Launch. Join the game changers of Australian Law
/16
Inside / Welcome The Innovators The Deal Room A week in a life of Learning Practice areas G+T Culture Launch Insights The Mentors The Enablers Inside Out
Welcome toGilbert +Tobin “2016 will see Gilbert+Tobin relocate to Sydney’s newest business district Barangaroo – a redevelopment project that has been widely reported as ambitious, vibrant and with great global significance – a fitting address, as we stride towards a future of great change and new thinking.” Danny Gilbert
We are excited about our future and our ever increasing capacity as we build a firm of distinction, not only amongst the first tier corporate law firms in Australia but across the globe. We challenge the traditional conceptions of legal practice through our appetite for change, innovation and new ways of working. As you consider this important decision, we want to give you a window into life at Gilbert+Tobin and indeed into the rewarding career that is legal practice today. We appreciate that finding the right firm to launch your career can be hard and that choosing a firm is only the start. Finding a team that you want to work with is just as important. As the leading and proudly independent law firm, Gilbert+Tobin offers an opportunity to work with some of the best leaders, mentors and clients in the country along with a growing network of international partner firms.
We are proud of our reputation as a leading corporate citizen. Our pro bono work is of special importance to us as we maintain our commitment to have a positive impact on the lives of others. Through our legal support and friendship we try to make a real difference to disadvantaged and marginalised Australians. We know you will have a rich and rewarding experience being part of our future and we look forward to welcoming you to Gilbert+Tobin.
Danny Gilbert, AM Managing Partner
TheInnovator The legal industry is changing rapidly and, in fact, being disrupted by new technology. Gilbert+Tobin embraces this challenge through innovation. Our creative approaches engage our people and our clients to shift the way legal services are produced and delivered.
ors
NFP HeadQuarters G+T’s ‘Third Sector’ practice, led by Partner Darren Fittler, is revolutionising the way not-for-profit (NFP) organisations receive legal services through the development of NFPHQ. NFPHQ is a digital platform that provides top-tier legal documents, knowledge and expertise, specifically tailored to the needs of not-forprofits, through an affordable subscription model. This allows G+T to have more impact in the community and apply its expertise to more organisations than it could through traditional means. NFPHQ was borne from Darren’s frustration that he could only help those clients he could physically serve in the time available. Currently in a beta launch phase with selected clients – NFPHQ will become a ‘must have’ service for leading NFP organisations and charities in the near future.
Future Futures Committee We know that our young lawyers have as much of a stake in our future as our senior partners. After all, they have a longer time frame to consider! While some organisations ‘do strategy’ behind the closed doors of a ‘Partners’ Meeting’, G+T embraces the talent and energy of its young lawyers. Last year, several early career lawyers formed a ‘Future Futures Committee’ to explore the trends at work in the legal industry and make recommendations for G+T. The group put a range of confronting and exciting insights to G+T’s partners. The formation of our g+t<i> innovation initiative was a direct result of their recommendation.
LegalVision
dd<i> Conducting due diligence (the legal review of a business to identify any material issues for the buyer) is a crucial part of almost all M&A transactions. As a leading M&A law firm, Gilbert+Tobin does a significant amount of due diligence. Due diligence is crucial to our clients in managing their risks. It is also a labourintensive and time-consuming task that can be costly to perform. G+T is focused on cost-effectively delivering a high quality review. We use technology to enhance the process. G+T’s corporate team has developed ‘dd<i>’ in conjunction with a US-based lawtech start-up. This platform guides and prompts junior lawyers as they perform a review and collects their findings electronically. We now automate many administrative tasks to allow our lawyers to focus on higher-value legal analysis.
Westpac Hackathon Hackathons are intensive design events with a focus on delivering not just ideas but tangible prototypes. Inspired by hackathons in the tech world, we recently held a hackathon event with Westpac’s in-house legal team. At the hackathon, teams combined lawyers from Westpac and G+T with technologists from G+T and LegalVision in an intensive 24-hours. The goal was to design solutions to streamline the interactions the bank’s business units have with the in-house legal team. This exciting event was a world-first for a law firm to work so closely with a client in this way.
LegalVision is a tech-driven startup law firm that provides high-quality but cost effective legal services to the small-tomedium business segment. LegalVision uses technology and process expertise to disrupt the legal market. In 2015 Gilbert+Tobin made a strategic investment in LegalVision. We have embraced the need to both work with and learn from disruptors in the market. A secondment program has been established where G+T lawyers spend time at LegalVision to experience working in a start-up environment. The investment creates opportunities for collaboration to serve the needs of larger commercial clients with efficiently delivered, quality legal solutions. As part of the investment into LegalVision, Gilbert+Tobin’s Chief Operating Officer, Sam Nickless, joined their board, positioning Gilbert+Tobin to look closely at how the two businesses can work together.
“For a while now we have been examining how the use of new technology and processes can provide efficiencies and improvements for current and future clients. It is critical for the firm to stay progressive and this investment provides Gilbert+Tobin the opportunity for further innovation and growth as it responds to ongoing disruption in the legal market.” Danny Gilbert, Managing Partner
Gilbert+Tobin’s ‘dynamic and progressive’ practice remains pre-eminent, featuring Partners who demonstrate an ‘impressive willingness to engage with clients’.
2015 Australasian Law Awards
The Legal 500 2016
Gilbert+Tobin won five awards including:
2015 Chambers Asia-Pacific Awards of Excellence Gilbert+Tobin won the rarely awarded Australian Client Service Law Firm of the Year.
2017 Best Lawyers Australia 51 Gilbert+Tobin partners were recognised in 41 areas of law which represents over 75% of the partnership being acknowledged as leading in their areas of expertise. Among these, eight partners were named as Lawyer of the Year in their area of specialisation.
2016 Chambers Asia-Pacific
+ Australian Law Firm of the Year (250-500 lawyers) + Law Firm Leader of the Year + Property, Infrastructure and Projects Deal of the Year + Insolvency & Restructuring Deal of the Year + International Deal of the Year.
38 Gilbert+Tobin partners were recognised in 17 areas of law. Gilbert+Tobin was given a Band 1 ranking in each of Corporate/M&A, Equity Capital Markets, Private Equity and Competition and Antitrust.
Reach +Recognition
“They are constructive lawyers with a pragmatic, can-do culture who are good to work with and understand the dynamics of a deal.” Chambers Asia-Pacific 2016
2015 IFLR Asia Awards Gilbert+Tobin won Australian Law Firm of the Year and High-Yield Deal of the Year at the prestigious International Financial Law Review Asia Awards which recognises the most innovative legal firms and deals in the Asia Pacific region.
2015 Financial Times Asia-Pacific Innovative Lawyers Awards Gilbert+Tobin was recognised as Most Innovative Australian Law Firm for the second year and placed second overall in the top 25 Asia Pacific headquartered law firms, performing strongly across several categories as an innovation leader.
TheDeal Room
NSW Electricity Privatisations
We work on many of Australia’s largest, most complex and ground breaking deals. Our agility, innovative work practices and teams of leading partners and lawyers allow us to achieve commercial results through creative solutions and perseverance.
Qube Asciano Acted as advisors to Qube as part of a consortium on the proposed joint acquisition of Asciano Limited for $9.05 billion. The consortium consists of GIP, CPPIB, Brookfield infrastructure and a number of sovereign wealth funds. Gilbert+Tobin was the lead advisor to the consortium for ACCC competition clearance.
Foxtel/Ten Network Advised Ten Network on its strategic arrangements with Foxtel. Despite a large number of objections, skeptical press and an initially skeptical ACCC, Gilbert+Tobin managed to secure clearance of the arrangements for Ten on an unconditional basis. The transaction required a convincing analysis of the impact of new media on free to air and pay TV players to dispel concerns about media concentration in a small market like Australia, based on past history in the traditional media markets.
