Clerkship Guide 2018
V STUDENT EXPERIENCE Who: Bronte Carlin
Degree: Bachelor of Laws
Year Clerkship Completed: 2017 / 2018
Clerkship Rotations: Dispute Resolution, Projects and Real Estate
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Why did you decide to apply for a clerkship, as opposed to pursuing other avenues?
I had considered pursuing other avenues, however, realised that many of these would require me to choose just one area of the law. As I was unsure what area of law I wanted to practise in (or if I wanted to practise at all), the clerkship offered me a way to gain an insight into several areas of law as well as what it is like to work in a large law firm.
What did you consider when researching firms prior to application, and how did you choose your firm?
I mainly looked for firms which had values similar to my own and which had a good reputation both locally and nationally. I found I was primarily drawn to firms that place the client at the centre of their work, and which value their people and encourage collaboration. I also focused on firms which had a comprehensive and organised clerkship program which would enable me to get the most of out the experience and figure out whether I enjoyed working in commercial law as well as in a large firm.
Do you have any advice for students entering the application process?
I have two pieces of advice.
My first is that you should never not apply to a firm just because you don’t think you are good enough – you are. My second, and most important, piece of advice is to be yourself! Throughout the whole applications process, including interviews and networking events, I had a lot of selfdoubt and felt a lot of pressure to look, do and say all the ‘right’ things. In the end though, I found the more I was myself and natural, the easier the process was and the more I was able to gauge which firm was right for me. It also meant that when the offers came out, I knew they liked me for me!
I also think it is important to remember that you are likely to be working closely with the people who you meet throughout the process, including those who interview you. It’s easy to forget that the clerkship process is as much about you getting to know the firm as it is for the firm to get to know you, so ask lots of questions and make sure the firm is right for you.
What areas of law were you exposed to during the clerkship?
I did two clerkship rotations through the Projects and Real Estate team and the Dispute Resolution team at King &
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