and what you hope to get from the experience. Principal Lawyer will meet you to discuss potential opportunities to see if it what might work for everyone concerned. Roughly how many positions are available for students in 2019? 4 What attributes do you look for in an applicant? Genuine belief in and commitment to gender equality and advancing women’s rights, genuine desire to help others who have experienced disadvantage and face challenges.

WOMEN’S LEGAL SERVICE WA

Sarah Bright, Principal Lawyer | info@wlswa.org.au (08) 9272 8800

FORMERLY WOMEN’S LAW CENTRE

Level 1, 445 Hay Street, Perth WA 6000

Do you offer any opportunities for graduates looking to do their Practical Legal Training? Yes What advice do you have for students looking to apply? Be clear and be able to articulate what you want from the volunteering experience. Different centres offer different things. A successful placement is one where both the volunteer and the Centre achieve what they wanted to from the arrangement. This can only be achieved if both are clear and direct about this from the beginning.

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MANAGEMENT CONSULTING Graduating with a law degree opens doors to a wide range of careers, including management consulting. As a management consultant you will help businesses improve and optimise their performance. This section compiles some profiles and articles from management consultancy firms which will you give you an insight into the life of a management consultant.


BAIN & COMPANY

Level 40, Exchange Tower, 2 The Esplanade, Perth WA 6000 Jasmine Chhabra | australia.recruiting@bain.com (08) 6211 3500

www.bain.com/careers

About Bain & Company Bain & Company is one of the world’s leading global business consulting firms, serving clients across six continents on issues of strategy, operations, technology, organisation and mergers and acquisitions. Our “product” is our ideas, we help the world’s top leaders solve their toughest challenges. Our work fuels the growth of many industries; it creates change for some of the most influential organisations and notable brands around the world – and when those organisations are truly doing things right, they are positively impacting people’s lives. You will personally be a part of driving that world-changing impact – developing creative solutions to real-world problems and then working closely with senior leaders to achieve change across their organisations. In 2019 Bain is #1 on Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work list for the fourth time – the only company to do so since the ranking launched in 2009. Bain has maintained its spot in the top four on Glassdoor’s list for the last 11 years. Do you offer internship opportunities for students studying the Juris Doctor? We do not currently offer internships for Associate Consultant (graduate) roles in our Australian offices. Do you offer graduate opportunities for Juris Doctor graduates? JD graduates are welcome to apply for our Associate Consultant (graduate) roles. How and when can students apply for graduate positions? Students should apply in Feb/March each year for Associate Consultant roles commencing the following year in January, March and July. What do you look for in your applicants? Problem-solving: Management consulting is all about helping clients overcome their most complex business challenges. We look for candidates with the ability to analyse a situation and formulate an effective solution. Team experience and academic achievement may also indicate strong problemsolving skills. Leadership skills: Do you have proven leadership experience? Whether through work, university or extracurricular activities, being a leader frames your application in a favourable light. Passion: We look for candidates who show an enthusiasm for solving problems and delivering meaningful results. Strong applicants are focused on succeeding both as individuals and as part of a team.

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LIFE AS A MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT James Penn, Associate Consultant, Bain

What kind of work have you been involved in at Bain & Company? At Bain, we help companies and organisations address their most challenging strategic questions. Our work spans a variety of industries and client contexts, so my days are constantly changing. So far, I have been involved in projects relating to the future of retail, the mining industry, and private equity. In general, I spend my days with my case team and our clients trying to understand the challenges they face and generate solutions. Sometimes this involves team brainstorms and client or customer interviews; sometimes it’s analysing complex data sets and building models; and sometimes I’m building presentations to communicate the team’s message. What did you enjoy most about working at Bain & Company? The autonomy to own your work and the trust to carry out that work in the way the suits you; Bain is a company that treats you like an adult from day one, which sounds simple but is surprisingly rare. Because you are working in a high-performing culture with high-achieving individuals, there is an implicit trust between colleagues that means you have a lot of flexibility in your day-to-day work and a lot of creative control over how you deliver the best possible results for the client. This makes the work more fulfilling, but also provides the greatest opportunity for learning and development.

What makes Bain & Company different from law practices? For me, working in consulting offered an opportunity to do strategic work that can positively impact a company for many years to come or even an entire industry, in some cases. As well, the breadth of companies you work with and tasks you are required to perform provide an opportunity to develop skills that provide a springboard for a plethora of different careers in the future, as well as an opportunity for quick progression internally, depending on your preference. What has surprised you about working at Bain & Company? I have been surprised at how much a culture impacts the work you do on a day-to-day basis. Compared to firms I have worked at in the past, I manage to achieve so much more in any given day because I am working in a culture that is resultsoriented, while also always conscious of maximising the return on our normal working hours so that we can continue to thrive outside of work too. What would be your advice be to students wishing to apply to Bain & Company? Be yourself, from the written application to the case interview to your first day of work. Bain loves unique people who have a strong sense of identity and can demonstrate a passion for the things they are good at and interested in. As such, lean into your eclectic interests and life experiences that set you apart from the pack – because if you embrace them, Bain will too.

What are the social opportunities like at Bain & Company? Bain invests heavily in making sure that there is a vibrant social culture at the company. This ranges from an annual company ‘offsite’ in an interstate location, generous funding for sporting activities on the weekend to regular out-of-office case team activities such as attending sports events like the Australian Open, go-karting, virtual reality experiences, and art & wine, among many others! This culture is supported by our ‘Extra 10’ policy where each employee is empowered to commit 10% of their time to internal or external work to support the office culture and the firm’s impact in the community. These ‘Extra 10s’ can include probono case work for charities, sitting on the office ‘Fun Committee’, or partaking in the Bain Band, among others.

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BCG

Level 43, 108 St Georges Terrace Perth, WA, 6000

Mary Katergaris | katergaris.mary@bcg.com (08) 6364 4300

www.bcg.com

About BCG “At BCG, we form partnerships with our clients to solve their biggest challenges and shape the future together. The work our consultants do leads to a lasting impact on companies, industries, and society.” The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the world’s leading advisor on business strategy. BCG partners with clients in all sectors and regions, with particular strength locally in Technology, Media & Telecom, Health Care, Industrial Goods, Consumer, Energy, Financial Institutions, Insurance and Public Sector. BCG addresses clients’ issues with a customised approach, combining deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets, with close collaboration at all levels of the client organisation. This ensures clients achieve a sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organisations and secures lasting results. With their global footprint, numerous awards and honours, partnerships, impact, and commitment to diversity, BCG is the place to work for those who want to discover their passions and impact influential organisations and communities. Do you offer internship opportunities for students studying the Juris Doctor? We do not currently offer Associate internship roles in Australia. Do you offer graduate opportunities for Juris Doctor graduates? JD students are welcome to apply for an Associate (graduate) role. How and when can students apply for graduate positions? Students can apply during BCG’s graduate recruiting period in February/March each year to join the following year as an Associate in February, May, July or September. If you miss this recruiting period, BCG welcomes applications at any time from those interested in joining BCG following their final year of study. Additionally, BCG offer a Scholarship program, with applications typically opening in April each year. The Scholarships are a prestigious award that has been in place for over 16 years. Two ($20,000) scholarships are available – one for a female applicant, in line with our commitment to supporting women to build successful careers, and another which is open to everyone. The scholarships are designed to assist the recipients as they plan for their respective final year of study. It also comes with a full time offer to join BCG Australia at the end of their studies. What do you look for in your applicants? BCG generally employs graduates from the top 5-10% of their graduating class and looks for students with a high level of motivation, intellectual curiosity, integrity, teamwork and leadership capabilities, credible communication skills and excellent academics.

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Raisa Mallare | Raisa_Mallare@mckinsey.com (02) 8723 1600

www.mckinsey.com/au

About McKinsey & Company We help organizations across the private, public, and social sectors create the change that matters. We have always helped our clients identify and set the direction toward their most important goals. Today, we go further: working together to turn these ambitious goals into reality. From the C-suite to the front line, we partner with our clients to transform their organizations in the ways that matter most to them. This means embedding digital, analytics, and design into core processes and mind-sets; building capabilities that help organizations and people to thrive in an ever-changing context; and developing excellence in execution to ensure that actions translate into outcomes, quickly and sustainably. With exceptional people in 65 countries, we combine global expertise and local insight to help you create the change that truly matters. Do you offer internship opportunities for students studying the Juris Doctor? Yes How and when can students apply for internships? Applications typically open in July but accepted all year around. To apply, please visit: https://www. mckinsey.com/au/careers/careers-in-australia-and-new-zealand Do you offer graduate opportunities for Juris Doctor graduates? Yes

MCKINSEY & COMPANY

129 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000

How and when can students apply for graduate positions? Main intake in February, but applications welcome throughout the year. To apply, please visit: https:// www.mckinsey.com/au/careers/careers-in-australia-and-new-zealand What do you look for in your applicants? Our graduates join us from many backgrounds—there is no single “right” major or course of study. Our people do share some common qualities including excellent academic performance, leadership abilities, and experience working on or off campus. We look for strong problem solvers with potential—we will teach you the rest.

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ARTICLES FROM THE PROFESSION This section of the handbook is a compilation of articles relating to the many areas of law. These articles have been written by a range of legal professionals. The purpose of these articles is to highlight the various careers you may choose to enter after or during your law degree. For those with aspirations in certain areas of law we hope these articles give some valuable information which can motivate you in your decision.


COMMERCIAL LAW

LIFE AT A GLOBAL LAW FIRM Andrew McLean Partner Herbert Smith Freehills

So what is life like at a global law firm? At this point it would be easy to use the fancy expression ‘global law firm’ to make our existence sound really high-powered, fast-paced and international. There are certainly times when we work at a relatively high intensity, and we do work a lot with our east-coast and international offices. But I prefer to think of it more from the ground up. We are a services business, so our core asset is our people. For that reason we invest heavily in recruiting and training talented people. We therefore generally work alongside really motivated, intelligent, interesting (and often quirky) colleagues. I am actively involved in our recruitment process which I consider a privilege, as I get to meet lots of talented young people who want to launch their careers with the right trajectory. Because we are a very strong firm in the domestic market, with the global reach that our international network brings, we also get to work with high calibre clients who are equally intelligent and interesting. All of that means we are constantly challenged and pushed to achieve great outcomes for our clients, and to develop long and meaningful client relationships. Working with, and for, intelligent and motivated people is the best part of the job and the thing that gets me excited to come to work every day.

