GLSA Guidebook Final 2016 Unimelb

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GLOBAL CAREERS

GUIDEBOOK 2015/16


COMMITTEE + ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Global Law Students Association Melbourne Law School 185 Pelham Street Carlton Victoria 3053

www.glsa.law.unimelb.edu.au 2015 Committee President | Pei Xuan Liu Executive Director | Tarek Bilani Vice-Presidents |Kate Rietdyk and Inni Choi Treasurer | Joanna Lau Careers Directors | Erin Ryan and Priiyanca Nadarajah Professional Development Director | Mahnoor Sikander Marketing Director | Marissa Butera International Student Liaison | Sandeep Jassal Co-opts | Amy Liu, Lucy Wang, Harley Ng, Jack Peterson, Myriam Amiet-Knottenbelt, Tania Arambage Acknowledgements Editors | Erin Ryan and Priiyanca Nadarajah Careers Co-Opts | Amy Liu and Lucy Wang Co-opts | Jack Peterson and Myriam Amiet-Knottenbelt Proofreading Assistance | Joanna Lau and Tarek Bilani Design Assistance | Carol Kerr and the Graduate Students Association (GSA) Sponsors | A llen & Overy, Allens > < Linklaters, Baker & McKenzie, Davis Polk, Freshfields Bruckhause Deringer, Herbert Smith Freehills, King & Wood Mallesons, Skadden.

DISCLAIMER

No person should rely on the contents of this publication without obtaining advice from a qualified professional person. This publication is produced on terms and understand that (1) the authors, consultants, and editors are not responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information in this publication, nor for any error in or omission from this publication: and (2) the authors, consultants, and editors are not engaged in rendering professional advice or services. The publisher and authors, consultants, and editors, expressly disclaim all and any liability and responsibility to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of anything, and of the consequences of anything, done or omitted to be done by any such person in reliance, whether wholly or partially upon the whole or any part of the contents of this publication.

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Table of Contents Introduction

International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia 89 International Justice Project

89

International Labour Organisation

90

International Monetary Fund

92

International Refugee Rights Initiative

92

International Service for Human Rights

93

International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

93

Canada 8

Lawyers Without Borders

94

China 9

Legal Resources Centre

96

United Kingdom

Japan 14

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

96

Singapore 15

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

97

South Africa

Refugee Law Project

98

Reprieve Australia

98

Letter from the Editors

4

Jurisdictional Information Australia 6 Brazil 7

12

16

Thailand 17 Vietnam 19 United Arab Emirates

20

United States of America

24

Private Practice

United Nations Environment Programme

101

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

101

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

102

United Nations Office of Legal Affairs

102

Allen & Overy

26

World Health Organisation

103

Allens Linklaters

32

World Trade Organisation

105

Baker Mckenzie

37

Davis Polk

39

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

53

Policy and Governance

Herbert Smith Freehills

58

Amnesty International

108

Attorney General’s Department

108

Australian Security Intelligence organisation

109

Australian Secret Intelligence Service

110

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

110

Global Policy Forum

111

Global Public Policy Institute

112

King & Wood Mallesons 65 Skadden 69

Public International Law Asha Global

76

Asian Development Bank

76

Australian Permanent Mission and Consulate General

77

Lowy Institute for International Policy

112

Centre for Justice and Accountability

80

McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer

113

Equal Justice Initiative

81

New York City Commision on Human Rights

115

Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia

83

Save the Children

117

Human Rights First

85

Transparency International

117

Human Rights Watch

85

World Vision

118

International Center for Transitional Justice

85

International Commission of Jurists

86

International Court of Justice

88

Afterword

International Criminal Court

88

Letter from the President

119

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Letter From The Editors Dear Readers, We hope the 2015/16 Global Careers Guidebook will assist you with your global career ambitions. We have endeavoured to create a comprehensive guide to acquiring international internships and career opportunities in both the public and private legal sectors. What you will find in this Guidebook is a collection of instructive articles and inspiring personal testimonials written by individuals with truly remarkable experiences. These stories demonstrate the diverse experiences and opportunities that are available to the MLS body. Key messages that are conveyed throughout the Guidebook are that students should be proactive in seeking internship and career opportunities and should keep an open mind and embrace all new experiences that are presented to them. We are excited to share the work of so many committed and thoughtful people and would like to extend an enormous thank you to all those who shared their experiences and knowledge by contributing testimonials and articles. We would like to thank the GLSA Committee for their support and tireless efforts, with particular thanks to the Co-opts who made written contributions including Amy Liu, Lucy Wang, Jack Peterson and Myriam Amiet-Knottenbelt. Additionally, we would like to extend our warmest thanks to Joanna Lau and Tarek Bilani who assisted with putting together the final touches to the Guidebook. We would also like to thank our sponsors, whose continued support makes publications like this possible. Finally we would like to sincerely thank Carol Kerr from the Graduate Students Association for her wonderful work assisting us with the design and formatting of the Guidebook. We wish you all the very best of luck in your career pathways, and hope that this Guidebook will serve as a source of information and motivation.

Erin Ryan and Priiyanca Nadarajah

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JURISDICTIONAL PROFILES


Australia FOR NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS

Visa information Many legal and non-legal positions require Australian citizenship or permanent residency. Although a student visa provides full-time working rights during semester breaks, potential employers may want to gauge your eligibility to work in Australia following graduation. International students who intend to embark on a career in Australia may be eligible to apply for the following: •• Visa subclass 485 (temporary graduate visa): available for 18 months post-graduation. •• Visa subclass 457: sponsored by an employer. •• Visa subclass 189 (skilled independent visa): for skilled workers. Unfortunately, law students are not eligible to apply for this visa until they have been admitted to practice. However, if you have a de facto partner who holds this visa you may be eligible as a secondary applicant on your partner’s visa.

Employment Opportunities Law firms: Many clerkships and graduate programs require applicants to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. However, there may be exceptions in some circumstances and it is therefore recommended that students enquire about an individual firm’s policy before applying. Government: Graduate positions for the Commonwealth Government are strictly reserved for Australian citizens or permanent residents with eligibility to apply for citizenship. However, graduate positions at the State level do not require citizenship and some only require the right to work in Australia. For more information see: Victorian Public Service Graduate Recruitment and Development Scheme:

http://graduates.vic.gov.au/opportunities-forgraduates/grads-overview

Non-governmental and other organisations: Most non-governmental organisations or community legal centres offer legal internships that do not require applicants to be permanent residents or Australian citizens.

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Resources For more information see: •• The Aurora Project -

http://www.auroraproject.com.au/ legalinternships

•• MLS Internships -

http://law.unimelb.edu.au/students/jd/ enrichment/pili/subjects/legal-internship

•• National Association of Community Legal Centres - http://www.naclc.org.au •• Federation of Community Legal Centres -

http://www.communitylaw.org.au

When in doubt, contact organisations you find interesting and ask whether they have an internship program and/or provide your own internship proposal to the organisation. Not-for-profit organisations, in particular, respond well to enthusiasm and genuine interest.


Brazil Country Background

Major Firms/Organisations

The Brazilian legal system is derived from the Portuguese Legal System. Accordingly, Brazillian law is closely related to a Civil law tradition. The Federal Supreme Court is the highest court in Brazil, and has original jurisdiction in Constitutional matters. Following the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the national elections, Brazil has experienced a decrease in productivity and an increase in market uncertainty. Despite this, transactional work remains steady and many legal firms have seen an increase in work due the implementation of anti-corruption law and anti-trust law.

Major international law firms such as Clifford Chance, Linklaters, Mayer Brown LLP have partnered with local Brazilian firms in order to assist on matters within Brazil.

Legal Market Brazil’s legal market is sophisticated and mature. Activity has come from the increased number of mergers and acquisitions, as well as increased investment in infrastructure and public works. Brazilian law is moving rapidly to facilitate its processes to be in line with global regulations to facilitate international transactions.

Futhermore, the following are elite firms in Brazil that are traditionally held as the leading full-service players in the market: •• BMA – BarbosaMüssnich •• Aragão •• Demarest Advogados •• Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados •• Mattos Filho •• Veiga Filho •• Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados •• Pinheiro Neto Advogados •• TozziniFreire Advogados •• Veirano Advogados

Admission Requirements To practice law in Brazil, foreign law graduates must meet all requirements prescribed to Brazilian lawyers, and are also required to pass the OAB exam. To sit the OAB exam, a validation of your foreign degree is required by the board. In Brazil, once a candidate has passed the OAB Exam, they are qualified to practice- including drafting legal documents, giving written advice and appearing in court. If a lawyer has not re-qualified, they may still work in Brazil, but only in a limited capacity as “foreign law consultants.” The consultant has limited powers, entitled only to consult on matters of law referring to his original jurisdiction. Foreign lawyers must apply for authorisation to work as a “foreign law consultant,” and provide evidence of (1) admission into the law practice in your home country (2) having a Brazilian resident visa (3) no conviction of a serious criminal offence or penality from the respective bar association and (4) having a good reputation according to a certificate issued by the respective bar association and signed by three Brazilian lawyers.

Jurisdictional Profiles  7


Canada Country background The Canadian legal system operates under both the common law and the civil law traditions and has two official languages (English and French). Frenchspeaking Quebec is a distinct legal market within the country and operates under a civil code separate to the rest of Canada’s common law system. Canada’s legal system is based on the AngloAmerican tradition. Therefore the fundamental principles that underlie the system are not very different from those that exist in the U.S., the U.K., or Australia. Canada recognises the importance of laws being clear and rational, of the principle of innocence until proven guilty and of the limiting power of the Constitution and certain universal human rights.

resident of Canada prior to accepting them as an Articling Student-at-Law. The articling experience includes completion of a particular province’s Law Society’s practical legal training program (some provinces offer them in a 10-week block while other offer on a part- time basis, often extending over six months) and work experience for a specified period of time (ranging from nine to twelve months). Provincial law societies may offer foreign lawyers who have significant experience some reduction in their articling term and may provide partial exemptions from the practical legal training program. To be admitted to the practice of law in Quebec, you have to have graduated from a civil law school and then attended both Bar School and completed the Stage, which is the civil law equivalent to Articling.

Legal Market

Major Firms/Organisation

Canada is also a popular destination for global law firms. The global law firms that are currently succeeding in Canada are Dentons and Norton Rose Fulbright.

Canada is largely dominated by a collection of seven leading Canadian law firms, known as the ‘Seven Sisters’ firms. These firms consist of: Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, Goodmans, McCarthy Tétrault, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Stikeman Elliott LLP and Torys.

The largest legal centre in the country is Toronto, in the province of Ontario, which remains the key base for corporate deals. Alberta is synonymous with Canada’s oil and gas industry and Calgary remains a hub for energy work. British Columbia is also a major province for natural resources work, with forestry and mining key sectors.

In more specialist fields, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP and Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP are top choices for mining M&A, Bennett Jones LLP is a leader in oil and gas transactions, and Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is highly regarded for power-related work.

Admission Requirements

Resources

Foreign lawyers wishing to re-qualify must apply to the National Committee on Accreditation for an evaluation of their legal credentials. The purpose of this evaluation is to ensure that applicants have an understanding of Canadian law equivalent to that of a graduate of a Canadian LLB program. The NCA may require foreign lawyers to pass examinations in specified areas of Canadian law or complete courses at a Canadian law school (including, sometimes, the completion of a Canadian LLB program)

Federation of Law Societies of Canada:

Once an applicant has satisfied these requirements, a Certificate of Qualification is issued. Foreign lawyers must then determine the province in which they wish to practice law and then meet additional requirements established by that province. Provinces may require an applicant to be a permanent 8

Global Careers Guidebook

http://www.flsc.ca/en/nca

For more information on immigrating to and working in Canada visit: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp


China Country Background In China, only domestic law firms are allowed to advocate in Chinese courts and proffer official written opinions on Chinese law. However, this has not hampered foreign law firms practicing in China, where many international firms are still the first choice in high-profile cross-border work.

Legal Market Recently, several foreign law firms have been reported as having struggled to turn a healthy profit as a result of extremely competitive pricing wars in China’s aggressively competitive legal market. Consequently, several US and UK head offices have reduced their mainland China presences, and the firm of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP closed both its offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai in 2015 because fees had dropped dramatically in recent years. Others remain keen to expand in mainland China; multinational law firm Dentons and China’s largest legal practice Dacheng Law Offices, LLP merged to create the world’s biggest law firm. On the PRC firm front, Fangda Partners, King & Wood Mallesons, Jun He and Zhong Lun Law Firm hold dominant positions in the domestic legal market, although other local firms are also notable for their size and expertise: AllBright Law Offices, Han Kun Law Offices, Llinks Law Offices and Global Law Office are all key players.

Hot Practice Areas •• M&A: Aggregate China-outbound M&A values reached record high, many law firms have been tapping into this rich area •• Energy sector: many firms, such as Vinson & Elkins LLP have focused on the SOEs in the energy market •• Technology: firms have had a huge role to play in this area with Hogan Lovells International LLP and Herbert Smith Freehills LLP representing parties in Lenovo’s acquisition of IBM’s server business and Morrison & Foerster’s role in Tsinghua Group’s acquisition of mobile chip manufacturer Spreadtrum Communication are just some examples of this exciting market

•• Intellectual property: many high-profile lawsuits involving patents are trade secrets are undergone yearly in China. Outstanding firms including Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, Bird & Bird, Jones Day and Hogan Lovells International LLP. Allen & Overy LLP recently worked on a case involving the grant of the first patent infringement preliminary injunction to Abbott Laboratories. •• Dispute Resolution: Many international law firms are actively developing their dispute resolution practices, particularly in relation to anti-corruption and investigations. International arbitration is also buoyant, with Chinese parties increasingly involved in arbitrations seated outside China; consequently, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) and Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) have been marketing heavily into China.

Admission Requirements To practice law in China, one needs to have passed the PRC’s bar exam. Only Chinese citizens are allowed to sit the Chinese Bar. Therefore, having a foreign law degree does not allow one to practice Chinese law. However, one may still use their legal skills for work in the Chinese offices of foreign law firms. Foreign law firms are prohibited from practicing Chinese law (including interpretation of any Chinese law). They are however permitted to perform legal services that do not involve Chinese law, such as providing consulting services for foreign corporations, or legal advice for Chinese companies investing overseas. Foreign lawyers must have practiced law in another jurisdiction for at least two years before commencing work in China. Many law firms look for candidates with knowledge of various topics of law and the law of various foreign countries. Therefore, it is important for one to practice in several different jurisdictions (Australia, US, UK etc.) before choosing to work in China. Most large firms do not have recent graduates work on international law matters because they believe associates must first master an area of law such as corporate law or tax law before being tasked with the additional layer of complexity of an international matter.

Jurisdictional Profiles  9


Although proficiency in Mandarin is not an essential requirement, as much work revolves around foreign law, Chinese language skills is highly desirable, especially in terms of client relations.

Resources China Ministry of Justice listing of foreign law firms with offices in China: http://www.moj.gov.cn/lsgzgzzds/

content/2011-12/31/content_3257731.htm Legal 500 China overview:

http://www.legal500.com/c/china The Law Society of England & Wales China section:

http://international.lawsociety.org.uk/ip/asia/586

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Internship Testimonial Wikborg Rein & Co Christopher Pettersen In December of 2014, I completed a one-month internship with the Norwegian law firm Wikborg Rein & Co. (WR) at their office in Shanghai, P.R. China. WR is a medium-sized law firm with a particular focus on shipping and dispute resolution in the Asia region. I was very grateful to receive this opportunity after having finished my first-year of the JD, and I would strongly recommend Australian law students to seek legal experience overseas where possible. For many students, finding legal experience domestically in Australia can be quite difficult. As a result, I began searching for overseas opportunities early on in my firstyear of the J.D. It is important to begin searching early, because visa arrangements can be difficult depending on the country you hope to work in, and the administrative process of seeking approval with the firm and the host country can be time-consuming. I sent independent enquiries to firms overseas during my first-semester of law school, and was fortunate to receive an offer from WR approximately mid-year. I consequently had sufficient time in second semester to finalise the arrangements and travel plans.

undertaking legal translations. Due to the language skills I already had at the time, I was also able to conduct legal research across a range of jurisdictions, including for countries I was completely unfamiliar with and would never have expected to research so early on in the course of my legal studies. The cross-border element of work at international law firms stands out remarkably in these contexts, and law students are rarely prepared to be in these situations. Professional legal skills are markedly different from what is taught academically, so you need to keep an open mind and pay close attention to how the firm operates in order to produce quality legal work. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with WR overseas, and I would strongly encourage students who have the drive to acquire international legal experience, or aim to work abroad, to be as organised and proactive as possible in order to experience this type of work.

The second point is to be proactive in your search. Law firms very often are incredibly busy, and they will not be aware of the fact you are searching for work unless you take the first step. That first step not only demonstrates your interest in the firm, but is also an important start to finding available legal work. Some firms understandably will not have capacity during the Australian summer holiday period, but if you persist (and have a bit of luck) then you can discover such opportunities. In relation to the work itself, it is important to demonstrate how your skills are compatible with the firm itself. I speak both Norwegian and Mandarin Chinese, thus it was clearly established that I would be able to work both with local Chinese legal matters in addition to Scandinavian crossborder projects if need be. The fact I had previous working experience in P.R. China was another key consideration in terms of showing how you can contribute to the work of the firm. The majority of my work focused on corporate matters, and it was my first time drafting legal documents and

Jurisdictional Profiles  11


United Kingdom

Country Background London and the United Kingdom more broadly, despite still being in a process of economic recovery following the Global Financial Crisis, remain at the epicentre of global commerce and trade. Consequently, the UK remains of primary importance for the conducting of high-end commercial legal work. The United Kingdom is home to some of the world’s most significant companies and law firms. Since 2011 there has been a slow but definite recovery from the global financial downturn with a slight increase in transactional work for firms across the UK, which is reflected in graduate legal recruitment London is an attractive place to work for Australian graduates and anyone wishing to pursue a career in commercial law for a number of reasons: 1. Firstly, and most obviously, Australian law has its roots in the English common law and, as such, many legal principles and rules are similar; 2. Secondly, English courts remain the international forum of choice for much commercial dispute resolution; 3. Thirdly, English law is used as the basis for most of the world’s commercial agreements, indeed, the English Common Law governs 30% of the world’s population and provides a basis for 27% of the world’s legal jurisdictions; 4. Fourthly, London is the internationally preferred seat for legal arbitration given the clear legislative framework in place, and judicial support, for arbitration as well as the saturation of world-class advisors and arbitration organisations in London.

Getting into the Market If graduates want to commence a career in the UK directly after completing law school in Australia, one of the best ways to do so is through attaining a trainee contract with an English law firm. The ability to do so generally depends on whether graduates have completed any vacation schemes (clerkships).

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Generally, if a trainee contract is attained, the firm will sponsor and pay for graduates to complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC). Some firms will also accept Australian graduates who complete the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS), involving a three-stage assessment regime. Assessments under the QLTS generally require the applicant to already be a qualified lawyer from an SRA recognised jurisdiction (such as Australia). This involves completing a practice certificate in Australia before heading over to the UK but does not require any post-admission professional experience in Australia. Most large London firms offer the opportunity of summer and winter internships; however some firms do not offer this opportunity to non-EU Students. It is best to research and contact firms individually and directly to find out exactly what is available for Australian students. Students and graduates should also contact firms directly to find out when trainee contracts are offered and what each firm requires. Linklaters offers around ten Australian law students the opportunity to undertake a clerkship in the firm’s London office. The clerkship runs for four weeks just before Christmas and is open to students in their penultimate year of study. Applications for the clerkship involve an online application form, a critical thinking test and an all-day interview (based in Australia). If successful, students will be financially supported by the firm to travel to, and stay, in London for the duration of the clerkship. During the clerkship, clerks will sit in two practise areas across the firm’s corporate, finance or commercial groups and will be given work comparable to that of a trainee (or graduate) at the firm. If all goes well when you finish you will be invited to participate in an interview for a two-year training contract. Providing you secure the contract, Linklaters will expect you to finish your degree and complete your Practical Legal Training (PLT) in Australia, which the firm will financially support you through. Upon returning to London, you will commence your traineeship at the firm whilst studying for the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS).


Admission Requirements The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) regulates admission to practice in the UK. Students considering working in the UK should contact the SRA to discuss their individual situation The UK, as with Australian jurisdictions, has a split legal profession. Graduates can take examinations to qualify as either Barristers or Solicitors by undertaking the full-time, one-year Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) or the Legal Practice Course (LPC) respectively

In addition, there have been a range of mergers between local Australian firms and top UK firms, most notably: the merger of Herbert Smith and Freehills; the alliance between Allens and Linklaters; the merger of Ashurst and Blake Dawson, and; the earlier merger between Norton Rose and Deacons. Most other large Australian domestic law firms either have offices in London (such as King & Wood Mallesons and Baker & McKenzie) or have close connections or partnerships with UK firms (such as Clayton Utz).

After successfully completing these courses, which generally include various examinations and practical ability tests, graduates must secure either a Training Contract of two years (for those who have completed the LPC) or a Pupillage (for those who have completed the BPTC) These are equivalent to ‘graduate’ or ‘traineeship’ positions in other jurisdictions and are the final practical stage required of graduates before being granted full admission to practice.

Major Firms/Organisations The ‘Magic Circle’ firms, the country’s five largest firms all based in London, include: •• Allen & Overy, •• Clifford Chance •• Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer •• Linklaters •• Slaughter & May ‘Silver circle’ firms (the country’s next largest firms) include: •• Ashurst •• Berwin •• Leighton Paisner •• Herbert Smith Freehills •• SJ Berwin

Jurisdictional Profiles  13


Japan Country Background

Admission requirements

Japan is a civil law system with six codes, which comprise of the Constitution and the five major codes (civil, civil procedure, criminal, criminal procedure and commercial). In commercial law and taxation, case law is significant as an instrument of interpretation. These days, much legislation is influenced by common law concepts. Bankruptcy law has taken on a hybridised form these days. This is because of the trend for business lawyers to complete postgraduate legal study in Australasia, the UK, the US and the EU. Japan is to a large extent a hybridised legal system, although with a civil law foundation.

For foreign lawyers to practice in Japan you need to be registered as a Registered Foreign Lawyer. Registration requires a minimum of two years postqualification experience in a jurisdiction outside Japan in which the applicant was originally admitted.

Legal Market Currency fluctuations have made it increasingly difficult to close deals. There were expectations that the 2020 Summer Olympics would lead to an increase in work but this has not yet been the case. In response to this disappointed expectation, Japanese companies have been looking internationally. The Big Four (Anderons Mori & Tomotsune, Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu and Nishimura & Asahi) are following this trend. Foreign firms such as Baker & McKenzie, Bingham, McCutchen Murase, Hogan Lovells, Morrison & Foerster and White & Case are becoming significant figures in the Japanese legal landscape.

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Resources The Japan Federation of Bar Associations:

http://www.nichibenren.or.jp/en.html Tokyo Bar: http://www.toben.or.jp/english/


Singapore Country Background

Admission Requirements

Singapore’s legal industry is experiencing exciting and leading developments. Singapore has a common law system, although Muslims are governed in personal matters (such as marriage and divorce) by Islamic law administered by the Shari-ah Courts.

Lawyers with foreign degrees can practice law in Singapore as a qualified or unqualified practitioner. To become a qualified practitioner and therefore be admitted to the Singapore Bar, the candidate must meet all of the following criteria:

The country’s access to global business and financial activities and its political stability have allowed it to remain as Asia-Pacific’s commercial hub for international law firms.

Legal Market Singapore’s highly developed legal system, especially compared to its neighbours, has enabled it to position itself as the main legal centre in the region for cross-border disputes and international arbitration; the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) and Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) both recently opened in 2014 to expand the range of dispute resolution services available and attract more high-value disputes. The legal market has traditionally included the four largest domestic firms: Allen & Gledhill LLP, Drew & Napier LLC, Rajah & Tann LLP and WongPartnership LLP. Other key local players include Colin Ng & Partners LLP, Shook Lin & Bok LLP and TSMP Law Corporation. Singapore’s gradual liberalisation has led to a notable influx of foreign entities, several of which have been awarded qualifying foreign law practice (QFLP) licences, or adopted strategies such as joint law ventures and foreign law alliances.

1 Be a Singaporean citizen or permanent resident; 2 Have a law degree from an institution listed on the Singaporean Ministry of Law website (note: the JD program is not recognized and therefore candidates must apply for an exemption); 3 Be ranked in the top 70% of the totally number of graduates in a given year; 4 Pass Part A of the Singaporean Bar Exam (covering criminal, evidence, land, Singapore Legal System and Constitutional and Company law) held in November each year; 5 Complete Part B of the Singapore Bar Exam comprising of a compulsory 5 month practical law course and exam covering civil and criminal procedure, conveyancing practice, professional responsibility and family law; and 6 Complete a 6 month traineeship at a Singapore law firm. If a candidate does not meet the criteria for a qualified practitioner, they have the following options: a Practice as a foreign lawyer: If you are admitted, qualified or authorised to practise in any jurisdiction, you are allowed to practise foreign law in Singapore if you register as a ‘Foreign Lawyer’ under Part IXA of the Legal Profession Act with the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ Legal Profession (International Services) Secretariat. You will not need to take any courses or examinations. b Practice as in-house counsel: You may be able to practise as in-house counsel in an organisation in Singapore. Please refer to http:// www.scca.org.sg/ c Sit Foreign Practitioner Exam: The Singapore Institute of Legal Education (SILE) conducts the Foreign Practitioner Examinations (FPE). For further details visit http://www.sile.edu.sg/ foreign-practitioner-examination Jurisdictional Profiles  15


South Africa Country Background South African law is a combination of different legal systems, with its origin in Europe and Great Britain. Its foundation lies in Roman-Dutch law, which is itself a blend of indigenous Dutch customary law and Roman law. In the post-apartheid South Africa, there have been a number of new initiatives introduced such as the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, a new Constitutional Court, and a new governmental structure (with a tripartite system separating legislative, executive, and judicial arms of government). South Africa has also created a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, quite separate from its courts, dedicated to investigating the human rights abuses suffered under apartheid.

Legal Market From a commercial perspective, South Africa is a hub of change and thus an attractive market for law firms. In the past few years, a number of international law firms have entered the South African market. Wellknown global law firms such as Baker & Mckenzie and Norton Rose Fulbright have each set up offices in South Africa in the last few years.

Admission Requirements Admission to practice in South Africa poses some hurdles. An Australian must complete a South African LLB degree and any additional requirements (such as practical legal training) to qualify as a lawyer. Completed study from a foreign university will be considered by a South African university but there is no guarantee any credit will be given for it. Further, admission requires the person to be a South African citizen or permanent resident. For additional information, the University of South Africa and the Law Society of South Africa have useful resources.

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Major firms/organisations •• Legal Aid Board of South Africa •• Lawyers for Human Rights – South Africa •• Amnesty International South Africa •• Human Rights Institute of South Africa •• Black Sash- South Africa International law firms with a presence in South Africa •• Allen & Overy (South Africa) LLP •• Clyde & Co •• White & Case LLP •• Chadbourne & Parke (South Africa) LLC •• Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa (incorporated as Deneys Reitz Inc)

Resources •• General Council of the Bar of South Africa:

http://www.sabar.co.za

•• Law Society of South Africa: http://www.lssa.

org.za

•• Requirements for Foreigners: http://www.lssa.

org.za/upload/Qualification_of_Foreigners.pdf


Thailand Country Background

Admission Requirements

Popularly considered a holiday destination, Bangkok is also the hub of South East Asia’s expanding legal market. Thailand is the region’s second-largest economy following Indonesia. The country is the largest exporter of rice and a major global source of car, electronics, and electrical appliance goods. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral legislature. The Prime Minister is the head of government, and the head of state is a hereditary monarch.

Only Thai nationals are able to obtain full practicing certificates. However, several large international law firms operate in Thailand and employ foreign nationals in an advisory capacity.

Despite political disturbances, the jurisdiction has experienced robust economic growth over the past two decades. The country’s stock market flourished in 2013, partly due to the loosening of regulations that govern stock listings, and led to an increased number of high-value IPOs, making Bangkok an attractive emerging jurisdiction for commercial law. Furthermore, the Thai government’s policy to increase the country’s renewable energy consumption has also provided ground for growth. There has been a noted increase in renewable energy project financing deals, with Thai firms requested to represent investors, banks and developers.

Legal Market Overall, the Thai legal market remains strong. As a result of several notable developments that have arisen out of May 2014’s political upheaval, criminal and civil investigations into alleged government corruption have been a source of work for Thai law firms. Yet due to this political instability, lawyers have reported a downturn in M&A and joint ventures and a reduction of inbound investments. Despite this, the market remains stable with inbound investments increasing in the second half of 2014 and early 2015. The Thai market eagerly awaits the enactment of the Asian Economic Community (AEC), which will introduce the free movement of goods, services, investment, workers and capital throughout the Asia Pacific region. Despite doubts concerning the date of assent, it is due to be implemented from the 31st of December 2015.

