2014 USALSA Careers Guide

USALSA CAREERS GUIDE 2014

CAREERS GUIDE

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USALSA CAREERS GUIDE 2014

The Team Cameron Henderson Editor in Chief Wilbur Jordan Sub-Editor Meredith Hennessy Sub-Editor Lisa Parker USALSA Education and Careers Director

Contributors

Ben Clarke Jake Collins Selina Nikoloudakis Lisa Parker Phoebe Bowden James Franze

Special Thanks

Kate Forrester Daniella Prinsloo Lisa Parker Professor Wendy Lacey

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The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors and not those of UniSA School of Law or USALSA.

Foreword UniSA Law’s mission is to produce outstanding graduates with a combination of legal knowledge and practical skills which make them competitive and prepared for a range of legal and legally-related sectors. More than half of Australia’s law graduates will enter legal practice in some form, whether that be in private firms, working for the Crown or the DPP, or entering practice via an associateship in one of our courts.

However, somewhere between 40-50% of law graduates will not enter legal practice but will instead choose to work in business and management, government policy, industrial relations, the community sector, education or areas including the media or international agencies.

The great thing about a UniSA Law degree is that we know it provides an excellent foundation for an array of professional careers. Data collated by the School demonstrates that 90% of our graduates are employed within months of graduating and after 6-12 months, all of our graduates have found employment. These are fantastic statistics of which we are incredibly proud and attest to the School’s commitment to providing a diverse and supportive learning experience, relatively small class sizes, flexibility through the trimester system and the opportunity to engage in practical experiences including through the Legal Advice Clinic.

Law has relevance for every aspect of society and a UniSA law degree provides an intellectual foundation combined with professional skills that are highly regarded in numerous fields. Our graduates are distinctive and highly employable. The questions is, how to match your own unique skillset and personality with the right role in law.

Hopefully this publication will help to shed some light on the career paths that are open to you and where you might find the most rewarding opportunities that play to your individual strengths.

I highly recommend a thorough read of this Careers Guide and commend USALSA for putting it together for the benefit of law students. I also encourage you to familiarise yourselves with the services provided by UniSA Careers Services – services that will be available to you well beyond graduation day.

Good luck in finding your own path!

Professor Wendy Lacey Dean of Law University of South Australia School of Law

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USALSA CAREERS GUIDE 2014

From the Editors As students approach the end of their degrees, there is nothing scarier than the cold hard fact that real life is just around the corner.

The reality is that sooner or later we need to leave the plush heritage environment of the old building on the corner of Hindley and George and venture out into the dark, gloomy reality that is the current job market.

The other reality is that this part of your life will be incredibly exciting. Filled with twists and turns, long waits by the phone praying for that firm to call you back and butterflies in your stomach as the elevator opens before your 9am interview.

Formed in 2008, the University of South Australia Law Students’ Association is the sole independent representative body for law students at the University of South Australia. In collaboration with the Law School, USALSA aims to help students not only gain all they can from their student lives, but also ensure students have all the relevant knowledge and information they need for their future endeavours.

While a law degree provides students with career opportunities within the legal profession, it also provides valuable skills which can be used in numerous other areas. Here we have compiled a guide to some of the many career opportunities available to law graduates.

We hope it is able to assist you in deciding which career and study options are right for you. We would also like to sincerely thank USALSA’s valued sponsors and contributors for their assistance in the publication of this guide.

USALSA Publications

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CONTENTS 05//THE FIRST STAGE Writing your Cover Letter Getting together your Resume

11//GETTING THROUGH Preparing for an interview What to wear to land that big job

15//MAINTAINING BALANCE

Staying in the right headspace How to juggle the work/life balance - Lisa Parker

20//GETTING THE EDGE

Extracurricular Activities - getting involved Why do competitions? - Jake Collins Step up your game - Cameron Henderson Making your mark - Ben Clarke

29//SEEING OPPORTUNITIES Overseas opportunities Choosing the right GDLP

33//LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Becoming a Judge’s Associate

37//ALTERNATIVE CAREERS

Phoebe Bowden - Life at Channel 10 James Franze - Life at the Ombudman’s Office

39//WHAT NEXT

What to expect starting out - Selina Nikoloudakis Job Hunting Tips SA Uniform Clerkship Scheme - the basics Notes

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USALSA CAREERS GUIDE 2014

Writing your Cover Letter Employers look for literally any opportunity to cut down their huge pile of applications, getting your Cover Letter right is the key to getting out of the Group Stage.

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n today’s competitive employment environment you should use every opportunity to market your skills professionally. An application letter should highlight your interest in the position and your strengths – this will help you stand out as an impressive candidate.

In popular terms, you need to treat your cover letter like a ‘selfie’. It needs to showcase who you are, what you do and what you want in one single ‘snapshot’ - and what you want is likes. Your Cover Letter should give the employer a reason to like you from the start and encourage them to continue reading through your application.

Write your cover letter last.

Given that your cover letter is designed to summarise the highlights of your résumé and statement addressing selection criteria (if required), it should not be written until you have completed these documents. That is, even though the cover letter appears first in the list of documents that you submit, it should be the final document written.

Cover letters should focus on: • • • •

The position you are applying for; Why you are applying to the organisation; What you have to offer; What action you want from the organisation

Remember not to use negative statements such as “Although I haven’t …”.

Brainstorm Your Examples You must address each of these parts, giving equal attention to each.

For each part, brainstorm as many examples as possible of your background in this area. Don’t be too selective at this stage about what to include.

Revise and Refine

Selection criteria are the key competencies required for a position; they include the skills, knowledge, experience, values and personal attributes required.

When you have completed the brainstorm for each criterion, go back and select the examples you think best address each one. You will probably do a bit of ‘cutting and pasting’ before you decide on the most appropriate and powerful examples under each heading. Be sure to use a variety of experiences throughout your statement. Be careful not to use your involvement in a particular activity (no matter how significant) as evidence for every criterion.

Identify Each Criterion

Other tips to keep in mind when addressing selection criteria:

Write each criterion on a separate page and break it up into distinct, workable parts. For example, if one of the criterion statements reads “must have strong written and oral communication skills, the ability to work well in a team as well as high level negotiation and liaison skills”, you need to divide the statement up as follows:

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Addressing Selection Criteria

• • • •

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Showcase who you are, what you do and what you want”

Strong written and oral communication skills; The ability to work well in a team; High-level negotiation skills; and High-level liaison skills.

• • • • •

Dot point form and/or concise sentences make your application easier to read.

Use examples to back up every statement you make.

Don’t just feed their words back to them – make every sentence count by focusing on what you have to offer.

Each criterion should be approximately one third - one half of a page.

When each criterion is given a weighting of importance, dedicate a proportionate amount of detail to each part.

When a statement asks for qualifications, or some other information that is finite, the length can be shorter.

Your Name Your Address

Date Name of Contact Position Title Address Dear (Ms, Mr etc.) Surname Paragraph 1

If replying to an advertisement, state the position you are applying for (if it’s a Government position then include the Position Classification and Number); and where you found out about it.

OR If you’re contacting an employer about working for them even if they haven’t advertised a job vacancy, state the reason for writing and describe the type of work you are seeking, then why you are interested in working for the organisation. This sentence/s should combine your knowledge of the organisation with your experience, skills and goals for the future.

Paragraph 2 Your qualifications for the position and any other relevant facts and figures.

Paragraphs 3-5 Choose your three main selling points relevant to the Selection Criteria (if there are any) or advertised job description, or general skills if you have no leads as to what is required for the position. Dedicate a paragraph to each skill as follows:

• What the skill is; • How you have demonstrated it; and • How it would be useful to the organisation.

Paragraph 6 List the documents you have included in your application package. State the action you require – an opportunity to discuss your application in more detail, when you’re available for interview and how you can be contacted.

Yours sincerely, Signature Type name

Checklist: • Professional, active and fits the role • Logical and consistent • Checked for errors and edited for order and focus • Check tense • Reduce complex sentences • Check over-writing • Avoid abbreviations • Most important information first 6

Formatting your Resume USALSA CAREERS GUIDE 2014

Lionel Hutz 123 Evergreen Terrace Springfield, 5000 South Australia, Australia

Home Phone: Work Phone: Mobile: Email:

At no more than three pages, your Resume is the best shot you have to prove you’re good enough for the next round!

Career Objective • •

State specifically what position you are looking for (e.g. an internship, workexperience etc.)

Give a brief explanation of any experiences or skills which are suited to the position

Your career objective should only be one or two sentences, so choose your words carefully and precisely.

Key Skills For each skill you list, give examples of what you can do or have done already.

• • • •

Legal Research: Familiar with looking up Australian legislation and legal academic journals through databases such as Westlaw, Austlii and Justis Leadership: Competent in leading small and large groups and can improvise effectively and efficiently if necessary Communication: Fluent in four different languages: German, French, Chinese and English

Relevant Employment Organization Name (Dates you worked there) Position: e.g. Volunteer, Assistant, Intern, Secretary Key Responsibilities: • What was your role in the organization?

• What the responsibilities will be relevant?

• Were there any responsibilities which were unique or different?

Key Achievements: • Give examples of success stories (e.g. were you part of a group which accomplished a particular achievement?)

Provide as many employment details as you wish but remember they must be relevant to the position.

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Other Employment Use this section to provide any other employment which showcases your key skills.

Qualifications •

Do you have any qualifications which are relevant to the position you are applying for?

Achievements & Awards •

List any awards or achievements you had received in the last 3 – 5 years. It’s unadvisable to go further as anything beyond that time frame may not be relevant.

Interests • •

List your hobbies and personal interests.

You can also list any clubs or groups you are associated with (e.g. Photography Club or Botany Group).

