UTS LSS Clerkship Guide 2020 by UTS Law Students' Society

02 Authors and Acknowledgments Careers (Publications) Director

Proudly supported by

Zaki Zeini

Cover Designer Briallen Moore

Designer Michael Graziano

President Sam Guzman

Vice President of Careers Vicky Kuo

Vice President of Sponsorship Catherine Thomas

Dean of UTS Law Professor Lesley Hitchens

Interviewed clerks Brae Aslanidis Herbert Smith Freehills Margaret Cai King & Wood Mallesons Sara Pacey Allens Lucas Velcic Ashurst Grace Wade Herbert Smith Freehills

Special thanks to Lauren KrejÄ?Ă Paralegal at Hall & Willcox Ryan Machado Legal Assistant at Chambers Russel Lawyers Sasha Kalra Marketing & Administrative Intern at ACS Foundations Tom Farinelli Careers (Activities) Director Kurt Cheng Careers (Activities) Director Rhiannon Bell Solicitor at King & Woods Mallesons 2020 Career (Publications) Subcommittee

Amani Mahmoud Proofreading

Jeevan Kullar Editing

Rita Rabie Editing

Divya Saxena Drafting

William Marshall Proofreading

03 CONTENTS

4 15

41 53

Part 1 | Welcome address

Part 2 | Elevating your understanding 16.

Clerkships in a Nutshell

18.

Common Practice Areas

21.

Getting your foot in the door

21.

Cover letter briefing

24.

CV briefing

29.

Psychometric testing

31.

Keeping things in perspective

Part 3 | Soft skills 42. Presentation 43.

Interview skills & advice

45.

Networking evening

Part 4 | The Front line 54.

Background & motivation

55.

Application process

57.

Interview stage

59.

The Clerkship experience

Welcome Address Director’s address A warm welcome to you, readers of the 2020 UTS LSS Clerkship Guide! As you settle into your penultimate year, the pressure to begin finding and gaining practical legal experience can become an anxious and tiresome pursuit. This guide has been composed to provide valuable insights that will enhance your ability to power through the application process, allowing you to reach Zaki Zeini the doors leading to your booming futures. A clerkship is an excellent opportunity for those wanting to sharpen their legal skills and gain a greater understanding of what it is like to work for a commercial law firm. For those students who are uncertain about whether a clerkship would appeal to them, keep reading! This guide will provide you with the facts necessary to resolve those reservations.

Part

The most important feature of a clerkship is that it provides students with valuable legal skills transferable to any legal practice. For readers who are yet to reach their penultimate year, I encourage you to continue on. This guide is an excellent resource to understand the clerkship process ahead of time, while also being useful for applications abroad. The message I want to communicate through this publication is the idea of support. It is important that we, as the next generation of this industry, adopt a supportive and collaborative culture, so we may elevate the platform for innovation. You will notice that this publication has sourced many insights and facilitated contributions from all walks of life. This is what our future will be driven by, and it is critical we grasp this perspective. I wish you all the very best in your pursuits and feats.

Dean’s address The Clerkship Guide, produced with much hard work by the UTS Law Students’ Society (LSS), is a great resource. I know from my conversations with law firms that UTS Law students are highly regarded. However, the clerkship program is highly competitive, and there will be many more applicants than places. Don’t be daunted by the level of competition. If you think this is the type of practice that interests you, put in an application. Just be realistic. Even if you do not obtain a clerkship, the experience can be valuable. Professor Lesley Hitchens

Preparing your application can help you identify your strengths and refine how you present yourself. Make sure you do your research about the firms you are applying for and examine your reasons for applying. Interviews provide useful practice and experience. They will give you an idea of what is expected of a law interview and provide 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? But do not be too hard on yourself; we can all look back on interviews and wish we had said something differently! So, if you think a 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!

President’s address Penultimate students: clerkship season is here! The UTS LSS Clerkship Guide contains a wealth of information to assist you in your planning and preparation for the clerkship application process. Regardless of whether you are in your penultimate year intending to undergo this application process, or a first-year student looking to acquire more insight into this pathway, I hope this Guide will be of use to you. Although the clerkship application process is highly competitive, it is important to put your best foot forward and remain confident in your abilities. It can also be a particularly stressful time, so make sure to check up on one another and to continue taking care of yourselves. I would like to thank our UTS LSS Careers (Publications) Director, Zaki Zeini, and the UTS LSS Careers Publications Subcommittee for their efforts in producing this Guide. Finally, I would also like to extend my thanks to our sponsors whose support has made all of this possible. I wish you all the best of luck. Sam Guzman

Great change is here. Shape the future with Allens At Allens, we’re focused on equipping our people with the skills and experience they need to be the lawyers of the future. We’re ready to define tomorrow. Are you? With us, you’ll be more than a lawyer. Our people are technical experts, but they’re also trusted business advisers who think bigger, more broadly and more strategically. Together, we solve complex legal challenges, and collaborate across practice areas and disciplines to guide our clients.

We work across borders too, thanks to our alliance with Linklaters. This provides opportunites for our firm and our people, including annual rotations in Linklaters London, Hong Kong and Singapore being available to our graduate lawyers.

An early legal career at Allens includes highly tailored training through the Allens Academy. Developed in partnership with the Australian National University, our Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice will help you transition from law graduate to legal expert and trusted business adviser.

In a rapidly changing world, we seek opportunities to innovate, embracing creative thinking, new approaches and emerging technology. We don’t just seek opportunities to benefit ourselves and our clients, we believe strongly in driving positive change to do right by our community too, as demonstrated through our strong pro bono practices.

Our teams are open, inclusive and encouraging, giving you the opportunity to learn and grow while feeling supported. You’ll have the flexibility to drive your own career, and we’ll recognise your achievements and hard work as you progress through the firm. Are you ready to begin?

CLERKSHIP PROGRAM A clerkship at Allens is the first step in a rewarding legal career, and will give you invaluable insights into our work and culture. With support from a buddy and development supervisor, you’ll work on real matters for real clients and be involved in a variety of projects. The programs: run from three to 10 weeks; are available at our Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth

and Sydney offices;

feature ongoing support, including a buddy system; and include exposure to one or two practice groups.

GRADUATE PROGRAM In each rotation, you’ll gain a depth of experience that comes from seeing matters through to the end, and get exposure to stimulating legal challenges. At Allens, we don’t work in silos, meaning you won’t be limited to working with only one partner or by your practice areas. You’ll work alongside a range of partners and lawyers, giving you exposure to a wide variety of tasks. Working with different teams and leading organisations, you’ll grow a solid skills base and develop the agility needed to thrive in our ever‑changing world. The programs include: two 12‑month rotations in your areas of interest; secondment options in London or Asia, via our alliance

with Linklaters;

ongoing supervision, coaching and mentoring; completing a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice

(via Allens Academy); and

a 12‑month weekly legal seminar series

(Cornerstone Program).

Find out more at graduates.allens.com.au Allens is an independent partnership operating in alliance with Linklaters LLP.

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Great change is here. Shape the future with Allens Rare Case Study MONA ABU ZALAF SUMMER CLERK 2017/18 Mona Abu Zalaf completed her clerkship in Sydney in 2017/18. After winning a client interview competition sponsored by Allens, she was encouraged to apply for a clerkship. When she applied she was identified as an outperformer by the Rare Contextual Recruitment System. Mona was born and brought up in western Sydney. Her father is a Palestinian refugee, and her mother, who was born in Lebanon, never went to school and doesn’t speak any English. They both migrated to Australia in search of opportunity, which is certainly something that Mona has made the most of. Her mother always encouraged her to try her hardest at school, and impressed upon her the importance of getting an education. Though she was unable to help Mona with any homework, she was incredibly supportive and nurtured her ambition. The fact that her mother didn’t speak any English meant that Mona became very independent at a young age. She often had to be a translator and take the lead in handling situations that required fluency in English. This helped her to become comfortable with taking on responsibility, which was demonstrated through her success at work. Mona got a job as soon as she was old enough and was promoted to crew chief at McDonald’s within a year, despite being only sixteen. She worked six-hour shifts four nights a week, as well as studying for school. She first became interested in the law while she was at school. Mona thought she might want to be a human rights lawyer when she started to learn about the history of Palestine, her father’s country.. It was her interest in business that eventually led her to go into commercial law – she enjoys the fact that this type of law is so entwined with the way that businesses function. Mona applied to university through an Access Scheme and a Principal’s Recommendation Scheme, to strengthen her

application. On results day, she found out that she had just missed out on the HSC grades she needed in order to secure her place in law at the University of Technology Sydney. ‘I cried for a week but then decided to make the best of the situation. I decided to study for a journalism degree for a year, and I had always been interested in that too. I kept in the back of my mind that I would need to get a distinction average, which would allow me to change to law.’ She fully committed herself to the course, and also started to take the lead on lots of political campaigning in her community. That transition from school to university was quite difficult for Mona. She had attended a religious institution and describes her life at school as being quite sheltered. University was very culturally different to what she was used to, which made her feel slightly isolated. It took her a while to become confident enough to get involved with the law society and participate in competitions. She said that the moment she finally felt like she deserved to be in the law course was when she received the highest score in her real property course, which led to her receiving a faculty award. This gave her the boost she needed. In her second year, she started to enter competitions, and then she came to Allens for the grand finals. ‘The first time I ever visited a law firm, (and Allens), was during the client interview competition grand finals. I assumed that I’d never be able to work somewhere like that.’ ‘My uncles are all painters and they painted number 1 Bligh Street, which is the office of a law firm. That’s the biggest connection I had to the legal world before I started to network when participating in competitions.’ When Mona applied to Allens, she was identified as an outperformer by the Rare CRS. This added to her already impressive achievements, and she was invited to interview. She wears a headscarf and was, sadly, verbally abused moments before walking into the building for her interview with us. Despite this, she kept her cool and performed well at the interview. She was offered a clerkship. Talking about her experience on the clerkship Mona said, ‘Working at Allens was absolutely amazing. It was everything that I expected and more. The work is enjoyable, the team were supportive, and the partners were approachable.’ The feedback that she received was just as positive. Her resilience and motivation shone through, and her willingness to take on extra work impressed those that she worked with. Mona is now a Lawyer at Allens. She’s ready. Are you?

Find out more at allens.com.au/yourcareer Allens is an independent partnership operating in alliance with Linklaters LLP.

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Make the difference at Ashurst As a global law firm with a rich history spanning almost 200 years, we’ve established ourselves as a leading adviser to corporates, financial institutions and governments, on all areas of the law including finance, M&A, disputes and competition. We’re renowned for helping our clients navigate through a complex and constantly evolving global landscape. With 28 offices across the world’s leading financial and resource centres, we offer the reach and insight of a global network combined with deep local market knowledge. Our people are our greatest asset. We bring together lawyers of the highest calibre with the expertise, industry experience and regional know-how to provide the incisive advice our clients need. As a global team we have a reputation for successfully managing large and complex multi-jurisdictional transactions, disputes and projects.

Ashurst around the globe

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Beijing

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Port Moresby

Perth Melbourne

Brisbane * Sydney Canberra * Brisbane has two office locations

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Begin now at ashurst.com/students

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3,660 people

1,583 lawyers

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Your journey to a world-class career begins here

Baker McKenzie is Australia’s first global law firm. We’ve been developing global lawyers in Australia for more than 50 years – each started out as a law student, just like you.

Angelique Holden +61 2 8922 5596 angelique.holden@bakermckenzie.com

Become a world-class lawyer. Join the firm that was born global.

www.bakermckenzie.com/australia#careers Find us at @BakersAUS

Ready to explore our world?

Find us on Facebook

& Clerkships A clerkship with Bird & Bird is just the start of your exciting legal journey with one of the world's best international law firms. Find out where a clerkship with Bird & Bird can take you.

