THE Possibilities
GUIDE
2020 EDITION
PRIVATE LAW CAREERS
PUBLIC INTEREST CAREERS
INTERNATIONAL CAREERS
Do you want a career in private law?
Or maybe you're interested in working on the public side?
Have you thought about international opportunities?
CAREERS BEYOND LEGAL What about careers in other fields?
Acknowledgements PUBLICATIONS DESIGN Danny Ng, Samuel Choi & Rafia Islam
PRESIDENTS Sophie Berton & Justin Song
VICE PRESIDENT (EDUCATION) Rafia Islam
VICE PRESIDENT (INTERNATIONAL) Chelsea Wu
VICE PRESIDENT (PRIVATE LAW CAREERS) Lilian Wan
VICE PRESIDENT (PUBLIC INTEREST CAREERS) Vien Siu
CONTRIBUTORS Catrina Chen Leslie Phung Clare Yu Nancy Cai Gregory Baillie Natasha Naidu Matt McLeod Patil Sevagian Monica Jovanov Phoebe Boyle James Dunn Rachael Lee Jason Zhang Rachel Hurwitz Jessica Williams Saeed Saadie Shuhan He Joshua Geng Lily Zhu This Student Club publication is proudly supported by Arc. UNSW Law Society Inc 2020 DISCLAIMER The articles and opinions expressed in this publication are not Necessarily those of the UNSW Law Society Inc., the editors, or those of the UNSW Faculty of Law. Although the editors and authors have taken every care in preparing and writing the guide, they expressly disclaim and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, misuse or misunderstandings on the part of any person who uses or relies upon it. The editors, authors and the UNSW Law Society Inc. accept no responsibility for any damage, injury or loss occasioned to any person or entity, whether law student or otherwise, as a result of a person relying wholly or in part on any material included, omitted or implied in this publication.
Contents 04
PRESIDENTS' WELCOME
05
VICE PRESIDENTS' WELCOME
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PRIVATE LAW CAREERS
15
PUBLIC INTEREST CAREERS
27
INTERNATIONAL CAREERS
33
CAREERS BEYOND LEGAL
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OTHER RESOURCES
Presidents' Welcome
Law graduates have a diverse career path that isn’t limited to purely legal practice. Through this Possibilities Guide, we hope to shed light onto the endless opportunities that are available both within and beyond the traditional legal industry. Whilst this Guide can’t cover all the opportunities available to students, it serves as a great starting point for students who are interested in learning about the different career pathways open to them. At UNSW Law, we pride ourselves in having a diverse body of students who contribute to our Law school. Accordingly, we hope this Guide is the first of many steps to ensuring that we move towards a broader definition of success which recognises the excellence of all career opportunities. The UNSW Law Society places a great deal of emphasis on providing our students with information that is useful for both their time in university and beyond. We would like to thank the Education, International, Public Interest Careers and Private Law Careers portfolios for their hard work in producing the Possibilities Guide for 2020. We wish you all the best for your studies and future careers! Sophie Berton & Justin Song 2020 UNSW Law Society Co-Presidents
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Vice Presodents' Welcome
We are so incredibly proud to present the UNSW Law Society’s Possibilities Guide for 2020! As a collaboration between the Education, International, Public Interest Careers and Private Law Careers portfolios, the core purpose of this Guide is provide insight into the diverse range of career pathways that are available for students upon graduation, both legal and non-legal. We know that life after Law School may seem daunting and you may often find yourself unsure about what kind of profession you would like to pursue in the future. The truth is, the possibilities are endless. It is important to recognise that there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ when it comes to choosing a career path. There are so many different avenues available, it is up to you to figure out what you are truly passionate about.LawSoc strives to help our students succeed in their professional journey and we highly recommend attending the diverse range of career events we hold throughout the year, you never know who or what could inspire you for the future! Lastly, we would like to thank our wonderful contributors who were kind enough to sacrifice some of their time to shed light on their own career experiences. We hope these testimonials provide you with valuable insight into what’s out there. No matter which career path you embark on, we wish you all the very best for the rest of your time in law school and beyond! Rafia Islam, Chelsea Wu, Lilian Wan & Vien Siu 2020 UNSW Law Society Vice Presidents (Education, International, Private Law Careers & Public Interest Careers)
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Private Law Careers
PRIVATE LAW CAREERS
TRANSACTIONAL LAW WHAT IS IT? Lawyers in transactional law are involved in prepping clients for large transactions and deals. This can range from due diligence and advising on aspects of a deal, to negotiation with the vendor or purchaser to ensure that the client is receiving the best outcome, legally and commercially. The work covered is varied and can cover a variety of different practices and sectors. You may be working with clients from technology, media and communications or can work in fields such as Tax, Banking & Finance or Intellectual Property.
