2024 Seasonal Clerkship Guide

DEAKIN LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

SEASONAL CLERKSHIP GUIDE 2024

Acknowledgment of Country We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which the DLSS is founded, the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. We recognise their continued connection to the land and waters. We pay our respects to Wurundjeri Elders past, present, and emerging and extend this respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Elders and people from other communities who are here today.

PUBLISHED BY DEAKIN LAW STUDENTS' SOCIETY WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO Lucy French and Connor Hardcastle Directors of Sponsorship

Joshua Herington Director of Commercial Careers

McKeely Hol Sponsorship Officer

Courtney McKenzie President

Alison Galbally, Alyssa Chiarilli, Emily Hajicosta and Marietta Stents Commercial Careers Officers

Jordan Cook and Priyanka Sharma Communications Portfolio

Special Thanks Sponsors Dean's Foreword Sponsorship Foreword Commercial Careers Director Foreword Firm Information Key Dates

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ADMISSION Flow Chart of Admission Process Australian Admission Requirements International Admission Requirements Law Institute of Victoria LIV Seasonal Clerkship Guidelines LIV Graduate Traineeship Guidelines Practical Legal Training College of Law Australian College of Applied Professions

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CLERKSHIP TIPS Preparing for the Clerkship Process Authenticity and Clerkship Applications Excelling in the Clerkship Process Tips for your Clerkship Journey How to Excel in Your Clerkship Interview Submitting High Quality Applications Sample Cover Letter Sample CV

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FIRM INSIGHTS Banking & Finance Class Actions Dispute Resolution Construction & Environmental Sustainability How to Stand Out as a Clerk Transition from Clerk to Graduate Pro Bono How to Stand Out as a Clerk at G + T Insurance Day in the Life of a Clerk Front End & Back End Law Commercial Law Using Your Non-Legal Experience

46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72

FIRM INSIGHTS Corporate & Commercial Law Real Estate Compensation Law Standing Out in a Sea of Applicants Media Law Working as a Graduate Day in the Life of a Law Graduate The Clerkship Experience Arbitration is Not Litigation Overseas Graduate Rotation

74 76 78 80 82 86 88 90 92 94

FIRM PROFILES Allens Arnold Bloch Leibler Ashurst Baker McKenzie Clayton Utz Corrs Chambers Westgarth DLA Piper Gadens Gilbert + Tobin Hall & Wilcox HFW Herbert Smith Freehills HWL Ebsworth Johnson Winter Slattery Jones Day K&L Gates KHQ Lawyers King & Wood Mallesons Lander & Rogers Maddocks MinterEllison Norton Rose Fulbright PwC Russell Kennedy Steinepreis Paganin Thomson Geer White & Case

96 98 102 104 108 112 118 122 124 130 136 138 144 150 152 154 158 162 166 170 172 176 180 184 186 188 190 192

Frequently Asked Questions Disclaimer

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OUR SPONSORS

Undertaking a clerkship can be a valuable part of your legal journey. It offers the opportunity to work in a private legal firm, in a variety of practice areas. Working in a new legal environment can facilitate the development of new knowledge, as well as enhancing your awareness of the interpersonal skills required to work as part of a team. It can constitute an important stepping stone to a graduate position and other future employment opportunities.

This annual Clerkship Guide, prepared by the Deakin Law Students' Society, is an invaluable resource for all students undertaking their clerkship applications. The Guide provides comprehensive information about clerkships, the application process (including important dates), firms and contacts. It provides essential background information that will assist you in determining the firms to which you wish to apply. Moreover, the practical information about applications and offers contained in the Guide has the potential to considerably reduce the stress and uncertainty that is frequently associated with the clerkship process.

Deakin law students who are committed to undertaking a clerkship will find that the Guide is an excellent resource. For those who have had the experience of applying for a clerkship but not obtaining one, the Guide provides useful insights into the clerkship process as well as strategies that you might employ to increase the likelihood of success in any subsequent application. For those who are uncertain, the Guide provides information that can assist in making the decision about whether a clerkship is for you. For all students, the knowledge and practical advice contained in the Guide is invaluable.

I wish you all the best in your endeavours.

What makes a law student stand out from the crowd? How can you differentiate yourself? We all have our own unique stories and journeys. It is time for you to consider how you can tell your story and how your story fits with the values, ideals and aims of the firms you are interested in building a professional relationship with.

We are delighted to welcome you to the 2024 Clerkship Guide, a publication that the Deakin Law Students' Society is thrilled to release.

The clerkship process is vitally important in the journey to becoming a law graduate. Firms are increasingly eager to engage with and hire Deakin students. We encourage you to start building those relationships now. The difference a simple coffee catch-up, or a discussion at a networking event can make to your career journey is significant. No lawyer has the exact same journey, stories and experiences. Firms value diversity and view candidates in a much more holistic setting than merely academic results. Consider the importance of your co-curricular involvement, whether that is a sporting club, student society, book group, or any other group experience. Consider, also, any skills you may have obtained through your involvement in these activities.

The Deakin Law Students' Society is incredibly grateful to all of our sponsors for 2024, who have been extremely supportive in allowing us to host an outstanding platform of events. Having a suite of high-quality events has been a leading factor for student involvement, and we have seen fantastic event engagement across the board this year.

We are both so proud of the progress that the Sponsorship team has made in 2024. We have dedicated considerable time continuing to build on our strong connections with existing firms and develop relationships with new sponsors, ensuring our efficient communication and proactive nature is at the forefront.

Finally, we would like to acknowledge and thank our officer, McKeely Hol, for the assistance she has provided in the process of producing this publication, we are very lucky to have her on our team.

Welcome to the Deakin Law Students’ Society's Seasonal Clerkship Guide for 2024.

On behalf of the Commercial Careers portfolio, I want to extend my best wishes for your clerkship journey and the upcoming application process. Whilst some of you may have been anticipating this opportunity for years, I know many of you, like myself, find this process new and unfamiliar (albeit exciting). This guide is here to be your best friend regardless of which camp you sit in; an extremely comprehensive resource with everything you will need to know for this next step in your legal journey.

A seasonal clerkship refers to a paid placement at a law firm, typically lasting 3-4 weeks. The number of clerkships and their intakes for different periods alters from firm-to-firm. Clerkships offer an excellent chance to determine if commercial law is the right career path for you, and to identify the firm, culture and practice area that best aligns with who you are. You will gain valuable practical legal experience by working on real and engaging matters. Applications are generally open to penultimate and final year students, as firms often extend graduate roles to those who have clerked with them.

Obtaining a clerkship provides a plethora of benefits for your career and for you personally. However, securing a clerkship is undoubtedly a competitive process. Law students from Victoria, and even other states, will be vying for these limited placements.

Hence, dedicating the effort into perfecting your application is paramount (as well as reading the guide along the way!). Paying attention to detail is crucial, as is conducting thorough research and crafting an authentic application.

While clerkships are one pathway to consider when pursuing a career in commercial law, remember that law graduates are sought after by various employers, including professional service firms, businesses and government departments. It is important to keep in mind that obtaining a clerkship is not the sole route to a career in commercial law.

I wish you all the best for this process! Make full use of this guide, explore all the available resources, and feel free to reach out to anyone on the Commercial Careers portfolio if you have any questions.

Joshua Herington Director of Commercial Careers

The DLSS Commercial Careers Portfolio is proud to present our Seasonal Clerkship Guide for 2024. The core purpose of the Guide is to provide law students with key information regarding commercial pathways and the clerkship process. For what can be a stressful period for students, this resource provides industry advice, important dates and firsthand testimonials from recent clerks and graduates.

We would like to extend gratitude to our sponsors for their commitment and contributions. It is your input that enable Deakin Law students to approach the clerkship process with confidence and clarity.

Special thanks to our Director, Joshua Herington, whose vision and leadership has been integral to the success of the Guide. Additionally, we are immensely grateful to the Sponsorship Portfolio for their ongoing support throughout the process.

We wish the 2024 clerkship applicants every success in the clerkship process. Congratulations on embarking on this exciting phase of your journey.

Alison Galbally, Alyssa Chiarilli, Emily Hajicosta and Marietta Stents Commercial Careers Officers

FIRM

PERIODS

CLERKSHIPS

ELIGIBILITY

Summer 1, Summer 2, and Winter

90-100

Penultimate, final year, and international students

Summer 1, Summer 2, and Winter

40-45

Penultimate students

Summer 1, Summer 2, and Winter

64 (approx.)

Penultimate and final year students

Summer 1, Summer 2, and Winter

28-32 (approx.)

Penultimate, final year, and international students

Summer and Winter

40-50

Penultimate, final year, and international students

Summer 1, Summer 2, Winter

65-70

Penultimate, final year, and international students

Summer and Winter

15-20

Penultimate students

Summer 1, Summer 2 and Winter

30-32

Penultimate and final year students

Summer 1, Summer 2, and Winter

30 (approx.)

Penultimate, final year, and international students

Summer and Winter

30

Penultimate and final year students

Summer and Winter

Up to 8

Penultimate, final year, and international students

Summer and Winter

60-65

Penultimate, final year, and international students

FIRM

PERIODS

CLERKSHIPS

ELIGIBILITY

Summer and Winter

30

Penultimate and international students

Summer, Autumn and Winter

12-16

Penultimate and final year students

3 (approx.)

Penultimate and final year students

25-30

Penultimate and final year students

8

Penultimate and final year students

Summer 1, Summer 2, and Winter

90 (approx.)

Penultimate, final year and international students

Summer 1, Summer 2, and Winter

24

Penultimate and final year students

Summer 1, Summer 2, and Winter

35-45

Penultimate and final year students

Summer and Winter

55-60

Penultimate, final year and international students

Summer and Winter

20-25

Penultimate, final year and international students

Summer 1, Summer 2, and Winter

Up to 40

Penultimate and final year students

Summer 1

Summer and Winter

Winter 2024 and Summer

FIRM

PERIODS

CLERKSHIPS

ELIGIBILITY

Summer 1, Summer 2, and Winter

18

Penultimate and final year students

Summer 1 and Summer 2

10-12

Penultimate students

Summer and Winter

20-22

Penultimate, final year, and international students

Applications open at 9:00am on Monday 1 July 2024.

Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday 11 August 2024.

Offers for clerkships are made from 10:00am on Wednesday 16 October 2024.

Summer 1: November - December 2024.

Summer 2: January - February 2025.

Winter: June - July 2025.

ADMISSION

Victoria Requires a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD). Graduates must complete Practical Legal Training (‘PLT’) in the form of Supervised Legal Training or a Practical Legal Training Course by approved providers. Graduates who have successfully completed their PLT must then lodge an application for a Compliance Certificate and the Victorian Legal Admissions Board must be satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to be admitted to practice. Finally, in order to be admitted, a person must attend an admission ceremony in the Supreme Court of Victoria, where they take an Oath and sign the Roll. Once admitted, a person may apply to the Victorian Legal Services Board for a Practising Certificate. A person must hold a current Practising Certificate to practise law in Victoria.

New South Wales Requires a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD). Graduates must complete Practical Legal Training (‘PLT’) in the form of Supervised Legal Training or a Practical Legal Training Course by approved providers. Graduates who have successfully completed their PLT must then lodge an application for admission and then take an Oath and sign the Roll of Australian Lawyers at admission day at the Supreme Court of New South Wales, where they will receive their Certificate of Admission. After being admitted, a person may apply for a Practising Certificate issued by the Council of the Law Society of New South Wales in order to practise law in New South Wales.

Queensland Requires a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD). Graduates must complete Practical Legal Training (‘PLT’) in the form of Supervised Legal Training or a Practical Legal Training Course by approved providers. Graduates who have successfully completed their PLT must then lodge an application for admission to the Roll of Lawyers and the Admissions Board must be satisfied of their fitness to practice. A person must then apply for a Practising Certificate to practise law in Queensland.

South Australia Requires a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD). Graduates must complete Practical Legal Training (‘PLT’) in the form of Supervised Legal Training or a Practical Legal Training Course by approved providers. They must also have those qualifications formally accredited by the Board of Examiners prior to admission. Graduates must then lodge an application for admission. The Supreme Court must be satisfied that the applicant is suitable for admission. A person must then attend an admission ceremony.

After a person has been admitted and signed the Roll of Practitioners, they are able to apply for a Practising Certificate, which allows them to practise law in South Australia.

Western Australia Requires a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD). Graduates must complete Practical Legal Training (‘PLT’) in the form of Supervised Legal Training or a Practical Legal Training Course by approved providers. Graduates must then make an application for admission. A person must attend an admission ceremony, where they will take an Oath and sign the Roll. Finally, a person must apply for a Practising Certificate to practise law in Western Australia.

United State of America Requirements vary from state to state, however, the USA generally requires either a Juris Doctor (JD) or Master of Law (LLM). These are necessary in order to sit the relevant state bar examination. Some states, such as New York, allow Australian Graduates to sit State bar exams.

United Kingdom Requires a LLB or JD. The UK also requires graduates to have completed a Practical Legal Training course. Lawyers that have been admitted to practice in Australia can practice in the UK as Solicitors by transferring through the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) under the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS).

Singapore Requires LLM or JD from an approved university. Any person seeking to be admitted must first be twenty-one years of age or older. Prospective lawyers must also sit the Bar examination and complete a one year Practical Training Contract.

Hong Kong Requires a person to be a valid legal practitioner in their jurisdiction of admission and to have been practising in their said jurisdiction for at least two years. Hopeful candidates will need to pass the Barrister’s Qualification Examination (BQE).

China Lawyers from other countries are able to work for law firms in China but are not authorised to practise law. Chinese law heavily restricts a person’s ability to give legal advice. Australian qualified lawyers should thoroughly discuss these restrictions with any prospective Chinese law firms.

Japan Lawyers from other countries may seek approval from the Minister of Justice and register as foreign lawyers in Japan. A successful applicant will need to hold a current licence to practice in their home country, have at least 3 years post-qualification legal work experience, have a business plan, and currently live in Japan.

Europe The majority of European countries require both an LLB and LLM. Obtaining a licence or diploma in one country allows you to practice in another. Memberships of individual Bar associations are sometimes required by countries to use the title of ‘lawyer’, however, you may still practise law.

The Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) represents more than 18,000 lawyers and legal professionals in Victoria, interstate, and overseas. The LIV provides commitment, diversity, and expertise to shape Victoria's laws and ensure justice for all.

The LIV advocates for social and public welfare in the court and legal systems. They also promote education and public confidence in the legal profession and the law-making and administration processes.

As the peak body for the Victorian legal profession, the LIV initiates programs to support the evolving needs of the profession. They actively promote law reform, address community issues, offer continuing legal education, and provide expert services and resources.

The LIV is a non-profit organisation dedicated to its members and the development, maintenance and sustenance of the legal system for the benefit of the community.

The LIV’s commitment to the development of your legal career begins well before your first job. Their education, mentoring and networking opportunities are specifically tailored to support growth as a student and graduate, to ensure adequate preparation for launching a successful career.

The LIV Law Student Membership provides exclusive access to a broad range of resources and opportunities that help navigate the initial stages of your legal career. These include: Membership of the professional body for lawyers but also the community of LIV Young Lawyers, comprised of more than 6,000 law students, graduates and early career lawyers.

Education, networking and career development opportunities including access to the LIV Young Lawyers educational programs, resources, networks and support. You will be invited to attend professional networking events including the annual LIV Legal Career Pathways event which provides guidance to help define a career path and opportunities to connect with other legal professionals.

Well-being and personal development support, including access to the LIV’s confidential support and counselling services through the Employee Assistance Program.

Resources, research and support services including access to the LIV’s Law Library’s extensive resources, books and other online legal databases, as well as discounts on legal texts, books and forms purchased from the LIV Law Book’s website and bookshop.

Advocacy and influence through joining one of the LIV Young Lawyers’ Committees.

Contribute articles to Young Lawyers publications to build your professional profile.

Stay informed on all that is relevant to young lawyers through the monthly Young Lawyers Newsletter, access career advice and fresh insights into the future of the profession via the Young Lawyers blog and Young Lawyers column of the Law Institute Journal.

LIV Student membership is free and will allow you to access the great benefits and opportunities available. For additional information, please visit the LIV website or email younglaw@liv.asn.au

The LIV Clerkship and Graduate Guidelines (the Guidelines) are to provide the agreed framework for the dates and communication protocols for the making of offers for clerkships and graduate positions by signatory law firms and the acceptance of offers by law students to ensure consistency and fairness in the recruitment process.

The Law Institute of Victoria (the LIV) values the commitment that all signatories make towards ensuring compliance with the Guidelines.

Eligibility (a) Any offer made under these Guidelines relates to clerkship positions commencing in 2024 and 2025. (b) To be eligible to apply for clerkships a student must be in their final or penultimate year of study in 2024. (c) Students who have already completed their law degree are eligible to apply, however applications will be accepted at the discretion of each Signatory.

Applications (a) Applications for clerkships will open at 9.00am Monday 1 July 2024 and close at 11.59pm Sunday 11 August 2024. (b) Each Signatory is responsible for setting its own application process and this aspect of the recruitment process is outside the scope of these Guidelines and the LIV’s involvement. (c) Students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the clerkship application process and policies of any signatory to which they are applying and allow sufficient time for lodgement of their application. (d) All interviews for clerkship positions are permitted to be conducted by electronic means. (e) An applicant who, due to “genuine necessity” will be unable to attend an interview during the interview period should apply to the LIV for permission to be interviewed at a date outside the application dates.

“Genuine Necessity” will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the LIV. Applications should be made to the LIV Young Lawyers Manager in writing and include appropriate supporting documentation. Written permission is to be granted at the sole discretion of the LIV. (f) Where an unforeseen error occurs in the lodgement of an application made pursuant to these Guidelines, the student may make a case for consideration to the relevant Signatory, but it is at the discretion of the Signatory concerned as to whether the application is accepted.

Offers (a) Business Day is defined as Monday to Friday.

Business Hours is defined as the period between 9.00am and 5.00pm. (b) A Signatory may make an offer of a clerkship to a student no earlier than 10.00am Wednesday 16 October 2024. (c) Subject to paragraph (d), any offer of clerkship must remain open for a minimum period of four (4) Business Hours from the time the offer was made or until 10am the following Business Day for offers made after 1.00pm. (d) Students must not hold more than four (4) clerkship offers for a period of more than two (2) Business Hours. (e) All offers made pursuant to paragraph (b) of these Guidelines will be made by email. All email offers must detail: (i) the terms of the offer; and (ii) that the offer is made pursuant to these Guidelines.

Signatories are permitted to make follow up calls to offerees once the offer has been made by email. (f) An offer made under these Guidelines applies to clerkships within a one (1) year period from the date of offer but can be extended in circumstances agreed between the student and the Signatory for a further one (1) year period if a student requests a deferral of the clerkship. (g) Signatories are not obligated to offer clerkships each year but if they do, they must follow the Guidelines.

Eligibility to apply for Graduate Position Subject to paragraph (c), any offer made under these Guidelines relates to a graduate position commencing (a) in 2025.

To be eligible to apply for a graduate position a student must have already completed their law degree or will (b) commence their final semester in 2024.

Successful applicants who have already completed their law degree are eligible to commence their graduate (c) position prior to 2025 by agreement between the Signatory and the applicant.

Applications Applications for graduate positions will open at 10.00am Thursday 8 August 2024 and close at 11.59pm (a) Wednesday 21 August 2024.

Each Signatory is responsible for setting its own application process and this aspect of the recruitment (b) process is outside the scope of these Guidelines and the LIV’s involvement.

Students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the graduate application process and policies of any (c) Signatory to which they are applying and allow sufficient time for lodgement of their application.

All interviews for graduate positions are permitted to be conducted by electronic means. (d) An applicant who, due to “genuine necessity” will be unable to attend an interview during the interview (e) period should apply to the LIV for permission to be interviewed at a date outside the application dates.

“Genuine Necessity” will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the LIV. Applications should be made to the LIV Young Lawyers Manager in writing and include appropriate supporting documentation. Written permission is to be granted at the sole discretion of the LIV. Where an unforeseen error occurs in the lodgement of an application made pursuant to these Guidelines, the (f) student may make a case for consideration to the relevant Signatory, but it is at the discretion of the Signatory concerned as to whether the application is accepted.

Priority Offers Business Day is defined as Monday to Friday. (a) Business Hours is defined as the period between 9.00am and 5.00pm.

Priority Offer is defined as an offer made pursuant to paragraph (b).

