UTS LSS Careers Guide 2021

UTS LAW STUDENT’S SOCIETY

2021

Building Your Career

CAREERS GUIDE

Legal Careers

Non-Legal Careers

authors & acknowledgments Careers (Publications) Director

Jack Newberry Designer

Tahlia Kho Subcommittee

Adrian Macris-Mariakis Alexander Chan Alexandra Haggerty Blake Ross Emily Kliman John Mallia Kelly Ding

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President

Vicky Kuo Vice President (Careers)

Cassandra Reilly Vice President (Sponsorship)

Kurt Cheng Dean of UTS Faculty of Law

Professor Lesley Hitchens Interviewees

Georgina Gordon Sharna Clemmett

CONTENTS Welcome Address Careers (Publications) Director President Dean of UTS Faculty of Law

LEGAL CAREERS 04 04 05

BUILDING YOUR CAREER Your Law Degree Admission to Practice Pre-Graduation Opportunities Networking Opportunities Resume Building

09 10 10 12 13

Corporate Law NewLaw The Bar Criminal Law Family Law Australian Public Service International Law

22 23 24 30 32 33 34

NON-LEGAL CAREERS Finance Consulting Policy

39 41 42

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UTS LSS

2021

CAREERS GUIDE

WELCOME Careers (Publications) Director Welcome to the 2021 UTS LSS Careers Guide!

As many of you approach the latter stages of your studies, you will begin to consider where your degree will take you. You may want to enter into the legal sector, whether that be in-house, private practice or elsewhere. Perhaps you do not have any desire to practice law, and would like to move into other areas of business or even policy making. Regardless of your desire, understand that you are well equipped to enter the workforce.

Legal education will open up countless opportunities, at the graduate level and moving forward into your career. The variety of pathways available to you after your graduation may be daunting or cause confusion. This publication will guide you through the wealth of opportunities which are available to you as a UTS Law graduate. This guide will not cover all of the potential opportunities, as they are infinite!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors for their continued support of the UTS LSS, and the industry leaders who have volunteered their time and expertise to contribute to the publication of this guide.

Finally, I’d like to thank the Careers (Publications) Subcommittee for their consistent and outstanding work on this year’s publications. Your contribution has not gone unnoticed and I’d like to thank you for the countless hours of work that have gone into this guide.

JACK NEWBERRY

President Welcome to the UTS LSS Careers Guide 2021!

The UTS LSS Careers team has worked incredibly hard to bring you this guide and it is full of great information about all the different places a UTS law degree can take you. I am confident that you will find this guide informative and useful, irrespective of which stage of your degree you are at. Perhaps you will even discover a passion for a new area of law you hadn’t previously considered!

This would not be a President’s address without a few necessary votes of thanks. Firstly, I acknowledge and thank all the people who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to put together this guide, in particular, Careers (Publications) Director Jack Newberry, Vice-President (Careers) Cassandra Reilly, designer Tahlia Kho, and the incredible students in our Careers (Publications) Subcommittee. Thank you also all the individuals who have kindly volunteered to share their wisdom and advice to our students, through this guide. Finally, I extend a very warm thank you to our sponsors, many of whom you will see featured as you read on, for their consistent support of our publications and initiatives.

Without them, the work we do at the UTS LSS would not be possible.

Happy reading and I wish you all the best of luck going forward in your careers!

VICKY KUO

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Dean of UTS Faculty of Law For those of you contemplating your future career plans, you may feel uncertain about what the future holds given the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on all aspects of our lives. However, whilst there may be some short-term uncertainty, I encourage you to remain confident about your future and the career options open to you.

Because some career paths have an obvious recruitment pathway, like the clerkship rounds, you might be concerned that employment opportunities are limited. This is why the UTS LSS Careers Guide is so valuable because it shows the diversity of careers available.

Many of you may decide not to practise as a solicitor or barrister, or will move out of practice after a few years. A law degree can be a good foundation for these other career paths, whether you are based locally or internationally. The Guide will be an important source of information here also.

I regularly receive very positive feedback from law firms, lawyers, judges, and alumni about the quality of UTS:Law graduates. Work-ready; practically-oriented; commercially-focused; articulate; and good team-players are common descriptions. This feedback indicates the value of a UTS:Law degree which focuses on rigorous legal knowledge and professional skills. This year before the current lockdown I visited a number of law firms and each readily confirmed their positive view of UTS Law graduates.

Not all graduate employment will be found through a clerkship round; you may have to actively seek out the opportunities but the resilience and initiative you demonstrate in that process will be valued by future employers. Law graduates continue to have high employment outcomes. Law graduates nationally have full-time employment within 4 months of graduation (76.7%), and UTS:Law graduates, 82.2% (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018-2020).

So review the options and think carefully about how you might want to use your law degree, and know that you will be well-equipped for your chosen career path.

PROFESSOR LESLEY HITCHENS

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UTS LSS

2021

AP H C

TE R O N

CAREERS GUIDE

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BUILDING YOUR CAREER

YOUR LAW DEGREE

ADMISSION TO PRACTICE

PRE-GRADUATION OPPORTUNITIES

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

RESUME BUILDING

01. BUILDING YOUR CAREER

YOUR LAW DEGREE Your law degree. One very valuable but very expensive piece of paper! You’ve studied hard and finished (or nearly finished), but you aren’t sure what to do, where to go or what you’ve got to show for it. Well, look no further. We’re here to show you.

You’ve developed a desirable and diverse skill set throughout the course of your law degree, even if you weren’t aware of it. These are great transferable skills to highlight in your resumes and cover letters regardless of the job you’re applying for.

Think of all the research essays, group projects, moots, lectures, tutorials, exams you had to complete to get to this point. These experiences have helped you learn and develop into the highly skilled individual you are now.

SKIL

research

communication

time management

S

O

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attention to detail

sound judgement

problem solving

understanding of the law

people skills

conflict resolution

self-reliance

teamwork

strong work ethic

listening & deducting key information

LS

RD

LS

HA

Some of the skills which you have developed include:

SKIL

networking skills

While these skills are incredibly useful for a career in the law, these skills are transferable to many other career paths if you don’t opt for a traditional legal career. A law degree places you in good stead to secure employment in a variety of career fields.

Established lawyers looking to move into outside the law have an array of opportunities available for them. A law degree teaches you to think critically, solve problems, research, communicate, work in teams and distil large, complex rafts of information into succinct writing. These skills are important in almost any job, but, here are a few career paths as an alternative to law: 1 Accounting

5 Consulting

2 Journalism

6 Human Resources

3 Recruitment

7 Investment Banking

4 Research

The moral of the story is, never fear there is a job out there for you!

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01. BUILDING YOUR CAREER

ADMISSION TO PRACTICE In order to practice as a Solicitor in New South Wales, you will need to complete further education and apply for admission. In order to be admitted, you must: 1 Complete a Law degree, or equivalent course.

