2014 e d i u g s r e e r ca
notre dame sydney law society
careers guide 2014
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2014 Careers Guide Editor & NDSLS Careers Director Dominic Rohde
2014 NDSLS Committee Executive Kathryn Whybourne, President
NDSLS Careers Sub-committee
Scott Rogers, Vice President
Maria-Rose Muli
Alexander Carlos, Treasurer Aleysha Azzopardi, Secretary
Design Alexander Carlos
Directors Dominic Rohde, Careers Director
Contributors
Julia Lavers, Competitions Director
Lauren Absalom
Caroline Michel, Education Director
Daniel Ang
Peter Gray, IT Director
Daniel Austin
Julia Allcock, Marketing Director
Natalie Baladi
Imogen Leighton, Publications Director
Rachel Bennett
Lauren Absalom, Social Events Director
Alexander Carlos
Rachel Bennett, Social Justice Director
Francisco Esparraga
Shelby van Ooran, Sponsorship Director
Caitlin Gallagher Antonela Josipovic
Sub-committees
Caroline Michel
Luca Morangiu, Careers Assistant
Scott Rogers
Maria-Rose Muli, Careers Assistant
Professor Gerard Ryan
Nicki Ayers, Competitions Assistant
Dr Keith Thompson
Christian Santos, Competitions Assistant
Kathryn Whybourne Aidan Williams
Year Representatives
Bonnie Wynne
Claire Longley, First Year Representative Sabrina Mobbs, Second Year Representative Elyse Di Stefano, Third Year Representative Caitlin Gallagher, Fourth/Final Year Representative Daniella Brown, Mature Age Representative
Copyright and Disclaimer Š 2014 Notre Dame Sydney Law Society This publication is copyright. Except where permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this publication may be reproduced or stored by any process, electronic or otherwise, without the express permission of the Notre Dame Sydney Law Society. The articles and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Notre Dame Sydney Law Society, the University of Notre Dame Australia, its affiliates or its employees. 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 relies upon it. The editor, authors and Notre Dame Sydney Law 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 2014 Careers Guide is proudly sponsored by:
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Contents 6 7 9
Foreword From the Dean From the President
11 12 12 14 15 16 18
The Various Application Processes Clerkship/Graduate Application Process The Application Process The Interview Process Using cvMail Professional Cover Letters The Perfect Resume
20
From Our Sponsor: King & Wood Mallesons
24 26 27
Interview Skills Individual Interviews, Group Interviews, and Cocktail Nights Interview Questions
28
From Our Sponsor: Clayton Utz
29 30
Qualifying for Domestic Practice Using Your Connections: Some Advice
31 33
From Our Sponsor: The College of Law Looking to get an edge? Develop your skills ...
36 38 40 42
Admission to the Bar Using Contract Law in Legal Practice International Postgraduate Study and Practising Overseas The current state of law graduate employment in australia
43 43
Career Options: Law Firms Employment Profile: Caitlin Gallagher, Whitehead Cooper Williams Solicitors
44
From Our Sponsor: Minter Ellison
46 47
Employment Profile: Scott Rogers, Watson and Watson Solicitors Employment Profile: Lauren Absalom, Maurice Blackburn / Formerly of McDermott & Associates, Solicitors
48
From Our Sponsor: Herbert Smith Freehills
50
Employment Profile: Antonela Josipovic, Jack Shand Chambers
51
From Our Sponsor: Allens
56
Employment Profile: Bonnie Wynne, Maurice Blackburn
57
From Our Sponsor: DLA Piper
59 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 70
Career Options: Non-Law Specific Careers The Public Sector Government Sector Opportunities for Law Graduates The Court Corporate Advisory and Professional Services Government Relations/Lobbying Investment Banking Insolvency and Corporate Restructuring Accounting and Taxation Clerkship Profile: Kathryn Whybourne, Cancer Council Graduate Profile: Daniel Ang, PricewaterhouseCoopers Social Justice
71 72
Graduate Employment and Summer Clerkship Programs Participating Law Firms 2014
careers guide 2014
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Foreword dominic rohde
careers director, notre dame sydney law society
The 2014 Careers Guide should be thoroughly read by
of the harsh statistics. Instead, use them to inform
all Notre Dame law students so that they may get a
yourself so that you may position yourself in the right
feel for what is to come if they are a first year student
ways to maximise your employment prospects.
or, if they are a penultimate or final year student, what their next steps might look like.
In writing this years Careers Guide I believe it is important to be honest about student life and
An informative document such as this cannot be put
attitudes. A question I know students ask themselves
together without the efforts of many people. I would
but rarely talk about, is: “but what if I don’t have
like to extend my gratitude to Kathryn Whybourne,
high ambitions to work at a top-tier law firm?”. It is
the Society’s President, for her support and guidance;
encouraging to know that some students are really
to Maria-Rose Muli who assisted me in research
determined to work at a top-tier law firm however,
and drafting; to all those who so graciously agreed
for those who do not, that is absolutely fine. Do not
to testimonials; and, to the rest of the Notre Dame
feel like you have to want to work at a big law firm or
Student Law Society for their support and tireless
that you have to want to be a barrister if you are to be
efforts within their respective portfolios. Thanks
a valued practitioner or even a legal academic.
must also go to the Notre Dame Law School and its staff, and the Dean, Professor Michael Quinlan,
That is why this Guide is here to assist you in
for directing a successful Law Programme at the
understanding the vast spectrum of law-related
University.
careers you can choose to pursue. Make some time to sit down and read this Guide and at some stage
In all that you do, preparation is key. For when
during your academic career you will reach a natural
preparedness meets opportunity, great things can
decision as to which way you go. It is your choice.
happen. That is the philosophy behind the Careers Guide - to assist in your preparation. However, it is not
Best wishes to all of you and God Bless,
all smooth sailing. The realities of the modern legal
Dominic Rohde
industry, in the knowledge that your determination and hard work will eventually persevere, must be respected. I have put together a section entitled ‘the current state of law graduate employment in Australia’. Please do not be daunted or disheartened by some
6 | notre dame sydney law society
From the Dean professor michael quinlan
dean, school of law, university of notre dame australia
I was very pleased to be invited to write a short message for the 2014 Careers Guide. One of the
As you all know, before taking my appointment as
things that I learned very early on in my time as Dean
Dean, I had the great privilege of working for over
of the University of Notre Dame Australia School of
23 years at the leading Australian commercial law
Law, Sydney (UNDA Law) is that UNDA Law has a very
firm Allens, where I was a partner for more than 14
pro-active, enthusiastic and engaged student society:
years. Like me, Associate Dean, Dr Keith Thompson,
the Notre Dame Sydney Law Society (NDSLS). The
Professor Gerard Ryan and Nicholas Augustinos
NDSLS exemplifies the drive for excellence exhibited
have all been partners of law firms and Professor
at UNDA Law through its many functions. The
Bernard Ryan, Anna Walsh and Jackie O’Brien (who
Society focuses on enriching the student experience,
will be teaching with us in the Winter Term) are all
operates an impressive website, runs competitions
currently partners of law firms. Like me, Nicholas
in mooting, client interview and negotiation and
Augustinos, Svetlana German, Richard Perrignon,
publishes a Student Guide, The Obiter newsletter
Michael Zammit and Jackie O’Brien have worked at
and this Careers Guide.
the firm now known as Allens and Assistant Dean, Prasan Ulluwishewa also has “big firm” experience
There are many examples of the work that the NDSLS
from his time at the firm now known as King & Wood
does for the students of UNDA Law but none is clearer
Mallesons.
than the work done in putting together Careers Week each year and assembling this very impressive Careers
In fact, everyone who teaches at UNDA Law has
Guide (which is now into its fifth year of production).
experience working, in Australia, overseas or both,
This weighty volume was produced entirely through
as a solicitor, barrister, judge or as a lawyer in
the hard work of the NDSLS so I cannot vouch for the
government, corporates or religious organisations. It
accuracy of everything that it contains but I can see
really is a place where you can “learn the Law from
that it must have involved a huge amount of work to
Lawyers”. This is key to our providing “an excellent
produce. I encourage you to read the material in this
standard of training for the profession” and that
brochure and to support the NDSLS. UNDA, UNDA
includes speaking with students about our own
Law and its students are very fortunate to have such
experiences in the profession, including at many of
a committed Law Society.
the firms that feature in the 2014 Careers Guide. All you need to do is ask.
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This Guide will assist you in understanding what a
might form the wrong impression about our entire
number of firms have to offer but it is only a start.
School. In contrast, if before you put in a Summer
Applying for a Summer Clerkship involves careful
Clerkship application, you spend time researching
research and planning. If you do decide to make an
the firm, you consider whether you really want to
application can I very strongly suggest to you that
work there and why and you put in a clear, well-
you speak with Darren Fitzpatrick, UNDA’s Manager
expressed application and you perform well in an
Internship Program (Telephone: +61 2 8204 4136;
interview, you are sending a really positive message
Email:
about the whole of UNDA Law.
darren.fitzpatrick@nd.edu.au).
Darren
can provide invaluable guidance in preparing CVs and cover letters. I would also encourage anyone
So keep that in mind as you consider whether or not to
interested in seeking a Summer Clerkship to
apply for Summer Clerkships and as you prepare for
participate in the mentoring programmes that UNDA
your interviews. You can really make a big difference.
Law offers.
Please help me to make our UNDA Law the best that it can be. Good luck.
Finally, I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that every student of UNDA Law is at least as
Professor Michael Quinlan
important as I am to the continued growth, success
Dean of Law
and reputation of UNDA Law. Because we are a
University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney
young Law School everything that anyone associated with the Law School does has great significance. This means that if you do put in an application for a Summer Clerkship or other employment with a law firm and your application is rushed and contains grammatical and spelling errors, partners in law firms
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From the President kathryn whybourne
president, notre dame sydney law society
The journey to finding the right career path for a law student is not always an easy one.
To the competitiveness of law school, I say, don’t
Already, whilst at law school we face an environment
mind anyone else but yourself. Listen to yourself and
often described as a highly competitive one. The
do not get caught up comparing yourself to what
degree alone is rigorous enough to make us at times,
your friends are doing or how well they are going. The
want to give up and pursue what we perceive are
race to your career is with yourself and nobody else.
easier career avenues. Additionally, research has
I truly believe that if you follow YOUR own instincts
shown that lawyers and law students exhibit higher
and values, then you will end up in the right place for
levels of psychological distress and depression than
you.
other people in the community of the same age and sex (a commonly discussed point in legal discourse
In light of clerkship applications approaching for
today).
penultimate year students, I would say to you that applying for a clerkship is a fantastic way to start a
Now I’m not a psychologist, but to me that all sounds
path to your career. Regardless of whether you are
like a pretty depressing backdrop on which to be
successful in attaining a clerkship or not this year,
pursuing a career.
the process will teach you A LOT about applying for jobs, interview skills, self-improvement and how the
Nevertheless, I would like to paint you a more
world works - these skills do not come easy, so you
hopeful picture. I believe that this path is more
might as well start now. If you attain a clerkship, you
positive than it is made out to be. This is because
are looking at a door that will open up one hundred
despite those statistics and despite some of the off-
more for you!
putting legal discourse, I have met and heard about so many lawyers and people in the legal profession
Choose a group of firms to apply to that you are
who absolutely love and are passionate about what
genuinely interested in (research them and try to
they do. This to me says that they must have done
talk to people who work there to find out more about
something right along the way!
the firm). Remember, do not be shy, the NDSLS are always here to help you at any step. Some of us have
Each one of them that I have met, made it clear that
gone through this already, so just ask if you need help.
you may not always find what you are passionate
Oh and one last word to clerkship applicants: avoid
about at the first instance, but that you have to
Whirlpool Forums during clerkship applications at all
always keep looking and be aware of the doors that
costs. You will see what I mean if you get too curious.
open around you.
Nevertheless, they are neither factual nor helpful.
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Some thanks should go to the people responsible for the work put into this Guide.
Lastly, in the spirit of the theme of Careers I would
To the Deans, Professor Michael Quinlan, Dr Keith
like to leave you all with a quote from Alexander
Thompson and Mr Prasan Ulluwishewa for your
Graham Bell,
ongoing support this semester. The NDSLS is privileged to be able to work with you this year to improve our law school. To Dominic Rohde, thank
“When one door closes, another
you for sweeping in on your white horse and tackling
door opens; but we so often look so
the position of Careers Director on such late notice.
long and regretfully upon the closed
To you Dominic and to our Careers Assistant MariaRose Muli for putting together this guide to educate our students about the variety of careers options
door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.�
available to them this year. Good luck in trying to unlock the doors ahead of you, and remember that the NDSLS is here with you every step of the way! Kathryn Whybourne
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The Various Application Processes Assembling and submitting your application for any
deadlines that close well in advance of your
career is important as it is the first impression you will
commencement date, often up to two years in
be giving to your potential employer. Therefore, it is
advance. The application process may be more
important to ensure the highest degree of attention
streamlined than that of domestic recruitment
is paid to your cover letter, resume, and any other
processes due to the geographical location of
documents you are submitting.
the firm and their Human Resources team. At a minimum, expect to submit a written application and be interviewed.
As a student-at-law, there are a number of paths you may choose to take for your career, each with a different application process:
•
Government
Departments
-
government
departments mainly recruit through graduate •
Domestic Law Firms - for penultimate students,
programs alone, with the application process
most domestic law firms offer seasonal clerkships
involving individual and group interviews,
which allow you to gain an insight into the
aptitude testing, and psychometric analysis.
practice areas, culture and daily operation of that firm. Seasonal clerkships are typically run from
•
Community and Social Outreach Organisations
December to February, with graduate positions
- such organisations often do not follow a formal
being offered based on the performance of each
intern or clerk program. Most welcome volunteer
seasonal clerk. Seasonal clerkships are offered
workers who are in their penultimate or final year
following a recruitment process which may
of study. Graduate opportunities are offered,
involve first and second round interviews, group
with such positions being advertised through
interviews or discussions, and social “mixers”
each organisation’s individual website.
or cocktail evenings. The clerkship process is competitive by nature, with thousands of law
•
Corporate Advisory and Consulting, Accounting
students across Australia vying for a select
and Taxation - most corporate firms run their
number of positions. For graduate students,
recruitment process from their own website.
many firms recruit graduate employees through
The application process may involve individual
their seasonal clerkship program, however this
and group interviews, broad spectrum testing,
is not the case across the board. It is best to see
psychometric
individual firm profiles and websites to gain
scenarios. Accountancy firms and investment
more information.
banks will often run both a seasonal clerkship
analysis
and
problem-based
program and offer graduate positions, whereas •
International Law Firms - international firms, or
management consultancy firms tend only to
domestic firms that have an international office,
offer graduate positions.
also offer seasonal clerkships and graduate opportunities. Such opportunities often have careers guide 2014
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Clerkship/Graduate Application Process The Application Process Most middle-top tier firms will open their applications
3. Aspire but be realistic – A lot of people choose to
towards mid-June and will close from mid-July to
hedge their bets and make applications to every
early-August. However, it would be wise to research
firm in the country. This may work for some but for
firms you are interested in as the above dates are not
others it will be their downfall. Be realistic about
always the norm and some firms, particularly smaller
the time you have to work on your applications.
suburban firms, will have alternate dates.
It is better to write two stand-out applications than several mediocre ones. Consider the time
It is very important to start your applications as soon
you need to put into researching each firm and
as you can because each individual application takes
whether you can actually see yourself working at
a considerable amount of time to complete. You do
the firm you’re applying to.
not want to miss out on a job you were after because you ran out of time the night before deadlines closed.
