Clerkship Guide 2017 by UTS Law Students' Society

2017

UTS LAW STUDENTSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; SOCIETY

CLERKSHIP GUIDE

2017 CLERKSHIP GUIDE EDITOR & UTS LSS CAREERS (PUBLICATIONS) DIRECTOR  Hanna AILI

Table of Contents:

SUB-EDITOR Christian BABLANIAN DESIGNER Giovanni GUIDO CONTRIBUTORS Brigida JOHNS UTS:CAREERS Jake BAILEY Neeharika MADDULA DEAN OF LAW Professor Lesley HITCHENS UTS LSS PRESIDENT Christina KNEZEVICH UTS LSS VICE PRESIDENT (SPONSORSHIP & CAREERS) Christian BABLANIAN UTSLSS CAREERS (PUBLICATIONS) SUBCOMMITTEE: - Kasia Czarnota - Lex Chung - Michael Tangonan - Renata Cvetkovska - Sejuti Kundu - Sheenae LeCornu WITH THANKS TO Print Portal Darling Harbour p: 02 9557 6746

m: 0421 446 490

www.printportal.com.au Factory | Unit 4, 102-112 Edinburgh Rd, Marrickville, NSW 2204 UTS LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY C/-FACULTY OF LAW UTS  PO BOX 123 BROADWAY NSW, 2007 AUSTRALIA P: +61 2 9514 3448 Copyright & Disclaimer

02 03 04

Editor’s Foreword President’s Welcome Dean’s Welcome 2017

05 06 07 08 09 10

UTS:Careers What is a Clerkship? Firms Offering Summer Clerkship Programs 2017 Summer Clerkship Dates 2017 May Clerkship Seminar Series Skills Workshops

11 13 14 16

Clerkships: A Practical Guide Commercial Awareness UTS Careers The Application Process

18 20 21 22 24 26 27 30 32 35 36 39 40 42 43

Allens Linklaters Ashurst Baker McKenzie Clayton Utz Corrs Chambers Westgarth DLA Piper Gilbert & Tobin Henry Davis York Herbert Smith Freehills K&L Gates King & Wood Mallesons Maddocks MinterEllison Thomson Geer Notes

This publication is copyright. Except where permitted under the Copy- right Act, no part of this publication may in any form or by any means (electronic or otherwise) be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any process, without specific written consent of the UTS Law Students’ Society. Enquiries are to be addressed to the publishers. Disclaimer: The articles and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Law Students’ Society, the editor, or the UTS Faculty of Law. Although the editor and authors have taken every care in preparing and writing the guide, they expressly disclaim and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, misuse or misunderstandings on the part of any person who uses or replies upon it. The editor, authors and UTS Law Students’ Society accept no responsibility for any damage, injury or loss occasioned to any person or entity, whether law student or otherwise, as a result of a person relying, wholly or in part, on any material included, omitted or implied in this publication. The user of this guide acknowledges that he or she will take responsibility for his or her actions and will under no circumstances hold the editor, authors or UTS Law Students’ Society responsible for any damage resulting to the user or anyone else from use of this publication. UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

Editor’s Foreword

President’s Welcome

The UTS LSS is proud to present to you the 2017 Summer Clerkship Guide.

Penultimate students, the time for summer clerkship applications is here!

he time has come where as a penultimate year student, you can apply for a summer clerkship. This is probably a new and overwhelming process, but not to worry, the UTS LSS has created this guide to try and simplify things for you, and make the journey ahead less daunting. Within this guide you will find tips and tricks for perfecting your application, and important dates for the vast number of law firms participating for 2017, all in one place. Whilst the process can be intimidating, the summer clerkship experience is extremely rewarding, allowing you to gain valuable skills in the industry, putting skills from the classroom to practice in a workplace setting. There are many firms for you to consider applying for, and it is vital that you tailor each application to the firms you decide to apply for. While there is a large emphasis placed on the clerkship process, it is not the one and only way to enter the legal profession. There are a myriad of avenues to take that can still allow you to enter the legal profession, that go beyond the commercial field. Best of luck with the clerkship application process, and with your future career, whichever road you take to get there. Best of Luck, Hanna Aili

Careers (Publications) Director

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

he Clerkship Guide has been assembled to assist you and enhance the quality of your performance in the application process – use it as best you can.

Whether you’ve have your eye on the clerkship prize for years, or have only just discovered the opportunities that lay in corporate law, this Guide has been prepared as an integral component of your research and preparation. For younger students, it is never too early to start thinking ahead and planning. In the following pages you will find articles from students who survived and thrived during their clerkships, detailed profiles on a number of available firms, clerk profiles and tips for the development of effective cover letters, curricula vitae, preparing for interviews and networking. Whilst the clerkship process is highly competitive, I encourage you to be confident in your abilities and know that the innovative and vigorous legal education you have received at UTS:Law has prepared you well. Maximize your potential by leaving adequate time to prepare: structuring your application towards your strengths, refining and personalising your CV and cover letter, and using your words wisely. While there’s a lot to think about, picking up the Clerkship Guide is the perfect start! You are also encouraged to take advantage of the UTS LSS Careers events throughout May to ensure you are in the best possible position whilst applying. The UTS LSS hosts a number of events to assist you in your application process:

The Clerkship Seminar Series culminates in the Clerkship Networking Evening on the 22 May 2017, the perfect opportunity to flex your networking muscles in preparation for firm cocktail evenings, clear up any final questions, and get to know the firm before applications are submitted. I would like to thank our UTS LSS Careers (Publications) Director, Hanna Aili, for her outstanding work and the UTS LSS Careers Publications Sub-Committee, Lex Chung, Kasia Czarnota, Sejuti Kundu, Renata Cvetkovska, Michael Tangonan and Sheenae LeCornu, for their relentless hard work in producing the Clerkship Guide. I also extend my thanks to the UTS LSS Vice-President (Careers), Christian Bablanian, for his constant support and coordination. Finally, this Guide would not have been possible with our many contributors and support of our sponsoring firms. Wishing you the best of luck as you embark on this challenging and rewarding journey!

Skills Workshops are your chance to learn the skills you’ll need to succeed in the clerkship process from the very firms who will be reviewing these applications. From how to write your curriculum vitae and cover letter, to shining in your interview, developing your commercial acumen and perfecting your personal brand, the UTS LSS is committed to priming you for clerkships. As part of our Clerkship Seminar Series throughout May, firm representatives (HR, past summer clerks, current graduates and partners) will give an hour-long presentation on their firm, including culture, values and opportunities for clerks and graduates and answer any questions you may have.

Christina Knezevich

UTS Law Students’ Society President 2017

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

Dean’s Welcome 2017 T

he Summer Clerkship Guide, produced with much hard work by the UTS Law Students’ Society (LSS), is a great resource. It will give you information about the firms, the process, and tips about how to go about preparing an application. You can also read about the experiences of former summer clerks. Importantly, the Guide will provide you with information about the proper procedures to be followed throughout the entire process. If you are not sure about your plans, then the Guide will still be useful in providing you with information about the type of firms involved and the experience of working in these practices. If you are unsure, it would be good to read the Summer Clerkship Guide alongside the Careers Guide, another valuable resource produced by the LSS, which will give you an insight into the broader range of careers available to a law graduate. I know from my conversations with law firms that UTS:Law students are well regarded. However, the clerkship program is highly competitive and there will be many more applicants than places. But do not be daunted by the level of competition. If you think this is the type of practice that interests you, then put in an application. Just be realistic. Even if you are not successful in obtaining a clerkship, the experience can still be valuable. Preparing your application can help you 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 own reasons for choosing to apply to each firm. Interviews provide useful practice and experience. They will give you an idea of what is expected at a law interview and a chance for you to see how you manage the interviewing

process. Take time after the interview to reflect on it: what went well, and what could have been improved. Use the tips in this guide as an aid for that reflection (as well as a guide to preparing for the interview). It is important not to be too hard on yourself; we can all look back on interviews and wish we had said something differently! So whether or not you decide to participate in the program, and whether or not you are successful, the clerkship period can assist you to think about the type of career you want and improve your application and interviewing skills. And for those of you who are successful in obtaining a clerkship, the experience will offer you the chance to consider whether this is the career path for you. The clerkship process can be quite an intense experience, and may seem even more so given the competition for positions and current media reporting about the graduate employment market. However, this needs to be kept in perspective. The clerkship program and the firms involved in the program represent only a very small share of the career and employment opportunities for law graduates. There are many other career opportunities, but you need to seek them out. The LSS and the NSW Law Society’s legalvitae site may help give you an idea. Graduate employment for law is well above the national average for all disciplines. So, if you think a summer clerkship is for you, go ahead and apply. Enjoy the experience: learn from it, and keep it in perspective. And finally, good luck with the process.

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

Lesley Hitchens Dean, Faculty of Law

CREATE THE FUTURE YOU

_Contact Us UTS Tower, Building 1, Level 4 careers@uts.edu.au +61 2 9514 1471 careers.uts.edu.au

5 UTS:CAREERS.

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

What is a Clerkship?