Major Firms/Organisations International firms: •• Allen & Overy •• Baker & McKenzie •• Herbert Smith Freehills •• Clifford Chance •• Allens Linklaters •• DLA Piper •• Norton Rose Fulbright Local firms (where non-Thai nationals can work in legal advisory services with local lawyers) •• TEAM Legal •• Tilleke & Gibbins •• Weerawong •• Chinavat & Peangpanor •• Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices.

Jurisdictional Profiles  17


Internship Testimonial

TEAM Legal Annabel Tresise Over my first year summer break, I spent three months in Bangkok working for a small Thai law firm – TEAM Legal (‘TEAM’). I had received the support and research role from a colleague of my sister. When I arrived at the end of November, TEAM was about to close their submission to the government regarding labour reform in their frozen shrimp industry. The firm had been established in mid-2014 following the Guardian’s report – ‘Supermarket Slave Trail’ and the US Government’s classification of Thailand as a tier three country in the latest Trafficking in Persons Report. I started work immediately and my role was to monitor the growth of the industry from the 1970s. I mainly provided reports on how the movement of the unregulated shrimp market domestically and internationally had reached its current zenith. This work drew more from my undergraduate degree (global economics), however because we were working with human rights lawyers in Washington and Belgium, I was still introduced to how these different jurisdictions interact with one-another. As the firm’s goal was advisory, I visited government conferences on anti money-laundering and human trafficking. Through such events I also made personal contacts with members of the US Embassy and visited their headquarters to discuss the work TEAM was doing. It was a very real and eye-opening experience to see the way in which different groups – government, private and NGOs interact and work towards combating a pressing issue. Throughout January, the nature of my work changed and I was required to provide briefing reports on the nature of Australia Public-Private Partnerships and their governing laws. I also spent time educating my small 18

Global Careers Guidebook

team (four Thai girls) on Australian constitutional law and providing comparisons between the common and civil law jurisdictions. For their international partners, I was required to proof-read their English translations of Thai statutes. This was a very tedious, yet interesting experience, as some of their clauses were so long and convoluted that I could hardly make sense of what was being said. In terms of daily life, it was pretty difficult. Bangkok can be a particularly stressful and trying city at times. My office was an hour away, however when coupled with crazy Thai traffic it was possible for me to spend up to four hours a day in a car. Sometimes I would have to leave the cab and jump on the back of a motorcycle. In the mornings I would try to read or sleep, however if I wasn’t paying attention, the drivers would try to take me on alternate (longer) routes so as to increase my fare. I was lucky enough that work paid for my travel (which was only ever $5 for the two hour drive!) and I learnt basic Thai to communicate effectively with my drivers. For this reason and many others, the language barrier was an issue and so learning Thai was necessary. In Bangkok, custom is also very important (i.e. bowing). I had to be very careful when interacting with partners or government officials. I spent my lunch hours with two girls from my office and we would take turns in teaching our languages to one another. This was useful, however because we were so different there was nothing much to be said anyway. We would mostly just laugh and tease each other. This kind of communication would suffice for me, as I’ve spent a lot of time in foreign countries before and enjoy this style of primal conversation. However, if you’re someone not used to it, then the language barrier can be very lonely, especially if you’re spending three months in a place and are around no other English speakers. I was also lucky in that my sister was living over there, so my weekends would be spent with her and other expats I had met at parties or even sometimes on the street. All in all it was a great experience, however I mainly endorse it because of the work not the life-style. If anyone is interested in such an experience, then please contact me directly and I can speak with my boss regarding availabilities. They have no formal internship-application procedures in place.


Vietnam Country Background

Admission Requirements

Vietnam’s legal system was inherited from the French civil law system and is influenced by socialist legal theory.

Foreign lawyers can practice in Vietnam by submitting a written account of request for a Practising License in Vietnam to the Ministry of Justice. This account must include certification that they are qualified in a foreign jurisdiction, that they belong to a foreign lawyer’s organisation designated to practice the legal profession in Vietnam or papers certifying recruitment by a Vietnam-based foreign lawyer’s profession-practising organisation. After receiving these documents and the required fee, the Ministry of Justice can grant the Practising License to the foreign lawyer.

The Vietnamese Civil Code 2005 is in the European civil law code tradition, which means that judicial decisions do not create law. Vietnam’s legal profession is relatively young. Lawyers were not considered to be ‘professionals’ until the last decade. The implementation of the Constitution in 1992 by the National Assembly and the creation of a strict legal hierarchy are responsible for this change. Vietnam joined the World Trade Organisation in 2007. The Vietnam Bar Federation, formed in 2009, is available to join for all lawyers working in Vietnam. Historically Vietnam, akin to most Asian countries, does not possess a strong litigious culture and emphasises alternative dispute resolution in place of litigation.

Legal Market M&A work is increasing as a consequence of smaller transactions by new investors in the market, especially private equity companies drawn to opportunities in the food and beverages, wider consumer products and banking sectors. Japanese and Korean companies are Vietnam’s primary source of investment. Legal firms like Mayer Brown JSM, Allen & Overy LLP, Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers and Hogan Lovells International LLP have experienced setbacks in the form of departures of important figures.

Jurisdictional Profiles  19


United Arab Emirates Country Background

Admission Requirements

The United Arab Emirates operates an essentially civil law jurisdiction heavily influenced by French, Roman, Egyptian and Islamic law. The structure of the legal system is complex with both dual courts - Sharia courts and civil courts - operating in parallel, but covering different areas of the law. In addition, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah all have separate civil court systems. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Judicial Authority provides a common law judicial system within the financial district.

Foreign lawyers can practice local law, but only a Dubai national can appear in court in Dubai.

Legal Market The UAE market has been highly active in recent years, particularly in the real estate and construction sectors. Other key areas of practice undertaken by firms in Dubai are energy, banking and finance, dispute resolution, corporate and commercial and Islamic finance. Local firms such as Al Tamimi & Company, Hadef & Partners and Afridi & Angell have rights of audience before the local courts, something which the international firms with a dispute resolution practice in the region do not offer. Top-tier law firms such as Allen & Overy LLP, Clifford Chance and Clyde & Co LLP have a longstanding presence in the jurisdiction, and an increasing proportion of international firms are using the UAE as a hub to service the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets.

Hot Practice Areas •• Projects and construction •• Energy •• Banking and finance •• Dispute resolution •• Commercial property •• Corporate and commercial; and •• Islamic finance.

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A lawyer who is a national of one of the other Arab Gulf Cooperation Council countries can in certain circumstances obtain a licence to practise and to appear in the Dubai and UAE courts. Practising lawyers have to be licensed to practice law in the Federal courts by the Ministry of Justice and by the Emiri Diwan in the other Emirates. Lawyers must be graduates of a recognised law/Shariah college. In the past expatriate Arab lawyers were licensed to practice in the Federal courts but the general trend now is to restrict such practice to qualified UAE nationals.


Internship Testimonial

Reed Smith LLP Annie Johnston Dubai is a unique legal environment with overlapping national and domestic jurisdictions, as well as ‘free zones’ to enhance international representation and business. The Dubai International Financial Centre is the natural choice for most international investment banks, wealth managers, accounting agencies and law firms in the UAE, as the jurisdiction has its own laws, courts, and regulatory system, allowing businesses to operate without a local ownership.

Application Process Applying for an internship in Dubai was very different to the clerkship process in Melbourne. Few firms have formal internship application processes or set programs, so applying requires initiative and researching firms you feel would be a good fit for your interests. I applied to Reed Smith on a recommendation from a contact I had made during work experience in Dubai some years earlier. The firm is based in the US with a large presence in Europe and a growing practice in Asia. I thought this would offer me a different experience to firms that I would find in Australia where the transnational work is primarily in Asia.

Experience Compared to Australia, the UAE is a young jurisdiction. Finding legislation, or court judgments on a particular issue – and an English translation – can be challenging. My research skills certainly got a work out! I primarily worked on construction disputes, assisting in preparations for arbitrations, reviewing witness statements, and expert reports. I also prepared advice on healthcare regulation, setting up businesses in free zones, employment law and cyber law, working with a variety of partners and associates. I was also able to attend (and actually speak at) client meetings, and observe ongoing arbitrations. Internally, I also conducted a review of legislative amendments relevant to commercial practice, researched points of law such as client legal privilege (which is not legislated nearly as thoroughly as in Australia or other major jurisdictions) the enforcement of international arbitral awards, and the renewal of oil and gas concessions in 2014.

The business of relationships

Flexibility

A second bite at the cherry meant that I was trusted to work autonomously in preparing advice for clients and more choice over the matters I assisted with. Having a strong relationship with the firm also meant that I was able to connect with Reed Smith in London, as I passed through there before returning to Melbourne, and participate in associate training schemes for practical tools in commercial legal practice.

With no formal internship structure, I was able to shape my own experience and spend my time on the issues that interested me. The structure of the practice in the Middle East meant that some days I worked out of the Dubai office, and others I would travel interstate to Abu Dhabi! This meant that I was exposed to a broader array of practice areas and employees at the firm.

Dubai offers a distinctive insight into the international legal practice as you are working with expatriates from Australia, the US, Europe, Asia and Africa, who all draw on various cultural experiences of legal practice. If you are interested in jurisdictions that also operate in accordance with religious or moral codes, it is also very interesting to see how this practically impacts the legal system. Jurisdictional Profiles  21


Internship Testimonial

Ooredoo Lois Pickering My name is Lois Pickering and I am a third year JD student (but I am extending my degree to 3.5 years, so graduating mid 2016). Over the summer of 2014-2015, I spent February with the in-house counsel at Ooredoo, one of Oman’s two telecommunications providers in Muscat, Oman. For anyone interested in commercial, and particularly corporate law, I really recommend getting some in-house experience. This is because experience in-house is both a completely different environment to life in a law firm and can also give you a very intimate insight into what that ambiguous, dreaded phrase ‘commercial awareness’ actually means. The most notable difference about working in-house is that unlike firm-based work, you only have one ‘client’ – the corporation. As a result, you have to deal with every aspect of their legal needs, no matter how big or small, and you have to consider everything from that client’s perspective. During my time at Ooredoo I had exposure to everything from helping compile a corporate governance report, to editing the terms of a loyalty program and assessing the commercial viability of a lease for a new retail store. Inhouse legal departments can be quite small (there were 5 of us, so we were outnumbered maybe 50:1 by the sales team), and because of this, in-house counsel spend most of their time helping the other branches of the organisation grapple with their different legal needs. No two days are the same in-house, so I really enjoyed the variety of the work that I was given, and I found it particularly interesting to approach every legal task from the client’s corporate perspective. Being forced to think how each decision, each transaction would affect the telco as a business helped me to appreciate that fine line between the corporate and legal worlds that commercial lawyers tread. However, for me this was also one of the greatest challenges of life in-house, as the lawyers had to negotiate both the law, and the commercial drivers of the telco pushed by other departments. Because of this, a lot of time was spent bouncing emails back and forth and explaining

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why certain commercial decisions had to be modified or delayed due to various legal reasons. On top of this, the cultural differences between Australia and the Middle East made for a truly different office environment and legal experience. As laws are made by Royal Decree, regulatory requirements and legal standards can literally change over night, and the inconsistent translation from Arabic to English made it challenging to provide comprehensive advice. Life in the office also had some interesting quirks – the army of office ‘tea boys’, and the ‘inshallah’ (‘if Allah wills is’) approach to time frames and targets took a bit of time to get used to, but the Omani people were extremely open and welcoming, and eager to share advice on how best to see and experience their beautiful country. In terms of advice for getting an internship, unfortunately (or fortunately), connections have a lot to do with it, so you need to use your network! My parents live in Oman, so I was spending the summer there, and I managed to get a legal contact in Oman through my Melbourne Law School mentor, who had worked with the head in-house counsel at Optus back in Melbourne. Australian lawyers are respected and sought after all over the world, and it’s amazing how many people will go out of their way to help you, give you experience, or even just sit down and have a chat about what it is they actually do and how they got there. Overall, you have to take the initiative, not be afraid to ask questions and seize every possible opportunity you get to meet new people, put yourself in new settings and learn new skills. Who knows, you might enjoy it!


Internship Testimonial

Squire Patton Boggs Mahnoor Sikander Over the months of January and February earlier this year, I spent 4 weeks working at the global law firm Squire Patton Boggs (SPB) in Dubai, UAE. I worked in the Corporate Finance, Arbitration and Construction Law department with a team of multinational corporate lawyers with specialized knowledge in UAE corporate law. It was one of the most culturally diverse environments I have ever encountered with the legal and administrative team coming from different countries including America, UK, Canada, Scotland, Egypt, Morocco, France, Philippines and India. As a result one can imagine the different accents within a confined space! My tasks included legal research, drafting legal memorandums, drafting contract clauses, dealing directly with clients and other corporate offices in the UAE, drafting witness cross examination questions and carrying out administrative tasks such as organizing evidence documents and exhibits. One of the highlights of the internship was working on and being able to observe a 3 day arbitration hearing, run by the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC). Arbitration is a prevalent alternative dispute resolution method used across the Middle East as many corporations do not want to pursue litigation given the underdeveloped and unpredictable nature of the law. The efficiency, informality and quick resolution of the arbitration system was an interesting contrast to lengthy litigation cases which dominate saturated legal systems.

to cooperate between the Emirates and working expats became apparent to me when I was sent down to government departments to find out about legislation and certain protocols which were not available online. Some of the best lawyers I worked with were able to overcome these tensions through excellent communication and negotiation skills. Overall, my 4 weeks in Dubai and with the firm taught me a lot; not just about the technical aspect of how to be a good lawyer, but the importance of being able to build and navigate relationships in a multicultural society with both foreign and local interest at stake. It illuminated the power that laws can yield in being a progressive force within an underdeveloped society, and yet how many social issues such as labour rights fail to be addressed. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone interested in working in a dynamic, complex and upcoming region of the world. Most interns are taken on over the (northern hemisphere) summer period of June-August, however, a good place to start would be to contact the firms in advance and asking for their recruitment process. Personal contacts can also go a long way within that region, however ultimately, any effort is worth the experience. Good luck!

Given that Dubai is essentially a western civilisation built on Emirati land, I encountered first-hand some of the issues which accompany working in an increasingly globalised world. Whilst Dubai has very sophisticated laws which have been developed mainly by the expats, it was interesting to get an insight into the interaction between foreign corporations (which operate within free zones which don’t tax foreigners) and local public bodies. Whilst at face value Dubai does come across as a homogenous society, the slight cultural clash and at times unwillingness

Jurisdictional Profiles  23


United States of America Country Background

Getting into the Market

The United States operates on a common law system, with the State and Federal system of laws operating side by side. Each State has its own set of laws applicable to individual jurisdictions. At the Federal level, law is derived from the Constitution of the United States. At the pinnacle of the American Court system is the Supreme Court of the United States.

Getting in to the US legal market is highly competitive. The impact of the Global Financial Crisis was heavily felt by America’s corporate law firms. There is however hope that the market will recover which will see an increase in the number of law graduates securing employment.

Admission Requirements The admission requirements for Australians wishing to work as attorneys in the United States are complex. They vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. While some states such as New York allow applicants to take the bar exam provided they have obtained three years of legal education in a common law jurisdiction (such as Australia), others have more stringent requirements. It is advisable to speak with firms or the American Bar Association about acceptance of your degree in a particular state. If you are unsuccessful in securing a summer associate position and therefore a graduate position, there are other pathways available. Once you have obtained a few years experience at a major Australian law firm, opportunities begin to open up for the United States. This is particularly the case if you have corporate M&A, banking and finance or private equity experience. There have been a significant number of Australian lawyers who have moved across to work in the United States, particularly in New York. While this peaked prior to the GFC, with some firms even sending representatives out to Australia to interview candidates, it will hopefully again reach high level as their economy recovers. Most states in the USA require a three year JD in order to sit the bar examination. A fully comprehensive guide to the Bar Admission Requirements can be downloaded from the National Conference of Bar Examiners website: www.ncbex.org and it includes a directory of state bar admission agencies and requirements.

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The best opportunity for Australian law students wishing to work in the United States is to apply for the summer associate programs run by law firms in the United States. These are akin to clerkships in Australia, with US firms taking most if not all of their graduates from their summer associates. The programs run over the US summer (so Australian winter), and offer summer associates a chance to see what life at a US law firm is really like. There will also be plenty of social opportunities, with some firms going to extraordinary lengths to impress their future recruits such as flying summer associates to Disneyworld for a weekend! However, it should be noted that the workload during most US summer associate programs at corporate law firms is greater. It may also be difficult for MLS JD students to land these internships, as many of them run for 8-12 weeks, through the months of May, June and July. Summer associates are often required to work late and will be handed various challenging tasks and assignments. Still, this should be seen as a benefit. It provides summer associates with an opportunity to experience exactly what is required to succeed in a US corporate law firm, and assess whether the experience is truly right for them.

Major Firms/Organisations •• Baker & McKenzie •• DLA Piper •• Norton Rose Fulbright


PRIVATE PRACTICE


ALLEN & OVERY 9th Floor, Three Exchange Square Central, Hong Kong Tel: +852 2974 7000 Fax: +852 2973 6999 Website: www.allenovery.com Contact: Julia Sheng, Graduate Recruitment Manager Human Resources Department

Firm Profile: Allen & Overy is an international legal practice comprising Allen & Overy LLP and its affiliated undertakings. With approximately 5,300 staff, including over 530 partners, 2,700 lawyers working in 46 (all figures as at August 2015) major centres worldwide we are able to provide effective, coordinated and decisive legal advice across three continents. We also operate in regions where we do not have an office via our network of International Desks. We have active practices in Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, The Americas and The Middle East.

Main Practice Areas: Acquisitions & Leverage Finance, Arbitration, International Arbitration, Asset & Structured Finance, Banking & Finance, China outbound investment, Commodities, Energy & Resources, Communications, Media & Technology, Corporate & Project Finance, Regulatory & Investment Products, Anti-corruption, White-Collar Crime, Debt, Equity & Equity-linked Capital Markets, Derivatives & Funds, Securitization, Employment, Financial Services Regulatory, General Corporate, General Lending, Global Loans, Insurance, Intellectual Property, International & Equity Capital Markets, Islamic Finance, Joint Ventures, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Investment Funds, Restructuring and Insolvency. We also have crossdisciplinary teams who provide specialist jurisdictional advice to clients investing into particular Asia Pacific and the South East Asia jurisdictions - including China Group, India Group, Islamic Finance Group, Korea Group, Taiwan Group and US Law Group

Pro Bono Work Awards and Activities: - AMREF Health Service - Asian Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year

Our clients include some of the world’s leading businesses, financial institutions, governments and private individuals. Our aim is to understand our clients’ businesses objectives and to be considered a critical arm for their organisation; our clients’ success is a measure of our success.

- Asian Community Social Responsibility Award

Firm Composition (Hong Kong Office):

- Crossroads, Hans Anderson Club

Total fee-earners: 120 Total support staff: 90

-O xfam, UNICEF, World Vision, World Bank, Salvation Army

Other Offices:

- Society for the Abandoned Animals & Animal Asia Foundation

Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Bangkok, Barcelona, Beijing, Belfast, Bratislava, Brussels, Bucharest (associated office), Budapest, Casablanca, Doha, Dubai, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Jakarta (associated office), Johannesburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Moscow, Munich, New York, Paris, Perth, Prague, Riyadh (associated office), Rome, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Warsaw, Washington, D.C. and Yangon. 26   Global Careers Guidebook

- Caring Company Award - Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation - St. Mary’s Home for the Aged - Helper for Domestic Helpers

- Guangdong Orphanage - AfriKids - International Care Ministries, Philippines

Articles of Clerkship (trainee): Positions in 2018: 10 trainees Positions in 2019: 10 trainees


Application for summer vacation placement: Applications must be made online. Application window opens from September to March each year.

Application Deadlines Each Year: 01 January (HK-based), 01 February (UK-based) & 01 March (Australia-based) applications. Please check on our website for any updates.

Some helpful information (for overseas law students): All interested students please visit the websites of: The Law Society of Hong Kong; City University of Hong Kong, The University of Hong Kong & The Chinese University of Hong Kong – please see the latest version of the PCLL Information Package.

Summer Placement Schemes (four weeks): The June scheme is predominantly for Hong Kong & United Kingdom (UK) students. The July scheme is for UK and Australian students. We have no Winter Placement Scheme.

Number of Positions for the Summer Placement Scheme each year: 22-24 students

Duration and rotations: 4 weeks with 2 rotations/2 weeks in each department

Financial subsidy: HK$10,000 for the 4-week summer placement.

Preferred Year Level: Penultimate or final year (LLB/combined degrees) law students with excellent academic achievement. We especially value bilingual/trilingual candidates with fluent oral, reading and writing skills in Chinese (Cantonese/Putonghua (Mandarin)) and/or Korean.

Round of Interviews: As part of the selection process for trainees, the students will be interviewed by two/three partners and the graduate recruitment manager at the end of the Summer Placement Scheme.

Training Contract (clerkship) application: Generally, we are keen on recruiting our trainees from the summer vacation scheme. We recruit two years in advance.

Maintenance/ stipend/ financial assistance of tuition fees for the PCLL course in Hong Kong: Up to HK$180,000 (covering for the PCLL conversion examination and exemption fees).

Private Practice  27


Want to have fun and learn from top professionals? Join our summer placement An experience at Allen & Overy will help you make an impression on those who matter www.allenovery.com/careers (select ‘Hong Kong’)

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Trainee solicitor – Jimmy JIN Summer Placement 2011 – July Scheme BCom/LLB, The University of Melbourne, 2007-2011 PCLL, City University of Hong Kong, 2012-2013 Trainee Solicitor, 2013-2015

At the beginning of our wintry July in Melbourne, I embarked on an MTR train for Central to kick-start my first day of the summer vacation scheme with Allen & Overy Hong Kong. Throughout the four weeks, a summer student will be allocated two different seats. Multiple written tests and presentations are wrapped up with an interview with partners. Of course, alongside the challenges, the firm organises superb group social events for the students to mingle with colleagues and to learn more about the firm.

Practice Areas and Skills The two seats allocated to me were Banking and Litigation. The Banking Department largely handles loan agreements. I was given very hands-on work regarding those contracts. As a law student still completing core subjects, one may have had very limited exposure to real commercial contracts. Legal points of contracts may sound familiar, but the negotiation points of contracts could sound little daunting. For fellow Melbourne Law School students, a subject with the acronym of CBFL will be very handy. Definitions, carve-outs, reps and warranties and boilerplates are the helpful buzz words. The firm has a banking team which is generally acclaimed as one of the top in town. It was a valuable opportunity for a student to learn from some of the sharpest legal minds in the world. The Litigation department deals broadly with dispute resolution work. International Arbitration, grouped under the Litigation department, is something definitely worth mentioning in the HK context. If you are the type of law student who dismisses securities and banking law as 70% jargons, 20% law and 10% mere bluff, here is some other type of work for you. The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) handled 649 dispute cases in 2009, ranking 4th following only CIETAC (China), ICC (Paris) and AAA

(New York). Lots of commercial contracts include an arbitration clause which stipulates arbitration to be conducted in HKIAC should a dispute arises. The recent Arbitration Ordinance passed by the HK legislature further buttressed the city’s move to become to the regional centre for international arbitration. This also means a great demand for the slightly more haughty lawyerwannabes. A&O Hong Kong’s international arbitration team is extremely highly regarded and you may find out some of the latest development in this area whilst assisting on a case. It is worth noting that some soft skills are under test when one is a given a piece of practical work from the supervisor and there is a group presentation to be delivered the next day in the morning. Communications and time management skills are tested practically on the spot. If you don’t already know, the Get Ready For Work session run by the Melbourne Law School library is extremely helpful in offering some handy tips.

The C-Word Again… This Time, Seriously

especially to those who had some degree of ambivalence towards the Saturdays that you sacrificed at that NGM School or alike? I hope my personal experience may offer some assistance: a junior fee-earner in HK works within such a linguistic environment that you usually communicate with your supervisors and colleagues at work using English, you oftentimes liaise with your client in English/Mandarin/Cantonese and you chat with admin staff in Cantonese sprinkled with English legal jargons. This may quite vividly reflect the zeitgeist of the city and describes the origins of the different stakeholders of a law firm. However, different departments may prefer different levels of proficiency due to different clienteles. What underlies language is culture. Different languages denote great diversity, which A&O truly values. Therefore, the proficiency is not always necessary. The bottom line is: be honest with your proficiency, everyone will be assessed on their declared levels. As a general piece of tip: You will definitely shine, if you perform to the best you can.

As you probably have already heard many times, proficiency in the great Chinese language is not necessary, however, advantageous. What does this statement with mixed messages actually mean,

Summer student at Allen & Overy, Hong Kong in 2011

Me and Alvin Tso, both September 2013 future trainees of Allen & Overy, Hong Kong

Allen & Overy means Allen & Overy LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings. The term partner is used to refer to a member of Allen & Overy LLP or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications or an individual with equivalent status in one of Allen & Overy LLP’s affiliated undertakings. CA1310061

© Allen & Overy LLP 2013

www.allenovery.com


Trainee Solicitor – Ryan Middlemas Paralegal, Allen & Overy, Hong Kong, March-June 2012 Bachelor of Laws, University of Sydney, 2008-2010 PCLL, The City University of Hong Kong, 2012-2013 Trainee Solicitor, 2013-2015 If I had to sum up my experience with Allen & Overy in one word, it would be: ‘opportunity’. A&O has given me the opportunity to go from a very average life in a regional city in Australia, to a trainee solicitor with one of the world’s premier international commercial law firms, based in the global financial centre of Hong Kong. Achieving my career goals has always been very important to me. A&O offers the chance to work with great people, doing great work for great clients. The firm expects a lot in return, but for those with the drive and ability, A&O presents a fantastic opportunity to fulfil your potential. Before commencing the PCLL course that is required of all aspiring trainee solicitors in Hong Kong, I had the chance to spend several months in the firm’s litigation department as a paralegal. From Day One, I was treated in the same way as a trainee solicitor. The majority of my time was devoted to a large project involving a major global banking institution, and the collapse of a large pension fund in Japan that had been a client of the bank. The project demonstrated the international nature of A&O’s work, as we were able to draw on the resources of several offices throughout the network to assist them in a highly sensitive matter that could have resulted in significant losses for the client. My experience since that time has shown me that the importance and complexity of this matter are actually quite typical of the type of work we do at A&O. As a person of a western background training as a lawyer in Hong Kong, I am in a rare, though not unique, position. While most trainees do have a Chinese family or cultural background, the firm recognises that all trainees bring something different to the firm, and this diversity in the trainee intake is something the firm actively works to achieve. Hong Kong is a fantastic place to live and work, but with only two or three western trainees in the entire city each year, it is quite an unusual experience. In my experience, those who settle in successfully are comfortable with change, and have a naturally

global outlook. Then again, that is probably true of all trainees, regardless of background. Hong Kong is the kind of city that people come to ‘just for a little while’, then never leave! Of course, Chinese language skills are a great asset in both your professional as well as daily life in Hong Kong.

Me & other 2013 trainees at Allen & Overy, Hong Kong

International commercial law firms may appear identical from the outside, and it is true that such firms often operate in a similar way. But the more time you spend in and amongst these firms, the more you discover that each has a distinctive culture, in much the same way that individuals each have different personalities. A&O attracts the sorts of people who don’t take themselves too seriously, but who are committed to being highly technically capable and commercially focussed lawyers. As simple a recipe for success as that might seem, it is not true of all major law firms. Wherever my career takes me from this point, geographically and otherwise, training to be a lawyer with A&O in Hong Kong has been an unparalleled foundation for my future career. My training contract with A&O, my first ‘opportunity’ with the firm, has already had a profound effect on my life. I have no doubt there are many more opportunities to come during my career with A&O.

Picture taken at Allen & Overy, Hong Kong Office Christmas Party in 2013

Allen & Overy means Allen & Overy LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings. The term partner is used to refer to a member of Allen & Overy LLP or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications or an individual with equivalent status in one of Allen & Overy LLP’s affiliated undertakings. CA1401069

© Allen & Overy LLP 2014

www.allenovery.com


Start at the top A Career in Law Hong Kong Apply for a 2016 Allen & Overy Summer Placement to secure a 2018 trainee solicitor contract and experience it for yourself! Allen & Overy would like to invite you to apply for a four-week summer vacation placement for June or July 2016. We are keen to receive applications from penultimate or final year LLB students who are interested in joining our Summer Placement Scheme in Hong Kong in 2016, with a view to applying for a trainee solicitor position in Hong Kong in September 2018. The interview takes the form of a preparation-free case study. We will assess your ability to work as part of a team, your leadership and presentation skills and entrepreneurial spirit and energy. Excellent academic results are essential and Chinese language skills are highly advantageous. Our placements include experience in two seats in different departments, a full training programme, a series of challenging assessments, individual coaching from your trainer and a calendar packed with social and pro bono activities. We will also pay PCLL course fees and subsidise living expenses if you accept a training contract with us.