HOW DO YOU GET THERE? Law students have the opportunity to get involved in transactional work through paralegal, clerkship and graduate opportunities. Smaller firms are less structured and take both paralegals and graduates on an ad-hoc basis. These positions are often posted online to the UNSW Law Jobs Board. Larger firms are structured with formal clerkships for penultimate students or graduate programs. In these programs, you can expect to apply for roles such as Mergers and Acquisitions, Projects and Infrastructure, Real Estate and Banking & Finance.
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WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING THERE? As I had accepted my clerkship offer from Gilbert + Tobin largely for their pioneering Intellectual Property practice, I had no idea what I was in for stepping into my first rotation in the Banking and Infrastructure team. I was absolutely blown away by how much I enjoyed transactional work. As part of the Leveraged Finance team, I got involved in a large number of matters – mostly acquisitions of name-brand companies on behalf of our private equity clients. I experienced a huge variety of work at various points of the lifecycle of a deal, ranging from the drafting of the loan and security documents for a financial assistance whitewash, to preparing documents for a signing, to registering securities on Personal Property Securities Register (and seeing my time on the bill to the client – what a rush!). The work was not only engaging, but it was also rewarding being part of a team that genuinely celebrated your contributions. As enjoyable as the countless team lunches, drinks and donut runs were, most rewarding was the fact that I found mentors who were genuinely passionate about the work I was doing. Catrina Chen 6th year, Bachelor of Commerce (Finance)/Law
Having initially seen myself as more dispute-oriented, I was pleasantly surprised with my experience in M&A and found the work to be highly diverse and involving a fair bit of dynamic thinking and creativity. I was lucky enough to clerk during a period in which deals ranged from their infancy to closing, which meant that the work and experiences I had were exceptionally varied. I experienced client meetings, closings, the drafting of a variety of agreements, and even onsite inspections of company registers. No two deals in M&A are the same and each present their own unique commercial challenges which is what makes the work so interesting. One of the key attractions of M&A is the opportunity to be exposed to a diverse range of practices, and I would say that if you are unsure about which practice group is right for you, M&A is a great place to start. Rachael Lee 5th year, Bachelor of Arts/Law
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PRIVATE LAW CAREERS
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION WHAT IS IT? Lawyers who work in commercial litigation will be involved in dispute resolution between two or more parties. This places an emphasis on analytical and strategic problem solving skills. Their involvement encompasses providing service of letters of demand down and initiating or defending any proceedings that are associated with their clients. In this path, you will be required to collaborate and work with barristers, experts and other witnesses to determine facts and issues . Commercial litigation opens up a wide range of opportunities, including representing corporate clients for civil litigation and responding against competition law investigations that are conducted by the ACCC, as well as high-profile international arbitration for infrastructure disputes.
HOW DO YOU GET THERE? Similar to transactional law, your path to becoming a commercial litigation lawyer will vary depending on the size and nature of the firm you choose practice at. Firms specialising in disputes will mostly take either paralegals or law graduates. Generally, larger law firms will participate in the Law Society of NSW's clerkship and graduate programs, where rotations that handle dispute resolution can be undertaken to gain exposure in commercial litigation. The Law Society of NSW publishes their own careers guide and holds their own careers fair which provides further information about the opportunities that surround these roles.
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WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING THERE?
Having come from a transactional background, it surprised me how much I enjoyed and engaged with the work in the Competition and Regulation practice area. Reflecting on my experience, what is most notable is the breadth of industries I was engaged with across a number of projects: everything from pharmaceutical companies to car manufacturers. This sense of diversity provided excitement on every project. Additionally, the market research analysis needed to accurate define each industry for the ACCC provided for consistent engagement with my work and my critical thinking skills. Litigious work more generally provides for more creativity and strategy than you might expect! Through my month with the team, I got to work on a range of projects, and my day-to-day tasks varied enormously. I filled out forms, conducted niche research on the ACL, sat in meetings and calls and went to court. My communication, project management and analytical skills were all heightened enormously from the experience. I really recommend the team to everyone, particularly those who might initially suspect they will enjoy transactional work more (as I did). It provides for great exposure to the other side of law! Monica Jovanov 5th year, Bachelor of Commerce (Finance)/ Law
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WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING THERE?
Being in a legal team seated within an accounting firm meant that I could meet interns every day from different teams and a variety of educational backgrounds which kept things very interesting. The team itself is outward facing (ie, distinct from the firm’s in-house legal team) and deals solely in tax issues, including a lot of disputes. When I was there, I was involved in preparing for an active court case (and attending court to watch), editing settlements, and preparing evidence and expert briefs regarding a research and design tax incentive dispute that was still in the pre-litigation stage. It’s a great option if you’re interested in tax and/or disputes. No prior tax knowledge is required (I did not have any) as you will be supported with plenty of training and learning materials. The team is small but growing which means there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in new and different types of work while still retaining a high level of accessibility to senior lawyers. The benefit of a close-knit team is that it is much more likely you will be able to follow a dispute or issue from end to end and see your contribution in the bigger picture. Clare Yu 7th year, Bachelor of Commerce/Law
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PRIVATE LAW CAREERS
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL WHAT IS IT? Working as part of in-house counsel differs from private practice as it is only one client you will be working for. As part of the in-house legal team you will need to meet the particular demands of only one employer. As such, you will have a deeper knowledge about the business compared to those that you work with in private practice. As many businesses seek to avoid costs associated with employing external legal services, in-house practice has been a growing industry and graduates have an increased opportunity to enter into this sector. Various mainstream companies have their own in-house team that provides a platform to work to utilise legal skills and expertise. In-house legal counsel gives opportunities to shape your career path.
