Private Law Careers Guide 2023

Private Law Careers Guide

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PREFACE

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Kashmala Haidar

Radha Srinivas

Reina Lee

VICE PRESIDENT (PRIVATE LAW CAREERS)

Kyla Rivera

COPRESIDENTS

Matthew Ng

Shanzeh Malik

SECRETARY

Oscar Iredale

PRIVATE LAWS CAREERS DIRECTORS

Alex Hunt

Alexandra Witting

Amy Friedman

Izabelle Lac

Matthew Kuk

DOMESTIC SPONSORSHIP DIRECTORS

Annika Drego

Oliver Hammond

PUBLICATION DIRECTORS

Alexandria Kim

Ashley Pak

Charlotte Fang Hendro (Publication Coordinator)

Lynette Zhang

Mandy Li

Minrui Li

WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTORS

Anoushka Rastogi

Annika Drego

Aryan Jani

Luke Morris

The UNSW Law Society’s Private Law Careers Portfolio is proud to present the Private Law Careers Guide for 2023.

We wish all UNSW Law Students in their penultimate year the best of luck in their clerkship applications and hope that this guide will be an insightful window into what a career in private legal practice may look like.

We extend our sincere thanks to all Private Law Careers directors who made the production and publication of this edition of the Guide possible.

On behalf of the Law Society, we would also like to extend our gratitude to our sponsors for their continued support.

© 2023 UNSW Law Society Inc.

This publication is copyright. Except where permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), no part of this publication may be reproduced or stored by an process electronic or otherwise, without the specific written permission of the UNSW Law Society Inc.

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 editor 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 use or relies upon it. The editors, author and the UNSW Law Society Inc. accept no responsibility for any damage, injury or loss occasioned to any person or entity, whether student or otherwise, as a result of a person relying, wholly or in part, on any material included, omitted or implied in this publication.

Kyla Rivera, Reina Lee, Kashmala Haidar & Radha Srinivas Private Law Careers Vice President & Editors in Chief 2023

This Student Club publication is proudly supported by Arc.

SPONSORS TABLE OF CONTENTS

This guide would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors:

ALLEN & OVERY

ALLENS LINKLATERS

ASHURST

BAKER MCKENZIE

BIRD & BIRD

CLAYTON UTZ

CLIFFORD CHANCE

CLIFFORD CHANCE HK

CORRS CHAMBERS WESTGARTH

DLA PIPER

GADENS

GILBERT + TOBIN

HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS

HFW

JOHNSON WINTER SLATTERY

JONES DAY

K&L GATES

KING & WOOD MALLESONS

LANDER & ROGERS

MADDOCKS MINTERELLISON

MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS

NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT

MESSAGES

Message from The Dean............................................5

Message from Careers Service..................................6

President’s Address...................................................7

THE PRIVATE SECTOR

Areas of Practice........................................................9

Common Entry Pathways........................................11

Areas of Practice......................................................13

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Cover Letters............................................................17

Sample Cover Letters...............................................19

Sample CVs..............................................................21

CV Mail......................................................................25

The Selection Criteria..............................................27

The Interview...........................................................29

Commercial Awareness...........................................35

Mental Wellbeing.....................................................36

Clerkship & Trimesters.............................................37

DOMESTIC LAW FIRMS

Allen & Overy............................................................41

Allens Linklaters......................................................47

Ashurst......................................................................51

Baker Mckenzie........................................................55

Bird & Bird................................................................60

Clayton Utz ..............................................................64

Clifford Chance.........................................................70

Corrs Chambers Westgarth......................................74

DLA Piper..................................................................80

Gadens.....................................................................84

Gilbert + Tobin.........................................................88

Herbert Smith Freehills............................................92

HFW..........................................................................96

Johnson Winter Slattery........................................100

Jones Day...............................................................104

K&L Gates...............................................................106

King & Wood Mallesons.........................................110

Lander & Rogers.....................................................116

Maddocks...............................................................120

MinterEllison..........................................................124

Norton Rose Fulbright...........................................128

PwC........................................................................133

Thomson Geer.......................................................136

A DAY IN THE LIFE

King & Wood Mallesons.........................................142

Sparke Helmore.....................................................143

Jones Day..............................................................144

ADMISSION

NSW Admission to Supreme Court.......................148

NSW Admission as a Barrister...............................149

INTERNATIONAL ADMISSION

China......................................................................152

Hong Kong.............................................................153

United Kingdom.....................................................155

United States of America.......................................158

Singapore...............................................................160

INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRMS

Clifford Chance HK................................................164

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.......................................165

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

Anoushka Rastogi..................................................170

Annika Drego..........................................................172

Aryan Jani..............................................................174

Luke Morris............................................................176

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

Considering your career goals, and how the cultural and ethical values of potential employers might align with your own, will guide you towards a career pathway for personal and professional success right from the start. Private sector practice has long been the starting place for many a legal career.

While working in a law firm may be your goal, other opportunities may beckon along the way; the Bar, government, community sector, in-house legal roles, to name a few. You must be prepared for, and ready to embrace change, both as your personal occupational goals change and the market continues to evolve, particularly in the private sector.

Technological innovation and the emergence of new business practices continue as the primary drivers of growth and change creating opportunities for law students in digital law and legal operations. There is also an increasing focus on corporate organisations building their inhouse legal teams that will provide more opportunities for law graduates to enter in-house roles upon graduation.

UNSW Law & Justice is committed to helping students chart their own unique career course – our dedicated Careers Service aims to help students best position themselves to secure a rewarding job at the end of their studies. And as always, your Law Students Society is an invaluable source to keep you up to date with market news and connected to potential private career employers. The Law Society also helps you with opportunities to develop and demonstrate skills of collaboration and leadership –across a range of worthwhile, fun and fulfilling activities.

The Guide is a critical resource as you plan your career. Read it, reflect on it, and discuss it with your peers as you start to consider a path that is right for you.

Professor Andrew Lynch Dean - Faculty of Law & Justice

There has never been a more exciting time to be studying law in Australia with law graduates having more diverse career options than ever before both in the local market and globally.

As you look to explore the right career for you, it is important to know that success will depend not only on your excellent academic performance, but also your ability to point to other experiences and activities that distinguish you and highlight your enthusiasm, initiative and commitment. These will speak a lot to the type of lawyer you want to be.

Academic achievement is not the sole determinant for employment. The emphasis at UNSW Law & Justice on experiential and international learning in the LLB and JD programs is heavily influenced by advice from employers. The law graduate who can think critically to solve problems, can communicate effectively and work collaboratively will stand out and have an edge and this is why we place so much emphasis on these skills throughout your degree program.

Private practice employers will seek out the candidate who brings both breadth of experience and character. So, take advantage of what’s on offer in the Law & Justice School and, more generally, at university and in the community.

MESSAGE FROM THE CAREERS SERVICE

The Faculty of Law & Justice Careers Service strives to optimise your chances of finding and securing a fulfilling job both during your time as a student at UNSW and upon graduation. We believe that you should begin ‘forward planning’ your career the moment you commence your studies to allow time to identify what type of role best suits your interests, skills and personality rather than focussing only on traditional legal career pathways.

The Law & Justice Careers Service provides you with resources and opportunities that improve your employability in the legal profession including advice on navigating the jobs market and how to put your best foot forward in terms of your cover letter, resume, LinkedIn profile and interview skills. Our aim is to support you in securing employment both while you are a student at UNSW and when you graduate.

In addition to the fantastic range of career support services on offer from UNSW Employability, we are fortunate in the Faculty of Law & Justice to have a dedicated Careers team to provide the following to our students;

• 45-minute one-on-one career coaching sessions with our dedicated Law & Justice Careers Advisor.

• MyLaw Jobs Board advertising part-time and graduate opportunities with some exclusively available to UNSW students.

• A Law & Justice Careers Handbook and career resources available on MyLaw including updated lists of clerkship programs and graduate programs across private practice, corporate and government.

• A LinkedIn Law & Justice Careers Group for students to stay abreast of career related news and opportunities.

• Partnerships with law firms and other organisations to provide clerkship and internship opportunities exclusively to UNSW students.

2023 has seen a continued rising trend in the number of immersion opportunities offered by law firms and a

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

commitment to diversifying their talent pools. I would encourage you in the early years of your degree to take advantage of completing the free virtual internships offered by many of the law firms. In your pre-penultimate year apply for the introductory programs on offer by firms. These programs provide a fantastic opportunity to develop your practical legal skills and are a fantastic way to create networks as well as to gain an understanding of the employee value proposition of the various firms.

In 2023 we are excited to be relaunching the UNSW x Corrs Chambers Westgarth Autumn Clerkship program for our penultimate and final year students. Throughout 2023 we will be exploring opportunities to partner with law firms to provide exclusive opportunities to our students in 2023 and beyond. A major focus of UNSW Law & Justice Careers Service this year will be engaging with students, particularly those in the early years of their studies, to raise awareness of the tools, resources, support and programs available to them to be career ready upon graduation. Ranked 13th law school in the world, UNSW provides you with an exceptional educational foundation. We encourage you in 2023 to please engage with the Law & Justice Careers Service to explore the different pathways which your law degree can take you and to discover how we can support you in securing a rewarding and fulfilling job.

Brooke Johnson Careers ManagerFaculty of Law & Justice

We are delighted to present to you the UNSW Law Society’s Private Law Careers Guide, a product of the hard work and commitment of our outstanding Private Law Careers team.

No matter which stage of your academic journey you’re in – be it your first year or your last – our hope is that this Guide serves as a valuable resource as you consider your future after law school.

The purpose of this Guide is to equip you with essential information about the diverse opportunities available to you and offer guidance as you navigate the application process. Keep in mind that although this Guide seeks to deliver a thorough insight into the diverse prospects within the Private Law sector, every individual’s career path is distinct and you may come across various routes in your professional journey. As your careers will thrive and progress throughout the years, the opportunities outlined in this guide are merely a selection of the possibilities available to you.

We understand that applying for positions can sometimes be challenging and even daunting. Remember to rely on the support of your friends and family and take the time to

pause and recharge during the process. Although it may be demanding, this experience ultimately proves to be enriching. During this period it is essential to stay determined and persevere and as part of the UNSW Law Student Community, let’s not forget to encourage and help one another along the way. Additionally, there are a range of services available, including Psychology and Wellness on campus who provide confidential counselling services and mental health help to all currently enrolled students. These services are in place to assist students, so don’t shy away from utilising them.

We would like to sincerely thank Kyla Rivera, our Vice-President (Private Law Careers) and our Private Law Careers Directors, Kashmala Haidar, Reina Lee, & Radha Srinivas, for their commitment and diligence in preparing this guide. Additionally, we extend our appreciation to Venessa Zou, our Vice-President (Administration) and our Publications Team, Alexandria Kim, Ashley Pak, Charlotte Hendro, Lynette Zhang, Mandy Li & Minrui Li, for their hard work and creativity in designing this Guide.

Shanzeh Malik & Matthew Ng UNSW Law Society Co-Presidents

THE PRIVATE SECTOR

AREAS OF PRACTICE

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LAW FIRMS

Large commercial law firms offer a plethora of legal services across a range of practice areas to diverse client bases made up of predominantly larger corporations. They employ students from a range of academic backgrounds outside of simply commerce-related degrees. Although large law firms commonly practice in a number of commercial law sectors such as banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, and dispute resolution, they also offer numerous specialised practice sectors such as infrastructure, information technology and environmental law.

For many, starting in the litigation team of a commercial law firm can begin the path to becoming a barrister and taking the bar later on. Starting off at a law firm can also provide a foundation from which you can progress to a career in-house or into any commercial, strategic, and/or management role.

INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE

Lawyers working in multinational law firms or firms with strong global partnerships are often afforded the opportunity to work overseas on secondments. In an ever globalising world, having a global perspective and international experience is essential as a new age lawyer. If you are interested in applying to work overseas, it must be noted that international law firm clerkship applications tend to close earlier in the year. Some firms can recruit up to two years in advance.

BOUTIQUE AND MID-SIZED COMMERCIAL LAW FIRMS

Smaller law firms are able to specialise in particular practice areas. Working in a firm with smaller teams will mean that you are often given more responsibility earlier on in your career. With this, junior lawyers are given more client exposure than they would otherwise get in a larger law firm. Many also find that there is more room for growth, and, because of their communal culture, junior lawyers have more interactions with senior lawyers and partners, making it easier to professionally develop and gain recognition.

IN-HOUSE LEGAL COUNSEL

In-house lawyers are employed by non-legal corporations. Unlike lawyers in commercial law firms who work for numerous clients, in-house lawyers are solely responsible for legal advice to their business. The work of an inhouse lawyer is incredibly varied, and one can expect to be working on a variety of matters from contract law, to dispute resolution or even business development. Unlike lawyers in private practice, in-house lawyers can propose solutions and receive the satisfaction of witnessing the complete lifecycle from idea conception to implementation and post-launch. In-house counsels also have the opportunity to manage their company’s projects, branding and business development, and gain a deeper understanding of the client’s business and industry.

The demand for in-house lawyers is continuously growing as larger corporations from various sectors ranging from pharmaceutical, construction and multimedia are expanding to include an internal legal team. As a result, in-house lawyers currently make up around 25% of all legal practitioners in Australia. Lawyers working within in-house teams may develop specialised knowledge of the particular industry in which the business operates. In-house lawyers need to be attuned to the commercial needs of the business and supplement their legal expertise with an understanding of their company’s business goals, liabilities, obligations and assets.

COMMON ENTRY PATHWAYS

DOMESTIC CLERKSHIPS

Domestic clerkships provide students with the opportunity to experience the world of corporate and commercial law. Summer clerkship programs are the most common and are typically offered from late November and early December through until early February. Some firms offer winter clerkship programs that begin in June/July; however these are rare and conflict with UNSW trimester two.

The application process for most firms is conducted through the Law Society of New South Wales. Those firms which do not go through the Law Society typically abide by their guidance with regard to dates. This year, applications for domestic summer clerkships open on 6 June and close on 3 July and 10 July. Offers are made on 14 September and must be accepted or declined by 5pm on 15 September.

Clerkships are open to penultimate year law students, and in some cases available to final year students finishing in the middle of the year. During a clerkship, students will perform rotations through multiple practice areas, in order to gain experience in the many different disci-

plines of commercial practice. In most cases, successful clerks will be offered graduate positions to begin after their graduation. The majority of mid and top tier law firms offer formal clerkship programs. Domestic clerkships are an important and popular pathway for those looking to enter the ranks of large commercial law firms. However, it is not a prerequisite to working in private practice.

INTERNATIONAL CLERKSHIPS

Applications for international law firms tend to close earlier in the year than domestic summer clerkship programs. You must be aware of the respective deadlines for each firm you are interested in applying for, as each will have different deadlines and may recruit up to two years in advance.

International clerkships provide students with the opportunity to experience foreign legal jurisdictions. International opportunities are highly competitive. Be prepared for commercially oriented questions in the application process, particularly as it relates to the landscape of commercial law in the country you wish to work in.

Given the evolving nature of COVID, we highly recommend that you consult with each individual firm regarding their clerkship opportunities. Become informed of any requirements additional to the application process, including travel procedures, visa applications, and clerkship dates to ensure no conflict with trimesters.

GRADUATES

Most boutique firms will offer internship or volunteering opportunities for Practical Legal Training (PLT) students, from which a graduate offer may be made. Additionally, the changing Australian corporate landscape means that some firms are beginning to hire graduates outside their clerkship programs.

Your first year as a graduate is often completed in conjunction with your PLT, after which you will be fully accredited as a practising solicitor in New South Wales. Just like clerkship

programs, graduate lawyers typically perform a number of rotations, the completion of which allows them to choose a specialisation in whatever field they find most interesting. Some of these specialisations include finance, real estate, M&A, employment, and information technology.

LATERAL HIRES

Lateral hires are another option to beginning employment at your first firm of choice. Lateral hires are typically made by firms looking to fill vacancies by recruiting practitioners who are in a similar role at another firm. However, sometimes your role does not need to be similar, but instead possess a leverageable skill-set which can be transferred over. Large firm lateral hires may come from other larger firms, in-house counsel, the public sector, or boutique firms. Additionally, it is not uncommon for solicitors in large firms to transfer to in-house counsel or boutique firms. However, this transfer typically occurs later in a solicitor’s career.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

BANKING & FINANCE

The Banking and Finance practice involves representing clients in the financing of large and complex transactions, either from the borrowers’ or the lenders’ side. This includes the financing of property development, projects and infrastructures, and M&A transactions. The graduate experience in a finance team is very hands-on and interesting, with many transaction-specific tasks including managing condition precedents, due diligence, drafting security documentations. It is a fast-paced practice area that allows for amazing learning opportunities!

COMPETITION LAW

Competition and consumer law are linked by the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Competition law aims to ensure that markets operate fairly and efficiently by encouraging competition and increasing outcomes for consumers. Consumer law also protects consumers’ rights and protects against unfair contract terms. Competition lawyers may assist clients in responding to any investigations by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), usually in the context of mergers and acquisitions.

CONSTRUCTION LAW

Construction law is one of the building blocks of the built environment we all live in. When you see a skyscraper or a new train line, many hours of extensive legal drafting, advice and sometimes dispute resolution has been spent. Broadly, there are two ‘types’ of work in construction law: ‘front end’ and ‘back end’. ‘Front end’ refers to the early life of a projectso the drafting, negotiation and execution of contracts to appoint contractors, designers, engineers and certifiers. ‘Back end’ often refers to disputes; so when parties do not agree on price or scope, the construction lawyers step in to resolve.

Unlike some practice areas, the lifetime of matters in construction law can vary vastly - whilst some projects last years (the ‘big ticket’ infrastructure work like skyscrapers and train lines), you also have more day-to-day work (such as minor renovation work). As a junior, the breadth and scale of work in construction law makes it a great training ground where you can get technical drafting experience in the big matters or run your own matters with the minor works. Moreover,

with some teams also having a ‘back end’ embedded, you can also often get some disputes work under your belt.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Intellectual property (IP) law involves protecting the rights of people who hold intangible assets like technology, writing, and art. These lawyers advise clients on using predominantly patents, trademarks, copyrights. and licences to protect their work. In a disputes sense they represent clients whose intellectual property rights have been infringed upon. Front end IP teams advise on transactions to protect the IP interests of their client. This sector sees numerous high-profile cases like the Apple and Samsung disputes and is a rapidly evolving area of practice.

EMPLOYMENT LAW

Employment law is concerned with relations between employers and employees on various matters such as wages, compensation, harassment, and discrimination. It is largely governed by the Fair Work Act 2009 and often involves collective bargaining, unions, and industrial relations. Employment lawyers may represent individual clients, government agencies, employers or a union. Modern Slavery is an additional area of practice in many firms’ employment law teams which is expanding. Modern slavery may take the form of forced labour, debt bondage, servitude, and deceptive recruiting for labour or services.

LITIGATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Litigation and Dispute Resolution are key areas of practice which seek to resolve ongoing legal conflicts. Dispute resolution attempts to resolve issues while avoiding the expense of going to court. When this fails, parties will often litigate and resolve their conflicts in court. Litigation lawyers must document evidence and provide relevant sections to the other party. They inform their clients of defences the other party may try to use as well as potential pitfalls. They also assist the client in selecting the right barrister and work with them to create the strongest legal argument. Litigation lawyers are responsible for finding an acceptable solution and potentially negotiating a settlement with the other party.

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Companies and corporate entities are typically driven towards maximising profits and will often merge with or acquire other companies to do so. By combining their business activities, the two companies may be able to operate more efficiently than they can on their own. Acquiring a company may also help the merging company grow faster or the object may simply be to eliminate competition in the market.

As an M&A lawyer, your job will be to facilitate this transaction by:

• Negotiating the key commercial points of the transaction to determine what the deal will look like and what both parties want to get out of it;

• Performing due diligence for example checking that there are no surprises or issues that may be fatal to the transaction, such as a pending litigation);

• Drafting the transaction documents including determining what the structure of the new merged entity will look like and how it affects each side’s respective shareholders; and

• Setting out the operational details for how the transition will take place, e.g. merging technology systems and databases.

To be a good M&A lawyer, you need to have a solid grasp of the law as well as a strong understanding of the client’s commercial goals and motivations for the transaction and how you can achieve the client’s business goals. Excellent project management skills are also required to coordinate the different processes that are happening (especially with transactions that occur across borders and may require lawyers from different countries and time zones). Junior lawyers and graduates can be involved at any stage in the process! Since M&A transactions are often fast moving, junior lawyers often have the opportunity to work on different aspects of the transaction and learn new commercial and legal skills. M&A lawyers develop broad and highly valuable skill-sets because the work requires them to not only be legally competent but commercially savvy.

TAXATION LAW

Taxation law is a specialised area where lawyers are concerned with helping clients navigate complex tax codes and minimise tax risks. There are numerous forms of taxation including income tax, capital gains tax, customs duties and inheritance tax. Tax lawyers need to conduct extensive research, identifying all legislation that concerns a specific transaction. Whilst a taxation lawyer primarily spends their time in office, they may also be engaged in off-site meetings or meet with barristers representing clients in litigation.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

COVER LETTERS

The cover letter is where you as a student can stand out to a prospective employer. You should highlight your strengths, experiences, skills, and passions that make you the best fit for the working environment you are applying for. A well-written cover letter is just as important as a resume. Where a resume lists experiences, a cover letter allows you to describe how those experiences make you a well-rounded, suitable candidate.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN WRITING

Clarity of Expression

Make sure your writing is concise, clear, and flows logically. Remember, this is a display of written communication skills. You want to demonstrate a capacity to write persuasively and eloquently. Think of your cover letter as if it was a university assignment, where the marker is the firm.

Attention to Detail

PREPARING TO WRITE A COVER LETTER

Get Researching

The best way to stand out from other applicants is to research the firm you are applying for. To get started, have a look at their website. This should give you some insight into the values and strategy of the firm. From there, consider news articles, LinkedIn posts, and media announcements. It is really important to get a sense of the culture of the firm, so that you can consider why you are a good fit to be a part of that culture.

Reflect on your Experiences

Once you have conducted some research into the firm, reflect on your skills and experiences and consider whether they are transferable to the position you are applying for. Try not to just list your skills and experiences. That is what your CV is for! Rather, reflect on how your experiences and achievements have shaped you as a person.

Write

Although it may seem daunting, the best way to write a cover letter is to simply start drafting and reviewing from the perspective of a recruiter. Refer to the cover letter samples to get yourself started. Try not to copy the language of the sample cover letters as the key objective is to be outstanding.

Ensure that there are no spelling or grammatical errors. Although this seems self-explanatory, many students fail this small step. A single error can reduce your chances in this highly competitive process. Read it out loud to yourself to catch any potential errors or ask a friend to read over it. Additionally, make sure the experiences and skills described in your cover letter correlate with your CV. It is no use describing an experience in your cover letter if it is contradicted by your CV, or vice versa.

TIPS & TRICKS

Your cover letter should be tailored to the firm you are applying for. You should not be able to swap the name of the firm out for another firm and have it still make sense. Do your research and apply what you learn.

Don’t restrict your description of skills and experiences only to those relevant to the legal field. Non-legal experience and skills are very important and will differentiate you from other applicants.

Show, don’t tell. Steer clear from simply stating your skills. Instead, explain how you gained these skills and how you have applied them at relevant moments in your life.

Don’t be afraid to briefly describe your interests and hobbies. This can be a good interview icebreaker and will give the firm a good insight into who you are. Use alternative resources for tips and tricks on cover letters, CV’s, and interviews. These resources can include UNSW Careers & Employment, LinkedIn articles, and even social media influencers.

Don’t be afraid to mention events where you met firm representatives, drawing on specific aspects of the firm you head or talked about. Don’t abbreviate terms, especially not the name of the firm.

FINALISING A COVER LETTER Headings

Cover letters should be one page maximum. Remember to include your full name, address, email, and phone number in the top right corner of the page. Also, you should include the date on the top left hand corner of the page, followed by the name of your contact person, their position within the firm, the name of the firm, and the address of the firm. If confused, refer to the sample cover letter for guidance.

Addressing Your Contact

Try to get hold of the contact information of the recruitment officer of the firm. This will personalise your cover letter. It is ok to begin your cover letter and address your contact as “Dear Sir/ Madam”. Try not to use the phrase “To whom it may concern”. Refer to the sample cover letter for guidance on formatting.

SAMPLE COVER LETTERS

Mike Smith 0490 576 293

Mike.Smith@unsw.edu.au

As a paralegal with Rand, Kaldor & Zane, I enjoyed the dynamic nature of commercial law and assisted in preparing legal documents and researching issues of M&A. I hope to further develop these skills at Pearson, Spector & Litt, especially as a leading firm in M&A law as seen in your Chambers’ bank 1 ranking.

Sample Two

Elle Wilson

Mobile: 0490 403 482

Email: Elle.Wilson@unsw.edu.au

Donna Johnson

Talent Acquisition Consultant

Pearson, Spector & Litt

222 Smith Place, Sydney NSW 2000

15 April 2022

Re: Application for Pearson, Spector & Litt’s Summer Clerkship Program

Dear Ms Johnson,

I write to express my interest in Pearson, Spector & Litt’s Summer Clerkship Program. I am a current 4th year Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor Commerce (Finance) student at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). I have a strong distinction average, which I achieved whilst working parttime as a paralegal at Rand, Kaldor & Zane, and actively participating in extracurriculars, including being Private Law Careers Director at the UNSW Law Society.

My attraction to Pearson, Spector & Litt, began when I had the opportunity to meet firm representatives at the Private Law Carers Fair earlier this year. As a finance major, I was able to appreciate your role in the merger between Hardman Pty Ltd and the Bruno Organisation. This demonstrated the strength of your M&A department, which I am interested in and believe is extremely important considering there is currently a boom in M&A.

I have a keen interest in commercial law and specifically M&A, and I believe I would be a good fit for Pearson, Spector & Litt’s Summer Clerkship Program. I am a highly motivated and dedicated individual as demonstrated through my excellent academic record, and I have developed a broad range of analytical and research skills through both of my degrees.

My personal values and interests suggest I would be an ideal cultural fit for Pearson, Spector & Litt. I actively participate in volunteer work with UNSW Arc Wellness Warriors and Shack Tutoring programs and would be keen to contribute to Pearson, Spector & Litt’s pro bono program. I share the social culture of Pearson, Spector & Litt as reflected through being a UNSW Law Society Private Law Careers Director in 2022. My drive for success and commitment to excellence is evidenced by having spent the 2021 winter break preparing for and ultimately winning the Intermediate Mooting Competition. My extensive extracurricular involvements have afforded me excellent organisational skills, and the ability to meet tight deadlines under pressure.

I understand that you will receive many applications for this role, I do, however, believe that my work as a paralegal with Rand, Kaldor & Zane has equipped me with the necessary skills to excel as a Law Clerk with Pearson, Spector & Litt. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss my application at an interview. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Yours Sincerely,

Mike Smith

Emmett Richmond

Graduate Resourcing Manager

Callahan & Huntington

584 Main Street, Sydney NSW 2000

15 April 2022

RE: Application for Callahan & Huntington Summer Clerkship Program

Dear Mr Richmond,

I am a penultimate year student undertaking a Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws at the University of New South Wales, with a major in Politics and International Relations. For me, a position at Callahan & Huntington offers an unrivalled foundation to a rewarding career in commercial law. In turn, I thoroughly believe that I represent a promising candidate as someone who wholeheartedly embodies the values at the core of this firm.

I am drawn to Callahan & Huntington for your expertise in Banking and Finance, as illustrated by advising Woods Enterprise in their recent IPO, and would love to be at the forefront of such projects. My interest in Finance was developed through my experience as a law clerk in a boutique commercial law firm and further reflected in my attainment of a Distinction in Contracts and Business Associations. My dedication and passion in engaging with disruptive thinking align with Callahan & Huntington’s values of creative and innovative thinking, a point of conversation discussed with Banking and Finance lawyer, Vivian Kensington on the night of my firm visit.

I believe my experiences have allowed me to develop skills highly transferable to the Summer Clerkship Program at Callahan & Huntington. As a Food and Beverage Attendant, I assisted with various customer service requests in a fast-paced, high-performing environment, which strengthened my ability to engage effectively with clients from all walks of life.

Further, it allowed me to develop my verbal communication and teamwork skills. In my capacity as Junior Mooting Director with UNSW Law Society, I am responsible for facilitating and organising junior level moots. This role requires me to work with the other Junior Mooting Director, thus providing me with strong leadership and teamwork skills.

Like Callahan & Huntington, I recognise the fundamentality of human relationships and the importance of client satisfaction. I consider myself as someone who is easy to get along with while maintaining my professionalism. I have developed these interpersonal skills as LawPLUS mentor which required me to create a fun and supportive environment while I maintained a professional boundary between myself and my mentees. For this reason, I believe I would readily embrace the client-centric culture and would thrive in the friendly and open working environment that your firm promotes.

I firmly believe that I would complement the successful culture of Callahan & Huntington and would greatly relish the opportunity to build a meaningful career at such a prestigious firm.

Thank you for considering my application.

Kind regards,

Elle Wilson

I. Education

Bachelor of Commerce (Management)/Bachelor of Laws , University of New South Wales (2019 – 2024)

• Distinction Average: 79.73 WAM

• Law Dean’s List 2021

North Sydney Boys High School (2013– 2018)

• ATAR: 99.35

• Distinguished Achiever (90+) in Five Courses.

• Senior Prefect, Head of SRC, Executive Treasurer, Peer Mentor, State Chess.

II. Professional Experience

Paralegal, Law Firm LLP (2021 – Current)

• Primarily responsible for drafting legal research memorandums and analysis. Further administrative duties include document management, file archiving, and receptionist duty. Responsible for sending client and court correspondence.

• Developed familiarity with court electronic filing and lodgement systems, as well as the E-Discovery software Relativity

• Undertake drafting of court documents.

Flagship Sales Consultant, Hugo Boss (2018 – 2020)

• Provided exceptional customer service and styling expertise to clients in premium menswear.

• Maximised sales opportunities by developing a strong returning client base and exceeded average daily sales quotas of $4,000 during FY21.

Volunteer, Redfern Legal Centre (2019 – 2020)

• Assisted with preparing advice and letters for clients attending the centre.

• Met with clients and wrote file notes/minutes regarding the meeting for supervising lawyers.

• Gained experience in file management and experience in a wide range of legal matters, including employment law, housing regulations and discrimination law.

Audit & Assurance Summer Vacationer KPMG (Dec 2020 – Feb 2021)

• Performed detailed audit procedures and audit tests to verify client financial statement compliance in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) Accounting Standards.

• Prepared work papers and financial statements for FY20, in collaboration with corporate clients like Qantas, as well as KPMG partners, managers and senior accountants.

High School Tutor (2018 – 2021)

• Teaching weekly classes of up to 6 students, each with differing academic skills and needs. Constantly keeping up to date with ever-changing HSC course content as well as developing familiarity with a wide range of topic areas that I may not have studied myself in High School.

• Taught general class content, as well as providing guidance and feedback on assessments.

• Greatly improved student results, with examples including from 50%-85%.

• Provided weekly progress reports to parents.

