Clayton Utz

165 partners and over 1,400 employees across six offices

How many clerks are you intending to take on this summer?

30 - 40 in Sydney

How many graduate lawyers did you take on this year?

37 in Sydney

How does your firm embody the notions of social and corporate responsibility?

The law is what we do, but our community is part of who we are.

As part of the wider Australian community and legal profession, we have serious ambitions to improve our local communities. We want to address disadvantage and support access to justice in the communities in which we live and work.

Partners and employees have direct involvement with charities across Australia by volunteering and fundraising through our Community program, Community Connect.

Through this program the firm and our people participate in numerous activities, with our Community Partners, including climbing mountains with children with Cerebral Palsy, readying students for job interviews in schools and setting up mobile libraries for people living on the streets.

We have financially supported our charity partners through the Clayton Utz Foundation, distributing over $10million since 2003.

Our work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is reflected in our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Through the RAP we continue our development of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, charities and businesses.

Since then we have worked to progress these relationships by strengthening and formalising our approaches through our Pro Bono work, community partnerships, procurement practices, and the Clayton Utz Foundation.

We promote Environmental Sustainability through initiatives that assist us to understand our impacts and incorporate sustainability into our decision-making.

How does your firm strive to protect its junior lawyers’ work-life balance?

Clayton Utz offers a vibrant and supportive work environment. We recognise the need for our people to stay true to themselves by maintaining balance in their lives. That’s why we have a range of flexible work options and health and wellbeing initiatives, as well as social and sporting activities and community volunteering opportunities.

What opportunities does your firm uniquely offer that may be of interest to prospective clerks?

Clayton Utz was named among the ten leading pro bono firms in the world in the inaugural Who’s Who Legal Global Pro Bono Survey.

The survey recognises firms that are leading the way in its pro bono contributions, levels of participation and efforts to institutionalise pro bono work.

Pro bono is a fundamental part of Clayton Utz.

Clayton Utz is serious about pro bono best practice. We were the first large Australian law firm to establish an inhouse pro bono practice; the first to appoint a full-time pro bono partner; and the first to sign the National Pro Bono Target. Since 1997, our commitment to pro bono has helped to shape what it means to be a leading Australian law firm.

In 2015, we became the first law firm in Australia to provide 500,000 hours of pro bono assistance (and counting).

We have achieved this by focusing on our clients’ needs; collaborating with the legal assistance sector and other pro bono colleagues; and making pro bono work part of each of our lawyers’ everyday practice.

Does your firm offer any opportunities to work overseas?

CU Abroad provides our people with the opportunity to live and work overseas for up to two years.

This allows our people to gain exposure to new ways of working, different markets and legal systems. It offers unparalleled insights and a greater appreciation not only of clients’ needs, but also of the priorities of lawyers working in other jurisdictions.

What makes your firm’s culture unique?

At Clayton Utz, our culture is based of trust, respect and co-operation. These are the fundamental relationship values which we all rely on in our day-to-day lives and relationships with family, friends and, importantly, with colleagues. And we stay true to them.

STAY TRUE.

Staying true to your direction is what defines Clayton Utz. We’ve built a culture that’s unlike any other law firm, but don’t just take our word for it. A good lawyer needs compelling evidence so meet our people and judge for yourself.

claytonutz.com/graduates

Academic brilliance certainly counts, but graduates who thrive here have something extra – a natural passion for connecting with people and a strong sense of self. That’s what staying true is all about. If you have these qualities, Clayton Utz is for you.

CLERKSHIP PROGRAM

If you’re a law student in your penultimate year, our Clerkship Programs will expose you to the fast pace of a full-service commercial law firm and show you the law in action. You’ll be working under the guidance of some of the sharpest legal minds in Australia, on challenging, complex and high-profile transactions and matters. You’ll be mentored by partners and lawyers who are leaders in their fields, in a firm where individuality is embraced and innovation actively encouraged.

GRADUATE PROGRAM

It’s not just about wearing a suit.

There’s always a gap between theory and practice, and post-university prospects can be daunting. How do you make the leap to working in the industry?

That’s where we come in.

Once you’ve completed your studies, our national Graduate Program gives you the perfect foundation for your legal career. Our 2.5 week orientation program is designed to ensure that you’ll hit the ground running. It consists of PLT+, local training and a national orientation week in Sydney.

Our rotations will help you discover different areas and find the right fit. From day one you’ll be working on complex and sophisticated legal issues, and with our innovative learning and development approach, you’ll get the support to become the best you can be.

You’ll get…

•Three rotations of six months in our national practice groups • mentoring from some of the best lawyers in the country • a buddy who’ll give you the inside information • meaningful performance feedback so you know you’re on the right track • continuing legal education programs and professional development support • the chance to participate in our Community Connect and

Pro Bono programs and really give back • social and sporting activities, because we know it’s not all work and no play.

We hire most of our Graduates from our Clerkship Programs. Occasionally, additional opportunities may arise. These opportunities will be listed on our website.

STAY TRUE.

Right now I’m a corporate and tax lawyer, buying and selling companies, structuring investments and having the occasional battle with the ATO.

So, a little while after I started at Clayton Utz, I joined the social committee. A powerful assembly fuelled by lunchtime pizzawielding lawyers making important decisions like choosing the Christmas party theme. They knew I liked pizza, but had no idea I was gay. You see, I wasn’t out at work yet and this became a genuine source of anxiety for a good two years.

But In May 2015 this all changed...

To listen to Luke’s full story, go to:

claytonutz.com/graduates

Academic brilliance certainly counts, but graduates who thrive here have something extra – a natural passion for connecting with people and a strong sense of self. That’s what staying true is all about. If you have these qualities, Clayton Utz is for you.

STAY TRUE.

Experiencing new cities and cultures has always been a passion of mine and working with Clayton Utz has helped fuel that passion. I was lucky enough to be selected as the Clayton Utz graduate to participate in the year long legal traineeship at a Japanese firm. I ate way too much sushi and ramen and was exposed to a wide range of matters, clients and also areas of law before returning to the Canberra office in early 2015.

The graduate program is well structured and I have been particularly impressed with the level and quality of mentoring. My Clayton Utz mentors have all remained true to balancing expert guidance with the freedom of autonomy, giving me the motivation and knowledge to become a better lawyer…

To listen to Isobelle’s full story, go to:

claytonutz.com/graduates

Academic brilliance certainly counts, but graduates who thrive here have something extra – a natural passion for connecting with people and a strong sense of self. That’s what staying true is all about. If you have these qualities, Clayton Utz is for you.