General Tips for Law School

NICK MALONE

Senior Associate at Pragma Lawyers

Enjoy Uni It might seem odd that in a careers handbook you’re receiving advice to enjoy what is about to come to an end. No matter how you’ve got to the near end of your degree it is important you enjoy what is left of it. This is for two reasons: •The last year of university goes quickly. Hopefully you’ve enjoyed your time but remember it’s not over yet. Savour what is left of it; don’t just let it pass you by; and •Cement the friendships you have made. Most graduates will go in different directions that may lead them to different firms in Perth, in Australia or overseas. Having a good group of friends from university can help you with getting through the ups and downs of legal practice, whether that be to let some steam off on a Friday or have a ‘brains trust’ from which you can ask questions.

The law is full of all types of people, ‘your’ people are out there, you may just have to find them Being offered a graduate role is a truly exciting part of the transition from law school to practice. However, for some, the starting blocks of their careers can be difficult if they find they don’t align with the people they work with. Most lawyers in Perth are collegiate and welcoming but if you don’t feel like you fit in where you accept a graduate role to, the world is not over. The law is full of different personalities, including rock performers, athletes or vintners, whom all engage in a range of exciting, interesting areas of work. It may be the area of law for you is right but you just ‘click’ better with another team. Or, it may be the area of law you thought you were interested in, you in fact find very unfulfilling. Don’t be afraid to make the bold choice and go somewhere new and find ‘your’ people who will allow you to thrive in your career.

Marks aren’t everything, experience isn’t everything, nothing is everything The leading personality traits most law firms look for today is to competent individuals who fit with the team they are expected to join and who exhibit the capacity to learn and grow. I’m sure you feel a lot of pressure to get the best grades possible and have 10 firms on your CV before you graduate. In actuality: neither will give you the golden ticket to the job you want. You have hopefully ensured your grades are as good as they can be and you may have been lucky enough to clerk whilst you’ve been studying. However, ensuring you are the right cultural fit is usually the single greatest factor a firm look at in deciding whether to bring on a graduate or not.

Mentors Mentors can be vital to help you throughout your legal career. The significance of a mentor at the start of your legal career can be huge, especially where you’re only finding your feet in the profession and trying to develop your skills. There are numerous bodies which run mentor programs and I’d highly recommend you join one (or more) of them.

Admit Mistakes I hope you don’t make too many mistakes in your career but in what we do, they will happen from time to time. It is largely assistive to develop sound practices that ensure, as a matter of process, you catch mistakes before they have any impact. However, even if you’re able to do this, mistakes will inevitably happen. Own them. Everyone who has come before you have made mistakes. Some have made big mistakes and still have gone on to have exceptional careers in the law, including as Silks and Judges. Acknowledging that everyone makes mistakes can be important in ensuring you own yours. Speak up when you make them and seek guidance. Most senior members of the profession will not (contrary to what you might think) turn the world upside because of the mistake. They will work with you to correct the mistake and help you get better.

Blackstone Society 2022

Handbook Editor in Chief: Kalini Stevens

Careers Vice-President: David Seong Marketing Vice-President: Anouscha Green Careers Sub-Committee: Celeste Travaglini, Alex Godfrey, Vukasin Sokic, Bella Mairata Marketing Sub-Committee: Brittany Forsyth, Jen Liu, Tahlia Mellor, Sara Stamenkovic President: Jihoo Lee

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The Hon Robert French AC, Saleem Alodeh, Anouscha Green, Jihoo Lee, David Seong, Liam Anderson, Alex Sparrow, Kalini Stevens, Sarah Thiruneelakandan, Lewis Whitehurst, Jacinta Cowan, Catlin Hughes, Norman Jacka, Yasmin Kirkham, Rowena Baer, Simon Bourke, Emily Bradley, Fraser Cull, Olivia de Koning, Nick Ellery, Marissa Forbes, Alastair Henderson, Rachel Lee, Tim Moorman, Eloise Munro, Briony Pole, The Hon Justice Michael Buss, The Hon Judge Julie Wager, Paul Yovich SC, Tom Percy QC, Aleasha Sanchez, Dr Marilyn Bromberg, Chelsea Francis, Marty Kavanagh, Nick Malone, Jana Nguyen, Schellie-Jayne Price, William Robinson