HOW DO YOU GET THERE? Many companies run their own clerkship or vacation programs for penultimate and graduating students. Bigger companies such as Commonwealth Bank and Telstra have their own legal graduate opportunities as well; keep an eye out on their websites to find out opening times. Lawyers who begin their careers at a commercial law firm can also move into an in-house role as the skills that are gained are easily transferable. Positions that cover in-house counsel are also advertised on the UNSW Law Jobs Board.
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WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING THERE?
Working as a paralegal in an in-house team has been a very valuable experience which thoroughly tested the knowledge and skills I gained at university. My firm specialises in corporate and trust management and naturally, there was a focus on these areas of the law. I had plenty of opportunities to collaborate with both client-facing divisions on regulatory matters, as well as in-house teams to address the concerns of a global enterprise. This experience has allowed me to develop practical skills across different facets of legal practice, as well as build multi-jurisdictional knowledge. Such international matters have been the highlight of my experience as they provided deep insights into foreign legal and cultural systems. It was very rewarding to see my research incorporated into final versions of legal advice circulated globally! At a high level, in-house lawyers occupy a unique space within the business. You develop nuanced perspectives of how the company operates and see the challenges facing the business in a different light. Drawing upon equal measures of legal and commercial skills, the in-house lawyer is a dynamic and challenging role. So, even if you have your heart set on a specific field, I encourage you to consider in-house opportunities. Jason Zhang 4th year, Bachelor of Commerce/Law
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WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING THERE?
Working as an in-house clerk at Canva is an incredible experience. Working in-house means being a ‘generalist’. It’s quite different from working as part of a commercial law firm as it exposes you to a wide range of matters, and instead of juggling multiple clients, your company is the core of all your considerations. You get to work closely with all the other business teams in your company and develop a deep understanding of the company and industry you work in. I’d recommend this pathway to anyone who enjoys a wide variety of work and can think on their feet in a fast-paced environment. I’d also recommend any student who is interested in going inhouse in the future to look into The Learned Crew – it’s one of the only in-house clerkship programs in Australia and a great way to get a taste of in-house work. Lily Zhu 6th year, Bachelor of Commerce/Law
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Public Interest Careers
PUBLIC INTEREST CAREERS
DOMESTIC CAREERS WHAT IS IT? 'Public Sector' is a broad catch-all that encompasses the government, and the independent offices outside of it. The majority of public sector employees work in essential services – primarily, health, education, justice and transport. All public sector agencies require legal staff for their day-to-day operation. Each level of government – Commonwealth, state and local – has its own public sector.
HOW DO YOU GET THERE?
The Commonwealth-level Australian Public Service (APS) and NSW public sector have a wide array of opportunities available for law graduates with roles covering all services provided by the government. Given the number of government agencies and roles, there are many diverse and compelling careers pathways in the public service. Generally, APS departments and agencies offer their own student, internship and/or graduate programs and applications should be directed to the respective department or agency. Similar pathways exist in other states and territories. In NSW, the NSW Government Graduate Program is an 18-month program which involves experience across various government agencies. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is NSW’s independent prosecutorial body representing the Crown in criminal proceedings, conducting prosecutions on behalf of the community. Another body is The Public Defenders, who are statutorily appointed barristers independent of the government. They act for legally-aided clients charged with serious criminal offences and are regarded as one of the leading floors of criminal barristers in NSW.
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WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING THERE?
I currently work as a Legal Support Officer in the High Risk Offender Unit at Legal Aid NSW. Prior to this, I worked in a private criminal defence firm as well as volunteered at The Public Defender’s Office, ALS and the Police Powers Clinic - Redfern Legal Centre. As a Legal Support Officer in the HRO team, my role is to assist solicitors in the preparation of matters. This is achieved through conducting legal research, summarising briefs and liaising with the various stakeholders. I most certainly recommend students monitor the iworkforNSW website and apply for any position with Legal Aid NSW. It is an organisation which values their employees, and provides you with the opportunity to explore other areas of law. For example, while I am attached to the High Risk Offender Unit, I have been fortunate enough to work with the Commonwealth Crimes Unit as well as the Indictable Unit. Lastly, and most importantly, staff (including management) are alive to the issues affecting our profession including burnout and work to minimise the risk. Saeed Saadie Final year, Criminology & Criminal Justice /Law
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PUBLIC INTEREST CAREERS
DIPLOMACY WHAT IS IT? Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of states. It usually refers to international diplomacy, namely the conduct of international relations through the mediation of professional diplomats with regard to a full range of topical issues. Embassies and other diplomatic missions such as consulates represent Australia in host countries around the globe.