© Allen & Overy LLP 2015

www.allenovery.com



Possibility in everything In a firm like Allens, no two graduate experiences will be the same. That said, there are common themes: you will have the opportunity to work with experienced, respected practitioners on some of the largest, most complex matters in any given field. Allens has an extremely broad practice (covering all areas of commercial law) and offices throughout Australia and Asia (in Jakarta, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore and Ulaanbataar). Through the firm's relationship with Linklaters, it also offers graduates international secondment opportunities. I have been extremely fortunate in my first year at the firm, spending a great deal of time working on matters of varying sizes, as well as part of teams and under the direct supervision of a partner. Much of my time was taken up by two particular matters, both very large commercial disputes involving teams drawn from multiple offices. Graduates can expect to be rewarded with greater levels of responsibility, as the year develops and they become more confident in their abilities. As well as the more substantial disputes, I have been involved in smaller transactional and litigious matters working for a senior associate, and in a number of matters, directly with a partner. The firm also has a substantial, demonstrated commitment to pro bono work and community engagement. From the get go, graduates are involved in pro bono practice, assisting some of the most disadvantaged members of our community, whether they be homeless, suffering from a mental illness or an asylum seeker at risk of deportation. Opportunities are also available to work as part of the firm's charity committees, or in support of our reconciliation action plan. As well as the kind of work on offer, be it billable or pro bono, a firm's culture and professional development structures are just as important to a positive graduate experience. Commercial law firms, and top tier firms in particular, have a reputation for consistently long hours and a lack of work-life balance. Whilst it's true that you will be expected to work hard, the firm is committed to creating a fun and supportive environment where you're always learning and developing. And, when you do need to work late, they soften the blow by feeding you and paying for a ride home! At Allens, you'll also have the benefit of working with lawyers who are at the top of their game, and who take a genuine interest in your development and welfare. At the outset, I acknowledged that no two experiences are the same. The best way to learn more about what Allens (or indeed any other firm) is like, and maximise your chances of securing a position, is to engage with the profession. Attend networking events organised by your student law society, engage with friends starting out on their careers and university alumni, and have an open mind as to what sort of area you might like to practice in. Jules Moxon, Lawyer (2014 Graduate)

page 1 Allens is an independent partnership operating in alliance with Linklaters LLP.


ABOUT US

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

If you want to make the most of your career in law, our global network is the perfect place to start. Our worldwide capabilities give us access to the most interesting markets, the most exciting clients and the most significant and complex transactions. For you, this means the chance to work on market-leading deals with some of the most experienced and talented lawyers in our industry, together with access to international secondment opportunities from early in your career.

Initiative A curious mind is vital, as is plenty of initiative. The more adaptable you’re prepared to be and the more energy you bring, the more you’ll get out of your career here. You’ll be able to steer a path that turns possibilities into realities.

Excellence

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?

Excellence is essential; it’s a guarantee we give our clients. Intellectually rigorous, driven and eager to learn, you’ll set the highest standards for yourself and strive to be the best you can be.

It begins with our people

Commerciality

It’s our people who make us great. It is our priority to ensure they are constantly challenged, recognised, rewarded and empowered throughout their careers.

Successful lawyers understand that law is more than an academic pursuit. It’s about understanding the client – their objectives and the challenges they face – as well as the wider commercial environment in which we operate.

Our unique way of working

Resilience

We adopt a flexible approach to the way we work, which builds strong and diverse teams, and is one of the reasons our lawyers tell us a career here is so rewarding. You won’t be limited to working with a particular partner or group. Instead, you will have the opportunity to drive your career by working with a range of lawyers and partners.

Positive people thrive in our environment. We look for people who can build sustainable careers with us; people who successfully juggle a busy life and varying commitments while maintaining their wellbeing. Like us, you’ll believe that leading a full, active life outside the law can make you a better person to work with.

We make the complex simple

Well-rounded

We are known for the quality of our legal minds. That’s why we attract some of the most complex legal work, and why our lawyers are recognised as the best in the profession.

Our clients often tell us we have ‘great people’. And it’s true. We look for diversity – people who bring a fresh perspective and energy to everything they do, with the ability to create strong relationships with each other and with clients.

Life-long learning

Teamwork

As a graduate, we’re committed to giving you the best professional and personal development opportunities. Our training programs provide graduates with practical legal education of the highest professional standard. You’ll build your knowledge of the law and business and find an area of law that inspires you. We will support you with leading learning and development programs to round out your skills and put you on the path to becoming a market-leading lawyer.

The ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with others is of fundamental importance to working successfully at a commercial law firm. Negotiations involve work with multi-disciplinary teams across borders and successful lawyers work to reach the best possible outcome in transactions, mediations and arbitrations.

CLERKSHIP PROGRAM Come and explore a career with us by applying for one of our clerkships. Our clerkships offer ambitious penultimate-year law students an insight into the workings of a large corporate law firm, and offer an exceptional opportunity to experience our work, people and culture. Anything is possible with us – provided you are willing to work hard and are committed to achieve whatever you put your mind to.

Attention to detail Lawyers are expected to have an accurate and meticulous approach to their work. You need a good eye for detail to be able to communicate effectively on paper with both colleagues and clients. Attention to detail is part of providing a quality service to our clients.

HOW TO APPLY www.allens.com.au/careers ww.linklaters.com/ukgrads www.linklaters.com/hkcareers 15306D


GENEVA SEKULA At the start of 2015 when my law school was abuzz with the prospect of completing clerkships, I had not decided if I was even going to apply. I had heard a lot about cocktail nights and canapés and interviews, but I didn’t know much about what completing a clerkship actually entailed or why I should sacrifice my beloved summer holidays to do one. Having spent the summer at Allens, I can definitely recommend doing a clerkship. It’s an invaluable way to see the inner workings of a commercial firm.

opportunity to experience first-hand how commercial law operates in a different legal system. I had some memorable experiences zipping through Saigon traffic on a motorbike and visiting tourist hotspots; certainly different to the weekends I would have been having at home! Although I didn’t come back particularly fluent in business Vietnamese, I definitely came home with a broader international perspective on commercial law, and felt privileged to have been able to experience life in one of the Asian offices.

I was unspeakably nervous on the first day of my first rotation. I had never worked in a law firm before and I was concerned that I didn’t remember an awful lot from my first year Contracts class at university. I needn’t have worried. That first day I hardly got through any work because the people in my team kept stopping by to say hello, have a chat and see how I was going with everything. I was amazed at how genuinely interested everyone was in getting to know me and making sure I was feeling confident in my work.

I was exposed to lots of different work during my time at Allens. I helped to draft letters, write research memos, conduct title searches, proofread contracts, and attend meetings, among many other things. But the summer was much more than simply doing a job. It was an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the firm and we went to a number of seminars which helped to shed more light on the culture of the firm. We heard about Allens’ pro bono work and presence in the community and about the alliance with Linklaters, we heard from a panel of partners who gave us insight into their career progression with the firm, and we heard from a panel of graduates who answered any and all of our questions. I attended Christmas parties (yes, plural), was invited to welcome yum cha, and had many, many coffee catch-ups with lawyers and other clerks. Beyond the legal work and the firm, the clerkship is a great way to expand your social networks. We also went to inter-firm trivia nights and the clerk cruise, and had lots of other opportunities to get to know each other, and the clerks at other firms.

This was indicative of the wider culture of the firm and I was deeply impressed by how supportive and enthusiastic everyone was, and how much time the lawyers were willing to take to explain tasks to me or answer my questions. The firm instigates a formal support network with a buddy, development lawyer and supervising partner, which was a great source of comfort and helped to keep me on track. But, beyond that, there were plenty of lawyers who were keen to get involved with the clerkship and offer their help and feedback. One of the reasons I decided to go to Allens was because I saw it as a firm where there would be opportunities to work overseas, and having an international dimension to my career was important to me. I hadn’t ever guessed that my first chance to travel with Allens would be in my sixth week working for the firm. After the Christmas break, instead of boarding a train to Wynyard, I found myself boarding a plane to Ho Chi Minh City where I was to complete a three-week rotation. The Ho Chi Minh City office was very different to the Sydney office. For one thing, it was a lot smaller, and the contracts were in both Vietnamese and English. I had an amazing time in Vietnam experiencing different food and a different culture, but also having the

Allens is a firm full of opportunities. In 10 weeks I travelled internationally, went on an overnight trip to a client office, went on a tour of a coalmine, experienced a Women at Allens panel, visited the Sydney Children’s Hospital, and had the chance to work on pro bono matters. I can’t tell you exactly what to expect from an Allens clerkship, because you never know what opportunities will be there for you to take. The clerkship program gives you the chance to peer inside a commercial firm and to think about your future. I loved my time with the firm and can’t wait to start my career. A clerkship with Allens feels like unlocking the door to an incredible future and I would recommend it to anyone.

CLERKSHIPS AND GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN A GLOBAL NETWORK

15306D


Possibility in everything Allens is a leading international law firm with partners, lawyers and corporate services employees across Asia and Australia. We work with many of the world’s leading organising including 55 of the world’s top 100 companies and more than 75 of Australia’s top 100 companies. Our integrated alliance with Linklaters mean we are able to share resources and offer our clients a seamless service through a global network of 40 offices across 29 counties.

Future proof your career In a rapidly changing world, those who are agile, resilient and innovative will thrive. Starting your career at Allens will give you every opportunity to build a sustainable and fulfilling career, wherever you end up. You’ll develop the skills and capabilities you need to meet the increasing expectations of clients and the market in a supportive and collegiate environment, with global opportunities from your graduate program and beyond.

> At Allens, you’ll always know where you stand. Performance-based assessment and progression gives you control over the pace at which you develop and progress. Clear expectations at each career stage ensure you understand what we expect and what you need to focus on to progress. Year-round coaching, feedback and development support allows you to drive your own growth. And clear career milestones give our lawyers greater client and people management responsibilities earlier in their careers.

> In return, we’re asking you to really take control of your career and development. You’ll need to tell us where you want to go, and proactively pursue the development experiences, relationships and skills you’ll need to get there. You’ll need to be willing to experiment, take risks and try new things to achieve your goals. And you’ll need to think more broadly about what great looks like, seeking to grow your commercial and leadership skills alongside your technical capability, whatever your role.

When you join Allens, you’ll learn from partners and lawyers who can help you take your career all the way. Learn more and meet our people at www.allens.com.au/graduates.

Allens is an independent partnership operating in alliance with Linklaters LLP.

www.allens.com.au 18926


Your journey begins with a world-class summer clerkship Real client work. Invaluable coaching. A tailored development program. A genuine insight into working with our Firm – while building great friendships. Plus, we offer the unique opportunity to build your global knowledge and network – through an International Clerkship. Become a world-class lawyer. Join the firm that was born global.

Ready to explore our world? Natalie Mascarenhas +61 3 9617 4349

Find us at @BakersAUS

www.bakermckenzie.com/careers/australia/melbourne/


Baker & McKenzie Level 19, CBW 181 William Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Website: www.bakermckenzie.com/careers/ australia/melbourne/

to provide training and secondment opportunities across our global network. Locally, we have an inclusive culture of learning, coaching and opportunity where you will work in small teams on matters that often cross borders. We value people who think ahead and get noticed.

Firm Profile:

Banking & Finance, Corporate, Commercial Real Estate, Construction , Dispute Resolution & Litigation, Employment & Industrial Relations, Energy, Resources, Infrastructure & Corporate Technology, Communications & Commercial.

At Baker & McKenzie we are different in the way we think, work and behave. Like no other law firm we were born global. Baker & McKenzie was conceived and built as a global law firm, so thinking and working globally is embedded in our culture – and we understand the challenges of the global economy. We were formed in 1949 when an entrepreneurial Chicago attorney, Russell Baker, met the litigator, John McKenzie. McKenzie shared Baker’s vision of creating the world’s first multicultural, global law firm and our first office outside the USA was opened in Caracas in 1955. We are one of the world’s largest law firms by markets, revenue and headcount and now have a network of 77 offices in 47 countries around the world. Our most recent offices to be opened were Johannesburg, Casablanca and Lima in 2012, Seoul and Dubai in 2013 and Brisbane, Yangon and Jeddah in 2014. We opened our first office in Asia Pacific in Manila in 1963, and have grown to 17 full-service offices across 13 jurisdictions. With more than 1,000 locally qualified lawyers across the region, and 77 offices globally, Baker & McKenzie is the firm with the greatest depth and breadth of coverage across the dynamic Asia Pacific markets. We have been a global law firm in Australia since 1964 and our Australian practice is now the fourth largest in our network with more than 85 Partners and over 190 lawyers across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Baker & McKenzie Australia offers our people access to complex, market-leading matters for leading multinational and domestic companies and the ability to work with some of the world’s best legal minds – people who know the law and who understand business. We have an unrivalled ability

38   Global Careers Guidebook

Our prominent areas of practice in Melbourne:

What values are most important to the firm? Like all top-tier law firms, quality and excellence along with team work, integrity and responsiveness are central in delivering outstanding service to our clients. The values that make us a unique and great place to work are deeply embedded and you will notice our difference in all of your interactions with us, in Australia and across the globe. We are passionately global, and leverage our global expertise for our Australian and global clients at every opportunity, recognising our strength is in our diversity. We have a strong culture of friendship and inclusion, and an egalitarian and collaborative working style. We are commercial pragmatists who make complex issues simple for our clients and we focus on our clients’ business needs. We strive to stay ahead of the curve and encourage entrepreneurship. We actively encourage and support contribution to the community, through our pro bono and community service programs. We want everyone at Baker & McKenzie to reach their potential so we invest in global, regional and local world-class development and mobility programs for our people, and our culture is diverse, inclusive and flexible. Our award winning diversity strategy, initiatives and programs are focussed in four areas, in which all of our people can participate: BakerWomen – gender equality and supporting the progression of women; BakerDNA – ethnic, indigenous and cultural diversity; BakerBalance – supporting carers and parents, employee wellbeing and workplace flexibility; and BakerLGBTI – lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex diversity.


What distinguishes the firm from other firms? Our difference is in our unique values, outlined above: our passion for being global, our culture of friendship, our commercial pragmatism, our support for entrepreneurship, our commitment to development, our focus on contributing to the community, and our genuine focus on maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment for all of our people.

What is the firm’s approach to pro bono work? We care about the same things you do. Poverty, hunger and homelessness. The health of our planet. Social justice. Quality legal representation and access to justice for all. We believe that connecting with the community and sharing one’s skills and time with those in need are core professional responsibilities. In 2014, we contributed more than 9000 pro bono hours to more than 200 individual members of our community, charities and other not-for-profit organisations and about 75% of our legal staff participated in our pro bono matters. As a summer clerk and graduate lawyer, you will work closely with other lawyers to run pro bono matters and you will have the opportunity to participate in our community service initiatives. Baker & McKenzie lawyers are actively encouraged to undertake pro bono work. Some of our recent pro bono matters include advising members of the Stolen Generation in relation to potential claims arising out of their removal and/or time in care; representing asylum seekers in the Federal courts and seeking judicial review of decisions relating to their refugee status; and assisting seriously ill clients with their legal affairs. Our lawyers also regularly undertake pro bono legal work for disadvantaged clients at outreach legal clinics in Sydney and Melbourne. Our pro bono work also extends globally. For example, we are currently drafting papers for publication at the world’s first international conference for the legal rights of street youth. We also provide pro bono legal advice to a range of not-for-profit and charity organisations on a variety of legal issues. For example, we have advised organisations dedicated to assisting victims of human trafficking and we have assisted a not-for-profit organisation with the development of a national mentoring program to support and mentor LGBTI students and young professionals. Elsewhere, our lawyers helped a pro bono client launch one of the first community-funded solar energy projects in Australia. We also provide pro bono support to clients whose systems enable the public to donate more efficiently to Australian not-for-profit causes and social enterprises. Legal and non-legal staff also participate in a variety of community service initiatives. Community service

opportunities include mentoring year 9 students at risk of disengaging from education as part of the LEAPS (Law firms Encouraging and Assisting Promising Students) program, exchanging PenPal letters with students from a remote regional community, and fundraising or volunteering for charities such as Youth Off the Streets, 20th Man Fund, MS Australia, Project Futures and the Aids Council of New South Wales. Some of our fundraising activities include charity film nights, trivia evenings and bake-offs.

CLERKSHIP PROGRAM What type of work can a summer clerk expect to undertake? Right from the start, our summer clerks get involved in real work. You will be exposed to our Australian and international clients through client meetings, shadowing, research and other everyday activities within your assigned practice group. Our summer clerks work closely with other lawyers and are guided by a supervising partner/senior associate and associate ‘buddy’. You will develop practical and legal skills through our national learning program for junior lawyers and by attending workshops specifically designed for summer clerks, as well as firm-wide sessions on a range of legal and non-legal topics. You will also be supported at every stage by our graduate team in Talent Management who will facilitate a comprehensive development program for you – including induction and skills development (such as business communication, networking skills and other skills crucial to ensuring you have a successful clerkship). We will also provide you with opportunities to enable you to network with colleagues around the firm – through our ‘speed networking’ program, social events with your buddy, our partners and lawyers, and our end of year party.

What other opportunities and experiences does the firm offer its clerks e.g. travel opportunities or extra-curricular activities? The firm offers summer clerks the opportunity to apply for casual research clerk positions. We aim to fill the casual research clerk roles with our previous summer clerks who are in their final year of university. This is a useful way to gain more practical legal experience and stay connected with the firm after your clerkship. We also fill the majority of our graduate roles with former summer clerks. In accordance with the specific requirements in the LIV Traineeship Guidelines 2015, students who have completed a summer clerkship (or a minimum of 30 days paralegal work) with the firm within the two years preceding the date of offer are eligible to receive a priority offer for a graduate position with the firm.

Private Practice  39


In addition, summer clerks who accept a graduate role with the firm are eligible to apply for an ‘international clerkship’, with the opportunity to work in one of our overseas offices in the year following their summer clerkship.

What does the firm look for in a summer clerk? We look for people who enjoy a challenge and seek new opportunities; who share our global perspective; who have sound academics and are practical in their approach; who like taking responsibility and getting things done; who express themselves confidently while staying open to new ideas; who are client-focussed and strive to provide excellent service to their clients; and who seek a friendly and inclusive culture that encourages making a difference to our local and global communities.

GRADUATE PROGRAM Description of the graduate program: At Baker & McKenzie, we have a deep commitment to your development. We work with each graduate to create a tailored development plan aligned with the graduate’s career goals. To help you reach your goals, we offer tailored learning opportunities – from seminars on core legal topics to skills development in areas like effective business writing, drafting and presenting. We also work hard to facilitate your on-the-job learning and the many ways it happens – through informal mentoring relationships, client secondments, involving you in global teams working on international deals, or supporting you to run your own file as part of our award-winning pro bono program. To make sure you get the strongest possible start to your career, we invest in your development by covering the costs of your Practical Legal Training and through our dedicated graduate professional development program. We also cover the costs of your admission and practising certificate. Our regional practice group structure means many of our lawyers attend regional training in our Asia Pacific offices and, once you finish your graduate program, you will travel overseas to attend a regional orientation program with other mid-level associates from the region.

How many of the previous clerks are offered graduate positions (generally)? In the past, approximately half of our summer clerks have been offered graduate positions with our firm.

40   Global Careers Guidebook

How many rotations does a graduate undertake and for what length? Graduates complete three rotations of six months each, over an 18 month period, before they join a particular practice group as an associate. This gives you meaningful exposure to a broad range of legal practice areas. You are assigned a supervising partner and an associate ‘buddy’ in each rotation to oversee your on-the-job and formal learning.

What is the firm’s approach to the continuing education of its employees? Baker & McKenzie’s world-class learning programs and global approach to development will help you develop as far and as fast as your talents and drive will take you. We offer great learning programs and study support to help you, and a culture that values and encourages mentoring and coaching as an essential, everyday activity. What really distinguishes Baker & McKenzie from other firms though, particularly for those at the beginning of their career, is our global approach to development. Because we have been global from the beginning, we have well established regional and global programs and a deeply embedded culture of knowledge sharing, support and mentoring both within and across offices. Our global development roadmap, the Development Framework, clearly explains what success looks like at each career stage at Baker & McKenzie. It is the product of a careful study of our clients’ and lawyers’ views about what success looks like at our firm. A living document, the Development Framework shapes the way we recruit, select, develop, manage and promote our lawyers. For you, the Development Framework means always having a clear career roadmap, empowering you to plan and drive your development – formally and on the job – at every stage. Our lawyers benefit from an Australian professional development curriculum based on the Development Framework. We pay serious attention to black letter law for both junior and senior lawyers while also offering practice-specific skills and knowledge development at the local, regional and global levels. We encourage lawyers to build core professional skills from the beginning. For example, our communication programs include a focus on clear, powerful business writing and effective speaking. Our associates attend regional training as well as practice group specific events and conferences held throughout the region in order to help develop global networks and legal skills.


Our associates also attend regional transition programs at each stage of their career – when they transition from junior to mid-level associate, from mid-level associate to senior associate and from senior associate to partner. These programs provide development in the key skills which our lawyers need at each stage such as people leadership, business development and project management, and also enable our lawyers to foster deep relationships with international peers at the same career stage. Recently, programs have been held in Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, and Tokyo.

We have an active Social and Sports Committee which organises monthly ‘themed’ Friday night drinks; morning teas, afternoon teas and lunches for various celebrations throughout the year; two annual social events for employees and their families; and end of financial year and end of year events. The committee also organises numerous team sporting events, such as netball and boot camp, and other sporting events such as Run for the Kids, Mothers Day Classic, and Run Melbourne.

We also provide a number of scholarships to our lawyers for full-time graduate legal study outside their home jurisdictions, ideally in a college or university near one of our offices. Each scholarship is awarded for a minimum of 12 months of study. Our lawyers can also apply to attend prestigious summer school courses in the USA, studying American and international law among professionals from all over the world.

What other opportunities and experiences does the firm offer its graduates e.g. secondments or travel opportunities? To support our global approach to development, we also offer formal overseas secondment programs for lawyers at all levels. Summer clerks who have accepted a graduate role with us are eligible to apply for an ‘international clerkship’, with the opportunity to work for around four weeks in one of our overseas offices in the year following their summer clerkship. In addition, the firm offers opportunities for lawyers at varying stages of their career to work directly for clients or with our other offices in the Asia Pacific region and globally.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION What extra-curricular benefits and activities does your firm offer? Baker & McKenzie recognises the need to support our people and offers a range of benefits that include salary continuance insurance, personal travel insurance, salary packaging, corporate discounts (such as for Apple products, gym memberships, movie tickets and numerous car brands), study assistance (both payment towards further study and study leave), and a range of rewards for those who go ‘above and beyond’ normal role requirements. In addition, Baker & McKenzie is committed to ensuring its employees have a healthy work/life balance and offers massages, flu vaccinations, counselling through the Employee Assistance Program, and our ‘BakerBalance’ program which includes a range of workshops and sessions available to all members of the firm.

Private Practice  41








Your journey to a world-class career begins here Baker & McKenzie is Australia’s first global law firm. We’ve been developing global lawyers in Australia for more than 50 years – each started out as a law student, just like you. Become a world-class lawyer. Join the firm that was born global.

Ready to explore our world? Natalie Mascarenhas +61 3 9617 4349

www.bakermckenzie.com/careers/australia/melbourne Find us at

@BakersAUS


(YHU\ SUDFWLFH (YHU\ RIĆ„FH )RU HYHU\ FOLHQW Work at the very center of the developments that shape global business – from international capital markets transactions to industry-shifting litigation and mergers and acquisitions. “Law Firm of the Yearâ€? – 2015 &KDPEHUV $VLD 3DFLĆ„F Awards

“China Practice of the Year� – 2016 IFLR Asia Awards

RS SHDQ HM RH@ /@BHjB #DAS $PTHSX @MC 'HFG 8HDKC /QNCTBSR MN NSGDQ jQL is ranked 1st tier in all four categories) – &KDPEHUV $VLD 3DFLƄF

1st tier in China Corporate M&A – &KDPEHUV *OREDO

1st tier in China Capital Markets and High-Yield categories – &KDPEHUV $VLD 3DFLƄF

1st tier in Capital Markets in "GHM@ 'NMF *NMF @MC )@O@M t ,)/5

“Most Innovative Law Firm in Asia� – @MC IFLR Asia Awards

f#HROTSDR %HQL NE SGD 8D@Qt – 2015 Asian Lawyer Awards

Students interested in training contracts @MC U@B@SHNM RBGDLDR B@M jMC LNQD information at careers.davispolk.com

New York Menlo Park Washington DC SĂŁo Paulo London

davispolk.com

Paris Madrid Hong Kong Beijing Tokyo

Š 2016 Davis Polk & Wardwell, Hong Kong Solicitors


Davis Polk & Wardwell 18/F, The Hong Kong Club Building, 3A Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong Website: www.davispolk.com Firm Profile: We work with the leading companies in the world, frequently on matters and cases that are unprecedented in size, scope and complexity. Our practices – all of them – rank among the highest in the profession worldwide. No one offers smarter, more dedicated lawyers or more meaningful leadership in innovation. Our balance and depth have allowed Davis Polk to remain at the epicentre of business and legal matters through good times and bad, as our clients navigate the ups and downs of the economic cycle.

What significant work has the firm done recently? We are the clear market leader for Capital Markets and Corporate work in the region. In June 2015 alone, we raised more than HK$30 billion through the completion of four of the five largest Hong Kong IPOs, and being the only firm with this recognition – no other international firm advised on more than one of these Hong Kong IPOs. We also completed the spin off and separate listing by Chia Tai Enterprises from C.P. Pokphand on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKSE) in the same month. In Q4, we assisted CICC on its debut listing on the HKSE, this was one of the most high profile IPOs in Hong Kong last year. On the debt front, we were involved in the major debt offerings by China’s leading SOEs including Sinopec, CNOOC and China Three Gorges Corporation and The People Bank of China, and POEs such as Tencent, Baidu and CAR Inc. Noteworthy M&A matters we have recently worked on include the acquisition of Syngenta by ChemChina, the largest ever China outbound acquisition once completed, the acquisition of Ingram Micro by Tianjin Tianhai to become Part of HNA Group, the proposed acquisition of Philips’ LED components and automotive lighting business by GO Scale Capital-led’s consortium, and the merger of ChipMOS Technology Taiwan and ChipMOS Technology Bermuda. We also 50   Global Careers Guidebook

worked on the privatizations of Bona Film Group, Mindray Medical International, Perfect World and Shanda Games. Furthermore, our world-class global enforcement and litigation practice is one of the largest in the Asian market. We have been involved in many of the region’s most important litigation matters. The firm’s sophisticated Asia practice and our fully integrated international practices provide our clients with one of the most efficient full-service global law firms in Asia today.

Office locations: New York, Washington, Menlo Park, Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo, London, Paris, Madrid, Sao Paulo

Areas of practice: For our Hong Kong office: Equity Capital Market, Debt Capital Market, Mergers & Acquisition, Private Equity, Credit, Arbitration, Enforcement & Litigation, Antitrust and Competition, Anti-Corruption and FCPA, Compliance and Advisory and Dispute Resolution.

Seasonal clerkships information How do students apply for clerkships to this firm this year? Students interested in our vacation scheme should apply online with a covering letter, CV and transcripts. Please visit www.davispolk.com/careers/ hong-kong (see vacation scheme).

What is the anticipated clerkship intake this year? We anticipate taking on up to 10 winter vacation students for the months of December 2016 and January 2017.

What does the firm look for in a clerk? We are interested in students who are hardworking and driven. They should have strong academics, Chinese language abilities and cultural sensitivity. What work does the firm offer a clerk? Vacation clerks will have the opportunity to work on international and cross border transactions for a variety of firm clients by being staffed on live deals. They will also attend training programs designed


to teach skills required to become an effective solicitor as well as information sessions focused on the work of our Asia practice.

What international opportunities does the firm offer? All of our trainees will be sent on secondment to our New York office for 6 months so that they can experience first-hand what it is like to work in a Wall Street Law Firm. The firm will also sponsor trainees to take the New York Bar and provide study leave and pay for the Bar Bri preparation courses to prepare for the exam while they are in New York. Associates are sent to New York during their junior, mid and senior years to participate in firm-wide training programs.

Contact person (including telephone and email): Terese Au-Yeung Email: terese.auyeung@davispolk.com Phone: +852 2533-3340

Ray Ng June 2015 Summer Vacation Placement Student, Trainee Solicitor 2017 The Summer Vacation program at Davis Polk was my first internship and the experience in the firm was really fruitful. I was given meaningful tasks which included a wide range of corporate projects, including IPO and bond deals. Instead of working on tedious and administrative clerical tasks, the associates were really nice and involved me in the team and I could actually work on live deals and on something really intellectual. One of the most challenging tasks was to update substantial parts of English version of the prospectus based on comments given by the client on the Chinese version. Initially, the task looked like a piece of simple translation. To do it efficiently, however, I had to understand the whole story of the company including its market, industry, competitors and so forth. We had to know our clients really well to analyze their comments before we could figure out if there were any abnormalities or errors. One thing really great about the summer program is the meal policy. As most lawyers were always busy during the office hour, the policy gave us the opportunity to get to know outside of the office. Discussions with associates were always valuable and through their interactions we could know more about the firm, the culture, our career path, etc.