III. Extra-Curriculars and Interests

Law Competitions

• UNSW Law Society Senior Mooting (2021)

• King & Wood Mallesons Senior Witness Examination (2021)

• Sydney University Law Society Multilateral Intervarsity Client Interviewing Competition (Grand Finalist) (External Competition);

• Australian Law Students Association Mooting (External Competition);

• UNSW Law Society Beginners Client Interviewing (Grand Finalist 2019)

• UNSW Law Society Senior Mooting (2021) (Semi-Finalist)

• King and Wood Mallesons Insight Program (2021): invited to participate in King and Wood Mallesons pre-penultimate program, designed to give students some insight into life at a top tier law firm in Australia. It also provided practical tips for preparing for employment, as well as applications for paralegal and graduate positions.

Leadership

• Senior’s Witness Examinations Director (2020) – Elected to run the Senior stream of the witness examination competition offered by the UNSW Law Society. Responsible for administrating, timetabling and judging the competition, as well as liaising weekly with external volunteer judges, including solicitors and barristers in the industry, as well as law firm representatives.

• North Sydney Boys Prefect (2018)

• Public Speaking (2015 – 2017): reached regional final in 2015, speaking on contentious cultural and political topics.

• School Debating (2013 – 2017)

• Mock Trial (2017): progressed to the second knockout round of over 60 schools, gained a basic understanding of legal advocacy and the processes of Court proceedings.

• St Vincent DePaul Op Shop (2016 – 2017): volunteer responsible for organising clothing and homeware item donations and communicating with senior volunteers to assist with the general operations of the donation store.

EDUCATION

Sally Student

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-student/| 0405-555-555 | sallystudent@bigpond.net.au

Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) and Bachelor of Laws

University of New South Wales

• Distinction average (78.64/100)

Marketing Exchange Student

Overseas University, Singapore

• 1st Place Consulting Case Competition 2019

• University of NSW International Exchange Scholarship

Jan 2018 - Nov 2022

Volunteer May 2018 - Aug 2019

Kingsford Legal Centre, Sydney

• Assisting with preparing advice and letters for clients dropping into the Centre

• Drafting and proofreading correspondence and legal correspondence

• Obtaining client instructions and providing initial advice, information and referrals

• Managing the Centre’s Pro Bono Project

• Supervising the Centre’s volunteers’ duties including file open and closure, client interviews and advice shifts

Legal Assistant Feb 2018 - Aug 2019

George Street Chambers, Sydney

• Performed administrative duties including invoicing, drafting costs agreements and filing briefs

• Assisted in preparing for cases, including draft chronologies of events, legal research and reviewing evidence

• Supported barristers in litigation by conducting research and compiling evidence

June 2019 - December 2019

EXTRACURRICULAR EXPERIENCE

Higher School Certificate 2012 - 2017

Sydney Girls High School

• ATAR: 99.6

• School Prefect and School Trophy for All-Round Excellence and Service

• Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Negotiations, Australian Law Students Association National Competition (Melbourne), 2019

• Best Delegate, UNSW Model UN (Thailand), 2019

• Finalist, Senior Witness Examination Competition, 2018

• Runner Up, Intermediate Negotiations Competition, 2018

• Finalist, UNSW Law Hackathon, 2017

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Summer Vacationer

Deloitte Consulting, Sydney

Dec 2020 - Feb 2021

• Assisted in the creation of a market overview analysing the key trends in the Australian cheese industry worth $3.5bn

• Researched and analysed the industry value chain, recent consolidation trends, market segmentation and underlying drivers of demand for Australian cheese

Consulting Intern

Kanter Infrastructure and Utilities, Singapore

• Led research and market analysis on the automotive industry in Thailand

July 2019 - November 2019

• Designed optimal sourcing for Kanter’s operating systems, including automobile manufacturing and assembling facilities, ensuring effective financial budget management; devised a WACC model for present operation, estimating $21M USD net present value

• Delivered a client facing report, business report and plan to the Independent Executive Director and board

Paralegal Jan 2019 - May 2019

Australian Law Firm, Sydney

• Conduct legal research into different commercial law areas

• Document review using relativity for litigation

Vice-President (Administration)

Nov 2020 - Present UNSW Marketing Society

• Overseeing a group of 4 students in order to ensure the cohesion and effectiveness of the society

• Liaising with Arc in order to source internal funding and to ensure compliance with university guidelines and policies

• Ensuring society meets re-affiliation requirements by preparing motions for general meetings, making changes to the constitution and maintaining all documents and reports

Music Director

UNSW Law Society

• Overseeing a group of 4 students in order to ensure the cohesion and effectiveness of the society

Nov 2019 - Oct 2020

• Liaising with Arc to source internal funding and to ensure compliance with university guidelines and policies

• Ensuring society meets re-affiliation requirements by preparing motions for general meetings, making can changes to the constitution and maintaining all documents and reports

Entertainment Coordinator Nov 2018 - Oct 2019

UNSW Arc (Yellow Shirts)

• Organised and produced a major live entertainment line up across five nights for all first years on UNSW campus during O-Week

• Sourced live acts, negotiation of entertainment contracts, promotion of events and overseeing technical production requirements

Publications Director Nov 2019 - Oct 2020

UNSW Business Society

• Worked in a team in order to prepare all publication materials for the society including the Marketing Careers Publications

• Prepared weekly email newsletters for all society members

• Managed and crafted text and visual content for society’s social media accounts

INTERESTS & SKILLS

• Interests: Pianist and Band Member, UNSW Law Society Law Band and Runner with UNSW RunSoc

• Languages: Native Proficiency in English and Mandarin, Beginners in Spanish

• Recreational Interests: Kickboxing, archery, food and travelling

REFEREES

Lisa Wong

Senior Associate, Australian Law Firm

M: 0490 909 909

E: lisa.gong@chambers.com

CV MAIL

OVERVIEW

CVMail is a centralised law student portal run by Thomson Reuters. It provides information about the legal industry and enables law students to apply and schedule interviews online. Most law firms use CVMail for summer clerkship applications but ensure that you check with each firm first.

HOW TO USE CVMAIL

(1) Go to www.cvmail.com.au;

(2) Click ‘register’ at the very top-left-hand corner of the page, and enter your details;

(3) You will then be asked to complete your ‘Personal Profile’, which includes contact details;

(4) Return to ‘Application Manager’; and complete your academic profile, which records your degree, subject and mark details.

HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLCIATION

(1) The ‘Application Manager’ displays which firms are taking applications. Click the ‘seasonal’ tab for the summer clerkship and ‘NSW’ for law firms in this state;

(2) At the top of the list of firm names, you will see ‘Practice Firm’. This allows you to fill in a mock application in order to familiarise yourself with the process;

(3) You can also click ‘Resources’ towards the top of the page to access a range of useful material about each law firm;

(4) When the applications are open, CVMail will walk you through the process of entering your details;

(5) Depending on the firm, there may be a number of interview-style application questions to answer. It is recommended that you prepare answers to these in a word processor, and then copy/paste them into CVMail;

(6) This same method can be used to insert your cover letter;

(7) Your CV can be attached to your application by uploading the relevant file from your computer.

APPLICATION TIMING

(1) The ‘Application Manager’ displays which firms are taking applications. Click the ‘seasonal’ tab for the summer clerkship and ‘NSW’ for law firms in this state;

(2) At the top of the list of firm names, you will see ‘Practice Firm’. This allows you to fill in a mock application in order to familiarise yourself with the process;

(3) You can also click ‘Resources’ towards the top of the page to access a range of useful material about each law firm;

(4) When the applications are open, CVMail will walk you through the process of entering your details;

(5) Depending on the firm, there may be a number of interview-style application questions to answer. It is recommended that you prepare answers to these in a word processor, and then copy/paste them into CVMail;

(6) This same method can be used to insert your cover letter;

(7) Your CV can be attached to your application by uploading the relevant file from your computer.

MY CVMAIL

This section of the website allows you to view submitted applications, correspond with law firms regarding your applications, and schedule interviews once the firms have contacted you.

THE SELECTION CRITERIA

OVERVIEW

Using the selection criteria will help ensure you have met all of the employer’s key requirements. The selection criteria are a list of the essential and desirable skills, attributes, experiences, and education deemed necessary for a position.

Selection criteria are used to help select the most capable, suited, and qualified person for the job. Applicants must demonstrate and prove the ways in which they will be of value for the job and the organisation. Your application may not be shortlisted if it fails to establish how you meet any one of the criteria. Applicants who are able to successfully and competitively demonstrate that they meet each of the selection criteria will usually be offered an interview.

From the organisation’s point of view, selection criteria can help standardise the recruitment process. They serve as a guide for employees and recruiters to help look for essential and desirable requirements in applicants, which can help reduce personal and social bias in selection decisions, and to ensure that the most suitable candidate is selected.

Selection criteria common to many graduate jobs include:

• Organisational and planning skills;

• Accuracy and attention to detail;

• Written and oral communication skills;

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; and

• Problem solving and data analysis skills.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE SELECTION CRITERIA?

When holistically considering an individual’s characteristics, law firms (and companies in the private sector as a whole) generally have a loose selection criteria they hire candidates based upon. However, they may not be as clear or rigidly followed as selection criteria in the Public Service. Selection criteria for jobs in the private sector may be available from the manager of a work unit or the recruitment consultant who is working to fill the position.

TIPS

When addressing the selection criteria, it is important to be precise and explicit. It is not enough to simply state that you meet the selection criteria; you need to tie your skills and experiences directly to the criteria at hand. A good way of addressing selection criteria is by using the STAR formula. The STAR formula is structured as follows:

• Situation: where, when and context of your example

• Task: the task or problem to be solved

• Action: how you solved the problem, achieved the goal, or handled the dispute

• Result: the outcome achieved as a result of your actions

Clarify the selection criteria by either requesting a recruitment package, analysing the job advertisement, or speaking to the contact officer or recruitment consultant. Research the position and the organisation further. Alternatively, attend firm presentations and speak to firm representatives when they are on campus.

THE INTERVIEW

OVERVIEW

An interview is the culmination of your research into the firm and your personal ‘sales effort’ represented by your cover letter and CV. Reaching the interview stage is an achievement, as partners are willing to give up time and high billable hours to meet and get to know you.

TYPES OF INTERVIEWS

Interviews can vary significantly depending on the particular organisation. You can even experience very different styles of interview between particular interviewers at the same organisation. Given that you might not be able to predict what kind of interview situation you will be walking into, it is useful to be aware of the different varieties. In the instance you do know something about how the interview will run, this is a great opportunity to practice what you might say.

The first aspect of the interview which may vary is the number of interviewers. Depending on the number of interviewers, the manner in which you respond may differ. Regardless of the situation ensure you give ample eye contact to everyone in the room to demonstrate that you are comfortable holding a conversation with multiple listeners. As an example, clerkship interviews often will consist of two interviewers who may be lawyers, human resources employees or both.

The number of candidates in the room may also vary; you may be interviewing with other applicants for the job. In these interviews you have the opportunity to demonstrate that you are able to listen to others in the room, whilst clearly conveying your own responses. Bounce off the ideas of others in the room and try to help everyone feel included. Take initiative with your responses without being too authoritative.

Remember that in this kind of situation it is important that the group achieve its assigned goal and that to stand out, one does not always have to be the leader of your group. Observers will assess your contribution to discussion, expression, reaction to others and contribution towards reaching group goals.

To perform successfully you should consider your position before contributing, listen to and support others, show courtesy and tact, remain composed and keep a focus on the goal and on time limits.

Another variable in the interview process is the structure of the interview itself. Some have set questions to be answered, while other interviews have no structure and may take the form of a conversation. Remember this is a sliding scale and interviews may be a blend of the two, with some requisite questions asked with casual conversation in between. A top tip is to do a quick search of people’s interview experiences at the organisation or similar organisations, so you can be prepared for the interview environment you will be heading in to.

GENERAL INTERVIEW TIPS

• If you are asked to answer behavioural questions (e.g. “tell me about a time when you demonstrated leadership”), use the STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This allows you to support your answer with concrete evidence. What action did you undertake and what was the result of the action?

• Be yourself, be calm and try not to show your nervousness.

• Small talk is good to break the ice before and after the formal part of the interview.

• Make sure you re-read your cover letter and resume before the interview to remind yourself of what you wrote

Know your CV and cover letter like the back of your hand! Your CV and cover letter have created a positive impression, so you now have an opportunity to reinforce this opinion. The interview should be seen as a twoway process: the firm will ask you to expand on elements of your cover letter and CV, and you will be expected to ask questions of the interviewer(s), which allows them to find out more about you and ensure you are the ideal candidate for the job.

RESEARCH

As you did for the cover letter, you need to research the firm in more detail for the interview. Aside from preparing for likely interview questions, you will also be expected to have done some research into each law firm. You should research:

• The firm’s practice areas and particular strengths;

• The organisational structure, rough number of partners/ lawyers/directors etc. (briefly);

• The name(s) of key people in the organisation. Mention this only if you have something interesting to say (e.g. admire a Partner’s leadership style);

• The firm/organisation’s culture, values, atmosphere (crucial and should be incorporated into your responses);

• The organisation’s recent work, deals, cases or transactions;

• Business affairs, such as a recent or intended merger;

• Brief understanding of the firm’s reputation;

• The structure, activities, number of rotations etc of the position you are applying for; and,

• The current issues facing the legal industry, e.g. competition from overseas firms.

Don’t forget to revise any personal knowledge or familiarity with current employees of the firm/ organisation. You may have met them at the various cocktail evenings, or you may also know recent UNSW clerks or graduates. Research methods include:

• The firm / organisation’s website, particularly pages such as ‘Our People’, ‘Our Culture’ and those dealing with the clerkship and graduate programme.

• Media (Australian Financial Review (Friday legal affairs section); Lawyers Weekly)

• Speaking with employees of the firm/organisation at various events held in the lead-up to the interview period.

ON THE DAY What to Bring

In order to feel confident and well prepared you will want to take a copy of your CV, cover letter, and the official copy of your academic transcript available from Student Central.

Presentation

You have the firm’s attention, and they already value your skills and experience. The interview is your chance to continue to impress them. You need to create a positive and professional impression to give yourself the competitive edge.

Clothes

Generally, formal business attire is most appropriate. However, dressing standards might differ depending on the firm or organisation. Choose styles and colours that do not distract others or yourself. They should fit well, be in good repair and be neatly pressed.

Make a Good First Impression

Your relationship with the interviewers, especially your non-verbal communication is crucial in the success of the interview. If you appear to be confident and enthusiastic from the outset, your answers are more likely to be reviewed positively.

THE INTERVIEW

DURING THE INTERVIEW

Starting the Interview Confidently

The impression you create will weigh upon the tone of voice you use. Attempt to communicate positive emotions (interest, enthusiasm or confidence) rather than negative emotions (anxiety, uncertainty or boredom). Modulate your voice to maintain the attention of your interviewers and use hand gestures where appropriate to reinforce an image of confidence

Introducing Yourself

Preparing an opening line may assist you to exude an air of confidence. Use a simple phrase such as, ‘Good morning, pleased to meet you. I’m Isaac Dela Torre’. Choose something you feel comfortable saying and say it instinctively. Smile and talk to, not at, the interviewer. Show the interviewer that you are glad to meet them, and you are enthusiastic about the job. Remember, you do not have to use this opening - another conversation may take place - but it can be reassuring to have a backup opening line.

Building Rapport

While having canned small talk on the weather or news may help ease initial nervousness, the most important aspect to building rapport is being genuine. Coming off as artificial can be just as damaging as a slight bit of awkwardness. During the interview take into account their language, body language, and consider their perspective to form your responses effectively.

Body Language

Maintain appropriate eye contact throughout the interview (do not stare or look away too much). Listen carefully to what the interview is telling you about the organisation and your likely role within it in order to ask informed questions in response. Use appropriate listening cues such as nodding in order to look engaged at all times.

Answering Questions

Listen to the interviewer and clarify the question if you do not understand it to allow yourself to answer the question adequately. The bucket approach (i.e. throwing everything that you know about the question) will not effectively answer the question. Try to relate your answers to the requirements of the position and the organisations.

TYPES OF INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

There are many types of interview questions, and while the underlying intent of the interviewer may be self-evident with some, for others it’s important to understand what the interviewer is trying to find out about you. Regardless of the question asked, remain calm and confident in your answer

Introductory/Background Questions

These questions are designed to find out a little bit more about you. It is a chance for you to explain what you have done, your attitudes and values, and the choices you’ve made in your life. It is often a good idea to address the question in a reverse chronological order and also to start with a brief synopsis. Remember that you need to be informative without going into so much detail that you bore your interviewers. Such questions may be as follows:

Tell me about yourself. How would you describe yourself?

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Is there an achievement of which you are particularly proud of? What is it and why is it significant?

Objectives

With these questions, you need to demonstrate to the interviewer that you have thought about what it is that you want from working at the firm and what you hope to achieve. At the same time you need to assure them that you are flexible and would be prepared to work in a range of areas. Some example questions include:

• What are your long term and short term goals and objectives?

• How are you preparing yourself to achieve them?

• What do you see yourself doing five years from now?

Behavioural Questions

To address these questions apply the STAR model and consider various scenarios, such as a time you were a good leader, resolved a problem, or adjusted to a last minute change. Questions:

• ‘Tell us about a time you resolved a conflict’.

• ‘Give me an example in your career where you felt like giving up but managed to keep going.’

Career Interests

Employers are often keen to find out what your major areas of interest are so that they can better assess how well you will fit into their organisation, both now as well as your potential to develop within the organisation in the future. Questions:

• Why do you want to become a corporate lawyer?

• What kind of positions are you interested in?

• Do you have a locational preference?

• What is your understanding of the current legal climate here in Australia?

• Are you willing to travel or relocate?

Your Contribution to the Organisation

• Why should we consider you for this position?

• In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our company?

• What other skills would you like to develop in the future?

Commitment to Work and to the Organisation

An employer is interested in how your values are aligned with their firms. This is one area where you will shine if you have done thorough research.

What do you know about our company?

• How do you keep informed professionally?

• Why did you decide to seek a position with this company?

Education

With these questions, interviewers hope to gain more insight into your educational background. Most importantly, they are interested in the reasoning behind your decision to study the course you did and what you think you have attained from your studies. Follow-up questions include:

• Why did you choose to study law?

• What university subjects did you like the best and least? Why?

• Do you plan to continue studying?

• What part of your education do you see as being most relevant to this position?

• Is your academic performance any indication of how you will do this job?

• What do you like about your discipline of study?

• Why did you fail/perform poorly in this subject?

As for this final question, it simply demands honesty: the firm is likely to be satisfied if you can cite extracurricular commitments, employment or something similar. The benefit of such a response is that you are simultaneously outlining a strength, namely your involvement in activities outside university and your work experience.

THE INTERVIEW

Work Experience

• Do you have any vacation employment or previous experience in the legal context?

• Most jobs have their frustrations and problems. Describe some that have particularly dissatisfied you.

• What have been the most satisfying aspects of jobs that you have held?

• What has been the value of your previous work experience?

Other Interests

With these questions, employers are trying to gain a better understanding of you, and thereby better assess how well you are going to fit in with the company. There are no right answers to these questions, but it is important to think about how your interests and goals fit in with what the company does and how it hopes to develop in the future.

• What are your outside interests?

• Who is your favourite novelist?

• Do you like/dislike football?

Approach to Work

Employers are often interested in knowing how you manage different responsibilities, particularly how you prioritise your time. They are also interested in knowing how you cope in stressful situations involving tight deadlines and large amounts of work.

• How do you work under pressure?

• How do you balance work priorities and those of your personal life and family?

• Give me an example of when you had to work to an important deadline. What did you do to ensure that the deadline was met?

• Have you ever had to persuade people to your way of thinking?

• Describe a situation when you had to explain a difficult concept to someone. Tell me about your approach. How do you know they understood?

Problem Solving/Analytical Skills

• Here is a problem that we faced recently, how would you have dealt with that?

• Tell me about a time when, despite careful planning, things got out of hand.

Teamwork/Leadership

• Have you been in any situations where you have been required to perform as a part of a team? What was the situation, what part did you play in the team and what was the outcome of the exercise?

• Can you describe a time when your team fell apart. What was your role in the outcome?

• What kind of people do you find difficult to work with and why?

• Tell me about a difficult situation when you pulled the team together.

• Tell me about a time when you took leadership role of a group.

• What is your style of influencing/leading people?

Creativity/Initiative

• Have you ever been responsible for the generation of a new idea or suggestion? Describe and explain.

• Tell me of a time when you generated a creative solution to a problem.

Client Focus

• What is your definition of ‘excellent’ client service?

• Tell me about a time when you went beyond the call of duty to help a client.

• Describe a situation that illustrates how you developed a positive relationship with a client.

QUESTIONS YOU MAY ASK

At the end of the interview you will be given the opportunity to ask questions of your interviewer(s). This is not a mere formality, it is expected that you ask some questions, which at the very least will reflect your interest in the organisation or firm. Be judicious in your choice of questions. Asking questions with an obvious answer would reflect inadequate thought and preparation. Always prepare a list of potential questions to ask in advance. Examples of such questions include:

• Why did you choose to work here? What was the ‘clincher’ in your decision? What did you find unique about this firm?

• How is a work/life balance encouraged in this firm? How do you achieve this balance?

• How often is feedback provided, both to summer clerks and to full-time lawyers?

• What sort of induction and training do you normally offer?

• What is the firm’s policy on taking leave for further study or associateships?

• What long-term career opportunities are available at the firm?

• What do you enjoy about your practice group? What led you to work in it?

• What sort of work would I be doing in your practice group?

• Are there any secondment opportunities for lawyers at this firm?

• What ‘extracurricular’ activities are available for clerks?

• What is your usual retention rate between summer clerks and graduate lawyers?

• How many years of service does it tend to take for a lawyer to be promoted to a senior associate or partner? What other factors are relevant in such a promotion?

• How do the various practice groups communicate and collaborate with each other when a matter requires it?

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Be sure to follow up and write a thank you letter to the HR from the firms you receive an offer from.

COMMERCIAL AWARENESS

WHAT IS IT?

Commercial awareness is staying frequently informed of the developments occurring in the business world. It encompasses considering the potential implications of an event and how it will affect the commercial space. These events could include geopolitical developments, changes in economic policy, or even the current financial climate in which we live. Regularly seeking news on significant deals, transactions, and issues in the industry places you in a position to consider the interests of firms you apply for, and the clients they represent.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

The corporate workplace is highly competitive, and employees are expected to have awareness of the space they are operating in. Having knowledge about matters affecting firms and the clients they work with is therefore crucial. Establishing meaningful relationships with clients and avoiding poor business decisions are therefore key benefits of possessing commercial awareness. Major law firms are deeply embedded into the commercial space and thus look for applicants that understand the realities of business and how financial news affects the legal and corporate industries.

WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER?

Having surface-level knowledge about the occurrence of an event is not sufficient. Having commercial awareness involves asking yourself key questions about an event:

• Why has it happened?

• Why do you consider it to be significant?

• Who are the stakeholders, and what implications does this event have on them?

• Do you agree with how stakeholders have managed the situation?

• Does the event cause any challenges for the commercial or legal space that will be relevant to a firm’s clients?

MENTAL WELLBEING

You also need to consider that commercial awareness takes time to develop; it cannot be developed overnight. Building knowledge on events and news over time is crucial to developing comprehensive commercial awareness.

HOW TO STAY COMMERCIALLY AWARE

• Read the business pages from key news providers and follow the stories and trends they report over time – connect the dots.

• Keep an eye out for significant deals occurring in the commercial world, as these impact the industry and beyond in addition to the parties who are directly involved.

• The monthly UNSW Law Society Private Law Careers Commercial Awareness update is a good place to start!

• If you do not understand something initially, display initiative and conduct further research.

• Some interesting sources to keep a tab on include, but are not limited to:

◊ Lawyers Weekly

◊ Australian Lawyer

◊ Australian Financial Review

◊ The Economist

◊ The New York Times

◊ Bloomberg News

◊ Financial Times

◊ International Financial Law Review

The clerkship application period can be one of the most stressful times in a law student’s time at law school. But remember, clerkships are by no means the be-all and end-all. It is important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally during this time.

TAKE A BREAK

If you have spent the day balancing university study, work and writing clerkship applications your brain is likely tired and fatigued. This is a great time to take a break! Studies say that you should take a break from studying every one to two hours. A great way to ensure you are taking enough breaks is to schedule them. On these breaks, you could go for a walk and get some fresh air or catch up with friends.

REWARD YOURSELF

Law school is hard. Work is hard. Clerkship applications are hard. But that doesn’t mean that you should compromise your health and wellbeing for the sake of furthering your career. It’s a good idea to just switch off once in a while and do something you enjoy. Always make time for your family, friends, and most importantly, for yourself. Prioritise your health so that it does not start a negative feedback loop whereby every aspect of your life and career are impacted by poor health. Ensure you are getting regular and sufficient sleep, maintain sleep hygiene, take supplements, eat a well-balanced and nutritious diet and relieve physical and mental stress through exercise or decompression activities such as recreational yoga. This is important, as maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help tide you over and keep you going for the semester and/or your application period.

BUILD YOUR SUPPORT NETWORK AND USE IT

It’s no secret that law students suffer from higher levels of depression and anxiety. Add part or even full-time employment and a stressful application period into the mix & you may be left feeling seriously overextended. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your support network! Your support network could include friends, family, your GP or a psychologist. When you are stressed out, reach out to friends and family for support, even if this is just to chat with them about what is going on. If you are struggling, you can also reach out to UNSW Psychology and Wellbeing who can provide free counselling or contact your GP who can provide you with a mental health care plan and receive up to 10 free or subsidised psychologist visits.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

• UNSW Psychology and Wellbeing: https://www.student.unsw.edu.au/counselling

• Beyond Blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

• LifeLine Crisis hotline: 13 11 14

• Contact your GP for a mental health care plan to receive up to 10 free or subsidised psychology sessions.

CLERKSHIPS & TRIMESTERS

CLERKSHIP DATES AND 3+

Under the UNSW3+ academic calendar, students now annually enrol in courses for each Term of the coming year from October.

• Students are able to apply for a Summer Clerkship in T2 and will be notified of the outcome by early T3.

• Students apply for a Summer Clerkship from early June in T2 and will be notified of the outcome in week 1 of T3 by the firms. Students will have 24 hours to accept an offer from a firm.

• Students who do not receive an offer are advised that if they are enrolled in compatible clerkship courses in T3, it may be worth reconsidering whether to proceed with these courses or to change enrolment to other electives based on their interest or a wish to diversify assessment timelines across your T3 courses. Please make any changes to enrolment promptly, and ideally before the T3 census date!

• Students who accept an offer but have NOT enrolled in clerkship compatible courses should enrol into a compatible course(s) immediately. During Week 1 of T3, there is some movement as students adjust enrolment based on the outcome of the clerkships process, and students are advised to watch for places at frequent intervals.

• The Law Faculty advises that any student who accepts an offer can seek assistance, if needed, to enrol in a clerkship compatible course. Please contact the Faculty Careers Manager, Ms Siobhan Ryan, s.ryan@unsw. edu.au, providing your contact number on the day of acceptance. Proof of offer and current enrolment information must be provided. NOTE – the faculty does not guarantee choice of course that is clerkship compatible.

AVOIDING OVERLAPS BETWEEN T3 ELECTIVES AND CLERKSHIPS

To maximise compatibility with Clerkship programs, UNSW Law is offering a higher than usual number of electives to UG and JD students in T3 that do not feature a formal examination (or in which such assessment is optional) that would clash with the start of Clerkships.

Additionally, a number of these electives are taught intensively and will commence in Week 2 of T3. This will enable students who need to alter their enrolment after receiving an offer to change into a course without having missed the first week of classes. UNSW Law has reviewed current enrolment figures in T3 electives and noted that UG and JD places remain across the offerings. Further places may be opened up in some courses as required in Week 1, T3.

Students who receive an offer will be assisted, as needed, to enrol in an elective compatible with undertaking a Clerkship. However, choice of course is not guaranteed.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

Because students will be required to prepare applications for clerkships during Term 2 rather than in the semester break that existed under the former academic calendar, the faculty is committed to providing them with greater support so they may maintain focus on their study and still seek clerkship positions to the same extent as previously. Students should attend one of the Law & Justice Careers Services established to help students’ best position themselves to secure a rewarding job at the end of their studies.

DOMESTIC LAW FIRM PROFILES

ALLEN & OVERY

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

At Allen & Overy, we advise on our clients most strategically important business decisions. With a track record of advising on complex, Australian and cross-border matters for market leading organisations, we are able to offer our clients the best of both worlds: the expertise and resources of a global elite law practice coupled with seasoned practitioners with Australian and international experience.

We focus on innovative and expert legal solutions across a broad range of areas: mergers and acquisitions; private equity; capital markets; regulatory and funds; anti-trust/ competition; litigation and dispute resolution; banking and finance; infrastructure and projects; energy and resources; communications, outsourcing and technology and tax.

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

Globally we have approximately 590 partners and over 3,000 lawyers. In Australia, we have 22 partners and 115 lawyers.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

We work to attract and retain the very best people – and we support them to build their future with us. All kinds of people work at A&O, and we have a few things in common. We’re united by ambition and drive, and the restless pursuit of excellence in everything we do. We foster a working environment based on collaboration and mutual respect, where everyone is trusted to do their very best work in the way they see fit, to a standard we all share.

But as important as that work is, we know that it’s also imperative for our people to have a life beyond it. Everyone at A&O is given the space and encouragement to pursue the goals, interests and passions that make them who they are.

We set the trends. Our track record of thinking differently is demonstrable in both how we think and how we work. From our expansion into new jurisdictions, commitment to the environment, and our alternative resourcing options such as Peerpoint, we are setting the standard for what a global law firm should look like. We are motivated and excited by the potential of a changing world. We challenge each other and the status quo. We’re open, honest, and never afraid of change. We expect you to

own your career, and in turn, we will provide you with the support you need to seize every opportunity.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

Our 2023/24 Summer Clerkship program will take place between 27 November 2023 and 2 February 2024. Our online application form will be available on our website between 5 June and 9 July 2023. You will be required to provide your CV, current transcript and answer 10 questions with a 50 word limit. Please do not submit a cover letter.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

Our Summer Clerkship is aim at penultimate students as we are ultimately looking to recruit our 2025 graduates. However, final year students are welcome to apply but please state clearly in your application the reason that you are applying outside of your penultimate year and what year you intend to commence as a graduate.

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

It depends on business need and the quality of the applications received. We generally hire between 10 and 15 summer clerks each year.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

When hiring in to Allen & Overy, we are more interested in where you are going than where you have been, and what kind of lawyer you can become is more important than your current knowledge of the law. We look for:

• Mental Agility - Applies a sharp and insightful mind to work challenges. Accurately analyses information, including numerical data.

• Change Agility - Thrives on change and actively instigates innovative improvement. Is passionate about learning and keen to develop skills and knowledge to enhance performance.

• People Agility - Builds consistently excellent working relationships with clients and colleagues. Uses deep understanding of others, from all backgrounds, to adapt influencing style. A supportive colleague and team-player.

• Solutions Agility - Highly energetic with keen focus on results. Persists to overcome obstacles. Delivers work in an efficient, effective, timely and technology-savvy way. Meets deadlines and has a fine-tuned detail and quality ‘radar’.

