UNSW Law Society Possibilities Guide 2022

Possibilities Guide 2022

EDUCATION

WELCOME TO THE POSSIBILITIES GUIDE 2022. THIS YEAR'S POSSIBILITIES GUIDE AIMS TO BE A STARTING POINT FOR UNDERSTANDING THE POSSIBILITIES YOUR LAW DEGREE MAKES AVAILABLE FOR YOU IT CAN BE INTIMIDATING NAVIGATING THE MANY RESOURCES OFFERED TO STUDENTS AND AVAILABLE ONLINE TO AID WITH THIS, WE HAVE WRITTEN THIS GUIDE IN A SUCCINCT YET PERSONAL WAY TO INSPIRE THOUGHT OF THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE AFTER YOU GRADUATE. THROUGH READING THE STUDENT TESTIMONIALS AND HELPFUL INFORMATION REGARDING BOTH LEGAL AND NON LEGAL AVENUES PROVIDED IN THIS GUIDE, WE HOPE THAT YOU FEEL AT EASE KNOWING THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS

WHETHER YOU ARE A FIRST YEAR OR FINAL YEAR STUDENT OR SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN WE HOPE THIS GUIDE ASSISTS YOU. WISHING YOU THE VERY BEST FOR YOUR JOURNEY AHEAD.

SHANZEH MALIK UNSW LAW SOCIETY VICE PRESIDENT (EDUCATION)

President’s Address

We warmly welcome you to read and reflect on our Possibilities Guide for 2022. It is hoped that the information within this guide can assist you during your studies and future years to come

The Possibilities Guide presents some of the broad range of opportunities available to law students both in the legal and non legal fields The primary aim of the guide is to provide a small summary of the many different avenues available to you. Importantly, this guide also aims to enrich your understanding of the many opportunities and diverse pathways that lie ahead of you as law graduates Therefore, this guide highlights that the possibilities for you once you have completed your law degree are truly endless Given this, the Possibilities Guide should empower you to feel confident in defining what a successful career path means to you.

We hope that this publication emphasises the many career options that are provided by your law degree and encourages you to choose your own path that fulfils you and brings you happiness

Our very best wishes always, Christina and Harry

Ma Vice President (Public Interest Careers)

Zheng and Christina Ienco Co-Presidents

Public Interest Careers

Law graduates have a diverse career path and more often than not, we feel confined as students to private law routes that many others take. However, it is important to know that there are so many possibilities for students in the public interest field.

I know as a law student it can be daunting to figure out exactly what profession you would like to pursue, and there is certainly no right answer If you do believe that you want to work in the public interest field, there are numerous ways for you to pursue that passion as both a student and a graduate. Reading guides like the one the education portfolio has kindly compiled, as well as our future public interest careers guide, you may be able to gain a further idea of what you are truly passionate about Attending lawsoc events will allow you to pursue these interests further by asking questions and listening to insights from leading professionals!

The public interest area is certainly broad and diverse with possibilities ranging from government and constitutional law, criminal law, policy, immigration law, social justice and much much more!

As always, I can always make time for lawsoc members looking to chat about possibilities in the public interest field No matter what career path you embark on, I am certain you will learn new skills along the way, and I wish you the very best!

Harrison

Jeremy

Bianca Tolic Vice President (Private Law Careers)

International Careers

Considering one’s future steps after graduation can be daunting. The world is wide and vast, and so are the opportunities available to you. It can be difficult to make up your mind given the plethora of experiences waiting to be unlocked.

This possibilities guide, put together by the dedicated Education Portfolio, also includes a section on international careers and can provide you with a high-level overview of what’s out there beyond our shores. But bear in mind that we can only fit so much into these pages- there’s so much more out there. If you’re interested in opportunities overseas, be sure to access UNSW Law Society’s resources and attend events/presentations by our partner firms, all of which are excited to get bright students like yourselves onboard their team!

I hope that this Possibilities Guide can give you some inspiration and direction as to which path you choose to walk down after completing your law degree. Whether that may be exploring opportunities with domestic law firms, international law firms, or public interest careers. Nobody’s career pathway is clear-cut, but one thing is certain- no matter which path you choose, you will learn a great deal.

I wish you all the best in your future and sincerely hope this guide provides you with some valuable assistance in deciding what you’d like to do after graduation.

Private Interest Careers

It can be extremely challenging and daunting for law students to determine what career path they want to follow.