Firms Offering Summer Clerkship Programs 2017

Clerkships are internships offered by participating law firms to university students. They are designed to provide university students with work experience and training in different legal practice areas, and to give greater insight into the legal profession. Throughout their clerkships, students receive technical training and support, which will help them make more informed career decisions.

enerally, clerkships are held over the summer break in NSW between December and February. Students in their penultimate year are eligible to apply. These programs vary in length and run anywhere between 4-15 weeks. Many of the firms use clerkships as the first stage of their graduate recruitment process and summer clerks are often offered graduate and paralegal positions at the conclusion of their clerkship. The 2017 NSW Summer Clerkship program is coordinated by the Law Society of New South Wales, with each participating law firm running its own separate application process. More information about the clerkship program, dates and the contact details for each firm can be found on the Law Society’s website.

year to only choose 15 clerks. Due to these trends, some students may opt to look for clerkships interstate, where there may be more opportunities including federal government internships in Canberra. Due to the highly competitive nature of the process, it is vital that students approach the application process in a prepared and professional manner.

The clerkship process is very competitive. Each year, approximately 1200 students apply to Sydney’s leading law firms. Generally, each leading law firm only accepts 20 applicants, however, this number can fluctuate. It is not uncommon for a law firm to recruit up to 40 clerks one year and the next

Law firms specialise in various practice areas such as commercial litigation, bankruptcy and insolvency, property law and intellectual property law, and each has different acceptance criteria. It is recommended that students conduct extensive research on the firm before applying for a clerkship, in order to

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

understand a firm’s culture, ensure that they meet the selection criteria, and choose a law firm whose goals align with their future aspirations. When selecting students most suitable for the role, law firms will consider students’ academic achievements in conjunction with their practical experience and involvement in extracurricular activities such as clubs and societies, sports, mooting and volunteering. For those students who do not obtain a clerkship or are not interested in commercial law, there are a number of alternative avenues available. These opportunities include unpaid internships at Community Legal Centres, paid or unpaid work experience at boutique or mid-tier law firms, as well as graduate recruitment opportunities.

FIRM

WEBSITE

ALLEN & OVERY ALLENS LINKLATERS ARNOLD BLICH LEIBLER ASHURST

www.allenovery.com www.allens.com.au http://www.abl.com.au/ www.ashurst.com

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT SOLICITOR

www.ags.gov.au

BAKER MCKENZIE BARRAKET STANTON BIRD & BIRD CLAYTON UTZ CLIFFORD CHANCE CLYDE & CO CORRS CHAMBERS WESTGARTH DLA PIPER AUSTRALIA GADENS GILBERT + TOBIN HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS HOLDING REDLICH HWL EBSWORTH INFORMATION & PRIVACY COMMISSION JOHNSON WINTER & SLATTERY JONES DAY K&L GATES KING & WOOD MALLESONS LANDER & ROGERS MADDOCKS MILLS OAKLEY MINTER ELLISON NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT PIPER ALDERMAN PWC THOMSON GEER

www.bakermckenzie.com www.barraketstanton.com www.twobirds.com www.claytonutz.com www.cliffordchance.com www.clydeco.com www.corrs.com.au www.dlapiper.com www.gadens.com www.gtlaw.com.au www.herbertsmithfreehills.com www.holdingredlich.com www.hwlebsworth.com www.ipc.nsw.gov.au www.jws.com.au/en/ www.jonesday.com http://m.klgates.com www.kwm.com/en/au www.landers.com.au www.maddocks.com.au www.millsoakley.com.au www.minterellison.com www.nortonrosefulbrightgraduates.com https://www.piperalderman.com.au/ www.pwc.com.au www.tglaw.com.au

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

May Clerkship Seminar Series The UTS LSS presents the 2017 Clerkship Seminar Series!

SUMMER CLERKSHIP DATES 2017 DATE

ACTIVITY

THURSDAY 30 MARCH

Offers for graduate positions to current summer clerks must be made and accepted/declined by 5.00pm.

THURSDAY 15 JUNE

Applications for summer clerkships open.

SUNDAY 16 JULY

Applications for summer clerkships close at 11:59pm.

MONDAY 14 AUGUST

Interviews for summer clerkships commence.

WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER

Offers for summer clerkships can be made.

FRIDAY 6 OCTOBER

Offers for summer clerkships must be accepted or declined by 5.00pm.

The Clerkship Seminar Series is a collection of seminars run by a range of commercial law firms presenting their 2017 Summer Clerkship Program. The seminars are designed to provide an insight into the clerkship process, what each firm looks for in prospective applicants, as well as the general culture of working in a commercial firm. If you are considering applying for a clerkship in June 2017, then these seminars should not be missed! You will not only learn more about the clerkship process and firm requirements, but have the invaluable opportunity to meet and network with representatives from the attending firms. Law students of all ages who are interested in learning more about the clerkship process are also welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be provided.

Monday 8th May:

Thursday 11th May:

Monday 22nd May:

11am: Allens Linklaters

11am: Herbert Smith Freehills

2pm: Clayton Utz

2pm: Corrs Chambers Westgarth

UTSLSS Clerkship Networking Evening

Location: 5C.01.020

Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm Location: UTS Aerial Function Center

Tuseday 9th May: 2pm: MinterEllison Location: 5C.01.019

Wednesday 10th May:

Monday 15th May: 11am: Gilbert & Tobin 2pm: Baker McKenzie Location: 5C.01.020

Dress code: Business Attire

If you have any questions about these events please contact Wendy Yuan at careers. activities@utslss.com

11am: Ashurst 2pm: King & Wood Mallesons Location: 5C.01.021

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

Skills Workshops Our series of Skills Workshops have been specially tailored to develop your soft skills and guide you through the clerkship application process and beyond! Attend one (or all) of our workshops to hear the tips and tricks of the trade from firm representatives. Keep an eye out for the locations of these events on the Skills Workshops page on our website under the Careers tab, or on the UTS LSS Facebook Events. Light refreshments will be provided.

ASHURST INTERVIEW SKILLS WORKSHOP

The interactive workshop will be run by representatives from Ashurst and will provide you all of the tips and tricks to prepare you for the interview process. There will be an opportunity to ask any questions that you have and network with professionals attending the workshop. Date: Wednesday 17th of May Time: 11:00am-12:00pm Location: 5C.01.021

MINTERELLISON CV & COVER LETTER WRITING WORKSHOP

What should you put in your CV and cover letter? How long should it be? This workshop deals with any questions you might have in drafting your cover letters and ensuring that your CV rises to the top of the pile! Date: Wednesday 17th of May

CLERSKSHIPS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE By Jake Bailey APPLICATIONS

INTERVIEWS

STARTING AS A CLERK

Give yourself time Estimate how long you think it will take you to apply for each firm – it will take you about double that time. Tailoring your cover letters and giving original, insightful answers to the online questions took far more time and effort than I expected. Do yourself a favour and start early.

1. Contain your nerves Clearly, this is easier said than done. But sit/stand up straight, look everyone you meet in the eye, and give a firm handshake.

1. Make a good first impression Show that you’re friendly, professional, and keen to help out. If you do a good job the first time you are given a task, you will be trusted with more.

2. Display the right attitude The interviewers are generally looking for people who are clever, capable and keen. Try to convey that impression of yourself in your answers. For example, I found talking about my intellectual interest in a certain area of law and combining that with the practical skills I’ve developed at work or in extracurricular activities to be a useful approach.

2. Take responsibility for every bit of work you are given Treat your work provider as the client. That means presenting every bit of work, no matter how insignificant it may seem, as a finished product. You will learn quickly that everyone else around you does this, and you don’t want to look sloppy in comparison.

1. Write a decent cover letter No one really knows how closely cover letters are read, but whoever is screening applications does not have much else to go on. Treat it as an audition for your writing ability – that means making it punchy and meaningful. You should also tailor it for the firm you are applying to. I had one paragraph in each letter that I tailored within an otherwise generic letter, but you can do it however you like. 2. Don’t submit just yet! I got a sense of momentum out of submitting applications as soon as I thought I was done writing each one. By the time I was submitting the later applications, I had worked out better ways of writing them and wished I could have gone back to change the others. It’s better to save your online applications and submit them all at once when you think you’ve hit on the right formula.

3. Prepare answers and questions – but maintain flexibility Think about what you might get asked. “Why us?” “Why commercial law?” “Tell us about a time when you displayed x quality.” These are the most common questions. Think about how you would answer them. But don’t be too rigid in your approach – always take a couple of seconds to think about the specific question you were asked before blurting out an answer. Think of some questions to ask too, but don’t be afraid to ask something that you think of on the spot.

3. Have fun, but don’t forget what you’re there for The clerkship is fun. You become tight with the other clerks and can’t wait to go to drinks or inter-firm sport. But don’t forget that this is also the start of your career, so don’t treat it as the working holiday it can sometimes feel like.

Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm Location: 5C.01.021 If you have any questions about these events please contact Wendy Yuan at careers. activities@utslss.com

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

COMMERCIAL AWARENESS By Neeharika Maddula Last year, fresh from my first visit to London, I set my mind to applying for a clerkship at Linklaters. I guess when they said Magic Circle what they meant was that it would take a stroke of magic for me to get in. I was rejected in what I’m sure is record time - three business days (I’ll wear that as a badge of honour, thank you very much) - and I knew exactly why.

ntil April last year, it had never even occurred to me to pick up the Australian Financial Review (AFR). News without Kardashians isn’t my kind of news. As it turns out, reading the AFR might get you closer to getting a clerkship than even the most extensive Kardashian knowledge. The key is commercial awareness. (Well, one of the keys. It’s going to take a lot more than that to seal the deal.) So, if you don’t already, it’s probably time you figured out what blue chips, negative gearing and other nonsensical terms have to do with the business landscape. The problem is, ain’t nobody got time. Between schmoozing at networking nights, participating in every resume stuffing extra-curricular you find and perfecting your applications you’re going to want to work smart rather than hard on increasing your commercial awareness.