For further information, please watch our Are we right for you? video.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

Our summer clerkship program is a great way to experience firsthand our work and culture. During the program, you will gain real experience working alongside our lawyers on real deals and cases as well as specifically designed exercises that provide a valuable insight into the role of an Allen & Overy lawyer. Bespoke training will be provided by some of our leading lawyers in Australia and across our global network.

In addition to completing rotations in two of our practice areas in the Sydney office, prior to the global pandemic our summer clerks have had the opportunity to spend time in one of our Asia Pacific offices during the program. This experience will give you a greater understanding of our global network and a taste of future opportunities at Allen & Overy.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

The online application is the first opportunity to stand out, so make the most of it with thorough preparation.

• Understand our requirements – prepare some examples to show that you have the skills we are looking for.

• Make the most of your experience – highlight what you’ve gained from your experiences, try to show your appetite for responsibility, your capacity to influence events and outcomes, and teamwork.

• Be commercial – show an interest in the legal industry and what’s going on in the world and how it might affect us and our clients.

• Focus on this firm - of course we expect you to apply for clerkships at other firms, but make sure you tailor your answers to demonstrate why Allen & Overy Australia is right for you.

• Be accurate, clear and concise – these are fundamental writing skills of a lawyer.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

To date, all our Sydney Summer Clerks have been offered a graduates position.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, AND IF SO, HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

We aim to recruit our graduates through our Summer Clerkship Program.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

Being admitted as a lawyer is an important milestone, and is just the beginning of your professional development at Allen & Overy.

Joining one of our practice areas as a lawyer, you will have access to a suite of Associate Development Programmes that have been designed to build the core non-technical skills that you will need to progress your career and meet the demands of your new role. These include client skills, people management, and managing deals with maximum effectiveness.

As a lawyer you’ll continue to be given challenging experience on deals, and will become responsible for increasingly complex elements of the transactions on which you work. We’ll also give you the opportunity to spend time working in other offices. These short-term placements provide opportunities to increase your technical knowledge while learning more about other cultures and global markets.

Knowledge-sharing and developing others are fundamental to our firm’s culture, and you will be well supported in refining the skills and behaviours necessary to help graduates to progress.

After around five years as a lawyer, you will be considered for promotion to senior associate. At this stage you will take on significant new responsibility, including the supervision of graduates.

Beyond that, there are many career paths you can take. We have a strong tradition of promoting our people in to partnership, last year we promoted 39 new partners across the firm.

Accept S

hape what’s next.

Your future starts here

At Allen & Overy, you don’t have to blend in to belong and you don’t need to wear yourself down to excel. Join our summer clerkship program and we will support you to learn as much as possible about who we are, give you access to the people and leaders you’ll work alongside and develop the skills you need to excel with us.

The A&O difference

Global reach, local depth – We are one of the largest and most connected law firms in the world. Every day we combine our collective global resources to help our clients gain competitive advantage in the local markets they operate in.

Lasting relationships, market leadership – We combine leading legal insights with deep business know-how to build long-term relationships with our clients. Many of the world’s leading businesses rely on us to solve their most complex legal challenges.

High-performance culture – Our clients expect the highest standards of service, and we have similarly high expectations of our people. We have created an environment where the brightest and most talented legal minds can flourish.

What we can offer you

Our summer clerkship program is a great way to experience firsthand our work and culture. During the program, you will gain real experience working alongside our lawyers on real deals and cases as well as specifically designed exercises that provide a valuable insight into the role of an Allen & Overy lawyer. Bespoke training will be provided by some of our leading lawyers in Australia and across our global network.

In addition to completing rotations in two of our practice areas in the Sydney office, our previous summer clerks have been able to spend time in one of our Asia Pacific offices during the program. This experience will give you a greater understanding of our global network and a taste of future opportunities at Allen & Overy.

As your career progresses with Allen & Overy, you will be given a range of choices to develop your experiences, such as taking up the opportunity to spend time working in another office, whether that’s a rotation as a junior lawyer, a longer term secondment or a permanent transfer.

Top tier Australian and international work

At Allen & Overy, we advise on our clients most strategically important business decisions. With a track record of advising on complex, Australian and cross-border matters for market leading organisations, we are able to offer our clients the best of both worlds: the expertise and resources of a global elite law practice coupled with seasoned practitioners with Australian and international experience.

We focus on innovative and expert legal solutions across a broad range of areas: mergers and acquisitions; private equity; capital markets; regulatory and funds; anti-trust/competition; litigation and dispute resolution; banking and finance; infrastructure and projects; energy and resources; communications, outsourcing and technology and tax.

What we are looking for

There is no typical Allen & Overy lawyer. We realise each person has their unique skills and qualities. Our shared culture and values inspire the way we work and behave: instinctively thoughtful, collectively ambitious, insightfully inventive and refreshingly open.

In addition to excellent academic results, we seek law students in their penultimate year who are team players, have a global mindset, are good communicators, have strength in planning and organisation, are adept at problem solving and have general commercial awareness with an overall ambition to build a career at Allen & Overy.

Be part of something exciting

An Allen & Overy Summer Clerkship Experience

By Robert Anstee, Rosie Cavdarski, Esha Gupta, Milan Panchia & Maxwell Smith who completed a Summer Clerkship

“The clerkship experience at A&O is truly one of a kind. In only 10 weeks we were able to work on a diverse range of tasks in practice groups of our choice, partake in meaningful pro bono and community involvement programs, participate in innovative firmwide challenges and engage in social activities such as the inter-firm sports competition.

Clerks have the opportunity to work in two different practice groups for four weeks at a time. As a clerk, you will work closely with your team, learn all about the practice area and participate in social activities like Christmas parties! In our cohort, we were assigned work connected to Pro Bono matters, litigation, front-end advice and transactions. At A&O, it also goes without saying that you will be involved in cross-border matters, and will find yourself learning on the go about matters and legal systems from all over the world. With all this in mind, make sure that you think carefully about the practice area through which you would like to rotate, so that you can make the most of your clerkship experience!

Join an elite group of Summer Clerks at Allen & Overy in 2023/24.

We accept applications from overseas students, however applicants must demonstrate a commitment to starting their legal career in Australia and have the right to live and work in Australia. We invest in hand-selecting our Summer Clerks each year and were pleased to offer graduate positions to all of our Sydney Summer Clerks to-date.

Applications for the Sydney program open on Monday 5 June 2023 and close on Sunday 9 July 2023.

To apply for our Summer Clerkship program in 2023/24, please visit our website allenovery.com/careers

The website also contains details of our Summer Clerkship program in Perth.

During the clerkship, we were given the opportunity to become involved in the firm’s community investment programme. For example, the clerks were encouraged to attend a volunteering day at Wayside Chapel where we not only learnt about the services and support that the centre provides for individuals experiencing homelessness and social isolation but also assisted the staff in preparing a community lunch for local visitors. As part of the annual summer clerk fundraising challenge, we organised an office wide raffle and raised $6,000 for the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency. A true testament to how generous and supportive everyone at the firm is!

The clerkship also presented numerous opportunities, distinct from strict legal work. Notably, A&O facilitated a legal tech challenge, marketing challenge and mock trial as part of the summer clerkship experience. The legal tech challenge involved working in teams to devise an innovative solution to a technological problem commonly experienced by the firm.

This involved corresponding with domestic and international firm members to obtain insight into problems routinely faced by the firm and how they could be best combatted. We then presented our findings to a board of panelists and the wider firm. We thoroughly enjoyed gaining a depthful appreciation for the inner-workings of the firm and promoting the adoption of new technologies. The mock trial presented us with the opportunity to work closely with our fellow clerks and to refine our advocacy skill set.

Undoubtedly, the most valuable aspect of the clerkship experience was the opportunity to build meaningful connections with the exceptional people at the firm. Without exception, Partners, Lawyers, Legal PAs, HR, Finance, BD, IT and Business Services staff were approachable and willing to answer any questions we had.

What made the experience even more special was the firm’s support for the clerks to bond outside of work. In particular, the weekly inter-firm sport competitions were a highlight of our clerkship. Whether we were playing dodgeball, netball, kickball or ultimate frisbee, the entire group came together in a spirit of fun and inclusivity. To top it off, the firm generously treated us to a night at the Westpac Open Air Cinema.

Although these types of social activities may not be unique to A&O, it was the clerk intake that made it truly special. By creating an environment that fostered camaraderie and teamwork, the firm ensured that our clerkship experience was not only educational but also rewarding on a personal level.

We encourage you all to apply for A&O’s 2023/24 Summer Clerkship - for us the experience was unmatchable and we cannot wait to return to the firm as graduates.”

A career in Law

Follow the conversation: LinkedIn

with A&O in 2022/23.

ALLENS LINKLATERS

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

We provide a wide range of expertise and experience, as it pertains to commercial law, across seven practice groups:

• Banking and Finance

• Competition, Consumer & Regulatory

• Corporate

• Disputes and Investigations

• Intellectual Property, Patents & Trade Mark Attorneys

• Projects and Development

• Tax

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

Approx. 864 legal staff and around 152 partners

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

Turning 200

We are Australia’s oldest law firm and celebrated 200 years in 2022. Allens has some of the world’s longest ongoing client relationships, stretching back almost 200 years. We work with many of the world’s leading organisations - including 55 of the world’s top 100 companies and more than 75 of Australia’s top 100 companies.

Linklaters Alliance

We have a significant global reach due to our alliance with Linklaters. For our clients, the alliance means access to strong teams in 41 offices in 26 countries. Our global teams act as one, sharing their knowledge, best-practice approaches and talents to help solve our clients’ most complex problems, seamlessly. For our people, the alliance means: Opportunities to work on global deals with market leading lawyers. Opportunities to work on multi-jurisdictional matters with a broader range of clients. Access to Linklaters job opportunities globally. International assignment opportunities (short and long term).

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

Dive In program- applications are welcome from law students in their pre-penultimate years of a law degree (i.e. second- to third-year undergraduate law students or first-year JD students).

First Nations internship – applications for 2024 will open mid-2023.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

Yes we are open to clerkship applications from final year students

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

Approximately 50 - 55.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

We’re proud that there isn’t an ‘Allens’ type’. We know that diverse perspectives help solve complex problems, strengthen teams and enrich client relationships. The more you enjoy working with a diverse range of people, the greater your success will be. While we celebrate our differences, it’s important to understand what unites us, and for us, that’s our firm values.

Building a culture of inclusion ensures our people can reach their full potential. For us, this starts with strong leadership. Our inclusion and diversity strategy is supported by an Inclusion and Diversity Council, chaired by our Managing Partner. This council provides sponsorship, role-modelling and drives initiatives across our firm.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

We run one summer clerkship program over a 10-week period, where you will complete two 5 week rotations in two different practice groups. To allow students the flexibility they need, we also offer five week programs. During this time, you’ll gain unique insight into the kind of workwe do and the range of clients we work for.

Students can expect to (naming a few):

• Attend court hearings or client meetings / briefings

• Conduct legal research

• Draft advice

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

Be yourself throughout the process and let your genuine interest in commercial law and Allens shine through. Research and keep up to date on some of the matters our firm is involved with and what areas specifically interest you and refer to that in your application. We are looking for motivated and passionate individuals.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

Yes

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

This depends on our graduate pipeline. Students can keep up to date here: Graduates - Allens

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE

LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

• Clerkship – For a head start in your career, apply for a clerkship and experience first-hand the type of work you could do as a lawyer with us. Our clerkship program is a stepping stone to bigger things. Many clerks go on to become graduates with us.

• Graduate program – Join our graduate program and embark on a journey of lifelongprofessional development. As a Graduate, you’ll complete two 12-month rotations in different practice areas. We’ll work with you to build a strong foundation of skills and develop the agility needed to become an excellent lawyer and thrive in our ever-changing world.

• Associate – After completing the graduate program, you’ll specialise in an area of law that excites you. As an Associate, you’ll take every opportunity to deepen your legalknowledge, develop your commercial acumen, grow your business development skills and focus on yourspecialist area.

• Senior Associate – Once you’ve demonstrated significant technical expertise,leadership qualities and the ability to operate at a senior level, the next step is a promotion to Senior Associate. You will be an expert in your specialist area, able to apply deep understanding and strategic thinking You’ll proactively support and develop your team while driving your own career growth.

• Managing Associate – The Managing Associate role is designed to accelerate the development of our senior lawyers towards partnership. As a Managing Associate, you’ll be more engaged in the business, contributing to firm-wide strategies and initiatives. Partner – The role of Partner recognises exceptional leadership across client relationships and people management as well as specialist expertise. You will be a trusted advisor to a portfolio of clients, advising them on their most challenging and complex business and legal issues

Great change is here. Shape the future with Allens

Great change is here. Shape the future with Allens

CLERKSHIP PROGRAM

A clerkship at Allens is the first step in a rewarding legal career, and will give you invaluable insights into our work and culture. With support from a buddy and development supervisor, you’ll work on real matters for real clients and be involved in a variety of projects. The programs:

 run from three to 10 weeks;

 are available at our Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney offices;

 feature ongoing support, including a buddy system; and

 include exposure to one or two practice groups.

GRADUATE PROGRAM

In each rotation, you’ll gain a depth of experience that comes from seeing matters through to the end, and get exposure to stimulating legal challenges. At Allens, we don’t work in silos, meaning you won’t be limited to working with only one partner or by your practice areas. You’ll work alongside a range of partners and lawyers, giving you exposure to a wide variety of tasks. Working with different teams and leading organisations, you’ll grow a solid skills base and develop the agility needed to thrive in our ever‑changing world. The programs include:

 two 12‑month rotations in different practice areas;

 secondment opportunities in London or Asia, via our alliance with Linklaters, or with clients;

 ongoing supervision, coaching and mentoring;

 completing a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (via University of New South Wales); and

 a 12‑month weekly legal seminar series (Cornerstone Program).

ALLENS CONFIDENTIAL PODCAST graduates.allens.com.au/allens-confidential-podcast

ALLENS VIRTUAL INTERNSHIP theforage.com/course-catalog/bkpwC4BQR5T7poydC/Allens

STUDENT NEWSLETTER graduates.allens.com.au/life-at-allens

LINKEDIN linkedin.com/company/allenslawfirm

At Allens, we’re focused on equipping our people with the skills and experience they need to be the lawyers of the future. We’re ready to define tomorrow. Are you?

Until now, I hadn’t really considered what my career might look like after my clerkship...

Since joining Allens however, I found myself completely inspired, especially by the female powerhouses.

ASHURST

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

Our presence in the world’s leading financial and resource centres in Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and the USA gives us the scale to attract global mandates, with cutting-edge capabilities in four key areas: Corporate, Finance, Projects & Real Estate and Strategic Advisory. Depending on the office you work in, clerks and graduates will have the opportunity to choose from different practice areas within the four main capabilities. Including Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Competition and Anti-Trust, Corporate and M&A, Digital Economy, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Financial Regulation, Infrastructure, Intellectual Property, Environment & Planning, Investment Funds, Projects, Real Estate, Restructuring, Insolvency & Special Situations, Tax.

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

1737 lawyers globally (640 Australian Lawyers) 482 partners globally (185 Australian Partners)

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

Our passion to be the most progressive law firm and to achieve this we offer our clients legal led consulting.

Not only do we offer the best legal advice but our Risk Consulting team are able to operationalise that advice. We then use Ashurst Advance (new law) to deliver efficient, cost effective and technologically savvy solutions. Inclusion, Diversity & Belonging are an integral part of who we are as a firm andwhy our culture is unique. By valuing differences and creating a safe space for colleagues to be themselves and thrive in their careers, we ensure our people experience a sense of belonging. It allows us to offer exceptional service to our clients and create an extraordinary place for our people to work.

DOES THE FIRM HAVE ANY PRE-PENULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT SCHEMES, IF SO HOW

DO STUDENTS GET INVOLVED?

Yes, we offer a Pre penultimate programme to students. Applicants should apply in August and the program will be advertised via the UNSW LSS

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

Yes we offer clerkship programs across Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. Students apply through our careers website

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

Yes we are open to clerkship applications from final year students

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTEAKE THIS YEAR?

In Sydney we are looking for 30 clerks; In Canberra we are looking for 6 clerks

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

There’s absolutely no Ashurst “type”. We want to actively involve a broad range of minds with a broad range of backgrounds, all united by a common set of strengths.

• Excellent academic record and a passion to develop a career in a leading global commercial law firm

• Outstanding communication skills

• Analytical ability, motivation, determination and drive

• Commercial awareness

• Teamwork and interpersonal skills

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

The work undertaken by clerks is varied and depends on the team you are in. Tasks include case law research, drafting legal expertise updates, note-taking during meetings and contract review. There will also be opportunities to be involved in attending court, drafting advice to clients, client secondments and accompanying lawyers to a pro bono clinic.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

• Be genuine, we are really keen to get to know you better. We want you to be able to be yourself at work and during the recruitment process

• Take your time to research the firms and prepare a tailored cover letter that clearly articulates why you are a good fit and why you want to join that firm

• During interviews listen carefully to the questions asked and taking your time before responding this will show thoughtfulness and you’re more likely to give a considered response

• Have well researched questions to ask the interviewers which will demonstrate motivation and being well prepared.

• Attend as many virtual or face to face events as possible to get a better sense of the firms and their culture

• Participate in our free Virtual Experience Program to gain an insight into life at Ashurst.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

Yes we offer graduate positions to all Sydney and Can

berra clerks on successful completion of their clerkship. In Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth it is a multiple clerkship model.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

In Sydney and Canberra we offer graduate roles to our clerks. Depending on business needs and numbers of clerks who defer we may do top up graduate recruitment. Top up recruitment will be advertised on our careers website.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

After successful completion of the 12 month graduate program and being admitted you become a lawyer. You will then work your way up to Senior Associate, Counsel and Partner. Alternative pathways include Ashurst Advance (New Law), Risk Consulting, Client secondments and Overseas secondments. As part of Ashurst Academy, the firm provides global career transition programmes that support your development as you step up to the next career milestone.

Create your story at Ashurst

As a global law firm with a rich history spanning 200 years, we’ve established ourselves as a leading adviser to corporates, financial institutions and governments on all areas of the law, including finance, M&A, disputes and competition. We’re renowned for helping clients navigate a complex and constantly evolving global landscape. With 30 offices across the world’s leading financial and resource centres, we offer the reach and insight of a global network combined with deep local market knowledge.

Our people are our greatest asset. We invite you to explore the stories of our people, history and culture at all levels of the firm, both past and present and hope that in doing so, you will reflect on creating your own story of Ashurst. Scan the QR code to find out more.

About Ashurst

Our vision is to be the most progressive global law firm. For us, “progressive” is a mindset, an approach to how we do things. We instinctively take a fresh perspective on situations, exploring whether there are better ways of delivering practical, commercial solutions to the challenges our clients face in today’s rapidly changing business landscape.

We differentiate ourselves through our values, working collaboratively, thinking differently and being passionate about the quality of the work we deliver for our clients and internally.

As a global law firm, we’ve built a reputation for providing exceptional service standards and established ourselves as a leading adviser to local and international corporates, financial institutions and governments on all areas of law, including finance, M&A, disputes and competition.

Our Global Social Impact Program focus areas include:

• Assisting communities experiencing marginalisation, disadvantage, financial exclusion and hardship

• Supporting young people in their education and career journeys

• Working to eradicate all forms of modern slavery

• Working together with First Nations Peoples to achieve reconciliation in Australia.

Who can apply?

We actively involve a broad range of minds from a wide range of backgrounds, all united by a common set of strengths:

• A passion for developing a career in a global commercial law firm

• Outstanding communication skills

• Analytical ability, motivation, determination and drive

• Commercial awareness

• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills

You will be involved in case law research, drafting legal expertise updates, drafting advice to clients, note-taking during meetings, contract reviews, and the potential to attend court.

Virtual Internships

Pro Bono Legal Services

We recognise that lawyers have a moral obligation and a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those who would otherwise be without. That is why our stand-alone pro bono practice is an integral part of the firm, and we are passionate about supporting initiatives we believe will make a difference. We work closely with community-based legal and charitable organisations to understand and identify clients who are most likely to benefit from our services.

In collaboration with Forage, we are also offering a virtual internship program. This free interactive program provides real insight into life at Ashurst and what working in a commercial law firm may be like. Through the program, you will hear from Ashurst lawyers and partners who will task you with work similar to our graduates and junior law.

Begin your story now at ashurst.com/studen.ts

We nurture a firm culture that is diverse, dynamic and friendly

BAKER MCKENZIE

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

We have 5 major practice groups, with a number of specialised practice areas housed within those umbrella practice groups. Transactional Practice Group, Banking & Finance, Construction, Employment, Tax, Dispute Resolutions, Insolvency, Intellectual Property Technology, Communications & Commercial.

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

Partners 1,513 and Lawyers 6,607

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

Baker McKenzie is not just another global law firm. We were born Global; we have always been a global firm: Our founders shared a common vision of creating the world’s first multicultural, global law firm. We continue to grow organically, not through mergers or acquisitions of smaller firms. We have a global outlook and approach that is unparalleled. We are the largest law firm in the world are unparalleled with respect to our brand across the legal market world-wide.

DOES THE FIRM HAVE ANY PRE-PENULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT SCHEMES, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS GET INVOLVED?

We encourage pre-penultimate students to apply for our Summer Clerkship, as typically graduate roles will commence 12 - 18 months after the Summer Clerkship ends.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

Yes, directly through the Baker McKenzie website

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

We offer clerkships to students that are either graduating in 2023, 2024 or first quarter of 2025.

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

27th November 2023 - 9th February 2024

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

Hardworking, reliable, strong communication, teamwork, innovative and inquisitive.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

Right from the start, our Summer Clerks get involved in real work. Our Clerks are exposed to Australian and international clients through attendance at client meetings, a one week client secondment, shadowing, research and involvement in a diverse range of work within their respective practice groups. Summer Clerks are also encouraged to get involved in our pro bono matters throughout their Clerkship.

You will develop practical and legal skills through our national learning program and by attending workshops specifically designed for Summer Clerks, as well as firm-wide sessions. You will also begin to develop your networks and profile through a host of social and extra-curricular activities, such as inter-firm trivia and sports and our Firm-wide end of year party.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

In your application try to be clear about your reasons why you want to work at Baker McKenzie and work in a commercial Global Firm. To be concise. Use your Cover Letter as a Gateway to your application. Please highlight YOU and please check that your spelling and grammar is correct.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

Yes

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

We tend to fill our Graduate roles through the summer clerks and current paralegal pool

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

In Sydney, our Graduates complete 3 rotations over 18 months designed to give graduates exposure to and experience in different areas of legal practice (generally, transactional, advisory and litigious) before settling in their preferred practice area. We support your professional development by covering the costs of your Practical Legal Training in this early stage of your career. Ongoing world class professional development training is also provided during the graduate program in line with our Development Framework.

BIRD & BIRD

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

Our lawyers work in Commercial, Competition & Regulatory, Corporate, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Finance, Intellectual Property and Real Estate.

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

We have 12 partners and approximately 47 lawyers (Including graduates, paralegals etc.)

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

Our ‘One Firm Culture’, we are friendly, collegiate, and collaborative – here and across all boarders. Clients value our positive personal chemistry and the creative perspectives we bring to solving problems. We greatly value innovation and creativity: diverse viewpoints, backgrounds and life experience are very welcome here.

DOES THE FIRM HAVE ANY PRE-PENULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT SCHEMES, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS GET INVOLVED?

Bird & Bird is currently partnering in the UNSW textbook equity scheme which involves offering professional development

opportunities to participating law students and on occasion, depending on resource availability, we take on 1-week internships/work experience for students.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

The firm does offer a 10-week clerkship program. Students can apply by sending a detailed cover letter, curriculum vitae, and academic transcripts to Sydsummerclerks@twobirds.com. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.twobirds.com/en/careers/australia/summer-clerkship

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

Yes, we do offer clerkships to students outside their penultimate year.

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

The anticipated clerkship intake this year is 6 people.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

Demonstration of academic excellence, combined with great ‘people skills’,enthusiasm, leadership and agility in problem solving.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

As a summer clerk at Bird & Bird they are responsible for attending training, learn more about the firm and provide assistance to the partners and Associates in the practice groups. Tasks may include legal research, preparation of draft advices and other documents, and litigation support.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

Be clear and concise in your cover letter. If you genuinely want to work at Bird & Bird, this will shine through. Link your unique achievements and interests back to the firm information you have gleaned from our website, social media, or other interactions with us.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

Yes, the firm takes our graduates from the clerkship cohort.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

Unfortunately, the firm does not offer a graduate program.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

Clerk > Paralegal > Graduate > Lawyer > Junior-Mid level Associate > Senior Associate > Special counsel > Partner

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

We have 13 different practice areas: Banking & Financial Services, Commercial Litigation, Competition, Corporate/M&A/Capital Markets, Environment and Planning, IP and Technology, Major Projects and Construction, Public Sector / Government Services, Real Estate, Restructuring and Insolvency, Tax, Workplace Relations Employment and Safety and Pro Bono.

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

With 170 partners and over 1,600 employees across six offices, we continue to build on our reputation for confident, innovative and incisive legal advice.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

Our culture, and our approach to client service. We’re particularly proud of our globally recognised Pro Bono practice, that we were the first law firm to create the role of National Mental Health Manager, and of the way in which our people have embraced our diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Applications are currently open and will close on 2 April 2023. Please visit our website for more information and to apply: https://graduates.claytonutz.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

If you’re a law student in your penultimate year, our Clerkship Programs will let you experience 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.

Please visit our website for more information about the Program and application dates: https://graduates. claytonutz.com/graduate-careers/our-programs/clerkship-program

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

Research, writing and drafting memos/letters, attending court and client meetings, pro bono, and assisting with preparation of matters for hearings.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

We look for someone who is well-rounded.

We value all types of work experience, volunteer experience, extra-curricular activities, club participation, sporting or other involvement as well as unique experiences such as study abroad, travel or immersion programs. Strong candidates are able to demonstrate that they have personality, confidence, problem-solving skills, flexibility, resilience and an eagerness to learn.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

Our Clerkship Programs are our future pipeline for the Graduate Program. They are designed to give you a feel for what it’s like to be a Graduate and they are a great place to start your career.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

Apply for a clerkship, as we hire most of our graduates through our clerkship programs. Occasionally, additional opportunities may arise and these will be listed on our website.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

It’s not just about wearing a suit. here’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.

DOES THE FIRM HAVE ANY PRE-PENULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT SCHEMES, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS GET INVOLVED?

CU Up Close is a unique opportunity for law students in their pre-penultimate year of study to get Up Close and personal with one of Australia’s leading law firms, Clayton Utz.

Our in-person program will expose you to life as a lawyer in a top-tier commercial law firm. You will be offered the opportunity to develop the practical skills and knowledge to help you succeed in your studies and early career.

Throughout CU Up Close, you will hear from our senior leaders, meet our recent graduates, and discover the many ways you can shape your future legal career and stay true to your direction with ClaytonUtz.com/graduate-careers/our-programs/cu-up-close

Yes. Although the clerkship is aimed at students in their penultimate year of study, if you are in your final year, please outline in your application why you weren’t able to undertake a clerkship in your penultimate year by answering the relevant question.

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

We typically hire between 30 - 35 clerks each year.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

Clayton Utz employs people with a wide range of backgrounds, skills, interests and competencies. We look for people who can contribute new ideas, who take a creative approach to solving problems, are personable, practical, and commercially-savvy, as well as flexible.

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.

STAY TRUE.

STAY TRUE.

Staying true to your direction is what defines us at Clayton Utz. While academic achievement is important, graduates who thrive with us have a strong sense of self and a natural passion for connecting with others. That’s what staying true is all about.

claytonutz.com/graduates

We’ve built a culture that sets us apart from other law firms – but we know a good lawyer needs evidence. So, meet our people at on-campus careers events, or visit our graduate careers page, to gain insight and experience our supportive and innovative culture first-hand.

claytonutz.com/graduates

CLERKSHIP PROGRAM

Are you a law student in your penultimate year of study? Our Clerkship Program offers you a chance to see the law in action and experience the fast-paced environment of a full-service commercial law firm. You’ll have the opportunity to work on challenging, complex, and high-profile matters under the guidance of some of the sharpest legal minds in Australia. Our partners and lawyers are experts in their fields and will be there to share their knowledge and offer mentorship and support. Through our Clerkship Program, you’ll be part of a firm where individuality is embraced, and innovation is encouraged.

GRADUATE PROGRAM

It’s not just about wearing a suit. There’s a difference between theory and practice, so we understand why transitioning from law school to legal practice can feel daunting.

That’s where we come in.

Our national Graduate Program bridges the gap between law school and practice by giving you the skills and knowledge to build a strong foundation for your legal career. We make sure you hit the ground running with our 2.5 week orientation, including PLT+, local training, and a national orientation week in Sydney. Throughout the program, you’ll experience three different practice groups. These rotations allow you to explore different areas of law to find the right fit for you. You’ll be working on complex and sophisticated legal matters, but with our supportive approach to learning and development, you’ll be armed with the tools and guidance to reach your full potential.

You’ll get…

• Three rotations of six months each in our national practice groups

• Mentoring from some of the best lawyers in Australia

• A buddy who’ll give you all the practical tools to succeed

• Meaningful performance feedback so you know you’re on the right track the right track

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

• Continuing legal education programs and professional development support

• The chance to give back by participating in our Community Connect and Pro Bono programs

• Social and sporting activities to get to know your peers

C LERKSHIPS

Our 11-week program gives you a week-long orientation and two rotations in different practice areas. You’ll also get additional training, networ king opportunities and be part of our social/sporting activities.

Pro gram Dates

We run one Clerkship Program every year – this year it runs from 20 November 2023 – 2 February 2024

R e cr uitment Dates

Applications open: Monday, 5 June 2023

Applications c lose: 11:59pm , Sunday, 9 July 2023

Round 1 Interv iews: August 2023

Round 2 Interviews: August/September 2023

Offers made: Wednesday, 13 September 2023

Offers must be accepted / declined: 5.00pm Thursday, 14 September 2023

Co ntact: Gina Perrotto

Graduate Recruitment Consultant, Sydney

Email: career s@claytonutz.com

Level 15, 1 Bligh Street Sy dney NSW 2000, Australia

CLIFFORD CHANCE

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Banking & Finance, Corporate, Antitrust

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

Yes, we run a summer clerkship program. Students can apply online via the Clifford Chance careers site: https://careers.cliffordchance.com/apac/locations/australia.html

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

Graduate offers are primarily made to candidates from within our clerkship pool, so the best chance of securing a graduate role is participating in our clerkship program.

HOW

MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

~145

WHAT

IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

What makes Clifford Chance lawyers different? Firstly, our collaborative and adaptable culture. We work together across borders, languages and legal systems, sharing insights and expertise to achieve our clients’ commercial goals. Secondly, we’re pioneers, working on many ‘first of a kind’ deals. Finally, it’s the nature of our people. Highly professional and self-assured, with an entrepreneurial streak, they embrace our culture of learning and are more than happy to share their expertise and knowledge.

DOES THE FIRM HAVE ANY PRE-PENULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT SCHEMES, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS GET INVOLVED?