Generally, my first internship could be described as a very positive experience in which I worked with many friendly and helpful associates. Even if they were really busy at their own tasks, they were always so kind to explain every piece of detail of our assignments to make sure we knew what was going on. Meanwhile, some associates also gave positive feedback and directions on how we could improve our work. The friendly corporate culture made me feel like I was also part of the team.

Jessica Ng June 2015 Summer Vacation Placement Student, Trainee Solicitor 2017 I am a penultimate year law student at the LSE. Being a summer intern at Davis Polk has been a tremendously fruitful experience. This experience has allowed me to learn more about the practice of law, about Davis Polk and about myself. Through attending meetings, making humble contributions and speaking to trainees, associates and partners, I have been allowed a glimpse into various practice areas, including capital markets, M&A, compliance and litigation. Every task I come across, be it writing up a client response memo, drafting interview questions, preparing a presentation, summarizing a case for publication, updating a US filing or researching terms under Hong Kong law, pushes me to explore my strengths, weaknesses and interests. I have also made many friends at Davis Polk, where I have felt comfortable being myself and exceeding myself. My internship at Davis Polk has been extremely rewarding and I am very grateful for having patient and experienced mentors and colleagues who have taught and guided me throughout this programme.

Christopher Pettersen January 2016 Winter Vacation Placement Student I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Davis Polk & Wardwell. In January 2016, I was fortunate to be involved in Davis Polk’s winter vacation scheme at their Hong Kong office. Davis Polk is an international law firm headquartered in New York City with ten offices worldwide, and is well known for its corporate and litigation practices. I was very grateful for this experience, and would highly recommend students to consider Davis Polk if they have international ambitions and hope to work for an amazing firm. Davis Polk excels in a number of ways, through both its people and the quality of work. From day one, everyone welcomes you and ensures that you are engaged and feel Private Practice  51


like a part of the firm. Davis Polk encourages the interns to interact with the associates and partners, and does so by providing you with an associate supervisor and partner mentor during your time there. There is a generous lunch policy as well, which is a creative way to get to know your colleagues for the month. The food culture at Davis Polk is easily without equal, so feel free to be adventurous with where you choose to eat! The high quality of work reflects Davis Polk’s outstanding reputation in the legal world. The nature of work is generally related to finance or corporate matters, but there is a fascinating litigation department as well. However, high quality involves high expectations, and students hoping to participate in a winter vacation scheme should expect long hours and sudden demands. It is not uncommon to be called back to the office after having left, or to be requested to stay back well into the night. Nevertheless, the scope for development through persisting with the work is incredible, and is a tremendously satisfying endeavour. For future applicants, I have a few recommendations. First, take on challenges. Tasks can be intimidating, but those same difficulties help you learn and push your limits. Second, speak up. Work at Davis Polk covers a range of areas so if you want to try something new, then let someone know. Third, ask for advice. Your colleagues are there to help, but they can only do so if you raise the issue with them. Last, do not be afraid to ask someone out for lunch. They will be happy to show you what Hong Kong has to offer!

Flora Wang January 2016 Winter Vacation Placement Student After having already worked in a few law firms in Sydney, I wanted to try something different. I wanted to experience working overseas, preferably somewhere fast-paced, but still a common law country. Since I have been learning Chinese for a while, I figured that Hong Kong was a good choice. You learn a lot about a firm through their interview process. Davis Polk definitely stood out as the most down to earth and candid. The winter vacation scheme program ran for the month of January 2016. The whole experience was very rewarding. We were put on live deals and real matters from day one. I had the opportunity to work on an Exchange Offer for a U.S. listed company, a Hong Kong IPO, an FCPA investigation and a Hong Kong SFC investigation. It was surprising how much I had gotten through in just four weeks. I found the investigatory work particularly interesting. No other firm

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does the same kind of litigation work that Davis Polk does. It was great to have that kind of exposure. The best thing about the Hong Kong office was its diversity. You get lawyers who were on secondment from the New York office, had studied in the UK, are PRC qualified, and even a few who graduated from UNSW! Yet the culture was very cohesive. There seemed to be an unspoken open door policy. It was really nice to see associates, and even partners, walk into other associate’s offices to ask questions or just have a chat. For any prospective interns, I think it is important to keep an open mind and stay curious. Attend all the social events, talk to as many people as you can and ask lots of questions. At the end of the day, a law firm is all about its people. The vacation scheme program is as much about the firm getting to know you as it is about you getting to know the firm.


law end Where does

business and

begin?

freshfields.com/chinarecruiting


FRESHFIELDS BRUCKHAUS DERINGER 11/F, Two Exchange Square, Central, Hong Kong www.freshfields.com/chinarecruiting chinagraduates@freshfields.com

life is like at Freshfields.

Although it is common for us to advise on a deal or a problem that is entirely China-based, the majority of our clients are international businesses investing in China, or Chinese businesses wanting to expand and invest internationally. And, increasingly, transactions will span Asia, the United States and Europe. The teams we put together to advise clients often include colleagues from many of our 27 offices.

The internship programme is a four-week programme which we will provide a full introduction of the firm to you. You will also be assigned to sit with the associates which you will be given real legal task to work on.

We opened our office in Hong Kong nearly 30 years ago and we were one of the first international law firms to set up in the PRC, opening offices in Beijing and Shanghai 20 years ago. What this means for our people is being part of a firm with a deep understanding of China’s political and regulatory framework. We’ve helped some of the largest Chinese stateowned enterprises list on stock exchanges in Hong Kong, New York and London – as well as on the various PRC exchanges. Over the next few years we’ll no doubt help many more to do the same, from banks to utility companies, airlines to railways. We help our Chinese clients buy and sell businesses, form joint ventures, raise debt and equity, solve commercial issues with counterparties and competitors, launch new products, protect their intellectual property, and resolve their disputes through arbitration. We do the same for international businesses wanting to invest in the region. That’s why an interest in China is vital.

Main practice areas in Hong Kong: Corporate (M&A and IPO) Corporate – IP/IT Dispute Resolution Finance Antitrust, Competition and Trade

Internship programme: For those interested in applying to be a Hong Kong trainee, we run three four-week internship programmes every year so you can experience what 54   Global Careers Guidebook

The firm offer Hong Kong internships in every December (for law students in Australia), June and July (for law students in Hong Kong, UK and Canada). We also holds a number of presentations and attend law fairs in the UK and Australia.

We give priority to penultimate-year law students who are on track for a 2:1 degree or equivalent and are fluent in written and spoken Mandarin and English. We would recruit about 10 students for each internship programme.

Application process: All applicants should submit their application via our website www.freshfields.com/chinarecruiting. Application for 2016 Winter internship programme will be opened from February 2016 to April 2016.

Trainee solicitors: Positions in 2018: 8-10 Positions in 2019: 8-10 The firm wants your training to be as broad as possible. So you will spend six months in corporate, three months in finance, three months in dispute resolution and three months in either antitrust, competition and trade or corporate-IP/IT. You will also do a six month seat in London and three months seat in either Shanghai or Beijing. In two years you will cover a range of industries and practice areas, build your business knowledge and find a field you’d like to pursue more deeply.

What we’re looking for A good degree is essential, but we also look for the ability to get on well with people. And there are certain qualities that all candidates need. There are four qualities below that we look for regardless of your background. These should give you an idea of whether we’d be right for you. 1 You need a sharp analytical mind, but you also need mental stamina and the ability to recognise the problem and the tenacity to stick with it until it’s solved.


2 A career in law attracts different personalities, which is great. We’re not after identikit people. But how you communicate and the effect you have on others are important. 3 As commercial lawyers our task is to interpret what the law says and what that means to our clients and the effect it has on their plans. So you need to be interested in the commercial world. 4 To thrive in this career you need confidence. It’s our job to spot actual and potential confidence and to recognise those who will flourish.

Alice Xiao 2014 Trainee Solicitor, Hong Kong •• LLB, University of New South Wales •• Interned at Freshfields Hong Kong in December 2011 •• PCLL, City University of Hong Kong •• Joined Freshfields Hong Kong as a Trainee Solicitor in August 2014

A challenging experience with a fairly steep learning curve Working at Freshfields as a trainee is doubtlessly a challenging experience with a fairly steep learning curve. Working in the Hong Kong office at Freshfields brings with it all the diversity and challenges of a truly international firm with its multilingual and multicultural environment, cross-continental deals and matters involving numerous parties. Much of my work is related to very large deals and major corporate clients.

Friendly, professional and truly international The large-scale nature of the work does not detract from the community-minded atmosphere of our office. My seniors are all kind, patient and encouraging. Despite the ever-constant pressure of time-sensitive work, they always take time to guide me in the right direction. The firm also tailors a comprehensive training programme to ensure that we have are able to make the most of the firm’s resources. I am excited to undertake my secondments in our London and Shanghai offices. I thrive under of international exposure and I believe that this is exactly what a young lawyer needs in the beginning of his or her career.

Working at Freshfields is an inspiring opportunity I am lucky to work in such an interesting environment where I am always being challenged to exceed my potential. There is still so much that I have yet to learn during my traineeship here, and I continue to be inspired on my journey.

Jonny Chen 2014 Trainee Solicitor, Hong Kong •• BA, East China University of Political Science and Law •• Paralegal, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Hong Kong

My internship experience exceeded my expectations from the very first day Early in my studies, I was drawn to a career in law and the interesting and dynamic challenges and opportunities it posed. When a partner from the Hong Kong office of Freshfields came to Australia on a recruitment exercise, I applied without hesitation. The opportunity to work at Freshfields in Hong Kong was a thrilling opportunity to experience and learn from working on key deals in a global financial centre. My internship experience exceeded my expectations – from the very first day, I was involved in editing important documents and conducting various research tasks. I knew that I would not regret training at Freshfields.

•• JD & PCLL, The Chinese University of Hong Kong •• Joined Freshfields Hong Kong as a Trainee Solicitor in August 2014

Private Practice  55


A firm with the perfect environment to build my career Before embarking upon the PCLL, I worked as a paralegal at Freshfields. During my time as a paralegal at Freshfields, I saw a firm dedicated to providing its budding lawyers with the best start to their careers. From the closely-knit teams which worked on major transactions, to the caring attitude of the seniors, to the firm’s excellent resources and support, these factors all contributed to my early decision: that when I finished my PCLL, I had to come back to work at Freshfields. I knew that Freshfields is the stage for a great career.

I knew I want to return to the firm as a trainee solicitor I started working in the dispute resolution department, which, at the time, was a small team of about 15 lawyers. I was impressed by the feel of the firm and the friendliness of the partners. Everyone worked closely with each other, I found myself exposed to a great variety of work. At times the workload can be rather heavy. However, my seniors always showed great care about my work and my progress. It didn’t take long before I started to enjoy the challenge and the subsequent progress. Soon I became convinced that this is the kind of firm where the character of leadership is forged. When I left in August 2012 to start the PCLL, I knew I want to return to the firm.

Hard work and time off go hand in hand at Freshfields As a trainee solicitor, I am now handling more complex and demanding work and I know my seniors have higher expectations of me. They are all very busy people but they have always paused to offer guidance whenever I approached them. That to me shows that my progression and wellbeing is very much cared about. Even though my workload is intensive my seniors would always ensure that I have enough time off to rest and recharge. So far I have had an amazing experience: I enjoy my work, and am fully convinced that I have made the right choice. Freshfields is a firm which nurtures my development into a skilled lawyer by providing the best work and a great support platform. I think this is why the best and the brightest choose to work at Freshfields.

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you think?

How do


BE AN EXCEPTIONAL LAWYER Our clients need exceptional people to help them thrive in a world defined by change and complexity. They need people who are intellectually curious; who are able to advise with clarity and originality; people who believe that the business of law is based on human relationships. Bring those qualities, your energy and your ambition and we’ll offer you the international opportunities, challenges and responsibilities only a leading global firm can provide. We offer an environment built on support and collaboration, where high performance is recognised and rewarded, and where you’ll be inspired and mentored by leaders in their fields. We see a fascinating and exciting future for the business of global law. Do you? HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM/CAREERS

#1 24 #1

GRADUATE EMPLOYER FOR LAW IN AUSTRALIA

OFFICES ACROSS ASIA, AUSTRALIA, EUROPE, THE MIDDLE EAST, THE UK AND THE US

LAW FIRM IN AUSTRALIA FOR LGBTI INCLUSION – PRIDE IN DIVERSITY


Herbert Smith Freehills About us Operating from over 20 offices across Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, the UK and the US, Herbert Smith Freehills is at the heart of the new global business landscape providing premium quality, fullservice legal advice. We provide many of the world’s most important organisations with access to marketleading dispute resolution, projects and transactional legal advice, combined with expertise in a number of global industry sectors, including energy, natural resources, infrastructure and financial services. We aim to bring a new perspective to our clients’ businesses, working with them to identify opportunity and manage risk in an uncertain marketplace. We understand becoming an exceptional lawyer goes beyond technical ability and that at its heart, the business of law is based on human relationships. For us this means a culture built on creating exceptional working relationships with clients and colleagues. From the start of your career you will get to know our clients, understand their perspectives, and develop your ability to deliver insightful and commercially astute advice. Our success depends on the expertise, knowledge and unique perspectives of all our people. That’s why we have always placed such a high value on diversity. It’s also why we encourage you to explore different areas of law and decide how to shape your career. We will invest heavily in your development; through formal training, pro bono opportunities and the chance to work with inspiring people who are leaders in their fields. We will help you grow personally and professionally, in an environment where you can be your best. Wherever you go in the firm, we’re confident you’ll be working with people who share the values we have worked together to define: a commitment to excellence, a collaborative approach, a desire to lead, and a focus on creating strong connections with colleagues and clients. Visit our website to meet some of our people and see what we mean herbertsmithfreehills.com/careers/our-careers-film.

Clerkship programme Finding the right fit for you is key to deciding where to start your legal career. Since working together is a good way to get to know each other, we offer a

range of summer and winter clerkships in each of our Australian offices. We encourage students to participate in our vacation clerkship programme and we fill the majority of our graduate positions through this programme. Spend part of your vacation with us and you’ll get a great understanding of how we go about meeting the needs of our clients. The programme includes a detailed introduction to the firm and to each practice group, as well as the opportunity to work with our legal teams on real matters. We invite approximately 60-70 penultimate year law students to spend part of their summer or winter vacation with us as a vacation clerk. We run three programs annually—one in winter and two in summer. All clerkships run for three and a half weeks. We also run a number of graduate and clerkship programmes in our overseas offices. To find out more visit our graduate careers website.

Graduate programme Our structured graduate programme is designed to provide the best foundation for your future success, wherever your career takes you. Graduates will have three rotations in different practice groups. During each rotation, graduates are assigned a supervising partner and buddy. A learning and development programme also supports the on-the-job learning to help you to develop your leadership, business development, negotiation and presentation skills. Training takes place during working hours and is delivered by internal experts as well as specialist providers and leading commentators. Herbert Smith Freehills funds and assists graduates at the firm who need to complete practical legal training to gain admission to practice. We also run a number of graduate and clerkship programmes in our overseas offices. To find out more visit our graduate careers website. Please note that most of our graduate positions are filled through our vacation clerkship programme.

International Graduate Secondment Programme Our international network means that we can offer opportunities and experiences that are unrivalled in scope. In 2014 we launched our international

Private Practice  59


secondment programme for Australian graduates. To hear about Ben and Mia’s experiences on international secondment go to our website: herbertsmithfreehills.com/careers/meet-our-people

Who are we looking for? We are interested in who you are and the strengths you can bring. We recruit employees from a wide range of backgrounds who possess the qualities we look for in our lawyers, such as intellectual curiosity, confidence, clarity of thought, a sense of the bigger picture, the ambition to grow personally and professionally, and the ability to develop exceptional working relationships with clients and colleagues. We look for students who want to pursue a career in commercial law, who have a sense of the bigger picture, and who demonstrate a commercial awareness. We are interested in your academic record as well as evidence of strong communication and interpersonal skills, ability to work effectively in a team, and ability to balance study with work or other activities throughout your degree. We’ve prepared some more detailed information on our website: herbertsmithfreehills.com/careers/ australia/graduates/applications/what-we-look-for

What Distinguishes Us? Celebrating Diversity It can be easy to say, harder to do. But we believe allowing people to perform to the best of their abilities requires a culture of openness and authenticity, one that allows each of us to be ourselves. And we work hard to create such a culture. One of our six firm wide strategic objectives is to foster a high performance, diverse and inclusive workplace. In Australia, we have focussed on our efforts to be more inclusive and our first priority was to run inclusive leadership sessions for the entire partnership so that we could each understand why diversity and inclusion is a business imperative for our firm. A major step for Herbert Smith Freehills was the announcement of the gender targets for women in the partnership and in leadership positions. These targets are not an end in themselves. The real work that the targets are intended to do is to encourage substantial interventions to ensure that we have a full and robust pipeline of women. To do this we have introduced sponsorship for our new partners (men and women) and potential partner candidates. We have also introduced a ‘gender wash’ over our business development processes to ensure that we have a sufficient representation of women in our client facing roles and activities. Accountability for leadership is critical to fostering greater diversity and inclusion and so we have 60   Global Careers Guidebook

developed a diversity & inclusion KPI that we will assess our executive group against. The Workplace Gender Equality Agency has noted that we are one of only four law firms in Australia to have done this. To affirm our commitment to gender equity in our workplace and to share with our people what we do to achieve that, we developed our Gender Equity Policy.

LGBTI Diversity In March 2014 we celebrated the first anniversary of our Australian LGBTI Network and were thrilled that by the end of our first year, we had about 280 members. The work of our network is guided by a Charter that we developed collaboratively following our launch. The Charter identifies four focus areas: fostering an LGBTI inclusive workplace, celebrating LGBTI inclusion, promoting our LGBTI network beyond the firm and connecting with the broader LGBTI community. Our network has done some wonderful things to pursue these priorities. A hallmark of the network since its inception has been our consistently high calibre events. We’ve had soldiers, rugby players, politicians and cabaret stars feature at network events. Our network has also been very active in fostering LGBTI inclusion in our workplace. Members of our network were inspired to develop a set of gender transitioning guidelines to help any of our people who may be considering their own transition. Those guidelines were adopted in October and are a tangible way of demonstrating our commitment to LGBTI inclusion in our firm. Most significantly, we were named Pride in Diversity’s Australian Workplace Equality Index’s (AWEI) most inclusive law firm in Australia and the 12th most inclusive organisation overall. This is a fantastic accolade which assesses our policies, processes and structures in terms of workplace inclusion for LGBTI employees and benchmarks us against its other member organisations.


Singapore Diary Entries Mia Harrison-Kelf, Graduate September

October

I arrived in Singapore at the very start of September, a week before the departure of the last round of trainees (as graduates are called there) so I had some time for a handover with the trainee in my team who was going back to London. I am working with Nicola Yeomans and the corporate team here in Singapore who were quite busy so I jumped straight into work, which helped me settle in and feel part of the team quickly! I spent the first few days getting my head around the IT systems but luckily the IT teams in Singapore and Hong Kong were really helpful in getting me across everything.

One of the great things about being in Singapore has been exposure to different ways of legal project management and the interactions between HSF offices and other external counsel. The corporate team in Singapore has been working with the Sydney, Melbourne and Hong Kong HSF teams on a transaction in Malaysia, which was the focus of most of my attention in October. There are restrictions on foreign law firms practicing in Malaysia, so we have a close relationship with a local Malaysian firm who provides local counsel support and advice on the transaction. This is quite common in Singapore, where our office will manage regional transactions through the use of other HSF offices in the region and formal alliance firms like Hiswara, Bunjamin & Tandjung in Indonesia, as well as firms with whom we have developed strong relationships in countries where we do not have a presence. It has been really interesting for me to be exposed to a totally different way of practice and to work on developing effective working relationships with other counsel.

Singapore is a smaller office of around 100 people (70 fee earners) and everyone really gets involved in helping out with everything, which means you get a much broader range of experience as a junior. In my first month, I assisted with drafting a Subscription and Shareholders Agreement for a joint venture development in Malaysia, supervised a data room for a potential resources transaction in Indonesia, acted on my first closing for a litigation funding acquisition in Singapore, reviewed the international intellectual property aspects for the signing of a transaction in Hong Kong and instructed local counsel for a regional due diligence process. We have our own BD team in Singapore but solicitors are also much more involved in preparing pitches and presentations to clients which I have found to be really valuable experience for developing my skills and client relationships. I also got to go on my first international business trip, which probably sounds more exciting than it actually is once you realize that Kuala Lumpur is less than an hour away from Singapore by plane so it is basically the equivalent of going to Canberra for the day! But it was a great opportunity to have some direct client exposure and attend negotiation with the other side. September was also a busy month outside of work! There are seven HSF trainees in Singapore (6 from London and myself as the token Australian) and we settled into our apartments with the obligatory trip to Ikea. The apartments are organised by HSF and are right in the middle of a really cool part of Singapore which is walking distance to work and the building has a pool and a gym so it is a really great set up. I think we would all agree that the highlight of the month was when our boxes arrived from home and our wardrobes tripled in size but other highlights included our first weekend away to an island just off Malaysia called Rawa and going to the Formula 1 (partly to see the race but mostly to see J.Lo!).

In October, I travelled to Kuala Lumpur for meetings a couple of times each week on an ongoing development project. I have been given a lot of responsibility in assisting with drafting agreements and coordinating advice from the different teams working on the project, as well as communicating with the client. There were some tight deadlines this month and we had some long days but it great to be part of such a collaborative work process and to achieve our goals. Being in Singapore has also made me realise the benefits of being part of a strong global firm. We don’t have as many of the support services here as in the big offices, such as design or a full-scale print room. However we can access these services in our other offices so I have very easily coordinated with information logistics and the print teams in Brisbane and Sydney to get transaction bibles produced for our clients here. Even though my team was quite busy in October, I still found time to make the most of being in Singapore. The trainees from all the different law firms in Singapore make a lot of effort to connect and get to know each other, which really helps you build a support network. A large group of us went to the “Super Brunch”, which is amazing as it sounds. Singapore is known for these all you can eat, all you can drink buffet brunches and each year the Ritz-Carlton hosts an extreme version packed with

Private Practice  61


gourmet food (caviar!) and vintage champagne. It was very decadent but a really great day out with everyone. We also went to the rugby sevens and went to a Halloween party hosted by one of the Senior Consultants at HSF (complete with warm-weather appropriate carved watermelons in place of the usual pumpkins!). I was also reminded of how close Singapore really is to home when I went home for a long weekend for a good friend’s wedding.

November How time flies! I can’t believe I have been in Singapore for 3 months. It always takes time to settle into a new city but I can safely say I have now mastered the MRT train system, found the good coffee and am able to tell you which is the best shopping mall on Orchard Rd. I have toured the city’s Hawker Markets and know where to get the best chicken rice (my basic principle is to follow the crowds and pick the one with the longest line, it’ll be worth the wait!). Although this month was busy with completion for two transactions, it was really satisfying to see a transaction progress towards the end and to feel that we had achieved a great result for our clients. I was in Jakarta for one of our transactions and got some great experience at the frontline, negotiating amendments to transaction documents right up to the day of closing. The relationships between the local and international counsel from both sides was quite collegial over time and we even went out for a celebratory lunch with the solicitors from the other side. This month, HSF hosted a great client event for Sunrise Children’s Orphanages in Cambodia as part of our Diversity and Community program here in Singapore. We were all inspired to hear about the excellent work that is being done by Geraldine Cox with her organisation and it was a great opportunity to connect with our colleagues and clients. I was also lucky enough to have a group of friends from my clerkship intake at HSF come up to visit me. It was great to share my experience with them, show them around the office and introduce them to the team up here. Visitors are a great excuse to get out and do all the things I’ve been meaning to do but put off for another day. The Singapore rainy season has well and truly started but we just used this as an excuse to take some time out and dig into some Singapore Chili Crab (worth the wait!). As if that wasn’t enough adventure for one month, a big group of trainees from all the firms went away for a weekend in Phuket. We were there in 2 hours, which meant that 48 hours was enough time to do a tour of the islands, have a Thai banquet, get a massage and spend half a day lazing by the pool.

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Graduate Testimonial Mandy Milner My choice to commence as a graduate at HSF was an easy decision for me. Within just a few days of my clerkship, I knew that HSF was the place for me. HSF instantly made me feel like I was part of the firm, rather than a university student. Above all, HSF cares about its people and everyone makes an effort to get to know you. I was also influenced by the fact that HSF represents the top clients which offers me the opportunity to engage in challenging, cutting-edge legal work. What most surprised me about HSF was the willingness of firm members at all levels to get to know me, and particularly the accessibility of partners. Whilst most firms place an emphasis on the social side of things, I felt that HSF truly “walked the walk”. Everyone, within and outside my team, put themselves out to make time for me, whether to chat generally, go for coffee, assist with work, explain the background of a matter or simply to get to know me. This was true at all levels – from partner to graduate – no matter how busy they were. I was pleasantly surprised with the level of work I was completing at HSF, as compared to my other clerkships. I was given the opportunity to complete real work, rather than trivial tasks or lengthy research tasks. I was given an explanation of what my work would be used for and the background of the matter. I was included in the matter thereafter, which often involved being copied in on emails or listening to client calls. In my three weeks at HSF, I drafted Deeds of Settlement, written undertakings, submissions to the Trade Marks Office, Declarations and emails to clients. I worked for all members of my team, including lots of work directly for the Consultant in my team, who spent lots of time with me and who asked my opinion on matters. I was also given the opportunity to give a presentation at the monthly national team meeting. Before the clerkship process, I had always heard that HSF was an incredibly social firm, and I’m happy to say that this is definitely true. There were many opportunities during the clerkship to network with other firm members, to socialise with fellow clerks/graduates, and to have informal coffees with firm members. There were Friday night drinks most weeks, either firm-wide or just with the graduates/ buddies, as well as various networking drinks after practice group information sessions. The clerks also had a social activity at the beginning of the clerkship, which was a great opportunity to get to know the other clerks and was a lot of fun.


The recruitment process at HSF was a little different to most other firms that I dealt with. Whilst originally daunted by the prospect of a one-on-one interview with a partner, this was generally reflective of HSF’s culture – the focus of the interview being on the partner getting to know you. This ended up being one of my most laidback and comfortable interviews I had; feeling more like a chat than an interview. HSF’s cocktail night was distinguished by each interviewee being set up with a buddy, providing a great starting point for conversation and a way of meeting others at the firm. The most important tip I can give students is to consider what sort of environment would be best suited to you. As clichéd as it is, always be yourself. That will ensure that you find a work environment that is best suited to you individually. It really is a two way street and if you feel that a firm is a great fit for you, usually the firm will similarly feel that you were well-suited for the firm. Stay positive and don’t lose faith in yourself just because you get some knockbacks! The benefit of doing a clerkship at HSF is that you will get exposure to the workings of a top tier international law firm. You will most likely get opportunities to sit in on client meetings or listen to client phone calls, which involve extremely large corporates and newsworthy matters. I also noticed during my clerkship that HSF gives junior lawyers a great level of autonomy and responsibility, which may include having your own file or leading meetings while the partner is present. You will be learning from, and working amongst, renowned lawyers; those who are leaders in their respective fields. Overall, you will be working on the best with the best. But as mentioned, HSF employees also know how to maintain an appropriate balance. The array of social activities at HSF will ensure that your clerkship is not all hard work!

Private Practice  63


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KWM Secondment Article

going about pretty much any activity (often in their pyjamas!), at any time of the day and night.

Matt Kaminsky, Solicitor, Banking & Finance

Life in Shanghai revolved a lot around eating. Some favourite bites included the city’s famous xiaolongbao, egg pancakes, pan fried pork dumplings, green onion pancakes, eggs boiled in tea and soy sauce, and spicy noodle soup. Being there during spring also meant that Friday nights were best spent at terrace and rooftop bars with a view.

