Q&A GEORGIA ZOCCO

Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Communication

2022/23 Summer Clerk at King & Wood Mallesons

Why did you decide to apply for clerkships?

I enjoyed my study of commercial law subjects at uni, and I like following commercial law issues in the news. I applied for a clerkship to gain insight into the practical application of these subjects across a range of commercial legal practice areas. I had also heard great things from friends who had completed clerkships across previous summers, so I was keen to hopefully get involved myself!

Did you have any legal experience prior to your clerkship?

Yes, I worked in a small suburban law rm for almost 2 years. I primarily worked as a conveyancing paralegal, but I also worked on wills and estate matters and some family law matters. There were people in my clerkship cohort who had not worked in law before though.

How did you narrow down which firms to apply to?

I spoke to friends who had completed clerkships, and I went to the Clerkship Networking Evening to speak to rm representatives. I then researched the rms using their websites and their social media (including LinkedIn, which was particularly helpful) to determine if I would apply to them.

How long did you spend on each application?

Overall, probably about a day for each application, and I submitted eight applications. This didn't mean that I sat at my computer and worked on a whole application for a day. It's an estimate based on the amount of time I spent researching using rm websites, social media, talking to people who worked at the rm and then completing the applications themselves (including psychometric testing for some rms). I would recommend leaving enough time to come back to to your application and look over it afresh. Having someone else proofread your application helps too, so factor in time for this as well.

How would you describe your experience undergoing the application process?

It was intense, but incredibly rewarding. It was intense because while the applications are the rst step, the cocktail evenings and interviews occur over a number of weeks, and often within close proximity to each other. Despite this, I immensely enjoyed getting to know people across the rms and learning more about their areas of practice. My interviews in particular were a highlight as it was a great opportunity to ask my interviewers questions that I couldn't answer through research. I also gained a better understanding of what they personally enjoyed about working at their rms.

What lessons have you learned from your clerkship experience?

I learned how important it is to communicate clearly with colleagues, particularly around capacity to take on work and meet deadlines. This allows you to manage your time e ectively, and it assists the people who have given you the task with knowing when it will be completed. I also learned to not be intimidated when asking questions upon receiving a task. Asking clarifying questions when you receive the task, and throughout if you are unsure of anything, will ensure that you're on the right track. It's also important to be enthusiastic, willing to learn and adaptive to feedback. As you'll be exposed to new types of work, no one is expecting everything to be done perfectly, but your attitude towards tasks is what is important.

What words of wisdom do you have for applicants this year?

I know that this is very common advice, but it is good advice: know your CV and your application! To demonstrate why this is important, I had referenced an article that a rm had written in my application for that rm. My interviewing partner then asked me why I found the article interesting. While this may seem intimidating, it enabled me to express my areas of interest to the interviewer. Be aware of the di erent application requirements across rms, like longer responses or psychometric testing. It helps to start early, about 3 weeks out from the deadline. Many applications also ask about your interests outside of work, so use that as an opportunity to let your personality come through. It really helps to build rapport with your interviewers. For example, I discussed how I like to cook, so I ended up telling one of my interviewers about how I make my lasagne! Overall, good luck, stay calm and have faith in your abilities.