Careers Guide 2020

CAREER GUIDE 2020 the australian national university law students’ society

Sparke your career with us…

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

Why choose Sparke Helmore?

What do we look for in our lawyers?

Sparke Helmore offers its lawyers a challenging and rewarding environment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CONTENTS Editor’s Note 4 President’s Welcome 5 Applications 101 7

The College of Law 17 Public Law 18 Working in Courts 25 Community Legal Centres 28 Criminal and Family Law 33 International Law 36 Legal Academia and Legal Education 40 Private Law 46

Herbert Smith Freehills 56 Clayton Utz 58 Ashurst 60

King & Wood Mallesons 62 Jones Day 64 Allens 66 Leo Cussen 68 Clifford Chance 69 Gilbert & Tobin 70 Minter Ellison 71 Acknowledgements 72

All images used are royalty free or are produced with permission from the author.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Dear ANU Law Students, Welcome to the 2020 edition of the Australian National University Law Students’ Society Careers Guide, proudly sponsored by Sparke Helmore Lawyers!

I would like to extend my deepest thanks to our continued sponsors and give a warm welcome to the LSS’ new sponsors. Without your generous support, providing the same level of guidance, resources, and assistance to the ANU Law student body would not be possible.

This year we have endeavoured to provide a well-rounded and dynamic guide covering a wide array of career opportunities to pursue both during and after your time at the ANU. Building upon the additions from last year, there is a selection of different career paths suited to various interests, skills, and ambitions. In particular, the 2020 Guide has a palpable focus on ‘going international’ – particularly in the context of private law and international legal education. Given ANU is such a globally oriented institution, attracting and exporting talent all over the world, we thought it fitting to reflect this in the guide.

It has truly been an honour to help create this year’s Careers Guide. I would especially like to thank this year’s student testimonials and submissions, which have been warmly received and are graciously appreciated. Your kindness and invaluable experience are truly inspirational, and well regarded by both the LSS and the student body at large.

Further, I would like to thank Linda Cao – the LSS’ amazingly talented Publications Director, as well as the Careers portfolio – Jye Beardow, Shenpaha Ganesan, and Ashiq Kazi – for your assistance and motivation in helping the Guide come together.

Please do keep an eye out for the plethora of LSS Careers events hosted throughout the year. Our flagship Clerkship Information Evening and Clerkship Guide, Careers Workshops, Careers in Social Justice Panel, as well as our inaugural Firm Visits are all ad4

ditional events available to discern your career path and/or meet potential employers!

If you have any questions with respect to the Careers Guide, or in relation to any LSS Careers related events, please do not hesitate to get in contact at: lsscareers@anu.edu.au We wish you all the best on your career endeavours.

John Grech Vice President (Careers) ANU Law Students’ Society Jye Beardow, Shenpaha Ganesan, and Ashiq Kazi (Careers Directors) DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the editors of the Australian National University Law Students’ Society. Best efforcts have been made to ensure all information in this publication is correct as at Feburary 2020 but is subject to change without notice. This information is merely advisory and should not be relied upon as being professional advice. This publication is distributed free of charge with the understanding that the authors, editors and any persons related to this publication are not responsible for the results of their actions or omissions on the basis of any information provided in this publication.

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME Welcome to the 2020 Careers Guide, proudly sponsored by Sparke Helmore Lawyers.

I would first like to thank the Careers portfolio for all the time, effort and hard work they have put in in to preparing a highly diverse and informative Careers Guide. The IT & Publications Director, Linda Cao, is also well deserving of recognition for her creative and artistic endeavours in compiling this guide. I would also like to extend my immense gratitude to all of our Sponsors for their continued support of the ANU Law Students’ Society.

The Careers Guide aims to highlight the multitude of different legal career pathways and experiences that different professionals and students have pursued while studying and upon graduation. This year’s guide continues to expand upon this objective by highlighting the experiences of those from an incredibly diverse range of legal careers. I am confident that this will be a valuable resource for ANU Law students in helping you gauge your future career path and also by providing you with a variety of job application tools.

Beyond publications, the ANU LSS has a wide array of exciting Careers events ahead. I strongly encourage you to attend them to meet potential employers and gain a sense of what different employers are looking for. Our flagship Clerkship Information Evening and our Careers Workshops that focus on honing your skills in various stages of the job application process will put you in good stead to stay on top of what is often a challenging process.

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I hope that the Careers Guide provides you new insights into different legal pathways and continues bring new insights as to what a legal career might look like for you.

I wish you all the best in your endeavours.

Good luck!

David Chieng President ANU Law Students’ Society lss@anu.edu.au

We are also trialling Firm Visits this year to offices of Australia’s leading law firms both in Canberra and in Sydney. These visits run in Semester 1 and 2.

We are looking to continue expanding this program and encourage you to apply and attend the firm visits to gain firsthand insights into what it might be like working at some of Australia’s leading law firms.

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APPLICATIONS

Applications, whether it be for clerkships, internships, or graduate positions, are often a very exciting process for those newly entering the realm of the legal industry. Yet, there is no denying that the process can get stressful and appear intimidating at times.

The following section attempts to break down the application process into simpler steps to give a clear perspective of the journey to secure your desired position. On top of that, there is information and advice on how to prepare yourself for the process..

Since application periods for different clerkship and graduate position often close at about the same time, it is very important to plan ahead to ensure you have adequate research time for the criteria of the role and the desires of the organisation. Additionally, it is important that you allocate time to practice for interviews and any other elements which might be required during the application process.

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WRITING A CAPTIVATING AND CONCISE COVER LETTER

By Lucy Kibble

A cover letter is a chance for you to show your personality and reveal your work ethic and attention to detail. Your resume will already list your experience, so avoid repeating this. Instead use the cover letter to highlight the skills you have learnt and the experiences you are most proud of.

Below are some general tips on how to structure your cover letter. Keep in mind this is a sample structure, so if your cover letter doesn’t match don’t stress!

ticular firm. Think about what you perceive the firm to be doing or be about. What are the firm’s values or taglines? Do you have experience that lends itself to this? Alternatively, have you particularly enjoyed talking to someone at the firm? Mention this. Is there a particular practice area that you are interested in working it? You can talk about this and mention the firm’s strength in that area.

Have a look at the firm’s website, Australasian Lawyers Weekly or Lawyers Weekly for some inspiration.

Having addressed the particular position and firm, it is time to answer why you are the best person for the role. Self-promotion doesn’t come naturally to many, and it can be difficult to write cover letters for this reason. Try to not let this hold you back, don’t be afraid to self-promote.

There’s no need to stress if you feel like you have limited professional experience. This is normal and everyone has to start somewhere.

In situations like this it can be useful to highlight your passion for the job or focus on skills you have learnt from uni, jobs during highschool or extra-curriculars.

As a general point, keep in mind that the people who will be reading your cover letter are time poor. Don’t make your cover letter too long. Keep it to one page and don’t mess with the margins too I found it easiest to structure these paragraphs much. around key skills, rather than listing my experience. Describe a key skill and then provide It is preferable to address the letter to a person. an example of how you developed it or use it You should be able to find the name of the HR in your experience. It’s best to be as specific as contact who will read your application at first instance. If you cannot find anyone, then it is okay you can with your examples. This helps to give depth to your accompanying resume. to say “Dear Sir/Madam”.

You should first address the question of why you are applying for the position. Show the reader that you understand the requirements of the position and talk about why you want to work at the par8

Finally, good luck! Writing cover letters is hard and overwhelming. However, putting the effort in pays off. A well-written cover letter tailored to the firm and with strong examples of your skills can put you in a strong position to be shortlisted for an interview

SAMPLE COVER LETTER

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(This material was kindly provided by ANU Careers)

Frank Ashbury 27 Appleby Rd Chapman ACT 2611 041234567 Frank.ashbury@gmail.com

Mr James Smith, Graduate Recruitment Manager ABC Bank 210 Bourke St Sydney NSW 2001 16 April 2019 Dear Mr Smith,

After speaking to Jason Williams at the Tertiary to Work careers fair in Canberra last week, I wish to apply for a graduate position in the investment banking stream with ABC Bank. My interest in investment banking has grown over the last several years, particularly after my summer internship experience at the Welnvest last year.

I am currently in my final year of a B. Commerce/B. Laws degree at the Australian National University (ANU) and I hold a distinction average. I have been an active member of the Finance and Banking Society (FINSOC) at ANU and the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) for the past two years.

I developed strong analytical skills through my research into the deregulation of East-Asia’s financial sector in the past five years. I have enhanced my strong communication skills as a volunteer guide at the National Museum and my teamwork skill sin my part-time assistant role at David Jones. My organisational skills have been further developed in my position as a paralegal with the commercial law firm Smith & Partners. I enjoy playing rugby and as a rugby coach under 14s, I used initiative and my problem-solving ability in running local competitions.

ABC Banks’ global outlook and recent expansion into East-Asian markets appeal to both my legal and commerce back-grounds. I would enjoy contributing to ABC Bank’s growth in deregulated markets overseas, as well as in the domestic sector. I would also welcome the opportunity to learn from the experienced staff in the mentoring program within ABC Bank’s graduate program.

Thank you for your time in this matter. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my application further with you and can be contacted on 041234567.

Yours sincerely, Frank Ashbury Frank.ashbury@gmail.com

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WRITING AN ENGAGING AND MEMORABLE CV •

By Andrew Harris It goes without saying that putting time and effort into your resume is extremely important. It might seem as though a ‘great’ resume is entirely based upon someone’s past experience, but there are many other factors that can make or break a CV. Highlighting the important information, tailoring the resume to the application criteria, and ensuring that your CV is polished can elevate an application to the top of the pile.

Structure: While there is no strict formula for what to include in your resume, these are some factors to keep in mind: Personal Details: • Begin with your name, phone number, and email address. You may also like to include information about your Linkedin.

Education: • Include what degree you are studying, the expected completion date, and WAM/ GPA if this is something you want to highlight.

• International exchange courses can also be included in this section.

• Education-related experiences such as research projects or academic studies.

Legal Work Experience and Volunteering: • This next section is a personal preference of mine and could easily be split into two separate sections if it suits you better.

• Include the name of the role, name of the employer and how long you were in the role for.

Non-Legal Work Experience and Volunteering: • Non-Legal work experience is very important especially if the skills that you learnt from the role are transferrable to a legal workplace.

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List the most recent experience first and then work backwards.

Extra-Curriculars: • This is your chance to highlight your interests outside of law. Things that you may want to include: Competitions, leadership positions, university societies, sport teams, etc.

Interests and Hobbies: • This section is optional. I like to include this section to highlight my interests that I have difficulty integrating into other sections.

• Employers love an application that has a bit of personality so use this section to come across friendly, interesting and personable.

What to highlight: For each experience there are a few things to include. A brief description of the role, important tasks undertaken, special achievements and skills learnt/developed are all things that should be included. Finally, dot-points are a great way to keep the CV concise and easy to read.

How to Tailor a CV: There will usually be a selection criterion of skills and interests that the employer is looking for.

Emphasising those specific skills and interests in the CV is a great way to address the selection criteria especially when you may not have enough words in your cover letter. A good way to emphasis important skills is to put them in bold so they stand out.

Polishing it: Lastly, get two friends to proofread your resume. It is very important that your resume is grammatically correct and reads well. HR have hundreds of applications to consider and filter so finding simple mistakes in your CV could be an easy reason to reject your application – and is easily avoidable.

SAMPLE RESUME

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(This material was kindly provided by ANU Careers) Sample resume (graduate)

Frank Ashbury Make sure your email address is professional

27 Appleby Rd Chapman ACT 2611 Tel: 0422 123 456 Email: f.ashbury@gmail.com

Objective Driven and energetic, I am seeking to start my career in investment banking by using my strong communication and problem solving skills, and further developing my leadership skills in a graduate position with a leading multinational investment bank.

Education 2010 – 2013 2008 – 2009

B Laws / B Comm., Australian National University Distinction average, Expected completion 2014 Tsinghua University, Beijing, China Semester long program, studying Finance subjects Narrabunda College, ACT. TER: 97.4

Skills summary Communication

Use the Skills Summary to highlight a number of relevant skills, developed in a variety of contexts.

Choose your best examples, tailored to the organisation and job. The summary is meant to provide a brief overview: you might not mention certain skills if they’re not relevant

Tailored to the organisation, your objective states your future career goals and how the position you’re applying for fits in

List your degree(s) and educational achievements in reverse chronological order

x Developed strong oral communication skills through my role as Community Volunteer with Oxfam Australia, presenting Oxfam at community groups and schools, tailoring my language to different audiences. x Extended my interpersonal skills through my retail experience and active involvement at networking events at the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA). x Further developed written communication skills in my work as Paralegal with Smith & Partners.

Teamwork x Strong team player, illustrated by my involvement with the Uni-Norths Rugby Canberra Owls, placing first in the local Rugby Sevens Tournament in 2011. x Further enhanced my team work skills through part-time sales roles at David Jones and WeFreeze ice-cream parlour, and group work at university.

Initiative and Problem solving x Sought out and organised a study program in Beijing, China: I managed language difficulties x Liaised with ANU and University of Tsinghua staff; organised finances and found accommodation; made travel arrangements; and engaged with extracurricular activities. x Proposed additions and alterations to a physical activity program for school aged kids in my role as volunteer Coach Assistant with Bluearth Foundation. Suggestions were included in the program and I received positive feedback from participants and activity leader.

Leadership x Led, motivated and supported twenty adolescents as a Rugby League coach for under 14s at Weston Creek Rugby Club.

Research and analysis x Preparing oral presentations and written documents in my role as Paralegal at Smith & Partners required strong research and analysis skills. Competent user of various electronic legal databases.

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Sample resume (graduate) Internship Experience Dec 2012 – Feb 2013 Intern, WeInvest, ACT x

In the sections emphasising what you have done (whether internship, professional, extracurricular, or other) make sure that you highlight relevant duties to tailor your application.