I am a solicitor in the Banking & Finance team in the Melbourne office of King & Wood Mallesons, and have recently returned from a three month transfer to my equivalent team in our Shanghai office. Working from another office really reinforced the strength of KWM’s Asian focus and gave me a fuller picture of the firm’s network, whilst allowing me develop a broader network of my own and have a great time exploring a new city. The incredibly dynamic and rapidly growing Chinese financial markets presented a number of opportunities to work on innovative, first of their kind deals, and it was fulfilling to be able to apply knowledge gained back home in a new setting. Working closely with my Chinese colleagues gave me an insight into day to day work in the Shanghai office and provided a new perspective on legal practice — lessons learnt in Shanghai will be valuable as more of our clients look towards China for greater opportunities. On a more personal level, it was great to put some faces to names of Shanghai colleagues I had previously collaborated with. It was also fantastic to make lasting friendships within the team in Shanghai; although three months went by very quickly, I left with a sense that I will always feel a part of a truly global team. Having much closer relationships with the Shanghai office will enable me to provide advice to the firm’s multinational clients and to be able to call on the resources of the wonderful team that I was privileged to work with. Chinese law and language presented me with some challenges but I enjoyed the learning opportunities and the chance to get a first-hand taste of the key issues around doing business in one of the world’s most exciting jurisdictions. I’ve also been taking Mandarin classes, but I’ve still got a very, very long way to go. Outside the office, one of the best things about living in Shanghai was getting to experience the very lively and dynamic atmosphere of the city. The streets were always buzzing with food stalls, markets, odd pets, children, hairdressers, bicycle carts full of flowers or crockery for sale, and people generally 66   Global Careers Guidebook

My transfer is one of the highlights of my professional career thus far, and I look forward to continuing to enhance my Chinese connections and knowledge, and to unlocking growth opportunities for myself and for the firm.

International Graduate Program - Hong Kong rotation Sarah Holloway, Solicitor, Mergers & Acquisitions I am a second year solicitor in the Melbourne office at King & Wood Mallesons. I recently settled in the M&A team after completing three six-month rotations as part of our International Graduate Program (IGP). Last year, I was afforded the amazing opportunity to spend my third and final rotation with our Hong Kong M&A team at the firm’s global headquarters. My experience was transformative on every level (including physically- daily dumplings aren’t ideal for the waistline!) KWM’s global focus and cross-border capability is one of the main reasons why I chose to start my career at the firm. As I have a passion for travel and study several languages, including Chinese (Mandarin), a secondment at the intersection between China and the rest of the world was a dream. The program is not, however, limited to those with a China connection -while neither of my fellow IGP secondees had any prior language skills nor background in China, the depth of their experience was equal to mine. Similarly, the emphasis across the firm on cross­cultural capability, particularly Asia-literacy, isn’t limited to overseas secondmentsboth before and after my stint in Hong Kong, I have participated in the firm’s Chinese language classes,


been a member of the China Cultural Exchange Committee and had a wonderful pen pal in the Beijing office (who I visited on one of many sneaky weekend trips during my Hong Kong rotation). From a global integration and cross-cultural awareness perspective, my secondment was a raging success. I was welcomed warmly into two very talented teams working mainly on public and private M&A deals, joint ventures, and funds. The work almost always involved multiple jurisdictions requiring us to navigate different legal regimes, complex language barriers and cultural tensions on a daily basis. The Hong Kong office itself is an example of global integration, being a melting pot of lawyers from different backgrounds and with diverse experiences (and fortunately for me, I was able to give all of my languages a run for their money during my rotation). We also worked with other offices in the KWM network and I enjoyed seeing different expertise brought together to produce comprehensive multijurisdictional advice to clients. Being a much bigger market than Australia, working in Hong Kong exposed me to larger scale transactions, a faster pace of work, tougher negotiations and tighter deadlines. The work was always exciting and challenging and there was never a dull moment (except perhaps that time we thought there was a typhoon, which would mean a day off, but it was a false alarm leading to a fairly dull mood after that). It also allowed broad cultural enlightenment from things as important as giving business cards with not one but two hands to things as simple as the different structure of a working day. The Hong Kong working day is traditionally more stretched out, starting and finishing later with longer sit-down lunch breaks. We were the laughing stock of the office for bringing our lunches to eat at our desks. It didn’t take much convincing though for us to adopt the formal-sit-down-yum-cha-luncheveryday habit. Nor did the later finish bother us as much as it would back home since 5pm closure is unheard of and late-night shopping is a daily event (yay!). I could go on about the quirky cultural things that I loved discovering during my time but that wouldn’t leave enough space to talk about the people. The mix of expats and locals in the office is reflective of Hong Kong more broadly. Coming from Melbourne where it is not uncommon to have a school or university in common with many people around you, the people you meet in Hong Kong come from far and wide and the networking opportunities are incomparable. Working in the Central district where almost all the professional services firms are located facilitated the building of strong business relationships with people within and outside of the law, even at my junior level (it took a while to get used to running into partners of the firm or directors of the client at the supermarket/pharmacy/doctor next to or

within our office building -awkward!). Many of these professional relationships also became personal, as the expat community is small and Hong Kong is always buzzing with activities to bond over- as they say, the city that never sleeps! City that never sleeps led to Sarah that never sleeps either. As corny as it sounds, “work hard, play hard” epitomises our six month stay which was as successful personally as it was professionally. My wildly erroneous view of Hong Kong as a layover destination with an airport full of good shops and a city full of high-rises was corrected very quickly when I discovered its incredible food scene, world-renowned hiking trails and Croatia-esque outlying islands just a short ferry ride away. From junk trips (junk means boat by the way) to indoor trampolining to weekly Wednesday horse racing to long hikes to natural infinity pools- Hong Kong has it all and we squeezed most of it in to what we often call our “working holiday”. We also snuck in weekends away including my trip to Beijing to meet my pen pal, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. And we were lucky enough to come home each time to the most wonderful apartment where the firm put us up with beautiful waterfront views, extensive sporting facilities, and a cleaning service to change our sheets and towels and wash the dishes daily. Yes, the reverse culture shock of coming home and having to do it ourselves was VERY significant. My cross-cultural journey continued even after I returned home and, if anything, the benefits have been more visible since then. My experience on cross-border work, and the relationships I’ve built in the Hong Kong office and throughout our network, has already proven invaluable. The first few matters I worked on involved a Hong Kong element and I am now often brought onto deals involving Hong Kong or the PRC. I have continued to participate in integration initiatives like the JCEP pen pal program which has now been rolled out to our European offices (legacy SJ Berwin) and an IGP rotator will in fact be seconded to the London office this year. I keep in touch with my lovely pen pal in Beijing and team in Hong Kong. My fellow IGP secondees and I have already had two reunions and reminisce often about the “glory days”. I also have a considerably extended wardrobe (in much larger sizes), a smaller bank balance, and a collection of happy snaps and memories that would break the internet if I uploaded them all. All in all, a distinct life­highlight of which I couldn’t speak more highly and for which I am eternally grateful to KWM.

Private Practice  67


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SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP

iFyOuTHiNK.cOM


Skadden Firm Profile Skadden was founded in 1948 and rapidly built a reputation as a “go to” firm for sophisticated and landmark deals. Today, Skadden is one of the world’s elite law firms with approximately 1,600 lawyers in 23 offices on five continents. With over two decades of experience in Asia Pacific and approximately 100 lawyers residing in our Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Seoul and Tokyo offices, we provide integrated U.S., Hong Kong, English and Japanese law advice to clients on a wide variety of groundbreaking matters, including banking, capital markets, corporate M&A/private equity, energy and infrastructure projects transactions, and international arbitration and litigation matters. Our clients include major multinational corporations, large state-owned enterprises, leading investment banks and commercial banks, private equity firms, investors and developers. We were one of the first major Wall Street law firms to establish a Hong Kong law corporate practice, and our integrated Hong Kong-U.S. team has completed some of Hong Kong’s most complex initial public offerings and mergers and acquisitions. We are seeking candidates who combine academic excellence with enthusiasm and creativity to grow our market-leading Hong Kong practice.

Recognition Skadden has been named:

Global •• International Law Firm of the Year, 2014 – Chambers Global •• Ranked No. 1 - BTI Brand Elite: Client Perceptions of the Best-Branded Law Firms (2012-2015) •• Top U.S. Corporate Law Firm – “America’s Best Corporate Law Firms,” Corporate Board Member, 2001-2014 •• Ranked No. 1 - US Innovative Lawyers Report, Financial Times, 2013 (The first firm to receive this honor twice) •• Finalist AmLaw Litigation Department of the Year (2014) 70   Global Careers Guidebook

Asia-Pacific •• Innovation in Finance Law, Winner, 2015 - Financial Times Inaugural Asia-Pacific Innovative Lawyers Awards •• Ranked Band 1 in 8 practice areas by Chambers Asia-Pacific •• Pro Bono Law Firm Award (Gold Award) – The Law Society of Hong Kong •• International Team of the Year, Private Equity – China Law and Practice Awards, 2013 •• Ranked first for M&A by dollar value of announced deals in Asia Pacific and China according to 2013 year-end league tables – Bloomberg

Main Hong Kong Practice Areas The Hong Kong office focuses on a full range of corporate, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, energy, infrastructure and project finance, real estate and investment finance, restructuring and insolvency, and structured finance transactions. The office also is the headquarters of the firm’s Asia-Pacific international arbitration and litigation practice.

What Skadden Looks for There is no one type of Skadden lawyer. Our lawyers are artsy, brainy, sporty, entrepreneurial … you name it! Regardless of who are or where you come from, we have one thing in common — an unrivaled passion for practicing the law.

Vacation Placement Scheme Our vacation placement schemes are important for students interested in a training contract with Skadden’s Hong Kong office. The schemes provide hands-on experience with active transactions from a diverse client base, often with an international aspect, as well as insight into the firm’s culture. Placements are for four weeks and are offered in the winter and summer. Students in a vacation scheme are assigned a mentor and a “buddy” during their time with us. Throughout the placement, attorneys give students substantive, “real” assignments with proper supervision and feedback. Students also have the opportunity to get to know current associates


and peers on a more personal level by attending formal and informal social events.

Trainee Solicitor Program Our training program is comprehensive. Drawing on the experience and teaching abilities of Skadden partners, counsel and associates, qualified external consultants, and our full-time global training and development team, we regularly offer luncheon training seminars and workshops for associates at all levels and across practice areas. Additionally, a qualified solicitor will act as your mentor throughout your training contract, providing advice and guidance. Year One: Trainees gain experience in two of the following practice areas: corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, finance, or international litigation and arbitration.

For More Information Contact Helen Acton, Attorney Recruitment and Development Specialist, at helen.acton@skadden.com

Skadden Offices Asia Pacific: Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo Americas: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, São Paulo, Toronto, Washington D.C., Wilmington, Europe: Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Moscow, Munich, Paris

Year Two: Trainees discuss with their supervisors the remaining practice areas in which they would like to work prior to qualifying as a solicitor. Trainees also have the opportunity to undertake a secondment to our Beijing, London or New York offices.

Application Process Trainee Solicitors: 4 Summer (June/July) Vacation Placements: 4-6 (each 4 week program) Winter (January/February) Vacation Placements: 4-6 (each 4 week program) To apply for the next vacation placement or a training contract: Submit your resume, transcripts and cover letter to asiacareers@skadden.com.

Deadlines Summer Vacation Placements June/July 2016: February 1, 2016 Winter Vacation Placements January/February 2017: June 1, 2016 Trainee Solicitor 2018: August 1, 2016 Trainee Solicitor 2019: August 1, 2017

Private Practice  71


Belinda Huang Winter Vacation Placement Student 2011, Trainee Solicitor 2013 So you’re nearing the end of your law degree, and its crunch time for clerkship applications. Your friends keep talking about the perks of this law firm versus that investment bank, this accounting firm versus that boutique practice. Meanwhile, you’re nervous. You just want to get one foot in that door and you’re ready to hit the ground running. After all, you’ve got decent grades, a healthy CV, and you’ve attended those careers fairs. Now it’s just a matter of clicking “apply,” right? Think again. Have you really explored all your options? Imagine starting your legal career in one of the most exciting, dynamic, and fast-paced places in the world. Imagine living in the epicenter of Asia, where a bustling cosmopolitan city is a stone throw’s away from tropical paradise and balmy beaches. Imagine joining forces with like-minded professionals at one of the leading law firms in the world. Welcome to Skadden Hong Kong.

What is a Skadden internship like? When I interned at Skadden’s Hong Kong office in 2011, the first thing I noticed was that interns were not treated as mere students who needed hand-holding. We were considered intelligent, autonomous adults with solid legal training and common sense. The program is designed to offer practical experience and insights into real life matters, which ultimately affects the interests of real clients. My internship at Skadden was stimulating and demanding. In four weeks, I was involved in a wide variety of tasks: from researching intricate points of law to drafting sections of offering documents and agreements, to participating in client calls. I also helped out on some interesting pro bono work involving registration of charities. Outside the office, the social events were exciting and interactive, and provided an excellent opportunity to pick the brains of lawyers who have come from all over the world to work in Hong Kong.

Why the Trainee Solicitor Program? At Skadden, you will train under the best and brightest in the industry and will work on headline deals in the Asia Pacific region. Translation? Prepare to be constantly challenged, to learn on the job, to take ownership and to pack your travel bag at a moment’s notice! To a certain extent, every trainee’s experience is unique and shaped by the deals and projects assigned to you. It is also greatly influenced by the incredible team of partners, counsels and associates who provide guidance and supervision over your professional development. But one thing is

72

Global Careers Guidebook

constant — there’s never a dull moment here, and the program will equip you with the skills, know-how and confidence to excel as a junior lawyer.

What does Skadden look for in a future trainee? You may have wondered if Skadden is looking for a certain personality or a certain profile; if there is a Skadden “type.” The simple answer is no. The team is a diverse group of individuals from all walks of life with different interests and passions. In such an environment, you are encouraged to be yourself, and contribute in your own way.

Yin Lin Ma Winter Vacation Student 2009, Trainee Solicitor 2011, Associate 2013 My Skadden (Hong Kong) Experience I completed a vacation placement with Skadden in July 2009.

All in (an Australian) Summer’s Work The first week saw me immersed in training, lunches, research, writing memos, and getting suitably nervous about the assignment, which was a takeover. Workwise, a real highlight was the variety. I was fortunate enough to get a taste of heavily transactional IPO work, as well as the more cerebral, research intensive litigation tasks. Every piece of work that I did was “real,” enabling me to see exactly where and how it fit into the execution of the final product.

Training The various work tasks gave me a sense of the strong culture of learning at Skadden. There were the formal training programs — the introductory information systems sessions, as well as the lunch-time, firmwide seminars. However, the substantial bulk of my learning was informal, from the feedback I received on my work to the constant dialogue at the “work in progress” stages of an assignment.

You One’s personal development also is quite significant to the firm. It was heartening to feel that associates and partners were genuinely interested in how you were fitting in and how your work flow was going.

Structure For me, the vacation placement program itself was very distinctive, as there were relatively less formalities and structures in place. I appreciated the absence of a strict “seat”/rotation regime, as well as the relative fluidity between the practice groups. For example, no particular office


space was specifically designated to any one practice group, and I often found the work tasks transcended practice groups. Further, the program was flexible enough to accommodate on individual expression of interest. The relative independence and autonomy that was afforded us in this respect (paired fabulously with the expert supervision and guidance when needed) gave significant scope to improve personally and professionally.

Social Events No reflection can be complete without mention of the social events. Not counting the numerous lunches and dinners, the month saw us bond over bowling, wine-tasting, the junk trip and, of course, community service day. My fellow vacation placement students and summer associates were such a fabulously eclectic bunch; to this day, we remain friends.

And a Few Years Later… I joined the firm in September 2011 as a trainee solicitor and completed seats in banking, corporate, litigation, and a secondment in my third seat. In each

seat, I was assigned a mentor who oversaw work flow, and a buddy to run my concerns past. A key highlight of the training contract was the New York secondment. I was the first trainee in Hong Kong to be seconded to the New York office and was placed in the banking group, which was welcoming in every respect. They assigned me two mentors (one in banking, and one secondment mentor), a buddy who I shadowed the first week, inviting me to all training and firm lunches and social events. The work was challenging, interesting and intense — everything operated on a much larger and formalized scale. Although there were many late nights, especially when a deal was closing, the other associates stay with you until the work is done, so a sense of “team” quickly emerged. Of course, there were times where I felt somewhat lost and confused, but the many amazing mentors whom I met in New York ensured that I quickly found my feet. The secondment was definitely challenging, but at the same time, it was in those six months where I probably matured the most. Upon returning to the Hong Kong office, I joined the banking group here as a junior associate.

Private Practice  73


74   Global Careers Guidebook


PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW


Asha Global

The internship program offers the opportunity to:

http://www.ashaglobal.org/

•• work in a major international development organisation;

Background

•• work collaboratively with experienced professionals from over 50 different countries;

Asha Global is a not-for-profit organisation based in Australia that supports both women and girls affected by sexual exploitation globally. Asha Global partners with local organisations to provide long-term healing and therapeutic support for survivors of sexual slavery and servitude. They provide a safe place for affected women and girls to receive mental health services; a space to heal and recover; and a space for these women and girls to become social advocates and change-makers.

Internship and/Career Opportunities Asha Global looks for passionate and engaged volunteers who share their core values. Volunteers should embody the Asha Global’s feminist values through the work they undertake. Volunteers will be required to work in collaboration, encourage participation and partnership, and analyse and challenge power differences that arise from power structures, which include class, disability, gender, hierarchy, race and sexuality.

Application Requirements Asha Global recruit regularly and vacant positions are listed on the Asha Global website at

http://www.ashaglobal.org/act/volunteer/.

Alternatively, interested applicants can email a copy of your Cover Letter and CV to

recruitment@ashaglobal.org

Asian Development Bank Background The Asian Development Bank (‘ADB’) is a regional development bank that is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. The ADB maintains 31 field offices around the world with its headquarters in Manila, Philippines. The ADB assists its members and partners by providing loans, technical assistance, grants and equity investments for activities that promote social and economic development. The ADB has five key work areas: infrastructure, education, finance sector development, regional cooperation and integration, and the environment.

Internship and/Career Opportunities ADB runs an internship program for graduate students to gain experience through research assignments based on ADB’s current operational needs.

76   Global Careers Guidebook

•• gain a deeper understanding of development finance and the impact of the work ADB does; and •• contribute to ADB’s business through research outputs.

Application Requirements Internship candidates must: •• be enrolled in a Master’s- or PhD-level program at a school in one of the ADB member nations, both prior to and after the internship assignment; •• be engaged in academic study in a field directly related to ADB’s work; •• be a national of one of ADB’s members; •• possess an excellent command of English; and •• have professional experience relevant to the assignment. ADB does not accept applications from close relatives of ADB personnel.

Key Dates ADB advertises internship assignments three times per year. Application period for the 2016 Internship Program is as follows: 1st batch: •• 1 February - 15 March 2016 •• On board: June 2016 onwards 2nd batch: ••

1 August - 30 September 2016

•• On board: December 2016 onwards


Australian Permanent Mission and ConsulateGeneral, Geneva Background The Australian Permanent Mission and ConsulateGeneral in Geneva comprises the Australian Permanent Mission to the World Trade Organisation, the Australian Permanent Mission to the Office of the United Nations and the Delegation to the Conference on Disarmament, and the Australian Consulate-General. The role of the Australian Mission to the United Nations is to pursue Australia’s interests in the United Nations through international diplomacy. This can involve negotiating, advocating and promoting Australia’s policies, as well as working with countries across the world to achieve common objectives. The Australian Mission supports and works with UN agencies to ensure that they can fulfil their potential to promote development and peace, respond to humanitarian challenges and protect human rights. Australia is a major donor to many of the organisations based in Geneva and the Australian Mission oversees these contributions.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities The Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations offers the opportunity for Australians to undertake voluntary internships on a self-funded basis during sessions of the Human Rights Council and the Universal Periodic Review. The Mission seeks people with the skills, education, knowledge and abilities to contribute to advancing Australia’s national interests in the UN. Applicants should possess relevant qualifications and background, with preference being given to those who have completed, or are completing, tertiary studies in areas such as political science, international relations, law, human rights, environment or international development. Prior exposure to, or demonstrated knowledge of, the United Nations system is highly desirable.

for Australians to undertake voluntary internships on a self-funded basis during specific disarmament and arms control meetings. The Permanent Mission seeks people with the skills, education, knowledge and abilities to contribute to advancing Australia’s disarmament and arms control interests in the UN. Applicants should possess relevant qualifications and background, with preference being given to those who have completed, or are completing, tertiary studies in areas such as international relations, international security, international law (including international humanitarian law), defence studies or biological sciences. Prior exposure to, or demonstrated knowledge of, the United Nations system is highly desirable. Applications for disarmament internships in 2016 will be open from: •• 1 6 December to 13 January 2016 (for an internship around late March to late May 2016) •• 3 0 May to 17 June 2016 (for an internship around November to December 2016) Each year, two internships are offered to cover a range of disarmament and arms control meetings in Geneva. Depending on the time of year, these could include the Conference on Disarmament as well as meetings under a range of instruments such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (MBC) and UN Programme of Action on small arms and light weapons. Prospective interns are asked to be available for around eight weeks, though some flexibility can be considered. Final dates can be settled with the Mission once an intern has been offered a position.

Applications for internships in 2015/16 will be open from: •• 1 December 2015 - 8 January 2016 (for the April - June 2016 UPR/HRC Sessions) •• 1 - 15 April 2016 (for the September November 2016 HRC/UPR Sessions) •• 1 - 15 July 2016 (for the February - March 2017 HRC Session)

Disarmament Internships The Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva and Delegation to the Conference on Disarmament offers the opportunity

Introduction  77


Internship Testimonial

Disarmament Internship with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the Australian Permanent Mission

sessions at the Conference on Disarmament at the United Nations and going to meetings on treaties such as the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, liaising with delegates from other countries, NGOs, think-tanks and representatives of international organisations, taking instructions from and reporting to departmental staff in Canberra and supporting and promoting our interests and government policy.

Merinda Petersen

One highlight for me was writing statements on topics such as universalisation, international cooperation and assistance and clearance and risk reduction, and presenting them on behalf of the Australian Government at the Intersessional Meeting to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. While I was at the Australian Permanent Mission, I was also able to delve into other areas of international law. For instance, I had some exposure to the International Labour Organisation and the United Nations Human Rights Council.

In my last year of law school, I undertook a two month internship with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the Australian Permanent Mission in Geneva. I interned with the Australian Permanent Mission to the Office of the United Nations and the Delegation to the Conference on Disarmament. The role of the Australian Permanent Mission in this context is to promote international peace and security and to advance Australia’s goals on arms control and disarmament. My work covered nuclear disarmament, landmines, cluster munitions and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. This involved representing the Australian Government in a formal capacity, for instance, attending

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This internship provided me with a very hands-on experience and a good insight into multilateral work. My colleagues and supervisor were welcoming and great to work with and the work itself was challenging and multifaceted. It is really fascinating to work in an international setting and see how interconnected we are in practice. I heard about the internship from a friend of mine and applied for it online. Current opportunities are advertised on the website of the Australian Permanent Mission in Geneva. The Australian Permanent Mission in Geneva also tends to run an internship program for human rights. Also check whether there are opportunities being offered at the Australian Permanent Missions in other cities. I would highly recommend that you consider undertaking an internship in international law. If you apply for one, include volunteer, work and internship experience, and demonstrate why you are interested in that position and what you can bring to it. Good luck and have fun!


Internship Testimonial

Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations Sarah Mercer

I interned at the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva from the end of February till the end of March 2015 for the 28th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (“HRC”) at the beginning of my third year. It was an amazing experience that challenged me like I had never been before and from day one we were dropped into the action and had to learn on our feet. There was one other intern on the regular intern intake and another one on the indigenous internship program and we were all working alongside the Ambassador, the Human Rights Officer and the other delegates. The interns rotated each day to monitor the three main sessions in the plenary and to sit in negotiations for resolutions with a DFAT delegate or to attend side events to ensure Australia has a presence and to take notes. Every day we would submit summaries to our supervisor to be collated into the cable “back to capitol” in Canberra so that we could receive instructions for the following day. I also had the opportunity to deliver a statement on behalf of Australia on technical cooperation which was a great experience. It was fascinating and eye-opening to work in a diplomatic environment as a representative of Australia. I had to be mindful of the impact of what I said, where I was seen and with who. It was a great crash course in Australian foreign policy and how to hold myself as a diplomat. I also became familiar with who was one of the “friendlies” on particular issues and which delegations are often difficult to bring

towards consensus. The HRC gave me the chance to really see multilateralism in action and the politics that are behind the development of resolutions. By the end of the session I knew what delegations would say, especially about particularly contentious issues like R2P and the right to development. The content of the sessions and the interventions by states and NGOs really exposed me to the real situation of human rights abuses across the world that have no presence in the media and to the historical context behind current conflicts, systematic discrimination and poverty in regions throughout the world. The speakers at the event were inspiring and included giants in the field of international law like Jane Connors of OHCHR, human rights defenders like Julian Assange (by video conference) and also victims of the Islamic state. Despite the ponderous political machine of multilateralism and the repetitive rhetoric you will hear, you will also meet those doing work that makes a real impact. The days were long and often we had to grab a bite on the way to the next session and work into the night on our summaries. The internship was unpaid and it is no exaggeration that Geneva is expensive, be prepared to pack lunch or pounce quickly on the free food at the side events. You may also need to defer a semester like I did as the dates do not fit neatly into our holidays. I found the internship on survivelaw.com.au which is a great resource. The application process involved submitting a statement of interest and CV in response to the terms of reference on their website (http://www. geneva.mission.gov.au/gene/un_internship.html There are other internships available too, see the home page!). The next phase involved an hour long interview where we spoke about my suitability for the role, particularly working in a high pressure environment, my interest in human rights and international law, career aspirations and we also discussed in-depth a particular issue that will be dealt with in the session I interned at, which for me was DPRK and the right to privacy. If you don’t have any experience in the relevant topics, research and preparation is essential.

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Centre for Justice and Accountability http://cja.org Background

Application Requirements

The Center for Justice and Accountability (‘CJA’) is an international human rights organisation dedicated to deterring torture, war crimes, crimes against humanity and other severe human rights abuses around the world through litigation, policy advocacy and outreach in pursuit of truth, justice and redress for victims and survivors. Through criminal and civil litigation, CJA works to create a record of truth and refine human rights jurisprudence, while promoting the principles of universal jurisdiction and the rule of law.

Applications are open to second and third year law students as well as exceptional first year law students.

CJA was founded in 1998 with support from Amnesty International and the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture to represent torture survivors in their pursuit of justice. CJA’s first client was a Bosnian torture and detention camp survivor who experienced additional trauma after he learned that his torturer was living freely in the same community in the U.S. CJA uses two civil laws to hold perpetrators of international human rights abuses accountable in the United States: the Alien Tort Statute (ATS) and the Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA). CJA also pursues criminal human rights cases and is dedicated to fighting abuses around the world. The most famous of these cases, against Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, represented the first time that a former head of state was prosecuted on the victims’ initiative. CJA pioneered the use of civil litigation in the United States as a means of redress for survivors from around the world.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities CJA accepts students to intern during the semester, as well as, summer and winter terms. Internship take place in San Francisco and are unpaid.

Principal Duties Most of CJA’s work is litigation-related and the majority of research tasks relate to evidence, procedure and domestic law than to matters of international or human rights law. Interns would be expected to undertake tasks in legal research and writing.

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To apply you must email cover letter, resume, and transcript to intern@cja.org. The internship term, relevant coursework, and language abilities need to be included in the cover letter. Applicants with familiarity in human rights law and evidence are preferred.

Key Dates Deadline for submissions for Fall Internships are usually around July. Winter internships are filled on a rolling and as-needed basis.


Equal Justice Initiative http://eji.org Background The Equal Justice Initiative (‘EJI’) is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organisation that provides legal representation to indigent defendants and prisoners who have been denied fair and just treatment in the legal system. EJI litigates on behalf of condemned prisoners, juvenile offenders, people wrongly convicted or charged with violent crimes, poor people denied effective representation, and others whose trials are marked by racial bias or prosecutorial misconduct. EJI works with communities that have been marginalised by poverty and discouraged by unequal treatment. EJI also prepares reports, newsletters, and manuals to assist advocates and policymakers in the critically important work of reforming the administration of criminal justice.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities EJI Summer Legal Clerkship The Equal Justice Initiative accepts applications from first- and second-year law students for summer legal clerkship positions. The legal clerkship requires a ten-week commitment to work at EJI in Montgomery, Alabama. It is an unfunded internship. EJI Fall/Spring Law Student Externship Program The Equal Justice Initiative accepts applications from law students for legal externships during the fall and spring terms. The legal externship requires a ten-week commitment to work at EJI in Montgomery, Alabama. EJI will work with the student’s law school so that the student can receive academic credit. EJI Legal Fellowship The Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, is pleased to announce the availability of a fully funded (with benefits) two-year project fellowship for law school graduates beginning in Fall 2016. EJI is seeking lawyers or law graduates with strong advocacy skills who are highly motivated, hardworking, and who embrace our mission and program goals enthusiastically. EJI provides full benefits. EJI has a strong commitment to diversity and especially encourages people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to apply. EJI Justice Fellowship The Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, is pleased to announce the availability of a fully funded (with benefits) two-year Justice Fellowship for recent college graduates and young professionals.