Vitol Advised Vitol, the world’s largest independent energy trader, on the $2.9 billion acquisition of Shell’s Australian downstream assets, including the Geelong Refinery and 870 retail sites across the country.
RiverCity Class Action Securing a AUD$280 million settlement – the largest settlement of a misleading and deceptive conduct claim in Australian corporate history – for the RiverCity companies in proceedings against AECOM Australia in the Federal Court of Australia in relation to Brisbane’s Clem 7 Tunnel.
Telstra/Pacnet Acted as Lead Counsel for Telstra on its US$697 million acquisition of the Asian based telecommunications and services provider Pacnet by way of merger under Bermudian law.
Advised a syndicate of 12 senior financiers regarding senior secured debt funding of the winning consortium bid for the privatisation of the TransGrid electricity transmission network, by way of a 99 year lease from the NSW Government. This was one of the largest financings ever completed in Australia, with Gilbert+Tobin completing the financing in 3 weeks from the announcement of the winning bid. Gilbert+Tobin advisors were awarded M&A Deal of the Year for work on TransGrid in the 2015 Project Finance International Awards.
Vail Resorts Advised on its $176.6 million acquisition of the entities that operate Perisher Ski Resort.
Pacific Equity Partners Advised on its sale of Hoyts Group to ID Leisure Ventures Limited, a Chinabased investment fund founded by entrepreneur Mr Sun Xishuang.
Energy Developments Limited Advised on its $1.4 billion acquisition by Duet Group by scheme of arrangement.
David Jones/Woolworths Holdings (South Africa) Advised on Woolworths’ $2.15 billion acquisition of David Jones by scheme of arrangement and acquisition by takeover of minorities in Country Road.
“They are constructive lawyers with a pragmatic, can-do culture who are good to work with and understand the dynamics of a deal.” Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2016
Gilbert+Tobin’s Corporate Advisory group is a dynamic place to kick start your career. You’ll work alongside partners who are recognised as the best in Australia at what they do. As a member of the group, you’ll be exposed to a large and diverse client base that includes listed companies in all sectors, investment banks, institutional investors, government agencies, large privately owned companies, private equity firms and other financial investors. Clerks and graduates in Corporate Advisory will also gain insight into the firm’s other practice areas. To successfully facilitate major transactions, you will be part of a team that includes specialists from areas such as Competition + Regulation, Banking + Infrastructure and Real Estate + Projects.
What you’ll experience According to Partner Andrew Bullock, Corporate Advisory is a great place to broaden your legal skills. “The work is very interesting because it’s transaction based,” he explains. “And because no two transactions are the same, the work never becomes predictable. This is part of the attraction of being in the group.” “Capital markets work is about a third of what we do, alongside mergers and acquisitions, and private equity work,” adds Partner John Williamson-Noble. “It’s an exciting area and the atmosphere is busy, but very enthusiastic and friendly.”
Cross-border networks
Equity Capital Markets
Because Gilbert+Tobin is an independent firm, we attract referrals from firms all over the world that regard the global firms with offices in Australia as their competitors. Our international network includes the top US law firms; Magic Circle firms that don’t have Australian operations, such as Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Slaughter and May and many other top ranking independent firms in key jurisdictions.
Our Corporate Advisory group includes one of the strongest equity capital markets teams in Australia and a number of our partners are recognised as market leaders for their ability to combine technical skills with a commercial overlay. You’ll work with specialists renowned for providing groundbreaking advice on new and existing structures and financial products. The team has acted for many listed corporations and regularly acts for global investment banks and underwriters on equity capital markets transactions.
Mergers + Acquisitions Our Mergers + Acquisitions (M+A) partners are among the best in Australia, and the M+A team is one of the strongest in the Asia Pacific region. Our lawyers have a reputation for closing transactions in the face of significant challenges, and are regularly approached to act on Australia’s most difficult and strategic transactions. You’ll be part of a team whose reputation ensures Gilbert+Tobin attracts an array of high-profile clients.
Private Equity The firm’s Corporate Advisory group incorporates what is regarded as Australia’s leading private equity practice. The teams’ strength lies in its ability to effectively manage and close large structured deals, due to a deep knowledge of clients’ requirements and a constant eye on novel opportunities. If you’re serious about becoming a specialist in private equity, this is the place to be.
Funds Management Gilbert+Tobin’s funds management specialists provide advice to private equity, real estate and infrastructure funds managers; large corporations, banks and underwriters; and institutional investors across the entire funds management lifecycle. We do this regardless of the nature or location of the investors in the fund, the type of fund structure or the fund’s investment focus. The team is considered a market leader in mid-cap private equity and venture capital funds establishment. In recent years, we’ve acted on almost all of these types of funds. The team has also become a market leader in regulated mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions relating to large listed funds, having acted on the majority of such transactions in the market over the past few years.
Tax As a tax specialist, you’ll work collaboratively with other lawyers across all practice groups to provide taxation advice on a broad range of commercial transactions. Clerks and graduates will have the chance to assist lawyers working closely with external advisers and client teams, providing advice and developing tax-effective structures to minimise the risk of later disputes.
Corporate Advisory
“They provide a complete service with significant expertise. They are entirely professional and extremely proactive, and deliver on time every time.”
Our Banking + Infrastructure group advises many of the largest Australian and international financial institutions, investment banks, project financiers and sponsors, government entities, corporations, private equity funds and hedge funds.
Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2015
We have earned a reputation for providing best in class advice to our clients by working collaboratively to provide ‘whole of firm’ innovative and creative legal solutions. We specialise in complexity and simplifying it for our clients.
Banking +Infrastructure Leveraged + Corporate Finance Our clerks and graduates assist lawyers who advise major listed companies on corporate debt arrangements, as well as private equity firms and corporate and institutional clients on large and complex leveraged M&A transactions. We also advise Australia’s Big Four banks and the major local and foreign investment banks as arrangers and lenders of leveraged debt.
Project + Infrastructure Finance You’ll work alongside lawyers who are specialists in debt and equity financing arrangements, project formation, structuring and implementation on PPPs and projects in areas such as special infrastructure, property development, transport, power and energy, mining and resources, and oil and gas. Our clients include leading Australian and foreign project finance firms, sovereign wealth funds and other funds that invest in major infrastructure projects.
Restructuring + Insolvency In our work on corporate reconstructions and insolvencies, we advise banks, financial institutions, and financially distressed debt funds and corporations about standstill arrangements, debt restructuring, security enforcement, intercreditor agreements and sales out of administration or receivership. You may be asked to assist lawyers in providing general advice to directors, receivers, administrators and liquidators.
Structured Finance + Debt Capital Markets Our debt capital market specialists advise on securitisations, establishing note programs, credit-wrapped notes, US and domestic private placements, and Islamic bonds.
What you’ll experience Launching your career at Gilbert+Tobin is unlike any other top tier firm. Our clerks and graduates progress quickly and are encouraged to play an active role in our practice group from the start of their careers. We believe that the best experience for our clerks and graduates is to ensure they work on a wide range of transactions. In Banking + Infrastructure, you’ll gain experience across corporate and leveraged finance, project finance, public-private partnerships (PPPs), structured finance, real estate finance, debt capital markets, and insolvency and restructuring. “They have the opportunity to assist with some of the largest cuttingedge transactions taking place in the Australian market – from high-profile corporate M&A transactions, to financing large-scale projects, to complex debt restructurings,” says Partner and Group Leader, John Schembri.