4. Cover letter – One of the first impressions a firm will have of you is when they read your
1. Obtain a list of all firms offering seasonal
cover letter. Keep it succinct, clear and include
clerkships – the official clerkship list (page 70)
something unique about yourself. You should
will give you an indication of your options. The
have a separate cover letter for each firm you
list will also be a starting point for your clerkship
apply to. Be sure to include some research you
research.
have on the respective firm you are applying to. For example, ‘I am quite interested in your
2. Research thoroughly – research you do on
firm’s pro bono work, because I have worked as
firms will make an immediate impact during the
a volunteer in XYZ legal service for the past year.’
interview stage. Firms look for applicants who can
Firms make money from paying clients and do
confidently articulate why it is they would like to
pro bono work as a service to the community.
work for them - the first question the firm will ask
They are in business to make money so you may
is: “Why us?”. Know what areas of specialties the
want to emphasis your experience and skills
firm has that best suit your interests, be versed
which will help them do that before you mention
in their individual clerkship procedures, and be
an interest in pro bono.
able to discuss issues such as the firm’s pro bono work and recent cases.
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5. Resume – you can generally keep the same resume for every application you make though it is important to remember that your resume is an impression of yourself and can help you get your foot in the door so spend time perfecting it. The resume section on page 18 may be of help to you. 6. Academic transcript – you will need a copy of your official university transcript. Notre Dame generally has a quick turn around on requests for transcripts (2-3 days average). Be diligent and get in early, as there may be delays if a large group of students request transcripts at the same time. Transcripts can be ordered at a cost of $12 from Student Administration. 7. Applications – be informed and research how each firm requires your application to be prepared. Some will ask that you use cvMail (page 15), others will stipulate that you should apply through their website and others, particularly suburban firms, will ask that you apply via post or email.
Useful tip: Take note of what you say in each individual application so you can review it before each interview.
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The Interview Process
questions, examples of which include “tell us
After waiting in limbo for weeks you will begin
about a time you had to meet a deadline, how did
to discover whether you have been successful in
you cope with that?” or “tell us about a time you
obtaining an interview. If you do not obtain an
dealt with a conflict?”. Firms ask these questions
interview do not despair. Firms have particular
so they can figure out how you behaved in the
attributes and skills they are looking for and you are
past, as they believe this will give them some
competing against a huge number of applicants. If
insight as to how you would behave in a future
you do not get an interview with one firm thats not
working environment. Make sure you review your
say that another firm won’t be interested in you.
original application before going to the interview as some interviewers like to re-ask the same
If you do obtain an interview there are a number of
questions to see if your response has changed.
steps that may be involved: 3. Second Round Interview: You will probably 1. Cocktail Evening: some firms will have a cocktail
have to wait one or two weeks after your first
evening before your first interview, some may
round interview before finding out whether you
have it after the second interview, and some may
secured a second round interview. Whereas the
not hold one at all. If you are invited to a cocktail
focus of a first round interview is to find out
night there are a few things you should know.
about your personality, the focus of the second
Firstly, it is a business event so business attire
round interviews is usually to find out how suited
is compulsory. If you do not read the Financial
you are to the firm. Expect questions about what
Review, Lawyers Weekly, the Economist, or the
areas of law you are interested in, why you picked
newspaper business pages, it is a good idea to
certain electives (especially if these electives do
start right away.
not reflect the type of law they do) and questions about what rotations you would want to do if you
Secondly, this is not an interview. The purpose
were successful in obtaining the clerkship.
of a cocktail night is not for firms to evaluate you, but more for you to gain an insight into the
The Big Day
culture of the firm. Talk to as many people as
Finally, after months since your original application,
you can, do not drink too much and (if you have
the day will come when you find out whether you were
a cocktail evening before your interview) try and
accepted into a clerkship. You will generally have five
gather some information which you can use in
days to either accept or decline your clerkship, so if
your interview, especially in preparation for the
you are fortunate enough to be offered more than
question “so why do you want to work with us?”
one, there is time to contemplate which one you will accept.
2. First Round Interview: First round interviews are usually all about the firm getting to know your
If you are not offered a clerkship, do not despair. Law
personality. You should expect behavioural type
opens doors to a lot of varied opportunities.
14 | notre dame sydney law society
Using cvMail natalie baladi
unda law graduate, 2013
cvMail is an online job application system specifically
If you want to leave the application process, cvMail
designed for linking law firms with those applying for
allows you to save the step that you are up to.
seasonal and graduate positions in Australia and the UK.
cvMail is also a useful tool in facilitating emails between firms and applicants, and scheduling
The first step in using cvMail is to register. All you need
interviews. cvMail saves your previous applications
to create your personal file is to enter your personal
and has a useful resources section that can be
details. The next step is to fill out your academic
referred to.
details. This is basically your education history – where you attended university, what qualifications you have and the subjects you have completed. Now you are ready to begin applying. Using the application manager, you need to enter which State you wish to practice in and the system will bring up a list of firms that are offering positions. After choosing the firm you wish to apply to, you need to upload your CV and application form. Please be aware that some firms also have a list of questions that you need to complete in addition to uploading your CV and application form. It is very important to research the firm you are applying for – this could just be knowing a handful of cases that some of their teams are working on. cvMail has a page of useful links to assist with this research. The research will help during the application process and also if you proceed through to the interview rounds.
careers guide 2014
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Professional Cover Letters aidan williams
unda law graduate, 2013
A cover letter should summarise, in a page, your CV
3. Tailor the cover letter to the particular firm. This
in a way that makes you stand out, in order to secure
can be done in a single paragraph, perhaps near
you an interview. Here are some practical tips for
the top of your letter so it stands out (remember,
putting together highly professional cover letters.
recruiters only skim read your letters), as well as a passing reference at the end of the letter. In that
1. Do your own research. There is no substitute
early paragraph mention a few reasons why you
for synthesising from a multitude of informed
are applying to that firm. They want applicants
sources and opinions. There is a plethora of
who are interested in them; having to hire
information available. For example:
another graduate because the previous graduate wasn’t actually passionate about the firm is an
•
Maurice Blackburn’s Top 10 Tips - www.
expensive exercise, so firms want to see that you
mauriceblackburnnsw.com.au/media/1339248/
are in it for the long haul.
application-interview-top-10-tips.pdf • •
Allens’
Tips
-
This process is vitally important in testing
www.allens.com.au/careers/
graduates/apply/tips.htm
whether you really want the job, or whether you
My Career’s database of articles - content.
are simply applying because of peer pressure. If
mycareer.com.au/advice-research.aspx
you don’t know why you are applying (meaning you don’t want the job) then you have two other considerations to make:
It is expected that you adhere to formalities of letter writing, including your personal contact details, date, the recipient’s title and address,
•
“I need to think of where else I should actually apply, where I will enjoy working”; or
subject heading and sign off. •
“Damn, I need to get motivated!”
2. Similarly, ask for feedback on your drafts from people whose opinions you respect. You might
There are common themes and reasons for
also ask successful peers and friends who’ve
applying to a firm, such as their:
gone before you for copies of their cover letters.
•
quality of client base;
Other people are generally effective proof
•
nature, quality and size of their work;
readers because they have more of an objective
•
legal expertise, particularly in areas of law you are interested in;
perspective. It is also a good idea to print your cover letters for proof reading, since it is much
•
not worked to death);
easier to miss spelling, syntax and grammatical errors on a computer screen!
16 | notre dame sydney law society
friendly and down-to-earth culture (read: you are
•
culture of innovation; and
•
commitment to pro bono.
Firms themselves try really hard to be unique, so
rich insights into dispute resolution principles
project back the language they use. For example,
and practice, and will enable me to fit in quickly
DLA Piper’s:
as a summer clerk. My diverse responsibilities have included drafting letters and contracts,
•
“culture of flexibility and individuality”; and
legal research, client interview, negotiation and
•
“serving clients wherever in the world they do
advocacy in court, amongst other tasks which
business - quickly, efficiently and with genuine
have all been invaluable to improving my passion
knowledge of both local and international
for the law”.
considerations”. Maybe have a paragraph on: This is particularly important because big firms
•
work experience;
often receive 600 or more applications for the
•
extracurricular activities (including community service); and
same 10 positions. Some firms screen cover letters electronically, looking for key words!
•
academic achievements.
Finally, demonstrate how you did your research
Here is an important point to note. As aspiring
(through research, conversations with people
lawyers - servants of justice and with specific
from the firm, careers events), further proving
regulated ethical obligations - lying in an
your interest in them.
application letter or CV is a serious breach of ethics. It is not just a ‘white lie of no consequence’
4. Highlight some of your achievements and make
– it is contributing to professional misconduct
explicit how these would help you in the job you
and may mean someone more deserving than
are applying for. Drawing conclusions about
you misses out on the job.
particular achievements for the reader (who is skim reading 600 or more other letters) will assist
5. Include a bit of colour, and perhaps a border and
your chances of standing out. Compare the two
an interesting font, to stand out. This is advisable
paragraphs on work experience:
only if it adds flair and style to your cover letter but it should not detract from the substance of
•
“I have vast experience from mid-tier law
your cover letter.
firm X and the general practice Y Lawyers. My responsibilities have included drafting letters
6. Putting together applications is like an additional
and contracts, legal research, client interview,
university subject. It is a lot of work so writing
negotiation and advocacy in court”; and
applications the night before deadlines close is definitely not a good idea.
•
“I believe my experience at mid-tier law firm X and the general practice Y Lawyers has provided
Best of luck! careers guide 2014
| 17
The Perfect Resume aidan williams
unda law graduate, 2013
A resume (aka curriculum vitae, CV) is a document, usually two pages, detailing your background in work
5. Core Competencies (aka key strengths or skills
and activities to date, so far as they qualify you for
profile) can be a good next heading. Think
the job. There is no consensus as to layout or what is
hard about what your strengths are, bearing in
included, but here are a few suggestions:
mind that you may be asked to back it up with examples in the interview. Choose three or four.
1. Research and ask for feedback - see points 1 and
Try and tailor these to the particular firm/role
2 in the article on writing cover letters. The more
you’re applying to. As per point 3 in the article on
feedback, the better.
cover letters, each firm tries to be unique. Use the language they use to describe themselves/who
2. Whatever style you use, ensure the formatting is
they want to hire.
uniform and allows for easy reading. Some colour (in borders, headings and subheadings) and a
6. Career Objectives is another possible section.
unique font is attractive. Small writing size might
Obviously, align these with the job/firm. You can
be necessary. Symmetry is desirable. Having to
be honest and talk of seeking a clerkship “with
leave some empty spaces is better than having
a view to a long-term career” with a firm, even
to squeeze in long sentences and less relevant
though you aren’t 100% sure you would stay for
information.
the long haul. Be short and to-the-point.
3. Whilst there is no consensus as to heading
7. Employment History may be listed according to
format, carefully consider carefully how to word
most relevant (as opposed to any chronological
headings in order to emphasise your strengths.
order).
For example, you might have community service
description, relevant skills learnt and any major
experiecne, so you might show it off as under
achievements. Spend more time on the more
a heading: “Leadership Experience”. Or, if you
relevant. Consider breaking into two sections:
have some impressive academic achievements,
“Legal Work Experience” and “Other Part Time
include this in a heading of it’s own - “Academic
Work”.
Achievements” - instead of including these under the general description of “Education”. 4. It might be a good idea to emphasise your FULL NAME in capitals at the top of the letter, then include other contact details, for ease of reference.
18 | notre dame sydney law society
Each
job
may
include
a
short
8. For other miscellaneous awards and honours
10. Under “Referees”, you might only have room to
from extracurricular activities, consider including
say “Available on request”, which is fine. This
a heading “Other Awards and Honours”. This
section is great for dropping names.
might include involvement with university societies and competitions (eg, Semi-finalist
Note, firms may require full contact details be
in Clayton Utz Negotiation Competition, 2012),
provided at some point in the application. You
sports teams (eg, Champions, Hornsby Premier
might use (after asking permission):
League), community groups (eg, NSW Fire Brigade) or, personal initiatives (eg, Organiser of
•
related to you;
Lan Party for 300 people). The sky’s the limit. Since law firms so often ask about it in their application process, it would be a good idea
impressive people who know you, but are not
•
lecturers;
•
previous employers, managers (even who may have left your current job) or work colleagues.
to include a “Societies and Contributions at 11. Try and include your name on each page in the
University” heading.
header or footer, in case the pages get separated. It can actually be quite hard to think of all your
This shows attention to details.
achievements over the years. So, get started on your draft asap, and you will think of things to
Good luck!
add over time. 9. A sentence in “Other Interests” will demonstrate you
are
a
well-rounded
student,
with
interpersonal appeal. They may also provide talking points during the interview, especially if you have hit upon one of the interests of your interviewer!
careers guide 2014
| 19
King & Wood Mallesons from our sponsor
King & Wood Mallesons is helping clients across the
We offer clerkships so that you get a clear picture of
globe to make smart choices to shape their future
what it’s like to be a lawyer at King & Wood Mallesons.
success. As a global law firm, over 2,700 lawyers
You’ll get to know our people, the way we like to work,
in 30 international offices are cutting through the
our culture, practice areas, clients and more. For
challenges facing business and providing commercial
many, the clerkship is the first stage of continuous
solutions that are transforming the way legal services
development at King & Wood Mallesons.
are delivered.
Our ability to connect emerging
opportunities with market leading capability is pushing the frontiers of what can be achieved connecting Asia to the world, and the world to Asia. And, we want you to be part of this story.
Details of the Seasonal Clerkship Program We’ve designed a program to help you make the most of your time with us. During your clerkship, you’ll learn: •
instructions, meeting with clients, drafting
Here is a snapshot of what we offer:
memos and documents, managing your practice
Vision: to create a global law firm, headquartered in Asia
and professional relationships. •
they’re structured, the clients they work for, and
Reputation: over 100 international and Asia-focused
of course, your role within them. •
inbound and outbound China investments
international offices and the only global law firm network to be headquartered in Asia Clients: from global financial and corporate powerhouses to blue-chips, pioneers and decision makers across the globe (some for over 180 years)
Our programs Summer clerkship program Applications open: 18 June 2014 How to apply: Via our online application system at kwm.com/careers
20 | notre dame sydney law society
Our culture – working within your team, you’ll be exposed to (and encouraged) to get actively involved in the many activities and events that
Locations: strategically positioned in the world’s growth markets and financial capitals with 30
The core practice teams at King & Wood Mallesons – who they are, what they do, how
Colleagues: over 550 partners and 2,700 lawyers
awards and 50 top-tier rankings, the go-to firm for
The day-to-day skills to get you started – taking
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
The program also promotes and supports the
groups and you’ll work closely with the partners,
mobility of our staff across our offices by giving you
senior associates and solicitors in that team. It’s a
the opportunity to apply to go on exchange in one
hands-on role, so you’ll not just be watching from
of our interstate or overseas offices. Through this,
the sidelines. During your time in the team, you’ll
you are able to access a greater choice and variety of
be involved in telephone conversations, meetings,
destinations and on-the-job experience.
client visits and the deals the team is working on. Every clerk receives feedback. Informal feedback is also provided on the job from partners, senior associates or solicitors talking you through the work you do. 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.
What do we look for? If you relish the prospect of working in a dynamic team, learning from experts at the top of their game and being involved in cutting edge legal work, you’re just the sort of person we’d like as a King & Wood Mallesons clerk or graduate. You’ll be able to demonstrate a real interest in, and perspective of, commercial law. And we’d hope you would be excited by the opportunity to step outside
Graduate Program
your comfort zone, develop new skills and working
Our graduates participate in a targeted development
closely with leaders in their field.
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: • •
drive for what you do. We’re interested in your life experiences, interests outside of work, and the things you are passionate about.
practice areas
firm, so we’re looking for likeminded people who are
Client contact and an in-depth understanding of
a strong fit with the firm’s culture and our brand.
The opportunity to work with a range of partners, senior associates and solicitors in different practice groups
•
to events shaping the future, and having a genuine
We’re a friendly, approachable, and down to earth
environment
•
law. It involves work-life balance, being switched on
Meaningful work covering a wide range of
how they operate in a commercial and regulatory •
Being a great lawyer is more than simply knowing the
A practical understanding of areas of our legal
The qualities we value are commitment, passion, teamwork, and the motivation to think differently. Clients are looking not only for superior technical knowledge, but also people who are great to work with and unafraid to push the envelope.
practice
You’ll work in an environment that will challenge
A comprehensive knowledge of the firm, our
your mind and technical capabilities, supported with
technology, our resources, our processes and, of
a strong team culture to help you succeed.
course, the people you’ll work with.