HOW DO YOU GET THERE? Similarly to pathways in public international law, pathways in diplomacy include through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, or an international organisation. Diplomatic missions can involve working in one of the Australian government’s many embassies, high commissions, consulates or representative offices.
PUBLIC INTEREST CAREERS
DEFENCE FORCE WHAT IS IT? The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. The Defence Legal Division is responsible for the provision of legal advice and other legal services to Defence Services. It is comprised of Permanent and Reserve Navy, Army and Air Force legal officers and also includes all Defence civilian legal officers and paralegal officers. A primary focus of Defence Legal work, in both Canberra and the Regions, is on operations law including humanitarian law. Other important fields of focus are administrative and discipline law, international agreements and providing legal advice on a range of matters.
HOW DO YOU GET THERE? The ADF offers a Defence University Sponsorship to those studying a relevant degree at an accredited university. Students have their remaining course fees paid, earn a salary during university, and are reserved a place in the ADF. If your degree isn’t on the sponsorship list, it could still fast-track you into a rewarding Officer role, with leadership and professional development training as a graduate. The pathways to working in the Defence Legal Division are through either the Australian Defence Force or the APS. More information can be found on the ADF website.
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PUBLIC INTEREST CAREERS
THE BAR WHAT IS IT? Barristers specialise in advocacy work in courts and tribunals and provide legal advice. They are separate from solicitors and generally work in the upper levels of the Australian court hierarchy and tribunals.
HOW DO YOU GET THERE? In order to practice as a barrister in New South Wales, you must be admitted as a lawyer, sit and pass the Bar exam, and complete a reading program. Barristers are sole practitioners, but commonly work in chambers comprising barristers with a range of experience. For students interested in a career as a barrister, experience as research assistant at a barrister’s chambers is a good opportunity to gain insight into the type of work that barristers do. For more information, go to the NSW Bar Association website.
PUBLIC INTEREST CAREERS
CROWN SOLICITOR'S OFFICE WHAT IS IT? The Crown Solicitor’s Office (CSO) provides legal services to the NSW government and its agencies, rather than to the general public. It takes on all legal work related to core government functions and competes with the private sector for general untied legal services. The CSO is composed of eleven specialist practice groups, each with expertise in areas such as native title, criminal law, inquiries and commercial law. Karen Smith is the current Crown Solicitor, the second woman to serve in the role since its establishment in 1817.
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WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING THERE?
I work as a paralegal in the Constitutional & Administrative Law Practice Group at the NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office. The work sent our way is extremely fascinating and varied, so no one day is ever the same. Some of the key issues dealt with in my team revolve around constitutional challenges, vexatious litigants, privacy disputes, freedom of information and general merits review. As a paralegal, I conduct lots of research on unique, often-untested areas of the law, something which has certainly improved my statutory interpretation skills. Aside from research, I am responsible for drafting and filing various court documents and letters, constructing briefs of evidence and providing general administrative assistance. I love that the nature of advice sought by clients often revolves around policy decisions, rather than just a blanket application of the law. The culture within the office is also fantastic – everyone is extremely passionate about the work they do, employees are offered health and wellbeing support, and (unlike in corporate law) paralegals are never expected to stay late! Matt McLeod 4th year, Bachelor of Arts/Law
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PUBLIC INTEREST CAREERS
THE JUDICIARY WHAT IS IT? The judiciary is the branch of government comprised of courts in various jurisdictions. Graduate positions available in courts include as a judge’s associate/tipstaff. The nature of the role varies between individual judges, but generally, it involves providing personal and research assistance to a judge. Appointment is generally for one year.
HOW DO YOU GET THERE? There is no uniform application process for associateships or tipstaff positions. Generally, they are not advertised but involve sending a cover letter, CV and academic transcript directly to the judge. Most judges will appoint associates/ tipstaves some time in advance of commencement. It is recommended that applicants also research the individual judge to which an application is made and contact a judge’s chambers with any queries regarding application requirements and timelines. This year the UNSW Law Society has created a Q&A document to answer all your tipstaves & associateship related questions - you can find a link to this on our resources section on page 44!
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WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING THERE?