For the last two years, our litigation group has won awards recognising us as the best dispute resolution team in Australia. We advise on some of Australia’s largest commercial litigation matters.
Litigation Our Approach
What you’ll experience
Class Actions
You can expect to be involved in complex issues very quickly, and to assist on sensitive and critical matters including high-stakes litigation and matters involving competition and regulation issues and investigations by industry watchdogs such as ASIC, the ACCC and the ACMA.
With the number of class actions on the rise, our litigation group is an excellent place to launch your career and gain first-hand experience in this area of increasing importance, meeting clients, and attending court. Our team is experienced in defending clients in interesting, large-scale and complex class actions.
Our clerks and graduates enjoy an environment that encourages entrepreneurialism and rewards passion and commitment. We will involve you in court appearances with leading Australian counsel and expose you to the coal face of resolving some of the biggest disputes in the country. We take your development very seriously and will work with you to ensure you thrive - mentored by the best and modelled to become a specialist.
We apply a strategic approach to fulfilling clients’ needs and are renowned for our ability to stay nimble and think creatively. We are a team that takes pride in offering creative and tailored solutions to provide the best outcomes in dispute resolution services – from prelitigation advice to using or responding to litigation. It’s an exciting space to work in and one that demands that we never stand still. Our willingness to embrace change, adapt as necessary and adopt innovation has earned us a reputation as the toptier firm to watch.
Mediation + Arbitration You’ll work closely with lawyers who are skilled in mediation and arbitration and have a chance to actively identify opportunities to use these alternatives to litigation.
Employment Our Employment team advises on all aspects of the employment relationship, from commencement to termination, including Executive contracts, workplace health and safety, workplace investigations, employee performance and employment litigation. “You may be asked to assist in the preparation of litigation, attend a Fair Work Commission hearing or work on a significant transaction,” explains Partner Dianne Banks.
As Partner Kate Harrison explains, specialising in this field requires a lot of strategic thinking. “It’s not only about winning legal points but also getting a result for your client that fits their commercial goals,” she says.
Advertising
What you’ll experience A rotation in the IP group will see you work closely with partners and lawyers who are not only recognised leaders in the IP market, but are thought leaders, lobbyists and active agents in the development of IP law in Australia.
We have one of Australia’s leading intellectual property practices. Our IP group is consistently working on some of Australia’s most exciting and challenging copyright, trademark and patent matters, in and outside the Courts. We have a diverse range of work, touching on all major industry sectors and a diverse client base, leading us to work with multinationals, brand leaders, creators and innovators across media and entertainment, FMCG, content, healthcare services, mining and technology.
“You’ll learn by working alongside lawyers who are frequently dealing with issues that are first in market or where we are testing the boundaries of IP law in this country,” says Partner and Practice Group Leader Michael Williams. “The work we do is always interesting and challenging. We are looking for highly motivated clerks with a creative mind and an ambition to be part of a team striving to achieve outstanding outcomes for our clients.”
Our IP Group is working on a steady stream of major advertising challenges under the Australian Consumer Law. These include the well-known battery and razor advertising disputes in which we act for Energizer and Edgewell. We also provide pre-publication advice and assistance to advertisers (and sometimes their agencies) to avoid competitor and regulatory threats.
Brand Protection + Trade Marks We are a major force in brand protection in Australia and internationally, meaning that our clerks and graduates learn first hand from lawyers who manage significant brand portfolios and provide advice on all aspects of brand protection (trade marks; designs; and domain, company and business names), enforcement and brand recovery.
Patents Patent advice, enforcement and litigation form the basis of our highly regarded patent practice. With an expanding team of market-leading patent litigators, we are regularly involved in infringement proceedings before the Federal Court. Our clerks and graduates work on Federal Court patent matters involving a wide range of industries including consumer electronics, biotech, gaming, telecommunication, online services and mining.
Copyright A rotation in the IP group is an opportunity to be a part of Australia’s largest and most respected team of copyright lawyers. We are always at the leading edge of copyright law, policy and practice, whether running marketdefining matters such as the iiNet High Court case, lobbying in the legislative arena or advising clients on the value of copyright and data assets. Gilbert+Tobin is the only place to fast track your career as a copyright specialist and carry out top tier copyright work for leading copyright industries, such as media and entertainment, software and technology.
Intellectual Property Last year we were named Intellectual Property Team of the Year by the Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards.
A week in the life of Jonathon Yeung Lawyer, Banking + Infrastructure
Typically, what time do you arrive in the office? Usually between 9.30am and 10am. I only come in early if there is a deal closing or if I have an early morning appointment, whether it is a call or a meeting. What’s usually first on the day’s agenda? If there are pressing items in the morning I usually deal with these first before I get my coffee and breakfast. I check work emails on my phone on my way to work so I have a pretty good idea of how my morning will play out before I arrive in the office. What type of work are you involved in week to week? I look after a mix of deals in the corporate, acquisition/leveraged and project finance space. In essence, assisting clients to either borrow or lend large sums of money for a transaction (for example, to buy a business). This is a transactional space so the work involves a lot of drafting and negotiating of documents, telephone calls and meetings with clients and lawyers and sending emails. I deal with the big banks, private equity firms and large corporate businesses – acting as counsel for either borrower or lender. I can be working on a number of deals at the same time in a week so the work is quite mixed. Also, the types of deals can vary on a monthly basis.
Is there a typical week? No, not really. Each week varies depending on what type of deal I am working on, the stage of the deal and how busy it generally is. On top of that there are often lots of meetings or functions and work events that crop up from time to time. I do get bored easily so the work environment is perfect for me. Have there been any particular challenges or highs this week? Yes this was a very, very busy week juggling between four deals at the same time (with two closing that week). What’s the best piece of advice you have been given and by whom? I don’t remember who told me this but when you make a mistake, don’t get stressed about it. Be pragmatic – find a solution to the mistake if there is one and fix it. Everyone makes mistakes, learn from it and move on.
Jonathon Yeung joined G+T as a summer clerk in 10/11. He began a graduate program with the firm in 2012, rotating in the Banking + Infrastructure and Corporate groups. Jonathon is now a Lawyer in the Banking + Infrastructure group.
Weekly download
5 Runs 5 Current 4 Deals Late Night 3 Finishes Conference 2 Calls Socialising with 1 Colleagues Work 1 Functions Lunches
The Gilbert+Tobin I didn’t know
Looking Back
I didn’t expect that Gilbert+Tobin would be so good in terms of the flexible work arrangements. I arrange my own day and have the freedom to organise my calendar to suit the workload I have at the time.
I laugh when I look back to when I first started out as a graduate. I was an eager beaver, keen to please and perhaps a little naïve. Since then, I’ve learnt a lot about what it means to be a lawyer in a corporate law firm. I’ve also learnt to trust and back myself in everything I do and I’ve gained so much knowledge and skills from my peers and colleagues.
6 things I can’t work without Coffee
I need my Soy Latte to function.
Exercise
I fit in either a run or visit to the gym every day.
SMH
My daily read.
Variety
Keeps life interesting and motivates me to learn.
My colleagues
Working in an open-plan office means we get to talk, share and have fun.
Freedom
It’s a beautiful thing and controlling how my day runs gives me just that.
DailyMantra
“Work hard, play hard. But don’t forget to keep things in perspective.”
“Just 6 weeks after starting as a Graduate in TMT, I was offered the amazing opportunity to spend 2 months on secondment at Westpac. Working as a Commercial Manager in the Group Technology Infrastructure Team, I was exposed not only to the legal side of one of the biggest infrastructure deals for the bank, but to the management strategies and commercial realities of such a deal.” Clare Harris, Lawyer, TMT
“G+T’s graduate secondment program to Anderson, Mōri & Tomotsune in Tokyo, Japan is a truly unique opening that offers the ideal professional development opportunity for a young professional looking to build a legal career with an international focus.” Ash Wickremasinghe, Graduate, Litigation
Our programs equip our people for practice through a blend of mentoring, on-the-job, classroom and on-line learning.