A law degree allows students to pursue a variety of different careers such as private legal practice, public legal practice, consulting and investment banking The opportunities for law students are endless

It is important to remember that there is no “right” or “wrong” path for law students. Reflect on your experiences, find your passions, and follow the career that sparks your interest!

We hope that this guide will help you to find the career path for you, by providing you insights into various career paths and how you can pursue them

Lim Vice President (International)

Jessica

SECTION 1

PUBLIC SECTOR

What is Public Law?

Public Sector' is a broad catch all that encompasses the government, and the offices outside of it. The majority of public sector employees work in essential services primarily, health, education, justice and transport. All public sector agencies require legal staff for their day to day operation.

HOW DO YOU GET THERE?

The Commonwealth level Australian Public Service (APS) and NSW public area have a wide range of opportunities for law graduates with roles covering all administrations in the government Given the number of government organisations and jobs, there are numerous different professions pathways in the public service.

Generally, APS departments and agencies offer their own student, internship and/or graduate programs and applications should be directed to the respective department or agency. Similar pathways exist in other states and territories.

In NSW, the NSW Government Graduate Program is an 18 month program which involves experience across various government agencies The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is NSW’s independent prosecutorial body representing the Crown in criminal proceedings, conducting prosecutions on behalf of the community.

Another body is The Public Defenders, who are statutorily appointed barristers independent of the government. They act for legally aided clients charged with serious criminal offences and are regarded as one of the leading floors of criminal barristers in NSW

The Bar & Crown Solicitor's Branch

Barristers specialise in advocacy work in courts and tribunals and provide legal advice. They are separate from solicitors and generally work in the upper levels of the Australian court hierarchy and tribunals. The role generally involves preparing and assisting clients with their court appearances as well as representing them.

In order to practice as a barrister in New South Wales, you must be admitted as a lawyer, sit and pass the Bar exam, and complete a reading program. Barristers are sole practitioners, but commonly work in chambers comprising barristers with a range of experience. For students interested in a career as a barrister, experience as research assistant at a barrister’s chambers is a good opportunity to gain insight into the type of work that barristers do.

Crown Solicitor's office

The Crown Solicitor’s Office (CSO) provides legal services to the NSW government and its agencies, rather than to the general public. It takes on all legal work related to core government functions and competes with the private sector for general untied legal services. The CSO is composed of eleven specialist practice groups, each with expertise in areas such as native title, criminal law, inquiries and commercial law. Karen Smith is the current Crown Solicitor, the second woman to serve in the role since its establishment in 1817.

Judiciary

The judiciary is the branch of government composed of courts in various jurisdictions. Graduate positions available in courts include as a judge’s associate/tipstaff. The nature of the role varies between individual judges, but generally, it involves providing personal and research assistance to a judge. The appointment is generally for one year.

There is no uniform application process for associateships or tipstaff positions. Generally, they are not advertised but involve sending a cover letter, CV and academic transcript directly to the judge. Most judges will appoint associates/ tipstaves some time in advance of commencement. It is recommended that applicants also research the individual judge to which an application is made and contact a judge’s chambers with any queries regarding application requirements and timelines.

Community Legal Centre

Community legal centres (CLCs) are non government organisations that provide free legal services to the community.

Community legal centres (CLCs) are non government organisations that provide free legal services to the community They assist in making the law accessible and provide advice in a range of topic areas such as criminal law, civil law, tenancy and strata issues. The services offered include general advice, case work and representation but this will vary from centre to centre.

There are two different CLCs: generalist and specialist centres Generalist centres provide legal services in a range of legal areas They focus on servicing their own community with a specific catchment area Specialist centres do not have a catchment area requirement but instead focus on one particular are of the law

Volunteering at a CLC is a great way for not only to give back to the community but also a way to gain practical experience in the legal field Depending which type and what CLC you decide to volunteer at, your work will differ but generally you would be involved in preparing clients, arranging appointments, preparing legal briefs and other administrative tasks

To best get involved, you should look at CLC’s website for opening or volunteering applications. However, you must ensure that you can be committed for at least 6 months as most CLCs require this. Additionally, CLCs will usually require commitment of at least one full day a week.

Non-Government Organisations

Another option is to get involved with Non government organisations (NGOs) NGOs usually focus on larger scale issues such as human rights and environmental issues instead of specific areas of the law They can be powerful agents for change and enable communities to play an active role in various contexts depending on the organisation Roles may also include advocacy in a more general sense, such as policy, politics, lobbying, making submissions to government, education, journalism and social media, research, community and aid work, negotiation, security, and diplomacy

To get involved, you should have a look at their websites to see what openings they have When applying make sure you do your research into the relevant NGO.