This is an opportunity to show your potential employer the type of person you are. Think about the organization you are applying for and take notice of what kind of image they promote (e.g. Google has a playful and innovative image while Microsoft is generally seen as more serious and structured).

References Professional References Name Position Contact Number Character References Name Relationship with reference e.g. neighbour, teacher, family friend, club member Contact Number Make sure you let your references know they may be contacted, and hopefully they’ll put in a good word about you.

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USALSA CAREERS GUIDE 2014

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 Tuesday, 22 April 2014. For information regarding the application process please visit www.lipmankaras.com.

Best Australasian Firm for Talent Management 2013 Best Adelaide Firm 2012, 2013

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www.lipmankaras.com a specialist legal practice Adelaide | Hong Kong | London

Clerkships at Lipman Karas I started at Lipman Karas as a winter clerk. What immediately stood out in my first week still rings true five years later. LK stands apart for three reasons: the quality of the work; the quality of the people; and the quality of the culture.

Work Practitioners at Lipman Karas have the opportunity to work on some of the most complex, challenging and interesting litigation work in Australia and internationally.

The matters we work on require thorough legal research and the distillation of large amounts of factual data. Young lawyers at Lipman Karas work directly with principals of the firm, as well as counsel and independent experts, on all aspects of major cases, where national and international firms appear on the opposing side. Typical work includes attending meetings and conferences, conducting research as the basis for submissions and other legal documents, and discussing tactics and case strategy.

Within eighteen months of being an associate at Lipman Karas, I found myself assisting in court in the appeal Westpac v The Bell Group Limited, which was, and still is, the largest civil litigation action in Australian history. Currently I am working on another major case, preparing for a trial in the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

Other junior lawyers at the firm get similar experience, working on matters not only in Australia, but also in Hong Kong, England and the Channel Islands. Most young lawyers in the profession will never have the opportunity to work on such matters: at LK, you will do so, daily. And yes, there are travel opportunities!

People The practitioners and support staff at LK are experts at what they do. They are dedicated, intelligent and conscientious people. It is a firm where you can get unrivalled opportunities to work on major projects, and be taught by some of the leaders in their field.

But it’s not all about technical and strategic acumen. The people that work at Lipman Karas are friendly and approachable. There are no over-powering egos. People here understand that the best results are achieved by working as a collaborative team where everyone participates. The relatively small size of the firm

a specialist legal practice

means that every member of the team’s contribution is valued and recognised. Working in teams also allows the firm’s junior lawyers to have daily interaction with the firm’s principals, get hands on experience on how major project litigation is conducted, and hone their research and forensic skills.

Culture The culture at a law firm, like any place of work, is extremely important. The firm’s relatively small size means everyone feels included. Outside of work, the firm has an active social and charity portfolio, which organises Friday night drinks, fun runs, charity fundraisers and regular afternoon teas for staff birthdays and other personal milestones. The firm also regularly undertakes pro bono work and has a strong CLE program. Junior lawyers at the firm are given opportunities to run these portfolios, enabling them to not only practice law, but learn about the management side of legal practice, as well as contributing to the community.

The firm takes a genuine long term interest in its junior lawyers. After clerking at LK for six months, I took a leave of absence to undertake an associateship with Justice Vanstone in the Supreme Court, then returned to the firm to continue practice. More recently, the firm has been supportive in my undertaking part time postgraduate studies.

Other young lawyers at LK have pursued similar paths.

Lipman Karas celebrates its 10th birthday in 2014. In the first ten years it has grown from a firm of eleven practitioners to a firm that has a reputation as one of the leading specialist law firms both in Australia and internationally. During this expansion the firm has continued to maintain the same high standards in relation to the work undertaken and the opportunities provided to staff to continually improve and be challenged. There is an ongoing commitment to knowledge, teamwork and thoroughness. It is an exciting place to work.

If you think you have what it takes to work on career defining projects with lawyers who are leaders in their field, please apply for a clerkship at Lipman Karas.

Lucas Arnold Associate

Adelaide | Hong Kong | London 10

USALSA CAREERS CAREERS GUIDE GUIDE 2014 2014 USALSA

Preparing For An Interview This is the finals series and every action now weighs on your chance to score that graduate job or summer clerkship!

Research extensively before your interview •

Discover as much as you can about the position: Understand exactly what the position is and what will be required.

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Explore all you can find about the organisation: Find out the business culture and general achievements of the employer.

Your research could include talking to other employees, competitors or reading through an annual report.

Develop your skills

Prepare answers to potential questions

As you read through the following skills, consider if you would feel confident in using them at the moment.

Of course you cannot predict the exact wording of questions, however interviewers tend to look for similar information.

Interviewers will try to formulate questions which enable them to gain a clearer idea of how you are likely to operate in the workplace.

Reflect on issues you’ve had in the past during your workplace relations and prepare some answers using the STAR approach.

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Active listening: High-level listening in which your entire attention is focused on the person speaking.

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Control of the content: Let the interviewer control the questions/process while you control the content.

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Let others speak for you: Let others build you up by saying something like, “My boss felt like I could handle the responsibility of adhering to that deadline” or, “my boss designated me responsible for that task because he knew he could count on me to get the job done efficiently.”

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Research the organisation: Demonstrate that you have read annual reports, recruiting brochures and other relevant material - go beyond the website and ask questions of people in the industry.

•

•

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Master the art of story-telling: Using stories to sell your skills is a highly successful interview technique. In less than three minutes you can tell a story that will make interviewers remember you favourably.

Employers believe the best predictor of future success is past success. Tell stories that describe your successes well. Do notbe concerned if your stories are not highly impressive, as long as the experience demonstrates your effective use of a particular skill.

**THE STAR APPROACH** Situation – set the context for your story. Say what happened, how it happened and lead into what came next.

Task – what was required of you. Outline your responsibility and what you needed to do to get the situation back on track.

Activity – what you actually did. Detail what you did to find a solution and keep whatever the issue was from spiralling out of control.

Result – how well the situation played out. Reflect on how well your activity assisted in rectifying the situation, detail the results and the outcomes you would use for the future. Then seek to explain briefly what you learned from the experience.

Going into the Interview Make a positive impression Employers only have a short time to gather information about you, so the way you look and act are extremely important. Be prepared to firmly shake the interviewer’s hand regardless of gender. If this is not possible, take time to make direct eye contact with everybody in the room, greeting them with a friendly smile.

Be aware of your body language During the interview maintain eye contact with the entire selection panel, not just the person at the head of the table. Adopt an enthusiastic posture by sitting up straight and slightly forward. Avoid crossing your arms or covering up your smile.

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Never sell yourself short!

Don’t forget your personality!

An interview is an interpersonal exchange, however some candidates go into an interview and leave their personalities at the door. Engaging the panel is an important part of the process – remember they are looking to see who is going to ‘fit in’ best with the organisation.

One of the main qualities being assessed during an interview is your communication skills. Smiling, seeking clarification of questions, using low-key appropriate humour and generally being an active rather than passive participant in the process, enables you to display these skills to the panel.

Try not to ever say things like “I didn’t ever try that because I didn’t think I’d make it” or “I didn’t bother applying then because I wasn’t good enough.” Spend the time focussing on your achievements and never sell yourself short- show them what you are capable of!

Possible Interview Questions Why are you interested in joining this organisation?

During the Interview Effective answering techniques Questions should be answered with enthusiasm, so one-word answers are never sufficient. As a guide, your response to each question should be approximately 1-2 minutes. After explaining, as concisely as possible, how the key examples you have presented address the question, you should check with the panel to see if they require any further detail or clarification.

Seek clarification Never begin to answer a question you don’t fully understand; instead, ask for clarification. It is also okay to pause and think about an answer for a short time. This is preferable to launching into a vague and unclear response.

What are your major strengths?

What would you describe as your weaknesses?

What do you regard as your most important accomplishment?

What do you believe you can contribute to this company?

What does teamwork mean to you?

Why did you select ____ as a career?

What are the biggest obstacles you have overcome and how did you overcome them?

Can you give us an example of your use of initiative – either in starting a new venture or doing more than was required in a particular activity?

If you were going to evaluate your own performance, what factors would you consider the most important?

Questions You Can Ask Are there established career paths?

What is the organisation’s attitude to further study?

What is the organisations opinion on a particular issue?

A question about the changes happening at industry level is good practice. It shows that you are aware of and interested in the ‘bigpicture’.

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USALSA USALSA CAREERS CAREERS GUIDE GUIDE 2014 2014

What to wear to your interview Dressing Tips For Ladies 1) Do not wear anything that is too revealing or that will expose too much skin. If you wear a skirt, ensure it is not too tight and reaches your knees when you sit down. Anything shorter will be seen as distasteful.

2) It is recommended to keep your colour palette to neutral, conservative tones like navy, black, grey or white.

Busy patterns or brightly coloured options are not a good impression.

3) Be wary of bare legs and open toe shoes. Hosiery is the preferred option and should be neutral and free of any holes or ladders. Shoes should be polished and in good condition.

4) Keep your make-up light and natural.

Less is more! If you have long hair, consider wearing it up for neatness and a foolproof way to avoid fidgeting with it.

Choosing what to wear for a job interview can be an extremely daunting task. The first impression an interviewer has of you will be based on how you look. This means that even before you utter the word “Hello” they have made some judgement of you already.

Match the interviewer Your choice of outfit should match, or be slightly dressier than the normal work attire of the company. Appropriateness is the most important factor when deciding what to wear to a job interview.

Be comfortable with what you’re wearing The key is to wear clothes you are comfortable in and look great in, while at the same time matching the dress code of the company.

This way the interviewer will be paying attention to your answers and personality instead of your constant fidgeting.

The Ladies

Keep your outfit clean and classic. Subtle patterns can be appropriate for less formal workplaces.

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General Guidelines: •

Try to avoid clothing with loud and busy prints. The safest option is to wear solid colours which flatter your skin tone.