If this sounds like you, arrange to talk to one of our
As part of the Graduate Program, we also offer a
graduate resourcing consultants or find out more by
Practical Legal Training (PLT) course with the College
visiting our website, www.kwm.com.
of Law to our Australian Law Graduates, ensuring that you meet the requirements for admission to legal practice.
careers guide 2014
| 21
Think Law When you think of a law firm, what springs to mind? Grey and boring, heads stuck in legal books, and lots of ‘same same’ with no different.
Think Again. Growing the future lawyer. We see your personal excellence – whether it be technical brilliance, client impact or leadership – and empower you to be your best self. You’d be right in thinking this is an inspired choice to build a career with a global firm that’s going places.
Think Law. Think Again.
www.kwm.com Asia Pacific | Europe | North America | Middle East Visit our Facebook page facebook.com/KingWoodMallesons
22 | notre dame sydney law society
Think Again If you believe the road ahead is already mapped out, a new direction awaits. With a role that gets you in the thick of it, shaping the future for business, and making a real difference.
Think Law. Whether it’s the path to partnership, or a partnership with clients that excites you, there’s plenty here to grab your attention. Being a lawyer is about more than just knowing the law - it’s about having more than one perspective, a hunger for innovation, and an ability to simply enjoy the moment. You’d be right in thinking this is an inspired career choice with a global firm that’s going places.
Think Law. Think Again.
www.kwm.com Asia Pacific | Europe | North America | Middle East Visit our Facebook page facebook.com/KingWoodMallesons
careers guide 2014
| 23
Interview Skills maria-rose muli
careers assistant, notre dame sydney law society
Attending an interview can illicit a variety of emotions;
Whilst your cover letter, CV and transcript are
you will probably be nervous at the prospect of trying
important aspects of the selection process, they
to sell yourself without looking foolish, and you
do not always provide an accurate representation
will be relieved that you have been selected out of
of your skills. There are other matters that cannot
hundreds and sometimes thousands of applications.
be dealt with on your resume or CV. For instance, a leave of absence from your studies, significant time
An interview is your biggest opportunity to secure
gaps between jobs or perhaps even lower marks in
a job. Although cover letters, aptitude tests and
particular semesters; these matters can be addressed
other various forms of assessments provide some
at your interview. Even if the interviewer does not
information about your potential, an interview
address these issues, it is very unlikely that they
provides a potential employer with the most
have not noticed them. Being forthright will provide
information about what kind of employee you would
the interviewer with all the information necessary to
be.
make the best assessment of your capabilities as a potential employee.
Preparing for the interview Getting an interview means that based on your cover
Some employers conduct a phone interview first
letter, resume and academic record you have been
before inviting the applicant into their offices to meet
assessed as suitable to take on the advertised role.
with either a partner, senior associate or human
Start by giving yourself a pat on the back!
resources representative. Although every employer conducts interviews in their own unique way, they
Be prepared
to address and answer questions
usually begin with introductory or general questions.
regarding the following:
You may be asked behavioural or hypothetical
•
Cover letter
questions that uncover how you deal with different
•
Transcript results
situations in the workplace.
•
Experience
•
Extra-curricular activities and other transferable skills
•
Any other information provided on your CV or application
24 | notre dame sydney law society
useful tips
Employers want to know that you are a wellrounded person with the necessary skills to
•
Research the firm or establishment that
handle the role. When you are asked about
you are being interviewed by; make sure
your employment experience, your role in
you know their areas of expertise, overall
community service work, and other activities
structure and significant case histories.
mentioned on your CV, be sure to relate the
Interviewers are particularly impressed
skills you acquired to the job you are being
with meticulous research.
interviewed for. For instance, if you participated in a range of extracurricular activities whilst
•
transcripts just in case your interviewer
studying, point out that you can effectively
requests them.
manage your time and also work well with others. It is important to think about all the activities you have participated in both within and outside your academic life. Put together a list
•
Dress in business attire.
•
Arrive for your interview at least 15 minutes early.
•
initiative to self-start projects. There is an endless list of what you have to offer – the
•
Be confident but not boastful.
•
Communicate well by maintaining eye contact with the interviewer, asking for
key is to look back at all your experiences and
clarification where necessary and speaking
carefully extract all the transferable skills you
clearly.
have added to your repertoire. • It is very natural to get nervous before your
Clearly introduce yourself with a smile and a firm handshake.
of skills that you have acquired. For example: problem solving, customer service or even
Pack your CV, application and academic
Pause and think about your responses before you give them.
interview. The best thing to do is be well prepared so that you can present yourself in the best light possible without letting your nerves take over. As daunting as it may seem, be yourself as interviewers can usually tell when a candidate is not being forthright.
careers guide 2014
| 25
Individual Interviews, Group Interviews, and Cocktail Nights Individual Interviews
group setting. Group interviewers observe candidates
Individual interviews are the most common type of
in an effort to identify their particular personality
interview. They are usually conducted by a senior
type. Personality types include:
figure of the firm, such as a partner or director, as
•
The Leader – this person tends to take control of the situation. Whilst every group needs a leader,
well as a human resources representative.
it is important to take note of the other members Interviewers aim to determine:
of the group and ensure their voices are also
•
heard.
Whether you have a high level of communication skills;
• •
•
The Mouse – this person will shy away from
Whether you are an appropriate fit for the
discussion and go along with whatever has
organisation; and
already been said.
Whether you are confident in your skills.
•
The Diversion – this person will often divert conversation by complaining about the difficulty of the situation at hand.
In determining the above, you will be asked a number of questions. Behavioural-type questions
•
The Mediator – this person takes the middle
give the interviewer an indication of how you are
ground between the leader and the mouse.
likely to behave in real-life situations. It is important
In a group interview, it is best to become the
to be prepared for these types of questions, as being
mediator.
able to answer them quickly will demonstrate your confidence. You may also be asked questions about
Cocktail Evenings
the firm, and what particularly interests you about
A cocktail evening is an informal interview, it is
the work they perform.
important to maintain professional behaviour at all times. This means dressing in business attire, keeping
Group Interviews
alcohol consumption to a minimum and talking to as
Group interviews involve a small group of people
many people as possible. Though this is an informal
tasked with working together to solve a problem. Such
setting, it is still important to have researched the
interviews are popular in management, consulting
organisation/event you have been invited to. Be
and professional services application processes.
prepared to tell potential employers why you would
However, they can also be used in clerkship and
want to work for them. It is also crucial that you are
graduate recruitment.
aware of current legal affairs; people are more likely to want to engage with you if you have something
It is obvious that the overarching purpose of a group interview is to see how you behave and work in a
26 | notre dame sydney law society
interesting or relevant to talk about.
Interview Questions It is important to be aware of the different types of questions you may be asked. Thinking about
Career-Oriented Questions
potential interview questions beforehand will ensure
•
What areas of law are you interested in?
you are more readily equipped to answer them
•
Where do you see yourself in five years?
during the interview. Here are a few questions to get you started.
Behavioural-Based Questions •
Tell us about a time you had to deal with conflict
University-Based Questions
in the workplace. How did you deal with that
•
Why did you choose to study at Notre Dame?
conflict?
•
Why did you choose to study law?
•
Why did you choose to study (insert elective) as your elective?
•
Why did you fail (insert subject)?
•
Why were your marks significantly lower in (insert semester)?
•
•
Tell us about a time you had to meet a deadline. How did you meet it?
•
Tell us about an assessment that required you to conduct research. What processes did you use?
•
Give an example of when you have demonstrated leadership skills.
What was your least favourite thing about studying at university?
Firm/Organisation-Based Questions •
Why do you want to work at (place you have applied)?
•
What do you know about (place you have applied)?
•
Do you have any questions for us?
Personality-Based Questions •
Do you have any interests outside of work and university?
•
Tell us three things we wouldn’t guess about you from reading your application?
•
How would your current boss describe you?
•
What do you think sets you apart from other applicants?
•
What do you regard to be your strengths and weaknesses?
careers guide 2014
| 27
Want the inside scoop on landing a role at Clayton Utz? Find it on Facebook! 28 | notre dame sydney law society
www.facebook.com/ClaytonUtzCareers
Qualifying for Domestic Practice Academic Requirements The initial step to becoming a solicitor in Australia
When your practical legal training is complete, you
starts with the study of a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at
will be issued with a certificate.
an approved institution, or through completing the academic course provided by the Legal Profession
Admission to Practice
Administration Board (LPAB). A Bachelor of Laws
You will be eligible to practice as a solicitor in New
will involve study of core legal topics (known as the
South Wales upon making a successful application
‘Priestley Eleven’) alongside elective law units.
to the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board. This process involves obtaining character references,
Practical Legal Training
as well as demonstrating successful completion
Following attainment of the LLB, one must complete
of academic and practical requirements. Once
a program of practical legal training (PLT). PLT
admitted, you will receive a practicing certificate.
programs are available from specialist providers,
A further two years of supervised practice must be
such as The College of Law, or through some
undertaken before you may practice on your own
universities. The PLT program will ordinarily involve
accord.
the following components: Continued Admission •
Coursework - this component aims to develop the
Each year, a number of hours must be undertaken
skills essential to being a solicitor. These include
towards professional development. These hours
letter writing, client interviewing, drafting of
may be accumulated through attending seminars,
key documents, file management, and office
undertaking research, writing journal articles or
accounting.
presenting lectures. Again, if you work in a law firm, you will often be sent targeted material offering
•
Legal Work Experience - this component requires
you the opportunity to engage in this professional
a set number of days of work experience to be
development.
completed. •
Continuing Education - this component requires you to engage in continuing education which is required for your continued admission to practice. There are a number of providers of these programs, and often, when you work in a firm, you will receive targeted material covering this component.
careers guide 2014
| 29
Using Your Connections: Some Advice dr keith thompson
associate dean, school of law, university of notre dame australia
While there is no substitute for good grades when it comes to looking for a law job post graduation, if you
One more thing - while grades are important and can
do not win the University Medal, all is not lost. While
make the difference between win and lose when it
I have no figures to back up what I am about to say, it
comes to the interview merry-go-round with the big
is my sense that 4/5 jobs are not advertised. They are
firms, I observe that once you have two or three years
allocated according to the ‘who you know’ principle
actual law firm experience, it is no longer about your
rather than the ‘what you know’ principle. I have
grades when you apply for your next job. It is about
had five jobs in my legal career and I only applied for
what you can do; what you have learned to do. Then
one of those. The others all resulted from a personal
the new employer doesn’t have to spend money
contact or a referral.
training you. They get a ready-made fee producing lawyer. You therefore should not be too proud or too
That is why the mentoring program at Notre Dame is
daunted if you get some knockbacks.
so important. If your mentor likes you, they become committed to your success and a job placement
It is true that when one door closes, another opens.
is the ultimate proof that a mentor has succeeded.
Maybe you will have to work in a small suburban
Now of course they also help you work out exactly
or even a country firm to add that first two to three
what it is you want to do in the law, but they can also
years working experience to your CV, but if you
help you work out where and when and who. So as
then present your CV to a new firm or even to a
you ponder your options, you need to work out what
headhunter, you will find that there is a sea-change
contacts you already have. Don’t be afraid to exploit
in your employability.
them courteously but shamelessly.
30 | notre dame sydney law society
The College of Law from our sponsor
The College of Law – Your Legal Career Starts Here
Why do more graduates choose The College of Law over any other PLT provider?
What is practical legal training? The College of Law is the school of professional You’ve probably heard of Practical Legal Training
practice for lawyers in Australia and New Zealand. We
(PLT) but may not fully understand what it actually is
are not a university.
and when you need to do it. PLT is undertaken at the completion of your university studies. It is one of the essential steps to becoming admitted as a lawyer in Australia.* The program
So our practical legal training program is not the end of your university legal studies; it’s the start of your legal career.
is intended to equip you with the skills, practical knowledge and understanding of values needed to practise as an entry level lawyer so that you can quickly make a contribution to your workplace. Practical skills learnt include advocacy, drafting, client
interviewing,
negotiation
and
file
management. Completion of a PLT program ensures you have achieved the required competencies, which were developed by the Australasian Practical Legal Education Council (APLEC) and the Law Admissions Consultative Committee. The subjects and electives undertaken as part of a PLT program are stipulated by these bodies and are not chosen by the PLT provider. Completion of a Practical Legal Training program means you are eligible to receive your Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and seek admission as a legal practitioner.
We don’t treat your preparation for practice as a ‘tick the box’ exercise, and neither should you. Students who make the most of their practical legal training are serious about their career in law. Getting admitted to practice is not the end game; preparing for your career in law is. Our graduates speak highly of our PLT program because it is different in the following ways:
careers guide 2014
| 31
•
•
•
Our program is fully accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board: you can be
Upcoming Course Dates
confident of direct admission in NSW.
The College offers seven starting dates for full-time,
We offer the choice of full-time, part-time,
part-time and part-time evening courses throughout
part-time evening and full-time on campus
2014. Upcoming dates are:
courses with more than 7 start dates scheduled
•
5 May – full-time on campus
throughout the year.
•
19 May – online full-time and online part-time
Each program is tailored to the legislation and
•
7 July – online full-time, online part-time and
practice of NSW: employers know you have
•
part-time evening
been trained in the law and practice of your local
•
25 August - full-time on campus
jurisdiction.
•
15 September – online full-time and online part-
We offer you two separate weeks of intensive skills
training
covering
advocacy,
work
and business management skills and ethics
time •
1 December – online full-time and online parttime.
and professional responsibility. These are
•
transferable skills you can use in any career. The
More Information
remainder of the course is delivered online so
Read more about Practical Legal Training with The
that you can schedule study along with work and
College of Law www.collaw.edu.au/plt
family commitments.
You can also speak with our Student Services team
We make sure you meet your lecturer on Day
on 1300 856 111 or email enrolments@collaw.edu.au
1 and he or she will support you through the
*An alternative pathway to admission exists in Victoria.
program. The program is clearly structured and
•
•
you will know what you have to do, when and
Contact Information
how.
Address:
Assessments are practical and spaced through
Level 6, 159 Little Collins Street,
the program; no 3000 word essays, group
Melbourne 3000
assessments or formal written exams that
Phone: 1300 856 111
you might find in other university styled PLT
Email: enrolments@collaw.edu.au
programs.
Web: www.collaw.edu.au/plt
You automatically qualify for 2 subjects into our LLM (Applied Law) programs. When you are ready, this gives you a head start towards a more specialised qualification.
32 | notre dame sydney law society
Looking to get an edge? Develop your skills ... madeleine dupuche
lecturer, the college of law
Law school is mostly about information When you are at Law School you are pretty much
What skills do lawyers need?
focussed on substantive law. You are ‘learning the
The Competency Standards for Entry Level Lawyers
law’ in the sense of the case law and legislation in
were established by the Australasian Professional
relation to each of your subjects and you’ll leave Uni
Legal Education Council in 2000. They describe what
with a head full of legal information. But then what?
an applicant for admission to practice must be able to demonstrate at the point of admission. It is worth
Out in the real world you’ll need to work out what to
having a look at these to see what you’ll need to be
do with all that information. This is where Practical
able to do as a new lawyer. You’ll notice that these
Legal Training comes in. The key word in PLT is
standards are all about what you can do and they use
practical. It’s all about the practical application of all
descriptors such as:
that legal information. •
Assessing the merits of a client’s case
For example, in Civil Procedure you learn that rule 4.02
•
Initiating legal claims
of the Supreme Court Rules permits a party to a legal
•
Representing a client
proceeding to make an interlocutory application. In
•
Negotiating a settlement
PLT you learn how to actually make that application,
•
Advising and communicating effectively
what documents you need to prepare and file, how
•
Writing and drafting
to draft an affidavit and how to prepare and present
•
Generating solutions and strategies
your submissions to the court.
•
Time and file management
•
Acting ethically.