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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.

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.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth Be exceptional. Your journey from outstanding graduate to exceptional lawyer begins at Corrs.

corrs.com.au/graduates

Who are we and what do we do?

Your time as a Clerk at Corrs

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

The majority of our graduates join us after experiencing a seasonal clerkship program. Our summer clerkship gives you the opportunity to rotate through three practice groups where you will connect with partners and lawyers across the firm, learn what a ‘day-in-the-life’ at Corrs is like, and experience the type of work we do and the clients we partner with.

Through our long-term relationships with leading law firms across the world, we advise on the most significant global matters and connect with the best lawyers internationally to provide our clients with the right team for every engagement. At Corrs, you’ll enjoy the benefits of working alongside a high-performing team with a shared commitment to our culture of excellence, collaboration, commitment and respect. For almost two centuries, we’ve been advising our clients on their most complex challenges. We’re the firm of choice for many of the world’s most significant organisations – from large corporations to governments, banks and financial sponsors.

Areas of practice Nationally, we have 17 practice groups. In the Sydney office, we specialise in the following areas of law: Arbitration; Banking & Finance; Class Actions; Commercial Litigation; Competition; Corporate; Employment & Labour; Environment & Planning; Financial Sponsors; Intellectual Property; Projects; Property & Real Estate; Restructuring, Insolvency & Special Situations (RISS); Tax; Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT).

The Corrs clerkship program gives you the opportunity to work alongside some of Australia’s leading lawyers on high-profile work for major Australian and international clients. You’ll be exposed to a broad range of interesting matters. You’ll also have the chance to complete a broad range of tasks, such as conducting research, reviewing and presenting documents, attending client meetings, court hearings, mediations and settlements, as well as shadowing partners and lawyers in client meetings and business development activities. As a clerk you will also undertake a pro bono project for the duration of the summer which you will present to one of our pro-bono clients as a cohort.

Your time as a Graduate with Corrs The reason we continue to attract exceptional graduates and lawyers is simple: we provide you with the opportunity to work with great people; to work on career-defining matters from the start of your career; and to work and/or study internationally. From your first day at Corrs, you will have the opportunity to accelerate your career in a high-performing and supportive environment.

Graduate Development Program Our graduate development program is your first step towards a successful career. As part of our 18-month program, you will have access to: •

on-the-job training as you work directly with partners and senior lawyers;

•

structured learning;

•

mentoring; and

•

regular feedback.

During this time, you’ll complete three six-month rotations through a variety of our practice areas and you’ll also be involved in pro bono opportunities. The program begins with our Graduate Academy – a highlight for our graduates every year. We bring all our graduates together for a multi-day learning experience, giving you the chance to meet with your peers, learn and have fun. Then it’s on to your Practical Legal Training (PLT) studies and your local orientation before you dive into the program.

What does Corrs look for in a Clerk/Graduate? We look for graduates who can make a positive contribution to the firm and help us in delivering legal excellence and outstanding client service. In exchange for your energy and commitment we’ll provide extraordinary learning and work opportunities here and internationally. Our success is based on the success of our people. We encourage individuals to play to their strengths. And we bring our diverse and talented lawyers together to create top-performing teams. We want people who bring out the best in those around them, work well in a team, and take pride in their work and achievements. At Corrs, you’ll enjoy the benefits of working alongside a high-performing team with a shared commitment to our culture of excellence, collaboration, commitment and respect.

International opportunities (work and study) We invest in international experiences that help our lawyers grow their skills, cultural understanding and relationships worldwide. Our International Study Scholarship supports the continuing professional development of exceptional legal staff. The Scholarship provides financial support for the completion of further study at Oxford, Cambridge or a US equivalent (full-time on campus). We have sent our lawyers on secondment to some of the world’s leading firms in the USA, UK, Japan, Singapore, China, Spain, France, India, Germany, Brazil, Indonesia and Hong Kong, including: Amsterdam – De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek; Chile – Carey; Dusseldorf – Gleiss Lutz; Frankfurt – Hengeler Mueller; Hong Kong – Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Jakarta – Soemadipradja & Taher; London – Slaughter & May, Macfarlanes, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and CMS; Madrid – Uría Menéndez; Milan – BonelliErede; Mumbai – AZB & Partners; New York – Cravath Swaine & Moore and Skadden; Paris – Bredin Prat; Singapore – Allen & Gledhill; Tokyo – Nishimura & Asahi.

Our work We let our work speak for itself. We’re proud to work with some of the biggest organisations in the world on their most important matters. Our clients include more than half of the top fifty ASX-listed companies, some of the largest privately owned companies in Australia and a number of global Fortune five hundred companies. We work with well-known organisations like AGL, Amazon, BP, Blackstone, CBA, Coles, EBay, Google, Johnson & Johnson, McDonalds, NAB, PayPal, Vodafone and Wesfarmers. We also work with governments, Federal and State, as well as on major transactions that make the news.

More than just work We provide opportunities for professional and personal growth for both legal and business services staff. We take our work seriously but we also recognise the importance of looking after ourselves and having fun. We encourage staff to be socially active and participate in social and sporting events as well as learning and development activities. Some of our activities include mixed netball, pilates and yoga, touch football, cricket day, Friday night drinks, family days, trivia nights, End of Financial Year party and Christmas Party. Corrs also provides flexible work arrangements, paid study leave, salary sacrificing and opportunities to give back to the community.

Applications open: 9 June 2020 Applications close: 12 July 2020 Offers made: 16 September 2020

Corrs recognises the importance of health and wellbeing and is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace through a range of programs and policies. Our wellbeing program provides a range of initiatives to assist people in maintaining good overall health. Importantly, we also recognise the role a person’s manager plays in their wellbeing and we place emphasis on effective ‘everyday leadership’ and have processes in place to monitor a person’s welfare and workload.

Pro bono and community From local schools to global organisations, we have a long and proud history of helping those in need. As a graduate lawyer, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to pro bono matters. We perform around 20,000 hours of pro bono and volunteer work each year, helping those who need it most. Corrs specifically provides pro bono legal services for disadvantaged individuals who might not otherwise have access to legal representation. We are the principal legal partner for the United Nations Refugee Agency in Australia. Other organisations we work with and support as part of our pro bono and community program include Hagar Australia, Justice Connect, The Salvation Army, The Big Issue, Very Special Kids, Oxfam and more. In Sydney, our work with Justice Connect and the Homeless Persons Legal Clinics we run in Newtown and Bondi Beach sees graduates helping people facing disadvantage who are ineligible for legal aid and cannot afford a lawyer.

Contact:

Kim Howe People & Performance Consultant +61 2 9210 6044 kimberly.howe@corrs.com.au

corrs.com.au/graduates

Elevating your Understanding

In this Part Clerkships in a Nutshell 16 Common Practice Areas 18 Getting your foot in the door 21 Cover letter briefing 21 CV briefing 24 Psychometric testing 29 Keeping things in perspective 31

Clerkships in a Nutshell

What is a clerkship? Clerkships are a paid summer internship program facilitated by law firms to provide students in their penultimate year with the training and experience necessary for professional growth and career advancement. They are one of the two major employment programs for law students coordinated by the NSW Law Society, with the other being the Graduate Employment Program for final year law students. During the summer holidays, clerkship programs are expected to run between 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 15 weeks; however, this will vary depending on the firm and their yearly schedule. At the end of the program, clerkships can lead to offers of graduate employment, making them an excellent opportunity for students to secure full-time work upon graduation. The clerkship experience In undertaking a clerkship, law students will explore specialised legal fields through a process of 2-3 rotations encompassing various practice areas. This allows law students to gain experience in a variety of different work and learning environments, while developing a greater understanding of the fundamentals of commercial law.

Clerks will usually be responsible for the following tasks:

Performing legal and factual research

Drafting and summarising legal documents as well as checking for accuracy

Preparing correspondence, written reports and performing records research

Recording client meetings

Writing clients memos

Organising and tracking case files

Attending meetings and court with lawyers

Drafting daily correspondence, including letters and legal documents

Assisting in the preparation of matters for hearings

During 2019, I worked as a Law Graduate in the Class Actions and Corporate Regulatory team, and as a Law Graduate and then Solicitor in the Competition Law and Regulatory team. Clerks assisted me with a range of tasks, from taking trolleys to court for hearings and delivering documents to the ACCCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offices, to preparing documents for briefs to counsel, and completing research tasks. In completing these tasks, I was most impressed by the clerks who demonstrated attention to detail and who took care in completing the tasks assigned. Although preparing documents may not always be the most exciting task, it is extremely important that it is done to a high standard. Also, by observing and asking questions, clerks can learn much about the processes involved in particular practice teams, which is helpful when progressing to graduate roles. Clerks also made valuable contributions in completing research tasks. At times, there is no clear answer to a research question, and a clerkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role is to confirm that there is no law that is directly on point, which requires thorough research and meticulously recording sources considered. Often, clerks provide significant value by bringing fresh eyes to a topic. Rhiannon Bell, Solicitor at King & Wood Mallesons

Overview of the Clerkship Process: A Timeline June 9th

July 5th - 12th

Between July and September

1. Application An application is typically composed of a cover letter, CV and your academic transcript. It is submitted online via a firm’s website; cvMail; or through a ‘Student Application Form’ accessible from the Law Society of NSW. Some firm facilitated applications have attached questionnaires or psychometric/aptitude testing.

Applications close (respective of the firm)

2. Interview rounds (First round) If an application has impressed the firm’s selection team, applicants are invited to attend the first meeting. This is where the selection team will spend time gauging your personality and practical skills with a partner or HR representative. (Second round) As firms narrow down their selection of potential clerks, successful first round applicants will be invited to either another face-to-face meeting, usually structured as an informal chat between yourself and one or more partners; or a cocktail evening designed to understand how applicants behave in a social setting. See Part 3: ‘Soft Skills – Networking Evenings’ for more details.

September 16th

3. The Offer Your performance through the application and interview rounds and/or networking evening will determine whether you receive an offer for a summer clerkship position. Firms usually send out their offers in sync to allow applicants to consider their options fairly, considering an applicant may receive more than one offer.

September 18th

4. The Decision Deciding to accept or decline an offer will be based on your personal preferences. If you are uncertain, attempt to seek guidance from your personal network as this can help you make an informed decision. Be aware of your own interests and consider whether the specialisation of a firm aligns with those interests. Research is a major contributor to your ultimate decision. Applicants who receive multiple offers should remember to be courteous in declining offers.

Common Practice Areas (With assistance from Lauren Krejčí)

Undertaking a clerkship will expose you to several practice areas during your rotations, creating a breadth of opportunities for you to familiarise and gain an appreciation of a multi-disciplinary service environment. The tasks that you may undertake as a clerk will vary from firm-to-firm and often include a combination of billable work and business development. The following list of practice areas only provide an indication of the types of tasks that you may be delegated.

Corporate & commercial law Corporate and commercial law is an expansive practice area that covers transactional activity undertaken by businesses, corporate and regulatory governance and intellectual property. Clerks working within a corporate and commercial team may be required to draft and review commercial contracts such as shareholder, partnership and joint venture agreements, franchising agreements, supply, distribution and agency agreements and licence agreements. As a clerk, you may also be required to prepare information memorandums or letters of advice advising on compliance and corporate governance issues such as directors’ and officers’ duties and liabilities, shareholder rights, compliance with the Corporations Act and ASX disclosure requirements.