We run a global virtual internship which is open to students of all levels – more details can be found at: https:// careers.cliffordchance.com/apac/locations/global-virtual-internships.html

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

Students must be at least penultimate year and able to commence in the associated graduate program (for our 2023 summer clerkship, this means eligible to commence a graduate role in March 2025).

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

8 – 12 clerks in Sydney

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

Clients expect more from their lawyers than ever before. They look to us as business partners on their journey to achieve their objectives. It’s not just about precedents and compliance, but finding new ways to build relationships and deliver the results that matter. Focus on these core business skills and consider examples from your academic, professional and personal lives.

Throughout the clerkship or graduate program you will be closely supported both informally and through formal mentoring with advice and guidance from your supervisor in each of your seats, We will make sure that your energy and time are focused on activities that will best -[[-develop your legal and business skills.

You could be drafting and proofing documents, conducting due diligence on a client’s acquisition target, meeting clients, preparing documents for a court hearing or creating a data room ahead of a major transaction. Most of your time will be spent working in teams where you will make an important contribution to their success –you may even run some smaller transactions for clients.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

Avoid submitting a generic or “copy and paste” template application. This can lead to inadvertent errors (like putting the wrong firm name!) and delivers a less authentic submission. Reviewers want to know you have taken the time to consider the firm and how working there would align to your experience, skillset and goals.

DOES THE FIRM

As above

OFFER

A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

After completion of the two-year graduate program, Graduates will settle as an Associate in one of their preferred practice areas.

WHERE BRIGHT MINDS MEET

AUSTRALIA

DIVERSE, INTERNATIONAL AND COMMERCIALLY-SAVVY. CLIFFORD CHANCE IS WHERE BRIGHT MINDS MEET.

WHO WE ARE

We are a premier global law firm committed to setting the standard for excellence in legal skills and client service around the world.

Joining us means sharing that commitment, a drive to innovate and grasp new opportunities as we help our clients to address a wide range of business, financial and legal issues.

We’re looking for the brightest and most talented individuals irrespective of background – ambitious people who offer new ideas and fresh perspectives, and who will ultimately be able to give our clients a competitive advantage.

If that sounds like you, and if your aim is to work at the cutting edge of commercial law, with outstanding legal and business training, and equally impressive ‘on the job’ experience, take a closer look at Clifford Chance.

WHAT WE DO

We use our quality legal advice, our reputation for excellence and innovation, and our international reach to get clients the best possible results. The firm is built around five global practice areas:

• Global Financial Markets (Finance and Capital Markets) (GFM);

• Corporate;

• Litigation, Dispute Resolution & Risk Management and Incentives (L&DR);

• Real Estate; and

• Tax; Pensions, Employment.

• In Australia we are focused on GFM, Corporate and L&DR as practice areas

Client challenges rarely fall within one practice area so we work together through international, cross-practice teams who share deep experience in specific sectors ranging from energy to

healthcare. The matters we tackle include cross-border, groundbreaking global transactions and cases.

Clients come to us for large, complex, global deals and disputes that demand a sophisticated blend of business understanding and legal knowledge.

GLOBAL LAW FIRM OF CHOICE

Our vision is to be the global law firm of choice for the world’s leading businesses of today and tomorrow.

Today our firm enjoys a position at the forefront of our profession. We are proud of what we achieve every day, working in collaboration and partnership with our clients and wider stakeholders to secure their long-term, sustainable success.

But we are not complacent.

Our strategy recognises that the world we operate in is changing and that we too must be ready to change if we are to continue to lead and shape our sector:

• Right markets — ensuring we have market-leading capabilities in the geographies that are most important to our clients today, and in those that are likely to be critical to their future growth.

• Right work for the right clients — ensuring we are the best placed firm to advise leading organisations internationally on their most complex, strategic and reputation critical opportunities and challenges.

• Innovation & Best Delivery — reshaping our services to make delivery ever quicker, simpler, more efficient and more robust; and deliver a truly world class client service every time.

• Best team — fostering an inclusive, ambitious and meritocratic environment; ensuring we recruit and develop the very best talent, who can enjoy the best careers.

The pursuit of the firm’s vision and strategy is grounded in our most important commitment: to act as an ethical and responsible business.

CLERKSHIP PROGRAM

What kind of work can a clerk expect to do?

Our clerkship program is designed to provide you with a real insight into a legal career at Clifford Chance in Australia. Throughout the program, you will work alongside all levels of lawyers, including partners, while you assist with real-time matters.

Throughout the clerkship you will hear from various practice areas which helps you develop a comprehensive understanding of life at a leading international law firm.

Who is eligible for clerkships?

Students must be at least in their penultimate year and are available to participate in the March 2025 Graduate Program.

Max Beavis

Office: Sydney

Clerkship year: 2019

Joined the firm: 2020

GRADUATE PROGRAM

Do w e make graduate offers to the open market, or just through clerkships?

Graduate offers are primarily made from our clerkship program. However, we also consider applications from students who have not participated in our clerkship program.

Important Dates

Clerkship -

Application Dates

Sydney Perth

5 June - 2 July 2023 26 June - 30 July 2023

Clerkship Program Dates November 2023January 2024 NovemberDecember 2024

University: University of New South Wales

Our firm’s culture is tangible from the interview stage – unlike other firms you are given the opportunity to meet lawyers of all levels, this is refreshing as it gives you insight into the different personalities and backgrounds we have here and allowed me to decide whether this was the right firm for me.

The interviews in Australia are CV-blind which ensures the process is unbiased and also gives me impetus to be my true self during the interview.

joined the Sydney office Winter Clerkship in 2019 where I rotated through the Corporate and Litigation & Dispute Resolution teams. A huge highlight for me was the week-long trip to Hong Kong that the firm arranged which allowed us to experience and understand the global network the firm offers.

For me, this reinforced the importance of working for a firm that would provide me with every opportunity to better my skills as a lawyer and develop my commercial acumen. Through my clerkship saw the firm’s structure and flat hierarchy translate into practice - everyone is accessible, and you are always working with a wide range of people throughout the network.

My advice: Be ambitious! Clifford Chance is a firm which rewards people who are willing to step outside their comfort zone, be challenged and are committed to taking that extra step for the clients.

It takes immense drive and motivation to stay ahead in a world that’s changing as fast as ours. If you’re excited and inspired by that, Clifford Chance could be the right firm for you.

To Learn More scan the QR code

For any enquiries please contact our graduate recruitment team via Grads.Australia@CliffordChance.com

CORRS CHAMBERS WESTGARTH

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

Nationally, we have practice groups which specialise in the following areas of law: Arbitration; Banking & Finance; Class Actions; Commercial Litigation; Competition; Corporate; Employment & Labour; Environment & Planning; Financial Sponsors; Intellectual Property; Projects; Property & Real Estate; Restructuring, Insolvency & Special Situations (RISS); Tax; Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT); and Responsible Business and ESG. We also have an established Papua New Guinea practice.

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

660 lawyers & 142 partners

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

We are the only law firm in Australia that offers an international study scholarship that provides financial support for the completion of further study at Oxford or Cambridge.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

In our Sydney office, Corrs offers a one-three month summer clerkship program each year. Applications for our seasonal clerkship will open on Monday 5 June 2023 and students can apply via our website https://www.corrs.com.au/graduates-and-clerks/keydates.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

Students in their final year are also eligible to apply for our seasonal clerkship program.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

We look for graduates who can make a positive contribution to the firm and help us in delivering legal excellence and outstanding client service. We want people who bring out the best in those around them, work well in a team, and take pride in their work and achievements.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

You’ll be exposed to a broad range of interesting matters. You’ll also have the chance to complete a broad range of tasks, such as conducting research, reviewing and presenting documents, attending client meetings, court hearings, mediations and settlements, as well as shadowing partners and lawyers in client meetings and business development activities. You will also work on a pro-bono project with your clerkship cohort which you will present to the client together as a cohort.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

Be prepared and be yourself.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

The majority of Corrs graduates join us after experiencing a seasonal clerkship program.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

Our graduates are generally recruited through our seasonal clerkship program and the priority offer process, but from time-to-time, we also consider applications from the open market. Any graduate offerings will be advertised via our website: https://www.corrs.com.au/careers/graduates-and-clerks.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

Our lawyer development program is your first step towards a successful career, and gives structured learning in a high-performing and supportive environment. A graduate’s career starts on day one. In recognition of this, and to provide our graduates with a richer learning experience, our Lawyer Development Program is centred on a two year cycle with a 12 x 6 x 6 rotation structure. From day one, each Corrs graduate is assigned a dedicated partner who is responsible for ensuring a valuable and rewarding development experience.

In the first 12 months graduates will undertake formal learning including our National Graduate Academy, local Graduate Orientation, practical legal training with the College of Law, practice group induction sessions and our national Legal Excellence program focused on core legal knowledge and skills.

In the second year, lawyers will complete two 6-month rotations in order to build broad capabilities and relationships across different groups.

Upon completion of the Lawyer Development Program, lawyers will settle in their chosen practice group. Many of our graduates and settled lawyers experience:

• Client and international secondments

• Sponsored post graduate study at Australian universities

• Sponsored international study scholarships

• Enhance their technical knowledge and expertise as part of our extensive in-house learning and development program

Corrs Chambers Westgarth is Australia’s leading independent Australian law firm. We’re known for delivering legal excellence, exceptional client service and outstanding results.

Our significant work

We let our work speak for itself. We’re proud to work with some of the biggest organisations in the world on their most important matters.

Our clients include more than half of the top 50 ASX-listed companies, some of the largest privately owned companies in Australia and a number of global Fortune 500 companies. We work with well-known organisations like AGL, Amazon, Australia Post, BP, Blackstone, CBA, Coles, eBay, Google, Johnson & Johnson, Medibank, NAB, PayPal, Stockland, TPG Telecom, Rio Tinto, BHP, TransGrid, Wesfarmers and Westpac. We also work with Federal and State governments, as well as on high profile and market-leading transactions.

Our Lawyer Development Program

The Lawyer Development Program is designed to support you in the formative stage of your career. It aims to build the capabilities and relationships that will drive career progression and underpin future successes, as rapidly as possible. Unique features of the program include:

• Mentor partner – You will be allocated a mentor partner (in most cases your supervising partner in your first rotation) who remains in this role throughout the program and potentially beyond. This will build a personal and enduring relationship that transcends everyday transactional work. You will also be supported in each rotation by a supervising partner and SA/SC who will source meaningful and challenging work.

• 12 x 6 x 6 rotation structure – The first practice group rotation is 12 months to ensure you have time to learn on the job and build strong capabilities and relationships in your first year. In the second year, when you have an increased level of experience and confidence, you will complete two six-month rotations in order to gain exposure and build relationships across different groups.

• Formal learning – The program incorporates comprehensive formal learning opportunities including our national Graduate Academy, local Graduate Orientation, practical legal training with the College of Law, practice group induction sessions and the national Legal Excellence program.

Corrs Graduate Academy

At the start of the Lawyer Development Program, we bring all our graduates together in one location for a multi-day learning experience where you can meet with your peers, learn and have fun.

Graduate Academy is specifically designed for new graduates and aims to:

• welcome you to the firm;

• help you to understand the future direction of the firm and our vision for success;

• develop the core knowledge and skills essential to being an effective graduate;

• further develop your connections with peers in person; and

• meet and learn from firm leaders.

Diversity and inclusion

We strongly believe that diversity in all its forms should be embraced and celebrated. This benefits our people, our clients, our firm and the industry at large.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion includes gender equality, cultural diversity, LGBTIQ+ inclusion, First Nations inclusion, flexible working, carers support and disability inclusion and accessibility.

Corrs was recently named a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality for the seventeenth year in a row, named a DCA Inclusive Employer (2021-2022) and was the only Australian law firm to be recognised as a finalist for outstanding diversity and inclusion in the 2023 Chambers Asia-Pacific & Greater China Awards.

Pro bono and community

We have a long and proud history of helping those in need, and you will have the opportunity to contribute and make a real difference.

We focus on how we can strategically make a long-term difference for a wider range of people by addressing systemic inequalities, and inspiring a new generation of lawyers to embrace their passion for pro bono work to create lasting impact.

Throughout 2022 we contributed over 28,000 hours of pro bono and community work for those who need it most.

Wellbeing

We recognise the importance of health and wellbeing and are committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace through a range of programs and policies.

Our wellbeing program provides a range of initiatives to assist people in maintaining good overall health. Some of our activities include mixed netball, pilates and yoga, touch football, cricket day, Friday night drinks, family days, trivia nights, annual legal retreats and end of year / financial year parties.

International opportunities

We invest in international experiences that help our lawyers grow their skills, cultural understanding and relationships worldwide.

Through our long-term relationships with leading law firms across the world, we advise on the most significant global matters and connect with the best lawyers internationally to provide our clients with the right team for every engagement.

Our international program allows you to gain experience, skills and relationships that will provide enduring benefits throughout your career. In addition to our roles advising on significant global matters, connecting with the best law firms and lawyers internationally, we offer:

• Scholarships which provide financial support for the completion of postgraduate study at leading institutions including Oxford and Cambridge.

• International secondment opportunities to premium independent firms in locations such as New York, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Milan, Madrid, Mumbai, Singapore and Tokyo.

The application and interview process

I found the application process at Corrs relatively relaxed and straightforward with no cover letter or video interviews required. The interview itself was conversational and I enjoyed talking to the partners and senior lawyers about our interests and hobbies outside of the law.

Rotations

The firm’s culture

The people I have worked with have been welcoming and generous with their time. The firm is committed to establishing itself as a teaching firm and provides dedicated mentors to all clerks and graduates. As law is such a collaborative practice, I am grateful to have colleagues with whom I feel equally comfortable asking questions on legal concepts and chatting about life outside of work.

Key dates 2023

Australian

Law

Firm of the Year 2022 Chambers Asia-Pacific & Greater China Region Awards

As someone who had no experience working in the legal industry before coming to Corrs, the ability to rotate through different teams was one of the biggest appeals of joining the firm through a clerkship and graduate program. During my time as a summer clerk I enjoyed the ability to rotate through three different practice groups in Commercial Litigation, Corporate M&A and Construction. As a graduate, I have been fortunate to receive great teaching and mentorship in both of my rotations through Intellectual Property litigation and Tax.

The work

Working at Corrs has given me the opportunity to be involved in a variety of small and large scale commercial matters. The highlight for me so far has been assisting on a four-week trial concerning a patent for solar panel technology. I worked closely with a senior associate, partner and counsel to prepare expert evidence and enjoyed attending court. In general, my time at Corrs has made me appreciate working with colleagues and clients who are smart, excellent at what they do and who care about producing high quality work.

Pro bono and community engagement

Corrs gives all juniors the opportunity to get involved in pro bono work through its partnership with the Homeless Persons Legal Service (HPLS). HPLS work has been an opportunity to work with lawyers from different areas of the firm and engage directly with clients. I have also really enjoyed working on practice-specific pro bono matters including copyright advice for a First Nations arts organisation and advice on the structuring of charities for large scale affordable housing projects.

Why I chose Corrs Chambers Westgarth

I chose Corrs because of its position as Australia’s leading independent law firm. I felt that the partners had a sense of identity and vision for the firm which made it stand out. Speaking to the lawyers at recruitment events also highlighted that Corrs was focused on providing training and education to its junior lawyers, which was very important to me.

Advice for applicants

Take some time to think about the qualities and experiences which are unique to you and include them in your applications and interviews – they don’t all have to be related to legal work!

Corrs Chambers Westgarth Clerkship profile

Emily Watson Corrs lawyer and UNSW alumni

DLA PIPER

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

• Litigation & Regulatory

• Corporate

• Intellectual Property & Technology

• Finance, Projects & Restructuring

• Employment

• Real Estate

• Tax

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

We operate in more than 40 countries with over 90 offices around the world, and over 4,300 lawyers globally.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

We help the world’s top companies with their business-critical issues. Many of the deals we work on are complex and challenging – transcending not just practice areas, but borders, languages and legal systems.

As a firm, we never stand still. We think nimbly and seize opportunities. We’re ambitious and are never afraid to innovate. So if you possess these qualities too, there could be a bright future for you at DLA Piper.

DOES THE FIRM HAVE ANY PRE-PENULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT SCHEMES, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS GET INVOLVED?

Yes, apply online at: https://www.dlapipergraduates. com/au/apply/

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

Yes, final year students are also welcome to apply.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

Approximately 35 - 40 across our Australian offices.

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

Approximately 35 - 40 across our Australian office.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

Our people come from a diverse range of backgrounds. That’s what sets us apart. By opening up a range of different and unique perspectives, allows us to service our clients better. You will need a strong academic record, and a real passion for developing a career as a lawyer. But it goes further than that…

Among other things, we’ll be looking for candidates who are naturally inquisitive, have plenty of drive, and can show a genuine commitment to their chosen career path. By bringing your authentic self to work every day, you’ll have an instinct ability to build relationships with peers, colleagues and clients alike.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

Our clerkship programme starts with an induction. This induction provides an in-depth introduction to the legal sector and the firms practice groups. It also builds your professional skills and workplace capability. Throughout the induction there will be opportunities to hear from and network with senior members of the firm.

Once you are inducted you’ll have the opportunity to complete work placements in our different practice groups. You’ll be given real responsibilities. Whether you’re attending a court hearing, contributing to a client meeting or assisting a large corporate transaction, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to reach your potential.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

We are seeking applicants that are passionate about a career in Law and becoming a future graduate solicitor. We do not expect applicants to have had prior experience in Law. When applying, we’d encourage you to think broadly about your experiences and achievements from your recentpast and ensure these are clearly articulated on your CV. Take the time to look into who we are and the type of work we do so you can tailor your application to demonstrate why you are interested in a clerkship at DLA Piper.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

Priority offers are made to candidates who participate in our Clerkship Programme.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

Yes, by completing our Clerkship Programme.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

Our Graduate Programme at DLA Piper offers a structured learning experience in a supportive environment. Over the course of eighteen months, graduates complete three six-month rotations. Graduates will rotate in different practice groups, allowing them to develop broad capabilities and relationships across different groups. In each rotation, graduates are paired with a supervising partner and a graduate buddy, who are responsible for ensuring that they gain valuable knowledge and skills, and a supportive presence within the office.

To kick off the programme, graduates will travel to Sydney for a five-day intensive National Graduate Induction. During this week, they will meet their Graduate peers, learn about the firm, and participate in various practical workshops. Throughout the programme, Graduates will participate in formal learning sessions that focus on professional and legal technical knowledge and skills, practical legal training with the College of Law, and CLE (Continuing Legal Education) sessions run by the practice groups.

Graduates settle in their chosen practice group one completing the eighteen month programme. Our graduates and lawyers have access to a variety of opportunities throughout their career at DLA Piper. These include: international secondments, sponsored postgraduate studies and a wide range of learning and development programmes.

DLA Piper

Your path to a career with us

DLA Piper is a global business law firm based in the Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific. We help clients succeed through innovative and pragmatic legal solutions. Leading businesses across the world trust us with their most complex matters, and rely on our seamless cross-border prowess and sector knowledge. Wherever you are, and whatever your challenge, we speak your language. In everything we do connected with our People, our Clients and our Communities, we live by four values: Be Supportive, Be Bold, Be Collaborative and Be Exceptional.

CLERKSHIP PROGRAMME

During your Clerkship, you’ll experience what life is really like at DLA Piper. What’s more, you’ll be considered for a place on our Graduate Programme. Throughout your programme, you will do more than just shadow our lawyers. You will be given real responsibilities. Whether you’re attending a court hearing, contributing to a client meeting or expanding your professional network at social events, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to discover your potential. Visit our website www.dlapipergraduates.com to find out more about our clerkships across our Australian offices.

NATIONAL

GRADUATE PROGRAMME

During your Graduate Programme, you will experience a number of rotations throughout our eight different practice groups, including Pro Bono and Business Advisory, giving you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills. By the end of the programme, you’ll emerge with a clearer understanding of where your talents and interests lie. The experience you’ll have gained, as well as the networks built will provide a strong foundation for your future career at DLA Piper.

NATIONAL INDUCTION

At DLA Piper, we know that the connections you make as you build your network will stay with you for the rest of your career. At the start of your graduate programme, you will participate in a National Graduate Induction, which brings together our graduates from all 4 offices in Australia to take part in a fun, engaging and experiential learning programme. The Graduate Induction takes place in Sydney where we bring together our National graduate cohort and is an inspirational and memorable week filled with business leaders, engaging team building activities and the networking opportunity of a lifetime. We’re committed to giving our graduates an industry leading start to their

careers.

LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

DLA Piper is a global law firm operating through various separate and distinct legal entities. Further details of these entities can be found at www.dlapiper.com. This publication is intended as a general overview and discussion of the subjects dealt with, and does not create a lawyer-client relationship. It is not intended to be, and should not be used as, a substitute for taking legal advice in any specific situation. DLA Piper will accept no responsibility for any actions taken or not taken on the basis of this publication. This may qualify as “Lawyer Advertising” requiring notice in some jurisdictions. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

© 2023 DLA Piper. All rights reserved. | FEB23 | A17063-5

GADENS

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

Our market leading expertise covers:

• ·Real Estate and Construction;

• ·Disputes and Investigations;

• ·Corporate (including Tax Advisory);

• ·Workplace Advisory and Disputes;

• ·Intellectual Property and Technology; and

• ·Banking and Finance.

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

Gadens has more than 100 partners and close to 1,000 staff across our offices nationally, in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM? 2024 Grads@Gadens Program

The 2024 Grads@Gadens program is open to candidates who are PLT-qualified and will be Admitted before commencing with us in March each year (or within the first three months of commencing the program). Embarking on the program following Admission allows our Graduates to experience complex and interesting work, where they are directly involved in client meetings, real-work and getting hands-on experience from day one.

Clerks@Gadens

In 2023, we will be introducing Clerkships in our Melbourne and Sydney offices. The Clerks@Gadens program is open to students in their penultimate year at university and will take place over eight weeks in Sydney from November to February each year . Summer Clerks will rotate through two practice groups, providing them with an opportunity to participate in meaningful client work, alongside our people. You will be supported

by a Supervisor and Buddy during your rotations, and will receive valuable feedback during and at the conclusion of your clerkship. From 2025, Gadens will be recruiting Graduates through our Clerkship programs.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

Participating in a Clerkship is a stepping-stone and window into private practice. The Clerks@Gadens program is open to students in their penultimate year at University and will take place over 8 weeks in Sydney from November to February each year. Summer Clerks will rotate through 2 practice Groups, providing an opportunity to participate in meaningful client work, alongside our people. You will be supported by a dedicated Mentor and Buddy during your rotations and will receive valuable feedback during and at the conclusion of your Clerkship. From 2025, Gadens will be recruiting Graduates who have participated in our Clerkship programs.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

No

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

6-8 clerks

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

We look for well-rounded people who align with our firm values; people who demonstrate excellent character, have a ‘can-do attitude’ and display sound judgement. Our ideal Graduate has a team-first mentality, strong attention to detail, is positive, collaborative, responsible and always acts in the best interests of the firm.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

Throughout the Clerks@Gadens program we will help you grow your skills and provide comprehensive support to ensure your rotation is a success. A dedicated mentor will work closely with you to develop your technical skills, allocate work and provide ongoing feedback. You will also be supported by a buddy in your rotation who will share tips and friendly advice. Some of the work you may be involved in may include; legal research, attending client meetings, court or mediations, drafting correspondence and advice, assisting in the preparation of affidavits or court documents. You can stand out as a clerk by being engaged, enthusiastic and curious. We encourage our clerks to be involved in all areas of firm life at Gadens - with our clients, people and community.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

At Gadens, we value different voices, fresh ideas and independent thinkers. We are looking for well-rounded students who have diversity in thought and experience, understand and support our values and are genuinely in

terested in working with our people, our clients and our community. A successful Gadens clerk has a great work ethic, gets involved, is curious, positive, responsible and always acts in the best interests of the firm.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

Yes, we intend to make Graduate offers to all Sydney Clerks.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

You can apply for graduate roles directly through the Gadens website.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

Once you settle in your Practice Group, you will continue to undertake a variety of work with multiple Partners and other senior Lawyers who are leaders in their field. This will assist you further in your career as you continue in seniority and progress toward your specialisation. You will develop and excel at your own rate and in time will be promoted through to Associate and beyond.

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

Banking + Finance; Competition + Regulation; Corporate Advisory; Disputes + Investigations; Energy + Infrastructure; Intellectual Property; Legal Service Innovation; Pro Bono; Real Estate; Technology + Digital.

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

Lawyers: 445 nationally; 324 Sydney Partners: 101 nationally; 78 Sydney

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

As a young and independent firm, we’re not constrained by tradition, so we are always open to change, new ideas and different perspectives on how to deliver the best outcomes to our clients. We work within a flat structure, which means our clerks and graduates have direct access to lawyers and partners who are experts in their fields, as well as matters that will improve their skill sets and career prospects.

We offer an informal and relaxed environment, approachable partners and lawyers, diverse teams, friendly people who care about the firm and the high-performance contribution they make irrespective of their role.

G+T presents a unique opportunity for you to make a name for yourself through the matters and transactions you work on, with personal accountability yet supported by those around you.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

Complete an online application form and attach your cover letter, resume and transcript(s). Successful candidates may progress through the following selection stages: online ability test; video questions; assessment centre (includes first round interview); second round interview, with final online testing for shortlisted candidates. Visit www.gtlaw.com.au/students for more information.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

We accept applications from students in penultimate and final year.

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

25 to 30 summer clerks.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

There’s no ‘typical’ G+T clerk or graduate, or box you need to tick. Our culture is built on inclusivity and individuality, and we want you to feel like you can be yourself at work. Our people are ambitious, creative and entrepreneurial – they bring energy and a can-do mindset, and are willing to challenge assumptions. If that sounds like you, you’ll feel like you belong here.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

like researching timings regarding the onboarding of amicus curiae... Another particularly big highlight was the opportunity to work on IP matters going to arbitration, as whilst I have engaged quite heavily in alternative dispute resolution at university through competitions, it was interesting to see the parallels and distinctions between drafting mediation papers at university and seeing just how methodical and fastidious preparing for an actual arbitration was.”

– Brandon Zheng, UNSW alumni, 2021 Summer Clerk + current Graduate

While your most valuable learning will be the experience of working on real matters during your practice group rotations, you’ll also receive structured training – including sessions on the different practice areas, technology, how to create your personal brand, and business development. It’s a practical blend of on-thejob, workshop and online learning that covers a broad range of technical, interpersonal and leadership skills.

You’ll also have access to G+T’s regular practice group training with other lawyers, as well as online resources to help you keep up to date with the latest legal developments.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

tunity to secure a graduate offer, based on performance.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

G+T offers an 18-month graduate program consisting of two rotations, commencing in either February or August of each year. The primary pathway for graduates is currently via our seasonal clerkship programs, though occasionally we recruit graduates outside this process. Students are encouraged to register their interest throughout the year via our careers page.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

Following completion of the 18-month graduate program, graduates settle into a permanent team as a junior lawyer. From there, they have access to a range of opportunities to further their career progression.

Many of our lawyers choose to undertake postgraduate study. G+T offers funding assistance and study leave for masters’ degrees and other postgraduate courses as part of our ongoing commitment to continuing education. Each year we also award a number of scholarships of up to $10,000 to support our people to study at any educational institution in the world in a subject area of their choice, which aligns with the work that they are doing, or a focus area for the firm. Past scholarship winners have studied at prestigious institutions in the United Kingdom, United States and Hong Kong, including Oxford, Harvard and LSE, amongst others.

“Our culture is quite unique, with its focus on innovation and change. It challenges you to do better, and to be bold and stand by the advice we give. But one thing that surprised me when I joined is how caring it also is. It’s not just about getting the work done – there’s genuine empathy, and a lack of formality or bureaucracy.”

Anna Sparkes, Chief People Officer

DOES THE FIRM HAVE ANY PRE-PENULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT SCHEMES, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS GET INVOLVED?

Students can apply for paralegal roles in their third year of legal studies onwards. Follow G+T on social media tokeep up to date with future opportunities ahead of clerkship recruitment season.

From your first day, you’ll be given the opportunity to test your skills and interest – you can expect to be involved in some challenging matters, and your work will be presented to clients. Often, you’ll work directly with a partner on a matter, or as part of a bigger team on larger transactions. While every experience varies, you might be asked to draft documents and memos, carry out research, attend client meetings and court, and assist with preparing for hearings or negotiations.

“[As a summer clerk] I’ve done a very wide range of work, but potentially my favourite was helping work on a case going to the High Court, and helping navigate all the procedural boundaries related to that (e.g., maximising our chances of getting a special leave to appeal) as well as ancillary work

Maintain perspective. It’s very easy to get caught up in the hysteria of clerkship recruitment, positions which are still highly coveted and therefore highly competitive. Whilst it is often the most linear pathway to a graduate position within private practice, a clerkship is certainly not the only way. A huge benefit to participating in this process, which is often overlooked by students, is the expansion of your network. Regardless of whether you obtain a clerkship offer or not, keep in touch with the people you connect with and build on those relationships; they can be invaluable in future years.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

G+T’s clerkship programs are the primary pathway for our graduate programs. All summer clerks have the oppor

G+T also offers secondment opportunities across our offices, in-house with clients, as well as with leading firms overseas. We support our people in seeking opportunities to work abroad, to expand their commercial skills in a global setting.

We recognise everyone’s career aspirations are different. Working alongside the brightest legal minds in the country, on groundbreaking projects and matters whilst also having the chance to make a positive impact on the c

With a challenger mindset, G+T is always pushing the status quo and taking a stand on things that matter. That’s why we constantly seek new ideas, fresh energy and different perspectives from our clerks and graduates.

Work at the forefront of significant change in our society and economy, and open the door to experiences that will shape your career – wherever you want it to take you.

Join us, and help us build Australia’s best corporate law firm.

» Visit gtlaw.com.au/starthere

YOUR CAREER STARTS HERE

Launch your career with G+T, and go further. Faster.

We’re recruiting the graduates of 2025 and 2026. But we’re looking for the lawyers and partners of the future. The people who will bring fresh ideas and energy to make an impact for our clients, and help us build Australia’s best corporate law firm.

Your journey of meaningful work at the forefront of profound changes in our society and economy starts here – with a G+T clerkship. This is your opportunity to build a network across leading independent firms, in Australia and around the world.

To help you make the best impression when you apply, we asked a few of our recent graduates to share their experience.

Be positive: have confidence in yourself

Ali Khan is now a Lawyer in G+T Tech + IP practice. He says he used to think university grades were the most important thing. But after his G+T clerkship, he realised “what you really need is a strong character. To show resilience, work under pressure, be a team player, be open to feedback and develop critical thinking.”

Graduate August Stewart also discovered during his interview that it’s as much about personality it as it is about grades.

“Once I was on the other side of the process, I realised the interview is really just a platform for you and G+T to understand if you’re the right fit – so the best thing you can do is be friendly and engaging,” says Angus. “They’re thinking about what you’d be like in front of a client.”

STARTS HERE

Be inquisitive: show

you’re curious and interested in the bigger picture

Angus says it’s a good idea to think outside law when you prepare for your interview. “You could be asked about current affairs, business, geopolitical circumstances, pop culture trends and personal interests. Some people stumble on ‘easier’ questions like ‘your CV shows you did this, tell us what that involved’.”