Public International Law Public International Law Public International Law

Public International Law deals with the policies, rules and principles which overlook the conduct of state and international organisations in the relations they have with one another and often even those they have with other parties such as transnational corporations, groups or individuals. Some areas of work which fall under public international law can include border protection issues, jurisdictions on air and space law and international environmental law.

There are several different pathways available to become involved in public international law related work. This might include working for an involved domestic government body such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You might also consider joining international organisations such as the United Nations and its various bodies, the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organisation and various international courts and tribunals

How to find a job in Public Law

Options are more limited when you are in law school as public law positions are mostly for graduates. Please see the section on finding a legal job for more details when applying for a position as an undergraduate.

If you are interested in volunteering at a Generalist Community Legal Centre, you should go onto their website and directly apply to them Their intakes are usually around the start of the year (Mid January February) and the middle of the year (July - June). If you are interested in applying for a Specialist Community Legal Centre such as Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS), you should also directly contact the centre and lodge an application as soon as possible.

For example, you can apply to RACS here (https://www racs org au/work with us volunteer)

Once you graduate and complete your PLT, however, there will be a multitude of roles that will become available. You should go onto the specific government agencies careers page to directly apply. If you are interested in pursuing a career as a prosecutor, you can go onto iworkfor nsw gov au as they are periodically advertised on there.

PRIVATE SECTOR

Private Law

Banking and Finance

Banking and finance focuses on the relationship between banks, financial institutions and other stakeholders. It may involve the overseeing transactions between two different parties. Work in this area would consist of navigating legal frameworks that govern the domestic and international processes of banking. A legal role could include drafting and negotiation contracts and also providing legal advice in corporate esk matters such as mergers and acquisitions or liquidation

Competition and Consumer Law

Competition and Consumer law is a branch of civil law that involves dealing with issues regarding the quality and standards of consumer good in Australia. This will encompass the producers and buyers and their rights and responsibilities. Within this area, you can pursue a role either in the public or private sector. In the private sector, work would involve you representing consumers who have been disadvantaged by violations of consumer law or provide legal assistance to companies against lawsuits.

Employment Law

Employment law is under the civil branch of the law which focuses on employers and employees and resolving issues such as discrimination and compensation. This area of law also governs the rights and entitlements of employees. This would involve working with clients, union, government bodies and employers.

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Lawyers who work in commercial litigation will be involved in dispute resolution between two or more parties. This places an emphasis on analytical and strategic problem solving skills. Their involvement encompasses providing service of letters of demand down and initiating or defending any proceedings that are associated with their clients.

Commercial litigation opens up a wide range of opportunities, including representing corporate clients for civil litigation and responding against competition law investigations that are conducted by the ACCC, as well as high profile international arbitration for infrastructure disputes.

Jessica Williams

T H Y E A R C O M M E R C E / L A W

Working as a paralegal in a Disputes team (Commercial Litigation and Arbitration) has been an invaluable experience throughout my degree. The firm I work for specialises in construction disputes, but also maintains a large general commercial practice with a lot of matters involving multiple offices globally

At a high level, a lot of the work of a paralegal in disputes involves legal research, especially on novel areas of law. I have had a plethora of opportunities to collaborate with associates, partners and fellow paralegals. The work is interesting and varied (definitely not just document review!) and the legal work I was involved in involved a range of topics including: private international law, contracts, administrative law and torts I found it was a great opportunity to get exposure to the ‘law in action’ and bring to life the cases and law we do at law school I cannot recommend working as a paralegal during the course of your degree highly enough

Lihara

Delungahawatte

N D Y E A R C O M M E R C E / L A W

The thought of commencing my new role as a Law Clerk was initially daunting and the idea of litigation was quite unfamiliar to me

My first task in my current firm was to write a summons (an order to appear before a judge/magistrate) and an affidavit (an account of evidence in written form) Funnily enough, my first attempt at this I completely misunderstood the task and ended up spending my entire 9 5pm creating useless documents

However, I decided to come in the next day again and do it correctly. It was to my surprise that my team were incredibly impressed by the standard of my work. Although some ‘behind the scenes’ aspects of litigation may be difficult with room for mistakes, there is also always room for improvement!