Litigation & Dispute resolution Litigation and dispute resolution are concerned with resolving disagreements or litigious matters between individuals, businesses or large corporations through adjudicative processes such as arbitration; and consensual processes such as mediation, conciliation or negotiation. As a clerk, this area will provide a breadth of opportunities for you to experience various matters ranging from commercial disputes, civil actions, contract infringements and liability disputes. Clerks working within this team will assist with advising clients on the merits of their case and suggesting alternative avenues to litigation as well as participating in interlocutory and default hearings. Clerks will also perform tasks such as drafting and reviewing pleadings, particulars and subpoenas, collecting evidence through discovery and general research or filings in preparation for trial.

Employment and workplace relations law (E&WR) E&WR law involves advising clients on their rights, duties and obligations with respect to an employment agreement. Matters will range from resolving harassment or discrimination issues to contractual disputes associated with wages and compensation terms. Clerks will need to ensure they remain well-informed with frequent changes to the law as it can often be a complicated and interrelated myriad of Federal and State common laws. Clerks may assist in subject-matter counselling for labour and employment disputes and will be tasked with examining several contracts, undertaking thorough legal research to be collected and transformed into viable instructions for clients in resolving their matter.

19 Banking & finance law Banking & finance law is an extensive area that covers matters of borrowing and lending, banking regulation, corporate structuring, insolvency, property law and securities. Clerks should expect considerable overlap with other practice areas during this rotation covering a range of specialist fields that require extensive knowledge. Clerks will have an active role in managing mid-size to large transactions within a team usually consisting of at least one specialised partner, a senior associate, an associate and a graduate or paralegal. Within this team, clerks will also assist in drafting loan and security documents, conducting preliminary investigations, undertaking due diligence tasks and advising clients on common commercial financing options.

Tax Law Taxation law involves assisting individuals in navigating the complex State and Federal tax codes through advisory and dispute management services. Clients are assisted in understanding the tax risks associated with various transactions and agreements. This requires intensive research and a proficiency in analytical skills and accountancy. As this a specialised area, clerks can expect a higher degree of supervision when undertaking legal research and drafting tax documentation, allowing them to gain a detailed understanding of taxation law before transitioning to advising clients directly.

Mergers & acquisitions (M&Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s) Mergers and Acquisitions (M&As) are a subset of corporate and commercial law and refer collectively to transactions involving the transferral or consolidation of businesses or assets. As a clerk in M&A, you will be required to prepare completion checklists and transaction bibles for all commercial documents used in the transaction, conduct due diligence checks by creating search reports and reviewing material contracts and along assisting with drafting and reviewing Business Sale Agreements and Share Sale Agreements. You may also be required to be in constant liaison with clients and solicitors representing the other side of the M&A through attending teleconferences and meetings.

Intellectual property (IP) IP law encompasses protecting and asserting the rights of individuals over their intangible assets such as copyright, patents and trademarks. This is a specialised area that requires multiple divisions to handle each form of intellectual property protection as each is regulated by a separate piece of legislation. Clerks will be involved in complex disputes concerning the infringement or exploitation of ideas, creative works, inventions, information and misuse of household names. Tasks include extensive legal research for infringement investigations regarding patents and copyright, drafting advice for potential litigants based on current IP laws, managing client expectations and assisting in drafting various licensing documentation.

Restructuring & Insolvency Restructuring and insolvency law encompasses restructuring issues, turnarounds, bankruptcies, receiverships, voluntary administrations and liquidations along with corporate recovery and insolvencyrelated litigation. As a clerk working within a restructuring and insolvency team, you may be required to assist with discovery and initial case assessments, draft pleadings and affidavits, draft legal correspondence advising on corporate recovery and aspects of insolvency and prepare for trial by collating briefs to Counsel, exhibits, subpoenas and evidence. Clerks would also be required to be in constant liaison with clients via email, teleconferences and meetings.

Competition and consumer law Competition and consumer law is an extensive area relating to the regulation and promotion of competition between businesses and ensuring their offerings comply with consumer rights under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Clerks can expect to be involved in investigating complaints from consumers and businesses, examining contracts for unfair, misleading or deceptive terms, conducting legal research and understanding how to identify anti-competitive behaviour. Clerks will also experience considerable overlap with other practice areas such as M&As and Corporate law, focusing on corporate governance and substantial business transactions or exclusive dealings which may attract the attention of the ACCC.

Getting your foot in the door

What is the firm trying to achieve with the role on offer, and how can you help them to achieve that?

Ask yourself Firms are looking for solutions focused people. Your application is the stage where you showcase how your experience and extra-curriculars have created valuable skills and insights.

(With assistance from Ryan Machado)

Cover Letter briefing You should view the cover letter as a brief presentation that highlights you as a candidate who possesses excellent written communication skills and abilities that relate to the selection criteria and tasks that you will undertake as a prospective clerk. While writing your cover letter, it is important to keep in mind that the hiring team is viewing several other cover letters for each firm. For this reason, you must keep your cover letter brief, easy to understand, and straightforward to effectively relate your experience and interest to the firm’s selection criteria.

Cover letter tips

(By Sasha Kalra)

Often Overlooked

Common Mistakes

Research The cover letter should represent how your skills fit into the company’s needs, so research is key. Whilst researching, you should go through the firm’s values, and detail how your skills match the job description.

Re-use Re-using the same letter for every role, even if all the roles are in the same industry, is never a good idea. The cover letter should be including details about the firm and why you want to work for them. Regurgitating the same cover letter becomes very obvious to experts.

Length No more than one page. Be mindful of the proportion of applications firms are having to review. You want to get your points across as effectively as possible.

Word Document Send or upload your cover letter as a pdf rather than word documents! Uploading it as a pdf means that formatting doesn’t change on either yourself or the recruiter’s side.

Resume Regurgitation Many people simply don’t understand that your cover letter is not repeating everything that is on your resume. Instead, choose a few roles and extracurriculars and go into depth about those experiences and how they would directly be helpful for the role and company.

Greetings When in doubt, go formal. Never start your cover letter with a ‘Hi’. If you don’t know whom your cover letter is going to specifically, stick to ‘Dear Hiring Manager’, ‘Dear Admin’ or even ‘Dear Recruiter’.

22 Example of a Poor-Quality Cover Letter

ABC Law Firm 123 City Street Sydney NSW 2000 Dear HR,

I am writing to express my interest in the legal administrative assistant position at XYZ Law Firm that you are currently advertising on Seek. As a penultimate law student, most of my knowledge of the law is theoretical but I am very enthusiastic about acquiring hands on experience beyond the classroom.

My CV is attached which shows the important legal skills I have developed throughout my time at university. In summary, I have excellent timemanagement, legal research, legal document drafting and contract review skills that can be utilised in the clerk role at your firm. I also offer a wealth of administrative experience from my previous Market Research position. Having spent two years in the spheres of two market research firms, I have valuable administrative and technical skills and worked towards strict deadlines for important medical research. My skills developed in this job also include using MS office for data entry, managing files and organising research documents.

I have also engaged with my university and have taken many extracurricular opportunities. I enjoyed competing in the intervarsity negotiation competition, the commercial law moot and writing for our uniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s publication. I believe my exceptional work ethic, passion for the law and willingness to learn and develop new skills will enable me to become a great asset to your team. It would be an honour to be given the chance to do so. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, John

Whilst it may not be possible for all firms, most firms will have a contact person to whom you are required to address your cover letter to. Failure to do so indicates a lack of research performed by the candidate into both the program, and the firm! 2. Even if there are no contact details provided, refrain from using abbreviations. Use phrases such as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dear Recruitment Team at XYZ Lawâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. No subject line is provided as well. 3. Be sure to link your experiences to the role requirements. Avoid abbreviations such as MS (write Microsoft Office). Use paragraphs two and three to explain the transferable skills obtained from your professional experience and link them to the selection criteria and role requirements. 4. When stating extracurricular activities such as competitions, explain the skills tested and/or obtained from such experiences. The author should have also conducted more research into the firm and asserted why he is a good fit for the firm, its culture, and program. 5. Be sure to avoid casual language (this is a formal letter after all).

23 Example of a Good-Quality Cover Letter

1. This letter is properly formatted, with all necessary details added in.

John Smith 42 George Road Lane Cove NSW 2066 0489 023 431

1 11 April 2020

Kyle Minogue Recruitment Manager ABC Law Firm 123 City Streey Sydney NSW 2000

This is the proper way to convey a personal, yet professional tone within your cover letter.

Re: Application for the 2021 ABC Law Firm Clerkship Program Dear Mr Minogue,

3. The author has provided a strong insight into his educational and professional background, properly linking each experience (professional and extracurricular) to the criteria. 4. The author has performed research into the firm’s program and influence in a particular area of law, properly conveying why he would like to be included in the program. 5. The author has avoided casual expression, keeping to a formal tone that is required within a cover letter.

After speaking to Ms Jessie Donovan at the ‘Tertiary To Work’ Careers fair in Sydney last week, I wish to apply for an intern position with ABC Law Firm. My interest in (insert the firm specialty) law has grown over the last several years, particularly after my summer internship experience at EFG Law Firm last year.

I am currently in my final year of a B. Business/B. Laws double degree at University of Technology (UTS) and I hold a High-Distinction average. I have been an active member of the Law Students’ Society (LSS) at UTS and the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) for the past two years. I developed strong analytical skills through my research into the deregulation of East-Asia’s financial sector in the past twenty years. I enhanced my strong communication skills as a Volunteer Guide at the National Museum, my teamwork skills in my part-time retail assistant role at David Jones, and my organisation skills in my position as paralegal with the commercial law firm MinterEllison. I enjoy playing rugby, and as a rugby coach for under 14s, I used initiative and my problemsolving ability in running local competitions. ABC Law Firm’s global outlook and recent expansion into East-Asian markets appeal to both my legal and commerce backgrounds.

I would enjoy contributing to ABC Law Firm’s growth in deregulated markets overseas, as well as in the domestic sector. I would also look forward to the opportunity to learn from experienced staff in the mentoring program within ABC Law Firm’s internship program. The combination of my professional and extracurricular experiences has developed transferable skills that match the criteria demanded by the role, and I seek to employ these skills as an intern in your firm.

Thank you for your time in this matter. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my application further with you. Yours sincerely, John Smith

CV briefing A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a 1-2-page document that acts as a summary of your professional and educational background. This document must be sufficiently explanatory of all essential aspects of your educational and professional background, extracurricular undertakings, and achievements that places you as a candidate with the ‘complete package’. The document should be concise, professionally formatted, and clear in understanding what your background will bring to the firm.

CV tips

(By Sasha Kalra)

Often Overlooked

Common Mistakes

Including extracurriculars Recruiters understand that whilst you are studying, it may not be simple to find roles in the area you wish to pursue after your studies. Therefore, getting involved with relevant student societies and undertaking online courses show a recruiter that you are going above and beyond your studies to gain a deeper understanding of the field.

Proof Reading Before sending your resume for any role, check for misspellings and grammatical errors. I would suggest first running your resume through Grammarly. This by itself, is not enough! Once your resume is grammatically correct, give it another read through to check if it reads well. Reading your resume out loud is a quick and easy way to catch out any errors.

Contact Details These must be correct. To make it simpler, use one email and contact number for all your applications and make sure you have set up your voicemail. There’s nothing more infuriating to a recruiter than an applicant you can’t contact. Whitespace It’s never a good idea to cram all your information into two pages and forget about Whitespace. Cull wisely and introduce whitespace between roles and sections in your resume.

Excessive Listing Often candidates will break the two-page resume rule to list all the jobs they’ve had. Instead, keep it to your most recent and most relevant roles.

Ambiguity Remove generalised statements. These don’t give the recruiter much of an indicator of what you have achieved in your roles. Replace general statements with specific details, figures and examples. Including specific statements will allow the recruiter to understand what you achieved in this role, how you met your targets, contributed to your firm’s objectives or even any new systems you implemented.

