careersguide 2012 page1
Practical legal training at Anu Legal Workshop Your Pathway to Legal Practice Information law.anu.edu.au/legalworkshop T 02 6125 4463 E lwsa@law.anu.edu.au CRICOS# 00120C | 110412COL
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The ANU Legal Workshop is Australia’s largest university-based legal practice program. We provide practical legal training in the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP). Becoming a Practitioner (BAP) is the first part of the program and is a 5 day pre-requisite face-to-face intensive offered in cities Australia wide. We also offer: > flexible on-line delivery > concurrent enrolment with your LLB & JD studies > your choice of 20, 40, 60 or 80 day Legal Practice Experience > direct or reciprocal admission to legal practice nationally > Substantial credit towards an ANU LLM. We have an efficient and friendly administrative team who are available to answer any questions students may have about the program. Many of our academic staff are practising lawyers.
Becoming a Practitioner (BAP) face-to-face intensives for 2012: Adelaide 28 May 2012 Darwin 18 June 2012 Melbourne & Sydney 25 June 2012 Brisbane & Canberra 2 July 2012 Melbourne 3 Sep 2012 Canberra 10 Sep 2012 Canberra & Townsville 19 Nov 2012 Perth & Sydney 26 Nov 2012 Toowoomba 26 Nov 2012 (may be subject to change) Adelaide 17 Dec 2012 page3
Contents & Acknowledgements
Contents Foreword
5
Introduction
7
Boost your CV, Enter a Competition
13
Learn from our Graduates
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GDLP Options
18
Sitting at the Bench
21
The Farmer wants a Lawyer
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Contacts
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Editor Matthew Doran USALSA Education & Careers Director Eliza-Ann Brown USALSA Marketing & Sponsorship Director Stephanie Hastie Photography Royce Kurmelovs Contributors Phoebe Bowden Andrew Carpenter Danielle Macolino Matthew Minucci Mary Scrafton Karena Milios
S
pecial thanks to‌
Chief Justice of South Australia, The Hon John Doyle AC for taking the time to write the foreword for this publication. Thank you to all members of the USALSA Committee for their assistance in creating this publication. Lastly, a very big thank you to our sponsors. This would not have been possible without your support.
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Foreword
Foreword
A
degree in law opens the way to many interesting and rewarding careers. Many graduates take up the practice of the law. There are many different ways of doing so, quite apart from the basic choice between a career as a solicitor and a career as a barrister. Many graduates find their chosen career in other fields in which a law degree is a valuable qualification. But for everyone the starting point is obtaining a degree in law, and for those who wish to practice, a practical qualification. How to find your way forward, especially at the start of the degree, can be a challenge for some. This Guide will help law students find their way during the period in which they obtain their academic qualification, and will help them make the choices that will lead to their chosen career. I congratulate the Law Students’ Association on publishing the Guide.
The Hon John Doyle AC Chief Justice of South Australia
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BORN GL BAL At Baker & McKenzie we are different in the way we think, work and behave. Like no other law firm we were born global. Right from the beginning we’ve been offering a genuinely global perspective and operating without boundaries around the world. Our established global reach offers you an extraordinary career in the global economy, exchanging rich local insights and knowledge with the best legal minds from all over the world every day. And our unrivalled regional and local development programs will make you a truly global lawyer. Fast. We’re an entrepreneurial firm where new ideas and innovation are encouraged at all levels. A place where small teams and a personal approach to your career means you can go as far and fast as your talents and drive will take you.
Ready to explore our world? www.bakermckenzie.com/careers
Natalie Pinto in Melbourne: +61 3 9617 4349 Posy McGrane in Sydney: +61 2 8922 5482
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Introduction
Welcome to the USALSA Careers Guide 2012 Who we are The University of South Australia Law Students’ Association (USALSA) represents the interests of UniSA law students to the university, the profession and the wider community. Formed in 2008, USALSA organises social, academic and career events whilst also providing a forum for students to voice their opinions and ideas about studying at UniSA School of Law. Our members are dynamic and enthusiastic individuals who have chosen to study at UniSA using the challenging trimester system. Our demanding trimester format prepares students for the pressures that a career in the law is likely to deliver and reinforces the importance of a healthy work and life balance. USALSA, in conjunction with the UniSA School of Law, are committed to producing practicalfocused, forward thinking lawyers who are well equipped to meet the challenges of the ever changing law world.
Objective of the Guide USALSA’s intention in publishing a Careers and Education Guide every year is to inform students studying law at UniSA of the opportunities that a law degree creates whilst also offering practical study and career advice. We hope that this guide will help you to direct your focus in law, whether it be to enhance your skills during your degree or to find an area of law that you will pursue after your time at university.
Career Overview While a law degree can provide students with a career in law, it also gives students unique and valuable skills that can be used in other fields. A law degree is often combined with that of another discipline such as business, marketing, finance, journalism, international relations or hospitality. A degree in law provides skills useful for all students seeking a challenging and rewarding experience, providing benefits both personally and professionally.
