Baker McKenzie

About the Firm

What are your core values? Quality and excellence together with integrity, honesty, candor, teamwork and responsiveness are central in us delivering outstanding service to our clients. • We are passionately global, and leverage our global expertise for our Australian and global clients at every opportunity, recognizing our strength is in our diversity. • We are a truly multi-cultural firm united by a genuine and robust culture of friendship, inclusion and collaboration. • We are commercial pragmatists who make complex issues simple for our clients and we are passionately committed to service excellence. • We strive to stay ahead of the curve, we bring entrepreneurial energy to our work, we embrace innovative change – and our curiosity continues to push boundaries. • We actively encourage and support engaging with our community, through our pro bono and community service. • We want everyone to reach their potential so we invest in world-class development and mobility programs for our people. Baker McKenzie is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive culture for all its employees, with equal opportunity for all to progress and have a meaningful career with our Firm. Our mission is to foster an environment where individuals of every ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, age, disability, career status, and working style may succeed professionally and fully contribute to the goals of the Firm. As the first truly global law firm, we understand that organisations work best when people with different backgrounds and multiple points of view are brought together. Our award-winning diversity strategy, initiatives and programs are focused in five key areas, in which all our people can participate: • BakerWomen – gender diversity, including the implementation of our gender diversity strategy to support the progression of women as a strategic priority for the Firm • BakerDNA – ethnic, indigenous & cultural diversity • BakerWellbeing – mental health and wellbeing, workplace flexibility and supporting parents/carers • BakerPride – lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex diversity Offices in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney

bakermckenzie.com/ en/careers

• Baker Indigenous

Engagement – 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. Our bAgile program encourages a range of flexible work opportunities for all. We invite you to let us know of any reasonable adjustments you require to equitably participate in the recruitment process or in performing the requirements of a role at Baker McKenzie.

How would you describe your firm’s culture? Many of our seasonal clerks, graduates and lawyers say one of the reasons 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 every day. Our social and sports committee contributes 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 travel insurance for you/your immediate family, massages, discounted movie tickets, study assistance, corporate discounts).

How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? We 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 business development at the local, regional and global levels. Our lawyers also attend regional and 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. We also provide our lawyers with opportunities to attend USA summer school courses and scholarships for full-time legal study overseas, and support them undertake further study locally, financially and with study leave. In addition, the Firm offers opportunities for lawyers at varying stages of their career to work directly for clients or with our other offices globally.

What notable awards has Baker McKenzie received? • World’s Best Law Firm Brand -

Acritas’ Global Elite Law Firm

Brand Index - 2022 - 12th consecutive year. • Number one legal brand in the Asia Pacific region -

Acritas’ Asia Pacific Brand

Index 2022. • Top global law firm for 2019 - Law360 (ranking of top 20 firms with greatest global reach and expertise) - 9th consecutive year. • Ranked number 1 in crossborder deals by volume over the past decade - Refinitiv. • Chambers Global released its 2022 guide, ranking Baker

McKenzie in 317 practice areas and in 397 lawyer categories. • Workplace Gender Equality

Agency (WGEA) Employer of

Choice for Gender Equality - 2022 - 12th consecutive year. • One of Stonewall’s Top

Global Employers for 2020.

The Firm was one of only 17 companies worldwide to have been recognised for its work in LGBT+ inclusion.

Baker McKenzie was also awarded the Global Trans

Inclusion Award 2020. • Identified as one of the best law firms for women by

Working Mother magazine,

Law360 and Euromoney. • Silver Employer recognition at the LGBTI Inclusion Awards - The Australian Workplace

Equality Index (AWEI). • Australian Law Awards - winner of the Wellness

Initiative of the Year 2020.