° Completion of a UTS Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor will satisfy this requirement.

2 Complete a Practical Legal Training (PLT) program, resulting in obtaining a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. Your PLT will operate in the following format:

° Coursework (online due to COVID) ° Work Experience (e.g. Clerkships, Paralegal Experience, or other Legal Experience) ° Continuing Professional Education 2 Be a ‘fit and proper’ person

° You must establish that you are fit to practice law. Should you have any matters which may affect this assessment, you must disclose to the Legal Practitioners Admission Board.

PRE-GRADUATION OPPORTUNITIES Clerkships

Clerkships are one of the best ways to get work experience or hours for your PLT before you graduate. Clerkships for commercial firms normally open around the end of July and close on August 14-15, however may vary year-to-year. These clerkships are key in demonstrating your legal knowledge and getting a headstart. For those who are in the first half of their degree, look for occasional clerk and paralegal opportunities in law firms, which open from time to time.

Background Research & Structure

Many would say that mass applying would definitely prevent you from reaching your highest potential and cut yourself from the beginning stages of the recruitment process. Thus it is imperative for you to do your background research on the firm, you are applying for. Background research could entail from searching for values, work culture, specific skill sets and current work projects. In addition, the structure of your cover letter says a lot about you as an individual so having an idea on how you would address your qualities is important. You can play it safe and have a standardised structure, however if you want to stand out from the hundreds of applications, you have to be willing to take the risk and be different, to catch their attention.

Prepared Responses

Preparing for the first round of interviews is nerve wracking, especially if the interview times between firms are situated closely. To increase your chances of getting into the next round and calming your nerves, researching common interview questions and having prepared responses will definitely help.

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UTS Career Services

To aid with your first impressions during the recruitment rounds look into booking sessions with UTS Career Services. UTS Careers have sessions available to help with CV, cover letter and internship Q&A. Job Alerts

Job Alerts can make a big difference in an industry as competitive as the law. Many companies do recruitment on a rolling basis so it is vital to have job alerts with law firms and job search engines (especially Grad Australia) in order to avoid missing opportunities that you may be competitive for.

Networking

As mentioned in the 2021 Clerkship Guide, and later in this Guide, networking is crucial in any industry. Many opportunities are offered in a closed circle of connections.

Therefore, connecting with people who operate in the legal profession on LinkedIn or at social events can provide you with rare opportunities others may not be aware of.

SEARCHING FOR LEGAL & NON-LEGAL OPPORTUNITIES SEEK

One way to find most legal opportunities is to go on SEEK. SEEK has a vast amount of opportunities from all disciplines. It can be tiring when searching for legal opportunities and thus specifying your searches is important. For example, setting location strictly in Sydney and having the type of work specified can allow for more effective searching. It is important to have the work types as ‘all’ as some companies tend to put part time work as full time with the occasional flexible accommodations for university commitments.

LegalVitae

Whether you are looking for work experience or virtual internships, LegalVitae is the best portal in collating most legal opportunities. These opportunities include a range of positions, from Government Departments, Big 6 law firms and Big 4 professional services firms. This portal will definitely assist you if you don’t know where to start to find experience or firms to work at. However precautions must be taken as you will likely be overwhelmed with the amount of applications that you will need to do, thus it is beneficial to plan out your time beforehand.

Jora

Jora is another job search engine similar to SEEK. However, legal opportunities seem to be a little more in ‘abundance’. Same rules apply; apply location, type of work and industry filters to get better results.

Hatch

Hatch is an underrated job search engine for non-legal opportunities. Jobs are entry level positions and thus they are really good for people with no experience.

Companies like Westpac, Woolworths, THE ICONIC, Qantas and more, use this website. However be wary that in your application you have an additional video interview to do.

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01. BUILDING YOUR CAREER

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES You might be wondering — why should I go out of my way to seek networking opportunities?

You’re not alone! Many students have the same question.

Networking opportunities will allow you to better understand the industry you want to build a career in and meet like-minded individuals who share common interests.

In the traditional sense, a networking event typically has an array of different firms or organisations all in one place, making it an efficient way to gather information. You might just meet someone who is working in your dream role; if you do, seize the opportunity and figure out how they got there! Alternatively, explore the range of career options that the legal industry has to offer.

To get the most out of a networking opportunity, be sure to do some light research before attending. Familiarise yourself with any event outlines that may contain information on key attendees. From there, here are some things you might want to look into: ° Is there a particular firm/person you want to talk to? ° Are there any familiar names? If so, consider following up with them to see how they are going. ° Prepare some questions for the firms that intrigue you.

Ultimately, it is important to know what do YOU want out of this? Set a goal for yourself. For example, I want to know more about XYZ Firm’s opportunities for second year law students.

It is also important to think about how you would like to introduce yourself. Work on your elevator pitch: a quick rundown of your background and experiences, but try not to be too mechanical and tailor your introduction to the conversation (easier said than done!).

Remember, the most important thing to get out of networking opportunities is to make real, genuine connections with people. This will require you to be authentic! Be yourself. You never know where a career opportunity may come from and the more meaningful connections you make (and maintain) the more likely you are to hear of, and potentially be recommended for, career opportunities.

UTS has a range of networking opportunities to explore. The table below has some networking opportunities you could look into.

UTS NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES UTS Career Events

(https://careersevents.uts.edu.au/): • UTS Careers Fair UTS Career Events

• Clerkship Networking Evening • Brennan Discussion Groups • Simply join the UTS LSS and participate in events

INDUSTRY NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES Law Society of New South Wales

(http://lawsociety.com.au/events/): • Annual NSW Law Careers Fair • Events for young lawyers (https://www.lawsociety.com.au/events/ young-lawyers)

You should be going to events which actually intrigue you. That intrinsic motivation will push you to get more out of the networking opportunity.

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RESUME BUILDING There are many different resume templates out there, but the real question is: what opportunities can you use to build your resume in a way which reflects your true ability?

Work Experience

If you ask anyone “how can I build my resume?”, their first response will likely be work experience. Be it legal or non-legal experience, it places you in a new environment in which you are faced with different challenges and people.

Let’s start with non-legal experience. For example, retail experience. In a retail role, you will be required to retain product knowledge and work with a diverse range of people.

From here, you are able to refine your communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills which are helpful when pursuing a career in law.

Legal work experience will allow you to put your university knowledge into practice and help you decide which area of law you would like to pursue. Consider contacting your local law firms and legal centres for these opportunities.

Volunteering

If you are passionate about making a positive impact on the community, volunteering is the way to go. There are plenty of volunteering opportunities around UTS such as becoming a Peer Networker or helping out with the ‘Respect.Now.Always’ program.