If you have any questions or comments about this year’s guide, please contact Eliza-Ann Brown, Education & Careers Director educationcareers@usalsa.org
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L I P M A N
K A R A S
Header
LK L I P M A N K A R A S
Local Presence
Global Opportunities
Lipman Karas is a specialist legal practice representing corporate, government and private clients.
A career at Lipman Karas provides opportunities and experiences that are unrivalled in South Australia.
With offices in Adelaide, Hong Kong and London, our team has a proven track record of consistently outstanding results in some of the most challenging, complex and high profile commercial litigation in the Asia Pacific region and internationally.
Lipman Karas offers practitioners a chance to work with lawyers who are recognised as leaders in their field on litigation projects, investigations and inquiries that are unique in both magnitude and complexity across many jurisdictions. Clerkship applications close 22 April 2012. For information regarding the application process please visit www.lipmankaras.com
page8 a specialist legal practice
Adelaide | Hong Kong | London
L II P P M M A A N N L
K A A R R A A SS K
LK L I P M A A N N L I P M A N K A R A A SS K A R A S
Clerkships at Lipman Karas Applying or Applying for for clerkships clerkships can can be be aa daunting daunting process. process. Top-tier Top-tier or mid-level? or mid-level? Corporate, Corporate, commercial, commercial, family, family, criminal? criminal? Transactions Transactions or litigation? you are are litigation? Adelaide-based, Adelaide-based, interstate interstate or or overseas? overseas? Whether Whether you approaching graduated, approaching the the end end of of your your Law Law degree degree or or have have already already graduated, itit can expected can seem seem intimidating intimidating to to think think that that you you are are being being tacitly tacitly expected to even to determine determine your your ultimate ultimate career-path career-path before before you you have have even decided decided an an area area in in which which you you might might like like to to practice! practice! Lipman but for for Lipman Karas Karas is is aa unique unique firm. firm. Not Not unique unique just just for for Adelaide, Adelaide, but Australia. has firmly firmly Australia. Since Since its its establishment establishment in in 2004, 2004, Lipman Lipman Karas Karas has entrenched Australia entrenched itself itself as as aa premier premier complex complex litigation litigation firm firm in in Australia and and Hong Hong Kong. Kong. The The firm’s firm’s reputation reputation means means that that its its practitioners practitioners conduct from Perth, Perth, conduct matters matters originating originating from from all all corners corners of of the the world: world: from to United to Sydney, Sydney, Hong Hong Kong, Kong, Malaysia, Malaysia, the the Channel Channel Islands, Islands, the the United States, examples. States, and and even even the the Netherlands, Netherlands, to to identify identify but but aa few few examples. The matters The opportunity opportunity to to work work on on these these high-profile high-profile international international matters allows very allows our our practitioners practitioners to to diversify diversify their their practical practical experience experience very early early in in their their career career -- whilst whilst based based in in Adelaide! Adelaide!
Local Presence
Another Another unique unique feature feature of of Lipman Lipman Karas Karas is is the the work work environment. environment. At will hierarchy At Lipman Lipman Karas Karas you will not not work work at at the the bottom bottom of of aa tall tall hierarchy Lipman Karas is ayou specialist legal practice representing corporate, of work of authority; authority; clerks clerks are are regularly regularly given given the the opportunity opportunity to to work government and private clients. directly same type type directly for for senior senior practitioners, practitioners, and and are are engaged engaged in in the the same With offices Adelaide, Hong Kong and London,as has a of that they would expected to an associate. of work work that in they would be be expected to perform perform asour an team associate. proven track record consistently resultsas some of Practitioners are split into an example, Practitioners are not notofartificially artificially split outstanding into departments; departments; asinan example, the most challenging, complex and of high profile commercial litigation II work primarily on number completely separate matters, work primarily on aa small small number of completely separate matters, in the Asia Pacific region andthe internationally. across the Islands, United Weekly across the Channel Channel Islands, the United States, States, and and Australia. Australia. Weekly team offices (via (via team meetings meetings with with both both the the Adelaide Adelaide and and Hong Hong Kong Kong offices video and video link) link) ensure ensure that that everyone everyone is is always always kept kept in in the the loop loop and has conducted has an an ongoing, ongoing, wide wide understanding understanding of of the the work work being being conducted throughout throughout the the firm. firm.