Make sure you have a few questions ready for your interviewers, too. Choose a relevant issue you’re interested in (whether it’s the energy crisis or constitutional voice) and ask about G+T’s involvement in these areas. Or ask them about the most complex matter they’ve worked on – and what made it challenging.

Be real: we just want to get to know you as a person

Ravi Dutta, a Graduate in our Disputes + Investigations practice area, says he was surprised his G+T interview was a genuine conversation. “There was absolutely no script, and I was amazed at how calm the interviewers made me feel throughout,” he says.

Kate Dillon, Director Employee Strategy + Experience with G+T, says it’s a good idea to think about “what makes you ‘you’.”

“You have different values, goals, strengths and skills – as well as unique experiences. When you put all that together, you have a value proposition no one else can replicate. And that’s your power,” she says.

“I had high expectations of our firm and its culture, and they were exceeded in every way. The connections I made at G+T were unlike anything I have ever experienced – its inclusive and supportive network was immediately obvious, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.”

Alana Cristinelli Graduate Learn more

You’ll find more interview tips and career inspiration in our clerkship guide.

» Download your copy at gtlaw.com.au/starthere

HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

• Alternative Legal Services (ALT)

• Competition, Regulation and Trade

• Corporate

• Dispute Resolution

• Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety

• Finance

• Projects and Infrastructure

• Real Estate

• Legal Operations

• Digital Law

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

2600 lawyers globally.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

With 25 offices spanning Asia, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East, we can show you exactly what a world class commercial law firm has to offer, giving you the chance to work as part of an international team, on high-profile matters, for some of the most significant organisations in the market.

Our focus is on the future: the future needs of existing and new clients, the future of the legal profession and investing in our future lawyers. That’s why we aim to attract the best talent from a broad range of backgrounds, ensuring we are optimising our position as a progressive, forward thinking professional services business. At Herbert Smith Freehills, you’ll be given the opportunity to develop the skills you need to help solve our clients’ most complex challenges in thoughtful and innovative ways.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

Yes, applications for the 2023/24 program open on 5 June and close on 9 July 2023.

Applications can be made through our website. Candidates are asked to submit a CV, Cover Letter, transcript and application form. Select applicants are then invited to attend an information evening, followed by two round of interviews both one on one with a Partner. Clerkship offers are based on feedback from our partners, and discussion among the recruitment panel.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS

OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

Yes, final year students are welcome to apply.

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

Approximately 30-35 positions.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

Great lawyers are both curious and creative. We encourage you to challenge assumptions and open yourself up to new ideas. It’s this growth mindset that creates opportunities for you and your clients.

So, what exactly are we looking for?

There’s no single path to becoming a commercial lawyer. We look beyond your academic record and your technical aptitude. We’re focused on finding people who have the curiosity to explore all the angles and the empathy to place themselves in their client’s shoes.

Building great relationships takes a certain understanding and as our global village gets ever smaller, we look for graduates who think of themselves as citizens of the world. We recognise and value the differences that make us unique. By embracing diverse views, we can provide our clients with innovative solutions.

We are not looking for the finished product and we know that gaining legal work experience is increasingly difficult. What we are looking for is your potential to become a Herbert Smith Freehills lawyer. Demonstrate the transferable skills you have gained through the experience you have, legal or non-legal.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

We recognise and value the differences that make us unique. By embracing diverse views, we can provide our clients with innovative solutions. Be yourself throughout the application process and emphasise the qualities that make you stand out.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

Yes, we select many of our graduates through our vacation clerkship.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

Yes, our graduates are recruited from our clerkship program. Our graduate program gives you the chance to start shaping your future and hone your skills in a range of practice areas, providing you with a broad-based training and ensuring that you are ready to become a qualified solicitor. You’ll rotate through three distinct practice areas for six months each and will be assigned a partner and buddy for support.

You will get the opportunity to submit practice area preferences before every rotation, including before your first rotation, enabling you to tailor your graduate program to your specific interests. You can also discuss your preferences with our dedicated Graduate Recruitment team.

If you are interested in broadening your skills further, you can also apply to complete an international rotation or a rotation through our Digital Law Group.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

We know that life in a commercial law firm can seem daunting, and we’re here to provide you with all the support you need. Once you join, you’ll benefit from a two-week induction, ongoing practice group training throughout each rotation, a solicitor assigned as your dedicated “buddy”, regular feedback, plus extensive on-the-job support from solicitors, senior associates and partners. We support graduates on their pathway to becoming solicitors by providing Practical Legal Training (PLT) and support through the admission process. Once admitted, our Graduates will begin the second stage of their formal learning program –Advance. This program focused on the client, financial and people skills needed to take you to the next step of your career. At different times throughout your career you may feel like you need a new challenge or a change.

This could mean developing new skills, setting a new direction or focus, starting a new role within the firm, or taking a short break. Pursuing a new path doesn’t mean you have to close off others. That is why we are committed to redefining how we invest in our people as they pursue diverse personal and professional pathways, both at Herbert Smith Freehills and beyond. Through our Career Pathways program, we will show you the countless personal and professional pathways that are available to you, both inside and outside the firm; demonstrate how you may be supported and rewarded as you develop a wide range of skills and pursue varied opportunities; and empower you to follow your own pathway, whatever that may be, with the firm’s complete support.

Sumin Lee Paralegal (Vacation Clerk 2022/23)

“The inclusive culture of the firm was not only limited to the recruitment process. During my clerkship I had a chance to participate in HSF’s Multiculturalism Network and organise a ‘Culture over a Cuppa’ discussion session with my fellow clerks who came from a range of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. It was a bottom-up event entirely driven by the clerks and open to anyone at the firm who wished to have their say in relation to diversity and inclusion at HSF.”

Tell us about yourself

I started my career as a broadcast journalist in Korea. By virtue of this experience, I have had relatively diverse opportunities to observe different aspects of society including the way in which the law and the legal system affect people’s daily lives. Interestingly, this also provided me with a better self-understanding as to what type of person I am and what area I am most interested in. After moving to Australia, I kept working in the media industry but always wished to study more about the law. Finally, I took up the courage to jump into a second career and started a JD program at UNSW.

What were your expectations before joining HSF? How did your experience match or differ from your expectations?

When I applied for the clerkship program at HSF, I was not so certain whether my previous work experience and multinational background would

MY HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS EXPERIENCE

be valued in a top-tier law firm like HSF. It was because I had heard a lot in my pre-application process that top-tier law firms generally did not accept mature students or tended to prefer socalled ‘standard’ law students who were pursuing law as their first career. It did not take long for me to realise it was a total misunderstanding. Throughout the whole recruitment process with HSF, I was provided with the assurance that the firm fully embraces the value of diversity and encourages candidates from different backgrounds to shine through their true selves.

The inclusive culture of the firm was not only limited to the recruitment process. During my clerkship I had a chance to participate in HSF’s Multiculturalism Network and organise a ‘Culture over a Cuppa’ discussion session with my fellow clerks who came from a range of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. It was a bottom-up event entirely driven by the clerks and open to anyone at the firm who wished to have their say in relation to diversity and inclusion at HSF. This experience was another opportunity for me to understand that the firm puts a lot of effort in incorporating voices from all levels in a proactive way and implementing them to improve the overall firm culture.

The most interesting/surprising thing you’ve learned on the clerkship?

What I found most intriguing during my two clerk rotations was the practical link between the legal knowledge that I learnt at university and the way in which it is enlivened through a client’s case. By working alongside the lawyers in the team and assisting them in their dealings with the clients, I was able to obtain a new set of eyes in understanding the legal issue of clients and offering feasible legal solutions tailored to their circumstances. The clerkship program

ELEVATE YOUR EXPERIENCE

ABOUT US

provided me with such a precious experience as it would be difficult to understand a legal issue from a commercial perspective unless you were given the chance to engage with clients firsthand. Such as attending a client meeting or discussing appropriate advice based on the client’s specific needs. In addition, the timely feedback from my buddy (a graduate) and coach (a Senior Associate) with in the team significantly helped my self-reflection from a professional viewpoint and gave me a further opportunity to improve and learn.

What advice do you have for students applying for a clerkship?

The most important value that backed me up throughout the application process was the confidence stemming from the belief that I know who I am. From my various work and study experiences I was able to discern what I wanted to achieve in my professional life, and this selfunderstanding was the strongest footing for me to pursue my career in commercial law. I believe this was also a key factor in consistently demonstrating my passion for commercial law during the clerkship interviews. For this, I would recommend pursuing as many diverse experiences as you can, understand your strengths and weaknesses and identify the areas of law that excite your curiosity and attention. There is no fixed way – it can be volunteer work, an internship or even an elective course at university that could help you figure out the right direction you would like to lead your future self. Diverse activities and engagements in the areas of your interests will allow you to have self-confidence in seeking your next step and will facilitate you to prove yourself as an eligible candidate who is ready for challenge. Whether it be in the dynamic space of commercial law or elsewhere.

With over 25 offices spanning Asia, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East, careers at Herbert Smith Freehills offer our graduates the opportunity to experience being part of a truly global law firm. Working with some of the most significant organisations in the world, opportunities to have social impact, and learning from our world-class team every day will enable you to create solid foundations on which to build your career in law.

We’re proud to say that we put people first. Our firm is built on a diverse culture, reflective of the societies in which we live and work. That’s why inclusivity is key to our success. At Herbert Smith Freehills, you’ll be valued for what makes you different and accepted for who you are. We recognise the power of diversity and inclusion to drive innovation, collaboration and business outcomes. So, whether it’s working on the latest advancements in digital law, taking part in some of the biggest mergers and acquisitions around, or helping people through our extensive pro bono work – you’ll develop the skills to solve the most complex challenges in thoughtful and innovative ways.

WE WELCOME DIFFERENT

Great lawyers are both curious and creative. We encourage you to challenge assumptions and open yourself up to new ideas. So, what exactly are we looking for?

There’s no single path to becoming an exceptional commercial lawyer. We look beyond your academic record and your technical aptitude. We’re focussed on finding people who have the curiosity to explore all the angles and the empathy to place themselves in their client’s shoes.

We're Herbert Smith Freehills, one of the world's leading international law firms. Join us and you'll be at the centre of high-profile cases, highimpact deals and you'll grow from new experiences every day.

In line with our 10 Actions for Change we are proud to use the Rare Contextual Recruitment System (CRS) The CRS allows us to understand each applicant’s achievements in the context that they have been gained. We understand that not every candidate’s achievements look the same on paper – and we want to recruit the best people, from every background.

CLERKSHIP PROGRAM

We select many of our graduates through our vacation clerkships. During this immersive experience, you’ll receive hands-on practical experience, as you work on some of the diverse challenges facing the team you’re collaborating with.

You will gain a deeper understanding of life at the firm and what your future could look like if you join us. Some key features include the opportunity to:

• Sit within a specific team, delivering real work for key clients

• Before you join, submit a preference for a team to tailor your experience

• Navigate the first step of your career with partner and graduate mentoring support

• Attend workshops and presentations covering all our practice areas

• Contribute to our pro bono practice

• Work with cutting edge technology through our innovation projects

• Networking opportunities to meet people across the firm

Contacts

JOINING US

We offer a range of summer and winter clerkships across our Australian offices. If you have queries about graduate or vacation clerk positions, please visit our website: careers.herbertsmithfreehills. com/au/grads/vacation-clerkships or contact one of our graduate recruitment consultants.

KEY DATES/DEADLINES

SYDNEY

Positions 35–40

Clerkship programs 1 Summer

Applications for all 2022/23 programs open 5 June 2023

Applications for all 2022/23 programs close 9 July 2023

Offers made 13 September 2023

Please note: An application should only be submitted to the office where you intend to start your career as a graduate. Multiple applications will not be considered.

Rachel Kok

Graduate Recruitment Consultant

T +61 484 934 932

GraduatesSydney@hsf.com

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

HFW specialises in disputes, with a sector focus of either Construction, Insurance/Reinsurance or Shipping.

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

Australia wide: 24 partners, 52 lawyers

Sydney: 10 partners, 21 lawyers

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

As a sector-focused law firm, we offer a unique value-proposition to our clients and team, with a deep industry specialism. Joining a sector focused firm means that you are able to specialise early on, constantly building on your knowledge of the sector and client needs. In the technically complex areas of Construction and Insurance in particular, you will become an expert in your field and build strong relationships with clients. Our global presence in 20 countries enables us to work on multijurisdictional matters with ease and attracts a team with a global outlook and interest in the world beyond Australia. You will work with diverse colleagues both in your office and other offices who bring different viewpoints and experience which will enhance your learning.

DOES THE FIRM HAVE ANY PRE-PENULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT SCHEMES, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS GET INVOLVED?

Not at this stage but we would be happy to consider more junior candidates for paralegal roles as they become available.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

Yes. Applications for clerkships can be submitted via www. hfw.com/careersAPAC.

Applications should include a current CV, a copy of your academic transcript, and a cover letter addressing why you would like to work with HFW, what you can bring to the team, and something that will help us get to know you, such as your extra-curricular activities and interests.

The selection process will be kept simple, and will entail an initial phone screen, followed by face-to-face interviews.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

No.

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

2-3

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

HFW looks for people who have a global mindset and an interest in international matters, with a particular affinity for our specific sectors and focus, and are interested in disputes matters. We love people who aren’t afraid of a challenge, and are eager to learn the skills that will be required to shine in their careers. Our ideal applicant is down-to-earth, well rounded, with good attention to detail and a team-oriented mindset. We also look for people who are open to and will chase opportunities, and have the intellectual rigour to work on complex matters.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

Clerks can expect to be exposed to a broad range of interesting matters, and undertake tasks such as research, memo writing, attending client meetings and court hearings, and other relevant legal tasks relating to the matters. Clerks who make the most of every opportunity, show enthusiasm, and contribute to the best of their ability will shine.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

Applicants should focus on describing why they want to work for HFW, and their interest in the sectors we specialise in. We want to know what skills you have acquired in previous roles or throughout your time at university, and how those skills will help you to succeed at our firm. You should also include something that will help us get to know you, such as your extra-curricular activities and interests.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

HFW generally selects graduates from our pool of clerks and paralegals.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

Yes. We do not typically take direct applications for our graduate program, instead selecting graduates from our pool of clerks and paralegals. Students should follow the application process for our clerkship program, which can result in an offer for a graduate position.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

Initially, you are hired as a Trainee (Grad) until you are admitted. Then graduates generally become an Associate. During this period, you will complete your PLT and gain foundational experience across a number of practice groups.

YOUR GLOBAL SUCCESS

JOHNSON WINTER SLATTERY

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

No, Placements are offered to penultimate and final year law students only.

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

12 - 14

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

We are looking for candidates who are not only determined to get the best outcomes for our clients, but who share our values and want to work in a firm where people look out for each other. If you are driven to solve problems or get deals over the line, value collaboration over individual gain, and want a workplace that is low on bureaucracy, then we want to talk to you.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE APPLICATNS?

Candidates should be well prepared, have great communication skills and show a little bit of their personality. Interviews are a two-way street, so it’s important that you ask questions too, so you can choose the right firm for you.

We are looking for candidates that have not only excelled academically, but who will fit with our people and culture. Make sure you tell us why you want to work for us and why you are a great fit. We want to know about your previous work experience, university studies, other achievements and any other experiences you want to share with us – so come prepared.

Of course, we’ll also have a few behavioral questions. It might help to do a little research on common interview questions and have a think about your responses before we meet.

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE

FIRM HAVE?

We have over 80 partners nationally, supported by more than 180 lawyers

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

Our business model is different to other firms. Our lawyers work collaboratively across practices, with no silos or bureaucracy getting in the way of delivering great outcomes for our clients. We want our lawyers to focus on the quality of their legal work and client experience. With a culture focused on supporting people, we offer graduates the opportunity to get hands-on experience, working on market leading legal work in a down to earth environment where people thrive.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

Yes, In Sydney we will offer an 8-week summer clerkship program with a 4-week break over the Christmas/ New Year period. Students can apply to our clerkship program by submitting their CV, covering letter and current official academic transcript via our website, addressed to Wilma Lewis, our Senior People & Development Consultant.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

The day in the life of a Clerk is learning with the flow of your work – you add value to our matters from day one:

• There’s no limit to your exposure. You have the freedom to work closely with any partner and lawyer across all of our practice areas.

• Be involved in complex and challenging matters and see how they evolve.

• You may learn something unexpected and unusual through detailed research in those matters and writing articles.

• Honing in your skills by reviewing, proof-reading, and drafting contracts and memorandums.

• Supporting on the ground by attending and understanding the courts.

• First-hand exposure to the inner workings of a matter by attending and sitting in on client calls and meetings.

HOW CAN STUDENTS APPLY FOR A GRADUATE POSITION AT YOUR FIRM?

The best way to get into our graduate program is to join us as a clerk.

Our business model is different to other firms. We offer our graduates the opportunity to get hands-on experience, working on market leading legal work in a down-to-earth environment where people thrive.

Life with us has more benefits than just working for a large corporate firm. We will

JONES DAY

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

• Business Restructuring & Reorganisation

• Labour & Employment

• Intellectual Property

• Antitrust & Competition

• Global Disputes

• Energy & Resources

• Projects & Infrastructure

• Mergers & Acquisitions

• Private Equity

• Tax

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM

29 Partners

64 Associates / Of-Counsel

Nationally

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

Lawyers who begin their careers with Jones Day in Australia work on demanding and complex matters and help find solutions for multinational clients confronting significant legal challenges.

Jones Day's Australian lawyers advise on multi-jurisdictional mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate governance, capital markets, intellectual property (including communications and technology transactions), labor and employment, and litigation and dispute resolution. We demand teamwork across offices and practices and between lawyers, and deliver award winning client service across the globe.

For lawyers coming to Jones Day, this means an exciting career, working without rivalry or competition, alongside more than 2,400 lawyers in 40 offices and 18 different jurisdictions. New lawyers have the opportunity to be involved in demanding and complex matters, advising multinational clients encountering globalized challenges.

DOES THE FIRM HAVE ANY PRE-PENULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT SCHEMES, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS GET INVOLVED?

Not currently

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

We run summer clerkship programs in our Sydney and Melbourne offices that offer selected positions to talented students who are at their penultimate year at university.

A Clerkship is your opportunity to spend some serious time interviewing us; and our opportunity to get to know you. Our placements replicate our graduate program as much as possible and have an emphasis on the authentic graduate experience. The experience is challenging, but gives you a real insight into life at our Firm.

Clerkship Application Dates

We run Summer Clerkship Programs in Sydney and Melbourne and follow the NSW Summer Clerkship and LIV Seasonal Clerkship Scheme.

SYDNEY:

• Applications open on 5 June 2023

• Applications close at 11.59 pm on 9 July 2023

MELBOURNE:

• Applications open on 3 July 2023

• Applications close at 11.59 pm on 13 August 2023

Student can apply herehttps://selfapply.jonesday.com/viRecruitSelfApply/ReDefault.aspx?Tag=956f00e9-a61a-43f8-b2ca-f99c0f12caa5

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

Jones Day considers students in their penultimate and final year for Summer Clerkships

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

We are aiming for a smaller intake of 6 in Sydney each year. There is no target set, it really depends on the candidates we meet through the recruitment process.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

We look for a record of academic excellence, superior written and analytical abilities, strong interpersonal skills,

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

What to Expect on a Clerkship

Real work

Research, drafting, preparing documents, attending client meetings and conference calls, visiting court - not just a series of workshops and seminars.

Autonomy

Flexibility to try out work from any practice area. We encourage you to experience a real mix to help you discover where your strengths and interests lie.

Inspiration

Our lawyers are always available to share their knowledge, expertise and advice to the next generation . Use this experience to find out what it’s really like to work at our Firm and be a City Solicitor.

Guidance

A mentor to answer your questions, offer advice and guidance, and help you settle in.

Community

Several opportunities to come to know people in the Firm on a social level as we organise lunches, dinners and ice breaker activities.

Review

Opportunities to meet with lawyers and the Graduate Recruitment team throughout your scheme to reflect and discuss ways to make the most of your time. We are always on hand to help.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

• Research the firm and the practice areas

• Research the interviewers

• Be familiar with what makes Jones Day unique in the market and what distinguishes us from other firms.

• Be confident explaining your experience – be prepared to provide examples

• Ask sensible questions

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

It is our aim to hire all of the winter and summer clerks that join us, however we will of course consider performance and firm fit during the time that our summer clerks work with us. We have historically always made offers to the Summer Clerks who join the Sydney office

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

The Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane Offices take part in the NSW Graduate Scheme, the Queensland Graduate Program and the LIV Traineeship Program. From the outset, graduates in the Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney offices have the opportunity to work closely with associates and partners across several practices and offices. To ensure that graduates experience a variety of work assignments, they are encouraged to introduce themselves to lawyers. The Australia offices recruit graduates in addition to our summer clerks who continue as graduates in the Firm. New lawyers attend the New Lawyer Academy, an annual event held in Washington, DC. Each fall, new lawyers assemble from our more than 40 offices around the world to meet and network with each other and learn what it means to be One Firm Worldwide. Our Firm leaders, partners, and associates teach the new lawyers about Jones Day's culture, history, organization, and achievements and lead substantive and interactive training sessions. Every year, our new lawyers take away from the Academy a sense of great pride and excitement about being part of the Firm. Graduates joining Jones Day Australia have their Practical Legal Training (PLT) course fees paid by the Firm, and PLT costs are reimbursed for those lawyers who complete PLT outside of their degrees. We are flexible as to whether PLT is completed onsite or offsite, full time prior to commencing with us, or part time while working as a graduate. Any questions regarding the Graduate program can be directed to Catherine Daviescatherinedavies@jonesday.com

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

Due to our non-rotational program Graduates are able to find the practice area that suits them the best. This allows them to progress through the firm in an area they are passionate about and in a supportive environment.

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

• Asset Management and Investment Funds

• Corporate

• Energy Infrastructure and Resources

• Finance

• Intellectual Property

• Labour Employment and Workplace Safety

• Litigation and Dispute Resolution

• Competition and Consumer

• Real Estate

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

We have over 70 partners nationally, with approximately 30 of those based in our Sydney office. We have another 230 legal practitioners nationally with approximately 80 of those working in Sydney.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

K&L Gates is about more than practising law or making a living. It’s about building something amazing - creating a legacy for you, the firm, our clients and the communities we serve.

We thrive in an inclusive and socially conscious environment that embraces our diversity and takes a holistic approach to the career evolution of all our professionals, an approach that ultimately enables us to serve clients more effectively. Here you can make a difference, lead the way, and let your innovation shine. We are all in it together. We come up with big ideas and then roll up our sleeves to get the job done. We are a global community of entrepreneurs and self-starters.

We are nimble and ambitious with a high level of integrity, resolve, and strength of character. Although we take pride in our willingness to run through walls for clients, we also value the importance of laughing with clients, colleagues, or friends. We genuinely enjoy working with each other and for our clients.

DOES THE FIRM HAVE ANY PRE-PENULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT SCHEMES, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS GET INVOLVED?

As a law student in your penultimate year at university, our clerkship program is the ideal opportunity for you to discover what we have to offer and to gain practical work experience through participation in client meetings, court visits and involvement in real legal work.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

Applications for our clerkship program are made online, via our website. Applications should include a cover letter, CV and academic transcript. We will also ask you some questions as part of our application process. You will experience a two stage interview process with us. Your first interview will be with a Partner and a member of our Human Resources team. The first interview is an opportunity to get to know each other and expand on your application and interest in K&L Gates. The second round interview will consist of a group activity. You will work through a series of legal scenarios with a group of candidates and two Partners. The group interview is aimed at assessing your ability to demonstrate analytical skills, critical/commercial thinking and teamwork (an essential skill for our lawyers!).

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

K&L Gates offers 2023/2024 clerkships to students who are able to commence as a graduate in February/March 2025.

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

We are looking for around 10 clerks for our 2023/2024 Sydney Clerkship Program.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

We are looking for smart, imaginative and hard-working people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and ideas to join us. We seek out clerks who have a variety of experiences both personally and professionally. Whilst experience in legal/commercial environments is advantageous, it does not mean that your experience in retail is not! Showcasing these experiences and how they have enabled you to understand the commercial issues our clients face is just as important.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

The K&L Gates clerkship program is the ideal opportunity for you to experience what it is like to work as a lawyer in our firm and participate in a comprehensive program to learn important skills which lay the foundations for a successful legal career. As a seasonal clerk you will be embedded into our practice areas and be involved in real legal work right from the start, giving you in-depth experience and providing real insight into life as a commercial lawyer at K&L Gates. Not only will you get to experience what it is like to work in a global commercial law firm firsthand, you will also have the chance to work closely with partners, senior associates and have the support of a junior lawyer or graduate lawyer as a buddy and enjoy our down to earth culture that we are known for. Clerks are encouraged to attend learning and development sessions, firm celebrations and other social and sporting activities such as staff drinks and our regular pro-bono, community and charitable activities. There will also be opportunities to join in on some of the work our Diversity Committee does to create an inclusive, diverse and supportive working environment to help you network with others across the firm, and most of all to have fun!

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

First impressions count, so make sure you consider this when preparing for your interview. BE YOURSELF. Know your CV and application back to front. Be honest in your responses and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

Our clerkship program is the primary source of our future graduate intake in Sydney so we expect to offer graduate positions to our clerkship cohort.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

We do offer a formal graduate program and will typically fill it through offers to our clerkship cohort.

Our graduate program is designed to give you the technical capability and commercial context to succeed.

The program runs for 12 months, in which time you will complete three practice group rotations. You will be exposed to a variety of areas of commercial law in all your rotations.

Throughout the year you are supported with a buddy, supervisor and mentor. Partners and senior lawyers will support and guide you through each rotation and ensure you get the necessary development. Your buddy, a junior lawyer, will help you transition into your new role.

Your professional development program runs weekly. It combines Practical Legal Training (delivered in-house by the College of Law), with sessions presented by partners, lawyers, external presenters and our professional development team.

Our program delivers skill development in 2 key areas, fundamental legal abilities and professional legal skills which incorporate:

• legal technical skills (analysis and judgment);

• client service (client and business knowledge, networking); and

• personal effectiveness (communication, work ethic, motivation and maturity).

You will have many opportunities to be involved in an array of firm events and activities to match your interest, whether they be social, sporting, business or community-focused.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

After completing rotations through various practices during the graduate program our graduates are placed as lawyers into a practice group where they will begin to specialise. As their technical skills increase alongside their ability to manage matters, they progress toward promotion to senior associate, usually around 4 years post admission.

DISCOVER. DEVELOP. THRIVE. THE K&L

K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located across five continents. In Australia we have four offices in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

FULLY INTEGRATED

We are a fully integrated network of lawyers and legal professionals who believe that clients need more than technical legal skills; they need insightful and practical advice on the diverse issues that affect their businesses, delivered with unparalleled client service. Our combination of practice strength, global platform, and unsurpassed client service is a true differentiator in the legal services marketplace.

A BROAD RANGE OF PRACTICE AREAS

We have nine core practice areas across Australia. As part of your clerkship you will complete rotations within two of these. In your graduate year, you will experience multiple areas across three rotations.

OUR PRESENCE

With a strong presence in key capital cities and world commercial and financial centres, we represent a broad array of ASX, Global 500, Fortune 100, and FTSE 100 corporations in nearly every major industry, including energy, financial services, health care, infrastructure, life sciences, manufacturing, sustainable development, technology, telecommunications and transportation amongst others.

FORMAL TRAINING PROGRAM

In conjunction with on-the-job experience, we provide formal training. On day one, you will receive an in-depth induction to the firm as well as training on relevant IT systems, followed by sessions over the course of the clerkship and graduate programs. These sessions have been designed to develop your legal knowledge and business skills, as well as to give you a broader insight into the various areas of law in which we practise.

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

INNOVATION

We define innovation as change that adds value, making innovation everyone’s business.

No matter the innovation, a humancentred approach focuses our efforts on our clients and our people. We produce tailored solutions that consider the outcomes that meet human needs.

Our Australian Innovation Committee cultivates our innovative culture.

COLLABORATIVE CULTURE

We truly believe that working together is better. Your supervisor and buddy will help you settle into the office and you will work closely with the partners, special counsel, senior associates and lawyers in your team. You will be provided with opportunities to build strong relationships, both within your team and the wider firm network. We provide and encourage a collaborative environment in which you can grow and develop.

You will be embedded into the practice areas and be involved in real legal work right from the start, giving you an in-depth experience and providing a real insight into life as a corporate lawyer at K&L Gates.

We are looking for smart, imaginative and hard-working people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and ideas to join us. Perhaps our search for talented visionaries and your search for important and impactful work lead to the same place.

Learn what makes our global law firm different:

Check out our Facebook page: /klgatesgraduaterecruitingau

Check out our videos on YouTube: /klgateslaw

Visit our Careers page at www.klgates.com for application details.

APPLICATIONS

We accept graduate and clerkship applications in line with law society guidelines in the relevant state. Please check our website for application dates by office location.

Contact details

Tania Brierley Recruitment Consultant

P +61 3 9640 4214

W www.klgates.com

K&L Gates is about more than practising law or making a living. It’s about building something amazing - creating a legacy for you, the firm, our clients and the communities we serve.

GATES EXPERIENCE.

KING & WOOD MALLESONS

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

• Banking & Finance

• Capital Markets

• Competition & Antitrust

• Construction

• Corporate & Commercial

• Digital Economy

• Dispute Resolution & Litigation

• Energy, Resources & Infrastructure

• Climate & ESG

• Intellectual Property

• International Trade

• Labour & Employment

• Mergers & Acquisitions

• Native Title

• Planning & Environment

• Private Capital

• Real Estate

• Restructuring & Insolvency

• Tax

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

Over 2,000 lawyers across 30 global locations.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

Our global footprint and unique depth and breadth in Asia give our people exciting cross-border and cross-cultural experiences. We enable our people to build their cultural intelligence and international skills by working with each other across regions and collaborating around shared opportunities.

DOES THE FIRM HAVE ANY PRE-PENULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT SCHEMES, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS GET INVOLVED?

Yes, our Insight Program is open to pre-penultimate law students. The program provides the opportunity for pre-penultimate law students to gain skills, confidence, and knowledge into life at KWM. The program comprises of 4 sessions covering the busines of law, KWM in practice, legal tech and exclusive insight into clerkship applications. Applications for the Insight Program will open later this year, keep an eye out on our website!

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

Students in their penultimate or final year are eligible to apply for our Clerkship Program. All applications are made through our recruitment system which is accessed via our careers website and are in line with the local law society recruitment guidelines. In our application we will ask a series of short answer questions, information about your employment and academic history and any extracurricular activities and volunteering work. As part of the application, you will also undertake a practical strengths-based assessment.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

We understand some students are unable to complete a clerkship in their penultimate year due to various reasons, therefore we also accept applications from final year students.

• Growth mindset – we are growing the international law firm for the future. We look for people who seek out learning opportunities and embrace challenges.

• Team work - we operate as one family, one firm working together and supporting each other across cultures. We want people who build relationships and empathise with others.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

A seasonal clerk at KWM will get to know our people, the way we like to work, our culture, practice areas, clients and more.

Clerks can expect to undertake tasks such as:

• Researching client legal issues, including case law and legislation.

• Drafting memoranda setting out and summarising findings in relation to legal issues researched.