I would highly recommend working as an associate or tipstaff. As associate to the Honourable Justice W. Abraham of the Federal Court I have observed hearings, conducted research and proofed judgments. As a dual-associate chambers, we were also responsible for running chambers which included liaising with parties, entering orders and listing matters. As an associate at the Federal Court, you will work on both first instance matters and appeals. This is a great opportunity to travel interstate, gain a greater appreciation for the distinction between findings of fact and law, and observe other members of the judiciary in action. In terms of the application process, it is important to remember that these roles are usually filled a year or two in advance. I would highly recommend considering which areas of law you are interested in and doing research to make a targeted application to a specific judge. I was drawn to Justice Abraham’s background in criminal/quasi-criminal work and during the twelve-months that I was an associate, I was fortunate to work on matters involving warrants, extradition, discrimination, defamation and criminal contempt. Phoebe Boyle 2017 Graduate Juris Doctor
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PUBLIC INTEREST CAREERS
NGO/NFP WHAT IS IT? Non-government organisations (NGOs) are non-government, civil society organisations. Not-for-profit (NFP) organisations are organisations that provide services to the community and do not operate to make a profit. They can be powerful agents for change and enable communities to play an active role in various contexts depending on the organisation. The breadth of legal experience gained in public interest law is wide-ranging and may include criminal, human rights and humanitarian, environmental, indigenous, immigration/refugee, employment, health, tenancy, administrative, property and commercial law. Roles may also include advocacy in a more general sense, such as policy, politics, lobbying, making submissions to government, education, journalism and social media, research, community and aid work, negotiation, security, and diplomacy.
HOW DO YOU GET THERE? There are numerous NGOs and NFP organisations that student ca get involved with. Many have opportunities for law graduates and students at various stages of their degrees. These organisations include community legal centres in addition to non-legal organisations.
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WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING THERE?
When I was in 3rd year, I took study leave from UNSW Law for a semester and moved to Cambodia where I did an internship with UN at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. I learned about the internship from older law students who had done the same. I helped draft legal submissions and analysed witness evidence and crime site evidence as part of a defence team. When I graduated university, the lawyers from the Khmer Rouge Tribunal hired me as a legal consultant at a human trafficking NGO that they had founded. I worked on cross-border human trafficking litigation. Working in the international NFP sector is exciting and always an adventure! I love the places my work takes me and the people from around the world that I get to call my friends. Natasha Naidu 2019 Graduate Bachelor of Arts/Law
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PUBLIC INTEREST CAREERS
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WHAT IS IT? Intellectual property (IP) is the property of the mind or proprietary knowledge. This area of law is designed to protect peoples' rights with regards to intangible assets. It involves advice for the creation, commercialisation, management, protection and enforcement of IP rights. Additionally, it involves litigation proceedings and investigations related to IP misuse.
HOW DO YOU GET THERE? There are a range of private and public sector opportunities available in IP law. Lawyers may practice IP law with private firms that vary in size and expertise in the area. Alternatively, graduates may choose to work in the public sector for organisations such as IP Australia, a government agency that oversees the administration of Australian intellectual property laws, enforcing trademarks, patents, designs and plant breeder’s rights. Hiring procedures vary from areato-area.
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WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING THERE?
My interest in intellectual property law was born of my experience as an intern in a boutique law firm situated in Milan, specialising in international and European Union law. The majority of the work I carry out relates to intellectual property rights in the context of intangible cultural heritage. As an intern, I have drafted legal articles and edited a monograph relating to intellectual property as a tool for the sustainable development of cultural heritage. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I assisted with advising traditional communities on how intellectual property rights can assist with the long-term safeguarding of their living heritage. I have always gravitated towards opportunities centred on local cultures, Indigenous communities and sustainable development. The breadth and scale of intellectual property, particularly on an international level, makes it possible to focus on areas such as intangible heritage and work closely with organisations such as UNESCO and the OECD. Patil Sevagian 2020 Graduate Bachelor of Arts/Law
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International Careers
INTERNATIONAL CAREERS
PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW WHAT IS IT? There are a variety of different overseas opportunities available to student, although this most often depends on which jurisdictions actually recognise Australian law degrees. Commonly, Australian students are able to qualify in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, United States and Singapore due to the Common Law being a central aspect of legal systems in these countries. However, qualifying steps will differ depending on the jurisdiction; some may require transitional legal examinations. The type of work involved in overseas private practise is quite diverse. Some examples include work regulatory compliance, financial law and banking law. UNSW graduates are always encouraged to engage in overseas practise, and many are now working overseas in large multinational firms!
HOW DO I GET THERE? Taking on opportunities such as overseas legal work experience or placements can be crucial for students to learn more about how multinational firms or chambers operate. It is also a chance to gain an insight into the cultural and commercial cultures of major international cities. Many international law firms offer vacation schemes for penultimate students or training contracts for final year students. Through these schemes, students are able to work towards qualifying in their chosen jurisdiction. Alternatively, students can qualify in Australia and then practice overseas as a registered foreign lawyer (a lawyers who practices Australian Law in other Common Law jurisdictions).
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WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING THERE?