This means that you emphasise certain information and might omit less important

x x x

Contributed to a project aimed at increasing participation of ‘young’ investors (under 30s) Research and analysis of characteristics of ‘young’ investors client base Reporting on relevant financial market data for project’s target group Attended a three-day business skill development workshop

Professional Experience Mar 2012 – Paralegal, Smith & Partners, Commercial law firm, ACT x x x x x Feb 2009 – Mar 2012

Retail Assistant, David Jones, ACT x x x x

Jan 2008 – Feb 2009

General administration Drafting documents Trial preparation, including interviewing clients Briefs to council Legal administration for commercial litigation matters

Responding to customer inquiries and requests Offering product information Maintained and restocked inventory Handling cash register

Sales Assistant, WeFreeze ice-cream parlour x

Served customers, opened & locked-up shop

Extracurricular activities 2012 – Volunteer Coach Assistant with Bluearth Foundation x 2010 – 2012

Rugby League coach for under 14s, Weston Creek Rugby Club x

Stating membership can be useful, particularly if you’ve been actively involved

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Discussed team strategy, attended team meetings

Developed strategy,

What does this achievement communicate to employers?

2009 – 2009 (Mar – Oct)

Uni-Norths Rugby Canberra Owls team member Oxfam Australia community volunteer

Achievements 2013

ANU College of Business & Economics Undergraduate Merit Award

Memberships 2009 – 2009 –

Finance and Banking Society (FINSOC) Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA)

Referees Mr Smith, Partner Smith & Partners, Commercial law firm, ACT 02 6123 4567 smith@smithandpartners.com.au

Ms Gold, Finance analyst WeInvest pty. ltd.

02 6123 7890 Choose your gold@weinvest.com.au referees appropriate to the

For instant online CV/Resume feedback, including on presentation, structure, content and language, simply upload a copy into CV360 – located on the ANU Careers Webpage https://www.anu.edu.au/ students/careers-opportunities/careers

INTERVIEW TIPS

LSS

(This material was kindly provided by ANU Careers) Much like in written applications, employers look for the answer to three questions in the interview: • Can you do the job?

• Do you want to do the job?

• Do you fit into the organisation’s culture?

At interview, you’ll be asked more specific questions than these main three. Knowing the types of questions you can expect and how to answer them can help you ace your interview.

General questions A number of questions are general in nature and trying to expose your motivation, interest, self-awareness and career aspirations. Examples include: • Why do you think you are the ideal candidate for this position?

• Why did you apply for this position? / What attracted you to this position?

• What do you think about [current affair affecting the industry]?

Competency-based & behavioural questions Competency-based or behaviourally-based questions aim to find out about your past behaviours to predict future performance, i.e. if you have shown particular behaviours (e.g. skills) in the past, you’re likely to be able to show these behaviours (e.g. use these skills) in the future, i.e. in the position on offer.

Because employers are interested in your past behaviour, questions will often come in the form of: “Can you tell me/us about a time when...”. With this start to the question, the employer is specifically and explicitly asking about past behaviour.

Examples of competency-based and behavioural questions include: • Tell us about a significant problem you have you encountered and how you dealt with it?

• Tell us about a time when you have had to adapt to change.

• Imagine [hypothetical scenario] how would you respond?

Rehearse but don’t memorise You can prepare your answers and practice your interview skills but you never know exactly what you’ll be asked. Especially when you think you’ll be very nervous, it may be tempting to learn your answers by heart so you can recite them word for word at interview. The main issue with this approach is that rehearsed answers may not come across very naturally. Since a large part of the impression you make at interview is based on your non-verbal communication, providing a rehearsed answer may not help you win the job.

What you say, how you say it & body language A face-to-face interview consists of three elements: • What you say • The way you say it • How your present yourself The focus for many people during interviews is on what they say; the actual words. It is often underestimated how much you can influence the outcome of your interview by using appropriate tone of voice and body language:

Practice your interview techniques using our video interview software. Lots of Law-related question sets for clerkships and graduate programs https://anu.interviewstream.com/

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EXTRA-CURRICULARS

By Prisca Ochan Prisca Ochan is a fifth-year law and political science student.

She works part time as a paralegal at a government department and has engaged in so, so many extracurricular pursuits alongside her studies. She was recently nationally recognised for her academic, community and professional achievements through the 2019 Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards where she was a top 10 Finalist in the Law Student of the Year category.

Engaging in extracurricular pursuits alongside your law studies improves your CV. Though, for me personally, it is much more than that. I am genuinely passionate about the law and my future career in the legal profession. I want to do everything I can that will help me to develop personally and professionally, and ultimately, make me a better lawyer. But whatever your motives and intentions behind participating in extracurricular activities are, it is clear that doing so can help to demonstrate to employers that you are able to manage your time effectively, work well in teams, and deal with competing priorities.

Some of you may be sceptical of adding even more to your already burdensome schedule while at law school, but let’s be honest, if all you did was study, you’d be extremely bored. Adding just a few extracurricular activities can prove to be very valuable to your education and to your future.

I have compiled a list of how to get the most of your law studies by participating in extracurricular activities. Please note, however, that this list is not exhaustive, nor is it prescriptive.

Participate in competitions Both the ANU Law Students’ Society and the ANU College of Law run a number of legal competitions throughout the year. These are typically advertised Facebook and Wattle. Attempting even one of these shows that you have a desire to perfect your knowledge and skills in your chosen area, whether that is wi tness examination, mooting, mock trial, negotiation, or client interview.

I have competed in just about every single internal legal competition that the ANU has to offer (except client interview!). I have also had the wonderful opportunity to travel nationally and internationally to represent ANU at legal competitions, including the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition which was held in Singapore last year and the Baker McKenzie Intervarsity Women’s Moot in Sydney in 2018 where I presented as Senior Counsel and my team progressed to the semi-finals.

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Last year I was also a part of the ANU team that won the DPP Plate Mock Trial Competition against the University of Canberra.

I personally want to become a litigator, and that is why in recent years I have focused on competing in and judging witness examination and mock trials. But broadly, legal competitions can enhance your oral advocacy, research, legal writing, teamwork, and communication skills. These are all skills that will be beneficial in the work force, regardless of whether you practice law.

Another thing to note is monetary cost. Getting involved in national and international competitions can cost a bit of money, but both the ANU Law Students’ Society and ANU College of Law have some funding available to competitors, so keep that in mind if money is a barrier to doing something like this!

Volunteer Volunteer legal work is a great way to make a difference while getting that elusive practical legal work experience. As someone who entered law school bright-eyed and bushy tailed with a passion for social justice and access to justice, I really wanted to work in a community legal centre. As someone who was determined (and still is) to use the law as a way of reducing the barriers that exist for our vulnerable members of society in accessing justice and legal representation, I was so eager to gain experience in this area. In my second year of university, I was accepted as a volunteer paralegal at Salvos Legal Humanitarian in my hometown and got to engage in some eye-opening and handson legal work there during the semester break. I am really grateful for that experience, and I think that it helped to open a lot of doors for me.

I do know that volunteer organisations have a high turnover rate and do require new volunteers from time to time, so keep applying if that is what you want!

Do not overdo it If you check my LinkedIn, you will probably realise that I have indeed overdone it at times, perhaps even sometimes at the expense of my grades. I cannot even fit everything into my CV. That is not even a humble brag—I am genuinely concerned for when I apply for graduate jobs and have to cut out things. But I think that after your health, your grades should be your priority. While they might not be the most important thing, they still are important. It’s all about finding the right balance that works for you.

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PUBLIC LAW

The ANU, due to its position in Canberra and academic focus on public law, attracts brilliant thinkers – academics and students alike – interested in a career in government. The public sector offers a wide range of flexible career pathways allowing one to switch roles both intra and inter-governmentally. Roles in this sector expose you to fundamental problems of social policy and justice; and you may very well assist in finding solutions for them! It also allows for significant engagement with a broad spectrum of society and the legal world.

Due to the relative accessibility of career progression, there is a generally positive atmosphere, workplace culture, personal satisfaction and work-life ratio.

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DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS

LSS

Overall Tip: I think my tip for students applying to a clerkship would be to really tailor your application to the selection criteria. It’s important to understand the values of the organisation/firm that you are applying to, and to highlight yourself as a candidate that embodies those values.

By Lescinska Fernandez What does your role entail?

ber 2019. These cases are looking at whether members of an Aboriginal society have such a strong claim to As a summer clerk at the Department of Home Affairs, the protection of the Crown that they may be said to I was placed in the Fast Track Litigation Section of the owe permanent allegiance to the Crown. As part of Legal Division. This section was devoted to dealing with our Clerkship, we were able to go to the High Court the legacy caseload, which is comprised of the 30,000 and listen to the proceedings of these cases, which was unauthorised maritime arrivals who arrived in Australia extremely rewarding. The more challenging aspect of between August 2012 and January 2014. Throughout the role was understanding Australia’s fast-track review my clerkship I was exposed to a range of fast-track cases process, a system that has often been criticised. and was involved in liaising with parcel firms that were responsible for each case, kept tabs on the relevant court How has the ANU helped you to get to where you are? hearing dates, reviewed submissions for the court hearings, and looked at judgements that were handed down. I think the ANU has been extremely beneficial in helpI assisted my supervisor and ensured that all relevant ing me get to where I am today. The law school has such information was provided to the firms that we worked a strong curriculum and has made me very confident with. My clerkship solidified my understanding of the in all the subjects I have studied so far. Additionally, all merits review and judicial review processes and gave me of my teachers have been wonderful! I’ve built a great an invaluable opportunity to see administrative law in rapport with them, and never feel uncomfortable asking action. questions, whether it be related to a course or to my career in the legal field. I also think working in a legal area What is the most rewarding aspect and the most chal- has made me realise just how much knowledge I have lenging aspect of your role? accumulated from my law degree. You don’t realise your legal analysis skills and just how strong your writing has The most rewarding aspect of the role was working in become until it is put to the test in the workplace. When such a high-profile organisation. Throughout my clerk- you study at the ANU law school, you can be assured ship I was exposed to cases that will go on to change that you will come out of your degree as a strong lawyer, administrative law as we know it, and cases that will with exemplary legal skills and the ability to perform at probably be in the Admin Law curriculum next year! In a high standard in the workplace. particular the Love v Commonwealth of Australia and the Thoms v Commonwealth of Australia cases were being heard in the High Court of Australia in Decem-

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COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION (CSIRO)

Overall Tip: If you’re applying for a role in a small team, being personable is almost as important as being competent - they’ll hire whoever they think will be easiest to put up with!

By Aislinn Grimly What does your role entail?

consistent records is essential, but it takes a lot of attention to detail and patience. That being said, As part of the CSIRO Governance team, my role having that degree of exposure to everything that is very diverse, and I perform a range of adminhappens in Australia’s top science agency is also the istrative tasks such as creating meeting packs and most rewarding aspect of the role. It’s a great feeltaking minutes for the Major Transactions Coming to see a project properly take off after helping to mittee. Beyond this, my team and I are responsible push it along in the early bureaucratic stages. for ensuring CSIRO’s legislative compliance in its everyday functions. A lot of what I do involves What personal qualities are required for this writing rules and building webpages to clarify what role?

CSIRO officers are authorised to do under various pieces of legislation, as well as our internal rules.

Above everything else, patience. CSIRO’s Black Essentially, we try to clarify and simplify red tape Mountain site is a very relaxed and comfortable and regulations so the scientists at CSIRO can get place to work, but even when your office feels like on with their jobs. a living room, it’s impossible to forget the importance of accountability and legislative compliance What is the most rewarding aspect and the most for government-funded organisations. Things like challenging aspect of your role? archiving and minute-taking might seem arduous, but when you look back on the records or guideThe biggest challenge is staying vigilant with relines you’ve made, you realise just how important cordkeeping. As a Commonwealth corporation, ac- it is to take your time and deeply scrutinise every countability is a top priority for CSIRO, so almost detail, so the person reading your work doesn’t everything done within the organisation has to be have to. documented in an accessible and transparent way.

For the Australian public, that means public funds are managed responsibly. For our team, it means keeping track of a huge volume of information across many different registers. Keeping accurate, 20

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT

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Overall Tip: When you are applying, show your passion and enthusiasm for the subject matter. Show them what makes you different from other candidates and don’t be shy about it!

By Eliza Williams What does your role entail?

I currently work as an admin officer in the Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Centre (CFPC) at the Attorney-General’s Department. The CFPC was established in 2019 as a two-year pilot, with the goal of building a strong and proactive national response to countering fraud against the Commonwealth. Our role is to provide information and advice to other agencies to improve fraud prevention, promote better practice, provide tools and resources, and support collaboration and knowledge sharing across sectors to strengthen fraud prevention. Being a relatively small team, a lot of our work is collaborative, which means I get a lot of learning opportunities and get to do a variety of activities. We are currently working on a number of pilot programs with other agencies, and as such we have a strong focus on stakeholder engagement and collaboration. Other common activities in my day include undertaking data analysis and research. Through the Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Centre, I have had the opportunity meet and work with a number of different government departments, travel interstate to present on new fraud-related legislation, as well as organise a 500-person conference for fraud professionals, among other things.

How has ANU helped to get where you are?

Through ANU’s flexible double degree program, I have been able to study a double degree in Art History & Curatorship and Law. Combining these two degrees has allowed me to develop a number of valuable skills, such

as creative and analytical thinking, academic writing and public speaking. I have been fortunate in that studying a somewhat unique – or shall I say niche – combination has opened a lot of doors. Having a strong interest in art fraud and art crime gave me a point of difference when applying for my role in fraud at the Attorney-General’s Department. Further, other opportunities at ANU such as being a part of the Law Students’ Society taught me valuable organisational and leadership skills that I have been able to apply in my role at AGD. What have you learnt from this role?

I have learnt more than I ever could have imagined through my role at the Attorney-General’s Department. Not only have a learnt important communication, teamwork and organisational skills, but I have also had the opportunity to learn about complex governmental processes, such as preparing question time briefs and ministerial correspondence, as well as the development of a new policy proposal. Being a part of the development and introduction of the CFPC has been an extremely valuable experience.

Just like any start-up, we have needed to set achievable goals, determine our aims and try to absorb as much knowledge as possible with tight deadlines and tangible outcomes. I have loved the creative processes involved in idea/project development, and look forward to seeing the continual development of the centre and the changes and outcomes we achieve across government.