Are skills relevant before I graduate? Lawyers employ many skills in their day to day work,
These skills all have elements which you can start
so the sooner you can start to develop your skills the
developing now.
better. Your CV should ideally convey to a prospective employer that you are conscious of the skills you’ll need in practice and demonstrate that you are already developing those skills through work and other activities. Being able to talk about skills will also help you perform better in interviews.
careers guide 2014
| 33
Any legal experience is good experience
advocacy are examples of skills you can learn
Any experience you can get working in the law when
and you can improve via reading;
you’re at Uni is invaluable. Obviously the seasonal clerkships in the top and mid-tier firms offer excellent
•
Society of New South Wales as a student member
work experience, but working in a small firm or
and read their publications and attend the Young
volunteering at a Community Legal Centre will also
Lawyers events;
give you great experience, a taste of legal practice and start to develop your practical skills.
Keep up to date with the law - join the Law
•
Join the local lawyers association in your area, eg. Wollongong and District Law Society etc and attend their seminar evenings; and
What if I can’t get any undergraduate legal experience? Lots of law students find it difficult to get legal
•
Follow our Tip of the Week for New Lawyers on the College of Law Facebook page.
experience. This doesn’t mean that you can’t develop your skills in other ways. Here are a few ideas:
What if I don’t get a graduate position? A graduate position is just one entry point to a
•
•
Talk to any lawyers you know (relatives, lecturers,
career in the law. Don’t worry if you don’t get one.
family friends) about what they think makes a
Do a PLT course independently. We’ll teach you the
good lawyer;
skills you’ll need as a new lawyer. You’ll have fun and
Get a job that involves people management, organisation and problem solving (that’s most jobs these days) and really work on your skills in these areas;
•
Get involved in mooting, even if you are terrified of public speaking. You don’t necessarily have to get on your feet, you can do a lot of the background work, strategizing about how best to present your client’s case and writing submissions. This is what solicitors do, leaving barristers to actually present to the court;
•
Read skills books – drafting, negotiation and
34 | notre dame sydney law society
make some great friends and contacts. You can be eligible for admission with as little as 25 days’ work experience (you might find a short term role via the College of Law website) and then you can job hunt as a fully qualified practitioner, which is often a little easier.
Convenient
Employer Preferred 8 OF THE TOP 10 LAW FIRMS IN AUSTRALIA
70+ COLLEGE PLT COURSES THROUGHOUT
CHOOSE THE COLLEGE OF LAW FOR THEIR
GRADUATE PROGRAMS*
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careers guide 2014
| 35
Admission to the Bar daniel austin
fifth year law student, university of notre dame australia
If accredited as a NSW solicitor, having completed
examination periods.
a law degree with an approved institution and an accredited program of practical legal training, you
“Reader’s” Practicing Certificate
may seek admission to the Bar. Admission is a two-
Successful completion of the Bar Exam will avail
stage process entailing the writing of a Bar Exam
you a Practicing Certificate, subject to conditions,
which
qualifies you for a conditional Practicing
in your capacity as a “reader”. In this capacity you
Certificate of a Reader and thereafter, a year-long
will receive the benefit of professional training and
Reading Program that consists of a Bar Practice
tutelage under a practicing Barrister in a year-long
Course with the NSW Bar Association and exposure
“reading program”.
to practice under the supervision of a Tutor. Under this certificate, your right to appear as a The Bar Exam
Barrister is restricted to those times when you
The Bar Exam consists of three assessments, titled
are led by a barrister with a current, unrestricted
“Ethics for Barristers”, “Aspects of Evidence” and
practicing certificate. You also may not accept a brief
“Practice and Procedure for Evidence”. You must
from anyone who is not a solicitor unless a tutor has
pass all exams within a 10-month period in order to
provided written approval for you to accept a specific
receive a practicing certificate and admission to the
brief directly from a client.
Bar Practice Course. The term of the certificate will often lapse within the The pass mark for each examination is 75%.
one-year reading period, and thus will need to be renewed by applying to the Bar Association.
Registration as an examination candidate may be made to the NSW Bar Association. Registration
Finding a Tutor
details and study materials are available online, at:
As a prospective reader, you will have to arrange your
http://www.nswbar.asn.au/
own tutors by approaching either a set of chambers in your preferred area of practice or a practitioner
Each exam is offered twice a year. Registration for
whom you know through briefing or by reputation.
exams in June this year closes on 23 May 2014. All tutors may be found on the Bar Association’s A registration fee of $250.00 is payable. It is not
Statutory List of Tutors. This list consists of full-time
possible to transfer your registration to the next
practicing NSW barristers who have held a practicing
examination period once registered, nor is the fee
certificate for a continuous period of no less than
refundable; it is advised you plan your time well and
seven years, without being subject to conditions,
ensure you sit all three exams over no more than two
reprimand, caution or adverse finding.
36 | notre dame sydney law society
Prospective readers should select a few names from the list, contact the chosen barrister’s clerk, provide
The course fee is $3800.00. A BPC fee of $3,800 is
a current CV and arrange for an interview with
refundable (with a $100 administration fee being
the barrister. A list of tutors may be found online,
charged) if withdrawal from the course is more than
with contact details, names of prior readers and
30 days before the course commences. Applicants
their area(s) of practice, at: www.nswbar.asn.au/
providing less than 30 days notice of withdrawal will
findabarrister/index.php
be charged a $500 administration fee. Less than 10 working days notice of withdrawal receives no refund.
You may also benefit from contacting previous
You have no right of practice while undertaking the
readers. Their contact details are usually available
course.
in the barrister’s directory on the Bar Association web site or on application from the Bar Association’s
Reading with a Tutor
Reception.
Over the remainder of your 12-month reading program, you may appear if led by a barrister with
It is advised you seek two tutors rather than one
a current, unrestricted practicing certificate or
and that you begin this process six months prior to
with your tutors’ approval in respect of a particular
your qualification for a practicing certificate and
matter. Mandated reading with your tutor includes a
commencement of the reading year. This means
minimum of 10 days Criminal Reading and 10 days
you need to begin planning your reading year as you
Civil Reading in the first six months of your reading
prepare for your Bar Exam.
program.
Reading Program
On the conclusion of your 12-month reading program,
The 12-month reading program consists of a Bar
with the satisfaction of your tutor, you may apply to
Practice Course with the Bar Association and a period
receive an unconditional Practicing Certificate as a
of reading with a tutor.
NSW barrister-at-law.
The Bar Practice Course (BPC) is run through the Bar Association and is offered in August. The course focuses on advocacy, mediation and variations in practice across different jurisdictions. These aspects of practice are taught through lectures, workshops, court practice and discussions, which are subject to assessment and mandatory attendance requirements.
careers guide 2014
| 37
Using Contract Law in Legal Practice professor gerard ryan
professor of law, school of law, university of notre dame australia
As most students know, contract law is concerned
After gaining several years experience in a variety of
with the enforcement of promises between persons
areas of the law, I spent more than a decade doing
(whether natural persons or corporate entities).
legal work for clients in the electricity industry. Some
We look to the principles we learn in contract law to determine questions such as: •
Is there a contract and who is it between?
•
What are the rights and obligations between the parties (i.e. what are the terms of the contract and what do they mean)?
•
Have the parties complied with their obligations or have they otherwise been discharged (i.e. released)?
•
What are the remedies for breach of contract?
Contract law is relevant to most aspects of our personal lives – be it shopping, buying food in a
of my work involved what we called “regulatory advice” – that is, advising on the particular rules for engaging in certain behaviour in the electricity market. However, much of my work involved documenting business transactions in the industry – i.e. drafting and negotiating the contracts. Most of my clients were electricity generators, retailers and network operators. Some were government and regulatory bodies.
The types of contracts I drafted and
negotiated included: •
electricity derivative transactions (also known as swap contracts, hedging transactions and many
restaurant, catching a train or bus, renting or buying
other names) – these contracts involved each
a house or a unit, booking a holiday or taking out
party periodically paying an amount of money to
health insurance.
the other party (calculated according to various
Contract law is also relevant to most aspects of
mathematical formulae). The purpose of these
business as:
transactions was to allow each party to hedge
•
virtually every business transaction involves
against financial risks that they faced by having
entering into a contract – most business deals
to buy or sell electricity in a wholesale market
involve negotiating contracts to specify what
which had fluctuating prices;
each party will do; and •
•
most business disputes are contractual disputes – that is, whether or not the parties complied
power stations and wind farms; •
with their contractual obligations. Contract law can be described as providing the basic rules governing all commercial transactions. As a result, most lawyers require a good knowledge of contract law.
38 | notre dame sydney law society
construction contracts for electricity networks, joint venture agreements and shareholder agreements;
•
contracts to buy or sell electricity or to connect to an electricity network for the purpose of transporting electricity over that network; and
•
contracts to buy or sell various environmental
a bank and giving a mortgage or charge over
NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Certificates
property as security for repayment of the loan;
Common tasks for most of these contracts included:
• •
sponsorship agreements (e.g. for major sporting stars or sporting organisations);
•
building contracts – either residential (e.g. a new
commercial issues relevant to the client;
kitchen or bathroom or new or renovated home)
the need to set out clearly the rights and
or commercial (e.g. a new office tower, factory,
obligations of each party – using language that
freeway, tunnel or rail network);
was so clear that there would be little chance of a
•
dispute between the parties as to their respective rights and obligations; and •
employment contracts (whether for factory workers, office workers or major sporting stars);
the need to understand the industry and the nature of the goods or services involved and the
•
contracts which involve borrowing money from
credits (including Renewable Energy Certificates, and Green Power Rights).
•
•
a business; •
anticipating the things that could go wrong during the lifetime of the contract and allocating
contracts which involve the sale and purchase of contracts between the shareholders of a company which runs a business;
•
restructuring businesses by transferring assets
the associated risks between the parties. This
between various companies within a corporate
included determining the consequences of a
group;
party breaching its obligations (i.e. giving the
•
licensing intellectual property rights; and
other party a right to terminate the contract or
•
entering into an agreement to settle a dispute
just a right to claim damages). But it also included things like determining which party would bear the risks associated with changes in costs and changes in the regulatory environment.
(often called a deed of release). If you are committed to being careful and thorough, having an eye for detail, learning the law, improving your drafting, getting to know your client’s business
These generic skills can be applied to many different
(including what issues are important to your client)
types of contracts.
then the possibilities for interesting work are endless.
The types of contracts you might need to draft, negotiate or advise on in legal practice include: •
You have every reason to embrace the future with enthusiasm and confidence and have a long and rewarding career.
contracts which involve the sale and purchase of real estate (either the family home or commercial premises);
•
contracts which involve leasing or licensing real estate (either the family home or commercial premises);
•
contracts which involve the sale and purchase of goods (either between businesses or between businesses and consumers);
•
contracts which involve the provision of services (either between businesses or between businesses and consumers); careers guide 2014
| 39
International Postgraduate Study and Practising Overseas caroline michel and maria-rose muli
education director and careers assistant, notre dame sydney law society
International Postgraduate Study
authorities in other countries will require additional
Applications for international postgraduate study
study or examination. International postgraduate
will require some research.
study in law is usually a 2-3 year degree (Juris Doctor)
To get started, you will need to know:
or a 1 year Masters of Law (LLM). Some countries may
•
The degrees offered to international students;
also require you to complete a practical training or
•
The application process for each university;
pass a separate examination.
•
The price of international study;
•
Loan services available to students (if applicable),
General requirements
and;
England and Wales: Completion of an undergraduate
Admission requirements to practice law.
LLB or a postgraduate Juris Doctor (JD), as well
•
as practical experience; Australian degrees are Gathering this general information will assist
recognised. If you are already qualified and
you in identifying which institutions are the most
practicing, the first step is to register with the Law
appropriate to apply to given your particular
Society of England and Wales as a Registered Foreign
circumstances.
Lawyer. To be admitted and practice as a solicitor and barrister in this jurisdiction, you must go through
Practising Overseas
the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS). The
Thinking about starting or continuing your law
Law Society will determine which examinations you
career overseas? The prospect of working as a lawyer
are required to pass depending on your professional
in a foreign jurisdiction can be both daunting and
qualifications and experience. If you have completed
exciting. There are many opportunities for Australian
your studies but are not qualified for practice, you
lawyers overseas. Many Australian top-tier firms now
can enter the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). After
have foreign offices and partners in the Asia-Pacific
completing this, you can either undertake the Legal
region, the United States, the UK, Europe and the
Practice Course (LPC) if you want to work a solicitor,
Middle East. Knowledge about the requirements
or the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) if you
of working in foreign jurisdiction is becoming
want to work as a barrister.
increasingly important. Scotland: Completion of an undergraduate law In order to work as a lawyer overseas, it is often
degree, a Diploma in Legal Practice (one year),
necessary to have formal recognition from an
and a two-year apprenticeship together with the
educational institution of that country. Whilst your
Professional Competence Course (which lasts seven
Australian degree will be recognised, admitting
days).
40 | notre dame sydney law society
Canada: A Juris Doctor is the preferred educational
a person registered to practice an occupation
qualification to enter practice in Canada. In addition
in Australia is entitled to practice an equivalent
to this, you are also required to article and complete
occupation in New Zealand, and vice versa, without
the bar admission course. Articling involves
further testing or examination.
completion of a practical legal training program and work experience for a specified period of time
Hong Kong: To practice, you must complete a law
(generally ranging from nine to twelve months).
degree and the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws
Depending on your experience, you may qualify for
(PCLL). This course is taught at Hong Kong University,
a partial reduction or exemption from the practical
the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the City
legal training program. The ability to practice law is
University of Hong Kong. International graduates
regulated at the provincial level; requirements differ
may be able to demonstrate competence in the
between provinces. International applicants must
PCLL by passing relevant subjects in the ‘Hong Kong
apply to the National Committee on Accreditation
Conversion Examination for PCLL Admission’.
(NCA) for an evaluation of their legal credentials. Depending on your education and experience, you
United Arab Emirates: Australian degrees are
may be required to pass examinations in specified
currently recognized in the UAE. Graduates wishing
areas of Canadian law, or complete courses at a
to practice must complete additional units on sharia
Canadian law school. Once this is satisfied, you will
law required of all practising barristers in private
be issued with a Certificate of Qualification. You must
practice in the UAE.
then determine the province in which you wish to practice and apply to the relevant law society – some
Within Europe: Admission to practice law in Europe
provinces may have additional requirements.
differs from country to country. However, among European Union (EU) members, the Diplomas
USA: Professional admission in the USA requires
Directive states that those who have obtained a
successful completion of state bar examinations
license or diploma in one state can pursue the
(eligibility varies from State to State). States in which
profession in another state. Therefore, it is not
Australian graduates can sit bar examinations are
difficult for a law degree in one jurisdiction to be
Alabama, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oregon
used in another jurisdiction within the EU.
and Tennessee. In other states, such as California, graduates are required to undertake additional study
Whilst we have offered a brief description of the
at an American institution.
requirements for admission in foreign jurisdictions, it is essential to undertake further research as
New Zealand: To practice, you must hold an
requirements are always subject to change.
undergraduate
the
Contacting foreign universities can be a helpful start
Professional Legal Studies Course (5 months). Under
as they are equipped with first hand knowledge to
the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement
better guide you as an international applicant.
degree
and
complete
of
careers guide 2014
| 41
The current state of law graduate employment in Australia dominic rohde
careers director, notre dame sydney law society
Following are links to two articles from the Australian Financial Review that neatly outline the trends and
‘Oversupply leaves law students
statistics currently being observed within the law
without jobs’
graduate employment market in Australia.
Edmund Tadros, Australian Financial Review - 21 February 2014
It is very important to not let the dramatic headlines
Direct Link
depress your hopes. Whilst the articles do reflect realities, employment prospects for law students have never been stronger in the long term. Law firms, like any other firm or company, operate in ‘a market’ which is in a constant state of flux and contraction, generally according to the performance of the wider economy. Therefore, by educating yourself about these realities, it will become much easier to be able to position yourself within the legal industry to give yourself the best employment prospects possible. There is no stronger indication that Notre Dame Law Students are highly employable than in the second part of the second article - “Graduate employment lowest since records began” - which outlines the three most desirable qualities that employers seek in graduates. All three are front and centre of the Notre Dame ethos!