Graduate Program
College of Law
Admission
Training sessions and accreditation programs at G+T’s in-house facilities
G+T pays your admission and annual practising certificate renewal fees
Lawyer Program
Commercial + industry awareness
Business development + client management
More Opportunities
Extend your legal knowledge + On-the-job training + Mastering contracts + Legal professional privilege
Personal + team leadership
+ Industry insight series
+ Building your personal brand
+ Managing resilience
+ Financial literacy
+ Understanding your clients
+ Influencing effectively
+ Law firm economics
+ Developing a business plan
+ Leading a team
Ongoing guidance + mentoring
Postgraduate study
Scholarships
Practical, one-on-one learning with partners and senior lawyers
Funding assistance and study leave for approved Masters degrees and other postgraduate courses
Annual $10,000 scholarship for specialised overseas study at universities which have included Harvard and Oxford
“G+T offered me the opportunity to undertake a Master of Laws program at the University of Melbourne. Taught by academics and practitioners who are among the most reputed, the program has been an excellent complement to my practice.”
Learning Kirish Kularajah, Lawyer, TMT
Develop your technical capability + Writing and drafting program + Research skills
Project + matter management + Matter profitability + Risk and conflict management + Negotiation skills
Local + international opportunities Work in-house with clients in Australia and overseas; opportunities to work with our network of leading international firms
Building business awareness + Business development 101 + The business of law at G+T
Learn from market leaders Learn all about our market‑leading deals and matters from the partners and lawyers who run them in our practice group insights program
Graduate internships Annual internship at Anderson Mōri & Tomotsune in Tokyo, Japan
Group learning programs Develop your technical capability with generic and specialised group training
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Regular internal events to help maintain your CPD requirements
“The firm has established a reputation as a ‘game changer’, continuing to expand its cutting-edge instructions for a range of significant corporate clients including Caltex, Rio Tinto, Nine Entertainment, Samsung, Telstra and Wesfarmers.” Global Competition Review 100, 2015
Competition +Regulation
What you’ll experience
Gilbert+Tobin’s Competition + Regulation Group is the pre-eminent competition practice among top-tier firms across Australia. Our focus on achieving results on high-stakes transactions and litigation for our clients means we consistently win complex, pioneering projects, demanding specialist expertise and leadership. With eight partners, one special counsel and more than twenty-five lawyers, Gilbert+Tobin’s competition practice is one of the largest in Australia. Our impressive track record has led us to become the go-to firm for foreign law firms seeking local counsel to manage the Australian and Asia Pacific end of global mergers and cartel investigations.
We uniquely combine in one practice group general competition law matters and industry specific regulation – including telecommunications, gas, electricity, ports, rail and water. This will give you the opportunity to work on some of the most important infrastructure issues in our national economy, including the National Broadband Network, the interaction of climate change policy on energy regulation and projects to improve the efficiency of Australia’s transport infrastructure. You will get to experience and develop a broad range of skills working in our group. Our multidisciplinary approach integrates economic skills, legal analysis and specialist industry knowledge to deliver commercially focused, yet innovative legal solutions.
The C+R group has an open and collaborative culture. Lawyers are not assigned to individual partners, but work across the group. Lawyers are encouraged to work on a mix of competition and regulatory matters, especially when starting out, to help define their interests and focus over time. “We provide clients with critical transactional and regulatory advice that has shaped a broad range of industries,” explains Partner Luke Woodward. “Clerks can expect to assist on matters across sectors such as broadcasting and media, energy and utilities, financial services, retail, resources, telecommunications and transport.”
Our Partners and lawyers are passionate mentors and value the opportunity to shape the future talent of our firm, with a genuine desire to foster a nurturing and supportive environment, particularly for juniors. Your contribution will be encouraged and valued across all levels of expertise, with many of our junior lawyers and graduates playing a key role in matters. The practice and business of the law is undergoing fundamental transformation and disruption. You will be encouraged to put forward ideas and be involved in projects on business development, improving work practices and utilising technology to change how lawyers work.
“Our clients are increasingly turning to cloud, mobility, the Internet of Things, robotic process automation and data analytics to stay competitive in today’s environment. It’s important for young lawyers to understand the implications of these technologies on our clients’ businesses.” Sheila McGregor, Partner, TMT
Where better to launch your legal career than with Australia’s leaders in technology, media and telecommunications law? As disruption continues to drive change and innovation across the global economy, corporations need to be nimble to stay competitive in today’s environment. Gilbert+Tobin’s TMT team works to maximise the opportunities of digital transformation, enabling clients to become agile, intelligent, digital businesses. We are a passionate team of TMT specialists reputed across multiple industries for our ability to execute with innovation, excellence, agility and deep industry knowledge. For more than a decade we have been ranked in the top tier of The Legal 500 Asia Pacific and Chambers Asia Pacific for TMT. We don’t just deliver on the status quo – we are looking ahead to identify how things need to work differently: driven by cloud, mobility, the Internet of Things, robotic process automation, data analytics and design thinking; and leading to the development of new strategies, new commercial models, new approaches to procurement, new approaches to governance, and the contractual and compliance frameworks.
Our focus is always on the big picture – not just the legal issues, but also the strategic and commercial issues, the business requirements, and how to execute in a fast and agile manner. We have deep expertise in regulatory and compliance – including privacy and security requirements, and industryspecific regulations – and this is a critical factor in our ability to develop integrated corporate frameworks that address these challenges in new cloud-based environments.
What you’ll experience Here at Gilbert+Tobin you’ll get the opportunity to truly feel what it’s like to specialise in this exciting sector. Clerks, graduates and junior lawyers are involved in all aspects of TMT transactions and encouraged to absorb as much as possible. “They are a vital part of our team,” says Partner Tim Gole. From inclusion in meetings and negotiations to compiling research and drafting contracts, we believe the best start is to jump right in. You can expect to help in developing pitches to potential clients and may assist on both local and international matters involving cloud technology, big data, online payment structures, regulatory compliance, procurement and data privacy.
“Gilbert+Tobin’s team is able to inject step change in thinking from a commercial and strategic perspective”
TMT +Transformation Legal 500, 2016
What you’ll experience As we advise on matters in all states and territories our client base is extremely diverse and includes major investors, owners of key infrastructure, developers, construction companies, financiers, fund managers, renewable energy providers, communications and media operators, and government agencies. Our Real Estate + Projects group guides clients through the property, planning, environmental and construction aspects of many significant and complex corporate infrastructure projects, as well as a wide range of real estate transactions. Led by Partner Amanda Hempel, the group has a diverse client list and advises on the property aspects of complex cross-practice matters. As the work we do is largely transaction-based, clerks and graduates have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and follow transactions from inception through to completion, gaining valuable insight into the lifecycle of complex transactions.
Property Our work encompasses: + mixed-use greenfields projects and redevelopments + commercial, industrial and retail purchases, sales and leasing
You’ll have plenty of opportunity to get involved, by conducting research, drafting documents, and attending client meetings, negotiations and settlements with lawyers. Our planning lawyers also conduct environment and planning litigation, and our clerks regularly assist in these proceedings.