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The Perth office is a great intersection in the global firm’s existence. We have produced a disproportionate number of people in management positions at the firm, and a number of high performing partners in other offices. We have also exported lots of great lawyers and seen them return to Perth, and when they return they bring the expertise and relationships formed in their time away (that was my story - after spending time in Melbourne (with HSF) and Paris (with another firm), I returned home to HSF in Perth 5 years ago, having started as a graduate here in 2005).

All of this means that, despite our geographic isolation, our Perth office is highly integrated into our global network. It makes for a great mix here - we have a grass roots, family atmosphere in our office, but we are fully engaged with the global HSF network and all the opportunities and relationships that this brings with it. There is a healthy work ethic but an equally healthy respect for everyone’s individual lives, and the need to have time with family and friends, and pursue interests outside the office.

There is a healthy work ethic but an equally healthy respect for everyone’s individual lives, and the need to have time with family and friends, and pursue interests outside the office. Personally, I have lots of great relationships with lawyers here and in other offices, and it is incredibly satisfying to work with these lawyers and see the strength of the team being much greater than the sum of its parts. I have never really lost the feeling of excitement that comes with teaming up with lawyers in places as varied as Tokyo, Johannesburg, New York, London, Paris, Moscow and Jakarta. And at the end of the day, I still get to swim in the Indian Ocean and enjoy all the other great aspects of living in our great city.


LIFE AT A GLOBAL LAW FIRM

Rachel Lee Solicitor, Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety Herbert Smith Freehills How did I get here? I started at Herbert Smith Freehills in March 2015 after completing a vacation clerkship in January 2014. Prior to clerking I was uncertain whether I wanted to work in government, criminal law, commercial law, community law or perhaps something entirely different. The reason I chose to work at a large commercial law firm is predominantly for the opportunity to work with smart, dedicated people who challenge you to become the best lawyer possible. I have met great mentors here who have helped me shape my career direction and discover new interest areas. I have also had the opportunity to balance my passions for working on challenging, large “front page” commercial matters and pro bono human rights matters. Life as a graduate As a graduate lawyer at HSF you complete three six month rotations around teams within the firm. I worked in Employment, Pensions & Incentives, Disputes and Mergers and Acquisitions. As a graduate I always felt like a valued part of the teams I worked with. In these roles I attended Court, drafted transaction documents, attended General Meetings, prepared research notes and assisted with writing legal advice. A big highlight of the experience was the opportunity to do work with so many offices on deals and disputes happening in various parts of the world from Singapore to Paris to - the most glam of all Brisbane. The lawyers I worked with were great at giving me the opportunity to attend client calls and meetings regarding work that I assisted with. A key difference from law school is that you have people sitting in front of you with a real problem - often involving millions of dollars and lots of non-legal commercial risks and pressures to factor in - and no clear answer. This can be scary, but it is also what motivates you to do the best work possible and give a clear, commercial answer to help the business you are working with. I have also been involved in the firm’s community initiatives. This has included a mentoring program

for girls at Clontarf Aboriginal College, cooking Christmas dinner for the kids at Ronald McDonald House and meeting with the firm’s Big Issue vendor, Eve, fortnightly. Working in London During my first two years at HSF I completed a six month secondment in our London office. Graduates have the opportunity to apply for a secondment to our London office or one of our Asian offices during their first two years. Working at the London office has been the opportunity of a lifetime. People there call us “Herbies”, which is a cute alternative to the nickname HSF had while I was at UWA of “Freemeals”. The clients that I worked with were predominantly in the consumer products sector including pharmaceutical manufacturers, alcoholic beverages companies, food and soft drink companies and self driving cars (sadly yet to be offered a test drive, but we did get toy cars from one client!). I had the opportunity to meet with top QCs, assisted with a Court of Appeal hearing on issues of international intellectual property law and worked on market leading advice for emerging consumer products (including an analysis of Twitter Tweets for one matter!). In addition to client work, I also worked on pro bono EU migration law advice to vulnerable people such as trafficking victims, human rights law position papers on issues such the rights of the children of prisoners and (for the Serial podcast fans) I have been involved in an innocence-project style appeal of a murder case from the Caribbean to the Privy Council. It has not been all work and no play – two of my favourite social events have been the HSF Christmas party inside Tower Bridge overlooking the Thames and a comedy night with performers from Edinburgh Fringe for multi-cultural week. My first two years at HSF offered great training and mentoring, opportunities, and has challenged me as a person - I would recommend this career option to any law graduate in a minute!

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LIFE AT A GLOBAL LAW FIRM

Jasper Johnson Solicitor, Mergers & Acquisitions Herbert Smith Freehills

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y first two years at Herbert Smith Freehills have offered me unmatched training and mentorship, opportunities to work internationally, and have challenged me to become a better lawyer – I would recommend this career pathway to all law graduates. The Path to Herbert Smith Freehills Herbert Smith Freehills is one of the largest and oldest law firms in Australia. With the Perth office being established in 1868, the firm is deeply engrained in the Western Australian legal market and has trained countless vacation clerks to become excellent lawyers. The usual path to Herbert Smith Freehills is through the clerkship program, where penultimate year students spend three weeks working closely with Solicitors, Senior Associates and Partners on real matters. Those three weeks typically involve a lot of learning, which the firm happily supports given that Graduate positions are usually only offered to people who have completed a clerkship. If you’re lucky enough to receive multiple Graduate offers, you’ll be left with the important decision of choosing where to start your legal career. I joined Herbert Smith Freehills as a Graduate in March 2017. For me, the decision to start my career there was an easy one when I considered what each firm offered me. Herbert Smith Freehills provides the opportunity to work with incredibly smart, dedicated people who constantly encourage you to become the best lawyer you can be. The firm emphasises professional development at its core, and will have you working alongside marketleading lawyers on exciting and high-profile matters from your first day as a Graduate.

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Life as a Graduate At Herbert Smith Freehills, Graduate lawyers complete three six-month rotations in different teams. During my time as a Graduate I rotated through Banking and Finance (Perth), Mergers & Acquisitions (Perth) and Mergers & Acquisitions (Singapore). One of the best things about starting your career at Herbert Smith Freehills is being part of a large and diverse cohort of Graduates (I was one of 12 Graduates from five different universities). Your Graduate cohort is a key support network in your first year, and being part of a large group means that this support is amplified. You also spend a lot of time with the other Graduates during your first year and very quickly become close friends. At Herbert Smith Freehills, Graduates organise a charity quiz night and other social events, become deeply involved in the firm’s various community initiatives and represent the firm in both social and business development events.

Working in Singapore was the opportunity of a lifetime; I never dreamed I would be able to contribute to major transactions on the ground in Asia. As a Graduate, you are a key member of the teams that you rotate through. In these roles you’ll attend Court, draft core commercial contracts, be part of client meetings, research niche legal points, review market practice, and assist with writing legal advice and progressing transactions. For me, a big highlight of the experience was the opportunity to work with lawyers across the world and to contribute to massive transactions and disputes that have real commercial impact.


A key difference between law school and working at a global law firm is that you are advising real people that are facing real problems – often involving millions of dollars and complex commercial pressures – with no clear answer. This can be scary, but it is also what motivates you to consistently do your best and learn from those around you. Herbert Smith Freehills goes to great lengths to create an environment where Graduates are encouraged to think independently, commercially and creatively. From day one, Graduates are allocated a Supervising Partner, Senior Associate and Solicitor (‘buddy’) who are individually responsible for providing coaching and mentorship.

My time in Singapore significantly broadened my understanding of international markets, which will be a real asset for the rest of my career. Of course, going on secondment isn’t all about the work. Singapore is an amazing place to live and acts as a gateway to South East Asia. The firm encourages you to make the most out of your time living overseas, and I spent many weekends exploring Asia. For further information about the Clerkship and Graduate recruitment process at Herbert Smith Freehills, please contact Carissa.Milligan@hsf.com.

The informal and frequent discussions with these individuals creates an immediate and organic feedback loop, which allows Graduates to constantly grow and learn from their successes and mistakes. You’ll be surprised how much you will learn in your first year. Working in Singapore At Herbert Smith Freehills, all Graduates have the opportunity to apply for an international secondment for their third (or optional fourth) rotation. I completed my third rotation on secondment in Singapore in our Mergers & Acquisition team. Working in Singapore was the opportunity of a lifetime; I never dreamed I would be able to contribute to major transactions on the ground in Asia. During my time in Singapore, I worked on matters that had me working closely with lawyers from around the world. One example of this was a due diligence that I was tasked with coordinating for a New York-based client across teams in our London, Madrid, Frankfurt, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney offices (as well as local counsel in Qatar).

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CLERKING IN SYDNEY

Stephen Puttick Recent Juris Doctor Graduate and Summer Clerk Clayton Utz Sydney What practice group are you in? You complete two rotations during all Clayton Utz clerkships. I rotated first through Competition and then through Commercial Litigation. Why did you choose that practice group? My own interests and career aspirations. I find Competition very interesting. The practice offers a great, if not unique, mix of both contentious and non-contentious work. I also find the economic and market considerations — for example, in the context of merger clearances — very stimulating. As for Commercial Litigation, well, I love the law and want to be a litigator. So, it is unsurprising that I find a natural home in this practice area. How has the clerkship process been different compared to Perth? This is a difficult question for me to answer because I never went through the Perth process. However, as an observer, I suppose the biggest difference has been clerking at only one firm for 13 weeks over the summer. This obviously means my experience has been very different to that which I would have had in Perth. I imagine that there would be a lot of uncertainty around clerkships to graduate offers in Perth. And, I expect that probably brings with it a sense of competition that is perhaps not so evident in Sydney. Naturally also of course, one establishes a much closer relationship with — and deeper understanding of — a particular firm going through the Sydney process.