Litigation can also involve dispute resolution processes Attending court is a largely resource inefficient means of achieving outcomes for parties. I have been involved in alternative dispute resolution processes such as mediation, where parties negotiate in the presence of a neutral third party on an outcome mutually beneficial However, the mediation I attended did not achieve any outcome which has led to its progression to court.

Taxation Law

Taxation law involves primarily assisting clients on navigating complex tax codes and minimising their tax risks. Within Australia, there are numerous forms of taxation including income tax, capital gains tax, custom duties, and inheritance tax as a few. Lawyers in this area help both individuals and businesses navigate their way through the relevant legislation for a specific transaction In this area, you also have the option to participate in tax litigation which follows from an internal review by government authorities.

Media Law

By definition, media law surrounds resolving legal issues in spaces including film, TV, digital media, advertising, publishing, marketing, promotions and in more recent times influencers.

It also includes mass media with issues surrounding copyright, defamation, censorship and more. Within this diverse area of law, work is constantly varied and very interesting.

Practically, the work which media lawyers do often surrounds contract reviews, drafting whilst also clearances for production and advertisements and legal advice on rights and distribution. Not only do these lawyers behind the scenes but also can appear on behalf of clients in negotiations or mediations, or if escalated in court. They can represent not only the studios and agencies themselves but also individuals.

Intellectual Property Law

Intellectual property (IP) is the legal rights that people have for intangible assets including writing, music, drawings, paintings, firms and the like. IP lawyers assist their clients, of whom can be individuals or businesses, to attain ownership for their assets in assisting with the filing of patents, copyrights, trade marks, licensing agreements and more. Work in this field can be at law firms, in IP law departments, in house at different corporations or government agencies Lawyers can either specialise in one type of IP or can be more general in their practice Work can also involve litigation if disputes or infringements or potential infringements arise.

In terms of how to practise in this area of law, there are a range of public and private sector positions as pathways into IP law. Graduates can also work for government agencies who oversee the acknowledgement and acceptance of intellectual property.

Mergers and Acquisitions

As companies invariably are created and grow, so too comes the consolidation of companies or company assets through the financial transactions including mergers, acquisitions, consolidations, tender offers, purchase of assets and management acquisitions of these businesses.

The role of a lawyer in two companies joining forces to become a single entity or one company obtaining a majority stake in another firm surrounds the advice on the legal, strategic and commercial parts of the transaction itself. It can also surround the structuring of the transition, negotiating the terms of the agreement and drafting the sales documentation

This requires lawyers who possess great attention to detail, negotiation skills and drafting capabilities.

Wills and Estates

Wills and estates are a complex area of civil law that involves many intricacies Your primary role in this area of law assists clients in drafting wills and trust, delegating power of attorney, appointing guardianships, to just name a few. Often the work in this area can extend to assisting clients in auditing their assets. As well, lawyers in this area may provide representation in cases where there are disputes over an existing will or estate, or whether there was power of attorney.

Real Estate and Property

Real estate and property law or ‘Real property law’ is focused on assisting clients in managing their rights and responsibilities for their property. This can involve assisting in commercial property through advising on acquisitions and disposals, leasing, developments and estate management. This may also include litigation when disputes related to real estate and property arise. Residential real estate tends to focus on conveyancing. Your clients would typically include property developers, institutional investors, real estate funds, corporations and financial institutions.

Harrison Zheng

4 T H Y E A R C O M M E R C E / L A W

I am currently working as a Law Clerk (Paralegal) in the Private Equity Real Estate team at King & Wood Mallesons. Having predominantly worked in litigation teams prior, I didn’t know what to expect when I joined the transactional practice Within the first couple of weeks, I immediately fell in love with the fast paced and complex work that I came across

What really surprised me was the diversity in the work that I was doing and the skills that I was learning on the job. When most people hear Real Estate, they usually only think of the purchase and sale of property. However, there’s so many things outside of the contract sale that lawyers are involved in: from creating the debt arrangements to have enough money to purchase the property or to purchasing a company and business that is attached to land.

From my first day, I was asked to help out with reviewing a contract for sale for heritage listed Australian landmarks, prepare security documents as part of multi billion dollar financing package and even help with the purchase of a renowned hotel business. It was exciting getting to be a part of these huge deals where I was transacting on things that I was able to see, feel and walk past on a day to day basis

Annie Wu

4 T H Y E A R C O M M E R C E / L A W

As a paralegal at a class actions firm, I gained valuable experience in navigating the complex procedural stages and requirements of large scale litigation. Having this practical experience has been incredibly beneficial to both my personal and professional development. I’ve strengthened my networks and developed skills that have furthered my engagement with my law courses.

