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2016 CLERKSHIP GUIDE EDITOR & UTS LSS CAREERS (PUBLICATIONS) DIRECTOR Breanna NOBBS SUB-EDITOR Sharni NICHOLS DESIGNER David SIMPSON CONTRIBUTORS Ashleigh BARNES UTS:CAREERS Olivia FISHER Mat VELCIC
DEAN OF LAW Professor Lesley HITCHENS UTS LSS PRESIDENT Bryce CRAIG UTS LSS VICE PRESIDENT (SPONSORSHIP & CAREERS) Sharni NICHOLS WITH THANKS TO Kwik Kopy Darling Harbour 97/1-5 Harwood Street, Pyrmont, Pyrmont NSW 2009 http://www.kwikkopy.com.au/
UTS LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY C/-FACULTY OF LAW UTS PO BOX 123 BROADWAY NSW, 2007 AUSTRALIA P: +61 2 9514 3448 Copyright & Disclaimer © 2016 UTS Law Students’ Society This publication is copyright. Except where permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this publication may in any form or by any means (electronic or otherwise) be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any process, without specific written consent of the UTS Law Students’ Society. Enquiries are to be addressed to the publishers. Disclaimer: The articles and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Law Students’ Society, the editor, or the UTS 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 uses or replies upon it. The editor, authors and UTS Law Students’ Society accept no responsibility for any damage, injury or loss occasioned to any person or entity, whether law student or otherwise, as a result of a person relying, wholly or in part, on any material included, omitted or implied in this publication. The user of this guide acknowledges that he or she will take responsibility for his or her actions and will under no circumstances hold the editor, authors or UTS Law Students’ Society responsible for any damage resulting to the user or anyone else from use of this publication.
C ONTENT S: EDITOR’S FOREWORD
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PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
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DEAN’S WELCOME
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W H AT I S A C L E R K SH I P ?
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F I R M S O F F E R I N G S U M M E R C L E R K SH I P P R O G R A M S 2 016
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U T S: L AW P R AC T I C A L L E GA L T R A I N I N G
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SK I L L S W O R K SH O P S
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T H E A P P L I C AT I O N P R O C E S S
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U T S: L AW P R AC T I C A L L E GA L T R A I N I N G
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C L E R K S H I P A P P L I C AT I O N S
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TOP 5 TIPS FOR SUMMER CLERK S
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C O M M E R C I A L AWA R E N E S S
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U T S: C A R E E R S
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M AY C L E R K SH I P SE M I N A R SE R I E S
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ALLENS
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A L L E N & O V E RY
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A SHURST
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BAKER & MCKENZIE
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DL A PIPER
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C L AY T O N U T Z
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CORRS CHAMBER S WE STGARTH
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GA D E N S
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GILBERT + TOBIN
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H E N RY DAV I S YO R K
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HERBERT SMITH FREEHILL S
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J O H N S O N W I N T E R & SL AT T E RY
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K& L GAT E S
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KING & WOOD MALLESONS
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MADDOCKS
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NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT
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MINTER ELLISON
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THOMSON GEER
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FROM THE EDITOR The UTS LSS is proud to present to you the 2016 Summer Clerkship Guide. The time has come where as a penultimate year student, you can apply for a summer clerkship. This is probably a new and overwhelming process, but not to worry, the UTS LSS has created this guide to try and simplify things for you, and make the journey ahead less daunting. Within this guide you will find tips and tricks for perfecting your application, and important dates for the vast number of law firms participating for 2016, all in one place. Whilst the process can be intimidating, the summer clerkship experience is extremely rewarding, allowing you to gain valuable skills in the industry, putting skills from the classroom to practice in a workplace setting. There are many firms for you to consider applying for, and it is vital that you tailor each application to the firms you decide to apply for. While there is a large emphasis placed on the clerkship process, it is not the one and only way to enter the legal profession. There are many other ways to gain experience within the legal industry, which are not confined to the clerkship process, and still allow you to get your foot in the door. Best of luck with the clerkship application process, and with your future career, whichever road you take to get there. — B r e a n n a Nobbs C a r e e r s ( Pu b l i c a t i o n s) D i r e c t o r
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PRESIDENT’S FORE WORD Whether you are a penultimate student with your eye on the prize, or simply interested in learning about the opportunities available to you later in your degree, the UTS LSS Clerkship Guide is here and ready to answer your questions and help keep you in good stead. Inside you will find a wealth of information ranging from the personal experiences of past clerks, detailed profiles from many of the participating law firms, as well as practical tips and tricks to take you from CV writing all the way up to interviewing, networking and hopefully, closing the deal on a summer clerkship. It goes without saying that the clerkship process is highly competitive, however I implore you to not let this distract or demotivate you from engaging yourself. Rather you should see this competitive climate as a motivator during the course of your degree to be the best version of yourself possible. This of course requires an ardent dedication to your coursework, but also calls for you to engage in pursuits beyond the classroom that will give you that competitive edge to get across the line. Developing a personal brand that you can be proud of, confident in and own in an interview will help you distinguish yourself amongst the crowd. Law firms are in the business of talent acquisition, so structure your application to highlight your strengths and position yourself as the prime candidate you have worked hard to be. In addition to this guide, the UTS LSS is hosting a range of career events and opportunities over the coming weeks that aim to further your understanding and refine your skills in the lead up to applications. Be sure to get amongst our skills workshops, Clerkship Seminars and of course, our Clerkship Networking Evening. Held on the 26th of May, this evening is your best opportunity to network with firm representatives and gain an insight what they offer. As always I would like to thank the wonderful team that put this guide together. Our Careers (Publications) Director, Breanna Nobbs, as well as our Vice-President (Sponsorship and Careers), Sharni Nichols, have done a superb job in piecing together content and taking this guide from planning to print incredibly efficiently. I also extend my thanks to David Simpson for his stunning design and well-considered layout. I wish you the very best of luck in securing a summer clerkship, and commend you on getting involved in the process. — Bryce Craig P r e s i d e n t o f t h e U T S L a w S t u d e n t s’ S o c i e t y
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DEAN’S WELCOME The Summer Clerkship Guide, produced with much hard work by the UTS Law Students’ Society (LSS), is a great resource. It will give you information about the firms, the process, and tips about how to go about preparing an application. You can also read about the experiences of former summer clerks. Importantly, the Guide will also provide you with information about the proper procedures to be followed. You should make sure that your applications follow the requirements of the scheme and of the firms to which you are applying. If you are not sure about your plans, then the Guide will still be useful in providing you with information about the type of firms involved and the experience of working in these practices. If you are unsure, it would be good to read the Summer Clerkship Guide alongside the Careers Guide, another valuable resource produced by the UTS LSS, which will give you an insight into the broader range of careers available to a law graduate. I know from my conversations with law firms that UTS:Law students are well regarded. However, the clerkship program is highly competitive and there will be many more applicants than places. But do not be daunted by the level of competition. If you think this is the type of practice that interests you, then put in an application. Just be realistic. Even if you are not successful in obtaining a clerkship, the experience can still be valuable. Preparing your application can help you to identify your strengths and to refine how you present relevant information about yourself. But, make sure you do your research about the firms you are applying for and you examine your own reasons for choosing to apply to the firm. Interviews provide useful practice and experience. They will give you an idea of what is expected of a law interview and a chance for you to see how you manage the interview. Take time after the interview to reflect on it: what went well, and what could have been improved. Use the tips in this guide as an aid for that reflection (as well as a guide to preparing for the interview). But do not be too hard on yourself; we can all look back on interviews and wish we had said something differently! So whether or not you decide to participate in the program, and whether or not you are successful, the clerkship period can assist you to think about the type of career you want and improve your application and interviewing skills. And for those of you who are successful in obtaining a clerkship, the experience will also offer you the chance to consider whether this is the career path for you. The clerkship process can be quite an intense experience, and may seem even more so given the competition for positions and current media reporting about the graduate employment market. However, this needs to be kept in perspective. The clerkship program and the firms involved in the program represent only a very small share of the career and employment opportunities for law graduates. There are many other career opportunities, but you need to seek them out. So, if you think, a summer clerkship is for you, go ahead and apply. Enjoy the experience: learn from it, and keep it in perspective. And finally, good luck with the process! B e s t w i s h e s , L e s l e y Hi t c h e n s
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What is a Clerkship?
Clerkships are internships offered by participating law firms to students. These clerkships are designed to provide students legal experience in different practice areas in the firm, to provide an insight into the legal profession and to ultimately help the student make an informed career decision. Generally, the clerkships are held over the summer break in NSW between December to February and students in their penultimate year are eligible to apply. These programs vary in length and run anywhere between 3-10 weeks depending on the program. Many of the firms use the clerkship process as a first stage in their recruitment process for graduate lawyers, and often summer clerks are offered graduate positions and paralegal positions at the conclusion of their clerkship. The 2016 NSW Summer Clerkship program is co-ordinated by the Law Society of NSW (NSWLS) with each participating law firm running its own separate application process. More information about the clerkship program, dates and the contact details for each firm’s representatives can be found on the NSWLS website. The clerkship process is very competitive, with the number of students that firms are recruiting each year greatly changing. It is not uncommon for a law firm one year to recruit up to 40 clerks and the next year to recruit 15. Due to these trends, some students in Sydney will opt to look for clerkships interstate where there may be more opportunities including both Summer and Winter intakes. Due to the highly competitive nature of the process, it is vital that students approach the application process in a prepared and professional manner. The process will look at the student’s academic achievements and extra curricular activities to find those most suitable for the role. For those students who do not obtain a clerkship or are not interested in commercial law, there are a number of other opportunities and avenues available. These opportunities include unpaid internships at Community Legal Centres, paid or unpaid work experience at other boutique or mid-tier law firms, and graduate recruitment opportunities.
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Summer Clerkship Dates 2016
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DATE
ACTIVITY
THURSDAY 31 MARCH
Offers for graduate positions to current summer clerks must be made and accepted/declined by 5.00pm.
WEDNESDAY 15 JUNE
Applications for summer clerkships open.
SUNDAY 17 JULY
Applications for summer clerkships close at 11:59pm.
MONDAY 8 AUGUST
Interviews for summer clerkships commence.
FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER
Offers for summer clerkships can be made.
TUESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER
Offers for summer clerkships must be accepted or declined by 5.00pm.