25 Example of a Poor-Quality CV

1. JOHN SMITH E: johndrizzy@gmail.com A: 200 George Street, Sydney M: 0489 023 043

Avoid using informal/casual emails as your main point of professional contact.

EDUCATION Bachelor of Laws 2 2014-2018 University of Technology, Sydney • Subjects completed: Foundations of Law, Ethics, Law and Justice, Tort Law and Criminal Law and Procedure, Contracts, Civil Practice and Australian Constitutional Law. • Currently Studying: Administrative Law, Commercial Law, Principles of Public International Law

HSC Mount Saint Benedict High School

2008-2013

RELEVANT/current experience Law Clerk 3 Family Law Firm • Drafting legal correspondence 4 • Updating and reviewing matters • Liaising with clients and debtors regarding prlegal and legal matters • Administrative work Admin assistant 6 Optus • Answering calls • Drafting minutes • Errand running

Present

July-September 2016

Casual Worker Co-Op Bookshop • Customer Service • Hit KPI sales targets re. books, textbooks, novelty items

The format and style of presentation is inconsistent and unpleasant to read.

Add details as to when you started your role. 4. Be descriptive of key aspects of your role. 5.

2016

Production Field Team Member Market Research Company 2014-2016 • Conducted telephone recruiting and interviewing • Completed data entry tasks • Daily administrative tasks such as mailings, faxing, emails, incentives, and database cleansing • Achieved numbers for projects

Spelling mistakes will detract from your CV’s professional tone and quality. 6. Avoid abbreviations. It detracts from your CV’s professional tone and quality.

26 Example of a Poor-Quality CV (page 2)

7. Link skills obtained to your professional work experience and extracurricular undertakings. 8. When writing your referee details, provide mobile/office numbers, state their professional relationship to you, and their organisation details.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Uni Publication Present • Currently a contributing writer to the uni publication • Law Society • Member of the uni law society • Engaged in a number of uni comps and volunteered in multiple events • Have played in my local soccer club for the last 15 years. KEY • • • • • •

SKILLS Microsoft Office Touch typing Administrative i.e. document collation, printing, photocopying, scanning, filing, and binding Research 7 Familiar with both Mac and PC platforms Legal technical skills

REFEREES Elizabeth Darl – elizabethdarl@gmail.com Manny Liston – 0453 256 809

27 Example of a Good-Quality CV

John Smith EDUCATION 2014 - 2018

2008 - 2013

E johnsmith@gmail.com M 0489 023 043 A 200 George Street Sydney NSW 2000

2 Bachelor of Business & Bachelor of Laws University of Technology, Sydney • 75 WAM, 3.0 GPA • UTS Law Faculty Board Member • Winner of the 2017 Torts Intervarsity Moot • Represented UTS in the 2018 Criminal Law Moot

HSC Mount Saint Legands High School • 97.25 ATAR • Best All-Rounder Award

November 2016 Paralegal - Present XYZ Law Firm • Prepared conveyancing documents, settlement adjustments and examined legal documents • Attended property settlements, lodged documents to the NSW LPI and banked cheques • Liaised with banks, agents, clients and counsel • Compiled data into legal software such as GlobalX Matter Centre & SAI Global • Carried out legal research and general administration support • Made appointments for clients and informed clients of solicitors’ fees • Provided general administrative support to Partners and supervisors

Properly formatted with relevant information of personal details and educational background. 2.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

March 2014 - Present

Managing Director/Head Tutor Potentia Tuition • Managed several science classes at Potentia Tuition, ensuring that Key Performance Indicators were met in all circumstances. • Trained employees to effectively transfer knowledge, engage with clients & students, manage time and deadlines. • Also provided private tutoring to struggling students, generating significant improvement in overall student performance. • Managed a team of three, tasked to create new resources for the new 2019 Chemistry and Physics syllabus

Headings are appropriately used to separate relevant sections about the individual. 3. Bullet points and short, succinct sentences are used to describe key aspects about the role. 4. Non-legal experience is appropriately linked to a transferable skill relating to a selection criterion or relevant ability.

28 Example of a Good-Quality CV (page 2)

5. The significance of extracurriculars are highlighted and linked back to key skills that may be undertaken within the role. 6. An effective summary is provided regarding key professional skills the applicant can bring to the table, and how they were tested or applied in his professional background. 7.

John Smith | johnsmith@gmail.com | 0489 023 043

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES November 2016 Editor of UTS Publications Subcommittee • Currently an editor of the UTS Publications - March 2017 Subcommittee • The role requires a high level of attention to detail 5 and organisation skills to ensure that the publications produced are thorough, compliant with specifications and deadlines March 2017 - Present

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS •

Details of referees who can attest to tasks performed in his course of employment are provided.

Member of the UTS Law Students’ Society • Winner of the 2017 Torts Intervarsity Moot • Represented UTS in the 2018 Criminal Law Moot

• • • • •

Performing Legal Research: Carried out several legal research tasks during my time spent as a paralegal and as a team member in mooting. Legal Documentation: Produced voluminous conveyancing documents as a paralegal. Conflict management: Resolved many of the teamwork issues that rose during the organisation of the 2018 First Year Law Camp. Delegation: Successfully led the implementation of a new recruitment strategy within the UTS LSS. Regularly assigned tasks to as a team leader at Potentia. Active listening and Problem Solving: Able to effectively respond to UTS LSS members’ concerns and issues, providing prompt resolutions. Analysis: Able to interpret many of the issues that arose within Financial Services Institute of Australasia’s clients, providing insightful solutions to resolve such issues.

REFERENCES Nicole Green Partner, XYZ Law 0540 680 900 Manny Liston Director, Potentia Tuition 0680 745 891

Psychometric testing

Academic transcripts do not tell the full story of whether someone possesses problem solving skills and interpersonal skills such as relationship building, emotional agility, and resilience. These characteristics are becoming increasingly valued by law firms. Psychometric tests are a standard and scientific method designed to assess an applicantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personality and reasoning skills compared to specific standards set by law firms. As the application process can be quite competitive, these assessments provide an efficient and logical way of deciding who may progress further in the application process and guide the kind of questions asked during the interview rounds.

Types of psychometric tests

Assesses how you act and react at any given time i.e. your behavioral style. This will assist employers to ascertain your approach towards projects/task management and ability to work alongside a variety of stakeholders like partners, managers and co-workers. Results will be measured against the firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core values and culture to work out how compatible an applicant is to their environment.

Personality test

Numerical Reasoning test

Verbal reasoning test

Designed to measure how quickly and accurately an applicant can analyse numerical data, interpret graphs, and logically draw conclusions from the stimuli provided. The purpose of these questions is to understand your line of reasoning and attention to detail rather than your mathematical ability. Expect the test to be timed and the level of difficulty to depend on the relevant tasks and responsibilities the role requires, so make sure you do your research!

Will measure your oral and written communication capabilities based on how you interpret work-related concepts and information. Materials will be presented as short passages of written information and several statements which you will need to sift through to identify critical issues and draw your conclusions under a time limit. Topics will vary depending on what the role will entail.

Abstract reasoning test

Measures an applicant’s ability to demonstrate strong lateral thinking or fluid intelligence i.e. conceptual reasoning skills. How quickly you can learn new information, identify patterns in data and integrate complex information will be assessed to ascertain the potential of an applicant in solving work-related problems. Materials may involve observing various shapes, movements, words and numbers under a time limit with some element of surprise.

Strong applicants will be expected to: • Explain work-related issues in a clear and simple manner • Possess a strong capacity to quickly and effectively identify work-related issues • Logically draw conclusions from company policy and internal reports

Practice tests All of the above-mentioned types of practice tests can be found using these links:

SHL Direct

m n-

sio ci

onfiden

nc l resilie a n o i t o Em De

Social c

S el

ng ki & in e th tiv ic ea eg Cr trat s

Some relevant personality characteristics sought include:

f- aw are ne

Revelian

i ak sk s

ill Drive for achievement

Keeping things in perspective What to do if you do not attain a clerkship

It’s no secret that the Clerkship application process can be a stressful one, exacerbated by the fact that the Clerkship process is inherently competitive. According to the Law Society of NSW, 11,765 total applications were made in 2015, compared to only 325 offers made (note that in these figures, each application made by an individual is counted as a separate application). The unfortunate reality is that not all applicants can be successful. It seems obvious, but it’s something that can be easily forgotten during such a stressful period. While it is important to approach the application process with optimism and confidence, it is equally as important to keep things in perspective, particularly if the outcome isn’t what you hoped for. Treat each step as a learning experience! Even if you ultimately do not receive an offer, realise that you have still just gained experience in CV-writing, interviewing, email etiquette… precious experience that will come in handy, whether you decide to apply again next year or try out a different career path. Making it through each step of the application process is a win and you should treat it as such. It is often the case that many of your peers are also applying for a Clerkship in the same year, making it easy to fall into a competitive mindset. You may even feel pressure to perform as well as your peers. During these times, it’s important to remember to focus on yourself and forget what everyone else is doing. The firms are interested in you as an individual and what you can offer. Your only competition is you! That being said, make sure that you’re supporting your friends too. Difficult times are a lot easier when you have a group of people to share the experience with! It can be hard to keep in mind that a Clerkship is not the be-all-end-all. While a Clerkship is often marketed as the most direct path to a graduate job at a commercial firm, it isn’t the only one! Many firms have graduate programs that don’t require you to go through a Clerkship process. There are many opportunities out there for law students who are seeking legal experience, ranging from volunteering at a not-for-profit organisation to performing research work for a barrister. If you do not receive a Clerkship offer, you may find that these options are a great alternative too. Keep an eye out for the UTS LSS Careers Guide coming out in Spring Session for an exploration into all the other directions a law degree can take you. Ultimately, the most important thing throughout the Clerkship process is that you are looking after your mental health. Be kind to yourself and others, celebrate your achievements no matter how big or small, don’t place unnecessary pressure on yourself, and remember that whether you receive a Clerkship offer or not is not definitive of you or your capabilities. Best of luck to all who are applying for a Clerkship this year.

Vicky Kuo (Vice President of Careers)

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR? The G+T clerkship experience is open to students in their penultimate year of study, as well as final year for our Sydney office. We’re not a prescriptive firm when it comes to our people; we invite individuality and diversity. We also hold ambition, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit in high regard. Our people are collaborative, passionate and dedicated – but most of all they enjoy what they do and never forget to have fun. We seek clerks and graduates who will complement our practice groups and don’t feel the need to take themselves too seriously.

WHAT WILL YOU EXPERIENCE? Depending on your location, you’ll complete two, four-week rotations across the firm’s practice areas in summer, or a seasonal clerkship over a number of weeks in winter or summer. All clerks are assigned a supervising partner, mentor and buddy to assist with on-the-job training for each rotation - an immediate support network to help smooth the transition from university and assist with your professional development. While your main focus will be corporate work, everyone has the opportunity to assist on pro bono matters, innovation projects and participate in firm-wide activities.

HOW WILL YOU LEARN?

WE’RE BIG ON BOLD Standing up for what you believe in and standing out in the crowd. Having the confidence to take risks and the courage to say no. Trusting in the tradition of embracing innovation. Being adventurous, spirited and unexpected. At Gilbert + Tobin, we believe in being bold.

During the clerkship you’ll take part in our customised in-house training, and cover topics such as research, analysis, drafting, developing technical skills, interpersonal effectiveness, teamwork, business development and client orientation. As you progress through your rotations you’ll develop invaluable skills and knowledge and gain first-hand experience of our various practice groups. Understanding the mechanics of legal practice through research, drafting memos, attending court and meeting clients will all help to build your confidence. And we’ll encourage you to contribute ideas and your own fresh perspective.