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

There are really only two things you need to do. The first: READ. Yes, you guessed it, you might have to swap TMZ for another three-lettered acronym: AFR. Skimming the headlines every other day while you wait for your soy flat white is not going to kill you. It might seem like gibberish to begin with but you’ll find that the more you read, the more things start to fit together. Outside of the legal section, the involvement of commercial lawyers and law firms won’t be so obvious. This is where you might need to branch out in your reading materials. Sign up to law firm newsletters. I promise you that you’ll start to see some familiar names and concepts and you might find yourself matching up these deals and the law firms involved to the articles you’ve been reading. Consider keeping a note in your phone of the deals that genuinely interest you, they’ll be useful to job your memory if you ever find yourself needing to call on that knowledge.

Of course, there will be times when things don’t fall into place. So, the second thing you need to do is find a friend. Whether it be a fellow law student, family member or friend, find someone who has the commercial knowledge to explain things when they just don’t make sense. It doesn’t have to be a regular appointment, just keep a note of certain concepts or articles you don’t understand then next time you see them you’ll remember to ask. The path to commercial awareness is a marathon, not a sprint. There might be whole weeks without headlines that piques your interest. But if you persevere, you just might find yourself sitting across from a partner or lawyer who worked on a deal you’ve read about and you’ll be able to ask just the right question to show knowledge and interest in commercial legal work.

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

UTS CAREERS Are you excited about the prospect of applying for a Clerkship and want to put your best self forward? Here are some tips to help you do just that. 1. THE COMPETITION IS GOING TO BE HIGH AND YOU NEED TO IMPRESS. MAYBE YOU COULD BENEFIT FROM A LITTLE SUPPORT. You will be happy to know that there is plenty of that on hand right here oncampus. You can find useful resources that will help you prepare for all aspects of your Clerkship search on the UTS CareerHub (careerhub.uts.edu.au) and on the UTS Careers Website (careers.uts.edu.au). You can also drop in to see a Recruitment Advisor from 10:00am – 4:00pm during the week or attend monthly workshops to get support and help with any of your questions about your application materials. 2. SO MANY CLERKSHIPS; SO LITTLE TIME. YOU ARE THINKING IT WOULD BE WISE TO NARROW YOUR OPTIONS AND TARGET A FEW RATHER THAN MANY. HOW DO YOU DECIDE? It is all about identifying and prioritising the firms that you feel most excited about. Spend time reading and gathering information about each firm and the particular Clerkship they have on offer. The mission statements and values of the firm are a good place to start, and it’s a good idea to make sure you understand the type of work you would be doing during the clerkship to make sure it aligns to your interest areas. By targeting your favourites, you will be more likely to write quality application documents and impress at networking events and interviews. 3. STUDY; WORK; EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES; AND OH! ... NOW YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR CLERKSHIPS TOO! HOW WILL YOU FIND THE TIME? Creating a plan of action is the perfect solution for a busy student like yourself to keep your head well above water. By creating a plan of action you will: • Be more likely to stay focused and motivated towards the end goal   • Take small steps which will lead to big gains

• Keep yourself on track Create clearly defined SMART goals related to your clerkship search and applications – these are Specific; Measurable; Attainable; Realistic; and Time-framed. This way, you will be more likely to carry out your identified actions and it will be easier to monitor your progress. You might decide to include things like networking, completing applications, and a visit to UTS:Careers to get advice on your resume by a certain date so that you are prepared and can check these items off your list.

•

Experiences you have had through work experience or intra/ extracurricular activities in which you have demonstrated some of your identified strengths;

•

Ways in which you would like to contribute to the firm given the opportunity;

•

Some specific questions you would like to ask a representative including things like the types of projects involved in the clerkship or the workplace culture/

4. LSS CLERKSHIP EVENTS ARE COMING UP SOON. YOU ARE RARING TO GO AND KEEN TO CHAT WITH FIRM REPRESENTATIVES, BUT YOU ARE WONDERING WHAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY LOOKING FOR. At any face-to-face event, representatives are expecting you to ask intelligent, well-informed questions and be able to converse utilising your interpersonal skills. Their wish is for you to dig deeper than just asking general questions. Representatives would also like to be able to hear evidence of your drive, commitment and industry knowledge as well as be able to gauge how self-aware, confident and motivated you are. Opportunities for you to demonstrate these attributes will present themselves through networking events, firm presentations (through the Clerkship Seminar Series), skills workshops, and cocktail evenings. For each firm you have decided to apply for, identify some topics you can talk about at these events, and practice with a friend beforehand. Here are some suggested topics:

You don’t need to cover all of these topics at the networking event, but you will be prepared with a lot of information that you can talk about if needed. You will have the edge on other candidates and you will be perceived as professional.

•

LinkedIn connections and relevant LinkedIn groups

•

Things that impress you about the firm or that align to your values and interests;

•

3 key strengths that you can bring to their firm

Events or activities run through the Faculty of Law or Legal Professional Associations such as the Law Society of NSW.

•

Connect with family members or friends who works at Law firms of interest, and speak with fellow

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

5. THERE WILL BE A LOT OF PEOPLE AT THOSE EVENTS. YOU ARE CURIOUS ABOUT HOW REPRESENTATIVES WILL REALLY GET TO KNOW YOU. YOU WANT TO STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD. Through the great line-up of LSS events, there are plenty of opportunities for you to interact with representatives, however, many students will be vying for their attention and it might be a challenge to get enough quality time to really show them your personality. Setting yourself apart by finding additional opportunities to connect is a fantastic strategy. Here are some other avenues for you to consider:

students, especially those who may have already completed a clerkship Conduct a little of your own research. Professionals often attend events such as conferences, speaker presentations, and networking opportunities. You never know what might happen if you bump into one of them and have a chat. Sometimes being in the right place at the right time can have surprising outcomes for your career, so just keep talking to interesting people about your career interests and you never know where it might lead. 6. YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR COVER LETTERS AND RESUMES FROM GOOD TO GREAT. UTS:Careers can help! You can drop in to the careers office (Building 1, Level 4, behind the security office) for a quick resume review or to book a more in-depth resume review appointment. You can also sign up for a resume workshop and find cover letter and resume samples you can download on the careers website: careers. uts.edu.au. By accessing these services you will learn how to create documents that will: •

Capture the attention of hiring managers

•

Be visually appealing and clear to read

•

To get you started, here are two critical tips:

•

Focus on what you can contribute to the organisation rather than what you desire to take away from the Clerkship experience

•

Use their words and reference the skills that they need and want. Reflect the tone of language that they use on their website and in any other documentation you can find.

7. YOU HAVE BEEN INVITED TO AN INTERVIEW AND/OR COCKTAIL EVENING. EEEEK! YOU HAVE GOT THE JITTERS! The pressure is on and your mind may be racing with all sorts of questions – ‘What will they ask me?’ ‘What if I go blank?’ You have some great resources at hand at UTS. The Counselling Service offers a ‘Mindfulness Meditation’ workshop which was created to help students manage nerves and stress. UTS:Careers can also assist with mock interview practice, so drop in to try out your responses and get some feedback!

8. AN OFFER MAY BE ON THE WAY! WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT? Students may only accept one summer Clerkship position in one firm. So sit back and relax, you have done all that you can do. If you do receive an offer, or even multiple offers - well done! Reflecting on which offer best aligns to your interests, values and strengths will help with deciding which one to accept. If you are not offered a position, remember that a clerkship is only one way to get the legal experience that will boost your resume and qualifications. Unfortunately due to the large number of applicants and limited number of positions, only a very small percentage of students are offered a Clerkship opportunity. If you do not get one this time around, keep a positive mind-set. Remember that there are many other fantastic opportunities for Law students and graduates and if you are not sure where to go or what to do next, UTS: Careers can help. Drop in during the week and we can suggest some methods for exploring other options that will interest you and match your strengths.

