2017 GULS Graduate Guide by Griffith University Law Society

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure."

-Â EDMAR GOODMAN

GULS GRADUATE GUIDE GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY LAW SOCIETY

SPONSORS the Griffith university law society would kindly like to thank the following sponsors:Â Â

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A SPECIAL THANKS TO: EDITORS Sidonie Jenner - GULS Careers Officer Clare Shortt - GULS VP Education CONRIBUTIONS Queensland University of Technology Australian National University the college of law DLA Piper the aurora project queensland law society UN WOMEN national committee australia SIDONIE JENNER ANTHONY LIEU beyond law Elizabeth Dowrie

CONTENTS CAREERS OFFICER message qls message GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT 2017 PRACTICAL LEGAL TRAINING (PLT) - Australian NATIONAL UNIVERSITY - THE COLLEGE OF LAW - QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY graduate opportunities - the aurora project - UN WOMEN national committee australia written articles - Anthony lieu (beyond law) -Elizabeth Dowrie

5 6 8 9

careers officer message Hi All, Whilst most of you would already know me; either from reading the earlier clerkship guide or through other facets of our degree, for those of you who don't - my name is Sidonie Jenner. I am the Careers Officer for GULS this year. As a graduate this year myself, I am becoming all too familiar with the double-edged sword of nearing the end of our degree - excited to be finishing, but nervous as to what lies ahead. In publishing this guide, we hope that this will facilitate you in the process. From PLT to graduate jobs, this is your springboard to the places to start collecting information and tips as to what lies ahead. My main tips in this process would be to remain calm and positive and give every opportunity a chance even if you may not meet every criteria, as you miss every opportunity you don't take. I also encourage you to take advantage of the services and staff within the Law School such as the Student Success Advisors or Industry Engagement Officers and any workshops or sessions they have coming up in the next few weeks. I would also like to mention that for a majority of you, cover letters, resumes and applications should not be a new process and thus this guide does not go into a lot of depth in these aspects. However, if this is not the case then please revert back to the clerkship guide. Lastly, should you have any questions as to any of the content or wish to know more in general please consider GULS 'open door' policy or reach out to me via my email careers@guls.org . If I cannot answer your query, I will do my best to source it for you. Best wishes !

Sidonie Jenner Careers Officer 2017 | Griffith University Law Society

QLS MESSAGE Queensland Law Society Advocating for good law and supporting good lawyers. About QLS Queensland Law Society provides a dynamic hub for Queensland’s legal community and seeks to engage actively with its members and the public to provide leadership, practical solutions and reliable support. We represent and promote more than 10,000 legal professionals, increase community understanding of the law, help protect the rights of individuals and advise the community about the vital work of solicitors in Queensland. QLS assists legal practitioners to continually improve their services, while monitoring their practices to ensure they meet the high standards set for the profession in Queensland. We assist the public by advising government on improvements to laws affecting Queenslanders, and working to improve their access to the law. We hold specific statutory responsibilities, including the issuing of practising certificates, maintaining solicitors’ records, regulating the operation of solicitors’ trust accounts and protecting the public. QLS is incorporated under the Legal Profession Act 2007, and is governed by a council elected by its members. Graduation, what happens next? To practise law in Queensland you are legally required to be admitted onto the Roll of Lawyers by the Supreme Court of Queensland. This follows successful completion of your approved law degree and your chosen course of additional training, either a Practical Legal Training (PLT) course, or by serving as a supervised trainee. Once admitted you can apply for full membership of the QLS and for your practising certificate at any time. Queensland practicing certificates must be renewed annually. For more information on how to become a practising lawyer in Queensland, go to qls.com.au Applying for graduate positions In Queensland, applications for graduate intakes run from 7-14 August. While some larger firms have separate graduate intakes, many recruit from within their clerkship programs. Graduate roles in smaller firms more commonly arise on a regular basis. The legal industry is made up of more than just lawyers and law firms – consider opportunities with major accounting firms, government departments and large corporations. If you’re not sure that you want to practice but want to use your legal knowledge, think laterally and be on the lookout for roles in legal recruitment, legal publishing, academia etc. A law degree can also lead to opportunities working in the courts. Whether you’re working in the court registry or as a judge’s associate, it’s incredible to experience the law from the other side of the bench.