Firms Offering Summer Clerkship Programs 2016 FIRM
WEBSITE
ALLEN & OVERY
www.allenovery.com
ALLENS
www.allens.com.au
ASHURST
www.ashurst.com
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT SOLICITOR
www.ags.gov.au
BAKER & MCKENZIE
www.bakermckenzie.com
BARRAKET STANTON
www.barraketstanton.com
BIRD & BIRD
www.twobirds.com
CLAYTON UTZ
www.claytonutz.com
CLIFFORD CHANCE
www.cliffordchance.com
CORRS CHAMBERS WESTGARTH
www.corrs.com.au
DLA PIPER AUSTRALIA
www.dlapiper.com
GADENS
www.gadens.com
GILBERT + TOBIN
www.gtlaw.com.au
HENRY DAVIS YORK
www.hdy.com.au
HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS
www.herbertsmithfreehills.com
HOLDING REDLICH
www.holdingredlich.com
HWL EBSWORTH
www.hwlebsworth.com
INFORMATION & PRIVACY COMMISSION
www.ipc.nsw.gov.au
JOHNSON WINTER & SLATTERY
www.jws.com.au/en/
JONES DAY
www.jonesday.com
KING & WOOD MALLESONS www.kwm.com/en/au MADDOCKS
www.maddocks.com.au
MILLS OAKLEY
www.millsoakley.com.au
MINTER ELLISON
www.minterellison.com
NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT www.nortonrosefulbrightgraduates.com PWC
www.pwc.com.au
THOMSON GEER
www.tglaw.com.au
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Want to gain admission as a lawyer to the Supreme Court of NSW? Study your Practical Legal Training at UTS:Law! P LT n o w i n i t s 2 0 t h y e a r a t U T S
la w. uts. e du. a u /pl t
2016 INFORMATION EVENINGS 28 Apr 10
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Skills Workshops Our series of Skills Workshops have been specially tailored to guide you through the clerkship application process and beyond! Attend one (or all) of our workshops to hear the tips and tricks of the trade from firm representatives. Keep an eye out for the locations of these events on the Skills Workshops page on our website under the Careers tab, or on the UTS LSS Facebook Events. Light refreshments will be provided. ALLEN & OVERY COMMERCIAL AWARENESS WORKSHOP 11am Tuesday 3rd May 2016 ASHURST INTERVIEW SKILLS WORKSHOP 11am Tuesday 17th May 2016 PWC PERSONAL BRANDING WORKSHOP 1pm Wednesday 18th May 2016 MINTERELLISON CV & COVER LETTER WRITING WORKSHOP 2pm Thursday 26th May 2016
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The Application Process Written by Ashleigh Barnes The application process for the Summer Clerkship Program is long and gruelling. Each participating law firm has its own application process. As a general rule most participating law firms require an online application followed by a first and second round interview. The content of the online application varies – participating law firms may require a curriculum vitae, a cover letter, aptitude testing and/or answers to specific questions, for example, ‘why are you interested in commercial law?’. Most participating law firms also invite their applicants to networking events, which dependent on the firm, may form part of the evaluation process. For specific application requirements, see the firm profiles on pages of this Guide or visit: http://www. lawsociety.com.au/community/forlawstudents/GraduateEmploymentClerkships/index.htm In my view it goes without saying that you should act professionally, be punctual, make a strong first impression, and so on. There is no doubt that you need to be organised, put thought into your applications and follow each firm’s rules and procedures. You do not need this Guide to tell you that. However, as a student who eagerly anticipated the process, and recently went through it, these three golden rules will help keep you sane and keep your head in the game.
1. Most of the race is run.
It is no secret that participating law firms are looking for more than good marks. They are interested in you, and who you are. Your work experience and your co-curricular activities and achievements over the past four years (social justice, sport, legal skills competitions, travel, food blogs – you name it!) will speak for you. Do yourself justice and include this information in your application and you will be well placed to succeed. This is a marathon, not a sprint, and hopefully you will have put in the work earlier in your degree. In saying that, if you feel as though your application is lacking, it is never too late to sign up for something extra this semester. There is an enormous range of activities available through the UTS LSS and the other Activate UTS Clubs and Societies.
2. You have to be in it to win it.
If you want a clerkship, you must apply. It is as simple as that. Throw your hat in the ring and do your best. There is a misconception that participating law firms are only interested in one ‘type’ of student, and thus other students who perceive that they do not fit this type are excluding themselves from the race. Participating law firms are actively looking for a range of students and personalities that fit with their firm culture. There is no mould that you must fill. Even if you do not feel confident in one aspect of your application, be it marks, extra-curricular or otherwise, leave that to the firm to decide! It is also no secret that receiving an offer for a Summer Clerkship is highly competitive. No student should assume that they will be successful and accordingly it is prudent to apply to more than one firm to increase your chances of success. There is no lucky number, the decision as to how many firms to apply to can only be yours.
3. You only need one. In fact, you can only take one!
Last but not least, despite my earlier recommendation to apply to more than one firm, always remember that this is not a competition between law students. It is completely irrelevant whether you receive eight offers or one offer. At the end of the day you can only complete one clerkship and only pursue graduate employment at one firm. Avoid conversations between friends as to who is interviewing where and focus on yourself. It does not matter if you do not progress in every application or if your ‘conversion rate’ is not 100%! To conclude, I encourage you to have fun with it! Take this as an opportunity to meet a variety of people in the profession - fellow students, lawyers, partners - and find the firm that is the right fit for you. Think of an interview as a sit down chat with one or two top partners in leading firms who want to spend up to one hour simply getting to know you! It is essential to maintain a positive mindset and keep your head in the game - good luck!
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Clerkship Applications Written by UTS:Careers Service Are you excited about the prospect of applying for a Clerkship and want to put your best self forward? Here are some tips to help you do just that.
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THE COMPETITION IS GOING TO BE HIGH AND YOU NEED TO IMPRESS. MAYBE YOU COULD BENEFIT FROM A LITTLE SUPPORT.
You will be happy to know that there is plenty of that on hand right here on-campus. You can find useful resources that will help you prepare for all aspects of your clerkship search on the UTS CareerHub (careerhub.uts.edu.au) and on the UTS Careers Website (careers.uts.edu.au). You can also drop in to see a careers advisor from 10:00am – 4:00pm during the week to get support and help with any of your questions about your application materials.
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SO MANY CLERKSHIPS; SO LITTLE TIME. YOU ARE THINKING IT WOULD BE WISE TO NARROW DOWN YOUR OPTIONS AND TARGET A FEW RATHER THAN MANY. HOW DO YOU DECIDE?
It is all about identifying and prioritising the firms that you feel most excited about. Spend time reading and gathering information about each firm and the particular Clerkship they have on offer. The mission statements and values of the firm are a good place to start. By targeting your favourites, you will be more likely to write quality application documents and impress at networking events and interviews.
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STUDY; WORK; EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES; AND OH! ... NOW YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR CLERKSHIPS TOO! HOW WILL YOU FIND THE TIME?
Creating a plan of action is the perfect solution for a busy student like yourself to keep your head well above water. By creating a plan of action you will: •
Make it easier on yourself to make progress
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Take small steps which will lead to big gains
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Track your progress
Create clearly defined SMART goals related to your clerkship search and applications – these are Specific; Measurable; Attainable; Realistic; and Time-framed. This
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way, you will be more likely to carry out your identified actions and it will be easier to monitor your progress. You might decide to include some networking, some applications, and a visit to the careers service to get your resume updated by a certain date so that you are prepared and can check these items off your list.
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LSS CLERKSHIP EVENTS ARE COMING UP SOON. YOU ARE RARING TO GO AND KEEN TO CHAT WITH FIRM REPRESENTATIVES, BUT YOU ARE WONDERING WHAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY LOOKING FOR.
At any face-to-face event, representatives are expecting you to ask intelligent, well-informed questions and be able to converse utilising your interpersonal skills. Their wish is for you to dig deeper than just asking general questions, by doing your homework on the firm and then asking great questions. Representatives would also like to be able to hear evidence of your drive, commitment and industry knowledge as well as be able to gauge how selfaware, confident and motivated you are. Opportunities for you to demonstrate these attributes will present themselves through networking events, firm presentations (through the Clerkship Seminar Series), skills workshops, and cocktail evenings. For each firm you have decided to apply for, identify and practice speaking out loud some of what you can talk about at these events:3 things that impress you about the firm; •
3 things that are important to the firm. E.g. stakeholders; causes etc.
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3 strengths you have;
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3 experiences you have had through work experience or intra/extracurricular activities in which you have demonstrated some of your identified strengths;
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3 ways in which you would like to contribute to the firm given the opportunity;
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3 specific questions you would like to ask a representative
You do not have to say all of this at the networking event, but you will be prepared with a lot of information that you can talk about if needed. Armed with this information, you will have the edge on other candidates and your questions and conversations will be perceived as professional.
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THERE WILL BE A LOT OF PEOPLE AT THOSE EVENTS. YOU ARE CURIOUS ABOUT HOW REPRESENTATIVES WILL REALLY GET TO KNOW YOU. YOU WANT TO STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD.
Through the great line-up of LSS events, there are plenty of opportunities for you to interact with representatives, however, many students will be vying for their attention and it might be a challenge to get enough quality time to really show them your personality. Setting yourself apart by finding additional opportunities to connect is a fantastic strategy. Here are some other avenues for you to consider: •
LinkedIn connections and relevant LinkedIn groups
•
Events or activities run through the Faculty of Law or legal professional associations
•
Connect with family members or friends who works at Law firms of interest
Conduct a little of your own research. Professionals often attend events such as conferences, professional development events, speaker presentations, and networking opportunities. You never know what might happen if you bump into one of them and have a chat. Sometimes being in the right place at the right time can have surprising outcomes for your career, so just keep talking to interesting people about your career interests and you never know where it might lead.
6.
YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR COVER LETTERS AND RESUMES FROM GOOD TO GREAT.
UTS: Careers can help! You can drop in to the careers office (Building 1, Level 4, behind the security office) for a quick resume review or to book a more in-depth resume review appointment. You can also find cover letter and resume samples you can download on the careers website: careers.uts.edu.au. By accessing these services you will learn how to create documents that will: •
Capture the attention of hiring managers
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Be visually appealing and clear to read
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Demonstrate your enthusiasm and your fit for the role
7.
YOU HAVE BEEN INVITED TO AN INTERVIEW AND/OR A COCKTAIL EVENING. EEEEK! YOU HAVE GOT THE JITTERS!
The pressure is on and your mind may be racing with all sorts of questions – ‘What will they ask me?’ ‘What if I go blank?’ You have some great resources at hand at UTS. The Counselling Service created their ‘Staying Af loat as a Law Student’ workshop to help current students to stay resilient under pressure. They also offer a ‘Mindfulness Meditation’ workshop which was created to help students manage nerves and stress. UTS: Careers also offers an online tool - InterviewStream, where you can practice answering interview questions on video and have your recording played back so that you can observe yourself. You can access this anytime via CareerHub. Want more practice still? You can also come to the Careers Service to book in to a mock interview.
8.
AN OFFER MAY BE ON THE WAY! WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT?
