CAREERS GUIDE 2020 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY DICTUM SOCIETY
“Success is not the absence of failure; it’s the persistence through failure.” - Aisha Tyler
Contents
People Victoria University Alumni - Where are they now?
Alternative Pathways
Gaining Experience
Academia and Research
Clerkship and Trainee-ships
Government & Public
Placements at Victoria
Advocacy & Courts
University
Community Legal Work
Places Private Practice Firm Profiles
Legal Practice Areas Solicitors Versus Barristers In-House Lawyers Sports Law Employment Law
Practical Legal Training
Kick-Starting Your Career
Becoming a certified
Resumes & Cover Letters
lawyer
Interview Tips
PLT options
Advice for first years
Mooting
About This Guide This guide aims to act as a tool for students at all stages of their law degree in finding and working towards their dream legal career. It covers the practice areas that a law degree can take you and explores the options for alternative paths outside the legal sector. The guide also outlines your options for undertaking traineeships and practical legal training, with advice from both current and past Victoria University students to help you establish which options are best for your legal journey.
About Dictum Society Dictum Society was established in 2012 and has successfully engaged and serviced a wide variety of external and internal stakeholders in this short time. We are Society which aims to represent the diverse aspirations and attributes amongst our law students and improve their university experience. We achieve this by hosting a combination of initiatives and events, ranging from careers, competitions, social events and education programs.
Acknowledgement of the Country We acknowledge the Ancestors, Elders and families of the [language groups] of the Kulin who are the traditional owners of University land. As we share our own knowledge practices within the University may we pay respect to the deep knowledge embedded within the Aboriginal community and their ownership of Country. We acknowledge that the land on which we meet is a place of age-old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal and that the Kulin people’s living culture has a unique role in the life of this region.
Sponsors and Volunteers Special thanks to Dictum Society's sponsors: the College of Law, Leo Cussen Centre for Law, Minter Ellison, Baker & McKenzie and Maddocks. We are extremely grateful for their continuous support throughout all our initiatives and in particular, this publication. In addition to our sponsors, we are extremely grateful for the support that Victoria University College of Law & Justice has provided us in the creation of the Careers Guide for 2020. We would like to express our gratitude towards Victoria University alumni, current students, academics and university administrators. Without the time, effort, and continued support, the Careers Guide 2020 would not have been possible to publish.
Director's Welcome FALAK SKAIK - DIRECTOR OF CAREERS
Welcome to Dictum Society’s 2020 Careers Guide! A degree in law opens up an array of possibilities for your future career. Whether you are just starting your legal education or are reaching the end of your degree, this guide intends to illustrate the endless career opportunities you may want to pursue after you graduate. My goal for this guide was to provide a comprehensive display of these opportunities, and to showcase the wide variety of jobs both within and outside of the legal sector. This guide refers to the experiences of VU alumni and professionals in the work field to help paint a clear and realistic picture of what you may expect working in a certain field. One of Victoria University’s values is the student experience – this guide aims to channel this value by acting as your reference for how you can make the most of your time at university and be as prepared as possible to step into your legal career.
careers@dictumsocietyvu.com Dictumsocietyvu.com
I would like to give a special thanks to Akoi Arok and Farriz Roslan, the President and Vice President of Dictum Society, for their contributions and support throughout the production of this guide.
President's Foreword AKOI AROK - PRESIDENT
As a law student in my final year the thought of what comes next can often be a daunting one. In my previous years as a Member I’ve looked to Dictum Society’s Law Guide as a point of reference when beginning to map out where or what to do next. I hope this year’s Careers Law Guide provides all of our Members, whether in first or last year comfort in obtaining resourceful information which aids them in mapping their journey, whatever that may be in the industry. As a President this year my overreaching goal for the Careers Guide was to provide a wide variety of careers information and display diversity in terms of professions, places & and; professionals. What makes law intriguing and worthwhile is the people. People buy into people first before they buy into areas’ of study, professional pathways or money. I hope in reading our Careers Guide you are inspired, motivated and equipped in taking your next action. I would like to thank all of our volunteers, contributors and sponsors for the role you’ve all played. Our careers guide is the final end product of months invested by numerous people in compiling, drafting, editing and publishing. Our Career’s Director, Falak has worked endlessly, along with her team in ensuring the guide is not only beneficial and practical but most of all the diversity which can be found in a competitive field such as Law shines through. I wish you the best of luck in your chosen endeavour. Be confident, be brave and be determined. It all starts with one step.
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Dean's Welcome PROFESSOR MICHAEL STUCKY - DEAN COLLEGE OF LAW AND JUSTICE
It is with great pleasure that I introduce the Careers Guide for 2020. I must first acknowledge the hard work and determination of Dictum Society in preparing the guide. Special acknowledgements must go to Falak Skaik for creating the 2020 Careers Guide. Victoria University and its College of Law and Justice are focused on providing a legal education that best prepares students for the rigours of the legal world ahead. At a fundamental level, a student must be aware of the legal world that is before them. No amount of textbook reading or lecture content will fully prepare a graduate for this reality. Legal education in 2020, and beyond, must be syncretic and combine academic and intellectual outcomes with vocational skills to justify the cost of admission. Part of our objective, then, becomes teaching students about the shape of the Australian legal landscape and its culture and complexity. From the centre of Melbourne's legal district, VU is engaged with a variety of legal institutions and organisations which provide us the ability to do just that. The Careers Guide is another tool in fostering this legal education. It is my hope that those who read this guide are better able to form themselves a pathway to wherever it is they wish to go.
Dictum Society How We Can Help
Becoming involved with Dictum Society is a great way to access a variety of events and projects which aim to provide new and returning students with the tools, resources and opportunities to increase career prospects during and after their degree. In 2020, the careers team will be hosting a variety of seminars and networking events to give you the opportunity to expand your network and be as prepared as possible for your future in the legal industry. These events include the Careers Networking Mixer, Careers Fair, a PLT seminar and much more.
PART i alumni
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI
BAO NGO SENIOR SOLICITOR AT MMH LAWYERS bachelor of laws - 2015 WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE AND WHAT DID YOU STUDY? My job title is Senior Solicitor and I completed a double degree in Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Banking and Finance with Victoria University in June 2015. I was admitted as an Australia Lawyer in December 2015 after completing my Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice with the College of Law. AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WORK I currently work for MMH Lawyers located in Avondale Heights. MMH Lawyers is a generalist firm and we presently have 7 lawyers and 3 administrative staff. My practice is predominantly in Property Law including but not limited to conveyancing, subdivisions, sale and purchase of business, franchising, commercial and retail leasing and Owners Corporation disputes. I also take on matters including Criminal Law, Civil Litigation and Wills and Estate matters. Prior to joining the team of MMH Lawyers in November 2018 I was a Senior Solicitor and office manager at Mason Worth between June 2017 and October 2018 and then a solicitor at HWMK from December 2015 to May 2017. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? A typical workday include perusing emails and correspondence received, preparing responses to emails and correspondence, working on my matters to ensure deadlines are met and taking new client consultations. If I have a matter listed in Court then I will be out of the office that day. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? Being a private Lawyer can be incredibly challenging as not only do you have to ensure you meet all your deadlines you also have the pressure of meeting billables. However the most rewarding aspect of my role is being able to assist clients resolve their issues and obtain outcomes favourable for them. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO LAW STUDENTS WHO WISH TO PURSUE THIS CAREER? My advice for law students is to not pursue this career for “the money”. If you are passionate about what you do the monetary rewards in being a lawyer will come.It is important to maintain a healthy work life balance as the hours as a lawyer can be incredibly long.Surround yourself with a supportive network and do not be afraid to call up a colleague or a former peer to ask them for a second opinion or views.This industry is small so it is important to not burn your bridges either.Take time to volunteer at community legal centres (“CLC”) as some of the matters you will be assisting at a CLC are matters that you will not get at a private firm. It also is very rewarding to be able to volunteer and give back to the community.
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI
Anita Batorowicz LAWYER AT Tisher Liner FC Law bachelor of laws - 2016 WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE AND WHAT DID YOU STUDY? I completed a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at Victoria University and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice with the College of Law. My current job title is Lawyer. AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WORK I have worked in the legal industry in various roles since the second year of my law degree, including as a family law legal assistant, an insurance litigation paralegal and following my admission, an insurance litigation lawyer at a national mid-tier firm in Melbourne. I currently work at Tisher Liner FC Law, a boutique law firm located in Melbourne’s legal precinct. I am specialising in domestic building disputes as a lawyer within the busy and growing Owners Corporation team at the Firm. The majority of my clients are large Owners Corporations for apartment buildings who require pre-litigation and litigation services for complex domestic building disputes. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? Coffee, followed by a multitude of various tasks that I have scheduled to do for the day. As my work includes both pre-litigation as well as litigated matters, this may included anything from client meetings, Court or Tribunal appearances and drafting necessary court documents to preparing written legal advice, liaising with building experts, arranging site inspections and reports, negotiating and drafting agreements. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? This is a tie between obtaining great results for clients and the continuous self- development and growth required in the legal industry and from the daily challenges that come with being a Lawyer. I love a good challenge and to be able to constantly grow and expand my knowledge and skills all while finding solutions to clients’ legal problems is indeed rewarding. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO LAW STUDENTS WHO WISH TO PURSUE THIS CAREER? Back yourself. Also, try and get legal experience as soon as possible! Whilst I know this may be difficult and may add strain on your studies, finances and other commitments, it really will help you to get ahead all while developing the integral skills of time management and multi-tasking. Take advantage of any work experience opportunities or court training programs offered by VU if you can. Building a good support system is also really important. Talk to and connect with as many people as you can within your work, studies and practical legal training. Having friends or mentors and being able to ask questions and learn from others in the legal industry will prove to be priceless.
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI
NICHOLAS SMITH LAWYER bachelor of laws - 2017 WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE AND WHAT DID YOU STUDY? I am a Junior Legal Practitioner and I studied a Bachelor of Laws. INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WORK I work at a suburban general practice law firm in Dandenong. I graduated in 2017 and worked full time at a the firm thereafter. I left Melbourne in October 2018 and had a “gap year”, whereby I lived in Paris for a year while working at a café.I returned to Melbourne at the end of 2019 and returned to that general practice.We focus on family law, but do crime, wills and estates and some property law/conveyancing too.The firm is small and as such there are few employees and limited support staff. As such, my experience thus far has enabled me develop a wide breadth of knowledge as the role is not confined to one particular area or “role” and a multitude of tasks, from admin to accounts to actual “law practice”, are required to be completed. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? A typical work day is hard to define or summarise, as days are rarely similar or “typical”. As cliche as this sounds, the one constant I have noticed thus far in the industry is to expect the unexpected.Things arise that need to be attended to urgently and consequently all plans for the day are thrown out the window. That is why organisation and forward thinking are fundamental.However, some things are ubiquitous throughout each day, such as the need to communicate, reading and writing.Documents will always need to be drafted, reviewed and read, letters will be read and responded to, emails will be sent and received and telephone calls made and answered. These things never change. WHAT IT YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB ? The best part about my job is being able to guide clients through an extremely difficult and stressful time of their lives. It is rare that someone comes to a family lawyer because they want to do so; it’s typically a last resort.As such, assisting people to navigate through and resolve their issues and move forward is extremely rewarding, albeit somewhat challenging. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO LAW STUDENTS WISHING TO PURSUE THIS CAREER? Advice to students wishing to pursue this career would be to ensure that this is actually what they want to do.The profession is often “glamorised” and although it is very rewarding, it requires hard work, determination and can be taxing. However, any downsides are well worth it if you are passionate about what you do.Some other advice would be to network and create relationships that you can use going forward to support one another.Everything is much easier when you collaborate and work together and there will always be times where you need some assistance.As the old saying goes, “a problem shared is a problem halved”. Not having anyone to turn to for advice, guidance or simply to bounce ideas off is extremely disadvantageous.