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ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS TRIBUNAL (AAT)

Overall Tip: Be honest with yourself in what area of law you are interested and what career you would like to have. Do the legwork early on in University to ensure you are on the correct trajectory to achieve your goals.

By Marcus Simmonds What does your role entail?

I work as a tribunal assistant for the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). The AAT is an independent statutory body that conducts merits review of administrative decisions made by the Australian Government.

My job is to assist with the day-to-day operations of the tribunal including preparing rooms for hearings and conferences, recording hearings and providing hearing support to the presiding Members, using videoconferencing equipment to facilitate hearings where one or more of the parties do not attend in person, administering oaths, and preparing evidence files for members to deliberate over as well as to generally assist other tribunal staff with their tasks.

How did your experience as an ANU Law student encourage or influence your decision to pursue this opportunity?

As a reviewer of government decisions, the AAT operates in the field administrative law which is an area of public law. I genuinely believe that the ANU is uniquely suited to offer a leading public law education in Australia. Firstly, it is located in Australia’s capital and the heart of Commonwealth administration and decision making. Further, having access to leading public law academics and practitioners as lecturers who show genuine passion in the field and are able to convey that passion in the way that they teach. ANU was able to

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turn what some people may consider a dry area of law into a particularly interesting experience for me and made a career in public law quite an attractive option.

What personal qualities are required for success in your role?

I believe that communication skills, attention to detail, appropriate time management and empathy are some of the main qualities required to succeed in this role. My role requires me to communicate effectively every day through a variety of methods to a variety of different people. For example: coordinating an upcoming videoconference with Adelaide navigating a time difference and potential technical difficulties; to drafting a concise legal memo for a Member bringing them up to date with a matter that they will soon hold a hearing for.

Attention to detail is of fundamental importance especially when preparing evidence files for Members or conducting legal research in an area of law of interest to the tribunal. I find that in this role I often have to juggle many competing tasks throughout the day; constantly checking the schedule for the day to prepare rooms for hearings and providing hearing support throughout, escorting parties to and from rooms all the while trying to complete a report or research task due at close of business that day.

Most fundamentally of all I believe that empathy is key not just in my role but in every role in the AAT; understanding that often applicants are self-represented and navigating a complex area of law alone. It is incumbent upon everyone at the AAT to do our best to help them as much as we can to ensure that they have access to a fair and efficient merits review process.

OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL

By Julia Faragher

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Overall Tip: Don’t stress too much about memorising case facts or legislative section numbers.

While this information might be important for exams, it’s the skills you gain from law school that will prove to be the most useful.

Concentrate on learning how to conduct legal research, how to assess new problems and information and how to think like a legal professional.

What does your role entail?

The Office of the General Counsel delivers high quality in-house legal advice to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications. Currently, I work in a team that focuses on the Communications and the Arts part of our portfolio. All the lawyers are generalists, so we get to enjoy a wide variety of work. As part of the graduate program, I will complete three rotations over the year, work on a major group project and assist with running the Department’s Social Club. This year, there are 30 graduates in total, mostly working in policy and program areas.

What attracted you to this role?

Having previously worked for OGC as a paralegal, I had a pretty good understanding of what the work was like and knew that I wanted to stay on as a graduate. The work that we do aligns well with my career goal of working as a lawyer in fields related to media and the arts. I have also found the public service to be a great and supportive working environment that suits my needs. I still have time to pursue other interests outside of work which is something I value.

How has the ANU helped you to get to where you are?

I am grateful that studying law at the ANU involved getting to choose so many different electives and consider lots of interesting legal questions. For example, in Law and Sexualities, I wrote my final research paper on sex verification testing and discrimination of non-men in international sport. The ANU was also supportive of studying overseas, so I went to study Global Media and Communications Law at the University of East Anglia. I am very grateful to have had that opportunity because that course was what made me realise that I wanted to be a lawyer.

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ANU

ACT GOVERNMENT SOLICITOR

Overall Tip: In any employment application or interview, promote the skills and knowledge that you have which would allow you to step into the role as seamlessly as possible and start being productive for the organisation.

By Laura Pierce What does a typical day of work include?

The ACT Government Solicitor provides legal advice and representation to the Australian Capital Territory and its government agencies. My particular role involves the handling of civil and commercial claims involving the Australian Capital Territory. The types of claims which I handle include personal injury matters, motor vehicle accidents (public transport), medical negligence (public hospitals), coronial inquests, debt recovery, human rights complaints, and more. On any day, I am often found appearing in court, attending settlement conferences or mediations, investigating Territory records, drafting court forms or correspondence, interviewing witnesses or experts, liaising with barristers, and advising our clients about legal risks and strategy.

During my time at ACT Government Solicitor I have undertaken outplacements to client directorates to provide on-site legal advice. These outplacements have included the Asbestos Response (“Mr Fluffy”) Taskforce, Access Canberra and ACT Corrective Services.

legal practice skills to complement your legal knowledge.

Find a position as a secretary, legal assistant, paralegal, office assistant, etc. Don’t leave getting a job until your final year – an employer will likely be looking for long-term investment.

Don’t be a jerk. Your current university peers will become your colleagues in a few short years. And they will remember you. It is very likely that in time many of your current peers will be in positions of power, for example, they may be a solicitor for another party from whom you are seeking agreement, they may be a client you need to advise, or they may end up as your supervisor. Even if you are planning to move interstate, overseas or change career pathways – ANU Law is a small but widely successful and diverse community who you will interact with for years to come.

Invest in your reputation now, it’s free and will pay dividends in time.

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most challenging aspect of your role?

I love the satisfaction of wrestling with a legal question and working with other lawyers to create legal advice which is What advice would you give your university aged accurate, practical and high-quality. I also love teaching self? and mentoring young solicitors and paralegals to develop their knowledge, confidence and well-being in the legal Involve yourself. Find an extracurricular group or sector. activity that allows you to interact with other people.

I found my first year as a solicitor challenging, as I navigatNurture your inquisitive nature and pursue interests or ed the jump from paralegal to legal practitioner and had so ideas that you find interesting as these are attributes that much to learn. Tip: ask lots of questions and try to reduce help you succeed longer term in the law. your stress about things you don’t know.

Get a job. Being an ANU law student demonstrates that you have excellent knowledge of the law. However, to increase your appeal to an employer you must also build

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WORKING IN THE COURTS When one thinks of the courtroom the first image usually pictured is that of a Judge or Magistrate. Magistrates are typically found in the Magistrates Court while judges work in Supreme Courts, the Federal Court and the High Court of Australia.

Becoming a Judge’s Associate or Tipstaff is a prestigious position that provides an opportunity to gain insight into court processes. Associates conduct legal research on behalf of their judge and assist with court administration. Those interested in a career as a barrister or Judge should consider applying to be a Judge’s Associate. They are usually selected one to two years in advance of commencement of employment.

Barristers are independent specialists in advocacy before the Courts. While they are self-employed, they commonly work in chambers comprising of other barristers. Barristers spend most of their time representing individuals and businesses in Court in addition to providing legal advice. The requirements to become a barrister vary across the different jurisdictions, though usually involve passing an exam and practical experience.

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ANU

ACT MAGISTRATES COURT & SUPREME COURT OF THE ACT JUDGE’S ASSOCIATE

Judge in preparing for and drafting judgments. This involves summarising submissions, researching case law, and playing an active role in discussing and debating cases with the Judge.

By Lauren Skinner What does your role entail?

In my final semester at the ANU in 2019, I was fortunate enough to be offered a position as an associate to Magistrate Campbell at the ACT Magistrates Court.

After working at the Magistrates Court for the past seven months, I have recently commenced an associateship in the ACT Supreme Court with Justice Loukas-Karlsson. As an associate, you are essentially the Judge’s personal assistant and in-court assistant.

In the Magistrates Court, this involves preparing all files before Court, liaising with parties, registry, court listings and the Magistrates, ordering the court list, receiving tendered documents, opening and closing Court, and much more. Essentially, your job is to organise and run the courtroom. Most days are spent in criminal lists, with the occasional civil hearing, protection unit application, or coronial inquest. A standard day can involve up to thirty matters in the morning, followed by up to four sentences in the afternoon.

Other days are spent in contested hearings, where associates have the opportunity to see advocates in action making applications on evidence and cross-examining witnesses.

In the Supreme Court, associates also assist their Judge in court, however, the work is more legal in nature, and the primary role of the associate is to assist the 26

What is the most rewarding and most challenging part of your role?

By far the most rewarding part of being an associate is the opportunity to build a close working relationship with your Judge/Magistrate, and to gain an inside perspective on life at court. The exposure to court and to the deliberations of a judicial officer as an associate is unparalleled. That being said, it is a challenging role that requires a very high standard of work and involves significant responsibility for a graduate or young lawyer.

What personal qualities are required for success in your role?

Associateships can be difficult to obtain because hiring decisions are often about your competence, just as much as they are about your personal compatibility with the Magistrate/Judge. You will be spending 40+ hours a week with your judicial officer, so they are looking for someone who is not only capable, but whose work style is compatible with theirs. To give yourself the best chance of gaining an associateship, you should focus on your resilience, communication skills, ability to work under pressure, ability to think on your feet, and your willingness to work hard; these are all crucial

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NORTHEN TERRITORY SUPREME COURT JUDGE’S ASSOCIATE

Tip: If you are genuinely interested and passionate about working in criminal law, I would definitely recommend an Associateship at the Northern Territory Supreme Court. This opportunity will give you a unique insight into how the legal system in the Northern Territory works, provides mentorship with a highly experienced and well-respected legal mind and a great escape from little old Canberra!

By Ben McCarthy I graduated ANU in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree and in 2020 I am an Associate to the What is the most rewarding aspect and the most challengHon. Justice Stephen Southwood in the Northern Territory ing aspect of your role?

Supreme Court.

I would also encourage you to emphasize in your application any connection to, or interest in the Territory. That What does your role entail? may be an internship you’ve done up here, friends or family The NTSC deals with a very wide range of matters, in large connections, or perhaps even an academic focus in issues part because there is no intermediate court in this jurisdicaffecting the Territory. Judges will want to see that you have a tion. What that means as an Associate is that you’re able to longer term, genuine desire to work up here, and not simply experience a much broader range of matters than you would to spend a year before returning down south for corporate in other Courts across Australia. The majority of matters that opportunities. My personal experience of moving to Darwin come before the Court have a criminal flavour however, so I to Canberra was highly rewarding and surprisingly easy. would strongly recommend this role if you enjoyed criminal Darwin is noticeably smaller than Canberra, and yet has an law whilst at university. My position involves assisting my impressive range of markets and festivals, and a vibrant night judge with day-to-day legal and administrative tasks both in life. Not to mention the close proximity to some of the most and out of court. The role is quite administrative by its nature. beautiful natural scenery Australia has to offer! Every year, However, it also provides you with a front row seat to some each Judge and their associate will spend at least a calendar highly skilled legal advocates while enabling you to closely month sitting in Alice Springs. This is a fantastic opportunity interact with those advocates as well as various stakeholders for you to travel to a very different part of the Territory and in the legal system. This position is considered very favorable experience working and living in central Australia. if you are interested in working as a practitioner in a wide variety of criminal and civil legal practices throughout the As for the challenges of the role, there is no doubt that some Territory. of the cases which you are exposed to are confronting. The unfortunate reality of working in the courts in the Territory is As for the application process, it does work slightly differently that there is a significant overrepresentation of First Nations than other jurisdictions. Unlike many other courts, applica- people involved in the criminal justice system here. This, tions at this Court are generally not considered until June-Ju- alongside some highly confronting criminal matters, can ly for the following year. However, applications can be sent in make this role quite challenging at times. However, there are at any time, and some Judges (the Chief Justice in particular) a wide variety of support mechanisms available. In addition will begin looking at applications as early as March/April. My to highly accessible mental health support, there is also a very advice would be to research the particular Judge/Judges that strong support network of fellow associates, judges, court you’re interested in applying for, and tailor your application staff and legal practitioners who will assist you through some to that Judge’s experiences and specialties. With only 6 perof the more confronting aspects of this role. manent Judges on the bench at the NTSC, it is not advisable sending the same application to all 6 judges.

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COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRES Community Legal Centres (CLCs) provide legal services to people within the community, particularly those facing socio-economic hardships. CLCs are independent, non-government organisations which are often publicly funded and engage in intersectional legal work across a range of practice areas and jurisdictions, including property law, criminal law, administrative law, and many more. Some CLCs cater towards specific groups of people such as legal services for those with disabilities, Women’s Legal Services (WLS) and Aboriginal Legal Services (ALS). Working in CLCs gives room to advocate for social and justice issues that interest you within the local and broader community, as well as allowing you to work across a broad range of practice areas.

WOMEN’S LEGAL CENTRE

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Tip: It is really important to demonstrate your passion and enthusiasm for helping others.

Picking electives and taking opportunities throughout your time at the ANU which suit your interests is a great way to show your commitment and drive. It can be easy to get swept up in the ‘clerkship scramble’ towards the end of your degree. I was very fortunate to be surrounded by great mentors as a result of the electives I was taking, and was able to feel confident I was making the right choices for me

By Nicola Mildren What does your role entail?

I am a Paralegal at the Women’s Legal Centre ACT, a community law practice that provides both legal and non-legal support to Canberra’s most vulnerable women. We provide free advice and representation to women in family law, employment and discrimination matters. I work within the Domestic Violence Program where many of our matters involve family law litigation. My role as a paralegal involves preparing court documents, drafting letters, legal research, contacting clients, and providing legal information and other non-legal support to vulnerable clients.

How did your experience as an ANU Law student encourage or influence your decision to pursue this opportunity?

I graduated from the ANU at the end of 2019.

Throughout my law degree at the ANU I was able to tailor my electives to my passions and interests, including undertaking a legal internship in Kununurra at Kimberley Community Legal Services, taking electives such as Indigenous Australians and the Law and Law and Psychology, and I also undertook a clinical placement at the Alexander Maconochie Prison where I was involved in facilitating workshops in legal literacy for inmates.