The Brennan Justice and Leadership Program is an amazing resource to inform you of upcoming volunteering initiatives ranging from assisting events to mentoring. One great volunteering opportunity is the Westmead Children’s Hospital visit. With over 1,500 active members, participating in and having the Brennan Program on your resume will demonstrate your interest in social justice and a desire to go beyond the academic curriculum. It is an invaluable opportunity to develop intellectual, volunteer and leadership capacities.

Law Competitions

The UTS LSS has an extensive range of competitions for you to participate in. These competitions give you an invaluable opportunity to put your theoretical knowledge to the test.

There is an extra element of competitiveness which you might also enjoy.

Here is more information about law competitions: ° https://utslss.com/competitions-skills/ ° https://utslss.com/mooting/ Extracurricular Activities

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UTS offers a large array of clubs and societies for you to join. Within clubs that interest you, consider getting involved as a member to test out the waters. If the club intrigues you, commitment to the events and activities they hosts. Maybe consider joining the executive team to implement ideas and plans which you believe will greatly benefit the club.

As a Law Student, the LSS is a great starting point to meet fellow law students from various years and backgrounds (p.s. you get free membership as a UTS Law Student). From social events to networking opportunities, the LSS has you covered.

As mentioned earlier, the Brennan Justice and Leadership Program is another great way to get involved outside of university through volunteering, discussion groups or more general networking. It is a worthwhile commitment which will allow you to explore various areas of law.

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01. BUILDING YOUR CAREER RESUME BUILDING — CONTINUED Don’t Forget About Your Own Interests

Last but not least, seek out opportunities that strike your interests. It can be sport, art or gaming – seek out opportunities that you will enjoy.

Don’t know where to go to search for these opportunities? Be sure to utilise our very own UTS CareerHub to help guide your searches.

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WHERE BRIGHT MINDS MEET

SEEKING LAWYERS FOR A CHANGING WORLD Clients expect more from their lawyers than ever before. They look to us as business partners on their journey to achieve their objectives.

It’s not just about precedents and compliance, but finding new ways to build relationships and deliver the results that matter.

Think global

Collaborate

Embrace new challenges

#1

Local excellence global standards

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

To learn more, scan the QR code below

Activate your career.

‘I worked full time during my PLT, but the juggle wasn’t hard. Tasks were assigned ahead of time, so I knew what I needed to do months in advance. I also received continual feedback on my work to bring it to the highest standard. This gave me a head start at work whenever I was faced with tricky tasks.’

Kiarah Grace Kelly Collaborative Family Lawyer

Learn more at collaw.edu.au/PLT

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Practical Legal Training

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15 weeks full-time or 30 weeks part-time study options

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15 days or 75 days work experience options - or online alternative

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Learn New South Wales-specific content from local qualified lawyers

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Access to one-on-one appointments with a careers adviser Preferred provider to 16 of the 20 top international and national law firms in Australia

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Our goal is simple. We want to create the future leaders of the firm. That means giving you the skills you need to become a successful lawyer, but also the experiences to discover where your true interests lie.

Find out more at 020

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UTS LSS

2021

A CH

CAREERS GUIDE

PT E R T W O

LEGAL CAREERS

CORPORATE LAW

NEWLAW

THE BAR

CRIMINAL LAW

FAMILY LAW

AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC SERVICE

INTERNATIONAL LAW

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02. LEGAL CAREERS

CORPORATE LAW Corporate Law relates to the governing of rights, relations, and conduct of persons, companies, organisations and businesses. It is the legal practice of law in relation to corporations, or even to the theory of corporations.

Corporate lawyers are responsible for safeguarding the legality of commercial transactions, advising corporate employees on their respective legal duties and obligations, and the overall representation of corporations.

Some of the practice areas that fall under Corporate Law include: ° Administrative Law; ° Banking & Financial Services; ° Bankruptcy & Insolvency; ° Building & Construction; ° Commercial & Business Law;

ompany Management & Compliance; °C ° I ntellectual Property; ergers & acquisitions; °M T ° ech and privacy

SHOULD YOUR PURSUE A CAREER IN CORPORATE LAW?

If you enjoy negotiating deals, working with banks and working with small and large businesses, you might be the type of lawyer best suited for corporate law. Corporate lawyers tend to have excellent writing, communication, and negotiating skills. These skills are fundamental to the day-to-day work of a corporate lawyer.

In-House

Working as an in-house lawyer is a potential career opportunity if you are interested in corporate law. Working as an in-house lawyer involves acting on behalf of a corporation and advising the board on strategy and risk. Contrary to private practice, you serve the best interests of your employer as opposed to the best interests of a diverse client base.

The role of an in-house legal counsel is to understand the pressure points, strategy and objectives of the business and effectively communicate the risks and legal issues involved in any decision to management. This enables management to make informed strategic choices within an acceptable legal risk profile. In-house lawyers often have a seat at the decision-making table.

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‘NewLAW’ What is NewLaw?

NewLaw is a growing category of legal service providers who are attempting to alter the delivery of legal services. This may be through the introduction of technology, streamlining processes, or other means. These may be individual, independent firms or a specific practice group operating in a commercial law firm.

Firms of this nature often operate with a vast array of clients, ranging from people in their individual capacity, through to small-medium enterprises and large multinational corporations. The majority of players in the NewLaw space are currently operating in the commercial sphere, however due to the exponential growth which this sector of the legal profession has seen, it seems likely that NewLaw will begin to evolve in other, non-commercial areas of practice.

Careers in NewLaw

If you decide a career in NewLaw may be for you, your options are plentiful. Outside of the obvious choice of practicing in one of these firms, due to their ‘start-up nature’ many of these firms will recruit for non-legal positions.

You can expect to find positions in the fields of: ° Sales and Marketing ° Strategy and Business Growth ° Software Development and Upkeep ° Innovation and Product Management Many of these roles will allow you to combine the knowledge you have developed throughout your law degree, with other passions and skills you develop during your time at university.

Why NewLaw?

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NewLaw firms offer a unique package, with many features being uncommon in the legal profession. Casual work attire, remote work, an agile workplace culture and a heavy emphasis on work-life balance. An array of NewLaw firms have opted to move away from the traditional ‘billable hours’ approach to billing, and toward fixed or capped price legal services. NewLaw offers a unique angle on a legal career, and with flexibility, innovation and wellbeing as central points of the sector’s philosophy; it’s a fantastic option for UTS Law Graduates.

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02. LEGAL CAREERS Tips for NewLaw Applicants (Georgina Gordon — Head of People at LegalVision)

Q: What sets NewLaw apart from other graduate Roles?