Seasonal clerks clerks and and practitioners practitioners alike alike are are given given great great opportunities opportunities Seasonal to work work not not only only individually individually but but in in close-knit close-knit team team environments, environments, to as and and when when our our matters matters require. require. As As aa consequence, consequence, itit is is not not as uncommon for for elements elements of of work work conducted conducted by by our our clerks clerks to to find find its its uncommon way into into substantive substantive client client advices advices or or in in submissions submissions before before senior senior way appellate courts courts in in foreign foreign jurisdictions! jurisdictions! ItIt has has been been aa great great source source appellate of pride pride for for me me when when my my research research has has been been lifted lifted to to such such lofty lofty of heights. My My work work has has extended extended from from drafting drafting and and proofreading proofreading court court heights. documents for for filing filing in in active active litigation, litigation, to to conducting conducting substantive, substantive, documents exacting legal legal and and factual factual research, research, commissioned commissioned for for the the purpose purpose exacting of substantive substantive advices, advices, submissions submissions and and pleadings. pleadings. of The office office environment environment at at Lipman Lipman Karas Karas makes makes the the firm firm much much more more The than just just aa nice nice place place to to work; work; from from the the incredibly incredibly well-stocked well-stocked LK LK than Café, to to the the beautiful beautiful views views of of Adelaide Adelaide from from the the hills hills to to the the ocean, ocean, Café, and the the wide wide variety variety of of artwork artwork scattered scattered throughout, throughout, Lipman Lipman Karas Karas is is and great place place to to enjoy enjoy more more leisurely leisurely pursuits. pursuits. Friday Friday night night drinks drinks give give aa great the team team an an opportunity opportunity to to wind wind down down after after aa week week of of hard hard work, work, and and the on regular regular occasions occasions these these drinks-sessions drinks-sessions turn turn into into Wii Wii and and table table on tennis tournaments. tournaments. Other Other social social activities activities include include charitable charitable pursuits, pursuits, tennis A career at Lipman Karas provides experiences from planting trees for for Trees for Life Lifeopportunities to sponsoring sponsoringand staff members from planting trees Trees for to staff members that are in unrivalled Australia. running in the City City in to South Bay. Lipman Lipman Karas also also has has its its own own social social running the to Bay. Karas indoor soccer soccer team, team, which which is is always always looking looking for for new new talent! talent! indoor Lipman Karas offers practitioners a chance to work with lawyers Working for for Adelaide’s Adelaide’s most most unique unique firm firm is is an an experience experience that Working who are recognised as leaders in their field on litigationthat projects, have cherished cherished and and an an opportunity opportunity to to strive strive for. for. Lipman Lipman Karas’ Karas’ small small IIinvestigations have and inquiries that are unique in both magnitude and size relative relative to to the the large-scale large-scale and and complex complex matters matters we we run run combined combined size complexity across many jurisdictions. with its its enviable enviable commercial commercial reputation reputation ensures ensures that that clerks clerks hit hit the the with ground running from day dayclose one. 22 you are2012. ready to to take take on on aa challenging challenging ground running from one. IfIf you are ready Clerkship applications April and diverse clerkship, clerkship, makethe sure you apply apply process at Lipman Lipman Karas.visit and diverse make sure you at Karas. For information regarding application please
Global Opportunities
www.lipmankaras.com Sanjay Schrapel Sanjay Schrapel Associate, Lipman Karas
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Hong Kong Kong || London London Adelaide | Hong
Education - Competitions
CV Gold - Enter a Competition
W
hether you’re a fresh faced first year or a frantic final year student, competitions are an essential part of your law degree.
Competitions allow you to develop your advocacy and research skills without the added pressure of being graded on your performance. Competitions normally consist of simulated legal situations such as mooting, legal negotiation, client interviews and witness examinations. Academics within the UniSA School of Law, as well as experienced members of the judiciary and practitioners from some of South Australia’s most respected firms, have generously offered assistance to judge and train students.
Mooting Advocacy plays a vital role in the study and practice of law and mooting competitions offer a great opportunity to develop skills in this area. As students are required to moot throughout their degrees during subjects such as Constitutional Law, Administrative Law and Tort Law, competitions are a useful way of building confidence without the pressure of being assessed and graded on performance. Simply, mooting competitions simulate what it is like to be an advocate in court. After being given a set of facts, students will act as prosecution or defence counsel and present legal arguments for their clients. Students must present an argument to the court which relies upon relevant cases and legislation. Students are evaluated based upon the persuasiveness of their written and oral submissions, their knowledge of law, style of presentation and their ability to deal with questions from the judge. Following the success of the 2009, 2010 and 2011 competitions, USALSA has again held competitions in 2012. Our Lipman Karas Open Moot Winners will be sent to the national ALSA Conference Competition in July. USALSA will also be holding a First Year Mooting Competition, sponsored by Kelly & Co, in Trimester 3 of 2012.
Negotiation Negotiation is another essential skill used in practice and negotiation competitions allow students to develop their teamwork and problem solving skills. As negotiations are sometimes used as a form of assessment, participating in these competitions allows students to attempt a negotiation without the pressure of being graded. Negotiation competitions allow students to gain both practice and understanding in negotiating. Students work in teams to negotiate a solution to a hypothetical dispute between two clients. Participants must be aware of what their client wants, but also what the other party wants.
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Education - Competitions
Negotiation requires both strategy and planning to get the best possible outcome for your client. Our Cowell Clarke Negotiation Competition Winners will also be sent to the national ALSA Conference Competition.
Client Interview Client Interview simulates what happens when a lawyer interviews a client to establish the facts of a case and suggest a possible course of action. The lawyer needs to build a relationship with a client while making sure to ask the right questions.This scenario builds skills not only relevant to legal practice but in any field that requires interaction with other people.