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most These experiences strengthened my interest in the challenging aspect of your role? effects of the law on the most vulnerable members of Australian society and really confirmed my drive I find my role incredibly rewarding as we are most of- to work within community law. ten helping women who would otherwise go without legal representation. It is a fast-paced work environ- I love my role at the Women’s Legal Centre and ment and no day is ever the same as another. We get see myself working in community law long term. some really interesting and unique legal matters com- It’s really important for society to have accessible ing through the Centre which is always a great way legal services and I would strongly encourage other to gain new knowledge and learn new skills. Working ANU students and graduates to pursue this valuain the area of domestic violence can sometimes be ble and rewarding pathway. emotionally challenging and is often unpredictable, but I feel lucky to have such a great support network of strong women at the Centre and we never let each other tackle things alone.

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LEGAL AID ACT Tip: If I could go back and give myself any piece of advice, it would be to not be afraid to ask for what you want. Although this can be a difficult thing to balance with confidence and humility, there is never any harm in asking any workplace about the opportunities that could be open to you. To that end, always believe that your hard work does translate into a valuable employee, and trust yourself to make the right decisions for you

By Georgie Fowler What does your role entail?

My name is Georgia Fowler and I am a paralegal in the Criminal Litigation Practice of Legal Aid ACT. Legal Aid ACT is by no means an easy place to work but it is extremely rewarding. The role I perform is to support solicitors and their clients.

This could mean anything from going to court and meeting with those who have no representation on any given day, making appointments for clients and sometimes sitting in on those appointments, managing client expectations of what their solicitor can do for them, drafting legal documents such as subpoenas and bail variations, and even instructing in matters when it is needed. And that was just Monday!

and a good enough understanding of the law to translate it into plain English.

How did your experience as an ANU Law student encourage or influence your decision to pursue this opportunity?

Throughout my degree my lecturers challenged me to look beyond the letter of the law and consider whether or not specific laws or legal constructs and principles are actually beneficial for everyone. It was so important throughout my degree to critically consider the application of laws and that has translated into my full-time work. I now consider daily whether or not laws have been applied correctly, and am able to engage in lively discussions with my colleagues about the actual effect of the law in Australia What made you apply for this Role? as it applies to everyone, not just the rational person Legal Aid ACT is a fast-paced work environment as so many cases and statues would have you believe. with unique challenges due to the vulnerabilities of This engagement with the law as it relates to actual our clients, but the holistic view of Legal Aid ACT individuals is my favourite part of being a paralegal. is what drew me to applying for the role. Legal Aid ACT has a focus on providing exceptional legal services to the most disadvantaged in our society.

Having had a keen interest in community service from a young age this was extremely important for me in any workplace I chose to enter into. This community focus means that to be successful in my role you need to have a heart for the community, patience to take the time to really listen to clients, 30

KIMBERLEY COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES (KCLS)

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Tip: Demonstrate knowledge of the nature of the Kimberley region, as well as your genuine passion in helping to achieve justice for Indigenous people.

By Timothy Barnett What did your role entail?

Last semester I worked as a volunteer paralegal at the Kimberley Community Legal Service (KCLS) Hotdesk. The KCLS is a non-for-profit community legal service that provides free legal services to financially disadvantaged people in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The Hotdesk office is located at the ANU Law school and comprises 5 workstations, which are attended each day by four student paralegals and one shift leader. The Hotdesk essentially exists to remotely support solicitors working in the KCLS’ main offices in Broome and Kununurra. Paralegals are assigned client tasks to complete and send back to solicitors in the Kimberley. These tasks involve legal research on questions of civil law and are expected to be completed within a couple of days of being allocated. In addition to client tasks, the Hotdesk also works on longer-term research projects. The KCLS uses this research as they advocate for people in the Kimberley in relation to issues such as stolen wages, contaminated land and Redress WA. How did your experience as an ANU Law student encourage your decision to pursue this opportunity?

ANU Law school has strong culture of acknowledging injustices that occurs under the Australian legal system. Numerous courses have allocated class time to pause and reflect on how the law has historically wronged – and continues to unjustly

impact – Indigenous peoples. I feel that the ANU Law curriculum and the character of my lecturers and tutors have encouraged me to pursue opportunities such as the KCLS Hotdesk, which provide services that are invaluable for many First Nations peoples.

What have you learnt from this role?

This role taught me a great deal about communication and collaborating on tasks with other paralegals. Each day, I worked on a task that other paralegals had contributed to on previous days and that other paralegals would pick up on future days.

As such, it was really important to be diligent with providing details of the nature and direction of each piece of work. Additionally, this opportunity allowed me to learn more about the social and legal challenges faced by people in the Kimberley region.

I would recommend volunteering as a paralegal to all ANU law students concerned with, and interested in, social justice

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INCORPORATING LRSJ IN YOUR LAW DEGREE Associate Professor Vivien Holmes Associate Dean (Education) Senior Fellow, HEA ANU College of Law

Many ANU Law students start their study with a desire to learn about law as an instrument for social change: they want to ‘make a difference’. I know this, because when I was convening the first year Lawyers, Justice and Ethics course, we would ask 1st year students to let us know (anonymously) what brought them to Law school. Something along the lines of ‘I’m interested in social justice lawyering’ was a common response. As was a commitment to working on behalf of a certain group – for example survivors of family violence, Indigenous Australians, and the environment.

The ‘received wisdom’ is that Law students lose a bit of this passion as they grapple with the study of doctrinal law, and feel pressured (not sure by whom?) to aim for a corporate job in ‘Big Law’.

But last year, when I was Acting Director of our Law Reform and Social Justice Program for six months, I realised that there are lots of students who haven’t lost that passion and who are involved in, or indeed taking the lead on, many fabulous LRSJ projects. These projects range from analysis of local Human Rights Law cases to making submissions to Parliamentary Inquiries (such as the Inquiry into Press Freedom), to promoting Reconciliation. All projects have an academic mentor, who provides practical and academic guidance.

There are heaps of benefits to becoming involved in one of these projects: • Seeing how law operates in a policy and/or practical social context not connected to assessment – in some cases getting down to the real nitty gritty of how it works.

• Putting your values into action (which, research shows, is good for your mental health).

• Actually making a difference (e.g. though community legal education) • Working with like-minded colleagues and gaining team work skills (much sought after by employers).

• More prosaically – Demonstrating your commitment to social justice for the purposes of an application for an LLB/JD clinic.

So - make the most of the LRSJ program, which is unique to ANU Law. Find out about the projects on offer -https://www.facebook.com/ANULRSJ/. Contact with the project leaders to find out more, including what sort of time commitment is required. Be realistic about how much time you have to commit and then stick to your commitment.

Our nation and our world faces enormous political, social and environmental challenges. Getting involved in an LRSJ project will expose you to the many ways law can help in addressing those challenges. What better training for future professionals?

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CRIMINAL AND FAMILY LAW Criminal law deals with people charged with criminal offences. Criminal lawyers can be broadly classified into two categories: those who defend the accused, and those who prosecute the accused. Prosecutors are typically employed by the government, such as The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW), and represent the Crown. Defence lawyers can be found in public organisations such as Legal Aid, as well as private firms.

While criminal law primarily deals with the relationship between people and the state, family law is focused on relationships between people. Family law encompasses marriage, divorce, child custody, property, adoption and family violence. Family lawyers are typically employed by private firms, as well as various public organisations.

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ANU

PRIVATE PRACTICE CRIMINAL AND FAMILY LAW GRADUATE

By Daniel Magnussen What does your role entail?

There is a great deal of variety to my role at Farrar Gesini Dunn (FGD). There is no “typical day” and tasks can range from drafting letters of advice, taking notes in client interviews, assisting with mediations/collaborations, drafting court documents, preparing and analysing briefs for Counsel, and drafting orders.

Along with the other graduates, I am also often asked to conduct legal research into more nuanced areas of law and provide comprehensive advice to our solicitors on these topics.

I also assist with client management, often being a first point of call for clients. This ensures that our Directors can manage their interactions with clients in a more efficient and cost-effective manner and facilitates a better working relationship with clients.

How did you know this role was for you?

I was attracted to the role because I had a keen interest in family law, informed by both my studies of family law at the ANU and previous experience in a family law firm. However, it was the culture of FGD and the nature of the work I was exposed to which reaffirmed that this role was right for me.

I am surrounded by Canberra’s leading family lawyers and the breadth of experience and knowledge that I have access to has been essential to my learning and development in this field. The willingness of FGD’s solicitors to think outside the box and provide clients with creative, interest-based outcomes to what are often highly complex matters, continues to motivate and inspire me in my role.

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Tip: Do your homework about the firm you’re looking to apply at.

Find out what they are passionate about, learn about the work they do and the cases they have been involved in. This will give you an instant edge over other applicants!

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most challenging aspect of your role?

Family law is arguably the most client-focused area of law you can practice in. This brings with it its own unique rewards and challenges.

On one hand you are able to guide families through what are often their most vulnerable times. Delivering positive outcomes for clients in these situations and seeing the tangible impact you have made on their life is hugely rewarding.

On the other hand, the struggles often facing clients in family law matters brings with it an emotional burden that can stay with you long after you’ve left the office for the day. That’s why working in a supportive environment is so important in this area

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL AND FAMILY LAW

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ing. Certain crimes are much more prevalent in Europe than in Australia, and the variety of offences was very different to those which I had encountered during my experience in Australian criminal law.

How did your experience as an ANU Law student encourage or influence your decision to pursue this opportunity?

By Elena Couper What attracted you to this role?

When I commenced my internship at Ennon & Co Solicitors in London I had just finished my fourth year of law. I am not a student who has had their heart set on working at a big commercial law firm and did not have a clear idea as to which area of law I found most appealing. Every summer during university, I have done some type of work experience at different kinds of law firms to try and feel out which working environment I am best suited to. I had previously shadowed a criminal barrister in Melbourne, which I enjoyed, and so it seemed logical to undertake an internship at a criminal law firm. I wasn’t really sure what to expect and decided to combine my summer internship with an experience abroad, as I had always dreamt of working in the UK. What does a typical day of work include?

At Ennon & Co, I was working in the position of a trainee solicitor. This meant I directly liaised with clients and their families, undertook legal research, performed general administration tasks and worked within specific filing databases. It was interesting to become better acquainted with the British legal system, as it bears many unexpected differences to the Victorian or NSW criminal justice system. I had also never had much contact with the prison system or detention facilities, and it was a new experience to navigate prison visits and other relevant procedures. I found the office climate at the law firm to be incredibly fast paced. This presented a challenge for me at times, as the workload could be very heavy. Furthermore, as the firm handled cases of a criminal nature, some of the information which I was required to review could be distress-

Being a student, I have learnt valuable time management skills from juggling workloads, which proved to be invaluable in a busy working environment. Furthermore, the ANU College of Law holds us to high standards of legal research skills, which made many of my research tasks at the firm much easier. However, after having completed this internship I am more aware of the workload which I am able to take on. Students are often put under a lot of pressure, but there is relief in knowing that an academic workload is temporary. It has been an invaluable experience for me as I can now better gauge the type of environment and the nature of work which I am most suited to.

I had personally overestimated the amount of stress which I could take on, and this internship has clarified the extent to which I am able to push myself in a professional capacity without burning out or bringing on undue amounts of stress. Being one of the most international universities in the country, I always knew during my time at the ANU that I would want to experience some kind of study overseas. The flexibility of the internship elective allowed me to find a specific experience that I believed directly encompassed what I wanted to get out of my time abroad. I was able to do some travel and also have a productive summer, earning course credit in a completely different environment than Canberra.

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INTERNATIONAL LAW

The international law practice area is suited for those who are inclined towards humanitarian issues and possess a strong sense of global citizenship. In international law, lawyers work with clients who range from nation states, government, government organisations, businesses, NGOs and individuals on matters which require the application or development of international agreements. You may work in public international law, private international law and supranational law, as well as international extensions of common specialties such as finance, environmental, migration, and criminal law. Common organisations/ institutions you may find yourself working for are DFAT, the ICC, the AHRC, and NGOs. Fluency in two or more languages, studying and/or working abroad, and having an international mindset is looked upon favourably.

THE WORLD BANK

By Zareen Qayyum Zareen was the recipient of the ANU Frohlich World Bank Scholarship in 2019. The scholarship supports an undergraduate or postgraduate law student to spend six months working at the World Bank’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. in the Integrity Vice-Presidency’s Special Litigation Unit.

What did your role entail?

The Special Litigation Unit investigates and prosecutes instances of fraud and corruption in World Bank Group-financed projects through the World Bank’s Sanctions Board system. In my role, I worked primarily with investigators and litigators to collect and analyse evidence of misconduct and build cases for sanctions against particular individuals and/or companies involved.

I was involved in the whole litigation process, from drafting written submissions through to preparing for hearings at the Sanctions Board. I also attended numerous settlement negotiations with respondents and lawyers from all over the world.

What was the most rewarding aspect and the most challenging aspect of your role?

One of the challenges at the Integrity-Vice Presidency was tackling the multi-jurisdictional nature of the work. In my time there, I worked on cases from Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, India, Vanuatu and more, covering allegations of bribery, collusion and fraud.

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The evidence in these cases ranged from explicit text messages soliciting bribes to complex chains of shell companies that spanned numerous countries. Both the simple and complex cases required ingenuity in getting and presenting evidence while navigating the complex structure of the World Bank, the unique jurisprudence of the Sanctions Board, and working across different countries and legal systems. In all cases, the impact of corruption on the World Bank’s development goals was clear – we saw evidence of companies funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to local mafias to help secure contracts and projects facing years of delays in implementation.

The most rewarding aspect of the internship was working with colleagues from every continent and a range of professional backgrounds who were passionate about fighting corruption. I had the chance to see the varied career paths that led to working in anti-corruption in an international organisation and learn first-hand about their experiences in other legal systems. Similarly, both within and outside the World Bank, I met many Australians and ANU alumni who worked in local law firms, thinktanks, and NGOs across D.C. Finally, it was exciting to be in a global political hub at a time when impeachment hearings were at their peak, as well as explore the rich history and culture offered by D.C. TIP: If you are interested in seeing litigation in the context of an international organisation, or in anti-corruption efforts on a global scale, you would be a strong candidate for this internship. The most important thing when applying to this scholarship or any of the numerous international opportunities offered by the ANU is to demonstrate that you are passionate about the area of law and willing to work hard, and most importantly that you will enjoy yourself and make the most of the opportunity to propel your legal career.