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI
JACOB PAOLA GRADUATE AT MENDELSONS LAWYERS bachelor of laws - 2018 WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE AND WHAT DID YOU STUDY? I am a graduate at Mendelsons Lawyers. I studied a Bachelor of Laws at Victoria University. AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WORK I’m 24 years old, I completed my bachelor degree of Law at Victoria University and completed my Practical Legal Training at The College of Law online, whilst I worked as a Paralegal at MurdockCheng Legal Practice. During my study I completed three legal internships in: Family law at Counsel Family Lawyers; Criminal law at Grigor Criminal Lawyers; and Commercial Law at MurdockCheng Legal Practice I found these internships imperative in me finding a permanent positions at MurdockCheng Legal Practice followed by Mendelsons Lawyers. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? A typical work day for me involves: The drafting of correspondence, preparation of matters for Court, and negotiation of commercial settlements for various clients in a wide variety of commercial law matters. The aforementioned tasks require a large degree of organisation, concentration, and a hands on ‘go getter’ attitude. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? My favourite part of my job is achieving quality results for my clients which are receptive to new and innovative ideas of reaching commercial agreements and settlements. Further, I find myself constantly learning and growing particularly this early in my legal career, in an ever changing legal landscape which throws new problems and difficulties at you on a daily basis. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO LAW STUDENTS WHO WISH TO PURSUE THIS CAREER? My three best pieces of advice for law students looking to turn their law degree into a career is to: Gain as much experience as possible throughout your period of study. Always be on the lookout for internships or volunteer positions; Choose electives and units you are genuinely interested in or think you might want to pursue later in your legal career; and Lastly and arguably most importantly, it is imperative to network and building friendships/working relationships with your colleagues, tutors, lecturers and mentors.
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI
AMANDA MCDERMOTT SOLICITOR AT SLF LAWYERS bachelor of laws - 2017 WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE AND WHAT DID YOU STUDY? I am a Solicitor at SLF Lawyers. I studied bachelor of laws at Victoria University full time over three years. AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WORK I studied Criminology as part of my undergraduate Arts degree which inspired me to pursue a career in the law. I started working at SLF Lawyers as a Clerk whilst undertaking my Practical Legal Training with the College of Law. In the time I was Clerking, I was exposed to matters across multiple practice areas which was invaluable experience early on in my career. One day I would be preparing a Court Document fora building constructions dispute, the next day I would be conducting legal research for an intellectual property copyright claim. I quickly recognised that SLF Lawyers was an exciting firm to be part of and develop my skills as a young lawyer. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? The great thing about this profession is that no two days, no two clients and no two matters are the same. A working day may comprise attending meetings, drafting contracts or agreements, corresponding with Barristers and Liquidators, instructing or even appearing in Court. I share the role with another Junior lawyer of the weekly appearances in the Supreme Court for the winding up applications. I also undertake some appearance work in the Bankruptcy Court for Creditors Petitions. A large part of our firm’s practice is in insolvency so this advocacy work has greatly assisted me in my application and understanding of this area of law. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? The best thing about working at SLF Lawyers is the variation in the work and the types of matters that come across my desk. In the 10 months I have been admitted as Lawyer, I am fortunate to have worked in matters across several practice areas. Not only does this keep things interesting, my skills and knowledge continue to grow as a result. The other great thing about my job which I think can be said of any job in the law is that whilst every day is challenging, you always go home wiser than you were the day before. This is a sentiment you will also hear from Managing Partners who have been practising in the industry for over 30 years. You never stop learning. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO LAW STUDENTS WHO WISH TO PURSUE THIS CAREER? When approaching your studies, do your best to be consistent across all of your subjects. If you are consistent in your application throughout the semester, the exam at the end will not appear so daunting. You ideally want to enter the exam hall ready to demonstrate all you have learned. Whilst the academic side of your law degree is very important, the best piece of advice I can offer any student wishing to pursue a career in the law is to seize every opportunity you can to widen your experience in the industry. Work experience opportunities are not confined to prestigious clerkships at a top tier law firms. Volunteering at your local community legal centre or Asylum Seeker refuge are just two examples of how you can help your community whilst gaining valuable industry experience. Try to add a new thing to your CV every semester.
PART ii
private practice
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CLERKSHIP APPLICATION METHOD graduates.maddocks.com.au
APPLICATION OPEN AND CLOSE DATES Monday 6 July 2020 – Sunday 16 August 2020 (11.59pm)
INTERVIEW PERIOD September / October
OFFERS MADE Wednesday 14 October 2020 (from 10.00am)
CLERKSHIP POSITION AVAILABLE 36
PROGRAM DATES Intake 1: 16 November 2020 – 11 December 2020 Intake 2: 26 January 2021 – 20 February 2021 Intake 3: 21 June 2021 – 16 July 2021
FINAL YEAR APPLICATION ACCEPTED? Yes
TRAINEESHIPS APPLICATION METHOD We recruit our graduates from our Seasonal Clerk programs
NUMBER OF TRAINEE POSITIONS AVAILABLE 12
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CAREERS AT MADDOCKS Jessica Parker People and Culture Advisor 61 (3) 9258 3357 jessica.parker@maddocks.com.au
FIRM OVERVIEW Maddocks is a proudly independent Australian commercial law firm. Maddocks has over 80 partners, who work alongside more than 550 people across our offices in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. Our particular areas of focus are in the Infrastructure, Education, Government, Healthcare and Technology sectors. We also offer specialist legal expertise in the areas of Employment, Safety & People, Corporate & Commercial, Government Advisory, Property & Development, Construction & Projects and Dispute Resolution & Litigation. Clients include medium to large private organisations, high net worth individuals and families, ASX200 companies, Commonwealth, state and local governments, leading tech companies, education institutions, not-for-profit organisations and high profile property developers. We are guided by our core values of integrity, stewardship, collaboration and working together in promoting the interests of the firm, commitment to doing things better through excellence, change and innovation and respect for the value of the individual and of diversity.
FROM DAY ONE From Day One you will experience what it’s like to work at Maddocks. This means you will have challenging, meaningful work, gain exposure to clients, be given a good level of responsibility, work in a supportive and collaborative team and have regular access to our partners. The training you receive throughout your clerkship will ensure you are thoroughly prepared and ready to get involved in and contribute to client work straight away. The program begins with a comprehensive orientation which includes training and development activities. You will also meet the people you’ll be working with. During the program you will rotate through two practice groups of your preference, with support in each rotation from a buddy and coordinator. You will receive feedback from partners and others you work with, and a feedback review at the end of each rotation. Of course it’s important to have some fun too and you will have plenty of opportunities to experience life at Maddocks through social and sporting activities. Here at MinterEllison, our impact in the community sits at the heart of who we are. We work alongside BEYOND DAY ONE community organisations and partner with our clients to provide transformative outcomes for individuals, our community partners andThis social enterprises. You will have access to top quality work for high calibre clients. will enable you Throughout FY19, our Community Investment to develop both your technical legal skills and business acumen on a diverse range of Program supported more than 100 organisations, complex and interesting projects. breaking cycles of disadvantage in the community through partnership and collaboration.
Working autonomously and collaboratively, you will be supervised, mentored and supported by recognised experts in their respective legal fields at every stage of your We worked to improve access to justice and support career progression. In addition, the firm offers a significant range outstanding Homeless Persons Legal of Services with organisations training and development programs tailored such to a as wide variety of needs and interests. Justice Connect, StreetLaw ACT, Law Access
WA and LawRight. We were proud to make a Maddocks is very proud of and committed tomeaningful its pro bono program difference to thewhich lives ofengages thousands of students across Australia, and our longstanding lawyers to contribute to the community in a meaningful way. collaboration with Australia's CEO Challenge is just one of ways we worked to in support those Or perhaps your interests and passions will lead tothe your involvement one of ourimpacted by domestic and familywith violence. And we promoted Diversity, Inclusion and Innovation projects. For those lawyers leadership economic participation through our Social aspirations, our Accelerate program is a career development program that has a Procurement Policy, with goods and services sourced focus on empowering senior lawyers to maximise their potential as individuals and as from social enterprises including The Bread and Butter leaders. Project, Yaru Water and Orana Commercial Relocations.
My Maddocks Career Declan Peacock WHAT WAS YOUR CAREER PATH TO BECOMING A GRADUATE?
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO STUDENTS APPLYING FOR SEASONAL CLERKSHIPS?
I studied a Law/Arts degree and graduated in 2019. During
Just be yourself. I completed a lot of clerkship applications
my second year, I took some time off to travel as it allowed
but when I read the applications after the process, it didn’t
me to reflect and refocus on what I wanted to achieve
come as a surprise to see which firms didn’t respond. My
professionally. When I returned to study, I spent the next
letters were formulaic and stifled, particularly because I
year volunteering at my local community legal centre which
didn’t have much in common with the firms I applied
was a really important part of my journey as it helped me
for.While it is important to be yourself and find an
develop my legal skills and also contribute to my community.
opportunity that suits you, it’s also important to appeal to firms who get a large number of applicants. If your
For the remainder of my degree I gained experience through
application doesn’t convey your passion, there’s little chance
part-time work as a paralegal and through a short work
you will be successful. Write down a list of things that are
placement at a mid-tier firm. These experiences equipped me
important to you in your career such as areas of law,
with the knowledge and practical insight I would need to
workplace arrangements and your values before embarking
pursue a career as a commercial lawyer.
on the process of drafting applications. If a firm doesn’t meet that criteria, don’t waste your time. You will end up writing
Like most law students I went through the rigmarole of
good quality applications for firms that you would enjoy
clerkship applications, applying for many and clerking at a
working with.
couple. While clerking I was still working as a paralegal, until I accepted a priority offer at Maddocks the moment the phone rang. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNIVERSITY AND PRACTISING LAW? You are accountable to other people as a lawyer and people actually rely on you! At university, if I was having an ‘off day’, there were no consequences. Coming to terms with the fact that other people depend on you takes some getting used to, but I ultimately ended up really relishing the extra responsibility. WHAT DOES WORK/LIFE BALANCE LOOK LIKE? There are times where work demands more time from you, and I personally feel that it’s important that work is a priority in these times. This is offset by the fact that the firm encourages me to leave work early to go to my sporting team’s training twice a week, and were really supportive with work from home arrangements. The firm encourages flexibility through its FlexAble policy which relates to formal and informal flexible working options.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A CLERKSHIP/GRADUATE PROGRAM AT MADDOCKS? The clerkship program runs for 4 weeks with 2 rotations through different practice teams at the firm. The purpose of the clerkship is to provide as much information about Maddocks and how the firm operates to see whether or not this aligns with you as a person. As a clerk you are given tasks that contribute to the firm’s broader work. This includes conducting research to be incorporated into advices and preparing documents and materials for transactions and court work. The graduate program comprises 4 month rotations through 3 different teams within the firm. The rotations give you a chance to get more involved in substantial matters. There is a significant emphasis on learning, and as graduate in the team you are the first port of call for attending meetings. This was a real highlight for me and its where I got the most out of my year. The firm puts graduates through their graduate diploma with College of Law, which is completed between March and August. The highlight of the year is definitely admission day in December. It represents a culmination of all of the work you put in through the year and the firm makes it really special for you. I couldn’t recommend a graduate year at Maddocks more. You will learn a lot and have a great experience.