• Preparing documents (e.g., letters, memos, tables, draft contracts) to assist legal staff.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

Yes, KWM offer a unique future-focused Graduate Experience Program and invest heavily in the development of our graduates to support them throughout their career. Students interested to join KWM as a graduate should apply through our clerkship program in their penultimate or final year of study.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

We encourage our people to shape their own career path, supported every step of the way with worldclass training, coaching and hands-on experience.

Once our junior lawyers have grown in confidence and gained on the job experience after the Graduate Experience Program, they will start to specialise in practice areas and industry sectors. Junior lawyers will be thinking about the future and which pathway to choose.

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED

CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

40-50

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

We value a range of skills and experiences in our employees and recognise that a diversity of strengths leads to best results. We are looking for people who have an intellectual curiosity and are intrinsically motivated. Excellent marks are not necessarily a predictor of career success.

• Intellectual curiosity - to us, intelligence is not measured by your GPA. We want deep thinkers who seek out information and diverse views to reach a practical and efficient solution to business problems.

• Client centricity – we work in our clients’ worlds and partner with them to achieve their business goals. We need people who can stand in the shoes of the client and experience things from their perspective.

• Learning agility – the international legal landscape is changing every day. We need people who demonstrate personal flexibility and an openness to dealing with change.

• Assisting in the administration of transactional, advice-based, and litigious legal/client matters.

• Attending client and internal meetings and court proceedings as appropriate.

• Attending KWM internal seasonal Clerkship Experience Program and information sessions.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

To keep in mind the only thing we have before we meet you is your application, so use your application to engage us, and try not to use the same example to answer two different questions. Keep an open mind and be yourself, don’t hesitate to show this throughout the recruitment process. The interview doesn’t have to be a conversation about how much you love the law, don’t be afraid to explain your interest outside of law and what you are passionate about.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

Yes, our graduates are recruited from our clerkship cohort. Clerkships are a great way for students to experience the firm. Successful completion of the clerkship program is a deciding factor in determining graduate offers.

Some career path examples are:

Senior Lawyer Track – as capability, experience and industry knowledge develops some will become a senior associate (and some, special counsel) – with greater responsibility in leading teams and driving client matters. Some will then go on to achieve partnership.

KWM professional track – some lawyers will step into the business side of KWM, into marketing, knowledge management or other professional roles. This area continues to grow in impact and importance.

Alumni track – some lawyers use their KWM experience to pursue an alumni path. KWM has many successful alumni across in-house counsel, investment bank, regulator, barrister, business executive, entrepreneur, author/academic and judiciary.

We offer all our people the opportunity to excel, a career at KWM is unique and challenging with clear rewards.

T A K E C H A R G E O F

Y O U R C A R E E R P A T H

The core practice teams at King & Wood Mal esons – who they are what they do how they’re structured, the cl ents they work for, and of course, your role with n them Our cu ture – work ng w thin your team you’ l be exposed to (and encouraged) to get actively invo ved in the many activit es and events that help create our unique culture Our people – you ll find that peop e from every part of the business w ll help you by sharing their knowledge and supporting you through the early stages of your career and beyond

GRADUATE PROGRAM

We offer a unique future-focused experience and invest heav ly in your development to support you throughout your ourney

You wil benef t from a bespoke comprehens ve learn ng and development program tai ored spec fically for our graduates

Our impact:

Exper ence Program (VEP) The platform features learn ng modules curated by KWM based on real li e firm matters and activities. Through this program you can bui d rea sk lls and the confidence to excel n a commercial law career before you even step nto one of our off ces

We are making progress towards our target of 40% fema e representat on at partnership eve

We work with

The ndustry-makers nation-builders and market-disrupters to drive growth and power innovation KWM s a aunchpad for endless opportun t es We want to help you think d fferently about yourse f and the possib lities of where a career in the law might take you

Our LGBT Q+ Inclus on Network at KWM (LINK) raises awareness of and advocates in re at on to LGBT Q+ issues and concerns, and promotes inclus on, provides support and builds a sense o community for LGBTIQ+ identify ng peop e and a lies

We’re K ng & Wood Mallesons The top t er international aw firm, rom Asia, for the world The wor d’s leading organ sations turn to us to un ock opportun ties and deliver smart, cons dered, and conf dent adv ce Where others see problems we see possib lities

Innovation is in our DNA. We equip our people with the ski ls to partner with our clients and br ng to l fe pioneering solutions which wi l help them to adapt, reinvent and evo ve We bel eve innovation comes from g ving our people room to grow At KWM, our people are encouraged to shape their own career path, supported every step of the way w th world-class train ng, coaching and hands-on exper ence

Divers ty of thought, perspect ve and experience s critical to our culture We provide a broad, inc us ve and open env ronment in which our people are fully supported to bring their whole selves

There is no one size fits al ’ career model and we offer multiple opportun t es for our lawyers to gain experience and thrive.

Planning for a sustainable future

A core va ue for KWM s to grow our bus ness sustainably and respons bly and leave a pos t ve impact.

Our commitments:

Global reach

The K ng & Wood Mallesons network extends across the following regions:

As a Pacific (Australia, Ma nland Ch na including Hong Kong Japan, S ngapore)

Europe

Middle East North America

Our programs

SEASONAL CLERKSHIP PROGRAM

Appl cations open 5 June 2023

Appl cations close: 9 Ju y 2023

Apply via our online appl cation system at: kwm.com/careers

We offer clerksh ps that g ve you insight nto what it’s l ke to be a awyer at King & Wood Mal esons You’l get to know our people, the way we work our culture pract ce areas, cl ents and more

What you’l earn:

The day-to-day sk lls to get you started – taking instructions meeting with clients, draft ng memos and documents, manag ng your practice and professiona relat onships

You wil take part in our graduate technology bootcamps These bootcamps w ll prov de you with exposure to the many different types of emerg ng lega technologies which are availab e at our f rm These skil s wil he p prepare you for the future and ensure that we continue to evolve to meet our clients changing needs

We also offer our graduates a Practical Legal Train ng (PLT) course w th the College of Law, ensuring that you meet the requirements for admiss on to legal practice.

The program a so promotes and supports the mobil ty of our people by giving you the opportunity to apply to go on exchange n one of our interstate or overseas offices or undertake a cl ent or pro bono secondment

Through these opportunities, you can access greater on-the-job experience and create a pos t ve impact

What you wil rece ve

Meaningfu work cover ng a wide range of practice areas

Cl ent contact and an in-depth understand ng of how they operate in a commercial and regulatory environment

The opportun ty to work as part of a team w th a range of partners senior assoc ates and sol c tors

Over 90% of our lawyers delivered 44,240 pro bono hours in FY22

We offer:

Cu ture of innovat on collaboration and high performance

Mu t ple career pathways where you can shape your future World-class training and coaching to unleash your full potential H gh mpact work for the wor d’s leading organ sat ons Relat onships that last a ifet me

Over 231 organisations received ega ass stance in FY22

Key contact

PEOPLE & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER - EARLY CAREERS SYDNEY

Over $766 000 was raised & donated v a DigDeep® (workp ace giv ng project) to 27 commun ty organisat ons in FY22

A practical understanding of areas of our legal practice

Tra ning in the latest legal technology

VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE PROGRAM

No matter where n the wor d you are or what stage in your aw degree, you can now exper ence what t is rea ly ike to be a lawyer at KWM with our Globa Virtual

TEL +61 410 480 120

EMAIL GRETA TRELOAR@AU KWM COM

careers kwm com/en/graduates-australia

kwm.com

C L E R K S H I P P R O F I L E

S E A S O N A L C L E R K I N T A K E : 2 0 2 2 / 2 3

A r e a / s o f r o t a t i o n : D i s p u t e R e s o l u t i o n ( R e s t r u c t u r i n g & I n s o l v e n c y ) , M e r g e r s &

A c q u i s i t i o n s ( I n t e r n a t i o n a l F u n d s )

U n i v e r s i t y : U n i v e r s i t y o f N e w S o u t h W a l e s

D e g r e e : B a c h e l o r o f L a w s , B a c h e l o r o f C o m m e r c e ( F i n a n c e )

What kind of work did you complete during your clerkship?

My teams made a great effort to get me nvolved in a diverse range of work during my c erksh p. attended court for different matters, undertook various research tasks and helped draft exhib ts in my Dispute Resolution team n International Funds, I worked closely w th my superv sing Partner to write complex adv ces and drafted documents to wind up a company

What was the application and interview process like?

The written appl cation focused on th ngs that excited me both in and outside the law In the interview, the focus was on my nterests rather than on tricky questions. KWM s process exposes you to many d fferent areas of the firm and peop e nterested in getting to know you

What kind of training did you receive?

At the beg nning of the c erksh p, we received training on the day-to-day life at the firm, memo writ ng and advanced research skills We also had structured sessions throughout the summer I found the informal train ng from my teams nvaluable in approach ng tasks and earning about comp ex legal issues.

What kind of support did you receive as a clerk?

Each c erk has a supervising partner, coach and buddy that provide constant support throughout the program and offer someone to turn to My two buddies spent a good dea of the r t me answering my questions and ensuring I had a l I needed Scheduled catchups with my fe low clerks were a great opportunity to share our experiences and tips and tricks

How would you describe the social aspect of the clerkship?

The socia experience was one of the most surprising parts of my c erkship Over the summer, I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with fellow clerks whether at lunch, after-work events, clerk sports or our paintand-sip sess on. It is also a very social time of the year at the firm general y

Do you have any advice to give prospective clerks?

Look for a firm that w ll help you to become the awyer you want to be. For the c erkship, communicate with your teams any objectives you might have for the rotation In my experience my teams then made a b g effort to help me have the experiences I was looking for.

Why did you choose King & Wood Mallesons?

KWM is not on y a market leader in established practices but also emphas ses leveraging that expertise in emerging areas Throughout my clerkship, I experienced the value of collaboration with our overseas offices, l ke learning about FinTech developments in S ngapore and China in cross-practice meetups

What was your clerkship experience vs. your initial expectations?

I was not expect ng sen or lawyers to comm t so much time to my clerkship experience n both rotations, the Partners and Sen or Associates worked with were genuinely interested n what I thought and how they cou d help me have the best exper ence I could

What was the highlight of your clerkship?

Clerk sports was one of my highlights We may not have topped the table, but our cheer squad was second-to-none, and it was a great way to spend the afternoon with the rest of my c erk cohort

careers kwm com/en/graduates-austra ia

LANDER & ROGERS

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

What are the key areas of law that the firm practices in?

• Lander & Rogers operates in seven core areas of practice.

• Commercial Disputes

• Compensation Law (Melbourne office only)

• Corporate

• Family & Relationship Law

• Insurance Law & Litigation

• Real Estate & Projects

• Workplace Relations & Safety

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

Lander & Rogers is a leading independent Australian law firm, comprising over 600 people including 85 partners.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

Equip yourself with the skills needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving market with a challenging and rewarding role at Lander & Rogers.

Learn in an environment where new ideas are welcomed and knowledge is openly exchanged - where you’re supported to reach new heights as you solve interesting and often complex legal problems alongside real clients.

Every individual who joins our growing firm is an essential contributor to our shared success. That’s why we don’t simply seek the brightest legal minds, but those with whom we share values of authenticity and connection.

Accelerate your success alongside a team that is invested in your growth, while exploring, developing and honing your legal skills and business acumen.

DOES THE FIRM HAVE ANY PRE-PENULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT SCHEMES, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS GET INVOLVED?

At Lander & Rogers we have various legal support or paralegal roles which pre-penultimate students are eligible to apply for. We encourage students to keep an eye on our website for available opportunities.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

Lander & Rogers offers a seasonal clerkship program within our Melbourne office. Students apply to this program via our website or other student job boards such as GradConnection or GradAustralia.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

Yes, we consider candidates in their penultimate and final year of studies for our seasonal clerk program.

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

We anticipate 30 clerk to participate in our Melbourne seasonal clerk program in 2023 and 2024.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

At Lander & Rogers, experience a career where you’re challenged and supported to solve interesting and often complex legal problems alongside real clients.

Every individual who joins our growing firm is an essential contributor to our shared success. That’s why we don’t simply seek the brightest legal minds, but those with whom we share values of authenticity and connection.

A role with Lander & Rogers will build upon your unique skills, and equip you to launch your career forward. You’ll learn in a culture where new ideas are not only welcomed, but encouraged, and where knowledge and information is openly exchanged.

Accelerate your success alongside a team that is invested in your growth, while exploring, developing and honing your legal skills and business acumen.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

A clerkship can involve a range of interesting work, including:

• researching points of law and summarising your findings

• drafting correspondence, court documents, and sections of commercial agreements

• reviewing and analysing legislation and case law

• observing our lawyers in action (including meetings, mediations and court proceedings)

• attending practice group discussions

You will also have access to:

• practice group case study sessions to build your understanding of Lander & Rogers’ areas of expertise

• development sessions to map your career possibilities

• workshops covering practical skills development like writing and taking instructions

• social opportunities including weekly coffee catch ups, catered events, sporting and wellbeing activities

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

Put your best foot forward when preparing your applications with these simple tips:

1. Get to know us

Do your research to understand who we are, what clients we work with, what practice areas we cover, and why our culture and values are important to us.

2. Be prepared

Attention to detail is critical. Take time to prepare your application. Review your spelling, grammar and ensure you have answered all the required questions.

3. Be authentic

Be yourself and let your personality shine. Demonstrate your interests, hobbies and what attracts you to Lander & Rogers.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE

POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

Lander & Rogers recruits graduates for our Melbourne program under the Law Institute of Victoria priority offer system, which means graduate positions are usually filled by those who have completed the seasonal clerkship program.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

Yes. We offer a graduate program in both our Melbourne and Sydney offices. In Melbourne, we recruit our graduates directly from those who have participated in a seasonal clerkship with the firm. In Sydney we go to market for our graduate program. Students can apply via our website.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

A role with Lander & Rogers will build upon your unique skills, and equip you to launch your career forward. You’ll learn in a culture where new ideas are not only welcomed, but encouraged, and where knowledge and information is openly exchanged.

Accelerate your success alongside a team that is invested in your growth, while exploring, developing and honing your legal skills and business acumen.

EXPAND YOUR CAREER

A career with Lander & Rogers is more than an occupation - it’s a chance to expand and deliver a meaningful and lasting impact.

Establish a career with a leading firm where you will work alongside some of Australia’s leading legal experts and most well-known brands.

Gain support to develop the realworld skills demanded of the very best lawyers, while discovering a genuine, collaborative and flexible place that recognises and celebrates your individual contribution - a team where you, and your career, matter.

Kick start your law career

Learn more by visiting landers.com.au/careers

landers.com.au

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

Our sector areas of focus are in:

• Healthcare

• Technology

• Education

• Government

• Infrastructure, Energy & Utilities

• Property Development

We offer specialist legal expertise in the practice areas of: Employment & Workplace, Corporate & Commercial, Government Advisory, Real Estate, Dispute Resolution & Litigation and Construction.

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

Maddocks has close to 90 partners, who work alongside more than 600 people across our offices in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and to making a difference in the communities in which we operate, means there are opportunities for you to play a greater role than your everyday role.

We have a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace. This is encapsulated in the work that us undertaken by our Maddocks Gender Equality Network, Maddocks Pride and Maddocks CALD (Culturally & Linguistically Diverse) groups. These groups are open to all Maddocks people as a way of promoting career development and networking opportunities for all.

We provide pro bono legal services and financial assistance to community organisations and individuals in need. There are opportunities for all of our people to complete pro bono work, assist community groups to receive crucial funding and volunteer with community organisations.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

Yes, we offer a clerkship program and can apply through our website: https://www.maddocks.com.au/careers/ clerkships-graduate-program

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

Only penultimate year students are able to apply to our Sydney and Canberra clerkships

Final year and penultimate year students can apply to our Melbourne clerkship

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

10-12 clerks

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

• Enthusiastic

• Curious

• Strong work ethic

• Proactive

• Respectful

• Bring their true selves to work

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

From Day One you will experience what it’s like to work at Maddocks. This means you will have challenging, meaningful work, gain exposure to clients, be given a good level of responsibility, work in a supportive and collaborative team and have regular access to our partners.

The training you receive throughout your clerkship will ensure you are thoroughly prepared and ready to get involved in and contribute to client work straight away.

The program begins with a comprehensive orientation which includes training and development activities. You will also meet the people you’ll be working with. During the program you will rotate through two practice groups of your preference, with support in each rotation from a buddy and coordinator. You will receive feedback from partners and others you work with, and a feedback review at the end of each rotation.

Of course it’s important to have some fun too and you will have plenty of opportunities to experience life at Maddocks through a range of social and sporting activities.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

• It’s important to do your research to understand who our clients are, our practice areas, our culture and values.

• Take the time to prepare your application. Check spelling and grammar and ensure you have answered the questions that have been asked. Attention to detail is critical.

• Tell us about your experiences, you interests and hobbies outside of university and work, where you have demonstrated leadership and responsibility.

• Find out as much about us as you can, speak to our people, attend clerkship events and ask questions about things that are important to you

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

Yes, graduate positions can be offered to clerks once they are finished the clerkship program.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

Yes, we hire our graduates from our clerkship program.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

As a graduate, you will complete your Practical Legal Training through the firm and with your graduate cohort. Once you are admitted and finished the graduate program you can progress to a lawyer.

About Maddocks

Maddocks has close to 90 partners, who work alongside more than 600 people across our offices in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney.

Our sector areas of focus are in:

– Education

– Government

Beyond Day One

You will have access to top quality work for high calibre clients. This will enable you to develop both your technical legal skills and business acumen on a diverse range of complex and interesting projects.

– Healthcare – Technology

– Infrastructure, Energy & Utilities – Property Development

We offer specialist legal expertise in the practice areas of: Employment & Workplace, Corporate & Commercial, Government Advisory, Real Estate, Dispute Resolution & Litigation and Construction.

Our Clients include medium to large private organisations, high net worth individuals and families, ASX200 companies, Commonwealth, State and local governments, leading tech companies, education institutions, not-forprofit organisations and high profile property developers.

We are guided by our core values of integrity, stewardship, collaboration, commitment to doing things better, and respect for the individual and diversity.

From Day One

From Day One you will experience what it’s like to work at Maddocks. This means you will have challenging, meaningful work, gain exposure to clients, be given a good level of responsibility, work in a supportive and collaborative team and have regular access to our partners.

The training you receive throughout your clerkship will ensure you are thoroughly prepared and ready to get involved in and contribute to client work straight away. The program begins with a comprehensive orientation which includes training and development activities. You will also meet the people you’ll be working with. During the program you will rotate through two practice groups of your preference, with support in each rotation from a buddy and coordinator. You will receive feedback from partners and others you work with, and a feedback review at the end of each rotation.

Of course it’s important to have some fun too and you will have plenty of opportunities to experience life at Maddocks through a range of social and sporting activities.

Working autonomously and collaboratively, you will be supervised, mentored and supported by recognised experts in their respective legal fields at every stage of your career progression. In addition, the firm offers a significant range of outstanding training and development programs tailored to a wide variety of needs and interests.

Maddocks is very proud of and committed to its pro bono program which engages lawyers to contribute to the community in a meaningful way or perhaps your interests and passions will lead to your involvement in one of our Diversity, Inclusion and Innovation projects.

Key Dates, Process and Contact

Here are the important dates for our 2023/24 clerkship program:

Applications open

Applications close

Offers made

5 June 2023

9 July 2023

13 September 2023

Offers must be accepted by 14 September 2023

Our summer clerk application process includes:

– Submitting your CV, cover letter, academic transcript and responding to short answer questions

– Attending an information and networking evening

– Participating in one interview with a People & Culture representative and a Partner

– Attending a cocktail evening with staff and Partners

For more information on career opportunities at Maddocks, please contact:

Samuel Jurd | People & Culture Manager +61 2 9291 6286

samuel.jurd@maddocks.com.au

We recruit our Graduates from our Summer Clerk program and assist them in completing their Practical Legal Training.

Maddocks.

From Day One you will have challenging, meaningful work, gain exposure to clients, be given a good level of responsibility, work in a supportive and collaborative team and have regular access to our partners.

The training you receive throughout your clerkship will ensure you are thoroughly prepared and ready to get involved in and contribute to client work straight away.

The program begins with a comprehensive orientation which includes training and development activities.

Join our clerkship program and become part of a firm where you’re involved from Day One.

Scan this QR code to find out what it’s like to work at Maddocks.

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

• Banking and Finservices

• Capital Markets

• Class Actions

• Competition Regulation and Trade

• Corporate

• Dispute Resolution

• Education

• Energy

• Environment and Planning

• Infrastructure Construction Property

• Insurance

• Mergers & Acquisitions

• Real Estate

• Restructuring and Insolvency

• Sustainability & climate change

• Tax and Superannuation

• TMT

• Workplace/Employment

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

Total Employees: 2500+ Partners: 260+ Legal: 1500+

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

MinterEllison is one of Australia’s largest law firms, with nearly 200 years of business history. We’re known for our legal and consulting expertise — and for our inclusive culture and authentic character.

We’ve changed to keep up with our client’s expectations. Today we offer legal and consulting services under one roof. Clients rely on our expertise and insights to solve their most complex business challenges. They value our responsive, commercial approach.

We are curious by nature, diverse in our disciplines and authentic in our relationships.

In 2020, we were the first law firm to have a float in the Sydney Mardi Gras, and continued our participation with marchers in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Mardi Gras!

DOES THE FIRM HAVE ANY PRE-PENULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT SCHEMES, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS GET INVOLVED?

Discover ME

Our Discover ME program is designed to provide pre-penultimate law students an opportunity to discover what it is like to work at MinterEllison. During the program you will be invited to attend three sessions at our offices in Sydney, where you will learn more about our practice groups, the way we work and our people, through attending panel events and participating in workshops.

You will also be connected with one of our lawyers, who has recently made the transition from law school to law firm, with the goal to foster your professional development.

Applications close 19 March 2023.

Meet ME

Meet ME is a three-part webinar series which is highly relevant to pre-penultimate and penultimate year students, but open to law students at any stage of their studies, across Australia.

Dial in to hear insights and career tips from our leaders, junior lawyers and graduate recruitment team, which will allow you to set yourself up for success in your future career in law, as well as learning more about life at MinterEllison. Meet ME will take place in May 2023.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

MinterEllison offers a Summer Clerkship Program in Sydney. Application dates are set by the Law Society of NSW each year. Our online application form will ask you to submit your resume, a cover letter and your most recent academic results. Apply online at graduates.minterellison.com.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE

THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

Yes, our Clerkship Program is most suited to students in their penultimate or final year of their law degree.

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTEAKE THIS YEAR?

30-35 clerks (Sydney).

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

At MinterEllison, we are not looking for people to fit a mould. Academics are just one piece of the puzzle and we recognise the strength that diversity can bring to a team. Work experience, extra-curricular activities, sporting participation, music and travel are all important criteria to us. We want you to bring your whole self to work - individual strengths and diversity are what build our teams up to be the successes they are.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

Our clerkship program offers meaningful work experience, structured by a comprehensive orientation program and learning on the job to build both technical skills and commercial knowhow.

During our program you will:

• work closely with partners and lawyers on active matters to meet deadlines

• produce quality and meaningful work

• participate in tangible learning & development activities and

• attend social and networking events

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

Tailor your application to MinterEllison; highlight the research you have done and make sure you address why you want to work with us. Start preparing your application early to ensure you can submit it on time, and proofread your application before you submit it!

Be yourself! We want you to bring your whole self to work. We are interested in learning more about you; showcase your skills, experiences and achievements.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

The prospects of obtaining a graduate role at MinterEllison after completing a successful clerkship with us are very high. The majority of our Graduates come through our Clerkship Program.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

We offer a Graduate Program which generally consists of three, six-month rotations in different practice areas of law. We most often recruit our graduates from the clerkship program, but from time to time we do go to market for graduate roles. If you are looking specifically for a graduate role, please keep an eye on our website.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

After the Graduate Program, you’ll settle into a practice group. Once admitted as a Lawyer, and after you’ve completed the Graduate Program, career progression opportunities can include Associate, Senior Associate, Special Counsel and Partner.

Early careers at MinterEllison

Our clerks and graduates tell us that three key things make the MinterEllison experience:

1. Experiencing high profile matters in a top tier firm

2. Our culture

3. Our learning and development programs

Learn by working on real challenges

Right from the start you’ll work on real client engagements, preparing you for any challenge. Discover new areas of practice, and learn the technical knowledge and tools you need to achieve your career ambitions.

An award winning start to your career

Winner, Most Popular Clerkship Employer

Top100 Graduate Employer Awards 2023

Top Graduate Employers 2023

Australian Association of Graduate Employers

Early careers at MinterEllison

graduates.minterellison.com

Finalist, Most Popular Law Employer

Top100 Graduate Employer Awards 2023

Top Intern Programs 2022

Australian Association of Graduate Employers

Five reasons we’re different

Great roles in great matters

Our industry go-to-market strategy is key to achieving our growth ambitions. You could be working on the matters changing the landscape of law and legal practice.

Feed your curiosity

Our learning programs will help you build the skills you need to be the trusted advisor of tomorrow.

A focus on you

Our wellbeing program, leave policies and entitlements ensure our people are supported.

An inclusive culture

It’s no surprise that the MinterEllison workplace culture is awarded key inclusion awards and benchmarks. We’re truly inclusive and value diversity in all its forms.

A passion for social justice

You’ll have the chance to join our pro bono and community investment program to help address disadvantage.

For information and to apply visit graduates.minterellison.com

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I am the son of refugees, a junior lawyer in the Projects, Infrastructure & Construction (PIC) team and an avid constitutional law fan (let me explain). My parents risking everything so that I could have a best start in life is what drives me every day to work hard and also to give back by volunteering. As a junior lawyer, have an interest in major public transit and civic projects and am grateful to be working amongst some of the best lawyers in the country in this space. And whilst I know constitutional law is not a natural favourite for law students, I always love learning new things and it’s an intellectually challenging area of law, but can also have ramifications in people’s day-to-day lives (such as with the WA border challenge).

What rotations have you done?

My rotations were with Real Estate, AMP Capital and PIC.

Have you undertaken any secondments?

I was on secondment to AMP Capital, sitting in their legal team for 10 months. It was a great opportunity to get an inside look at how a major fund and asset manager operates, and bring those lessons back to MinterEllison to help us better service our clients. As a junior, it’s also the perfect time for you to build your networks outside of the firm and get a taste of in-house life – would highly recommend a secondment to anyone! You can also do a secondment to the Public Interest Advocacy Centre or Optus as part of the graduate program.

What do you love most about MinterEllison?

I love that we know how to work hard but also have fun. During the day we work for some of the largest clients in Australia on the most interesting work – it’s a privilege being able to work on projects that fundamentally shape the way people live, work and commute. But then we can close our laptops and march at Mardi Gras, where the firm has been the pro bono lawyers for over 20 years. The overwhelming sense of inclusion and the celebration of all our people, right alongside doing my day job, is what makes me feel just so ‘at home’ at MinterEllison.

What are you involved in beyond the law?

I’ve recently gotten back into swimming, but also started with rowing (if anyone has good tips on how to stop blisters, please give me a shout)! When I’m not in the water, I am on the search for my next favourite watering hole that serves up good drinks and good vibes.

Will Vu, Associate, Sydney shares his career journey, hints and tips.

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

• Corporate M&A

• Banking & Finance

• Projects & Construction

• Restructuring

• Pro Bono

• Litigation and Arbitration

• Employment & Labour

• Real Estate

• Technology

• Commonwealth Australian Government

• Environment & Planning

• Intellectual Property

• Tax

• Financial Services

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

Globally, we have 4000+ legal staff and 1100+ Partners

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

Commitment to our Early Talent cohort’s development

Our Summer Clerkship program is carefully curated by our dedicated learning and development team to provide our clerks with a taste of real life as a graduate at an industry leading global law firm. We run our clerkship for 10 weeks over the summer and provide our clerks with the opportunity to rotate through two practice areas of their choice. As a global firm, we understand the importance of becoming a well rounded legal practitioner with international experience. As such, we provide our graduates with the opportunity to complete a six month secondment in one of our international offices. To date, our international trainee program has seen our Australian graduates complete secondments in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Johannesburg, Abu Dhabi, Athens and Paris and Shanghai.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Our diversity is a strength that benefits both our people and our clients. We strive to foster a welcoming, accepting and supportive environment where all our people can bring their whole selves to work and realise their career

potential. This commitment is integral to our business approach. By encouraging our people to contribute their varied backgrounds, experiences and perspectives we embrace diversity. We can better understand our clients’ needs in diverse markets and engage with the communities in which we operate. We believe our differences are what make us stronger and actively promote a culture that values each individual, encouraging and creating inclusion. Our vision is to be an employer of choice worldwide, attracting and retaining the best people in order to provide our clients with the most considered and innovative advice. Our diversity, equity and inclusion strategy has a particular focus on building a culture of accountability. We aim to discuss and integrate these core values in everything we do, by developing inclusive leadership, supporting diverse talent, and partnering with our clients to further our efforts collectively.

DOES THE FIRM HAVE ANY PRE-PENULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT SCHEMES, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS GET INVOLVED?

We do hire Paralegals on a casual basis for work related matters. All opportunities for Paralegal work are advertised on our Careers website.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

Yes, we run a 10 week Summer Clerkship program in Sydney from November to February. At Norton Rose Fulbright, we only hire the amount of clerks that we are able to offer graduate positions to.

https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en-au/graduates/ opportunities/summer-clerkship

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

We only offer clerkships to penultimate students.

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

We anticipate that we will have 20-25 clerkship positions available in 2023.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

Strong academic results are important, but rest assured this is not the only criteria we assess our candidates against.

Norton Rose Fulbright seeks well-rounded candidates who have strengths beyond academia including work experience and extracurricular interests. We also look to candidates with strong commercial awareness, a global outlook, open mindedness and long term motivation for a career in the law. Most importantly, we look for candidates who are curious, authentic and keen to give everything a go!

Preparing for your interview:

• Research the firm

• Plan your day accordingly to ensure you arrive 5-10 minutes early

• Try your best to be calm, we have a dedicated room for our candidates to wait while we prepare for their interview where they can socialise and get comfortable

During your interview:

• We like to see that our candidates have a true interest in the firm and can demonstrate this by doing research on current matters in the press whether that be on our website or our Linkedin

• Be honest in your answers

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES

AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

Our summer clerkship program offers a real taste of life as a Graduate, we encourage a hands on approach and like to get our clerks involved in a wide variety of work. No two days are the same but they usually include attending clients meetings and teleconferences, visits to court, research, preparation of court documents, drafting deeds/contracts, discovery and much more!

There will also be additional activities for you to take advantage of including:

• Key skills training with our Learning and Development team

• Q&A sessions with our leaders

• Presentations about practice areas and deals

• Pro Bono team activities

• Networking and social events

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

When applying for an interview:

• Be careful not to make small grammatical errors on your application. You should treat your clerkship applications the same way you would treat any university work that you would hand in for grading – proof read and then proof read again! It is always a great idea to network prior.

• Make sure to address your cover letter and application to the local HR contact and the correct firm

• Avoid copy and pasting your application from other

• Be yourself (and try your best to be confident!)