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

The Application PROCESS By Brigida Johns COVER LETTER TIPS 1. Tailor your cover letters and research research research! a. Every cover letter will be different. If you plan to simply ‘Find + Replace’ the name and address of the firm then submit, I wish you well, but you will be unlikely to obtain a clerkship interview. Firms like to see you have conducted extensive research and read about how special they are. b. Before you start writing the cover letter, thoroughly research the firm. At a minimum, this will involve reading the entire website, reading Lawyers Weekly to see any recent press coverage and high profile cases. You really want to find the factor that makes the firm unique

2. Proof read it, then proof it again. And then once more. a. This is possibly the simplest tip, but it is absolutely crucial. After I had submitted my applications, I realised that I said that I studied Law and Commination, instead of Communication. While the study of divine vengeance seems interesting, that typo may have said to firms ‘I didn’t take the time to proof my application properly, because I am not taking this process seriously’. A small typo can cost big. So get your friends, family, significant other etc to read it with a pair of fresh eyes.

law questions - no need to freak out and revise every law subject you’ve ever studied. In the very rare event that you are asked how you would advise a client in a particular situation, you will probably only be expected to cover some general areas of law that could come into play. b. When it comes to preparing for clerkship interviews, it’s a good idea to consider these three issues and practice answering standard interview questions with a friend. c. Common ‘tell us about yourself’ questions: i. What interests you in commercial law? ii. How is the legal landscape changing in terms of new technologies? iii. Why would you choose our firm over others? iv. What do you do when you’re not working or studying? d. Common future plan questions: i. Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years? e. Common behavioural questions: i. These questions will be along the lines of “tell us about a time you worked in a team and had to deal with a difficult team member.” You can’t prepare for all possible behavioural questions, but there are certain situations that will arise:

• Leadership/Teamwork

1. Preparing for Interview questions

• Dealing with conflict/Handling criticism

a. Firms will take your good academic record at face value, so it’s very unlikely that you will be asked any substantive

• Working Under Pressure/ Dealing with Stress

INTERVIEW TIPS

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

WHAT WOULD I DO DIFFERENTLY? 1. Rejection Whilst it seems very obvious, you need to accept that you’re going to get rejected at some point, and every rejection is difficult. Be prepared for the emails: “Due to the exceptionally high standard and volume of candidates this year, we regret to advise that unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful.” I know very well that dealing with rejection is never easy, it’s easy to get disheartened. So don’t take it personally, ask for feedback and move on quickly so that it doesn’t affect your other applications. Just remember, it can be a good thing when a firm rejects you because you are not the right fit for a firm. 2. Clerkships aren’t for everyone, even the people that may get one If you land a clerkship position, which converts to a graduate position, congratulations! The road to a career as a hot-shot lawyer is much easier. However, be prepared for the reality of a life as a commercial lawyer. Are you ready for stressful long hours? Are you willing to give up a few weekends a month? Or deadline given two hours ago? Many students are dazzled by clerkship evenings thinking this is the only avenue out of law school when the reality is very different. Remember to keep an open mind - don’t just apply because everyone else is. Look into the numerous career paths out there and get a head start applying. Best of Wishes!

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

ABOUT US

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

If you want to make the most of your career in law, our global network is the perfect place to start. Our worldwide capabilities give us access to the most interesting markets, the most exciting clients and the most significant and complex transactions. For you, this means the chance to work on market-leading deals with some of the most experienced and talented lawyers in our industry, together with access to international secondment opportunities from early in your career.

Initiative A curious mind is vital, as is plenty of initiative. The more adaptable you’re prepared to be and the more energy you bring, the more you’ll get out of your career here. You’ll be able to steer a path that turns possibilities into realities.

Excellence

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?

Excellence is essential; it’s a guarantee we give our clients. Intellectually rigorous, driven and eager to learn, you’ll set the highest standards for yourself and strive to be the best you can be.

It begins with our people

Commerciality

It’s our people who make us great. It is our priority to ensure they are constantly challenged, recognised, rewarded and empowered throughout their careers.

Successful lawyers understand that law is more than an academic pursuit. It’s about understanding the client – their objectives and the challenges they face – as well as the wider commercial environment in which we operate.

Our unique way of working

Resilience

We adopt a flexible approach to the way we work, which builds strong and diverse teams, and is one of the reasons our lawyers tell us a career here is so rewarding. You won’t be limited to working with a particular partner or group. Instead, you will have the opportunity to drive your career by working with a range of lawyers and partners.

Positive people thrive in our environment. We look for people who can build sustainable careers with us; people who successfully juggle a busy life and varying commitments while maintaining their wellbeing. Like us, you’ll believe that leading a full, active life outside the law can make you a better person to work with.

We make the complex simple

Well-rounded

We are known for the quality of our legal minds. That’s why we attract some of the most complex legal work, and why our lawyers are recognised as the best in the profession.

Our clients often tell us we have ‘great people’. And it’s true. We look for diversity – people who bring a fresh perspective and energy to everything they do, with the ability to create strong relationships with each other and with clients.

Life-long learning

Teamwork

As a graduate, we’re committed to giving you the best professional and personal development opportunities. Our training programs provide graduates with practical legal education of the highest professional standard. You’ll build your knowledge of the law and business and find an area of law that inspires you. We will support you with leading learning and development programs to round out your skills and put you on the path to becoming a market-leading lawyer.

The ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with others is of fundamental importance to working successfully at a commercial law firm. Negotiations involve work with multi-disciplinary teams across borders and successful lawyers work to reach the best possible outcome in transactions, mediations and arbitrations.

CLERKSHIP PROGRAM Come and explore a career with us by applying for one of our clerkships. Our clerkships offer ambitious penultimate-year law students an insight into the workings of a large corporate law firm, and offer an exceptional opportunity to experience our work, people and culture. Anything is possible with us – provided you are willing to work hard and are committed to achieve whatever you put your mind to.

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

Attention to detail Lawyers are expected to have an accurate and meticulous approach to their work. You need a good eye for detail to be able to communicate effectively on paper with both colleagues and clients. Attention to detail is part of providing a quality service to our clients.

GENEVA SEKULA At the start of 2015 when my law school was abuzz with the prospect of completing clerkships, I had not decided if I was even going to apply. I had heard a lot about cocktail nights and canapés and interviews, but I didn’t know much about what completing a clerkship actually entailed or why I should sacrifice my beloved summer holidays to do one. Having spent the summer at Allens, I can definitely recommend doing a clerkship. It’s an invaluable way to see the inner workings of a commercial firm.

opportunity to experience first-hand how commercial law operates in a different legal system. I had some memorable experiences zipping through Saigon traffic on a motorbike and visiting tourist hotspots; certainly different to the weekends I would have been having at home! Although I didn’t come back particularly fluent in business Vietnamese, I definitely came home with a broader international perspective on commercial law, and felt privileged to have been able to experience life in one of the Asian offices.

I was unspeakably nervous on the first day of my first rotation. I had never worked in a law firm before and I was concerned that I didn’t remember an awful lot from my first year Contracts class at university. I needn’t have worried. That first day I hardly got through any work because the people in my team kept stopping by to say hello, have a chat and see how I was going with everything. I was amazed at how genuinely interested everyone was in getting to know me and making sure I was feeling confident in my work.

I was exposed to lots of different work during my time at Allens. I helped to draft letters, write research memos, conduct title searches, proofread contracts, and attend meetings, among many other things. But the summer was much more than simply doing a job. It was an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the firm and we went to a number of seminars which helped to shed more light on the culture of the firm. We heard about Allens’ pro bono work and presence in the community and about the alliance with Linklaters, we heard from a panel of partners who gave us insight into their career progression with the firm, and we heard from a panel of graduates who answered any and all of our questions. I attended Christmas parties (yes, plural), was invited to welcome yum cha, and had many, many coffee catch-ups with lawyers and other clerks. Beyond the legal work and the firm, the clerkship is a great way to expand your social networks. We also went to inter-firm trivia nights and the clerk cruise, and had lots of other opportunities to get to know each other, and the clerks at other firms.

This was indicative of the wider culture of the firm and I was deeply impressed by how supportive and enthusiastic everyone was, and how much time the lawyers were willing to take to explain tasks to me or answer my questions. The firm instigates a formal support network with a buddy, development lawyer and supervising partner, which was a great source of comfort and helped to keep me on track. But, beyond that, there were plenty of lawyers who were keen to get involved with the clerkship and offer their help and feedback. One of the reasons I decided to go to Allens was because I saw it as a firm where there would be opportunities to work overseas, and having an international dimension to my career was important to me. I hadn’t ever guessed that my first chance to travel with Allens would be in my sixth week working for the firm. After the Christmas break, instead of boarding a train to Wynyard, I found myself boarding a plane to Ho Chi Minh City where I was to complete a three-week rotation. The Ho Chi Minh City office was very different to the Sydney office. For one thing, it was a lot smaller, and the contracts were in both Vietnamese and English. I had an amazing time in Vietnam experiencing different food and a different culture, but also having the

Allens is a firm full of opportunities. In 10 weeks I travelled internationally, went on an overnight trip to a client office, went on a tour of a coalmine, experienced a Women at Allens panel, visited the Sydney Children’s Hospital, and had the chance to work on pro bono matters. I can’t tell you exactly what to expect from an Allens clerkship, because you never know what opportunities will be there for you to take. The clerkship program gives you the chance to peer inside a commercial firm and to think about your future. I loved my time with the firm and can’t wait to start my career. A clerkship with Allens feels like unlocking the door to an incredible future and I would recommend it to anyone.

HOW TO APPLY www.allens.com.au/careers ww.linklaters.com/ukgrads www.linklaters.com/hkcareers 15306D

CLERKSHIPS AND GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN A GLOBAL NETWORK UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

15306D

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF… Florence, Seasonal Clerk Studied: Bachelor of Arts in Communications (Public Communications)/ Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Technology, Sydney

As cliché as it sounds, there really is no typical day as a seasonal clerk. One day you’ll have to manage many discrete tasks amid firm events, training sessions and client calls, and the next you’re working on an extended research task that takes up the majority of your day. Below is an example of what you may expect as a clerk at Ashurst: 08:30 First thing in the morning I check my emails and review my calendar for upcoming events. With a bit of time before our Learning and Development (L&D) session, I start drafting a daily news update for my team using both internally curated news updates and external outlets. This is an ongoing task I share with the graduate in the team. 09:00 I meet with a few other clerks before heading up to the Ballroom for an L&D session on the Employment practice group. The Clerk L&D program is a combination of training sessions on skills such as conducting legal research and practice group overviews. These overviews are particularly helpful in getting to know what the firm does as a whole outside your two rotations. 10:00 A partner has emailed asking I meet her to receive instructions for a task. I read the attached documents before heading to her office. The partner asks that I conduct some preliminary research into the rights and liabilities under the attached documents and check in with her later that day. 10:15

I get started on the task, planning my approach and identifying any resources I think I will need. I start an internal memorandum to structure my findings as I go and note what research I’ve done in a research record.