Students may only accept one summer Clerkship position in one firm. So sit back and relax. You have done all that you can do. And if an offer comes through, you can relax your search for now and focus back on your studies. If you are not offered a position, remember that a clerkship is only one way to get the legal experience that will boost your resume and qualifications. Unfortunately due to the large number of applicants and limited number of positions, only a very small percentage of students are offered a Clerkship opportunity. If you do not get one this time around, try to bring yourself back into a positive mind-set. Remember that there are loads of other fantastic opportunities for Law students and graduates and if you are not sure where to go or what to do next, UTS: Careers can help. Drop in during the week and we can get you back on the right track.
To get you started, here are two critical tips: •
Focus on what you can contribute to the organisation rather than what you desire to take away from the Clerkship experience
•
Use their words and reference the skills that they need and want. Ref lect the tone of language that they use on their website and in any other documentation you can find.
Once you are happy with your documents, submit your cover letter, resume, and academic transcript via the application process on the firm’s website.
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Top 5 Tips
For Summer Clerks Written by Mat Velcic
1. 2. 3.
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MAKE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION AND MAINTAIN IT Displaying a positive attitude and always being willing to assist and learn will contribute to your colleagues having a great first impression of you. This impression is also informed by your demeanour and presentation, so it is also vital that you adhere to the company dress code and maintain an orderly appearance.
GET TO KNOW EVERYONE A friendly smile can go a long way. Building rapport with colleagues, including mentors, lawyers, staff and fellow clerks, is an important step in getting the most out of your clerkship experience.
GENUINELY BE INTERESTED IN THE WORK Throughout the entire process you will be researching information about the firm and what they do. Try and pick topics that you are interested in, in order to make the entire process less arduous and to show that you really can see yourself in this field of work.
4. 5.
ALWAYS DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR WORK Many students will create a template for their cover letters and applications. As a result, every year some students will make mistakes on their applications by putting down the wrong law firm name and therefore this may have been all that stopped them from receiving an interview.
ACT PROFESSIONALLY THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PROCESS Summer clerkship programs may also involve a calendar of social events that aim to familiarise the clerks with the firm’s culture and staff. No matter how casual the event may be, or how quickly the alcohol flows, it is important to always uphold a professional demeanour. When it comes down to it, you do not want to sacrifice a potential graduate position for the sake of an extra wine or two!
Commercial Awareness Written by Olivia Fisher
The sky is blue, the sun rises, and commercial awareness is a vital graduate attribute for law students. All are statements you likely accept as true. But peer behind the lexical magic and what you find may enlighten you. An understanding of ‘commercial awareness’ makes for a dynamic contribution to your recruitment arsenal. So what exactly should you know about commercial awareness? At first glance, it is knowledge about a business and the business conditions in which it is embedded. What industries are in its purview? Who are its competitors? Consider the services upon which the business makes its crust, and the key competencies, people and transactions involved. Responding to these questions may prompt insight into how the business operates so as to generate profit and achieve objectives. Interpersonally, consider how this would influence the company’s way of bringing in business, treating clients and marketing its services. At a macro level, this could indicate how a business takes advantage of market conditions or strategically manages mergers and acquisitions. Businesses, including the one for which you interview, are impacted by external happenings. It is easy to understand why commercial awareness requires a sound grasp on world events and major economic and financial trends. This is why you will find commercial awareness paired up with instructions to scour publications such as the Australian Financial Review or the business pages of other newspapers. Journals, bank reports, magazines such as the Economist, and industry-specific publications in the way of Lawyers Weekly will serve you well if you need to brush up on your worldliness on the morning of an interview. They will serve you even more handsomely if you make their perusal a habit, borne out of a genuine interest to get a lay of the commercial land. This effect will not merely take hold because you have, over time, digested lots of information. It is rather through advancing your ability to connect trends and predict what will occupy your firm and clients. Authentic knowledge of the backstory to dealings will equip you to think on your feet, reason opinions and solve problems. It will engender confidence when delivering solutions and fixing on an appropriate manner when advising clients. Commercial awareness is more than the accumulation of static knowledge – it is a process. Apart from sprinting to the newsagent, where does this leave you? Employers seek proof of your interest in gaining expertise and your flexibility to do just that. In an interview situation, this does not mean reciting industry news. It may involve demonstrating ability to break down embedded issues and explain them clearly. Moreover, commercial awareness is about being innovative. If you have worked in hospitality, you likely have inklings about how businesses operate, sell products and build relationships with customers. Take stock of your experiences. Your jobs and extra-curricular activities may be sources of knowledge. Consider how you can tailor the buzzword to you. After all, commercial awareness is there to help you be the functional face of a business.
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May Clerkship Seminar Series The UTS LSS presents the 2016 Clerkship Seminar Series!
The Clerkship Seminar Series is a collection of seminars run by a range of commercial law firms presenting their 2016 Summer Clerkship Program. The seminars are designed to provide an insight into the clerkship process, what each firm looks for in prospective applicants, as well as the general culture of working in a commercial firm. If you are considering applying for a clerkship in June 2016, then these seminars should not be missed! You will not only learn more about the clerkship process and firm requirements, but have the invaluable opportunity to meet and network with representatives from the attending firms. Law students of all ages who are interested in learning more about the clerkship process are also welcome to attend. Keep an eye out for the locations of these events on the Clerkship Seminar Series page on our website under the Careers tab, or on the UTS LSS Facebook Events. Light refreshments will be provided. MONDAY 2ND MAY: 11am: PwC 2pm: Allens 5:30pm: King & Wood Mallesons TUESDAY 3RD MAY: 2pm: Herbert Smith Freehills WEDNESDAY 4TH MAY: 11am: Baker & McKenzie THURSDAY 5TH MAY: 11am: Corrs Chambers Westgarth 2pm: MinterEllison MONDAY 9TH MAY: 2pm: Allen & Overy TUESDAY 10TH MAY: 11am: Clayton Utz 2pm: Henry Davis York WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY: 2pm: Ashurst THURSDAY 12TH MAY: 2pm: Gilbert + Tobin Remember to check on the UTS LSS website and Facebook page for locations! If you have any questions about these events please contact Mathew Velcic at careers.activities@utslss.com.
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Visit www.allens.com.au/careers, www.linklaters.com/ukgrads and www.linklaters.com/hkcareers to find out more.
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GENEVA SEKULA At the start of 2015 when my law school was abuzz with the prospect of completing clerkships, I had not decided if I was even going to apply. I had heard a lot about cocktail nights and canapés and interviews, but I didn’t know much about what completing a clerkship actually entailed or why I should sacrifice my beloved summer holidays to do one. Having spent the summer at Allens, I can definitely recommend doing a clerkship. It’s an invaluable way to see the inner workings of a commercial firm.
opportunity to experience first-hand how commercial law operates in a different legal system. I had some memorable experiences zipping through Saigon traffic on a motorbike and visiting tourist hotspots; certainly different to the weekends I would have been having at home! Although I didn’t come back particularly fluent in business Vietnamese, I definitely came home with a broader international perspective on commercial law, and felt privileged to have been able to experience life in one of the Asian offices.
I was unspeakably nervous on the first day of my first rotation. I had never worked in a law firm before and I was concerned that I didn’t remember an awful lot from my first year Contracts class at university. I needn’t have worried. That first day I hardly got through any work because the people in my team kept stopping by to say hello, have a chat and see how I was going with everything. I was amazed at how genuinely interested everyone was in getting to know me and making sure I was feeling confident in my work.
I was exposed to lots of different work during my time at Allens. I helped to draft letters, write research memos, conduct title searches, proofread contracts, and attend meetings, among many other things. But the summer was much more than simply doing a job. It was an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the firm and we went to a number of seminars which helped to shed more light on the culture of the firm. We heard about Allens’ pro bono work and presence in the community and about the alliance with Linklaters, we heard from a panel of partners who gave us insight into their career progression with the firm, and we heard from a panel of graduates who answered any and all of our questions. I attended Christmas parties (yes, plural), was invited to welcome yum cha, and had many, many coffee catch-ups with lawyers and other clerks. Beyond the legal work and the firm, the clerkship is a great way to expand your social networks. We also went to inter-firm trivia nights and the clerk cruise, and had lots of other opportunities to get to know each other, and the clerks at other firms.
This was indicative of the wider culture of the firm and I was deeply impressed by how supportive and enthusiastic everyone was, and how much time the lawyers were willing to take to explain tasks to me or answer my questions. The firm instigates a formal support network with a buddy, development lawyer and supervising partner, which was a great source of comfort and helped to keep me on track. But, beyond that, there were plenty of lawyers who were keen to get involved with the clerkship and offer their help and feedback. One of the reasons I decided to go to Allens was because I saw it as a firm where there would be opportunities to work overseas, and having an international dimension to my career was important to me. I hadn’t ever guessed that my first chance to travel with Allens would be in my sixth week working for the firm. After the Christmas break, instead of boarding a train to Wynyard, I found myself boarding a plane to Ho Chi Minh City where I was to complete a three-week rotation. The Ho Chi Minh City office was very different to the Sydney office. For one thing, it was a lot smaller, and the contracts were in both Vietnamese and English. I had an amazing time in Vietnam experiencing different food and a different culture, but also having the
Allens is a firm full of opportunities. In 10 weeks I travelled internationally, went on an overnight trip to a client office, went on a tour of a coalmine, experienced a Women at Allens panel, visited the Sydney Children’s Hospital, and had the chance to work on pro bono matters. I can’t tell you exactly what to expect from an Allens clerkship, because you never know what opportunities will be there for you to take. The clerkship program gives you the chance to peer inside a commercial firm and to think about your future. I loved my time with the firm and can’t wait to start my career. A clerkship with Allens feels like unlocking the door to an incredible future and I would recommend it to anyone.
CLERKSHIPS AND GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN A GLOBAL NETWORK
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Careers at Allen & Overy Visit us at www.allenovery.com/careers Allen & Overy means Allen & Overy LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings
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Get connected to the rest of the world Be part of something exciting
Allen & Overy Summer Clerks 2015/2016 Eight of us were fortunate to participate in the 2015/16 Allen & Overy Summer Clerk Program. We completed two rotations in the Sydney office in a variety of areas, such as Banking, Competition, Corporate, Funds, International Capital Markets, Litigation, Project Finance and Tax. Allen & Overy is one of the only truly integrated, global law firms in Australia with a world-class reputation with an extensive global network that the majority of work the office does, is multi-jurisdictional and involves crossborder collaboration with their other international offices. We were given an insight into the operation of this global network when we each spent a week in an Allen & Overy office in either the Bangkok, Beijing, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo offices - this was one of the many highlights of our clerkship.