We collaborate closely with other practice groups including; corporate, finance, energy and resource, litigation and tax experts across the firm to ensure property transactions run smoothly. “Graduates enjoy the diversity of the work that comes across their desks.” says Amanda. “They may review a deal they will eventually read about in the AFR, and the next day find themselves drafting leases and sublicenses on a private smaller scale deal … It’s really great to work with them in the first few years as they take their theory and learning and see how these play out in a commercial context.”
+ infrastructure projects (including complex port and rail projects) + renewable energy and resource related projects + telecommunications projects + data centres
“They are very good, particularly with agribusiness where it can be quite complex.”
+ native title issuer + water rights + foreign investment advice
Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2015
Real Estate +Projects Construction Gilbert+Tobin’s construction lawyers provide specialist legal advice on all aspects of construction law from the inception of a project through to completion. Our construction lawyers advise clients on financing, constructing, connecting and operating biomass plants, wind farms and solar energy fields (thermal and photovoltaic), and on NABERS and Green Star ratings.
Planning + Environment Here you’ll work alongside lawyers advising on planning, contamination, climate change, water and renewable energy issues in areas such as coal mine and farm acquisitions, remediation of contaminated land, and renewable energy projects. Our specialist lawyers assist clients with varied development approvals including major projects, and provide strategic advice on environmental assessments.
Energy +Resources Our Energy + Resources team is among some of the region’s leading specialists, recognised for their contribution in shaping the market across Australia. Our clients look to us for advice on all areas of the sector; including mining and resources, oil and gas, energy and utilities, renewable energy, port and rail and native title and land access. The group’s mix of corporate, regulatory and project experience means you’ll gain insight into the entire lifecycle of a project – including exploration, finance, acquisitions and disposals, development, construction, regulation and operations.
What you’ll experience Our clerks and graduates are encouraged to take an active role in projects, to soak up every opportunity and learn from our highly experienced resources lawyers. With some of Gilbert+Tobin’s partners having been non-executive directors of listed and unlisted exploration, mining and gas companies, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better environment to launch your career.
Oil + Gas
Port + Rail
We advise private and government clients across Australia and internationally on all aspects of oil and gas exploration and development.
Our Energy + Resources group includes leaders in the field of commercial and regulatory design – and financing and implementation of – access arrangements across regulated and unregulated port and rail infrastructure.
Our lawyers work closely with our clients in the sector; working on mergers and acquisitions, developing and structuring joint ventures, implementing financing arrangements and providing operational and strategic legal advice. The nature of oil and gas work, and our clients and practice, also means our lawyers provide work in, and provide advice on, public international law (including on international sanctions, trade restrictions, energy security, issues of sovereignty and cross-border or joint development of petroleum resources).
Mining + Resources Our Resources group regularly advises publicly listed and private Australian and international companies involved in resource exploration, development and operation. We also advise on mining legislation and regulation, liaise with government, regulators and other stakeholders and draft agreements between project sponsors and the State. You’ll have access to lawyers with particular expertise in hard-rock mining, oil and gas, and resources projects in emerging economies, primarily in Africa. “During your time in the group, it’s likely you will assist on mergers and acquisitions involving mining and resource assets, including public company takeovers and schemes,” says Partner and Practice Group Leader Michael Blakiston. “You may also be given the opportunity to help on private acquisitions and disposals, assist with due diligence and tenement reviews, and provide advice on regulatory approvals, including from the Foreign Investment Review Board.”
We have some of the region’s leading industry legal specialists in oil and gas. Our oil and gas specialists frequently work in Australia, Asia, Africa, the United States and throughout the world.
Energy + Utilities and Renewable Energy We are a market leader in energy and utilities transactions, projects and regulation, regularly working on transactions that have shaped the Australian energy sector. We advise on all aspects of the energy and utility sector for our clients (including energy retailers, electricity and gas transmission businesses, generation businesses, regulators, market managers and investment banks). Gilbert+Tobin are market leaders in both renewable and non-renewable power projects and transactions. In particular, we are a market leader in the renewable power sector. We have advised on many of Australia’s most important, landmark and innovative renewable energy projects. Our renewable energy experience spans hydropower, wind power, solar power and geothermal business.
Native Title + Land Access Here you will work alongside lawyers who advise energy and resources companies on Native Title processes involved in exploration tenure grants, negotiations for mining tenure grants, and the construction of mines and associated infrastructure. We help our clients achieve Indigenous cultural heritage protocols at the outset of each project to ensure these companies have a strong working relationship with traditional owners. Our lawyers typically advise energy and resources companies on access arrangements with private landowners and leaseholders for exploration and mining, as well as access and land tenure arrangements under State Agreements.
We believe that lawyers have a responsibility to ensure the legal system is fair, equitable and accessible to all. In 1996, Gilbert+Tobin was the first law firm in Australia to appoint a full-time in-house pro bono lawyer. We are proud advocates of social justice and focus on providing advice and support to marginalised and disadvantaged clients and the organisations that work with them. Our practice covers many diverse areas of law including discrimination, administrative law, corporate work and public international law. Pro bono work at G+T is particularly focused on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, refugees, people with disabilities and the protection of human rights.
Pro Bono Judicial Review
Estate planning project
The work we undertake in the pro bono practice is varied and rewarding; we assist clients and organisations that have been adversely affected by unlawful government decisions. In 2015 we assisted the Machado Joseph Disease Foundation, a charity established to improve the quality of life for those who have Machado Joseph Disease, a genetic degenerative disease with no cure. We worked with them in their bid to recover $10 million in funding which had been granted by one government minister and then purportedly revoked by another when a new government came to power. “This matter involved a challenging area of administrative law. Our novel arguments were ultimately accepted by the court, which is all the more satisfying as the outcome will benefit so many vulnerable people in a profound way.” Amy Rogers, Pro Bono lawyer.
Around once a month our lawyers travel to regional and remote areas of NSW and Victoria to draft Wills, Powers of Attorney and Appointments of Enduring Guardian for parents and carers of people with cognitive disability and Indigenous clients. In 2015 we have travelled to towns throughout NSW including Bourke, Brewarrina, Albury, Saltwater as well as Campbelltown and Redfern. “The Wills project is about using our legal skills in a preventative way. Instead of trying to resolve disputes after a person dies, we provide assistance to avoid any disputes arising. Only around 6% of Indigenous people have Wills against more than 50% of the population as a whole, yet over 85% of burial disputes in the last 20 years involved Indigenous families.” Anne Cregan, Pro Bono, Senior Counsel.
What you’ll experience We encourage all of our clerks, graduates and lawyers to actively participate in pro bono work. Graduate lawyers in our Sydney office are able to apply for a first rotation position with the pro bono group, starting in February each year. Working in the pro bono team exposes you to challenging clients and areas of law, which is an ideal way to develop valuable skills at the start of your legal career. The work of junior members of the pro bono team is dynamic, varied, rewarding and consistently busy. The work can involve matters as complex as Native Title disputes in the High Court, to researching administrative law and constitutional law and even dealing with strata by-laws for a client that is being treated unfairly. “Achieving the best outcome for our clients is highly rewarding.” Fabian Di Lizia, Summer Clerk, 2015.
In 2014 – 15 the firm completed more than 17,400 hours of pro bono work – an average of over 64 hours per lawyer – conservatively valued at over $7.8 million.
Homeless Person’s Legal Service The Homeless Person’s Legal Service provides free legal assistance to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Our lawyers attend the advice clinic at Matthew Talbot Hostel in Woolloomooloo on a weekly basis to provide both one-off advice and ongoing assistance for these clients. “The HPLS roster lawyers deal with a myriad of legal problems for some of the most vulnerable and challenging clients. We aim to resolve our client’s legal issues on the day as their lives can be quite chaotic and disorganised. Sometimes just assisting on a very small matter can make a huge difference to someone’s life.” Tamara Sims, Pro Bono lawyer and HPLS Roster Coordinator.