In accordance with paragraph 10, Signatories may make priority offers of a graduate position to the following (b) students: (i) Students who within the previous two (2) years preceding the date of making the offer referred to in this xxxxxparagraph, have substantially completed a clerkship of at least two (2) weeks duration with the offering xxxxxfirm, either in Victoria or at one of the firm’s interstate or international offices or virtually; or (ii) Students who during the previous two (2) years and for a minimum period of ten (10) working days, xxxxxhave performed paralegal work for the offering firm, either in Victoria or at one of the firm’s interstate xxxxxor international offices or virtually.

Offers made pursuant to paragraph (b)(i) and (b)(ii) are at the discretion of the Signatory. (c) It is accepted that Signatories invite students to express their interest in being considered for a Priority Offer (d) at the conclusion of their clerkship.

Subject to paragraph (f), Signatories intending to make Priority Offers are not permitted to interview market (e) graduate applicants or to make offers or arrangements concerning market graduate applicants prior to making a Priority Offer.

Signatories are permitted to interview paragraph (b)(ii) Priority Offer candidates before making a Priority (f) Offer.

The Priority Offers made pursuant to this paragraph can be made either in writing and/or by telephone no (g) earlier than 10.00am on Tuesday 6 August 2024 and no later than 12pm on Wednesday 7 August 2024.

Priority Offers (h) A Priority Offer must remain open until the earlier of acceptance/rejection in accordance with paragraphs (i) and (j) or 4pm on Wednesday 7 August 2024. (i) An applicant will not hold more than two (2) Priority Offers for longer than a two (2) hour-period. (j) An applicant must accept/reject any Priority Offer received within four (4) Business Hours of it being made.

For avoidance of doubt, Priority Offers made at 1pm must be accepted or rejected by 5pm on the same Business Day. Priority Offers made after 1pm must be accepted or rejected by 10am the following Business Day. (k) A graduate position can be deferred in circumstances agreed between the student and the firm for a further one (1) year period if the student requests a deferral of the graduate position.

Market Offers Except as provided in paragraph 10, Signatories may make offers of graduate positions to eligible students (a) no earlier than 10.00am on Wednesday 2 October 2024.

All offers made pursuant to this paragraph will be made by email. All email offers must detail: (b) (i) the terms of the offer; and (ii) that the offer is made pursuant to these Guidelines.

Signatories are permitted to make follow up calls to offerees once the offer has been made by email. (c) Except as provided in paragraph 10, an offer of a graduate position will remain open for a period of not less (d) than twenty-four (24) hours from the time the offer was made or until 11am the following Business Day for offers made prior to 11am. Signatories should make this known to students at the time of making offers in accordance with this paragraph.

A graduate position can be deferred in circumstances agreed between the student and the firm for a further (e) one (1) year period if the student requests a deferral of the graduate position.

Signatories are not obligated to offer graduate positions each year but if they do, they must follow the (f) Guidelines.

In order to be admitted as a legal practitioner in Victoria, a Practical Legal Training (PLT) course or a Supervised Workplace Training Programme must first be completed. Upon completion of a PLT, you will be awarded with a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice which further allows you to apply for admission as a Legal Practitioner. In the majority of circumstances, a PLT is undertaken after the completion of a law degree. However, exceptions can be made by seeking approval from the Council of Legal Education Board of Examiners to commence your PLT prior to the completion of your law degree. Effectively, a PLT course prepares you for real world and practical situations including drafting documents, interviewing clients, advocacy negotiation and other skills that are essential for every practising lawyer.

How long will it take: PLT courses generally take anywhere between 15 to 30 weeks to complete, depending on whether they are studied part-time or full-time.

How much does it cost: The price of a PLT course is dependent on the institution. For domestic students, the PLT course will cost approximately between $10,000 - $12,000. There are differences in prices based on providers, and whether you are a domestic or international student. Work experience can also count towards your PLT course, keeping your fees lower. FEE-HELP is also available for PLT courses.

Where can I do it: There are three PLT providers in Australia: Leo Cussen Centre For Law [https://www.leocussen.edu.au/] The College of Law [https://www.collaw.edu.au/] The Australian College of Applied Professions [https://www.acap.edu.au/plt/] How do I get in: Each PLT provider has its own distinctive methods for application. Commonly, however, you are only required to fill out forms and submit both your academic transcript and resume. The intention of each institution is to use your resume and transcript to assess your commitment to utilise the PLT course to its full potential. A student who demonstrates their willingness will inherently be selected over those who fail to do so.

Points to consider: When deciding on your PLT course, it is wise to ask yourself whether you wish to complete it online or onsite. The decision should be influenced by factors such as your own flexibility, your requirements, and whether you intend to work in an office environment. It is also worth considering whether you feel comfortable finding placement for yourself as part of the course or whether you wish to be assigned one.

READY. SET.

FLEX. PRACTICAL LEGAL TRAINING

Morning. Noon. Or Night.

Coursework on the couch.

Or in-person workshops.

It’s PLT built by you, for you.

Saba Amir Goudarzi Legal Counsel at Lendlease

PLT

BUILT BY YOU. FOR YOU.

PICK YOUR PACE

GET STARTED SOONER

Get admitted pronto. Or take it slowly to balance other commitments. You can complete your PLT in 15 or 30 weeks.

Start and finish your PLT sooner with rolling intake dates throughout the year.

We’re ready when you are.

SELECT YOUR LEARNING STYLE

STUDY AT A TIME THAT SUITS YOU

Connect with your peers in person, get comfy at home – or get the best of both worlds. Learn the way you want. The choice is yours.

Study when you are most productive. Whether it’s during your lunch break or late at night.

ONGOING CAREER SUPPORT

HONE YOUR LEGALTECH SKILLS

Be supported by a specialist career coach during your PLT – and for 365 days after graduation.

Thrive in the roles of tomorrow. Gain hands-on experience with legaltech tools like PEXA and Josef.

In partnership with

THE PLT THAT OPENS DOORS Delivered by the Australian College of Applied Professions and developed in partnership with the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV), this practical legal training offers industry-led learning and genuinely connects students with the legal profession by providing valuable networking, mentoring and career opportunities.

2024 enrolments now open

A NEW BENCHMARK IN PLT DELIVERY Complimentary LIV Graduate membership and opens doors to a lifetime partnership of professional and networking opportunities.

10 hours of professional engagement so you have the opportunity to learn how various parts of the profession work.

Truly flexible learning with multiple start dates, online study (full-time and part-time study available) and no exams.

A unique course design informed by the profession to meet the needs of both graduates and employers.

An applied learning ethos that means that everything you do in your course has a practical application in the workplace when you graduate.

Work placement assistance supported by the LIV to fully immerse yourself in the legal profession.

A strong ethical framework and health and wellbeing strategies to build your resilience to embark on a sustainable and enjoyable career.

Personalised assistance to assess the skills and experience you bring to the course, giving you the ability to get the most out of your PLT.

Scan the QR code to apply now or find out more information. acap.edu.au/PLT 1800 039 139

S C A N ME !

Navitas Professional Institute Pty Ltd trading as Australian College of Applied Professions. TEQSA Provider Category: Institute of Higher Education, TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12009, National CRICOS Provider Code: 01328A, RTO: 0500, ABN: 94 057 495 299. 240320-1051 - V1 - 03/24.

CLERKSHIP TIPS

PREPARING FOR THE CLERKSHIP PROCESS For those of you who are reading this article, good luck! Securing a clerkship is a significant milestone in your legal career, but it's not without its hurdles. Whether you're just starting or well into the process, applying to firms is a massive undertaking, so take pride in every step you take.

Courtney McKenzie Seasonal Clerk at Herbert Smith Freehills, Allens, MinterEllison and White & Case

There's no one-size-fits-all approach to preparing for clerkships or navigating the application process. However, certain strategies can enhance your chances of standing out. Remember, there's no 'perfect' formula, however, there are certainly a few things that in my opinion help to make you a better chance of success.

Effective Networking and Research Regardless of when you come across this advice, rest assured, there's still time to prepare! Let's start with step one: setting up a LinkedIn profile. I know, the professional world can seem daunting, but LinkedIn is an invaluable tool at your disposal. Even if it's just a basic outline, creating a profile and following firms you're interested in is key.

As clerkship applications draw nearer, firms often release articles tailored to students. These pieces provide insights into the firm, explanations of recent deals, or spotlights on their practitioners.

Reading these not only boosts your application but also provides talking points for interviews, demonstrating your genuine interest and awareness of current events.

Next, embark on a following spree. Whenever you meet a lawyer or fellow law student at clerkship or law events, add them on LinkedIn. This practice proved immensely helpful for me. Before interviews, I could easily review my connections by filtering by firm, refreshing my memory of who I'd met. It also allowed me to delve deeper into the backgrounds of my interviewers, providing easy conversation starters.

Organisation Create a spreadsheet and master word doc! I am an absolute scatterbrain and when you’re going through the process of applying to 10-15 firms it is very easy for things to get muddled. But, and arguably more importantly, creating a good application takes A LOT of time, so if there are any opportunities to utilize examples or other writings to help you write more than one application, then you absolutely should.

My personal recommendation of the spreadsheets to make are: Breakdown of each firm including under each: Timeline/stages of application; Any person you have met connected to the firm (through either events or personnel networking); HR contact to address the cover letter to (a very easy thing to accidentally get wrong or mixed); and Particular things that interest you (e.g. practice groups, deals or other graduate opportunities).

Master document of short answer questions Separate by firm and then write the questions underneath it; Create a table of contents with the questions; and You will see that many questions will ask the same question with slightly different wording – it is ok to use the same answer but check it still aligns.

Progress Tracker Create a colour chart tracker for the different stages of each firm inclusive of dates – VERY important so that you’re not scheduling things for the same time; and Potential stages to include: application, psychometric testing, cocktail night and interview (discretionary to each firm).

While the process may seem daunting at first, I assure you that it's worth the effort, even if you're just giving it a shot. Personally, I found it to be incredibly insightful and helpful in clarifying the types of firms I wanted to pursue. As you go through the application process, you'll start to notice what aspects are truly important to you. It's a journey that not only refines your professional goals but also provides valuable self-discovery along the way. I wish you all the absolute best!

AUTHENTICITY AND CLERKSHIP APPLICATIONS The clerkship application process is renowned for its high stakes and high stress. It feels like a culmination of all your hard work over your degree, where it often seems like the stakes are make or break. Whilst this may be motivating for some, and crippling for others, it’s important that you look after yourself to ensure

Emily Hajicosta Seasonal Clerk at Maddocks and Clayton Utz

you are putting your best foot forward and presenting yourself in the best possible light.

Knowing what firms to apply to A question that often arises is “how did you know what firms to apply for?”

The answer I have for that is often easier said than done, but essentially comes down to seeking out firms that align with your interests and your character.

Your interests A good starting point to finding out how firms align with your interests, is researching notable and recent matters they have worked. When doing this, think to yourself whether these are matters you would like to work on. Another way to gain a good overview is going on firm websites and looking at their practice areas. Firm websites will usually give a great overview of their practice areas. So spend some time navigating these pages and finding areas that seem interesting to you, whether it is something that aligns with a unit at university, or an area of law you’ve never heard of before and want to explore further. All of these are valid motivators to apply to a firm.

Your character A helpful way to identify which firms align with your character is interacting with a range of firms.

This means attending firm events, or events hosted by Deakin Law Students’ Society like Meet the Professionals, which gives you access to various firms. When speaking with firms at these events be yourself and ask questions, you’ll often get a good feel about whether you see yourself at that firm – trust your gut with this!

Building a network Building your own network is essential to founding a strong support system, which all helps to make the process a little easier.

A few good ways to build your network are: Speaking with people you know that have gone through the process before (e.g. university or school friends); Reaching out on LinkedIn to lawyers after networking events (asking to catch up for a coffee is a great way to build a relationship without it being too formal); Casually mentioning your interest in commercial law in everyday conversations (you would be surprised how many people know someone working in commercial law, who are willing to put you in contact with them!).

Showcasing your experience Identifying where your commercial skills lie is essential when applying to firms and crafting your cover letter and resume. Whether you have worked in retail, hospitality or the legal industry, I guarantee you can draw on your experience to demonstrate commerciality.

We all have our own unique employment experiences – that’s what makes us all unique applicants!

So I encourage you to draw on aspects of your previous roles that may seem unconventional at first, but I guarantee you can truly identify commerciality in a wide range of contexts. In my case, I included my experience working in the Produce Department at a supermarket, noting that I engaged in meticulous attention to detail and quality control during this role, while also keeping customer expectations at front of mind. I was surprised how often this was brought up when I was interviewing at firms, where Partners or HR Representatives had similar employment experience they related to.

My second tip is to be proud of your skills and convey them with conviction. This is a great chance for you to reflect on all your experience and hard work to date – so be proud of yourself! Whether it’s a sporting achievement, or a great mark on an assignment, celebrate your achievements and be mindful about linking them to commercial soft skills.

This is undoubtedly an extremely stressful process, but one that is equally rewarding. Whatever the outcome, trust that during this process you will develop invaluable skills from networking, resume and cover letter writing to interviewing, and hopefully finding an area of law you are passionate about. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, or just need some support, I am always happy to help. Wishing you the best of luck!

EXCELLING IN THE CLERKSHIP PROCESS Clerkship season is a strange time. You’re in the thick of studying and trying to think about what life after university might look like. I remember applying to firms in the midst of moving house, probably looking a bit silly hunched over my laptop with mountains of boxes around me, while my family poked their heads in my room to see what on Earth was going on. Nonetheless, I picked up a few tips that I hope you find useful.

Lauren Hrysomallis Seasonal Clerk at K&L Gates, 2023

Think about the firms you want to apply to, and start early Everyone says it, and it’s true: start early. Although it may feel like you’ve got ages to apply, it pays to sit down and have a think about which firms you’re interested in, and why that is. Do they have a large practice in a particular area of law you’re interested in? Are they focused on innovation? What kind of clients do they act for? Writing out a list of what attributes attract you to a specific firm will help when it comes to writing tailored, thoughtful cover letters.

Go along to networking events and find out more about some of the firms you’re thinking of applying to. If you know anyone currently at a firm you’re interested in, reaching out to grab a coffee to find out more about their workplace is another great way of getting some insight into a firm and their clerkship process.

Familiarising yourself with which firms are signatories to the LIV Guidelines will also give you an indication of when applications are due, as well as when interviews and offers happen. I found popping these dates in my calendar useful at the very start of the process to give some colour to what the remainder of the year might look like.

Interviewing well Clerkship interviews can feel a bit intimidating to think about. Your interviewers will probably anticipate you might be a bit nervous, and at the end of the day, are just trying to get to know you.

If you get asked a tricky question, it will come across well if you take a pause and be deliberate in how you answer. Asking for a moment to think is completely fine, and shows you care about what you’d like to say.

When the interview is drawing to an end and you’re inevitably asked if you have any questions, always take the opportunity to show that you’re interested in the people in front of you. You can either touch on something that was mentioned earlier, or ask your interviewer about their experience at the firm (for example, ‘what’s kept you at [x firm]?’, ‘was there anything that surprised you when you first came here?’). Thank the interviewer for their time, and if you’re provided with their contact details, a follow-up email to say thanks can be well-received.

Back yourself!

Applying for clerkships can be a time consuming and stressful process. Let your family and friends know it’s something you’re doing and lean on them for support. No matter what happens, you should be immensely proud of yourself for undertaking what is a big task on top of your studies and life outside of university.

Finally, the thing I find myself saying to everyone – whether in the context of clerkships or not – is to never opt yourself out. We might think because we don’t have the ‘right’ grades, personality type or extracurriculars that firms are looking for, that it simply doesn’t warrant putting in an application.

Law firms are looking for a diverse group of people with varied experiences and want to hear from you. Remember to be kind to yourself over these next few months and take it one day at a time.

Good luck!

TIPS FOR YOUR CLERKSHIP JOURNEY Before the process: Applying for clerkships is a process that Jack Leeds requires some time to prepare for. Investing Seasonal Clerk at early on by getting to know the firms, Maddocks, 2023 whether at events or researching online, is invaluable to presenting your best application. Meeting firms in person is the best way to gauge which firms you will be the best fit for, and which you want to prioritise early on in the process. I recommend attending as many networking and information events as possible. It is also a great way to show yourself off to these firms too.

I suggest starting this process as early as possible – there is no such thing as starting too early in this process as it can ensure you are not rushing a relationship being built or a decision being made. A learning experience for me came in the way of the amount of time needed to write exceptional applications. This is a skill that – to me – is developed through experience and time.

During the process: I was pleased with my network and relying on them to review drafted cover letters and my CV. Having someone to review your work can be the difference between a perfect cover letter and an unpolished one. A support network is vital during this time, whether it’s peers, family, professionals or partners, having people to support you and which you can think out loud in front of, can be extremely beneficial. Something I found helpful was having people specifically who I could ask to proofread, people to help with presentation in interviews, and people to just generally ask questions to – which helps spread the burden.

Research is constant. You may wish to focus less on the cases and work firms do – many do the same – and focus more on what the firms excelled at and valued from a business and people perspective.

It is hard to be across all of the legal industry at uni, but you can demonstrate an awareness of each firms values and culture by referencing initiatives they prioritise or people you meet in the application. Alternatively, being commercially aware, or at least being passionate to learn the industry is a key aspect of showing a point of difference as an applicant.

I had attended enough events throughout my time at uni that I took a no nonsense approach to applications. I applied to a select few firms which I felt a connection with and it paid off for me.

Please note, this is not the most common approach, but I found it so valuable in landing a clerkship at a place that I valued and was passionate about being at. Remember, this process is not a one size fits all process. Be a sponge, take in as many points of view and ideas and find what works best for you. This will mean you don’t feel overwhelmed and end up proud of the way you approached it from start to finish.

Applications: Treat LinkedIn as your CV and first impression to the firms you are applying for. Keep it professional and make it as impressive as you can. Nailing this shows you prioritise attention to detail and take pride in your image.

It is important to note, just as getting to know a firm takes time, the physical applications can take weeks, if not months, to nail. Quick applications are possible, but you want to put your best foot forward in this process. After all, this is your future career, so treat it with respect and do not rush it.

The ultimate regret is finishing and feeling like you could have done more of you are not happy with your applications. Some tips for what to include…

A strong cover letter typically includes: 1.

Why you want to work at the firm: What you felt you like specifically about the firm and how it operates, maybe some initiatives or events you have seen that you like.

2.

Who you are and what you have done Relate to your work, study and personal experiences and tailor them to the firm. Think: international vs national, soft-skills, grades, moots, etc. Even how you learnt to cater for clients in a hospo/retail job are valuable lessons here – show the firm you understand this!

3.

How you can bring who you are to add value to the firm Based on the first two points, why do they align?

How does your perception of the firm and understanding of what they do align with what you can bring the firm?

How will you add value to the firm you’re applying for that is unique to other applicants?

The interview process and beyond: The interview process was, for me, a chance to see how my personality and presence fit within the firm. I tried to be as natural as I could be and made a genuine effort to connect with the firm interviewing me. I would love to give a magic secret for dealing with nerves… truly, practice and repetition are key to feeling at ease.

At networking nights I would suggest reviewing LinkedIn, the firms website, as well as current media to have conversation points to discuss and show a genuine interest. These nights are a great way to see what the firm will be like.

Finally, if you are lucky enough to get an offer then congratulations! What an achievement, they may seem so far away when you read this, but it is truly a testament to the hard work you put in along the way – so enjoy it, embrace it, and all the best for what lies ahead!

HOW TO EXCEL IN YOUR CLERKSHIP INTERVIEW These top tips are written by DeakinTALENT staff who have previously worked as Clerkship/Legal Recruiters for top-tier Law & Consulting firms.

The clerkship interview will seek to assess three core areas: Ability (can you do it?)

Motivation (will you do it?)

Cultural fit (will people like you and want to work with you?)

On the flip side, you need to determine if a firm is the right match for you. To assist you with your preparation, DeakinTALENT’s top clerkship interview tips are: Prepare Comprehensively It goes without saying, but to perform well in a clerkship interview, thorough research and preparation are essential. The effort you put into preparation will help to distinguish you.

Core areas to focus your preparation on include: Industry and commercial awareness Industry and commercial awareness involves being up to speed with the broader business world in which the law operates. Among other things, it enables you to form opinions and relate to the needs of clients. As such, it’s a required and sought after employability skill which will be assessed for in a clerkship interview.