Training The overarching focus of Allen & Overy’s training is aimed at producing globally minded lawyers that value commerciality in approaching problems. We received a range of practical training sessions that were conducted by partners and senior associates in their respective fields, and were an excellent means of scoping out areas of particular interest. The emphasis Allen & Overy places on practical commerciality and being globally minded is embodied in the mock pitch and mock transaction exercises that we participated in. It provided an excellent opportunity to develop our commercial acumen, negotiation and presentation skills in a supportive and professional context.
with a firm-wide breakfast and we attended multiple functions including morning teas, Christmas parties and Friday night drinks. Each clerk was assigned a buddy in Sydney and in our respective overseas offices. This was an important way of making us feel even more welcome at Allen & Overy, and our buddies answered questions relating to the tasks we had been assigned and generally about life as a graduate lawyer.
Your Future with A&O Allen & Overy offers its graduates a career path unrivalled in opportunity and flexibility. The structure and operation of the firm in Sydney and across its global network facilitate a truly international legal career, while fostering the rapid development of lawyers. The size of the Sydney office means that junior lawyers are not only able to work intimately with leading partners and associates, but to do so in a substantive capacity, gaining significant experience and expertise early on in their career.
Culture
The future for graduates is not confined to Australia. Global mobility is both the norm and the expectation at Allen & Overy. Even in our short time at the firm, we witnessed lawyers travelling both from Sydney to other international offices, whether on short trips, secondment or transfers.
One of the greatest things about Allen & Overy is its people. They are from a diverse array of backgrounds but are united in their passion for the work they do and their interest in fostering the development of young lawyers in the firm. We were welcomed on our first day
Working at Allen & Overy will give you the best of both worlds – a close-knit circle of immediate colleagues in the Sydney office as well as the support of Allen & Overy’s internationally renowned, global network.
Allen & Overy means Allen & Overy LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings. © Allen & Overy 2016
allenovery.com
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Get connected to the rest of the world Be part of something exciting. Allen & Overy was the first global elite law firm to commence operations in Australia. Our practice comprises hand-selected, top-tier partners, each leaders in their field with an average of 20 years’ experience. Allen & Overy Australia offers comprehensive legal services in the Australian and international market. Much of the work performed by lawyers in Australia involves cross-border deals including inbound investment by international clients and outbound investment by Australian clients; international disputes and regulatory reviews; project financing for projects both in Australia and around the world; and international bond programs. Allen & Overy Australia offers the best of both worlds: the expertise and resources of a global elite law practice coupled with a leading group of senior domestic practitioners. We provide our clients with instant access to the firm’s regional and global resources, enabling the Australian team to deliver innovative, timely and cost effective legal solutions. Our Australian operations in Sydney and Perth are fully integrated into Allen & Overy’s global network. The offices offer has three core Practice Groups offering a full suite of corporate, finance (debt and equity) and litigation services. Within these, the practice areas are diverse, including International and Debt Capital Market, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Projects, Structured Products,
24 Allen & Overy means Allen & Overy LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings. © Allen & Overy 2016
Funds, Competition, Asset Finance, Tax, Energy & Resources, Litigation and International Arbitration. Clients increasingly need global service providers and we are currently one of the only firms in Australia able to provide a fully integrated domestic, regional and global offering. As a Summer Clerk, you will be exposed to premium quality domestic and international work and will also participate in various exercises that simulate real transactions from beginning to end, providing a valuable insight into the role of an Allen & Overy lawyer. Please visit the Australian Student and Graduate pages on our Careers site – www.allenovery.com/careers (click on Australia). Applications for our summer clerkship program in 2016/17 open on 15 June 2016. The website also contains the details of our clerkship program in Perth.
For further information please contact us at australianrecruitment@allenovery.com
allenovery.com
MOVE YOUR MIND
Graduates in Law
Aim beyond pure legal knowledge. Beyond commercial advice. Be known for something more: a clarity of thought and an instinct for problem solving that can influence governments and leading businesses the world over. Join us and we’ll help you enrich and expand your worldview, grow your skills and influence new ways of thinking. In other words, we’ll help you move minds.
Begin now at careers.ashurst.com Connect with us on
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ASHURST At Ashurst, you won’t just be learning from the past or from specifics. You will also be developing the instincts to tackle the most complex issues in international law and building an understanding of each client’s business. We want a broad range of minds, all united by a common set of strengths.
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time zones
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countries
WE’LL HELP MOVE MINDS
CURIOUS?
Internationalism is part of the fabric of our firm. It’s not just how many offices we have in how many countries. It’s how closely, how seamlessly and how naturally all of those offices work together.
The best way to understand what it feels like to work here is to actually work here! Every year, we hold clerkships in each of our offices to give you an intensive experience of our culture and the kind of work we do.
Pick up the phone. Send off an email. In the world’s largest financial and business centres across Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and the USA, there are Ashurst lawyers who’ll answer you – swiftly, efficiently, skilfully.
SO WHAT DO THE NUMBERS MEAN?
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offices
More access to intellectually demanding, multijurisdictional work. Great international mobility and secondment opportunities. Most of all: collaborations. Across the firm, you will find the same engaging culture wherever you are based.
3,300 people
1,500+ lawyers
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OUR STRENGTHS We’re renowned for helping our clients navigate through a complex and constantly evolving global landscape. With 27 offices across the world’s leading financial and resource centres in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and the USA, we operate at the cutting edge of the financial, resources and infrastructure, corporate and new economy markets. We tackle diverse areas of law, including finance, M&A, disputes and competition. In each, we offer advice that’s as commercially astute as it is technically accurate.
We work hard to make sure they’re as useful and as stimulating as possible. You’ll spend time in our departments, where you’ll work with a supervising partner, a lawyer and a buddy who’ll get you involved in real work.
STARTING YOUR CAREER As a firm, everything we do is characterised by a pursuit of insight, understanding and clarity. We share our clients’ ambitions and we cut to the heart of their issues with speed and clarity, whether we’re working locally or globally. As a graduate, you’ll benefit from a tailored rotation plan, in-house PLT and global firm structured aQ training to help develop the highest standards of technical legal expertise, industry know-how and business and legal skills.
APPLY What you say in your application is up to you: but be sure to express your personality and tell us why you want to be a commercial lawyer – and why you’d like to join Ashurst in particular. We need people with a rare kind of mindset: an openness to the way you work, an agility to the way you think, and a strong desire to keep evolving as a professional.
partners
To start moving your mind, begin now at careers.ashurst.com
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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF‌ Francesca, Seasonal Clerk Studied: Bachelor of Arts in Communications (Social Inquiry) / Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Technology, Sydney
No single day is ever the same when you are a seasonal clerk! You may find yourself doing a single urgent task for the majority of your day, or a series of small tasks broken up by catch-ups with mentors, client meetings and organised skills or wellbeing sessions. Below is an example of what you may expect as a clerk at Ashurst: 08:30 My first task for the morning is to check my emails. I subscribed to legal and news alerts in the first week of my clerkship to stay on top of developments in my areas of interest. I read through articles, prepared both in-house and externally, while drinking my morning coffee. 09:00 I receive an email from the partner. She asks me to meet with her about an ongoing business development (BD) task for a major client of the firm. BD is an important aspect of the business of commercial law firms, focusing on creating and maintaining relationships with clients. I do some quick reading on the client before the meeting, looking up its recent media presence, press releases and annual report. 09:30 I meet with the partner to receive instructions. I will be undertaking the bulk of the work on the task and will be supervised by the graduate lawyer rotating through the team, who I can go to with questions and for direction. The partner asks that I present my findings as an internal memorandum with a supporting dossier of documents in the final week of my rotation. 09:45 Back at my desk, I find an email from my supervising lawyer inviting me to come along to a client meeting. I read the attached documents relating to the meeting before heading up to the client meeting rooms.
14:30 I attend a Clerk Learning and Development (L&D) skills session on writing internal memorandums. I find this very useful, particularly as the partner wants me to present my findings in this format for the BD task! 15:30 Following the L&D session, I revisit some pro bono work that I have been assisting a lawyer with. Lawyers of all levels are encouraged to engage with pro bono at Ashurst, where it is a stand-alone legal practice led by a global pro bono partner. I am currently helping to draft a skeleton letter advising on government payments for people with disabilities. 16:45 With no pressing tasks to attend to before the end of the day, I make a start on the BD task. I compile resources for research and set up the template of my internal memorandum, determining the scope of the task and identifying resources that I may need the help of the library staff in obtaining. 17:15
With the work day drawing to a close, I make sure that I have posted all of my time and do a final check of my emails. It is a good thing I do, because I find one from the clerks organising drinks! I write up a quick to-do list for the next day before heading downstairs to meet them.
10:30 At the meeting I act as the scribe, taking notes on everything that is said. Reading the documents before attending proves useful, as I am able to understand most of the industry jargon used. After the meeting I scan these file notes into the online document management system for our records.
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BORN GLOBAL
At Baker & McKenzie we are different in the way we think, work and behave. Like no other law firm, we were born global. Baker & McKenzie has been thinking globally in Australia for over 50 years. In 2014, we opened our Brisbane office making our Australian practice the fourth largest in our network of 77 offices with more than 85 Partners and 190 lawyers across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. In Australia, we act for leading multinational and domestic companies on market leading local and global transactions. Founded in 1949, Baker & McKenzie is one of the world’s largest law firms by markets, revenue and headcount. We offer our clients and lawyers the uncompromising commitment to excellence expected of a leading firm and a distinctive way of thinking, working and behaving as a passionately global and genuinely collaborative firm. We understand the challenges of the global economy because we have been a global law firm from the start. Our Clerkship Program Right from the start, our clerks get involved in real work. You will be exposed to our Australian and international clients through client meetings, shadowing, research and other everyday activities within your assigned practice group. Our clerks work closely with other lawyers, are guided by a Supervising Partner and enjoy the extra support of an experienced Associate “Buddy”. You will develop practical and legal skills through our national learning program and by attending workshops specifically designed for clerks, as well as Firm-wide sessions. In Sydney, the Summer Clerkship Program runs from late November to February each year with clerks completing two rotations. Clerks who accept a graduate role with Baker & McKenzie are eligible to apply for an International Clerkship, with the opportunity to work in one of our overseas offices in the year following their clerkship.
Our Graduate Program Over the course of the program, graduates gain experience in different areas of law before they join a particular practice group as an Associate. You will be assigned a Supervising Partner and an Associate “Buddy” in each rotation to oversee your on-the-job and formal learning.
Develop globally At Baker & McKenzie, we have a deep commitment to development. We work with each graduate to create a tailored development plan and career goals. To help you reach your goals, we provide targeted learning
opportunities — from seminars on core legal topics to practical skills development in areas such as communication, drafting and presenting. We work hard to facilitate on-the-job learning and the many ways it happens — through informal mentoring relationships, client secondments, involving graduates in global teams working on international deals or supporting them to run their own files for our award-winning Pro Bono Program. We also bring graduates from our Sydney and Melbourne offices together to help our people foster networks across the Firm, and support professional development by covering the costs of Practical Legal Training. Our regional practice group structure means many of our lawyers attend regional training in our Asia Pacific offices and, once graduates complete their Graduate Program, they will travel overseas to attend a regional orientation program with other mid-level Associates from the region. In addition, the Firm offers opportunities for lawyers at varying stages of their career to work directly for clients or with our other offices globally.