Witness Examination Similar to mooting, a witness examination allows a student to develop their confidence by facing a judge and asking questions of a witness. The kinds of questions asked will depend on whether the student is conducting an examination in chief or a cross-examination. An examination in chief is where the student asks open questions of their witness which allow them to tell their story in as much detail as possible. This always happens before the other party’s lawyer cross-examines the witness. Cross-examination is designed to test the witness’ evidence presented in their examination in chief. It is also important in obtaining evidence which the witness did not give and which is likely to favour your client. Cross-examination requires effective strategy and the lawyer should ask questions without allowing the witness to interject. There are specific rules to both examination in chief and cross-examination. As such, the other party may object to prevent a witness answering a question. The same question may have to be asked in a different way or abandoned entirely. Our Caldicott & Co Witness Examination Winner will be sent to the national ALSA Conference Competition in July.
How do I get involved? For more information on training sessions, please see the USALSA website or contact the Competitions Director, Thuy Le - competitions@usalsa.org Keep an eye out for information regarding the First Year Moot later this year. USALSA’s other competitions have been run and won for 2012, so start considering them for next year!
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“It’s all about our people”
If you are ambitious and smart, have plans for your career and are looking to join a firm that will help you grow both personally and professionally, then we want to speak with you. A clerkship at Kelly & Co. gives you an opportunity to experience working in a major local commercial law firm and to get a taste of a wide range of practice areas.
Banking & finance Commercial transactions Litigation & dispute resolution Employment & workplace relations Energy & resources Family law Insolvency & recoveries Intellectual property & IT Media & entertainment Private clients Property Infrastructure & construction Taxation & superannuation Trade practices Wealth management & succession
Level 21 Westpac House 91 King William Street Adelaide SA 5000 page12
GPO Box 286 Adelaide SA 5001
Our clients
Our practice areas
Kelly & Co. might just be the right place for you. ABC BankSA Billabong Channel Seven Clemenger BBDO Clipsal/Schneider Elders Harris Scarfe Hills Industries Network Ten Rural Bank SA Film Corporation Santos Veolia Wallis Cinemas Westpac
T +61 8 8205 0800 F +61 8 8205 0805 E kellyco@kellyco.com.au
www.kellyco.com.au ABN 95 723 883 859
Clerkship at Kelly & Co. I completed my clerkship with Kelly & Co. in February 2008. As part of my six-week clerkship, I did two rotations, one in a commercial practice group with a focus on corporate advisory work and one in energy and resources dispute resolution. The structure of the Kelly & Co. clerkship enabled me to discover what kind of lawyer I wanted to be. When I started my clerkship, like many law students, I was not sure which practice group would suit me, although I had a general interest in energy and resources. I suspected I would not enjoy litigation. Four years later, I am still working with my clerkship supervisor in energy and resources dispute resolution. As it turns out, litigation was for me. One of the great things about clerking (and working) at Kelly & Co. is its position in the South Australian legal market. Kelly & Co. is a place where each partner will know who you are and you will be acknowledged for your work,
www.kellyco.com.au
even at a junior level. At the same time, you will be exposed to the best clients and the best work. One of the things that attracted me to Kelly & Co. was its structured clerkship program. At Kelly & Co. you will be involved in a seminar program aimed at developing your practical legal skills. The law in practice can be very different to the study of law and practical guidance from a junior practitioner on how to effectively draft a research memo may be the piece of information which enables you to succeed in your clerkship. Everyone at Kelly & Co. is happy to assist and provide you with constructive feedback. All you need to do is ask. At Kelly & Co. you will spend your clerkship with a group of fellow clerks who will be excellent sounding boards for your ideas. I was part of a group of seven clerks, all of whom have remained my friends. A less obvious advantage of a clerkship group
is that, on the first day, there is a feeling of ‘safety in numbers’. Kelly & Co. is a friendly place and you will quickly get to know people across the firm. Following the completion of my summer clerkship, I joined Kelly & Co. as a law clerk and then following my admission as a solicitor. In our energy and resources group, I have had the opportunity to work for a range of clients from publically listed resource companies to junior explorers. Kelly & Co has a great culture. Working on high profile, interesting litigation necessarily places demands on your time but late nights are not the norm and are not expected. A clerkship at Kelly & Co. will enable you to try different practice areas and experience the best work in a friendly and professional environment.
Kate Brandon | Solicitor
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Learn from our Graduates
Been there, Done that...
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ho better to give advice to current UniSA Law Students than two of our own graduates Andrew Carpenter & Danielle Macolino give their insights into life after university.