Example questions - What are some key challenges currently facing our industry? How do you keep up to date with what’s going on in our industry and the business world more broadly? What’s a business story in the media that has interested you recently? What’s your understanding of how our firm fits and operates within our industry? What’s an example of a case you’ve found interesting and why did it interest you?

How to prepare – Read, watch and listen on a regular basis. Read: Newspapers, business magazines, industry publications, books, news websites, blogs, Twitter. Watch: The news, and programs that provide an objective analysis of what the news means. Listen: Industry and current affairs podcasts, speakers at industry events.

Knowledge of the firm Understanding the firm you are interviewing with is essential. Regardless of how impressive your other responses are, if it’s apparent that you don’t have an adequate understanding of or interest in the firm, it will be a deal-breaker.

Example questions - What’s your understanding of our firm and the work we do? What interests you about working with our firm? What area(s) of law are you most interested in? What’s your understanding of our clients and how we work with them?

How to prepare - A starting point for firm research might include; practice areas, reputation in the market, types of clients they work with, firm history, significant mergers/acquisitions, key competitors, office locations, number of employees, types of roles, firm values, firm culture, recent awards and notable achievements, recent media articles/mentions, community involvement, points of difference to others similar firms, the firm’s position on topics such as corporate social responsibility, sustainability, pro-bono, diversity etc. Don’t feel like you have to showcase all information you learn. Be strategic and weave it in organically.

Knowledge of the clerkship position Clerkships are not for everyone and require maturity, resilience and dedication. It’s important you have an understanding of the reality of what a clerkship entails, why you are applying, and how you are a good match for the position.

Example questions - What do you feel you would bring to the firm/clerkship? What do you hope to get out of a clerkship with us? What do you think would be the most challenging aspect of a clerkship for you?

How to prepare – Read information provided about the clerkship in detail (start with the firm’s website).

Attend firm preclerkship events. Speak with people in your network who have previously (ideally successfully) undertaken a clerkship.

Knowledge of your drive and motivation to pursue a career in law Your responses to questions about your interest in law, general motivations, and short/longer term goals will heavily influence decision making, and therefore need to be confident, considered, genuine and articulate.

Example questions - Tell me about yourself. What motivates you? What achievement(s) are you most proud of, and why? Describe a recent goal you set for yourself and achieved. Why should we hire you? What are your greatest strengths/areas for development? Where do you want to be in five years? In ten? Describe a time when you have had to manage a stressful situation. Describe a time when you have managed conflict. Describe a time when you failed. How did you respond? What do you like to do outside of work/study? Why were your grades [at X time or for X subject(s)] low?

How to prepare – Spend time on self-reflection. In addition to the above questions, brainstorm your responses to: What are ten words a good friend or family member would use to describe you? What values do you hold close? What have you achieved that you feel really good about? What have you enjoyed/not enjoyed about the work/study you’ve undertaken. What is your ideal work environment? What does success mean to you? What else is important to you outside of law?

Master the Meet and Greet Arrive at reception 5-10 minutes before your specified interview time. If you arrive earlier, go for a walk outside or wait in the ground floor lobby. Similar to arriving late, arriving at reception too early is inappropriate.

The first 30 seconds of an interview are particularly important. How you greet people reveals a great deal about your confidence, attitude, and professional polish. Stand to greet your interviewers warmly with a smile and firm handshake. If introduced to additional interviewers in the room, walk around the table to shake hands instead of reaching over, if possible. Introduce yourself using your first and last name.

Place your notebook/portfolio and pen on the table, but no personal items (such as water bottle, phone, handbag).

If a glass of water is offered, accept it. It helps to ease into the interview and you may need it.

Expect to meet with a combination of lawyers and staff from different levels and different areas of the firm.

Partners, Senior Associates, and members of the Human Resources team typically conduct clerkship interviews.

Respond with Impact The interview will likely commence with small talk. Be friendly, responsive and genuine. It’s important that you build rapport, and that the interviewer(s) likes you and can see you fitting into the culture of the firm.

The interview will include both behavioural and motivational questions. Take a moment to process the question being asked and consider the underlying competency before launching in. A few moments of silence to collect your thoughts is perfectly ok! Respond to all behavioural questions using the ‘STAR’ response structure – Situation/Task, Action, Result. Prepare robust examples for likely questions in advance. Focus on recent (opposed to high school) examples.

Speak articulately and keep track of time and pace. Ensure you provide adequate detail in your responses.

Be yourself! You don’t need to fit a certain stereotype or persona. It’s easy to spot insincerity in an interview.

Respond with Impact Confidence should be tempered with humility. There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance and interviewers will be on alert for this. Deakin students have a reputation for being genuine and self-aware and firms love this!

Expect and prepare for a structured interview process, but don’t be surprised if you end up having what feels more like a fireside chat! Partners are notorious for taking an interview in any direction they see fit/interesting at the time. Even if their style might seem laid back, your interviewer(s) will be assessing you, so maintain your focus.

Close with Powerful Questions The questions you ask at the end of an interview do as much to differentiate you as the ones you answer.

The interview is a two way process and it’s expected that you will have questions. Prepare at least three questions to ask, even if you don’t use them all. Responding with; ‘I haven’t got any questions, I think you’ve covered everything’ or ‘What are the next steps?’ as a stand-alone question will reflect on you negatively.

Focus on asking questions the interviewer is uniquely positioned to answer and that will provide you with useful insight. For example; What do you enjoy most about working here? Why did you choose [X] path out of university? Why did you choose to specialise in [X] practice area?

Tread carefully if you choose to ask about longer term training provided/funded by the firm. While important to understand, the interview should focus on what you can offer, opposed to what you want to gain.

Do not ask for interview feedback on the day, or mention anything on your way out such as: ‘I feel that went badly’, ‘I hope I gave some good responses’, ‘That was challenging!’ etc. These statements can damage your credibility.

Thank the interviewer, let them know you enjoyed meeting them. Clarify next steps if not yet addressed.

Maintain your interview focus The face-to-face clerkship interview typically forms one part of a broader clerkship selection process. Most firms, especially larger firms, will host a meet and greet networking event for those successful to interview stage. It is important you attend and that your networking and conversation focus is squarely on firm representatives, not other candidates in attendance. Introduce yourself, ask meaningful questions, be interested. Limit drinking to stay alert.

If you are fortunate to secure a clerkship, congratulations! The important work starts now. The clerkship itself is your interview for a graduate position. It is very important to: Maintain sharp focus, produce excellent work, communicate clearly and regularly, get involved, be interested, ask questions, assess if a graduate role with the firm is right for you.

All the best with the upcoming selection process! Please reach out with any questions.

-DeakinTALENT.

TIPS FOR SUBMITTING A HIGH QUALITY CLERKSHIP APPLICATION These top tips are written by DeakinTALENT staff who have previously worked as Clerkship/Legal Recruiters for top-tier Law & Consulting firms.

Ensure your resume is easy to read Firms typically receive hundreds of clerkship applications. To make your application stand out, ensure your formatting is clear and key information is easy to access. All formatting should be consistent - use the same font size and style for similar elements and ensure all spacing is consistent throughout your documents. It’s important your resume and cover letter look like they belong together as one application package.

Demonstrate a broad range of skills and experience Relevant legal experience is important to highlight, however don’t undervalue other part-time work you have undertaken and the transferable skills you have developed. Charitable work, involvement in the community, participation in university clubs and societies, independent travel, overseas exchange, additional languages, extra-curricular activities, and hobbies are all things that can help you to stand out as a well-rounded candidate.

Write in plain english Firms are seeking clear and professional communicators, they are not interested in how many big words you know, so you can put down the thesaurus! The vast majority of work you will do in your clerkship will be legal research, notetaking and drafting memos, so the quality of your written work is extremely important. Your resume and cover letter should be evidence of your ability to communicate clearly and professionally in writing. Read the firm’s website and take note of the tone and language they use - this will provide you with an insight into how they prefer information to be presented and how they communicate with their clients.

Let your skills and achievements shine Your resume must focus on achievements, results and outcomes opposed to solely outlining duties, tasks and responsibilities. Consider where you have added value, for example; “Condensed and summarised a 120 page legal research report on family violence into a two page booklet which was subsequently used by [X team] to conduct community outreach”. DeakinTALENT’s Resume & Application Workshops can assist you in refining your bullet point statements for maximum impact.

Conduct through research The role of a clerk involves conducting legal research. As such, your application should evidence your research skills by demonstrating a strong understanding of the firm you are applying to. If you have strong interest in a particular practice area, it’s great for your interest and enthusiasm to shine through in your resume and cover letter, however don’t limit yourself. It’s important to present as being open to other opportunities, and willing and able to adapt when required. On a similar note, although it’s good to understand the range of pro bono work a firm engages in, avoid focusing your cover letter around their pro bono work as this is not the core business of a commercial firm.

Tailor each application Writing an individual cover letter for each firm is more time consuming, but is essential in ensuring that each application is strong and tailored. If you are finding it hard to write individual cover letters and struggling to think of a genuine reason why you are interested in a particular firm, consider whether you should be applying.

Instead, focus your energy into refining applications for firms that really matter to you.

Mention connections If you have a connection to or within the firm, mention it, but don’t overstate your relationship. If you reference their name, assume they will be contacted, so only mention connections if they will have something good to say! If they don’t remember you this can actually hurt, rather than help, your application. Out of courtesy, always seek approval to name anyone in your application.

Complete all short answer questions You might spend hours on your resume and cover letter, but all short answer questions are just as important!

Firms will often only read your application after your short answer responses have passed an initial screen. For that reason, do NOT write “refer to resume” as your response! Even though they might feel repetitive, the short answer questions are there for a reason. Click through the application on the firm’s website well ahead of when you plan to submit. That way, you will know what questions are being asked and you can ensure adequate time to prepare your responses. Draft your responses in a Word document and copy them into the form opposed to drafting them in the box provided. In addition to allowing you to spell check, many firms use similar questions, so this may be a great starting point for your next application!

Academics only form part of overall assessment You don’t have to be a high distinction student to secure a clerkship, especially if you have other skills and experience to offer the firm. An improvement in your marks throughout your degree will be viewed favourably, so don’t be disheartened by weaker academic results from earlier years. A fail is not necessarily an automatic rejection from the clerkship process. If you have failed a subject (Constitutional Law we’re looking at you), explain why, and outline what you learned from the experience in your cover letter. If you have repeated the subject and did better the second time, mention this.

Demonstrate commercial awareness Key commercial skills to demonstrate in your application include stakeholder management, negotiation and ability to build strong professional relationships. It can also be helpful to have a good understanding of the legal profession, current economic and political climate and the recent deals and matters the firm has successfully negotiated. For example, being aware of state and federal government investment into infrastructure projects may indicate an increase in demand for law firms specialising in construction and property law. Students who make this connection in their application demonstrate their understanding of the wider business and political context and how this may lead to opportunities.

Select referees carefully Firms often comment that students select referees (such as other lawyers) who don’t actually know them very well. When selecting referees, choose someone that is going to speak positively about you, but more importantly knows you well enough to be able to answer questions about your ability and motivations. Before including someone as a referee, always ask in advance if they are happy to provide a reference for you. It is also acceptable to discuss what they might say about you before you commit to them.

Request an independent review before submitting By the time you are ready to press the submit button, it’s likely you will have read through your application multiple times, which can make it difficult to pick up errors. Ask a trusted friend or family member to read each completed application for you in detail with a critical eye. If you have a connection within the firm, they may also be able to suggest some further refinements. Additionally, DeakinTALENT offers a Job Application Review service where you can request detailed feedback on your completed application(s).

Don’t self-select out!

Too often, law students assume failure before they have even applied for clerkships. The clerkship process is competitive and can appear daunting, but to paraphrase a well-known quote: “You miss out on 100% of the opportunities you don’t take”. If Trump has taught us anything, it’s that sometimes it’s not about being the most qualified, it’s just about being in the race.

All the best for the upcoming clerkship selection process! Please reach out with any questions.

Lauren Harris, Nicola Corner & Nina Walsh DeakinTALENT

SAMPLE COVER LETTER John Adams T: 0400 000 000 E: John.adams1776@gmail.com 25 July 2024 Ms Betty Clarke Human Resources Advisor Frank & Irwin Lawyers 111 Evans Street MELBOURNE VIC 3000 Dear Ms Clarke RE:

APPLICATION FOR SEASONAL CLERKSHIP 2024/2025 - SAMPLE COVER LETTER ONLY

I am writing to apply for the seasonal clerkship 2024/2025 program at Frank & Irwin Lawyers. I am currently in the penultimate year of my Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University and like Frank & Irwin, I am committed to achieving results.

This is reflected by attainting a 75% average mark throughout my law degree.

My pathway to law has been different from most and I consider this a strength. Prior to deciding on law, I completed a Bachelor of Design at Deakin University. Coming from an area of study which promotes creativity has allowed me to apply innovative thinking to the way I approach the law. Following completion of this degree I worked full time at Quinn & Riley Lawyers as a law clerk. It was here the seed was planted and my love of the law blossomed. The following year I commenced a Bachelor of Laws. My continued employment at Quinn & Riley Lawyers along with the various other legal work I have completed has proved invaluable in helping me build a solid foundation from where I hope to grow with Frank & Irwin Lawyers. I have learned the importance of clear communication, client relationships, understanding clients’ needs and team work.

In July 2017 I met Lucy Jones at the Deakin Commercial Careers Fair. This is when I first became interested in Frank & Irwin through learning about the workplace culture. I participate in a range of extra curricular and social activities outside of my studies and legal work as I think it is important to be a well rounded person. This include mooting, volunteering, basketball and much more. Therefore, hearing about the various activities Frank & Irwin Social run appealed to me.

Further, the international rotation opportunities available during the graduate program appeal to me as it signifies the firm’s commitment to being world class. I recently returned from studying at the University of London which demonstrated to me the value international experiences have on students and lawyers’ personal and professional growth.

I am attracted to Frank & Irwin Lawyers due to the firm’s industry focus and international reach especially in the Asia Pacific region. The rapid growth of Asia means it is soon to become the most dominant economic region in the world.

Having studied Chinese (Mandarin) language and extensively travelled in Asia I am attracted to the potential opportunities coming out of this area particularly in relation to growing trade connections and foreign investment. Frank & Irwin Lawyer’s work on the acquisition of Cubbie Station demonstrates its involvement in significant cross border deals in this region which appeals to my interests. Further, I see industry focus as powerful advantage for Frank & Irwin Lawyers. The ability to demonstrate to clients a deep understanding of their needs which are directly shaped by the industry and geographies in which they operate ensures successful relations between the firm and its clients.

Further giving back to the community is a core value of mine. My volunteer work at the Youth Law Centre and Justice Connect and my charity work at the Cancer Council Australia has been rewarding. For this reason, I am further drawn to Frank & Irwin Lawyers knowing it shares this value through the corporate responsibility strategy focused around charitable giving, volunteering and pro bono work.

I wish to be a part of Frank & Irwin Lawyer’s future and am hopeful of being given the opportunity to complete a seasonal clerkship. I am a conscientious and hard working individual with a sense of fun and inclusion of others. I would bring a robust willingness to learn and enthusiasm to fulfil any role required of me. I am excited by the opportunity to be challenged by Frank & Irwin Lawyer’s variety of clients and the complexity of work.

I look forward to hearing from you at your convenience.

Yours sincerely John Adams

SAMPLE CV John Adams T: 0400 000 000 E: john.adams1776@gmail.com

EDUCATION Feb 2021 - Present

Bachelor of Laws, Deakin University WAM: 75 Awards: Tertiary Academic Award in Commercial Law Study Abroad: University of London

Feb 2016 - Oct 2020

Bachelor of Design, Deakin University

WORK EXPERIENCE Jun 2022 - Present

Law Clerk, Quinn & Riley Lawyers (2 weekdays, full time in holidays) Commercial litigation, family law, estates, injuries and wills Research Preparing affidavits, statements of claim and other documents Collating and delivering briefs Attending court, client and settlement conferences Attending ADR conferences such as mediation General office administrative duties - proficient in LEAP

January 2022

Law Clerk, Supreme Court of Victoria (2 weeks) Reading and summarising judgments Preparing 'Summary Documents' for Judges on appeal cases

November 2021

Paralegal, Trott White Lawyers (2 weeks) Real Estate and Projects Reviewing sale contracts for Whitehorse Tower ($1 million plus) Preparing and inputing information into Excel spreadsheets

Mar 2021 - Sep 2021

Law Clerk, John Thompson Barrister Attending court and client conferences Photocopying, taking notes

Oct 2017 - Jan 2021

Intern, JJ Designs (1 weekday) Drafting architectural drawings - proficient in AutoCAD Participating in client and design meetings and site inspections Bar Tender, White Pub (1 weekday, 1 weekend day) Pouring beverages and learning recipes Customer service and meeting budgets

SAMPLE CV VOLUNTEERING/EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES May 2022 - Present

Volunteer, Justice Connect (1 night per month) Attending conferences and taking notes for Solicitors Preparing draft letters to clients

Feb 2021 - Present

Student Mentor, Deakin University (6 hours per week) Assisting mentees with transition into unviersity life Facilitating discussions around study skills and assignment tips

May 2018 - Present

Volunteer, Cancer Council Australia (1/2 day per week) Organising activities for hospital and ordering supplies Attending event meetings, organising volunteers and accounts

Jun 2016 - Mar 2018

Volunteer, Youth Law Centre (1 day per week) Legal research Drafting various legal documents such as affidavits Attending client conferences at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre General office administrative duties

Apr 2023 - Present

General Committee Member, Melbourne Basketball Club

Jan 2022 - Present

Editorial Committee Member, LIV Young Lawyers

Mar 2021 - Present

Member, Deakin Law Students' Society (DLSS)

Mar 2016 - Present

Member, Deakin University Students' Association (DUSA)

ACHIEVEMENTS/INTERESTS Apr 2021 - Present

Mooting Finalist, First Year Moot (DLSS, Burwood Campus) Participant, Junior Moot (DLSS, Burwood Campus) Participant, Senior Moot (DLSS, Burwood Campus)

Jun 2018 - Present

Basketball Melbourne Basketball Club

Other

Cello Australian Music Examinations Board 4th Grade (Cello) Languages English. proficient Chinese (Mandarin), limited working proficiency

References Available upon request

FIRM INSIGHTS

BANKING & FINANCE

How would you describe Banking & Finance?

Naomi Lee The Banking & Finance (BAF) team is a transactional group that assists Associate both lenders and borrowers to negotiate and complete their debtfinancing transactions. Given the nature of finance, where projects and companies require debt funding at short notice, banking and finance lawyers often operate in a fast-paced environment, where short deadlines must be met, and highly commercial advice is expected. Banking and finance transactions vary significantly, depending on the type and scale of finance being sought.

Examples of common finance transactions are: General corporate finance: this is the means by which companies finance their day-to-day operations. Financiers lend money to companies under a loan agreement, which is often supported by a guarantee or a security interest over the assets of the company.

Debt capital markets: more common in the United States, this is when companies raise debt directly from debt capital markets through the use of instruments such as bonds and notes in the international and domestic financial markets.

Acquisition finance/leveraged finance: this involves the borrowing of debt to acquire another company. This method can significantly improve the returns on equity to the sponsors (purchasers) and is common among private equity firms.

Project finance: is the means projects use to fund their development and expansion. This can include infrastructure projects such as gas pipelines, toll roads and hospitals, but also a raft of energy projects, such as wind and solar farms.

Property finance: the funding of an acquisition of property through debt.

The role of a junior lawyer on a banking & finance transaction?

Given the fast-paced nature of banking and finance transactions, junior lawyers are often called on to assume significant responsibility on transactions. This frequently includes undertaking clientfacing tasks from very early on, such as attending settlements, emailing the client and the opposing counsel, as well as picking up the phone and speaking with clients. While these tasks can be quite intimidating at first, their learning value is significant, and the skills they help you develop accelerate your progression as a lawyer. If you’re looking for a team that gives juniors the most client contact - I would certainly say BAF would be one of the best (if not the best) teams in this regard.

Banking and finance teams require lawyers to draft and review financing contracts. Junior lawyers are often called on to draft the first ‘cut’, or draft, of a contract. This provides excellent drafting experience, which is a highly valued skill for a corporate lawyer. It’s also usually up to the junior lawyer to run the signing process in each transaction, which also builds significant project management skills - a key skill which will hold you in good stead wherever you might end up.

It’s a common misconception amongst clerks and graduates that you need to have done commerce at university to be able to do BAF, but I can assure you that this is certainly not the case! In fact, many in our team did not do a commerce degree along with their law degree.