What does the Firm look for? We look for people who enjoy a challenge and seek new opportunities; who share our global perspective; who have sound academics and are practical in their approach; who like taking responsibility and getting things done; who express themselves confidently while staying open to new ideas; and who seek a friendly and inclusive culture that strives to make a difference to our local and global communities.
Our key areas of practice include: • • • • • •
Banking & Finance Capital Markets Commercial Real Estate Construction Dispute Resolution Employment
• Energy, Resources and Infrastructure • Environmental Markets • Financial Services & Structured Transactions • Insolvency • Intellectual Property
Thrive in a culture of inclusion Quality and excellence along with team work, integrity and responsiveness are central in delivering outstanding service to our clients, as you would expect in a top tier law firm. The values that make us a unique and great place to work are deeply embedded and you will notice our difference in all of your interactions with us, in Australia and across the globe. • We are passionately global, and leverage our global expertise for our Australian and global clients at every opportunity, recognising our strength is in our diversity. • We strive to stay ahead of the curve and encourage entrepreneurship. • We have a strong culture of friendship and inclusion, and an egalitarian and collaborative working style. • We are commercial pragmatists who make complex issues simple for our clients and we focus on our clients’ business needs. • We actively encourage and support contribution to the community, through our pro bono and community service programs. Our award-winning diversity strategy, initiatives and programs are focussed in four areas, in which all of our people can participate: • BakerWomen - Gender equality and supporting the progression of women • BakerDNA - Ethnic, indigenous and cultural diversity • BakerBalance - Supporting carers and parents, mental health and wellbeing, and workplace flexibility • BakerLGBTI - Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex diversity
How to apply • • • • •
Media Mergers & Acquisitions Private Equity Tax Technology, & Communications
Baker & McKenzie, an Australian Partnership, is a member of Baker & McKenzie International, a Swiss Verein with member law firms around the world. In accordance with the common terminology used in professional service organizations, reference to a “partner” means a person who is a partner, or equivalent, in such a law firm. Similarly, reference to an “office” means an office of any such law firm. Baker & McKenzie handles information in accordance with our privacy policy. A copy can be found on our website.
Applications for clerkships can be submitted online at http://www.bakermckenzie.com/careers/australia/sydney/. Applications should include a cover letter, as well as details of your work experience, your extra-curricular activities and interests, and your academic results. Applications for clerkships open at 9.00am on 15 June 2016 and close 11.59pm on 17 July 2016.
Natalie Brunton Talent Management Consultant - Sydney Tel: +61 2 8922 5747 natalie.brunton@bakermckenzie.com www.bakermckenzie.com/careers/australia/sydney/
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TODAY’S TALENT TOMORROW’S LEADERS DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers in the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
IT’S IN OUR DNA
We are a law firm with momentum. Over the past decade, DLA Piper has undergone rapid expansion, responding to global markets and helping our clients deliver on their business strategies. In doing so, we are uniquely placed to provide our people with the global career opportunities they are looking for.
WINNING
In Australia we are trusted legal advisors to approximately a third of the ASX 100 companies and all levels of government. We have offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra.
At its heart, DLA Piper is an entrepreneurial and dynamic firm. We have a supportive and performance based culture founded on the diversity of our people, the communities we operate in and the clients we work with.
#1 Global M&A volume: DLA Piper has retained its number one ranking globally for overall deal volume by mergermarket for the fifth consecutive year. #2 Global brand: DLA Piper ranked second on the Acritas Global Elite Brand Index. +1,000: The world’s leading legal directories have named more than 1,000 of our lawyers and practices among the best in their fields. In Australia, we are recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. We are also members of the Tristan Jepson Memorial Foundation, supporting workplace psychological health and safety. YOUR OPPORTUNITIES We provide cutting-edge learning and development programs, and an opportunity to work alongside some of the best legal minds around. As a clerk, you can expect to have a varied experience both in and outside the office. You will gain first-hand experience in the practice of law by doing real legal work. Joining us as a clerk is your path to a Graduate position. At DLA Piper we recruit to retain and once you qualify, we will continue to offer you exceptional career opportunities, in an environment that is challenging, rewarding and, we believe, truly different from our competitors. We are also committed to supporting our people’s desire to experience working life in other parts of the world. For our Graduates we offer the opportunity to apply for a six month rotation to one of our offices in Asia. We believe our secondment program fosters a global mind-set and is critical to our success. WHAT IT TAKES Being an excellent lawyer requires more than just comprehensive technical knowledge. Every aspect of our approach is tailored carefully to our clients, their business needs and industry. Successful applicants are not only bright, as demonstrated through strong academics, but they also bring unique life experiences and insights to the table. Our lawyers are excellent communicators, collaborative team players and commercially minded, because our clients are the core of our business. For more information about our clerkship opportunities, please visit www.dlapipergraduates.com.au
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As a junior lawyer, your enthusiasm is in overdrive. Everything is interesting. You have a million questions for everyone. You want to be the best. And for me, I wanted to be the best lawyer and leader I could be. Right now I’m a corporate and tax lawyer, buying and selling companies, structuring investments and having the occasional battle with the ATO.
STAY TRUE.
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So, a little while after I started at Clayton Utz, I joined the social committee. A powerful assembly fuelled by lunchtime pizzawielding lawyers making important decisions like choosing the Christmas party theme. They knew I liked pizza, but had no idea I was gay. You see, I wasn’t out at work yet and this became a genuine source of anxiety for a good two years. But In May 2015 this all changed... To listen to Luke’s full story, go to: claytonutz.com/graduates Academic brilliance certainly counts, but graduates who thrive here have something extra – a natural passion for connecting with people and a strong sense of self. That’s what staying true is all about. If you have these qualities, Clayton Utz is for you.
CLERKSHIP PROGRAM If you’re a law student in your penultimate year, our Clerkship Programs will expose you to the fast pace of a full-service commercial law firm and show you the law in action. You’ll be working under the guidance of some of the sharpest legal minds in Australia, on challenging, complex and high-profile transactions and matters. You’ll be mentored by partners and lawyers who are leaders in their fields, in a firm where individuality is embraced and innovation actively encouraged.
GRADUATE PROGRAM It’s not just about wearing a suit. There’s always a gap between theory and practice, and post-university prospects can be daunting. How do you make the leap to working in the industry?
That’s where we come in. Once you’ve completed your studies, our national Graduate Program gives you the perfect foundation for your legal career. Our 2.5 week orientation program is designed to ensure that you’ll hit the ground running. It consists of PLT+, local training and a national orientation week in Sydney. Our rotations will help you discover different areas and find the right fit. From day one you’ll be working on complex and sophisticated legal issues, and with our innovative learning and development approach, you’ll get the support to become the best you can be.
You’ll get… • Three rotations of six months in our national practice groups • continuing legal education programs and professional development support • mentoring from some of the best lawyers in the country • a buddy who’ll give you the inside information
• the chance to participate in our Community Connect and Pro Bono programs and really give back
• meaningful performance feedback so you know you’re on • social and sporting activities, because we know it’s not the right track all work and no play.
We hire most of our Graduates from our Clerkship Programs. Occasionally, additional opportunities may arise. These opportunities will be listed on our website. 31
WHO ARE WE AND WHAT SETS US APART FROM OTHER FIRMS? Corrs Chambers Westgarth is a premium independent law firm. We emphasise the independent part because it’s important to who we are and how we work. Independence isn’t just a description of our position in the market, it describes how we think, our innovative style and bold decision‑making.
DISCOVER YOUR INDEPENDENT SPIRIT WWW.CORRS.COM.AU/GRADUATES
Our vision as a world class law firm is to drive Australia’s competitiveness and economic engagement with Asia. We are based in Australia and operate internationally, wherever our clients need our services. With 950 employees, 440 lawyers and 113 partners, we have the scale that allows us to take on the largest and most challenging matters for major organisations internationally, as well as be the right size for a culture of inclusion. Corrs is a firm that thinks strategically, not just in its legal work, but also for the firm’s future and the success of its people. Corrs is known for its clear vision and ability to develop and implement strategy, as well as its lawyers’ ability to help clients achieve their business goals. The combination of these factors creates a firm that celebrates its independence, is open to new ideas, has the courage to think and act differently from the rest of the market, and thrives on new challenges and opportunities. Sian‑Marie Preece (02) 9210 6687 sianmarie.preece@corrs.com.au
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AREAS OF PRACTICE The firm works through three main operating divisions: • Corporate, Finance & Tax (Energy & Resources, Corporate Advisory, Banking & Finance and Taxation) • Property & Development (Property & Infrastructure, Environment & Planning and Construction) • Litigation and Workplace Relations (Litigation, Workplace Relations, Intellectual Property, Technology & Competition) Our clients compete globally and Corrs provides the legal services they need to do that effectively, no matter where they are. Our lawyers work across practice areas and geographic boundaries to drive commercial outcomes and transactions in multiple jurisdictions. We have a global network of the world’s best independent firms who work with us to provide the most relevant specialist expertise where and when it’s needed. Our independence means we’re not locked into one legal service provider. We connect with the best lawyers internationally to meet our clients’ needs.
HOW DOES THE FIRM ENCOURAGE WORK‑LIFE BALANCE? It’s not all about work! At Corrs we encourage staff to be active and participate in social and sporting events as well as learning & development activities. Some of our activities include yoga, touch football, cricket day, Friday night drinks, family days, trivia nights and Christmas Parties. Corrs also provides flexible work arrangements, paid study leave, salary sacrificing and opportunities to give back to the community.
PRO BONO, VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES Helping others is a key aspect of the culture at Corrs and can be seen every day in every office at Corrs. It happens in three ways – through pro bono legal work, volunteering and philanthropy. Corrs provides pro bono legal services for disadvantaged individuals who might not otherwise have access to legal representation through nine legal clinics and referred public interest matters. Pro Bono is one of the graduate program rotations and graduates are involved early in their time at Corrs.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN AN EMPLOYEE? Corrs is a place that celebrates individuals. We’re looking for spirited, determined graduates who think big and like doing things a little differently. In exchange for your energy and commitment we’ll provide extraordinary learning and work opportunities here and on an international stage. Because this is a high performance organisation, Corrs people are good at what they do. They are able to work in a team and bring out the best in the people around them. They want to achieve the best results for the client as well as the firm and they take pride in their work and achievements. Corrs people like to find new ways of doing things and aren’t afraid to be independent and bold in their actions.