International Clerkships with Baker McKenzie Ellen Leishman - Graduate at Law I initially applied to Baker McKenzie due to its strong global reach and reputation. Upon undertaking my Seasonal Clerkship in the Dispute Resolution team, I was able to appreciate some of the Firm's other strengths - the way that senior lawyers invest in and mentor junior lawyers, the 'real' work junior lawyers undertake on a daily basis, the Firm's extraordinary client base and, most importantly, the incredibly friendly and supportive people in the Melbourne office. Following my Clerkship, I undertook a Paralegal role with the Dispute Resolution team and was able to continue working on the exciting matters I'd experienced as a Clerk. Shortly after receiving my Graduate offer, I was awarded an International Clerkship - an exciting opportunity to learn about the Firm's global business and experience how another office operates. I received my top preference for my International Clerkship and was fortunate to be placed in the Dispute Resolution team in Johannesburg, South Africa. South Africa is such a beautiful country and I took every opportunity to immerse myself in the stunning scenery, wildlife and culture! As the largest financial centre in Africa, Johannesburg is also an exciting jurisdiction in the legal world. The team was lively and busy - and I immediately experienced the supportive, friendly culture that Baker McKenzie is renowned for. Working in a foreign jurisdiction at such an early stage in my career was both exciting and challenging. One day, it was understanding the tendering process for state-sponsored major projects, and the next day it was physically attending court to enrol matters. I was involved in researching and drafting compliance advice for key multinational clients across 17 jurisdictions in sub-Saharan Africa, and conducting comparative national and international research in administrative law for high profile national clients. I also experienced the Firm's strong client base, undertaking research for state commissions, attending meetings with advocates and conducting anti-corruption and bribery work. I felt like a member of the team pretty quickly and was motivated by my level of responsibility. Under the tutelage of generous pro bono mentors, I was able to attend meetings, prepare briefs of evidence and conduct research into potential claims for two animal rights organisations. Additionally, I assisted the team in seeking an injunction on behalf of a pro bono client to prevent the deportation of protected wildlife species for commercial exploitation. A significant highlight for me was connecting with trainees and Associates in Johannesburg. I was fortunate to experience the office's month-end drinks (coupled with a very entertaining night of office karaoke!). Upon returning to Melbourne, I am still in contact with my colleagues in Johannesburg and hope to return to work with the team in the future. In the meanwhile though, I look forward to experiencing a fantastic Graduate year and to continuing to build my global network in the years ahead.
International Clerkships with Baker McKenzie Matthew Jarrett - Graduate at Law Following a fantastic Seasonal Clerkship at Baker McKenzie, I was delighted to receive a Graduate offer to commence in March 2020. I also received information about the Firm's International Clerkship program. I applied, and was fortunate to receive, an offer to undertake an International Clerkship with the Firm's London office. For those who are learning the "Bakers lingo", this means going to the London office for a month-long secondment with the Firm covering the costs! I was very excited to be placed in the Corporate M&A team in London. In an office that has nearly 1000 employees, M&A is one of many teams in the broader Corporate Markets practice group. London's M&A team specialises in large-scale, cross-border deals and is particularly renowned for its expertise in "carve-outs", which are the divestiture of part of a company. Given the size of the Firm's global network, it is uniquely positioned to offer multi-jurisdictional support for large, complex deals of this nature. My work included assisting with the restructuring of a global consumer goods company and assisting with a piece of advice on the enforceability of electronic signatures across European jurisdictions. I was also able to work with the Dispute Resolution practice group on a matter involving parties in England, Italy, China, South Korea and Kuwait: all in a day's work at a global firm like Baker McKenzie! Outside the office, I had a fantastic time exploring London. I saw several West End shows, an English Premier League game and found the time to visit friends in Oxford and Portugal. I was also fortunate to be at the office for the first ever Corporate Trivia Night, where I found myself on the winning team (as much as I would love to take credit for the win, my trivia ability was nowhere near the prowess of my teammates). This was a great opportunity to socialise with everyone outside of work, and to gain an entertaining insight into the team! The International Clerkship was a truly fantastic experience, both professionally and personally. It is very unique for a Firm to provide international training opportunities for junior employees, and the International Clerkship program is a reflection of Baker McKenzie's personal investment in their Graduates. I am incredibly grateful for this experience and am very excited to continue learning and developing at Baker McKenzie.
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Areas Of Practice Human Resources & Industrial Relations Infrastructure, Construction & Property Corporate M&A Energy & Resources Finance Dispute Resolution Insurance & Corporate Risk Tax Intellectual Property and Information Technology
What specific qualities does your firm look for in a potential Clerk? Clerkship applications are open from 9 June 2020 – 12 July 2020 At MinterEllison we are not looking for people to fit a mould. Academics are just one piece of the puzzle and we recognise the strength that diversity can bring to a team. Work experience, extra-curricular activities, sporting participation, music and travel are all important criteria to us. At MinterEllison we want you to bring your whole self to work individual strengths and diversity are what build our teams up to be the successes they are. The prospects of obtaining a graduate role at MinterEllison after completing a successful clerkship with us are very high.
What are some interesting cases your firm has worked on? Our work with clients delivers real impact. In a fastpaced, fast-changing business environment, our focus on building authentic and enduring relationships across industries and sectors enabled us to help our clients embrace the opportunities and navigate the challenges in the market throughout FY19. R
What kind of responsibilities/tasks can a Clerk expect at your firm? Our clerkship program offers meaningful work experience, structured by a comprehensive orientation program and learning on the job to build both technical skills and commercial knowhow. During our program you will: work closely with partners and lawyers on active matters to meet deadlines ▪ produce quality and meaningful work ▪ participate in tangible learning & development activities and ▪ attend social and networking events
How does your firm value corporate responsibility Here at MinterEllison, our impact in the community sits at the heart of who we are. We work alongside community organisations and partner with our clients to provide transformative outcomes for individuals, our community partners and social enterprises. Throughout FY19, our Community Investment Program supported more than 100 organisations, breaking cycles of disadvantage in the community through partnership and collaboration. We worked to improve access to justice and support Homeless Persons Legal Services with organisations such as Justice Connect, StreetLaw ACT, Law Access WA and LawRight. We were proud to make a meaningful difference to the lives of thousands of students across Australia, and our longstanding collaboration with Australia's CEO Challenge is just one of the ways we worked to support those impacted by domestic and family violence. And we promoted economic participation through our Social Procurement Policy, with goods and services sourced from social enterprises including The Bread and Butter Project, Yaru Water and Orana Commercial Relocations.
What is unique about your firm's culture? At MinterEllison, we’re driven by a strong sense of purpose. We create lasting impacts with our clients, our people and our communities. 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.
How does the firm encourage work-life balance? We support a range of flexible and agile working arrangements including part-time, job-sharing, variable start and finish times and working from home. We also offer unpaid leave opportunities for special requirements not covered by our usual leave policies. Typically this may cover study, overseas work experience and judges associateships. What Training and development does your firm offer? The graduate program gives you the opportunity to rotate through multiple practice groups. You will gain practical experience in different areas of the law which are of interest to you. We boast one of the largest service offerings, providing you with the opportunity to rotate through various transactional, advisory and litigious practice groups. Our structured development program includes: The MinterEllison Practical Legal Training program in partnership with the College of Law Ongoing technical legal skills sessions to ensure you develop your technical excellence A strengths based program focusing on developing behaviours, such as business acumen and communication styles When you start your career with us, you receive tailored learning in both technical and commercial skills such as client interaction, business development and interpersonal dynamics.
What is your firm doing about gender equality in the workplace? At MinterEllison diversity and inclusion is about creating a high-performance culture that values individual contribution, teamwork, innovation and productivity regardless of background, race, ethnicity, disability, gender, faith, sexual orientation or family structures. Inclusion is at the core of our values and we firmly believe our people will be more successful and happier in their careers if they are able to bring their whole selves to work. We are committed to leveraging the advantage of a diverse and inclusive workforce through our Pride Respect & Inclusion at MinterEllison (PRiME) network, and our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan. In 2019 MinterEllison was proud to be a WGEA Employer of Choice for Women for the 10th year in a row. We were also awarded a Gold AWEI Employer for the LGBTQI+ community and recognised as a Top 3 Employer in Australia at the LGBTI Inclusion Awards.
Is there support for the LGBTI community at your firm? Our LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts are led by our PRiME (Pride, Respect and Inclusion at MinterEllison) Committee and our Diversity and Inclusion team. In May 2019, we were proud to be named an AWEI Gold Employer and recognised as Top 3 Employer in Australia at the LGBTI Inclusion Awards. In 2020 we were the first law firm to have a float in the Sydney Mardi Gras! In FY19, we: Partnered with Pride in Diversity to deliver face-toface LGBTQ+ Awareness & Engaging Allies development sessions (available to all of our people) Launched our new Transitioning in the Workplace Policy, which supports our gender diverse and transgender colleagues who are affirming their gender identity. The policy provides 5 additional days of paid leave, as well as other vital support and resources Provided pro bono legal advice to our long-standing client Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Raised funds for LGBTQ+ charities including The Pinnacle Foundation and Minus18
PART iii
legal practice areas
Solicitors V Barristers Once you have decided you want to become a lawyer, it's important to distinguish between the types of lawyers and their respective jobs. While the word ‘lawyer’ is often used to describe both solicitors and barristers, the two actually have very different roles in dealing with a legal matter. The main distinction is that solicitors predominantly work outside of the courts and are involved in the pre-trial processes of a client’s case. On the other hand, a barrister’s main job is to defend or represent a client in court. Solicitors are generally the first point of contact for a person seeking legal advice. They are usually specialized areas of law that vary from criminal, family, commercial or immigration. As a solicitor, your job would involve drafting court documents for clients, providing legal advice and out-ofcourt negotiations. If a client is involved in a legal matter that requires appearing in court, a solicitor will typically prepare their client with all the information and documentation that they will need for the process. However, they would not typically represent them in court, and will refer the matter to a barrister.
A barrister is not involved in the dayto-day legal matters of a client and will only step into the case when it reaches the court stage. A barrister’s job involves representing a client in court, appearing at trials, planning legal arguments. To become a barrister in Victoria, you must first be an Australian lawyer. You are then required to pass the Victorian Bar entrance exam to qualify for a spot in the ‘Readers' Course’. This is a 9-10 week course which you need to complete before working under an approved mentor for 9 months.
In House Counsels
THE GPS OF THE LEGAL WORLD
In house counsels, also known as a corporate counsel or corporate lawyer, is a legal professional who works within an organisation. The role of an in house lawyer is not limited to legal advice and often extends to include more business type roles. They are often known as a ‘legal GP’ as their job involves working across multiple areas on the law, and often on the same day. Their role mainly involves providing legal advice to the company, drafting legal documents and contracts, and negotiating on their behalf. In house counsels are generally hired by private companies including insurance companies, banks, media companies and distributors.
In-House Lawyers Loren goodwin - In house councel at L’Oréal australia & new zealand WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE AND WHAT DID YOU STUDY?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB?
Legal Counsel, L’Oréal Australia and New Zealand
One of the most exciting aspects of my role is driving legal innovation. Since 2015, our legal team has been transforming the way we support the business through automation of routine legal tasks and agreements, digitisation of the function and use of data analytics to drive efficiencies. We currently have 15 bespoke self-service business facing legal apps which generate contracts (e.g. Influencer Agreements, Services Agreements, complex customer contracts) and automate workflows (e.g. contract approval and e-signature). I have had the opportunity to lead the development of several Apps, with direct involvement across the entire automation process from contract and process simplification, defining App logic, mapping workflows, designing user experience and implementation. I love that I get to utilise my “right-brain” creativity, intuition and imagination in my role as in-house legal counsel.
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Deakin University Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) – Deakin University AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WORK In my role as Legal Counsel for L’Oréal Australia and New Zealand I work as part of a small legal team supporting 30 brands in Australia, 22 in New Zealand as well as corporate functions. I advise the entire cross-section of the organisation from e-commerce, digital, CRM, finance, operations/supply chain, communications, marketing, HR, commercial/sales to the executive team. The matters I advise on span a wide spectrum of legal issues from competition and consumer law, privacy law, intellectual property law, commercial and contract law. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? There is no ‘typical’ day really! Our business moves at lightening pace, which demands a flexible mindset and an ability to quickly pivot. I advise our four business divisions – each with different consumer/customer profiles, distribution models and sales and marketing strategies. My day to day responsibilities are wide and varied. For example, in one day, I may be required to advise on a new marketing campaign for our latest skin serum, negotiate a key retail customer contract, and draft terms and conditions for our new world-first AIpowered skin diagnosis tool. And that’s just before lunchtime!
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO LAW STUDENTS WHO WISH TO PURSUE THIS CAREER? There are many pathways to having a successful career as an in-house lawyer. While spending time in private practice will give you a solid foundation of technical skills, you don’t necessarily need to wait until you are a senior lawyer to move in-house. I moved to L’Oréal from King & Wood Mallesons early on in my career and it’s been the best career decision I’ve made. My advice is to keep an open mind and seek out opportunities to learn more about working in-house whilst at University – it could be as simple as reaching out to a corporate counsel at a company you’re interested in, and seeing if they’d meet you for coffee so you can learn more about their role.