What significant work has your firm recently undertaken? Locally and globally, Baker McKenzie works on significant and high profile matters, for leading local and global clients. We have the experience and expertise, at a local and global level, to meet complex demands from our clients. Our clients include nearly all of the world’s largest public companies and more than threequarters of the Fortune 500. For more on our clients and matters, visit our website: bakermckenzie. com/en/newsroom

What kind of pro bono work does the firm engage in? Pro Bono and Community Service initiatives are an integral part of Baker McKenzie’s mission. Our Pro Bono, Community Service 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. (a) 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. Last financial year, we significantly exceeded this target with our lawyers undertaking an average of 47 hours of pro bono work! 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. (b) 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, pen pal programs to build literacy in primary school aged students, Gawura school reading program and Eat Up school lunch preparation session. We also have a workplace giving program which we run via good2give. In addition, each year, the firm selects three new charity partners to support and raise awareness internally. This year, our partners are Tuberous Sclerosis Australia (TSA), Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS) and LeaderLife.

Clerkship

During which periods do you offer clerkships? Intake 1: 28 November to 23 December 2022 Intake 2: 30 January to 24 February 2023 Intake 3: 26 June to 21 July 2023

How many clerkship positions are available for 2022? Approximately 30 - 32

What tasks do clerks usually undertake? At Baker McKenzie, our seasonal clerks experience life as a junior lawyer at our Firm. Right from the start, you 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, phone calls and events, 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, legal research, document review tasks, attending client meetings, attending court/mediations, attending meetings with barristers/witnesses, attending settlements, and preparing client alerts. Working with lawyers of all levels, you will be guided by a supervising partner and associate ‘buddy’. With the Firm’s strong focus on supporting its people to learn, grow and achieve better results, you can expect to be well led, well coached and well mentored.

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, displayed excellent legal and technical skills. But they’ve also displayed commercial acumen and awareness, strong communication and interpersonal skills, a clientcentric approach, a performance mindset, enthusiasm, a great attitude, initiative, resilience, curiousity, 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 non-penultimate year students? In line with the Law Institute of Victoria Seasonal Clerkship Guidelines 2022, we accept applications from law students in their penultimate or final year.

What does your firm look for in a graduate? Baker McKenzie looks for people (including graduates/clerks) who genuinely want to work with us and who understand Baker McKenzie’s unique offering and position in the market. We look for well-rounded, motivated individuals who have a performance mindset and strive to be the best in whatever they do; who are intellectually curious and have sound academics; who display business acumen and are practical in their approach; who have a global mind-set; who are passionately committed to service excellence. We look for people who enjoy a challenge and seek new opportunities; who constantly look for ways to achieve better results while learning and growing; who take proactive ownership and responsibility for their careers. We look for people who act with integrity, honesty and candor in their dealings, decisions and actions; who express themselves confidently while staying open to new ideas; who seek a friendly, inclusive and diverse culture; and who take seriously our role in making a difference to our local and global communities.

How can students apply for a graduate position? 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. How many graduate positions are available in 2022? Approximately 12.

Does your firm offer any 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. Previously, 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. 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. Does your firm offer any casual or part-time employment? Yes

How can students find these opportunities and apply? We will advertise same.

About the Firm

What are your firm’s core values? Trust, Respect and Co-operation

How would you describe your firm’s culture? Down-to-earth, collaborative, inclusive, energetic, and entrepreneurial. We think the culture at Clayton Utz is pretty special and reflects the type of people we attract - smart, commercially savvy, true to themselves, and with a strong social conscience.

How does your firm distinguish itself from other law firms? Our culture, and our approach to client service. We’re particularly proud of our globally recognised Pro Bono practice, that we were the first law firm to create the role of National Mental Health Manager, and of the way in which our people have embraced our diversity and inclusion initiatives.