I was a vacation intern at the Shanghai office of a top tier law firm. During the internship, I worked in the Mergers & Acquisitions team and was involved in many exciting crossborder projects. One of the many highlights of the experience would be the steep learning curve. Coming from an Australian legal education background, researching about Chinese law and drafting memos to overseas clients in different jurisdictions were very challenging and rewarding. I remember feeling excited about having a crack at brand new areas of law, learning from my seniors in the team and making real contributions to client matters. In terms of general lifestyle, Shanghai is a vibrant city with great food and culture. There were always things to do after work! The work hours vary by teams and the matter you are working on. Interns are generally not expected to stay back, and I only stayed back occasionally for specific tasks. Overall, working in Shanghai was a great experience, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in practising in a multi-jurisdictional context and a fast-paced environment. Shuhan He 5th year, Bachelor of Economics/Law
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WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING THERE? I am very grateful to have completed an internship with Herbert Smith Freehills’ Hong Kong office (HSF) in 2019 under a New Colombo Plan Scholarship. During that time, I rotated through the Dispute Resolution (Arbitration) and the Competition Law teams. The experience was excellent. In both teams, I had the opportunity to contribute to real-time and highly significant work that offered amazing intellectual challenge. I particularly enjoyed the research element of the work, and the ample opportunities to think strategically and commercially. Hong Kong is a fast-paced environment, so you really develop skills in thinking on your feet, learning on the go, and making good decisions quickly, all of which are invaluable even in a Sydney context. I think overseas internships provide value in a number of ways. First, they demonstrate initiative, and a willingness to test your comfort zone. I utilised the opportunity to apply Chinese language skills, and develop confidence working with multijurisdictional and complex issues. I think they also give you insight into new ways of thinking. For example, it was interesting to learn about the practical benefits of arbitration over courtcentred litigation, and how Hong Kong approached competition regulation quite differently to Australia. They also, I would say, improve your workplace resilience. Because you have to learn to adapt fast both into a new culture, city, and workplace, you develop higher levels of confidence and the ability to manage adversities and set-backs. I would highly recommend overseas law internships!
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James Dunn 5th year, Bachelor of Commerce/Law
INTERNATIONAL CAREERS
PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW WHAT IS IT? Public International Law deals with the policies, rules and principles which overlook the conduct of state and international organisations in the relations they have with one another and often even those they have with other parties such as transnational corporations, groups or individuals. Some areas of work which fall under public international law can include border protection issues, jurisdictions on air and space law and international environmental law.
HOW DO I GET THERE? There are several different pathways available to become involved in public international law related work. This might include working for an involved domestic government body such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You might also consider joining international organisations such as the United Nations and its various bodies, the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organisation and various international courts and tribunals.
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WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING THERE? My name is Leslie and I entered the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as a graduate trainee in 2018. I currently work as a Policy Officer in the US and Indo-Pacific Strategy Division, working closely on two very different bilateral relationships – that is with the US and Canada. Throughout the two-year graduate program, I had the opportunity to rotate across five areas of DFAT which allowed me experience firsthand – and in real time – the sheer breadth and diversity of Australian foreign policy. And if you wait long enough, you just might get a posting to one of DFAT’s 100+ missions abroad. My first rotation was in the North Asia Division, where I worked closely on Australia’s economic relationship with China – our biggest trading partner. My second rotation was in the Protocol Branch, where I learnt the ancient ways of diplomacy, including communicating with the diplomatic corps in Australia and welcoming new Ambassadors into the country. My third rotation was in DFAT’s Adelaide Office, where I provided support to one of DFAT’s two senior Ministers – Senator Birmingham – whose electorate by no small chance is in South Australia. My penultimate rotation was in the Regional Trade Agreements Division, where I worked with Australia’s finest trade negotiators to nut out agreement on the Regional Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) and the AustraliaSingapore Digital Trade Agreement. This rotation was particularly enjoyable given my legal background. My final rotation is the current section I reside now – the US and IndoPacific Strategy Division. There is certainly no place like DFAT and I would highly recommend the hustle and bustle of DFAT for anyone interested in an incredibly unique career in foreign policy.
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Leslie Phung 2017 Graduate Bachelor of International Studies/Law
Careers Beyond Legal
CAREERS BEYOND LEGAL
ACADEMIA & RESEARCH WHAT IS IT? Academia refers to individuals who study and analyse the developments of the law. Some UNSW law classes have the privilege of being taught by a legal academic, and they usually publish their works in journals, books and engage in public discussions. By doing so, they play a significant part in government and policy development through the submissions that they make. These positions for research are usually found in universities which convey the intellectual prowess of the institution. However, research positions can also be found in private, business and government sectors.
HOW DO I GET THERE? If there is a particular subject in the law that you enjoy, you can consult your lecturer outside of class. Asking deep and insightful questions conveys your interest in that area of law. Potentially reach out and ask them if there are any opportunities to work as a research assistant for them. In the case where they cannot take an assistant, there may be opportunities in the future. To taste what legal academia is like, potentially taking a thesis subject as an elective. Lawyers who study academia as part of their career will require a PhD. Some candidates will have professional experience and would generally work as a lawyer or barrister before returning to university.
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WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING THERE?