42 | notre dame sydney law society
‘Graduate recruitment lowest since records began’ Tim
Dodd,
Australian
Review - 19 March 2014 Direct Link
Financial
Employment Profile: caitlin gallagher
whitehead cooper williams solicitors
What’s your name? Caitlin Gallagher.
How do you manage to balance work and university? I try to use every little bit of time I have here and there
Where do you work?
to complete my university work. For example, I often
Whitehead Cooper Williams Solicitors.
do readings on the train to and from work. I am lucky to have a supportive partner, family and friends who
What are your day-to-day roles?
always encourage me to succeed.
I complete a range of tasks on any given day. It ranges from stamping the mail to preparing court documents
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
to exchanging contracts on behalf of clients. I often
I hope to have graduated and been admitted as a
prepare letters to clients, other solicitors and third
solicitor in NSW. I would like to either be practising
parties and I also do conveyancing work, such as
in a mid-tier or top-tier firm or using my commerce
property searches and eNOSes, regularly.
degree in a large organisation.
How did you get the job?
What advice would you give to current law students?
I asked a woman I had met on the NDSLS if her firm
Always be looking for opportunities to challenge
had any positions available and sure enough, they
yourself, gain experience and learn from others in
did!
the industry. Always be networking - you never know who might have an exciting opportunity for you.
What is the best part of your job? Seeing what you learn at university really come to life and being able to secure positive outcomes for clients. What is the worst part of the job? Seeing the stress clients suffer, and becoming so vividly aware of how brutal some people can be to others who are vulnerable.
careers guide 2014
| 43
ADELAIDE AUCKLAND BEIJING BRISBANE CANBERRA DARWIN GOLD COAST HONG KONG LONDON MELBOURNE PERTH SHANGHAI SYDNEY ULAANBAATAR WELLINGTON
Minter E llison’s clerkshi p progra m W hat att ributes will I n ee d to su c c e e d We look ? for ind iv i d u a ls who a Our law re passi y e rs d i splay pl onate a bout for it’s not enty of initiativ gi n g a c a bout w h a r e er i a e a nd a t u niversit tech nic n co m m e passion y you w e al achie r ci a l l a for doin nt to or ve m ent w. g t h ei r a nd co m y o u r b est. Fo backgro m it m ent W hat lea r us, u nd, but to b ein r nin g a rather y g part n d d ev e of our c ou r su p lop m ent erior olla bora trainin We’ll eq tive tea g will I r uip you m. e c t e o iv a e? chieve y includ i o u r b es ng sessi t t h rou ons desi gh a c o a n u nd e g ned to m prehen rsta nd i develop sive ori ng of et tech nic entation hical a al a bili progra m nd profe ties, re O u r se n , ssional s e a rc h ior law y r e skills a s p e rs a r e onsi bili nd ex perie passiona ty req u nc e – a ire m ent te a b o u nd they s. t shari work alo are lead n g t h ei ngside s e rs i n t r k nowle o m e of t heir fiel d ge a nd he b est d – m ea n i ng yo legal m By joini u get to i nd s i n ng Minte the busi r E llison’s ness. the pat clerkshi h to a h p progra ighly su m, you’l ccessful l put yo c a r e er Is t he d urself o in co m m uration n e r ci a l l a n d e aw. x t o d e ci p o s u r e de whet provide h er c o m d by t h m ercial e clerks hip enou law is f Our vac or m e? gh ation cl erkships work at c an be a Minter E 2 to 12 llison, w e ek p e orientat h a n d li n riod - g ion prog g t he t iving yo r asks our a m a nd o u a tast acu m en. n the jo law yers e of wha So ther b t ra i n u n d er t a k e t it’s l e is no i n g w ill ev er y d a ike to b etter w b u y. Plus i l a d y to dec y Find out o u a r co m preh l e ide whet gal skil what a d ensive h er c o m ls a nd c ay in th really l m e r ci a l o m m e r ci e life o ike http: l a a l w f i a s Minter E right fo //clerks r you! llison c hips.m in lerk is terellis W hat ov on.co m/ erseas o pportu n ities wi ll I hav With offi e? ces acro s s A u stralia, ra nge of in Asia c a r e er a nd i n opportu t he U K nities o – there’s ur clerk Each yea s a n d la no li m it r we off w y e rs c to the er a nu a n ex pl to enjoy m b er of o re. a two-we high-per ek place for m ing to work m ent in Australi in a for o u r Ho n g a n clerk eig n jur s t he o Kong offi isd ictio pportu n ce. This n whilst Our inte ity is a gre e m braci rnationa at oppor n g l t j h u e local tu nity nior law law yers culture. y er s e c t he c h a ond m ent nce to e progra m Hong Kon njoy a s a g office l i s x o m onth s gives ou – one of tint liv r you n g t he c o m i ng a nd er m e r ci a l Don’t ju working c st take apitals i n ou r our word of the w orld! for it v isit our M E A bro ad blog at http: //overse as.m inte rellison. co m
www.minterellison.com 44 | notre dame sydney law society
Every day, every person at Minter Ellison plays a vital role in helping clients to close deals, find solutions, resolve disputes, grasp opportunities and create value. You’ll work with and be mentored by some of the best legal minds in the business. We’ll offer you real work experience and help you to develop the legal and commercial skills you need to achieve excellence.
AbOut Minter ellisOn
Our services
We’re an Australian-based international law firm offering a full range of legal services to an impressive list of clients across Australia, in Asia and globally. Recognised for our clear thinking, our strong technical skills and ability to deliver practical solutions have led to our involvement in the Asia Pacific’s most innovative and high-profile transactions.
Global divisions Construction Corporate Dispute resolution Finance Human resources & Industrial relations Real estate Taxation Global industry sectors Energy & resources Financial services & Insurance Government Health & ageing Infrastructure Telecoms, Media & Technology
Real people achieving excellence For more information on vacation clerkships or the Minter Ellison graduate program please go to www.minterellison.com/careers
careers guide 2014
| 45
Employment Profile: scott rogers
watson and watson solicitors
What’s your name? Scott Rogers.
What advice would you give to current law students? Make as many connections as possible and use those
Where do you work?
connections. Don’t be afraid to walk into a law firm
Watson and Watson Solicitors.
with your resume and actually hand it to them. It shows initiative and helps them put a face to the
What are your day-to-day roles?
name. They also want you to have good marks so
Everything from general office duties, preparing
study hard!
briefs for counsel, research, appearing in court for mentions and filing in court. How did you get the job? Through a connection I made at uni. What is the best part of your job? Being able to put everything I’ve learnt into practice, and learning how to problem solve on my feet rather than having two weeks like you do for an assignment. What is the worst part of the job? Long nights on occasion but other than that there aren’t too many bad things about it. How do you manage to balance work and university? With great difficulty. I make the most of my weekends and only limit myself to one night of going out on weekends. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? As a solicitor working towards becoming a barrister.
46 | notre dame sydney law society
Employment Profile: lauren absalom
maurice blackburn / formerly of mcdermott & associates, solicitors
What’s your name?
What was the worst part of the job?
Lauren Absalom.
There isn’t one. Working is great, and really cemented that I had picked the right profession. The early
Where do/did you work?
part of your career is a time to realise every task is
Part time Paralegal at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers as
important, even if you don’t understand at the time.
well as a casual Law Clerk at McDermott & Associates,
Trust your mentor and you will find hindsight shows
Solicitors.
you just how important it is.
What were your day-to-day roles?
How do you manage to balance work and university?
Maurice Blackburn - Working on a particular medical
I keep a detailed diary and prioritise tasks early. I keep
negligence case that I have been given, going through
reminders well before deadlines. I try and stay on top
expert reports, looking at liability, causation and
of everything from week 1 and don’t overcommit my
particularising damages, drafting court documents
time (where I can avoid it).
and correspondence with other people. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? McDermott & Associates - Drafting and/or dictating
Working towards a specialisation and hopefully I will
correspondence
have settled into a good team in a firm that facilitates
and
court
documents,
court
mentions, and general administrative tasks.
a continual development of my skills. My current part time work is fantastic on this front and I believe
How did you get the job?
I have started my career in a great place. I’d also like
I offered to to do work experience at McDermott &
to have done my Masters of Law with a view to also
Associates for quite a while then they offered me
completing a PhD.
casual paid work when it became available. I applied for the position with Maurice Blackburn. I was
What advice would you give to current law students?
interviewed by an Associate and the Principal.
Listen. Listen to everything and keep in mind that you are at the very beginning of your career and the
What was the best part of the job?
people around you have a wealth of experience. Ask
Experience. The ability to associate actual work tasks
questions, your mentor will always be happy to help
with what we had been taught at uni has allowed me
you.
to see how to run a case, as well as understand the impact you can have on an actual client.
careers guide 2014
| 47
DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME AN EXCEPTIONAL LAWYER? We understand becoming an exceptional lawyer goes beyond technical ability and that at its heart, the business of law is based on human relationships. For us this means a culture built on creating exceptional working relationships with clients and colleagues. From the start of your career you will get to know our clients, understand their perspectives, and develop your ability to deliver insightful and commercially astute advice. Wherever you go in the firm, we’re confident you’ll be working with people who share the values we have worked together to define: a commitment to excellence, a collaborative approach, a desire to lead, and a focus on creating strong connections with colleagues and clients. Visit our website to meet some of our people and see what we mean herbertsmithfreehills.com/careers/ our-careers-film.
YOUR DEVELOPMENT Our success depends on the expertise, knowledge and unique perspectives of all our people. That’s why we have always placed such a high value on diversity. It’s also why we encourage you to explore different areas of law and decide how to shape your career. We will invest heavily in your development; through formal training, pro bono opportunities and the chance to work with inspiring people who are leaders in their fields. We will help you grow personally and professionally, in an environment where you can be your best.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR We are interested in who you are and the strengths you bring. We recruit employees from a wide variety of backgrounds who want to pursue a career in commercial law and who demonstrate qualities such as: intellectual curiosity, confidence, clarity of thought, a commercial awareness, a sense of the bigger picture, ambition to grow personally and professionally, and the capacity to develop exceptional working relationships with clients and colleagues. We have prepared some more detailed information on our website: herbertsmithfreehills.com/careers/ australia/graduates/applications
I chose Herbert Smith Freehills because of the people. I wanted to work with intelligent, motivated leaders in their field – people who were enthusiastic about what they did, but remained down-to-earth about their incredible successes. But at the end of the day, I wanted a firm that shared my values. Thankfully, Herbert Smith Freehills was exactly that.
CONTACT US
SIMON DICKSON VACATION CLERK 2013–14
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: herbertsmithfreehills.com/careers/ australia/graduates or contact one of our graduate recruitment team.
SYDNEY Leigh Dunlop
Graduate Recruitment Consultant Direct +61 2 9322 4792 graduates.sydney@hsf.com
BEATON RESEARCH + CONSULTING/BRW CLIENT CHOICE AWARDS 2014 Best Financial Law Firm (>A$200m) Best Professional Services Firm (>A$200m) STONEWALL Top 100 Employers 2014 (consecutively since 2009) ALB AUSTRALASIAN LAW AWARDS Corporate Citizen Firm of the Year 2013 Employee Health & Wellbeing Firm of the Year 2013
HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM
48 | notre dame sydney law society
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BE PART OF A GLOBAL TEAM
SEE
THE BIGGER PICTURE
DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE AN EXCEPTIONAL LAWYER? Our clients need exceptional people to help them thrive in a world defined by change and complexity. They need people who are intellectually curious; who are able to advise with clarity and originality; people who believe that the business of law is based on human relationships. Bring those qualities, your energy and your ambition and we'll offer you international opportunities, challenges and responsibilities only a leading global firm can provide. We offer an environment built on support and collaboration, where high performance is recognised and rewarded, and where you'll be inspired and mentored by leaders in their fields. We see a fascinating and exciting future for the business of global law. Do you? HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM/CAREERS
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Employment Profile: antonela josipovic jack shand chambers
What’s your name?
gaps (and there always are), I will dedicate that time
Antonela Josipovic.
to work. As a result, I will often spend half of my days
Where do you work? I work at Jack Shand Chambers for Dennis Wheelahan QC.
at work and the other half at uni. This ensures that I am not wasting any time. Ideally, I like to be able to fit uni and work within the timetable period (i.e. within however many days I need to be at uni). That way,
What are your day-to-day roles?
I can maximise my free time. Currently, by fitting in
Conducting research, writing research papers,
work and uni from Monday to Wednesday, I have the
opinion papers and summaries of expert reports and
remaining four days off to focus on assignments.
organising briefs.
Another way I balance work and university is by
How did you get the job?
scheduling all of the time I will spend on uni work. So
I was offered the job whilst attending another
for example, this semester I have dedicated each four
Barrister’s birthday party.
day break (Thursday-Sunday) to one assignment.
What is the best part of the job? The best part of my job is being able to apply my legal knowledge to real-life scenarios. The industry experience is invaluable as I am constantly utilising my writing and legal skills to solve problems. I am also
This creates deadlines which need to be met if I am to comfortably start on the next assignment. It might seem as though I compartmentalise my life a little too much, but as law students, I feel like it really helps to keep organised.
very fortunate to observe and learn from Barristers
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
who have tremendous skill and mental acuity.
Working as a plaintiff lawyer for a personal injury
Also, my job is very fulfilling as the work I produce
firm.
is used in court submissions and international
What advice would you give to current law students?
conferences. It feels great knowing that the skills I’ve
Make it your mission to get a job in the legal industry.
learnt at Notre Dame have equipped me with the
I can’t stress enough how invaluable the experience
tools I need to produce work which is used in such
will be. University is fantastic for teaching you the
a way.
skills you need once you go out into the profession.
What is the worst part of the job? The tasks I undertake demand a high level of writing and analytical skills. The worst part of my job would be the pressure I feel to produce documents that meet these demands. How do you manage to balance work and university? At the beginning of each semester, I look at the free time slots I have in my timetable. If there are sufficient
However,
knowing
how
the
industry
works
beforehand will give you that edge you need when competing with other law students. Also, working in the industry teaches you skills that cannot be taught at university. For example, confidence, charisma and people skills are in my opinion, as important as an impressive transcript. So be proactive in pursuing a job and practicing these skills! It will no doubt improve your learning experience.
Possibility in everything Allens is a leading international law firm, with partners, lawyers and corporate services employees across Asia and Australia. We work with many of the world’s leading organisations, including 55 of the world’s top 100 companies and more than 75 of Australia’s top 100 companies. Our integrated alliance with Linklaters means we are able to share resources and offer our clients a seamless service through a global network of 40 offices across 29 countries. A new way of working We’re building a law firm of the future. To maintain the leading position in the legal profession and the markets we serve, we’ve spent 190 years constantly evolving to meet the needs of our clients and our lawyers. That’s why we are leading the profession with a new career model that offers greater flexibility around the law that you practice, the people that you collaborate with, and the path you can take as you progress through our firm.
You set the pace
Our clerkship program
At Allens, we offer individual career plans that will allow you to explore your interests, find your niche and advance at your own speed. If you have the ambition, talent and desire to rise through our ranks, you can – as soon as you’re ready.
At Allens, we recruit most of our graduates through our clerkship program. Our clerkships are tailored to give you firsthand exposure to life as an Allens lawyer. Whether it is through our comprehensive training program, extracurricular events, meetings with clients or working on market-leading transactions, you’ll be given the opportunity to get practical experience alongside some of the brightest legal minds in Australia.