• Be prepared to provide specific examples when responding to behavioral questions. We recommend using the STAR method

• Ask us questions to demonstrate your curiosity and find out if we are the right fit for you

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE

POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

Yes

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

Yes, we offer our graduates a comprehensive program that is tailored specifically to them by our dedicated learning and development team. Our grad program allows graduates to complete up to 4, 6 month rotations in practice areas of their choosing as well as proving graduates with the opportunity to complete an international rotation at one of our 58 offices. Graduates in our Sydney office are hired through our Clerkship program.

WHAT

IS THE

PROGRESSION

PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

From commencement, our graduates hold the title of ‘Graduate’ while they complete College of Law for a year until they are admitted to practice. After this, they become ‘Lawyers’ and hold that title for a year also until they then become ‘Associates’. After this they are off of the graduate program and are independently assessed for promotions to ‘Senior Associate’, ‘Special Counsel’ and beyond!

Together we are change nav igators

We are a truly global law firm who offer the opportunity to experience what life as a Graduate would truly entail through our clerkship program. To find out more about our global credentials, please scan the QR code.

Our Clerkship program

Change Navigators Our firm

We provide the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. We have more than 3,000 lawyers and other legal staff based in Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa. Recognized for our industry focus, we are strong across all the key industry sectors. And in amongst that global network, you’ll find some of the finest minds in the legal sector – all ready to aid your development.

Practice areas

Antitrust and competition

Banking and finance

Commonwealth Government

Corporate, M&A and securities

Employment and labour

Environment and planning

Intellectual property

Litigation and disputes

Projects and construction

Real estate

Restructuring

Risk advisory

Tax

The only constant is change.

We re embraci ng t he new cha lenges fac ng you r orga n i sat ion – rom globa l sat on to emerg i ng i ndu str ies, f rom cha nges i n soc et y to adv a nces i n tech nolog y a nd in nov a on

We a nt icipate shi f t i ng dy na m ics a nd see t he possib it es It s how we’re able to solve you r mos comple x prob em s

We don’ si mply ad apt to cha nge

We t h r ive on t

L aw a rou nd t he world nor ton rosef u lbr ight com

Diversity, equity and inclusion

Diversity, equity and inclusion is a critical business issue at Norton Rose Fulbright in Australia.

We value difference and appreciate the variety of perspectives that this brings to our business. We know that if our people are able to be themselves at work, they are more engaged and productive. We aim to create an inclusive culture where every individual can bring their whole self to work and have a sense of belonging.

We base our approach to diversity, equity and inclusion on six key pillars:

Gender diversity Cultural diversity

Our values

Our values are our hallmarks. They sing through in the work we do and the relationships we build. And, of course, they’re principles we’ll pass on to you.

Quality

We’re a team of the highest calibre, providing consistently high quality work, because our clients always come first.

LGBTIQ+ inclusion Disability confidence

Family & those with caring responsibilities

Flexible work

We are proud of the recognition we receive for our focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in Australia.

We share our knowledge and we work to support one another across teams and borders, because our team culture makes us who we are. Integrity

We’re trustworthy, open and fair. We respect colleagues and clients deeply, and we work to the highest ethical, professional and business standards.

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

• Corporate Advisory

• Regulatory, Employer & Workplace Relations

• Projects & Finance

• Digital, Cyber & Technology Law

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

10 000 employees nationally, 937 partners.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

Our culture

Culture is what happens when your values drive your behaviours. Culture is the name we give to the expectations, etiquette and energy that permeates a group of people. And here, within the community of solvers across our organisation, we’ve built an enviable culture of candour, respect and trust. To be a part of PwC means to join a culture that recognises and accepts your innate humanity, trusts you to know where the boundaries are and encourages you to deliver human-led solutions for human-based problems.

How we care

We care about our people. Not in a “vision statement says we have to” kind of way. In a “putting our people at the centre of everything we do” kind of way. Care threads through our business, and it’s the driving motivator behind how we plan, execute, manage and nurture. The best work we do is human-led and tech-powered, and done as a community of people who feel safe, supported and enlivened by the culture they work in every day.

Care is more than just benefits like wellness days and perks. It’s about being surrounded by people who want to invest in you. Sometimes, it’s the small things like our open-plan offices where you can sit next to partners, interns, or anyone. Or our ‘Dress for Your Day’ culture, so you can express yourself in style.

And sometimes it’s big things, like the care provided by your leaders and colleagues. We have team leaders who care deeply about your goals and help you hit that next career milestone. We know that you become like the people you surround yourself with.

How we work together

To solve important problems, we need to aim to include our diverse talent. We empower our people to use their creativity, authenticity and human differences to be champions of change. We know that when people from diverse backgrounds and with different points of view work together, we create the most value for our clients, people, and society.

How we reimagine the possible

Because you can work from anywhere, we want to make our offices a place of connection for our community. Our offices are a place to connect and collaborate - with each other and our clients. When you work from our offices, we want you to feel energised and enabled, with access to the suitable spaces and tools to do your job and come together with your PwC colleagues and your clients.

How we make a difference

We encourage our people to amplify the work and build the capacity of not-for-profits and social enterprises. Our people can create social impact through various programs, including flexible community and skilled volunteering/mentoring, workplace giving, pro/low bono engagements, social impact fellowships, joining a notfor-profit board and being a Social Impact Champion. If there’s a cause you care about, we empower you to make a difference!

DOES THE FIRM HAVE ANY PRE-PENULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT SCHEMES, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS GET INVOLVED?

Not for legal specifically, but for other teams such as assurance, private clients, tax and so on we have our traineeship program. As a Trainee, you’ll embark on a three-year journey of combined work and study with PwC. You’ll join us as a full-time employee while you study part-time for two (2) years. You will take a break from full-time work to complete your degree in the third year! Applications open June 26. Learn more about our traineeship program at: https://jobs-au.pwc.com/au/en/trainee-program

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

Our Legal Clerkship Program helps you build skills and networks whilst working with our lawyers on client engagements. You’ll gain invaluable exposure to the fundamentals of commercial law in one or more of our key pillars: Corporate Advisory, Regulatory, Employer and Workplace Relations, Projects & Finance, and Digital, Cyber and Technology Law.

For Sydney, the key dates are:

• Applications open 5 June 2023

• Applications close 9 July 2023 (11:59 pm AEST)

• Offers made 13 September 2023

• Offers must be accepted or declined 14 September 2023

Please note that we follow the NSW Law Society timelines. Learn more about our legal clerkship programs at jobs-au. pwc.com/au/en/legal-clerkship

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

To be eligible for our Legal Clerkship Program you’ll need to: be in your penultimate year of university (that’s your second last year of study) or final year of your legal studies

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

14 - 20

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

As a Legal Clerk you’ll be assessed against the competencies of our global framework, the PwC Professional. This is how we define and encourage leadership at all levels - from Vacationer to Partner. Learn more about the framework and the skills we look for. To solve important problems we need to aim for the inclusion of our diverse talent. We empower our people to use their creativity, authenticity and human differences to be the champions of change. We know that when people from diverse backgrounds and with different points of view work together, we create the most value - for our clients, our people and our society. If you don’t think you quite meet all of the qualifications, we’d still love to hear from you.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

• Drafting - preparation of deliverables and reports.

• Participating in meetings - involvment in face-to-face client meetings, conference calls and internal discussions across the different teams.

• Data collection - managing requests for information, first review of client documents and conducting necessary searches.

• Research - researching case law and commentary on legislation for client legal advice.

• Project support - assisting with project and document management, ensuring filing is in order and maintaining document checklists.

• Pitches and proposals - assisting with the drafting of proposals of prospective clients and upcoming deals.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

Please have a look at our student website: https://jobs-au.pwc.com/au/en/legal-clerkship, as we have a lot of information on the programs, videos on tips and tricks to get a role with PwC and FAQs. Join our Student and Graduate talent community! We’re always looking for new solvers, and our talent community is where we search for talent first: https://jobs-au.pwc.com/au/en/ jointalentcommunity

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

Yes

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

We, generally fill our graduate roles through our clerk to graduate conversions.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

Clerk > graduate > associate/consultant > senior associate/senior consultant > manager > senior manager > director > partner

At PwC, we believe that you can be anything. And we mean it.

Here, we solve problems that matter. Problems ike d g t sing hea thcare, tackling societal nequal ty, help ng to grow sustainab e infrastructure and bu lding secure and safe d g tal societ es. Our peop e help businesses, not-for-prof ts and governments enhance the way they work

In our Legal Clerkship program, you'l ga n a pract ca understanding of how to use ega ski ls to solve our cl ent's most complex problems W th the opportun ty to work across a wide range of matters for d fferent legal and bus ness special sts teams, you' l gain exposure to the commercial aspects in act on and learn what makes our ho istic serv ce legal pract ce truly unique

Legal Clerkship

Our Lega C erkship Program helps you bu ld skil s and networks wh lst work ng w th our lawyers on client engagements You'l ga n invaluab e exposure to the fundamentals of commercial law n one or more of our key p llars: Corporate Advisory, Regu atory, Emp oyer and Workp ace Re ations, Projects & F nanc e, and Digita , Cyber and Technology Law.

For Sydney, the key dates are:

Appl cat ons open 5 June 2023

Appl cat ons close 9 Ju y 2023 (11:59 pm AEST)

Offers made 13 September 2023

Offers must be accepted or dec ined 14 September 2023

Please note that we fo low the NSW Law Society timel nes

Why join our community of solvers?

Accelerate your career by tack ing chal enges with some of the largest organ sations with n Austra ia, help ng f ght inequa ity, develop susta nab e nfrastructures and bu ld f nanc a trust n the economy

Solve bigger when you know we've got your back

We have great leaders And they a ways have your back, so you can get on with making an mpact

With supportive col eagues and a g oba network of know edge, the sky real y is the mit

Solve smarter with world classtraining and development

From "The Outside" (PwC's corporate Coachel a) to the 4,000 course strong PwC Academy, your earning won't stop

Here, we want you to grow So we invest n your deve opment to so ve for today and tomorrow

Solve better when you know where you’re headed

You know where you want to go And we ove that That's why we have c ear pathways or advancement.

With the opportun ty for a year y promotion and f rm-wide transparency on sa aries, superannuat on and bonuses, you'l a ways know where you stand And where you're going

Learn more about our legal c erkship programs at jobs-au.pwc.com/au/en/lega -clerkship

THOMSON GEER

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

• Banking & Finance

• Construction & Projects

• Corporate & M&A

• Employment & Safety

• Environment & Planning

• Intellectual Property

• Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Property

• Restructuring & Insolvency

• Superannuation & Wealth Management

• Tax

• Technology & Telecommunications

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

138 Partners nationally and 43 Partners in Sydney. 280 lawyers nationally and 70 lawyers in Sydney.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE FIRM?

Thomson Geer provides an excellent opportunity for junior lawyers, being large enough to attract high quality work while maintaining small teams that enable junior lawyers to get exposed to all aspects of the matters they work on.

DOES THE FIRM HAVE ANY PRE-PENULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT SCHEMES, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS GET INVOLVED?

We do not have formal pre-penultimate schemes but often have paralegal opportunities available which are advertised through our website.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDNETS APPLY?

We offer an 8 week summer clerkship starting in late November each year and applications can be made through our website.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

We offer clerkships to penultimate and final year students.

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERKSHIP INTAKE THIS YEAR?

Approximately 8 clerks

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

All of our clerks are viewed as potential graduates, and all of our graduates as potential leaders. We therefore look for the same qualities in our clerks and graduates that our lawyers need to possess.

Our lawyers are genuinely interested in our clients and their businesses. They need a critical and curious mind and are passionate about developing solutions in their commercial context. Our lawyers work collaboratively in diverse teams with both senior and junior practitioners across legal disciplines and jurisdictions.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

Clerks at Thomson Geer are provided with meaningful work for real client’s right from the start of their clerkship. Specific tasks depend on the practice area they work with. Common tasks include:

• attending client meetings;

• observing court proceedings;

• conducting research;

• drafting correspondence and documents;

• due diligence and disclosure.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM? Some things which will make you stand out from the crowd are:

• A genuine interest in the areas of law in which we practice

• Demonstrating an understanding of, and interest in, the commercial environment and our clients

• Demonstrating a dedication to pursuits outside your university studies, whether it be in work or community interests. We hold in high regard a commitment to continuous self-improvement in both personal and professional pursuits.

• A strong work ethic, paired with a critical and curious mind.

Most importantly, be yourself. A diverse range of people is important to our success and we love to see personality in your application.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

First priority offers for our graduate program are made to those who completed a clerkship with us.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

When further roles are available, applications are made through our website.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

Following the 12 month graduate program, our graduates settle in their preferred practice area where they develop their skills in their chosen area of law. Lawyers are eligible to be promoted to Associate after 2 years provided they are meeting the relevant performance standards.

Reach your potential

What it’s like to work for us

The law is an incredibly rewarding profession, but we recognise it can be demanding. For this reason we create an environment that is flexible, friendly, personable, collegiate and professionally stimulating.

Our clients are at the centre of everything we do; so it is not only the collaborative, supportive relationships we have with each other, but also the well-established, trusting relationships we have with our clients, which make Thomson Geer a great place to work.

Our wellbeing@work program supports employees to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Join a major Australian law firm.

Starting your legal career at Thomson Geer will offer you real, hands-on experience across a wide variety of commercial disciplines and industry sectors, in a supportive and collaborative environment.

We’re ready for you

With over 560 people, including 139 partners across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra, we’re one of Australia’s 10 largest law firms and its 5th largest independent one.

Our industry coverage and client work is diverse and we are regularly engaged on challenging, complex, commercial work.

We offer a flexible, friendly and professionally stimulating environment that puts both our trusting client relationships and our staff’s wellbeing and development at the forefront.

From day one, you’ll be an active participant in the team, involved in all aspects of legal practice, and working directly with experienced practitioners.

Are you ready for us?

We’re looking for hard-working and motivated law students who have excelled academically, are customer focused, commercially minded, work well in a team environment and are ready to commence their career with a major law firm.

We are especially keen to talk to students who have, or are working towards a second degree in technical fields, such as commerce, engineering and science.

Who are we looking for?

All of our clerks are viewed as potential graduates, and all of our graduates as potential leaders. We therefore look for the same qualities in our clerks and graduates that our lawyers need to possess.

Our lawyers are genuinely interested in our clients and their businesses. They need a critical and curious mind and are passionate about developing solutions in their commercial context.

We also have an active social committee, providing lots of opportunities to develop close relationships with your colleagues.

Developing you

We will dedicate time to your development as an upand-coming lawyer in our team: an investment in you is an investment in our future, and the future of our valued clients.

You will find that our partners and staff are approachable and happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. We encourage our clerks, graduates and trainees 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 fully integrated, cohesive, national team.

Our Graduate Program

Students who complete a clerkship with us will be eligible to be considered for a position in our next graduate program. This program runs for 12 months and includes rotation among different practice areas to help determine the area of law which best suits you. Comprehensive external and internal training is provided to allow you to meet all required competencies to gain admission to practice.

We want to hear from you

I felt included and part of the team from day one which made me comfortable being myself, and made it a pleasure to come to work.

“ I applied with Thomson Geer because it is a large Australian corporate law firm that is continuing to develop even further. I very much wanted to be a part of that growth and development. The depth and nature of work was also significant.

If your ambition is to develop a career in commercial law and you possess the drive to make your ambitions a reality, we want to hear from you!

DAY IN THE LIFE OF A LAWYER

G R A D U A T E P R O F I L E

G R A D U A T E I N T A K E : F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 2

A r e a / s o f r o t a t i o n M e r g e r s & A c q u s i t o n s ( P u b l i c / E C M ) D i s p u t e R e s o l u t i o n ( C o m p e t t i o n ) ; B a n k i n g & F i n a n c e ( L e v e r a g e d F i n a n c e )

U n i v e r s i t y U n i v e r s t y o f N e w S o u t h W a l e s

D e g r e e J u r i s D o c t o r ( U n d e r g r a d u a t e s t u d i e s : B a c h e o r o f D e s i g n n A r c h i t e c t u r e )

What kind of work did you complete during your graduate program?

In my M&A and B&F rotations I had opportunities to draft lega documentat on for a variety of transactions – from capital raisings for nfrastructure acquisitions, to syndicated loan agreements to fund exc ting resources pro ects In disputes, I had the opportunity to work on almost every facet of a long-running m sleading and deceptive conduct d spute involving a social media platform ncluding draft ng witness affidav ts engaging with expert witnesses and documenting and undertaking discovery

What were your first six months like?

The f rst s x months were really spent finding my feet getting to know everything I could about my first rotation (M&A) and getting to know my colleagues.

It was a l ttle daunting but made much easier by formal and practice area specific training sessions which doubled as an opportunity to spend time with the other graduates.

How would you describe the social aspect of the graduate program?

Desp te coming from such a var ety of d fferent backgrounds and being at d fferent stages of our l ves, ’ve made great friendsh ps during the graduate program. The graduate cohort really gelled from the get-go I think that’s proved by the fact of how often we all l ke to catch up – even outside of work!

What kind of training did you receive in the graduate program?

Apart from the formal train ng sessions, I have learned a lot from working w th the KWM lawyers around me Whether it’s reviewing a task I ve completed w th my supervising partner or ta king through how to best structure a research memo with a so icitor, everyone at the firm feels very invested in your learning and keen to take the time to expla n someth ng

What were your expectations vs your graduate experience?

When starting the graduate program, I expected that there would be sign ficant lim tations on the kinds of matters and tasks I could get nvo ved with. But the rea ity is, w th appropr ate superv sion, you can take on h ghly meaningful lega work that is generally no different from the work of a fully qualified so icitorright from the first day in your graduate program

Is there anything you would have done differently?

To begin w th I tended to quest on my direction on a given task, as well as the adequacy of my final work product Quest oning is healthy, but don’t let it stop you from taking charge of a task No one at the f rm expects you to be perfect or produce perfect work – they just expect you to do your best and learn.

What piece of advice would you give to someone considering a graduate role at KWM?

You may be coming to KWM from a very different career background with just a law degree and very l ttle in the way of practical commercial legal experience. If so, don’t be afra d to be proactive in using whatever experience, skills and interests you have ga ned in order to get the most out of the graduate program

Can you think of a time when you contributed to creating a positive impact during your graduate program?

I had the opportunity to work with a KWM commun ty ustice partner, the National Justice Project, on a matter involving compensation for vict ms of abuse in Don Da e, in the NT While not successful n our claim, assisting someone who may not necessarily have had a history of positive interact ons w th legal institut ons hopefully shifts the d al (even if only slight y) in the other direction.

careers.kwm.com/en/graduates-australia

kwm.com

M I C H A E L B A K E R

JONES DAY

JEREMY MANUELPILLAI M&A ASSOCIATE AT JONES DAY SYDNEY

5:15 AM: After an obligatory snooze of the alarm, it’s time to start the day with a gym session. prefer to work out first thing in the morning as it always helps energise me for the day! Between sets, I’ll catch up on the news and, towards the end of my workout, check my work emails to see if anything has come in from my international colleagues overnight. I’ll prioritise responding to these emails once I get into the office as it means I might be able to catch London, New York, etc before they log off for the night.

7:30 AM: A quick pit stop at home for a protein shake and to pick up my lunch. I’ll then walk into the office (fortunately only 20 minutes door to door) and get ready in our end of trip facilities.

8:30 AM: Up to level 40 and now the most important time of the day – my first cup of coffee. After a year, I’ve finally mastered using our barista espresso machine (although my latte art needs improving). I’ll also prepare breakfast and then head to my office where I’ll respond to a few emails and put together a to-do list (this will usually evolve throughout the day as new tasks pop up).

9:00 AM: First item for the morning is a daily internal meeting to discuss updates and action items on one of our ongoing transactions. This particular transaction involves one of our global clients – refinancing a debt facility from overseas to Australia. As part of this, I’ve been working closely with colleagues in our US, UK and Singapore offices. Although Banking and Finance isn’t strictly my core practice, as part of the firm’s “non-rotational” graduate program we’re encouraged to involve ourselves across as many practice groups that were interested in. In this case, this is definitely a transaction worth me being involved in as there’s a lot of cross-over and transferrable skills between M&A and Banking and Finance.

10:00 AM: A bit closer to home, I’ve finally received data room access for a new Australian transaction – the acquisition of a large healthcare group by one of our private equity clients. I’m responsible for coordinating the legal due diligence, so as the first step I’ll need to prioritise briefing each of our specialists teams so that they have as much time as possible to review their allocated documents, conduct any necessary searches and then provide input into our first draft of the report. One of my favourite parts of working on M&A transactions is being able to work with lawyers across all of our practice groups and learning more about their speciality.

11:15 AM: I’ve managed to complete my previous task ahead of schedule, so I’ve circled up the M&A team and we’ve head across the road for our daily catch up over coffee and pastry.

11:30 AM: My next meeting is a catch up on a pro bono projects that I’m currently working on. One of the best aspects of the firm is the encouragement of associate-led initiatives. On this particular project, two recent graduates connected us, and are leading our relationship with, a leading Australian social justice law and policy centre. We’re currently assisting the centre prepare a new law reform campaign (watch this space).

12:00 PM: It’s lunchtime! Usually I’ll catch up with some friends outside of the office, but today I’ll be having a quick bite at my desk before heading out for a lunchtime run with some colleagues. I’ve signed up for Jones Day’s City2Surf team this year which unfortunately means a bit of training is required. Today we’re doing a run over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and around the Royal Botanic Garden.

1:00 PM: I return to my desk to find an urgent research task that has been sent to me over lunch. Fortunately, this is a topic that I’m well acquainted with (consolidating financial statements for group companies), so I don’t expect this to take too long.

3:00 PM: I’ve gotten off the research note just in time for my next meeting and fortunately this is a fun one – our Sydney Social Committee catch up. This a small team of partners, associates and support staff that organise social events each month for the rest of the staff in our office. On today’s agenda, we’re debriefing our Easter Hot Cross Bun Morning Tea (everyone loved the coffee cart and barista we hired for the event!) and planning our upcoming paint and sip event, dubbed ‘Art in Aurora’.

4:00 PM: With most of my meetings done for the day and the next three hours free in my calendar, it’s time to put my earphones in (Taylor Swift, naturally) and start working on some of the corporate aspects of the due diligence (unfortunately it’s not all about delegating!).

6:00 PM: Time for one last meeting. Yesterday, a European client reached out to a partner in our Paris office asking for advice on corporate regulatory considerations for a new financial product offering in Australia. After being put in touch, we quickly put together a research memo and organised a (time-zone agnostic) video call to discuss our preliminary views and recommendations with the client.

7:30 PM: After a busy day in the office, manage to catch up with some old uni friends at a new restaurant we’ve been looking forward to trying out, Clam Bar.

11:00 PM: Bedtime! I’ve finally made it under the sheets and, as it’s a bit later than usual, I’m going to call it a night right away. I’d normally use this time to respond to a few messages, read a book or practice my French on Duolingo (Le chien est vert!)

ADMISSION

GRADUATE

Complete a Bachelor of Law (LLB), or a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.

PRACTICAL LEGAL TRAINING (PLT)

Must undertake PLT coursework from approved providers (including UNSW) which trains you in a wide range of practical skills, including problem solving, civil litigation practice, and ethics and professional responsibility.

PRACTISING CERTIFICATE

At the end of the reading period, readers must apply for an unconditional practicing certificate when the Bar Association has received a Satisfactory Completion of Reading form from their tutors.

NSW ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

PRACTISING CERTIFICATE

Prior to admission, the Legal Professional Admission Board (LPAB) provides a list of proposed admittees to the Law Society of New South Wales who will send you an application form for a Practicing Certificate. You will need to submit the form alongside a payment to the Law Society Registry by the specified date.

ADMISSION AS A LAWYER

After meeting the eligibility and suitability requirements for admission, you must submit an application for admission to the Supreme Court of NSW via the LPAB, unless you have already been admitted in another Australian jurisdiction. This is a one time only applicatiion.

Eligibility for admission:

• Aged 18 years of age or over; and

• is not already admitted to the Australian legal profession; and

• has attained the specified academic qualifications prerequisite, and

READING PROGRAMS

After passing the bar exams, a person must complete a reading program, involving a period of ‘reading’ for at least 12 months under the supervision of a barrister with not less than 7 years’ standing.

ADMISSION AS A BARRISTER

After passing the bar exams, a person must complete a reading program, involving a period of ‘reading’ for at least 12 months under the supervision of a barrister with not less than 7 years’ standing.

The program also includes a month-long Bar Practice Course, which involves the study of advanced advocacy and barrister-related skills.

• has satisfactorily completed the specified practical legal training (PLT) prerequisite, and

• is a ‘fit and proper person; to be admitted to the Australian legal profession (see reg 10 Legal Profession Uniform Rules 2015), and

• takes an oath of office, or makes an affirmation of office, in the form required by the Supreme Court.

The program also includes a month-long Bar Practice Course, which involves the study of advanced advocacy and barrister-related skills.

complete reading least 12 barrister also advocacy

BECOMING A BARRISTER

Barristers are lawyers who provide specialist services and advocacy to represent clients before courts and tribunals. Barristers work on their own and are not permitted to work in partnerships or in corporations. They are usually briefed by a solicitor before commencing work.

BAR EXAMS

After being admitted as a lawyer by an Australian Supreme Court, a person must then obtain a 75 pass mark for all three Bar exams, including ‘Ethics for barristers’, ‘Aspects of evidence’ and ‘Practice and procedure for barristers’, before commercing the Bar Practice Course.

obtain 75 pass Bar of procedure before

INTERNATIONAL ADMISSION

CHINA HONG KONG

REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A PRACTICING ATTORNEY

To become a practicing attorney in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) you must have:

• PRC, Taiwan, or Hong Kong/Macau citizenship;

• Completed an undergraduate degree in any field;

• Passed the National Judicial Examination;

• Completed a one-year internship in a law firm; and

• Proof of recruitment by a law firm.

NATIONAL JUDICIAL EXAMINATION

Since 2004, the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), has allowed permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau, with Chinese nationality, to take the National Judicial Examination and register to practice on the mainland. The practice areas are limited to nonlitigation issues and litigations in marriage and succession relating to Hong Kong and Macau.

The National Judicial Examination is administered by the Ministry of Justice. It is a unified legal examination and unlike judicial examinations of most other countries, candidates sit the 17 subjects at the same time. Usually, the exam is scheduled for a weekend in September.

The Examination is a closed book exam mainly designed to test the legal knowledge of the candidates and their suitability to join the legal profession. Questions are divided into four categories:

(1) Theoretical legal science

(2) Applied legal science

(3) Provisions in current laws

(4) Legal practice and ethics

HONG KONG / MACAO RESIDENTS

Since 2004, the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), has allowed permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau, with Chinese nationality, to take the National Judicial Examination and register to practice on the mainland. The practice areas are limited to nonlitigation issues and litigations in marriage and succession relating to Hong Kong and Macau. However, a Hong Kong or Macau permanent resident who is a practicing barrister or solicitor in their respective jurisdictions, can be hired as ‘of counsel’ in a mainland law firm to provide legal advice relating to practice in Hong Kong, Macau or other foreign jurisdictions.

NON-CHINESE CITIZENS

Foreign lawyers cannot provide legal services in person in the PRC. Foreign lawyers cannot represent clients in court unless they obtain LLM or other graduate degrees and pass the Chinese bar exam. Likewise, Chinese lawyers may work in foreign firms operating in China, but may only work as assistants due to restrictions on foreign law firms.

Foreign law firms are able to establish representative offices and can:

• Provide legal advice concerning the legislation in its admitted jurisdiction and the application of international treaties and practices; and

• Represent clients from their admitted jurisdiction in transnational cases. The chief representative, the representative and the resident foreign lawyers of the firm all need to register with the All China Lawyers Association (ACLA).

QUALIFYING AS A SOLICITOR

There are two avenues to qualifying as a solicitor in Hong Kong: as a trainee solicitor, or via the overseas lawyer route.

(1) THE TRAINEE SOLICITOR RULE

This is the easiest pathway to qualification for university graduates. To be admitted, prospective solicitors are required to complete the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or a Juris Doctor (JD) from a common law jurisdiction, the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) in Hong Kong, and a two-year training contract with a law firm.

Students must complete a law degree, including the Priestly 11 units:

(a) Land Law

(b) Business Associations

(c) Commercial Law

(d) Criminal Law

(e) Criminal Procedure

(f) Equity

(g) Torts

(h) Civil Procedure

(i) Evidence

(j) Contract

POSTGRADUATE IN LAWS (PCLL)

The PCLL is a one-year full-time legal education programme provided by three universities: Hong Kong University, City University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Other than securing a training contract, the requirements for admission into the PCLL are the most challenging barriers to admission in Hong Kong.

These are:

• Completion of your LLB/JD before PCLL commencement

• Demonstration of competence in 11 core and 3 topup subjects

• A score of at least 7 from the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test

Moreover, competition for places in the PCLL programme is intense and usually based only on academic merit. A high credit or distinction average in your law degree is generally recommended.

TRAINING CONTRACTS

Training contracts are special employment contracts with law firms. During the two-year period, trainee solicitors are exposed to work from at least three practice areas. Many top-tier firms send their trainees to their overseas office as part of the training programme. Internships are generally for penultimate year students and last between two weeks to a month. They are available in June, July, December, January and February, although not all firms run schemes in these months. Please note that due to trimesters, some internship dates will run through the Term 2 and Term 3 study periods.

In order to complete mid-year internships running through June/ July, students will have to take Term 2 off. Interns at top-tier firms can be expected to be remunerated at the market rate and may even receive a living allowance. For Australian students, interviews for internships in Hong Kong are conducted over the phone, Skype, Zoom, Google Meets, or through the firms’ Sydney or Melbourne offices.

(2) THE OVERSEAS LAWYER ROUTE

Practising solicitors in an overseas common law jurisdiction (including Australian States) with at least three years post-admissions experience can seek admission through this route. In order to be admitted, the solicitor must sit and pass five Overseas Lawyers Qualification Examinations (four written and one oral). There are also additional certain residency requirements that must be satisfied. An overseas lawyer, pending qualification, can also be registered as a foreign lawyer with the Law Society of Hong Kong. Experience gained as a registered foreign lawyer can count towards the three years post qualification experience requirement.

However, registered foreign lawyers must work from within a law firm. The formal requirements are:

(1) Have at least three years of post-admissions experience

(2) Be a person of good standing in the jurisdiction of admission

(3) Pass the Overseas Lawyers Qualifications

(4) Examinations as well as either; Lived in Hong Kong for 3 months prior to application; or Be a resident of Hong Kong for at least 3 years; or Be in Hong Kong for at least 180 days in each of the last 7 years.

QUALIFYING AS A BARRISTER

The pathways to admission as a barrister are largely similar to that of a solicitor. Prospective barristers in Hong Kong can either seek ad hoc admission, if they have been admitted overseas or general admission after completion of the PCLL. For those who elect to take the PCLL, certain electives must be taken within the PCLL programme and you should check with the relevant Hong Kong universities. Instead of a training contract, a pupillage is required.