Andrew Carpenter Where have I been working? The past year I have been working as a Solicitor for Nicholls Gervasi Lawyers and a part time Tutor of Introduction to Business Law at Uni SA. What work do I do? As a first year Lawyer, I started by taking the stagnant and boring files which no other Solicitor wanted to deal with. This is quite normal for first year lawyers as you have no client base and you have to take whatever work you can get. This was a great learning base for me and allowed me to see how to run a file. To date, I have approximately 70 of my own files and do not deal with the boring files that I used to. My files range from Criminal, Negligence, Administrative Law, Property Law, Contractual Issues, Civil Litigation and some Family Law. I do a lot of court work at my firm. There is myself and two other lawyers in my firm who have had a lot of court experience. The other lawyers at my firm do not like going to court so I do a lot of their court matters. I thrive on going to court as I have come to love advocacy. Do I enjoy the job? I love my job. I love how it is intellectually stimulating as I have different things to do on a daily basis and love the challenge of
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new and difficult matters. Although I can’t go to courts or jail on a daily basis like I would love, a lot of the work is in the office. It is still interesting. Advice for new Graduates? My best advice would be to get as much practical legal training as possible. I worked for free at a Criminal Firm for 14 months and did a short internship in Malaysia and the experience is invaluable. Also, I have realised that doing a Law degree does not prepare you for being a Lawyer. You graduate with probably 5 per cent of the knowledge you need to be a good lawyer. Law School teaches you how to think like a lawyer, not act like one. The hardest part is putting your studies into practice. The best example I can think of is similar to an Apprentice Tradie on their first day. Although you may have five years study behind you, you cant go out on your own and build houses. You have to start from scratch and learn all the ins and out of the legal world. You will basically be an apprentice graduate. The other best advice I could share is do not be arrogant. A lot of graduate lawyers act like the arrogant legal characters portrayed on television. The legal fraternity is a very small fraternity. Respect everyone, from court staff to clients and ESPECIALLY support staff as a bad reputation will ruin your fresh career. Apart from that, enjoy the ride.
Learn from our Graduates
Danielle Macolino Where have I been working? I have been working as a Solicitor at Lynch Meyer Lawyers. What work do I do? I work in the areas of property development, commercial construction, aged care and retirement villages. My work ranges from litigation in building disputes, to commercial leasing, contracts, property development and general commercial advice to both the property and aged care clients. Do I enjoy the job? I love my job! It was well worth the hard yards at university. I am lucky enough to work with very experienced practitioners who have become fantastic mentors. I am given a lot of responsibility to manage my own files, but my supervisors are always there to guide me. I have much more client contact than I initially thought I would as a graduate, and the diverse areas I work in means that I am constantly learning new things, and furthering my skills as a practitioner. Advice for new Graduates? Don’t freak out! University teaches you how to think like a lawyer, practice teaches you how to be one. As a graduate you are not expected to know everything, and you are expected to make mistakes; which nine times out of ten can be fixed quite simply. Try your hardest to get good grades in university as the market is very tight at the moment, and those grades will facilitate more opportunities. BUT, do not think your grades are all that count. Once you’re practicing, no one really cares whether you got straight HDs or what you did your Honours thesis on.
If you can, become involved in groups like USALSA or ALSA, participate in mooting competitions and summer clerkships. These count for a lot with employers as they like to see a well rounded candidate that hasn’t spent their whole university experience tucked away up on level 5 of the library on their Macbook. Lastly, when looking at employers, do not just aim for the top-tier firms. There are a lot of benefits to working in a mid-tier firm or small boutique city or rural firms. Mid-tier firms often give you exposure to blue chip clients, but provide you with a lot of responsibility and client contact. They also offer fantastic mentor programs and, because they aren’t as big as the top tier firms, you have the opportunity to get to know the partners well, and build a reputation in the firm outside of your practice area. If you work in a small, boutique firm, you have the benefit of being exposed to a wide range of practice areas as there are usually only a few lawyers in the firm. You are also given a lot more client contact then you would usually be exposed to in some of the bigger firms. That said, top-tier firms also have their benefits. It is an advantage to be in a firm that is well known, and if nothing else, this always looks good on a CV. Top tier firms often have specialists in each practice area so that the firm can properly service its blue chip clients. This means that you are exposed to very experienced practitioners who can assist you in developing your skills. A lot of the top tier firms also have interstate branches or affiliate firms which facilitate the possibility of working interstate. Above all have fun! A work/life balance is essential to surviving in this world!
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Join a firm with an outstanding Career Development Program Cowell Clarke is a specialist commercial law practice based in Adelaide. We act for clients in all sectors of business and industry in South Australia, interstate and overseas. We offer talented people the opportunity to join a great team, and to experience legal practice in a specialist commercial law firm. Our people value our culture, and are able to develop both professionally and personally in an enjoyable work environment. Cowell Clarke has an outstanding Career Development Program which includes both Summer Clerkships and PLT Placements.