12:00 I attend a pro bono debrief with the supervising lawyer and graduate I shadowed at a pro bono clinic the day before. At the debrief we discuss the clients we met and any follow-up tasks that need to be completed. At Ashurst, lawyers of all levels are encouraged to engage in pro bono and as a clerk these clinics are just one of the many ways to get involved with this stand-alone practice.

14:00 After lunch I revisit some contractual work I’ve been assisting my supervising lawyer with that is due at the end of the week. Often tasks can span days and even weeks so it is important that I keep track of my deadlines and update my supervisors on my progress. 15:30 Back at my desk, my buddy asks if I’d like to get a coffee. In each rotation you’re assigned a buddy and supervising lawyer who are your formal support network within the team. They are there to answer any questions, offer advice and help you get settled. 16:00 Following coffee, I meet with the partner to discuss my progress on the research task. Preparing my findings in an internal memorandum proves useful as she wants a formal summary of my research and also wants me to draft a brief response to the client. 16:15

With no pressing tasks to attend to before the end of the day, I revisit my research task. As a final check I ask the Library and Resources team to review my research record for any gaps before beginning to draft the client response.

17:15

At the end of each work day I make sure I do a final check of my emails, scan the events for tomorrow and post my time. The other clerks have started to gather for drinks before leaving for trivia so I let my team know that I’m heading off for the day before joining them.

Your journey begins with a world-class summer clerkship Real client work. Invaluable coaching. A tailored development program. A genuine insight into working with our Firm – while building great friendships. Plus, we offer the unique opportunity to build your global knowlege and network – through an International Clerkship.

Ready to explore our world? Angelique Wanner +61 2 8922 5596

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

www.bakermckenzie.com/en/locations/asia-pacific/australia#careers

careers.ashurst.com UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

Find us at @BakersAUS

Find us on Facebook

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

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.

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

AREAS OF PRACTICE The firm works through three main operating divisions:

WHO ARE WE AND WHAT SETS US APART FROM OTHER FIRMS? Corrs Chambers Westgarth is a premium independent law firm. We emphasise the independent part because it’s important to who we are and how we work. Independence isn’t just a description of our position in the market, it describes how we think, our innovative style and bold decision-making.

DISCOVER YOUR INDEPENDENT SPIRIT WWW.CORRS.COM.AU/GRADUATES

Our vision as a world class law firm is to drive Australia’s competitiveness and economic engagement with Asia. We are based in Australia and operate internationally, wherever our clients need our services.

• Property & Development (Property & Infrastructure, Environment & Planning and Construction) • Litigation and Workplace Relations (Litigation, Workplace Relations, Intellectual Property, Technology & Competition) Our clients compete globally and Corrs provides the legal services they need to do that effectively, no matter where they are. Our lawyers work across practice areas and geographic boundaries to drive commercial outcomes and transactions in multiple jurisdictions. We have a global network of the world’s best independent firms who work with us to provide the most relevant specialist expertise where and when it’s needed. Our independence means we’re not locked into one legal service provider. We connect with the best lawyers internationally to meet our clients’ needs.

With 1000 employees, 550 lawyers and 125 partners, we have the scale that allows us to take on the largest and most challenging matters for major organisations internationally, as well as be the right size for a culture of inclusion.

WHAT ARE WE WORKING ON?

Corrs is a firm that thinks strategically, not just in its legal work, but also for the firm’s future and the success of its people. Corrs is known for its clear vision and ability to develop and implement strategy, as well as its lawyers’ ability to help clients achieve their business goals.

Our clients include more than half the top fifty ASX listed companies, some of the largest privately owned companies in Australia and a number of global Fortune five hundred companies like Johnson & Johnson, General Electric, Wesfarmers, Microsoft, BP and Pfizer.

The combination of these factors creates a firm that celebrates its independence, is open to new ideas, has the courage to think and act differently from the rest of the market, and thrives on new challenges and opportunities. Natalie Peterson (02) 9210 6424 natalie.peterson@corrs.com.au

• Corporate, Finance & Tax (Energy & Resources, Corporate Advisory, Banking & Finance and Taxation)

We work with well-known organisations like Vodafone Hutchison, ANZ, AMCOR, BG Group, Mirvac, Woolworths and Carlton United Breweries, mining giants like BP, Woodside and Fortescue Metal Group and leaders in finance like NAB, and CBA. We also work with governments, Federal and State. We were Australian counsel for US talent agency William Morris, which represents stars like Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey, when it acquired 49 percent of industry-leading global creative agency, Droga5.

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

HOW DOES THE FIRM ENCOURAGE WORK-LIFE BALANCE? It’s not all about work! At Corrs we encourage staff to be active and participate in social and sporting events as well as learning & development activities. Some of our activities include yoga, touch football, cricket day, Friday night drinks, family days, trivia nights and Christmas Parties. Corrs also provides flexible work arrangements, paid study leave, salary sacrificing and opportunities to give back to the community.

PRO BONO, VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES Helping others is a key aspect of the culture at Corrs and can be seen every day in every office at Corrs. It happens in three ways – through pro bono legal work, volunteering and philanthropy. Corrs provides pro bono legal services for disadvantaged individuals who might not otherwise have access to legal representation through nine legal clinics and referred public interest matters. Pro Bono is one of the graduate program rotations and graduates are involved early in their time at Corrs.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN AN EMPLOYEE? Corrs is a place that celebrates individuals. We’re looking for spirited, determined graduates who think big and like doing things a little differently. In exchange for your energy and commitment we’ll provide extraordinary learning and work opportunities here and on an international stage. Because this is a high performance organisation, Corrs people are good at what they do. They are able to work in a team and bring out the best in the people around them. They want to achieve the best results for the client as well as the firm and they take pride in their work and achievements. Corrs people like to find new ways of doing things and aren’t afraid to be independent and bold in their actions.

CLERKSHIP & GRADUATE PROGRAM The Corrs Seasonal Clerkship Program is a great opportunity for you to experience the people, clients, work and culture that differentiates Corrs from other law firms. The Sydney Seasonal Clerkship Program runs over the course of the summer and involves a unique rotation system, through which you will participate in three rotations, giving you the opportunity to work across each division of the firm. Like everyone at Corrs in Sydney, you will be sitting in open plan pods with partners and lawyers, giving you great exposure to learning and knowledge sharing as a result of our new workspace, 8 Chifley. You will be supported by Coordinators, who are senior lawyers and will also have a mentor, a junior lawyer who will answer any questions, settle you in and provide you with informal support and guidance. Along with ongoing feedback, our structured learning opportunities include a comprehensive orientation program, presentations on relevant legal, business and workplace issues and partner connect sessions. Your clerk cohort will undertake a pro bono project for the duration of the summer and you will also be provided with a number of opportunities to shadow lawyers who are undertaking community legal centre secondments such as with the Inner City Legal Centre, Redfern Legal Centre and the Homeless Persons’ Legal Service. Our commitment to developing world class lawyers starts at day one. Our Graduate Development Program lays this foundation by providing rich, on the job training with a greater opportunity to work directly with partners and senior lawyers; structured learning; mentoring; and regular feedback throughout each of the three six month rotations.

WWW.CORRS.COM.AU/GRADUATES 25

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

Gilbert + Tobin

SHARE OUR VISION SHAPE YOUR FUTURE DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers in the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

BE MORE

We are a law firm with momentum. Over the past decade, DLA Piper has undergone rapid expansion, responding to global markets and helping our clients deliver on their business strategies. In doing so, we are uniquely placed to provide our people with the global career opportunities they are looking for.

If you share our ambition to be the best, Gilbert + Tobin will place you on that trajectory.

In Australia we are trusted legal advisors to approximately a third of the ASX I 00 companies and all levels of government. We have offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra. IT’S IN OUR DNA At its heart, DLA Piper is an entrepreneurial and dynamic firm. We have a supportive and performance based culture founded on the diversity of our people, the communities we operate in and the clients we work with. WINNING 1 Global M&A volume: DLA Piper has retained its number one ranking globally for overall deal volume by mergermarket for the seventh consecutive year. #3 Global brand: DLA Piper ranked third on the Acritas Global Elite Brand Index 2016. +1,000: The world’s leading legal directories have named more than 1,000 of our lawyers and practices among the best in their fields. In Australia, we are recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. We are also members of the Tristan Jepson Memorial Foundation, supporting workplace psychological health and safety. YOUR OPPORTUNITIES We provide cutting-edge learning and development programs, and an opportunity to work alongside some of the best legal minds around.