Launching your career in a NewLaw firm allows you to gain exposure to work and clients in a way that wouldn’t be possible in a traditional firm until much later in your career. NewLaw firms are generally leaner operations where everyone has to roll up their sleeves and get stuck into work. This translates into all lawyers, including graduates, being client facing from day one, having quality conversations, and delivering work that is truly valuable. As a graduate at a NewLaw firm, you’re not a cog in a wheel, buried in document review or research projects - you play an important role in bringing the mission of your firm to life and genuinely helping clients.

Q: Do I need to have a technology background to be a competitive applicant?

If you’re applying to work at a NewLaw firm in a role focused on providing legal services to clients, a technical background probably isn’t going to make your application more competitive. However, if the role is non-legal and focuses more on building out systems, processes and technology within a NewLaw firm, then a technology background will absolutely be important. Regardless of your role, promoting your attitude towards embracing technology and process improvements, and enhancing the client experience will help your application stand out.

Q: Top piece of advice for those pursuing careers in NewLaw To prepare yourself for a successful career in NewLaw, you should proactively seek out opportunities to develop your soft skills. Never underestimate the importance of the skills you can gain from non-legal work experience, such as in retail or hospitality, like being able to effectively communicate with a broad range of people, problem solve, manage competing priorities, and resolve conflict. These skills are invaluable in a NewLaw setting, and when coupled with technical legal knowledge, you’ll be unstoppable.

THE BAR What is a Barrister?

Barristers are specialist advocates skilled in oral argument and presentation before courts andtribunals. Barristers also provide advice on particular points of law for clients, solicitors, businesses and government.

The Road to the Bar

In New South Wales, there are two types of legal practitioners: solicitors and barristers.

After admission to practice, you can choose to become a member of the bar. To be eligible to become a barrister in New South Wales you must: 1 Be admitted as a lawyer in an Australian jurisdiction:

Some people join the bar a few years after working as a solicitor, others straight after graduation from law school. There are key things to consider whichever route is taken!

2 Sit and pass the Bar exam;

The Bar Exam is focused on the rules of ethics and evidence, and practice and procedure.

These are areas regarded as the general and basic knowledge and skill required of a barrister.

The bar exam requires a mark of 75% to pass. If you pass the Bar Exam you will then be eligible to register and participate in the Bar Practice Course.

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3 Complete the Barrister’s ‘Reading Program’

The Reading Program includes registration and satisfactory participation in the Bar Practice Course and one year of readership (learning the ropes) under the supervision of a tutor.

Some key things to consider!

° Barristers are their own boss. As a sole practitioner, you will not work under a firm’s wing (no paid annual or sick leave!) or in partnership with other barristers — and in fact there are prohibitions on doing so. However, you will typically share chambers (in the same building or floor) with other barristers and the bar is known for its camaraderie. ° As a barrister, you must seek your own work (commonly referred to as briefs) and manage your own income and expenses. As a junior barrister you may receive work from more senior barristers who are too busy or require a junior to assist them, but you should be prepared to seek out your own work. The ability to network and manage relationships with solicitors and clients (your main source of work!) is therefore very important.

Is it for me?

The bar is for you if you have a passion for advocacy and working in court, if you can work independently, and if an handle being your own boss (with the stress and, on the other hand, flexibility that entails!

INTERVIEW WITH SHARNA CLEMETT, BARRISTER

Sharna Clemmett is a barrister who practices at the commercial bar in Sydney and a former UTS:Law student. Sharna was admitted as a lawyer in 2007, and worked as tipstaff to the Hon Justice Richard W White SC during that year. She worked as a commercial litigation and insolvency solicitor at Sparke Helmore Lawyers until going to the bar in 2012. Since 2012, Sharna has practiced in a variety of areas of the law, including equity and trusts, commercial litigation, insolvency, real property, proceeds of crime, wills and estates and succession law (including family provision).

Q: Should you go straight to the bar?

I think I would have made a terrible barrister if I had gone straight to the bar, so my answer for myself would be “no”. However, I know others who have gone straight to the bar and have survived it! I think a lot about the practice of law becomes intuitive through practice, though, so there is no substitute for spending some time working in supervised practice as a solicitor.

Q: Do you have any tips for students interested in a career at the bar?

My key tips for those who are interested in a career at the bar are:

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° If you can, spend a year working as a tipstaff or an associate to a judge. The insight you get in such a position includes how the courts and judges work.

That insight will serve you well at the bar.

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° Do as much mooting as you possibly can at university, and stick at it. You’re probably better at it than you think you are, and the practice is invaluable.

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02. LEGAL CAREERS INTERVIEW WITH SHARNA CLEMETT, BARRISTER — CONTINUED

Q: What do you do on a day-to-day basis - is there a typical day?

Life at the bar is extremely variable.

An “in chambers” work day involves sitting at my desk and focussing hard, often for many hours – considering legal issues, researching, settling affidavits, drafting pleadings, writing advice.

A conference day involves hours of discussion with a huge variety of people – other legal practitioners and clients from all walks of life and professions. A mediation day involves advocacy in the opening, then hours of negotiation and working through problems.

A day in hearing starts very early and often ends quite late; is driven by adrenaline; and involves intense focus.

A day of directions hearings is a jumble of telephone calls with opponents and instructing solicitors, emails, court appearances, reporting on orders, and engaging with the Bench.

There are many kinds of days at the bar.

Q: Is there a downside to your job?

Although a barrister is self-employed, their days and weeks are largely determined by court timetables – so there are times when the pressure can be unrelenting on account of layers of timetables in different cases, and counsel’s convenience (as living is called) makes very little difference.

Q: Finally, what fo you enjoy most about your job?

So many things. The advocacy; really nailing a complex advice; settling an affidavit in a way that presents the client’s case in a compelling, real and admissible way; drafting submissions that paint the picture of the case well and articulate the law in a way that will assist the court; getting outcomes that change people’s lives for the better. There are many aspects of the job which are immensely satisfying.

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Grads@Gadens Grads@Gadens is the program through which we attract and retain talent within the firm. Once on our program, you will immediately receive challenging and varied work with a high level of responsibility.

Grads@Gadens is based on two, six-month rotations through different practice areas. Practice areas in the rotations include: • • • • • •

Real Estate and Construction; Disputes and Investigations; Corporate; Employment Advisory; Intellectual Property and Technology; and Banking and Finance.

Spending time in different practice areas means you have the opportunity to make an informed decision about your chosen area of specialisation. It also ensures you develop a broad set of skills, which you can carry with you throughout your career.

Through our practical, on-the-job training, you get exposed to ‘real work’ and ‘real clients’ from day one.

Training and development Throughout the program we will invest in you and provide comprehensive support to ensure each rotation is a success. You will team-up with a dedicated mentor who will work closely with you to develop your technical skills, allocate work and provide ongoing feedback.

You will attend multiple seminars each month led by partners and senior members of staff so that you are continually learning and developing. These sessions focus on business skills and technical development, and ensure that you are given the support you need to excel in a commercially driven environment.