Principal Duties Law student interns work closely with EJI attorneys and engage in a variety of work experiences. Students conduct legal research and draft memoranda, pleadings, and briefs for litigation efforts in both state and federal court. The issues primarily involve substantive criminal law, criminal procedure, death penalty law, constitutional law, civil rights law, habeas corpus law, and appellate practice and procedure. Students also work directly with clients, conduct investigations on cases, monitor court proceedings, and assist in the development of publications, reports, and educational resources for lawyers, policymakers, and the public. EJI Justice Fellowship The fellowship is designed to enable a talented and committed professional or recent graduate to spend two years contributing to social justice and preparing for a career in nonprofit management. The Justice Fellowship is for talented and ambitious recent college graduates, post graduates and young professionals. It provides an opportunity to work for two years as a full-time, paid staff member at EJI. The Justice Fellowship supports the mission of EJI by developing young leaders who want experience in nonprofit management, legal reform and social justice. The Fellow will help with implementing institutional projects for our growing program. The job will involve working closely with the Executive Director and staff in implementing program initiatives, managing special needs and opportunities, assisting with institutional management, day-to-day operations and development.

Application Requirements EJI Justice Fellowship The ideal Fellow is compassionate, inquisitive and reflective, highly organised, and deeply committed to advancing social justice. Qualifications include the ability to communicate and work with people who have diverse backgrounds and experiences, a commitment to EJI’s mission, and the ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing. Substantive experience ranging from teaching, legal work, operations management, social justice work, business management or specialised work in any service field will be relevant and considered. The job is located in Montgomery, Alabama, where you will join an exceptional staff of highly skilled and dedicated professionals.

Key Dates EJI Summer Legal Clerkship To apply, please email a letter of interest and resume to Jennifer Taylor (jtaylor@eji.org). For Summer 2016, students are encouraged to apply any time between

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October 1, 2015, and January 1, 2016. Earlier applications usually are the most successful. Limited positions are available. People of colour and other minorities underrepresented in the legal profession are especially encouraged to apply. EJI Fall/Spring Law Student Externship Program To apply, please email a letter of interest and resume to Jennifer Taylor (jtaylor@eji.org). Applications are accepted and considered on a rolling basis. Limited positions are available. People of color and other minorities underrepresented in the legal profession are especially encouraged to apply. EJI Justice Fellowship EJI will be accepting applications for the 2016 Justice Fellowship between September 15, 2015, and January 15, 2016. If you are interested in applying for an EJI Fellowship, please e-mail a letter of interest and resume to Alicia D’Addario at adaddario@eji.org. EJI welcomes applicants from historically underserved communities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.

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Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia http://www.eccc.gov.kh/en http://www.unakrt-online.org/ Background The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (‘ECCC’) is a special Cambodian court which receives international assistance through the United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials (UNAKRT). The court is more commonly referred to by the more informal name the Khmer Rouge Tribunal or the Cambodia Tribunal. The government of Cambodia insisted that, for the sake of the Cambodian people, the trial must be held in Cambodia using Cambodian staff and judges together with foreign personnel.

Application Requirements •• Be under 35 years of age; •• Have no more than 5 years of work experience; •• Be highly motivated with outstanding academic qualifications in a field of study pertinent to UNAKRT; •• Have obtained a degree from a recognized university or be enrolled in a degree programme in a graduate school (second university degree or higher) at the time of application or during the internship; or •• Have completed at least four years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree when studying in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages;

An agreement with the UN was ultimately reached in June 2003 detailing how the international community will assist and participate in the Extraordinary Chambers. This court was created by the government and the UN but it is independent of them. It is a Cambodian court with international participation that applies international standards.

Key Dates

The purpose of the ECCC is to bring to trial senior leaders and those most responsible for crimes committed during the Khmer Rouge’s ruling period.

All Internships are undertaken on a full-time basis and interns are expected to work five days a week from Monday to Friday.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities

Standard dates for internships are as follows: April-30 June (deadline 30 November); July-September (deadline 28 February); October-31 December (Deadline 31 May); January-31 March (deadline 31 August)

For international applicants internship opportunities are offered through the United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials.

•• Working proficiency in English and /or French.

The minimum duration of standard internships is two months, but can be extended for up to a maximum of six months.

The UNAKRT Internship Programme offers recent university graduates and postgraduate students an opportunity to work in the unique environment of this hybrid tribunal in Cambodia. Interns will have the opportunity to enhance their practical experience and their theoretical knowledge within one of the following offices of the UNAKRT: 1 The Offices of the International Judges of the Pre-Trial Chamber, the Trial Chamber or the Supreme Court Chamber; 2 The Office of the International Co-Prosecutor; 3 The Office of the International Co-Investigating Judge; 4 The Defence Support Section; 5 The Civil Party Lead Co-Lawyers Section; 6 The Court Management Section; 7 The Public Affairs Section; or 8 The Office of the Deputy Director of Administration/ Coordinator of UNAKRT.

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Internship Testimonial

Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia Tarek Bilani The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) was established to try former leaders of the government, commonly known as the Khmer Rouge, which controlled Cambodia from 17 April 1975 to 6 January 1979. The court follows the hybrid model commonly found in modern day international tribunals, where the court is embedded into the Cambodian legal system as opposed to operating as a distinct institution, and is staffed by both Cambodian nationals and UN-appointed personnel. Both the Cambodian nationals and the UN staff work conjointly at all levels of the Court and within every section - investigation, prosecution, defence and chambers. I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to intern with the Office of the Co-Prosecutors from December 2014 until March 2015, which was the summer break between my first and second year of the JD. My role was to assist the lawyers with whatever work they were doing and so no two days were the same. Sometimes I was asked to draft legal memos, filings and motions; other times I was asked to read witness statements and find inconsistencies in the transcripts for strategy purposes. When the trial was on I was lucky enough to go into court and experience the trial first hand, preparing substantive or procedural summaries that would help the lawyers in their trial management and research. At one point in the internship the office had to balance a new trial, appeal work from the previous trial, and preparation for future trials in conjunction with the Co-Investigating Judges. All of this meant a lot of hands-on experience for interns and having to develop the ability to juggle different tasks. The application for the internship was very straightforward. International applicants are required to apply to the UN arm of the Court, known as the United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials. The process includes two components: a written application, and a phone interview. Applicants are asked in the written application which section of the Court they would most like to work for, and if applicants make it 84   Global Careers Guidebook

past the first round of screening they will be contacted by a member of that section for an interview. All the information is available on the Court website. An internship at the ECCC is a fascinating experience both professionally and personally. Phnom Penh is a busy and chaotic city, and it can be difficult to adapt for individuals accustomed to the calm and order that comes with living in the first world. Phnom Penh also has notoriously bad traffic, which can make those hourly bus trips to and from work quite strenuous! The struggles are worth it in the end, because the work is fascinating and meaningful, and the bond that you form with the other interns often leads to long-term friendships. Cambodia is a wonderful country that has so far been able to maintain its natural beauty. Interns at the Court regularly go away in large groups and explore parts of the country for the weekend. My advice for anybody hoping to land an internship at the ECCC would be to get in touch with former interns and current lawyers at the Court and talk to them about it. The UN is undoubtedly very popular, and with a multitude of applications to look at, sometimes the extra effort can evidence a real desire to get involved and separate you from the rest.


Human Rights First http://www.humanrightsfirst.org Background Human Rights First is a non-profit, non-partisan international human rights advocacy organisation based in New York, Washington D.C. and Houston. The organisation focuses on protecting the rights of refugees, supporting human rights defenders around the world, and pressing for the US government’s full participation in the international human rights system. Its work covers a vast array of areas, including business and human rights; Internet freedom and privacy; and refugee protection.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities Human Rights First offers a variety of internship and fellowship opportunities. Human Rights First’s Refugee Protection program offers summer and semester internship opportunities to law students. Intern duties may include: helping to conduct client intakes; performing extensive research regarding the human rights conditions in countries around the world; and helping to critically analyze potential client’s asylum claims. Interested students should check the Human Rights First Careers page.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities Human Rights Watch has internships at certain offices which are advertised on its website and open and close at different times. Internships are listed as ‘usually unpaid’ on their website. Employment opportunities are also specific to each office.

Principal Duties Regarding internships, these are wide ranging and include event planning, data analysis, advocacy for victims of human rights violations and assisting researchers.

Application Requirements/Key Dates Application dates and requirements vary depending on the office where the internship is located.

International Center for Transitional Justice http://ictj.org Background

http://www.hrw.org

The International Center for Transitional Justice (‘ICTJ’) is an international non-profit organisation, which specialises in the field of transitional justice. The headquarters of the ICTJ is located in New York. Other offices are located in Cote d’Ivoire, the Lebanon, Columbia, Belgium, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Tunisia. The ICTJ seeks to assist societies in transition address legacies of massive human rights violations and build civic trust in state institutions. This involves advising state institutions and policymakers at a local, national and international level, working with victims’ groups and communities and researching, analysing and reporting on transitional justice developments worldwide.

Background

Internship and/ Career Opportunities

Human Rights First also has a number of fellowship opportunities. Past fellows have published reports and policy blueprints, advocated on Capitol Hill and at the United Nations, provided thorough investigative research, engaged the media, and served as liaisons to human rights defenders around the world. These positions are also advertised via the Human Rights First Careers page.

Human Rights Watch Human Rights Watch is a NGO which operates in countries all over the world to defend individual’s human rights. The Human Rights Watch’s activities include advocacy, research and reporting as well as use of media to highlight human rights abuses and issues. The Human Rights Watch focuses on independent reporting and ethical fact finding regarding potential human rights abuses, and reports their findings in a manner that will create a high level of impact and change regarding the practises of human rights abusers. Human Rights Watch has offices in London, New York, Amsterdam, Paris, Sydney, Washington DC, Beirut, Berlin, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, Los Angeles, Nairobi, San Francisco, Tokyo, Toronto, Washington D.C. and Zurich.

Internships are offered year round and designed to offer students a rich learning environment while providing them with practical experience working in the non-profit sector. Interns will be required to assist with administrative work, analytical and research projects. Interns are required to attend weekly discussions hosted by heads of each unit, and have the opportunity to participate in roundtable discussions with ICTJ President David Tolbert. The internship is unpaid and interns are expected to commit to volunteer approximately 10 -12 hours per week for a period of 12 weeks. Interns may be entitled to receive academic credit from their university for participation in the internship program. However, even if you are not currently a student, you are still eligible to apply.

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Positions are available in the following departments: •• Communications and Publications •• Design Monitoring Evaluation •• Gender Justice •• Reparations •• Truth and Memory •• Information Technology •• Human Resources

Application Requirements Please email a cover letter, resume, and brief (3-5 pages) writing sample to internships@ictj.org. Please include the semester (eg. Summer 2016) and department you are applying to in the subject line. Students should check with the University to see if they are eligible to receive academic credit for their internship.

Key Dates Internship positions are reviewed on a rolling basis; however the deadline for Summer applications is April 15, 2016.

International Commission of Jurists http://www.icj.org/ Background Comprised of eminent lawyers and judges from all five continents, the International Commission of Jurists upholds and protects human rights through the Rule of Law. The International Commission of Jurists uses its unique legal expertise to improve and strengthen national and international justice systems. Established in 1952, the International Commission of Jurists seeks to ensure the separation of powers, the independence of the judiciary, the progressive development and effective implementation of international human rights and humanitarian law and secure the realisation of cultural, civil, economic, social and political rights.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities Internship opportunities are available for students interested in acquiring practical human rights and advocacy experience. The International Commission of Jurists offers continuous openings for internships in both legal and non-legal positions for all its programs and projects. The number of positions depends on the resources available at the International Commission of Jurists. For non-EU/EFTA citizens, internships are offered for at least 4 months and for a maximum period of 1 year. Interns are integrated into the International 86   Global Careers Guidebook

Commission of Jurists’ staff and form part of the junior support staff who contribute to and participate in staff meetings and briefing sessions, research human rights issues, draft papers and reports, maintain information databases, and provide general administrative support.

Application Requirements The International Commission of Jurists looks for students who are: •• a postgraduate student or currently completing a postgraduate degree in law, political science, international relations or a related field. Priority will be given to graduates who have or are studying law, especially human rights or international law •• highly dedicated to the legal protection and promotion of human rights; •• well-organised, have strong research, analytical and drafting skills and able to work independently; •• computer literate as well as familiar with Internet research; •• highly motivated, able to work as part of a multicultural team and willing to apply themselves in a frequently pressurised environment; and •• fluent in spoken and written English and desirably French and/or another foreign language. Applications with a resume, cover letter and the names and contact details of at least two referees must be emailed to recruitment@icj.org.

Key Dates Applicants will be accepted on a rolling-basis.


Internship Testimonial

International Commission of Jurists Isabelle Skaburskis In the summer between first and second year of the JD, I completed a three-month internship with the International Commission of Jurists Asia-Pacific, in Bangkok, Thailand. Approximately 15 people were working in the Bangkok office during my internship. ICJ is an international non-governmental organisation that advocates for the independence of lawyers and judges, protection for human rights defenders, and promotion of the rule of law and human rights through proper administration of justice. The International Commission of Jurists’ head office is in Geneva, and Bangkok is the regional office for Asia and the Pacific. There is also an International Commission of Jurists’ Victoria and International Commission of Jurists’ Australia. I chose this internship because I have a long-standing connection with Southeast Asia, and I am interested in human rights NGO work. It was an incredible and very challenging experience. I came home having learned a lot, but thoroughly exhausted. Part of what made it so interesting was that I was given substantive work to do. I wrote an analysis of the protection of the right to council afforded by the Vietnamese Criminal Code. I drafted a review of the Cambodian Law on the Bar for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. I undertook a fact finding mission to Cambodia following a violent crackdown on garment factory workers that culminated in the death of 5 protestors by military police, took meetings with directors of Cambodian human rights organisations, the legal representative of the political opposition leader who was being subjected to judicial harassment, the UN human rights office and the Special Rapporteur for human rights in Cambodia. I drafted a letter to the Government of Cambodia calling for accountability for its excessive use of force, and to lift an arbitrary ban on peaceful assembly. Finally, I drafted a briefing paper on the organisation of security forces in Cambodia. This internship was very self-directed, and it was a great benefit that I knew Cambodia and was familiar with Thailand. I had lived in Bangkok before, so I knew how to

find a place to live, spoke some Thai, and knew how to manage street food and tuktuks. Because of my connections in Cambodia, I was able to find out a lot of information about the shootings, and make judgments on what kind of advocacy would be appropriate. Being in Thailand at that time was also exciting. While civil unrest was shaking Cambodia, the Thai political opposition was staging a siege of Bangkok: thousands of people took up residence in tents outside my apartment, and in other major thoroughfares around the city. Outside my window, there was chanting, shouting, nightly gunfights, a grenade attack, and a highly charged atmosphere perpetually on the brink of chaos. People were talking about civil war, about whether the military would stage a coup, or if the Prime Minister would be ousted by the courts. Working at a human rights organisation gave me a unique perspective on what was happening outside my door every day. There were shortcomings to the internship, too—I did not get a lot of supervision or guidance, and the work was difficult: figuring out how to analyse the Vietnamese Criminal Code and write a memorandum in the NGO’s style without having studied criminal law, much less in a civil law and Socialist legal system, would have been easier if all the ICJ lawyers hadn’t left the office for the Christmas holidays. Also, there was a sense—sometimes subdued, sometimes overt—of disrespect for interns, and competitiveness. And there was a degree of disorganisation in the NGO that led to completed work not being reviewed in time to meet a deadline and so wasted. Overall, I appreciate that I was given the opportunity to do substantive work, and the political circumstances at the time made the work very interesting. I’m not sure I would recommend it, though, as the ICJ environment is not particularly friendly to interns, and it is difficult and expensive to find a place to live and equip one’s self with basic household items. That being said, it was an adventure, and I love what the organisation stands for,so much so that I have continued to volunteer with the International Commission of Jurists’ Victoria branch here. Introduction  87


International Court of Justice (ICJ)

International Criminal Court (ICC)

http://www.icj-cij.org

www.icc-cpi.int

Background

Background

The International Court of Justice (‘ICJ’) was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began work in April 1946. It is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (‘UN’). The ICJ’s role is to settle, in accordance with international law, disputes submitted to it by States and to provide advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised UN organs and specialised agencies. The Court is composed of 15 judges, who are elected for a term of nine years by the UN General Assembly and Security Council.

The International Criminal Court (‘ICC’) is the first permanent, treaty based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. The Rome Statute lists four areas over which the ICC has jurisdiction: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. The ICC is an independent international organisation, and is not part of the United Nations system. The Court sits in The Hague, the Netherlands.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities The ICJ offers internships to students and young professionals for the duration of one to three months. The internships are an opportunity for these students and young professionals to put their knowledge and experience into practice, while executing tasks for the Court under the supervision of Registry officials.

Application Requirements Only a limited number of internships are offered throughout the year. Placements, however, are possible in all departments and divisions of the Registry. The working languages of the Court are English and French. Interns will not receive any financial compensation for their internship and will be required to arrange their own travel and accommodation and obtain valid medical/accident insurance coverage. Furthermore, they will be require to sign a written undertaking binding themselves to keep strictly confidential any information obtained during the course of their internship. Upon completion, the ICJ will present interns with a certificate, which summarises the tasks performed and provides an evaluation of the work done. In order to apply for an internship simply complete the online application form and submit it via the website. Should you receive no response from the ICJ within eight months, please consider that your application has been rejected.

Key Dates

Internship and/ Career Opportunities The ICC offers a range of internship opportunities and accepts applications as availability arises. A list of current opportunities can be found on the ICC website under ‘internships and visiting professionals.’ The primary organs which take interns are the Presidency and Chambers, the Office of the Prosecutor and the Registry.

Application Requirements In addition to meeting any specific requirements indicated by the sections of the Organs of the Court participating in the Programme, all candidates must fulfil the following criteria. •• All candidates must have a degree from or be in the final stages of their studies at a recognised university; and •• Good oral communication and drafting skills in at least one of the working languages of the Court (English and French) are required. Fluency in the Court’s other official languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) is an asset. Some positions may stipulate specific additional language requirements. •• Positions are also filled with reference to gender balance and representation of the principal legal systems of the world and geographic regions. •• Interns are expected to be available to work full time for a period of between three and six months.

Applications for internships will be accepted on a rolling-basis.

Applications are taken through the ICC’s eRecruitment system.

If you interested in applying for long-term employment at ICJ, please visit

Key Dates

http://www.icj-cij.org/registry/currentvacancies

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Applicants will be accepted on a rolling-basis.


International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia

•• completed ICTY Intern Acceptance and Undertaking

http://www.icty.org/en

•• Copies of university/law studies transcripts (including courses taken and grades received)

Background The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (‘ICTY’), located in The Hague, the Netherlands, is an international court focused on war crimes that occurred in the Balkans during the 1990’s. The ICTY has established a now accepted mechanism of bringing leaders and others who allowed atrocities to occur to justice. The UN Security Council created the tribunal as a means to bring individuals responsible for war crimes to justice. While a significant number of cases heard at the Tribunal have involved alleged crimes committed by Serbs and Bosnian Serbs, the Tribunal has investigated and brought charges against individuals from every ethnic background.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities Internship Internships and career opportunities are available in areas of international and humanitarian law. Interns are assigned to one of the three organs of the tribunal including the Registry, Chambers and the Office of the Prosecutor. Legal and non-legal internships are available. ICTY internship job openings are posted on the UN Careers Portal page at https://careers.un.org, and applications are accepted only in response to these current internship job openings. Open applications are not accepted. Applicants are advised to submit their application approximately six months prior to their proposed official starting date. The hiring team may contact short-listed candidates directly if further information is needed during the review of their application. Due to the high volume of applications received, candidates who have not been short-listed will not be contacted. Preference is given to law graduates who are acquainted with one or more of the following disciplines: public international law, international humanitarian law, human rights law, private international law, criminal law, comparative law, and criminology. All applicants must be proficient in English and/or French, both written and oral. Knowledge of other languages, particularly Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, is an asset. All of the documents listed below must be attached to each UN Careers Portal application for an ICTY internship job opening, and all documents must be in English or in French:

•• completed Internship preference and availability form •• Two (2) letters of recommendation

•• A photocopy of your valid medical insurance or a signed statement confirming your intent to obtain medical insurance while you are in the Netherlands •• For legal internships a sample of written work preferably in a field relevant to the work of the Tribunal and not longer than ten pages. Further information can be found on the site:

http://www.icty.org/x/file/jobs/Internship%20Forms/ internship_applicant_manual.pdf http://www.icty.org/en/employment/internships

Long Term Employment Regarding employment there are two kinds of positions available; Professional Service Positions (P-Level) and General Service Positions (G-Level). Professional Service Positions are for one year, and General Service Positions are for three months initially. These are paid positions. Employment can occur in the Netherlands or at another duty station, and employment is subject to arrangements existing between the UN and the State where the applicant is from.

Key Dates The ICTY Internship selection and recruitment procedures are conducted on an ongoing basis, with each section posting internship vacancies on the United Nations Career portal as and when they become available. The duration of an ICTY Internship can range from a minimum of three months to a maximum of six months.

International Justice Project http://www.internationaljusticeproject.com/ Background The International Justice Project (‘IJP’) is an independent, non-partisan organisation based in Newark, New Jersey. The IJP seeks to promote human rights through the rule of law and provide holistic support to victims of crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes. The IJP works with various partners from different sectors, including academic institutions, activists, government, international organisations, health professionals, lawyers, nongovernment organisations, psychologists, students, and the private sector. The IJP has four key areas of

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work: casework, advocacy, training and programs. The IJP aims to ensure that the voices of survivors are heard at all levels, especially at the International Criminal Court (‘ICC’). To achieve this, they: •• Promote victims’ rights at the ICC and other international tribunals; •• Advance the rights of the Darfuri Diaspora in the United States and abroad; and •• Advocate for the end of impunity and hold perpetrators of international crimes accountable.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities Law and Policy Internship The IJP offers an unpaid internship in its Law and Policy division. It is open to current law students or recent law graduates. This position involves researching international criminal law, human rights law, and international humanitarian law to assist with the legal representation of clients at the ICC. Other intern duties will also include compiling personal data, monitoring and analysing current legal and political developments pertaining to cases, and assisting in drafting public statements/managing social media related to IJP advocacy efforts.

Application Requirements JP stipulates that candidates preferably have: •• Knowledge of international law, human rights law, international criminal law, or a related field. •• Proven ability to work cross-culturally, especially with victims of traruma and/or mass atrocities. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to ijp@internationaljusticeprojet.com with “Law and Policy Internship” in the subject line. The IJP also offers a variety of other internships throughout the year, so please check the website regularly for updates. For more information, visit: http://www.

internationaljusticeproject.com/get-involved/careers/

Application Requirements Typically the IJP will call for applications for internships in Spring (Australian Autumn) and Summer (Australian Winter) in the North Hemisphere.

International Labour Organisation http://www.ilo.org/ Background Formed in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles, the International Labour Organisation (‘ILO’) is

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committed to promoting social justice and human and labour rights, pursuing its founding mission that labour peace is essential to working people’s prosperity. Currently, the ILO helps advance the creation of decent work and the existence of economic and working conditions that give working people and business people a stake in lasting peace, prosperity and progress. Its tripartite structure offers a unique platform for promoting decent and fair work for all women and men. The ILO’s main aims are to promote workers rights, support decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and encourage conversations on work-related issues.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities The aim of the internship program is to give interns exposure to the daily work of the ILO. Interns will be offered the opportunity to learn from staff at the ILO. Interns will be exposed to high-profile conferences, participate in meetings, and contribute to analytical work as well as support to work on the ILO’s fundamental principles, exciting programs and groundbreaking strategies.

Application Requirements The ILO seeks individuals with particular interests about the ILO. Applicants must also be: •• currently enrolled in the last year of a graduate program; •• have working knowledge (both oral and written) of at least one of the ILO’s official languages (English, French or Spanish); •• able and interested to adapt to an international, multicultural, multilingual environment; •• and have excellent communication skills. Please also note, that close relatives of a serving ILO official are not eligible. The same applies to candidates who have already been working at the ILO or who have already participated in the Internship program earlier. Interested students must submit their application together with a covering letter to the ILO’s roster at

https://erecruit.ilo.org/public/

Key Dates The ILO posts internship positions during the months of January, May and September each year. For applicants who would like to intern at regional offices they must contact those offices directly. The length of an internship is usually between three up to a maximum of six months. Internships start on the 1st or 15th of each month.


Internship Testimonial

International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia Sarah Mercer

I undertook an unpaid internship at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (‘ICTY’) for the Mladic Defence Team from April 2015 to July 2015. It was an amazing experience to apply international law and international humanitarian law to facts. It was a great chance to see advocacy in action where I assisted the counsel and contributed to matters before the Trial Chamber. The ICTY was the first United Nations court of law and it deals with the war crimes that took place during the conflicts in the Balkans in the 1990’s. The ADC-ICTY is an independent professional association established under the laws of The Netherlands and is recognised as the Defence Counsel body serving the ICTY pursuant to Rule 44 of the ICTY Rules of Procedure and Evidence.

I was a member of the team representing Ratko Mladic, the former Commander of the Main Staff of the Army of Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. “General Mladic” has been charged with three different modes of liability for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes through a Joint Criminal Enterprise. Interns for the defence were split between cases and then further divided into teams of between three and four to assist particular counsel. Duties included legal research on genocide, command responsibility, joint criminal enterprise and jurisprudential developments as well as procedural matters under the ICTY Statute. We also were involved in case and document management, preparation of witness summaries, drafting motions, witness preparation, factual research, writing legal memoranda, drafting sections of the briefs and supporting defence counsel in their daily work in and out of court. The internship also offered great enrichment opportunities including advocacy training at the ADC-ICTY and with the Advocacy Club, networking drinks, seminars and field trips to the PCA, ICC and ICJ and the chance to make contributions to the ADC-ICTY Newsletter as well as attending conferences on international criminal law jurisprudence. I undertook French classes at the ICTY and participated in a Mock Trial before the ICTY Trial judges on the prosecution team in the final week of my internship after intensive preparation and training sessions. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and you apply to the ADC-ICTY directly (http://adc-icty.org/ home/opportunities/internship-program/index.html). The application process involves submitting an online application form with a CV and cover letter and the shortlisted applicants are invited to a Skype interview with one of the defence counsel. Knowledge of French and Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian is an asset and interns all have either prior professional experience in advocacy, a demonstrated interest in international law or have undertaken research in human rights, criminal law and/or public international law.

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International Monetary Fund http://www.imf.org Background The International Monetary Fund (‘IMF’) is a multilateral organisation comprised of 188 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world. The IMF’s fundamental mission is to ensure the stability of the international monetary system – the system of exchange rates and international payments that enables countries (and their citizens) to transact with each other. It does so in three ways: keeping track of the global economy and the economies of member countries; lending to countries with balance of payments difficulties; and giving practical help to members.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities The IMF’s Legal Department advises management, the Executive Board, and staff on the applicable rules of law. It prepares most of the decisions and other legal instruments necessary for the IMF’s activities, and provides advice and analysis in the context of use of IMF resources and surveillance. The Department also provides technical assistance and advice to member countries and non-members on the drafting of legislation within the IMF’s core mandate (e.g., central banking, financial sector regulation, and taxation).

Principal Duties IMF lawyers perform a variety of professional level legal assignments in one of the Fund’s functional areas. A lawyer’s responsibilities include the preparation of papers for the Executive Board and management on questions of Fund law and policy, direct advice to area departments on legal issues arising from Fund regulatory and financial operations, the drafting of Executive Board decisions, and the review of legislation from member countries. The Legal Department’s Administrative Unit also provides advice on questions of administrative law and represents the Fund in personnel-related disputes. To search for open positions in this field, please see Current Vacancies. If there are no current vacancies, you may create a Candidate Profile through the Current Vacancies Job Link and request e-mail notification of new positions at the IMF that match your interests. However, internships require high-level experience with macroeconomics, often in the pursuit of a doctorate degree.

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In the past, application requirements have included: •• Students should be within one of two years of completing their L.L.M. in law, or equivalent advanced degree in law; •• Must be in student status (i.e., they must be returning to university after their internship); •• Are typically below the age of 32; •• Must have a good command of English (both written and oral); and •• Must possess strong quantitative and computer skills

Application Requirements The IMF accepts applications on an ongoing basis for entry-level economists, research assistants, interns and administrative support staff. These recruitment programs allow talented individuals to join the IMF for a set period of time and provide them with an exciting opportunity to learn, grown and develop at a renowned organisation. The IMF offers the following on-going recruitment programs: •• Economist Program •• Fund Internship Program •• Experienced Economists •• Support Staff (Administrative Assistant) •• Research Assistants

Key Dates Applicants will be accepted on a rolling-basis.