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ANU

ATTORNEY GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW - SENIOR LEGAL OFFICER

interesting, and we have the opportunity to contribute to Australia’s policy responses to key global challenges.

By Lauren Burke What does your role entail?

I am a Senior Legal Officer in the Office of International Law in the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department (AGD). My role involves providing international law advice across the Commonwealth Government. Our Office covers all key areas of international law and we have the flexibility to work across different areas – I am currently working primarily on law of the sea and international environmental law issues. Previously, I have worked on international human rights and refugee law, as well as international economic law matters.

I joined the Office of International Law after completing the AGD Graduate Program in 2016.

The Graduate Program was a great introduction to the APS and the department, and I was able to complete the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice through ANU at the same time. Prior to joining AGD I worked at the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) at the University of Wollongong, where I expanded upon my experience in law of the sea and international fisheries law through working on Pacific fisheries governance issues.

How has the ANU helped you to get to where you are?

I am currently studying an LLM in International Law part-time at the ANU. ANU is a fantastic university for those interested in international law.

My advice to ANU law students wanting to pursue a career in international law would be to build strong relationships with your lecturers and make the most of the opportunities available to you at the ANU: international law electives, moots such as Jessup, public seminars by international law experts, research-based subjects which allow you to focus on specific international legal issues, courses What does a typical day of work include? in Geneva and elsewhere, assisting academics with There really is no typical day of work. We provide research, etc. I would also suggest keeping an eye out for paralegal or summer intern opportunities legal advice in many different ways; so my day within the APS, for instance, with AGD or the might involve drafting formal legal advice, proDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade. There viding legal comments on cabinet submissions, reviewing draft legislation to ensure it is consistent are so many different ways to gain experience and demonstrate and develop your interest in internawith international legal obligations, supporting Australia’s ratification of a treaty, providing advice tional law, all of which will greatly assist when it comes to seeking graduate positions. to an Australian delegation participating in an international meeting, or negotiating a new treaty with other States. Our work is dynamic, always 38

ATTORNEY GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT

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OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW - UN HUMAN RIGHTS COORDINATOR

What does your role entail?

I provide advice to the Australian Government on the compatibility of proposed policies and action with international law. I am also currently acting as the Office’s UN Human Rights Communications coordinator.

In that role I work with senior management on thematic issues raised by individual complaints made to UN Human Rights bodies. I also supervise junior lawyers working on responses to individual complaints.

If you want to get a better sense of what it might be like to work as a government lawyer in this area, I highly recommend that you read Sir Daniel Bethlehem, ‘The Secret Life of International Law’ (2012) 1 Cambridge J. Int’l & Comp. L. 23.

By Trina Malone What qualities are required for success in your role?

To succeed as a government lawyer, you need to be able to work under time-pressure, be highly organised and be sensitive to the broader policy context in which you are giving your advice. You also need to understand and respect the limits of your role. You may not agree with a policy proposal but it may be perfectly lawful and your role stops with giving advice on the legal aspects of it. This can be challenging and isn’t for everyone!

What advice would you give your university aged self?

You are not as busy as you think you are! You will probably never have so much time again to read, to think, to write and to engage with legal academics.

Take full advantage of it! Read all of the things that your lecturers tell you to read and more. Do it before you turn up to lectures and tutorials, so that you get the most out of them. Be grateful to those lecturers who push you to be better and to up your game. It is for your benefit that they push you. If you rise to the challenge, I guarantee that you will be a better lawyer for it!

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LEGAL ACADEMIA AND FURTHER EDUCATION The role of legal academics involves a fair amount of flexible self-directed university involvement and research. Legal academia provides the opportunity to practice both as a lawyer and a teacher inside Australia as well as overseas through a university secondment practices, or even for seminars and conferences. A career in academia requires high amount of focus and discipline to ensure that research is completed by a scheduled date. The importance of excellent research skills, academic history, and ability to think dynamically and differently is crucial to enter this line of work. As such – it is important to consider this before following a career path in academia.

LEGAL ACADEMIA

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INTERNATIONAL LAW

What have you learnt from this role?

By Esmé Shirlow What does your role entail?

My role as an academic at the ANU College of Law is divided between research (40% of my workload), teaching (40%) and service/administration (20%). My research focusses on public international law, international dispute settlement, and international investment law and arbitration. In my work, I investigate the relationship between international law and other legal systems, actors and disciplines. I have significant freedom to select my research topics, and typically try to use my engagement in practice, as well as my networks with practitioners and government officials to identify topics with potential policy or other practical impacts. I research, for example, how international courts and tribunals give weight to domestic public policy decisions; how civil society benefits from increased transparency in international law and dispute settlement; how interdisciplinary research methodologies and theories can be used in international law scholarship to produce evidence-based research; and how individuals and corporations can be accorded rights and responsibilities under international law.

I currently teach at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in international law, and supervise research students on international law projects. The 40% teaching load is roughly equivalent to teaching four courses per year. In my ‘service’ role, I work as an ANU Tuckwell Fellow (providing enrichment and one-to-one mentoring activities for ANU Tuckwell Scholars), an Editor of the Australian Year Book of International Law, a member of ANU Scholarship Committees for sponsored fellowships to the Permanent Court of Arbitration and International Court of Justice, and as a co-opted member of the Council of the Australia and New Zealand Society of International Law and Co-Chair of the Society’s 2020 Annual Conference Committee.

My job allows me to learn new things every day. My research, teaching and service roles all allow me to have daily conversations with a wide array of people including academics in various disciplines; government officials both in Australia and overseas; practitioners in firms, at international courts and at the bar; international civil society groups; and students at various academic stages and in different degrees. The diversity of my role and the types of people I get to spend time with means that I have interesting (often challenging!) conversations on a daily basis. This has helped me to look at myself, the law, and the world in different and ever-evolving ways.

What attracted you to this role?

I was originally attracted to a career in public service, so after graduating from my undergraduate degrees I applied for a place in the Attorney-General’s Department’s Graduate Program. I was lucky enough to have a rotation through the Office of International Law, where I ultimately settled after the program.

The Office is responsible for providing advice to the federal Government on Australia’s international law obligations. Much of my job involved researching and writing lengthy advices for counsel and senior public servants on issues of international law. I loved this aspect of my role, and began using the various gaps in the literature that I identified to draft research articles.

My mentors at the Department eventually encouraged me to apply for an LL.M. and, subsequently, a PhD in the United Kingdom. I thoroughly enjoyed both experiences, which allowed me to interact with academics, government officials and practitioners through my research, and students through teaching. I also began a role with a law blog and academic journal, and discovered I enjoyed soliciting and editing contributions to both platforms. An academic career combines, and allows me to engage with, the skills and activities I enjoyed the most in each of these experiences and so was a logical choice after finishing my PhD.

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ANU

LEGAL ACADEMIA Tip: If you want a job in academia you will probably have to do further study. Most universities will require you to have a PhD or be very near to completing one. However, you can start building a publication track record while you are studying for your LLB, JD or LLM. Take electives that have lengthy research papers and work really hard to produce the best piece of research you can.

Take on board all feedback you are given and submit it to a peer reviewed journal.

By Kate Ogg What does your role entail?

Most students see academics primarily as teachers.

While teaching is an important part of our job it is only about 40% of the role of an academic at the ANU College of Law. The other major part of our work is research. My research areas are refugee law, international human rights law and feminist legal theory. I have recently done research on forced encampment litigation in Kenya, Palestinian refugees, the role gender plays in offshore processing and a new initiative for refugee resettlement called ‘community sponsorship’.

Research can be done in a variety of ways. You can interview people to gather information, visit the places and witness for yourself what is going on (called ethnography), do research similar to investigative journalism (hunt down hard to find documents exposing something not on the public record), historical research or undertake critical and theoretically informed analysis of jurisprudence, legislation, media coverage or any legal or social phenomenon.

Research often involves travel. You may have to travel in Australia or overseas as part of undertaking the research. You are also expected to present you research at domestic and international conferences.

Your research should be published in a peer reviewed journal or book but many academics also publicise their research more broadly through various forms of media. Doing research is a fantastic way to be engaged with and influence public policy.

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What is the most rewarding aspect and the most challenging aspect of your role?

What I love about my job is having the freedom to work and research on whatever I want to. I was a litigation lawyer for a few years and while I loved the fast paced and adrenaline fuelled nature of court work, I found some of the cases I was running really interesting but others less so. There is not much you can do about that in most legal jobs – you have to do the work that comes in the door. Academia allows you to work on what you are passionate about and what you think is important every single day – I can’t think of any other legal job where that is true. The principle of academic freedom is also crucial for a rewarding career in refugee and international human rights law. Academic freedom means that I can criticise any aspect of law or policy publicly. This is not always going to be the case if you work for government, an international organisation or even a private firm where you may be heavily restricted in what you can say and may even be required to defend laws and policies you vehemently disagree with.

One of the most challenging aspects of the job is that your work is always under the microscope. As a researcher, you get peer reviewed (someone else in the field must read your work and make a decision as to whether it is of an acceptable standard to publish). You also have to stand up to tough and critical questioning when you present at conferences. As a teacher at the ANU, your performance is constantly being judged and you have to respond to the queries of some of the best and brightest law students in the world – it doesn’t get any less stressful each year that goes by.

What personal qualities are required for success in your role?

A creative and curious mind, a compassionate outlook,

THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE (LSE)

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INTERNATIONAL FINANCE LAW the amazing wealth of quality people you’re surrounded with as those connections and conversations were priceless. Talk to everyone, from your classmates to your professors and you might be surprised at the outcome. I would also recommend attending all the events held there, which include amazing professional talks from people at the top of their field, to social events and parties.

By Vinayak Kaushik

What have you learnt?

Studying at the LSE was a huge learning experience for me, not only in the academic content being taught, but also with the personal development I gained from learning with the best in the world. I had the opportunity to learn from and study alongside amazing people from all corners of the world, which really broadened my perspective on the practice of law – in stark contrast to the closed ecosystem of Canberra I had been used to for my entire degree. Further, surrounded by people who had travelled all over to study here, I gained a newfound appreciation and acknowledgement of the great privilege I have to be able to go to University and study the things I do. Of course, the actual content of what I learnt was really interesting and valuable (to me) and I definitely learnt things in the financial law field I would not have learnt anywhere else.

What does a typical day of work include?

Most of my time there had almost the exact same schedule: attend class from 10am-5pm, do some readings, and head to the pub with my classmates. On the weekends I was able to explore the city of London and visit all the touristy things – of which the British Museum is a must! There are also many social programmes ran by the LSE to make it easy to meet people and have fun during your stay.

What is required for success in this position?

As it was an intensive course, buckling down and studying was essential to get a decent grade. At least for my course, doing the readings was essential to keep up with the breakneck speed the content moves along at. However, more than the academics, I would really recommend exploiting

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ANU

ANU LAW REFORM AND SOCIAL JUSTICE CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT As part of my ANU studies I was also fortunate enough to intern with Ms Clare O’Neil MP, who was then the Shadow Minister for Justice. At that time, the Australian Modern Slavery Bill 2018 (the Bill) was being debated in Parliament and, as it fell under Ms O’Neil’s portfolio, I attended discussions about the drafting of the Bill. For this internship I wrote a research report on corporate culture in corporate criminal liability, which sparked my interest in the accountability and transparency of corporations.

Working on this project enabled me to further pursue this interest.

By Kate Butler What does your role entail?

I am a member of a team of ANU law student contributors to the LRSJ’s Corporate Accountability Project, run by Professor Jolyon Ford. This involves working in teams to assess the statements made by corporations in response to the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the Act) against a number of metrics, such as risk management and assessment, supply chain disclosure, and identified incidents of modern slavery. While the Act compels certain corporations (those with an annual turnover above 36 million pounds) to make such statements, there is no body governing compliance and so the Walk Free Foundation is working with Wikirate and university groups, such as the ANU, to hold them accountable for their statements and to ensure the results are accessible to the public.

How did your experience as an ANU Law student encourage or influence your decision to pursue this opportunity?

ANU Law is renowned for its strong focus on social justice and it is evident that many of our professors are passionate about these issues. As they are concerned to impart this ethos to their students, it permeates numerous law courses (even some you wouldn’t expect!). Modern slavery is one such issue which directly affects approximately 40 million people, according to the Global Slavery Index 2018, and this role presented a wonderful opportunity to participate in a worldwide project helping to ensure corporations comply with their obligations in this regard.

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How has the ANU helped you to get to where you are?

The ANU has provided me with countless opportunities in addition to participating in this project, including completing an Aurora internship, undertaking a law exchange at the University of Copenhagen, studying migration and culture through the Erasmus Program in Berlin and more. Each of these experiences has been valuable in subsequent applications.

I have attended as many of the talks, panels and screenings hosted by the College of Law as I could and have found them helpful and inspiring as they demonstrate the multitude of options available to both law students and graduates. In addition, many of the law faculty lecturers have provided me with inspiration, advice and guidance (and references!) and the various experiences I have enjoyed in my undergraduate studies would not have been possible without this support.

TIP: Ensure you make it clear in your application why you are passionate about the specific project/organisation. This will help convey that you believe in the work and are not simply applying to use it a ‘resume filler’. Also try to demonstrate what you can bring to the role (in addition to enthusiasm for it!).

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

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INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATION, MEDIATION, AND ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Tip: Go out there and say yes to experiences during law school, you never know where they may take you! I would not have known that alternative dispute resolution woul be a topic I would be so interested in and I am really thankful that I decided to take the course.

By Julia Ademcewicz Over the summer, I was at the University of California in San Diego completing a course in International Negotiation, Mediation and Alternative Dispute resolution. More than 90% of all civil lawsuits are resolved before trial, with most cases reaching resolution through some form of alternative dispute resolution method. This is why I thought the course would be particularly relevant to my future career as a lawyer.

How did you find this role?

I saw the course advertised online so I decided to apply for it. A six-month exchange seemed quite daunting, but I’ve always wanted to partake in overseas study. The course was only for three weeks so the short amount of time away really suited me.

What does a typical day of work include?