Champion the profession as a QLS member The practice of law is not just a business; it’s a broad community of responsible lawyers with practical wisdom working towards a common goal – upholding the rule of law and ensuring the community has the opportunity to be represented. QLS represents more than 90% of the state’s solicitors. It is the voice of the legal profession in Queensland for appropriate and robust legislative processes, access to justice and for professional standards. Of course, a profession is only as strong as the members who contribute to its shared reputation and standing – everyone from recent graduates through to managing partners and senior executives. Whether your intention is to join a law firm, to work as in-house counsel in a corporate environment or to build a career as a government lawyer or a community legal or pro bono professional, maintaining full or associate QLS membership is essential to protecting and contributing to our shared voice. Connect with early career lawyers The first few years of practice can be among the most challenging in a lawyer’s career. It is base camp one, and the path to the summit can seem daunting! QLS hosts a special program for early career lawyers – members that have been in practice for less than five years. From social networking to engage with peers or bespoke professional development courses, the program offers the knowledge, insights and connections needed to advance and nurture your career. Have you got a question about your path? Perhaps you’d like more information about the differences between a large and small firm? Ask a QLS early career lawyer – they’re keen to help. Reach out and connect anytime at: earlycareerlawyers@qls.com.au QLS Legal Careers Expo 2018 Get ready for QLS Legal Careers Expo 2018 which takes place at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Tuesday 20 March 2018. Meet future employers, chat to industry representatives, and find out about graduate placements and vacation clerkships in 2018. Get hints and tips on your resume at Resume Rescue and attend information sessions to meet industry leaders and prepare yourself for success. Register at qls.com.au/students Join us – Student Membership QLS is here to support your transition from law student to solicitor. We know that navigating available job options and understanding admission and practising requirements can be tricky. Become a student member and gain instant access to a host of professional, social and community-focussed resources, opportunities and discounts, all geared to get you on the fast-track to success. Membership is complimentary (a one-off $20 administration fee payable with application) to law students and recent graduates. Join us at qls.com.au/students

graduate employment 2017 QLS Graduate Dates 2017 Monday 7 August

Applications for graduate positions open

Monday 14 August

Applications for graduate positions close at 9am AEST

Monday 18 September

Offers can be made by participating firms

Tuesday 19 September

Offers must be accepted or declined by 5pm AEST

Participating Firms Allens><Linklaters

http://www.allens.com.au/

Ashurst

https://www.ashurst.com/

CBP Lawyers

https://www.cbp.com.au/

Corrs Chambers Westgarth

www.corrs.com.au/careers/graduates

King & Wood Mallesons

http://www.kwm.com/en/

K&L Gates

www.klgates.com

MinterEllison

http://www.minterellison.com

For more information, visit: www.qls.com.au

Please visit the DLA Piper careers page and the graduate recruitment page: DLA Piper

https://www.dlapipergraduates.com/au/apply/ https://www.dlapiper.com/en/australia/careers

PRACTICAL LEGAL TRAINING 9

australian national university

The College of Law

QUT PLT

QUT PLT http://www.qut.edu.au/study/courses/graduate-diploma-in-legal-practice 2 George St, Brisbane City QLD 4000 Delivery Locations Gardens Point Campus, External, Online

We are one of the few Australian PLT

Note: External Online only for domestic

providers who will find you the law

students

office placement you will need to satisfy one course and professional admission

Dates 2017-2018 January (apply by 14 December) March (apply by 14 February) July (apply by 14 June) September (apply by 14 August) Note: You should submit your application as soon as possible and by no later than the relevant closing date.

requirements. We have relationships with more than 400 placement partners including firms, government departments, in house legal departments and non-profit organisations. Our connections mean we can source you a placement that will start you on a path to the career you want.Â If you are working in a legal workplace while you are completing our course, or

Attendance & Course Duration Part-time (28 weeks) Full time (34 and 38 weeks)

you have recent legal workplace experience, you may be eligible for credit placement and for our 'Interaction' unit - please ask for details.

Contact Email: law_enquiries@qut.edu.au Phone: 3138 2707

You will have the flexibility of being able to complete your PLT as a full-time online student, a part-time online student or as a full time on-campus student. All

About the PLT Program Our practical legal training (PLT) can help you to develop the capability and confidence you will need to meet the challenges of modern professional practice. You have the assurance that we have been providing PLT to LLB graduates like you for nearly 40 years and we use that experience to constantly improve what our programs offer you.

our students attend a 5 day attendance school that we run in Brisbane. We're Brisbane's only university to offer PLT. We are big enough to off you all the resources of a large university, but not so big we can't give you personal attention.

GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES 22

WRITTEN ARTICLES 26

Anthony lieu beyond law

4 application tips for law graduates 23 May 2017 You can apply these 4 tips straight away for your next application. Landing your first job is never easy. Having spoken to thousands of law students and graduates, we recognise the stressful and challenging task of sending out applications and performing well in interviews, assessment centres and psychometric tests. We’ve also identified the same mistakes being repeatedly made by law graduates. In this article, we highlight 4 tips graduates can apply to set them apart from other applicants

1. Don’t be a generalist We’ve reviewed hundreds of cover letters and resumes. It’s common to see law graduates state their interests for all different areas of law in the same cover letter (we’ve seen intellectual property, international human rights law and native title all mentioned in the same cover letter). It’s unlikely that any employer specialises in such vastly different practice areas. Research the firm and identify what they specialise in and only include what is relevant. Also avoid stating ‘commercial law’ – be specific and back it up with examples (whether it’s strong academic performance or practical experience). 2. Understand the challenges the company is facing and what value you can add Thoroughly researching the company goes a long way. Google News, Lexology and IBISWorld Reports can shed light on the priorities for the company and the challenges they may face in the industry. Determine how your strengths can play a role in helping the company achieve its goals. The management team may have raised concerns about the impact of automation on the profession, or a partner may have been interviewed about a new Bill before parliament. There’s no substitute for good research and using this in an interview to show how you can add value.