To find out more about our firm and how to apply visit www.cowellclarke.com.au or contact our People and Culture Manager, Susan Comerford at scomerford@cowellclarke.com.au
Level 5, 63 Pirie Street, Adelaide South Australia 5000 T: +61 8 8228 1111 careers@cowellclarke.com.au page16
www.cowellclarke.com.au
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Summer Clerk -> PLT placement -> Solicitor Anika Francis, Lawyer, Cowell Clarke Cowell Clarke is committed to providing excellent commercial law services and is a well respected specialist commercial practice – but it is the firm’s culture that really sets it apart. After completing my final year at law school I spent four weeks as a summer clerk at Cowell Clarke. I could tell from the outset that Cowell Clarke was different to many of the other commercial firms in Adelaide. Cowell Clarke places great importance on recruiting people who fit the culture of the firm and it can pride itself on having built a comfortable and enjoyable work environment that promotes success, development and teamwork. As a summer clerk at Cowell Clarke you complete two rotations: Commercial Litigation / Dispute Resolution and Commercial Transactions. The rotation gives you the opportunity to experience a variety of practice areas, and in turn, to work with many different practitioners. As a clerk you really get a chance to put the skills you learnt at university into practice. Cowell Clarke has developed a program which encourages you to work through a range of tasks, ensuring you get the most out of your experience, but also remaining flexible enough to allow you to complete any other work that is needed at the time. As a clerk you can expect to be given a wide range of tasks. During my clerkship I undertook complex research tasks, drafted letters and advices, prepared memorandums for other solicitors, drafted affidavits and basic applications, attended court with solicitors and counsel, prepared commercial agreements and met with clients. After I finished my summer clerkship at Cowell Clarke I was then fortunate to be able to complete a further six week PLT placement with the firm. I was subsequently offered a position in the Commercial Litigation / Dispute Resolution and Insolvency practice groups where I continue to work now as a solicitor. I am confident that the skills I developed as a clerk and PLT student at Cowell Clarke ensured that I had an almost seamless transition into my position as a solicitor. Many of the solicitors I work with began their careers, like me, as a clerk or PLT student at Cowell Clarke. My supervising partner actually began her career as a clerk at Cowell Clarke over 12 years ago! Friday night drinks, social events and sporting activities ensure that the firm maintains a great culture. Since joining the firm I’ve been involved with boot camp, played in our firm’s indoor soccer team and helped organise events as part of the Social Club Committee. There is never an empty space on the social calendar! A summer clerkship or PLT placement at Cowell Clarke gives you an extraordinary opportunity to work with intelligent, experienced solicitors, to develop your legal skills and to prepare you for life as a solicitor. It’s the perfect way to start a legal career!
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GDLP Options
Choosing your future: Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) Completing an undergraduate degree is only the first step for any student who wants to begin a career as a lawyer. Before a graduate can be admitted to practice they must first complete a GDLP. There are a wide range of GDLP options offered by many different institutions, but there are some important differences students need to be aware of. Here, we compare three of the GDLP program providers - The Law Society of South Australia, the Australian National University Legal Workshop and the College of Law.
The Law Society of South Australia by Mary Scrafton
I
n your final undergraduate year, you may find that it is worth investigating whether you should start your GDLP. The Law Society GDLP scheme is one of a few options available. The advantages of the Law Society program is that you don’t need to have the internet at home, the law you learn is all relevant to SA, you meet local barristers and solicitors who come in to do the teaching, and you meet Adelaide Uni and (some) Flinders graduates who will be your colleagues. The GDLP program requires in-depth research to complete the assigned tasks. If your university internet privileges have been terminated, and you are not working somewhere that allows you to access the internet for personal use, you will have to use the Law Society library, the ‘Murray Information Resource Centre’, on 124 Waymouth Street or public libraries like the State Library on North Terrace. The Law Society program has strict attendance requirements. As long as you are able to attend all the compulsory subjects, you can pick and choose among the electives based on the dates that suit you best. You have to choose between Criminal or Family Law; and one of: Environmental, Industrial and Wills. The content of the electives is similar to how they are taught at uni, the difference being that it is more practical (ie. filling out forms) and less about precedent-setting cases, as you would expect. Therefore some people choose, as electives, subjects they did not do at university, so that they are well-rounded. Other people have already decided to specialise, for example Criminal law, so they do this elective to increase their proficiency.
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GDLP Options
The most demanding subject in terms of time and effort is the initial week long intensive course, including a day of exams. You will have homework preceding this and the other subjects, as well as during and after the attendance period, including a large amount of required reading plus exercises. You don’t want to be juggling demanding university assignments, and part time work, while you’re doing the GDLP. When thinking about the best time to start the GDLP, don’t worry about the 6 weeks of Practical Legal Training (PLT). The Law Society has 4 periods per year that you can nominate to do the PLT; or alternatively you can arrange your own. You just need to have passed the first, gruelling subject. The experience of most people in my cohort was that they do a good job of matching you to your interests, so be candid and specific! If you plan to arrange your own PLT, ask to look at the book of exercises that have to be completed on the job. Many of us who were placed in small or specialised organisations had trouble completing these within the 6 weeks, ie. students who did the PLT with a barrister. In order to be able to start the GDLP early, you need to have: • • •
completed all the compulsory Law subjects; completed Civil Procedure, Evidence and Professional Conduct; and completed at least 24 subjects in total out of the 32 necessary for the degree.