WHAT ARE WE WORKING ON? Our clients include more than half the top fifty ASX listed companies, some of the largest privately owned companies in Australia and a number of global Fortune five hundred companies like Johnson & Johnson, General Electric, Wesfarmers, Microsoft, BP and Pfizer. We work with well‑known organisations like Vodafone Hutchison, ANZ, AMCOR, BG Group, Mirvac, Woolworths and Carlton United Breweries, mining giants like BP, Woodside and Fortescue Metal Group and leaders in finance like NAB, and CBA. We also work with governments, Federal and State. We were Australian counsel for US talent agency William Morris, which represents stars like Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey, when it acquired 49 percent of industry‑leading global creative agency, Droga5.
CLERKSHIP & GRADUATE PROGRAM The Corrs Seasonal Clerkship Program is a great opportunity for you to experience the people, clients, work and culture that differentiates Corrs from other law firms. The Sydney Seasonal Clerkship Program runs over the course of the summer and involves a unique rotation system, through which you will participate in three rotations, giving you the opportunity to work across each division of the firm. Like everyone at Corrs in Sydney, you will be sitting in open plan pods with partners and lawyers, giving you great exposure to learning and knowledge sharing as a result of our new workspace, 8 Chifley. You will be supported by Coordinators, who are senior lawyers and will also have a mentor, a junior lawyer who will answer any questions, settle you in and provide you with informal support and guidance. Along with ongoing feedback, our structured learning opportunities include a comprehensive orientation program, presentations on relevant legal, business and workplace issues and partner connect sessions. Your clerk cohort will undertake a pro bono project for the duration of the summer and you will also be provided with a number of opportunities to shadow lawyers who are undertaking community legal centre secondments such as with the Inner City Legal Centre, Redfern Legal Centre and the Homeless Persons’ Legal Service. Our commitment to developing world class lawyers starts at day one. Our Graduate Development Program lays this foundation by providing rich, on the job training with a greater opportunity to work directly with partners and senior lawyers; structured learning; mentoring; and regular feedback throughout each of the three six month rotations. 33 WWW.CORRS.COM.AU/GRADUATES
Join our next generation clerkship. Give your future the head start you’re looking for with a firm that is local... everywhere. Start your journey with Gadens as we combine with Dentons, the world's largest law firm. With talent in more than 125 locations and more than 50 countries, we provide the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues in more locations than any other firm in the world. ELITE MENTORING PROGRAM CLIENT SECONDMENT OPPORTUNITY LEGAL LABORATORY
34 Future proof your career with real experience
LAUNCH
LAUNCH YOUR CAREER WITH THE GAME-CHANGERS OF AUSTRALIAN LAW. TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT US AT ME.GTLAW.COM.AU
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LAUNCH. JOIN THE GAME-CHANGERS OF AUSTRALIAN LAW If you share our ambition to be the best, Gilbert + Tobin will place you on that trajectory. We employ a diverse mix of talented and ambitious people who are attracted to the firm because of its entrepreneurial spirit, creative approach and capacity for change. These are the reasons we enjoy a reputation as the most successful corporate law firm to emerge in Australia in many years. We advise many of Australia’s and the world’s leading organisations and focus on the most dynamic sectors. Our clients and projects span Australia, Asia and emerging African markets. 36
Located in the heart of the CBD, the partners and lawyers in our Sydney office include some of Australia’s leading practitioners in:
+ Banking + Infrastructure + Competition + Regulation + Corporate Advisory + Energy + Resources + Intellectual Property + Litigation + Pro Bono + Real Estate + Projects + TMT + Project Services.
If you want to work for a first-tier corporate law firm, and you want to be the best you can be, we would be delighted to hear from you.
“
SYDNEY | MELBOURNE | PERTH
We are an egalitarian, open-minded meritocracy committed to the growth and development of our people.” Danny Gilbert, Managing Partner
FIND OUT MORE AT ME.GTLAW.COM.AU
LAUNCH. The clerkship at G+T exceeded all of my expectations. The teams involved me in all aspects of their work and provided me with a real sense of what it is like to work in a top corporate law firm. I was surprised by my level of involvement in the practice groups. When receiving a task, a lawyer would brief me on the context of the matter and the objectives of my work. I always had an idea of how matters were progressing, what people were working on in the group, and how my work fit into the bigger picture. In only 10 weeks, I had opportunities to attend court, observe client meetings, draft memos for partners and more. In addition to facilitating my learning, the firm created a fantastic social environment for the clerks. My social calendar was constantly swamped and I could not have asked for a better group of people to work with. Adam Brieger, 2015 Sydney Summer Clerk
My decision to join G+T was based on a combination of the firm’s innovative and progressive outlook, its reputation as a market-leader across a number of practice areas and the genuine, down to earth nature of the people I met during the selection process. Getting hands-on legal experience in a toptier commercial environment has provided me with invaluable skills and experience. I’ve also felt constantly supported throughout the clerkship, as the lawyers have been keen to foster my interests, knowledge and development. Aside from having opportunities to be closely involved in a range of transactions, projects and probono work I have also been fortunate enough to attend client meetings, dealclosing lunches, a number of firm and interfirm social events and meet some great people along the way.
Being actively involved in a number of matters has been incredibly rewarding and enjoyable. The real responsibility afforded to me meant I had ample opportunities to learn and I gained a lot of confidence from the feedback I received from partners and lawyers. The high level of involvement and responsibility given to clerks and junior lawyers was surprising but exciting. Seeing my work being directly passed onto the client gave me a real buzz and it was greatly satisfying to know I had made a meaningful contribution. Tom Abraham, 2015 Sydney Summer Clerk
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SYDNEY | MELBOURNE | PERTH
aspire. contribute. thrive.
summerclerks
aspire. what are your hopes and ambitions for the future? contribute. how will you make a difference to HDY, our profession and our community? thrive. what do you need to reach your full potential?
a.c.t now 38
visit our website to apply and start your career with HDY 15 June – 17 July 2016 www.hdy.com.au/summerclerks
summerclerks
aspire. what are your hopes and ambitions for the future? contribute. how will you make a difference to HDY, our profession and our community? thrive. what do you need to reach your full potential? Who are we?
What’s it like to be a summer clerk at HDY?
Henry Davis York is an independent Australian law firm with talented lawyers and other professionals. Our clients are primarily from the financial services and government sectors. We are also proud to work alongside an impressive list of clients from other sectors to achieve their objectives. We do this in a way that clients and staff alike enjoy the HDY experience and choose us as their preferred legal services provider. Our clients include the big four Australian banks, global investment banks, insolvency & accounting firms, fund managers, property developers, manufacturing companies, regulatory bodies and government agencies.
OUR PROGRAM
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
Comprehensive orientation program during which you will attend training sessions and meet the people you will be working with.
You will be ready to hit the ground running from day one and be given the opportunity to contribute and make a difference.
Rotations through 3 practice groups of your choice.
You will enjoy hands-on experience in the areas of law most relevant to helping you with whatever you aspire to achieve.
Supervision, advice, training & feedback from partners, senior associates and a mentor.
You will be well supported and developed throughout your time with HDY to help you thrive.
What are we looking for in a summer clerk?
Why should you apply for our program? We understand what you are looking for in a summer clerk program. We listen to what our summer clerks tell us about their experience with us and how we can build on it each year. This means we know what’s most important to you and our program delivers this for you:
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Banking & Finance
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Construction & Major Projects
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Corporate/ M&A
The quality of our people is the key to our success. Recruiting the right people at every level is therefore a critical part of our strategy. Our summer clerks become part of the HDY team and contribute to our growth and culture from day one. So, they must be:
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Dispute Resolution
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■
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Government Inquiries, Commissions & Inquests
Self-driven, highly motivated and eager to develop and take on responsibility.
Exposure to high quality, meaningful work.
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Energised by being part of a team and focused on “we” rather than “I”.
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The opportunity to contribute and take on responsibility as part of a team.
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Respectful of others and respected by others.
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A supportive, collaborative environment where your contribution matters and which fosters your development.
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The chance to work with motivated and talented lawyers and have fun too.
We offer our clients a wide range of legal services from the following practice areas:
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Insurance
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Intellectual Property
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Investments and Financial Services
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Property, Environment & Planning
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Restructuring & Insolvency
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Tax
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Technology
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Workplace Relations & Safety
a.c.t now
A successful candidate will have a solid academic record, some relevant work experience, demonstrated leadership skills and a keen interest in commercial law.
visit our website to apply and start your career with HDY 15 June – 17 July 2016 www.hdy.com.au/summerclerks
39
aspire. contribute. thrive.
HDY offers its clerks the unique opportunity to rotate through three practice areas‌the exposure to different legal areas has been really helpful. During the clerkship recruitment process, HDY was a firm that stood out to me for its excellent reputation, intriguing deal sheet and, most importantly, its friendly culture. These were the reasons why I chose HDY and I can genuinely say that my clerkship has confirmed these initial perceptions of the firm. HDY offers its clerks the unique opportunity to rotate through three practice areas. As someone who was unsure of the area of law I wanted to ultimately practice in, the greater exposure to different legal areas has been really helpful. Through my rotations in Projects, Construction & Procurement (PCP), Investments, and Disputes, Inquiries & Risk (DIR), I enjoyed a good mix of advisory, transactional and litigious work. The tasks I received were interesting and challenging, ranging from conducting legal research, drafting client emails and reviewing contracts to only name a few. I found that the partners, senior associates and lawyers I worked with were truly invested in my learning and development as they took the time to
explain the full context of a matter to me even if it was unrelated to my particular task. Above all, everyone I met was warm, approachable and always willing to help (which is something you’ll need more often than not as a summer clerk). My clerkship experience, however, was not merely confined to my dayto-day work. There were a number of social and sporting events scheduled throughout the clerkship. Some of you may already be aware of the inter-firm clerk sport competition, trivia night and cruise. On top of these events, we had an entertaining day awkwardly modelling for our photo shoot, a fun afternoon completing a high ropes course, and a relaxed evening with the managing partner, Michael Greene. All in all, I had a wonderful summer and I am glad that I was able to share this experience with the twelve other amazing clerks in my group.
Saad Khan Summer Clerk - HDY 2016
Carly Miles
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Graduate Recruitment Manager 61 2 9947 6532 summerclerks@hdy.com.au
BE A PART OF EVERYTHING
INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE CAREERS IN LAW Join Herbert Smith Freehills and you’ll do more than just experience life at a leading law firm, you’ll be a part of everything we have to offer - whether you’re working on a high-profile takeover, catching up with an overseas client or taking on some challenging pro bono work. It’s an environment in which your perspective, ideas and experiences will make a real difference. Don’t just experience everything, be a part of it.