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Does the firm offer graduate opportunities from clerkship base or the open market and how many would come from interstate? The graduate pipeline consists primarily of candidates who have previously clerked at Clayton Utz. Occasionally, the Firm may hire additional graduates straight into the graduate program where there is a commercial need. However, this changes year to year.

With all that said, to answer a more direct question, if you want to start in Sydney then you really should clerk here. There are, again, ways around this but you will be starting from behind, so to speak. For instance, studying in Western Australia makes it much more difficult to paralegal or some such in lieu of a clerkship. In this respect, my best advice is to plan early — applications for summer clerkships will close around June and July of second year of the Juris Doctor. This is earlier than Perth applications. Of course, you need to carefully review the websites of the firms you are interested in. All the big firms in each state generally follow the same timeline for applications — this is directed by the respective law society. You will generally be required to fly in for an interview if you proceed to the interview stage. As such, make sure you are available during August and September. Clayton Utz covered the costs of my flights. Are there many in your office who have come to Sydney from other states? Yes. For example, in my own clerkship cohort I can count myself, an individual from Hobart, an individual from Adelaide, and several individuals from Canberra. I have probably missed a few others, too. The Sydney office of Clayton Utz is, quite genuinely, a very diverse place. What does your day to day work look like? I usually get in around 9am and leave around 6pm, sometimes earlier, sometimes later. The work changes from day to day so I cannot really describe the ‘usual’ — from discrete research tasks, to putting together business development pieces, client conferences, the list goes on.


There are also quite a number of social events throughout the clerkship, both intrafirm and with the other firms. For instance, all of the major Sydney firms play ‘Clerk Sport’ on a Monday night and we recently had an interfirm event at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

What have the biggest challenges been entering full time work? I am not sure I would describe them as ‘challenges’ — perhaps because I worked full-time before I started, and for a year or two during, my law degree.

Finally, our clerkship cohort spend a lot of time together at informal social activities that we have organised throughout the summer.

With that said, I think one quickly realises that the university life is a pretty comfortable one — as a student, you really get to decide what you do and when you do it. I myself found that a two hour lunch and several social coffees was not uncommon from day to day. Obviously, you do not have so much latitude working full-time — after all, there are expectations to exceed and demands to meet. Related to this, I think one forgets how much time there is in a day, or a week, when one is on campus every day. And, it can be a shock when a lot of that time is suddenly taken up with work.

What kinds of clients are you working for? As a top tier firm, we act for some of Australia’s largest corporates. Clayton Utz also has established relationships with leading international firms and major international clients. We also act for a very large number of smaller corporates as well as individuals. Added to all of that, the Firm has a significant client base of some 250 state and federal government agencies. Additionally, the Firm has a significant Pro Bono practice focussed on assisting individuals in need — and, I should add, the Firm encourages that all lawyers undertake pro bono work. Clayton Utz takes social responsibility and Pro Bono work incredibly seriously. Pro bono is obviously extremely important in terms of alleviating disadvantage and promoting access to justice. It’s also ‘good for the soul’. Apart from those obvious benefits however, these matters are often the first time that juniors have the opportunity to run a matter from start to finish, as well as the opportunity to develop advocacy skills and the like. As such, the Firm sees it as an integral part of development.

I suppose I am saying, simply put, that you have less time on your hands when you are working full-time and there would be some adjustment that comes with that. What advice do you wish you had received before beginning the process of moving to work in Sydney? I am not sure that there is any ‘advice’ that I wish I had received, so to speak. I suppose I would say be prepared for the financial demands that an interstate move brings with it — particularly Sydney given the relative costs of accommodation, and the like.

In what ways have you had to adjust to working/ living in Sydney? The weather is intemperate.

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Q&A: LITIGATOR EDITION

Tegan Harrington Associate, Commercial Litigation Corrs Chambers Westgarth

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n 2015, I started as a law graduate at Corrs, having spent the majority of my final three years at university working as a paralegal in the firm’s Litigation team. Before that time, I had clerked at a variety of firms in different commercial and non-commercial practice areas, although the vast majority were disputes focused. As a Corrs graduate, I undertook a double rotation in Litigation – due to a trial I had been working on as a paralegal – and finished with a final rotation in Corporate Advisory. Despite the heavy disputes focus of my experience, going into the graduate development program I was by no means sold on the practice group I ultimately thought I would settle in. I think this came down to, in part, some questions I had about the different practice groups and the variety of work I would be doing in each. Thankfully, my supervising partner and mentors in my double Litigation rotation were both used to my many questions and were very helpful in answering them throughout my time as a graduate. Here are some of those questions (from 20122015), with my own answers (from 2019). Do you do anything other than Litigation? Our team has a number of specialities and not all of them involve attending court on a regular basis. In Perth, some broad interest and skill groups in our team include: IP & TMT (intellectual property & technology, media and telecommunications); insolvency; banking litigation; regulatory (eg, work for or against regulators such as ASIC and the ACCC); class actions; arbitration and general commercial litigation.

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While there are a variety of areas we work in, I have a particular interest in anti-bribery & corruption (and other contentious regulatory), legislative & policy reform and other complex commercial disputes.

Last year, one of my major matters was in advising the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia and assisting the Commission with its research, consultation and reporting into recognition and change of sex and/or gender. It required in-depth research into relevant legislation in Australia and internationally, as well as comprehensive consultation and potential reform modelling processes. While it was very different to trial work, in many ways, it required a significant amount of sensitivity, as well as the ability to remain impartial when consulting with groups of varied interests and values. I’ll be the first to admit that I have been super keen to read about law reform in various areas of interest to me (particularly of social impact) for many years. Having the opportunity to combine this passion of mine with my legal work has been an awesome (and eyeopening) experience! Litigation on TV = trials. Are you always in or preparing for trials? Even for those matters that do involve trials, the pre-trial work will often take multiple years. At a very basic level, there will usually be a fair few phases before trial, including: pre-action work (especially so if acting for the plaintiff); pleadings; discovery (exchange of relevant documents); evidence (interviewing and preparing witness statements or outlines, and expert evidence); mediation(s) and pre-trial preparation. Also, most matters settle before they get to trial! Unless you are fully absorbed on one matter, at any given time you will likely be working on a variety of things and at very different stages of progress.


Are you often in court? And what do you do when you’re there? If you are heavily involved in some areas such as banking/debt enforcement, and certain insolvency matters, you may attend and appear at court on a regular basis. For large pieces of litigation, the court hearing dates will be further apart (to give the parties more time to reach milestones, such as exchanging witness statements/outlines). Two or more barristers will also likely be briefed, which means that the majority of the appearance/ advocacy work will be conducted by them and the instructing solicitors will assist them, and the client, during court. Some other disputes may be in other avenues, such as before an arbitrator/arbitrators or a tribunal. Especially so in arbitrations, this may mean that the physical venue for the final determination will be outside of the court rooms you are used to (or outside of Western Australia altogether). Do you work on matters outside of Western Australia? While the Western Australian-specific Evidence Act remains in place, there will always be a perception – even if it is just within the university circles – that WA litigators will not be able to work on disputes outside of WA. I can comfortably say, however, that has not been my experience to date! As a graduate, my first trial involved Corrs representing an individual former Chairman of a board in proceedings brought by ASIC in the Victorian Supreme Court, against him and an officer of the company. The trial went for 10 weeks and during that time, and a few weeks before the beginning of trial, I worked from the Melbourne office with our barristers, the partner in charge of the matter, and my mentor (the senior instructing solicitor).

Shortly after settling in Litigation, I attended a four-week trial, as the junior instructing solicitor, in proceedings brought in the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. [Side note: the majority of the trial was during the beginning of the dry season, so Darwin’s humidity was only problematic for the first week. Unless you were transporting a court trolley full for court documents – there is no good time in Darwin for trolley driving!] In the Federal Court it is perhaps even more likely, and my first Federal Court trial was in Adelaide (no time to visit Adelaide Hills though!). Also, especially given the global nature of arbitration, it is not unlikely that we will be liaising with or working with/against solicitors from other cities or countries when working on arbitration matters. So in short – or in long – yes, it is definitely possible to do work outside of Western Australia! Is it possible to go on secondment internationally (or otherwise move into disputes internationally)? Short answer: also yes! We have had a number of people in our disputes teams, nationally, go on international secondments. Although the law may be different, the skills will be broadly transferable and we will no doubt learn a lot from working overseas. In the end, I am very grateful for my mentors of various levels for all of their guidance. So my parting observation is, if you have any questions, ask! Whether that is during a clerkship, a mentoring program or a coffee with someone in the profession. You’ll be surprised how many times they may have heard – or asked – these exact same questions.

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FROM SENIOR ASSOCIATE TO STARTING A FIRM Aaron McDonald Director Pragma Law

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completed my Law Degree at UWA in 2007 and became admitted as a lawyer in 2008.

During my final years at Uni completing my undergraduate degree and sipping coffees on the Oak Lawn, I simultaneously held down jobs at three different firms whilst completing my law degree full-time. I ultimately was offered articles of clerkship at small commercial law firm where I worked for 18 months. It was some of the toughest but most rewarding 18 months of my career. It was rewarding in the sense that I learn a lot. It was tough in the sense that I worked long hours for very little money. It was character building. After that period, I was offered an opportunity at a large international law firm where I worked in its Perth and Melbourne offices, ultimately becoming a Senior Associate in the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Division. That firm (DLA Piper) was very kind to me and I learnt a lot under the Partners that supervised me. I also built a passion for advocacy and enjoyed appearing in the various Courtrooms in the Perth CBD. Notwithstanding that, I looked at the Perth legal market and considered that many lawyers could offer a better service to their clients.