What significant work has your firm recently undertaken? Our Clayton Utz team recently reached an enormous milestone on the Victorian Government’s landmark AUD $11.1 billion North East Link Project (NELP), with the project’s Central Package Public Private Partnership (PPP) achieving financial close in November 2021. The PPP represents the largest investment in a road project in Victoria’s history and is said to have delivered the “missing link” in Victoria’s transport network. Clayton Utz played a critical role, working with a first-class team from the Victorian Government’s Major Transport Infrastructure Authority, on every stage of the development of the project. We were also proud to have played a role in a historic milestone for the Aboriginal Flag - helping the Commonwealth of Australia to acquire the copyright in the Flag to be able to make it freely available for public use. In another recent high-profile deal, we advised the Australian Commonwealth Department of Defence on a landmark $1 billion contract with Telstra for the continued delivery of worldleading technology and critical network and telecommunications services.

What notable awards has Clayton Utz received? Clayton Utz features in GradAustralia’s Top 100 Graduate Employers in 2022 - and are committed to continuously improve our ranking, which reflects the time and effort we’ve put in to deliverer a first-class graduate program. Level 27, QV1 Building 250 St Georges Terrace, Perth 6000

graduates.claytonutz. com/

For the eighth year running, we were also recognised as a Workplace Gender Equality Agency Employer of Choice for Gender Equality 2022. We were also proud to be awarded Corporate Citizen Firm of the Year for 2021 and featured as a top employer for workplace giving by Good Company.

What kind of pro bono work does the firm engage in? Our Pro Bono practice is a dedicated practice area within the firm and doing pro bono work is a fundamental part of being a lawyer at Clayton Utz. We act for low-income and vulnerable people who cannot obtain Legal Aid, and the notfor-profits that support them. In FY21, we provided 59,095 hours of pro bono legal assistance to 727 individuals and 265 notfor-profits and opened 609 new client files. We also worked with 38 Community Legal Centres, Legal Aid Commissions and Aboriginal Legal Services. We prevented 96 people from becoming homeless, provided 1,688 hours of advice on elder abuse matters, recovered $1,134,855 in compensation for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and recovered $684,488 for clients in respect of claims for wage theft, unfair dismissal, discrimination, and sexual harassment.

During which periods do you offer clerkships? Summer and Winter.

How many clerkship positions are available for 2022? Approximately 35.

What tasks do clerks usually undertake? Research, writing and drafting memos/letters, attending court and client meetings, pro bono, and assisting with preparation of matters for hearings. a clerkship in your penultimate year by answering the relevant question.

Graduate Jobs

What does your firm look for in a graduate? We’re looking for people who are personable, practical, and 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 are willing and ready to tackle challenges.

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, and commerciallysavvy, as well as flexible.

What are some things to avoid in applications? Spelling mistakes! Attention to detail is critical so make sure you allow enough time to review your application in full prior to submitting it.

Do you offer clerkships to non-penultimate year students? Yes. Although the clerkship is aimed at students in their penultimate year of study, if you are in your final year, please outline in your application why you weren’t able to undertake How can students apply for a graduate position? Apply for a clerkship, as we hire most of our graduates through our clerkship programs. Occasionally, additional opportunities may arise, and these will be listed on our website.

How many graduate positions are available in 2022? Approximately nine.

Does your firm offer any international opportunities? Yes, International work is a really important part of our practice and we’ve got strong relationships with many overseas firms handling both inbound and outbound matters. This is obviously very important for our clients and the firm but it is also beneficial for our people who are interested in working abroad. We have formal and informal international placement programs with various leading law firms around the world that see Clayton Utz lawyers living and working in London, New York, Tokyo, and Hong Kong.

Interviews

What does your firm like to see in a job interview? Someone who is well-rounded. 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. Strong candidates are able to demonstrate that they have personality, confidence, problem-solving skills, flexibility, resilience and an eagerness to learn.

How can students prepare for an interview with your firm? Spend some time on our website reading about our practice areas and the work we do, research the people who will be interviewing you, and prepare a couple of questions to ask at the interview. Be prepared to discuss the specific practice areas in which you’re interested, and why.

Student Jobs

Does your firm offer casual or part-time employment? Yes.

How can students find these opportunities and apply? On our website, they can create a profile and register a Job Alert for paralegal vacancies.