What support and training do junior lawyers receive?

Allens places enormous emphasis on the training of junior lawyers. In addition, to the training that all junior lawyers receive, there is a whole range of banking and finance-specific training available.

We also receive weekly training to help build our knowledge of banking and finance law, including by looking at hot topics in the industry.

Clerkships are an excellent opportunity to explore unfamiliar areas of law. I would highly encourage you to consider a clerkship or rotation in Banking & Finance, as the technical and soft skills that junior lawyers develop in this area will improve how you practise wherever you decide to specialise.

Describe banking and finance in three words Energetic, supportive and technical.

CLASS ACTIONS

I completed my Bachelor of Laws at Deakin and am now a lawyer in Ashurst's Dispute Resolution (DR) team, which is where I settled after completing a rotation in the team.

During my graduate year, I also rotated through the Restructuring and Special Situations Group and Employment.

Caitlin Terrey Lawyer

DR sits within the broader Disputes, Investigations & Advisory division at Ashurst which is comprised of DR, Competition, Employment, IP/Media and Tax. We act on a range of interesting disputes and investigations and at all stages including complex litigation, regulatory investigations, civil penalty proceedings, arbitrations and class actions. There are also regular opportunities to get involved in work with Ashurst's pro bono practice.

Class actions A class action enables the claims of seven or more people against the same defendant(s) to be brought under one proceeding. The representative plaintiff/applicant(s) commences the proceeding on their own behalf and on behalf of the other group members who have similar claims that give rise to a substantial common issue of law or fact. Class actions have been commenced in a wide range of areas including shareholder and investor class actions, consumer class actions, environmental class actions and financial product class actions.

Ashurst's Australian class actions practice is recognised by The Legal 500 as a tier one practice and has experience in defending many complex and prominent class actions.

What to expect As a clerk, graduate or junior lawyer in DR, you will have the opportunity to undertake a variety of work. DR also frequently works with other teams in both the Melbourne office and other offices. If you are working on a class action, you might be asked to assist with the following tasks: conducting legal research; preparing and updating briefs to counsel; assisting with drafting correspondence and legal documents, including affidavits and orders; liaising with experts and researching and gathering evidence relevant to an expert's field; attending meetings with clients, counsel, experts and third parties; electronic document review; assisting in negotiations to resolve class actions outside of court; and preparing for and attending court hearings or mediations.

When you join DR, you will be allocated a supervising partner, supervising lawyer and buddy who will provide you with ongoing support, along with the rest of the team. You will have the opportunity to learn from, and work directly with, experienced senior lawyers and partners. We take pride in producing high quality work and promoting a culture of learning and development with a strong focus on mentoring juniors.

There are formal training programs which provide ongoing learning at each stage of your career, starting with the clerkship. DR has a national monthly CLE and we also have focus group meetings aimed to build expertise in specific areas of interest. At our weekly team meeting, you can expect to receive an update on an interesting matter or recent legal development. We also like to have fun and you will be invited to a range of events throughout the year organised by the DR social committee.

If you are looking for a team that has interesting work, challenges you and supports you to be your best, I would encourage you to consider a clerkship in the DR team at Ashurst!

DISPUTE RESOLUTION I joined Baker McKenzie as a graduate in 2018. Having lived in London, New York and Los Angeles, I was drawn to the global nature of the firm. Six years in and I can safely say joining Baker McKenzie was the best decision I could have made! I work in the Dispute Resolution (DR) team and have worked in both the Melbourne and Singapore offices.

Sophie Snow Senior Associate

Practicing in Dispute Resolution DR is the practice area covering litigation, arbitration and alternate forms of (you guessed it) dispute resolution including mediation. It's an incredibly fast-paced area of practice which spans across many area of law at the contentious stage. DR work is dynamic, challenging and varied.

The DR team at Baker McKenzie Melbourne handles complex disputes for a range of local and global clients. Globally, our Firm services a broad range of industries, so the disputes that arise are varied and may include industries such as healthcare, aviation, mining, consumer goods, etc. We also deal with regulatory enforcement actions both acting for, and defending private clients against, the regulators.

There is no typical day as a DR lawyer, which keeps me on my toes. I generally have 5-6 matters on the go at any one time, and depending on the stage of the matter I may be supervising document review, drafting witness statements or affidavit evidence, reviewing submissions prepared by Counsel (external barristers) or preparing for trial. Most matters will have a few case management conferences before the Judge or Arbitral Tribunal, during which procedural matters will be decided such as when evidence is due and whether the matter will go to mediation before trial. If the matter does not settle (through mediation or otherwise), then it will proceed to the main evidentiary hearing in which the parties present their case.

One of the reasons I love practising in DR is the strategic aspect of each case. Even in a commercial setting, each case involves the human element of seeking justice – and sometimes revenge! Strategy in disputes is therefore not only influenced by the law (which is of course very important) but often also by the psychological aspect of each party's needs and desires. I have often been surprised by the terms on which parties will agree to settle a matter prior to, or during, trial – it's a great insight into both human psyche and what is important to each client's business.

A truly global DR experience My journey as a DR lawyer at Baker McKenzie has been varied and fulfilling. I started my career in the Melbourne office where my practice focused on regulatory enforcement actions in the competition and consumer law space, as well as general commercial disputes in the Australian Courts for global clients with operations in Australia. I have also worked on a number of white collar crime matters, particularly defending individual clients who occupied executive or C-Suite roles.

After four years in the Melbourne office, and with the Covid-19 pandemic fading into the background, I was lucky enough to move to the Baker McKenzie Singapore office on our Associate Training Program (ATP). As a foreign lawyer in Singapore, my practice shifted from litigation (which typically describes disputes in a national Court) to International Arbitration. Arbitration is a little more "fast and loose" than litigation and has allowed me to dabble in tasks usually reserved for Counsel in Australia such as drafting pleadings and doing oral advocacy in hearings.

My matters in Singapore have covered different areas of law including mining and infrastructure projects as well as post-Covid aviation disputes. Acting for clients across the globe, including Switzerland, Indonesia and the Philippines, and working with colleagues across our Asia Pacific, U.S. and European offices has been a new and exciting challenge (though I can't say I love the late night phone calls to accommodate time zones!).

As I settle back into the Melbourne office later this year, I'm excited to continue to foster the relationships I've made with Baker McKenzie lawyers across Asia and continue working on truly global matters. The culture of friendship and connection across our offices is strong and means we can genuinely provide clients with a global offering. In a disputes setting, this means that the Melbourne office is able to take on a broader range of matters than many other firms in the Australian market. Using our global network and experience, we can provide seamless service across jurisdictions whether the matters are being pursued in Court or in an Arbitration setting. It's very comforting to work at a firm where you know that wherever a matter may take you across the globe, you will be met with an office of friendly faces to welcome and assist you – this is part of our culture of friendship.

CONSTRUCTION LAW & ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

More than ever, environmental sustainability is influencing the types of construction projects that are being delivered and how they are being delivered.

Sustainability has long been a key consideration for Clayton Utz and many of our clients, particularly in the planning and delivery of major infrastructure projects. This influences the way we negotiate and draft construction contracts, which often require contractors to minimise their environmental impact when delivering projects.

Dante Felicitti Lawyer

Renewable energy projects have recently become a focal point for investment and development and, as construction lawyers, we have a key role to play in realising these projects.

Additionally, the growing emphasis on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors not only influences the way our clients work, but also reinforces the importance of our own commitment to sustainability.

As construction lawyers, we assist clients with implementing these initiatives and delivering major infrastructure projects in a way that: ensures that the requirements are clear, measurable and enforceable; and strikes a sensible risk allocation between the parties, often while seeking to deliver emerging technologies or projects in developing markets.

This requires market leading knowledge of the law, with the ability to be nimble and bring a pragmatic approach to deliver superior outcomes.

Set out below are some examples of the projects that we are involved in that are having positive environmental impacts.

Green energy projects The transition towards renewable energy has had a big impact on the nature of work being undertaken in the construction market. Guided by its target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045, the Victorian Government has invested heavily in ambitious, large-scale projects that seek to transform the way energy is generated and consumed.

Recently, we have been assisting the State through VicGrid with the planning and development of expansive new transmission infrastructure required to connect renewable energy sources to the grid and improve the grid's resilience. This will ensure that we have the necessary infrastructure to carry electricity from renewable generation sources, like large scale solar and wind projects, to homes and businesses throughout the State, and to call on capacity from other States forming part of the National Energy Market when necessary or economically efficient. To date, we have assisted VicGrid with its role in establishing renewable energy zones in Victoria and coordinating major transmission projects including the Victorian New South Wales Interconnector-West (VNI West), Marinus Link, Western Renewables Link and offshore wind transmission.

Renewable energy projects and environmental responsibility are also priorities for our private sector clients. For example, our team has been assisting Fortescue with its bold energy transition plan, which requires rapid change to its existing business practices and technology to achieve "real zero" emissions (with no offsets) by 2030. Clayton Utz has worked with Fortescue to enable initiatives such as the development of a new hydrogen production facility used to decarbonise the company's mining and shipping fleet. We have also advised on the procurement of new electric-powered mining equipment for operation at Fortescue's sites.

Government policy and contractual commitments In line with Victorian Government policy requirements, we typically draft sustainability-related obligations into our clients' construction contracts. These obligations take many forms and include, for example, requiring contractors to comply with the Government's Recycled First Policy. This seeks to support the transition to a circular economy by maximising the use of recycled and reused materials in transport infrastructure projects. Specifically, contractors are required to identify opportunities for the use of recycled materials on a project and then report on the types and volumes of recycled materials used throughout the project.

The Mordialloc Freeway Project, completed by our client Major Road Projects Victoria, demonstrated how sustainable materials can be used to build critical new infrastructure. This included converting 570 tonnes of plastic waste into noise walls made from 75% recycled material and diverting more than 245 tonnes of recyclables from landfill.

We have also worked with State and Territory governments nationally to implement container deposit schemes, which allow consumers to deposit eligible drink containers for a 10 cent return.

These schemes are critical to helping transform the waste and recycling sector, and to divert material away from landfill.

ESG and the role of environmental credibility ESG has emerged as a crucial area of corporate governance and the "E" in ESG is front of mind for our clients. When undertaking large infrastructure projects, all parties must have regard to the environmental impacts of their activities to build public confidence and support for their project.

In addition to advising our clients on ESG considerations, Clayton Utz is committed to meeting and building on our own sustainability credentials. We were one of the first Australian law firms to become carbon neutral and regularly have our emissions independently assessed and audited. As well as ensuring that we meet our environmental responsibilities, this also shows that our values align with our clients when it comes to sustainability-driven projects.

HOW TO STAND OUT AS A CLERK Starting your clerkship can be both an exciting and nerve-wracking time. The one thing everyone has in common is Cora Alvarez the desire to do well, particularly after all the hard work you have put into Law Graduate getting a clerkship in the first place.

Whether it is your first time stepping into a law firm environment or not, here are five things you can keep in mind to ensure you put your best foot forward.

Tip one: Your attitude is key Be open to learning and curious about people and the work that they do. Say yes to opportunities – don’t come with preconceived ideas about what you do or don’t like, or what you do and don’t want to do. Show your colleagues that you’re not afraid to try things that are challenging or new.

Tip two: Do the little things well As a seasonal clerk, you won’t be expected to know everything – but a way to differentiate yourself is to deliver on the small things. If you say you will do something, make sure you do it, and by the deadline that was set. Don’t underestimate basic courtesy: make sure you arrive to work on time, treat others with respect and behave with the right level of formality that different settings require.

Tip three: Demonstrate your EQ Demonstrating your interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, not just legal knowledge, will enhance your clerkship experience. Clear communication is essential. From a work perspective, this might be communicating whether you have the capacity to take on tasks or proactively informing seniors of any delays or obstacles you are experiencing. More personally, sharing your interests with others, and being friendly and approachable will help make you, and your experience, more memorable.

Tip four: Don’t be competitive You should view the other clerks as your future colleagues and peers, rather than your competition.

The clerkship experience will be infinitely more enjoyable if you take the time to get to know the other clerks. The legal industry is small, so focus instead on being collegial, cooperative and a good team player.

Tip five: Relax!

While a good level of nerves and expectation aids in delivering high-quality work, being too anxious or putting too much pressure on yourself is not helpful. It will not allow you to relax enough for people to get to know you, it won't lead to your best work, and it won’t allow you to fully enjoy the clerkship experience. You need to remember that you have already made it this far. Don’t doubt that you have what it takes to succeed!

TRANSITION FROM CLERK TO GRADUATE

Kristen Politis Solicitor at DLA Piper

Brigette Ciampoli Solicitor at DLA Piper

We started as Law Graduates at DLA Piper in February 2023 after completing a Summer Clerkship in November 2021 and Winter Clerkship in June 2022.

A clerkship at DLA Piper DLA Piper were dedicated to making our clerkships an invaluable experience. They placed us in one practice group for the duration of the clerkship (four weeks). We clerked in the Corporate and Employment teams. You don’t need to have experience or knowledge about the area before the clerkship. Although daunting at first, exploring new areas is very rewarding - you just need to have a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. The lawyers, at all levels, are happy to take the time to explain challenging concepts and direct us to useful resources.

During our clerkships, we completed a range of diverse and extremely interesting tasks including legal drafting, substantive research and correspondence. Highlights included sitting in on client meetings, working directly with the Partners on matters, getting to know our teams over the catered breakfasts each morning and attending the multitude of hosted events including the Christmas Party and Trivia Night!

The best part of our clerkship at DLA Piper was the firm’s investment in learning and development and the focus on its people. You are included in everything and are given a significant amount of responsibility even as a clerk. DLA Piper holds Practice Group presentations where a leader explains the types of work they do. This way, you can get a taste of what DLA Piper offers. You are encouraged to separately catch up with lawyers from other practice areas that may be of interest you, even if you don’t get the opportunity to clerk there. Another highlight of the clerkship was the level of comfortability we felt as clerks. The people at DLA Piper were incredibly generous with their time, made every effort to welcome us, and endeavored to get to know us on a personal level.

The Grad Experience at DLA Piper The transition from clerk to graduate was seamless. DLA Piper’s graduate program commences with a weeklong National Graduate Induction. We were fortunate to fly to Sydney for this and partook in a number of team building activities and workshops. The best part of the trip was meeting the graduates from the other Australian offices. DLA Piper works collaboratively amongst offices, emphasising the importance of networking with your fellow colleagues.

More generally, the DLA Piper graduate program is an 18-month program which comprises of 3 x 6month rotations across different practice groups. We have completed/are currently completing rotations in Corporate, Competition & Regulatory, Real Estate and Intellectual Property & Technology. Each rotation is very different, all providing new opportunities, clients and colleagues and challenges to navigate. No two days are the same for a graduate/junior lawyer.

Some key highlights so far include: assisting with high profile litigations, including the penalty hearing against Fitbit LLC for making false, misleading or deceptive representations to consumers; advising and assisting on large cross border deals, including for a well-known Australian owned skin care company; attending a range of client events including a Women in Deals Networking Night; partaking in pro bono work, including volunteering at Fitzroy Legal Centre and the Know Your Rights program where we presented to groups of refugees and migrants on their legal rights; partaking in the DLA Piper fundraising trek in Tasmania to raise money for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; and and of course, completing PLT and getting admitted!

If you want to undertake meaningful and exciting work in a global law firm, we encourage you to consider applying to DLA Piper.

Good luck throughout the clerkship period and we hope to see you at DLA Piper.

PRO BONO After working at Gadens for a number of years as a Legal Assistant, I commenced the Graduate Program in March 2017. During my year in the program, I rotated through the Intellectual Property and Technology team, as well as Real Estate and Construction.

Cassandra Krylov Senior Associate

I undertook various matters that saw me gain a broad range of experience in intellectual property, technology, retail leasing, commercial leasing and planning and environment matters. At the end of my Graduate year, I settled in the Intellectual Property and Technology team.

As part of the program, I undertook a variety of Pro Bono legal tasks, including research projects and volunteering at a public housing tenancy clinic that Gadens staffed in partnership with Moonee Valley Legal Service. As I had a keen interest in social justice and pro bono work, I was given the opportunity by the firm to dedicate a lot of my time to this type of work. At the end of that year, I was managing the operation of the public housing tenancy clinic at Moonee Valley Legal Service.

As I progressed my legal career, my involvement with Pro Bono legal work also increased. This gave me exposure to colleagues in different practice groups on these matters, as well as being responsible for managing projects and files whilst I was still a junior lawyer, gaining valuable handson experience. Whilst in the Intellectual Property and Technology team, I was both a Lawyer, then later an Associate, and also our Pro Bono Coordinator.

In April 2020, I moved from the Intellectual Property and Technology Team into our Brand, Clients and Markets team as a Business Development and Pro Bono Coordinator. This gave me invaluable experience in working with all of the firm's practice groups, as well as a number of clients – I could see how the firm was marketing itself, maintaining key relationships and securing work from new clients.

In March 2021, there was an opportunity for me to work full-time within our Pro Bono practice (now Sustainability and Social Impact). Having taken this opportunity, I am now a Senior Associate in the Sustainability and Social Impact group and have a range of responsibilities, including managing pro bono partnerships, working on pro bono legal files, being actively involved in our reconciliation and sustainability initiatives and leading our corporate volunteering program. I work alongside our Partner and Head of Sustainability and Social Impact, Sophie McNamara, and Shabnum Cassim, Senior Associate.

One of the great parts of working within the Sustainability and Social Impact team is that we work very closely with our Graduates and junior lawyers on a range of pro bono projects, from legal clinics to research projects, and individual pro bono matters that are referred to us from our pro bono Partners at various community legal centres and other organisations.

Our people are given autonomy and carriage of these matters, deal directly with clients and play a vital role in the continued growth and development of our Pro Bono Program.

Gadens is supportive of its people and their career ambitions – I was supported in making the changes that felt right for me in my legal career, which has led me to a role that I am incredibly passionate about and love working in. I was also supported in my parenthood journey and took a year of parental leave when I had my daughter in September 2021.

I would strongly recommend Gadens for Clerkship and Graduate roles. We are incredibly focused on mentoring and developing our junior lawyers to encourage people to follow their passions and interests. We know that one size does not fit all and we take pride in working with our lawyers to help find the legal career that best suits them.

HOW TO STAND OUT AS A CLERK AT G+T Dear Law Students, If you are reading this, I assume you are officially considering applying for a clerkship. Deep breaths. Whilst it is daunting process, those who have tread the well-worn path before you are here to help.

Ella White Law Graduate

The application process can be hard enough without the additional pressure of making an impact, and whilst there is no one-way to stand out as a clerk, here are a few tips I can offer from my experience at Gilbert + Tobin (G+T).

Be a sponge A clerkship is ultimately a learning experience. You have the opportunity to shadow and observe top legal professionals in their element; absorb, listen and ask questions. Take advantage of that exposure. Remember, you are not expected to have in-depth understanding of the complexities/nuances of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and how that may apply in the current commercial context. You are learning, and that is okay! If something is confusing or foreign you can ask the question – there is no test on the content of the applicable law at the end, I promise.

Try to “lean-in” Enthusiasm goes a long way as a clerk. Being keen, engaged and willing to “lean in” to the experience speaks volumes about the candidate, their attitude to work, and importantly, what they are like to work with. Whilst “leaning in” may appear overwhelming at first, you will have an entire support network around you (i.e., a buddy, a mentor, a supervising partner, as well as HR and your broader clerk cohort) who are there assist / ease you into the learning curve. Give things a go – and if mistakes are made, that is the most okay. Remember, the clerkship process is for you and your learning. Mistakes come with the territory (I know this is easier said in hindsight, but seriously, we all make mistakes).

Don’t forget soft skills!

Whilst our legal education tends to focus on technical skill, it is important not to forget about emotional intelligence. Building relationships is a fundamental part of legal practice, whether it be with clients/colleagues/industry professionals/judges etc. Taking the time to listen, connect and understand those around you does not go unnoticed, and I think as a clerk it is particularly powerful.

Communication is key As someone who struggles to say “no”, honest and effective communication was a key learning curve during my clerkship. So, from me to you, I offer the following formula when it comes to receiving work (disclaimer: everyone’s experience is different – this is just what worked for me): 1. Ask what the desired work product is (this shows you are thinking about how the lawyer/client may prefer the information to be presented); 2. Ask the expected time frame (this shows you are aware that the instructing lawyer likely has a deadline); 3. Ask whether the task can be billed; and 4. If you have competing demands, inform the instructing lawyer of any other imminent deadlines and ask them if you should prioritise the task at hand (rather than saying no, kindly put the question back on the person instructing – how tasks should be prioritised is for a more senior lawyer to determine).