Sports Law Peter Paleologos My name is Peter Paleologos, I am founder of Libero Consulting, an Australian based football (soccer) player management agency and consultancy. I have previously studied law at Deakin University (LLB) and completed a Master in Sports Business from Victoria University. I also recently was lucky enough to partake in the Business of Entertainment, Media and Sport executive course at Harvard University Business School (limited to 80 executives from around the world) which provided me with learnings of the worldwide American sport and entertainment industry. My journey into sports law was a unique one in terms of how I developed a football niche. I started as FIFA football player agent after sitting an exam in the mid 2000’s. After managing and representing players to soccer clubs in Australia and the world, I slowly developed a niche in football regulatory law as player and coaches started to require advice concerning contractual or regulatory matters. I am football (soccer) player agent (had a FIFA player’s agent licence), football intermediary and football niche law advisor with over ten years’ experience. I combine this with a role as a regulatory lawyer at a Federal government regulatory agency as the Australian football (soccer) industry is not an enormous market for all the player agents to be full-time. I was also recently appointed in late 2019 as FIFA pro bono counsel to provide legal aid services to players and coaches who may face disciplinary hearings at FIFA. A considerable part of my player agent work representing players and project consulting work occurs in the eventing as football is an international business so I may have dealings with persons in the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Finland, USA, Japan etc during each week.
Luckily, we now have Skype, Messenger and WhatsApp as communication tools which make contacting people around the world much easier and more efficient. Variety and dealing with different people! I have provided management, advisory services and consulting on a wide range of contractual deals and projects. Further, I deal with different stakeholder or clients like players, coaches, clubs, football club directors, professional firms, football scouts, parents of players and other player agents. The key advice I would give is twofold. Firstly, ask to get involved voluntary in sports law or sport management projects even on a voluntarily basis. Approach stakeholders with enthusiasm and show that you can produce good quality work and outcomes. I initially joined and helped organise a conference with the Australian New Zealand Sports Law Association (ANZLA) which piqued my interest in the sports law area. From there, I became the President of the (still current Secretary) Australian Football Agents Association Inc after obtaining some respect from my player agent peer members in dealing with Football Federation Australia and providing solid transparent advice to many of them. I also have become the Australian editorial contributor for the leading international football law journal namely Football Legal based in France by asking if I can contribute and write some football law type articles. After a few editorial submissions, they ask me to become Australian contributor.
Human Rights Law Sophie andritsos - lawyer at human rights law centRE WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE AND WHAT DID YOU STUDY? I am a solicitor at King & Wood Mallesons (KWM), and currently a secondee lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC). I studied Arts/ Law at Monash. AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WORK I was admitted to practise in November last year while rotating through the KWM graduate program.KWM is one of the biggest full-service commercial law firms in the world. We are headquartered in Asia and have offices all over Australia, providing transactional, advisory, and dispute advice. The HRLC is an independent, non-profit Australian organisation that engages in strategic litigation, policy and law reform, and advocacy around certain priority human rights areas, often in partnership with peak bodies or representatives from the affected group/s of people. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? There almost isn’t a “typical” day as a solicitor.You might be doing behind-the-scenes work like research, drafting or reviewing documents, discussing strategy, or doing some solo deep-thinking or analytical work. You could equally be in meetings, attending parliamentary inquiries, presenting or attending legal training, instructing Counsel at Court- it’s varied work, even at (particularly at?) the most junior level. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? From a personal development perspective, getting to work with very smart people at the top of their game – within the law, but also with the clients or organisations you are working for. It’s even better when you get to work with a broad range of people and see the different ways they approach things.
Law is a communication and people-centred industry in many ways, and I get to work with truly engaging, dynamic and interesting thinkers every day. Being at KWM with a graduate cohort is also one of the things I love most about my job. Our group is particularly supportive and collegiate and filled with excellent people – but I might be a bit biased!Working on human rights matters on my secondment is intrinsically rewarding - you don't need to think very hard to find purpose or meaning in your work. It has really opened my eyes to how fortunate I am – how fortunate anyone with a law degree is for that matter – and it feels good to repay that good fortune back in some way. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO LAW STUDENTS WHO WISH TO PURSUE THIS CAREER? Keep curious and explore opportunities: put your name up for things, give different experiences a crack, and be open to learning all the time. Chase the option that’s going to help you develop, rather than getting caught up on job titles. That is, look for opportunities that spark interest and will challenge you, rather than worrying too much about what other people are doing. Don't be afraid to ask people ahead of you for guidance or help either, everyone loves talking about themselves and giving advice... but lawyers can be particularly guilty of that self-indulgence – make the most of it!
Employment Law NICOLE RADZIJ - lawyer at Colin Biggers & Paisley
I’m a Lawyer in the Employment & Safety Team at Colin Biggers & Paisley. I completed a Bachelor of Arts/Laws(Hons) at Monash University. I’m the daughter of Polish immigrants, and in addition to being a proud Australian, have a strong connection to my Polish heritage and culture. I enjoy dancing, the arts, foreign cinema, baking, travel, learning languages and keeping fit. I began my legal career working in personal injury law before getting a job with the Supreme Court of Victoria as a Registry Lawyer and then as an Associate to the Honourable Justice Incerti. In 2018, I commenced working as an employment lawyer at Colin Biggers and Paisley. Outside of my interest in employment law, I have a special interest in and passion for social justice. I am currently volunteering at the Mental Health Legal Centre assisting disadvantaged and vulnerable Victorians with mental illness to better navigate the legal system. Colin Biggers & Paisley has over 500 employees in offices across Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Our firm specialises in practice areas including: construction, insurance, property, commercial litigation and dispute resolution and employment and safety.The firm is a very supportive, inclusive and collaborative workplace which encourages lawyers to engage in pro bono work and volunteering. We truly do have a fantastic workplace culture with some exceptional legal minds and many wonderful personalities. At work I could be meeting with clients, instructing at a hearing, undertaking a workplace investigation, training workplaces on appropriate workplace behaviour, drafting employment contracts or workplace policies, drafting legal advice/submissions/documents, interpreting clauses in enterprise agreements, preparing applications and responses relating to unfair dismissals and general protections claim/sexual harassment complaints or discrimination complaints. The fact that there is no ‘typical’ day, that I am intellectually stimulated every day and that the cases are people and relationship based, which makes them incredibly interesting. If you’re interested in working in a particular area, such as employment law, do whatever you can to get some hands-on experience in that area early in your career or when still studying. This will enable you to get clarity on whether it truly is an area you wish to pursue or not, and if it is then hands-on experience will set you up for career opportunities. If it’s not practical to get hands-on experience, reach out to people who work in that practice area and ask them about their experiences. This also applies if you are interested in working for a particular firm or organisation – reach out and ask current employees about their experiences. Speaking to them will help you see if that workplace fits your values, goals and expectations. Doing a little bit of research will, in my experience, lead to a more satisfying start in the law.
PART iv
alternatives
Academia & Research
Academia & Research Legal academia is a field of law that focuses of the pursuit of research and legal education. Academics who work in this field, either as a teacher or researcher at a university, are people who study, analyse and critique the law. Their work is mainly theoretical, as opposed to a solicitor or barrister whose work is predominantly practical.
Law Lecturer Matt harvey - senior lecturer at Victoria university AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WORK I have a BA(Hons) and LLB from Melbourne and I then did Articles and was admitted in March 1989. Quite a lot has changed in 30 years! I continued for a year with the firm I did Articles with, then was recruited to a big commercial firm where there was not enough work and I did not last long. The Berlin Wall had just been brought down and I had the opportunity to travel through Europe. This stimulated my interest in European Union Law and I did some research in London before returning to Australia and doing an LLM at Monash. I ended up taking the coursework as a Graduate Diploma in International and Comparative Law and converting the thesis into a PhD on the European Union. I got some law tutoring in the Business School and then a Research Assistant role in the Law School. When I finished my PhD I got a lectureship at Monash then moved to VU 12 years ago. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO LAW STUDENTS WHO WISH TO PURSUE THIS CAREER? While we do have some graduates who have moved straight into teaching, I recommend some time in practice and some research before you try teaching. The combination of teaching and research I find very satisfying. Constitutional Law is a compulsory subject and vital to understanding the legal system but not many people get to practise it so practical experience is not so important but most other areas are better taught by someone who has experience working in them. But if you're really passionate about something, teaching and researching it is an excellent career.
ACADEMIA AND RESEARCH
Legal Researcher natalie lilford - manager at victorian law reform commission AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WORK I work for the Victorian Law Reform Commission, which is an independent statutory agency of the Victorian Government. A large part of our work is to review areas of the law that the Attorney-General determines need to be reviewed. Those topics can span the breadth of legal and social issues facing our community, and have included adoption, organised crime, evidence law, surveillance and child protection, amongst others. Over the life of a project (roughly 18 months), we conduct extensive research, consult widely with people who are knowledgeable about or affected by the law or topic, and make proposals for changes to improve the law. We also have the ability to decide on our own topics, usually after a community member or group brings an issue to our attention. We call that ‘community law reform’, and my job is to manage that part of the Commission’s work and create and maintain links to the community. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? I start by scanning the newspapers online for current issues that might have some impact on our work, or give me an idea for a law reform topic to pursue. If I find something, I might do preliminary research, and take notes or discuss the ideas with a colleague. I receive suggestions for topics for reform from range of people and groups. The Commission has criteria that guide which projects we can take on under the Community Law Reform Program, so I spend time scoping and assessing ideas against these. If a project fits the bill, I’ll do more comprehensive research, and brief the Chair and CEO. A proposal for our most recent project, on whether people with visual or hearing impairments should be able to serve on juries, has just been accepted by the Commission, so I’ll be dedicating more time to researching and consulting people on that soon. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? I think that this is one of the rare positions in the law in which you can be creative. Many legal roles are about understanding the law, and working hard to stay between the lines, or to apply the law correctly. Our researchers still need to have those hard skills, but we also spend most of our time questioning how things could be better. Why is the law how it is? How does it really affect people? What can we do differently? In a sense, law reform is about problem solving, so I really enjoy the fascinating discussions I have with my intelligent and curious colleagues. I also love the cross-section of topics and communities I am exposed to in my role. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO LAW STUDENTS WHO WISH TO PURSUE THIS CAREER? The law affects everyone in the community every day. Legal problems don’t exist in a vacuum – they’re human problems. The more connected and engaged you are with the wider world, the better you’ll understand your clients’ and stakeholders’ views, and the better your work will be. I think that’s true whether you’re representing financial institutions in mergers and acquisitions, working as a criminal defence lawyer, or helping people in dispute with landlords at a community legal centre.
Goverment & Public Service
GOVERMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE
Australian Taxation Office Con Pana - Lawyer at Australian taxation office WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE AND WHAT DID YOU STUDY? I am a General Counsel Lawyer at the Australian Taxation Office and I studied a Bachelor of Commerce and Laws at Deakin University, Melbourne. I also completed a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at The College of Law, after which I was admitted and began working as a practicing Lawyer. AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WORK Some people knew exactly what they wanted to do when they finished high school – I certainly wasn’t one of those of people. I remember not having any answers to the ‘so what are you going to do when you finish?’ questions when they started in year ten. I was always interested in the law and really enjoyed legal studies, but I also entertained the idea of studying architecture. If you had asked me the same question when I was in primary school, I would have told you that I was going to be an archaeologist like Indiana Jones. I decided on commerce and law in year twelve and must say I really enjoyed the course and its challenges. Looking back on the five-years, I think the most important was the third. It was in this year that I took on a position as a Barrister’s Clerk/Paralegal. This role and the experience drove me to pursue a career in law. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? It looks totally different to the day before. As a generalist, I work on diverse pieces of work and projects across different areas of the law. As an example, I could be working on commercial law matters, applying administrative law principles to decision making and providing advice about privacy and employment law all in the same day.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? For me, it’s twofold. firstly, the team and people I work with. I am lucky enough to work in a dynamic team with great people.We have a strong culture and it makes work enjoyable. And secondly, the diverse and challenging work. Being able to work across different areas of the law means I am always engaged and constantly learning new things. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO LAW STUDENTS WHO WISH TO PURSUE THIS CAREER? 1. Get some experience and start building your CV. I know this is said a lot, but getting practical experience as soon as possible is critical. Even just once a week to start with, there is no substitute for working in the field as soon as you can. You will very quickly get a feel for what you like (and what you don’t) and what you are good at and may like to pursue. The biggest advantage is that you will pick up on practical legal skills and tips that aren’t necessarily taught as part of your course work. 2. Get yourself a mentor and start networking. Approach people in the industry directly or through family, friends or friends of friends. Ask them questions and don’t be afraid to ask for advice. As you build your network, it is important to find someone that you trust who can provide you with frank advice and that you can bounce your ideas off. A mentor can also critique your CV and job applications. And don’t worry… You will find that most people are more than willing to help – we all remember being in the same position ourselves!
GOVERMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE
Victorian Government Solicitor's Office Alexandra mckinlay - human rights solicitor at VGSO WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE AND WHAT DID YOU STUDY? Solicitor, Human Rights - Victorian Government Solicitor's Office. I studied a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) / Bachelor of Arts - La Trobe University. AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WORK I am a solicitor in the human rights team at the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (the VGSO). My work at the VGSO largely consists of providing advice and litigation services to a variety of government clients, particularly in relation to the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic) (the Charter). Before coming to the VGSO, I completed an associateship with the Honourable Justice Kaye AM at the Victorian Court of Appeal, where I gained exposure to a range of civil and criminal matters, as well as insight into how legal arguments are analysed and tested by counsel and by the Court. I started my career as a lawyer at King & Wood Mallesons (KWM), where alongside my commercial work I was involved in pro bono matters through the firm’s human rights law group. During this time, I also completed secondments to Justice Connect and the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission, with my time at the Commission sparking my particular interest in the Charter. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? My work at the VGSO largely consists of providing advice to government departments and agencies on their obligations under the Charter, advising on policy and legislative development, drafting Statements of Compatibility, and conducting litigation in matters where human rights issues are raised. In addition to my human rights work, I also have a broader administrative law practice, which involves advising on questions of statutory interpretation, as well as discrimination and equal opportunity, and judicial review. I start my day by checking my calendar, reviewing any emails that have come in overnight and revising my to-do list. If possible, I like to try and tackle any difficult tasks that require focussed attention first thing in the morning when I'm feeling a bit fresher, and save more straight forward work for later in the day. I might spend a whole day working on an advice, or I might work on a number of different matters over the day, completing various discrete tasks such as drafting emails, letters, attending Court or client meetings. VGSO operates in a commercial billing environment, so a typical day involves tracking my time for each matter worked on in a given day. The day is often also broken up with internal meetings or sessions, such as team meetings and professional development training. I also sit on the office's Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
GOVERMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE
Victorian Government Solicitor's Office Alexandra mckinlay - human rights solicitor at VGSO WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? My team has a role in assisting all three arms of government to uphold and promote human rights, by advising parliament on the drafting of human rights compliant legislation, advising the executive on human rights compatible interpretation and application of legislation, and making submissions to the judiciary on the interpretation and application of the Charter. In Charter litigation, our client is often the Attorney-General, in her role as the first law officer in Victoria with general responsibility for Victorian laws, the legal system and the Victorian Government's role within that system. The Attorney-General has a right to intervene in proceedings involving the Charter and, in acting on her behalf, our mandate is to work in the public interest and develop human rights law in Victoria, rather than act in the interests of an individual. As someone who has been working towards being a human rights lawyer for the better part of a decade, I find the potentially wide reaching implications of this work pretty exciting. The content is also incredibly interesting and engaging. Over the past few months, I have worked on matters involving prisoners' rights, indigenous land rights, and directions arising from the declared state of emergency due to Coronavirus. The matters that I work on often make news headlines and are related to the types of social and political issues that my friends and I are talking about over dinner. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO LAW STUDENTS WHO WISH TO PURSUE THIS CAREER? For any student that is considering a career in the law, my advice would be to try not to buy into the law school hysteria around clerkships and grad jobs (easier said than done, I know!). Having a high distinction average or a particular job on your resume is not the be all and end all, and instead of trying to gaze into a crystal ball and figure out what HR managers or recruiters want, ask yourself what is you actually want to do and think creatively about how to get there. In my experience, you will do better in the long run if you pursue what you are interested in rather than what you think you should do. Maybe you don’t know what kind of law (if any) you're interested in and that's okay too. Be proactive. Research areas of law and career paths that interest you. Meet with people and listen to their experiences. Try out different things and find out what you like and don’t like. It can be hard getting your foot in the door of paid legal employment whilst you're studying, and volunteering is a privilege that is not accessible to everyone, but there are other things you can do too. Personally, I found mooting expanded my experience and ultimately opened up a lot of doors for me. Importantly, figure out what motivates you. The law can be a very rewarding career but there will be many times when you're stressed or tired, and I think knowing your 'why' is very helpful in those moments. If you are interested in human rights law, be willing to think broadly about what constitutes 'human rights'. While there might be few roles out there with the official title of 'human rights lawyer', in fact, many areas of law fall under the umbrella of human rights (administrative law, refugee law, disability law, privacy law, criminal law, legal aid and community legal centre work, employee and union representation…). I would also recommend reading William Quigley's 'Letter to a Law Student Interested in Social Justice'. It is a little cheesy in parts but I think it reflects on some really important aspects of social justice lawyering and the legal profession.Lastly, take care of yourself. More and more, we know that the profession experiences disproportionately high rates of stress and depression. It's great to have career aspirations but it's most important to look after your mental and physical health.
GOVERMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE
Victorian Government Solicitor's Office rose singleton - principAL solicitor at VGSO WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE AND WHAT DID YOU STUDY? I am a Principal Solicitor at the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO). I studied a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts (International Studies) from Monash University. AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WORK I am a Principal Solicitor in VGSO's Litigation and Dispute Resolution (LDR) branch, one of seven legal branches in the office. The LDR branch has 70 - 80 lawyers and support staff, and is made up of several teams specialising in different areas of government litigation. I act for the State in intentional torts matters (for example, for Victoria Police in relation to false imprisonment, battery and malicious prosecution claims) and negligence matters (particularly where there are novel duty of care issues). I also act for government clients in coronial inquests, public interest immunity claims and suppression order applications. I started at the VGSO as a Graduate Lawyer in 2012 and completed rotations in various areas including public law, administrative law and workplace relations before settling in LDR. Immediately prior to that, I completed legal internships at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the Centre for Death Penalty Litigation in North Carolina. As a law student, I worked as a paralegal and summer clerk at a range of law firms in Melbourne. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? As a litigator, my workdays are diverse. Often the work is urgent, and I may not know at the start of the week what I will be working on.
However, a typical week for me involves a mix of written advice work (for example, on the State's liability in relation to a particular claim), preparing briefs to counsel and court documents (for example, affidavits and submissions) or instructing in court. In the lead up to a trial or inquest, I usually spend a lot of time in witness conferences and preparing evidence. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? The VGSO represents government clients in many high-profile litigation matters which attract media attention and public scrutiny - I very much enjoy being able to contribute to the development of law and policy in areas of public importance. Our clients are in-house lawyers at government departments and agencies, so they are sophisticated and have an excellent understanding of the applicable law already. I appreciate being able to work collaboratively with my instructors, and the fact that they always keep me on my toes! Finally, I am grateful that my job gives me the opportunity to practice in diverse areas of law and work with legal specialists in a variety of areas. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO LAW STUDENTS WHO WISH TO PURSUE THIS CAREER? Strong legal research skills and a good understanding of civil procedure are essential for any junior lawyers wanting to pursue a career in litigation. To that end, I would recommend gaining as much practical legal experience as you can while at university - seek out work as a paralegal, volunteer and /or undertake clerkships. For those keen to focus on government litigation, an understanding of the wider context of government and the unique position of the State will be an asset (for example, being aware of the State's obligations as a model litigant).
Advocacy & Courts
ADVOCACY AND THE COURTS
Federal Court Judge judy small - federal circuit court of australia My job is Judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, until 20 April 2020, when I will retire. I first studied Social Work (my careers advisor at school said:”Do social work or teaching - they’re good jobs for girls”), then switched to Psychology, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Psychology. Then I did a Master of Arts (Pass) in Psychology and worked as a psychologist for about 5 years, working with drug and alcohol addicts, survivors of sexual assault and families, before beginning my law degree part time in 1980. I finished my law degree at the end of 1989. I was admitted as a lawyer in May 1999. But before that, from 1982 to 1998, I was a full-time folksinger/songwriter (while I was studying law and afterwards) and traveled all over the world singing songs of politics and peace at festivals, concert halls and folk clubs. I kept singing parttime while working full-time as a lawyer, first in private practice and then at Victoria Legal Aid, where I was Managing Lawyer of the Melbourne Family law team, and then Director of Family, Youth & Children’s Law Service , until I was appointed to the bench in 2013. Now, I work at the Federal Circuit Court in the Owen Dixon Commonwealth Law Courts on the corner of La Trobe and William Streets in Melbourne. I sit (or did until I went into transition to retirement mode at the end of November) in the family law jurisdiction. The FCC judges work to a weekly roster, so some weeks, I would be sitting in the Duty List, hearing about 23 cases a day and making interim orders and directions from Monday to Wednesday. Other weeks I would hear interim matters or final hearings (trials), or write judgments. To prepare for the week’s work, I would read the file so I would know what the case
was about before it came into my court, and I usually worked at home on Sundays preparing for the following week. When not actually sitting in court, I would be in my chambers, settling orders typed up by my Associates, reading mail, including emails, and responding, consulting with other judges about cases, and doing other admin work. If I had time, I would also write judgments when not in Court. My favourite part is being able to help people come to agreement about their disputes. Understand that the practice of law is about managing people in crisis. Clients are not always pleasant, and sometimes they have mental health issues, but they are human beings and they deserve respect. The role of a legal assistant is vital in a law firm - and the relationship between a lawyer and their legal assistant is very important. A legal assistant needs to be able to deal with people from all walks of life, attend to detail, manage files, and ensure that the lawyer’s practice runs as smoothly as possible. So, apart from the formal qualifications needed, you need to be a hard worker with good time management skills and you have to like dealing with people at difficult times in their lives.
ADVOCACY AND THE COURTS
Judge's Associate Niko kordos - Associate to Judge Cosgrave at County Court of Victoria WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE AND WHAT DID YOU STUDY?
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO LAW STUDENTS WHO WISH TO PURSUE THIS CAREER?
I am a judge’s associate. While I was studying at university I completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws with Honours.
If you are interested in being a judges associate it is worth considering what type of law you are interested in. Most associates in the County Court work in the Criminal Division, where there are more judges. But many also work in the Common Law Division (which hears personal injury and other types of matters) and some, like me, work in the Commercial Division hearing a range of disputes involving contractual issues, property law matters, corporations law disputes, and many other types of commercial problems.
AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WORK I was admitted as an Australian lawyer in late 2017, at that time was working as an in-house paralegal for the Future Fund. In 2018 I began working as a law graduate for Gadens Lawyers and spent time rotating though their Employment and Dispute Resolution practice, before settling in the Dispute Resolution team. While I was studying my law degree I did my best to get involved with as many programs that Dictum Society and VU offered including internships, mooting and the VU Law Journal. I now work as a judge’s associate at the County Court of Victoria in the Commercial Division. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? A typical day as an associate can vary greatly, and it is often dependent on the judge one works for. Common duties an associate in the Commercial Division may undertake include: legal research, administrative tasks, communicating with the parties to a dispute and assisting with the drafting of judgments. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? My favourite part of the job is hearing trials as I am able to sit and observe barristers and solicitors argue their client’s cases in court. Anyone, in most cases, can walk into a court room and do this themselves, but an advantage of my position is that I can speak to my judge afterwards and discuss the arguments that were made and see what he or she thinks about them.