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

As a clerk, you can expect to have a varied experience both in and outside the office. You will gain firsthand experience in the practice of law by doing real legal work. Joining us as a clerk is your path to a Graduate position. At DLA Piper we recruit to retain and once you qualify, we will continue to offer you exceptional career opportunities, in an environment that is challenging, rewarding and, we believe, truly different from our competitors. We are also committed to supporting our people’s desire to experience working life in other parts of the world. For our Graduates we offer the opportunity to apply for a six month rotation to one of our offices in Asia. We believe our secondment program fosters a global mind-set and is critical to our success. WHAT IT TAKES Being an excellent lawyer requires more than just comprehensive technical knowledge. Every aspect of our approach is tailored carefully to our clients, their business needs and industry. Successful applicants are not only bright, as demonstrated through strong academics, but they also bring unique life experiences and insights to the table. Our lawyers are excellent communicators, collaborative team players and commercially minded, because our clients are the core of our business. For more information about our clerkship opportunities, please visit www.dlapipergraduates.com MAR17 | 3212464

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.

From our state-of-the-art office in Barangaroo, the partners and lawyers in our Sydney office include some of Australia’s leading practitioners in: + Banking + Infrastructure + Competition + Regulation + Corporate Advisory + Energy + Resources + Intellectual Property

Some firms may talk about providing unique opportunities. 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

+ Litigation + Pro Bono + Real Estate + Projects + TMT + Project Services

If you want to work for a first-tier corporate law firm, and you want to be the best you can be, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Find out more at GTLAW.COM.AUUTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

Gilbert + Tobin

BE MORE

Join the game-changers of Australian law. My decision to join Gilbert + Tobin was based on its non-traditional and progressive outlook on what has remained an unchanged industry. The firm’s interest in technology and the future of the industry played a huge part in influencing my decision. The firm’s focus on Blockchain, client innovation initiatives such as client hack-a-thons and the offering of coding workshops for their lawyers really made a lasting impression on me.

This meant issuing share transfer forms and share certificates. I had never done this before and I was so surprised by how hands-on my experience was and some of the responsibilities I was given.

My first time working in commercial law firm as a clerk was an amazing experience. At times it could be overwhelming but I always felt supported with an abundance of resources and people to guide me. This was a learning experience, not a test, and Gilbert + Tobin provided me with countless opportunities to absorb and learn what it was like to work at a commercial law firm.

I would advise any future applicants to know what type of law firm they would like to work for. They all have different personalities – just like us. Be confident and show that part of you that makes you different. Easier said than done, I know.

My first rotation was in Corporate Advisory where I worked with Adam Laura’s team. During my time in Corporate I learnt how to incorporate a company, in which I was then able to perform many. I also learned how to update a company’s share register.

Despite these legal tasks, I was also able to learn the importance of attention to detail. I also learnt to look before asking i.e. to have the confidence to look a bit further for the answer before asking straight away for help.

I finished my clerkship completely confident in my ability as a junior lawyer, reassured that I wanted a career in commercial law and that Gilbert + Tobin is where I would like to start my career. The only downside being, Barangaroo has far too many exceptional lunch options.

THERE’S MORE TO LAW AT GILBERT + TOBIN

Angus McWhirter, 2016/17 Sydney Summer Clerk

Find out more at UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017 GTLAW.COM.AU

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

GTLAW.COM.AU

UNIQUELY HENRY DAVIS YORK Who we are Henry Davis York is a market leading, dynamic and diverse law firm. We transform ideas and knowledge into outcomes that count for our clients, our people and our community. We know what we’re good at and what we love doing and we focus on this. This alignment of expertise, passion and focus gives us a strong reputation for partnering with clients across a number of sectors, in particular in the financial services, government, infrastructure and regulatory sectors. In addition to these core sectors of focus, we also have industry experience across other sectors, including health, transport, technology and start-ups. We advise a range of clients including some of Australia’s most iconic businesses, the Big 4 Australian Banks and other financial institutions, government departments and agencies, regulatory bodies, corporates, fund managers and infrastructure developers. Founded in 1893, our history is an important part of who we are today. We believe in building relationships with our clients and with our people that have longevity.

What we look for The quality of our people is the key to our success. Recruiting the right people at every level is therefore a critical part of our strategy. Our summer clerks become part of our firm from day one and contribute to our growth and culture. So, we look for clerks who are: Enterprising - open minded, flexible and who think outside the square

UNIQUELY KYGIM

Our values EXCELLENCE IN EVERYTHING WE DO We believe excellence is not negotiable and we apply this to everything we do. We strive for the highest standards in client satisfaction, absolute quality in the work we deliver and first rate thinking. We believe near enough is simply not good enough. COLLECTIVELY INVENTIVE Our collegiate culture and ways of working encourage deep collaboration and inventiveness. By pulling together as a team, sharing and inviting input from others, and respecting and embracing our differences, we harness the strengths of the Firm. We challenge and support each other to be the best we can be. WINNING WITH INTEGRITY We champion our clients’ business and tirelessly work on their behalf. We proactively anticipate issues and look for winning solutions. We are not easily deflected and never compromise our integrity. We believe where there’s a will, there’s a way.

A summer clerkship at HDY has provided me with an invaluable experience, and through my three rotations I was able to gain an insight to what the life of a young lawyer is really like. My three rotations were through the Corporate M&A, Property, and Commercial Litigation & IP teams where I was exposed to both the transactional and litigious sides of practice. I was involved in a number of matters where my tasks ranged from registering companies, to drafting by-laws, to legal research, to drafting court documents and attending court. We were also exposed to pro bono work and learned about the importance of using our skills to help those less fortunate than ourselves. I was able to participate in an ongoing Pro Bono research project for RACS, and as a group we were able promote a new social enterprise – Grounded Café run by Whitelion. As a group, we bonded, worked our hardest, channelled our inner athleticism at weekly sports, participated in our fair share of social adventures, and were supported 100% every step of the way.

For further information Gilda Carter Graduate Recruitment Manager P: +61 2 9947 6532 E: summerclerks@hdy.com.au

UNIQUELY A PLACE TO THRIVE

UNIQUELY COLLABORATIVE

UNIQUELY DETERMINED

UNIQUELY YOU

Choosing to apply for a clerkship at HDY has allowed me to kick start my career at a firm where everyone genuinely wants the best for you. From Grads to Partners, everyone takes an interest in both you as a person, and your career aspirations. I highly recommend a clerkship at HDY!

Determined - willing to push beyond their comfort zone and who make things happen You will need an excellent academic record, some work experience in a legal or non-legal environment, demonstrated leadership skills and a keen interest in commercial law.

HDY_SC17_ADVERT_A4-DPS-FINAL-20170307.indd 1

The summer clerkship application process can be a stressful time – from writing what seems like hundreds of cover letters and opening the application form only to realise that you don’t actually need one, to deciding which firm to start your career. During the application process, I was looking for a firm that was known for its expertise and one which was the going to be the right cultural fit for me – from day one of the clerkship, I knew that in choosing HDY I had made the right decision.

Kygim King Summer Clerk 2016/17

7/03/2017 10:36:39 AM

HDY_SC17_ADVERT_A4-DPS-FINAL-20170307.indd 2

7/03/2017 10:36:41 AM

BE A PART OF EVERYTHING

ABOVE AND BEYOND BE A PART OF EVERYTHING

GLOBAL REACH

Join us as a Herbert Smith Freehills Vacation Clerk and you’ll do more than just experience life at a leading law firm, you’ll be a part of everything we have to offer. Takeovers and mergers. Arbitration and litigation. Finance and real estate. As a world class professional services business, our work is incredibly varied. Thanks to the quality of our global network and world-class Business Services professionals, we work with some of the biggest international organisations on some of their most ambitious projects. Herbert Smith Freehills is a place where you won’t just experience everything, you’ll be a part of it. So if you’ve got the drive and ambition to become a brilliant lawyer, we’d like to hear from you.

YOUR DEVELOPMENT We view you as the partners of the future, so it goes without saying that your development is incredibly important to us. Our full service practice and extensive work for international clients means you’ll enjoy a varied experience across contentious and non-contentious departments.

26 offices, including associated offices across Asia-Pacific, EMEA and North America

And there’s more to that than just a great academic record. There’s fantastic perception and communication skills. There’s confidence and collaboration skills. Empathy, an international mindset and diligence. And there’s the drive to not only experience everything, but to be a part of it.

OUR GLOBAL PRACTICE GROUPS • Alternative Legal Services (ALT) • Competition, Regulation and Trade

We have prepared some more detailed information on our website: careers.herbertsmithfreehills.com/ au/grads/au/grads/join-us

• Corporate • Dispute Resolution • Employment, Pensions and Incentives

INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE SECONDMENT PROGRAM Our international network means that we can offer opportunities and experiences that are unrivalled in scope. In 2014 we launched our international secondment program for Australian graduates to our Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and London offices and we are continuing to expand our secondment program.

As well as getting exposure to a huge breadth of work, you’ll be supported to grow your career and reach your goals with flexible training and development plans. Individually designed, these plans will allow you to gain experience in all areas and help you find what’s best for you and your career.

To read more about our international graduate secondment program including some recent experiences from our graduates go to our website: careers.herbertsmithfreehills.com/au/grads/ graduate-program

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

JOINING US

We are interested in who you are and the strengths you can bring. We look for exceptional people from a diverse range of backgrounds with the passion and ability to become truly brilliant lawyers.