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In light of that perceived market gap, in 2014, I established a law firm named Pragma (www. pragma.law) which is based in Subiaco. Since that time the firm has grown from one person (me) to 23 staff. We specialise in helping our clients avoid disputes so they can focus on more important things. I have particularly enjoyed the lessons I have learnt since commencing Pragma. It can be really rewarding and when things don’t go your way, the buck stops with you. I was 29 when I started the firm and am now 34. The team is young and nimble and we have a fantastic culture. It is unlike most other firms (but I am biased!). But enough about me. My tips for law students in their penultimate or final years looking to enter the profession are as follows:

Get your foot in the door at a law firm as soon as you can (and before you finish your degree wanting a position as a Graduate). If you can get an “in” at a law firm filing one day a week or doing legal research, and get to know the decision makers at the firm (and impress them) you are much more likely to secure a job there. If you don’t know who to approach, call the Law Society of Western Australia and ask for a copy of their directory and start emailing, writing and calling. Get onto LinkedIn and create a profile and have a look around. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. As an employer now, our firm has hired Graduates the last three years who were law clerks at our firm working casually during Uni. Don’t worry about the big firm thing. Big firms are good at all of their merchandise at career fairs I admit and I am not suggesting for one moment they can’t be good places to work, but don’t hang your hat on needing to work at one. When I was at Uni there seemed to be this anxiety about working at one which disappears once you enter the profession let me assure you. If you secure a job at a law firm be grateful for getting your foot in the door – a lot of people don’t. Find yourself a good mentor. If you can find somebody who can give you good life and career advice, hold onto them and check in with them regularly on how you are tracking. If you don’t have somebody who can do this for you, reach out to the Piddington Society (get on their mailing list by going to their website) or slide into their DM’s on Facebook and ask for a suggested mentor. All the best for the future. “The best is yet to come” – Frank Sinatra.


LIFE AS A WORKPLACE RELATIONS LAWYER

Daniel White Partner, Workplace Relations, Employment & Safety Mills Oakley Lawyers

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fter taking some units in industrial relations through my arts degree which sparked my interest (UWA – double degree law and arts under old system), I started working at a law firm in the workplace relations team as paralegal in 2007. I continued to work two days a week over the course of my studies and I was then offered a permanent graduate role in that team. Having four years experience in the team prior to starting as a graduate meant I was able to immediately contribute to the team in a full-time capacity. From there, I have remained in the field and I have always had a keen interest in working with businesses to assist them manage employees. I was drawn to workplace relations law as it is an exciting and dynamic part of the profession. It encompasses industrial relations, employment and discrimination/harassment law. It extends to dealing with collective workplace relations issues (such as dealing with groups of employees represented by trade unions) to individual grievances and disputes at work. Some practitioners draw a distinction between industrial relations law which is purely dealing with collective workplace issues and that of employment law which can be considered dealing with individual employee disputes. The two areas are not mutually exclusive. A lawyer who practices predominately in industrial law will need to know employment law principles very well. Workplace relations lawyers can practice in firms which exclusively represent employers, trade unions or individual employees (sometimes firms represent both trade unions and individual employees). The best part of this area of law is that workplace relations lawyers engage in both advisory work as well as litigation. As a result, workplace relations lawyers are often involved in running cases before Courts and Tribunals. Another sub-set of workplace law is safety. Some practitioners exclusively practice in safety law, which includes both an advisory and litigation

element. Lawyers with an interest or background in criminal law often practice in safety law, which is due to the nature of offences and proceedings (including civil and criminal penalties). There is a significant element of alternative dispute resolution in workplace relations law. This ranges from enterprise-based negotiation as well as conciliation and mediation. If matters cannot be resolved at the enterprise level, there is the ability to engage with Tribunals for both conciliation/ mediation approaches and, ultimately, arbitration of the dispute. The Courts also play a large role in workplace law, in circumstances where a particular dispute or grievance cannot be resolve through ADR. A number of workplace law cases are elevated to the High Court each year.

The best part of this area of law is that workplace relations lawyers engage in both advisory work as well as litigation. As a result, workplace relations lawyers are often involved in running cases before Courts and Tribunals. Workplace law is highly political and contentious. Nearly every government election has industrial relations reform as a centrepiece: Liberals (pro business) v Labor (pro union) etc. This is at both State and Federal level. As a result, workplace laws are dynamic and require practitioners to constantly stay ahead of the changes. As a result, a workplace lawyer is often required to advocate and campaign on behalf of the client for changes to particular industrial laws. If anyone is every interested in knowing more about this very exciting area of law, please do not hesitate to reach out. There are lots of opportunities in this area, across international, mid tier and boutique firms. There are also exciting opportunities to travel and practice in other jurisdictions around the world (where laws differ significantly).

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LIFE AS A BANKING LAYWER Julia Burvill Lawyer Allen & Overy

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started my legal career with Allen & Overy in 2017, having graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Economics from UWA in 2016. At the time of commencing my graduate training program at Allen & Overy, I did not know that I wanted to be a banking lawyer. My commercial background from my economics degree gave me a great foundation to enjoy my graduate rotations and summer clerkship placement in all of the key practice groups within Allen & Overy’s Perth office, being corporate, litigation and of course, banking & finance. Ultimately, I settled as a banking lawyer because I developed a keen interest in the work involved. I would encourage any law student to make the same consideration when deciding on a legal career. The following points expand further on why banking law is the life for me. 1. Banking law incorporates a broad range of legal subjects Banking law is ‘front-end’ work (as opposed to ‘back-end’ which relates to disputes), so typically involves contractual drafting. Senior lawyers negotiate and draft the key loan agreement(s), while junior lawyers are responsible for drafting the abundance of other agreements, approvals, letters, certificates, opinions etc. that come with financing large companies and projects. I enjoy this variety of work and regularly draw upon my knowledge from contracts, corporations, trusts and property law. I also liaise with numerous public and governmental bodies in my line of work, such as Landgate and the Personal Property Securities Register, which requires an understanding of land and personal property law. I strongly recommend any law student considering banking law to study these two subjects, as they have been immensely helpful to me from a banking law perspective.

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2. Banking law is transaction-based The clients I work for at Allen & Overy require loans for many reasons, such as funding a project, purchasing certain assets or acquiring another company. As the loans are tied to business needs or transactions, banking deals often operate on tight timelines. While this can seem daunting

at first, Allen & Overy has provided me with an abundance of support, training and guidance throughout my experience as a junior banking lawyer. Some benefits of transactional work are that I experience a great sense of satisfaction when a matter is completed and regularly see through a deal from start to finish in a short timeframe. Sometimes I see completed projects or acquisitions that Allen & Overy has advised on reported in the news, which is a nice bonus. 3. Banking law allows for repeat interaction with clients Allen & Overy’s clients are mostly established companies, with some listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and particularly in Perth, based in the mining, energy & resources sector. This often results in the need for financing on a regular basis for some of the transactions I listed earlier. I enjoy the repeat interactions banking law offers with clients as this fosters an ongoing relationship and rapport with lawyers (and nonlawyers) across the network. 4. Banking law is international Banking law differs little across jurisdictions when compared with other specialities, which enables banking lawyers to work all over the world. In fact, 73% of work at Allen & Overy involves two or more Allen & Overy offices, of which there are 44 in 31 countries. This provides for many international opportunities within the firm to live and work. This year, I am being seconded to Singapore for a 6-month placement in the banking team. I am very much looking forward to the growth and further experience the secondment will give me. So if you are a law student who is interested in the above, has a keen attention to detail and a can-do attitude, I would recommend considering a future in banking law. It is a rewarding career filled with opportunity. Explore your options and find work that you truly enjoy in a team of people that you want to work with and learn from – as I have done at Allen & Overy.


LIFE AS A TAX LAYWER Aimee Riley Senior Associate EY Law Services

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am a Senior Associate within EY law services experienced in advising high net wealth individuals and large private corporate groups in relation to complex tax matters, asset protection concerns and implementing effective tax and commercial strategies. EY law services is part of the expanding legal network that includes offices in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. We have a number of areas of services including private client services (PCS) (my team), corporate and commercial, employment, digital and privacy, financial services, real estate and law technology. These services are national with offices here in Perth, and also in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane as well as Auckland. Private Client legal services specialises in tax, trust law, superannuation advice, estate planning and not for profit. Most of EY’s clients are referred to us by other professional advisers and existing clients, who see us as a trusted adviser. Predominately we act for high net wealth individuals and their private corporate groups. As part of the team I advise on all areas of tax and trust law. In the past few years my role has developed into more of a strategic role. What I mean by this is that instead of providing advice in relation to a specific issue, you’re looking at the wide picture of the client’s scenario, what their plans are, and how the solution will affect the other commercial drivers. As a result, a large part of my role involves working with other advisors, such as the client’s accountant or financial advisor or other lawyers. In turn this produces more dynamic work that our juniors are exposed to. For example, I have a real diversity in my files; some dispute matters where we are focused on reaching settlements with the ATO, another where I am acting as legal counsel for the client in respect of a large corporate transaction, and in the past 12 months I have acted for some of the wealthiest individuals

(and their businesses) in Australia. The best part about a career in tax law is that no two matters are the same. This is great if you are someone who likes a challenge and is looking for a role where you will always be growing. Being part of the global EY network also exposes our team to some of the best work in the market. It is not unusual for our juniors to become an essential part of the team and to be undertaking the ‘meaty’ work on a file. If you are interested in finding out more come along to our Information Day which will be announced soon.

The best part about a career in tax law is that no two matters are the same. This is great if you are someone who likes a challenge and is looking for a role where you will always be growing. Working in EY law services has allowed me to achieve some success along the way. By way of brief history, I was admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW in 2013 and in 2017 made the move to Perth. Last year I was named the Emerging Tax Star and Gordon Cooper Memorial Scholarship recipient at the Tax Institute’s Tax Adviser of the Year Awards in March 2018. The Awards are one of Australia’s most prestigious awards program for tax practitioners. I was also a finalist in the Taxation category of the Law’s Weekly 30 under 30 Awards in 2017, and this year nominated for the WA Women Lawyer’s Women Lawyer of the Year Award.

