Pragma Lawyers

About the Firm

What are Pragma’s values? Utmost Integrity •we are open and honest. •we adhere to ethical best practice. Delivering outstanding value •Our dedication to our clients separates us from other firms. •We strive to achieve the best outcome for our clients in the most cost-effective and timely way. •We do this by working as a team, challenging conventional thinking and always going the extra mile. Forward thinking •We are constantly improving our skills and knowledge. •We engage with new technologies to deliver efficiencies to our clients. Fostering great team members •We build each other up. We recognise, celebrate and reward individual and team contributions. •We treat each other with respect and honesty. Leaders in the community •We have in place activities and processes to stay mentally and physically healthy so we are always operating at our best. •We provide pro bono support to disadvantaged persons on a far greater per person scale than our competitors. We do this through both financial and in-kind support to the Subiaco Justice Centre. How would you describe your firm’s culture? Pragma Lawyers is not a “traditional” law firm. We pride ourselves on being nimble and outside-the-box thinkers. Our firm’s values form the foundation of its success and our culture. We emphasise the importance of living our values, which we have developed together as a team after an extensive selfanalysis process: we act with the utmost integrity, we take pride in delivering outstanding value to clients, we are forward thinking, we foster both great team members and working environment, and we are leaders in our community.

How does Pragma distinguish itself from other law firms? Pragma helps its clients avoid and resolve disputes so they can focus on what’s important. Pragma is leading the way in legal innovation, being one of the first firms to implement cost effective models such as outcome based pricing and fixed-fee early mediation.

What notable awards has Pragma received? Externally, since the firm was established in 2014, the firm has grown dramatically in both size and reputation. Pragma has been recognised as one of the fastest growing law firms in Australia (Australasian Lawyer Magazine, October, 2016) and we were nominated as a finalist in the Australian Law Awards, as well as listed in Australasian Lawyer Innovative Firms for 2016 and 2019. We made the list for the Australasian Lawyer Employer of Choice for 2019 and 2020, we became a finalist in this year’s Australian Law Awards Wellness Initiative of the Year 2020. We were also recently selected as an Excellence Awardee for our Insolvency & Restructuring Deal of the Year for 2021.

What significant work has your firm recently undertaken? Recent work has been varied: Pragma has advised on the sale of significant mining tenements to an international purchaser (encompassing both insolvency and commercial advice), advising on the sale of The Subiaco Hotel, commencing, and resolving a large dispute between former directors of a goldmine in Western Australia, and appearing in the Perth Casino Royal Commission.

282 Rokeby Road, Subiaco 6008

pragma.law

What kind of pro bono work does the firm engage in? Consistent with our values, Pragma undertakes a wide range of pro-bono work including litigious matters such as debts owed to migrant employees, defending violence restraining

orders for the elderly and defending claims brought by banks against individuals. Our clerks and Graduates also assist in the day-to-day operations of the Subiaco Justice Centre, a not-for-profit organisation that Pragma is heavily involved in.

Clerkships

During which periods do you offer clerkships? At Pragma, we aim to ‘do things differently’ for both our clients, as well as for the people we recruit to be part of our team. Pragma do not formally participate in the clerkship application process however our recruitment model sees us hire casual paralegals all year round to be part of our growing team. When we do recruit paralegals, we are looking for team players who have a willingness to go the extra mile and want to be part of a team that deliver the best possible results for our clients.

How many clerkship positions are available for 2022? 1-2

What tasks do clerks usually undertake? When you are part of the Pragma team you are exposed to a wide variety of tasks within the standard day-to-day running of a law firm. This ensures clerks are well prepared for life beyond studies and gives an opportunity to those clerks who wish to be part of the team as either a Graduate or a Lawyer, to be nurtured into these future pathways by the staff that they will later be closely working with. Clerks can expect to undertake a wide variety of legal and administrative tasks that assist in building their legal cache and skillset. Tasks include drafting legal documents, correspondence with parties, assisting Lawyers in their attendance at court or in mediation, writing articles, and conducting targeted or broad spectrum research. Pragma is generally open to cater for a clerk’s particular interests in the law in providing opportunity to work in both team-specific and general capacities at the firm.

How can a clerk stand out or make a good impression? Know your stuff. We do not want you to repeat our website back to us but know our practice areas and why you want to join what we do. Seek out information from fellow students, there are plenty of great clerks that work with us currently that can give you insights. Know why you want to be in the interview. There are many firms around that are unique in their own ways, find out what those differences are and seek interviews at firms that align with your values and goals.

Do you offer clerkships to non-penultimate year students? We look to employ students from first year through to final year which provides a diverse range of students into our paralegal pool. What does your firm look for in a graduate? We have a growing team of professional staff members who are focused on delivering results through our pragmatic approach. We’re always looking for positive, motivated people to join our team in range of capacities.

How many graduate positions are available in 2022? 1 to 2.

Does your firm offer any international opportunities for graduates or junior lawyers? No, we do not. Although at Pragma you will get plenty of opportunities to be involved in matters with our local, national, and international clients.

How can students find these opportunities and apply? To learn more about Pragma Lawyers or to be in the know about future paralegal or graduate vacancies, please follow ‘Pragma Lawyers’ on Instagram, visit our website pragma.law/join/ or email through you cover letter and CV to careers@pragma.law.