Asylum Seeker Centre Our roster with the Asylum Seekers Centre and Refugee Advice and Casework Service assists asylum seekers from the beginning of the asylum process. “We can get involved with clients from the start and help them understand the process and articulate their claims. The interviews can be harrowing, requiring legal skill and sensitivity but the work is extremely rewarding, especially when your client is granted a protection visa and can begin to live their life in safety.” Michelle Hannon, Pro Bono and CSR Partner.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Community Community at Gilbert+Tobin incorporates a range of activities including charitable giving, financial and in-kind support and volunteering.
+ We are a major sponsor of the Gilbert+Tobin Centre for Public Law at the University of NSW. The Centre plays a prominent, independent role in Reconciliation public debate on issues vital to Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s At Gilbert+Tobin we are passionate about future including Charters of Rights, federal reform, reconciliation and native reconciliation with Aboriginal title, refugee and migration law and the and Torres Strait Islander peoples challenges of responding to terrorism. and believe in demonstrating this commitment in real and practical ways. + We are a member of the Australian We have had a reconciliation action plan (RAP) since 2008 and continually strive to develop it; in fact our new RAP will be launched later in 2016. We are committed to achieving practical steps towards reconciliation, including: + 30% of our pro bono work is undertaken on behalf of Indigenous individuals and organisations. + Cadetship program for Indigenous law students. + Indigenous employment program. Working at Gilbert+Tobin means being part of a team that is committed to acting in a socially and environmentally responsible way. Our corporate social responsibility (CSR) program incorporates three key areas â&#x20AC;&#x201C; promoting and supporting reconciliation, contributing to our community and environmental sustainability. Promoting and supporting reconciliation with Indigenous Australians has been part of the fabric of the firm since its inception. We also participate in a range of community activities with particular focus on mentoring and skills-transfer and we consistently work on improving our environmental performance.
+ Indigenous first year law student mentoring program. + Indigenous cultural awareness training available to all staff. + Extensive contemporary Indigenous art program.
Ways you can participate in CSR at G+T + Participate in a primary school literacy/numeracy program or high school mentoring program. + Join our Reconciliation Action Plan working group and/or Green Team and have direct input into reconciliation and environmental programs. + Volunteer for a CSR activity, such as Christmas on the Block or the mini-moot for University of NSW Indigenous Pre-Law students or charity sporting events. + Participate in Indigenous cultural awareness training. + Participate in national reconciliation week events. + Mentor an Indigenous cadet.
+ Participation in national reconciliation week. + Financial support for organisations supporting Indigenous peoples including Just Reinvest, Shine for Kids, the Cape York Girl Academy and Tribal Warrior Association. + Hosting visits from Indigenous high school students, especially from the University of NSW Indigenous Winter School and pre-law program. + Supporting Indigenous economic development by procuring products from Indigenous businesses certified by Supply Nation.
Business and Community Network (ABCN). Our staff participate in a range of programs for children in disadvantaged public schools in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
+ We are a long-time supporter of Football United. This special community organisation provides social and sporting networks for young refugees who have settled in Australia. + We actively participate in the Barangaroo South Community Partnership and we are working with other tenants of the Barangaroo South precinct to achieve a collective impact community project. + We have established a Business Class partnership with a disadvantaged high school 40km outside Melbourne (Monterey Secondary College) through ABCN. We have partnered directly with the school and are helping the school in a responsive way. For example, in a response to the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concern about high levels of absenteeism we are delivering a mentoring program with students to encourage them to stay engaged.
Environment + Since 2014 we have been a reporting member of the Australian Legal Sector Alliance (AusLSA), an industry association that promotes sustainable practices across the legal sector. + We launched our first certified Environmental Management System (EMS) in 2015. The priorities of our EMS, as identified by our staff, are energy use, paper use, disposal of IT equipment and, in Sydney, the sustainability of our move to Barangaroo.
“I started at G+T in 2005 as a paralegal. The reason I chose G+T all those years ago is the very same reason I returned after working in London, and more recently my maternity leave. G+T’s meritocratic, diverse culture has attracted the kind of Partners and lawyers I want both as mentors and colleagues; people who genuinely care about their work and their work environment. I’ve always felt able to drive my own career here - for me, that sense of opportunity continues to be the defining characteristic of G+T.” Emma Ringland, Lawyer, Competition + Regulation
G+TCulture Being Fully Human
G+T always challenges the status quo. It is a firm of restless ambition. We strive to be fully human in both our interactions with one another and our clients, to embrace individualism and bring out the best in ourselves and others. Some might say there is a paradox at the heart of Gilbert+Tobin, for on the one hand, we are a formidable and driven group of talented, ambitious people, yet on the other, we act with great heart and generosity. Our energy to excel is as important as our desire to be an outstanding corporate citizen. Part of truly being fully human is to have fun and not to take ourselves too seriously, something that is genuinely visible across all of our teams and offices.
“It’s difficult to imagine a more inclusive and welcoming place to work than Gilbert+Tobin. From my first day, I felt totally comfortable and affirmed about being open about my sexuality to all my colleagues. I think this is partly because diversity and inclusion is part of the DNA of G+T, and always has been. It’s also because our LGBTI support group, “OUT”, provides a real bedrock of support and friendship at Gilbert+Tobin for LGBTI people and their supporters. In my experience, diversity is not merely accepted at Gilbert+Tobin, it is wholly embraced.” Matt McGirr, Lawyer, Litigation
Our People G+T people are unique. They can fit in to lots of organisations but at G+T, they thrive. They have intrinsic motivation, they are talented and confident, but not arrogant. They have perspective and judgement. They are warm and friendly yet formidable. They know G+T is a place which allows them the space and opportunity to achieve their best. And surrounded by people who are individuals yet driven by the same sort of energy and passion, they achieve more here faster than they would elsewhere.
As a firm G+T is committed to investing in our people in a variety of ways, to partner with them in their growth. You’ll be encouraged to take up secondment opportunities in different locations and practice groups and externally with the firm’s clients. Many of our people are offered scholarships or funding to attend work-related conferences, undertake research and study overseas at various institutions. We also provide financial support to people who undertake further education, including relevant Masters degrees and non-legal professional courses.
Employer of Choice for Gender Equality In 2015, we again received an Employer of Choice for Gender Quality citation from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. While G+T has been recognised as an Employer of Choice for women in the past, this prestigious new citation substantially raises the expected level of performance on gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
“G+T were extremely supportive of my decision to work overseas and fulfill a long-time ambition to live in New York and sit the New York Bar. I decided to re-join G+T upon my return. The fact that G+T is constantly looking to improve and actively shape its future by seeking feedback and input from all stakeholders, makes it an exciting and rewarding firm to be a part of.” Spiro Papadolias, Lawyer, Banking + Infrastructure
We analyse gender pay equity annually, undertake a biannual diversity audit and conduct unique programs to educate and build awareness on important issues such as diversity, inclusion and unconscious bias.
Launch.
Are you ready to launch your career with the game changers of Australian law? Take a look behind the scenes and find out what a clerk and graduate experience has to offer. Equip yourself with the right information to take the next step towards your bright new future.
Becoming a G+T clerk Here at Gilbert+Tobin, we understand that often a clerkship is the first opportunity to experience what it’s like to practice in a corporate environment. For some it might be the first legal experience. Whatever stage you are at, we believe your experience should be positive, challenging and provide the building blocks from which to grow an outstanding career in law.