Class was from 9am-midday, Monday – Friday and we had eleven other Australian law students in my class. As our class environment was quite small, it was nice to have a closer working relationship with our lecturer who had 28 years of experience in Law. We had excursions throughout the three weeks including going to the courthouse to meet with one of the judges, and a trip to USD Law School to meet with professional mediators.

After class I would catch up on readings and then get to explore the beautiful San Diego beaches.

What have you learnt?

Over three weeks we learnt a lot of interesting, practical methods of getting the best outcome for all parties in an alternative dispute resolution setting. We did practice negotiations where we would be given separate fact sheets and have to negotiate with other students in the class.

One of the fact scenarios was a lady who had slipped on a grape in a supermarket and injured herself. Some students were given the facts of the lady and other students were given the facts to represent the supermarket. The fact scenarios allowed us to practice the new skills and techniques we would learn. We had a focus on adding value to the negotiation. Rather than just negotiating a set financial price owed by the supermarket for the injury, we introduced new terms and agreements to the negotiation. The lady was a yoga instructor and had her own business, so one of the additional terms we used was free advertising within the supermarket. Another was the introduction of safety signs to prevent similar incidents occurring. The course had a strong focus on communication styles and creativity

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PRIVATE LAW Private law is one of the largest and most diverse bodies of law, dealing with relations between parties wherein the state is not directly concerned. Private law encompasses numerous areas of law including tort, property, commercial, contract, labour, and private international law. Lawyers working in private law are usually involved in either litigious, transactional or advisory work for firms.

The most well-known practitioners of private law are large corporate law firms which are increasingly operating in a transnational setting. These firms – whilst understandably garnering the stereotype of a ‘Harvey Specter’ type nature of legal practice – offer much more than suave suits and dramatic negotiations. Firms are increasingly offering international opportunities for graduates, such as international secondments or conferences. The horizontal as well as vertical flexibility in commercial law – whilst differing from firm to firm – can bring about a wealth of knowledge and diverse experiences.

SPARKE HELMORE LAWYERS

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Tip: My biggest tip for applying for paralegal jobs would be to make sure that your strengths match up with the requirements of the job. If you get to an interview stage it’s very difficult to speak passionately about something when you actually have no interest in it. Also, never send your CV as a Word document!

By Charlotte Michalowski

What advice would you give your university aged self?

If I were to give advice to myself before I got my first job in a law firm, I would probably tell myself to be more confident in pursuing opportunities. I would also highly recommend identifying what characteristics you have that make you stand out from other applicants. My first paralegal job was originally only open to 4th and 5th year law students, however, there was a specific requirement for the role (speaking German) which meant that the pool of applicants was significantly reduced. I applied for the job after a friend pushed me to do it- and I didn’t think anything would come from it, but I ultimately got the job. I’d probably also repeat, over and over, to my first- and second-year self, that luck is a big part of getting any job and to not take missing out on a job to heart.

How did your experience as an ANU Law student encourage or influence your decision to pursue this opportunity?

ANU Law naturally has a big focus on public law, given that we live in the centre of political action in Australia. For me this was a real positive, as I find public law the most interesting

aspect of law. Being at the ANU has allowed me to pursue research opportunities in public law, and really hone in on what I want to do after I graduate. I think having smaller cohorts, and easy ways to interact with our distinguished professors (who are predominantly industry leaders) means that, if you go for it, you can make yourself stand out by having real clarity in the kind of work that you are interested in.

What does your role entail?

Both my roles at the small private law firm, and at the large national law firm have involved high levels of research, administrative duties and assisting the people that I work with. The biggest difference between the larger firm and the smaller firm is probably the nature of the work that you do. If you’re someone that enjoys seeing a case from start to finish, engaging with clients on a personal level and working across multiple areas of law, smaller firms are more likely to give you those opportunities. In a large firm, you’re likely going to be working as part of a larger team, and within a very specific area of law. Whether you prefer the specialised, large scale matters or the broader, smaller matters is defintitely relevant in figuring out what kind of workplace you want to work in.

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ANU

MORAY & AGNEW LAYWERS INSURANCE LITIGATION

Tip: Gain as many experiences as you can in university, you never know what might be useful for finding a job, or at the very least make for a good story to tell in an interview

By Michael Ma What does a typical day at work include?

How did you find this role?

No day at work is the same at Moray & Agnew. However, I generally start the day by checking and replying to emails and sorting out my tasks for the day. Throughout the day, I could be drafting pleadings, letters, and advice, or even lodging an application at ACAT (ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal). I’ve begun managing some of my own matters under the supervision of a senior lawyer in my team – so graduate work at Moray & Agnew is definitely a lot more than just photocopying.

I started out as a paralegal around 10 months ago. I learned a lot on the role and the firm was generous enough to offer me a graduate position which I accepted. Don’t believe in the myth that you have to complete a clerkship to be offered a graduate position. There are many pathways to get into the legal profession; in fact, I think my many experiences in university including working in retail, legal research, and completing an internship overseas, were well regarded by my current workplace and could help land you a career in law.

On some days, I will accompany my partner to conferences to learn more on the art of legal negotiation.

On others, I might tag along to watch a hearing which our lawyers have spent months preparing for. Again, litigation work entails many components, and there is something different to learn every day.

What personal qualities are required for success in your role?

There is also no shortage of social activities at Moray & Agnew. By Friday afternoon, I can expect to be having a drink with colleagues, or even go out for karaoke or bowling if someone has organised an event. This is on top of the many gatherings I’m invited to as a grad, including client functions. Last week I attended the annual ACT Insurance Industry Gala Ball which was a lot of fun!

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Critical thinking, attention to detail and grit I think will be some of the most important qualities needed for success as a lawyer at Moray & Agnew. Litigation requires you to think strategically when working with other parties and navigating the court process. It’s important to be able to anticipate the actions and interests of others and provide sound commercial advice to clients. Attention to detail is also a must because, in a profession where words are your currency, you can’t afford to miscommunicate. Finally, the days can get long, so it’s important to be able to see things through and not panic. I will certainly be trying to hone in on these skills during my time here, so my preliminary advice is to start thinking about how you can demonstrate these skills to a prospective employer. Good luck!

PROXIMITY LAW

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Tip: Remember how to utilise the legal research skills you learn in University because they will come in handy in practice a lot more than you realise.

By Angus Wu

What does your role entail?

As a paralegal at Proximity, I was seconded to the Department of Agriculture, and performed legal research to assist in the development of an infringement notice scheme for biosecurity. This involved researching previous case law on the subject, and how these provisions had been applied in the past. It also consisted of applying this research to the proposed scheme and researching how the legislation would be enforced in practice.

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most challenging aspect of your role?

The most rewarding element of my time at Proximity has definitely been the feeling that I am making real change. Working for the government and performing research that influences the development of federal legislation and its enforcement has been extremely fulfilling and interesting. I also really enjoyed using my legal skills in practice, as I was previously unsure of how they would assist me in a workplace.

In contrast, the most challenging aspect has been trying to find ways to think outside the box. Performing research using unconven-

tional methods and ways of thinking are often required to discover information that is not readily available. I have often needed to find new ways of narrowing down search parameters when trying to find applicable case law and had to search in locations that did not originally seem relevant.

How has the ANU helped you to get where you are?

My studies at ANU have provided me with all the tools required to effectively perform in my role. My role is heavily based in legal research, and the skills I learned concerning how to effectively find case law have proved crucial for my position. My legal research skills have also helped me to learn legal databases, and how to efficiently search for case law and other legal information online

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CLIFFORD CHANCE (HONG KONG) INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION Tip: Be interesting! When going for interviews, members of the team you will be joining are looking for someone who they can get along with for long periods of time - every day, in fact!

Have some stories and experiences to share that are outside the law, to show that you have passions other than studying!

By Tiger Lin What does your role entail?

As an intern with the international commercial arbitration team at Clifford Chance, Hong Kong, I was fortunate to be involved in a variety of matters beyond the usual administrative tasks of an intern.

My arrival coincided with the beginning of a threeday hearing, where the partner I worked for sat as the arbitrator. It was immensely valuable observing a hearing from this perspective, and I was tasked initially with assisting the arbitrator by collating witness testimony to identify the disputed facts. While I did my fair share of administrative tasks such as drafting statutory demands, combing through data for inconsistencies and preparing transcripts, doing these tasks opened the path to being entrusted with more substantive pieces of legal research in unsettled and obscure parts of the law. This is where I learnt the most, being placed outside my comfort zone.

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most challenging aspect of your role?

The most challenging aspect was being thrown into the deep end with legal research questions, especially given that in class, finding points of law does not often extend beyond reading lecture slides, footnotes in a textbook or journal articles for an essay. I had to give myself a crash course on Boolean connectors and try to find the appropriate precedents, all while navigating the similar-yet-foreign Hong Kong legal

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system. Not the easiest task with only 1.5 years of law school under my belt!

There were also a number of rewarding aspects – it was a valuable opportunity for me to experience the fastpaced life of working in a top tier multinational firm in one of the biggest Asian hubs, and get a taste for the firm culture, which was more horizontal than I expected – I was able to spend a considerable amount of time learning from the partner directly, and he also invited the entire team to contribute our opinions when considering procedural and substantive points that arose out of the arbitration.

What have you learnt from this role?

This internship exposed me to the practical legal skills I would need to hone in on over the course of the remaining years of my degree if I wanted to pursue a career in litigation (and dispute resolution). It showed me the importance of seeking opportunities outside the classroom to practise my research skills, such as mooting and finding research assistant work. It has strengthened my resolve to pursue an international legal career, as it has shown me the breadth of opportunities available outside of Australia. Finally, it has helped me get my foot in the door of this firm as I have since started a paralegal role under the same partner at Clifford Chance, Sydney.

SOVEREIGN TRUST (HONG KONG)

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COMPLIANCE AND LEGAL DEPARTMENT

Tip: Have a job search plan first and seek advice from the ANU Careers team. Before your interview, practise several times on the Interviewstream (https://anu.interviewstream.com/ Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fQuestion%2fInterviews).

By Zhaorun Zhou What does your role entail?

In the compliance department, my central role is to assist the Money Laundering Reporting officer in conducting ad-hoc backgrounds research. The procedures of such research are highly related to the risk assessment results of Sovereign’s private clients and corporations. In my day to day work, I also conduct file reviews as per Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Procedures. These activities allow me to understand the potential risk of these business activities and the significance of ensuring a company’s practices which are compliant with any relevant laws and regulations. The most challenging aspect is that some of the corporations might have an extremely complicated structure. It takes a lot of effort to understand their business nature and how the business operates.

In the legal department, I am responsible for drafting legal and trust documents to clients from various jurisdictions, providing professional legal translation during client meetings and conducting legal research regarding complex legal and regulatory matters in different jurisdictions (South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc.).

Assisting solicitors during the client meeting provides an exceptional opportunity to put me in a real commercial environment and learn the communication skills required to be a solicitor. The most challenging

aspect is that some of the clients might not speak English or Mandarin. The policy and regulations in different jurisdictions could be extremely diverse.

How has the ANU helped you to get where are?

For this internship, I applied through the ANU CBE GLOBE program and got the offer from the Sovereign Group. One tip would be to do some research about the financial services this corporation provided and follow their Linkedin Page to read more updated activities before the interview.

This overseas experience inspired me to become a corporate solicitor. The business world has lots of challenges and opportunities. Also, I enjoy working with words. As well as studying law, I also enjoy being a competent businessperson in my own right.

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COMMERCIAL LITIGATION (SINGAPORE) Tip: If you are applying for internships at overseas firms, be specific about what you hope to achieve and gain out of interning in a foreign jurisdiction. As a majority of applicants will be domestic students, law firms will be curious as to why a foreign law student like yourself would like to intern at their firm

By Jake Hester What does your role entail?

I was an intern at a large commercial law firm in Singapore.

During my internship, I was fortunate enough to be assigned to the litigation department. While the majority of my work focused on corporate and commercial law, I was also exposed to parts of Singaporean family and criminal law. Being in the litigation department allowed me to assist lawyers with areas of law I would not normally be able to work on as a law student in Australia, such as international arbitration. Assisting the lawyers saw me help them draft court documents in preparation for trial, review legal documents as well as meet with clients and sitting-in on consultations. I was also tasked with other clerical activities, such as transcribing client consultations and recording the minutes of board meetings.

Unlike some internships where interns mainly observe and shadow their supervisors, I found myself working alongside the lawyers and assisting them directly with their ongoing cases. As I got to know their cases, I spent a great deal of my time conducting legal research for them and coming up with potential courses of action which they could use when drafting their court briefs. Consequently, my role also required me to routinely accompany the lawyers when they had legal matters at the State and Supreme Court of Singapore.

with were multilingual and had clients who often did not speak English. Thinking about my future as a legal practitioner, my time in Singapore encouraged me to think differently about how I approach dealing with legal matters and clients of different backgrounds. No one client is the same, and being able to appreciate this difference and how they may perceive seeking legal advice helps ensure the interests and needs of a client are handled as best as possible.

This extended to life as a lawyer in Singapore and the immense differences there are in office culture between Australia and Singapore. In Singapore, I quickly realised that lawyers spend far more time in the office than they do in Australia. While working in a commercial law firm in Australia can be intense, Singaporean workplaces do not tend to put the same emphasis on work-life balance. Office hours are longer than in Australia and a common cultural norm is to not leave the office before your senior or boss has finished for the day as a gesture of respect to them. While this was both challenging and exhausting, I felt I began to really value the amount of time I put into my work and the hours I devoted to my internship. While the hours are longer and the demands are greater, the sacrifice in doing so tends to be greatly appreciated in Singapore. This taught me to be resilient and adapt to change quickly in a work environment. I felt this transferred over into my own studies back at the ANU and the importance of being flexible to ensure the job is carried out.

What attracted you to this role?