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

• Finance • Projects and Infrastructure • Real Estate

GRADUATE EMPLOYERS 2016

CONTACT

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

KEY DATES AND DEADLINES

GRADUATE CAREERS IN LAW Join Herbert Smith Freehills and you’ll do more than just experience life at a leading law firm, you’ll be a part of everything we have to offer - whether you’re working on a high-profile takeover, catching up with an overseas client or taking on some challenging pro bono work. It’s an environment in which your perspective, ideas and experiences will make a real difference. Don’t just experience everything, be a part of it.

BRISBANE

MELBOURNE

PERTH*

SYDNEY

Approximate number of �positions

25-30

70-80

45-50

30-35

Clerkship programs

2 summer

2 summer 1 winter

1 summer

Applications for all 2017/18 � programs open

27 February 2017

10 July 2017

17 July 2017

15 June 2017

Applications for all 2017/18 programs close

20 March 2017

13 August 2017

6 August 2017

16 July 2017

Offers made

8 May 2017

12 October 2017

20 September 2017

4 October 2017

*Perth vacation clerkship dates to be confirmed 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. HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM

SEARCH HSF GRADUATES FOR MORE

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

Voted Australasian Lawyer’s Employer of Choice.

ON THE GRADUATE PATHWAY A typical day might see me reviewing employment contracts or enterprise agreements to help a client assess the human ‘cost’ of an asset sale transaction upon integration. On another, I might be reviewing repair notes on a piece of machinery to determine causation of a workplace incident. Often the role calls for preparing the first-cut of a draft due diligence or advice on liability to the client. More complex drafting tasks presented to me were consent orders, and settlement deeds.

BROCK GUNTHORPE GRADUATE

Each day has brought a new challenge or opportunity which I have enjoyed tackling with the support of the nurturing and technically-excellent team of lawyers and Partners at Herbert Smith Freehills.

THE WORK I began my graduate program in Herbert Smith Freehills’ Employment, Pensions and Incentives (EPI) team in March 2016. It’s a practice that involves many different areas of the law around our global network, so was an excellent landing place for a graduate. The group really emphasised skills development and had me working alongside Partners and Senior Associates on prominent, well publicised matters. Early highlights included preparing for and attending remote hearings in Queensland, assisting the team to provide round the clock advice from the Brisbane office on employee relations strategy for large M&A transactions in London. It’s definitely an unusual but rewarding experience to wake up, pull on your sports shoes and run alongside the client’s coal export wharves which were the subject of that day’s hearing.

My favourite aspect of the role was the variety. From Commonwealth Acts to constitutional matters; Queensland law reform to workplace health and safety investigations, the subject matter varied each day, with each field challenging you to develop different complementary skills. Your graduate experience is about testing different areas of interest, to find your passion. Once you’ve found that, it’s easy to thrive.

THE PERSONAL ATTENTION Herbert Smith Freehills goes to great lengths to create an environment where graduates are encouraged to think independently and fostered to develop commerciality and care for the client. Attending lectures from senior lawyers and partners, alongside the client and their employees emphasises the value of the ongoing legal learning provided by the firm. In almost every single week of the year, there is the chance to attend sessions in the office, or those streamed around Australia by video conference. From my very first day in EPI, I had a Partner, Senior Associate and Graduate buddy providing coaching and mentoring. These informal sessions created an immediate feedback loop on the work I was producing and allowed me to highlight matters I wanted to work on or clients I wanted to work with. An interest in public law made known in one of these sessions led to a number of interesting instructions on judicial review, tribunal powers and legislative drafting – not the typical work that comes to mind in a graduate role!

THE NETWORK

to day tasks in EPI. I worked with Partners in Melbourne and Sydney to prepare paid training materials for clients’ human resource teams, and legal updates to the Boards of private companies presented, in turn, by different fee earners around the country. It doesn’t just extend to legal issues. In my short time, I’ve represented the Brisbane office on an eight time-zone video conference, discussing strategies to develop our multicultural inclusion across the firm, and enhance the treatment of diversity in our recruitment practices.

THE PEOPLE People at Herbert Smith Freehills are able to produce their best legal work because they do so amongst a diverse and supportive workplace. Herbert Smith Freehills is constantly looking inwards at what kind of workplace culture we should aspire towards, and staff of all levels are routinely consulted on the firm’s progress. Right from the get-go, the sense of ‘fit’ with Herbert Smith Freehills was a key motivator to choose this firm for a graduate position.

THE EXTRAS Interspersed throughout the working day are committee meetings, social sports and just plain old opportunities to catch up with ‘work friends’. Since coming to Herbert Smith Freehills, I’ve enjoyed the bright presence of the in-house Well Bean Café barista (and restorative effects of subsidised coffees), as well as the ruthless competition of the pingpong table. The firm’s after hours sport program is growing with the inclusion of touch rugby league as well as the HSF Honey Badgers touch football team. The team comprises alumni, partners and junior members of the Bar, so is a great way to build connections.

(>500 employees)

GROW YOUR CAREER Looking for a law firm that is defined by its universal experience and unsurpassed commitment to client service? With approximately 2000 lawyers across 5 continents, you will be joining a team of passionate professionals who work across: • Corporate & Transactional • Labour, Employment and Workplace Safety • Energy, Infrastructure and Resources • Litigation & Dispute Resolution • Finance • Policy & Regulatory SYDNEY • Financial Services Clerkship applications open: • Real Estate 15 June 2017 • Intellectual Property Clerkship applications close: Join us and grow your career.

16 July 2017

THE TAKEAWAY I can think of very few firms who invest so heavily in early career development, while also supplying the market-leading work which accelerates your legal ambition.

Check out our Facebook page. /klgatesgraduaterecruitingau /klgateslaw

Watch our brand video. /klgateslaw

The firm collaborates closely across its offices. I was able to observe this at work in my day

HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

CLERKSHIP PROFILE

Asia Pacific | Europe | North America | Middle East

www.kwm.com

UNIVERSITY: University of Technology Sydney

Google+

Weibo

PRO BONO AND COMMUNITY:

DEGREE: JAMES MCGRATH Summer Clerk King & Wood Mallesons

Bachelor of Law / Bachelor of Business After an incredible summer clerkship at KWM, I would like to share a few thoughts about my experience. THE APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW PROCESS: I think I expected a firm like KWM to have a very formal application process, requiring a strong cover letter, demonstration of “commercial awareness” and a healthy dose of behavioural questions. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Within the application, I discussed Moroccan food, homemade alcohol, South American travel and being bitten by a dog. It was refreshing to be asked “non-corporate-law” questions in the interviews too, where the recruitment team seemed more intent on getting to know me and discussing my (many) quirks rather than asking about marks or paralegal roles on my CV.

Culture of innovation, collaboration and high performance • Multiple career pathways where you can shape your future • World-class training and coaching In Competition China Lawyour Spotlight to unleash fullonpotential blog Insight blog Safety blog • High impact work for the world’s leading organisations • Relationships that last a lifetime LinkedIn

KWM clerks are paired with a graduate buddy to answer all your questions, big and small. I spoke to my buddy at least five times per day, whether in person or over the internal instant messaging system, which was integral to my experience. The teams were generous with their time and provided lengthy explanations and background material for all the deals I worked on, even if my task was relatively simple.

Projects & Real Estate (Energy & Resources)

•

WeChat

2016/2017

Banking & Finance (Financial Markets and Regulation – Derivatives)

KWM is a launchpad for endless opportunities. We want to help you think differently about yourself and the possibilities of where a career in the law might take you.

Twitter

THE SUPPORT:

AREAS OF ROTATION:

We are redefining what a law firm can be. Working for some of the world’s most innovative organisations, our people go beyond the law. They are inventors, designers and pioneers – translating smart ideas into groundbreaking solutions.

Facebook

SUMMER CLERK INTAKE:

THE WORK:

RSS

White icons below:

Instagram

As the firm has such a strong brand and depth of experienced lawyers, I was able to work on complex transactions for the biggest national and international banks in my first rotation and some of the largest solar and wind energy projects in the country for my second. As a snapshot of my clerkship I prepared research briefs, drafted sections for government submissions and a UN paper, was invited to sit in on international teleconferences and worked on the development of anti-money laundering technology. It’s fair to say that I did “real” work. THE CULTURE:

In Competition China Law blog Insight blog

Spotlight on Safety blog

Asia Pacific | Europe | North America | Middle East

www.kwm.com Facebook

Twitter

WeChat

Google+

Weibo

RSS

Instagram

A highlight of my summer was a trip to the Salvos Humanitarian Legal Centre in Lakemba with my buddy. KWM sends lawyers each week to provide pro bono legal advice on a range of criminal, immigration, family and tenancy issues. I was able to interview, research and provide (tentative) advice to a range of people who were in desperate need. THE SOCIAL LIFE: After the summer, I’m glad to count each of the KWM clerks as a friend. From Monday evening sport to Friday drinks and a trip to Palm Beach, there was always something going on! WHY I CHOSE KING & WOOD MALLESONS: I chose the firm because it felt right. I was in awe of the work the firm does in the Fintech space and the way KWM is positioning itself for the future. The size of the firm means that the partners and their teams can offer a degree of specialisation unmatched by others. For example, I’m passionate about renewable energy, so I chose KWM so I could get involved in the wind and solar projects within the Energy & Resources team. WHO WOULD I RECOMMEND A KWM CLERKSHIP TO: Everyone! There is no KWM type! The nervousness of my first day was quickly abandoned as I came to appreciate real diversity in the summer clerks and the firm as a whole. Anyone who is excited by complex deals, respected clients and a great work culture should begin their career at KWM.