GRADUATE PROGRAM Our summer clerk program is the primary pathway for graduates at G+T, however we also invite interest from graduating students who may have clerked elsewhere or taken up other opportunities in their penultimate or final year of studies. Keep an eye on our website for active graduate vacancies.

KEY DATES OFFICE

APPLICATIONS OPEN

APPLICATIONS CLOSE

Sydney

9 June

12 July

Melbourne

6 July

16 August

Perth

13 July

2 August

CONTACT KRISTIE BARTON

Clerk + Graduate Program Manager

+61 2 9263 4575 | kbarton@gtlaw.com.au

gtlaw.com.au/bebold

BE BOLD BE PART OF THE ACTION Gilbert + Tobin is a leading transactions, regulatory and disputes law firm, committed to outstanding citizenship. We guide our clients through defining moments in their business and are renowned for our ability to get things done.

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. 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

+ Disputes + Investigations

+ Competition + Regulation

+ Pro Bono

+ Corporate Advisory

+ Real Estate + Projects

+ Energy + Resources

+ Technology + Digital

+ Intellectual Property If you want to challenge your thinking and stretch your abilities, this is the firm for you. There has never been a better time to be a part of our story and enjoy the stimulating challenge of working with Australia’s most innovative corporate law firm.

Find out more at www.gtlaw.com.au/bebold

WE DELIVER ON OUR PROMISE TO PROVIDE REAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE YOUR CAREER. WE PROVIDE THE CHANCE TO BE DEEPLY INVOLVED IN INTERESTING, CHALLENGING WORK MUCH EARLIER IN YOUR CAREER, ACCELERATING YOUR OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPERIENCE. DANNY GILBERT, MANAGING PARTNER

THE PRACTICE GROUPS YOU ROTATE THROUGH IN YOUR CLERKSHIP ARE SOME OF THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY.

OVERVIEW The Gilbert + Tobin clerkship is a life-changing opportunity to see what life is like at a top-tier Australian law firm. G+T is a firm like no other as it places its social responsibility firmly level with its market leading commercial work. An experience such as the G+T clerkship allows students to deep dive into what life would be like as a graduate and engage in a range of experiences. The clerkship cohort of about 30 lets you do all this while creating long lasting friendships with other students from around the country. All offering different perspectives, talents and interests. The practice groups you rotate through in your clerkship are some of the best in the country. Regularly present in Chambers rankings, senior lawyers at G+T are given mentorship roles to the clerks. This experience was invaluable to me as I was able to be involved with, and learn from, these market leading practitioners. This also meant I was exposed to a range of multi-jurisdictional, high profile matters. Being able to assist senior lawyers with various tasks such as drafting and legal research was fascinating.

GROUP PROJECTS The G+T clerkship gives you the opportunity to foster alternative skills that are crucial for the future lawyer. Two group tasks and regular learning and development opportunities enable clerks to broaden their knowledge and skills. The innovation project allows clerks to engage with market leading legal tech in order to solve a real-world problem that one of the firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s practice groups is facing. For example, the Competition + Regulation team was tasked with creating a chat bot in order to help triage whether a contract term would be deemed to be unfair under the ACL. The Pro Bono task also engages a group of clerks to solve a problem or provide a strategy that the Pro Bono team would be able to pursue. Our group was challenged in coming up with a litigation strategy in order to reform the NDIS. Our group submitted a 10,000-page report to the Pro Bono group; this was highly rewarding experience.

CLERK COHORT Finally, the clerk cohort is one of the most rewarding experiences. Through various social events, working together through projects, group lunches or even inter-firm clerk sport, the cohort is what makes the G+T clerkship such a valuable experience. Working through a tough task or wanting to chat through an idea for one of the projects, the other clerks were always willing to lend a hand. These relationships blossomed over the few months and I truly believe that they will continue well into the future. NICK MAUNSELL, 2019 SUMMER CLERK

gtlaw.com.au/bebold

MY VACATION CLERKSHIP EXPERIENCE I suppose the takeaway from this is that, it is often the things you don’t feel like including on your resume (such as your previous café job, or hobbies) that make you stand out from every other applicant. HSF is a firm full of varied and interesting people and your cover letter and CV is the way to demonstrate this.

Expectations before joining

Sebastian Davies-Mills Paralegal (Vacation Clerk 2019/20)

My name is Sebastian Davies-Mills and I was a Vacation Clerk over the 2019 – 2020 period. My pathway to HSF is uncommon in that I did not get into law straight out of school. I did not get the 99.95 ATAR required and I did not go to a ‘Group of Eight’ University. Instead I worked hard in my Bachelor of Arts degree to try to achieve my dream of studying law and, after a year, I couldn’t believe my luck when I received an offer to study a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Technology, Sydney. Throughout my degree I competed in mooting competitions and, unlike most of my friends, I worked in a retail position on the weekend. When it came time to apply for clerkship positions, I thought my lack of paralegal experience would work against me. However, this was something that seemed to really interest my interviewers at HSF who knew the brand I worked for and appreciated the practical skills it had allowed me to develop.

HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM

Getting an offer from HSF felt like an incredible compliment. It made those long nights studying, the occasional missed social event and the trials and tribulations of a Bachelor of Laws degree seem worthwhile. Yet, despite this I was nervous to work in a very different environment with so many people who were older, smarter and wiser than me. I was worried about what everyone had warned me of: long hours and being thrown completely in the deep end. My experience was almost the exact opposite. Working with some of the best lawyers in Australia has its benefits. I felt supported in my very junior role, by every more senior person I encountered. I often found myself receiving guidance from partners in the lift, senior associates over coffee and my buddy or solicitor over our firm lunch. Everyone was so willing to offer their support, guidance and wisdom and it didn’t matter how many silly questions you asked or how many mistakes you made along the way. We all received beneficial training about the work we were doing and about the firm more generally which puts us in good stead to make an informed decision about our future. As for the long hours, we were encouraged to work hard but to also socialise with our cohort, the longest night I spent at ‘work’ ended after clerk sport on a Monday evening at about 8pm.

A typical day at the office A typical day can vary significantly in each practice group. In my first rotation, we would often get coffee together as a team to discuss our weekend, what we had done the night before or what work we were doing. In my Mergers & Acquisitions rotation this work could be anything from reviewing contracts, researching a specific area of corporate law or creating corporate documents such as share certificates and resolutions. Most mornings of

the week we also had a presentation on important skills, different practice groups, and life beyond HSF (for those who might be interested in going on secondment, overseas or working as a barrister). This would then take us to lunch where we often all ate together. In the afternoon we were back to work but often with something to look forward to in the evenings whether that was clerk sport, group dinners, pasta making classes or trivia.

What surprised me about the firm Despite being recognised worldwide as one of the top firms with the best lawyers, everyone is down to earth. No one takes themselves too seriously and everyone is willing to help you. No question is too silly and whether they are a secretary, senior associate or partner, everyone has gone out of their way to make me feel welcome, respected and part of an incredible learning environment.

Making meaningful contributions Throughout my clerkship I have been given many opportunities to do meaningful work for our clients and the firm more generally. I have never felt that the work given to me was just ‘busy work’ for the clerks. I was always amazed when I was able to use my knowledge from university to draft a memo which later went out to the client either in its original form or with only minor edits. This definitely makes you proud of the hard work you put in to get here. The skills I developed while working in a retail job helped immensely my communication and confidence skills. This ‘non-traditional’ previous experience assisted me with the little things like being able to make and receive phone calls and speak with my team in a professional way. Making time to keep up to date with the news (especially news that is relevant to the business world) helped provide me with some commercial context to the work I was doing. It was nice (sometimes) to recognise the name of a client and to understand the opportunities or challenges they had faced in the past.

We're looking for those who see things differently, the kind of people who bring new ideas and create innovative opportunities for our clients.

ABOUT US With over 25 offices spanning Asia, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle east, we can show you exactly what a world class commercial law firm has to offer, giving you the chance to work as part of an international team, on high-profile matters, for some of the most significant organisations in the market. Our focus is on the future: the future needs of existing and new clients, the future of the legal profession and investing in our future lawyers. That’s why we aim to attract the best talent from a broad range of backgrounds, ensuring we are optimising our position as a progressive, forward thinking professional services business. At Herbert Smith Freehills, you’ll be given the opportunity to develop the skills you need to help solve our clients’ most complex challenges in thoughtful and innovative ways.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

CLERKSHIP PROGRAM

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

SYDNEY Approximate number of positions

30-35

Clerkship programs

1 Summer

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

Applications for all 2019/20 programs open

9 June 2020

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

Applications for all 2019/20 programs close

12 July 2020

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

Offers made

16 September 2020

• Navigate the first step of your career with partner and graduate mentoring support • Attend workshops and presentations covering all our practice areas • Contribute to our pro bono practice

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

• Work with cutting edge technology through our innovation projects

There’s no single path to becoming an exceptional commercial lawyer. We look beyond your academic record and your technical aptitude. We’re focussed on finding people who have the curiosity to explore all the angles and the empathy to place themselves in their client’s shoes. Building great relationships takes a certain understanding and as our global village gets ever smaller, we look for graduates who think of themselves as citizens of the world.

JOINING US

HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM

KEY DATES/DEADLINES

• Networking opportunities to meet people across the firm

We offer a range of summer and winter clerkships across our Australian offices. If you have queries about graduate or vacation clerk positions, please visit our website: careers.herbertsmithfreehills.com/au/grads/ vacation-clerkships or contact one of our graduate recruitment consultants.

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.

Our global practice groups • Alternative Legal Services (ALT) • Competition, Regulation and Trade • Corporate • Dispute Resolution • Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety • Finance • Projects and Infrastructure • Real Estate

Contacts James Keane Graduate Recruitment Manager T +61 2 9322 4313 james.keane@hsf.com

TOP TIPS WE ARE LOOKING FOR INDIVIDUALS We recognise and value the differences that make us unique. By embracing diverse views, we can provide our clients with innovative solutions. Be yourself throughout the application process and emphasise the qualities that make you stand out. If you are invited to a first round interview, we will also ask you to complete our online psychometric assessment beforehand. There are no right or wrong answers to the questions – your responses simply provide insight into where your likely strengths lie.

PERSONALISE YOUR APPLICATION Tailor your application by conducting thorough research. Our brochure, website and social media channels are good places to start. You can then think about what stands out about us. The more you learn about us, our values and our areas of expertise, the more helpful it will be for your application: this proactive approach will demonstrate your motivation.

REMEMBER, IT'S A TWO WAY PROCESS Meet us at events, online and get to know our people. Think about who you will be meeting in advance and what you would like to ask them. Our lawyers can give you a real insight into who we are, what we do and how we do it. This is your chance to get to know us in a more informal environment and find out whether we are right for you.

LINK EXPERIENCE TO LAW

HOW TO APPLY You can apply online by visiting careers.herbertsmithfreehills.com/au/grads

When talking about your experience, explain how the skills you have gained are relevant to a career in law – and to Herbert Smith Freehills specifically. Consider the way we work and the skills and abilities we look for to deliver high-quality services to our clients.

Tell us about your academic credentials, the skills you have gained from extra-curricular activities and work experience, and why you have the motivation and potential to become a great Herbert Smith Freehills lawyer.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR INDIVIDUALS

We’re committed to working with all candidates to enable them to demonstrate their potential throughout our process.

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

If you have any disability-related queries or would like to have a conversation with our team about adjustments, please contact your local Recruitment Contact.

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

CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK Before you apply, don’t forget to double-check your application for typos.

HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM

Contacts James Keane Graduate Recruitment Manager T +61 2 9322 4313 james.keane@hsf.com

Welcome to a new dimension of Law careers.kwm.com/en/graduates-australia

As an elite international law firm headquartered in Asia, we are reshaping the legal market by challenging our people and our clients to think differently about what a law firm can be today, tomorrow and beyond. We thrive on exceeding the expectations of our clients, and as such the world’s leading organisations turn to us to unlock their biggest opportunities and deliver clever solutions to their most vexing challenges. Where others see limitations, we see possibility. With ambitious thinking and innovation in our DNA, we partner with our clients to bring to life pioneering solutions which will help them to adapt, reinvent and grow. We believe innovation comes from giving our people room to grow, and as such actively encourage input and ideas from all levels of the firm. Our people are encouraged to shape their own career path, supported at every step of the way, with world-class training, coaching and hands-on experience. There is no ‘one size fits all’ career model, and we offer multiple opportunities for our lawyers to gain experience and thrive.

KEY STATISTICS • #1 ranked law firm in Australia and China* • Top 15 global elite brand** • 28 international offices; • One of the largest international legal networks in the Asia region with 500+ partners and more than 2000 lawyers; • Our clients range from a mix of global financial and corporate powerhouses through to new industry-makers and all levels of government • With an unmatched ability to practise Chinese, Hong Kong, Australian, English, US and a significant range of European laws under one integrated legal brand, we are connecting Asia to the world, and the world to Asia. *Source: Chambers and Partners 2020 **Source: 2020 Acritas Global Elite Law Firm Brand Index GLOBAL REACH 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

OUR PROGRAMS SEASONAL CLERKSHIP PROGRAM Applications open: 9 June 2020 Applications close: 12 July 2020 How to apply: Via our online application system at kwm.com/careers We offer clerkships to give you a clear picture of what it’s like to be a lawyer at King & Wood Mallesons. You’ll get to know our people, the way we like to work, our culture, practice areas, clients and more. 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.

Your role Clerks are allocated a practice group and may also have the opportunity to work across other teams of interest throughout their clerkship. 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 won’t just be watching from the sidelines. GRADUATE PROGRAM We offer a unique future-focused training experience and invest heavily in development to support you to fulfil your potential. You will benefit from a bespoke comprehensive learning and development program tailored specifically for our graduates. As a graduate you will take part in graduate technology bootcamps. These bootcamps will provide you with exposure to the many different types of emerging legal technologies, which are available at our firm. These skills will help prepare you for the future and ensure that we continue to evolve to meet our clients’ changing needs. 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 can access a greater choice and variety of destinations and on-the-job experience. VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE PROGRAM Wherever you are in the world you can now experience what it is really like to be a lawyer at KWM with our Australian-first legal virtual work experience program (VEP). Originally launched in 2017, the platform features two programs – ‘Intro to Law’ and ‘Advanced Law’ – which each include five learning modules curated by KWM based on real life firm matters and activities. Through this program you can build real skills and the confidence to excel in a commercial law career before you even step into one of our offices.

• 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 by sharing their knowledge and ensuring you have everything you need to succeed.

KELLIE MILDRED People & Development Advisor, Sydney +61 2 9296 3592 kellie.mildred@au.kwm.com

Welcome to a new of law. Immerse yourself in the KWM virtual experience.

landing.kwm.com/vr-vep

Soft Skills In this Part Presentation 42 Interview skills & advice 43 Networking evening 45

What is the first thing you notice when someone walks in the room? Is it their demeanour? Or perhaps their outfit? Maybe you are trying to decipher their mannerisms based on the way they behave. Whatever it may be, essentially, you’re trying to understand their personality in a matter of seconds. The job of an interviewer is to do precisely that. To understand whether you may be the right fit in their organisation based on your presentation, communication style and skill set. Although the latter two options may be hard to modify, the way you present yourself is an integral, yet easy way to nail an interview. First impressions matter and if you want to denote a greater sense of self-respect, you need to present the best version of yourself to your future employers.

General Tips Preparation is key. Just as you would study for an exam, an interview is the same. This guide will present a few tips for you to understand and implement in preparation for your clerkship interview.

Presentation (By Divya Saxena)

Bring positive energy to the room You may only have one interview to do that day, but interviewers are conducting these continuously. Asking the same questions and probably getting the same answers is tedious and draining. The onus is on you to bring a positive attitude to the room and uplift the energy. This will have an impact on your interview and highlight your personality as bright and bubbly. Think about how you can distinguish yourself from your peers Let’s face it. Everyone who gets selected for an interview has many commonalities. Students are in the latter parts of their degrees, looking to secure a job in the legal industry with mid-high performing marks in Sydney. Now think about what makes you different from your peers. There is a unique skill inside you, which interviewers are waiting to discover. Why not bring it out and show them your individuality from the get-go? Although you may come across a range of tips in preparation for the daunting clerkship interview, be sure to stay true to yourself and positive at all times. Research is essential prior to the interview and arrive early to ensure a sense of calmness. You got this! Appropriate attire Picking the perfect outfit for your upcoming interview may seem difficult but is extremely important. Remember, first impressions matter so if you are fully committed to securing your future job, it is essential to begin thinking about the appropriate attire for your clerkship interview. • Pick your outfit at least the night before the interview. Leaving things to the last minute creates a sense of chaos which can be reflected in your communication style. • Be sure to check for any stains or rips on your interview outfit. This will suggest that you take pride in yourself and hence will translate to the work you do. • Stay away from too much jewellery or bling. You want the interviewers to focus on you not your clothing or accessories!

Interview skills & advice Where do I start? Penultimate students who are ready to undertake a clerkship are strongly recommended to perform extensive research on the firms they are interested in applying for. You must think about what legal field interests you the most. This will help you narrow down the firm that aligns with your area of aptitude. By undertaking research, you will find it easier to have a genuine answer to some of the criteria points of an application and the type of questions you may be asked during the interview. However, do not shy away from applying for firms that may not fall within your scope of interest at this point in time. The legal industry is so wide-reaching, and you never know what kind of practice area will capture your curiosity. Keep your mind open and absorbent.

General Tips

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Treat the interview as a conversation between you and the interviewer. Maintain a professional tone and manner, but do not be a machine. Plain and simple English! You should aim to link any experience you have obtained to a skill or ability. Make it known that you will apply that skill or ability to your duties as a clerk. If that is impractical, explain how such experience has shaped your personality, attitude, and work ethic. You need to show that you have researched the firm by mentioning a few matters the firm has handled that captured your interest. If you are unable to draw upon particular cases, talk about what you know about the firm’s culture and explain why you would be a good addition to their team. Prepare question to ask them! This helps to demonstrate your interest in the firm. Employers want to understand what brought you to apply. Know your CV! Try and think about the type of questions that you may be asked and remember key points to mention for each question.

You should know your availability and the notice period you are required to give to your employer. You should research several behavioural questions that may be asked and prepare answers accordingly. Practise questions and responses with your family, friend or mentor.

Make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the interview starts. Give yourself plenty of time to travel!

Eat, drink, exercise and sleep well in the days leading up to the interview. Stay calm, make plenty of eye contact, and respond well and logically to all questions asked. Don’t be afraid to talk about your interests outside of law! You’ll be surprised by how inquisitive interviewers will be in getting to know your hobbies!

Practice Questions (By Lauren Krejčí) Behavioural

Discuss a situation where you had to adapt in response to a challenge. Discuss a time you had to analyse a complex problem. Discuss how you dealt with a person you did not get along with or had a disagreement with. Give an example of how you approach teamwork.

Tell us something about yourself that isn’t on your application. Why were you attracted to law? What do you enjoy about it?

Personality & motivations

What interests you about working in this role? What is an initiative you are interested in (at this firm)? Tell us about something you’re passionate about.

Reflective

Give an example of how you managed your time well. Tell us about a time when you made a mistake and how you dealt with it. What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses? How did you develop those strengths? How are you working to improve on those weaknesses? What is your attitude on ethics? What makes a good lawyer?

If asked what motivated you to pursue a career in law, try not to mention the television show ‘Suits’. You want to take this question a little more seriously otherwise employers will think you have an unrealistic and romanticised impression of what being a lawyer is like. The Subcommittee

Networking evening (By Divya Saxena)

As part of your interview process, employers may invite you to attend a cocktail evening to understand whether you can navigate through social environments. It is particularly important to participate in and prepare for this as it is a way for your future employer to understand your personality outside of the interview process. Given that there will be several lawyers ranked from associates to partners, it is vital to display emotional intelligence and socialize just as you would do at your friend’s 21st. Yes, the crowd is not the same, but essentially it is a way to get to know your future colleagues in a casual environment.

General Tips 1. Be approachable and dress appropriately. 2. Aim to speak with a wide range of professionals. 3. Approach members of the recruitment team. 4. Talk about what draws you to their firm and ask them about the firm’s culture and initiatives. 5. Remember that firm attendees are there to also learn about you and engage your interest with their firm. 6. Enjoy the event and the experience that it has to offer!

Behavioural Tips Being comfortable in your own skin: Have you ever met anyone that seems unnatural, as if they are putting up a front and pretending to be someone they’re not? Think about Viola in She’s the Man or Cady in Mean Girls. Sure, that may be an exaggeration of masking one’s individuality, but the point is that the mask eventually comes off. It is so important to be comfortable in your own skin as employers are specialized in spotting ‘fake’ people and can use that observation to determine whether you are a suitable fit in their workplace. It is important to relax yourself during these evenings and be your genuine self.

RSVP Etiquette Informing a firm if you will be able to make their cocktail evening is essential to sustain the impression that you are timely, committed and have social etiquette. Flaking at the last minute is not a viable option, and always remember you can never RSVP too quickly!

Personal Hygiene Maintaining your personal hygiene in preparation for the cocktail evening is essential as you will be in close proximity of your future colleagues. Remember these tips before and during the evening: • Wearing heavy cologne is off-putting and can become distracting, and, at times, overwhelming. Remember to use a mildly scented perfume. • Always carry your drink with your left hand if you tend to shake with your right. No one wants to shake a cold and clammy hand. Leaving an impression To leave a positive impression, you must be fully aware of who you are, what you represent and your personal brand. As outlined by Influencer Marketing Hub, “Your personal brand is how you promote yourself. It is the unique combination of skills, experience, and personality that you want the world to see. It is the telling of your story, and how it reflects your conduct, behaviour, spoken and unspoken words, and attitudes.” Essentially it is a method to differentiate yourself from your peers. Developing this is extremely personal and individualistic, however, the following tips may assist you in maximising the impression you leave: Know who you are and how you want to be recognised Create a list of your strengths, weakness and key examples which tell your story. In creating a brand, you need to be comfortable in your own skin. Create an elevator pitch An elevator pitch is a 60-second pre-prepared “speech” introducing yourself, your degree, and your experiences. This is the best way to create a memorable impression to the future colleagues you meet. Remember not to make you pitch too long – it will cause disinterest to the audience. Have an online presence In the case you impress your future employer or fellow colleague with ‘your story’ they may want to understand more or verify your experiences through cross-checking with social media. Usually this means through Linked-In, but this may also mean going through your Facebook and Instagram. It is essential to be on Linked-In, however, being digitally-savvy also means cleansing your other social media to ensure your employer doesn’t find something which may be questionable. Entering/Leaving a conversation When entering your cocktail evening at your prospective clerkship firm, it is essential to go in with focus and vigilance. Understand the energy of the room and identify who the key people are to get in conversation with. These people may include your interviewer, HR representative, partners at the firm, etc.

maddockslawyers maddockslawyers maddockslawyers company/maddocks maddocks.com.au

From Day One you will experience what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like to work at Maddocks This means you will have challenging, meaningful work, gain exposure to clients, be given a good level of responsibility, work in a supportive and collaborative team and have regular access to our partners. The training you receive throughout your clerkship will ensure you are thoroughly prepared and ready to get involved in and contribute to client work straight away. The program begins with a comprehensive orientation which includes training and development activities. Join our clerkship program and become part of a firm where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re involved from Day One.