Who are we looking for? We invite students in their penultimate year of study to complete clerkships in our Melbourne, Perth and Sydney offices. We’re not a prescriptive firm when it comes to our people; we invite individuality and diversity. While strong results count, we delve beyond your academic achievements to ensure we find candidates that align with our firm’s culture and values. At G+T we 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 that will complement our practice groups and don’t feel the need to take themselves too seriously – just like us!
Coaching, orientation and support You’ll work 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. As you progress through your rotations you will develop invaluable skills and knowledge and gain first hand experience of our various practice groups. Understanding the mechanics of legal practice through research, drafting memos, attending court and meeting clients, builds confidence in our clerks. We let you jump right in and encourage you contribute your ideas and quickly find your place in the team.
In-house training and development During the program you’ll take part in our customised in-house training. The course covers topics such as research, analysis, drafting, developing technical skills, interpersonal effectiveness, teamwork, business development and client orientation.
It’s not all work … During your clerkship, you’ll build lasting friendships with a talented group of individuals who may become your peers as you continue in your legal career. Plus, there’s plenty of time to attend training, practice group events and firm lunches, and to have fun and network with people across the firm.
Sydney At Gilbert+Tobin’s newly established Barangaroo office, clerks can expect to complete a ten-week placement, made up of two five-week rotations across the firm’s practice areas. Our Sydney clerks have the opportunity to contribute to the Pro Bono practice if they choose. Each clerk is also given a research task that requires collaboration with lawyers across the firm which is later presented to partners.
Melbourne and Perth Our Melbourne and Perth clerks will complete a seasonal clerkship in either winter or summer, as a taste of what’s to come in their legal career. During this time you can expect to work closely with lawyers and partners in one of our practice areas across a broad range of matters.
Native Title Secondment The Aurora Project gives two Sydney clerks the opportunity to gain experience in working with a Native Title representative body during their winter semester break. This unique initiative is fully funded by Gilbert+Tobin and provides invaluable personal and professional skills for the future.
Gilbert+Tobin understands that your clerkship is a pivotal step in your career. Next steps for graduates Our graduates in Melbourne and Sydney complete a formal 18 month graduate program. In Perth, our graduates complete a 12 month program. During this time you will work directly with partners and lawyers and will be actively involved in matters relating to your practice area. Your experience will be complemented by a comprehensive development program; including core legal skills, business development, knowledge management and pro bono work.
Learn from your mentors Mentoring is an important aspect of graduate life at Gilbert+Tobin. You’ll be paired with a more experienced lawyer who will mentor and guide you through your rotations and your transition into a practice area. You can look to your mentor to assist you in establishing relationships firm-wide and for ongoing support as needed.
Why G+T? “Quite simply it was the people” Clare Harris, Graduate, Sydney “I was thoroughly impressed by how engaging, friendly, interesting and intelligent all of the people I met during the clerkship application process were. Everyone I met at interview and networking events, spoke highly of their experiences, gave genuine answers to any questions I had and offered constructive advice for beginning my career as a lawyer.” Alex Borowsky, Graduate, Sydney “Everyone seemed genuine, had a sense of humour and didn’t take themselves too seriously.” Ed Davidson, Clerk, Sydney
What’s it like to work at G+T? “I’ve learnt an enormous amount in a very short space of time – working consistently on a matter, five days a week, has really enhanced my skills in project management, drafting, research, communication with clients and lawyers.” Alex Borowsky, Graduate, Sydney “You’re able to engage in interesting top-tier work in an environment that has fantastic people who are ready to share their knowledge with you.” Corrie Eames, Graduate, Sydney “Clerks and paralegals are required to do a lot more than routine work. It’s really exciting to be copied into big emails to clients, being able to sit in on calls and meetings, and being asked to draft emails and documents which then get sent straight out.” Matt Green, Clerk, Sydney
What have our What did you enjoy partners and lawyers most about your taught you? clerkship?
“Being a part of the team was a fantastic experience. G+T offer so many oppportunites that other firms simply don’t have.” Erica Chan, Graduate, Melbourne
“Clarity of communication. It is imperative that you understand the task that you are given and that you are able to then communicate your findings in an efficient and simple manner.” Angus Ryan, Graduate, Sydney
“Being a part of the team was a fantastic, eye-opening experience about working with great, generous, and hilarious people at the top of their game.” Erica Chan, Graduate, Melbourne
“The importance of having attention to detail, how to manage expectations with clients and colleagues and drafting and research skills.” Fabian Di Lizia, Clerk, Sydney
“There was never a dull moment. Whether it was sitting in on an urgent phone call with a client or taking on the other firms in inter-firm sport – the clerkship at G + T was engaging, challenging and a heap of fun!” Ed Davidson, Clerk, Sydney “I’ve enjoyed getting a realistic view of how different practice groups run on a day to day basis, which has allowed me to narrow down the practice groups within which I hope to work.” Katie Latham, Clerk, Sydney
How has your graduate experience differed to friends in other firms? “G+T offer so many opportunities that other firms simply don’t have, from being invited to join a firm-wide innovation committee to participating in thought leadership research and articles in collaboration with senior lawyers and partners.” Erica Chan, Graduate, Melbourne “There is no doubt that G+T provides you with greater responsibility on a matter in comparison to other firms.” Justin Greer, Graduate, Sydney
Insights Our grads and clerks share their views and experiences
What piece of advice do you wish you’d been given at the start of the application process? “Be open-minded about what you think you may be interested in because some practice areas may be very different to what you first expected.” Tom Platt, Graduate, Sydney “Focus on the quality of your applications and not the quantity.” Angus Ryan, Graduate, Sydney “To talk to as many people as possible across various practice groups and find out what each of them do. There are so many different areas, skills and expertise, I would have loved to known more at an earlier stage.” Alex Borowsky, Graduate, Sydney
What tips do you have for next year’s clerks and grads?
“Be prepared to jump in. Do not wait for the work to come to you.” Angus Ryan, Graduate, Sydney “Ask questions, don’t be afraid to ask for help and get involved!” Arabella Tole, Graduate, Perth “Never be afraid to ask for clarification if you’re unsure about a task you’ve been given, and try and get involved in as much as you can.” Isabella Van Leer, Clerk, Sydney “Be active and engaged from the start – 10 weeks goes very quickly!” Rebecca Lennard, Clerk, Sydney “Learn from feedback, it’s invaluable in your development. Participate in as many activities inside as well as outside the office as you can with the other clerks.” Fabian Di Lizia, Clerk, Sydney
What has surprised you? “I was surprised at the amount of responsibility I was given. I would often be asked to research something that would be relayed straight away to the client. It was exciting to see how relevant my work was as a summer clerk.” Catherine Gamble, Clerk, Sydney “Just how down to earth the lawyers and staff at the firm are. Colleagues are genuinely interested in who you are, what you are doing and what you are learning. I wasn’t expecting to get along with so many people so quickly. This environment has made learning really easy.” Tom Abraham, Clerk, Sydney “The reliance my team placed on my work. I wasn’t reviewing things just for them to be re-done; after a quick check by my supervising lawyer, my work was submitted into a client report. Often it was my memo which was taken to meetings to explain areas of law to clients.” Matt Weetman, Clerk, Sydney
Elizabeth Avery, Partner and Lena Vanmali, Lawyer, Competition + Regulation Lena and Elizabeth’s mentor relationship first began in 2012, when Lena returned to the Competition + Regulation group for her second graduate rotation. From the outset it was clear that the working relationship between the two women would prove fruitful. “Right from the start, it was clear that Lena was very intelligent, hardworking, reliable, and enthusiastic. She was just a delight to work with. Lena actively sought feedback and to implement it. So all those qualities made it very easy to have a “mentoring relationship” with her,” adds Elizabeth.