Be a “safe pair of hands” A senior lawyer once told me that one of the better things a junior can be is a “safe pair of hands”.

That is, be diligent, reliable and organised. Do the simple things well and take pride in your work.

Remember, you are here for a reason and have so many skills to offer – whilst it may not feel like it, take comfort in your legal education and how it has prepared you.

Be yourself – quirks and all I will finish on a more wholesome note. Be yourself. The G+T process is one of the simpler clerkship applications; it is centred getting to know you as a person, that is your interests and personality, rather than assessing your ability via psychometric testing. This is no coincidence. At G+T, the application is centred around you because your character is the most important consideration when entering a clerkship. Your passion/charm/uniqueness is highly regarded, so don’t feel awkward or embarrassed when doing your video interview to lean into your quirks – the person on the other side will no doubt appreciate it. Ultimately, G+T highly regards its culture and so the people that make up the firm are a top priority.

My parting words Whilst it may be easier said than done, try to take it easy during this time. Remember, your clerkship experience may look completely different to someone else’s, and that’s okay. Stay in your lane and run your own race at your own pace. The stressful part will be done soon.

Wishing you all the best. Please note - those of us who have been there are here to help.

Good luck (not that you need it)!

Ella

INSURANCE Hi! I’m Ben Halstead, a first-year insurance lawyer at Hall & Wilcox in Melbourne.

Ben Halstead Lawyer

Finishing uni and entering the legal world is stressful. I remember lots of late-night conversations with friends about our futures. The good news is we all landed interesting roles, all within law. So, if you're reading this, I believe you'll find your place too.

If you’re eyeing private practice, choose a firm with diverse practice areas and rotation opportunities. Knowing what you're signing up for is crucial. That's why I chose Hall & Wilcox.

Initially drawn to government work, I wanted exposure to private sector dynamics and the Smarter Law approach, knowing how important these are from my legal tech startup days. Culture mattered too – I needed an environment supportive of both my professional and personal growth, enabling me to excel not only as a lawyer but also as a friend, son, brother and partner.

I landed at Hall & Wilcox as a market graduate, kickstarting my legal career. My first rotation was in the ‘Statutory Insurance Victoria’ team. The name might sound boring but litigating for the government under the WorkCover scheme was exhilarating. I instructed in trials, drafted client letters of advice, led negotiations, attended mediations and analysed evidence. I kept a suit in my locker so I could attend court at a moment’s notice. I liked the hustle and bustle and gained clarity on what drives my success: mastery, recognition, autonomy and value alignment.

Following my rotations, I settled in Recoveries within the broader Statutory Insurance Victoria team.

I oversee my own matters, have appeared in the Supreme Court and receive credit for my work. Each day reaffirms my career choice. We recover compensation for WorkSafe from negligent third parties responsible for a worker’s injury. This is crucial for the scheme’s sustainability and ensuring that workplaces are safer for the future. This strongly aligns with my personal values, having worked hands-on jobs myself.

I learn from diverse workplaces like huge construction sites and hole in the wall bars, seeing firsthand people's routines and the way the world works. Torts was my favourite uni subject because it's the science of applying everyday norms, like treating others how you want to be treated, onto complex facts. Litigating negligence is a test of common sense; everyone has opinions on what is negligent. I view it as intellectually competitive; winning requires common sense and an ability to argue on your feet. Despite being new, I love when a case has a successful resolution for all involved.

I think ‘insurance’ scares people, but in civil litigation, it's commonplace. Working with a public sector client, I act as a model litigant while protecting their interests and I get to collaborate with experienced and knowledgeable professionals.

Mentorship is abundant, with senior lawyers readily available for guidance. I meet with my partner daily as he reviews my work, providing gentle points of improvement. And each day, the red pen is used less. Continuous learning is encouraged through legal skills sessions, fostering growth. The 'pay it forward' ethos was clear when I unknowingly sat next to the section leader during my first weeks, chatting and joking between work. It's a flat hierarchy where I’m never made to feel small or that my ideas don’t matter.

Long story short: finding your feet is possible, think deeply about where you can find mastery, recognition and autonomy, and where your values will allow you to flourish. Lastly, don’t fear the term ‘insurance’; it's a gateway to enriching legal experiences, as surprising as that may seem.

I hope to see you around Hall & Wilcox soon!

DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CLERK 6.00am – I wake up bright and early to start the day with some exercise. I'm currently training for a half marathon, so I head out for a run to start my morning. When I get home, I get ready and have some breakfast before jumping on a tram to the office.

Bec Muller Former Clerk/ Current Paralegal

8.45am - When I arrive at my desk, I check my inbox and make a to-do list for the day. I do this by flagging task-based emails, and ascertaining deadlines and priorities.

9.15am – The clerk cohort and casual paralegals head out of the office to grab some coffee. Where to go for coffee is always hotly debated, however, Axil Coffee Roasters across the road seems to please everyone.

9.30am – I return to my desk and conduct some research on enforcement of costs orders.

10.30am – A senior lawyer approaches my desk and asks if I would like to write up a media article for a matter that I have been heavily involved in during my clerkship. Having been fortunate enough to attend a Court of Appeal hearing for this matter a couple of days earlier, I jump at the opportunity.

My first draft receives a few comments and I incorporate this feedback into my second and final revision, which is published later in the week.

12.00pm – Every fortnight the Melbourne Construction team has a meeting in one of our boardrooms. There is a partner update, admin update, HR update and presentation on a specific area relevant to construction law. This week the presentation is on 'green hydrogen' – a source of renewable energy. I find it interesting hearing about the future of green hydrogen. As HFW is a global firm, we turn our mind to the growth of the global green hydrogen market and what this means for construction lawyers and industry.

2.00pm – After I return from my lunch break, one of the partners calls me into his office and I take notes for a meeting with Counsel and the client. After the meeting, the partner provides some context and I have the opportunity to ask questions. I now have three new tasks that will inform advice to this international client.

3.00pm – I tidy up and send off the meeting notes to the partner before starting on a research memorandum: the first of the three tasks I received earlier. I utilise HFW's databases to collate and summarise trusts cases relevant to our client's position.

5.15pm – After completing my timesheets for the day, I pack my bag and head out to grab a drink with the other clerk. We catch up on how things are going for her in the Insurance team and speak about our plans to travel post-clerkship.

FRONT END & BACK END LAW Understanding the distinction between front-end and back-end law can be confusing, especially for those not exposed to it during their university studies. Fortunately, within my initial year as a Graduate at Herbert Smith Freehills, I've completed rotations in both realms, allowing me to shed light on the differences.

Shamana Rofaeel Solicitor

What is front-end law?

Front-end law, also known as ‘transactional law’, entails facilitating transactions. Front-end lawyers primarily prepare, draft and negotiate contracts, and conduct due diligence to unearth any potential issues with the transaction. These issues can range from asbestos-contaminated soil in a real-estate sale or identifying non-compliance with ASIC obligations in a business sale (no buyer wants unexpected issues).

Throughout my time in the Equity Capital Markets & Private Equity team, I assisted on M&A transactions, assisted with the listing of companies on the ASX, raised capital for our ASX listed clients via secondary raises, and more.

Working in a front-end team requires a Graduate to think commercially about transactions. In practice, this means you must identify the client’s wants and needs and think of commercial solutions to the hurdles in the transaction.

What is back-end law?

The element of lawyering that many people typically associate with the profession, but isn't mentioned above, is going to court and advocating for clients. This is where back-end lawyers come into the picture. Unlike front-end law, where the parties typically want the same goal in completing a deal, parties in litigation often feel like they’ve had the short end of the stick and don’t see eye to eye.

Throughout my rotation in the Commercial Litigation team, I assisted on a trial, prepared briefs for counsel, assisted with legal research and undertook discovery in a shareholder class action.

If black-letter law, legal research or advocacy appealed to you throughout your university studies, a rotation in a disputes practice is a must.

Acknowledging Other Areas It's essential to recognize that not all legal work neatly fits into the front or back-end categories.

Advisory work, for instance, involves providing legal advice to a variety of clients, such as advising crypto-exchange platforms on whether their offerings are compliant with law or advising clients on potential anti-competitive implications of their transactions. Engaging in such work also offers valuable experience.

So what’s right for me?

For junior lawyers, exploring both front-end and back-end roles is encouraged. Especially early in one's legal career, gaining exposure to transactional, advisory, and litigious matters contributes to developing a comprehensive skill set. This approach fosters the growth of well-rounded legal professionals, as exemplified by my own journey.

COMMERCIAL LAW Commercial Law After University Ethics and integrity: At university, you will study professional ethics and analyse one-dimensional ethical scenarios. As a practicing lawyer, you will be faced with difficult, multi-dimensional situations involving conflicting interests and which raise difficult ethical questions. These can be hard situations, but you cannot let them compromise your personal or professional integrity.

Without them, you will have a short career in the law.

Courage and independence: At university, you will study the importance of maintaining independence as a lawyer. Do not underestimate the courage that can be required to do the right thing as a practising lawyer. You will be representing clients in difficult, stressful and often hostile environments. A great lawyer will be courageous in fiercely and fearlessly defending their clients legal rights wherever required, whilst always demonstrating independence and the ethics and integrity required of you.

Individual accountability: At university, you are individually accountable for your academic success. As a practicing commercial lawyer, you must demonstrate individual accountability for every decision and judgment made on behalf of a client and the firm. Being accountable requires taking ownership and delivering on the commitments you make to others and taking responsibility for the consequences of your actions. Lawyers who have a sense of personal accountability are greatly respected and trusted.

Dedication, determination and commitment: At university, to excel you must demonstrate dedication, determination and commitment to your studies. As a practising lawyer, you must demonstrate dedication to the client, determination to provide quality legal advice in an efficient and cost effective way, and commitment to professional values. Great commercial lawyers can combine extraordinary work ethic with compassion for the client and their interests, and a commitment to professional values.

Client relationships and business acumen: At university, you will have limited knowledge of the clients in the factual scenarios in which you are analysing and their commercial needs. In practice, a commercial client needs pragmatic and commercial advice. To deliver this as a practising lawyer you must possess an understanding of the client – their corporate structure, business model and relationships with key stakeholders – and their approaches to specific matters – their objectives, budgets, pressures and deadlines. This understanding will shape your strategy for the client and enable you to work effectively to meet their expectations, including with respect to reputational issues, cost appetite, commercial objectives and risk tolerance. This understanding will also enable you to predict upcoming obstacles and opportunities for the client and prepare pre-emptively.

Market knowledge: At university, you will typically analyse factual scenarios isolated from wider external factors. As a practising lawyer, it is critically important to maintain a deep understanding of market trends and developments in national and global business, economics and politics, and how these can impact your legal advice and benefit your clients. Always keep a close eye out for issues that may impact the firm you are working for and its clients. Take ownership of an issue that sparks your interest and generate ideas about how you could demonstrate the firm’s knowledge and expertise of that issue to existing and potential clients.

Time management and organisation skills: At university, you will be used to studying a number of different subjects and juggling a number of assignments and exams at the one time. As a practising lawyer, you will often be working on a number of different tasks for different more senior lawyers at the one time and with different time pressures. Work smarter rather than harder. Hone your time management and organisational skills and find what works best for you. Calendars, to-do lists and technology will be your friend.

Flexibility and resilience: At university, whilst you are juggling a number of priorities, you are still in control of your own schedule. The practice of commercial law is dynamic and ever changing. It requires you to work under pressure and to manage a variety of different interests. To thrive in this environment, you must be willing to be flexible with your time and be resilient to change and a level of stress when things do not go as planned. Develop foundational habits now that will benefit your mental health, so that you can carry these with you into practice.

USING YOUR NONLEGAL EXPERIENCE You've gone through the intense experience of clerkship applications and not only survived them but apparently thrived during the process Samantha Bradley and you are now about to embark on HR Advisor your clerkship journey. But it's your first clerkship experience, and you're going in armed with what you've earned in law school and the experience you've gained in the job which has put you through your legal studies. What non-legal experience will best serve you in your clerkship? Hopefully this article will give some enlightenment.

1. Interpersonal skills and communication This is one of the main areas you were probably assessed on during your clerkship interviews and while it's a cliché (who would have thought a firm would value communication and interpersonal skills), it doesn't change the fact that this is the most useful non-legal skill to utilise in your clerkship. In the very short timeframe you are at a firm, your ability to relate to others and your communication skills are imperative in making an impression. Figuring out how to achieve the following examples effectively is more challenging than it seems and if you can get these right, you will definitely stand out in the right way during your clerkship: Letting your team know you have capacity for work; Asking what work you should prioritise when you have several tasks with tight deadlines; Keeping your team informed of your whereabouts during the clerkship; Knowing when to ask questions and figuring out the right questions to help you complete work you've been assigned; Building rapport quickly with different personalities in the team; and Figuring out how different people like being communicated with (formally/informally, online/inperson).

2. Know your audience Similar to how you would assess a colleague or customer and figure out pretty quickly who they are, what they want from you, and how they want it delivered, it really is no different in a law firm. The work might be more legal focused but a key piece of feedback our clerks always receive is to think about who your audience is and how you should tailor anything you send to them.

Are you dealing with someone internal or external?

What do they want from you?

How can you get this to them in a way that will make the experience easiest for them?

Knowing your audience and putting yourself in their shoes will help you to hone how you present work requested of you. A partner, senior associate and especially a client is not going to want to go through all the research you've put together the way your university professor has to (despite you wanting them to know how much research you trawled through to get the answer for them). They will also not want to dissect your elaborately worded email, so writing in plain English is always a safe bet.

Figuring out the perfect balance of getting your point across while ensuring your audience knows your point is supported by evidence and research is going to be something you will have to finesse throughout your career. A handy tip is something visual like tables or diagrams that are easily digestible always goes down well.

3. Attitude The attitude you carry with you in your life and work often becomes your personal brand without you even realising it. You may enter a clerkship or practice group and realise pretty quickly that it's not a long-term option for you (possibly similar to how you feel in your current job). How you communicate what your actual goals are while making sure you're delivering work that reflects well on you is noticeable. The clerks who make a genuine effort in a practice area that is not necessarily where they want to end up always stand out. A great attitude for a lawyer also encompasses a passion for attention to detail (it's unavoidable really). Making time to check for typos and noticing the stylistic conventions of a particular firm is always helpful.

In all honesty, this article could be summarised very simply. The best non-legal experience you can bring into your clerkship is going to be how you present yourself and how you relate to others. If you start considering the above three points, all the problem-solving skills you've accumulated will naturally start kicking in. Hopefully we've just helped you target them to the right areas.

All the clerks that come through our firm are brilliant, you've been put through your paces in the interview process and we know everyone is smart, capable and able to juggle work, studies and their social lives (or at least that's the impression you gave during your interview). The key differentiator is your personality, your ability to figure out how to make life easier for those around you and your attitude, which is fabulous news as you no longer have to worry as much about your legal skills. I kid, legal skills are still an expectation - we know it's not easy being a lawyer. You should be really proud of how far you've come and we wish you all the best for your clerkships!

CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL LAW KHQ Lawyers provides a fully integrated commercial legal services offering to our clients. We are proud to be the firm of choice for a prestigious list of ASX-listed and multinational clients, high net worth individuals, family businesses, SMEs, and niche agencies and consultancies. Our teams are led by highly respected practitioners, many of whom have been recognised as among the best in their fields.

Our passion and dedication to high quality service delivery is at the core of everything we do.

Focus on: Corporate & Commercial Our Corporate & Commercial team provides outcomes-focused services to clients across the full spectrum of commercial transactions, projects and matters. We strive to understand our clients’ drivers, so we can provide strategic and practical solutions, help to identify commercial opportunities, and assess and mitigate legal risks in the relevant circumstances.

Corporate/M&A We have a particularly strong track record in assisting companies in relation to mergers and acquisitions in all industry sectors (including cross border transactions), and in the food and beverage, mining and resources, renewables and energy, financial services and transport and technology industries, among others.

We offer a broad range of services in relation to M&A transactions including: the preparation and negotiation of pre-transaction documentation, such as confidentiality deeds, term sheets and exclusivity deeds; transaction structuring advice (including taxation and stamp duty advice, if required); assistance with due diligence investigations; the preparation and negotiation of transaction documentation; and assistance with the consummation of a transaction, including co-ordinating required regulatory and contract counterparty consents.

We also have considerable expertise in assisting companies to raise funds in the equity capital markets, undertaking initial public offerings and reverse takeovers.

Our advice covers financing and investment, disclosure, corporate governance, as well as regulatory matters such as compliance with the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules.

We have strong relationships with the ASX and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, which aids in assisting our clients to navigate the regulatory frameworks that govern regulated capital raisings.

The specialist advice and support we offer does not stop once a transaction has been completed. We are committed to developing relationships with all of our clients, offering strategic and practical advice as a company grows or as an owner exits.

Commercial On the commercial side, our expertise encompasses all areas of commercial transactions and advisory work. Within this broad framework we have specialisations in procurement, technology, FMCG, competition and consumer law, intellectual property, health and privacy/data protection.

We have expertise in: drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, including supply and services agreements, technology licensing and ‘as a service’ agreements, support and maintenance agreements (including service level agreements) and other ‘business as usual’ documentation such as privacy policies, collection notices and confidentiality documents etc; preparation and management of RFQ materials and tender documentation, legal evaluation reports of bidder responses, and conducting negotiations with shortlisted bidders; privacy compliance matters and advice; cybersecurity; insolvency and restructuring risk advice; contract and legislative interpretation; and developing contract negotiation ‘playbooks’ and template documents and processes.

Our client base spans diverse industries: including public sector bodies and departments, blue-chip companies, professional services firms, SMEs, research and education institutes and start-ups. Many of our clients view us as a flexible extension of their in-house legal teams and call upon us for general commercial support in times of high workload.

An holistic approach Our Corporate & Commercial team draws on the skills and expertise of various practice areas across the firm as required, including our Workplace Relations & Safety, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Insolvency, Tax & Structuring and Commercial Property teams. When it comes to complex family business arrangements, we also work closely with our Wills & Estates and Family & Relationship Law teams to ensure appropriate succession planning structures are in place.

This integrated approach is relatively unique for a firm of our size, and enables us to deliver holistic, seamless services, which is greatly valued by our clients.

REAL ESTATE Let’s get one thing straight: ‘property’ in university is very different to ‘real estate’ in private practice.

Despite the focus on the legal theories that underpin property law, concepts such as easements, restrictive covenants and adverse possession are important, however, do not dictate our day-to-day life as real estate lawyers.

WHAT WE DO Our Real Estate Team at King & Wood Mallesons is unique as we are a ‘one-stop shop’ for all real estate related transactions. We are a transactional group focused on the many aspects of the real estate sector. Our clients may require assistance in one or all of the below stages of a transaction.

Structuring: the optimal way to structure (from both a tax and risk mitigation perspective) an ownership interest in an asset that is linked to real estate (either directly or indirectly).

Finance: facilitating the lending or borrowing of money for the purpose of acquiring, and often developing, real estate.

Acquisition: negotiating the terms of a sale contract from a purchaser’s perspective, advising on the risks associated with the purchase and implementing strategies to protect the investment.

Development: managing conflicting interests between different stakeholders in a project (i.e. the landowner, builder, developer and financier) and implementing appropriate structures to achieve practical completion of a project.

Holding: if the intention is to hold the completed asset, drafting lease agreements that generate income over time.

Disposal: negotiating the terms of a sale contract from a vendor’s perspective and resolving any post-settlement issues that may arise.

We note that a number of real estate teams attend to high-volume conveyances and large leasing portfolios – this is not something that forms part of the KWM real estate practice.

TRANSACTION EXAMPLE To illustrate the complexity and bespoke nature of the work we do, below is a summary of a matter that combined multiple sub-areas described earlier in this article.

The client was a real estate fund manager interested in providing capital (by way of equity investment) to assist a developer complete a mixed-use development in the CBD. In this transaction, the KWM real estate team assisted with the following: due diligence on the project site and relevant project documentation (including construction contracts and development agreements) to identify material risks to the return on the project; drafting and negotiating the joint venture documents between the property developer and the fund manager; providing tax and structuring advice in relation to the fund manager’s acquisition of an interest in the developer;

drafting and negotiating documents with the fund manager’s upstream investors (including fund documentation and subscription documents); and negotiating finance documents including loan agreements and security documents) entered into by the joint venture with external financiers to fund the development.