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Make sure your clothes fit you appropriately. If your sleeves are too long or your shirt is too tight then you will look and feel awkward.

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Try on your clothes a few days before the interview so you have time make adjustments.

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Remember to dry clean your suit and iron your clothes the night before. Wrinkled clothing makes you look lazy and will reflect poorly.

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Do not wear flashy jewellery. You want the interviewer to pay attention to you, not your bling.

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Try to tone down your perfume or aftershave. You never know if your interviewer is allergic and this is not a good way to find out.

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Make sure your hair is clean, well-groomed and looks professional.

If you have long hair, it is advisable to tie it back in case it is a windy day and you forget your brush.

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Trim your nails. Details are everything.

Wear to your first interview what you would wear to court!

Dressing Tips For Men 1. No matter what the regular dress code is, a suit will always be appropriate. Suits are awesome.

2. Make sure you shave and keep your facial hair to a minimum.

Get a crisp haircut.

3. Check that your socks are long enough to cover your legs when you sit down. Also, wear black socks, save your stripey party socks for casual Fridays.

4. If you decide to wear a tie, choose dark or conservative colours.

The Gents

Colours like navy, grey and black are versatile and universally flattering. Also, avoid ties that are too skinny!

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USALSA CAREERS GUIDE 2014

Managing your headspace and how to balance your family and work life - LISA PARKER Where to go for help: Beyond Blue

www.beyondblue.org.au beyondblue is an independent, not-for-profit organisation working to increase awareness and understanding of anxiety and depression in Australia and to reduce the associated stigma.

Headspace

http://www.headspace.org.au/ Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation. They provide health advice, support and information to young people aged 12-25.

The Desk

access support services for a range of reasons including time pressures, not knowing where to go for help and feeling embarrassed. Providing resources online means that more people will be able to get help to improve their wellbeing and be able to study more effectively. thedesk offers free access to online modules, tools, quizzes and advice.

For more information, see www.thedesk.org.au

Tristan Jepson Memorial Foundation George and Marie Jepson’s son, Tristan, a young lawyer and comedian, who took his own life just four weeks after his 26th birthday. George and Marie decided to speak out about Tristan’s death and his battle with depression, against the norm of pretending that we ought not mention his illness or that he had taken his own life.

For more information, see www.tjmf.org.au/

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Mental health is a national health priority area in Australia. It is now estimated that around 45 per cent of people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime and in any one year, around 1 million Australian adults will have depression and over 2 million will have anxiety.

Lawyers and law students are particularly susceptible to mental health problems and it has been widely acknowledged that members of the legal profession are disproportionately at risk of suffering from a mental health problem. The Annual Business and Professionals Study 2011 by Beyond Blue found that lawyers were the most likely to have experienced symptoms of depression.

The Tristan Jepson Memorial Foundation (TJMF), an organisation committed to support psychologically healthy workplaces in the legal profession, has recently introduced the TJMF Psychological Wellbeing: Best Practice Guidelines for the Legal Profession, which are intended for use by both students and legal practitioners.

The Guidelines are intended to raise awareness of mental health issues, and to for all members of the legal profession to understand the initiatives and methods of management that assist in the creation and maintenance of psychologically healthy and supportive work and study places.

Although this fantastic, world-first initiative is a huge step forward in promoting understanding and acceptance of mental health issues within the legal profession, sadly there are still a large number of students and practitioners suffering from stress due to the demanding nature of our profession.

According to the recent Survive Law Australian Law Student Satisfaction Survey (2013) 52.7% of law students say they feel stressed at law school most or all of the time and 41.7% of students say they feel overwhelmed by their workload at law school most or all of the time.

Balancing study with other commitments (such as work or family) was the leading cause of stress for most respondents (34.3%), followed by trying to get good marks (23.5%) and concerns over the amount of study required for a law degree (16.5%).

Whilst finding the right balance of work, study and other commitments will go a long way to help improve a law student’s wellbeing, it is critically important that students have a good support network and people who they can turn to when they’re in need of support.

Of concern, only 41.1% of respondents of the Survive Law survey said they would feel comfortable seeking support from other law students if they felt anxious, depressed or were struggling psychologically and only 32% said they would feel comfortable seeking support from law school staff.

It is important that students don’t suffer in silence and if you’re someone who doesn’t feel comfortable talking about your well-being with a family member, friend or colleague, there are a number of organisations that you can turn to for confidential support.

Lisa Parker is a final year Bachelor of Laws (Hons) student. She works part-time for the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and is mum to two young girls, Charlotte (3) and Ava (1).

Lisa is also the Careers Officer for USALSA and the current student representative on the Legal Practitioners Education and Admission Council (LPEAC).

I started a Law / Journalism double degree back in 2009. At that time I was working full-time (5 days a week) and studying 3 subjects each study period. I also worked a second casual job for a few hours each week.

But life has changed quite significantly since I started uni five years ago - now I’m a mother of two, working parttime (3 days a week) and studying part-time (2 subjects per trimester). I’ve also swapped from the double degree into the single Law degree.

Over the years I’ve had to grapple with that elusive work/ study/family life balance. Adjusting to the changes from life without kids to life with kids has certainly been a challenge, particularly when it comes to uni. There have been lots of late nights and early mornings which have been hard, but I’ve been determined to make it all work.

Now I’m lucky in that I’ve been able to achieve what I think is the perfect mix of work, study and family time for me. That being said, something that is important for me is that I don’t want my study to interfere too much on time spent with my children - so I will always make sure that my studies fit around their activities so I can still take them to things like their ballet and swimming lessons each week.

Whether students have family or other commitments, I think it’s really important for everyone to find the right balance between work, study, family and extra-curricular activities.

Life is much more enjoyable when you’re not stressed and everything flows nicely together. But I also think it’s important that students figure out what it is that they want out of their law school experience, so they can really make the most of it.

To start with I was one of those students who rarely ever turned up to class and I didn’t really know anyone at uni.

Towards the end of my degree I realised that I was wasting a good opportunity to get involved, meet people and make the most out of the experience. Now I am more heavily involved with the university through being on the USALSA committee, doing a placement at the Legal Advice Clinic and participating in initiatives like the Business Career Mentor Program.

I often get asked ‘how do you do it?’ but I honestly don’t think what I do is anything that special. We all have our own challenges and I know there are many others out there in a similar situation to me who are probably doing even more than I am. In the end, for me it all just comes down to hard work, determination and being fortunate to have a supportive husband and family who allow me to do what I do.

While Lisa would never accept it, she is an excellent example of how applying yourself and finding a routine that works for you enables you to enjoy the full university experience and achieve your degree without sacrificing all other aspects of your life – Lisa’s Husband

TIPS TO BALANCE IT ALL OUT Be organised

It probably goes without saying, but the only way you can fit so much into your schedule is to be really organised. It’s also important to find a routine/method that works for you, as everyone will be different as to what works for them.

I’m a bit of an Excel addict, so my life revolves around a myriad of spreadsheets, to-do-lists, calendars and schedules for every aspect of my life – from diaries to house cleaning checklists to study schedules.

This amuses my family to no end, but it works!

Use every spare minute

We all have a lot of wasted time in our day which can be used more effectively - whether it’s sitting in traffic or waiting around for appointments.

I’m in the car for about 1.5 hours each day, so I always use that time to listen to lecture recordings. I can’t tell you how many times in an exam that I’ve remembered (and used) something I heard in a lecture podcast while driving to work, so it is definitely worth the effort.

I also carry some of my readings with me wherever I go in case I’m sitting around waiting for an appointment or for a class to start. It’s amazing how much you can get through over the course of a week and it saves you from having to do it later at night when you’d rather be doing something else.

Have a good work ethic

I try to make sure that I have set times for work, uni, study and time with my kids so that I can give each thing my full attention. I think this is really important, not only to keep work and study from interfering with your spare time, but it also promotes a good work ethic for when you’re studying or working, so you can get more done in less time.

Even at university, it’s so important to work hard and put in the effort because it is your lecturers and tutors who you can ask to be a referee for you when you apply for jobs. But you need to be able to show them that you are someone who has a good work ethic so they will be happy to endorse you.

It’s ok to drop subjects

It was a really big thing for me the first time I dropped a subject because the workload was too much. At first I felt like such a failure for not being able to keep up. Then I was disappointed that it was going to take me even longer to finish my degree. But now that I’m almost at the end of my time at university, I can really see the benefit of taking things slower, not being as stressed and getting more out of the experience rather just than rushing through for the sake of it. Reducing your study load will also allow you to take on more extra-curricular things, most of which will be really important for your CV.

It’s not what you know…..

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’ and I think it’s very true, particularly in a small place like Adelaide. As someone who didn’t really know anyone at the start of my degree, I have now made some really important connections with people in the industry and at the university by volunteering, attending events and being involved with things like USALSA. None of this would have been possible if I stayed how I was, so I really encourage everyone get involved with as many extra-curricular activities as possible because it will be really important when you start looking for a job.

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USALSA CAREERS CAREERS GUIDE GUIDE 2014 2014 USALSA

Cowell Clarke‌where any opportunity can go a long way Katie Aust, University of Adelaide Law Graduate After collecting the free stationery and sampling the increasing number of food offerings at the Careers Fair, the time has come to consider where you would like your law degree to take you.

Reading the endless brochures provided to you at the Careers Fair can be daunting and seems to provide little clarity in helping you make a decision on where to apply for a clerkship and your future legal career. Let me take this opportunity to give you a personal insight into what it is like to clerk and work at Cowell Clarke.

I was fortunate enough to join Cowell Clarke as an Administrative Clerk in my penultimate year of study. Entering the firm in such a position, I was able to appreciate the unique culture of Cowell Clarke. Cowell Clarke prides itself on having built a comfortable and enjoyable work environment that promotes success, development and teamwork for all its employees.