About Gadens Gadens is a leading, independent Australian law firm, with 80 partners and over 630 staff across our offices nationally. Our core values are our foundation and reflect our essence and character – they define how we interact with one another and our clients.

We work collaboratively with clients to help them achieve their objectives – providing an outstanding client experience for every client.

This is underpinned by our intense focus on understanding our clients, their needs and expectations and building meaningful, long-term relationships – many of which span decades.

We have a strong reputation and are well regarded for our specialist, market-leading practices in advisory, transactional and disputes work. We work with clients across an extensive number of industry specialisations. Our significant breadth and depth of expertise encompasses banking and finance, corporate advisory and tax, dispute resolution, employment advisory, government, intellectual property and technology, property and construction, planning and environment, and recovery and insolvency.

Our pro bono partners:

Eligibility Grads@Gadens is open to candidates who are PLT-qualified and will be admitted before commencing with us in March each year (or within the first three (3) months of commencing the program).

Application dates Visit www.gadens.com/grads@gadens for our Grads@Gadens application dates.

For more information visit: www.gadens.com/grads@gadens.

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Think progressive Think innovation Think Hall & Wilcox

Scan the QR code to visit our Careers page

Graduate program

Enjoy a one year structured program with extensive on-the-job training and support in completing Practical Legal Training.

Elevate Program provides regular learning opportunities designed to develop graduates by providing skills and expertise to excel.

A comprehensive national induction program which lays the foundation for the year ahead.

Multiple rotations gives you the opportunity to gain experience in several of the firm’s practice areas.

A strong support network including a buddy, mentor and supervising partner to provide guidance throughout the year.

Opportunities to participate in pro bono and Smarter Law initiatives.

Life at Hall & Wilcox offers a range of benefits and initiatives to support the holistic well-being all of our people.

HW Evolve is a hybrid workplace where our people are encouraged and empowered to work flexibly both remotely and in the office.

Grads on Tour is a Smarter Law event that allows graduates to experience the innovation journey by taking an idea to reality.

02. LEGAL CAREERS

CRIMINAL LAW Defence & Advocacy

If you enjoy the intricacies of criminal law and find enjoyment in advocating for clients, you may consider criminal defence. This is a less traditional route, but one which can be immensely interesting and rewarding. You can either be a criminal defence solicitor or a criminal defence barrister.

Criminal law is not a focus area of larger commercial firms. Rather criminal law is often practiced by smaller to medium law firms. As a solicitor your responsibilities include preparing legal documentation during a trial. Additionally, you will be closely instructing a barrister to appear on your client’s behalf. There are many law firms across NSW that practice criminal law. There are many options available to you. As a barrister, you will be responsible for offering specialist advice where instructed whilst representing, advocating and defending your clients during proceedings. You will work closely with solicitors in preparation for court. You can begin to pursue a career as a barrister either straight out of law school, but will generally be after practicing as a solicitor for a few years.

As a criminal defence barrister or solicitor you are likely to see a broad array of criminal matters, including, but not limited to: ° Murder

° Sexual Offences

° Manslaughter

° Assault

° Affray & Riot

° Larceny/ Theft

° Appeals

° Fraud

° Bail Application

° Drug Offences

° Domestic Violence

° Traffic Offences

° Sentencing NSW Legal Aid

NSW Legal Aid deals with many criminal matters where an individual is not able to afford legal representation. These positions are oftentimes very rewarding as you will not only practice criminal law but you will likely encounter other legal areas. The criminal law practice of NSW Legal Aid assists people charged with criminal offences appearing before the Local Court, Children’s Court, District Court, Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeal and the High Court.

They provide legal advice and minor assistance, duty appearances and case representation at courts throughout the State. The Criminal Divi`sion also provides advice and representation in specialist jurisdictions including the Parole Authority, Drug Court and the Youth Drug and Alcohol Court.

Their specialty areas of the law are: ° Children’s Legal Service, Including the Youth Hotline ° Driver disqualification reforms ° Drug Court ° Prisoners Legal Service 030

Prosecution

If you like the idea of a career in criminal law, but don’t see yourself in advocacy or defence, consider prosecution. Your prosecution career can start either via the NSW Director of Public Prosecution or Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (depending on whether you would like to work on State or Federal criminal law). The Crown Solicitor’s Office based out of NSW also deals with some minor criminal matters.

NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

The NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) prosecutes serious crimes under NSW law on behalf of the community. These are called ‘indictable’ offences. They also prosecute all NSW child sexual assault offences and criminal cases against NSW police officers, whether or not they are indictable offences.

As the State’s independent prosecutor, the ODPP: ° decides whether a prosecution should proceed based on the public’s interest and the available evidence ° ensures the charges laid are supported by the evidence ° prepares cases and presents them in court.

The Commonwealth Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

Commonwealth criminal activity continues to evolve and expand, reflecting changes in contemporary society. This poses significant threats to Australia. Rapid technological development and globalisation enables innovative, highly coordinated and sophisticated criminal activity.

A large part of the CDPP’s practice involves serious and organised criminal activity as offenders constantly look for vulnerabilities to exploit for criminal gain.

Crimes the CDPP prosecutes: ° Counter Terrorism

° Commercial complex crime

° Cyber Crime

° Money laundering

° Environment

° Serious Drugs

° General Prosecutions

° People Smuggling

° Safety

° Human Trafficking and Slavery

° Cyberbullying and

° Child Exploitation

Threats

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° Fraud

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02. LEGAL CAREERS The NSW Crown Solitor’s Office

The Crown Solicitor’s Office has a Public Safety & Justice practice group. The focus of the Public Safety & Justice practice group is to advise and represent clients in matters that have a direct impact on the protection of the community. The Crown Solicitor is the solicitor that will primarily represent the State, agencies or Ministers in actions concerning them.

This includes: ° high risk offender matters

° AVO advice and proceedings

° forensic and involuntary patient matters

° applications under the Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001

° parole advice and proceedings

° prerogative of mercy advice

° segregated and protective custody matters

° contempt advice and proceedings.

FAMILY LAW Summary

Family Law is one of the more challenging practice areas, and is not for the fainthearted.

You will have a significant impact on the lives of your clients, providing assistance to people though particularly difficult times of their lives. However, work in this field can also be extremely rewarding. Work as a family lawyer can include carriage of matters regarding separation, divorce, child support disputes, property settlements, and may also include adoption and surrogacy.

Paths into Family Law

To work as a solicitor in family law you must be admitted to practice in the state of NSW. This is a relatively stable area of practice. Some lawyers choose to specialise in this field, going into private practice exclusively in family law in boutique to mid-sized firms. Other practitioners incorporate this area into their practice as ‘general’ practitioners. Another pathway into practicing in Family Law can be through Community Legal Centres such as Legal Aid, who employ solicitors and provide advice, family dispute resolution, case representation and duty services across NSW. Consider this path if...