I was really attracted to the idea of gaining legal experience in an international setting. While Singapore is an international hub for trade, commerce and tourism, it has also become a hub for dispute resolution due to the Singapore International Arbitration Court being located there. At the same time, interning in Singapore as an Australian is quite straightforward, as Singapore What have you learnt from this role? has special work holiday visas that Australian university students can apply for and use to work in law firms for up to a period of Interning in Singapore gave me a valuable cultural and educational experience that I do not think I could have gotten between six months to a year (depending on which visa you obtain). Consequently, I thought interning in a place like Singapore in Australia. Like Australia, the language of law in Singawould be an ideal location to gain the experience I wanted as I pore in English. Regardless, despite being a relatively small would be exposed to a new working environment, learn about jurisdiction, Singaporean legal matters routinely involve a melting pot of people from different language backgrounds, new areas of law as well as expand on the skills and knowledge nationalities, and perceptions of law. All the lawyers I worked I acquired in Australia. Therefore, I applied for a visa and sent in my CV and grade transcripts to as many firms as I could find 52 before I was fortunate enough to be offered an internship.

INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION (SINGAPORE)

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Tip: Don’t sell yourself short in your CV or interview. Too often we are our worst critics, which makes us our own worst enemies

By Dominique Yap What does your role entail?

As an intern in a dispute resolution team, I would mostly be researching case law or academic authorities for specific legal issues, and writing memos summarising my findings.

If my supervising associate was not too pressed for time, I was also given the opportunity to draft submissions, affidavits and letters to clients. However, it is not all desk-bound work. If there was an upcoming court or arbitral hearing, I got the chance to don my black-and-whites and follow the team to observe proceedings and assist with notetaking.

What is the most rewarding aspect and the most challenging aspect of your role?

Half of the time, I felt completely out of my depth.

And by ‘half ’, I mean ninety percent. I thought that university would have prepared me for the research and writing part, at least in theory. In practice, I would be poring over library books or trawling case banks with different combinations of key words and Boolean terms. Surely from hundreds of years of common law history there is a case out there that supports this obscure proposition! And if I ended up reporting that I found nothing particularly relevant, God forbid the associate find something useful later on, because I probably didn’t look hard enough.

But it is incredibly satisfying when you finally do find that analogous case, or when the associate actually incorporates your research and arguments into their final submissions. And even more so when the eventual judgment is decided in the client’s favour!

There is just something about being part of a team that worked so hard and seeing the fruits of my labour, even if my own part was miniscule in the grand scheme of things.

What have you learnt from this role?

Being a lawyer, especially in dispute resolution, is not for the faint-hearted. The long hours and mental burnout are indeed real, and it is terrifying to witness the stresses of work taking a toll on people.

Having said that, it is an incredible opportunity to learn about how the commercial world functions, and to develop a very valuable skillset. Personally, I also find it immensely gratifying to gain deeper insight into a certain industry or business practice that I knew nothing about before. I would highly encourage all law students to take up an internship, clerkship or paralegal position, just to get a feel for what it is like. Who knows, you may even enjoy it! If anything, just relish the chance to feel like a real lawyer without the real responsibilities.

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ANU

CORPORATE LAW IN INDONESIA Tip: When applying for international roles it is integral that you know why you want to work overseas or why you want to work in that specific field. If you are only applying to make your CV attractive it is hard to be authentic and this may show in applications and during interviews.

Therefore, my one tip would be to ensure you understand why are applying and use this as a theme in your application and during interviews.

By Tristan Shugg

What does a typical day of work include?

As many people in Jakarta do, I start my morning by jumping on the back of a ‘Gojek’ motorbike which takes me to my office to start work at 8am. I work in a small office with a legal consulting team who specialise in corporate establishment, immigration, and legal compliance. The work was varied throughout the four weeks of my internship, however, it consisted heavily of legal research for the subsidiary of an international client. Typically, I set up my laptop and start where I had finished the day prior: either writing a letter of advice or researching areas of the law that apply the client’s queries.

I then collaborate my findings with the team and cross-check the law with my co-workers.

English translations are not available for every Indonesian law so I was limited in how much law I could realistically comprehend and apply.

My major role in the LOA is finalising the English version of the document and formatting it.

If I’m not researching Indonesian corporate law and drafting a letter of advice, I am drafting circular resolutions and articles of association. It is also quite common to check over English written documents before they are sent to clients.

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What personal qualities are required for success in your role?

Working overseas in a foreign environment means that you will be placed in a social and work environment that challenges your usual routine. Adapting your habits to suit that of the new environment is key for success and this requires a lot of patience – for yourself and others – as well as cultural awareness. If you are keen to have new experiences and meet a vast range of people then this role is perfect for you!

What attracted you to this role?

Indonesia exhibits huge potential for growth over the next decade and working in Jakarta gave me exposure to one of the largest SouthEast Asian hubs. It was time for an adventure, so working and living in a foreign city while also travelling throughout Indonesia on my weekends was an opportunity I could not miss. Additionally, I have a sincere interest in this field which in turn helped me stay attentive and interested throughout the internship!

Important Clerkship Application Dates

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

ABOUT US With over 25 offices spanning Asia, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle east, we can show you exactly what a world class commercial law firm has to offer, giving you the chance to work as part of an international team, on high-profile matters, for some of the most significant organisations in the market.

Our focus is on the future: the future needs of existing and new clients, the future of the legal profession and investing in our future lawyers.

That’s why we aim to attract the best talent from a broad range of backgrounds, ensuring we are optimising our position as a progressive, forward thinking professional services business. At Herbert Smith Freehills, you’ll be given the opportunity to develop the skills you need to help solve our clients’ most complex challenges in thoughtful and innovative ways.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

CLERKSHIP PROGRAM

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

SYDNEY Approximate number of positions

30-35

Clerkship programs

1 Summer

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

Applications for all 2019/20 programs open

9 June 2020

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

Applications for all 2019/20 programs close

12 July 2020

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

Offers made

16 September 2020

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

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

So, what exactly are we looking for?

• Work with cutting edge technology through our innovation projects

There’s no single path to becoming an exceptional commercial lawyer. We look beyond your academic record and your technical aptitude.

We’re focussed on finding people who have the curiosity to explore all the angles and the empathy to place themselves in their client’s shoes. Building great relationships takes a certain understanding and as our global village gets ever smaller, we look for graduates who think of themselves as citizens of the world.

JOINING US

HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM

KEY DATES/DEADLINES

• Networking opportunities to meet people across the firm

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

Please note: An application should only be submitted to the office where you intend to start your career as a graduate.

Multiple applications will not be considered.

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

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

© Herbert Smith Freehills 2020 NOF186936_A4_Advertorials v2 /170220

As a junior lawyer, your enthusiasm is in overdrive. Everything is interesting. You have a million questions for everyone. You want to be the best. And for me, I wanted to be the best lawyer and leader I could be.

Right now I’m a corporate and tax lawyer, buying and selling companies, structuring investments and having the occasional battle with the ATO.

STAY TRUE.

So, a little while after I started at Clayton Utz, I joined the social committee. A powerful assembly fuelled by lunchtime pizzawielding lawyers making important decisions like choosing the Christmas party theme. They knew I liked pizza, but had no idea I was gay. You see, I wasn’t out at work yet and this became a genuine source of anxiety for a good two years.

But In May 2015 this all changed...

To listen to Luke’s full story, go to: claytonutz.com/graduates Academic brilliance certainly counts, but graduates who thrive here have something extra – a natural passion for connecting with people and a strong sense of self. That’s what staying true is all about. If you have these qualities, Clayton Utz is for you.

CLERKSHIP PROGRAM If you’re a law student in your penultimate year, our Clerkship Programs will expose you to the fast pace of a full-service commercial law firm and show you the law in action.

You’ll be working under the guidance of some of the sharpest legal minds in Australia, on challenging, complex and high-profile transactions and matters. You’ll be mentored by partners and lawyers who are leaders in their fields, in a firm where individuality is embraced and innovation actively encouraged.

GRADUATE PROGRAM It’s not just about wearing a suit.

There’s always a gap between theory and practice, and post-university prospects can be daunting. How do you make the leap to working in the industry?

That’s where we come in.

Once you’ve completed your studies, our national Graduate Program gives you the perfect foundation for your legal career. Our 2.5 week orientation program is designed to ensure that you’ll hit the ground running. It consists of PLT+, local training and a national orientation week in Sydney.

Our rotations will help you discover different areas and find the right fit. From day one you’ll be working on complex and sophisticated legal issues, and with our innovative learning and development approach, you’ll get the support to become the best you can be.

You’ll get…

• Three rotations of six months in our national practice groups • continuing legal education programs and professional development support • mentoring from some of the best lawyers in the country • a buddy who’ll give you the inside information

• the chance to participate in our Community Connect and Pro Bono programs and really give back

• meaningful performance feedback so you know you’re on • social and sporting activities, because we know it’s not the right track all work and no play.

We hire most of our Graduates from our Clerkship Programs. Occasionally, additional opportunities may arise. These opportunities will be listed on our website.

make the difference

to your career, clients and community

Aim beyond pure legal knowledge. Beyond commercial advice.

Be known for something more: a clarity of thought and an instinct for problem solving that can influence governments and leading businesses the world over. Join us and we’ll help you enrich and expand your worldview, grow your skills and influence new ways of thinking. In other words, we’ll help you make the difference.

Begin now at ashurst.com/careers

Connect with us on

Make the difference at Ashurst As a global law firm with a rich history spanning almost 200 years, we’ve established ourselves as a leading adviser to corporates, financial institutions and governments, on all areas of the law including finance, M&A, disputes and competition. We’re renowned for helping our clients navigate through a complex and constantly evolving global landscape. With 26 offices across the world’s leading financial and resource centres, we offer the reach and insight of a global network combined with deep local market knowledge.

Our people are our greatest asset. We bring together lawyers of the highest calibre with the expertise, industry experience and regional know-how to provide the incisive advice our clients need. As a global team we have a reputation for successfully managing large and complex multi-jurisdictional transactions, disputes and projects.

Ashurst around the globe

Glasgow London Paris Madrid

Brussels Frankfurt Munich Milan Luxembourg Abu Dhabi Jeddah Riyadh

New York Beijing New Delhi Mumbai

Dubai

Tokyo Shanghai Hong Kong

Singapore Jakarta

Port Moresby

Perth Melbourne

Brisbane Sydney Canberra

10

time zones

16

countries

Begin now at ashurst.com/careers

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offices

1,430 people

1,300 lawyers

Connect with us on

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partners

Welcome to a new dimension of Law As an elite international law firm headquartered in Asia, we are reshaping the legal market by challenging our people and our clients

careers.kwm.com/en/graduates-australia

to think differently about what a law firm can be today, tomorrow and beyond. We thrive on exceeding the expectations of our clients, and as such the world’s leading organisations turn to us to unlock their biggest opportunities and deliver clever solutions to their most vexing challenges. Where others see limitations, we see possibility.

With ambitious thinking and innovation in our DNA, we partner with our clients to bring to life pioneering solutions which will help them to adapt, reinvent and grow. We believe innovation comes from giving our people room to grow, and as such actively encourage input and ideas from all levels of the firm.

Our people are encouraged to shape their own career path, supported at every step of the way, with world-class training, coaching and hands-on experience. There is no ‘one size fits all’ career model, and we offer multiple opportunities for our lawyers to gain experience and thrive.

During your clerkship, you’ll learn: • The day-to-day skills to get you started – taking instructions, meeting with clients, drafting memos and documents, managing your practice and professional relationships.

• The core practice teams at King & Wood Mallesons – who they are, what they do, how they’re structured, the clients they work for, and of course, your role within them.

• Our culture – working within your team, you’ll be exposed to (and encouraged) to get actively involved in the many activities and events that help create our unique culture.

• Our people – you’ll find that people from every part of the business will help you by sharing their knowledge and ensuring you have everything you need to succeed.

Your role

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

GLOBAL REACH The King & Wood Mallesons network extends across the following regions:

Clerks usually work in one or two different practice groups, depending on the length of the clerkship.

• Asia Pacific (Australia, Mainland China including Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore)

You’ll be allocated a supervisor in each of your practice groups and you’ll work closely with the partners, senior associates and solicitors in that team. It’s a hands-on role, so you won’t just be watching from the sidelines.

• Europe • Middle EastNorth America OUR PROGRAMS SEASONAL CLERKSHIP PROGRAM Applications open: 9 June 2020 Applications close: Canberra, 5 July 2020 Sydney, 12 July 2020 How to apply: Via our online application system at kwm.com/careers We offer clerkships to give you a clear picture of what it’s like to be a lawyer at King & Wood Mallesons. You’ll get to know our people, the way we like to work, our culture, practice areas, clients and more.

GRADUATE PROGRAM We offer a unique future-focused training experience and invest heavily in development to support you to fulfil your potential. You will benefit from a bespoke comprehensive learning and development program tailored specifically for our graduates.

As a graduate you will take part in graduate technology bootcamps. These bootcamps will provide you with exposure to the many different types of emerging legal

think

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

technologies, which are available at our firm.

These skills will help prepare you for the future and ensure that we continue to evolve to meet our clients’ changing needs.

We also offer a Practical Legal Training (PLT) course with the College of Law to our Australian Law graduates, ensuring that you meet the requirements for admission to legal practice.

The program also promotes and supports the mobility of our staff across our offices by giving you the opportunity to apply to go on exchange in one of our interstate or overseas offices. Through this, you can access a greater choice and variety of destinations and on-the-job experience.

VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE PROGRAM Wherever you are in the world you can now experience what it is really like to be a lawyer at KWM with our Australian-first legal virtual work experience program (VEP).

Originally launched in 2017, the platform features two programs – ‘Intro to Law’ and ‘Advanced Law’ – which each include five learning modules curated by KWM based on real life firm matters and activities.

Through this program you can build real skills and the confidence to excel in a commercial law career before you even step into one of our offices.

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

WE OFFER: • Culture of innovation, collaboration and high performance • Multiple career pathways where you can shape your future • World-class training and coaching to unleash your full potential • High impact work for the world’s leading organisations • Relationships that last a lifetime

Immerse yourself in the KWM experience.

KWM graduate website https://careers.kwm.com/en/graduates-australia

BONNIE ROBINSON People & Development Coordinator, Canberra T +61 2 6217 6751 bonnie.robinson@au.kwm.com

InsideSherpa virtual experience program www.insidesherpa.com/king&woodmallesons King & Wood Mallesons refers to the network of firms which are members of the King & Wood Mallesons network. See kwm.com for more information.