Family Law

Family law focuses on issues involving family and domestic relationships. Your role is to help your clients navigate these issues that arise from family legal issues. This can include divorce, child custody and paternity

You can choose to build a career as a generalised family law expert which involves advising clients on a range of issues. Alternatively, you can also choose to practice and focus on certain aspects of family law.

In-House Counsel

Working as part of in house counsel differs from private practice as it is only one client you will be working for. As part of the in house legal team you will need to meet the particular demands of only one employer As many businesses seek to avoid costs associated with employing external legal services, in house practice has been a growing industry and graduates have an increased opportunity to enter into this sector. Various mainstream companies have their own in house team that provides a platform to work to utilise legal skills and expertise.

Many companies run their own clerkship or vacation programs for penultimate and graduating students Lawyers who begin their careers at a commercial law firm can also move into an in house role as the skills that are gained are easily transferable.

TESTIMONIAL

REENA CHEN

2ND YEAR LAW/COMMERCE

Volunteering as a paralegal in family law was definitely an experience that taught me alot. As a second year student with previously little to no experience in any area of law, the position was a great opportunity that exposed me to court processes and the work that family law practices do. I was lucky to work with a team that often went out of their way to educate me on what the process entailed and how each step contributed to the final outcome.

The firm I was with mainly worked on Legal Aid cases and dealt with a variety of issues concerning child custody, parental disputes and property disputes. The work I was assigned to do consisted mainly of drafting affidavits, writing chronologies, calling clients for parent questionnaires and various administration work. The connotations behind family law being emotionally confronting are definitely not wrong. Working with Legal Aid clients in particular meant that I was often talking to people in very disadvantaged situations who had no other resources to turn to.

Having said that, I believe the experience was an extremely worthwhile one. It gave insight into how society works and the struggles that others may be going through. Being able to contribute to the work that the barristers at my firm did to help out the clients and their families was definitely a positive. It was always rewarding to see the firm help clients get their children back into their custody or succeed in their disputes.

Breaking Into Private Law

THE CLERKSHIP PROCESS

What is a clerkship?

A clerkship is a summer program for penultimate law students hosted by a law firm. The majority of major law firms in Australia offer clerkships and they are a fantastic opportunity to get a taste of what practising as a lawyer in private law is like. The clerkship process can seem confusing at first so this is what you need to know.

The exact dates of the clerkship process change slightly from year to year but the crucial dates will generally fall in the below months.

Applications open: Beginning of June

Applications close: Beginning of July Offers made: Mid September

What is a clerkship? How can you prepare?

LawSoc has an entire portfolio dedicated to helping UNSW students interact with the field of private law. Get advice from students who recently clerked through the Clerkship Mentoring Program. Learn more about all the different firms and their fields of practice at firm presentations. Attend the interview workshops to hone your interview skills. These events run year around and line up with the key dates for clerkship applications.

What happens after a clerkship?

You may receive a graduate offer after the summer ends and many students who are successful in securing a summer clerkship are offered paralegal positions after the program at the firm.

Of course, the clerkship is only one way to break into the private law field. Smaller boutique firms also offer their own internships which operate on their own calendars.

SECTION 3

EMERGING AREAS

CYBERSECURITY LAW

Cybersecurity has become a huge area within the world. This area of law focuses on advising clients on cyber related legal issues such as identify theft, cyber security law and advising firms on the legal frameworks that are present in cyber law. With the constantly evolving nature of the area, it requires the ability to remain adaptable and high levels of critical thinking. Due to the global nature of cyber crimes, this may involve operating with criminals and issues that are out of Australia’s legal frameworks, thus creating further complexities.

LEGAL TECHNOLOGY

Legal technology specifically involves the use of technology and software to further optimise and assist in the provision of legal services. This can be seen in technological advancements in the storage, indexing and searching for documents, precedents and authorities and managing the business aspect of billing and hours.

SECTION 4 PATHWAYS

ADMISSION TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION

Attain an LLB or JD 1.

The first step to attaining an admission to the legal profession is to complete a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent degree.

The price of attaining an LLB or JD can vary depending on the institution you attend, the type of fee-paying student you are and possibly the type of degree you choose to pair with it.