Consider this path if you’re a resilient individual, with an ability to separate your work from your home life. The matters that you deal with will often be emotionally charged and stressful, but with the potential to be immensely rewarding. As clients will often be in extremely turbulent transitional periods of their lives, compassion and empathy will also be crucial traits. Further, strong communication skills will be crucial, as it will be your responsibility to attempt to establish constructive communication between parties.

WELLBEING NOTE

In such a tolling practice area, a focus on your wellbeing must come first. Remembering to take some time for yourself, to leave the work in the office and to unwind will be crucial to you not burning out. Although family law impacts fundamentally the wellbeing of others, it will do you good to remember that you are of the best utility to your client when you are well rested and grounded.

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AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC SERVICE The “Public Sector” Generally

Employment options for law graduates in the public sector generally fall within two broad categories: roles that specifically require a legal background, and those which usefully draw upon skills acquired from a law degree.

Government Solicitors’ Offices

For those interested in ‘lawyering’ in the public service, aside from working as a lawyer in individual agencies or departments, one option is to work at a government solicitors’ office.

Each government typically has a central government law office. These offices are generally part of the public service or have similar employment conditions. These offices have a reputation of integrity, skill, and acting as a model litigant in the public interest.

At the Commonwealth level, Australian Government Solicitor (AGS), which is part of the Attorney-General’s Department, is ‘the Australian Government’s central legal service’ and has a reputation of managing ‘complex, systemic and precedential issues for the Commonwealth’. AGS has specialist expertise in constitutional and public law, statutory interpretation and the development, implementation and administration of legislation and resolves and manages disputes across a broad range of government law – from small claims and disputes to the largest and most sensitive litigation matters in which the Commonwealth is involved.

At a state level, the NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office could roughly be considered the state government equivalent and the office is the largest provider of legal services to the NSW Government.

Government

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Both federal and state government organisations have annual graduate intakes and some internships which offer a defined career path. Careers in government agencies provide graduates with an opportunity to shape policies, programs and projects of importance to the public.

For example, at the Commonwealth level, careers at the Attorney-General’s Department offer the chance to shape laws and develop policy in a number of diverse areas of national importance.

The Attorney-General’s Department Graduate Program generally opens in March each year, closing in late April/early May, with offers generally made in August and the program or placement starting in February the year after. Graduates undertake the program in ‘streams.’

If you want to practice as a lawyer at AGS, for instance, the legal practice stream offers a graduate rotation roughly comparable to a private law firm. It is important to remember, however, that ‘doing law’ does not just mean becoming a solicitor or barrister. There are a number of policy and program streams that would be suitable to law graduates who do not necessarily wish to practice but could be involved in legal policy work.

Of course, other law graduates do work for legal aid commissions, government departments (other than the Attorney-General’s Department) and carry out other public functions. These lawyers can be seen as practicing law on behalf of the government. As mentioned, some lawyers do not practice at all; they go into fields such as politics or government service where legal training can often be useful.

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02. LEGAL CAREERS AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC SERVICE — CONTINUED Associateships

Judge’s Associates (or Tipstaff) work for judges within chambers in various court jurisdictions.

It is an ideal position for those wanting to learn more about litigation from ‘behind the curtain’. It is a unique role in a close working environment with a highly experienced and respected member of the legal profession practicing at the height of the profession. The role is critical to the effective administration of chambers and case management so maturity, tact, and the ability to work in a small team are very important traits required by applicants! These roles are generally full-time and for a fixed term of a year but sometimes slightly longer (depending on jurisdiction).

Associates assist with matters from start to finish. Expect a high workload of case management and preparing matters for hearing. Associates provide assistance and support during hearings, and after hearings including with legal research, drafting, and judgment editing and publication.

Most courts offer Associate positions. You will generally need a strong academic record (Distinction average) and some legal experience. For example, courts like the High Court of Australia, Federal Court of Australia, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, NSW Supreme Court, and the District Court of NSW offer positions. The Commonwealth Administrative Appeals Tribunal, in its various divisions, also offers Associate positions to Tribunal Members (some of whom are judges or senior barristers) that carry out similar functions to a judicial Associateship.

Generally, applications to be a Judge’s Associate are made a year in advance (but in some cases more than a year in advance). Positions are not always advertised, and you are best writing to the Court (usually directly to the Judge) in the jurisdiction or division you are interested in. Information on Associateships will usually be available on the specific Court or Tribunal’s website, and it will be critical for you to conduct your own research and make a considered decision about which jurisdiction interests you the most, before you apply.

INTERNATIONAL LAW & PRACTICE A legal career in international law is a pathway that may not have even occurred to many law students, however the possibilities are limitless. The practice of international law provides opportunities to suit all personalities and skill sets. The three main areas of international practice include conflicts of law (private international law), public international law, and supranational law.

Private international law or conflicts of law concerns itself with legal issues which may cross jurisdictional borders, which most commonly include contract and tort law. Alternatively, a career in public international will require a careful analysis of international treaties, obligations, and legal relationships between sovereign nations. Lastly, supranational law incorporates legal entities which operate within the legal community, such as the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, or the European Court of Justice.

For those wishing to pursue a path into International law, the most common path taken is through a Government body, such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This is due to the fact that generally, international lawyers will be representing and acting on the behalf of nation-states. Due to the limited number of graduate roles in these agencies, these schemes are very competitive. Fortunately, through your studies at UTS you will have developed an array of both legal and non-legal skills which will assist you in the application process. If you are fortunate enough to secure one of these roles, you may end up working in organisations such as:

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° International Criminal Court ° Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ° Australian Human Rights Commission ° International Court of Justice ° Amnesty International

Any pathway to international practice can be vastly rewarding for any student with a humanitarian passion or simply a desire to interact with the law on the global stage. It should be noted, however, that these pathways may require living or spending a significant amount of time abroad. For many students, this will be enticing, however for others this may be a significant factor in deciding whether a career in international law is viable.

Practicing law overseas can be an exciting and lucrative prospect that many students consider either at a graduate level, or after some time practicing in Australia. Each jurisdiction has its own processes for governance and regulation. Australian solicitors, and more specifically, students from UTS, have gone on to develop careers in global cities, including New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong, and other leading jurisdictions around the globe. It should be noted, however, that in some countries you may be required to hold permanent residency in order to practice.

Alternatively, to be admitted in England for example, you will need to be re-admitted via the Qualified Solicitors Training Scheme;a multiple choice and practical exam. Each jurisdiction will have its own process for incoming international lawyers, and those interested should research the requirements of their chosen jurisdiction.

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Your career.

Your choice.