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COURTS

ON BEING A JUDGE The Hon Justice Peter Quinlan Chief Justice of Western Australia

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he Blackstone Society have kindly asked me to say something about what it is like to be a judge. I do so with some trepidation. I have only been a judge for short period of time and have been Chief Justice for even less (I swore my oath as Chief Justice about 2 minutes after my oath as a Judge of the Supreme Court). That said, I offer the following thoughts. When I started working in the law, I had the great fortune to see the practice of the law at the highest possible level. I worked as the professional assistant to the Solicitor General for Western Australia, Kevin Parker QC, and so was able to see a number of great advocates in action before the High Court of Australia. They included Parker QC, Christine Wheeler QC, John Doyle QC, Keith Mason QC and Patrick Keane QC. All of these advocates went on to high judicial office, both in Australia and overseas. What I was able to observe in those early days was not only lawyers of exceptional skill and intellect but, more importantly, a sense in which the whole of the law ‘fit together’; namely that lawyers and judges all formed part of a single enterprise, that they were all working towards a single goal: the attainment of justice.

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In the years that followed, all of the places at which I worked, and the modes in which I practiced, confirmed for me the essential unity of the law. I went on to work at the Crown Solicitor’s Office for a number of years before spending 16 years at the independent Bar, both as a junior and as Senior Counsel. In the final two years of legal practice, with a certain sense of déjà vu, I ended up back where I started, as Solicitor General for Western Australia myself.

Over all of that time, I worked for governments (Commonwealth, State and local), for private individuals (rich and poor), for corporations (large and small), as a prosecutor and as a defence counsel. I was also fortunate to work in a wide variety of areas of the law. I managed to appear, I think, in every jurisdiction I could, from two justices of the peace in Dalwallinu to the Full Court of the High Court in Canberra. With all of that variety, however, the practice of the law seemed to me to be ‘all of a piece’. Despite all of the differences, every case had a similar aim and every client a similar desire: to see justice done. That’s a simple idea but it is one that we can often lose sight of amid the detail and minutiae of legal work.

If truth be told, as with everything else in life, appointment to judicial office is a mixture of talent, work, timing and luck. The best advice I would give to anyone who aspires to judicial appointment is to focus on the work that is in front of you right now: on today’s case and today’s client. And, in a sense, being a judge is no different. There is still all of the detail and the daily routine in judicial work, which is a constant challenge. That said, it is probably easier to see the essential unity of the law from the perspective of the bench. You have the heavy responsibility, in every case, to find that common thread of justice in the objective and dispassionate application of the law. That is an interesting and exciting story to be a part of and I would recommend it to anyone who is offered the opportunity.


Not that you can really plan judicial appointment as part of your legal career. If truth be told, as with everything else in life, appointment to judicial office is a mixture of talent, work, timing and luck. The best advice I would give to anyone who aspires to judicial appointment is to focus on the work that is in front of you right now: on today’s case and today’s client. Appreciating that each client’s case is, to them, the most important case that you have, is, therefore, perhaps the best way that you can prepare for life as a judge. Work as a judge is hard, and in many ways unrelenting. Inevitably, as well, you come up against situations as a judge in which there are no winners and where you encounter deep problems, the solutions to which are beyond the scope of the law. But with all of that, the work is very rewarding. As with legal work itself, it is a deeply human exercise and you are entrusted with power that affects people’s lives in profound ways. Being entrusted with such a power, on behalf of the community, is both a great responsibility and a great privilege.

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THE PATH TO BECOMING A DISTRICT COURT JUDGE Her Honour Judge Fiona Vernon District Court Judge

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began my appointment as a judge of the District Court of Western Australia on 9 January 2018. That appointment was something of a happy surprise to me. I had considered giving up practice on occasion during my career. I struggled with confidence at the outset, and then, when experience brought confidence, I struggled with combining the workload with having a family. I am glad that I persisted.

I have always enjoyed the challenge of learning new areas of law, which is fortunate as that has been the pattern of my career. I studied law at UWA from 1980 to 1984. In those days UWA was the only law school in WA. There was no ‘online’ anything. You read books in the library, attended lectures at the Law School, and most courses were assessed on the basis of 100% closed book exams. I was fortunate enough to get articles in 1985 with a good, medium sized firm called Northmore Hale Davy and Leake. Practical legal training was, in those days, much more hit and miss that it seems to be today, but I received a good start to practice at NHDL. I did a variety of work, including local government prosecutions, which gave me some court experience in the early days. I became a senior associate in 1990. I took time off to have my first child in 1993 and my second in 1996. In the meantime, and for a long time afterwards, I worked part time.

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When I came back to work in 1993, my supervising partner, former Supreme Court Justice John Chaney, had retired from the firm to practice at the bar. The upshot for me was a move from a general litigation practice into professional indemnity insurance litigation. I have always enjoyed the challenge of learning new areas of law, which is fortunate as that has been the pattern of my career. In 1998 I left NHDL (by then Minter Ellison) and

went through a period where I tried several different jobs, in an attempt to find one where I both enjoyed the work and which allowed me some flexibility in my work hours, which my family, and I, needed. I was again fortunate, and found work in 2001 with now Justice Paul Tottle. I stayed at Tottle Partners for nine years. The flexibility of working hours afforded to me there allowed me to be actively involved in my children’s lives, and was instrumental keeping me engaged in the profession. It also involved another change, as I had the opportunity of doing some very interesting, and challenging work, for various statutory boards, including the Medical Board and the Real Estate and Business Agents Boards. In 2010 I decided to join the independent Bar. I had been thinking about doing so for a long time: upon reflection, too long. The seven years I spent at the bar were amongst the best of my working life, and I had the opportunity to work with Patricia Cahill SC on some high profile matters, most particularly Marsh and Baxter, the GM canola case. In late 2017 I was asked if I would accept appointment to the District Court. I agreed with alacrity. Again, it has meant learning a new area of law, as most of the work of the Court is crime. Most of my days are spent in court, in criminal trials or sentencing, with the occasional civil hearing and consequential judgment writing. Most of the civil cases are factually dense rather than involving complex issues of law. I have the support of my associate and my usher, both of whom work hard, and I think we work well as a team. We have to get on not least because, from time to time, we travel together to towns around the State, on circuit. The learning curve in the last 14 months has been very steep, and some of it has been quite confronting. I realise now that I led something of a sheltered existence in civil litigation. I have, however, received a tremendous amount of support from my fellow judges.


WORKING AS A REGISTRAR’S ASSOCIATE Isabella Wilson Associate to Registrar S Boyle The Supreme Court of Western Australia

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have worked as the Associate to Registrar S Boyle at the Supreme Court of Western Australia since October 2018. If you just had to Google “what is a Registrar?”, you would (a) probably be disappointed by the lack of useful search results; and (b) not be alone in being unsure about what it is a Registrar does – I also did some cheeky research before my interview for the role. A Registrar in the Supreme Court of Western Australia is a judicial officer and is, among other things, responsible for case managing matters that are before the Court. Registrars also make orders at case management conferences as well as outside of Court, act as mediators, and make grants of probate.

Working as a Registrar’s Associate is an experience like no other. A Registrar’s Associate is responsible for performing administrative functions and providing clerical support before, during and after court hearings. Depending on your Registrar, Associates may attend court for both civil and criminal hearings and are responsible for the coordination of the physical and technological resources of the Court. This includes calling cases, typing orders and maintaining the Court’s records, as well as recording findings, creating documents and generating orders using the court’s Case Management System. Registrar’s Associates also act as a point of contact for people, including members of the legal profession, requesting information relating to the Registrar’s cases. A large part of the Associate’s role includes preparing, examining and organising court files. This includes assessing files after hearings in court and chambers to ascertain if orders or directions have been given, affecting the status of those actions. If you’re an organisational-freak who worships Marie Kondo as much as I do, you’ll love this part of the role.

Registrar’s Associates also perform the function of judicial support officer for the Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court (SGMC). SGMC only deals with proceedings in respect of Supreme Court indictable matters. As the Judicial Support Officer, the Associate ensures court protocols are followed and provides administrative support to the presiding Magistrate. This includes file preparation, in-court resulting and document control. Unlike a Judge’s Associate, a Registrar’s Associate is not a member of the Registrar’s personal staff. This means that Registrar’s Associates are – for want of a less cheesy description – “team players”. Associates frequently move between Registrars depending on capacity and we often assist with each other’s work and offer support to one another. Accordingly, there is a sense of comradery and community between the Associates and the Registrars, who are all very friendly and welcoming. I am fortunate to have remained with Registrar S Boyle throughout my time as an Associate. Registrar S Boyle is one of longest serving Registrars in the Supreme Court. She has been a wonderful mentor – not to mention she’s a fashion icon – and I have been lucky to learn from her and witness her in action. Working as a Registrar’s Associate is an experience like no other. In the short time that I have worked as the Associate to Registrar S Boyle, I have built knowledge of Court operations, protocols, procedures and legal terminology, and I have developed productive working relations with the judiciary and Perth legal profession. As an aspiring litigator, the opportunity to observe great (and not so great) advocates in action has been an invaluable experience. By working closely with Registrar S Boyle, my understanding of dispute resolution processes and Court procedures has far exceeded what I could have learnt in a classroom.

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LIFE AS A BARRISTER Asanka Gunasekera Francis Burt Chambers

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o one should ever deny their personal story. Whether you are a junior lawyer, graduate or student, never run away from the life that has lead you to this point. Law schools are melting pots. There are mature aged students, those who skipped-a-year, some who had to repeat year 12, and others who pursued law as a second career or after parenthood. Whatever your pathway, it is a fact that you have acquired essential unteachable life skills that will better arm you for a career in the law. Moreover, you will have the interesting stories at Friday night drinks! My story is atypical. I gained admission to practice upon completing the 10-year “Managing Clerkship” available under the now repealed Legal Practitioners Act 1893 (WA). This required that I work full-time for a legal practitioner for 10 years. During five of those years, I was required to complete 12 law units in addition to my legal work. (I wasn’t smart enough to get straight into law school: insert monkeycovering-eyes emoji here.) My memories of those years are somewhat hazy. It was full-time work, full-time study, and less than healthy shenanigans on the weekends. I never got to have University friendships. There were no long chats on a Cambridge-esq University lawn, nor did I delve into the torrid waters of student politics. But, I did learn the politics of the law firm. I learned how to manage client relationships and I witnessed firsthand the oftencruel machinations of the market place.