From my first day of working as an Administrative Clerk I interacted with everyone within the firm, from secretaries to partners. This is also an advantage you will experience as a summer clerk at Cowell Clarke. The clerkship program is structured such that you will complete two rotations and receive a variety of work from a range of solicitors in many practice areas.

The first rotation is in litigation, which includes practice areas like commercial litigation, insolvency & reconstruction, building & construction, dispute resolution and mediation, employment and industrial relations. The second is in advisory, which includes corporate advisory, capital markets, banking and finance, IP & IT, energy and resources, property, environment & planning and tax & revenue. Having exposure to such a diverse range of practice areas, and receiving work from junior lawyers through to partners, will allow you to develop the essential skills of managing deadlines and work flow. You will also be assigned a buddy for any of those trivial questions you may have during your clerkship.

I was further able to appreciate the special nature of the culture at Cowell Clarke after completing a summer clerkship at another Adelaide law firm at the start of my final year of study. Upon my return to Cowell Clarke, I was offered a part time clerk role in the firm’s corporate division. In this role I assisted lawyers in the corporate team and in other practice areas with tasks such as legal research, drafting of advices, legal documents and memorandums and preparing commercial agreements. Working as a part time clerk has made the transition into full time work feel like a seamless experience.

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p130901_025.doc

Working full time at Cowell Clarke is a rewarding experience. As Adelaide’s only member of ALFA International, we have a well grounded global presence. It is not unusual to be part of a major corporate deal and work with counsel on the other side of the world!

Social activities are another key part of Cowell Clarke’s culture. Friday night drinks are always a great way to unwind and catch up with friends. The Social Club Committee is very active and organises social outings on a regular basis. Cowell Clarke also facilitates programs such as boot camp, yoga, the City to Bay (eagerly contested with the partners vs. staff challenge) and strongly encourages us to attend networking and professional development and social events.

Cowell Clarke participates in the SALSC Uniform Clerkship Scheme which makes the application process simple and straightforward. You will also be relieved to know that there is no endless questionnaire to complete– just simply submit a cover letter, your CV and your academic transcript.

Many of the solicitors I work with, including a partner of the firm, started their legal careers as a clerk at Cowell Clarke. Don’t give up the opportunity to start yours here too!

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19

You’re not the best anymore step up your game!

By Cameron Henderson, Publications Director

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study/intern opportunities and, what I think is most important – communicate with everyone in and out of tutorials.

As law is so competitive, you will be competing against your peers both within university for those sought after HDs, and straight after university for those even more sought after graduate positions.

It’s about time you up your game, because so far during my life both inside and outside of university, what I’ve learnt is that law is about people. Its not about invisible numbers, quantum equations or chemical formulas, it’s about getting to know human beings; their strengths, their vulnerabilities, their issues and their stories. Being able to interact well with your classmates, mentors, teachers and future clients is the key to success, and will make you shine later on in life.

Collaborate with your peers and discuss legal concepts and scenarios with them, even outside of tutorials and lectures. I’ve learnt the most about legal principles through having (sometimes heated) discussions with my friends, evaluating their points of view and broadening my own knowledge as a consequence.

Don’t be afraid to speak up in tutorials and don’t be afraid to seize every opportunity you come across. Read into an issue you’re passionate about and bring it to the attention of your teachers and friends.

Its time you up your game, because everyone around you is as brilliant as you are, and you can learn a lot from what they have to offer.

“

Law school is a strange transition for many of us. Just getting accepted into a law degree in a conventional manner requires attainment of a high ATAR score through hard work in high school. Most often, during this time at high school, you’ll be used to topping you class in everything you do, and it is well –known many law students come from backgrounds of high achievement.

Similarly, if you are a mature age student coming from a background in business, management, science or elsewhere, sometimes after many years away from the books, getting stuck into the university routine, especially the sudden intensity of law school, may come as a shock to you.

No longer will you be top of your class, no longer will you be in a position of management or a specialist in your field. You’re tossed into the cell with all the other inmates and sentenced to a few years of educational reform.

So the questions are - how do you survive? How do you stand out? And how to you come out on top of your game?

No doubt, you need to study hard to get through your degree, but where through school or your previous job you could coast along and still get adequate recognition, suddenly you’re in a class of many other students just as good, if not better than you are, and you need a reason to stand out amongst the crowd.

So what do you do?

Volunteer for work placements, spend time down at the community legal centre, participate in business mentor programs, source out networking opportunities, find overseas

Law is about people...Its about getting to know human beings...

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USALSA CAREERS GUIDE 2014

The extracurricular edge

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etting involved in extra-curricular activities gives you that edge employers are looking for. But more than that, getting involved will increase your confidence, your networking skills, and get you feeling better than ever about taking on the real world.

These pages cover competitions, volunteer work and general activities. But, as always, it is not exhaustive and is only a snapshot of what is out there. Go out into the world and find something for yourself!

Competitions

T

he Jessup International Law Moot Competition is touted as the world’s largest moot court competition.

It simulates fictional disputes between countries before the International Court of Justice.

The Australian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) hold the finals for the below competitions: • Mooting • Witness Examination • Negotiation • Client Interviewing • Paper Presentation • International Humanitarian Law Moot • National Essay Competition • Kirby Cup USALSA currently holds qualification rounds for the Mood, Witness Examination and Negotiation Competitions in Trimester 1 of each year. There is also a first year moot held in Trimester 3 each year, which gives new students the opportunity to try their hand at mooting without the added pressure of qualification for ALSA. If you are interested, look out for emails and communication from USALSA to get involved as there are usually qualifying rounds.

Entering competitions is great for advocacy practice, it is a prime chance for networking and shows potential employers you like to get involved in many activities.

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Volunteer for Social Justice Organisations

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any not-for-profit organisations and community legal centres (CLC) take on volunteers. Volunteering at these organisations provide students opportunities to experience practical legal application with real results. They will increase experience, networking and placement opportunities for your future, while giving you a sense of achievement for the work perform.

An onerous commitment is not necessary - usually it is just one day a week and many organisations will be flexible if you show you are willing to help.

JusticeNet

Welfare Rights (SA)

A not-for-profit legal referral service which coordinates pro bono legal assistance to disadvantaged and low-income South Australians.

Volunteer applications are accepted all year and expressions of interest should be sent to admin@justicenet.org.au with résumé and academic transcript.

A non-government agency which provides a free service assisting people with Centrelink dealings and decisions. It also runs the Housing Legal Clinic which provides pro bono legal advice to the homeless, or those at risk of becoming homeless.

Young Workers Legal Service Free work-related advice is provided for workers under the age of 30. There are usually yearly intakes of volunteers in January and July.

However, volunteers may also be needed at other times. See their website for more information and criteria.

Roma Mitchell CLC An agency run by volunteers which provides pro bono face-to-face and telephone legal advice. There are also e-volunteers who work to actively advance human rights and reconciliation. This is their Human Rights Volunteer Service.

Women’s Legal Centre (SA) Inc A community based legal centre which provides legal services to women in South Australia. Volunteers are needed for administration work and, legal advice and information.

International Volunteering There are many providers who have a range of programs aboard. To find out more, check out their websites, contact them directly or go to an information session. Projectsabroad, Antipodeans Abroad and Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) are just a few. Also see internships abroad under “Want a career overseas?” for more information and other overseas options.

The UniSA Legal Advice Clinic Students have the opportunity to work in the University of South Australia Law School’s own Legal Advice Clinic. The clinic assists clients in traffic charges, car accidents, criminal charges, debt claims, faulty goods, tenancy issues and family law matters to name a few.

The clinic operates four days a week at the Law School and one day a week at Port Adelaide Magistrates Court. For more information on how to get involved, contact managing solicitor Matthew Atkinson at matthew.atkinson@unisa.edu.au

For the most part...

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eople do double degrees where it is easy to get involved in an area which also uses legal knowledge. For law and journalism students for example, there is always The Obiter, USALSA’s triannual magazine.

Let’s not forget getting involved in student-run organisations. For example, USALSA or even UniSA Sport.

Internet Searches • • •

http://www.clcvolunteers.net.au lists community legal centres and if they are looking for volunteers http://www.naclc.org.au/ has a full list of community legal centres in Australia http://www.saccls.org.au/ lists South Australian Community Legal Centres

It is good to present yourself as an all-rounder. So community work, music, sports, arts and languages are all great things to get involved in. It is important to have more than just your university study to show, and to follow your interests - so find something you enjoy and stick at it.

If you want to get experience, pick up the phone and start dialling!

Many organisations have websites which provide more information.

You just need to look for it!

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USALSA USALSA CAREERS CAREERS GUIDE GUIDE 2014 2014

Getting involved with competitions Jake Collins

I am in my fourth year of a double degree of Law and International Relations. Throughout my time at university I have competed in moot competitions. My first attempt at a moot competition was the USALSA moot competition in 2012, where I was awarded runner up. Since then I have gone on to win two USALSA moot competitions, and have competed on the national level at the ALSA Conference in 2012 and 2013 (and will be competing again in 2014).

I also competed at the Australian Round of the Jessup Moot competition in 2014.

Participation in these moots has been very beneficial for me. The first and foremost benefit of competing in moot competitions is that I have gained confidence when doing any public speaking. Before I started mooting, I was terrified of public speaking. In fact, my first ever moot was atrocious. I was unable to make any eye contact and I was stiff and rigid at the lectern.

gained through mooting will be helpful when I go to interviews for jobs and clerkships, as I will be able to control my nerves and display why I am a better candidate for the position.