A document (that you may not think would typically be associated with real estate law) which formed part of the above matter was a shareholders agreement. This document governed the conduct of the joint venture between our client and the developer. It outlined, among other things, the key decision-making abilities of the parties in respect of the project and the manner in which financial proceeds derived from the project would be distributed between the parties.

While creativity is not something that is generally associated with law, transactions such as the above require a lawyer’s imagination and the ability to think outside-the-box in order to manage the expectations of all parties involved in a deal.

HOW TO SUCCEED AS A JUNIOR Our team respects and embraces the fact that you are being exposed to new concepts for the first time and your development as a young lawyer is the primary goal. Leave it to the senior figures in your team to manage the balancing act that is exposing you to high quality work while also not throwing you into the ‘deep end’.

As you commence your Real Estate journey, you can expect to be responsible for: preparing first drafts of transaction documentation; facilitating the execution of transaction documentation; overseeing and recording transaction developments in completion agendas; researching case law or regulatory changes to the real estate sector; due diligence on underlying assets; completing property settlements; and attending meetings with clients and negotiations with counterparties.

You will often be the person that is closest to the transaction documents as a deal unfolds - which can be really exciting.

SOME (VALUABLE) TIPS Listed below are a number of tips that have smoothed my transition from clerk, to graduate and now to solicitor: Master the art of the knowing nod: Sometimes, you won't have a clue what's going on in a meeting – do not worry. A well-timed nod and a thoughtful expression can go a long way in making you look like you know exactly what's going on.

Use your network: The Real Estate team needs to work with many of the other groups within the firm and as a graduate, you will know more people in the firm than most. Use this as a way to work with your friends and connect your team with your friends in other areas of the firm.

Learn to love your alarm clock: Make peace with your alarm clock. Learn to love it for waking you up to another exciting day as a junior lawyer.

COMPENSATION LAW

Although workplaces are safer now than they have ever been, injuries in workplaces do occur. WorkSafe Victoria administers the “WorkCover” scheme, which provides various entitlements and compensation to injured workers and insures employers in respect of claims made against them.

Anna McLaren Senior Associate

In administering the scheme, WorkSafe must ensure that the distribution of compensation is fair and sustainable. The Compensation Law team at Lander & Rogers advises WorkSafe on the delivery of benefits and conducts litigation following workplace injuries. We also act for employers, insurers and self-insurers and advise on both the Victorian and national workers compensation schemes. We act for employers across all industries including emergency services and Victoria Police, hospitals, prisons, construction, agriculture, airlines, small family owned businesses and some of the biggest organisations in Australia.

In addition to advising on WorkCover matters, our team also acts on behalf of the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) in litigated serious injury applications.

THE WORKCOVER SCHEME The WorkCover scheme is predominately governed by two Acts, the Accident Compensation Act 1985 and the reformed Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013. Entitlements and compensation are divided into two categories, "statutory benefits" and "common law".

Statutory benefits form part of a “no fault scheme”. This means workers can access these benefits without having to establish negligence on the part of their employer.

These benefits include: medical expenses such as GP attendances, surgery and physiotherapy; weekly payments if a worker is unable to work due to injury; lump sum compensation for workers who have sustained a permanent injury or impairment; and death benefits.

Common law damages on the other hand are only accessible to workers who have sustained a “serious injury” caused by the negligence of their employer or a third party. Common law damages can be sought for economic loss and pain and suffering.

COMPENSATION LAW AT LANDER & ROGERS Our team manages a portfolio of litigated and pre-litigated matters that involve a broad range of injuries such as heart attacks, infectious diseases, amputations, traumatic head injuries, back and muscular-skeletal injuries, hearing loss claims and psychiatric injuries. Our firm also acts in expedited trials for terminally ill workers who suffer from dust diseases such as mesothelioma, silicosis and lung cancer. These claims are administered by the VMIA. WorkSafe and the VMIA are two of the busiest and biggest litigators in Victoria. Practising in the workers compensation jurisdiction is fast paced, interesting and challenging. On a day to day basis, our lawyers are engaged in work that includes: appearing and instructing in courts ranging from the Magistrates' Court to the High Court; conducting conferences, mediations and negotiating settlement outcomes; providing expert legal advice to WorkSafe Victoria, VMIA and other stakeholders; identifying joint tortfeasors, negotiating contribution and pursuing third party proceedings; drafting advices, court documents and letters to expert witnesses; and preparing cases for court which can include workplace inspections, gathering and assessing evidence, speaking to witnesses and developing strategy.

As a junior lawyer in our team, you can expect to run your own files from day one, with the support of a partner. You will conduct your own conferences, negotiations, appear in court and work directly with clients. We offer a high degree of autonomy and room to develop your own practice and skills as a litigator. Compensation law is a great fit for lawyers who have critical analytical skills and a genuine interest in personal injury litigation. Our team at Lander & Rogers is one of Australia's most experienced and well regarded compensation law teams, which facilitates an excellent learning environment.

STANDING OUT IN A SEA OF APPLICANTS It’s well documented that the clerkship process is time consuming and competitive. To maximise your chances of a reward for all that effort you need to stand out.

Nick Brewin Graduate 2024/25 Deakin Alum

The following tips cover the complete process beginning with research and building connections, to writing your applications, and then finally to preparing for the face-to-face interactions.

Research, connect and tailor A quality application requires you to do your homework. While it is a good starting point, go beyond the details on the firm’s website. Explore recent articles and publications on LinkedIn about the kinds of work at the firm, as well as what they do internally including things like committees, events, and fundraising.

Go to clerkship events, reach out to prior clerks about their experiences and gain an understanding of how the practice areas operate and what specific type of work they do. A lot of this detail won’t be available online and will make for a more nuanced application and a key point of difference.

Think from the reader’s perspective Firms can have hundreds of applications. Going through each is undoubtedly a timely exercise. You’ll need to distinguish yourself.

For your cover letter, part of this will be taken care of through your impressive understanding of the firm gained from clerkship events and further research. But you also need to get the fundamentals right. Spelling something like the firm name incorrectly can be an easy way to put a line through your application. Attention to detail is a fundamental skill of a junior at a law firm. So crossreference and proof read it out loud before you submit. Ask someone to read over it for you. As they say, measure twice, cut once! Make sure your cover letter is properly structured and don’t waffle.

Clearly explain who you are, and why that firm appeals to you (and you specifically).

For your CV, don’t discredit your non-legal experience. You are showing your versatility and may have a unique perspective. Even if not, it may make for a funny story or an ice breaker in an interview. If you have no other experience, include a unique hobby or something you are enthusiastic about.

Show your personality While this is intertwined throughout the process, this is especially important during your face-toface interactions. Be professional but be yourself.

This is particularly challenging during interviews which can be confronting. Think of situations you can draw upon in the interview, but don’t become a robot. Being authentic can leave a lasting impact, embrace your uniqueness, and try let your personality shine through.

MEDIA LAW The media team at MinterEllison advises many leading media companies on publication risks and defends legal claims against them, both within Australia and internationally. The team is led by Peter Bartlett, who has over 45 years of unparalleled experience in media and communications law and is Australia’s leading media and communications law expert.

The media team specialises in advice on: defamation risks; privacy and breach of confidence; contempt; suppression orders; reporting restrictions; Freedom of Information laws; super-injunctions (injunctions made to prevent disclosure of confidential information, beyond the jurisdiction of the court granting it); protecting journalists' sources; and access to court documents.

We also advise leading corporate clients on protecting their reputations.

What are some matters the team has worked on?

Ben Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Our team acted in the widely-reported Ben Roberts-Smith case, one of the largest defamation cases in Australia. Roberts-Smith issued proceedings against Fairfax Media in late 2018, alleging that articles conveyed serious defamatory imputations, including (among others) that he committed war crimes, was guilty of murder and had committed an act of domestic violence.

We represented the respondents who relied on the truth defence. The case raised numerous issues, spanning from national security requirements, to the safety of witnesses in Afghanistan, and ensuring witnesses here were prepared to give evidence. After 110 days of trial, we received judgment on 1 June 2023, dismissing Roberts-Smith's case and finding that we had established the truth of the allegations that he unlawfully killed four Afghan men whilst serving as an SAS soldier in Afghanistan.

It was a particularly significant case, as Roberts-Smith had been previously awarded various military commendations over his several tours of Afghanistan and had been – until the media stories and the subsequent Court case – regarded as an Australian war hero. Peter Bartlett describes the case as "the most comprehensive victory for a media defendant I can remember".

Hun To v Al Jazeera We are representing Al Jazeera in a defamation suit brought by Hun To, nephew of the former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who alleges he was defamed by Al Jazeera's documentary film, 'Forced to Scam, Cambodia’s Cyber Slaves' which explores the compounds of people held as 'cyber slaves' in Cambodia. Al Jazeera denies the documentary conveyed the imputations alleged by Hun To, and pleads a defence of public interest as well as truth.

The Pesutto defamation cases Our team is representing the Victorian opposition leader, John Pesutto MP, in defamation suits brought by Moira Deeming MP, Kellie-Jay Keen and Angie Jones over a series of comments he made after the 'Let Women Speak' rally in March 2023, in which neo-Nazis attended and performed Nazi salutes on the front steps of the Parliament of Victoria.

Tell us about yourself and how you found yourself in the Media team at MinterEllison?

I'm an Associate in the media team at MinterEllison.

Tess McGuire Former MLS Student and Media Lawyer

I studied a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne, majoring in Politics & International Studies and Media & Communications, before going on to study a Juris Doctor at Melbourne Law School from 2016 – 2019.

From studying media and politics, I was always interested in journalism and current affairs. I heard about the media team at Minters as I started to explore clerkship options and discovered the work involved is a combination of many of my interests, and often what is referred to as 'investigative lawyering'. This led me to clerk at MinterEllison in the winter placement of 2018 and commenced as a graduate in 2019.

My first rotation was in the media team. This was followed by a secondment to the Human Rights Law Centre, where I worked on projects concerning democratic freedoms and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' rights. In my second year at the firm, I had the opportunity to undertake a secondment as a Legal Policy Officer at the Department of Justice and Community Safety, where I assisted with the implementation of reforms to the Defamation Act 2005 (Vic), as well as other legislative reform projects.

Following my secondments, I returned to the media team and worked on the Ben Roberts-Smith case. Once the trial was finally completed, I was able to pursue a leave of absence to be an Associate to the Honourable Justice Murphy at the Federal Court from August 2022 – August 2023 before returning to the media team. I was back in time to then work on defending our successful outcome in the Ben Roberts-Smith case in the appeal heard in February 2024.

What is some of the typical work that a graduate or junior lawyer may do?

As you can see from above, our work spans many issues.

The typical day can vary but some tasks may include: Drafting responses to concerns notices (a formal written notice an individual must send to the publisher of an allegedly defamatory statement before instituting proceedings); Attending witness interviews and building a case; Drafting and filing various court documents; and Undertaking research on a range of varied matters.

Above all, we look for problem solving skills and an ability and appetite to be involved in defending the media in public interest cases.

WORKING AS A GRADUATE AT A GLOBAL LAW FIRM On 4 September 2022, I departed for Perth where I spent the week preparing for, and attending, a hearing before the Court of Appeal of Western Ashleigh Giles Australia. As it turns out, that trip was Associate significant in itself. This was confirmed for us on 17 January 2023, when we learned that we had secured a significant Court of Appeal victory for the firm’s key client, Chevron, which made new law and resulted in a A$100m+ benefit to Chevron.

However, this trip also marked the beginning of a much bigger adventure: later that week I left Perth and headed over to Dubai where I would join the Disputes practice for a six-month international rotation.

What a truly unique experience! This was my first time living and working abroad and, like many others, it was my first overseas trip post the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s safe to say it did not disappoint.

Soon after my arrival, I was brought on to a wide range of matters. This included proceedings before the onshore Dubai courts and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts, international arbitrations, regulatory investigations and a whole raft of discrete engagements in between.

One matter in particular involved the trial of a claim for declaratory relief relating to the beneficial ownership of assets located in Dubai, in proceedings before the DIFC Courts. This matter represented the latest effort to enforce a judgment of the English High Court against a restauranteur and related parties, with parallel proceedings before the courts of Belgium. The proceedings before the DIFC Courts alone involved over 20 applications meaning there was plenty of work to get involved in.

The Dubai Disputes team was also a fantastic opportunity for me to broaden my network. At the time, the team was led by five Partners with specialist backgrounds in litigation and international arbitration, regulations and investigations, and insurance. I was able to work broadly across the team, and developed strong professional connections as a result.

Alongside this, I was fortunate enough to draw on support from a network of other trainee solicitors from right across the globe who were undertaking similar secondments from their respective offices.

This included four trainee solicitors from our London office, and a Middle East trainee, but also over 100 others who were working in law firms in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

It would be hard to pretend that I didn’t also seize the opportunity to do a little bit of travel – visiting Oman, Jordan and Egypt whilst abroad. On the weekends, I usually made the most of the good weather by visiting the beaches and some of the best outdoor cafes and restaurants that Dubai has to offer.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Dubai and had strong hopes I would be able to stay in touch with the team once I’d returned to Australia (noting the six hour time difference and all). As it turns out, I’m now working alongside my former supervising partner from Dubai in an international arbitration seated in London involving a team of lawyers across our Singapore, London, Sydney and Brisbane offices, as well as local counsel in Thailand, and experts in Norway. This really brought home for me the benefit of working for Norton Rose Fulbright – the opportunity to work on cross-border matters, with colleagues and clients from across its global network!

In all, I would implore any lawyers-in-the-making to consider what life could be like for them at a truly global law firm. The opportunity to spend six months abroad as part of the graduate program is one of the many reasons I’m pleased to work at Norton Rose Fulbright.

For more information please contact: australian.graduates@nortonrosefulbright.com.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A LAW GRADUATE The day has finally arrived, after countless years at university and the gruelling clerkship process; day one as Despina Hrambanis a law graduate is here! During my Lawyer - Dispute clerkship at Russell Kennedy Lawyers Resolution (RK), I was blown away by the support I received and how I enjoyed the variety of matters the firm works across, as well as spending time with people at the firm. It felt like I had finally found my place, and after applying for the grad program, I was thrilled to find out my grad year was no different.

The grad year at RK consists of four, three-month rotations. For me, this was the perfect amount of time in each team because it gave me a wide range of experience in different practice areas. During my graduate year, I rotated through the Corporate and Commercial, Public Law and Regulatory Compliance, Dispute Resolution and Insurance and Compensation teams.

So, what do you actually do as a law graduate?

This depends on which team you are in. For example, the Corporate and Commercial team’s work is mostly transactional, graduates get the opportunity to attend and present at client meetings, draft contracts or letters to clients and perform due diligence in preparation for upcoming mergers. In litigious teams such as Dispute Resolution and Insurance and Compensation, graduates may instruct in court and tribunals, run their own files (which was awesome to do in my first year!) and draft pleadings.

Coming in as a graduate, I had fears I would be stuck with cumbersome and routine tasks, such as discovery for six months. That fear was quickly proven wrong. I was continuously challenged each day with interesting legal work. For instance, within my three-month rotation in Dispute Resolution, I co-instructed in a three week trial in the Supreme Court of Victoria and assisted with discrete research tasks, emailing counsel and the other side when necessary and performing legal tasks like assessing whether a bill of costs is reasonable. During my first week in Insurance and Compensation, I was given my own workers compensation file to run. This meant I had to review the file, figure out what my next steps were and implement them. While nervous at first, I had the backing of my graduate support and rotational supervisor to help me run this file and learnt so much in the process.

A huge positive for me (that was somewhat unexpected) is how much day-to-day interaction I had with senior members of staff. For example, I work directly with principals and senior associates and feel comfortable approaching them with questions. They took the time to review my work with me and provide feedback which has supported my development as a law graduate and increased my confidence.

If you are curious what an average day for me looks like: 8:45am – 9:15am Morning coffee with the team.

9:15am – 10:00am Reviewing my inbox, my to do list for the day and preparing for Court.

10:00am – 12:00pm Instructing in Court and debriefing with the barrister.

Tidying up my file note.

12:00pm – 1:00pm Draft a summary email of the court hearing to the client and send to the principal in charge of the matter for review.

For another matter, call an employer to discuss a workplace injury that occurred.

1:00pm – 2:00pm Lunch with the grads.

2:00pm – 3:30pm Continue to draft the advice I have started for the workplace matter.

3:30pm – 4:30pm Sit down with a senior associate to discuss a Schedule of Amendments to an agreement I drafted for a matter.

4:30pm – 5:00pm Tick off any final things for the day and plan my day for tomorrow.

Attend End of Month drinks with the firm.

Having studied at Deakin myself and been involved in a number of societies and extra-curricular activities, I wanted to maintain this when I became a law graduate. At RK, I was encouraged to join different committees and speak to as many people as possible about their experiences. I am now part of the Kaleidoscope committee (RK’s cultural diversity committee) which has built my connections both in and outside the firm.

While the grad year can be challenging and sometimes stressful, the culture and people of RK have made it all the worthwhile. From the morning coffees with colleagues to the support of my wonderful grad group, life at RK has been the perfect fit for me.

THE CLERKSHIP EXPERIENCE In June of 2022, I had the opportunity to undertake a clerkship in the Perth office of Steinepreis Paganin. I had a wonderful time gaining practical experience in corporate and commercial law but what stood out to me was the supportive, friendly and collaborative environment created by the team who are now my colleagues.

Grace Emery Lawyer

Embarking on the clerkship journey as a law student is often an overwhelming experience and brings with it a rollercoaster of emotions. It can feel daunting, and it is so easy to get caught up in the comparison trap or worry that you don’t have enough prior experience.

Looking back, if I could offer my past self some tips, they would have been this…

Applying for clerkships Try new things. The very purpose of a clerkship is to provide university students with a taste of what it’s like to work in a law firm. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Clerkships are a chance to get a feel for the areas of law you might like to practice in but also to figure out those areas you might not. I have found working in law to be quite different to studying it and this is a great opportunity to see how your studies can be applied in practice for real clients.

Transferable skills. Prior legal experience is not crucial. The legal profession is a services industry and more important than having prior legal experience, is possessing soft skills such as teamwork, good communication, emotional intelligence, critical thinking and a high level of organisation. Think about how any previous jobs, volunteer work or extracurricular activities have developed these skills and provide examples of how you have applied these in your clerkship applications as well as how your skills would make you a valuable clerk.

Be interested and interesting. At the end of the day, an interview is just a conversation with another person. Don’t feel compelled to present yourself as someone you think you should be. Be yourself. Let the interviewer get to know your personality and what makes you unique. That being said, it goes a long way if you’ve done some research on the firm, its practice areas and any significant transactions they’ve been a part of. This shows a genuine interest in the firm and demonstrates that you would value the chance to clerk for them.

During your clerkship It’s about you too. Remember that whilst clerkships are about a firm getting to know you, they are just as much an opportunity for you to get to know what a particular firm is like and if you can see a career there moving forward. Before you walk through the door, have a think about what it is you are looking to get out of the experience and how you want to feel at the end of your clerkship. Before walking out the door, take the time to reflect on whether your experience aligns with your career goals and values. Trust your instincts and prioritise your own growth and development.

Be curious. As a clerk, you are not expected to have extensive knowledge of the law or complete tasks to perfection. What you can do is demonstrate your eagerness and excitement to learn about the firm, how it ticks and the type of work they engage in. There will be so many different opportunities so take as many as you can.

Make connections. Meet and get to know as many people at the firm as you can. You’re only there for a short period of time so make the most of every chance to connect with lawyers at all levels of the firm. They want to get to know you! Go for coffees with graduates to hear about their early experience working after law school and ask senior lawyers about their careers, practice areas and any interesting matters they’ve worked on.

Lastly, remember that clerkships are only the beginning of your career, and they are not the be-all and end-all when it comes to having a successful one. Advocate for yourself and have confidence in what you bring to the table, I’m sure it is so much. Good luck!

ARBITRATION IS NOT LITIGATION As a disputes Partner at Thomson Geer I have a unique practice – on the one hand I run commercial litigation in all of the superior and federal courts (across a full range of industries and subject matter); on the other hand I act as counsel and as arbitrator in international commercial arbitration.

Bronwyn Lincoln Partner

The genesis of my practice was construction and project disputes. And it was informed by a short secondment with Clifford Chance in London at a time when London was already a major seat for international arbitration whereas Australia was only at the start of the arbitration journey.