It’s a two-way deal. Here’s what we expect from our people, and what they expect from us. What we offer
What we expect Fast track promotion through great performance and demonstrated capability
Individual career plans and coaches so you can drive your own growth
Five career stages with clearly defined capabilities and indicators for progression
Development opportunities to meet new expectations
THE ALLENS CAREER FRAMEWORK
Remuneration and recognition linked to performance not seniority
Graduate program focused on developing core legal, commercial and leadership skills
Initiative and accountability for driving your career
Innovation, creativity and a fresh perspective
Resilience and the ability to meet challenges
Proactive engagement and relationship building with clients and colleagues
Demonstrated capability at every career milestone
Technical |excellence in all that you do
Pragmatic and commercial outlook
When you join our firm, you will learn from partners and lawyers who can help you take your career all the way. At Allens, anything is possible. Australian Law Firm of the Year – Chambers Asia Pacific 2014 www.allens.com.au/careers/graduates to find out more. Allens is an independent partnership operating in alliance with Linklaters LLP.
careers guide © 2013 Allens, Australia 2014 17945 |
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Dive in
Allens is an independent partnership operating in alliance with Linklaters LLP.
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What a student can expect from an Allens clerkship Dana Rechtman, 2014 Law Graduate, Allens Before completing my clerkship at Allens, clerkships were a mystery to me. I had heard whispers around law school about cocktail nights, the dreaded interviews and students giving up part of their precious (three-month long!) university holidays. However, I had not heard all that much about all the benefits that come with completing a seasonal clerkship. Having now completed a clerkship at Allens, I would like to provide an overview of why completing a clerkship is an invaluable experience, and why you should apply for clerkships as you head towards the end of your law degree. A seasonal clerkship really is a great way to find out what working in a commercial law firm is all about. One of the best things about the clerkship was how welcoming people were and how willing they were to give open and honest opinions about their day-to-day lives at Allens. This was evidenced in the organised event ‘Confessions of a Law Grad’, in which a panel of graduates answered our many and varied questions on their experiences entering into the workforce. They were also more than willing to take us out for coffees to talk more about their personal experiences and to chat about the transition from university to full-time work. It was really great that people were so friendly, that I could relate to so many people who had been in my position and that they really understood why the questions that we were asking were so important to us. This welcoming attitude was also evident throughout other areas of the firm. Working on matters for different lawyers not only exposed me to the type of work that I would be doing at Allens but also demonstrated the approachable nature of people within the firm. Importantly, I genuinely felt that people had time for me. The lawyers I worked with made a real effort to ensure that the work that they gave me was interesting and they were always willing to give me feedback. They also allowed me to sit in on client meetings and attend court so that I could be exposed to the real experience of life in a law firm. Another great thing about the clerkship was the exposure that we had to different practice groups and different areas within the firm. Even better, this was achieved through wine and cheese nights, where we effectively went speed dating with members of the different practice groups with wine and cheese provided! These evenings were great – they were very informative and really gave us insight into the different areas within the firm. We also had interesting and eye-opening seminars on the really amazing work that Allens does in the community sphere, including in the areas of pro bono and reconciliation, and we were also invited to attend the special interest group meetings. If I could leave you with one message, it would be to take up all the opportunities offered to you during the clerkship. Be it putting your hand up to help out on a pro bono matter, attending ice cream runs organised by the grads (that really happened!) or going to a lunchtime talk put on by the Women at Allens committee, the more you get involved and the more people you meet and speak with really enables you to see what your experience later down the track could be at Allens and whether this is the path that you want to take to begin your career. For me, the clerkship awakened me to all the wonderful things that were on offer at a firm like Allens and the insights that I gained made it clear that Allens was a place that I wanted to be.
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My year in M&A at Allens Lauren McInnes, Lawyer, Allens My first rotation at Allens was in the M&A team, and I found the experience in such a broad area of law a great way to start my legal career. To have a year-long rotation gave me fantastic exposure to a wide range of matters that I was able to work on from beginning to end, including takeovers, schemes of arrangement, corporate governance and occasionally, even giving strategic commercial advice on obscure areas of the Corporations Act. Over the year, being part of the M&A team at Allens has given me the opportunity to work on challenging and high profile matters, for both Australian and international clients. One of the benefits of having a longer rotation was being able to play a key role in major matters, like schemes of arrangement and takeovers, and being able to be involved from the first engagement letter to the celebrating when the client signs off on the deal. I have had the opportunity to assist with drafting company constitutions, providing advice on corporate governance issues, conducting due diligence as preparation for companies listing on the ASX, compiling profiles of companies who were potential takeover targets, refinancing of large Australian assets, preparing client presentations on various areas of corporate law, analysing information from the AGM season of ASX-listed companies, share buy-backs, and sales of business. Working in a relatively general area of law meant that the constant engagement with more specialised practice groups, the variety of work, clients and subject matter always kept things interesting. The M&A team at Allens is part of our Corporate practice group, which also encompasses our Funds Management and Technology, Media & Telecommunications teams. During my graduate year, I also had the opportunity to assist on matters with both of these practice groups, which was particularly helpful in broadening my exposure to different clients and types of work. It also allowed me use the generalist skills I had developed in M&A (sometimes without realising!) in more specialised areas. Whilst I found my Commerce background was useful, it was certainly not a necessity in helping me grasp some of the concepts. An enjoyment of Corporations Law or any related subjects also tends to hold you in good stead, as you find yourself putting the legislative framework into practice on most days. Perhaps most important is a simple awareness of what was on the front page or in the Street Talk section of the Australian Financial Review. This can prove to be a source of some of your most exciting moments in your legal career, like when you see a matter that you've worked on splashed on the front page (and the frustration you feel when you realise your confidentiality obligations mean you can't tell your friends!). Allens has a strong emphasis on each lawyer’s learning and development. As a junior lawyer in the M&A team, we have weekly training sessions with a Special Counsel to get us up to speed on various areas of the law, including on takeovers, fundraising and schemes of arrangement, obligations imposed by ASIC and continuous disclosure obligations. Beyond this specialised training, the national training course undertaken by all Allens law graduates involves detailed workshops, where you have to negotiate mock sales of shares and assets – this always seems to end up with at least some members of the grad group getting rather fired up. I've also had the opportunity to apply the skills I've developed in my graduate year in M&A doing work for pro bono clients. This has involved drafting constitutions, notices of meeting and minutes of director and general meetings for several non-for-profit organisations, assisting incorporated associations with their adaption to recent changes in legislation, liaising on their behalf with ASIC and the new Australian Charities and Not-forprofits Commission and just generally assisting pro bono clients understand their legal obligations. Such work has proven really rewarding, and helped develop my drafting, allowing me to have more direct client contact and to take on greater responsibility. Having just finished up my rotation in M&A, and moving to a more specialised practice group, I'm only just now beginning to appreciate the value of having had a solid stint in a general area of law. M&A matters can involve intellectual property, environment, competition, native title and banking and finance at any one time, and to understand how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together is an invaluable skill. The hours can vary more than the average practice group, but that's just part of working in any transactional team. Other than the interesting work and the great people, an M&A experience is a great foundation for any career in commercial law.
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Employment Profile: bonnie wynne
maurice blackburn
What’s your name? Bonnie Wynne.
What was the worst part of the job? The unexpected maths! I thought I would never have
Where do/did you work?
to deal with mathematics again, but calculating
I am currently a Paralegal in the Medical Negligence
damages with multipliers and deferral rates means
Department at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.
I’ve had to pick up a calculator again. It’s exciting learning new things, but be prepared for accounting
What were your day-to-day roles?
and formulae!
I’ve been assigned to three cases, where I have been drafting subpoenas, letters, Statements of
What advice would you give to current law students?
Particulars and schedules of out of pocket expenses,
Never underestimate the power of talking to
travel expenses and gap repayments to third parties.
people! I would definitely suggest entering the
Essentially, dealing with documents and issues that
Mentoring Program, where you’ll be able to chat
arise from calculating damages.
with professionals who want to provide advice and opportunities for you to find your passion.
How did you get the job?
I never thought that I would love medical negligence
I was asked to participate in the St Thomas More
as much as I have, so keep an open mind when it
Society’s Mentoring Program. There I met Anna
comes to specialising, you may be surprised!
Walsh, the Principal of Medical Negligence at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, as my mentor. Anna and I spoke about goals, interests and extra-curricular activities on the night and exchanged contact information. Anna and I caught up for coffee in her office where she offered me a position to gain some practical legal experience in Medical Negligence. What was the greatest benefit? Being part of a team that is working towards helping people receive justice. I feel like I’m using my degree for good and not evil, helping those who have been wronged to have an advocate stand up for them. It’s a bit like being Superwoman, but with a lot more paperwork!
56 | notre dame sydney law society
DLA PIPER
TRULY LOCAL, TRULY GLOBAL Joining DLA Piper means not only joining an experienced local team, but also being part of a global network of 4,200 lawyers in nearly 80 offices across more than 30 countries around the world. In Asia Pacific we have offices in Bangkok, Beijing, Brisbane, Canberra, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Perth, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo. We're committed to conducting our business in a way that is consistent with our values, which are aligned to Our Clients, Our People and Our Communities. Our lawyers provide clients with trusted local knowledge as well as seamless multi-jurisdictional legal capabilities across a full range of critical services and sectors. In Australia, we advise approximately a third of ASX 100 companies or their subsidiaries and all levels of government as well as international clients looking to enter the Australian market. Areas of Practice Commercial contracts; Construction; Corporate; Finance; Intellectual property; International trade; Litigation; Projects and infrastructure; Real estate; Regulatory and government affairs; Restructuring; Tax; Technology and media; Workplace relations, employment and safety. Global Opportunities DLA Piper is a firm with worldwide opportunities. A career with us means being an integral part of an exciting global team. We support our people's desire to experience working life in other parts of the world through the global DLA Piper network - giving them opportunities to work on multi-jurisdictional, international matters with quality clients and colleagues around the world. In recent years we have placed lawyers in DLA Piper offices in London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Washington, Chicago and Dubai. We have also seconded Australian graduates to undertake their final rotation in Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore. In return, we host international trainees from the UK and Asia. Our Commitment to the Community Our 'everything matters' approach applies not only to how we support our clients but also to the communities in which we operate. Our community investment program achieves meaningful community engagement via a broad array of initiatives, focussed on disadvantaged children, poverty, and people living with disabilities. Last year our lawyers undertook more than 220,000 hours of pro bono legal work globally, making us one of the largest providers of pro bono legal services in the world. What We Look For At DLA Piper Australia we are seeking people from a diverse range of backgrounds who are as engaged and dedicated as they are inventive, balanced and friendly. We value intellectual ability, curiosity, commitment, ambition, commercial and client awareness, smart thinking, team skills and leadership potential, communication skills and experiences outside of academic life.
careers guide 2014
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TAKE
FLIGHT Join a law firm that is truly going places With 4,200 lawyers in 78 offices and 32 countries around the world, working at DLA Piper means opportunities to work with world class companies on major projects both here and overseas. You’ll also benefit from cutting-edge learning and development programs, and will get to work alongside some of the best legal minds around. Take the first step to a global career and visit www.dlapipergraduates.com.au to learn more.
DLA Piper is a global law firm operating through various separate and distinct legal entities.
58 | notre dame law society Forsydney further information, please refer to www.dlapiper.com
Copyright Š 2012 DLA Piper. All rights reserved. LAT03| DLA1320 | 1213
The Public Sector The public sector at both federal and state level is made up of many departments which are eager to
in New South Wales, free from corruption and
take on law graduates. This field of work often aims
interference into the Criminal Justice System.
for measurable outcomes in the wider community
Careers opportunities are advertised through the
and as such may be a desirable career for many law
Office of the DPP’s website.
students. The following links will be useful for researching public sector Jobs: www.apsjobs.gov.au, www.jobs.nsw.gov.au, www.counciljobs.com.au
The New South Wales Crown Solicitor’s Office The NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office is a provider of legal services to the NSW State Government, its agencies and statutory authorities. They operate within the Department of Attorney General and Justice. The
Below are several examples of the key public sector
Office offers a two year graduate program, with
jobs which may appeal to law students.
applications opening in January.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
The New South Wales Law Reform Commission
The ACCC is an independent statutory authority
The NSW Law Reform Commission is an independent
that promotes competition and fair trade within the
statutory body that provides law reform advice to
Australian market, to benefit consumers, business
the Government through the Attorney General, on
and the community. The ACCC has a formal graduate
matters referred to the commission by the Attorney
program whereby graduates take part in three,
General. The Commission acts as a legal policy group
fourteen week rotations. Applications open in
that provides expert advice to the Government, as
February and close in early May.
requested. A summer intern program is offered,
Department of Attorney General and Justice The Department of Attorney General and Justice assist the Government, Judiciary, Parliament and wider community to uphold social standards through
whereby interns contribute directly to the work of the Commission. A formal graduate program is not run, however the Commission will employ graduates as they see fit.
the reduction of crime and advocacy of human rights.
The Public Defenders Office
The Department’s key role is to administer the courts,
The Public Defenders Office is committed to
tribunals, laws and justice programs of the State,
providing legal representation to those people
thus ensuring the administration and development
charged with serious criminal offences. Currently,
of a just and equitable legal system.
the Public Defenders Office only offers graduate
The Department currently offers a clerkship program,
opportunities under their Aboriginal Law Graduate
which is usually advertised in June/July by the Law
program. This program assists Indigenous law
Society of New South Wales. There are no graduate
graduates in completing their PLT requirements prior
programs currently offered.
to admission, and is subject to annual funding. Intern
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) The Office of the DPP is an independent prosecuting service established to prosecute alleged offences. The DPP ensures that prosecution remains independent
and volunteer opportunities are available on a needs basis. To be employed as a Public Defender, you must have extensive criminal law advocacy experience in both trial and appellant circumstances.
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Government Sector Opportunities for Law Graduates francisco esparraga
senior lecturer, school of law, university of notre dame australia
Since its formation in 1900, the Federal Government sector, has been a major employer of law graduates.
•
Tribunal; Specialist Tribunals
Even earlier, the State Government sectors have been employing law graduates.
•
Public Service to make you realise the size of this employer. Today, there are over 160,000 public servants employed by the Federal Government alone.
Law Reform – Australian Law Reform Commission; Administrative Review Council;
You only have to think about the number of Government entities which make up the Australian
Decision-making – Administrative Appeals
Privacy Commissioner •
Law Making – Parliaments
•
Policy Making – Government Departments and agencies.
There are over 34,000 employees in Government
A law graduate’s analytical skills, in particular, are
Business Enterprises. Amongst these are hundreds
in demand. Their writing and oral skills too are
of public servants with legal qualifications, providing
sought after. Almost every Government Department
advice to Government or representing Government.
or agency has graduate programs which target
Government lawyers ensure that Government undertakes its mandated tasks, including:
law graduates. In many instances, law graduates who have careers in Government comment on the satisfaction they have in their work and the variety of
•
Service delivery of Government policy
•
Management of Government finances
•
Monitoring and enforcing laws and regulations
Personally, I have had many opportunities over
•
Law making, rule making and law policy
the years, having specialised in Administrative
developments.
Law. I have worked for organisations as varied as
Such Government lawyers have careers in multiple areas, for example: •
Representing Government – Australian Government Solicitor
•
Prosecuting for Government – Director of Public Prosecutions; Independent Commission Against Corruption
•
opportunities which arise.
the Attorney-General’s Department; Territories & Local Government; Veterans’ Affairs; Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Consumer Trader Tenancy Tribunal. The tasks have involved everything from complaints-handling; prosecuting; investigating; researching and advising senior public servants and Ministers.
Complaints handling for Government – Health
I would be pleased to discuss career opportunities
Care Complaints Commission; Information
with any student who may be interested in a
Commissioner; Ombudsman’s Office
Government career path.
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The Court Within the Australian Court system, there exists two main roles a graduate-at-law may apply to - Judge’s Associate or a Tipstaff. High Court Judges have two associates, one based in Canberra, and the other based in their home city. Federal Court judges have at least one associate. The role of an associate is dependant largely on whether the court is in a sitting week, or non-sitting week. In sitting weeks, associates will provide support to their Judge in Court by passing up authorities as barristers refer to them. Associates will also be responsible for preparing any files that need to be conveyed from the Judge’s chambers to Court. In non-sitting weeks, associates will do various tasks, such as reading judgments, research, preparing for upcoming cases, writing memoranda and general administration.