What each judge will be looking for in a candidate will vary greatly, so doing your research and even contacting a current or previous court associate can be helpful to make sure you are the right fit the job. If you wish to become an associate shortly after you graduate (you can even apply while still at university!) then it would be advisable to take your study seriously and maintain high grades. However, some judges may look to see whether you are demonstrably interested in the law and may be concerned more about your real life experiences than your academic transcript. This does not have to be experience in a law firm, participating in extra-curricular activities such as mooting, volunteering or internships can show a judge where your passion lies.It is worth noting that while I work in the County Court, there are associate or equivalent positions in all courts and tribunals, so if you are not sure what law you are interested in or where you wold like to work, anywhere is a good start. Aspiring associates should regularly check the Victorian Government Careers website and search for jobs listed under “Court Services Victoria”, as this is where opportunities for lodge an application will appear from time to time.I am happy to answer any questions you might have about becoming an associate, so please feel free to connect with me and send me a message on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niko-kordos-710916a6/
ADVOCACY AND THE COURTS
Barrister James eley - barrister at the victorian bar WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE AND WHAT DID YOU STUDY? I am a Barrister at the Victorian Bar. I studied a Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts double degree (LLB/BA) at the University of Western Australia and then did my Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP) at the College of Law before being admitted to practice. I am currently studying a Masters of Law (LLM) at the University of Melbourne. AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WORK I am originally from Western Australia and attended the University of Western Australia. After finishing University, I initially worked as a solicitor at a boutique Family Law firm for a number of years before moving to Victoria and taking up a role at Gadens in 2016. I then sat the Victorian Bar Entrance Exam in May 2019 and completed the September 2019 Bar Reader’s Course. I now work as a Barrister at the Victoria Bar primarily practising in the area of Family Law. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? My work days are varied but usually involve me appearing in Court. Those Court hearings may be in Melbourne or outside of Melbourne requiring me to travel to regional Courts. When I am not in Court, then my days generally involve either appearing at Mediations, having conferences with solicitors and/or clients and preparing for future Court hearings. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? Whilst I haven’t been at the Bar very long, thus far my favourite parts about being a Barrister are firstly working for yourself and secondly the variety in my work days. Being a Barrister is a challenging but ultimately very rewarding career path. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO LAW STUDENTS WHO WISH TO PURSUE THIS CAREER? I would recommend that law students plan and map out their timeline to coming to the Bar as everyone has different and individual circumstances which will effect when they come to the Bar. This includes, but is by no means limited to, finding time to study for the Bar Exam and financially planning for the transition (as you will not be able to work during the Reader’s Course). I would also recommend that law students inform themselves about coming to the Bar by reaching out to younger barristers to ask any questions about the process. I know from experience that no question is too silly to ask and the Bar is an open and inclusive place and all barristers are willing to give up their time to assist.
Community Legal Service
COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICE
Victoria Legal Aid Andrew rakin - lawyer at VLA WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE AND WHAT DID YOU STUDY? My job title is Lawyer, Youth Crime. I completed an undergraduate degree in Professional Writing at Deakin University and then obtained my law degree via a postgraduate Juris Doctor at Melbourne University. Also, to be eligible to obtain my legal practising certificate, I completed a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at Leo Cussen Centre for Law. AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WORK I work in the youth crime team at Victoria Legal Aid. Our team represents children who have been charged with criminal offences. Prior to working at Legal Aid, I worked as a community lawyer at Peninsula Community Legal Centre. I have also had previous careers as a buyer for Borders bookstore chain and as an editor. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? I am usually in court two to three days a week. On a typical day at court I might represent between five and 15 clients, so it can be a very busy day. I also visit clients in detention at Parkville and Malmsbury Youth Justice Centres. On other days I am usually in the office, analysing police briefs, reviewing CCTV footage and watching records of interview for my cases as well as providing phone advice to children who have just been arrested.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? I love my job. It’s a lot of work but I really enjoy working with the clients. The great thing about working with kids in this environment is that you can intervene before they become entrenched in the criminal justice system and you can make a genuine difference to help kids to make positive changes in their life. Facing criminal charges can be really overwhelming for young people, especially those who have never been in trouble with police before. A lot of our clients come from disadvantaged backgrounds which adds an extra layer of complexity. It is really rewarding to help these kids get the best possible outcome at court so that they can get on with their lives and go back to focussing on the important things like school and family. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO LAW STUDENTS WHO WISH TO PURSUE THIS CAREER? My advice to law students wanting to pursue a legal career with a social justice focus is to volunteer at as many community legal centres as you can while you are studying. The experience is invaluable, and you get a real opportunity to make a difference. If you are particularly interested in working with young clients, I would recommend that you offer to volunteer at Youthlaw, which is a community legal centre for clients aged under 25. They are a fantastic organisation and have regular intakes of volunteer students.
COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICE
Fitzroy Legal Service chelsea law - paralegal at fitzroy Legal service WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE AND WHAT DID YOU STUDY? While studying Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) at VU, I have gained invaluable experience working in a voluntary capacity as Paralegal in Fitzroy Legal Night Service. AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WORK I have a wealth of experience in various industries: 7 years of dedicated teaching experience, devising individualised curricula according to state standards and 8 years of experience in the property and legal sectors in a range of administrative and management roles. From 2005 -2012, I utilised expert classroom and instrumental music methodologies, including content and projectbased instruction to teach secondary students. These students achieved a pass rate of 90% with 80% of instrumental students awarded a distinction grade outcome on assessments. From 2013 – 14, I worked overseas in the property sector for PAIPC in Malaysia. Our team achieved a record number of sales for the Atria small office/residential sales. 90% was sold at the grand opening of the off-the-plan suites. I continued to work in the Owners Corporation and the Real Estate sectors after returning to Melbourne in 2015. From 2019, I have been working in the legal industry in the capacity of paralegal at Fitzroy Legal Service and compliance officer at the Law Institute of Victoria. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? As a paralegal at the Night Service, my job is to assist lawyers to provide clients with legal advice and referrals. The night service is a generalist service which covers a wide range of legal issues including, but not limited to, family law, criminal law, tenancy disputes and employment law. The clientele usually face challenging circumstances and issues of marginalisation, as well as, discrimination. My tasks include conducting legal research and assisting lawyers in developing case strategies. I also transcribe, manage case files, draft legal documents and letters. Depending on the caseload, I may also be required to work autonomously with minimal supervision from the lawyers due to time constraints. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? The most satisfying part of my job is being able to give back to the community. It is also very humbling to be working with such a supportive and specialised team of dedicated lawyers and staff.
COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICE
WEstjustice Trang chau - lawyer at westjustice WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE AND WHAT DID YOU STUDY? I am a lawyer at WEstJustice and I studied a Bachelor of Legal Practice Management and a Bachelor of Laws AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WORK My name is Trang and I am towards the end of my second year of practice. Being community-focused, I’ve been lucky to have worked at WEstjustice Community Legal Centre since my admissions to practice. I also volunteer at the Rights Advocacy Project at Liberty Victoria in the Indigenous Justice team. Outside of work/law world, I’ve been a hip-hop dancer for 16 years and can’t wait for the day I have a whippet (or Italian greyhound)! WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? A typical workday involves face-to-face client appointments, file-noting (like wow, a lot of it..), consulting legislation, de-briefing and discussing strategy with my team, drafting VCAT applications and claims, writing letters, negotiating with other parties and overall a lot of thinking! WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? I am really interested in the social impact of the law so my favourite part of the job is connecting with the community, particularly through listening to people’s stories because I know it can mean a lot for clients to feel heard. I find purpose in using my profession to provide a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to share their stories. I love using my interpersonal skills to get on the same level as my clients, to share my knowledge of the law and to challenge unfair stereotypes and cancel out as much disadvantage as possible for my clients when dealing with other parties. With a strong appreciation for diversity, I find it meaningful to build genuine rapport and empower clients in times of hardship. When I do this, I feel most connected to the community.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO LAW STUDENTS WHO WISH TO PURSUE THIS CAREER? The pathway for a career in the community sector is very exciting. Seek out lawyers working in the area of law, organisation or job you want or are curious about. Have a coffee with your lecturers and ask about their career. Don’t be afraid to cold-contact some you are inspired by!The great thing about this career pathway is that there are so many ways to make or learn about community impact. E.g. Volunteer/work at non-legal NFPs such as shelters, homelessness outreach, food banks and even with a political party (although not a NFP). Then of course, volunteer at both generalist and specialist legal centres. Doing these if you can, can give you the broader picture of what our communities experience on top of their legal issues. This understanding will benefit your practise in the long term.Approach your career and opportunities with an open mind and stay curious because the things you think you’ll love might not actually interest you in the end and you might end of enjoying something you were originally apprehensive about. Run your own race and know that a fulfilling career looks different for everyone. Take advantage of mentorship programs and associations you can join in addition to the LIV. Students have the benefit of often low cost, if not free memberships that offer great services such as mentoring and networking opportunities. Unfortunately as a graduate, the cost of membership to these associations go up. Most importantly, maintain a healthy work/life and study/life balance. Keep doing things that make you happy. It alleviates the stress that comes with the uncertainty associated with career and/or life ambitions.
COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICE
Victoria Legal Aid Clare moss - lawyer at VLA WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE AND WHAT DID YOU STUDY? I am a criminal lawyer at Victoria Legal Aid. I completed an Arts degree followed by a Juris Doctor at The University of Melbourne. AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WORK Victoria Legal Aid has several practice areas including crime, child protection, family law and civil law. When I started working at VLA I was part of the New Lawyers graduate program where you rotate through different practice groups and spend time in a regional office. This program allowed lawyers to have exposure to different areas of the law and broadened my skill set immeasurably.For my regional placement I returned to Ballarat, where I grew up, and where my family and I have now settled. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? Victoria Legal Aid provides a “duty lawyer” service in the Magistrates’ Court for individuals who have not been able to access legal advice before their matter comes to Court. On a typical day I will check in at the office before going down to court where I will provide triage advice for clients who have matters listed that day. If the case can be resolved on the day with a plea of guilty or a deferral, I will advocate for the client to finalize the matter. If the matter is more complex and requires ongoing work or will be a plea of not guilty, I will attempt to progress the matter through police negotiations, adjourn it and open a file.
Depending on the duty I have been allocated to, I could also assist clients who have been remanded in the cells make an application for bail, or provide advice for applicants or respondents about a family violence or personal safety intervention order. After a day at court, I will head back to the office to do file work, liaise with clients, negotiate with the police or brief barristers for upcoming cases. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? Although my job often involves difficult subject matter, I feel privileged to be able to assist individuals who have experienced systemic disadvantage throughout their lives, including family violence, substance abuse, homelessness or lack of education. Being an advocate for those who may not be able to defend themselves is not something I take lightly. I also enjoy the thrill of advocacy and the relief and gratitude that clients express when their case is finalised. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO LAW STUDENTS WHO WISH TO PURSUE THIS CAREER? I would encourage law students interested in working in crime to volunteer at local Community Legal Centres or apply for a Victoria Legal Aid internship program. I would also encourage anyone interested to go and spend some time sitting in the Magistrates’ Court. Almost all courts are open to the public and watching advocates in court is one of the best ways to pick up tips!
PART v
experience
The Power of the Snowball Effect Susan Pincus - The College of Law Susan is a qualified careers practitioner who has extensive experience working with law students and other professionals looking to build their employability and professional profiles, position themselves for entry into the job market and change career direction.
I am a true believer that it doesn’t matter where you start creating opportunities for your future career and professional growth, as long as you start somewhere. When coaching individuals on taking steps to go out and start having conversations with the legal profession, I have observed on numerous occasions that taking the first step can often be the hardest. But once you build the courage to take that one small step, it creates a flow on effect with other opportunities and conversations presenting themselves with a far reaching impact. I recall working with a law student who was in the earlier years of his law degree. He came seeking advice on how to build his profile and best position himself. Through our conversations, it became apparent that he was lacking awareness around what he already had to offer. We started by brainstorming his many graduate employability skills, some of which he hadn’t realised would make him attractive in the job market. Working at McDonalds as a crew leader managing a team of up to 40 gave him many competencies that hadn’t crossed his mind. In actual fact, he didn’t think he should even include that part of his career history on his cv. We then put a plan together on some next steps and by the next time I saw him, he had found himself a mentor to shadow and observe; a paralegal role in a family law firm through one of his student contacts and obtained a placement with the Magistrates Court and so on. I see this happen all the time.