Your future. Your choice. Choose to make an impact. Our clerks and graduates become well-rounded, technically excellent lawyers who help to solve some of our clients’ most complex challenges. But we’ll empower you to be so much more. Never underestimate the power in you to make an impact We’re driven by a strong sense of purpose: to create lasting impacts with our clients, our people and our communities. As one of Asia Pacific’s leading law firms, our clients look to us to help them address their most complex legal challenges. But we know, in a world of relentless disruption, we also need to think beyond the law. We’re driving digital transformation and embedding a culture of curiosity and innovation. We’re investing in adjacent consulting capabilities that enable us to provide seamlessly integrated solutions to our clients. And our people are committed to making a meaningful difference in the communities they live and work in.

We support you to succeed Our award-winning clerk and graduate programs will expose you to a wide variety of business areas, skills, teams and challenges, helping you to understand where your strengths and interests lie. You’ll accelerate your legal and business acumen by working alongside high-performing partners, lawyers and professionals in a diverse, collaborative and innovative environment.

Your success is our success We celebrate and invest in our people. We’re committed to helping our people achieve their best and progress in their careers. Our development programs and initiatives are second to none. We’ll work with you to provide you with challenging and career-building experiences, and we’re always working to open more doors for you.

“The biggest impact I want to have as a lawyer is working with our clients to deliver a solution that not only meets their goals now, but also creates long-term, meaningful impacts for the future.” Emily Hill Lawyer

For information and to apply visit graduates.minterellison.com

You’ll have the opportunity to gain international exposure through our broad network of offices and industry partnerships.

MinterEllison Virtual Internship Want to experience a true-to-life day of a MinterEllison lawyer? Our interactive virtual internship offers you an insight into the commercial work we undertake here at MinterEllison. Curious?

graduates.minterellison.com

Starting as a junior lawyer you never want your career to be onedimensional. In addition to having fantastic legal opportunities, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.â&#x20AC;? 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

Connect with us... tglaw.com.au Thomson Geer

ADVICE | TRANSACTIONS | DISPUTES Domestic & Cross Border

@ThomsonGeer

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

ARRIVE... at a large Australian corporate law firm We have more than 560 people, including 116 Partners operating out of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. We are one of the 10 largest law firms operating in Australia, and the 5th largest independent Australian law firm. Our industry coverage & client work is diverse and we are regularly engaged on challenging, complex, commercial work.

WHY CHOOSE US? We know you’re not just a student on work experience. We want to give you a realistic, stretching introduction to the legal profession. How does this happen? 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.

WHAT IT’S LIKE TO WORK FOR US The law is an incredibly rewarding profession, but we recognise it can be demanding. For this reason we create an environment that is flexible, friendly, personable, collegiate & professionally stimulating. Our clients are at the centre of everything we do; so it is not only the collaborative, supportive relationships we have with each other, but also the well-established, trusting relationships we have with our clients, which make Thomson Geer a great place to work. Our wellbeing@work program supports employees to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Our employees love to get involved in mixed sporting teams and they enjoy healthy breakfasts and snacks. We also have an active social committee, providing lots of opportunities to develop close relationships with your colleagues.

Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Perth Adelaide

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR? We are 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 enthusiastic about commencing their career with a dynamic law firm. We are especially keen to talk to students who have, or are working towards, a second degree in fields such as commerce, engineering, science and other technical fields.

OUR CLERKSHIP PROGRAM Our structured eight week program helps clerks to learn through a combination of hands-on experience, training, coaching and observation. During your clerkship with us, you will: •

undertake meaningful work for real clients, including opportunities to attend client meetings, observe court proceedings, conduct legal research, draft correspondence and court documents and develop technical skills in areas such as drafting, due diligence and disclosure

•

have the assistance and support of a supervising partner as well as a junior lawyer who remembers what it was like to be a new clerk and can act as a buddy and mentor

•

participate in a formal performance review process with your supervising partner and mentor to reflect on your development and capture feedback from your colleagues.

GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES Students who complete a clerkship with us will be eligible to be considered for a position in our next graduate program, commencing in 2022. This program runs for 12 months and includes rotation among different practice areas to help determine the area of law which best suits you. Comprehensive external and internal training is provided to allow you to meet all required competencies to gain admission to practice.

ARRIVE... AT THOMSON GEER If your ambition is to develop a career in commercial law and you possess the drive to make your ambitions a reality, we want to hear from you! Applications open on 9 June 2020, via cvMail or our website.

Connect with us... tglaw.com.au Thomson Geer

ADVICE | TRANSACTIONS | DISPUTES Domestic & Cross Border

@ThomsonGeer

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

My experience as a law student in litigation...... Ben Hutchins Lawyer

Top tips for students wanting to work in your practice area 1. Communication

Litigation, at its heart, involves the resolution of disputes between parties through trial, settlement or other means. As a law student, my understanding of litigation was largely formed by courtroom scenes in shows like ‘Suits’ and ‘The Good Wife’. While appearing in court is a significant aspect of litigation, the reality is that most disputes resolve before trial through negotiation, mediation or other ADR mechanisms. As a result, much of a litigator’s work involves: collating and understanding the facts, corresponding with opposing lawyers and preparing the matter by drafting pleadings, preparing affidavits and compiling evidence. Litigators are also tasked with explaining the litigation process to their client and helping them understand what is going on (and its legal ramifications). It’s always useful to remember that, for most clients, litigation is not the ‘norm’ and is often a stressful and foreign concept. I work as a lawyer in the Dispute Resolution (litigation) practice at Thomson Geer, one of the largest commercial law firms in Australia. My role is varied but includes: advising clients, drafting correspondence, appearing in court, briefing counsel (barristers) and generally preparing matters for trial.

What are some of the highlights & challenges of working in litigation? Litigation can be a challenging but (in my view) extremely rewarding area of law to practice in. One of the highlights of working in litigation is the sheer variety of matters that you are exposed to. I’ve had the opportunity to act on disputes ranging from: a multinational mining trial, to the sale of a defective passenger aircraft, to the defence of a major education provider against regulatory prosecution. Each matter that you work on, particularly in a commercial practice such as Thomson Geer, is different and calls on you to apply different aspects of your legal and commercial knowledge. For that reason, the work is always challenging and almost never gets boring. Another highlight of litigation is the level of responsibility that is generally placed on junior lawyers. It is not uncommon for junior lawyers to be heavily involved in meetings and discussions with clients, developing case theory or appearing in court. One aspect of litigation which can be challenging is the tight deadlines which must be met. Most litigation is impacted by court ordered deadlines, or urgent client need. This can result in pressure to work quickly while still being thorough and considered.

Communication skills, particularly the ability to communicate contextually and concisely, are important. For example, you have to adopt a very different communication style when you are explaining an issue to your client as opposed to your barrister. Students can demonstrate their communication skills through their resume and cover letter. Write in short, succinct sentences and avoid ‘fluff’. Communicative experience can also be demonstrated by participation in: team sports, retail or hospitality work, negotiation or mooting competitions or any other experience that involves dealing with people. 2. Practical commercial understanding Perhaps more relevant for commercial practice, it is important to have a general understanding of the broader economy and the factors that inform business decisions. The pre-trial resolution of disputes is often based on ‘commercial’ factors, in addition to legal merit. It is therefore important to be able to demonstrate commercial problem solving skills and the ability to think outside the box. Students can develop these skills by being broadly well read, obtaining life experience (travel/ work) and keeping up-to-date with current affairs. If applying for clerkships at Thomson Geer, you’ll be able to demonstrate this at our clerk cocktail evening. Otherwise, firms often base a question around it in formal interviews.

Nina is a change navigator When you’re playing futsal, you attune to a pace that’s fast. Fast and critical thinking as part of a team comes naturally to Nina. Currently on our graduate program, she’s putting her speed of thought to good use on secondment, walking – or running – in the shoes of our client. We’re providing the next generation of lawyers like Nina with the knowledge, skills and understanding to help our clients achieve their goals on the global stage – always staying one step ahead of the competition. We don’t simply adapt to change. We thrive on it. Law around the world nortonrosefulbright.com

The Front line

Interviews featuring Brae Aslanidis

Margaret Cai

Sara Pacey

Lucas Velcic

Grace Wade

Background & motivation Why did you decide to apply for clerkships? I applied for a clerkship because I wanted to try out different areas of commercial law and work with industryleading professionals. A clerkship is a great way to try a number of teams by rotating in the 4-week period. This allows you to get a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;flavourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of the team and work out whether it is something you want to commit to as a graduate (generally 6-12 months). A clerkship also provides you with amazing professional development opportunities. At Ashurst, we completed a comprehensive learning and development training program that focused on the skills needed to excel in both commercial law and your professional development. This program is intended to be the first step in your career (and does not assume any prior knowledge), building a strong foundation for the future. Finally, you develop several great relationships in the process. Our cohort participated in a number of activities inside and outside the office, creating a genuine bond that has carried on after the process. The clerks even organized a weekend getaway to Terrigal to round out the clerkship! Further to this, the mentors in the firm offer a strong support network in each rotation from experienced individuals that are invested in you. I gained a lot of insight and knowledge from these mentors by working with them in a professional context as well as in a more casual setting (no one can resist a coffee). Lucas Velcic

Did you have legal experience prior to your clerkship? Do you feel like having legal experience is essential? I had some work experience as a paralegal at another commercial law firm prior to my clerkship. However, legal experience is definitely not essential to securing a clerkship position because the purpose of the clerkship is to give you an insight into what commercial law is like in practice. During my KWM clerkship, the respective practice groups ran high-level sessions on a range of foundational topics such as writing a good memo, how to conduct legal research effectively, what the process of due diligence entails. There was absolutely no expectation that you had to know these things! Often, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the non-legal experience that can help you stand out. At the end of the day, commercial law is regarded as a problem-solving business. Any experience (paid or volunteer) which showcases skills like project management, client liaising, research etc. will make you a desirable candidate Margaret Cai

55 What advice would you give to someone who doesn’t have legal experience? (e.g. getting involved with extra-curriculars etc.) My advice is to focus on the other strengths of your application including any other work experience. It need not be relevant to the legal industry, as employers are certainly interested in hearing about your experience in other industries – for example, retail, coaching or hospitality roles – and the transferable skills you gained through work experience. If you don’t have legal work experience, you could also discuss any extra-curricular roles which likely will have given you skills that will be useful for a career in a commercial law firm. For example, consider whether your other experiences have required you to have communication or teamwork skills, strong customer service, attention to detail, etc. and think of instances where you have demonstrated each of these skills. Playing a team sport or getting involved in a university society is not only rewarding but can allow you to develop important skills that are useful in a commercial law environment. You could also demonstrate your interest in a particular area of law by participating or volunteering in a UTS LSS competition. These activities will allow you to showcase your skillset and demonstrate your suitability to the role. Sara Pacey