Another benefit I have gained from mooting is the improvement of my advocacy and communication skills. I am excited about this, as I want to be an advocate when I graduate and having experience in advocacy and communications will give me a great advantage. Participating in moots while at university means that when I do start work after graduation I am less likely to make basic mistakes. I would have made them at university, and it is always better to make mistakes at university where it does not matter, than to make them in the workplace where it would.

While most of the benefits gained from mooting are directed at advocacy and public

However, since then I have had more speaking, there is a benefit that will assist you experience and now I am able to confidently stand while you are still at university. Because mooting up and argue my position in front of a District Court is usually an appeal, you have to be able to argue Judge, as I did in my last moot. This confidence why a certain position that is enunciated in the 23

case law is correct and should be accepted. This means you have to understand the cases, and I have found that the more mooting I do, the easier it is to analyse cases.

This improvement in my case analytical skills has been helpful as I finish off my law degree.

Another benefit of mooting is that you learn to work in a group.

Most moots you do will be done in a group, most times with only one partner. However, being able to split up the work between the group members and to put together all the arguments is a skill you learn quickly when competing in moots; it is vital if you wish to do well. The ability to work in a group is also an important skill to have when applying for a job or clerkship. For example, I can now say that I can work well in a group well because the Jessup required me and four other people to work together to produce two documents that amounted to nearly 20, 000 words. I feel this gives me an advantage over other applicants.

Mooting competitions are great to have on your CV and in a cover letter, as it will distinguish

you from all the hundreds of other law students or graduates applying for the same position.

All the above benefits are valuable but the best benefit to come out of competing are that I have been able to meet new people and network. Not only have I met new people in Adelaide, but because mooting has taken me across the country to Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, and soon to Brisbane, I have been able to meet people all over Australia. While I may not be able to get a job in Adelaide, I now have some connections in other cities that I will be able to use, so I have options all over Australia.

My advice to anyone thinking about signing up for the next moot competition is to just bite the bullet and sign up. This may sound clichĂŠ but no one will laugh at you for having a go at mooting. And who knows, you might just have some fun. I know I certainly have.

“

..just bite the bullet and sign up

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USALSA USALSA CAREERS CAREERS GUIDE GUIDE 2014 2014

Making your mark volunteering Ben Clarke

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invaluable chance to grasp an understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of legal practice. My experience at Thomas Philip proved to do just that and more – it taught me an enormous amount about legal practice with a focus on core litigation skills including interviewing, ethics, communication, independence, research, drafting and advocacy. Looking back, I honestly believe that this experience has provided me with a competitive edge in the current market, and has also had a flow-on effect in the sense that I have now been fortunate enough to be able to secure further work experience and clerkship opportunities.

Most recently, I undertook a Summer Clerkship at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions where it was my role to regularly prepare advice in areas such as drugs and money laundering, sexual offences, serious violence including armed robbery and other dishonesty offences. In the past 18 months, I have also been lucky enough to gain work experience at Len King Chambers where it was my role to assist in the preparation and litigation process of a murder trial. Further to this, I have also travelled to London to undertake work experience at 9-12 Bell Yard Chambers, one of the UK’s leading chambers in general crime, fraud and professional discipline, as well as travelled to Geneva, Switzerland, to participate in an International Human Rights Exchange Program. By virtue of these experiences, I now hold an ongoing casual law clerk position at Piper Alderman in the firm’s Commercial litigation team, with the hope of one day securing a graduate position.

I honestly believe the only reason I have been fortunate enough to gain these opportunities is because I put myself out there and demonstrated that I have had the ability to step out of my comfort zone. In this regard, the best advice I can give is to volunteer as much as time as you can, show prospective employers that you are different by taking responsibility for your own learning and development, and always say “yes” to every opportunity that comes your way!

“

I am often told by students and legal practitioners how difficult it is to get a job as a law graduate in Adelaide’s current job market. Therefore, I recognised at an early point in my degree that I needed to differentiate myself from the competitive market of law students who are flooding out of the gates of law schools in the Adelaide region. Like most law students, I started out with having no connections whatsoever in the legal industry. For this reason, I set myself a career plan for the duration of my university degree: to make myself stand out above the crowd in order to secure that highly sought after graduate position.

Participation in extra-curricular activities and gaining relevant legal experience were at the forefront of this career plan. Some of the best advice I received from one of my mentors early on was to say “yes” to every opportunity that comes your way – whether it be boring as hell, of no interest to you, or may run the risk of ruining your ‘street cred’... because it is these kinds of experiences that have the ability to open up a world of future opportunities. For that reason, since commencing my law degree in 2011, I have been closely involved in the University culture by engaging in the roles of Membership Officer for UniSA’s Law Students’ Association (USALSA), Student Services Assistant for UniSA’s Student Association (USASA), and Student Ambassador and Student Mentor for the UniSA Business School. By virtue of these roles, I have been able to demonstrate to prospective employers my ability to possess organisational and time-management skills, as well as a commitment to taking responsibility for my own learning and professional development – qualities which I believe are highly valued in graduate lawyers.

Drawing from own personal experience, in the second year of my degree I made the decision to travel to Malaysia to undertake a 4 week internship at Thomas Philip Advocates & Solicitors, a midtier litigation and dispute resolution firm, whilst studying a fulltime load concurrently in Australia. I approached my experience at Thomas Philip enthusiastically and with an open mindset as I saw the opportunity to participate in an international internship as an

say ‘yes’ to every opportunity that comes your way

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ANU Legal Workshop your pathway to Legal Practice 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) Face-to-face intensives for 2014:

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.

Adelaide 26 May 2014

We also offer: > flexible on-line delivery > your choice of 20, 40, 60 or 80 day placement > direct or reciprocal admission to legal practice nationally > substantial credit towards an ANU LLM.

Perth 23 Jun 2014

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.

Wollongong 30 Jun 2014

Information W law.anu.edu.au/legalworkshop/gdlp T 02 6125 4463 E lwsa@law.anu.edu.au facebook.com/ANULegalWorkshop

Canberra 8 Sep & 17 Nov 2014

CRICOS# 00120C | 221012LW

Darwin 16 Jun 2014 Melbourne 23 Jun 2014 Sydney 23 Jun 2014 Brisbane 30 Jun 2014 Canberra 30 Jun 2014 Sydney 25 Aug 2014 Melbourne 1 Sep 2014 Perth 24 Nov 2014 Sydney 24 Nov 2014 Toowoomba* 24 Nov 2014 Townsville 1 Dec 2014 Wollongong 1 Dec 2014 Adelaide 15 Dec 2014 * Subject to change

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USALSA USALSA CAREERS CAREERS GUIDE GUIDE 2014 2014

Overseas Career Options The basics you need to start planning a career abroad

Japan Admission Australians interested to practice law in Japan may be admitted as Foreign Special Members of the Japanese Federation of Bar Associations. Once admitted, foreign lawyers are limited to advising on the law of their home jurisdiction.

Australian lawyers seeking admission must apply to the Minister of Justice and be qualified in their home jurisdiction with have three years post-admission experience. They must satisfy the Minister that they have the will and financial means to act as a lawyer, have residence and also meet the character and bankruptcy requirements.

Immigration Individuals wishing to work as lawyers in Japan may apply for a Legal/Account Working Visa which is valid for one or three years. To work in Japan a foreign citizen needs an Eligibility Certificate, which must be approved by the Minister of Justice.

For further information on admission requirements, see: www.nichibenren.or.jp/en/ For immigration, see: www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/index.html For the Foreign Lawyers Act, see: www.cs-trans.biz/J-Foreign-Lawyers.htm

New Zealand Admission: Australian lawyers admitted in any Australian jurisdiction can apply to practice in New Zealand under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997. Australian graduates yet to be admitted can apply to the New Zealand Council of Legal Education.

Immigration: Australian residents seeking to work in New Zealand are not usually required to obtain a visa, provided the character requirements are satisfied.

For further information on admission requirements, see: www.lawsociety.org.nz For information regarding the TTMRA, see www.nzcle.org.nz/ For further information on immigration, see: www.immigration.govt.nz/

China

For more information see ALSA’s International Careers Guide available at: www.alsa.net.au

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Admission Most foreign lawyers are unable to advise or act in relation to Chinese legal issues and are generally not admitted in China. However, they are able to practice their home jurisdiction’s law through international firms. Chinese citizens seeking to be admitted in China should refer to the website of the Ministry of Justice.

Immigration Australians seeking to work in China require an Employment Visa (Z Visa). The Employment Visa is valid for here months. Visa holders must apply for residency from the local Public Security Office within 30 days of arriving in China.

For further information on admission requirements see: www.legalinfo.gov.cn/english/ node_7590.htm For immigration see: au.china-embassy.org/eng

Internships abroad Asian Human Rights Commission Location: Hong Kong Duration: Minimum 6 months How to apply: Visit www.ahrchk.net/

United States

Admission: Admission requirements in the United States differ in each State. Every State requires applicants to sit a bar exam and satisfy the relevant admission authority that they are of good character. In some States, applicants may be required to take additional course in US Law at an ABA approved law school.

Alternatively foreign lawyers may practice with a Foreign Legal Consultant Licence. This allows lawyers to engage in restricted legal practice within a State, based on their home jurisdiction qualifications and experience.

Immigration: Australians seeking work in the US must obtain a work visa. Australians may apply for the special E-3 Visa which permits Australians to work temporarily in specific occupations. In order to qualify for the visa, the applicant must have a job offer from an organisation in the US prior to departing Australia.

For further information on admission requirements, see: www.calbar.org for California; and www.nybarexam.org for New York.

Canada Admission: Australian graduates must apply to the Canadian National Committee on Accreditation, a committee of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. They will look at the applicants’ academic and professional achievements, may issue a certificate of qualification, or recommend further study.

Immigration: Australians wanting to immigrate to Canada to practice law temporarily require a Work Permit that specifies both the employer and the duration of the permit.