Tipstaff have two main functions; administration and legal research. Administration tasks are focussed on ensuring your Judge is in the right Court at the right time, with the right file in front of them. Legal research involves investigating case authorities, reading commentaries and keeping up to date with development of the law. Applications for these positions vary. For associate positions, you will need to know that the Judge in question is looking for associates, as these position are not advertised. The easiest way to do this is to get in contact with each Judge’s Personal Assistant, or the current associate, to find out when positions become available, and what they may involve. For tipstaff positions, it is best to look at the Court’s website, via LawLink. careers guide 2014
| 61
Corporate Advisory and Professional Services Law graduates are not limited to pursuing a career
Bain & Company
in the legal profession. The skills that you learn as a
Bain & Company is Australia’s premier management
student-at-law are highly transferable and valuable
consulting organisation, driven by the achievement
across many corporate advisory and professional
of results for their clients. Priding themselves on
services organisations. ‘Corporate advisory and
offering clear and concise strategy to their clients,
professional services’ is a blanket term used to
Bain & Company aren’t afraid to say what internal
encompass those careers in the fields of investment
management teams won’t.
banking,
Bain & Company only recruit via their annual
consulting
corporate and
restructuring,
strategic
managerial
development.
The
graduate program, and look for those graduates who
knowledge acquired through your Law degree will
are willing to learn fast, take on challenges, and build
greatly assist you in these occupations, particularly
networks both within the industry, and with clients.
as you will be required to apply areas of contract
Bain & Company offers world-class training, which
and competition law. Further, skills of analysis and
takes the form of a formal training program as well as
critical thinking will also place you in a favourable
on-the-job training. www.bain.com
position for these career avenues. The Boston Consulting Group If you fancy yourself investigating one of these
BCG prides itself on addressing client concerns with
careers, it is necessary to consider if you will require
a tailored approach that combines an insight into
further study in the areas of commerce, economics
companies and markets with close collaboration
or finance. Often, this is not a prerequisite, however
with all levels of the client’s organisation. Recognised
further on into your career, it may be appropriate
on a number of occasions as the ‘BRW Client Choice
to consider obtaining a postgraduate certification,
Award for The Best Consulting Firm’, BCG focuses
such as a Masters of Business Administration
upon providing a platform for their clients to build a
(MBA), Chartered Accountant qualifications (CA) or
sustainable competitive advantage and secure long
Chartered Financial Analyst qualifications (CFA).
term growth and success. BCG take a select number of graduates each year,
If this sounds interesting to you, have a look at the
and do not have any internship or undergraduate
following organisation overviews, and investigate
programs. Graduates interested in working with BCG
further the opportunities you may have at hand.
should be aware that applications open in March, and the application process will involve lengthy interviews and case studies. www.bostonconsulting.com.au
62 | notre dame sydney law society
Government Relations/Lobbying Barton Deakin Government Relations
Hawker Britton
Barton Deakin works closely with its clients as part
Hawker Britton provides high level government
of their core strategic team. Barton Deakin doesn’t
relations advice and government lobbying to
just open doors – it helps you understand what’s
companies and organisations. We offer an unrivalled
going on behind them, how to work most effectively
level of expertise in Federal government lobbying
with the Coalition in government or opposition and,
and Territory and State government lobbying, as
most importantly, how to achieve your government
well as advising companies on issues, policies, and
corporate strategy goals.
commercial matters related to Australian State, Territory and Federal governments.
Barton Deakin aims to empower you to manage your own exposure to government decision making by:
Hawker Britton’s directors and consultants include former ministerial advisers and parliamentarians.
•
•
•
•
Helping you develop comprehensive government
Our government lobbyists and government relations
relations strategies informed by insights into the
advisers have an in-depth understanding of the
inner workings of government
bureaucracies, policy development and procedures
Working with you to build a case and develop
of Australia’s governments.Hawker Britton’s services
messaging that reflects the different priorities
include research and analysis, strategic advice,
and personalities of each decision maker and
government lobbying and preparing submissions.
those influencing decisions
We advise clients from a range of industries,
Giving you insight into the inner workings of
including telecommunications, aviation, mining,
government to understand how decisions are
manufacturing, construction, professional services
made and who makes them – so you can build
and peak bodies.
your case most effectively
http://www.hawkerbritton.com
Assisting you make the most of your meetings with decision makers with detailed preparation, briefings and follow up – so you can ensure no hard-earned meeting becomes a simple meetand-greet
•
Ensuring you make the most of meetings by organising follow-up for all contacts with government
http://www.bartondeakin.com.au
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Investment Banking Goldman Sachs Goldman Sachs is one of the pre-eminent providers
motivation and enthusiasm, high achievement, a
of financial services in the world, combining their
hunger to succeed, ability to work well in teams and
extensive global knowledge of investment banking
an aspiration to be the best.
with Australasian perspectives. As an employee of
www.jpmorgan.com
Goldman Sachs, you will have access to a global network of like-minded professionals, allowing you
The Macquarie Group
to provide the best advice for your clients.
The Macquarie Group is a global provider of banking, financial services, advisory, investment and fund
Extensive on-the-job training is provided, along with
management services. With headquarters based in
the opportunity to travel interstate or overseas as
Sydney, Macquarie also operate extensively in the
part of the formal training program.
Asia Pacific, the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Macquarie is an attractive alternative for
Students in their penultimate year are encouraged to
law graduates as Macquarie provides a diverse range
apply for the Goldman Sachs vacation internship via
of services. The application of your law degree in this
the Goldman Sachs website. Depending on business
non-traditional field of law ensures that your legal
requirements and the success of the internship
and commercial skills are continually developed.
program, a graduate program may also be offered. The application process will involve assessment
Seasonal internships and graduate programs are
centres, interviews and ability testing.
offered to penultimate and graduate students who
www.gs.com.au
demonstrate high levels of motivation, above average analytical skills, excellent communication skills, an
J.P Morgan
entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and innovation.
J.P. Morgan is the global leader in investment
www.macquarie.com.au
banking, private equity, wealth management, financial transaction processing and small business and commercial banking. J.P. Morgan is one of the few fully integrated financial institutions with leadership positions across mergers and acquisitions, debt capital markets, derivatives, equities, equity capital markets, and treasury and securities services. Summer internships and graduate spots are available and advertised on their website. J.P. Morgan look for
64 | notre dame sydney law society
Insolvency and Corporate Restructuring The broad areas of insolvency and corporate
McGrathNicol
restructuring are focussed upon assisting a client
McGrathNicol work with domestic and international
in rebuilding their organisation following the
banks, investors, financiers, law firms and large
declaration of the company’s insolvency (inability to
corporate entities on some of their most complex
pay debts). Law students, and the skills they possess,
matters. McGrathNicol prides itself on their work,
are extremely valuable in this area of professional
which is completed to the highest standard, as
services,
reflected by the high profile of their clients.
as
both
insolvency
and
corporate
restructuring present an array of issues that need solving, a skill many law students are quite adept at.
McGrathNicol attributes its continued success to sourcing some of the most talented graduates and
KordaMentha KordaMentha
vacationers. McGrathNicol conducts a vocational is
a
market
leading
boutique
internship program, where they seek students who
professional services firm that specialises in
are highly motivated and well rounded, with strong
corporate recovery and insolvency, turnaround
communication skills and the ability to work both
and restructuring, forensic services and real estate
independently or collaboratively.
recovery. KordaMentha prides itself on their proven ability to provide innovative approaches to maximise
The application process will involve the submission
outcomes for all stakeholders.
of your initial application, as well as two rounds of interviewing, which will include partner contact, staff
KordaMentha conducts both vacation internship
presentations and social mix-and-mingle sessions.
and graduate programs. Recruiting students who
www.mcgrathnicol.com
are
completing
their
Commerce,
Commerce/
Law, Economics, Business or Finance degree, KordaMentha seeks recruits who are motivated, thrive on challenges, and share the vision and focus of the organisation. The recruitment process involves two round of interviews. www.kordamentha.com
careers guide 2014
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Accounting and Taxation Most suitable to those students who have a second
KPMG Australia
degree in Commerce - Accounting, the area of
KPMG Australia specialises in corporate fields such
accounting and taxation is one that is certain to
as Audit, Tax and Advisory. Through local experience
always be around. With laws on the taxation of
and
personal and company income updated on a regular
industrial knowledge, KPMG aims to bring a deeper
basis, firms that specialise in accounting and taxation
understanding to its client’s businesses. KPMG offers
advice appreciate law students who are capable of
their employees excellent professional and personal
interpreting legislation and apply this knowledge to
development opportunities, and encourages you to
factual scenarios at hand.
explore new ideas, build a career at your own pace
with
globally
networked
technical
and
and work with their outstanding professionals. Deloitte Deloitte is Australia’s largest, fully integrated business
KPMG offers graduate, vacation, cadetship and co-
consulting, accounting, taxation and advisory
operative recruitment programs to students and
service. Deloitte services ninety of Australia’s largest
graduates. KPMG looks for bright minds, who are
hundred publicly-owned companies, as well as
team players and innovative thinkers. Also, people
family/private businesses and government. Deloitte
who relish the challenge of problem solving and have
has a number of offices in over one hundred and fifty
great communication skills should consider KMPG.
countries across the world, each which act as its own legal entity when providing business consulting and
The application process involves abilities assessment,
corporate advisory services. It is safe to say that when
information sessions, personality questionnaires,
you join Deloitte, you are joining a vast network of
written exercises and interviews.
some of the world’s brightest minds.
www.kpmg.com
Deloitte offers over one hundred internships in NSW to students who are in their penultimate year. Key degrees of interest to Deloitte are accounting, economics and law. Deloitte considers academic results, work experience, evidence of leadership and team experiences and levels of your involvement in university, social and community life when considering your application. www.deloitte.com
66 | notre dame sydney law society
Clerkship Profile: kathryn whybourne cancer council
What’s your name?
learned A LOT about legislation in all jurisdictions
Kathryn Whybourne
surrounding superannuation, wills and estates, powers of attorney and powers of enduring guardian and workplace relations (discrimination).
Where do/did you work? I worked at the Cancer Council in Woolloomooloo, in their legal and financial planning referral service as a
What was the worst part of the job?
volunteer to their Cancer Council Summer Clerkship
The worst part of the job I would probably have to
Pro-bono Program. It was a 3-month program where
say was making calls to the people who didn’t qualify
you work 3 days a week over the summer. You may
for the pro-bono service. Those people on the other
choose to continue to work there at the completion
end of those calls didn’t always take this news very
of the program.
well. But most people were quite understanding so this wasn’t so bad. Similarly, having difficult
What were your day-to-day roles?
conversations over the phone where you could
Mostly calling clients affected by cancer to receive
hear how distressed people were was sometimes
instructions
emotionally quite burdening – even this was still an
about
their
legal
and
financial
problems. I had to identify how the Cancer Council
amazing learning opportunity.
pro-bono program might be able to assist them. The calls involved going through a means test with
What would your advice be to current law students?
the clients and then working with my managers to
Try and get as much experience as you can whilst
decide whether the client would qualify given their
you’re at University! It doesn’t matter where you find
financial circumstances. I also had to learn what
experience, so long as you are learning and finding
my boundaries were when speaking with clients. I
out what you are interested in. If you miss out on a
occasionally had to close files and update databases.
clerkship in a large firm, don’t be disheartened. Look at the other opportunities available to you. There are
How did you get the job?
plenty of volunteer positions and some firms if you
I saw an advertisement on www.survivelaw.com and
ask them early enough will be more than happy to
applied for the position shortly after I had applied for
have you over a summer! Just put yourself out there
other summer clerkship positions.
and ask.
What was the best part of the job? The greatest benefit of the job was improving communication skills. Sometimes, you had to have really difficult conversations with people, particularly as peoples’ circumstances were so hard. I also careers guide 2014
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Graduate Profile: daniel ang
pricewaterhousecoopers (pwc)
Where are you now?
is that my responsibilities and role on engagements
I work as a consultant at Price Waterhouse Coopers
vary based on the team I work with, the engagement
(PWC), a leading professional services firm in
requirements, the clients’ industry and the individual
Australia and the world.
client needs.
How are you coping? Was it a good career choice?
The most basic common responsibilities I have had
I really enjoy it here! It’s a huge firm (3000 in Sydney),
are about being across the detail of the engagement.
but the teams are really good, and there is always
Which means having a deep and thorough
lots of interesting work around. The people here are
understanding of the clients’ subject matter,
generally quite friendly and willing to teach you, and
communicating with clients about their needs and
there is a structured career path.
what we need, as a team, to complete our work.
How has your degree prepared you for your current
Do you have spare time?
position / Was it an advantage in the interview
Yes. Although if you ask other trainees / graduates
process?
I started with (in PwC Assurance in 2011 there was
Studying law was not an essential part of joining
80 odd of us), they might say no. So to my mind it
Assurance at PwC. But studying law and commerce
is all about being smart about your workload and
(Accounting) was a big advantage, and regarded
balancing competing interests. Being honest with
highly by interviewers who look for a point of
your seniors, and understanding and managing their
difference amongst candidates.
expectations are key, but to give you a definitive answer about ‘exactly’ what you should expect would
That said, I have predominantly worked in a team
be a straight out lie.
that provides assurance on / consulting services for operational and regulatory risk. That has meant that
What role does/did networking play in your
while not directly applying my studies, like the law
employment?
of torts, I have had the opportunity to use the same
Networking was a big part of joining PwC.
type of thinking or experience with studying the law
Networking helped me in completing applications,
to offer my own interpretation on the countless regs,
background about what I might expect from
laws and standards that apply to our clients.
interviewers, and especially how to make a decision about where to go - with insights from behind the
What are your main responsibilities? To be honest, part of what I enjoy about working here
68 | notre dame sydney law society
curtain.
What
is
your
opinion
of
gaining
industry
employment during law school?
What is something Law school doesn’t teach you?
Industry experience is important for two reasons; it
Hard to say, you could take a firm line and say that
looks great on your CV, but can also help you make
law school prepared me for nothing. But studying
informed decisions about your future. I know that
law, getting an understanding of how to quickly
when I finished high school I was very interested in
find important information, understanding what
Journalism. Then, during the course of my time at
regulations or rules mean - in plain English, and
uni, my opinion about what I enjoyed and was good
applying skills you learn from working in teams or
at waxed and waned.
clubs and societies actually all filter through - if not indirectly. So if anything, law school is about putting
What was the most valuable thing you gained from
yourself in the position to be well rounded and as
ND and Law School in general?
well placed as possible to meet whatever challenges
Definitely the lense you use when you look at work
you are confronted with - whether it be in law,
you are asked to do. When you begin working you
professional services, or otherwise.
need to be prepared to think critically, and know the detail of particular subject and files, and coming at that with a critical eye and a lense influenced by your understanding of acceptable commerce practices, the Corps Act, IP and the like - at least in a non-law role at a professional services firm - that knowledge / lense can be invaluable. What advice would you have for final year students? Use your network and ask questions about potential places of work / industries and gain what insights you can. Then be yourself in the interviews. Try to relax and be personable, because if you are at the interview stage it is likely they already know you are intelligent. They are now trying to find out, if not subconsciously, if you are a good ‘cultural fit’ for their firm.
careers guide 2014
| 69
Social Justice rachel bennett
social justice director, notre dame sydney law society
We’ve all heard the ‘dodgy lawyer’ jokes… I have listed just a few social justice organizations How can you tell that a lawyer is lying?
below. Some of them provide opportunities to
His lips are moving.
volunteer, some offer internships, all would be valuable and fulfilling organisations to pursue.
What do you get when you run an “honest lawyer” contest? No winners.
I wish you all the best with your studies as they fan your zeal into flame, and as you tackle the greatest
We smirk.
social issues of our time as Notre Dame Law Alumni.
But these jokes make light of a deeper truth - that lawyers, with their skills, minds and influence -
Australian Human Rights Commission:
can wield the law for corruption and greed, as the
www.humanrights.gov.au
humour suggests; or they can advance the cause of
Amnesty International: www.amnesty.org.au
justice, mercy and personal integrity. That’s what
Caritas: www.caritas.org.au
we’re about at Notre Dame Law.