Application process Firms receive hundreds and potentially thousands of applications. How did you stand out from the crowd? This is a difficult question, because I’m still not too sure what makes a candidate ‘stand out’ specifically at the first step of the process where the application solely relies on (in most cases) a couple of short answer questions, a cover letter and a CV. Coupled with these application restrictions was this innate fear I had that other candidates were more intelligent and more qualified than me. In other words, I doubted my own ability and was suffering from what is aptly named ‘imposters syndrome.’ One thing I wish I knew from the outset of my penultimate year is that many students feel this same way. Fortunately, what I quickly learnt is that, particularly during the interview phase of the process, firms are looking to spot genuine candidates, and those who are not just saying and doing what they believe the firms expect of them. I have no doubt that there were more intelligent people running for the same position as me, or that there were people with more mooting or hackathon experiences. Nonetheless, I believe what made me stand out was that I was sincere about my interest in commercial law and what’s more, honest about the reasons I was interested in the firm itself. I strongly recommend going more profound than a superficial google search of the firms you’re applying to. While time-consuming, this will help you in the long run, not only by impressing your interviewers but also in coming to an informed decision about the firm that is best for you and what you expect from those first few years of an otherwise long career. Brae Aslanidis Drawing upon your own experiences, as well as insights from your peers, what are the firms generally looking for in a candidate? At the outset, all the firms you’ll apply to have the infrastructure and institutional knowledge to train their clerks to be exceptional lawyers. So, while they’re looking for intelligent and involved candidates, the emphasis is also placed on how they are as people. One of the best insights I received going into the clerkship process was that interviewers are trying to answer two things about candidates: can I put this person in front of a client? Can I see myself working with this person? (It may not be this prescriptive, but it’s a good sentiment to follow). This prioritizes certain soft skills such as your ability to: hold an engaging conversation; think on your feet; demonstrate kindness and empathy. It also means that you can showcase your work ethic through extra-curricular and volunteer activities you’ve juggled outside of formal work and university commitments. Margaret Cai

56 Do you have any tips for making sure that your cover letter stood out from the other applications? I remember that this initial step of the application process really worried me. I knew I had a lot to offer as a candidate but was not sure how I could differentiate myself, on paper, from other candidates who were intelligent and well equipped with similar extra curriculars and work experience. Invaluable advice I received from previous clerk students about this same question was that during this part of the application, there is no need to hold back and be modest, after all, you’re attempting to secure a job. No doubt there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, so with that in mind, take the cover letter as the perfect opportunity to outline your answers to four fundamental questions in a concise way. 1. Why you’re interested in a career at a commercial firm; 2. How you came about to have this curiosity; 3. What skills are you equipped with to thrive in a commercial environment and 4. Why are you interested in X firm above all others. In addition to answering those four questions, I have two tips and I strongly urge you to carry this advice through past the cover letter phase of the application process and onto the interview phase, constantly refining your response and reasoning as you speak to more people and learn more about the firms and yourself during the experience. First, don’t disregard or underestimate any experience obtained outside of a law firm. Despite having work experience in a commercial law firm mentioned on my CV, it was interesting to see that the firms were more interested in my other experiences. Thankfully, I used the cover letter to outline all my experiences in a balanced manner. This meant I was able to present myself as a holistic individual drawing on experiences I had not only in the legal industry, but also in hospitality, retail, as well as my participation in sporting and other team activities. People underestimate the value that non-legal experiences have on a clerkship application. Don’t forget these roles show that you have a dedicated work ethic, are able to work in a team to achieve a common purpose and solve problems that would’ve inevitably arisen. The second tip to ensuring your cover letter does not appear to be ‘generic’ is to tailor it to the firm which you are applying. Research the firms’ strategic focus, (another tip here is most firms have an interesting approach to legal tech and innovation, as well as values underpinning their approach to staff and clients). I recommend taking the time to think about how the firm’s values align with your own. If you tailor your cover letter, even just one paragraph of it, reiterating these values and how yours parallel them, then it’s likely to impress the reader as you show them that you have invested time into their specific firm, and more importantly demonstrates that you are a great cultural fit for the firm Brae Aslanidis What is something you wish that you had known before entering the application and interview process? OR What were some of the mistakes, if any, that you made throughout the application and interview process? In hindsight, I wish I had started my applications little earlier – I was busy over the winter break and left it to the last week. That’s not to say you need to submit all your applications early on, but I would recommend opening the applications as early as possible and at least looking at the questions. This should give you a good idea of how much time you should allocate later, which will take some of the stress out of the process Grace Wade

57 How did you handle the application process along with your studies and other commitments? Going through the application process in conjuncture with studies, work and extra-curricular is a balancing act. The application process is a surprising amount of work. Between writing applications, proofreading them countless times, prepping for interviews and everything in between, it will take a significant amount of time. I suggest organising your time properly and not leaving anything to the last minute. For example, almost all firms require additional questions or psychometric testing to the classic CV and cover letter combination. Before you begin, try and go on every firm application portal and make a list of what is required by each firm. The application process can go for months, so it is important to stay motivated. My biggest suggestion is not to go through the process alone! There will be a number of your friends and peers going through the exact same process as you so it may be helpful to reach out and develop a network. An important part of the process is having people with you to both celebrate your successes and to support you if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re unsuccessful. A lot of people (myself included) will face some rejection in this process which can be demoralising. Whether it is prepping for an interview or having someone to walk into a networking evening with, friendly faces make all the difference. I suggest reaching out to people who are going through or gone through the clerkship process and stay connected throughout the entire application process Lucas Velcic

Interview stage What were some unexpected questions you were asked in the interviews? Also, what were the firms interested in that you were surprised about? While across the board, most firms interview using a similar mix of behavioural and general questions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; some tricky questions I received were those that put me in a spot to admit to my weaknesses or be honest about my curiosity for a career outside a commercial law firm. To this second point, while this may not apply to everyone, I received numerous questions about my double degree and whether I would ever be interested in a career in science (given my double degree in medical science), or a career at the bar, since I had displayed an interest in mooting in my application. Whilst not entirely unexpected, these questions really put me on the spot, and what made them even more difficult to answer was that I had been given mixed advice as to what firms were expecting to hear from my response. My approach and my advice to you if you were to be asked such questions is to be honest. For example, I admitted that I have a passion in science, yet reiterated the reasons why I was interested in a career at a commercial law firm at this stage of my early career. I also used the question as an opportunity to segway into outlining the various skills which are transferable from a science degree to a corporate law environment. The firms that surprised me were those that showed a genuine interest in my personal life outside of work and university. Often there was a space on the applications to include a brief list of hobbies, and it was surprising to see that interviewers had carefully read this part of the application and how much of the conversation during the interview could be dominated by casually discussing, and dare I say it having a bit of banter about these hobbies Brae Aslanidis

58 When it comes to interviews, it might be difficult to cater for all the different personalities of interviewers. Do you have any tips for making a good impression across the board? I didn’t personally have to deal with any particularly difficult personality types. Although firms do differ slightly in their interview styles, I got the impression that most of my interviewers were looking for the same basic qualities – reliable, interested people who would be easy to work with and were applying for the right reasons. If you focus on getting this across, I don’t think you should have any issues. The only real tip I have is to do research on your interviewer(s) before you go in, where possible. Most firms will give you their names either in advance or on the day of your interview. Doing research demonstrates that you are prepared, and most partners will expect that you have at least looked at their LinkedIn. It also avoids you accidentally telling a partner who works in M&A that you’d never want to do transactional work Grace Wade

What are your tips for networking with lawyers and HR at networking evenings for example, whether in the early stages of clerkships when you’re trying to make a good impression or in the later stages when you’re trying to secure an offer? I have three tips for handling networking evenings. First, be yourself. It sounds cliché but these information evenings are an opportunity for you to see if you’re a cultural fit for the firm. The firm representatives have been to many of these events and will simply be keen to get to know you. Some sound advice that I was given when I was going through the process was to ‘be yourself but be your best self’. Second, come prepared. You should have an understanding of what the firm does, who their key people are and what their practice groups do. You don’t need to know every case or transaction the firm was recently involved in, but you should know enough to be able to engage in a discussion about the firm. You may be asked if a particular practice area interests you and then be introduced to a lawyer from that practice group. In that situation it is important to have a few questions handy. If you don’t have a particular interest, that is fine (don’t make one up for the sake of it!) but perhaps think of some more general questions about the firm. When asked what I want to know, I found questions as simple as “why do you like working at [XX] firm?” to be a useful way to understand the culture of that particular firm. Third, be perceptive and show some EQ. This goes without saying, but active listening and politeness are essential. I found that conversation flows naturally, and the firm representatives tend to take the lead – they may want to discuss topics other than work. The networking evenings are not to be feared – they are a great opportunity to get a sense of the firm’s culture, and to meet employees and clerk candidates in a friendly setting Sara Pacey

The Clerkship experience

How demanding did you find the actual clerkship experience? Was it your first experience of full-time work, and if yes, how did you balance working full-time with other commitments (social life etc.)? Your clerkship has a lot of different avenues to it, be that joining a new team in the office, experiencing different types of work or attending lots of social gatherings throughout the week. The work you do is interesting and stimulating, however everyone understands that there are different levels of experience between each clerk. There are very few times that you will be staying past 5:30pm, so do not stress about the hours! Even if you are required to stay back late on the odd occasion, I found that everyone was so eager to push me out the door or they were very grateful for any support that I was able to provide. This was my second summer working full-time. The hours in your clerkship will not be demanding, however working full-time requires better time management than most university schedules. I do note that there will be lots of social activities! So, feel free to participate in as many or as little events as you feel comfortable with, there are no attendance requirements for these social events. Often, your clerkship will begin in November or December and that means the firm will often be in Christmas party mode. This means that there are lots of events to meet the people of the firm in a more informal setting and to get to know them on a personal level Lucas Velcic

Which practice areas of the firm did you rotate through during your clerkship, and can you give an insight on the tasks you performed in each? The practice areas I rotated through were (i) disputes and investigations; followed by (ii) mergers, acquisitions and capital markets (“MAC”). As the team was busy when I rotated through disputes, I had access to interesting work which was varied but quite research heavy. Some of the tasks I performed included preparing memorandums on specific research questions which would require reading recent case law and communicating this information to the lawyer or graduate in a succinct manner. I sometimes attended meetings or court and took notes. I was also able to get involved in some of the tasks that frequently come up in disputes teams, such as assisting with the preparation of chronologies or affidavits. If you are interested in a particular area or matter, it might be worth making this known. I found that lawyers offer more opportunities to get involved (where possible) when they see that clerks are genuinely interested in the work. Following this litigious rotation, I rotated into MAC which is part of the firm’s corporate team. I would recommend trying both a litigious and transactional rotation so that you can experience both, as the work in MAC was quite different. I was delegated tasks such as researching market updates, or particular provisions of the Corporations Act or looking into regulation of particular industries. Also, I found working with clients to get their transactions completed successfully was exciting and as someone who knew nothing about mergers and acquisitions, I liked learning about this new area of law. I would recommend these rotations, having really enjoyed both. The work may sound daunting, but it is important to understand that teams don’t expect you to have prior knowledge of that area of law – just a good attitude. Sara Pacey

What was your favourite aspect of your clerkship? What was something you found challenging or difficult? Starting a new job will always be daunting. I remember at the start of my clerkship where I struggled to speak in coherent sentences because I was too excited and nervous about meeting all these new people. For me, the best part of the clerkship was definitely the fact that I was able to come out of it with a cohort of incredible and downto-earth friends. Two of them even ended up travelling overseas to meet me when I found myself stuck in Asia for two weeks (because I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t visit family in China as a result of COVID-19). I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think you can over-state the importance of liking and trusting the people you work with. Margaret Cai What is something that you wish you knew before starting your clerkship that you do now? I wish I had known how important it is to be proactive about finding out about practice groups beyond the ones you are rotating through. As a clerk, you will rotate through a maximum of three practice groups and, inevitably, there will be entire practice groups that you never interact with. Some of the other clerks were more proactive about reaching out to graduates or solicitors in other groups and asking them questions about their work and their experiences, which I expect will help them make a more informed decision when the time comes to choose graduate rotations. Although it might seem daunting, in my experience people are incredibly happy to talk about their experiences. The few people I did reach out to were really friendly and helpful. Grace Wade

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