For further information on admission requirements, see: www.flsc.ca/en/nca For further information on immigration, see: www.cic.gc.ca

Hong Kong

Admission: Australian Graduates wishing to practice in Hong Kong as solicitors or barristers, are required to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) and undertake either trainee work as a solicitor, or a pupillage for Barristers. To qualify for admission to the PCLL, an applicant must hold a degree from a common law jurisdiction. Usually graduates undertake “top-up” courses in the three Hong Kong specific subjects; Constitutional Law, Hong Kong Land Law and the Hong Kong Legal System.

Immigration: Australians intending to work in Hong Kong must obtain a work visa prior to arrival. Special visas for professionals seeking to work in Hong Kong are granted under the General Employment Policy (GEP).

For further information on admission requirements, see: hklawsoc.org.hk For the PCLL, see: www.hku.hk/pcll

Australian Delegation to the UN Human Rights council Location: Geneva Duration: 6 weeks (March - April) How to apply: Complete the application form (www2.ohchr.org/SPdocs/ AboutUs/internshipform.doc) and send to internship@ohchr.org along with; a list of courses taken and grade transcript, research samples and, proof health insurance .

Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Location: Various locations throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Duration: 3 - 12 months depending on the host-organisation needs How to apply: AYAD assignments are advertised online at www.ayad.com.au and with three intakes annually, applications can be submitted anytime.

Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative Location: Accra, Ghana Duration: 1 - 4 months How to apply: The most effective way to do an internship with CHRI is via Projects Abroad who will organise food and accommodation for the period of your internship.. Go to www.projectsabroad.com.au/projects/law.php or, for further information from CHRI, see: humanrightsinitiative.org Federation of Women Lawyers of Kenya: Location: Kenya Duration: 3 - 6 months How to apply: Complete an application form (www.fidakenya.org/) and email application to, info@fida.co.ke, or post to PO Box 46324-00100 Nairobi Kenya.

International Fund for Agriculture: Location: Rome How to apply: Fill in an IFAD Personal History Form and email it to ifad@ifad. org. Any questions should be marked to the “Attention Human Resources Division”.

International Service for Human Rights: Location: Hamburg, Germany Duration: 2 -6 months full-time How to apply: Applicants must have completed at least 3 years of university study and should still be studying at the time of the internship. For more information see: www.itlosorg/.

UN High Commissions for Refugees: Location: Geneva Duration: Minimum 6 weeks How to Apply: Fill in application form at www.unhcr.org/admin/3b8a31f94.html

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USALSA USALSA CAREERS CAREERS GUIDE GUIDE 2014 2014

South Africa

Admission In order for an Australian law graduate to be able to practice local law, they will need to hold a permit for permanent residence in South Africa and further hold a Bachelor of Law degree from a South African University.

This can be achieved by submitting their Australian degree for credit and then completing any relevant courses needed to qualify. They are also required to complete two years of articles of clerkship with a practising South African attorney and successfully complete the admission exam. Candidates will then need to attend a training course with the relevant law society in their chosen Province before finally being able to apply for admission as an attorney.

Immigration: Australian citizens receive a visa on arrival in South Africa for 90 days which can be extended while they are looking for work.

For further information on admission requirements see: http://www.lssa.org.za/

United Arab Emirates Admission A United Arab Emirates (UAE) National is required for court appearances in UAE courts which follow Sharia law and all proceedings are conducted in Arabic, especially in family and criminal law matters. However for Australian graduates who have also completed their GDLP and are looking for international exposure and experience primarily in civil law, they can apply for a working permit with the Ministry of Labour and may work for an international or local firm on International law and the law of any jurisdiction they are qualified in, under the jurisdiction of the Dubai Financial Centre Courts which operate in English and bear a striking resemblance to the common law judicial system. The laws enacted to govern individuals, companies and financial institutions within the DIFC are in effect a “commercial code” modelled on the best practices of the world’s major financial jurisdictions.

Australian lawyers are well sought after and have been successful in obtaining work with international firms who see them as a good cultural fit to their organisation but it is important to note that that expatriates are mainly considered for their experience, expert knowledge or specialised skills.

Immigration An Australian citizen receives a 30 day visa on arrival in Dubai which can be extended while they are looking for work. A residence visa is granted when a company employs and sponsors you and this is renewed every couple of years.

For further information on admission requirements see: http://www.ibanet.org/PPID/ Constituent/Bar_Issues_Commission/ITILS_UAE_Dubai.aspx

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What is the GDLP and who is the best provider for you?

The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, or GDLP, is the qualification obtained through practical legal training (PLT).

In Australia, PLT is a compulsory requirement to be admitted as a solicitor or barrister.

With various PLT providers to choose from, students are able to not only select the form in which they will complete their GDLP, whether it be in person or online, but also the jurisdiction into which they will be admitted.

Once admitted in their chosen jurisdiction, practitioners may apply for a practicing certificate in other states and territories.

Upon the successful completion of your PLT, you will have satisfied the prescribed national competences, developed by the Law Admissions Consultative Committee and Australasian Professional Legal Education Council.

Some qualities obtained through your PLT include lawyers’ skills, work management and business skills, trust and office accounting skills, as well as responsible and professional values.

Competition for law jobs is as tough as ever, with no employment guarantees after years of dedicated study.

So when contemplating PLT options, it is not only important to consider whether a GDLP is required for the career path you have chosen, or may choose, but also which provider is best for you and what they can offer compared to the others.

Flexibility and Delivery: How flexible is the delivery of the course?

Can you study full-time or part-time?

Is the course external?

How many contact days are required?

What support systems are offered to students?

Jurisdiction: Where do you want to practice and which provider will allow you to be admitted there?

Remember mutual recognition allows practitioners to apply for a practicing certificate in other states and territories.

FEE-HELP (HECS): How much of the programs fees can you obtain financial assistance for?

Placements: Can the provider help you in securing the required placement days?

Are there benefits on offer for completing more placement days?

Are there alternatives to placements?

Practical Skills and Group Work: How will the course help build your advocacy and drafting skills?

Are there group work requirements?

How is group work assessed?

Starting Dates: When is the course offered?

Can you start your PLT as an undergraduate?

What are the minimum requirements to enrol?

Reputation and Word of Mouth: How well is the provider recognised in the legal profession?

How have previous students found the provider?

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USALSA CAREERS GUIDE 2014

Work in the company of some of the biggest names in the business.

Finlaysons is always looking for our next generation of partners.

Now’s your chance to get your foot in the door at one of Adelaide’s longest established and most respected firms.

Enjoy the opportunity to work on some high calibre cases in a wide range of fields, while rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in town.

To find out more about our summer clerk applications visit finlaysons.com.au

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finlaysons.com.au

Are you passionate about using your legal skills to help the disadvantaged??

A strong pro bono programme can provide the opportunity to connect with your community.

I remember my first class at University. Our tutor asked us why we decided to study law. Some had families in the industry and were following in the footsteps of past generations. A few jokingly referred to their plan to make lots of money. The majority, however, talked about fighting for the rights of others, upholding the rule of law, and helping the disadvantaged. It’s a common goal for students, and equally important for lawyers at all stages of their career.

Whilst a commercial law firm may not be the first place you think about when you are considering how to achieve these goals, a strong pro bono programme can provide you with a great opportunity to make a difference to disadvantaged members of society.

I have been lucky enough to be involved in the relaunch of the pro bono programme at Finlaysons, one of South Australia’s leading law firms.

Finlaysons has always had a commitment to helping the community, and in 2013, we embarked on a plan to ensure it was better coordinated and promoted within the firm.

The firm revised its pro bono policy, established a new pro bono committee made up of lawyers from all levels from solicitors through to partners, and set an aspirational target of completing 15 hours of pro bono legal work per lawyer each year.

The committee oversees all pro bono work and helps to bring in new pro bono initiatives. Since its conception the committee has formed relationships with Public Interest Law Clearing Houses (organisations that gather and distribute pro bono work to law firms) JusticeNet and the Arts Law Centre of Australia. Through JusticeNet, we have received referrals in all areas of corporate and commercial law, whilst the Arts Law Centre connects us with artists seeking legal advice in a variety of areas.

And pro bono work is not just morally rewarding! It also provides interesting and challenging cases to work on. To give you an idea, in the last year I have helped artists protect their art against unauthorised use, established charitable foundations and provided advice to litigants defending themselves against allegations of misconduct.

The best part of the Finlaysons’ Pro Bono Program is that it aims to involve as many members of the firm as possible. Many of the clerks get the opportunity to contribute in a variety of ways to our pro bono matters.

So, if you’re interested in both a career in commercial law, and you want the chance to help others, I strongly recommend a clerkship at Finlaysons, where you will be able to pursue both these goals!

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Becoming a Judge’s Associate

B

eing a Judge’s Associate offers relatively new law graduates the opportunity to observe the judicial process up close and provides an invaluable learning experience.

An Associate assists in the judicial process by undertaking research directed by the judge, proofing draft judgments, as well as performing administrative duties.

They have many important duties and will be in many relationships of trust and confidentiality, not only with their Judge, but with judicial officers and court staff too.

With a limited number of Judge’s Associate positions available at any time nationwide, places are highly sought after and competitive.

Appointment of an Associate depends greatly on the Judge’s own assessment of the individual, but will also be influenced by the applicant’s academic record, life experience and personal presentation.

High Court of Australia

Federal Court

With over 200 applications received for each Judge’s Associate position, it is important to stand out.

To obtain a position you must have graduated with first class honours and obtained research experience through university, a law firm or another court.

When applying for a position with a specific Justice, you must write directly to the Justice.

If you do not have a preference as to which Justice you wish to work for, you should write to Mr Andrew Phelan, the Chief Executive and Principle Registrar. He will then raise your application at a meeting with all the Justices.