While structured point partner catch ups form a regular part of the relationship for the duo, the mentoring has largely remained fluid, enabling Lena and Elizabeth to ‘trouble shoot’ as situations arise, whether they be in relation to career progression, managing stress levels, feedback on performance, strategies for handling clients and legal issues, or trying to achieve work/life balance. “People might assume I am the mentor. But often I feel it’s the other way around. I learn so much from working with Lena; she is a champion of change, innovation and creative thinking. I am really excited she now has the opportunity to work in the Competition team at Freshfields in London for a few years, but I will miss her a lot. I am looking forward to her return already!”
“Our working relationship developed very quickly and over time. As we have worked more closely together on matter after matter the scope of the mentoring has grown to include not only professional development but also personal growth.” Lena Vanmali, Lawyer, Competition + Regulation
Janet Whiting, Partner and Vee Vien Tan, Lawyer, Litigation As a graduate Vee was a junior member of Janet’s team working on the large 2011 Amcor litigation case against its former executives. As is part and parcel of any large litigation in trial mode, there were late nights, complex, detailoriented work and no shortage of tasks for everyone on the matter. It was in fact in court one day that the mentoring relationship began as Vee recalls. “During an interlocutory application, Janet beckoned me over and instructed me to sit up front at the bar table. A junior lawyer’s first opportunity to be part of the team instructing counsel is a coveted experience. I had only been working with the team a few months at the time and Janet had noticed how hard I had been working and how well I knew the relevant documents.
“I consider myself remarkably fortunate to be the recipient of Janet’s mentoring, she is an absolute inspiration.” Vee Vien Tan, Lawyer, Litigation
I have never forgotten that morning and I consider that experience the beginning of my mentoring relationship with Janet,” explains Vee. “Vee’s intellect and attitude were evident immediately. She is receptive to any opportunity given to her and doesn’t second guess whether or not it’s what she wants to do, or at least doesn’t appear to second-guess! I think the relationship has evolved the way it has because of a combination of the fact that Vee is a delight to work with, is really smart and grasps every opportunity provided to her,” adds Janet. The duo say their mentoring relationship is an ongoing experience as they continue to work very closely together, with Janet a continuous source of support, encouragement and guidance.
With such an emphasis on collaboration, it only seems natural that mentor relationships are often the organic outcome of working life at G+T. Here we share some of the stories behind the mentor relationships across the firm.
The Mentors “I always think: if Cam thinks I can do this, then there’s no reason for me to think I can’t. So I guess I’m lucky to have him ‘on my side’ – and hopefully I’ve done him proud!” Loren Leung, Lawyer, TMT + Transformation
Cameron Whittfield, Partner and Loren Leung, Lawyer, TMT + Transformation “To be honest, I have never really thought of it as a mentor relationship. In fact, it’s come about so naturally that I haven’t labeled it as such - I’ve always just seen it as a good working relationship built on mutual trust and respect. Cameron and I have worked well together since I started as a clerk, then a paralegal, a graduate and now a junior lawyer. We work closely together on a lot of things, and I guess a mentor relationship has naturally grown from that,” states Loren.
Cameron agrees, stating that the key to a successful and mutually beneficial mentoring relationship is that it should evolve. “It can’t be forced or contrived and while structures need to be in place to bring people together (and mentoring programs can be incredibly effective in this regard), the best mentoring relationships do happen naturally. This is how my relationship with Loren has developed - from her time as a clerk through to her graduate rotations and now a permanent placement in the TMT group.” While the pair have not set any formal meetings or items to address, their shared passion for innovation and all things digital has undoubtedly contributed to the mentor journey, along with a sense of support from Cameron that has enabled Loren to flourish.
Technology has presented both opportunity and challenge in equal measures for law firms in recent years as the need to embrace change demands collaboration, foresight and planning. A number of key people drive this innovation working alongside partners and lawyers. They are a critical element of Gilbert+Tobin’s ability to enable clients to benefit from innovative best-in-class solutions. Caryn Sandler, Professional Support Lawyer, Team Leader, Knowledge, has worked on a number of initiatives across the firm. She has been actively involved in the development of a raft of customised tools and technologies to assist G+T lawyers. “We are seeing large-scale disruption by technology, and alternative legal models. Law firms need to be dynamic and proactive, rather than reactive in their approach to enable them to thrive. Some of the work I have been involved with enables G+T to more effectively analyse its’ data and build key information in relation to clients and types of matters”. Automation is at the heart of much of G+T’s ongoing evolution and is close to the heart of Philipp Thurner, Legal Solutions Tech Analyst.
“Much of my focus is on the future of the firm. I spend most of my day developing solutions for lawyers to be more efficient and support them in their role with the right technology to stay competitive in the market. A firm of our size uses a lot of different third party systems. I try to fill any gaps and integrate the systems with in-house developed solutions. I also focus a lot on efficiency, which has led me to automate most of my work. You name it, I’ve got a script for it and I now try to implement such automations not only into my role but to others throughout the business,” says Philipp.
“This is an interesting and challenging role, often needing to analyse complex problems and create unique solutions.” Kristina Main, Graphic Design Manager, Marketing
With the firm moving further towards digitisation, Kristina Main, Graphic Design Manager, has been instrumental in moving away from traditional methods of presenting material and setting the firm’s brand ahead of the competition. “I work directly with lawyers and partners on the creative execution of traditional material, looking at new ways of presenting material to be cost effective, timely and market-leading doing things quite differently to our competitors. We are moving the traditional paper based legal industry online, allowing interactivity and sustainable presentation of our work,” states Kristina. As the legal landscape continues to adapt to change and traditional ways of working are challenged, roles such as those of Caryn, Kristina and Philipp will be central to us remaining at the cutting edge, offering new opportunities for our people, whilst continually shaping G+T as the leading firm of the future.
“I am able to work with technologists to implement solutions for lawyers to survive in the digital era. I truly feel that I have as an exciting career path ahead of me as I would have in client-facing law.” Caryn Sandler, Professional Support Lawyer, Team Leader, Knowledge
TheEnablers “I started at G+T on the service desk for three years and now I’m playing a key role in the innovation space. I seriously couldn’t have done this without G+T’s support, openness to change and appetite to innovate. It seems that I have infinite opportunities here and I have also made great friends along the way.” Philipp Thurner, Legal Solutions Tech Analyst
InsideOut
It’s not all about work… There are dozens of opportunities to get to know people across the firm and have fun, whether it’s a social, sporting or community activity. Here’s a sneak-peak into life at G+T.
Celebrating Xmas in style: G+T Melbourne meets the Great Gatsby
Joining Sydney’s newest neighbourhood at Barangaroo #newdigs
Spotted - G+T Managing Partner Danny Gilbert during The Big Issue vendor week
Gearing up for the Melbourne Corporate Triathlon #fitnessgoals
The inaugural legal hackathon with Westpac #innovation #legaltech
Backstreet Boys making a comeback! Our musically talented Corporate lawyers rocking the Sydney Xmas party
G+T donning the lycra for Parkinson’s NSW World Guinness largest fitness class
Any excuse for fancy dress for the annual inter-firm clerk cruise #GTclerks
#Teambonding with our Melbourne Summer Clerks
Cycling 90km for the MS Sydney to the Gong charity bike ride
Photo booth fun at the Sydney Xmas party #GTenblanc
Proud supporters of #WearItPurpleDay in the fight against homophobia
Sydney Level 35, Tower Two International Towers Sydney 200 Barangaroo Avenue Barangaroo +61 2 9263 4000 Melbourne Level 22, 101 Collins Street +61 3 8656 3300 Perth 1202 Hay Street West Perth +61 8 9413 8400
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