SEARCH HSF GRADUATES FOR MORE
41 GRADUATE EMPLOYERS 2016
BE A PART OF EVERYTHING Join us as a Herbert Smith Freehills vacation clerk and you’ll do more than just experience life at a leading law firm, you’ll be a part of everything we have to offer. Takeovers and mergers. Arbitration and litigation. We’ve got it all. And because we’re one of the world’s leading law firms, we also work with some of the biggest international organisations on some of their most ambitious projects. Thanks to the quality of our international network, we’re able to offer our clients both domestic and cross-border services, which means you get the chance to work in a truly global way.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR We look for exceptional people with the desire and ability to become truly brilliant lawyers. And there’s more to that than just a great academic record. There’s fantastic perception skills. There’s confidence. There’s empathy. There’s an international mindset. There’s diligence. And there’s the drive to not only experience everything, but to be a part of it. We are interested in who you are and the strengths you can bring. We have prepared some more detailed information on our website: careers.herbertsmithfreehills.com/au/grads/au/ grads/join-us
Our work is incredibly varied. We provide top quality tailored legal advice to major corporations, governments and financial institutions as well as different types of commercial organisations. We’re proud to be a full-service firm and we’re proud to be able to do more for our clients.
YOUR DEVELOPMENT
25 offices, including associated offices across Asia-Pacific, EMEA and North America
OUR GLOBAL PRACTICE GROUPS • COMPETITION, REGULATION AND TRADE • DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Our international network means that we can offer opportunities and experiences that are unrivalled in scope. In 2014 we launched our international secondment program for Australian graduates to our Singapore, Hong Kong and London offices and we are continuing to review and expand our secondment program. To hear about Ben and Mia’s experiences on international secondment go to our website: careers.herbertsmithfreehills.com/au/grads/ graduate-program
We view you as the partners of the future, so it goes without saying that your development is incredibly important to us. Our full service practice and extensive work for international clients means you’ll enjoy a varied experience across contentious and non-contentious practice groups.
GLOBAL REACH
• CORPORATE
INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE SECONDMENT PROGRAM
Herbert Smith Freehills is a place where you won’t just experience everything, you’ll be a part of it. So if you’ve got the drive and ambition to become an exceptional lawyer, we’d like to hear from you.
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• EMPLOYMENT, PENSIONS AND INCENTIVES • FINANCE • PROJECTS AND INFRASTRUCTURE • REAL ESTATE
JOINING US
As well as getting exposure to a huge breadth of work, you’ll be supported to grow your career and reach your goals with flexible training and development plans. Individually designed, these plans will allow you to gain experience in all areas and help you find what’s best for you and your career.
We offer a range of summer and winter clerkships in each of 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 team.
GRADUATE EMPLOYERS 2016
KEY DATES AND DEADLINES BRISBANE
CONTACT
MELBOURNE
PERTH
SYDNEY
Approximate number of positions 25-30
70-80
45-50
30-35
Clerkship programs
2 summer
2 summer/1 winter 2 summer/1 winter 1 summer
Applications for all 2016/17 programs open
1 March 2016
11 July 2016
18 July 2016
15 June 2016
Applications for all 2016/17 programs close
21 March 2016
14 August 2016
5 August 2016
17 July 2016
Offers made
9 May 2016
11 October 2016
21 September 2016 23 September 2016
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. 42 HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM
James Keane Graduate Recruitment Consultant T +61 2 9322 4313 james.keane@hsf.com
© Herbert Smith Freehills 2016 NOF156479_advertorial_sydney_v4 310316
NICHOLAS SAADY MY VACATION CLERKSHIP WHY HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS? I chose Herbert Smith Freehills because of the firm’s stature and respect in the Australian legal market. Members of the legal profession, work colleagues and university staff I consulted with during the application process were unanimous in their recommendation and admiration of the firm. In unison with the legal guides I referred to, these individuals viewed Herbert Smith Freehills as the pre-eminent law firm in the Australian market, and throughout my clerkship I found there was good reason for this. The structured training, exposure to prominent lawyers and the genuine, professional culture within the firm is unparalleled.
NICHOLAS SAADY VACATION CLERK
The most valuable aspect of my clerkship was the constant coaching, mentoring and support I received. NICHOLAS SAADY VACATION CLERK
HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM
However, it was not just personal recommendations that urged me to join the firm. My experience during the application process was decisive. It is exceedingly difficult to judge which commercial law firm suits you without having worked in the market. Therefore, the people you meet throughout the clerkship application process and the individual firm events are essential indicators. For me, these indicators made me choose Herbert Smith Freehills. The firm’s events were always meticulously executed, the food was always of Michelin Star standard and the office facilities superb. I formed strong relationships with my interviewing partners and allocated buddy, interacting with them on both a professional and personal level. Yet, it was the wider group of Herbert Smith Freehills support staff, lawyers and partners who fortified my desire to work at the firm. Everyone was always happy, willing to converse and exuded respect towards me. I was not just seen as another prospective young lawyer, but rather a person in which these people were genuinely interested in developing into a successful future lawyer and valuable contributor to the community. Herbert Smith Freehills was the firm which would best foster my future development and allow me to thrive personally and professionally.
MY CLERKSHIP AT HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS During my clerkship I rotated through the Financial Services/Contentious Regulatory team in the Dispute Resolution practice area and the Funds team in the Corporate practice area. I thoroughly enjoyed both of these rotations, not only because they were totally different, but also because of the level of my involvement on large matters. I was immediately immersed in multi-million dollar schemes of arrangements during my Dispute Resolution rotation. Similarly, I worked on large-scale trust matters involving the Barangaroo development during my Corporate rotation. I was particularly stimulated by the gravity and importance of the work I undertook during my rotations, as I felt I was making a meaningful contribution to the team and the big-ticket matters they worked on. In my Dispute Resolution rotation I helped advise a large investment bank about possible contraventions of the Corporations Act insider trading prohibitions. I also regularly produced memos detailing current developments in the financial services regulatory market which was sent to clients. Uniquely, I was involved in numerous Federal Court scheme of arrangement proceedings, where I actively conversed with the lawyers involved and familiarised myself with court procedure. In my Corporate rotation I worked on numerous trust matters involving international and Australian investment funds. Being a smaller team, I was deeply involved with these matters and was often invited by senior lawyers to express my opinion on commercial and legal issues. I was regularly involved in conferences with large corporate clients, actively conversing with my peers about their approach and the content of advice the firm was giving these clients.
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© Herbert Smith Freehills 2016 NOF156479_profile_NS 060416
NICHOLAS SAADY MY VACATION CLERKSHIP Outside these rotations, I was involved in the firm’s dynamic pro bono practice, particularly working with Jane Sanders and The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre. During this time, I had the opportunity to attend local and district court proceedings, working with the team to advocate for disadvantaged youth. It was a particularly rewarding experience, as I not only felt I was making a significant contribution to the community but also developing my advocacy skills. The most valuable aspect of my clerkship was the constant coaching, mentoring and support I received. All lawyers and partners took time to explain pertinent issues and the relevant legal principles. There were also weekly clerk training sessions which strengthened my knowledge of discrete areas of law. Herbert Smith Freehills also placed a distinctive emphasis on educating its clerks about the commerciality of the law and the ramifications of legal advice for a client’s business. This was one of the most important revelations I uncovered during my clerkship and one which I will appropriate into all future legal practice. Overall, the structured legal training Herbert Smith Freehills provided during my clerkship enabled me to consistently produce highquality legal work and equipped me with the requisite skills to move onto the next stage of my legal career as a graduate lawyer.
LEISURE AT HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS Whilst I professionally developed during the clerkship, I also personally developed by attending numerous firm social events and meeting new people in the legal profession. The unique, omnipresent social vibe which resounded throughout the CBD during the clerkship period was amazing to experience. Clerks from all firms would often gather during lunch or after work, creating a social forum to meet new people, talk about life in commercial law and generally enjoy ourselves. A standout event was the Herbert Smith Freehills Christmas Party, where there was a fantastic immersion of all firm staff and a unique opportunity to interact with people I did not encounter in everyday firm life. There were also regular Herbert Smith Freehills clerk social events, coordinated by a well-organised and engaging group of social leaders. This strengthened my relationships with other clerks in my cohort, making daily work more enjoyable and facilitating the creation of friendships I will hold for life. These intra-firm events were complemented by interestingly themed inter-firm events which enabled me to engage with clerks from other firms, share professional experiences and develop future professional and social relationships. Monday night inter-firm sport further built on these inter-firm social events, being extremely entertaining events where all clerks regularly and fiercely competed in various sports.
TIPS FOR THE APPLICATION PROCESS My most important piece of advice during the clerkship is to prepare your applications well in advance. Emphasise your unique experience or abilities which will catch the eye of each firm’s HR. Bolster your CV by having a distinctive array of strong academic marks, varied communal involvement and meaningful legal work experience. Tailor your cover letters meticulously, appropriating yourself to the firm’s culture and expectations. Ensure you research each firm and the application process by scrutinising firm websites, law society websites, lawyer profiles and online legal guides such as Chambers & Partners. It is also vital that you be yourself throughout the process to truly ascertain which firm best suits you. This will ensure that you do not end up in a firm averse to your personality. At firm social events, once again be yourself but also take the time to network with as many people as you can, especially those in practice areas which interest you. I advise you to identify specific practice areas you would like to work in from the beginning of the process and openly express your desire to work within them during your applications and interactions. Above all, do not be afraid to consult others about the nature and suitability of each firm, especially those who work in commercial law. Those that have been through the process will have the best and most accurate insights to help you land a clerkship offer when the day comes. Continue to work hard, effectively prepare and I hope to see you at Herbert Smith Freehills in the near future. Good luck!
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HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM
© Herbert Smith Freehills 2016 NOF156479_profile_NS 060416
CAREER, YOUR CHOICE Johnson Winter & Slattery is a national law firm where young lawyers play a meaningful role in strategic and complex transactions and disputes, and build relationships with executives from Australia’s most successful companies through close client contact. We have an established reputation for providing practical commercial solutions and outstanding client service.
THRIVE WITH NO BOUNDARIES
SHAPE YOUR CAREER
QUICK ACCESS TO QUALITY WORK
Our lawyers thrive in an environment that fosters collaboration with few internal administrative boundaries and is free from financial targets. Enjoy working across practice areas. Collaborate with diverse teams of specialists across the country.
Strong technical and client service skills are developed through structured mentoring and professional development education programs. Be mentored by Australia’s best lawyers. Get regular feedback on performance.
Our hands on and proactive approach creates an environment in which ambitious lawyers become directly involved in significant opportunities from an early stage. Work side by side with partners and play a meaningful role in strategic and complex transactions and disputes.
Law students choose our firm because we provide an excellent learning environment, and an exceptional place to begin and develop your career. Our clerkship program is a realistic snapshot of your future as a lawyer at Johnson Winter & Slattery.