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I learned the awesome power of those unsung office heroes: those champions in the mailroom, the secretaries, the receptionists and tea ladies (yes, Jackson McDonald had tea ladies in the early noughties).

In anticipation of my admission on 02/09/2009, I successfully applied to the Legal Practice Board to have my Restricted Practice obligations waived. The day following my admission I commenced as a sole practitioner. Nothing prepares you for the savages of the market place. But, there is no greater freedom than the knowledge you are wholly responsible for yourself and that the fruits of your labours belong only to you (…and the ATO). The punishing work schedule during my Managing Clerkship years, acclimatising to the volatility of the market place, and the required discipline of self-employment prepared me well for my current journey when, on 03/03/2015, I commenced at Francis Burt Chambers as an Independent Barrister. While there were the expected initial nerves and while one can never truly relax at the Bar, I can honestly say, I have never been happier in my professional life. Independence is truly liberating. A Barrister enjoys independence from the contract of employment, the expectations of the firm or the obligations of partnership. A Barrister also enjoys commercial independence in their work. The independence to draft a Legal Opinion that reflects the law as it is as opposed to the way the client would like it. The ability to spend time reading, researching, and writing on briefs I choose unshackled by the “tyranny of the timesheet”. The Bar also enabled me to refine my craft. Being in the company of the best and brightest advocates taught me that I still had much to learn. Indeed, I quickly learned that many of my professional habits were just plain wrong. The primacy of our duty to the court and the continuing search for intellectual honesty became cornerstones of my practice.


The need to be of service to the community also became a priority, especially as I got older. Undertaking pro bono work, working on Bar and Law Society committees and participating in mentoring programmes gave me a measure of fulfillment that I am not sure is available in private practice. So, my advice to graduates? You need to “do your time” in the law firms. We all had to. Going “straight” to the Bar is inadvisable. Working in a law office will teach you invaluable skills and provide important training. Many of you will find happy career homes there. But, for others, the lure of independence will be too strong. Once you are five to seven years out, seek out the counsel of a Barrister who you know and trust. Listen carefully, ask too many questions, and then make and own your decision.

The need to be of service to the community also became a priority, especially as I got older. Undertaking pro bono work, working on Bar and Law Society committees and participating in mentoring programmes gave me a measure of fulfillment that I am not sure is available in private practice. Finally, have faith in yourself. Trust the market. And, always heed the advice of Fleetwood Mac and “Go your own way”.

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GOVERNMENT

WORKING AT THE STATE SOLICITOR’S OFFICE Emma Salsano UWA Graduate and Solicitor State Solicitor’s Office

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was drawn to apply to the State Solicitor’s Office for a multitude of reasons, including the breadth of work undertaken by the Office, the advocacy and training opportunities offered to junior lawyers and the exceptional people. Since starting at the SSO, I have not been disappointed in any of these respects! As a Graduate Lawyer at the SSO you can expect to complete a rotation in each of the Office’s practice areas as well as an external rotation at WA Police. You will complete work of a diverse nature in practically all areas of the law, including completing research memorandums, drafting letters of advice and assisting senior lawyers with their matters. You are also given the opportunity to appear in court at directions hearings and means inquiries. Graduate Lawyers are provided with many avenues of support and guidance, including a supervisor in each rotation, a mentor (being a senior lawyer in the Office) and a buddy (being a junior lawyer).

Not only are the people at the SSO brilliant at what they do, they are also exceptionally friendly and supportive. The SSO is truly a unique place to work, and it is an Office that I am proud to be a part of.

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Following on from the Graduate program, as a junior lawyer at the SSO you are given conduct of your own files, including departmental prosecutions. This independence and responsibility is tempered by the significant guidance available from more senior lawyers and excellent support staff, as well as the thorough training provided (including mock courts).

As a junior lawyer, the fact that you do not need to “settle” in any one of the Office’s practice areas provides the flexibility to maintain a diverse and interesting practice whilst still being able to seek out work that interests you. In addition to the professional opportunities provided by the SSO, the Office offers a fantastic working environment. Not only are the people at the SSO brilliant at what they do, they are also exceptionally friendly and supportive. The SSO is truly a unique place to work, and it is an Office that I am proud to be a part of.


VARIETY IN THE LEGAL PROFESION Lisa Abbott Senior Manager, Legal Services Lotterywest

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never really dreamed of being a lawyer. Psychology and Arts were not as thrilling as I had hoped, so after a year at UWA I just fell into Law. I didn’t like needles, so Medicine was out of the question and Law was the next best thing. But I am glad it happened that way. My UWA law degree has opened many different doors and I have had the good fortune to work in a number of different sectors. I started out as an Articled Clerk at Parker& Parker (now Herbert Smith Freehills) in 1991 and spent 4 very enjoyable years working in their Corporate and Tax area. It was intellectually challenging, always interesting and the people I worked with were smart and very good fun.

I strongly encourage you to try different areas of the law and find what suits you, your values and your lifestyle. There are so many different paths you can take but you can always change direction. Before I had my children, I completed a Master of Business Administration to expand my skills. When I came back from extended time off looking after my children, my challenge was to find interesting and stimulating roles that allowed me to work part-time. There are those roles out there! One of those roles was working in-house part-time for Kerry Stokes’ group of companies. It was a fantastic experience to work in-house in such a successful group and to gain a different perspective on business from the inside. I have also worked in legal education where I worked in the development and delivery of the first WA College of Law Practical Legal Training course. It was great to be involved in legal education and interacting with graduates in their first year of work.

It was just before joining the College of Law that I began job-sharing with my current job-share partner. We have now worked together for over 12 years. Our work relationship is like a marriage – we make decisions jointly, we bounce ideas off each other and we make sure we communicate. Our job share relationship has enabled us to obtain full-time positions that we would not have otherwise been able to do as part-time workers. We market ourselves as a package deal and employers can see the benefit of our combined experience. We currently job-share the position of Senior Manager Legal Services at Lotterywest. We are a legal team of one and are the first in-house lawyers for Lotterywest. Working in government, and Lotterywest in particular, is very different to working in a large law firm or in-house. There are no billing pressures and work life balance is valued. The work is challenging and interesting and no day is ever the same. On any given day I may deal with advice on grant conditions, a dispute with a retailer, contractual advice, statutory interpretation, policy advice, legislative change recommendations etc. I love it and I’m never bored. The people I work with are fun and committed to helping the Western Australian community. It’s a great place to work. I strongly encourage you to try different areas of the law and find what suits you, your values and your lifestyle. There are so many different paths you can take but you can always change direction. Value the colleagues you meet along the way and always ensure you are being challenged in whatever role you choose.

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FILM

LAW AND FILM Lisa Duff Senior Investment Manager, Production Investment Screen Australia

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y career as an independent producer in the Australian Film and Television Industry has spanned many years and has included producing documentaries, short dramas for television and feature films including Last Cab to Darwin. There’s always a degree of uncertainty and insecurity working as a freelancer and as I moved to larger productions, I felt the need to enhance my long term career prospects in the Film Industry. As a result I began to consider my career options, the skills I had and those that required further development. Producing work combines many skills, engagement with creative elements, budgeting and securing finance but also a great deal of time is spent negotiating deals with financiers, distributors, sales agents, government agencies, writers, cast, crew, music publishers‌ Whilst my creative assessment and accounting skills were adequate, I realised especially in relation to feature films, that I would be far more effective as a producer if I were able to properly read and understand the agreements involved in developing, financing, producing and releasing films. Whilst there are always production lawyers to give advice, effective and successful producers are those who understand the options available to them and the ramifications of their decisions. I also started to think about the possibility of working as a production executive for a broadcaster or government film agency and I was aware of the need to develop further my analytical skills and my confidence in taking part in negotiations.

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I already had a Masters Degree in Communications and after researching university post-graduate degrees on offer, I decided that studying a Juris Doctor would assist me in developing the skills I required to be more engaged with film contracting processes and to

be a more confident and active participant in deal negotiations. In the Film Industry an increasing number of Entertainment lawyers are taking producing or executive producing roles as the lines between legal and commercial concerns become more and more blurred. Negotiations with financiers both Australian and international are often complex and an understanding of how to balance and prioritise the rights and responsibilities of all stakeholders is necessary. An awareness of the reality of this blurring of legal and commercial concerns also made studying a Law degree an obvious choice for me for career progression.

Students who are unsure about where they might fit into the legal services industry now have ample opportunities to explore what an alternative legal services careers looks like. Studying the Juris Doctor has given me the skills and confidence necessary to expand my career options in the Film and Television industry. When I finished my degree I applied for a role as an Investment Manager at Screen Australia, the federal government film funding agency. I am responsible for assessing financing deals and plans, recommending feature film and television drama projects for funding and overseeing contracting and production processes. Within my small team, the Head of Production has a background as a lawyer as does my fellow Investment Manager. Legal training is an asset in a job which requires involvement in negotiations with a variety of stakeholders both Australian and international, and often assisting the Australian production community with their


deal negotiations. My role involves an interest in issues facing the global film community and the ability to comment on draft agreements taking these issues into account. Whilst I was a very creative writer, studying the Juris Doctor has also helped me to be a concise and effective writer when it comes to writing recommendation papers. Whilst producing is still my passion, working as an Independent producer and making a consistent wage is difficult. Combining my production experience with a Juris Doctor degree means that I now feel I am equipped with the necessary skills to work in senior executive positions in other areas of the Film and Television industry. I have a particular interest in working in a Business Affairs role for a larger production company, a role which combines both commercial and legal aspects of production.