Australian National University Legal Workshop by Karena Milios I began studying my GDLP at the Australian National University at the end of 2010/ start of 2011. Initially what attracted me was the fact that I could put it on FEE-HELP. But another thing that drew me to doing my GDLP through ANU was the fact that all of the courses are online. Whilst I was studying my GDLP, I was doing two subjects in my undergraduate degree and working three days per week in a law firm. It helped that I could study GDLP in my own time, and did not have to attend any classes or take any exams. Live assessments were conducted through web conference rooms, usually after business hours, so it was all very convenient. The content of the work is not too difficult, but it is time consuming. Just
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GDLP Options
remember, all you need to do is pass. The firm I work for has not taken any issue with me doing my GDLP through ANU as opposed to the Law Society of South Australia. The general attitude I think is that if you are admitted to practice, you are competent. The content of the GDLP program mostly confirms what students will have already learnt in law school anyway. The only downside to doing GDLP through ANU is the fact that students cannot get directly admitted to practice in South Australia. I will be flying over to Sydney for my admission ceremony in August, and will then apply for mutual recognition here. Other than that, I would recommend any student to do their GDLP through ANU
College of Law Practical Legal Training It is now possible to undertake post-graduate Practical Legal Training (PLT) with the College of Law without having to leave Adelaide. Although a location has yet to be confirmed, it will be announced as somewhere in the Adelaide CBD before the program begins on 2nd July. The program runs over four months and ends on the 19th of October. Applicants will be able to apply for financial assistance through the Federal Government’s FEE-HELP program. Like ANU, students who want to practice in South Australia and complete their PLT training with the College of Law will need to apply for admission to practice in New South Wales or Victoria before applying for mutual recognition in South Australia. Students will need to complete three separate components including course work, work experience and a third component involving 10 hours of continuing professional education seminars and a journal to be kept during work experience. A student can either elect to undertake 75 of work experience or a reduced 25 days plus a clinical experience module.
For further information about course intakes, course structures, applications dates and details, please consult the USALSA website at: www.usalsa.org.au/education/gdlp-options
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Judge’s Associate
Sitting at the Bench Now a Solicitor at the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office, Matthew Minucci shares his experience as a Judge’s Associate
I
was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work as a District Court Associate for 12 months between March 2011 and March 2012. As a young lawyer I can safely say it has been the most valuable experience in my professional career so far. I had the privilege to work alongside some fantastic Judges as well as other keen young associates, and all in all I can’t recommend it highly enough. The benefit of being an associate in the District Court is that you are not tied to a single Judge for the entire period of your associateship. You rotate between Judges, generally staying with your Judge for a period of three to six months before swapping. This system allows you to be exposed to a number of different ways of thinking, to learn the different personalities on the bench, foster relationships with a number of Judgers and, most importantly, discover all their different pet hates before you have to appear in front of them! I got to watch some of the very best and some of the very worst advocates on a regular basis and along the way tried pick up as many tips and tricks as I could. You get to see how the rules of evidence work in practice, you learn how to refresh someone’s memory from a document or cross examine them on prior inconsistent statements. You get to see the best silks and junior barristers in action. You get to watch great cross examinations, closing addresses, and then afterwards sit down and quiz your Judge about it and find out what they really thought, and what they would have done differently. I was also lucky enough to be able to draft sentences, voir dire rulings and judgments for my Judges,
as well as assist them in writing papers for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions or other seminars. But aside from all the legal learning that you get to do as an associate, the most valuable thing I took from the experience is that there is a real human element to the judiciary. Judges get stumped sometimes and will ask you for your views or opinions. Judges struggle with putting people in jail, and all the Judges I worked with took a genuine interest in me, my future career and my life in general. Your fellow associates are also invaluable, and I felt that my group shared a real sense of camaraderie. You got to bounce ideas off each other, ask them for advice, and most importantly make friends with fellow lawyers who will be your peers for the remainder of your professional life. I now work as a solicitor for the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office. Whilst I am now no longer at the District Court, my experiences there have certainly influenced how I go about my work. Each day I am in court I try to remember all the tips and tricks I picked up as an associate. I don’t do a great job of it and I make mistakes on a regular basis but that is how you learn. But without my knowledge gained from my associateship, I would not be anywhere near as prepared for daily court work as I am now, or for daily legal practice in general. If you are thinking about applying for an associateship in any Court I can highly recommend it. It is an extremely valuable experience and one you will certainly cherish.
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F av EEai HE la L bl P e
Now you can do your PLT with in Adelaide!
It does matter where you do your Practical Legal Training. Now you can enrol with Australia’s leading and largest provider of PLT and undertake your onsite work in Adelaide. The College of Law PLT programs allow direct admission as a Lawyer of the Supreme Courts of NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia and to the Supreme Court of South Australia by mutual recognition.
When?
Check our website for available start dates at www.collaw.edu.au/coursedates
Where?
Onsites will be in an Adelaide CBD location; details will be available on our website.
Who?
You will be taught by Morton Herschderfer who has been practising as a barrister for over 18 years, with experience in a wide variety of practice areas throughout Australia.
How?
You can apply online via www.collaw.edu.au/plt: go to course dates and select South Australia. Or you can apply using the form in the 2012 PLT Handbook.