Many of my friends at Clifford Chance worked in the arbitration group, already a standalone practice where the lawyers focussed solely on arbitration. Litigation matters were run out of the litigation group. Whilst I was placed in the litigation group, I became intrigued by the work of my arbitration colleagues.

When I returned to Melbourne, it was at a time when my clients were investing offshore. Within 12 months of my return, I was conducting an ICC arbitration to resolve significant disputes for Australian entities who had supplied components for a 900 km pipeline in northern India. The tribunal included a presiding arbitrator in Paris (where we would go for our case management conferences). The contracts were governed by Swiss law and the seat of the arbitration was Lausanne.

For four years, a significant part of my practice was conducting this arbitration. I spent months at a time travelling, including visiting the clients' offshore offices in Delhi, interviewing witnesses in Singapore, Rome and London, attending case management conferences in Paris and working alongside local counsel in Geneva. I was also responsible for advising on strategy for parallel litigation in India, the Czech Republic and Italy and project managing the teams of experts and foreign counsel working in multiple jurisdictions. The role culminated in two separate ten day hearings in a hotel on the shores of Lake Lausanne.

By this time, I was hooked.

Arbitration is often referred to as alternative dispute resolution and bundled in with mediation and conciliation. It is quite different. Arbitration is essentially the determination of disputes through a private 'adjudicator'. It has some similarity to litigation, in that the tribunal decides the issues based on a form of pleadings (which often take a less formal form than statements of claim and defence), evidence (fact, expert and documentary) and legal submissions. But there are also unique features: First, the parties can choose their tribunal – this is particularly important in cross border disputes because contracts might be governed by different laws, documents might be in different languages and parties are likely to be culturally diverse.

Secondly, arbitration is private and confidential – this means that only the parties and the tribunal have the right to attend the arbitration hearings (although other persons might be permitted in particular circumstances) and the parties and the tribunal must keep information about the arbitration confidential.

Thirdly, the tribunal, in consultation with the parties, can conduct the arbitration proceedings flexibly and in a manner which best suits the dispute, including deciding issues on the papers, requiring concurrent evidence (from both experts and fact witnesses) and conducting hearings at different locations around the world (or virtually as we have done over the past few years).

Fourthly, international arbitration practices tend to draw on elements of both common law and civil law legal systems. This means, for example, that discovery of documents (which is known as disclosure in international arbitration) is not a given – tribunals need persuasion that particular documents sought from another party are indeed relevant and should be produced.

Finally, the award made in an international arbitration (known as a foreign arbitral award) can be recognised and enforced in over 180 countries around the world who have signed up to the New York Convention without the local court reviewing the merits (provided, in short, that the arbitration has been conducted in accordance with principles of procedural fairness and that the award is not contrary to public policy).

The key to international arbitration for parties is the arbitration agreement. An arbitration agreement is usually recorded in a clause in a transaction document. Parties are not, however, precluded from entering into a standalone arbitration agreement after a dispute arises. An arbitration agreement can be short and sweet: the essential elements are an agreement to refer disputes to arbitration, the language of the arbitration and the seat of the arbitration. The seat (which is usually a city) dictates the procedural law which will govern the arbitration. For example, if the seat is Singapore, then the procedural law will be Singaporean law. This does not impact on or supplant the governing law of the parties' contract; the tribunal will apply the law chosen by the parties and either expressly set out in the contract or as a result of a conflicts of laws analysis.

Arbitration can be ad hoc or institutional. Institutional arbitration is administered by an arbitral institution, for example, the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration. Each institution has its own arbitration rules which set out the procedure for the arbitration (including the appointment of the tribunal). In ad hoc arbitration, the parties and the tribunal determine the procedure.

A career in international commercial arbitration, either as counsel or as arbitrator (or both, as I have) requires discipline. There is truly an international arbitration community around the world; it is important to be recognised by your peers as having the requisite expertise and experience.

Conducting arbitrations for clients is not enough to gain this recognition; you need to be involved in arbitral institutions, to publish widely and to be seen at conferences (preferably in a speaking capacity).

Australian courts have limited power to intervene in international commercial arbitration. Their main role is in the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. The Supreme Courts and Federal Court have concurrent jurisdiction under the International Arbitration Act 1974 (Cth).

The combination of litigation, where I assist clients in complex and high value disputes, and international commercial arbitration, where I am constantly exposed to foreign laws and practices, is for me a perfect balance.

OVERSEAS GRADUATE ROTATION Hear from Melbourne graduates Annie Tran and Alice Noonan on how they spent their overseas seats and what they’ll take away from the experience Why did you choose Singapore (Annie) and Abu Dhabi (Alice) for your overseas rotation?

Annie Tran and Alice Noonan

Graduates at White & Case

Annie Tran: Other graduates told me that the opportunity to work in a region that is spearheading global development is incredibly rewarding both professionally and personally. Going there was also a chance to start building my network and learn from people and practice groups that I would work with in the future. Finally, it seemed like a great opportunity for travel around AsiaPacific and to experience all the incredible food Asia-Pacific has to offer!

Alice Noonan: Abu Dhabi was quite unfamiliar to me (I’d never even been to the Middle East!), but I knew that a lot of our market-leading projects work, and clients are based in the Middle East. I had completed my first seat in project delivery in Australia and really enjoyed it, so the Project Delivery and Finance team in the Abu Dhabi office seemed like the right place to keep learning and gaining some new perspective.

Tell us about the professional highlight of your seat?

AT: That would be the first closing I was asked to run when I arrived in Singapore. Getting the opportunity to take ownership over the matter, attend meetings with clients and work closely on drafts of documents for a major offshore windfarm was rewarding and an unforgettable learning experience.

AN: I got a last-minute call-up to travel to client meetings in Saudi Arabia—I had been working on the matter for months by that point, so getting to meet the clients in person and be part of the negotiations made the work I had been doing feel very real. Being from Australia, it also felt very cool to be able to hop on a plane for an hour and be in a different country for the day!

How has your overseas rotation changed your professional ambitions?

AT: Before going to Singapore, I was still uncertain as to whether I wanted to be a back-end or frontend lawyer. However, after six months of getting to work in the hub of Asia-Pacific and seeing firsthand how Project Development and Finance was being led, I decided to come back and do another Project Finance seat for my third rotation.

AN: I am still really interested in working in the projects space, and the rotation confirmed that.

However, my experience in Abu Dhabi helped me realize that I have a strong interest in seeking out work based in emerging markets or with cross-border elements. Overall, it really cemented how global White & Case is.

Outside of work, how did you enjoy living in a new city?

AT: Along with other trainees, I would often travel on the weekends to different countries around South-East Asia. This included trips to Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The highlight was definitely the trainee group trip to Lombok for Christmas.

AN: Weekends were mainly spent socialising or exploring—we would meet up with trainees from other law firms to go to the beach, brunches (which are huge in Abu Dhabi) or tourist attractions.

Though work-related, a personal highlight was definitely attending a client event at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix!

What’s your biggest takeaway from the overseas experience?

AT: As someone who came from a completely different seat (Land, Environment & Planning), I was able to build up my experience in front-end work. This included developing my skills in matter management, client advisory, drafting and business development—all skills that I’m excited to apply back in Melbourne.

AN: Beyond developing my technical, legal and interpersonal skills, I was exposed to a huge number of lawyers with different backgrounds and working styles, which allowed me to think a lot about the traits that make a good lawyer and how I can emulate these in my own career going forward.

FIRM PROFILES

student.careers@allens.com.au

Kellie Drew - Early Careers Consultant Adele Wawra - Early Careers Executive

https://graduates.allens.com.au/ Level 37, 101 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Clerkship representative: Kellie Drew - Early Careers Consultant

We are one of the largest law firms in Australasia, with more than 800 legal staff in offices across Australia and Asia. We specialise in handling complex and difficult transactions that require exceptional legal, negotiation and project management skills.

As an Allens graduate, you will form part of a global network of legal professionals and leaders. Through our alliance with Linklaters, this international network spans 41 offices in 26 locations. This alliance allows our people to accelerate their careers, offering international secondments and opportunities to work with the world's best lawyers on the most complex multijurisdictional matters in the market.

Our client work spans every sector across the economy and whether working for an emerging start-up or a multi-jurisdiction corporate, we mobilise the best team for the matter. Our market-leading work has seen us recognised as an elite 'band one' firm in 19 practice areas by Chambers and consistently top M&A and infrastructure league tables and we've been recognised as an AFR Most Innovative Company for five years running.

We have been recognised as the #1 law graduate employer by the Australian Association of Graduate Employers (AAGE) and a top law employer by Prosple and GradConnection and the Australian Financial Review. This year we were ranked the highest law firm in the AAGE Top Graduate Employers for the fifth year running (and number three across all Australian organisations with graduate intakes of 70+).

Banking and Finance

Disputes & Investigations (Commercial

Competition, Consumer & Regulatory

Disputes, Employment & Safety and

Corporate (M&A and Capital Markets, Funds

Restructuring & Insolvency)

Super Wealth and Technology, Media &

Intellectual Property

Telecommunication)

Projects & Development (Projects and Real

Tax

Estate & Development)

Great change is here.

Shape the future with Allens ALLENS CONFIDENTIAL PODCAST

graduates.allens.com.au/allens-confidential-podcast

ALLENS VIRTUAL INTERNSHIP

theforage.com/course-catalog/bkpwC4BQR5T7poydC/Allens

STUDENT NEWSLETTER

graduates.allens.com.au/life-at-allens

LINKEDIN

linkedin.com/company/allenslawfirm

PROSPLE

au.prosple.com/graduate-employers/allens

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

Find out more at graduates.allens.com.au 19503D

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

90-100

Clerkship positions available each intake:

30-34

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

September

Rotations:

1 rotation

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer 1, Summer 2 and Winter

Allens offer clerkship programs in each of our Australian offices. In Melbourne, we offer two summer and one winter clerkship program each year, coinciding with university holidays.

As a law clerk at Allens, you'll: Work with some of the most experienced and highly regarded lawyers in Australia; Gain first‑hand experience in the type of work you could do as a lawyer at Allens; Work as part of a team on real matters for real clients; and Be allocated a dedicated performance coach and buddy, who will be there every step of the way Our clerkship program is a stepping stone to bigger things, and many clerks go on to become graduates with us.

Allens are proud that there isn't an 'Allens' type. We know that diverse perspectives help solve complex problems, strengthen teams and enrich client relationships.

Ultimately, we are looking for students who are driven and ambitious, not only about the law, but have interests outside their university life and career. Our people are our greatest asset, and it's having diversity and different personalities that we believe sets us apart. If you can demonstrate your ability to balance priorities, and exhibit that you're a dedicated budding commercial lawyer, we would love to hear from you.

And finally, as cliched as it sounds, be yourself. Don't try to be who you think we want you to be!

Allens values authenticity and wants to work with clerks and graduates who value this too. We believe that you'll be able to build better relationships if you are true to yourself.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

30-35

Graduate rotation structure:

2 x 12-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

As a Graduate at Allens, you’ll complete two 12-month rotations in different practice areas. We don’t work in silos, so you won’t be limited to working with only one partner or by your practice areas.

There’s no substitute for the depth of insight that comes from working with different teams.

You’ll work on complex transactions with leading organisations. And, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for a client secondment, or international secondment to London or Asia via our Linklaters alliance.

During our graduate program, you’ll learn from some of the sharpest legal minds in Australia. We’ll work with you to build a strong foundation of skills and develop the agility needed to become an excellent lawyer and thrive in our ever-changing world.

You’ll engage with our Allens Academy, which means you'll benefit from a range of personalised tools and training to unlock your potential, including: The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice program Practical legal seminars during our Cornerstone program Online learning portal Personalised one week induction program On the job training Ongoing supervision, coaching and mentoring During your graduate program, you’ll have the flexibility to drive your career with support from your performance coach. We encourage our graduates to pursue their interests so they can succeed with us and in their future endeavours.

If you have completed a clerkship with Allens, you will be required to submit an expression of interest to be considered for a priority offer and provide an updated CV. Previous clerks are not required to interview for a graduate position.

mbarrett@abl.com.au https://www.abl.com.au

Monica Barrett Human Resources Manager mbarrett@abl.com.au

Level 21, 333 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Arnold Bloch Leibler (ABL) is a premium Australian commercial law firm renowned for advising clients on their most significant legal matters: high-stakes transactions, litigation and commercial issues. Our standing within the legal profession has been built over more than 60 years. Many of the values, characteristics and defining qualities from the firm’s early beginnings continue to shape the firm as it stands today. While our storied history is long, we are a modern firm. We see the law as an instrument of change, as a way forward. Our partners and lawyers are often at the centre of law reform and regularly advise on landmark matters. We offer legal advice and support to a diverse range of clients however we are best known for advising entrepreneurial businesses (ASX-listed, family owned and international) and for our work with private clients. We also work with international corporations with interests in Australia and enjoy long-standing relationships with a select group of other professional advisors − including accountants, private equity firms, insolvency practitioners, private bankers and overseas-based specialist law firms.

We organise our practice groups to allow our lawyers to be broad generalists, our groups are split between transactions and disputes. From the client perspective, our services cover: Banking and Finance

Native Title & Public Interest Law

Competition

Reconstruction & Insolvency

Corporate and Commercial

Taxation

Dispute Resolution & Litigation

Technology & Intellectual Property

Property & Development

Workplace Advisory

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

40-45

Clerkship positions available each intake:

12-15

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

September 2024

Rotations:

No rotations

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer 1, Summer 2 and Winter

At ABL, we have three clerkship intakes that coincide with university holidays (November/ December, January/February and June/July). We aim for around 12-15 clerks in each intake, so you won’t get lost in the crowd. The program includes a mix of training sessions, interactive activities and workshops, getting involved in meaningful work with partners, lawyers and clients across the firm. Our clerks (and grads) are allocated supervisors and buddies. The buddy is your go-to support person for any questions that arise from day to day.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

20-25

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

20-25

Graduate rotation structure:

Single practice group

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority and market offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Yes

When you join ABL as a graduate, you will immediately experience our firm’s point of difference.

From your very first day, you will work alongside thought leaders in the profession on important and complex cases that will provide opportunities to flex your thinking, offer direct input and gain indepth knowledge. Your opinions will be respected and you’ll be given autonomy to progress matters.

Your contribution will be valued and you will be supported in your personal and professional growth.

At ABL, we are very proud of our in-house graduate training program. Our grads don’t go offsite to PLT (Leo Cussen or College of Law) − instead they learn from our best and brightest Partners and Senior Associates from around the firm, who are leaders in their respective fields. The SLT (supervised legal training) program is run to be practical, engaging and designed to upskill our lawyers for practice. The training program is a real point of difference, and something our graduates genuinely enjoy about their overall graduate experience. Training is scheduled (usually) once a week. This means that you aren’t away from the office for long periods of time, and can be involved in matters throughout the duration of your graduate year.

graduate.programs@ashurst.com

Katelyn Linton People and Culture Consultant katelyn.linton@ashurst.com 03 9679 3804

www.ashurst.com Level 16, 80 Collins Street, South Tower, Melbourne VIC 3000

As a leading global law firm, we have a lot to offer you. We strive for the highest standards of client service and performance. We value diversity and inclusion. We're respectful and supportive. We encourage innovation and embrace change, and we welcome new ideas. Join Ashurst and make a difference to your career, your clients and your community.

Competition

Planning Access and Environment

Corporate Transactions

Projects, Energy and Transition

Digital Economy

Real Estate

Employment

Tax

Finance

Transactions

IP

Our vision is to be the most progressive law firm. Our values are that we are passionate about quality, we deliver through collaboration and we think differently.

Our passion is to be the most progressive law firm and to achieve this we offer our clients legal led consulting. Not only do we offer the best legal advice but our Risk Consulting team are able to operationalise that advice. We then use Ashurst Advance (new law) to deliver efficient, cost effective and technologically savvy solutions.

Key clients include ANZ, Commonwealth Government, Victoria Government, University of Melbourne, Macquarie, Woolworths, Goldman Sachs.

Create your story Real Estate Competition Energy Transition Litigation Technology

With 32 offices across the world and a rich history spanning 200 years, we’ve established ourselves as a leading adviser in all areas of the law.

We offer the reach and insight of a global network combined with deep local market knowledge, to help our clients navigate a complex and constantly changing global landscape.

Our people are our greatest asset. Explore our history, our people, and be inspired to create your story at Ashurst.

Begin your story now at ashurst.com/careers

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

64 (approximately)

Clerkship positions available each intake:

20 (approximately)

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

September

Rotations:

No rotations

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer 1, Summer 2 and Winter

Our Melbourne clerkship is a great opportunity to work with a supervising partner, a lawyer and a buddy who'll get you involved in real work. You'll also attend team insights and workshops, as well as get a chance to take part in team social events. The work undertaken by clerks is varied and depends on the team you are in. Tasks include case law research, drafting legal expertise updates, note-taking during meetings and contract review.

Our clerkship is a great opportunity to work with a supervising partner, a lawyer and a buddy who’ll get you involved in real work. You will have the opportunity to rotate through two different teams and we will take into consideration your preferences.

You’ll also attend team insights and workshops, as well as get a chance to take part in team social events. The work undertaken by clerks is varied and depends on the team you are in. Tasks include case law research, drafting legal expertise updates, note-taking during meetings and contract review. There will also be opportunities to be involved in attending court, getting involved in pro bono work and participating in interform clerk sport.

At the end of your clerkship, you will be considered for a place on our graduate program.

We are looking for diverse candidates with a broad range of backgrounds, all united by a common set of strengths. A passion to develop a career in a leading global commercial law firm, outstanding communication skills, analytical ability, quick learner, determination and resilience. Collaborative and able to adapt to change.

Penultimate and final year students with full working rights can apply.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

23 (approximately)

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

23 (approximately)

Graduate rotation structure:

3 x 4-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Yes

The 12-month program starts with a National induction.

It’s followed by an introduction into the office you're based in and an in-house Practical Legal Training (PLT) course, customised with modules specifically chosen for you. We cover the course fees and offer paid study leave days.

With you, we plan three rotations and review these regularly throughout your program. This gives you a solid foundation in legal expertise and problem-solving techniques. There will be opportunities for client secondments and an overseas secondment in your last rotation.

Once you've completed your PLT, you're admitted as a lawyer. As the end of your program approaches, we work with you to decide which practice you join. The choice depends on our business needs, your preferences and your job performance.

As part of your Graduate year, you will take part in the Activate Program. The program is specifically designed for graduates and incorporates technical legal and business skills training. It provides the platform for you to create the extraordinary and build capacity across the key areas in which the firm practices, to ensure you have a holistic view of the legal markets in which we operate. Sessions are conducted by subject matter experts, including Partners.

natalie.mascarenhas@bakermckenzie.com www.bakermckenzie.com/en/locations/asia -pacific/australia

Natalie Mascarenhas Senior Consultant - Graduate Resourcing Natalie.Mascarenhas@bakermckenzie.com (03) 9617 4349

Level 19, CBW, 181 William Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Baker McKenzie invented the global law firm - so we're different in the way we think, work and behave. Our story is one of imagination, determination and hard work. We've followed clients into new markets, establishing offices driven by local lawyers and talent. And our growth has been organic, giving us a strong, common culture throughout our Firm.

Our unique culture, developed over 75 years, enables our 13,000+ people to understand local markets and navigate multiple jurisdictions, working together as trusted colleagues and friends to instil confidence in our clients. We also understand the challenges of the global economy because we've been a global law firm from the start.

We currently have approximately 7,000 lawyers in 74 offices in 45 countries. We have been in Australia since 1964 and employ approximately 220 lawyers/graduates and 80 partners across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Our People Experience, a key component of our strategy, is about delivering the best employee experience to enable one high-performing, global team to serve our clients. We offer our people access to market-leading, cross-border, local, and industry-focused matters for leading multinational/domestic clients. We understand our clients' businesses, industries and strategic objectives and work with them to overcome the challenges of competing in the global economy. We have an unrivalled ability to provide training and secondment opportunities across our global network. We are committed to engaging with our communities. We view inclusion, diversity and equity as foundational to our culture and strategic vision. We have an inclusive culture of learning, coaching and opportunity, where you undertake work in small teams across multiple geographies with clients and colleagues. And we are a place where everybody can succeed, whatever your background and wherever you are located.

Your journey to a world-class career begins here

Baker McKenzie is Australia’s first global law firm. We’ve been developing global lawyers in Australia for more than 60 years – each started out as a law student, just like you.