International Refugee Rights Initiative http://www.refugee-rights.org/ Background The International Refugee Rights Initiative (‘IRRI’) is based in New York with offices in Uganda and the UK. IRRI is dedicated to promoting human rights in situations of conflict and displacement, enhancing the protection of vulnerable populations before, during and after conflict. IRRI accomplishes this by tackling the exclusion and human rights violations which are the root causes of flight, enhancing the protection of the rights of the displaced, and promoting policy solutions which enable those affected by conflict to rebuild sustainable lives and communities. IRRI grounds its advocacy in regional and international human rights instruments and strives to make these guarantees effective at the local level. Focusing primarily on Africa, IRRI works with networks of advocates to identify the key challenges facing vulnerable communities and collaborates to advance changes in law, policy and practice.


Internship and/ Career Opportunities

Key Dates

Interns have the opportunity to work on some of the IRRI’s projects, including the Darfur Consortium, a civil society network that seeks to advocate for the end of the Darfur crisis, as well as the ‘Rights in Exile’ programme, which addresses issues of forced displacement in conflict situations across Africa.

Internships are open all year long, you need to check the vacancies section of the website to know when applications are open.

IRRI expects that volunteers will be able to volunteer with IRRI for at least three months, either part or full time subject to the mutual needs at the time of recruitment. As a volunteer, you are free to leave at any time, however this duration is suggested in order to provide a mutually beneficial experience. Start and end dates are determined on an individual basis during the recruitment process.

Application Requirements Please send a cover letter indicating your dates of availability, your CV and a writing sample to info@

refugee-rights.org.

Key Dates Applicants will be accepted on a rolling-basis.

International Service for Human Rights http://www.ishr.ch Background The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) was established in 1984, and has worked since that time with other NGO’s and the United Nations to fortify human rights legal structures and assist human rights defenders. This is done by supporting activists, increasing strength of legal systems regarding human rights and building connections between human rights organisations to strengthen campaigns for human rights protection.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities Individuals undertaking an internship participate in ISHR’s work in Geneva and New York, and run from 3-6 months full-time and part-time. Internships are offered with the Program team and Support Teams. The internships are not funded.

Application Requirements (i.e. language requirements, citizenship requirements) For applications to Geneva, valid health and accident insurance is a condition of living in Switzerland. You will also need to apply for a working permit, however the documentation required will depend on whether or not you are a European Union citizen or not. More details of the documentation that you will need to provide for work permits will be provided should you be successful.

International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea https://www.itlos.org/ Background The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (‘ITLOS’) is an independent judicial body established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to adjudicate disputes relating to the law of the sea. ITLOS hears disputes relating to the regulation of all ocean space, its uses and resources. ITLOS’s jurisdiction extends to the protection and preservation of the marine environment, marine scientific research, development and transfer of marine technology. The Tribunal is composed of 21 Judges elected by the States Parties to the Convention and is assisted by an international secretariat, the Registry.

Internship and/Career Opportunities Approximately 20 internships are available on a yearly basis. The internship program based at the Tribunal in Hamburg, is designed to give interns the opportunity to acquire an understanding of the work and functions of the Tribunal. Interns are expected to contribute to the work of the ITLOS in fields such as the law of the sew, international relations and public international law. Internships are offered in four ITLOS departments; the Legal Office, the Library, Linguistic Services and the Press Office. Internships are normally full-time and cover a threemonth period from January to March (applications close 30 September), April to June (applications close 31 December), July to September (applications close 31 March), and October to December (applications close 30 June).

Application Requirements Applicants should: •• have completed at least three years of university studies; •• normally be engaged in a degree-granting or postgraduate program at the time of the application and also during the internship; •• normally not be more than 35 years of age; •• have a good command of English and/or French; and •• have an interest in international law, in particular international law of the sea, international affairs or international institutions and organisations. Introduction  93


•• consideration is given to geographic diversity and gender balance. The Application process includes an application form, resume, academic transcript, and if available, a brief sample of research work in English or French. Interns are not paid. The cost of travel, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the interns. Upon successful completion of the internship, interns will receive a certificate detailing the period of the internship, give examples of the allocated tasks and evaluate the intern’s performance.

Lawyers Without Borders http://www.lwob.org Background Lawyers Without Borders is an international non-profit organisation founded in 2000, which operates from its central headquarters located in New Haven, Connecticut. The organisation harnesses the pro bono work of lawyers from across the world to protect the integrity of the legal process and the serve the underserved. It seeks to fulfill this mission through lawyer and judge trail advocacy training, cultivating lawyer skills sets to create effective strategies in the human rights development sector, and assist in conflict scenarios and detention facilities and assist with developing regions emerging from conflict. Themes of work undertaken at Lawyers Without Borders include gender-based and domestic violence, corruption, human trafficking, ad economic empowerment to drive access to justice. To date the countries which contribute the largest number of volunteer lawyers to LWOB are the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities Internships are offered on a tri-semester basis: Winter/ Spring, Summer and Fall (semesters are broken up according to the North American academic calendar). Interns who apply for the Spring or Fall periods will be required to work two days per week. However, summer interns will be required to work full time for a minimum of 6 weeks.

Application Requirements Familiarity with Spanish, Arabic and/or French will be highly regarded.

Key Dates Applicants are reviewed on a rolling basis during the preceding term however prospective applicants are advised to apply 3 months prior to the start of the internship.

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Internship Testimonial

Lawyers without Borders Stephen Polesel

As an intern at Lawyers without Borders (LWOB) in New Haven, Connecticut, I was responsible for undertaking much of the foundational legal research, which informs the organisation’s work in developing countries. LWOB has a broad rule of law program, which focuses on building the institutional capabilities of countries in Africa, Asia and central America. Rather than represent individual parties to a dispute, LWOB aims to institute systemic change by training local lawyers, judges and police, in addition to creating educational materials to assist in ongoing rule of law work. I ultimately chose LWOB because of the unique work which the organisation does. I was exposed to the legal systems of many foreign countries, reviewing case law and legislation, and summarising findings in legal memoranda. I was incredibly lucky to undertake such diverse work, with tasks varying significantly from day-to-day. It was also interesting to see how legal research is approached in another country. My internship lasted for a total of six weeks, from early January to mid-February, at the start of my second year of the JD.

I found out about LWOB’s internship opportunities online, searching for legal internships in the north-eastern United States. Given that many non-profit organisations face resource constraints, I would recommend planning ahead and making contact with your organisation a number of months in advance. The process of reviewing applications and conducting interviews (mine was via Skype) can take some time, and you will also need to get the appropriate travel documents if you’re visiting the US. Also, do some research on the location of your internship. Although parts of New Haven are nice (the area immediately surrounding Yale), the rest of the town is renowned for being quite dangerous. Take the time to check this sort of thing (with the organisation, or with any friends or locals that you might know). The highlights of my internship were meeting new people, living in a different city and working on exciting issues in human rights law. The work was fast-paced and demanding, but it was great to be part of a smart team of lawyers and interns. Having worked various Australian jobs, it was interesting to be exposed to a foreign legal workplace, with a distinctive focus on international and domestic public law. The difference in work culture was also a challenging part of the internship. I think US workplaces are slightly more formal, and there is probably a greater sense of seniority. Nevertheless, my boss was very approachable and friendly, and made a real effort to ensure that all of the interns had a good experience. Living in a foreign country can also be challenging, particularly when it’s so cold. I was warned about the Connecticut winter, but I certainly wasn’t expecting it to snow so regularly. Work was cancelled six times during my internship because of the weather, so this was a very different experience (but it gave me a more realistic idea of what it would be like to work in the northern hemisphere). My advice to prospective interns is to keep an open mind about international internships, and to make your decision on the basis of a variety of factors such as the work that the organisation does, the location of the internship and the possibility of having a holiday before or after. Good luck!

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Legal Resources Centre http://www.lrc.org.za Background The Legal Resource Centre (‘LRC’) is a human rights organisation located in South Africa. The organisation utilises the law as an instrument of justice for the vulnerable and marginalised who suffer from discrimination by reason of their class, disability, gender or race. Their aim is to enable these vulnerable and marginalised people to assert and develop their rights, promote gender and racial equality and oppose all forms of unfair discrimination and contribute to the development of human rights jurisprudence and economic and social transformation of the South African legal landscape. The LRC is committed to a fully democratic society based on the principles of substantive equality and to ensure that the rights and responsibilities preserved in the South African Constitution are protected and fulfilled. Lawyers who work at the LRC seek creative solutions to achieve their organisation goals. They employ a range of strategies including law reform, impact litigation participation in partnerships and development processes, education and networking within South Africa, the African continent and at the international level.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities The L R C accepts applications from students who have completed at least one year (though preferably two years) of their studies, from lawyers and from other suitably qualified professionals (including non-legal professionals). Interns who apply for and are granted an internship from outside South Africa are considered to be volunteers. The L R C does not pay a stipend or remunerate interns in any way. Medical insurance and/or travel insurance should be obtained prior to the intern’s departure for South Africa. The L R C does not provide any medical benefits or insurance to interns.

Principal Duties The work that an intern is typically involved in during their time at the L R C ranges from legal research, drafting legal memoranda, providing legal opinions, interviewing clients and assisting the L R C in preparing applications and actions.

Application Requirements Should you consider applying for an internship the LRC urge you to access the information available on the L R C website.

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To apply for a legal or non-legal internship at one of the L R C offices, please send the below information to Delysia at interninfo@lrc.org.za •• Curriculum Vitae no longer than three (3) pages •• A cover letter motivating appointment. Cover letter to include a) the regional office you would like to intern in, b) your available dates (indicating start and end dates) and c) what citizenship status you hold •• Any other supporting document/s

Key Dates Internships are for a period of eight weeks and not exceed six months in duration. Applications are strongly encouraged to be submitted at least six months in advance of the date on which you would like to start the internship. Interns are encouraged to make prior arrangements for accommodation and transport for the duration of their stay in South Africa. You may obtain more information from the respective L R C regional office should you be accepted.

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights http://www.ohchr.org Background The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (‘OHCHR’) is an affiliated body of the United Nations Secretariat located in Geneva, Switzerland. The OHCHR is tasked with the protection and promotion of human rights that are guaranteed under international law. It works to monitor State Parties’ compliance with human rights obligations, strengthen the rule of law, ensure the protection of human rights in areas of insecurity and increase accountability for human rights abuses.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities The OHCHR runs an internship program through which interns can increase their understanding of international human rights issues, and assist the OHCHR in its work.

Principal Duties Interns may be required to: draft reports, undertake research, organise meetings and provide technical assistance. Interns will also have the benefit of being a party to sessions on human rights issues.


Application Requirements Applicants to the OHCHR internship program must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: (a) Be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); (c) Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. Preferred applicants will have studied human rights issues and must be fluent in English and/or French. Applicants must arrange their own visa and travel requirements, and be able to afford the cost of accommodation, travel and living expenses for the duration of the internship. Candidates who have an interest working in a particular country or region should apply directly to the office in question (a quick search online will lead you to the application page for any UN workplace). Candidates willing to work anywhere in the world can apply to the OHCHR directly and indicate their preference on the application form.

Key Dates

•• foster international cooperation to strengthen implementation of the Convention and promote the peaceful use of chemistry.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities Internships with the OPCW are available in the branches that comprise the OPCW. These include: •• Assistance and protection Branch •• Government Relations and Political Affairs Branch •• Office of the Legal Advisor •• Office of Strategy and Policy If there is a specific branch of OPCW that applicants are interested in, they are directed to indicate their interest in the application form. However, the OPCW cannot assure specific placements based on an applicants’ interest as the relevant branches will evaluate all applications individually. To apply for an internship and for more information regarding OPCW internships, visit: http://www.opcw. org/jobs/internships-at-opcw/. Further information on OPCW internships is also available by contacting the Human Resources department at internships@opcw.

org

Application Requirements

The deadline for online applications is 30 April for the July to December internship and 31 October for the January to June Internship. Further information concerning the selection process can be found on the OHCHR website.

Internship applications should be submitted electronically through the OPCW website when a general internship notice is advertised under General Services vacancies. Applications are normally accepted for a period of 30 days. Internships are typically for a period between 3 to 6 months.

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

To be eligible for an internship at the OPCW you must be:

https://www.opcw.org/ Background The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (‘OPCW’) is a UN affiliated organisation, tasked with implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention, which entered into force in 1997. The OPCW has 192 Member States, who are working together to achieve a world free of chemical weapons. To achieve this the OPCW works to: •• destroy all existing chemical weapons under international verification by the OPCW;

•• Enrolled in a university, or have graduated with a degree in the previous twelve months at the time of application to the program; •• A citizen of a Member State of the Organisation; and •• Fluent in English. A good working knowledge of one of the other official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is highly desirable.

Key Dates The OPCW accepts internship applications two times during the year normally in March and September. Internships are offered at its head office in the Hague, Netherlands.

•• monitor chemical industry to prevent new weapons from re-emerging; •• provide assistance and protection to States Parties against chemical threats; and

Introduction  97


Refugee Law Project http://www.refugeelawproject.org/ Background The Refugee Law Project (‘RLP’) aims to empower asylum seekers, deportees, refugees, internally displaced persons and host communities in Uganda to enjoy their human rights and lead dignified lives. This involves the promotion of the protection, wellbeing and dignity of forced migrants and their hosts, empowering forced migrants and associated communities to challenge and combat injustice in policy, law and practice and to influence national and international debate on forced migration, justice and peace in Uganda. To achieve this, the RLP undertakes research, advocacy, education and training activities and provides medical and legal assistance to affected communities.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities The RLP offers the opportunity to intern in one of their programs or units. These include: •• Conflict, Transitional & Governance •• Access to Justice for Forced Migrants •• Gender and Sexuality Programme •• Mental Health & Psychosocial Wellbeing •• Operations and Programme Support •• Media for Social Change •• Refugee Support Groups

Application Requirements Applicants are required to send a CV, academic or professional references, and covering letter to interns@refugeelawproject.org. The covering letter should include: •• Preferred area of work (program or unit) •• Motivation and expectations from the internship •• What ways the applicant can support RLP’s daily activities •• Duration of stay. Any plans for leave or travelling on holiday should be excluded from the timeframe committed. Many Ugandan students do not have the opportunity to travel to other countries and gain work experience to enrich their CVs. Consequently, the RLP requests that international interns make a contribution equivalent to the cost of hosting a Ugandan volunteer for one month. The Fee is currently $180/ month. For more information, see: http://www.

refugeelawproject.org/files/vacancies/ interncontribution.pdf

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Key Dates The RLP offers international internships, depending on need and available openings. While applications are considered on a rolling basis, RLP advises prospective interns to apply early as only a small number of interns are accepted and the application process is highly competitive. Alternatively, the RLP offers a summer internship program. Interns are accommodated for a shorter time period between May and August. The deadline for the summer program is 15 March and preference is given to those who can commit for longer periods of time.

Reprieve Australia http://www.reprieve.org.au Background Reprieve Australia provides legal and humanitarian assistance to people facing the death penalty. The organisation works to raise awareness of the application of the death penalty by the state and associated human rights issues. Its key activities include investigation, litigation, education and legal support for prisoners who cannot afford representation.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities Reprieve Australia has placed more than 100 volunteer interns with legal services in the US, where they provide legal and humanitarian help to those on death row for periods of three months or more. Reprieve Australia also offers internships in South East Asia for a minimum of one month and place interns with capital defense partners in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Principal Duties On arrival at their placement, interns are given inhouse training. This is designed to familiarise them with the host office and the requirements of the work. Thereafter, their tasks will be extremely varied, and will depend on the particular needs of the office at that time. Tasks range from spending days at a time at a photocopier, to ferrying clients and family members to death row to visit their loved one, to providing courtroom assistance in a capital trial.

Application Requirements Those who are interested in undertaking a Reprieve Volunteer Internship should download an information pack from Reprieve Australia’s website. Interested parties can apply by completing an application form (available on their website) and by attaching the relevant documents. Applications and any queries should be sent to overseas.volunteers@reprieve.org.au.


It is preferred that interns are over the age of 21, demonstrate unshakeable opposition to the death penalty, have strong research skills, show maturity and self-sufficiency, have strong computer skills and be a member of Reprieve Australia.

Key Dates Applicants are accepted at any time during the year for departure at any time. There is no deadline but applicants are recommended to apply at least 6Â months prior to their proposed commencement date.

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Internship Testimonial

Reprieve Australia David Peng I spent the last summer interning at the Louisiana Capital Assistance Center (LCAC) for three months. LCAC is a non-profit law office situated in New Orleans, USA that represents indigent inmates on death row. LCAC’s longterm goal is to abolish the death penalty in Louisiana, and ultimately, the United States by way of legislative reform; their short-term goal is to offer high quality legal representation to clients facing the death penalty in order to get them off death row. My duties consisted largely of administrative work and research. As the State and a large portion of the Deep South are strongly in favour of the death penalty, the difficulty of litigation is exacerbated. I had to process thousands of documents received in discovery (a process involving scanning, indexing and filing every individual page of every document) as well as make Freedom of Information Legislation requests to unsavoury folk who were less than happy to send us their records on “lunatics,” as one records department labelled our clients. Whilst tedious at times, the process was enlightening as it made me appreciate the amount of work that goes into capital defence cases and the incommensurate number of issues attorneys have to deal with in order to bring a case to court. In addition to the aforementioned, I occasionally had the opportunity to accompany attorneys and investigators on client and mitigation witness interviews. This involved speaking to people connected to our client in hopes of eliciting information that would portray their dire circumstances, or highlight external factors that influenced the crime, with the hope that this information

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will lead a court to pronounce life without parole rather than death. Sometimes I would go to prisons to speak to clients themselves, which was an emotionally charged but rewarding experience. The purpose of client visits were so that attorneys could get a better picture of the crime or clear up certain factual ambiguities. Sometimes these visits were purely to keep clients company, as most of them do not get any visitors. What I loved about working at LCAC was the supportive and inclusive environment. Every intern is assigned to a specific case, each with their own team of attorneys and investigators. Team members made sure we had an adequate understanding of the case and all its complexities; this made administrative work much more meaningful as I was aware of how each document or record request was related to the case. Interns were also included on team meetings where the team would discuss their litigation strategy going forward and we were brought along to court to observe. The office wasn’t all work. My favourite social activities include Mardi Gras festivities as well as King Cake Season (basically, a small toy baby is stuffed into a cinnamon cake and whoever gets the piece with the baby in it is responsible for bringing in a cake the following day – this went on for around 40 days).


United Nations Environment Programme http://www.unep.org/

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation

Background

http://en.unesco.org

The United Nations Environment Programme (‘UNEP’) is the leading global environmental authority that promotes sustainably development within the United Nations system and sets the global environmental agenda. It seeks to advocate, educate and promote sustainable development of the global environment.

Background

The UNEP mandate includes: •• Assessing global, regional and national environmental conditions and trends •• Developing international and national environmental instruments •• Strengthening institutions for the wise management of the environment

Internship and/ Career Opportunities UNEP offers internships to students of a variety of disciplines, and selects students, depending on their qualifications, for internships that relate either to the organisation’s strategic activities or to administrative or technical functions.

Application Requirements Applicants must be in in their third or fourth year of an undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate program and must continue to be enrolled during the period of internship and after. They must be willing to commit full-time for a period of at least 3 months. Applicants must also have a letter of endorsement from their education institution. A letter from the Dean of Students or Dean of Faculty, Registrar or Placement Office attesting to the fact that you are currently a registered student and will continue to be enrolled for the envisaged period of the internship will suffice. Fluency in English is mandatory; knowledge of any other UN Language (French of Spanish) is advantageous.

Key Dates Applications are accepted as and when availability arises. Internship opportunities and details of the application process are available at: http://www.unep.org/

vacancies/

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (‘UNESCO’) is a UN affiliated agency. Its aim is to help maintain peace and security through the promotion of education, science and culture among nations. UNESCO strives to build networks among nations that enable this kind of solidarity, by: Mobilising for education: so that every child, boy or girl, has access to quality education as a fundamental human right and as a prerequisite for human development. •• Building intercultural understanding: through protection of heritage and support for cultural diversity. UNESCO created the idea of World Heritage to protect sites of outstanding universal value. •• Pursuing scientific cooperation: such as early warning systems for tsunamis or transboundary water management agreements, to strengthen ties between nations and societies. •• Protecting freedom of expression: an essential condition for democracy, development and human dignity.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities The duration of an internship generally ranges between 2 and 6 months. Interns will have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of UNESCO’s mandate and programs.

Application Requirements Interns must be enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate degree program in a university or equivalent institution at the time of application. Applicants must be undertaking studies in areas related to UNESCO’s fields of competence (namely, education, culture, sciences, communication and social sciences) or in other areas which support UNESCO’s work (such as law, human resource management, management studies, international relations, etc.) The UNESCO stipulates that the following is highly regarded in an applicant: •• Languages: An excellent knowledge, both written and spoken, of at least one of UNESCO’s working languages (English or French). A working knowledge of the other language is an asset, and may be required of candidates for internships in secretarial/ assistant assignments at Headquarters. Introduction  101


•• Computer skills: Ability to use computer systems, email and office-related software (MS Office). •• Attitude: An awareness of the many facets of a multicultural world and a commitment to international public service are essential. UNESCO interns are not paid. All costs related to travel, insurance, accommodation and living expenses must be borne either by the interns or their sponsoring institutions. Furthermore, interns are responsible for all costs arising from accidents/illness incurred during an internship. Interns must show proof of a valid major global medical insurance coverage.

Key Dates Internships are filled on rolling and as-needed basis.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime http://www.unodc.org Background The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (‘UNODC’) is a United Nations affiliated body, devoted to tackling International Crime, terrorism and illicit drugs distribution. The UNODC operates in a variety of countries across the world through an extensive network of field offices. Its activities include; field based operation, research to increase understanding of crime and drugs and assisting states to implement treaties relating to drugs and crime. The UNODC aims to help governments tackle crime by providing research, guidance and support on issues relevant to particular governments.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities Applicants must be enrolled in a University Program both when applying and during the entire program. Internships run for 2 months and are full time. It is recommended that applicants apply at least 2 months in advance of the prospective start date. Regular staff opportunities can be found online, and the requirements and positions vary depending on what is required. Application Requirements Prospective applicants can apply for an internship by directly contacting field offices or for the Vienna Internship Program. Applicants must arrange their own visa and travel requirements, and be able to afford the cost of accommodation, travel and living expenses for the duration of the internship. The internship is unpaid. You also need to be able to provide evidence of valid travel insurance while in Austria.

Key Dates Internships are offered on an ad hoc basis. 102   Global Careers Guidebook

United Nations Office of Legal Affairs http://legal.un.org Background The Office of Legal Affairs (‘OLA’) is the centralised legal service of the United Nations, which provides advice to the Secretariat, and other organs of the United Nations. OLA is dedicated to the progressive development and codification of international public and trade law. It consists of seven key units — the Office of the Under-Secretary General, Office of Legal Counsel, the General Legal Division, the Codification Division, the Division for Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea, the International Trade Law Division, and the Treaty Section.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities The OLA offers a highly competitive unpaid internship program for law students and very recent graduates in its New York office. The length of the internship ranges from two months to six months depending on the needs of the OLA. The successful candidate will then be given work related to the tasks the OLA is currently undertaking though efforts will be made to match the work to the candidate’s expressed area of interest.

Application Requirements Details on the application process and the eligibility requirements are to be found at the following website: http://legal.un.org/ola/employ.aspx .

Key Dates These internships are advertised for application at the beginning of January, May and September. For further details on specific internship opportunities, please review the OLA internship job openings advertised on the UN careers website at https://

careers.un.org.


World Health Organisation http://www.who.int/en/ Background The World Health Organisation’s (‘WHO’) primary purpose is to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations’ system. The organisation works with global health partners, civil society, policy-makers, academia and the private sector to support countries to create, implement and monitor national health plans. WHO assists countries to assure the availability of health services at an affordable price; facilitate access to affordable, safe and effective health technologies and to strengthen health information systems. WHO’s main areas of work include health systems, promoting health, noncommunicable diseases, communicable diseases, corporate services and preparedness, surveillance and response.

Interested individuals can apply by completing an application, which consists of a questionnaire. The questionnaire includes providing details about your education and experience. Prospective applicants will be required to indicate the area of work within WHO that they are hoping to intern with. Applicants will also be asked to write about their motivation for applying for a WHO Internship. For further details please see, http://www.who.int/employment/

internship/interns/en/.

Key Dates Internships are offered on an ad hoc basis. For availabilities see: http://www.who.int/employment/

vacancies/en/

Internship and/ Career Opportunities The WHO Internship Program offers a wide range of opportunities for prospective applicants to gain an insight into the administrative and technical programs of the organisation. The duration of WHO internships is between six to 12 weeks. In exceptional cases, internships may be extended up to a maximum of 24 weeks depending on the needs of the unit and the applicant’s availability. Internships are unpaid and successful applicants will be required to cover the cost of travel and accommodation.

Application Requirements Applicants must meet the following requirements: •• You are at least twenty years of age on the date of application. •• You have completed three years of full-time studies (bachelor’s level or equivalent) at a university or equivalent institution prior to commencing the assignment; or •• You are enrolled in an advanced degree in a graduate school (second university degree, equivalent, or higher) at the time of application; or •• You possess a first degree in a public health, medical or social field related to the technical work of WHO or a degree in a managementrelated or administrative field, and are applying for an internship within six months of graduation. •• You are fluent in the working language of the office of assignment (English or French for WHO Headquarters)

Introduction  103


Internship Testimonial

World Health Organisation Sophia Georgeff

in particular for Hepatitis C Virus treatments. At first I found it challenging working on such a diverse range of topics that I had no previous experience in like HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and antimicrobial resistance; however it quickly became exciting as I learnt more and became comfortable with the content. I attended and contributed to many meetings with organisations such as the World Trade Organisation and the World Intellectual Property Organisation. I attended the TRIPS Council Meeting and a number of conferences on intellectual property, pharmaceuticals, and competition law. I was also fortunate to be an intern during the WHO Executive Board meeting which was a great way for me to see first hand the interaction between the Secretariat and Member States. Most notably I was able to attend the Special Session on the Ebola emergency, where the Member States resolved to end the outbreak and ensure global preparedness for future health emergencies.

I completed a 12 week internship at the World Health Organisation (‘WHO’) in Geneva beginning in January 2015 after my second year of law. I was motivated to apply for an internship at WHO after completing the subject Institutions in International Law. Paired with my recent experiences in Geneva, my interest in public health, and my background in law; I was fortunate to be accepted as an intern. I was an intern in the Public Health, Innovation, and Intellectual Property department at WHO. My role focused on policy issues centred on improving access to medicines in developing countries, ensuring that information on patentprotected products was available, and providing assistance and guidance on intellectual property related issues. My work was largely focused on identifying ways of increasing access to patented medicines, and producing publications on the patent status of medicines globally -

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The internship at WHO allowed me to gain a deep understanding for health, intellectual property, and the internal functioning of international organisations. In addition, the legal and health professionals that I met were very open to discussing their work and were interested in learning about my interests and motivations. The internship experience at WHO is renowned to be one of the best among the international organisations. I was a part of the Intern Board, which coordinates activities and advocates for intern rights. This was a great experience for me as it was a good way to meet people and to become involved in WHO life. I would highly recommend all Melbourne Law School students who are interested in international organisations, and who have a strong interest in public health policy, to apply to the internship program at WHO. It was an invaluable experience.


World Trade Organisation http://www.wto.org/ Background The WTO is an inter-governmental organisation with an overriding purpose to help trade flow as freely as possible between nations. Its goal is to provide governing rules of trade to assist producers of goods and services, as well as exporters and importers, conduct their business. The functions of the WTO include administering trade agreements, providing a forum for trade negotiations, handling trade disputes, monitoring national trade policies, providing technical assistance and training for developing countries and cooperating with other international organisations.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities The WTO Secretariat offers a limited internship program for post-graduate university students that desire a deeper knowledge of the multilateral trading system. Only a limited number of such internship posts are available. Internships are generally for a duration of 24 weeks (6 months).

Principal Duties Assignments given to interns are intended to enhance interns’ knowledge and understanding of the WTO and of trade policy more generally. However, the needs of the Division recruiting an intern will be paramount in determining the precise nature of assignments.

Application Requirements Interns must be from a WTO Member State, be between the ages of 21 and 30, have completed their undergraduate studies in a relevant discipline (e.g. economics, law, political science, international relations) and have completed at least one year of postgraduate studies.

Key Dates Intake to the program is on a continuing basis, with no specific recruitment period. There is no opening or closing date for applications.