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More information? Call 1300 856 111, email enrolments@collaw.edu.au or enquire online at www.collaw.edu.au/plt
A specialist criminal law firm At Caldicott & Co Solicitors, we deliver unsurpassed levels of expertise and professionalism, yet maintain a friendly personalised service to our clients. We have an enthusiastic and friendly team with knowledge, experience and respectability to bring about the best possible results. We are leading specialists in: • Traffic Law • Criminal Law • White Collar Crime Law • Civil Litigation and Compensation Law • Wills and Estate Planning Law • Family Law
333 Brighton Rd North Brighton South Australia 5048 Phone: (08) 8298 2066 http://www.adelaide-criminallawyer.com.au/ page23
Rural Practice
The Farmer wants a Lawyer by Phoebe Bowden
L
aw graduates often overlook working in rural firms, yet rural practice offers diversity, flexibility and practical experience. I spoke to Matt Noonan, from Jenkins Anderson and Trevor Wedding, from Hume Taylor, about the benefits and disadvantages of country practice. For Wedding, country was the obvious choice. “Not only is there work there but there is a great variety,” said Wedding. In his Millicent office Wedding deals with everything from family law, criminal as well as wills and estates. For Noonan, it was the combination of dealing with nice people and the opportunity for a work life balance. Noonan’s journey after graduation began at a small firm in Jamestown, where he learnt a huge amount very quickly. He then returned to Adelaide seeking more structured, technical practice and mentoring. However, Noonan eventually followed his love for country life to work in commercial practice for Jenkins Anderson in Port Lincoln.
“
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A draw back for some new graduates in country practice is the little help and guidance offered
Noonan’s choice to return to Adelaide for more intensive mentoring highlights a disadvantage of country practice. While not often discussed, country firms are often busy and lawyers are thrown in the deep end. Noonan recalls his first months in practice as overwhelming and extremely daunting. Similarly, Wedding commented that a draw back for some new graduates in country practice is the little help and guidance offered - even for lawyers working in rural offices of larger firms. “Advice on the phone is not the same as in the office next door,” said Wedding.
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Rural Practice
And while not his own experience, Wedding has seen people leave country practice because “people think they don’t have the support.” Wedding understands the intimidation of being thrown in the deep end, which he certainly experienced. “Second day in and I was doing a plea in front of a magistrate,” said Wedding. However, Wedding offers the reassurance that “no one can kill you in the Magistrate’s court” and most Magistrates “keep you in the straight and narrow.” “If you put a foot wrong the Magistrate will tell you.” While going to court may be daunting for the new law graduate, in city firms the other extreme may be experienced; some graduates wait years before working with their own clients. Further, many city firms are highly specialised and thus graduates do not get the opportunity to experience different areas of practice. From his own experience, Noonan recommends the structure and mentoring of city firms for new graduates but highly recommends experiencing country practice at some point early in a lawyer’s career. Noonan speaks highly of the country and enjoys not just the flexibility country practice offers, but also “the encouragement of community involvement, for example I’m in the Country Fire Service.” He also adds that “in the country you are not pigeonholed as a lawyer.
“
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The country is great, but it still requires hard work to attain the work life balance
“The country is great, but it still requires hard work to attain the work life balance,” said Noonan. Wedding also emphasised the point, that the workload should not be underestimated or considered easier. Ultimately it is clear from Noonan and Wedding that country practice has a lot to offer graduates. So while hard work and a little intimidating, country practice offers great rewards in the form of practical experience, flexibility and a chance for graduates to spread their wings.
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Contacts
Clerkship Contact List Important firm-specific information for those applying for clerkship positions Written applications should indicate year level, CV and academic transcript and cover letter
Cowell Clarke Commercial Lawyers Email application to: Susan Comerford People & Culture Manager careers@cowellclarke.com.au
DMAW Lawyers Email application to: hr@dmawlawyers.com.au To contact: Rebecca Pit Manager – People & Development (08) 8210 2222
Finalysons Email application to careers@finalysons. com.au or post to Ms Anne Beaton People & Development Manager Finlaysons 81 Flinders Street Adelaide SA 5000
Fisher Jeffries To apply: Lodge application through website. Any general queries about the firm may be addressed to: Ms Aynih Concepcion Executive Assistant aconcepcion@fisherjeffries.com.au (08) 8233 0681
Johnson Winter & Slattery Applications should be lodged via the JWS website, addressed to: Ms Robyn Howard Professional Development Manager
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Kelly & Co Applications should be emailed to recruitment@kellyco.com.au Address to: Anelise Magill Manager, People & Development
Minter Ellison Applications should be lodged through the Minter Ellison website, addressed to: Ms Vanda Mutton HR Advisor vanda.mutton@minterellison.com
Thomsons Lawyers Applications should be lodged through the Thomsons Lawyers website
Wallmans Lawyers To apply: lodge application through website or post to Human Resources Manager Wallmans Lawyers GPO Box 1018 Adelaide SA 5001 or email to hr@wallmans.com.au
Norman Waterhouse
Enquiries should be addressed to: Ms Emily Clark Organisational Development Assistant (08) 8217 1377
2012 South Australian Law Students’ Council Clerkship Scheme The Clerkship Scheme aims to achieve uniform clerkship application dates, making it easier for students to know when their applications are due.
This year, the key dates are: Applications Open: Monday 2 July 2012 Submissions of applications close: Tuesday 24 July 2012 (5pm) Commencement of interviews: Tuesday 7 August 2012 Offers of clerkship: Tuesday 4 September 2012 (9am) Communication of decision: Wednesday 5 September 2012 (9am)
Participating Firms:
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Produced by the University of South Australia Law Students’ Association © 2012
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