Johnson Winter & Slattery was started by three lawyers who wanted to do things differently. We’ve grown rapidly to become one of Australia’s leading independent firms and now have offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

PRACTICE AREAS When you join us, you’ll become part of a national team and work with some of Australia’s brightest legal minds on a broad range of practices areas.

• Competition/antitrust

• Corporate governance

• Dispute resolution

• Energy and resources

Working with us will give you all the benefits that come with working for a leading law firm and much more. We will put you at the forefront of the corporate world, working with our clients on their most complex and business critical legal work – it’s what we do best.

• Funds management

• Media

It’s our people that really sets us apart. We pride ourselves on being down to earth, approachable and, quite simply, a great place to work.

LET’S CHAT

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• Projects and construction • Restructuring and insolvency • Corporate • Debt finance • Employment • Foreign investment • Intellectural property • Private equity and IT • Regulatory

• Tax

Renee Patu, Professional Development Consultant on email renee.patu@jws.com.au or phone 02 8247 9653. www.jws.com.au/careers

EXPAND YOUR CAREER A career with Lander & Rogers is more than an occupation - it’s a chance to expand and deliver a meaningful and lasting impact.

Establish a career with a leading firm where you will work alongside some of Australia’s leading legal experts and most well-known brands.

Kick start your law career Learn more by visiting landers.com.au/careers

Gain support to develop the realworld skills demanded of the very best lawyers, while discovering a genuine, collaborative and flexible place that recognises and celebrates your individual contribution - a team where you, and your career, matter.

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FINANCE

CONSULTING

Policy

FINANCE Studying Law can open the door to many career opportunities in various fields, one of which is Finance. Being involved in the finance sector means you will have the opportunity to be involved in a range of roles related to auditing, analysing, investment decisions, financial planning or other financial activities.

Your legal education will provide you with knowledge that will equip you well for any role within the financial sector. Taxation and other areas of law are central issues in managing both personal and small business finances. Studying Law will give you unique insight into these sectors.

Below is an interview with a recent UTS Graduate Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Business (Finance), and is now working a graduate position at a private equity firm.

Why did you study Law if you are pursuing a career in Finance?

Although I am passionate about all things Finance, Law is also something that I am passionately interested in. To answer your question, I studied Law despite pursuing a career in Finance as I am fascinated with the idea of growing as an individual and developing indispensable skills that will help take my career to the next level.

Do you think studying Law helped you land a job in Finance?

Absolutely! Studying Law will help refine your strengths, increase your adaptability, bolster your work ethic and ensure you are constantly stimulated. Studying Law significantly will also significantly improve your written and oral skills, which are obviously transferable in the Finance world.

Not only are the skills you gain from studying Law applicable in the Finance world - but the wealth of knowledge that comes with it will give you a competitive advantage over other candidates applying for the same role without a Law degree. Learning about taxation and regulatory compliance, as well as many other areas of Law, can significantly boost your credentials as a candidate for a job role.

What skills / attributes has studying Law given you that help you with your day-to-day work routine?

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As mentioned earlier, studying Law will allow you to develop skills that can prove to be fundamental to your day-to-day routine i.e. written and oral skills. To further elaborate, studying Law will allow you to become familiar with working around strict deadlines and ultimately teach you how to work under pressure. It will teach you how to make decisions quickly, and more importantly, teach you how to keep your cool when presented with these pressures, a skill that is invaluable in any future job.

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03. NON-LEGAL CAREERS FINANCE CONTINUED Why did you pick Finance over Law?

With a finance career, you will never feel limited to one particular position or career.

Through studying finance or a finance-related degree, you will have the freedom to choose from a variety of career paths, whether it’s Retail Banking, Investment, Financial Services and more.

I appreciate the dynamic nature of a career in finance. A career in Finance will challenge you, improve your interpersonal skills and facilitate exponential growth.

But… the most exciting thing about a career in Finance is the fact that it can take you anywhere, the opportunities are endless.

What advice do you have for people who are contemplating studying Law, but fear it may be a waste of time as they do not want to pursue a career in Law?

Just do it. Don’t think twice. In my opinion, studying a Bachelor of Laws, regardless of what occupational field you want to pursue, will turbocharge your career and teach you incredibly versatile and in-demand skills. It is evident that the benefits you will receive from studying Law significantly outweigh any of the reasons against doing so.

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CONSULTING Whether you have decided now that a traditional ‘legal’ career is not for you, or if you are looking for a career change later in life, consultancy may be the perfect opportunity.

Consultants are generally hired as advisors to large corporations, companies, or potentially even governments. Using the high level analytical and problem-solving skills that you have developed and perfected over the course of your degree, as a consultant you will find yourself solving complex business problems by creating unique business specific plans.

A career in consulting may provide the excitement and variety that you feel may be missing from the typical lawyer’s career, delivering ample opportunity for professional growth and development. Whilst many students studying law may wish to exercise their skills in a nonlegal role, consultancy offers an enticing level of flexibility, diversity of work and earning potential.

Management consultants are hired by private and public sector entities in order to improve the financial or operational performance of their client’s business. In a nutshell, you are looking for more effective ways for organisations to achieve their goals. Consultants will cover a wide array of business areas, including but not limited to IT, marketing, HR, finance, strategy and logistics. You will be required to analyse the current operations of a business, collaborate with a team and provide a solution for the client. This work can be very demanding, however, can be extremely satisfying and rewarding. You will also be exposed to a wide array of businesses, and have the opportunity to analyse and learn from their business processes, should this interest you.

Given the breadth of knowledge and skills required to be a successful consultant, it should be noted that this is a highly competitive industry. Often, students with a secondary degree (i.e., business, marketing, international studies etc) may find themselves at an advantage, simply because they have more to offer to the kind of large corporations that would benefit from hiring a legal consultant. This does not necessarily exclude those without secondary degrees of these kinds. Business acumen, the ability to build rapport with clients and creative thinking skills are skills which are proven valuable, yet need not be aided by a specific degree.

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03. NON-LEGAL CAREERS

POLICY Summary

A law degree will put you in good stead for a career in policy. You have spent the course of your degree cultivating critical thinking, an attention to detail, problem solving and communication skills. Furthermore, you have an informed insight into the intersection of policies and practice, and the impact of further reform in policy areas. Your law degree is very versatile in this way. A career in policy can take you to many organisations, such as the federal or state government, think tanks, non-profits, large-scale companies and advocacy groups. Roles often include responsibilities such as research, effects analysis, outcome evaluation and outcome evaluation.

Pathways into Policy

There is no regulatory body for policy analysts or related roles. The best avenue into the field of policy is to gain as much industry experience as you can prior to or after graduation if this area interests you. Keep an eye out for internships, or opportunities to volunteer on a political campaign or a non-profit. UTS Careers is an extremely valuable resource to watch for these opportunities.