3. Don’t do Find/Replace and keep both CV and cover letter short Cover letters should not be simply a rewrite of your CV. It should address the job description, identify how you can add value and be written from scratch every time. It’s incredibly easy to identify when a candidate has done a Find/Replace job for a firm name on a cover letter. When it comes to CV structure, make it easy for the reviewer to find what they're looking for. Use reverse chronological order and clear sub-headings. And where possible, keep both documents short (one page for the cover letter and two pages for the CV). This forces you to demonstrate the economy of language and it saves the reviewer time. Win-win. 4. Be different A reviewer faces a homogenous sea of monotone applications after every closing date. By the time they get to yours, they would’ve seen many similar cover letters and CVs. Offer some personality sunshine into the otherwise painful review process by offering something different in your cover letter. An anecdote. An idea that adds value. Anything to give them a moment's respite from the monotony. While being different can set you apart, tread this line carefully. The organisation’s website, social media and marketing material is a good place for guidance for tone. * * * You can apply these 4 tips straight away for your next application. Think about your application from the point of view of the reviewer and what they may want to read. Rethinking your approach can set you apart in the immensely competitive law graduate job market. At Beyond Law, we post a variety of different law jobs and opportunities daily. ANU Legal Workshop students also have access to an exclusive jobs portal for PLT placements. We also offer a CV and cover letter review service for law students and graduates. This month, we published a Law Graduate Job Market Infographic that highlights the opportunities available to those with a law degree. Through our free resources and job board, we encourage law students and graduates to explore the variety of different pathways available to them after law school. About the author Anthony Lieu is the founder of Beyond Law, Australia's largest job-search website for law students, graduates and young lawyers. He is also a lawyer and the Head of Marketing at LegalVision. Anthony was named a Business Development Professional of the Year Finalist at the Australian Law Awards and the winner of the Anthill 30Under30.

Elizabeth dowrie

Tips on becoming a judges' associate Hi, everyone! My name is Lizzie, and I’m in my fifth and final year of a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Government and International Relations. Next year I’m fortunate enough to have a position as the Honourable Justice Applegarth’s Associate in the Queensland Supreme Court. Below are some of my tips for the application process and how you become a Judges' Associate. Hopefully, next year, I can write about my experience as a JA! 1. Think carefully about why you want to be a Judges' Associate. You won’t get the job just because you are an awesome law student and have your life together. Judge's want to hire someone who is excited about the opportunity and knows exactly how it will help them in their career plan. With this in mind, you should also reflect on which court you would like to work in. If you’re passionate about criminal law, the District Court may be for you, but if you’re more concerned with policy issues the Court of Appeal may be of interest. 2. Read all of the online tips and articles about being a Judges' Associate. I found it so helpful to read interviews and articles by people who had done it before. Less helpful is turning on private mode on LinkedIn and stealth-stalking anyone and everyone who has been a JA before. You bring your own experiences and voice, and it’s going to click with a Judge, or it isn’t! Stressing about not being a carbon copy of their current or previous Associate won’t do anything to help you. 3. A Judges' Associateship is very different to a vacation clerk or graduate lawyer position at a firm, so your application should reflect that difference. My cover letters were more personal and shared more about my interests and passions than the ones I wrote during the clerkship period. Moreover, you should demonstrate some level of appreciation for the Judge's career and why you think they would be a great mentor. 4. Send in hard copy applications to each Judge you want to apply for. That means you need to print out and post your cover letter, CV and academic transcript. Start preparing your applications earlier than usual and spend a bit of money on all that printing and posting. A hard copy application is more likely to be read, remembered and will be delivered straight to the office. When you submit an application through the online system, apparently it will only be read if the current Associate logs in, peruses all of them and thinks yours might appeal to the Judge. Typically, they are assisting the Judge in hiring their replacement in the first couple of weeks of the job.

5. Remember that if you don’t get an interview or the position, it doesn’t mean you wouldn’t be great at it. Each judge may interview 3, 5 or 15 excellent students, but at the end of the day, they need to hire the one person they click with the best. You spend so much time together that you need to get along reasonably well. Conversely, don’t pretend to be someone you aren’t in the interview – it would be exhausting to pretend to be someone else for a year. I hope these tips are helpful – if you have any questions about applying, you can email me at lizzie.dowrie@gmail.com. Remember that if you want to start a JA in 2019, you should be preparing to apply at the end of this year! Best of luck.

BEST WISHES ! Disclaimer: All expressions of opinion published in this guide are not the official opinion of the Griffith University Law Society unless it is expressly stated. The Griffith Law Society accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any opinions of information contained herein. Readers should rely on their own enquiries to make decisions in their own interests.