Working at Jones Day… One Firm WorldwideSM Jones Day is a global law firm with more than 2,500 lawyers in 43 offices across five continents. The Firm is distinguished by: a singular tradition of client service; the mutual commitment to, and the seamless collaboration of, a true partnership; formidable legal talent across multiple disciplines and jurisdictions; and shared professional values that focus on client needs.

The Firm’s 125 years of sustained growth—in experience, reputation and successful client interaction—have been built by its dedication to a ‘One Firm Worldwide’ philosophy, which fosters the creation of interoffice and crosspractice teams, assembled to ensure that clients receive the best possible guidance and representation, without regard to barriers conventionally imposed by geography, borders, time zones or language.

Australia Jones Day’s presence in Australia has grown significantly.

The Firm has added new offices in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane over the last six years in addition to our office in Sydney, reflecting our commitment to expanding our service to the Australian market.

Our lawyers work in a dynamic and stimulating multidisciplinary environment by collaborating with colleagues from different practices and different offices worldwide.

We continue to attract many of the legal industry’s most highly regarded and sought-after lawyers while maintaining our focus on promoting internal talent through the ranks.

The New Lawyers Group Jones Day recognises that many law students leave law school not knowing which practice they want to enter. We also believe that a more well-rounded lawyer is a better lawyer and that a wide range of experience is valuable to a new lawyer. Accordingly, many years ago Jones Day created the New Lawyers Group, which allows new associates to gain exposure to different practice areas and lawyering styles at the Firm before making a commitment to a specific practice.

We provide extensive training through the New Lawyers program. Each November, we bring together new associates from across the Firm at the “New Lawyers Academy” in Washington for three days of hands-on training and meetings with Firm leaders. In addition to helping them understand Jones Day’s culture, organisation and operation, the Academy gives our new lawyers the opportunity to meet their peers in the Firm’s other offices.

Graduate and Clerkship Programs We run clerkship programs across our offices in Australia that offers selected positions to talented students who are in their penultimate year of university. We give our clerks real work for real clients, to provide them with an opportunity to learn what the practice of law at a large firm is all about.

Providing challenging assignments also allows us to assess clerks’ potential to deliver first-rate legal services and to flourish in Jones Day’s culture. We aim for clerks to become future graduates of the Firm.

A Culture of Client Service and Collaboration Jones Day’s commitment to client service means our lawyers work together in a collaborative atmosphere where teamwork is essential, respect for and from colleagues is the norm, and credit is shared for a job well done.

In fact, every facet of the Firm is structured to promote an environment that’s client-focused, but also professionally fulfilling for lawyers at any career stage. We expect our lawyers to focus completely on client needs, with the full support and encouragement of their peers. We recognise that partners and associates alike contribute to the Firm in a variety of ways, and we reward law yers for their overall contributions to the Firm and for promoting the Firm’s values.

JONES DAY AUSTRALIA THE FACTS Jones Day’s Australian offices, an integral part of the worldwide Firm, are seeking highly skilled graduates and lawyers who are interested in working as part of an integrated team on a truly global scale. Joining Jones Day means starting your career in a dynamic global law firm, in which you will find ample opportunity to acquire the full array of skills and experience necessary to meet the legal-services needs of sophisticated clients on a worldwide basis.

FIRM OVERVIEW LAWYERS WORLDWIDE

AUSTRALIAN OFFICES

OFFICES

2500 4 Detroit Chicago Minneapolis San Francisco Silicon Valley Los Angeles Irvine San Diego Dallas

43

Amsterdam Brussels

Cleveland Pittsburgh Boston New York Washington

London Paris Madrid

Columbus Atlanta Miami

COUNTRIES

18

Moscow Düsseldorf Frankfurt Munich Milan

Beijing Shanghai Tokyo

Taipei

Saudi Arabia

Hong Kong

Dubai

Mexico City

Singapore

Houston

Brisbane Sydney São Paulo

Perth Melbourne

AUSTRALIA MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE Antitrust & Competition Law Banking, Finance & Securities Business Restructuring & Reorganization CapitalMarkets Energy Environment

Global Disputes Intellectual Property Labor & Employment Mergers & Acquisitions New Lawyers Group Private Equity Pro Bono Financial Markets

We run a Summer Clerkship program in Sydney and applications and recruitment dates follow the NSW Law Society Guidelines.

Opening Date: 9 June 2020 Closing Date: 12 July 2020 Applications must be made online.

Please visit us at www.jonesdaycareers.com/australia and follow the links to the relevant page.

For further information regarding our recruitment programs, the application process or the interview process, please visit our website at www.jonesday.com.

Great change is here.

Shape the future with Allens At Allens, we’re focused on equipping our people with the skills and experience they need to be the lawyers of the future. We’re ready to define tomorrow. Are you?

With us, you’ll be more than a lawyer. Our people are technical experts, but they’re also trusted business advisers who think bigger, more broadly and more strategically. Together, we solve complex legal challenges, and collaborate across practice areas and disciplines to guide our clients.

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

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

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

Our teams are open, inclusive and encouraging, giving you the opportunity to learn and grow while feeling supported.

You’ll have the flexibility to drive your own career, and we’ll recognise your achievements and hard work as you progress through the firm. Are you ready to begin?

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

and Sydney offices;

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

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

with Linklaters;

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

(via Allens Academy); and

a 12‑month weekly legal seminar series

(Cornerstone Program).

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

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Great change is here.

Shape the future with Allens At Allens, we’re focused on equipping our people with the skills and experience they need to be the lawyers of the future. We’re ready to define tomorrow. Are you?

WILL BROWN ANU ALUMNI & ALLENS GRADUATE One of Allens 2019 Graduates and Australian National University JD alumni Will Brown shares his clerkship experience in a feature with Lawyers Weekly.

Having spent the best part of five years studying at the ANU, it felt like the right time to make the move from the nation’s capital to the place most commonly mistaken for the nation’s capital, Sydney. After several brief glimpses into life at Allens, it was with much excitement that I awaited the start of my Summer Clerkship. I could picture it – exciting work, new colleagues, and Christmas functions to boot. I did not, however, foresee a trip to the Sydney Children’s Hospital, an advanced screening of Jumanji, losing to a rival firm in soccer (controversially and in wet weather…) and karaoke on a Thursday night somewhere in Surry Hills.

Trying to imagine life inside a commercial law firm is quite difficult. Most of the work is confidential and each person’s experience and perspective differs greatly. I had always thought - or at least hoped - that I would fit in and that I would be given a chance to use my skills not just commercially, but in the context of helping other people too.

After several days of training and exploring the less travelled parts of Microsoft Word, we were let loose onto the floors to join the teams for our first rotation. For me, this was Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT). Here, I was met with genuine warmth and excitement. The arrival of clerks, I was told, meant it was almost Christmas.

In the weeks since, I have had the privilege to work on largescale service agreements in addition to novation deeds, licences, advice on cryptocurrencies and even the issue of zero-ratings and net neutrality. It has been a process of constant learning, navigating new laws and trying to anticipate the regulation of new and exciting concepts.

Allens is an independent partnership operating in alliance with Linklaters LLP.

By the same token (couldn’t help myself), I have also worked on a number of Allens Accelerate matters. Accelerate works with aspiring entrepreneurs in the embryonic stages of starting their own companies, many of which could have a big impact on a number of sectors in the coming years.

What has really rounded out my experience has been the chance to work on pro bono matters. While clients are always grateful for receiving advice, there is something really rewarding when you can make a difference for a client that would not ordinarily be in a position to access legal services. Allens has a strong commitment to pro bono work and clerks are encouraged to get involved from day one.

Aside from having front-row seats for a senior colleague’s rendition of Geri Halliwell’s It’s Raining Men, the highlight of my Allens experience has been the people. There is a genuine team spirit among the clerks and it has been a pleasure getting to know so many interesting people from all over the country.

Special thanks must go to the entire TMT and People & Development teams, without whom my experience would not have been as seamless and enjoyable as it has been. In the last few weeks, a sense of confidence has been instilled in me by the lawyers I work alongside. Despite having complex matters to attend to before Christmas, they have all taken the time to explain new concepts to me and give me detailed feedback on their work.

Particular thanks must go to Ian McGill, my supervising partner. No matter how busy he has been, Ian has set aside time to review my work and provide feedback which has allowed me to increase the standard of my work immeasurably. His approachability has allowed me to ask questions and to work with confidence, without fear of making mistakes while I learn. I am also grateful to Connie Ye and Alice Williams who have also been formally involved in mentoring me during this process.

Now I can’t wait to see where my career at Allens takes me!

But first, I’m off to Linklaters in Singapore for a year, as part of my graduate program.

Find out more at allens.com.au/yourcareer 18217D

Coming Soon to Practical Legal Training From Leo Cussen

From January 2021 Leo Cussen Centre for Law will be delivering practical legal training at ANU, available for all ANU students.

What makes us unique?

• Legal Skills Experience thorough and personalised training in client communication, negotiation and advocacy.

• Business Skills Learn effective client engagement, management of deadlines and client billing, just like you’ll need in practice.

• Career Support Dedicated Careers Advisor to support your job placement and preparation.

Learn more leocussen.edu.au

• Mentoring Receive comprehensive feedback and personalised support from your lawyer mentor, with regular one-onone feedback as you work.

• Confidence Build your confidence through continuous practical assessment and individual feedback on your progress.

1300 039 031 enrolment@leocussen.edu.au

GET TO KNOW US What areas of law do we practice?

How many graduate jobs do we offer?

Across Australia, our core areas of focus are Corporate, Banking & Finance, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Antitrust & Competition.

Sydney: 4 – 6

Why are we different?

Firstly, our collaborative and adaptable culture. We work together across borders, languages and legal systems, sharing insights and expertise to achieve our clients’ commercial goals. Secondly, we’re pioneers, working on many ‘first of a kind’ deals. Finally, it’s the nature of our people. Highly professional and self-assured, with an entrepreneurial streak, they embrace our culture of learning and are more than happy to share their expertise and knowledge.

Your contacts Kelly Byrnes, National HR Manager & Melissa Urquhart, HR Advisor Grads.Australia@CliffordChance.com

Clerkships Students must be at least penultimate year and eligible to participate in the 2022 Graduate Program

When are our clerkships held?

Our Clerkship program in Sydney runs in Winter; in 2020, it will run from 29 June – 17 July.

Our Clerkship program in Perth runs in Summer; in 2020 it will run from 30 November – 18 December.

How many clerks do we take?

Sydney: 4 – 6 Perth: 4 – 6

Perth: 2 – 4

Do we make graduate offers to the open market, or just through clerkships?

Graduate offers are primarily made from the clerkship pool however applications from students unable to complete a clerkship program are still accepted and considered.

How / when should students apply?

Sydney

Perth

Applications open: 23 March, 2020

Applications open: 13 July, 2020

Applications close: 10 May, 2020

Applications close: 2 August, 2020

What kind of work can a clerk expect to do?

Our clerkship program is designed to provide you with a real insight to life at Clifford Chance in Australia.

Throughout the program, you will work alongside all levels of lawyers, including partners, while you assist with real-time matters.

You will have two seat rotations, allowing you to experience two different teams.

Throughout the clerkship you will hear from various departments across the region, helping you to develop a comprehensive understanding of life in a magic circle law-firm.

Applications should be submitted online at https://careers.cliffordchance.com/apac/locations/australia.html

THERE’S MORE

Not all corporate law firms are the same.

A clerkship with Gilbert + Tobin is your chance to see if you’ll thrive here. To test yourself with meaningful work from day one. To learn skills and concepts beyond the legal scope. To be integral to an organisation that’s challenging the very way legal services are delivered.

If you want to be part of something different then G+T is the place for you.

gtlaw.com.au/careers

Your future. Your choice.

Choose to make an impact.

Our clerks and graduates become well-rounded, technically excellent lawyers who help to solve some of our clients’ most complex challenges.

But we’ll empower you to be so much more.

Never underestimate the power in you to make an impact We’re driven by a strong sense of purpose: to create lasting impacts with our clients, our people and our communities.

As one of Asia Pacific’s leading law firms, our clients look to us to help them address their most complex legal challenges. But we know, in a world of relentless disruption, we also need to think beyond the law.

We’re driving digital transformation and embedding a culture of curiosity and innovation.

We’re investing in adjacent consulting capabilities that enable us to provide seamlessly integrated solutions to our clients. And our people are committed to making a meaningful difference in the communities they live and work in.

We support you to succeed Our award-winning clerk and graduate programs will expose you to a wide variety of business areas, skills, teams and challenges, helping you to understand where your strengths and interests lie.

You’ll accelerate your legal and business acumen by working alongside high-performing partners, lawyers and professionals in a diverse, collaborative and innovative environment.

Your success is our success We celebrate and invest in our people.

We’re committed to helping our people achieve their best and progress in their careers.

Our development programs and initiatives are second to none. We’ll work with you to provide you with challenging and career-building experiences, and we’re always working to open more doors for you.

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

Emily Hill Lawyer

For information and to apply visit graduates.minterellison.com

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

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

graduates.minterellison.com

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PREMIER SPONSORS

MAJOR SPONSORS

GENERAL SPONSORS

What can you expect from the Graduate Program?

The Sparke Helmore Graduate Program is a challenging and rewarding way to kick-start your legal career.

The first year of practising law can be daunting. Our graduate program is designed to guide you through the experience, providing you with comprehensive training and mentoring as well as networking opportunities.

During the program, you will receive specialised soft skill training to equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to become a capable practitioner and allrounder. The training covers areas such as time management, business development and firm finances. You will also get to work on high-quality, complex matters with leading legal practitioners from day one.

Our graduate cohort also has access to the firm’s mentoring program, which pairs you with a senior lawyer in another practice group, to give you a broader understanding of the firm and its other practice areas.

Sparke Helmore Lawyers is a truly integrated national firm that looks to the future. Established in 1882, we have over 900 people flexibly working from nine offices across Australia. We offer the security and history of a long-established firm with the excitement and opportunity for growth. We operate in a way that puts our clients and our people at the heart of everything we do—we’re proud to be described as being down to earth, practical and easy to deal with.

Our firm values and celebrates diversity. We aim to increase the diversity of our workforce to better represent the communities in which we live and work. Our culture provides the foundations of a welcoming and inclusive environment, and we encourage people from all backgrounds to join us—and bring their whole selves to work.

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