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TECHNOLOGY

INNOVATION IN LAW Fraser Ricupero CEO and Founder Remedium

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orking in the legal services industry is not for everyone. I recently discovered this after five years in the industry working as both a junior solicitor, then as a legal practice director. Facing up to this reality was confronting to say the least, especially given the many years dedicated to study, the long nights and weekends in the office and the fact that the legal services industry was all that I had known in my professional life. After many weeks of considering my future prospects, I walked away from the industry in my late 20’s unsatisfied and with an overwhelming feeling that my skills would go to waste.

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was to solve large scale problems that impact everyday Australians. The challenge at this point was to identify a problem large enough to warrant significant investment of both time and money. My time working in legal practice exposed me to what is arguably one of the biggest problems impacting Australians. This problem is access to justice. It is no secret that this is a problem and has been for many years. Our extensive research has revealed that the main barriers to justice for the vast majority of Australians are cost, time and complexity.

Students who are unsure about where they might fit into the legal services industry now have ample opportunities to explore what an alternative legal services careers looks like.

In my view, this enormous problem presents a great opportunity to utilise a combination of legal skills and technology as a solution. This is what I have set out to do. The result of this is a startup called Remedium (www.remediumlaw. com). Remedium is an end to end online dispute resolution platform that is designed to facilitate fast and cost-effective outcomes for a range of legal disputes.

What I didn’t realise at the time of walking away was that the traditional legal services industry was not for me and that there was an emerging and more exciting aspect of the industry that I was yet to discover. I took some time to explore what this emerging industry actually looked like and what became clear was that there are many different and varied characteristics that now define what the legal services industry is today. I have concluded that as varied and as diverse as the industry appears to be, the common denominator across the industry is now technology.

Users who sign up to the Remedium platform are not required to have any experience in legal disputes, nor do they need to engage their own lawyers or go to court to resolve a legal matter. Instead, users are provided with access to highly relevant and useful information tailored to their needs and a number of online tools that allow them to engage with another party and settle a dispute. Alternative dispute resolution practitioners and lawyers are added to the platform in the event the parties require a neutral third party to assist them reach resolution.

Upon reflection of my own experiences as a lawyer combined with my newly found appreciation of the benefits of technology, I quickly realised that the skills I had developed as a law student and lawyer would not go to waste provided that they could leverage technology. Further to this, I believe that the best way for technology to deliver value in the industry

Remedium will initially be offered to assist users with family law related disputes. It will then be expanded to deal with small business disputes such as leasing, franchising, employment and trade practice disputes.


Students who are unsure about where they might fit into the legal services industry now have ample opportunities to explore what an alternative legal services careers looks like. When I was at law school (some six years ago) there was no real discussion about the use of technology in legal practice or how it could benefit consumers of legal services on a large scale. Thankfully, most law schools around Australia are aware of the changes to the industry and provide students with exposure to technology and its application to our industry. Today’s law students have an important role to play in the technological advancement of the industry and should do all that they can to explore technology and alternative legal service careers and develop their own ideas that will better serve consumers of legal services into the future.

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ACADEMIA

AN UNEXPECTED DIVERSION: MY JOURNEY FROM PRIVATE PRACTICE TO THE ACADEMY Professor Natalie Skead Dean of Law UWA Law School

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s a young and very eager law graduate, after years of supporting myself through Law School waiting tables and selling clothes, I couldn’t wait to start my first real job in law. In January 1990, I walked into a large commercial law firm for the first day of two years of articles (as it then was), the dream of many a young law graduate. I was ambitious and idealistic, brimming with excitement and confidence, thinking my law studies had equipped me with the knowledge and skills that I needed to be an excellent lawyer from my first day on the job. I couldn’t have been more wrong. In a matter of hours I discovered how little I knew and how little I could do. I wondered why Law School hadn’t prepared me better for this gig. My first rotation was commercial litigation and M&A, and that is where I stayed for the duration of my two years of articles and beyond. In some respects my early experience was very limited, but I was very lucky to work with a number of extraordinary senior lawyers from whom I learnt several invaluable lessons: the importance of professional and ethical conduct (you only have one reputation – take care of it); taking pride in your work and not accepting second best will stand you in good stead; and that being organised is key to success.

CAREERS HANDBOOK

Early years in legal practice can be very exciting and rewarding, but they can also be exhausting and defeating. There are days when you feel utterly incompetent. We all do. For some that can last years, even decades. It is important to recognise this period in your career for what it is – the next important step in your legal learning journey. Embrace the opportunity to learn as much as you can from as many as you can, whenever you can. The possible end points of that journey are many and varied and for some there may be several different endpoints, backtracking and changing direction along the way: what is one person’s perfect career might well be another’s worst nightmare.

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I remained in private practice for twelve years, developing the depth and breadth of knowledge

and wide range of skills needed to be a successful lawyer. I’d like to think that at some point during those twelve years I achieved some level of competence, but others may beg to differ.

Embrace the opportunity to learn as much as you can from as many as you can, whenever you can. Although I loved the excitement, thrill, energy and challenge of practice, for much of it I felt that I had missed my true vocation. I wanted to share my knowledge, skills and insights with others. I wanted to teach. Despite this, I am something of an accidental academic – the fortuitous result of being in the right place at the right time and seizing an exciting opportunity that unexpectedly presented itself. My transition from legal practice to teaching and researching law was motivated only partly by a love for discovering, celebrating and teaching law. Another motivation was a strong personal desire to provide law students with what I felt I had missed out on at Law School. It is the responsibility of Law Schools and law teachers to develop law graduates who embody legal professionalism and civic responsibility – future-proofed graduates that not only have the essential knowledge and skills required to make a meaningful contribution to their communities and their chosen careers in an increasingly uncertain legal landscape, but perhaps more importantly, critical thinkers that are inspired and inspiring, empathetic, reflective, with a strong sense of justice, and who love law and love learning. It has been, and continues to be an immense privilege to be able to play some small part in achieving this overarching goal. Reflecting on my journey in law, I guess the most important lessons I have learned along the way are simple – work hard, take pride in what you do, and, most importantly, be courageous and take risks. You may well find yourself in an immensely rewarding job that you love! Like I did.


Mara Barone SC Barrister Francis Burt Chambers

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was very fortunate to be offered an articled clerkship at Legal Aid Western Australia commencing straight after law school. Several of my friends were making the 20-something working holiday pilgrimage to London after university. I was extremely tempted by the thought of travel and seriously considered going with them. Thinking back, I am not sure if it was the fear that I would not be given an opportunity like Legal Aid again, or because I was in a hurry to start a career after so many years of study, but I chose to stay in Perth. Once I found advocacy, I never regretted the decision to stay.

and how to deal with disasters with grace.

Other than during my first one and a half years at Legal Aid rotating through various sections of the legal practice, I have spent my entire legal career practicing in criminal defence. Although I hadn’t started or finished law school planning to be a criminal lawyer, once I started practicing in crime I knew pretty quickly that I loved it.

Approximately 10 years after admission I started my own firm, Barone Criminal Lawyers. The firm was far from fancy. It consisted of me, and an answering machine, taking up a small office in an old building around the corner from the Central Law Courts. Armed with a few repeat clients and a sense of adventure it grew over time. Eventually employing 4 lawyers, a full time secretary, and a PLT student, my firm grew into something I was truly proud of.

The law is a seriously demanding profession. Whether it is the client, the Judge or the managing partner, someone always expects something from you. The better you get, the bigger the expectations become. Therefore my one tip for a successful life in the law is to find something you seriously enjoy. It is perfectly ok to not know what type of law you want to practice in when you leave law school. It is perfectly ok to try a few different jobs in order to find the right fit. It is even perfectly ok to work out the law isn’t for you after all. Just keep looking until you find something challenging, entertaining and rewarding, however you define those terms. If you are interested in criminal law, then Legal Aid, the Aboriginal Legal Service or the Director of Public Prosecutions (both State and Commonwealth) are great places to start. Depending on available funding, from time to time they run graduate programs. If not, most take on junior lawyers with little or no criminal law experience. For me, being a duty lawyer at Legal Aid was the best way to learn the essential skills of being a good advocate. I learnt how to take instructions quickly, how to think on my feet,

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LIFE AS A CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER

After three years I moved to the Aboriginal Legal Service in Perth. By the time I left the ALS nearly 9 years later, I had been a solicitor, the manager and then the in-house Counsel of the Criminal Law Unit. The ALS gave me an opportunity to grow as an advocate and be exposed to work that was both challenging and worthy. The ALS instilled in its advocates that passion, dedication, and a desire to do better were equally important whether one was conducting a disorderly conduct hearing or a murder trial. I carry that lesson with me always.

In mid 2018 I moved to the Independent Bar at Francis Burt Chambers. I am still settling in to a whole new way of practice, but so far being a Barrister has been a great move for me. It has given me the freedom to focus on being an advocate without all the administration of running a law firm. But no matter where you do it, advocacy is hard work. I still find myself waking up at 4 am to put the polishing touches on a closing address, or eating dinner and ruminating about how I could have done things better that day. Thankfully as challenging as it has been, I have never been bored. It might just be my experience, but criminal lawyers seem to like each other more than most other lawyers do. Yes, we love to gossip. Yes, we have the darkest senses of humour. Yes, we have all the best war stories. But no, we don’t have it all. Just like they say… crime doesn’t pay.

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TRENDS IN THE PROFESSION There are many facets of law which are changing rapidly. It is important, not only as a lawyer, but as a law student to have a grasp of the professional landscape before you enter into the legal world. This section will focus technological trends, advice during the clerkship process and other aspects of the law profession in Western Australia.


TIPS FOR CLERKSHIP SUCCESS Matthew Plint Senior Associate PricewaterhouseCoopers

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typically try to avoid dispensing life advice for fear of being pretentious, but I realised there are some key elements I wish I knew when I was a student. Please feel free to adopt or completely ignore the below. It is simply how I would try to guide my younger self.

Do not be discouraged if you don’t nail every detail of an assignment. Clerkships are largely about examining your attitude and potential fit within the firm. The firm will not expect you to produce absolutely perfect work, but your thought process and application must be sound.

Passion and confidence A key aspect to having a successful career in law is to find an area of law that energises you. Try your best to devote yourself to an area you have a genuine interest in. This interest can stem from a love of the deep and complex technical nature of the area (eg taxation law), or it may stem from the mechanics of how that area operates (eg the adversarial nature of litigation).