Introduction  105



POLICY AND GOVERNANCE


Amnesty International http://www.amnesty.org.au/ Background Amnesty International is a global movement of people committed to promoting and protecting human rights. The organisation has a vision of a world in which every person enjoys all of the rights stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. Amnesty International reveals human rights abuses along with petitioning to end such abuses through advocacy, mobilising members and providing support to those pressuring governments to take action.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities Working with Amnesty International could involve directing one of their many campaigns, including regulation of the global sale of weapons, indigenous rights or refugee rights in Australia. As a large multinational organisation, Amnesty also requires competent employees in HR, management, governance, marketing and fundraising. Internship opportunities are made available on an as needs basis. Opportunities often exist in the following teams throughout the year: •• Media and Public relations •• Finance •• Community Campaigns •• Administration Please note that not all teams in Amnesty International Australia offer internship placements Beyond the internship program, Amnesty International also has a strong volunteer program, which provides more opportunities for young people interested in getting involved with the social justice and human rights-based advocacy work. The Amnesty International website is regularly updated with new volunteer opportunities.

Application Requirements Interested applicants need to address the selection criteria listed in the advertisement and attach a CV that demonstrates any relevant experience they may have. Successful applicants should demonstrate a genuine interest in social justice and liberty, along with excellent communication skills. Internships are different to volunteering. Placements run for a defined length of time, are often based around specific learning requirements and project outcomes, and can be a requirement for certain tertiary study requirements. The nature of internships means that placements are only offered for defined periods. 108   Global Careers Guidebook

Please be aware that Amnesty International’s internships are voluntary, and that they do not provide interns with: •• Any monetary allowances or remuneration •• Accommodation or accommodation allowances •• Assistance with travel or reimbursement of travel costs •• Any assistance in organising visas or completing visa applications

Key Dates When positions are available they will be advertised on Amnesty International’s Internships page.

Attorney General’s Department http://www.ag.gov.au Background The Attorney-General’s Department delivers programs and policies to uphold and improve Australia’s law and justice framework, and strengthen responses to national security, emergency and natural disaster relief. Through the Australian Government Solicitor, the Attorney General’s Department also provides legal services to the Commonwealth, which include legal advice and representation. The department is the central policy and coordinating element of the Attorney-General’s portfolio, for which the Attorney-General, Minister for Home Affairs and Justice, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney-General are responsible. The department is structured into three groups to deliver programs against strategic aims and broader portfolio objectives: Strategic Policy and Coordination Group, Civil Justice and Legal Services Group and National Security and Criminal Justice Group.

Internship and/Career Opportunities Graduate Program The Attorney-General’s Department Graduate Program offers a 12-month development opportunity for candidates passionate about achieving a just and secure society. Upon completion of the program, graduates are guaranteed permanent placement within the department. Intern Program The Department also offers a Summer Intern Program that takes place between November and February each year.


Principal Duties

Internship and/ Career Opportunities

Graduates will participate in a range of learning and development opportunities including specific activities for graduates who are working in a public service environment. There are a variety of policy and program areas that graduates could work in, including: civil justice, family law and legal assistance, criminal justice, law enforcement, crime prevention, national and protective security, native title, emergency management, corporate services and international law.

ASIO has a diverse workforce offering a career in roles including Intelligence, Technical and Trade, Engineers Information Communication Technology, General Administration Support and many other roles you would expect to find in any large organisation.

Summer Interns will be placed in areas of the department that have identified a need for extra resources over the summer period.

Application Requirements Applicants for the Graduate Program must be Australian citizens and have a qualification equivalent to an Australian three-year undergraduate degree. Applicants will also be required to meet health, security and character clearances, and provide evidence of qualifications. To join the Summer Intern Program, you must: be an Australian citizen, have no more than two semesters to complete in your undergraduate degree, or have completed your undergraduate degree not more than three years before the program starts, supply the Department with evidence of your qualifications, and be cleared to Baseline level clearance through an employment screen conducted by the department.

Key Dates Applications for the Graduate Program open 5 March 2015 andclose on 8 April 2015. More information can be found here:https://www.ag.gov.

au/About/Careers/Graduateprogram/Pages/How-toapply.aspx

Applications for the Summer Intern Program generally open in October and close in November. More information can be found here: https://www.ag.gov.

au/About/Careers/Pages/SummerInternProgram.aspx

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation http://www.asio.gov.au/ Background ASIO is Australia’s national security intelligence service. ASIO’s main role is to collect, analyse, and produce intelligence to advise the government with respect to activities or situations that have the propensity to endanger Australia’s national security. ASIO operates under the direction of the Director-General of Security who is responsible to the Attorney-General.

ASIO also has an in house legal team that has grown significantly in recent years.

Principal Duties ASIO’s Office of Legal Counsel is responsible for the provision of in-house legal services to support ASIO’s operational and corporate functions. This includes advising on ASIO’s mandate and functions, legislative interpretation and reform, use of special powers and operations, and management of ASIO’s involvement in criminal and civil litigation. An Intelligence Analyst undertakes research and makes assessments, which lead to developing an in-depth knowledge of specific issues and subject matter. Analysts can work in a variety of different teams becoming subject matter experts in regional and thematic investigations, strategic intelligence, counter terrorism, counter espionage and border security. Analysts are challenged on a daily basis by interesting complex work that is of national importance. ASIO Intelligence Officers collect and analyse information to provide advice to senior management and government on matters of national security. Officers are responsible for the overt and covert collection of national security information. As a case officer you will maintain regular contact with a variety of people, including members of the public who volunteer information, and work with other technical means of collection such as listening and tracking devices and telecommunications interception.

Application Requirements To be eligible for ongoing employment within ASIO you must: •• be an Australian Citizen with a checkable background; Employees of ASIO may have dual Australian-foreign citizenship; however, it is a condition of employment that you do not use your foreign citizenship (including any foreign passport you may hold) for the duration of your employment with ASIO. •• undergo a merit based selection process; •• be willing and able to relocate to Canberra if required; and •• be assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a Positive Vetting security clearance.

Policy and Governance   109


Key Dates ASIO recruits for various roles throughout the year. Interested applicants should monitor the ASIO website for vacancies. Applications for Intelligence Officers received before 27 March 2016 will be considered for the January 2017 intake. To be considered for the July 2017 intake, lodge your application before the end of June 2016.

Australian Secret Intelligence Service http://www.asis.gov.au/ Background Australian Secret Intelligence Service (‘ASIS’) is Australia’s overseas intelligence service. Their mission is to protect and promote Australia’s interests by collecting intelligence about groups and individuals who may endanger Australian citizens.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities ASIS runs a graduate program called ACTIVATE, which runs for a period of 12 months. Upon completion of this program individuals will be considered for further employment. Furthermore, ASIS recruits Intelligence Officers on a regular basis. Intelligence Officers plan, develop and manage intelligence operations overseas, often in exciting and challenging environments.

Application Requirements The applicant must meet the following requirements for the Graduate Program: Australian Citizen; •• Undergraduate and Post-Graduate students in their penultimate year of study can apply, and; •• Students who have graduated within two years and have experience in their field can also apply. Intelligence Officers must meet the following requirements: Australian citizenship; •• Full driver’s license; •• Bachelor’s degree is also preferred

Key Dates Applications for the 2016 Graduate Program can be found on their Website.

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Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.dfat.gov.au/ Background The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (‘DFAT’) role is to advance Australia’s national interest by promoting its interests internationally and contributing to global stability and economic growth. The department provides foreign development and trade policy advice to the government, ensuring that Australia’s pursuit of its global, regional and bilateral interests is coordinated effectively. DFAT is the lead agency managing Australia’s international presence. It manages a network of 95 overseas posts in five continents and has over 4200 staff located in Canberra, state and territory offices and overseas posts. DFAT officers are highly skilled at their work, which includes developing and implementing foreign, trade and development policy, negotiating international agreements, delivering an effective aid program, and providing high quality consular assistance.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities The Policy Graduate Program is for applicants from all academic backgrounds and prepares successful candidates for a career as a generalist policy officer. Policy graduates work to advance Australia’s interests across a broad range of areas — from security to human rights, international trade to development and aid management, and represent Australia in a formal capacity while serving overseas. Graduates undertake a two-year professional development program in Canberra, combining work placements with formal training modules. This enables our graduates to develop a broad knowledge and understanding of the Government’s foreign, trade and aid policy priorities. the international environment and the department’s financial and corporate context. The program commences in February with a comprehensive induction program. After completing the program, graduates are eligible to apply for an overseas posting. Generally, graduates can expect to be in Canberra for up to three years before their first posting.

Principal Duties Policy graduates generally undertake five placements of 5-6 months across key areas of the department’s work. These include multilateral desks (such as disarmament, development issues, counter-terrorism or human rights), bilateral desks (including foreign policy and aid program delivery), trade desks (covering areas such as the WTO, free trade agreements or international finance), development desks (including development and sectoral policy, humanitarian


response and aid management) and corporate desks (such as consular or human resources).

Application Requirements The application process involves several steps including: online application, online testing, online written test, online video interview, online behavioural profile assessment, group interviews and written exercises in Canberra. DFAT recruits graduates from various backgrounds and are looking for students with high-level analytical and communication skills; who are team players, pro-active, practical and results-oriented and can work under pressure. DFAT looks for graduates with a strong record of academic achievement, as well as extra-curricular activities and who have a genuine interest in international issues and understand the contribution Australia can make internationally.

Key Dates Applications for the DFAT Policy Graduate Program generally open in February and close in March.

Global Policy Forum http://www.globalpolicy.org/ Background Global Policy Forum (‘GPF’) is an independent policy watchdog that monitors the work of the United Nations and scrutinises global policymaking. The GPF promotes accountability and citizen participation in decisions on peace and security, social justice and international law. GPF gathers information and circulates it through a comprehensive website, as well as through reports and newsletters. It plays an active role in NGO networks and other advocacy arenas. It organises meetings and conferences and it publishes original research and policy papers.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities Please note that due to legislation in Germany, the GPF only considers applications from persons who will be students at the time of internship only. GPF’s European office is located in the centre of Bonn. GPF Europe expects an intern to stay for at least three months. Those that stay for longer periods of time will learn more and have a richer overall experience. The GPF estimates that monthly subsistence expenses (lodging, transport and food) in Bonn run about 700 Euro. In general, GPF internships are unpaid.

Principal Duties Depending on GPF’s priorities and interns’ capacities, interns are asked to participate in special thematic projects.

Currently, the following issue areas are available: •• International development policy/sustainable development/Post-2015 sustainable development agenda •• Financing for development •• Corporate accountability and corporate influence on international processes •• International tax policy/tax justice Interns are primarily engaged in preparing background information on international policy processes, participating in the preparation of workshops and conferences, writing articles and working papers, and contributing to the GPF Website. Interns also devote some time to office tasks, such as preparing mailings, helping organise meetings, ordering supplies, or just keeping the printer stocked with paper Interns work closely with the director of GPF’s European office and in collaboration with the GPF Office in New York, as well as with other German and European NGOs and international NGO networks.

Application Requirements GPF states that it is imperative that applicants are interested in GPF’s work and have a certain dedication to its aims. The minimum period for an internship with GPF Europe is 12 weeks. GPF Europe is looking for applicants who are students of Political Science/International Law, Political Economy or International Public Policy Studies - but it strongly encourages applications from those outside those fields as well. It considers international experience and a progressive, egalitarian and global outlook more important than academic merits and value social commitment higher than university grades and credit points. The GPF looks for those who are highly talented and able to do serious and critical thinking but who are also ready to do more ordinary tasks with a spirit of enthusiasm and cooperation. It also looks for those who have shown the most active engagement on policy issues parallel to our interests. Excellent English and German language skills are required – and applicants must be enrolled at an academic institution. Applicants must provide: •• a letter describing why you are interested in interning with GPF Europe and what special skills or experience you have that would fit with GPF’s programs, including the proposed starting and ending dates of your internship. •• a resume showing academic accomplishments, work experience, language studies, volunteer experience etc., and; •• a short piece of writing (e.g. course paper) showing your writing skills. Policy and Governance   111


Key Dates Unfortunately, there are no internship positions currently available in New York. GPF Europe usually has one intern position. The next open positions will become available in early 2016 (from January onwards). Please check the website regularly for updates.

Global Public Policy Institute http://www.gppi.net/home/ Background The Global Public Policy Institute (‘GPPi’) is an independent non-profit think tank based in Berlin. GPPi’s mission is to improve global governance through research, policy advice and debate. The GPPi conducts research, offers policy advice and fosters debate in key issues in global politics

Internship and/ Career Opportunities GPPi runs a small, highly selective internship program for current students, or students between Bachelor’s and Masters’ degrees, interested in gaining first-hand experience in public policy research and consulting. GPPi matches the qualifications and interests of interns with their current research, advisory and dialogue projects. GPPi interns will contribute to one of their issue areas: •• Humanitarian Action •• Rising Powers •• Innovation in Development •• Peace & Security •• Human Rights

•• Outstanding academic background in the social sciences, law, history or a related field; •• Interest in and familiarity with the relevant issues of global governance and the key players in the field; •• Excellence through very good grades and/or scholarships; •• Exceptional writing ability, in particular in the English language (short-listed candidates will be required to send writing samples); •• Record of initiative, engagement and entrepreneurial spirit; •• International experience outside of home country is preferred; and •• A good team fit. Applications can be sent to gppi@gppi.net. Please include a copy of your CV with a brief statement of purpose outlining what you expect from an internship with the organisation and what you would bring to GPPi. Shortlisted candidates will be asked for writing samples. Internships are based in their Berlin office. GPPi can pay a €250-per-month contribution to living expenses for those not receiving a scholarship for their internship.

Key Dates Dates vary depending on the type of internship. See their website for further details.

Lowy Institute for International Policy http://www.lowyinstitute.org/

•• Global Internet Politics

Background

•• Monitoring & Evaluation.

The Lowy Institute for International Policy is an independent, nonpartisan, international think tank based in Sydney, Australia, which produces research regarding international trends in policy in Australia and globally. The institute also hosts a range of speakers in the view of deepening discussion in Australia surrounding international issues. The Lowy Institute team of leading experts conducts research through eight primary research divisions: Australia and the World, East Asia, West Asia, Melanesia, International Security, International Economy, Global Issues, and Polling.

The minimum duration for an internship is six weeks of full-time working hours or alternatively ten weeks parttime (minimum 2-3 days per week).

Application Requirements Applicants must have a working language is English. Furthermore, knowledge of German (and other languages such as Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Arabic, Turkish, Russian and French) is advantageous. Candidates must be highly motivated to work in a demanding environment that requires excellent research and analysis as well as communication and project management skills. Applications of successful candidates must demonstrate: •• Strong analytical skills;

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Internship and/ Career Opportunities The Internship Program attracts a large number of outstanding candidates and is highly competitive. Applicants should be interested in contributing to Australian international policy, have excellent time management and administrative skills, think critically, write clearly, and capably manage independent


research tasks. Candidates will have typically completed, or be enrolled in postgraduate studies.

Principal Duties Interns will be conducting different tasks depending on the nature of their internship. However, an example of tasks includes data collection and organisation of events.

Application Requirements Submission of the following will be considered:

•• A CV detailing your professional/academic experience and achievements (strictly two pages maximum); •• A one-page cover letter detailing why you should be considered for an internship with the Lowy Institute; •• A 500-word original blog post on a topic (and in a style) that you believe would be suitable for publication on the Lowy Institute’s blog (www.lowyinterpreter.org). (Not required for Multimedia internship); and •• Contact details for two referees. Furthermore applicants must submit the following form that can be found here: http://www.

lowyinstitute.org/recruitment/apply

Key Dates Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer

partners can find information regarding the WHO FCTC, State obligations under international trade and investment law, and the relationships between them. The Knowledge Hub site also provides information on ongoing trade and investment challenges to the implementation of tobacco control measures. As part of its work, the McCabe Centre also runs an Intensive Legal Training Program. The Program consists of an intensive 3-week training course, conducted twice a year, primarily for government lawyers from low- and middle-income countries, and follow-up information-sharing and support. The Program builds capacity in the use of law to prevent and control cancer and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) particularly in the context of developing coherence between health, trade and investment laws, policies and sectors.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities The McCabe Centre offers both summer and winter internships in partnership with Melbourne Law School. Students must enroll in the subject ‘Legal Internship’ and in doing so will gain subject credit towards their JD whilst undertaking the internship. Interns are primarily tasked with assisting the McCabe Centre’s legal policy advisors with legal and policy research.

Application Process Interested students should see the Careers Online website for details of the application process and dates. The application process typically involves submitting a cover letter and CV, followed by a panel interview for shortlisted candidates.

http://www.mccabecentre.org Background The McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer, a joint initiative between Cancer Council Victoria (CCV) and the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), is based within CCV in Melbourne, Australia. The McCabe Centre conducts research, policy development, capacity building and advocacy. Its aim is to build greater capacity both in Australia and globally in cancer prevention, treatment, supportive care and research. The Centre’s work spans diverse areas of domestic and international law including health law, consumer protection law, constitutional law, trade law, investment law, intellectual property law, drug control law and human rights law. The McCabe Centre performs the functions of a WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on matters within its expertise, in particular legal challenges to the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). Through the McCabe Centre Knowledge Hub website, parties and interested

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Internship Testimonial

McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer Erin Ryan I completed a legal internship with the McCabe Centre as part of Melbourne Law School’s PILI Internship Program. Generally these internships run during the summer or winter semester breaks but as I was overseas as part of an elective subject I was fortunate to instead be able to intern two days a week for the duration of the second semester of my second year of the JD. My work largely consisted of assisting the Centre’s legal policy advisors with legal research. One of my main tasks was to assist with a webinar the Centre held in conjunction with Cancer Council Victoria entitled ‘Alternative Therapies in Cancer Care – Regulation and Risk’. The webinar was held in response to concerns expressed by many health professionals about alternative therapies offered to their patients by unregistered health practitioners. My work predominantly involved assisting Dr Deborah Lawson, one of the presenters in the webinar and a legal policy advisor for the Cancer Council and the McCabe Centre, to draft her presentation, which centered on the laws surrounding the regulation of unregistered health practitioners in Victoria and the avenues available for making complaints. This work required me to undertake legal research on various areas of the law including health law, consumer protection law, and tort law. Another task I was assigned was to draft case notes on recent legal challenges to the implementation of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (‘WHO FCTC’) designed for publication on the McCabe Centre’s Knowledge Hub website. The case notes I worked on covered legal challenges to domestic tobacco control measures in the Netherlands, Colombia, Israel and New Zealand. I was fortunate in that part of my internship coincided with the Intensive Legal Training Program the Centre runs. During this time, I was able to sit in on training sessions that covered legal issues and topics such as intellectual property law, international trade and investment law 114   Global Careers Guidebook

and constitutional and administrative law challenges to tobacco control. The opportunity to sit in on these sessions presented a great learning experience and a wonderful opportunity to learn more about aspects of the law I had limited prior knowledge of. It was also excellent to have the opportunity to speak with many of the program participants who had travelled to Melbourne for the program from a diverse range of countries and who were all passionate about the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases. Overall, my internship was a very positive experience and I am grateful to those at the McCabe Centre for allowing me to contribute to the wonderful work the Centre undertakes. My internship was a great way to gain practical legal experience and confirmed my own interest in pursuing a career combining both policy and the law. Through my internship, I developed a better understanding of the role law can play in the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases particularly in regards to tobacco control. I was exposed to a number of different areas of law, which will no doubt play a part in my choice of elective subjects for the remainder of my degree. I highly recommend students to participate in the PILI internship program as it is a great way to gain practical legal experience while getting credit towards your degree.


New York City Commission on Human Rights http://nyc.gov/humanrights Background The New York City Commission on Human Rights is based in New York, USA. The Commission is charged with the enforcement of the Human Rights Law, Title 8 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, and with educating the public and encouraging positive community relations. There are two main branches of the Commission: law enforcement (which investigates and prosecutes violations of the law) and community relations (a public educations service).

Internship and/ Career Opportunities Career opportunities are listed under the Home tab on the main page of the Commission’s website. The Commission does not have any set internship programs in place.

Application Requirements Admission to the New York State bar is required for several of the legal positions. Further, you will need a working visa to work in the United States of America if you are not an American citizen.

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Internship Testimonial

New York City Commission on Human Rights Kara Connolly I initiated contact with the New York City Commission on Human Rights (‘NYCCHR’) in June 2012 and began the internship that August. The Commissioner at the time, Patricia L. Gatling, was invited to my undergraduate university (Trinity College Dublin) to give a guest lecture. Through a mutual contact, I began writing to the Commission and was invited to intern there for a couple of months upon finishing my degree. The NYCCHR is the governmental agency that enforces the NYC Human Rights Law. This body of law is one of the most comprehensive civil rights laws in the United States. It protects individuals from discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations (stores, restaurants, doctors’ offices, theaters, etc.) based on a number of protected classes (such as race, age, disability, national origin, creed, marital status, etc.). My internship was spent mainly in the Commission’s Law Enforcement Bureau where I assisted staff attorneys in interviewing prospective complainants, reviewing case files, reading and summarising witness statements and other relevant materials. A large chunk of my time was spent drafting ‘No Probable Cause’ decisions, which was the document issued by the Commission to Complainants that provided reasons for not pursuing their case further. This was a particularly challenging task as often Complainants would seek further legal advice based on the information and reasons given in this document, so it had to be extremely precise and well-reasoned. Apart from legal services, I observed the various programs and services the Commission provided. The Commission, with its thorough investigations, efficient handling of discrimination cases, and its public education, is a model for other cities and countries to follow. They receive many visitors and human rights officials throughout the year who want to learn about civil and human rights law and the work of the Commission. This meant that not only did I get firsthand legal experience, but an insight into the 116   Global Careers Guidebook

broader implications of having a model legal system. For example, in my time there, the Bangladesh government sent a team of human rights lawyers to learn from the work of the Commission so that they could integrate some of its mechanisms into the Bangladesh human rights legal framework. I also observed the work of the Commission’s Community Relations Bureaus. I visited the different field offices and attended presentations and workshops with the Commission’s Human Rights Specialists, who spoke on a range of issues involving discrimination. One of my favourite parts of the internship was the attorney’s Friday morning meeting. At 9am sharp, every attorney (there were around fifteen) would sit around a board table, with the Deputy Commissioner, and occasionally the Commissioner herself, at the head. There would always be trays of donuts and creamy takeaway coffee in polystyrene cups. As we sat around the board table, the Deputy Commissioner would grill the attorneys on their legal analysis of cases and the decisions they had reached in the last week. The purpose of these meetings was for each to learn from the reasoning of others and to, of course, ensure consistency by treating like cases alike. Given that the Deputy Commissioner signed off on every decision to refuse or pursue a case, he had to be privy to the intimates of each decision. The meetings would foster discussion of the merits of the decision, the credibility of the complainant and whether there had been any similar cases that had been referred to the Commission in the past that would warrant the intervention of the Commissioner. Although the internship was due to last for four months, it ended after three because Hurricane Sandy swept through the financial district where the Commission’s


office was situated. All IT services in the thirty-odd story tall skyscraper were suspended for over three months. In many ways, this only added to the experience, as I learned the bare essentials needed for running a Commission! Being around motivated and dedicated lawyers working on social justice issues is an experience that I would recommend to anyone currently undertaking the JD. I was provided with an insight as to how the law can affect the everyday lives of New Yorkers from the language of job advertisements to the classification of sexual harassment in the workplace. Witnessing the interplay between social expectations and the development of legal norms gave me an appreciation of quasi-judicial bodies and their unique and indispensable place in the domestic legal system.

Save the Children www.savethechildren.org Background Save the Children is the world’s largest independent child rights development organisation. The organisation works in approximately 120 countries and has 30 member organisations around the world including Save the Children Australia. Much of their work involves: providing lifesaving supplies and emotional support for children caught up in disasters like floods, famine and wars; campaigning for long-term change to improve children’s lives; improving children’s access to the food and healthcare; securing a good quality education for children; protecting the world’s most vulnerable children, including those separated from their families because of war, natural disasters, extreme poverty and exploitation; and work in the poorest countries to help families out of the poverty cycle, so they can feed and support their children.

Internship and/Career Opportunities Save the Children offers a number of unpaid internship positions in the US, in its Fairfield, CT and Washington DC offices as well as in some of its other U.S. Field Offices. Internships are offered throughout the spring, summer and fall semesters. Interns will have the opportunity to work under the direct supervision of an experienced Save the Children staff member, within a specific department, to expand their knowledge of the humanitarian aid, non-profit industry, while at the same time develop skills and experience in their chosen field or career. Their work is focused on advancing important projects such as: program and

policy research, internet and social media projects, communications and campaigns, and fundraising. Interns are required to work a minimum of 15 to 20 hours per week with a maximum of 38 hours per week. Internships are unpaid and Save the Children does not offer housing arrangements.

Application requirements •• Candidates must be an actively enrolled undergraduate or graduate student. •• Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. •• Candidates must be able to receive credit from their college or institution. A minimum requirement is a letter from a professor supporting the candidate. This is only needed when an internship is offered. Interested applicants should check Save the Children’s website regularly for current intern opportunities and apply directly online. Volunteer opportunities and internships are also regularly available within Australia through Save the Children’s Australian branch.

Transparency International http://www.transparency.org http://transparency.org.au Background Transparency International is a global, nongovernmental organisation, which monitors and publicises corporate and political corruption in international development. The organisation began in 1993, and is now present in over 100 countries. Transparency International brings people together in a powerful worldwide coalition to end the devastating impact of corruption on men, women and children around the world. Its mission is to create change towards a world free of corruption. Transparency International seeks to achieve its aims by acting as a repository for whistle-blower information, commissioning and producing reports, working papers, and policy recommendations on corruption through to its Anti-Corruption Research Network, a comprehensive network linking academics and specialists in the field. Many of the job opportunities with Transparency International are based at their secretariat offices in Berlin, although there are a number of programs across the Asia Pacific region as well. One such program is the Advocacy and Legal Advice Centres (ALACs) of which there are five in the Asia Pacific region: Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Fiji and Nepal. The Centres provide free and confidential legal advice to victims and witnesses of corruption.

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Internship opportunities Transparency International offers internships throughout the year. The Secretariat in Berlin has an established program, yet it is possible to apply directly to regional offices. Regional positions are advertised on the main website.

Principal Duties As a general rule, the internships will include: substantive project work to be carried out as autonomously as possible and over an extended period of time; standard office proceedings (correspondence, editing of articles for TI publications, etc.), correspondence as instructed by the responsible manager and secretarial or administrative work. 
The concrete nature of the internship will be agreed upon with the director of the hosting department of TI Secretariat, while the exact activities and projects for internships will depend on the specific needs of regional, project and other functional teams at the Secretariat.

Key Dates Monitor the site to see when Transparency International offers internships. For International job postings, visit:

http://www.transparency.org/whoweare/work.

World Vision http://www.worldvision.com.au Background World Vision is a global community development, and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people and serves all people regardless of culture, religion, ethnicity or gender. They achieve this through relief and development, collaboration, policy advocacy and change, education about poverty, social justice and spiritual and Christian-based values. World Vision is active in over 96 countries, and works on a number of projects including: •• Food and nutrition •• Climate change •• Child protection and trafficking •• Emergencies •• HIVS and AIDS education and prevention •• Gender Equality •• Mental and child health •• Water, sanitation and hygiene

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World Vision’s work is project-based. Their approach is to consult with the community to identify projects and prioritise according to their needs. Once a project has been identified they design the project and a budget is prepared. World Vision seeks to involve local communities in the implementation of their projects, empowering them to become selfreliant through a range of activities that may include agricultural training, leadership development and small business workshops.

Internship and/ Career Opportunities World Vision recruits for a variety of roles in a variety of fields including international development, marketing or accounting. Positions are available on a needs-basis, as such it is important to regularly monitor the World Vision Australia website for vacancies. For internship and career opportunities with World Vision Australia, visit:

http://careers.worldvision.com.au/caw/en/listing/

For job vacancies with World Vision International, visit:

https://jobs.wvi.org/


Afterword Letter from the President The GLSA Careers Guidebook is a labour of love. The information that has been laboriously researched and compiled this year is an expression of the passion that is at the heart of our organisation. The GLSA is a group dedicated to exploring the opportunities to work overseas, to deal with different cultures and legal systems and to explore international law. Our key goal as an organisation is to share information about these opportunities and to foster interest in international legal issues. The Guidebook is at the forefront of these efforts. In these pages we have included all the information we have gathered throughout the year. This ranges from material on how to become accredited and seek legal jobs in other jurisdictions, to recommendations on internships and how to pursue careers in the public interest. We hope you enjoy the publication and are able to make use of it. For those who wish to contribute, we welcome submissions or feedback. Moreover, all law students are members of the GLSA and everyone is able to apply for positions with the group including the position of editor of the Guidebook. It is with sincere gratitude that I thank all those who contributed to the creation the 2015/16 GLSA Guidebook, in particular, the Careers Directors Erin Ryan and Priiyanca Nadarajah, whose vision, commitment and tireless efforts have made this publication possible. They were assisted by two dedicated Careers Co-opts – Amy Liu and Lucy Wang. The team’s hard work is deeply appreciated by everyone in the GLSA and we are proud of what they have accomplished. Finally, our thanks must also extend to our key sponsors and the Melbourne Law School, whose continued support makes the Guidebook and the GLSA possible.

Pei Xuan Liu

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