Working as a legal research assistant for an academic at UNSW is a really rewarding and interesting experience. Research assistants usually help a specific UNSW lecturer or professor with their specific area of research or expertise. In this role, I’ve conducted preliminary research for academic articles, read and summarised legislation and helped with ad-hoc tasks that the academic might have. I’d recommend getting involved in research work if you enjoy reading and research generally, and are able to work independently. From my experience, research work is heavily self-guided, often I was given a broad topic to look into and had to figure out how to approach it with minimal guidance. In saying that, it’s also pretty flexible because you can work from home and manage your own time. Research assistant positions are not usually widely advertised, if you are interested in this kind of work I would encourage you to speak to your law lecturers and express your interest. Rachel Hurwitz 4th year, Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)/Law
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CAREERS BEYOND LEGAL
MANAGEMENT CONSULTING WHAT IS IT? Management Consultants can help organisations improve their business performance or address existing problems. Businesses seek out management consultants for advice on areas to improve within their organisations, as well as develop key corporate strategies and implement them. This can involve changing the entire businesses structure, processes, technology or operations. Consultants also analyse the trends of their clients and provide this information that is digestible to them. Similarly to law, a large portion of work in this field is to problem solve and serve their clients. Management consulting itself is an incredibly broad field and specialisations can include information technology, human resources, finance, designs and operations.
HOW DO I GET THERE? At university, there are numerous opportunities for students to engage in case competitions that are designed to simulate having to solve the issues that an organisation may face. This can be a good entry pathway to see if you would be interested in this field. In terms of practical experience, many consultancy firms provide summer internships that can provide first hand experience into the world of consultancy.
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WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING THERE? Management consulting is a fantastic option if you enjoy working in a collegial environment, solving complex problems and are looking for breadth of experience when first entering the workforce. I initially became interested in consulting whilst doing one of the Social Entrepreneurship Practicums offered by the Business School. I had worked in Law for a few years and really enjoyed the problem-solving element of practice but wanted an opportunity to work more closely on strategic projects alongside clients. I also liked that with consulting, you are always learning about a different industry and a problem that businesses face, rather than specialising straight away. Over summer 2019/2020, I had the opportunity to work directly with clients on a 5-year growth strategy, including analysing market trends and opportunities for revenue growth and potential strategies. I was even given the opportunity to work interstate for the duration of the internship. Above all, the positive and collaborative environment allowed me to build up my confidence and skills without even realising it! Consulting firms intentionally hire students with a range of different backgrounds, including law. Law students are great candidates because of their high attention to detail and experience in solving problem questions in a structured and succinct manner. One of the benefits of doing a double degree is that you have a second discipline to bolster the breadth of your understanding and gives you a separate lens to analyse problems in front of you. If you are interested, I would definitely encourage you to join one of the consulting societies at university (such as the UNSW Consulting Club, Business One, 180 Degrees Consulting). Studying a combined degree with Commerce is not at all a prerequisite for consulting companies or societies, so I would encourage everyone who is interested to do some research and decide if it’s the right path for you out of uni. Jessica Williams 4th year, Bachelor of Commerce/Laws, Diploma of Languages (Spanish and Latin American Studies)
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CAREERS BEYOND LEGAL
INVESTMENT BANKING WHAT IS IT? Investment Bankers help organisations raise capital. They act in an advisory capacity to help their clients raise more money by providing financial advisory as well as assist in mergers and acquisitions. The distinct separation between law and finance in a merger and acquisition is the ability for a banker to see how the flow of a particular deal can determine whether a company is sold from the start or finish. As an investment banker, the skills that you have gained from your law degree can be utilised to settle deals beyond the standard contract and agreements.
HOW DO I GET THERE? The career of an investment banker starts as an analyst. They provide a crucial role in supporting teams to analyse the merits of a transaction, liaising with decision makers and assist with various tasks during deals, mergers and acquisitions and other financial activities. Individuals that seek to enter into investment banking can do so early into their degree through various insight programs that are designed to develop the skills and commercial knowledge of what it is like to work in the banking and financial service. Penultimate students can also seek to apply for internships to see what is like to work in these banks. It is important to be passionate about the financial services industry, and thus it is critical to engage in workshops, seminars and presentations to engage with this sector. Pursuing a career in investment banking can also be achieved after practising law for a few years. This illustrates how the skills of a law degree can equip individuals with the appropriate commercial knowledge to move into this sector.
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WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING THERE? Whilst I enjoyed my law studies, I was always curious about my second degree in Commerce (Finance). I previously worked in litigation at a commercial law firm and wanted more exposure to transactional-related work particularly. I interned with Macquarie Capital (the corporate advisory division of Macquarie Group) to gain first-hand exposure to M&A and capital management activities. Generally, work involved advising senior management on potential acquisitions, divestments and financing. It was interesting to see the origination of these deals, and the ongoing work needed to maintain client relationships. A typical intern day for me involved: Making and updating client discussion materials or pitchbooks, Contributing to the drafting of debt issuance, Writing market or industry summaries on the latest developments, attending to client enquiries, Performing financial analyses of companies Pulling data from various financial software to complete all the aforementioned. Whilst all backgrounds are welcome (from arts to engineering), the interviewing process involves a mixture of technical and behavioural questions so prior preparation is highly recommended. Similar to law, bankers may specialise in a particular industry or product (e.g. industry: TMT, consumer retail, healthcare; product: M&A, DCM, ECM) or alternatively, may be more generalist depending on the firm. AFR is an excellent resource for learning about current transactions and also provides detail about what type of transactions a particular corporate advisory firm or bank has a strong presence in.