Shared Values Each Firm has its own culture and values. Try and select a firm/organisation where you identify with the personalities the firm attracts. Hopefully the other staff will have common values and there will be some synergy. (A reference for the lovers of 30 Rock out there).

If you don’t have a genuine interest in the area, it will be obvious to your prosvective employer and the probability of landing a graduate role will be remote. Your time is valuable. Don’t waste it. If you don’t know which area of law you want to practice in, try and complete different rotations at different clerkships and expose yourself to a variety of roles.

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Once you have landed a clerkship, don’t be anxious and concerned if you don’t receive regular and informative feedback. Some lawyers have surprisingly low EQ (perhaps I have low EQ for making that statement) so don’t be disheartened if you don’t receive regular positive feedback. You have reached this position because you have the necessary attributes. Always remember that and be confident. It is more difficult to impress people on paper than in person. Try and find the sweet spot between swagger and humility when you complete your clerkships.

Listen attentively during your clerkship and take in various viewpoints, but always follow your gut. A firm that appeals to your group of friends may not necessarily appeal to you. It is your career so you must take charge and propel yourself forward. No one will do this for you. At a good firm/ organisation, people will support you but you have to generate your own momentum. Try and decide for yourself if you are more of a small firm/big firm/government organisation person. Many of the relevant considerations will stem from your personal preferences regarding teaming and the type of law you wish to practice in. Mentoring You will click with certain people. Try and identify someone at Special Counsel/junior Partner level who could be your mentor. Also look for a Senior Associate you will be motivated to work for. Finally, look for a “buddy” two years older than you at the Firm. If you can’t find two or three of the above at a firm then don’t accept that Firm’s offer.


Help your peers Support the other vacationers/clerks and build genuine relationships. You will always remember who clerked with you. It is a superb opportunity to make true friendships in the profession.

A key aspect to having a successful career in law is to find an area of law that energises you. Try your best to devote yourself to an area you have a genuine interest in. Enjoy the process. If you dread every day and you can’t connect with the people at the firm then take an offer elsewhere. Give it your best crack but life is too short to be miserable so if you don’t think you will feel fulfilled at the Firm you should consider other options.

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Conclusion Clerkships present an interesting and shifting power dynamic. Embrace the Deadpool motto and give every clerkship “Maximum Effort” but remember like every good relationship, they have to choose you but you also have to choose them.

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EVOLUTION THE KEY TO SURVIVAL Sarah Tempest Head of Marketing & Communication HBA Legal

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hanks to technology advances, most industries are changing: some more rapidly than others.

You’d be forgiven for thinking the legal profession is an exception. Afterall, the law is the law. The law is black and white and that’s a fact. No one can change the law (as least not without an act of parliament!) And indeed, many law firms are continuing to operate under the same traditional model that they’ve operated under for generations. So, if most law firms are not evolving, surely there’s no need? Surely, it’s all hype and surely they can’t be wrong? At HBA, we take a different view. A view articulated so well by world-renowned Canadian legal thought leader Mitch Kowalski who is well known to the UWA Law School having visited several times and carried out numerous guest lectures over the past few years. Author of two critically-acclaimed NewLaw books including ‘The Great Legal Reformation’, Kowalski has clear views about whether the traditional law firm is headed for extinction. His books offer a range of case studies illustrating the gains to be had from treading a ‘NewLaw’ path. During his most recent visit to Australia last year, he criticised the current generation of law firm partners in Australia for not taking serious steps to future-proof the Australian legal industry.

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“Sadly, many partners of traditional law firms who are nearing retirement have taken the shortsighted, and some might say, selfish attitude that the industry reformation will happen after they’re out of the profession. As a consequence, it’s easier and more profitable for them personally to put their heads in the sand,” Kowalski said. Kowalski believes many law firms are both failing

to address the needs of their clients and they are also failing to address the needs of their own millennial talent, despite having the tools to do both. “Let me ask you: how many law firm ‘innovation’ announcements are simply good public relations, and how many are real, actionable, and sustainable? The clatter of information about law firm innovation has become overwhelming and confusing,” Kowalski said. “Just as Generals talk about the ‘fog of war,’ the ‘fog of legal innovation’ has settled thickly over the legal services industry – all with very little change to it.” Mr Kowalski said part of the problem is that many firms are over-invested in their current business model: “This causes them to miss, and even ignore, the needs and desires of their clients. But at some point, there will be a reckoning.” NewLaw Case Study of a defendant-only insurance firm HBA Legal, leading insurance law specialists, was founded on NewLaw principles in 2011. “I actually see it as my obligation to the next generation of young lawyers to heed these warnings and take this stuff seriously to create a sustainable business where we can do great things for clients and employ fantastic people,” said HBA cofounder and Director Nathan Hepple. At its inception, HBA removed the shackles of bureaucracy and traditional thinking so often seen in the big firms, enabling true business partnerships with clients where we focuses on the clients’ business goals and we see significant success to that end. This is achieved the ‘HBA Way’, following NewLaw principles, which pivot


It doesn’t get much more personal than legal fees and HBA challenges the status quo in this regard with fixed fee structures and monthly retainers. We’ve all seen the TV ads: fixed fee and ‘no win, no fee’ scenarios are common in plaintiff style firms. But HBA acts for big corporations and big business in defending claims made against them, and fixed fees/ monthly retainers among HBA’s competitors are rare, if found at all. Using technology and innovation to evolve HBA Legal had long identified that claims in the insurance sector were not being dealt with efficiently and were costing insurers and businesses far more than they should. As a result, our off-shoot business Paratus was born in mid 2017. Today, Paratus is the only company in Australia to offer a full claims, legal and risk management service in one package. By working with Paratus, clients see a considerable reduction in the costs and challenges associated with their claims management. Paratus works under a truly unique business model, integrating legal experts and custom-built IT solutions to help clients’ achieve their goals. Melbourne based Paratus is making waves in the local and London claims markets because it has a far more efficient way to process claims, and hence reduce client costs. Paratus offers a full ‘end-to-end’ claims management service. While many claims third party administrators promise to keep lawyers at bay to reduce costs, the HBA Group knows that

targeted use of lawyers is the key to reducing costs. Experience has shown, time and again, that early intervention and rapid, legal and risk review at key points along the way is how clients save money. This legal eye (from HBA Legal) is built into Paratus’ service and fee (only litigation or some discrete legal issues incur additional fees). In a significant move forward in the insurance industry, Paratus offers its clients immediate access to real-time claims data from across their portfolio. Our Paratus Portal is a smart, userfriendly dashboard that talks to the client’s own claims management system. With one simple log-in clients can refine their strategy, mitigate risk and create specialised reports. The Paratus Portal enables full transparency around costing. We are the only claims management provider with this offering. The Paratus dashboard was created by Pillion (HBA’s second offshoot business). Pillion, based in Newcastle NSW, is the engine room of innovative technology driven solutions for the HBA Group. In a nutshell: HBA lawyers provide the legal advice that makes Paratus unique as a claims management business. Pillion helps HBA Legal and Paratus keep their admin costs down to support the very competitive fees they offer clients, while also delivering savvy IT solutions to support both businesses. That’s evolution. That’s innovation. That’s HBA Group.

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on flexibility, accessibility and innovation. We drive our ‘One HBA’ business model which removes borders to draw on the skill and experience of our people across the network, wherever they sit in relation to the client.

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THE PIDDINGTON SOCIETY + JUSTICE PROJECT PLT Nicholas van Hattem Director of The Piddington Justice Project and Barrister Francis Burt Chambers

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t The Piddington Society, we are driven by our objects to promote collegiality in the legal profession, improve access to justice, support entry into the profession for junior lawyers and provide quality legal education.

We always combine these events with what we call collegiality. When you attend Piddington events you will see that these are great conversations with junior and senior lawyers from across the profession over food and drinks.

Each of these are big tasks on their own, so how do we do it?

The capstone of this is our annual Bali Conference where we take 200 lawyers, and their friends and family too, to Indonesia for the most fun CPD you can have. It’s always held on the WA Day long weekend in June, and I advise you mark it in your diary as it always sells out.

Our flagship education program for graduates is the Piddington Justice Project (PJP). The PJP is an approved PLT course. Seminars and tutorials are delivered by Judges, silks and other senior lawyers who are leaders in their fields. The PJP also works to remedy the challenges facing new law graduates finding employment and the need for community legal centres (CLCs) to serve their clients. We are proud that to date our PJP graduates have contributed an estimated 10,000 hours to CLCs, materially expanding the legal advice offered to the community.

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We also achieve our education goals through regular CPD events. Professional development is a requirement of our profession, and ours balances the technical aspects of law and practice with ethics and a focus on justice itself. You’ll find yourself listening to leaders in the law speak candidly about their views, experiences and challenges.

The heart of Piddington is in our relaxed, fun approach. Piddington was formed in 2011 as a primarily social endeavour. We’re named after Albert Piddington – the shortest serving Judge of the High Court. Just like his Honour, you could say that we were here for a good time, not a long time. Piddington wants to be a part of your career. We want to support your professional and personal development, and help your pathway into law be more friendly and more open. My favourite thing about Piddington is that even the most junior practitioners can sit alongside the most senior, like silks and judges, and have a friendly conversation, discuss they law or life general and even have a drink, a laugh and, at times, a dance.


So, how do you engage with Piddington? The first step is to sign up to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn and see what events you want to come to. If you can’t afford an event but are particularly interested, reach out and we will see what we can do.

The heart of Piddington is in our relaxed, fun approach. Piddington was formed in 2011 as a primarily social endeavour. We’re named after Albert Piddington – the shortest serving Judge of the High Court. Just like his Honour, you could say that we were here for a good time, not a long time. The second step is meeting new people and building a relationship with the profession. You can be sure that Piddington will support you in doing that.

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Your careers are just starting. Though it seems daunting, we hope that Piddington can held to welcome you into the Profession.

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BLACKSTONE SOCIETY


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