My favourite part of the culture was the “have a go” mentality of senior lawyers and partners. I was encouraged to “have a go” at drafting terms for a renewable energy deal and to “have a go” at a derivatives opinion. I was then able to sit down with someone more senior, receive some tips and ultimately, have another go. This meant that I was able to get involved in real legal work normally inaccessible for junior lawyers, all the while supervised by someone more experienced.

White icons below:

Visit our Facebook page facebook.com/KingWoodMallesons

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

B E C O M E KING & WOOD MALLESONS A little about what we have to offer Recognised as one of the world’s most innovative law firms, King & Wood Mallesons offers a different perspective to commercial thinking and the client experience. With access to a global platform, a team of over 2000 lawyers in 27 locations around the world, we work with clients to help them understand local challenges, navigate through regional complexity, and to find commercial solutions that deliver a competitive advantage for our clients. Always pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved, we are reshaping the legal market.

KEY STATISTICS • 27 offices globally; • One of the largest international legal networks in the Asia region with 500+ partners and more than 2000 lawyers; • #1 global brand in Asia and #14 global legal brand *; • Our clients are a mix of global financial and corporate powerhouses to the new industry-makers and all levels of government (some for over 200 years); and • We are the only law firm able to practice Australian, PRC, Hong Kong and English law under one integrated legal brand. *Source: 2016 Acritas Sharp Global Elite Brand Index and 2016 Acritas Asia Pacific Law Firm Brand Index

REGIONAL PRESENCE The King & Wood Mallesons network extends across the following regions: • Asia Pacific (Australia, Mainland China including Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore) • Europe • Middle East • North America

OUR PROGRAMS SEASONAL CLERKSHIP PROGRAM

Applications open: 15 June 2017 Applications close: 16 July 2017 How to apply: Via our online application system at

kwm.com/careers

We offer clerkships so that you get 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. We’ve designed a program to help you make the most of your time with us. During your clerkship, you’ll learn: • The day-to-day skills to get you started – taking instructions, meeting with clients, drafting memos and documents, managing your practice and professional relationships. • The core practice teams at King & Wood Mallesons – who they are, what they do, how they’re structured, the clients they work for, and of course, your role within them. • Our culture – working within your team, you’ll be exposed to (and encouraged) to get actively involved in the many activities and events that help create our unique culture. • Our people – you’ll find that people from every part of the business will help you along, sharing their knowledge, and ensuring you have everything you need to fit in, and do well. Your role Clerks usually work in one or two different practice groups, depending on the length of the 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’ll not just be watching from the sidelines.

KELLIE MILDRED Graduate Resourcing Consultant, Sydney T +61 2 9296 3592 kellie.mildred@au.kwm.com

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

Our people have the opportunity to get involved in the many social and sporting activities that go on in the firm as well as the broader community in which we live. GRADUATE PROGRAM Our graduates participate in a targeted development program, we have a framework that cultivates valuable skills and that sets them up for success now and in the future. What you’ll learn The program provides a practical business foundation for junior lawyers. You’ll receive: • Meaningful work covering a wide range of practice areas • Client contact and an in-depth understanding of how they operate in a commercial and regulatory environment • The opportunity to work with a range of partners, senior associates and solicitors in different practice groups • A practical understanding of areas of our legal practice • A comprehensive knowledge of the firm, our technology, our resources, our processes and, of course, the people you’ll work with. As part of the Graduate Program, we also offer a Practical Legal Training (PLT) course with the College of Law to our Australian Law Graduates, ensuring that you meet the requirements for admission to legal practice. The program also promotes and supports the mobility of our staff across our offices by giving you the opportunity to apply to go on exchange in one of our interstate or overseas offices. Through this, you are able to access a greater choice and variety of destinations and on-the-job experience.

Our clerkship program is a great way to explore a career at Maddocks and experience working in a corporate law firm. We’re not looking for a specific stereotype. We’re looking for students with strengths and qualities that are compatible with our core values. To help us achieve this we use a blind application process when reviewing candidates. During your clerkship, you will build up an understanding of the firm and the kind of work we do, as well as what it would be like to be a graduate at Maddocks. We'll offer you hands-on, practical work. You will work closely not only with lawyers but with senior associates and partners, and you’ll have exposure to complex matters and clients.

Innovate Partner Gareth Jolly and Associate Cameron Loughlin after winning the firm’s national Hackathon for their new legal service app.

About MinterEllison

Our Clerkship program

At MinterEllison our aspiration is to be our clientsʼ best partner. Our large, diverse client base includes public and private companies, leading multinationals operating in the region, global financial institutions, and government and state-owned entities.

We typically take 60 clerks over two intakes – one in the summer and one in the winter. Our vacation clerkships offer you real-life work experience. A comprehensive orientation program and learning on the job will help you build your legal skills and commercial acumen.

We think beyond the law and apply a commercial approach and creative thinking to some of the regionʼs most high-profile transactions, projects and disputes. We draw on the extensive capability of our own office network and relationships with other leading firms around the world to deliver seamless service to our clients wherever they need us.

During our program you will:

Office locations Australia: Adelaide*, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin*, Gold Coast*, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney Asia: Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Ulaanbaatar New Zealand: Auckland*, Wellington* Europe: London *Associated offices that operate as members of The Minter Ellison Legal Group What does the firm look for in a clerk? You should consider a career at MinterEllison if:        

graduates.minterellison.com

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

Your passion for excellence leads you to winning solutions. You have what it takes to apply technical thinking through the prism of commercial advice. Building relationships excites you. You see yourself outside the office, working in partnership with clients. You think outside the box and embrace new ideas. You want to feel empowered and be part of a high performance team. Collaboration and inclusiveness are principles you value. The status quo bores you. You want to be part of something different. Youʼre looking for a Firm with a clear game plan.

ME_137594885_1

work closely with partners and lawyers on active matters  produce quality and meaningful work  participate in tangible learning & development activities and  attend social and networking events You will also be allocated a supervisor for daily support who will help you manage your workload, and a ʻbuddyʼ for extra insight and advice. 

Growth program At MinterEllison, your ongoing professional development is key to being our clients' best partner. We have a distinctive learning culture, where all of our people are encouraged to be their own career architect - learning through experience, exposure to others and program participation. During your career with us you will be exposed to great work, with top-class clients whilst being surrounded by supportive teams who are experts in their fields. This experience and exposure provides you with fantastic opportunity to continue to develop yourself and others throughout your career. How to apply for a clerkship? All clerkship applications should be submitted online via the careers section of our website. 

www.graduates.minterellison.com

Make sure you visit our website well before applying, there are plenty of useful resources including a timeline of critical dates for your location, tips on writing your CV and Cover Letter, and a preparation guide for your interview!

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

START YOUR CAREER WITH A LARGE START YOUR CAREER WITH AUSTRALIAN CORPORATE LAW FIRM.

A LARGE AUSTRALIAN CORPORATE LAW FIRM.

Notes:

We have a total of 530 people, including 84 Partners and more than 275 other professionals operating out of our offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Our industry coverage and client work is diverse.

WHAT OUR GRADUATES SAY ABOUT US “At Thomson Geer, I feel like I am constantly learning and developing. The senior members of my team take an active interest in mentoring their graduates and junior lawyers through open communication, providing feedback, and direct involvement in real work. Having the support of more experienced lawyers has helped me find my place within the firm and given me confidence in my legal career.” Miranda Nelson, Lawyer “During my time in the Graduate program at Thomson Geer I was given the chance to actively participate in many real work opportunities, just some of which included attending meetings with clients, experts and counsel, drafting court documents, attending court for the entirety of a trial and appearing in court. This work allowed me to develop my skills in many different areas and gain invaluable experience early in my legal career.” Lauren Abbott, Lawyer “After two years working in the Adelaide office I applied for a role in the Sydney office when a position became vacant. I was able to seamlessly change offices and live in a new city.” Venks Ananthakrishnan, Senior Associate

OUR CLERKSHIP & GRADUATE PROGRAM At Thomson Geer we are looking for law students who have excelled academically, are client focused, commercially minded, and work well in a team environment. We are especially keen to talk to students who have an additional technical degree! We offer a structured four week program where clerks learn through a combination of hands-on experience, training, coaching and observation. Students who complete a clerkship with the firm will be eligible to be considered for a position in the firm’s next graduate program, commencing in 2019. This program runs for 12 months and includes rotation among different practice areas to help determine the area of law which best suits you.

APPLICATIONS If your ambition is to develop a career in commercial law and you possess the drive to make your ambitions a reality, then we want to hear from you. If you also have a desire to work interstate one day, let us know! We welcome the opportunity to assist our team members with personal career development. Applications open 15 June 2017 via cvMail or the Thomson Geer website.

Thomson Geer @ThomsonGeer

www.tglaw.com.au

UTS Law Students’ Society, CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2017

© 2017 UTS Law Students’ Society This publication is copyright. Except where permitted under the Copy- right Act, no part of this publication may in any form or by any means (electronic or otherwise) be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any process, without specific written consent of the UTS Law Students’ Society. Enquiries are to be addressed to the publishers.