General admission is also available to practising solicitors in Hong Kong or overseas practising lawyers, provided they have completed a pupillage. For more information regarding admission requirements, it is strongly recommended that those interested in qualifying as a barrister in Hong Kong visit the website of the Hong Kong Bar Association at http://www.hkba.org

VACATION WORK AND PUPILAGES / TRAINING CONTRACTS

Practising solicitors in an overseas common law jurisdiction (including Australian States) with at least three years post-admissions experience can seek admission through this route. In order to be admitted, the solicitor must sit and pass five Overseas Lawyers Qualification Examinations (four written and one oral). There are also additional certain residency requirements that must be satisfied. An overseas lawyer, pending qualification, can also be registered as a foreign lawyer with the Law Society of Hong Kong. Experience gained as a registered foreign lawyer can count towards the three years post qualification experience requirement.

However, registered foreign lawyers must work from within a law firm. The formal requirements are:

(1) Have at least three years of post-admissions experience

(2) Be a person of good standing in the jurisdiction of admission

(3) Pass the Overseas Lawyers Qualifications

(4) Examinations as well as either; Lived in Hong Kong for 3 months prior to application; or Be a resident of Hong Kong for at least 3 years; or Be in Hong Kong for at least 180 days in each of the last 7 years.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PCLL AND HONG KONG CONVERSION EXAMS

WHAT IS IT?

The Hong Kong Conversion Examinations are preparatory exams for non-Hong Kong students to meet requirements for admission to Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) in Hong Kong. Entry requirements for PCLL require demonstration of competence in 11 core subjects: Australian students with non- Hong Kong law qualifications must also demonstrate competence in three top-up subjects for the purpose of PCLL admission, namely:

(1) Hong Kong Constitutional Law;

(2) Hong Kong Legal System; and

(3) Hong Kong Land Law.

WHAT IF MY LAW DEGREE DOES NOT INVOLVE A COURSE LISTED ABOVE OR IF I DO NOT GET AN EXEMPTION?

You must satisfy all 14 subjects before you begin the PCLL programme, which is a necessary step to qualifying as a solicitor in Hong Kong. If your law degree does not require you to complete certain subjects listed above or PCEA does not grant you an exemption, you must sit the Conversion examinations. These are administered by PCEA and obtaining a pass in these examinations demonstrates ‘competence’ in the relevant subject. Another way of demonstrating competence is to complete the relevant subjects as a visiting ‘internal’ student at either the University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, or the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

HOW DO I GET

EXEMPTIONS FOR THE 11 CORE SUBJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN ALREADY COMPLETE OR WILL BE COMPLETED AT A UNIVERSITY OVERSEAS?

To apply for exemption from any Conversion Examination(s), students must submit an application for Evaluation to the Conversion Examinations Board.

DO ANY OF MY UNSW COURSES EXEMPT ME FROM ANY OF THE POLL EXAMS?

The UNSW LLB/JD programme, when completed, will exempt you from at least 10 of the 11 core subjects required for the PCLL conversion exams. You will need to complete the 3 top up subjects and commercial law (you may be exempt from a part of the exam if you take commercial law as an elective). For more information please visit www.pca.com.hk

WHEN ARE CONVERSION EXAMINATIONS OFFERED?

Conversion exams are usually offered in January and in June/July. Students should check the PCLL Conversion Examination website www.pcea.com.hk for specific dates.

HOW LONG DOES THE PCLL COURSE TAKE?

The Postgraduate Certification in Laws (PCLL) can be completed in 1 year full time or 2 years part time study.

DO I NEED TO HAVE ANY CHINESE LANGUAGE SKILLS?

Having Chinese language skills is definitely an advantage. Whether it is a requirement will depend on the firm itself. If you do not have the prerequisite Chinese language skills, it is important that you are able to demonstrate that you are willing to learn as it is becoming a stronger focus.

UNITED KINGDOM

THE STEPS

If you have a law degree from an overseas institution, you can apply to the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority (SRA) for a Certificate of Academic Standing. This will qualify you to apply for entry into the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) (if you want to become a solicitor) or the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) (if you want to be a barrister).

ADMISSION OF A SOLICITOR

You must be willing to undertake further training and study if you wish to become an accredited solicitor in the UK. As a law graduate, training will take at least three years. This includes studying for and passing further exams beyond law school.

The Solicitors Regulation Board oversees the requirements of becoming a solicitor, known in the UK as being admitted to the roll of solicitors. As a law graduate, there are four components to being admitted to the roll of solicitors in the UK:

• A Law Degree (LLB or JD) – including successful completion of Contract, Restitution, Torts, Criminal Law, Equity and Trusts, Property Law, Public Law, Constitutional Law, and Administrative Law;

• Legal Practice Course (LPC) (1 year) – similar to Australia’s College of Law;

• Practice-based training contract incorporating Professional Skills Course (2 years full time); and

• Admission to the roll of solicitors.

As an overseas applicant, there is an alternative pathway to becoming an accredited solicitor that avoids the difficulties of using Australian University law courses to satisfy UK requirements (for example, European Union Law, one of the requirements, is not taught here at UNSW). This involves becoming accredited in Australia through the College of Law, applying for a Certificate of Eligibility from the UK’s Solicitors Regulation Authority, applying for the Qualified Lawyer Transfer Scheme, and thus becoming a qualified lawyer in England and Wales.

SOLICITORS QUALIFYING EXAM

Overseas law degrees are not recognised by the SRA as qualifying law degrees (nor are most LLMs completed in the UK). If you have a law degree from an overseas institution, you can in some circumstances apply to the SRA for Equivalent Means, which can grant exemption from qualification and training requirements such as the LPC, Common Professional Examination (CPE) and Period of Recognised Training (PRT).

Bear in mind that from September 2021 everyone wishing to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales, including overseas candidates, will be required to take the new SQE instead of the QLTS.

You will need to show that your non-UK qualification is equivalent to either a UK degree or equivalent UK qualification through a UK NARIC Statement of Comparability, and complete the two-year period of qualifying work experience like all other domestic candidates who pursue the SQE route. The work experience can be obtained in England and Wales or overseas.

THE TRAINING CONTRACT

You must complete training with a law firm for two years. Most training contracts are taken on a fulltime basis and last two years.

ADMISSION AS BARRISTER

The first step to becoming a barrister in the UK is to satisfy the academic requirements. This mean a law degree (LLB or JD) followed by a Graduate Diploma in Law. Questions of transfer eligibility of Australian degrees to satisfy LLB/ JD requirements should be directed to the Barrister Standards Board (BSB). While LLB/ JD and GDL are prerequisites for moving onto the vocational stage, it however does not guarantee admission.

The second stage of training to become a barrister is the vocational stage. This takes the form of the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), which can either be taken over one-year full time or two years part time; the latter of which allows time for students to carry out paid work and gain useful legal experience. Prospective barristers must also pass the Bar Course Aptitude Test: https://www.barprofessionaltraining.org.uk/s4/oa/candid ates/start.asp

The final stage of training to become a barrister is a one-year pupillage. This is usually undertaken in a set of barristers’ chambers, although it can also be undertaken with certain other organisations. Being a pupil is similar to being an apprentice where you will gain practical training under the supervision of an experienced barrister or barristers. At the end of the year you will be a fully qualified barrister.

Pupillage is divided into two parts: the “first six” which is a non-practising six months and the “second six” which is a practising six months. During the first six, pupils generally shadow their pupil supervisor, do legal research, draft opinions and other court documents, read their pupil supervisor’s paperwork and observe him or her in conferences and in court. During the second six, pupils can take on some work of their own, under supervision. For more information visit this website: http://www.barcouncil.org.uk/becoming-abarrister/

BAR PROFESSIONAL TRAINING COURSE

You must complete the Bar Professional Training Course in order to be admitted as a barrister. The full-time course lasts for a year, while the part-time option is spread over two.

FURTHER INFORMATION Chambers Students UK

This website is for anyone considering a law career in the UK. There are thousands of interviews with trainees, pupils and market sources, as well as interesting and informative articles. There is also a newsletter which you can sign up to for free. http://www.chambersstudent. co.uk/

The Law Society of the UK

The Law Society of the UK also offers support for those working towards becoming a qualified solicitor other legal professional in the United Kingdom. http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/

Solicitors Regulation Authority

To find out more about becoming a qualified solicitor in the United Kingdom, please contact the Solicitors Regulation Authority, which oversees the requirements for admissions. http://www.sra.org.uk/

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Whilst there is a large legal market in the US, to practice law in the US, all lawyers both foreign and domestic must be admitted to the bar association for the state they wish to practice in. Each US state establishes its own rules for bar admission.

NEW YORK

New York has traditionally been the most receptive state to lawyers who have qualified in Australia and is home to one of the nation’s most attractive legal markets. Unlike many other states, New York does not require a law degree from a school accredited by the American Bar Association.

To qualify to practice in New York:

(1) Applicants must have a “qualifying” law degree that satisfies the educational requirements to practice law in a foreign country.

(2) The qualifying degree must be from a law school accredited by the government of the foreign country and must be deemed qualified and approved.

(3) The applicant must have successfully completed a legal program of equivalent length to the Juris Doctor legal education provided by American Bar Association (ABA) Legal education in the US is traditionally a fulltime, three-year course of study - foreign lawyers, accordingly need similar credentials.

(4)))Similarly, the program and course of study successfully completed by the applicant must be substantially equivalent to that of the Common Law education provided by an ABA-approved law school in the United States. New York is common for lawyers who practice in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and banking and finance.

CALIFORNIA

California is also quite a receptive state, but in a more narrow sense. Australian lawyers who move to California tend to practice in areas such as project financing, intellectual property, and technology. If an applicant wants to practice law in California as a foreign-educated applicant not admitted to practice law in any United States jurisdiction they must:

(1)(a) Obtain from a credential evaluation service approved by the Committee of Bar Examiners a certificate that the applicant’s first degree in law is substantially equivalent to a Juris Doctor degree awarded by a law school approved by the American Bar Association or accredited by the Committee or;

(1)(b) Obtain from a credential evaluation service approved by the committee a certificate that the applicant’s first degree in law meets the educational requirements for admission to practice law in the foreign state or country in which it was obtained.

(2) They must also show that they have successfully completed a year of law study at an ABA approved law school or a law school accredited by the committee.

Law students in this category seeking to qualify to take the California Bar Examination must provide the following to the State Bar’s Office of Admissions in Los Angeles:

(1) A completed “Registration as a Foreign Educated General Applicant” form with the required registration fee of $119.

(2) An evaluated law degree equivalency report and a “Foreign Law Study Evaluation Summary” form, which must be completed by a credential evaluation agency approved by the Committee.

WASHINGTON DC

Washington DC is another possible location, but it is harder for Australian qualified lawyers to break into practice in this area because the Washington legal market has a significant US government focus. Those interested in working here are advised to enter through New York and then move after gaining US experience and a US Bar qualification or Masters.

These are currently the only three US jurisdictions in which Australian lawyers can work. This is because in the US, being admitted to a state Bar only permits the barrister to practice in one state - i.e. being admitted to the New York Bar only permits the individual to practice in the state of New York.

Only these three Bars do not require certain units of study which can only be taken in the US. US firms do not usually recruit out of Australia at graduate level as they traditionally take their first year lawyers from the US university JD programs.

It is important to note the practice areas within firms that are able to be translated across borders. The lateral hire move is usually around the two to four year level. Many Australian lawyers who move over to the US also practice Australian law for clients with a US presence.

Most US firms do not require Australian lawyers to already have US Bar qualifications. However, they will require Australian lawyers to sit the Bar Exams within 12 months to become fully qualified US attorneys.US firms will generally provide assistance in the preparation for Bar Exams. This includes giving lawyers study leave as the pass mark is 75%.

Please note that the information provided above is by no means definitive, and is meant to merely provide general background information. We advise students to do their own research on US admission requirements.

Below are a list of useful resources and links:

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION

http://www.americanbar.org/

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INTERNATIONAL LAW

http://www.asil.org/

CALIFORNIA BAR WEBSITE

http://www.calbar.ca.gov/

NEW YORK BAR WEBSITE

https://www.nysba.org/

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

http://www.utexas.edu/law/career/LLM_ Licensure. pdf/

SINGAPORE

Singapore is a common law jurisdiction but the legal profession is fused, meaning that lawyers can act as both a solicitor and a barrister. To qualify as a lawyer in Singapore, one must fulfil the requirements of being a ‘qualified person’ and then sit the Singapore Bar. Examinations, which is divided into Part A (for overseas graduates) and Part B (a five month practical course).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must:

• Have attained the age of 21 years;

• Be of good character;

• Have satisfactorily served the practice training period applicable to you;

• Have attended and satisfactorily completed such courses of instruction as the Board of Directors of the Singapore Institute of Legal Education (SILE) may prescribe; and

• Have passed such examinations as the Board of Directors of the Institute SILE may prescribe.

QUALIFYING TO PRACTICE

Under Rule 9 (1) of the Legal Profession (Qualified Persons) Rules, you are a “qualified person” if you fulfil ALL the following requirements:

1. That person is a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore;

2. That institution of higher learning is an institution of higher learning in Australia or New Zealand specified in the First Schedule;

3. That degree is a degree of Bachelor of Laws or degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified for that institution of higher learning in the First Schedule;

4. That person —

(i) commenced reading on or after 1 January 1994 a course of study as a candidate for that degree, if that degree is a degree of Bachelor of Laws; or

(ii) is conferred that degree on or after 1 December 2017, if that degree is a degree of Doctor of Jurispru dence;

5. That person has been ranked by that institution of higher learning as being amongst:

(i) the highest 70%, in terms of academic performance, of the total number of graduates in the same batch who have been conferred the degree or degrees of Bachelor of Laws specified in the First Schedule in respect of that institution of higher learning; or

(ii) the highest 70%, in terms of academic performance, of the total number of graduates in the same batch who have been conferred the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified in the First Schedule in respect of that institution of higher learning

5. that person has passed Part A of the Singapore Bar Examinations; and

6. after that person has passed the final examination for that degree, for a period of not less than 6 months within a continuous period of 8 months, that person has received relevant legal training, has been engaged in relevant legal practice or work, or has received relevant legal training and been engaged in relevant legal practice or work.

ALTERNATIVES PATHS TO LEGAL PRACTICE IN SINGAPORE

Practicing as a Foreign Lawyer Individuals who are admitted to practice in another jurisdiction can apply to the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ Legal Profession (International Services) Secretariat to work as a ‘Foreign Lawyer’ in Singapore under Part IXA of the Legal Profession Act. Applicants will not need to take any courses or examinations.

FOREIGN PRACTITIONER EXAMS

The Singapore Institute of Legal Education (SILE) conducts the Foreign Practitioner Examinations (FPE). Lawyers admitted to practice in other jurisdictions who pass the FPE can apply for a Foreign Practitioner Certificate from the Attorney General. This certificate permits them to practice in limited areas of Singapore law.

Areas permitted include intellectual property law, banking and finance, and mergers and acquisitions. Foreign lawyers must have at least three years of relevant Legal experience (either in Singapore or overseas) before they can apply to sit for the FPE. For more information, please visit: http://www.sile.edu.sg/ eligibility-to-register-to-sit-for-the-fpe

Practicing as In-House Counsel Individuals may be able to practice as in-house counsel at an organisation in Singapore. Please visit the Singapore Corporate Counsel Association website for more information: www.scca.org.sg

THE SINGAPORE BAR EXAMINATIONS PART A

Part A is a conversion examination for eligible overseas graduates from overseas universities. These examinations are held in November each year and applicants are able to take Part A even if they have not fulfilled all the “qualified person” requirements graduates.

PART B

A compulsory 5-month practical law course and examination for both local and overseas graduates.

INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRMS

LAWYER

CHANCE HK

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

Our key areas include Corporate, Global Financial Markets, Litigation & Dispute Resolution.

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

We have 36 partners and 125 lawyers in Hong Kong.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

We offer four-week Summer Vacation Schemes in June and in July. To apply, students should submit an online application via cliffordchance.com/careers.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

We encourage applications from penultimate to final year students. What is the anticipated clerkship intake this year?

We hire 20-25 students in the Summer Vacation Schemes every year.

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERK INTAKE THIS YEAR?

We hire 20-25 students in the Summer Vacation Schemes every year.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

As well as a consistently strong academic record, we are seeking candidates who can demonstrate intellectual curiosity, common sense, strong interpersonal skills, an interest in business, and the capacity to quickly grasp detailed information. Due to the nature of the work in our Hong Kong SAR office, the ability to speak Mandarin or a Chinese dialect, and to read and write Chinese is preferable.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

Choosing to work with us means you’ll hit the ground running and get involved in real client work, tackling challenging and varied work, including matters of the utmost commercial significance - all the while working alongside some of the most respected lawyers and business professionals in the industry.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDNETS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

To be successful in your application, you will need to demonstrate your potential to become a first-class professional, and your willingness to take advantage of the many opportunities that you encounter. You must exhibit ambition, drive and commitment; you will have the ability to clearly articulate your ideas, and the desire to build relationships and deliver outstanding service. We’re also looking for business awareness, a keen commercial insight, and a strong ability to lead and manage. Ultimately, we are seeking candidates who can help us achieve our global firm vision and strategy.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

Summer Vacation Schemes students will go through assessment during their four weeks with us and be considered for a Training Contract.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

Apart from participating in the Summer Vacation Schemes, students can also apply via Direct Training Contract process; online applications accepted from January to April annually.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

As your career develops, you will be linked to a career development partner who will provide you with support and guidance on how to progress. Your continued technical training will ensure that you can quickly become an expert in your field and you will attend courses with lawyers from other jurisdictions to learn from your colleagues and share best practice. You’ll also develop your financial, commercial and general business skills with a structured program of courses that will help you take on more responsibilities in our business as you become more experienced. Many of these courses have e-learning support allowing you to learn in a flexible way.

MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF LAW THAT THE FIRM PRACTICES IN?

Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Investment Management, Regulatory Compliance, Corporate & Debt Restructuring, Antitrust, Litigation, Labour & Employment, Immigration

HOW MANY LAWYERS AND PARTNERS DOES THE FIRM HAVE?

Lawyers: 38

Partners: 15

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A CLERKSHIP PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

Yes.

Please send a cover letter describing your career goals, your academic transcripts, and a CV indicating your language skills to our recruiting department at HKRecruiting@morganlewis.com.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER CLERKSHIPS TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR PENULTIMATE YEAR?

Yes.

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED CLERK INTAKE THIS YEAR?

Up to 24 intakes per year.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THE FIRM LOOKS FOR IN CLERKS?

• Consistently strong academic record;

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and legal research skills;

• Ability to think analytically and demonstrate commercial awareness;

• High level of fluency in written and spoken English and Putonghua

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS CAN A CLERK EXPECT TO TAKE ON?

You will be given as much hands-on experience as possible and will be supervised by a senior lawyer who will provide advice and guidance throughout the placement. You could be conducting legal research for live deals/cases, attending client meetings, sitting in on conference calls, or drafting engagement letters during you time at the firm. You will have the opportunity to attend a number of seminars and workshops, including presentations from each of the Hong Kong office’s practices and a Q&A session with some of our trainees.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A CLERK POSITION AT THE FIRM?

Please note for the application period for our internship programme: Winter internship: February through May Summer internship: November through Januar

DOES THE FIRM OFFER GRADUATE POSITIONS TO CLERKS?

Each year Hong Kong office recruits up to four trainees across our two internship intakes, recruiting candidates who show us their team spirit, commercial awareness, resilience, and passion for a career in law.

DOES THE FIRM OFFER A GRADUATE PROGRAM, IF SO HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

Please apply for our internship programme. Our internship programmes are a great way for you to gain genuine insight into life as a trainee in the Hong Kong office. The internship programme students are assessed for a training contract during the course of the placement.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION PATH OF A GRADUATE LAWYER AT THE FIRM?

After the two-year training programme, you may be offered with the firm’s Associate position after your admission as a solicitor in Hong Kong.

UNPARALLELED OPPORTUNITIES

Reputation. Every firm has one. At Morgan Lewis we are proud of our reputation in both the legal and business communities. People know us for our uniquely collaborative work environment, for colleagues who truly care about one another, and for the powerful, innovative solutions we create for our clients.

We believe that Morgan Lewis is an exceptional place to work, and we are looking for exceptional people to join us.

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

ANOUSHKA RASTOGI

5TH YEAR COMMERCE (FINANCE) / LAW CLERKED AT ALLENS

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR FIRM?

My biggest priority when choosing a firm was receiving top-tier training to set an excellent foundation for the remainder of my career. Throughout the process, numerous Allens graduates spoke highly of the graduate training programs, the non-siloed approach the two 12-month rotations and importantly, the friendly and approachable nature of the lawyers in the firm. As I went through the process, the last point was well demonstrated. The lawyers were particularly focused on getting to know my personality outside of just my career and many of the conversations surrounded my passion for dance and the arts. This extremely friendly and approachable nature of Allens lawyers ultimately shaped my decision on offer day.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK DID YOU DO?

In the 10-week clerkship, I rotated through two teams, Competition, Consumer & Regulatory and Real Estate. In both rotations I was exposed to a mix of advisory, litigious and transactional work. For advisory and litigious work, I was often conducting lEgal research, tackling a first draft of an advice or court document and creating digestible summaries for clients in a presentable format. On the flip side, some of my transactional work included drafting and proofreading contracts for the sale of land and reviewing phrases to capture misleading or decePtive content.

THE BEST PART OF YOUR CLERKSHIP?

Definitely the friendships I made with clerks and other junior lawyers across the firm. There were so many opportunities for us to connect and create long-lasting memories, including clerk sports, collaborative pro-bono projects, a clerk video task, a mock presentation to partners and celebratory post-clerkship lawn bowls!

THE MOST SURPRISING PART OF YOUR CLERKSHIP?

Given that a clerkship is an extremely short glimpse into commercial law, I was surprised at how seamlessly clerks were able to fit into the firm culture. We were highly encouraged to attend the numerous Christmas parties, contribute to team meetings and join a range of committees within the firm. I was able to join the Allens Cultural Awareness Network and organise a firmwide panel discussion designed to critique the barriers faced by diverse lawyers in the legal industry. These experiences allowed us to form strong connections with lawyers from a range of practice groups and levels of seniority.

ADVICE TO STUDENTS?

1. Do in-depth research about firms and be very specific in your written application. Make sure you know what is important to you and how the firm excels in this area. For example, if you’re eager to do pro-bono work, mention the firm’s pro-bono program by name, the impact it makes and why pro-bono is particularly important to you.

2. Remain true to yourself. Your experiences do not matter as much as the skills you have learnt from them and how they are transferable to commercial law. In my applications, I emphasised my extensive work in retail and my passion for dance, which allowed me to stand out from other candidates.

3. Take care of yourself! Surround yourself with people who uplift you and try to remember that a clerkship is only one of many ways to enter the legal profession.

ANNIKA DREGO

2022/23

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR FIRM?

When researching which firms to apply to, Gilbert + Tobin’s reputation as a leading, top-tier transactions, disputes and regulatory firm stood out to me. G+T provides opportunities to work on Australia’s most prolific and complex transactions, and the firm’s low leverage model means that junior lawyers, clerks and paralegals work closely with partners and clients. I was particularly drawn to G+T’s emphasis on meritocracy, given that its organisational structure promotes rapid advancement, enabling young lawyers who have a strong desire to learn to become involved in interesting work early on in their careers. Throughout the application process, I also had excellent experiences with G+T’s graduates, lawyers, partners and HR. By attending different firm events and networking evenings, I gained an insight into G+T’s collaborative culture, in which everyone works as a team and is readily available to lend a hand. Finally, I was excited to learn about G+T’s innovative approach to commercial law and open-minded attitude towards embracing cutting-edge legal technology. All of these factors meant that Gilbert + Tobin ticked all the boxes for what qualities I looked for in a firm.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK DID YOU DO?

I rotated through G+T’s Corporate Advisory (CA) and Disputes + Investigations (D+I) teams. During my CA rotation, I completed settlement tasks and reviewed documents related to various Private M&A and Investment Funds matters. During my D+I rotation I conducted evidence reviews and assisted with preparing documents related to the Disability Royal Commission and Australia’s largest trust dispute. I also put my hand up to work on a few different pro bono and ESG matters that were outside the scope of my rotations, as the firm encourages its clerks to get involved in any type of work that they have an interest in.

THE BEST PART OF YOUR CLERKSHIP?

The best part of the clerkship was getting to know our cohort of clerks. G+T did an excellent job organising activities which enabled us to bond as a cohort, such as interfirm sport (in which we won all of our games), pasta making classes, Christmas parties and lunches, and a post-clerkship weekend away. G+T also facilitated group projects in which the cohort could bond, from an innovation project where in groups we were tasked with using legal technology to solve a client problem, to working in groups to create short films about our experiences as clerks.

THE MOST SURPRISING PART OF YOUR CLERKSHIP?

I was most surprised by how easy it is to interact with other lawyers and partners throughout the clerkship. G+T has an open plan office and a flat structure, which makes it very easy to have great conversations with the people around you. Everyone was also willing to get to know the clerks and help out where needed. I was surprised at how much I learned from simply catching up for coffee or having a quick chat with a colleague.

ADVICE TO STUDENTS?

My 3 tips would be:

1. Start the application process as early as possible. The application process is long and often coincides with UNSW mid-term assessments and final exams. If you start working on your cover letters and preparing for your interviews sooner, you will be less stressed out during the application process and much happier on offer day.

2. Conduct extensive research into the firms you are applying for and figure out which firm culture best aligns with your career goals. Take advantage of any opportunities to engage with the firm and reach out to people who work there to learn more about the differences between each firm.

3. Be authentic. Applications, psychometric tests, interviews, assessment centres and cocktail evenings may seem daunting, but if you can show the firm who you really are and what you value, it will go a long way towards finding a firm that suits you.

ARYAN JANI

CLERKED AT CORRS CHAMBERS

WESTGARTH

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR FIRM?

I chose Corrs for two primary reasons.

Firstly, Corrs is one of Australia’s leading independent law firms. As it is not tied to any international offices, it has developed strong relationships with leading firms in other major legal markets such as the US, and UK, and is able to be referred top-tier work from around the world. Moreover, Corrs is quite an ambitious and driven firm, which has grown substantially over the last decade. Corrs attracted me for its leading work and growing prominence in the Australian legal market.

Secondly, the culture at Corrs captured my interest immediately. Whilst many of the big firms engage in top-tier work, Corrs’ collaborative and inclusive culture was quite unique. All the Corrs staff which I met throughout the recruitment process were incredibly welcoming and approachable. In particular, the friendliness which all levels of the firm - in particular those quite senior in the organisation - have shown to myself, and other law students alike really exemplifies Corrs’ unique offering.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK DID YOU DO?

In my time at Corrs, I was in the Corporate/M&A team, specialising in private equity transactions. I was responsible for assisting private clients which wished to merge or acquire other private companies (known as the ‘target’). On a day-to-day basis, this primarily involved contracts reviews of the target’s material contracts, conducting ASIC and PPSR searches, visually mapping the target entity’s corporate structure, and researching information regarding the target.

THE BEST PART OF YOUR CLERKSHIP?

The best part of my clerkship was undoubtedly the people I met. The graduates, lawyers and partners I had the opportunity to work with were incredible. They were very hands on with my learning, and never afraid to spend their time explaining concepts and tasks to me. Moreover, spending time with my fellow clerk cohort was also fantastic. From competing in an escape room, to having daily lunch/coffee runs with them, all the clerks became incredibly close friends by virtue of the program. Ultimately, the relationships I formed were the highlight of my experience.

THE MOST SURPRISING PART OF YOUR CLERKSHIP?

What surprised me most about my clerkship was the variety and concurrency of work at the firm. I was surprised to see the number of deals with the M&A team would work on at the same time, as opposed to just focussing on one. My team’s ability to concurrently work across such a breadth of work was incredible, and definitely not something which I was expecting. Moreover, I was truly surprised by the cross-team interaction and versality which the work had. Whilst you may be completing a similar type of transaction (at a high level), the type of target company, its industry, and the structure of the transaction, are all unique to each deal, and I was not expecting to be exposed to such a breadth of work within just one team.

ADVICE TO STUDENTS?

I have three main pieces of advices:

1. Research and interact with the firms you are interested in as much as possible. Before applying to Corrs, I had the oppurtunity to interact with its staff/ lawyers at multiple careers fairs/firm presentations etc, and these experience were incredibly helpful in getting a better picture of what the work and culture at Corrs is like.

2. Lean on your experiences (whatever they may be!) and show how they have developed your soft skills. I had very minimal legal experience prior to my clerkship, but I was able to show how my own work experience had developed my communication, leadership, writing etc skills; ones which could be leveraged during the clerkship. Of course, any legal experience you may have is always welcome!

3. Be authentic. Whilst its cliche, finding a firm which truly fits your personality and way of working is critical. Look beyond the prestige of the firms you are applying to and assess whether they are actually a good fit for you. The recruitment process is always a two way street, and remember you are trying/testing out the firm as much as they are assessing you.

LUKE MORRIS CLERKED AT DLA PIPER

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR FIRM?

I completed my clerkship at DLA Piper, which is renowned for its global presence. The ability to work on large cross-jurisdictional matters was specifically appealing to me. I wanted to see how lawyers from different jurisdictions worked in comparison to practice in Australia. Of course, DLA Piper being a global firm, the possibility of international secondment opportunities later in my career was also an enticing factor.

In addition, despite working on large multi-jurisdictional matters, the teams at DLA Piper are not overly large. This was appealing to me because I felt it would provide me the opportunity to work closely with senior lawyers and make meaningful contributions to the team, as opposed to ‘flying under the radar’.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK DID YOU DO?

I rotated through the Intellectual Property & Technology (“IPT”) and Corporate Practice Groups. My rotation in IPT saw me involved in work for some of Australia’s leading fashion brands and technology companies. I had the opportunity to review contracts, conduct research and even draft advice for clients. It was interesting to see the changes senior lawyers would make to your work before sending it to the client – I found this to be a very useful learning experience.

During my second rotation in Corporate, I found the nature of the work to be at a fast intensity and at times challenging to manage my workload – however it was extremely fulfilling and an experience I took a lot from. I was able to be actively involved large cross-jurisdictional transactions and restructures for large multinational companies.

THE BEST PART OF YOUR CLERKSHIP?

Apart from gaining key work experience, the best part for me was making so many great friends in my clerk cohort. There were many social activities that facilitated connecting with wider members of the firm, not just so solely in your team.

There was also an epic inter-firm Clerksports tournament – which involved playing different sports each week against other firms. The Clerk Cruise was also a massive highlight – essentially a big boat party!

THE MOST SURPRISING PART OF YOUR CLERKSHIP?

I was most surprised as to how closely I was able to work with senior lawyers and partners. Everyone was extremely inclusive, and actively involved me in interesting tasks. Senior lawyers were often happy to go on coffee catch-up and provide feedback on the work I had done, which I found extremely beneficial for the development of my career.

I was also surprised to find that areas of work that I was not expecting to interest me, were actually the most interesting. It really goes to show that is important to try and get a range of experiences so that you can make an informed judgment on what area of law you would like to specialise in, based on your own practical experience.

ADVICE TO STUDENTS?

I think it is important to remain authentic and true to yourself through the application and clerkship process. During interviews, talk about experiences that are personal and unique to you. With these personal experiences, link them back to how you feel it would make you suited to the particular firm you are applying for.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS DAY IN THE LIFE OF A LAWYER