Duration: At UNSW, an LLB can only be completed in a double degree combination. A combined Law degree (LLB) at UNSW is around 5 years, a Juris Doctorate takes 3 years.

Cost: For a CSP-fee paying student, the expected fees for the first year of a Commerce/Law degree is $14,550.

2. Complete a Practical Legal Training program

You must complete a Practical Legal Training (PLT) course from an accredited provider. UNSW offers Practical Legal Training separate from their LLB and JD courses.

Successful completion of a PLT program leads to the award of a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.

Duration: The training takes approximately three months full-time or eight months part-time. Workplace experience requires around 75 working days (15 weeks) of supervised experience in the delivery of legal services.

Cost: The cost of PLT training can vary depending on the institution you attend. At UNSW, the price of the PLT program is approximately $16,560.

3. Admission to

the Supreme

Court of New South Wales

The Supreme Court of New South Wales may admit a person to the Australian legal profession as an Australian lawyer if the person:

is aged 18 years or over; and is not already admitted to the Australian legal profession; and has attained the specified academic qualifications prerequisite, and has satisfactorily completed the specified practical legal training prerequisite, and is a fit and proper person to be admitted to the Australian legal profession, and takes an oath of office, or makes an affirmation of office, in the form required by the Supreme Court.

Cost: The application for admission as a lawyer costs $950.

4..

Obtain a Practising Certificate

To practise as a solicitor in NSW, you must hold either an Australian practising certificate issued by the Law Society's Council or a practising certificate issued by the designated regulatory authority in another Australian jurisdiction.

Cost: The cost of a practising certificate can range from $440.00 to $980.00 depending on the type of legal employment that you pursue.

The most current information available about admission can be found here: https://www.lpab.justice.nsw.gov.au/Pages/admission lawyer/guide for applicants admission.aspx

FINDINGYOURFIRST LEGALJOB

- Where to Look? -

UNSW Law Jobs Board

Did you know that UNSW Law has an exclusive student portal? On “myLaw” you can find numerous resources that will help you secure your first legal job such as CV and cover letter assistance Most importantly, you’ll also be able to find the UNSW Law Jobs Boards which is an invaluable resource for finding your first job. Many firms will post here first or even in lieu of other general job listing sites.

Job Sites

Indeed, Seek, Jora etc are all useful sites to start your search and get an idea of the scope of the roles that you will be seeking out.

UNSW Law Discussion Page on Facebook

Joining the UNSW Law Discussion Page on Facebook can yield you more than advertisements for all the awesome LawSoc events. Law students will occasionally post job openings for roles that they may be moving on from or have heard about from other sources. This is a highly underrated source of job listings as many of these jobs will not be listed elsewhere!

WHATTYPESOFJOBSARE OUTTHERE?

Paralegal

Smaller firms often have opportunities to take paralegals on an ad hoc basis. These firms look to hire law students and provide them with experience within their respective area of practice. This is a good opportunity for students to gain an understanding of the inner workings of a law firm, and find out what interests them and which don’t. Paralegal roles will often involve legal research so make sure you pay attention in those LRW tutorials!

Clerkship

Legal clerkships are a structured program that provides penultimate year law students with an opportunity to gain work experience within commercial law firms. They are typically summer programs. However, some firms will offer different seasonal placements instead.

While not the only pathway, clerkships are a potential stepping stone towards working in a large commercial law firm. Often those who clerk over the summer are offered graduate roles at the end of the program.

Clerkships offer students the opportunity to gain experience in a commercial environment and apply their skills to multiple areas of private law practice. Clerks often rotate between two to three practice areas within the firm

Graduate Roles

Complete a Bachelor of Law (LLB) or a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.

Whether you are offered a law graduate from a law graduate position from your clerkship or through application. Both public and private practice have graduate degrees open up. Often the work done in both private and public practice as a graduate is similar. Your first year in a graduate position is often completed in conjunction with your PLT

Thank You

Acknowledgement:

Co-Presidents - Harrison Zheng | Christina Ienco

Vice President (Education) Shanzeh Malik

Vice President (Public Interest Careers) Jeremy Ma

Vice President (Private Law Careers) Bianca Tolic

Vice President (International) - Jessica Lim

Education Directors Royce Fu | Catherine Nguyen

Publication Director Katie Koo

With Special Thanks -

Lihara Delungahawatte

Jessica Williams

Annie Wu

Reena Chen