Public Policy

The number of career opportunities under this umbrella is vast, including but not limited to, a policy analyst, political scientist, political consultant or lobbyist. This is a largely issuedriven field, and it’s not uncommon for people to specialise in particular areas given the breadth of scope of the work. In the last thirty years there has been a notable growth in this field, particularly in the non-profit area. Non-profits can take many forms, notably thinktanks.

Think-tanks

Working in a think-tank is a really good way to influence government policy to produce better outcomes for the public. Typically providing a wealth of opportunities for policy analysts, common areas of interest for think-tanks include foreign policy and security, public policy, and economics. Some conduct objective research and largey resembles academia, whilst others conduct their research through a political lens. There are a range of funding options for thinktanks, operating as non-profits or receiving financial support from governments or advocacy groups.

Notable Australian think-tanks include: ° Australian Institute of International Affairs ° Centre for Independent Studies ° Development Policy Centre ° Lowy Institute ° Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research ° Menzies Research Centre ° The Green Institute ° Transport and Logistics Centre

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I’ve been empowered to think beyond the law and develop my skills in the community investment space, innovation, and in my personal goals as well.”

Emily Miers Lawyer

MinterEllison is a leading law firm.

But we think beyond the law.

Why? Because we have big ambitions to grow our firm in a world of relentless disruption. Because now is the time to reimagine the future so that we can create lasting impacts with our clients, our people and our communities.

Never underestimate the power in you to make an impact.

Your future. Your choice.

Choose to make an impact.

graduates.minterellison.com

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Together we make a mark Graduate careers in law Working at White & Case opens doors to experiences and relationships around the world that will help you build your career, wherever it takes you.

If you’re a team player with a global mindset, apply for our graduate opportunities in Australia.

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of the only law firms to offer a guaranteed overseas seat

Australian offices in Melbourne and Sydney

nationalities represented across the Firm

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Tier 1

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offices across 31 countries

by The Legal 500 for Project Development and Project Finance

languages spoken across the Firm

Together we make a mark

Was the prospect of overseas opportunities an important factor for you when applying to White & Case?

The prospect of overseas opportunities offered at White & Case, including during its graduate program, was an exciting proposition that played an important factor in my decision to apply for the Firm. The opportunity to go overseas is rarely offered to graduates and junior lawyers, and the Firm’s commitment to invest in their development through opportunities like these had, in my view, distinctly set the Firm apart from its competitors. To highlight this, most of my 2018 graduate cohort at White & Case have, or are currently undertaking, an overseas rotation as a part of our graduate program. I was fortunate enough to have spent my second rotation in our Tokyo office as a part of the Project Finance team.

What was most exciting about your work when overseas? How was it different from what you had previously worked on?

The profile, scale and complexity of the international financing transactions that I worked on in Tokyo were particularly

exciting, and often involved working with parties, legal counsel and Firm colleagues spanning several jurisdictions. I found that most of the work I was involved with in Tokyo were outbound transactions where we would advise Japanese clients on their investments or financings into companies or projects based outside of Japan. This provided a unique opportunity to learn more about the different market practices across regions and industries.

What was unexpected about the office, work culture or projects in your overseas office?

I found that as English was widely spoken within the Tokyo office, it was instead adapting to the Japanese business culture and etiquette that was most challenging.

I quickly found myself learning to follow a certain protocol for the exchange of business cards (meishi), learning how to bow in a business context, and learning to appropriately introduce or address Japanese names in communications.

Apart from work, what did you most enjoy about living abroad?

Outside of work, I quite enjoyed exploring Tokyo as well as travelling around the country, including driving to the Fuji Five Lakes and catching the famous bullet

Kevin Chen Associate, Sydney

trains to cities such as Kyoto and Osaka.

Living abroad in Tokyo also gave me the opportunity to learn more about the Japanese culture and history, as well as to learn and practice a new language.

How do you think that the overseas seat will benefit your career?

Working overseas provided me with the opportunity to expand my network, as I met clients and colleagues within our Tokyo office with whom I hope to work in the future. It also provided me with a valuable perspective into Japanese culture, attitudes and way of conducting business which will be useful to keep in mind when liaising with Japanese clients in the future.

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Sparke your career with us…

Deciding on the firm that’s right for you is a big decision. Is the culture right for me? Will I receive quality work? Will there be people genuinely interested in my growth who can point me in the right direction? Does the firm embrace technology and take innovation seriously?

Why choose Sparke Helmore?

What do we look for in our lawyers?

Sparke Helmore offers its lawyers a challenging and rewarding environment.

Our people are key to our success. We are always on the look-out for lawyers with potential to progress, who fit with our culture and align with our values, and who demonstrate, among other things, intelligence, interpersonal skills, commitment, energy and commerciality.

Working at Sparke Helmore provides all employees with a unique range of opportunities to expand their knowledge, with access to: • Market-leading expertise—we are a full service national law firm. This means you will have the opportunity to gain experience in each of our Insurance, Government, Workplace and Corporate & Commercial practice groups.

• Real legal work—from your first day, you will have the opportunity to get involved in legal work that contributes to the firm and its clients.

Sparke Helmore lawyers are: • all-rounders, who are engaged in extra-curricular pursuits as well as their studies • team players • clear and concise writers, and • confident and articulate communicators.

• Training and development—a combination of formal and on-the-job training that covers technical and soft skills.

• Mentoring and networking—we have a proud reputation for mentoring and facilitating relationship building across the firm in a way that fosters personal and career development, networking and the sharing of knowledge, experience and learning.

• Opportunities to give back—through our Pro Bono and Community Programs.

www.sparke.com.au/join-us/graduate-program/ adelaide | brisbane | canberra | darwin | melbourne | newcastle | perth | sydney | upper hunter

Reach your potential

Join a major Australian law firm.

Starting your legal career at Thomson Geer will not only offer you real, hands-on experience across a wide variety of commercial disciplines and industry sectors, it will also instil in you an ethical code to serve you throughout your working life.

We’re ready for you

Are you ready for us?

With over 560 people, including 130 partners across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, we’re one of Australia’s 10 largest law firms and its 5th largest independent one.

We’re looking for hard-working and motivated law students who have excelled academically, are customer focused, commercially minded, work well in a team environment and are ready to commence their career with a major law firm.

We offer a flexible, friendly and professionally stimulating environment that puts both our trusting client relationships and our staff’s wellbeing and development at the forefront.

We are especially keen to talk to students who have, or are working towards a second degree in technical fields, such as commerce, engineering and science.

From day one, you’ll be an active participant in the team, involved in all aspects of legal practice, and working directly with experienced practitioners.

How to apply Apply now for our 2022 Sydney Graduate Program via our website.

tglaw.com.au Thomson Geer @ThomsonGeer

Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Perth | Adelaide tglaw.com.au

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