All letters of application must also include a current résumé and transcript.

There are no closing dates for Judge’s Associate positions in the High Court but positions are generally filled two to three years in advance so it is important to include the years you would be able to undertake your Associateship.

As a Judge’s Associate in the Federal Court, your roles would involve conducting legal research, court duties and other ad hoc work for your Judge.

Positions are filled up to 18 months in advance, and are not advertised.Applications and interviews conducted directly by each individual Judge.

When applying for a position, decide which court you would like to apply for and prepare your résumé, transcript and cover letter accordingly.

Be sure to include the period for which you are seeking employment, as well as any other necessary documentation, and forward your application directly to the relevant Judge or District Registrar.

Your application should be concise and easy to read, with no extensive details about irrelevant jobs.

Make sure your application specific to the position you are applying for.

“The capacity to provide high administrative and clerical support...”

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Supreme Court of South Australia

Other Supreme Courts

As a Judge’s Associate in the Supreme Court of South Australia, you will become a member of the Judge’s personal staff.

You will be required to undertake legal research, accompany the Judge to court in whichever jurisdiction they may sit, maintain records, attend chambers on interlocutory and other applications, and various other administrative functions.

Applicants must at least have a LLB - remuneration increases with admittance to practice in the Supreme Court of South Australia and experience as a practitioner.

Unlike many other Supreme Courts, vacancies arise at numerous times throughout the year, so application submissions are encouraged at any time and should be mailed directly to the Judge you would like to work for.

All applications must include your résumé, qualifications and academic record, as well as a copy of your admittance certificate if you have been admitted.

When selecting applicants, Judges tend to select applicants already admitted to the Supreme Court of South Australia but may make exceptions of applicants completing their Practical Legal Training or other post admission course.

It is important to note that as an Associate of the Supreme Court of South Australia you are not to be employed in any other profession, paid or otherwise, without the permission of the Chief Justice.

In most Australian Jurisdictions, a Supreme Court Judge’s Associate will provide secretarial and administrative support to the Judge.

You will be required to conduct legal research, proof documents, draft judgments, and may also be responsible for maintenance of the chambers library and ensuring documents are secure.

It is likely that you will be the first point of contact for individuals trying to contact the judge, and so will need to screen various enquires.

Some jurisdictions, such as Queensland, require individuals to understand that their position as Judge’s Associate must take priority over personal commitments, be willing to work irregular hours, travel with the Judge on work related travel, and have a personality compatible with the Judge.

The requirement of a completed law degree, GDLP, and other qualifications vary between jurisdictions, and it is always best to research such requirements before submitting an application.

Methods of application submissions also vary between states, with only a few accepting applications electronically and some require applications to be sent directly to the Judge you are seeking an Associate position with.

Few states advertise Associate positions but all encourage expressions of interest which are kept on record for future vacancies like the Supreme Court of South Australia.

Generally in each jurisdiction your cover letter should indicate the position you are interested in an when you would be able to undertake the position.

Traits generally looked for in applicants include maturity, discretion, tact, initiative, reliability and dignity.

Essential skills to work in any Supreme Court include well developed interpersonal, communication and liaison skills, excellent computer literacy, the capacity to provide high administrative and clerical support, the ability to work independently and collaboratively, excellent time management skills, and experience in planning and organising work priorities in a high volume work environment.

For Further information and information on other jurisdictions, please refer to the Australian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) Judge’s Associate Guide 2013, available at www.alsa.net.au.

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Alternative Careers - Journalism Working at Channel 10 Phoebe Bowden

“

There are about a hundred cases I am currently tracking...

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I studied a double degree in Law (Hons) and Journalism at UniSA graduating in 2014. For me, the key to success started with studying what I was interested in. Law developed my interests in justice and advocacy, while my journalism studies indulged my curiosity and love of telling people’s stories. Since completing my studies at UniSA in November 2013, I have been working as a reporter for Channel Ten’s evening news bulletin.

As both law and journalism are extremely competitive fields, I was encouraged throughout my degree to seek practical experiences to develop my skills and contacts.

Several standout lecturers, in particular Dr David Plater, fostered my curiosity, provided mentorship and encouraged me to seek practical experience. I undertook work experience at law firms, at the Attorney General’s Department, television newsrooms and local radio stations. Further, I embraced opportunities offered, including studying human rights at a summer school in Geneva, Switzerland, and writing an undergraduate law honours thesis. Making the most of my time at Uni also involved creating opportunities, the highlight of which was starting UniSA’s law student magazine The Obiter with two of my peers.

Not only were these experiences rewarding, they helped me develop invaluable skills transferable to industry. All of these experiences were critical in landing my job as the court reporter for Channel 10’s evening news bulletin.

Most of the cases I cover as a court reporter are criminal matters, so the knowledge gained through studying criminal procedure has been invaluable. My role involves following cases from a defendant’s first appearance immediately following

an arrest, through to sentencing and sometimes an appeal. There are about a hundred cases that I am currently tracking through the court system.

Media interest in a case could be because of the serious nature charge, for example murder or causing death by dangerous driving. However, interest may also stem from another newsworthy element, for example, a passionate victim pushing for law reform or a defendant who is well known.

Another key part of my job is making arguments regarding suppression orders, which prohibit the media from publishing certain details, usually the defendant’s name and identity. A suppression order may be made for a variety of reasons, including if police are still investigating a crime, or if a defendant is notorious. However, eventually the case will progress to a stage where a member of the media can argue for a suppression order to be lifted. I still get nervous when making an application in front of a Judge or Magistrate, but my experience at mooting helps a lot!

I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to work as a court reporter so early in my career. Meeting people involved in the justice process is interesting and often humbling, particularly when meeting victims’ families.

Seeking a range of experiences and making the most of every opportunity throughout my time at university was key to determining my career ambitions.

Along with my studies, it also provided strong foundations for my work as a court reporter.

Alternative Careers - Government Working at the Ombudsman’s Office James Franze

“

Each staff member was more than happy to take time to help

To those of you not wanting to work in traditional legal practice or those of you who are unsure about what you want from your law degree I would highly recommend undertaking placement with Ombudsman SA. I conducted my placement every Friday for 10 weeks beginning in late January as part of Legal Professional and Community Service Experience elective. Having enjoyed my experience there I then proceeded to complete a full two weeks of placement in the summer break.

Ombudsman SA investigates complaints about South Australian government and local government agencies, conducts freedom of information reviews (FOI), and supports and monitors the implementation of the Information Sharing Guidelines.

Anyone can lodge a complaint, and the Ombudsman can also receive information about State and local government activities confidentially from Whistleblowers.

To this day, as a final year student I am still unsure about what to get out my law degree.

If you have the slightest doubt about whether you want to work as a barrister or solicitor, I believe it is vital to get a taste of where else your law degree can take you.

Ombudsman SA is a great example of an area of employment where your law degree can take you should you not want to practice in the traditional legal based employment. Should you decide to work in a traditional legal practice, the experience is not wasted as the skills you will develop can be easily transferred into other employment opportunities.

My average day would consist of being handed a particular finding and conducting research into the complaint or FOI request in order to help the investigation officer make a finding. I would then usually attempt to complete a provisional report on the matter.

In addition to this I would also being involved in drafting case summaries for Ombudsman’s annual report, read and summarise judgments from case law and interview complainants in conjunction with assessment officers.

My experience was made even more enjoyable by the fact that each and every single employee of Ombudsman SA made me feel welcome. It was great to work in an environment where you feel comfortable to ask questions when you are unsure.

Each staff member that I worked with was more than happy to take the time out of their busy schedules to sit down with me to explain the relevant principles of administrative law and the relevant statutory guidelines that the office must follow in their investigations.

My placement at Ombudsman SA was of significant experience to me as I now have employment with the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman in a similar role. The main difference being the difference in jurisdiction and I am now dealing with Commonwealth Government Agencies instead of state based.

Anyone who is interested in conducting a placement with Ombudsman SA should contact Rachel Spencer for further information.

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Starting out in the legal profession Selina Nikoloudakis

I graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Laws with Honours in 2008 and I was admitted to practice in 2009. The timing of my admission was poor because in 2009 the Global Financial Crisis was continuing to affect financial markets and the Australian economy. As a consequence, graduates, including myself, were finding it difficult to secure employment.

I sent my CV to a number of prestigious Adelaide law firms. A few kindly sent letters back acknowledging receipt of my application but at the same time advising me that they were not in a position to hire any further legal staff at the time and they simply wished me well in my future endeavours. Some firms did not respond at all. Although, it was a struggle to secure employment, I never lost hope. A few months after my admission, I sent my CV to a firm by the name of Barnes Brinsley Shaw Lawyers (“BBS”). I had researched this firm extensively and the thought of working at this firm appealed to me.

Fortunately, upon receipt of my application, one of the partners contacted me and asked if I was interested in meeting with her and the HR manager. This particular partner, was in fact a tutor I had at University, when I completed the subject Family Law. To cut a long story short, I was initially offered a part time position with BBS, which within less a year led to a full-time employment position and approximately 3 years later I was made a Senior Associate. What one can learn from this is that it is important, even while you are a University student, that you start to form relationships with legal practitioners because you never know what it could lead to in the future.

