APPLICATION TIPS

My Clerkship Experience Jonathan, Seasonal Clerk

Studied: Bachelor of Laws (Honors), University of NSW Sydney

Rotations: Resources, Environment and Planning

1. WHY ASHURST I chose Ashurst for its recognition as one of Australia’s leading environmental law practices and for the people I met at Ashurst during the application process. The opportunity to learn from and work alongside genuine and down-to-earth people who excel in their specialities was one of the main reasons I chose Ashurst. What also set Ashurst apart was the training the firm provides. Ashurst is a firm that not only values the quality of the work it produces, but also the quality of training it provides to junior lawyers and clerks.

2. YOUR WORK AS A CLERK I was fortunate enough to receive a diverse range of work during my rotations. I had the opportunity to draft advice to clients, sit in on client meetings, research areas of law, prepare briefs to Counsel and assist with pro bono matters. The lawyers I worked with were incredibly diligent, patient and were always happy to take the time to explain each task to me and to answer any questions I had. I believe this greatly developed my legal skills and enhanced my learning experience.

3. SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE CLERKSHIP I thoroughly enjoyed the social aspects of the clerkship. As clerks we participated in inter-firm clerk sports, attended the clerk-cruise, had clerk-cohort dinners and even organised a weekend trip to the Central Coast. As a whole, the clerkship was highly social and a great opportunity to meet new people and develop close friendships.

4. CAREER DEVELOPMENT AT ASHURST Even as a clerk, it was clear to me that Ashurst invests in the development of its people. We received training formally, through weekly training sessions covering a range of practice areas, as well as informally, through the mentoring received from lawyers during our rotations. This was also evident at the end of the clerkship, where there was clear communication about next steps for our careers at Ashurst.

5. ASHURST IN THE COMMUNITY Ashurst’s stand-alone pro bono practice and commitment to corporate social responsibility stand out to me as it is a clear demonstration of the firm’s commitment to making a difference beyond its professional work. As a clerk, there is the opportunity to clerk in the Pro Bono team, and every clerk has the opportunity to get involved with some form of pro bono work. I found this to be an immensely fulfillingexperience.

6. APPLICATION TIPS My advice to candidates would be to bring your whole self to the application process. I found that every firm really values getting to know more about candidates than just their university credentials. I would also try to enjoy the process, as stressful as it is. Having come out the other side, I found the applications to be a really rewarding experiences and a great chance to reflect on all the things I’d done.

7. WHO SHOULD APPLY? I would recommend Ashurst to anyone seeking to work at a firm that produces technically excellent work and invests in the development of its junior lawyers.