Please visit our website for more information: http://www.jws.com.au/en/graduate-lawyer-careers
SYDNEY
jws.com.au
PERTH
MELBOURNE
BRISBANE
ADELAIDE 45
GROW YOUR CAREER Law firms all say the same things. But what if there were a law firm that really is different from the others? At K&L Gates, we are a global community of entrepreneurs and self-starters, we are focused on innovation and we reject the “that’s the way it’s always been done” mentality. We are all in it together and genuinely enjoy working with each other and for our clients. LEARN WHAT MAKES OUR GLOBAL LAW FIRM DIFFERENT. Voted The Employer of Choice among law firms by Australasian Lawyer in the Gold Category.*
Watch our brand video. /klgateslaw
Check out our Facebook page. /klgatesgraduaterecruitingau /klgateslaw
SYDNEY
Application Dates
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Clerkship applications open: 15 June 2016 Clerkship applications close: 17 July 2016
* Law firms with more than 500 employees
Future Focussed Press play on a forward thinking career choice • High performance culture • Competitive team spirit • Drive and passion to be #1 In Competition China Law blog Insight blog
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King & Wood Mallesons A little about what we offer King & Wood Mallesons is helping clients across the globe to make smart choices to shape their future success. As a global law firm, over 2,700 lawyers in more than 30 international offices are cutting through the challenges facing business and providing commercial solutions that are transforming the way legal services are delivered. Our ability to connect emerging opportunities with market leading capability is pushing the frontiers of what can be achieved connecting Asia to the world, and the world to Asia. We differentiate KWM through our people and the ways we aspire to live our values and harness their expertise. Working in collaborative, flexible teams we apply our expertise in connecting with and caring for our clients, standing in their shoes, understanding what they want and then going ‘all out’ to deliver.
Key statistics US$1.037 billion global revenue; More than 30 international offices; 590+ partners and more than 2200 lawyers to create one of the (largest international legal networks in the Asia region); #12 global legal brand and #2 global brand in Asia* We are the only law firm able to practise Chinese, Hong Kong, Australian, English, US and a significant range of European laws. *Source: 2015 Acritas Sharp Global Elite Brand Index and Acritas Asia Pacific Law Firm Brand Index
Regional Presence The King & Wood Mallesons network extends across the following regions: Asia Pacific (Australia, Mainland China including Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore) Europe Middle East North America
Seasonal clerkship program Applications open: 15 June 2016 Applications close: 17 July 2016 How to apply: Via our online application system at kwm.com/careers We’ve designed a program to help you make the most of your time with us. During your clerkship, you’ll learn: The day-to-day skills to get you started – taking instructions, meeting with clients, drafting memos and documents, managing your practice and professional relationships.
Asia Pacific | Europe | North America | Middle East | 48 www.kwm.com
The Power of Together
The core practice teams at King & Wood Mallesons – who they are, what they do, how they’re structured, the clients they work for, and of course, your role within them. Our culture – working within your team, you’ll be exposed to (and encouraged) to get actively involved in the many activities and events that help create our unique culture. Our people – you’ll find that people from every part of the business will help you along, sharing their knowledge, and ensuring you have everything you need to fit in, and do well. Your role Clerks usually work in two different practice groups. You’ll be allocated a supervisor in each of your practice groups and you’ll work closely with the partners, senior associates and solicitors in that team. It’s a hands-on role, so you’ll not just be watching from the sidelines. Our people have the opportunity to get involved in the many social and sporting activities that go on in the firm as well as the broader community in which we live.
Graduate Program Our graduates participate in a targeted development program, we have a framework that cultivates valuable skills and that sets them up for success now and in the future. What you’ll learn The program provides a practical business foundation for junior lawyers. You’ll receive: Meaningful work covering a wide range of practice areas Client contact and an in-depth understanding of how they operate in a commercial and regulatory environment The opportunity to work with a range of partners, senior associates and solicitors in different practice groups A practical understanding of areas of our legal practice A comprehensive knowledge of the firm, our technology, our resources, our processes and, of course, the people you’ll work with. As part of the Graduate Program, we also offer a Practical Legal Training (PLT) course with the College of Law to our Australian Law Graduates, ensuring that you meet the requirements for admission to legal practice. The program also promotes and supports the mobility of our staff across our offices by giving you the opportunity to apply to go on exchange in one of our interstate or overseas offices. Through this, you are able to access a greater choice and variety of destinations and onthe-job experience.
Sam Garner Graduate Resourcing Manager (Projects) T +61 2 9296 3579 sam.garner@au.kwm.com
Visit our Facebook page facebook.com/KingWoodMallesons
Clerkship Profile James MacLeod – Clerkship Profile
The Power of Together
Year 2013/2014 Summer Clerk Areas of rotation Dispute Resolution & Mergers & Acquisitions I have a confession to make. You’re the only person I’ve told. It’s a little bit embarrassing. I was in the clerkship application process and I needed to call Mitch the Graduate Resourcing Contact at KWM to RSVP to an event. I was kind of nervous – it was my first phone call to someone at the firm. I needed to get this right. I mean, people who work at commercial firms are scary. They are serious. And important. Any slip of the tongue and I’d be crossed off the list before I could hang up the phone. There was only one solution. And here’s my confession: I scripted exactly how the conversation was going to go. Every. Single. Word. I took a deep breath and dialled in the digits.
The quality of my colleagues was matched by the quality of the work I was exposed to. I rotated through Mergers and Acquisitions and Dispute Resolution and in that time I got the opportunity to see real commercial law at work. I had the chance to:
Good morning, is that Mitch? My name is James MacLeod and I am a candidate for the KWM clerkship program.
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Sit in on meetings with clients
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Prepare briefs to counsel
Oh, hey James, great to hear from you. How can I help you out today?
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Attend court
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Meet with Senior Counsel
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Help prepare commercial contracts
What?! Just a friendly, relaxed guy? No weird hyper-formality required? Did I really not need a script?! This first interaction was characteristic of my time at KWM. Everyone I met was friendly, approachable, passionate, bright and driven. Finding the right people to work with is such an important aspect of starting a career. KWM completely exceeded my expectations in that regard.
Asia Pacific | Europe | North America | Middle East |
As well as being involved in the commercial and legal aspects of the firm I was also encouraged to contribute to the firm’s community events. I had an amazing time handing out presents to kids in the Children’s Hospital and preparing a meal for the homeless and disadvantaged in Surry Hills. As I found out over my clerkship, King and Wood Mallesons is a firm that values people and values excellence. I had a great summer working at the firm!
Visit our Facebook page facebook.com/KingWoodMallesons
www.kwm.com
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Take flight with a career at Maddocks Maddocks works in partnership with our clients to support them in reaching their goals. We have the same attitude with our people in helping them reach their full potential. We believe the unique position that Maddocks has in the market working with both corporate and government clients - provides seasonal clerks, graduates and junior lawyers with the opportunity to work on high-quality, complex matters, take real responsibility and have genuine contact with clients at an early stage of their career. Our firm culture is very important to us and we work hard to sustain it. We take very seriously the health and wellbeing of our people, take pride in their diversity and provide outstanding learning and development opportunities. And we also understand that we have a responsibility to the communities in which we operate to act in an ethical and empathetic way, which we do through our pro bono, sustainability and charitable grants initiatives. That is why we have just been recognised again by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) for 2015 – the 12th consecutive year we have received this citation.
The journey with our clients We work in partnership with our clients to build strong, sustainable relationships. We get to know our clients and the sector they work in, and work with them to help them achieve their goals. We provide premium commercial legal services to corporations, businesses and governments throughout Australia and internationally. We advise clients across a range of sectors, including education, government, infrastructure, healthcare, professional services and technology.
Clerkships: now boarding Our approach to recruitment is based around our commitment to individuality and diversity. We are not looking for a specific stereotype and will consider each application in its entirety to determine whether the applicant has strengths and qualities that are compatible with the firm’s core values. We look for students who have a well-rounded experience and approach to life, who not only have the right academic ability but who also fit the firm’s culture and values. Once at Maddocks, our intention is to ensure clerks have a good understanding of the firm and the kind of work that we do, as well as what it would be like to be a graduate in the firm. As such, we offer our clerks hands-on, practical work. Clerks will work closely not only with solicitors but with senior associates and partners and will have exposure to complex matters and client contact. All clerks take part in an informative induction program, which includes partner-run sessions. Each clerk is assigned a senior lawyer as their coordinator to assist in managing workflow and act as a mentor for their rotation. All clerks are assigned a buddy and are invited to network with current graduates. Applications open 15 June 2016. All of our graduates complete Practical Legal Training through the College of Law. In addition to this we have designed a comprehensive internal training program.
Our corporate and government clients value our contribution to their work: we provide clear, solutions-based advice and are easy to work with. But don’t take our word for it. Here’s what our clients said about us in the latest edition of Chambers and Partners: “Considered to be the best in the business and are always very courteous with a focus on long-term relationships.” “They’re responsive, know their stuff, and are happy to get involved and willing to listen.”
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www.maddocks.com.au/careers
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graduates.minterellison.com
Collaborate Ricky Casali with Rosie Watts, Damian Petrovic and Christina Ilinkovski on their way to meet with a long-standing client.
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ADVICE | TRANSACTIONS | DISPUTES Domestic & Cross Border
OUR CLERKSHIP PROGRAM At Thomson Geer we are looking for law students who have excelled academically, are client focused, commercially minded, and work well in a team environment. We offer a structured eight week program where clerks rotate through two practice areas and learn through a combination of hands-on experience, training, coaching and observation. All of our clerks have the opportunity to: • • • • •
Attend client meetings Observe court proceedings Conduct legal research Develop technical skills in areas such as drafting, due diligence and discovery Participate in team meetings, training and continuing legal education programs
We’ll do our best to match you to the area of practice in which you would prefer to complete your clerkship – it’s really important to us that the clerkship experience helps you to make the right career choices.
OUR GRADUATE PROGRAM We recognise that the Law is an incredibly rewarding profession, but we also understand that it can be demanding. For this reason, we aim to create an environment in all of our offices that is friendly, personable, collegiate and professionally stimulating. Students who complete a clerkship with the firm in 2016/17 will be eligible to be considered for a position in the firm’s next graduate program, commencing in 2018. This program runs for 12 months consisting of two rotations and ensures you undertake real work and get real training to become skilled across multiple areas of law. You will find our partners and staff approachable and always happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. We encourage our clerks and graduates 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 wider organisation; a fully integrated, cohesive, national team.
APPLICATIONS If your ambition is to develop a career in commercial law and you possess the drive to make your ambitions a reality then we want to hear from you. Applications open 15 June 2016 via cvMail or the Thomson Geer website. IMPORTANT DATES Applications open
15 June 2016
Applications close
17 July 2016 (5pm)
Interviews
Week commencing 15 August 2016
Networking event
6 September 2016
Offers made
23 September 2016
Programs
28 November 2016 – 23 December 2016 16 January 2017 – 10 February 2017
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