To this day, I still remember the first task; I was asked to prepare a List of Documents. I was excited about being “assigned” my first real legal task but equally, I was nervous. Upon being given this task, I recalled having studied about disclosure and the discovery process, privileged and non-privileged documents at University but really, collating and preparing a List of Documents involved so much more than the application of what I had read in the “prescribed text books”. Fortunately, my mentor at the time, took the time to explain to me how the List should be structured, the documents that should be discovered and the documents for which a claim for privilege could be made. Having a mentor to guide you through your career, especially in the first few years of your career, is invaluable and it has certainly assisted in my professional development. I have been fortunate to not only work with very experienced solicitors but also Barristers, including Senior Counsel (one of whom was

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recently appointed a Family Court Judge). As young practitioners, you must remember that when you start out in your career you will not be expected to know everything. You will not be expected to know the latest authorities and to re-read and recite the textbooks back to front. The reality is, you will have a lot to learn in the first few years of your legal career and your employers will know and understand that. They will understand that you are starting out and what it is like to be a graduate lawyer because they were once in that same position too. Going through University I was always a shy person, sometimes afraid to speak up and ask questions, but what I have learnt in my years of practice is that you should never be afraid to ask questions. No question will ever to be considered a “silly question”, no matter how basic you think the question is.

You may be asking yourself, “what can I expect in the first few years of my legal career” and “what kind of tasks will I be assigned?” For the first few years of my career I assisted the partners in preparing for Trials, drafting Applications, Affidavits and letters of advice. I worked long hours, including on weekends. I now run my own files but I also continue to assist the partners with their files. I continue to work long hours but that is a personal choice that I have made. For me, it is satisfying to see a parent reunited with their child, after one parent has unilaterally denied them contact. It is satisfying to see a party walk away with a property settlement which allows them to rebuild their lives. One thing that you should avoid doing as a young practitioner is complaining if you are given a mundane job such as photocopying or compiling a brief; if the work is there, it needs to be done.

It is important that I also discuss the concept of “billable hours”. I am sure that everyone has heard about “billable hours”and charging in 6 minute intervals. As practitioners starting out, you will have financial targets to meet on a monthly basis and this is how your performance is measured. I am sure that you will monitor your budget and it will be the only thing you think about, well for some it will be. You will constantly ask yourselves “have I billed enough to make budget this month?” or “what will be consequences if I don’t meet budget?” As a practitioner starting out the concept of “billable hours” and “making budget” can add a lot of pressure and cause you great anxiety and stress. But you need to remember that you are just starting out in your careers; it will take time to find your feet and your employers will be aware of that.

You need to speak to your employers and let them know

if you need more work, or if you have too much work or if you need guidance and direction on a task that you have been assigned. You should also start making “contacts” early on in your career with both members of the legal profession and professionals in other areas, such as accounting and finance. You never know when those relationships may lead to referrals, which the partners in your performance review will recognise and acknowledge. Why not start making those relationships now?

The first encounter with a real life client can be daunting. You will think to yourself, how will I introduce myself, what questions should I ask, what should I wear. Your first meeting with a client can be likened to a first date. However, the advice that I can offer in regards to preparing for the first meeting is that you should be yourself. If you know the matter, that is, the facts of the case and the case theory the questions will come naturally to you. Make sure however that you keep detailed file notes!

At some stage in your career, I am sure that you will have a “panic attack”. You will be flooded with work and you will think to yourself where do I start, how am I going to do this?

Remember this, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. With the support of your colleagues, friends and partners in life you will always achieve what you may sometimes think is the unachievable. You should avoid however giving unachievable deadlines and

time frames to the client. Be up front and open. If you think it will take you a week to complete a task tell your supervising partner and then speak to the client. At the end of the day we are only human and there are only 24 hours in a day.

The law is always evolving and forever changing. Keeping up with changes and developments in the law can be a challenge in itself. You will constantly need to educate yourself and make sure that you are aware of any changes to legislation and any developments in case law. Obtaining CPD points in South Australia is a requirement to renewing your practicing certificate.

Recently, I decided simply attending CPD sessions is not enough for me. As such, I am currently completing my Masters in Family Law program through the College of Law. Yes, it is challenging balancing work, study and life in general at times, but it is something I have committed myself to and I know the future benefits will out way any costs I outlay now.

You will soon all embark on your legal career and I wish you all the very best..

Remember, working as a lawyer can at times be challenging, but equally, it is interesting, rewarding and the experiences which are gained are invaluable. Best of luck!

“

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Hunting for Jobs We all know the legal job market is tough at the moment, but there are jobs out there if you’re looking in the right places. Here’s a few tips from successful job hunters…

Subscribe, stalk and follow!

Legal firms and organisations often promote job vacancies on their websites, through their social media and to their email databases. It’s a good idea to make a list of the firms/organisations that you’re interested in and subscribe to their mailing list, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and LinkedIn and stalk their websites regularly. Job opportunities can come up really quickly and disappear again in the blink of an eye, so it’s important to check back often.

Online job boards

There are a number of legal websites that provide online job boards. These sites are like gold because they take all of the hard work of out of it for you.

Some good ones are: Beyond Law – www.beyondlaw.com.au Survive Law – www.survivelaw.com.au Law Society of South Australia – www.lawsocietysa.asn.au The College of Law – www.collaw.edu.au Rural, Regional & Remote (RRR) Law – www.rrrlaw.com.au Again, it’s really important to make sure that you check back regularly as these job boards are updated frequently.

Employment and recruitment websites

It’s a good idea to register to receive regular job notifications from employment websites.

Tip: Set your notification for jobs containing the words ‘law’, ‘legal’, ‘lawyer’, ‘solicitor’ etc. and you will be notified any time a new job is posted which fits that description. Easy!

Seek – www.seek.com.au Job Search – www.jobsearch.gov.au CareerOne – www.careerone.com.au UniSA Career Hub

Jobs and graduate positions are often advertised through the UniSA Career Hub. By signing up you will gain access to career information and a personalised job search, with weekly email notifications of all new jobs fitting your search criteria. www.unisacareerhub.unisa.edu.au 41

ADVICE | TRANSACTIONS | DISPUTES Domestic & Cross Border

SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM We offer a structured program where Clerks learn through a combination of hands-on experience, training, coaching and observation. All of our clerks have the opportunity to: • • • • •

Attend client meetings Observe court proceedings Conduct legal research Develop technical skills in areas such as drafting, due diligence and discovery Participate in team meetings, training and continuing legal education programs

We’ll do our best to match you to the area of practice in which you would prefer to complete your Clerkship – it’s really important to us that the clerkship experience helps you to make the right career choices.

PRACTICE AREAS • Banking & Finance • Competition & Regulation • Corporate & Advisory • Employment, Workplace Relations & Safety • Environment & Planning • Intellectual Property • Litigation & Dispute Resolution • Mergers & Acquisitions • Projects & Construction • Property • Restructuring & Insolvency • Tax • Technology

INDUSTRY SECTORS • Advertising & Marketing • Agribusiness • Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical • Construction, Infrastructure & Engineering • Franchising • Funds Management & Financial Services • Gaming & Leisure • Government • Health, Aged Care & Retirement Villages • Infrastructure • Insurance • Media, Broadcasting & Entertainment • Superannuation • Telecommunications

You will find our partners and staff approachable and always happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. We encourage our Clerks and Graduates to get as much exposure to different practice areas and ways of working as they can – this is a reflection of how we work as a wider organisation; a fully integrated, cohesive, national team.

IMPORTANT DATES Applications open

4 July 2014

Applications close

28 July 2014 (5pm)

Offers made

9 September 2014

Programs

24 November 2014 – 19 December 2014 19 January 2015 – 13 February 2015

If you’re a talented and ambitious law student who is keen to kick-start their legal career with a dynamic commercial law firm, we’re looking forward to hearing from you! Apply at: www.tglaw.com.au

www.tglaw.com.au Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Adelaide 42

USALSA CAREERS CAREERS GUIDE GUIDE 2014 2014 USALSA

South Australian Law Students’ Council Uniform Clerkship Scheme

Key Dates for 2014 Applications Open: Applications Close: Commencement of Interviews:

Offers of Clerkships: Communication of Decision:

Friday 4th July 2014 Monday 28th July 2014 at 5pm Tuesday 12th August 2014 Tuesday 9th September 2014 from 9am Wednesday 10th September 2014 from 9am

Participating Firms Cowell Clarke

Email application to: Susan Comerford People and Practice Development Manager careers@cowellclarke.com.au Any enquiries: Susan Comerford(08) 8228 1177 or via email to scomerford@cowellclarke.com.au

DMAW Lawyers

Johnson Winter & Slattery

Applications should be lodged via the JWS website - jws.com.au Any enquiries may be directed to Robyn Howard Professional Development Manager robyn.howard@jws.com.au

Minter Ellison

Written applications should be directed by email to hr@dmawlawyers.com.au.

Applications should be lodged through the Minter Ellison website - minterellison.com

Contact can be made by speaking to: Joy Virant Manager - People & Development on (08) 8210 2222

Any enquiries to: Vanda Mutton Senior HR Advisor (08) 8233 5682 Vanda.mutton@minterellison.com

Finlaysons

Applications are submitted via the Finlaysons online recruitment system - finlaysons.com.au

Fisher Jeffries

Applications should be lodged through the Fisher Jeffries website - fisherjeffries.com.au Any general queries about the firm may be addressed to Ms Michelle Williams Administrative Assistant Email: mwilliams@fisherjeffries.com.au Telephone: (08) 8233 0600

Kelly & Co

Applications should be emailed to: recruitment@kellyco.com.au Any queries should be addressed to: recruitment@kellyco.com.au

Thomson Geer

Applications should be lodged through Thomson Geer website - tglaw.com.au Enquiries to: hr@tglaw.com.au

Wallmans Lawyers

To apply lodge applications through website - wallmans.com.au Enquiries to: hr@wallmans.com.au

Norman Waterhouse

Applications should be lodged via the Norman Waterhouse website.

The South Australian Law Students’ Council (SALSC) is a representative body of the three law schools in South Australia.

The aim of SALSC is to represent the interests of all law students in South Australia.

The Uniform Clerkship Scheme is an initiative of SALSC to provide a uniform clerkship application process for law firms offering summer clerkships, making the application and selection process easier for students.

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“Nothing will work unless you do”

- Maya Angelou

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