Community Legal Centre Volunteers: www.clcvolunteers.net.au
Since the dawn of the profession, lawyers have
Human Rights Watch: www.hrw.org
fought for social justice. Thomas More, Abraham
Lawyers Without Borders: www.lwob.org
Lincoln, Mohandas Gandhi and Nelson Mandela all
Public Interest Advocacy Centre: www.piac.asn.au
fought to bring about social change for the benefit of
Reprieve Australia: www.reprieve.org.au
the disenfranchised. As we begin our careers in their
Salvos Legal: www.salvoslegal.com.au
shadow, there is still work to be done. As genocide
The Aurora Project: www.auroraproject.com.au
remains a devastating reality abroad, and standards
The Innocence Project: www.innocenceproject.org
of health and living are too often divided along racial
The International Criminal Court: www.icc-cpi.int
lines at home, society is in need of policy makers,
The United Nations: www.un.org/en/
advocates and lawyers who are committed to defend
UN Women Australia: www.unwomen.org.au
and protect the marginalised.
United Nations Human Rights Council: www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/
So as we consider the legacy of our profession and
Inner City Legal Centre:
the injustice in our time, I ask you- what is your
http://www.iclc.org.au/index.htm
passion? What in our world compels you to speak
The Wayside Chapel:
out? Research it, because there is a place out there
http://www.thewaysidechapel.com
where you can use your skills to defeat that injustice,
WAYS (Waverley Action for Youth Services):
and if you can’t find one, start something!
http://www.ways.org.au
70 | notre dame sydney law society
Graduate Employment and Summer Clerkship Programs The 2014 NSW Graduate Employment and Summer Clerkship Programs are co-ordinated by the Law Society of NSW for the benefit of law firms in NSW and law schools. For more information see: http://www. lawsociety.com.au/community/forlawstudents/ GraduateEmploymentClerkships/index.htm
2014 Key Program Dates Graduate Employment
Summer Clerkships
Tuesday 4 March
Thursday 3 April
Applications for graduate positions open.
Offers for graduate positions to current summer clerks must be made and accepted/declined by
Friday 18 April
5.00pm.
Applications for graduate positions close at 5.00pm. Wednesday 18 June Monday 12 May
Applications for summer clerkships open.
Interviews for graduate positions commence. Monday 21 July Friday 13 June
Applications for summer clerkships close at 5.00pm.
Offers for graduate positions can be made. Monday 18 August Friday 20 June
Interviews for summer clerkships commence.
Offers for graduate positions must be accepted or declined by 5.00pm.
Friday 26 September Offers for summer clerkships can be made. Tuesday 30 September Offers for summer clerkships must be accepted or declined by 5.00pm.
careers guide 2014
| 71
Firm
Graduate Employment
Summer Clerkship
Addisons Lawyers
No
Yes
Allen & Overy
No
Yes
Allens
No
Yes
Ashurst
No
Yes
Baker & McKenzie
No
Yes
Brown Wright Stein
Yes
No
Champion Legal
No
Yes
Clayton Utz
No
Yes
Clifford Chance
No
Yes
DLA Piper Australia
No
Yes
Gadens Lawyers
No
Yes
Gilbert + Tobin Lawyers
No
Yes
Henry Davis York
No
Yes
Herbert Smith Freehills
No
Yes
Holding Redlich
No
Yes
Hunt & Hunt
Yes
No
HWL Ebsworth
Yes
Yes
Johnson Winter & Slattery
No
Yes
Jones Day
Yes
Yes
Justice Policy – NSW Department of Attorney-General and Justice
No
Yes
K & L Gates
No
Yes
King & Wood Mallesons
No
Yes
Lander & Rogers
No
Yes
Maddocks
Yes
Yes
Minter Ellison
No
Yes
Sparke Helmore
Yes
No
Thomsons Lawyers
No
Yes
TressCox Lawyers
No
Yes
Truman Hoyle Lawyers
No
Yes
List of Participating Law Firms as at 31 March 2014
72 | notre dame sydney law society
1
List of Participating Law Firms as at 31 March 2014
ADDISONS LAWYERS Level 12, 60 Carrington Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 8915 1089
FAX:
02 8916 2089
Email:
samantha.pearce@addisonslawyers.com.au
CONTACT: Samantha Pearce (Human Resources Manager) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: http://www.addisonslawyers.com.au/site/Home/Summer_Clerkships.aspx (Please include a covering letter, detailed CV, current academic transcript and response to application questions.)
ALLEN & OVERY Level 25, 85 Castlereagh Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 9373 7700
FAX:
02 9373 7710
Email:
australianrecruitment@allenovery.com
CONTACT: The Australian Recruitment Team SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: www.allenovery.com/careers/australia/en-gb/ (Applications should include a covering letter, detailed CV and current academic transcript)
ALLENS Deutsche Bank Place Cnr Hunter & Phillip Streets SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 9230 4000
FAX:
02 9230 5333
Email:
Student.Careers@allens.com.au
CONTACT: James Taylor (Graduate Resourcing Consultant) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: www.allens.com.au/careers
List of Participating Law Firms as at 31 March 2014
2
careers guide 2014
| 73
ASHURST SYDNEY OFFICE Level 36 Grosvenor Place 225 George Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 9258 6924
FAX:
02 9258 6999
Email:
amy.foulcher@ashurst.com
CONTACT: Amy Foulcher (Human Resources Consultant – Graduate Programs) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: http://www.ashurst.com/graduates (Please include a covering letter, detailed CV, current academic transcript and response to application questions) CANBERRA OFFICE Level 36 11, 12 Moore Street CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone:
02 6234 4078
FAX:
02 6234 4111
Email:
margot.kindley@ashurst.com
CONTACT: Margot Kindley (Human Resources Relationship Manager) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: http://www.ashurst.com/graduates (Please include a covering letter, detailed CV, current academic transcript and response to application questions)
BAKER & McKENZIE Level 17, AMP Centre 50 Bridge Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 8922 5715
FAX:
02 9225 1595
Email:
patricia.micallef@bakermckenzie.com
CONTACT: Patricia Micallef (Talent Management Consultant) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: www.cvmail.com.au
BROWN WRIGHT STEIN Level 6, 179 Elizabeth Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 9394 1047
FAX:
02 9394 1011
Email:
bag@bwslawyers.com.au
CONTACT: Brooke Glastonbury GRADUATE PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: http://www.bwslawyers.com.au/careers.aspx
List of Participating Law Firms as at 31 March 2014
74 | notre dame sydney law society
3
CHAMPION LEGAL Level 3, 60 Phillip Street PARRAMATTA NSW 2150
Phone:
02 9635 8266
FAX:
02 9635 1167
Email:
connect@champion.com.au
CONTACT: Michelle Forrester SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: http://www.champion.com.au
CLAYTON UTZ Level 15, 1 Bligh Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 9353 6111
FAX:
02 8220 6700
Email:
alennox@claytonutz.com
CONTACT: Amy Lennox (Graduate Recruiter) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: http://www.claytonutz.com/careers/graduates_and_clerkships/home.page
CLIFFORD CHANCE Level 16, 1 O’Connell Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 8922 8000
FAX:
02 8922 8088
Email:
debbie.mckell@cliffordchance.com
CONTACT: Debbie McKell (Human Resources Manager) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: http://www.cliffordchance.com
List of Participating Law Firms as at 31 March 2014
4
careers guide 2014
| 75
DLA PIPER AUSTRALIA SYDNEY OFFICE 201 Elizabeth Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 9286 8520 / 03 9274 5491
FAX:
03 9274 5111
Email:
camilla.moore@dlapiper.com
CONTACT: Camilla Moore (Graduate Resourcing Manager – Australia) Cassie Jackson (Human Resources Assistant – Sydney) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: www.cvmail.com.au (Applications should include a covering letter, detailed CV and current academic transcript) CANBERRA OFFICE 55 Wentworth Ave KINGSTON ACT 2604
Phone:
02 6201 3434
FAX:
02 6230 7848
Email:
camilla.moore@dlapiper.com
CONTACT: Camilla Moore (Graduate Resourcing Manager – Australia) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: www.cvmail.com.au (Applications should include a covering letter, detailed CV and current academic transcript)
GADENS LAWYERS Level 16, 77 Castlereagh Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 9931 4831
FAX:
02 9931 4888
Email:
amilliken@nsw.gadens.com.au
CONTACT: Alida Milliken (Learning & Development Co-ordinator) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications via www.gadens.com.au
GILBERT + TOBIN LAWYERS Level 37, 2 Park Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 9263 4504
FAX:
02 9263 4111
Email:
clerkships@gtlaw.com.au
CONTACT: Lizzie Maiden-McBryde (People Team) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: www.cvmail.com.au
List of Participating Law Firms as at 31 March 2014
76 | notre dame sydney law society
5
HENRY DAVIS YORK 44 Martin Place SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 9947 6532
FAX:
02 9947 6999
Email:
summerclerks@hdy.com.au
CONTACT: Fiona Page (People and Development Officer) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: www.cvmail.com.au (Applications should include a covering letter, detailed CV and current academic transcript)
HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS Level 27, ANZ Tower 161 Castlereagh Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 9322 4792
FAX:
02 9322 4000
Email:
leigh.dunlop@hsf.com
CONTACT: Leigh Dunlop (Graduate Recruitment Consultant) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: www.cvmail.com.au (Applications should include a covering letter, detailed CV and current academic transcript)
HOLDING REDLICH Level 65, MLC Centre 19 Martin Place SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 8083 0388
FAX:
02 8083 0399
Email:
anna.peters@holdingredlich.com
roberta.tuckwell@holdingredlich.com CONTACT: Anna Peters (Human Resources Manager) Roberta Tuckwell (Human Resources/Learning & Development Advisor) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications via email: sydneyclerkships@holdingredlich.com.au (Applications should include a covering letter, detailed CV and current academic transcript)
List of Participating Law Firms as at 31 March 2014
6
careers guide 2014
| 77
HUNT & HUNT Level 13, Gateway 1 Macquarie Place SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 9391 3000
FAX:
02 9391 3099
Email:
rsutherland@hunthunt.com.au
CONTACT: Ms. Rebecca Sutherland (Human Resources Consultant) GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: http://www.hunthunt.com.au/join-us/graduate, in hard copy or by email to human_resources@hunthunt.com.au (Complete the Law Society Student Application Form, include a detailed CV, current academic transcript, HSC results and UAI or equivalent)
HWL EBSWORTH GPO Box 5408 SYDNEY NSW 2001
Phone:
02 9334 8555
FAX:
1300 369 656
Email:
NSWGraduate2015@hwle.com.au
CONTACT: Renee Lawton GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM: Submit applications, your CV, and academic transcripts online via http://www.hwlebsworth.com.au/join-us/graduate-centre.html. SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM: Submission details will be provided closer to the opening date.
JOHNSON WINTER & SLATTERY
Level 25, 20 Bond Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
08 8239 7127 / 02 8274 9529 / 02 8247 9630
FAX:
08 8239 7100
Email:
romaine.ponniah@jws.com.au robyn.howard@jws.com.au megan.dcruz@jws.com.au
CONTACT: Romaine Ponniah / Robyn Howard / Megan D’Cruz SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: www.cvmail.com.au (Applications should include a covering letter, detailed CV and current academic transcript)
List of Participating Law Firms as at 31 March 2014
78 | notre dame sydney law society
7
JONES DAY Aurora Place Level 41, 88 Phillip Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 8272 0500
FAX:
02 8272 0599
Email:
nberndt@jonesday.com
CONTACT: Natalie Berndt SUMMER CLERKSHIP AND GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM: Submit applications via email to: sydneyrecruiting@jonesday.com (Applications should include a covering letter, detailed CV and your academic transcript)
JUSTICE POLICY – DEPARTMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL AND JUSTICE – NSW Level 14, Swire House 10 Spring Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 8061 9225 / 02 8061 9238
FAX:
02 8061 9370
Email:
jacob_campbell@agd.nsw.gov.au caroline_davies@agd.nsw.gov.au
CONTACT: Jacob Campbell / Caroline Davies SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications via email to: justice.policy@agd.nsw.gov.au Further information is available from the website at www.lpclrd.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/
K&L GATES Level 31, 1 O’Connell Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 9513 2415 / 02 9513 2378
FAX:
02 9513 2399
Email:
alison.maclurkin@klgates.com robert.anderson@klgates.com
CONTACT: Alison Maclurkin / Robert Anderson SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: www.klgates.com/careers or www.cvmail.com.au (Complete an online application and include a detailed CV and current academic transcript)
List of Participating Law Firms as at 31 March 2014
8
careers guide 2014
| 79
KING & WOOD MALLESONS SYDNEY OFFICE Level 61, Governor Phillip Tower 1 Farrer Place SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 9296 3573
FAX:
02 9296 3999
Email:
mitch.barreca@au.kwm.com
CONTACT: Mitch Barreca (Graduate Resourcing Consultant) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: www.kwm.com (Complete an online application and include a detailed CV and current academic transcript) CANBERRA OFFICE Level 5, 7 London Circuit CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone:
02 6217 6638
FAX:
02 6217 6999
Email:
mary.costa@au.kwm.com
CONTACT: Mary Costa (People & Development Coordinator) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: www.kwm.com (Complete an online application and include a detailed CV and current academic transcript)
LANDER & ROGERS Level 19, Angel Place 123 Pitt Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
03 9269 9333
FAX:
03 9269 9001
Email:
lgrant@landers.com.au
CONTACT: Laura Grant (Graduate Recruitment Consultant) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: www.cvmail.com.au (Applications should include a covering letter, detailed CV and academic transcript)
MADDOCKS Angel Place 123 Pitt Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 9291 6215
FAX:
02 9221 0872
Email:
kate.chisholm@maddocks.com.au
CONTACT: Kate Chisholm (People & Culture Advisor) GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT AND SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM: Submit applications online via: www.cvmail.com.au
List of Participating Law Firms as at 31 March 2014
80 | notre dame sydney law society
9
MINTER ELLISON SYDNEY OFFICE 88 Phillip Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 9921 8583
Email:
tarley.slawson@minterellison.com
CONTACT: Tarley Slawson (Resourcing Advisor) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: www.minterellison.com/careers (Applications should include a covering letter, detailed CV, current academic transcript and our online application). CANBERRA OFFICE 25 National Circuit FORREST ACT 2603
Phone:
02 6225 3737
Email:
liana.hurry@minterellison.com
CONTACT: Liana Hurry (Human Resources Manager) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: www.minterellison.com/careers (Applications should include a covering letter, detailed CV, current academic transcript and our online application).
SPARKE HELMORE Level 15, 321 Kent Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 9260 2439
FAX:
02 9373 1486
Email:
nicole.garrett@sparke.com.au
CONTACT: Nicole Garrett (Recruitment Consultant) GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: www.cvmail.com.au
THOMSONS LAWYERS Level 25, 1 O’Connell Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 8248 5802
FAX:
02 8248 5899
Email:
smoffitt@thomsonslawyers.com.au
CONTACT: Stephanie Moffitt (Human Resources Advisor) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: www.cvmail.com.au Complete the online application form and include your covering letter, resume, and academic transcript.
List of Participating Law Firms as at 31 March 2014
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TRESSCOX LAWYERS 19 Martin Place SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 9228 9398
FAX:
02 9228 9299
Email:
sharon_harrington@tresscox.com.au
CONTACT: Sharon Harrington (Human Resources Adviser) SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications online via: www.cvmail.com.au
TRUMAN HOYLE LAWYERS Level 11, 68 Pitt St SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:
02 9226 9888
FAX:
02 9226 9899
Email:
jthomas@trumanhoyle.com.au kedghill@trumanhoyle.com.au
CONTACT: Kathryn Edghill / Jan Thomas SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM ONLY: Submit applications via email: jthomas@trumanhoyle.com.au (Applications should include a covering letter, detailed CV and current academic transcript)
List of Participating Law Firms as at 31 March 2014
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