Here are 10 ways to start building your profile and connections within the profession – 1. Be involved in activities at university as much as possible as these are a great place to build your foundational skills. 2. Put together your linkedin profile and start working on your pitch. It is extremely important in this period of isolation that you continue to stay connected and build on your network. 3. Utilise your local Law Society “Find a Lawyer Service” – search by area of law and location 4. Join your local Law Society (it is free) and a committee as part of the Society (community issues, law reform, later lawyers) or a specific legal interest association or committee around human rights, technology and the law, etc. 5. Write for the Young Lawyers Blog or Young Lawyers Journal (YLJ). 6. Find yourself a mentor – check out mentoring programs with your Local Law Society, Bar Association (state), Women Lawyers (State), etc. 7. Pick up some volunteering work – there are a number of diverse areas such as working with refugees, women, youth, seniors rights, indigenous, etc - http://www.fclc.org.au/ 8. Seek out opportunities to shadow and observe a lawyer or barrister. 9. Speak to your lecturers, peers, etc and ask the question “do you know anyone I could speak to in the area of …….?” 10. Target suburban / regional law firms – search the firms online and make contact with firms in your local area.
Seasonal Clerkships and Traineeships Many top-tier and mid-tier law firms across Victoria offer seasonal clerkships or traineeships. Seasonal clerkships are paid work experience running from 3 to 5 weeks, often over the summer holidays. Firms will give preference to students undertaking their penultimate year. The guidelines for traineeship and clerkship dates, including application opening and closing dates, are provided annually by the Law Institute of Victoria. A clerkship is a great experience for law students nearing their graduate year and paves a great pathway into kick-starting a career in law, as well as providing a networking opportunity for graduate students. Â The dates for the clerkship program for 2020 are as follows: Seasonal Clerkship Applications Open Monday, 6 July 2020 Seasonal Clerkship Applications Close Sunday, 16 August 2020 Seasonal Clerkship Offers Made Wednesday, 14 October 2020
Stepping Into Internships for Students With Disability “The biggest thing I wanted was a dose of confidence. I wanted more experience of how people work together. I’m a people person and Stepping Into has matured my ability to communicate with people and work in a team.” Georga, intern, NSW Department of Family and Community Services (FACS)
Are you in your last or second last year at university? Are you registered with your university's disability services? AND’s Stepping Into program can help you gain paid, hands-on work experience with leading Australian businesses. We work closely with these sought-after organisations to ensure quality internships are delivered in accessible and inclusive working environments.
About
Eligibility
The highly successful Stepping Into Internship program was developed by AND in collaboration with employers who are actively seeking university students with disability for internship paid roles. The Stepping Into program runs twice a year, over the winter and summer university breaks. There are opportunities in various disciplines at prestigious private and public-sector organisations across Australia, including legal roles in private sector and public service. These soughtafter organisations provide an accessible and inclusive working and learning environment.
If you are a university student with disability in your second last or final year of study; and you are registered with your university’s disability support service, or can provide valid medical information, you may be eligible. Students with mental health conditions, chronic illness and other disability types are eligible for the program. Contact us to find out more about eligibility for the program.
How To Apply Internship opportunities are advertised in March/April for the winter semester break and August/September for the summer semester break. Visit www.and.org.au/current-internships.html for a list of current opportunities, or email applications@and.org.au and call 1300 36 36 45 for more information.Other opportunities may be advertised throughout the year. Stay in touch by visiting our website and following us on Facebook.
How It Works Stepping Into Internships run for a minimum 152 hours (four weeks, if working full time).After you apply, you’ll meet with AND to talk about your skills, abilities and interests. You can also discuss any workplace adjustments, and get advice on how to share disability-related information with employers so they can support you to perform at your best. Successful applicants will receive support and guidance from AND throughout the placement. You’ll also be able to access the Stepping Into Internships alumni network and events hosted by AND.
Honours Thesis Experience Sasha Anne Suman - Bachelor of Laws (hONOURS)
The purpose of a thesis is to contribute to a body of knowledge that is quite small. Therefore, it will be more time consuming and difficult to find resources and create arguments around your chosen topic. Thus, you will need to carefully consider whether you will have the time that you need to invest in this task.The product of your thesis will largely depend on your motivation, dedication and ability to manage your time effectively. Therefore, I recommend choosing a topic that you have some interest in. If you do so, you will be motivated to conduct the research needed to create an amazing paper and be able to overcome setbacks. I also recommend engaging a supervisor that some has some expertise in the topic you choose. An appropriate supervisor will support you throughout the task and assist you in both the research and writing of your thesis. Mine did.
I completed my Advanced Legal Research Dissertation thesis in 2019 receiving a High Distinction grade. I wrote my paper arguing the need to raise the age of criminal responsibility to protect children from the harmful effects of the criminal justice system. Through my research, I found that this would have a wholly positive effect on the community. Researching and writing my thesis was a very fulfilling experience. This is because I was able to research a topic that I am passionate about in detail with support from my supervisor and then present my ideas in a way that I wanted. I was also able to increase my knowledge of an area of law I aspire to practice in in the future, youth crime. This article will explain the benefits of writing a thesis, my experience and help you decide whether you should write one too. DECIDING WHETHER TO WRITE A THESIS It is a privilege to be accepted into the Honours degree and be given the opportunity to write a thesis. First of all, the hard work that you have put into your degree will finally be recognised. Secondly, you are granted the prospect of learning more and creating a paper on a topic of your choice. This topic may be something that you have always been curious to know more about, or something you are passionate about that you aspire to have a career in. I chose the latter. Deciding whether to write a thesis is not a decision to be made overnight because of the vast workload and commitment that you will have to make. When I began my thesis, I thought that the workload would be the equivalent of a few regular university assignments as it was only 7,000-9,000 words long. This is not correct. In regular assignments, you are provided textbooks and unit plans tailored to the subject you are learning.
MY EXPERIENCE I chose a topic that I am passionate about: raising the age of criminal responsibility. I thoroughly enjoyed researching the arguments for and against my point of view as well as learning the different sub-issues surrounding the main issue. I knew that I wanted a career in youth law and now that I have written a thesis in this area, I have ample knowledge of the criminal behaviour of children, the reasons behind it and the effects sentencing has on those children and the community. When I begin practicing as a lawyer, I will be able to put this knowledge into practice and advocate on behalf of young clients to my best ability. An Honours thesis is not your life’s work and thus, I do not have complete knowledge of this issue. I had a very positive experience writing my thesis and wish I knew more about the issues I touched on. Therefore, I plan to complete a doctorate in the future to delve deeper into this topic and hope to make a genuine contribution towards law reform in raising the age of criminal responsibility. Now that I have experienced what is involved in writing an advanced paper, I am prepared and have the skills to tackle the more significant task of a PhD. If you have considered whether you should write a thesis and are still not sure, I suggest you do. I enjoyed the process of creating a paper on something I am passionate about. I am proud of my thesis and can forever say that I received a High Distinction grade rendering my degree the equivalent of a First Class Honours law degree. It has prepared me for my future career and also showed me that I would like to continue my research in the form of a PhD. The positives and opportunities that could present themselves from your paper greatly outweigh the effort involved in creating it. Writing a thesis was a considerable task, however, it was a tremendous experience and could be for you too.
Clinical Legal Placement Programs (CLEP) About the Program
Eligibility
Legal education placements are a great way to gain practical skills and experience in legal practice, and to enhance your employability after the completion of your degree. For over 15 years Victoria University has offered a suite of programs designed to ensure students graduate with a legal education which encompasses practical experience.Â
In order to be eligible to enrol into the unit LLW4008-Internship and Law Practice unit, students need to accrue 150 hours (20 days) of relevant legal placement (VU or external).
Victoria University has forged strong connections and partnerships with industry to offer placement programs throughout the year. Student are encouraged to apply for VU placements, as well as source their own placement/employment either in community or private practice. Applying for VU placements commonly occurs from Semester 2 of First Year onwards.Â
Victoria University is affiliated with a variety of programs including: Victoria Police Program WEstjustice Victoria Legal Aid General & Duty Lawyer Clinics State Trustees Program
Benefits Placements take into consideration the block model and most commonly run for one full day per week, and on a semester basis, with some placements held over the summer period. Updates on application due dates and new programs can be found in the COMM-College of Law & Justice Clinical Placement Program unit space accessible through Collaborate. Find out more on how to apply and current application on: https://vucollaborate.vu.edu.au/d2l/lp/na vbars/35728/customlinks/external/30568
My Clinical Legal Placement Experience Lucy Tatham - Bachelor of Laws Hi, my name is Lucy Tatham. I undertook two official College of Law and Justice (CLEP) placements, which assisted me in obtaining both paid and unpaid employment. I was keen to obtain legal experience very early in my degree. In fact, I had only just begun studying law when I walked into my local Community Legal Centre and asked for a job. “How far into your degree are you?” they asked. “One month” I said. They told me to come back once I had some experience. I then undertook two official CLEP placements. The first was the VLA Duty Lawyer program at the Melbourne Magistrates Court and the second was the Young Workers Centre (YWC) Advocacy internship at the Trades Hall. The best thing about VLA was that I learned the skill of multitasking in a busy environment. It was from learning this skill that I was able to secure a position as a volunteer paralegal at St Kilda Legal Service (SKLS). I was able to say to SKLS, “I did not have experience before, but I have now. I have undertaken an internship with VLA, four moots and a variety of other volunteer experience, and I wish to continue to make a positive contribution to my community”. They gave me the job. The second internship was at the Young Workers Advocacy Centre which was a combination of administrative tasks, research and client interviews.
My favourite thing about the CLEP programs is that the experience helped me to gain a paid position, working as a paralegal for a principle lawyer (who is also a builder) in a Commercial Construction Law firm. Other students completing this internship had their own reasons. For example, improving their research skills, strengthening their confidence in conducting client interviews or writing a thesis with an employment law focus.
Coming from the building industry, I thoroughly enjoyed speaking to clients, but I had very little administrative experience. The people who work at Young Workers were particularly kind and patient, which is the optimum environment to learn a new skill.
2. Try different areas of Law
My advice to students looking for placements: 1. Use the opportunity to hone your weaker skills, even if it is less fun. These CLEP programs are particularly valuable because they provide a rare opportunity to hone your weaker skills in an environment where your time is not charged out by the minute. For me, my weakness was all things administration and multi-tasking. However, when given a choice, I chose to be on the phone to clients or conducting legal research. In hindsight, I regret not using the time to hone my weaknesses as much as I could as internships are a safe place to learn in a forgiving environment. In contrast, law firms rarely operate this way. You are expected to be fast, accurate and keen always.
This means if it’s not for you, then you don’t have to pursue it forever. And if you try it out, you may find an area of law that you wish to specialise in in the future.
Studying Abroad Paul Nakis - Bachelor of laws 2019 Every time you read a travel story it also sounds kind of fake. The first thing they tell you in all the advertisements is that it’s a life changing experience where you become the real you. I’m afraid I’m going to have to insert similar platitudes in this account: I can barely recognise the person who first got on that plane, as if he had died on the way back. I’ve been meaning to go on exchange throughout my whole university career and was finally lucky enough to secure a spot with VU abroad after a year of preparation. I attended a cultural exchange program with Phillips University in Marburg, a tiny university town in Hessen, Germany. I was thankfully able to have my arts units approved for language study, and with the university I studied the German language, German culture and laws (which included all expenses paid trips to Berlin, Hamburg and Dresden) English literature and, just for something different, naval archeology, all under very respected and experienced professors from all over Europe. I was the only Australian in the university, and my fellows on the program were from America and Mexico. Neither they nor the Germans could understand why I would come from a country that’s basically an alien planet to them away from our sunny beaches. I was attracted to the university partially because it was cheap (accommodation and studies were paid for together) and partially because it was the university where the Brothers Grimm studied and developed their folktales. It was also an hour’s train ride from the hometown of one of my favourite authors, Goethe.