Nancy Cai Final year. Bachelor of Commerce (Finance)/Law
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CAREERS BEYOND LEGAL
FINANCE WHAT IS IT? The finance sector is usually associated with the management of money or the process of acquiring funds. When working within the financial sector, you are contributing to the overall facilitation of the financial system. This sector can be broken down into general areas: personal, corporate and public finance. Personal finance refers to the management of an individuals or family financial position (asset management or even simple things like credit cards). Corporate finance refers to the financial activities that are revolved around a corporation and public finance operates on a larger government level and includes the financial policy around tax and federal resource allocations.
HOW DO I GET THERE? There are many ways associated with entering the finance industry, which depends on which sector you would be aiming for. Many fund managers, banks and state and federal governments will offer penultimate internships or graduate roles that you can be on the look out for, which is advertised on their websites or the UNSW Careers Portal. These opportunities usually open around March and June, though some roles can open even later than that. Alternatively, you can even become a freelance financial advisor or start your own advisory practice after you graduate.
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WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING THERE?
During my summer internship I was lucky enough to work for one of the Big 4 Banks, where I had the time of my life! Working in such a large institution means the opportunities are endless, and the experience is really what you want it to be. Working for the bank was a highly engaging opportunity as I reported to a high level manager who was open to me being exposed to various projects and deciding which deliverables I would complete. This meant that I could do things at my own pace and really get what I wanted out of the experience. Naturally, working in such a supportive environment was great and opened my eyes to what I truly enjoy. Working in finance my degree was really quite relevant. There were countless regulatory bodies and legislations that impacted the work I was completing, and I was lucky enough to spend some time with the legal team to understand their scope within the bank. Overall, my studies were really relevant in approaching the work, as I found many other members in my team were legally trained. Gregory Baillie 2020 Graduate Bachelor of Commerce (Finance)/Law
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CAREERS BEYOND LEGAL
TAXATION WHAT IS IT? Taxation specialists look to provide strategic solutions to their clients in order help them become more tax-efficient. Working in tax involves the application of accounting concepts to ever-changing tax legislation. This often brings about unique challenges across different areas of the sector. The roles that are associated with taxation usually fall under two categories, advisory and compliance. These roles are characterised by detailed analysis of corporate structures and provide insights and advice upon the tax obligations and exemptions that businesses are required to owe towards the Australian Taxation Office. This requires tax specialists to have a wide understanding of Australian tax law.
HOW DO I GET THERE? There are many pathways into the taxation industry and this greatly varies upon where your interests lie, whether this be for example, Indirect Tax, Corporate Tax, International Tax (Transfer Pricing or Transactional) or Global Compliance. Taking a taxation elective can give you more insight into what the sector entails and specific taxation legislation you may need to familarise yourself with for the future. Many accounting firms also offer internships to penultimate students as well as graduate roles upon completion of their studies. These opportunities are available across a range of different areas within the tax industry.
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WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING THERE?
Over the 2019-20 summer break I was able to undertake a vacationer internship at Deloitte in its tax teams. Although I went in with very little knowledge, the actual experience was a very rewarding and enjoyable 8 weeks. I worked across two teams, the Financial Services Team and Indirect Taxation team. In both I was able to work on a range of exciting matters that covered a broad range of tax and legal issues. The work provided a great practical demonstration of what I had learnt in law school classes such as Business Associations, Private law and Equity. It was also quite rewarding to see a lot of my work being genuinely valued and even used to shape advice provided to a range of major commercial clients. The overall experience of working as a summer vacationer exceeded any expectations that I had, and I would strongly recommend everyone apply if they get the chance. Joshua Geng 4th year, Bachelor of Commerce (Taxation)/Law
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Other Resources If you want more information on some of the areas you've read a little about in this Guide, the UNSW Law Society has also published a number of different resources that are available for your use!
PRIVATE LAW CAREERS Private Law Careers Guide 2020 https://issuu.com/unswlawsociety/docs/private_law_ careers_guide_2020
Private Law Careers Networking Guide 2020 https://issuu.com/unswlawsociety/docs/networking _guide_final
PUBLIC INTEREST CAREERS Private Interest Careers Guide 2019/2020 https://issuu.com/unswlawsociety/docs/pic_guide_fi nal_19-20
A Guide to Local Public Interest
Careers Opportunities https://issuu.com/unswlawsociety/docs/aguidetoloc alpicopportunities_2020
2020 Associateships and Tipstaves Panel https://issuu.com/unswlawsociety/docs/2020_pic_a ssociateships_and_tipstaves_panel
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