This bit of history humbled me, but only for a brief period until I realised that the entire continent is knee deep in a history and culture much older than my own. No matter where I went, after travelling to 11 cities in 6 countries, it seemed like every street corner was some building or statue that had a several hundred year head start on even our own Parliament. If I had to describe it, it was a hunger to experience everything I could. The food, the German countryside, the people (including falling in love, big mistake), German literature, German universities, the towns and cities and every little thing therein. It was alien to me as Australia was to them but I embraced it entirely. Four months was not nearly enough. I truly believe it is an essential part of being a university student so I recommend you stay away from me in the hallways. If you have any electives left, I’ll grab you by the scruff of the neck and pour all of my experiences into your ear until you agree that you’ll message VU abroad. Pro tip: once in Europe, flights between countries can be as cheap as a $10 as is accommodation, so expect to travel a lot. Also, churches are free and in the centre of every town whether tucked away in the countryside of Hessen or in a central district in Rome.
Kick-Starting Your Career During University Sasha anne suman AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT YOU AND WHAT YOU STUDIED My name is Sasha Anne Suman. I studied a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from 2016 to 2019 and have recently completed Practical Legal Training coursework at The College of Law. Throughout my studies, I completed placement at the Werribee Magistrates’ Court with Victoria Legal Aid and also at WEstjustice Community Legal Centre. I currently continue to volunteer at WEstjustice. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? At WEstjustice, I mainly work in the Sunshine Youth Clinic and also at one of our outreach offices at Tarneit Senior College. At the youth clinic, we assist people from ages 12 to 25 and at Tarneit Senior College, we assist students in years 10 to 12. On a typical day, I triage and arrange appointments for young people to see us about their legal matters. I will also interview and advise them on their options. When I am not dealing with clients directly, I am collaborating with the lawyers and other volunteers to work on clients’ files. This can involve drafting applications to withdraw fines, letters of demand, debt waiver letters, plea submissions and briefs to Victoria Legal Aid and counsel. I try to spend as much time at court as possible to learn about court procedure and the practicalities of litigation so I shadow and aid our lawyers whenever our clients have hearings. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? My favourite part about volunteering at WEstjustice is that I get to help disadvantaged young people access justice and know that I am making a genuine difference in their lives. Young people from a diverse range of backgrounds come to us with complicated matters ranging from family violence to crime to debt and other civil matters. The services that we provide are free of charge and help victims escape their abusers, support those facing criminal charges as well as assist those experiencing special circumstances part with debt and fines. If someone presents with more complex needs, we refer them to appropriate support services to ensure they receive not only the best legal outcomes, but also the best nonlegal outcomes. The result of our services is that our young clients are able to move on from potentially traumatic situations and get on with their lives which they may not be able to do without us. This makes the work extremely rewarding and fulfilling. HOW HAS YOUR CLINICAL PLACEMENT HELPED WITH YOUR CAREER PATHWAY? I always had the idea that I wanted a career where I could help young people so I began volunteering in the youth clinic at WEstjustice. Once I began my placement, I knew the first day that this was the type of work I wanted to continue doing throughout my career. I learnt that supporting young people in their legal matters was making a significant difference in multiple aspects of their lives from helping them transition into the workforce to assisting in their mental health. Our services also provide young people with education on their rights and responsibilities to help them steer clear of legal issues and the criminal justice system. Knowing that the work I was engaged in was making a positive impact in the lives of vulnerable people, especially children, solidified my aspirations in pursuing a career in youth law. Not only has WEstjustice shown me what I want in a career, it has also provided me with a wide range of skills and knowledge about many areas of law with a focus on the needs of young people so that I am thoroughly prepared for my future career!
PART vi
practical legal training
Becoming A Victorian Lawyer A step by step guide
TERTIARY EDUCATION The first step to becoming a qualified lawyer in Victoria is to complete a tertiary education in law. This can be either: Undergraduate: Bachelor Degree (LLB) Postgraduate: Juris Doctor (JD) Victoria University is among the institutions approved by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board. For a successful completion of tertiary study, the admissions board requires you must complete the "Preistley 11". These are mandatory units that you need to complete before graduating with a LLB
PRACTICAL OR SUPERVISED TRAINING After you graduate from your tertiary education course, the next step is to undertake either a: Practical Legal Training (PLT) or Supervised Legal Training (SLT)
ADMISSIONS
The final step in this process is successful admission as a Victorian Lawyer. An application for admission is made to the Victorian Legal Admissions Board. If this application is successful, you can begin your legal journey as a practicing solicitor in Victoria!
The goal of legal training is to provide you with the necessary skills and values to be a capable and ethical practicing lawyer.
PART vii
kick-starting your career
Resume Writing What You Need to Include in Your CV WORK EXPERIENCE
YOUR DETAILS
Include your name, address and contact phone number Add your email address - make sure the address is professional, Gmail or Outlook is preferred You can also include your LinkedIn account
A history of your work experience. Include both paid and volunteer positions. Volunteer experience can include active positions in clubs and societies, or even community volunteering. Do not include everything! Refine the list to cater for the job you're applying for For each role, mention the period of time you were in the role and include a short summary of what you did, skills you gained and achievement PREVIOUS EDUCATION
A history of your education - start with your most recent or current education. For example: PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
A summary of what you do (If you are a student, mention what and where you study) It should state the type of positions you are seeking - e.g. clerkships , legal assistant , law placements etc
CORE STRENGTHS / SKILLS
A list of core skills, strengths and achievements that you have gained during your education or work experience
Bachelor of Laws | Victoria University 2020 - present VCE Certificate | Name of your highschool First year of VCE - Graduation You do not need to include your primary school education - keep it short and sweet and do not excess 3 listings. Include academic achievements (like a thesis/ATAR)
REFEREES
Include at least two referees and their contact details - these are employers or supervisors that can comment on your skills and experience Make sure you have the referee's permission before you add them to your resume
Legal Interview Tips & Tricks Research the organisation
Don't Be Late
Whether you’re applying to be a solicitor at a firm or an in-house lawyer at a business or organisation, it is important to research the organisation you are applying for. It is important to know exactly what the organisation does, such as the legal fields they specialise in and their company mission. By knowing this information, you can be confident when approached with questions about the company itself. You can also use this to tell the interviewer that you care about the company’s mission and that you agree with their values.
It's extremely important to be punctual to your interview, showing up late tells the interviewer that you are unreliable. You should always aim to be at least 15 minutes early to your interview, this shows that you are timely and are very interested in the position.
Be Familiar With Your CV Your interviewer will refer to your CV and ask you questions about the experiences you have. It is useful to have a summary prepared for each position, and create a link between this experience and the job skills required for the position you’re applying for.
Dress to Impress Your clothes and appearance form a large part of your first impression. For any legal job, it is important to look clean and professional to ensure that you look the part
Mooting The 101 of how to Stand out in A Pool of Law Students Aayushi Patel - Dictum Society Secretary Mooting aims to model real life cases in a simulated court or arbitration setting involving oral submissions and written memoranda. Law schools hold moot competitions and although participation is not mandatory, I highly recommend it. Mooting is an ingenious achievement that can make a student stand out. Arguing, doing legal research, competing, wearing formals, sitting in court-like environments, networking, making friends, public speaking, rebutting, writing memoranda, advocacy and analysis are just some of the benefits that mooting has. I cannot stress enough how advantageous and exciting moot competitions are. I have participated in the Junior Moot, Senior Moot and Witness examination competition so far and won multiple awards. It is scary and nervewrecking; my voice shakes at times, my palms sweat, I forget what I was supposed to say, and I probably don’t have the right answer to the judge’s question. But advocacy is an essential law student skill and mooting gives the exposure it needs to build that skill. Participation in moots allowed me to make connections with professors, other students and lawyers that I would not have made otherwise. The moots demand preparation and extra effort which may seem like another burden apart from the regular assignments and tests. However, speaking from experience, the efforts have been worth the benefits. I participated in my first moot (the Junior Moot) as a First-Year law student.
Some teams had second- or third-year law students and that made me nervous. But my team made it to the semi-finals despite a total of approximately 13-15 teams that participated and that made me realise that simply understanding the law or scoring well in the units will not be enough; advocacy and the ability to use legal research in real situations is an important skill. Later I was able to use my experience and feedback from the Junior Moot to enhance my performance in the Senior Moot. Being a mooter made me more confident, humble and most importantly it put me out there where I was more recognised and connected than ever. Mooting introduced me to the law society at Victoria University: Dictum Society and my gradual involvement in the society brought me opportunities that led me to be the Secretary of Dictum. And as most of the committee members in Dictum Society like to say: “it’s not only about what you know but also about who you know”. It takes a fair amount of extra work to be noticed in this world of so much talent and competition. A law degree is a requirement to pave a career pathway in law but unfortunately it is not enough. Employers and the type of work expected in law demands more than a mere degree. All law graduates have that in common so while we students work hard and score Distinctions it is important to remember what else we can do to stand out.
There is an array of services
How VU Can Help Victoria University offers a range of services to help students increase their employability and support them in their career progression. ‘VU employ’ is a service that provides the resources
provided on Footscray campus offered by the peer Career Advisor, and career workshops and networking opportunities held throughout the year.
These services include: Drop-in career conversations On-the-spot resume reviews Job search LinkedIn photo booth (coming soon) Career resources
and programs to aid students in
Job applications
gaining the skills and experience
Career workshops
they need to prepare for the work force.
International Moots Cherie Vendramini
The Annual Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot is currently in its 27th year and is held in Vienna, Austria. It is one of the largest Moots in the World with more than 400 Universities competing world-wide! It is sponsored by the United Nations, Vienna University and others. This Moot is centred around the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), and the Arbitration rules governing the procedural aspects change each year. To compete in the Moot, each team must submit a Memorandum on behalf of each party (Claimant and Respondent). In 2008 VU came equal 4th!The Moot is a fantastic way to foster the study of international commercial law and arbitration, and to create relationships and connections around the world. Each year that VU competes, the students also get to attend a PreMoot in Budapest, Hungary. At VU the students are fortunate to have the accommodation and airfares paid for by the University. The students also get 130 hours credited to their practical placement unit.
Willem C. Vis Moot Team 2018
1. How has your participation in the moot contributed to your career? The Moot has assisted me by giving me the opportunity to return again to the 27th annual Vis Moot! I am pleased to say that I will be attending the Moot again this year as assistant coach to the VU team working along side Colin King. Attending as an assistant coach is a fantastic opportunity as I have been able to participate in the ranking of the competitions Memoranda and will be arbitrating rounds in Vienna. 2. What was your favourite thing about the experience? My favourite part of the whole experience would have to be the simulated environment of working overseas. The days are full of practicing with your team, competing in your rounds, meeting various people all over the world, running around a beautiful foreign city and consuming way too much food and wine! 3. What advice would you give students who are thinking of participating? My advice would just be to come and say hello and introduce yourself to Colin. An early expression of interest is a fantastic way to demonstrate your initiative... and if you are really interested, start reading up on the CISG (Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods). This is the basis for the Moot and when you apply to participate you will be able to show of your knowledge and really stand out of the crowd.
Advice For First Years Words of Advice From Students to Students
id to "Don't be afra questions!"
"Do your a ssignment before the due date, d on't leave anything till the last minute! An d be sure to make co nnections early on" Charlie Gur bu
ask
ear
Y ant - Third Dina Sarge
z - Second
Year
"Gain as much rele vant work experience as you can during your time at VU an d enjoy studying law!" Chelsea Law - Fi nal Year
"D o a s
m uc h m o o tin g ca n be as you fore gr a d ua ti n g !" Aayush i Pate l - Seco nd Yea r
"follow a schedule, don't leave things last minute and overburden yourself" Anoushka Patel - Second Year
of all the "Take advantage such as the services VU has, s and LH library workshop tutoring" Year Falak Skaik - Third
DICTUM SOCIETY ROBL08 295 Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000