Become a world-class lawyer.

Join the firm that was born global. www.bakermckenzie.com/australia#careers

Ready to explore our world?

Natalie Mascarenhas +61 3 9617 4349 Natalie.Mascarenhas@bakermckenzie.com

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Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

28-32 (approximately)

Clerkship positions available each intake:

8-11

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

September

Rotations:

No rotations

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer 1, Summer 2 and Winter

At Baker McKenzie, our seasonal clerks experience life as a junior lawyer at our Firm.

Right from the start, you get involved in real work and are given real responsibility, just like our junior lawyers. You will be exposed to our Australian and international clients through client meetings, phone calls and events, and will often have the opportunity to deal with clients directly.

Working with lawyers of all levels, you will be guided by a supervising partner and associate 'buddy'.

With the Firm's strong focus on supporting its people to learn, grow and achieve better results, you can expect to be well-led, well-coached and well-mentored.

You are supported at every stage of the clerkship by Talent Management who facilitate a comprehensive development program, starting with induction and skills development (including practical sessions on legal research, technology training, drafting, business communication, personal brand, client service, teamwork and other skills crucial to ensuring you impress and succeed during your clerkship). You will also develop practical and legal skills through our national learning program for junior lawyers and Firm-wide professional development sessions.

There are many opportunities to network with colleagues around the Firm, through our 'speed networking' program, practice group briefings and social events - including with your buddy, our graduates and our partners/lawyers - and many other opportunities.

After your clerkship, there are opportunities to undertake paralegal roles and attend various social events to stay connected with the Firm.

We generally accept students in their penultimate or final year. Being a global law firm, we also accept (and welcome!) applications from international students provided they have the right to work in Australia during the relevant clerkship periods.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

10-12

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

10-12

Graduate rotation structure:

3 x 4-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

When you join Baker McKenzie as a graduate, we know you want to be working with clients on meaningful work from the start, so we support you hone your skills and develop your experience as quickly as possible. We also pair each graduate with a supervising partner and associate "buddy" in each rotation to maximise your on-the-job and formal learning, and provide you with support at all levels.

To foster our graduates' development, our dedicated Leadership & Learning team facilitates sessions in five areas - legal learning, managing your career, the business of law, business development & client service, and people & self-leadership. We offer targeted learning opportunities - including seminars on core legal topics (through our Cornerstone Legal Learning Program) and practical skills development workshops in areas like drafting, legal research, commerciality, communicating effectively, building resilience, personal brand, innovation, financial literacy, and further development sessions/panels to set our graduates up for success. We also cover the costs of your PLT. All of these ensure you receive the best possible foundation for your career. We also have regular roundtables as well as mid and end-of-rotation meetings to ensure you receive mentoring/coaching and feedback to develop as a lawyer.

Additionally, we bring graduates across our Australian offices together for various training programs to foster networks across the Firm. We have also sent our graduates on client secondments - virtually and on-site.

Danielle Sandys Graduate Resourcing Consultant dsandys@claytonutz.com 03 9286 6681

careers@claytonutz.com https://www.claytonutz.com/ Wurundjeri Land, Level 18, 333 Colins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Proudly Australian. Globally connected. As one of Australia's leading law firms, Clayton Utz gives confident, innovative and incisive legal advice.

If you're considering joining our team, we want to give you a glimpse into who we are. The basics facts are simple: we are one of Australia's oldest and largest law firms, operating across six cities, nearly 200 partners, and offering a comprehensive range of legal services catering to both large private sector companies and government entities.

We deliver advice created by lawyers with different experiences and different views, but united by an entrepreneurial spirit, a can-do attitude, confidence in each other, and pride in helping our clients achieve. Advice that isn't just a one-size-fits-all solution taken off a shelf, but reflects who our clients are, and what they need.

Commercial Litigation

Public Sector

Corporate, M&A, Capital Markets

Real Estate

Debt & Project Finance

Restructuring & Insolvency

Environment & Sustainable Development

Tax

IP & Technology

Workplace Relationship, Employment & Safety

Major Projects & Construction

Authenticity

Diversity of thought

Belonging

Entrepreneurial spirit

Collaboration

Not only does Clayton Utz provide legal services to governments around the country and many ASXlisted companies across all sectors, we also advise some of the world's most recognisable brands.

We're particularly proud of our globally renowned Pro Bono practice. In fact, our Pro Bono practice was the first to be established among Australian law firms, and in 2018 became one of only three law firms in the world with two dedicated Pro Bono partners. We have established diversity and inclusion programs that many of our people embrace, and we are proud to be the first law firm to create the role of a National Mental Health Manager to better support our people.

Down-to-earth, collaborative, inclusive, energetic and entrepreneurial. We believe Clayton Utz culture reflects the type of people we attract - smart, commercially savvy, authentic, and with a strong social conscience.

We're proud to have recently worked on one of the biggest developments in regional Victoria, advising Development Victoria and the broader Victorian Government team on the successful financial close of the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre project. This project will be a major driver of jobs and economic growth in regional Victoria, supporting 1,450 jobs during construction and 700 jobs once complete.

Supporting the largest wind farm being built in NSW was another highlight. We worked with our long-term client Squadron Energy, a portfolio company of Tattarang, on its successful construction financing of the Uungula Wind Farm.

We advised a Singapore incorporated gas and exploration company, Conrad Asia Energy Ltd (ASX: CRD) on its placement and security purchase plan to raise approximately $16 million, as well as PAR Technology Corporation (NYSE: PAR) (PAR) on its acquisition of TASK Group Holdings Limited (ASX: TSK) (TASK) by way of a scheme of agreement - a transaction valued at approximately $330 million AUD. In the affordable housing space, we supported Housing Australia on the legal aspects of its key housing initiatives, the Housing Australia Future Fund Facility and the National Housing Accord Facility. These initiatives aim to improve housing outcomes for Australians and collectively support the delivery of 20,000 new social homes and 20,000 new affordable homes across Australia over the five year program.

Imagine your tomorrow

Sometimes it's hard enough to know where you will be tomorrow, let alone in ten years. Who knows what the world will look like then.

But you know you want to be ready for it. You want to help create it.

That means building up your legal skills, industry knowledge and networks. Doing work that stretches you and shapes society.

Learning more about yourself and the world. Forging connections in Australia and overseas. Making friends.

We get that. It's what we do every day.

Here's what one CU graduate lawyer learnt along the way.

Emma Covacevich Chief Executive Partner

Ready to imagine?

You'll find more information about early careers at Clayton Utz on our site

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

40-50

Clerkship positions available each intake:

20-25

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

Late September - October

Rotations:

2 rotations

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer and Winter

The clerkship program at Clayton Utz consists of a four week program over summer or winter.

Starting with a local orientation, our clerks are set up for success from Day 1 with support around research training, library training and IT training, just to name a few!

During the program, clerks have the opportunity to rotate through two different practice groups that are aligned with their interests. In addition, our clerks are involved in volunteering at one of our Community Connect program partners as well as networking at a range of different firm events.

Typical activities that clerks become involved in include research tasks, writing and drafting memos/letters, attending court and client meetings, assisting with the preparation of matters for hearings and supporting pro bono matters. Each day is varied and often different from the last!

Clerks who are enthusiastic and prepared to give everything a go often stand out. Having a positive attitude and being curious about the work helps showcase your abilities, and ultimately help us (and our clerks!) determine if we are a good fit for each other. Clerks who take the time to be inquisitive by asking questions, explore options both autonomously and with their teams, and present practical solutions tend to perform to a high level. Additionally, clerks who take the time to build genuine relationships with their team, clients and other colleagues outside of their immediate teams find they have a better experience and understanding of what a graduate program could look like for them.

The clerkship program is aimed at students who are in their penultimate year of university.

If you are in your final year of study, please outline in your application why you couldn't complete a clerkship in your penultimate year by answering the relevant question.

International students may apply if they are able to work full time during the program and if they are able to apply for the correct visa entitlements to work unrestricted in Australia once they have graduated. Graduates need to independently attain the correct work visa.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

15-20

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

15-20

Graduate rotation structure:

3 x 6-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

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

Our rotation program means you'll discover different areas and find the right fit for you and stay true to your direction. From day one you'll be working on complex and sophisticated legal issues, and with our innovative approach to learning and development, you'll get the support you need to become the best you can be.

Generally, all graduates will be recruited from our clerkship pool in a given year, however, on occasion, we will have opportunities available to join directly into the graduate program. Please refer to our website for further information on when these opportunities are available, and how to apply.

The program goes for two years and consists of three six-month rotations through differing practice groups before settling in one of the practice groups you have rotated through.

Thea Allen People & Performance Consultant thea.allen@corrs.com.au 03 9672 3442

https://www.corrs.com.au/ Level 25, 567 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Sammy Haberfield People & Performance Coordinator sammy.haberfield@corrs.com.au 03 9672 3760

thea.allen@corrs.com.au sammy.haberfield@corrs.com.au

Your journey from outstanding graduate to exceptional lawyer begins at Corrs.

As Australia’s leading independent law firm, we’re known for delivering legal excellence, exceptional client service and outstanding results.

We advise on the most significant global matters and connect with the best lawyers internationally to provide our clients with the right team for every engagement. We are also at the forefront of some of the most high-profile and complex matters in our region.

At Corrs, you’ll enjoy the benefits of working alongside a high-performing team in a culture defined by excellence, collaboration, commitment and respect.

Arbitration

Intellectual Property

Banking and Finance

Investigations and Inquiries

Class Actions

Projects

Commercial Litigation

Real Estate

Competition

Responsible Business and ESG

Corporate

Restructuring, Insolvency and Special

Employment and Labour

Situations (RISS)

Energy and Natural Resources

Tax

Environment and Planning

Technology, Media and Telecommunications

Financial Sponsors

(TMT)

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

65-70

Clerkship positions available each intake:

20-25

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

September

Rotations:

No rotations

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer 1, Summer 2 and Winter

Our clerkships give you the opportunity to connect with partners and lawyers across the firm, learn what a ‘day-in-the-life’ at Corrs is like, and experience the type of work we do and the clients we partner with.

The Corrs seasonal clerkship program gives you the opportunity to work alongside some of Australia’s leading lawyers on high-profile work for major Australian and international clients.

We look for people who can make a positive contribution to the firm and help us in delivering legal excellence and outstanding client service. In exchange for your energy and commitment, we’ll provide extraordinary learning and work opportunities.

Our success is based on the success of our people. We encourage individuals to play to their strengths and we bring our diverse and talented lawyers together to create top-performing teams.

You’ll be exposed to a broad range of interesting matters and have the chance to complete tasks such as conducting research, reviewing and presenting documents, attending court hearings, mediations and settlements, as well as shadowing partners and lawyers in client meetings and business development activities.

We provide opportunities for professional and personal growth.

We encourage clerks to be socially active and participate in social and sporting events, as well as learning and development activities.

Some of our activities include social team building activities with our graduates, practice group insight sessions, partner connection sessions, pro bono work, sporting activities, Friday night drinks, trivia nights, End of Financial Year and Christmas parties.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

25 (approximately)

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

25 (approximately)

Graduate rotation structure:

3 rotations (24 months total)

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

Our Lawyer Development Program is designed to support you in the formative stage of your career.

It aims to build the capabilities and relationships that will drive career progression and underpin future successes, as rapidly as possible.

Unique features of the program include: Mentor partner – You will be allocated a mentor partner (in most cases their supervising partner in their first rotation) who remains in this role throughout the program and potentially beyond. This will build a personal and enduring relationship that transcends everyday transactional work. You will also be supported in each rotation by a supervising partner and SA/SC who will source meaningful and challenging work.

12 x 6 x 6 rotation structure – The first practice group rotation is 12 months to ensure you have time to learn on the job and build strong capabilities and relationships in your first year. In the second year, when you have an increased level of experience and confidence, you will complete two six-month rotations in order to gain exposure and build relationships across different groups.

Formal learning – The program incorporates comprehensive formal learning opportunities including our national Graduate Academy, local Graduate Orientation, practical legal training with the College of Law, practice group induction sessions and the national Legal Excellence program.

This three-year national training program begins the pathway to excellence for our lawyers by focusing on the core legal knowledge and skills relevant for lawyers in a leading commercial law firm.

The partner led program strengthens the development of graduates and lawyers during their early years by providing regular high quality training across core areas.

We bring together engaging, curious, ambitious individuals to create top performing teams.

@corrslawyers

@CorrsLaw

Corrs Chambers Westgarth

@Corrslawyers

corrs.com.au/graduates

graduaterecruitmentAUS@dlapiper.com

Jenny Dawkins Graduate Recruitment Advisor graduaterecruitmentAUS@dlapiper.com

https://www.dlapiper.com/en-au 80 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

DLA Piper is a global business law firm based in the Americas, EMEA and the Asia Pacific. We help clients succeed through innovative and pragmatic legal solutions. Leading businesses across the world trust us with their most complex matters and rely on our seamless cross-border prowess and sector knowledge. Wherever you are, and whatever your challenge, we speak your language. Life moves fast at DLA Piper, and with good reason. We help the world's top companies with their business-critical issues. Many of the deals we work on are complex and challenging – transcending not just practice areas, but borders, languages and legal systems. As a firm, we never stand still. We think nimbly and seize opportunities. We're ambitious and are never afraid to innovate. So, if you possess these qualities too, there could be a bright future for you at DLA Piper.

In everything we do connected with our People, our Clients and our Communities, we live by four values: Be Supportive, Be Bold, Be Collaborative and Be Exceptional.

Corporate

Real Estate

Intellectual Property and Technology

Employment

Litigation and Regulatory

Tax

Finance, Projects, and Restructuring

Pro Bono

We help the world's top companies with their business-critical issues. Many of the deals we work on are complex and challenging – transcending not just practice areas, but borders, languages and legal systems. As a firm, we never stand still. We think nimbly and seize opportunities. We're ambitious and are never afraid to innovate. So if you possess these qualities too, there could be a bright future for you at DLA Piper.

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

15-20

Clerkship positions available each intake:

7-10

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

August

Rotations:

1 x 4-week rotation

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer and Winter

Our clerkship programme starts with a 2-day induction. This induction provides an in-depth introduction to the legal sector and the firms practice groups. It also builds your professional skills and workplace capability. Throughout the induction there will be opportunities to hear from and network with senior members of the firm. Once you are inducted, you’ll have the opportunity to complete work placements in our different practice groups. You'll be given real responsibilities.

Whether you're attending a court hearing, contributing to a client meeting or assisting a large corporate transaction, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to reach your potential.

Graduate positions available in Melbourne:

7-10

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

25-30 nationally

Graduate rotation structure:

3 x 6-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

At DLA Piper, we know that the connections you make as you build your network will stay with you for the rest of your career. At the start of your graduate programme, you will participate in a National Graduate Induction, which brings together our graduates from all 4 offices in Australia to take part in a fun, engaging and experiential learning programme. The Graduate Induction takes place in Sydney or Melbourne and is an inspirational and memorable week filled with business leaders, engaging in team-building activities and networking. We’re committed to giving our graduates an industry leading start to their careers. Graduates will partake in a 5-day intensive Practical Legal Training course at the beginning of the graduate programme. The rest of the PLT course will be completed online over 30 weeks part-time. During your graduate programme, you'll experience three six-month rotations throughout our eight different practice groups, giving you breadth in your knowledge of the law as well as the practical skills that will stay with you for your entire career. By the end of your graduate programme, you will emerge with a clearer understanding of where your talent and interests lie. The experience you'll have gained – and the networks you'll have nurtured – will provide a strong foundation for your future career at DLA Piper.

earlycareers@gadens.com https://www.gadens.com/

Amelia Lippiatt Early Careers Advisor amelia.lippiatt@gadens.com 03 9612 8381

Level 13, Collins Arch, 447 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Gadens is a leading Australian law firm with more than 100 partners and 880 staff across offices located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. We regularly undertake highly complex transactional legal work for a wide range of clients across multiple industry sectors.

Our clients include major Australian and multinational organisations – we are advisors to a significant number of the Top-200 companies listed on the ASX – as well as many small to mediumsized businesses, and high-net-worth families and individuals. Our aim is to help our clients achieve their objectives – providing an outstanding client experience for every client, every time. This is underpinned by our intense focus on understanding our clients, their needs and expectations and building meaningful, long-term relationships – a number of which span decades.

Our mission is to help people achieve their purpose in a complex world. To do so, we aim to lead by example, inspire others, innovate and build something we are all proud of.

Construction

Workplace Advisory and Disputes

Commercial

Intellectual Property and Technology

Public Law

Banking and Finance

Our core values are the firm's foundation and reflect the essence and character of the firm - they define how we interact with one another and our clients.

We value: Excellence Collaboration Stewardship Positivity Responsibility Integrity

At Gadens, we help people achieve their purpose in a complex world. We will lead by example, inspire others, innovate, and are continuing to build something we are all proud of.

To build a strong culture and future success at Gadens, we focus our energy, effort, and resources across our five key strategic pillars: People – we develop and inspire our people Sustainability and Social Impact – we do the right thing and make an impact Clients and Markets – we work with quality clients in our chosen markets Innovation and Technology – we solve problems with people and technology working seamlessly together Brand and Reputation – we are a widely recognised and respected brand, fun is also strongly on the agenda We believe that a lively workplace reduces stress and improves learning, productivity, and creativity with regular events to ensure that you have interaction with your colleagues in a fun and informal setting.

We are committed to attracting, developing and retaining the very best people. When you join Gadens, you will be working in a firm where success is determined by the character and spirit of our people.

We are looking for talented people who approach their work with passion and who excel at establishing quality relationships with clients and colleagues. Your work will be interesting and challenging, and from day one, you will have plenty of responsibility.

We foster a culture that is inclusive, diverse and flexible so our people can bring their true selves to work. We are actively reducing our environmental footprint and are proud that 100% of our energy consumption is generated from renewable sources. Gadens is carbon neutral certified with Climate Active.

We are proud of our progressive and market-leading parental leave support which includes 30 weeks’ Paid Parental Leave, Superannuation contributions while on Parental Leave for up to 52 weeks (based on 5 days/week, regardless of your working days), paid leave for Surrogacy and IVF treatment, and much more.

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

30-32

Clerkship positions available each intake:

10-12

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

August - September

Rotations:

1 x 4-week rotation

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer 1, Summer 2 and Winter

A Clerkship with Gadens provides the opportunity to get to know our people, our clients, and our practice teams during the program, participating in a range of work and activities designed to give you insights into private practice.

A dedicated Mentor and Buddy will guide and support you during your Clerkship, whilst you are gaining practical experience by working directly with Partners and experienced Lawyers, who are leaders in their field. You will also learn more about our firm, culture, and how we support the wider community.

Throughout the Clerks@Gadens program, we will help you grow your skills and provide comprehensive support to ensure your Clerkship is a success. A dedicated Mentor will work with you to develop your technical skills, allocate work, and provide ongoing feedback. You will also be supported by a Buddy who will share tips and friendly advice.

Some of the work you may be involved in includes: legal research attending client meetings, court, or mediations drafting correspondence and advice assisting in the preparation of affidavits or court documents At Gadens, we value different voices, fresh ideas, and independent thinkers. We are looking for wellrounded students who have diversity in thought and experience, understand and support our values and are genuinely interested in working with our people, clients, and community. You can stand out by being engaged, enthusiastic and curious.

In our Clerkship you will spend four weeks in one practice team, providing you with an opportunity to participate in meaningful client work, alongside our people. Supported by your dedicated Mentor and buddy you’ll receive valuable feedback both during and at the conclusion of your Clerkship. We will recruit Graduates for 2026 from Clerks who have participated in our Clerk@Gadens programs in 2024/2025.

We welcome applications from students in their penultimate or final year of the LLB or JD. You can apply for Clerkships directly through the Gadens website and will be required to upload your CV, cover letter, academic transcript, and provide responses to short answer questions. You will not be required to complete any psychometric testing.

Successful candidates will be invited to attend a Networking and Information Evening in our office prior to interview, to learn more about Gadens and meet our people. Interviews will be held inperson in our offices and include a Partner and a member of the People and Development Team.

At Gadens, we provide a collaborative and welcoming team environment where you can achieve the best in your personal and professional development. You will have relaxed interactions with your colleagues and an opportunity to get involved in social activities and other wellbeing initiatives. Our practice groups each have different events such as informal drinks, monthly bake-offs and other activities which bring people together.

Pro Bono We have an extensive Pro Bono program that includes partnerships with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Mental Health Legal Centre, Moonee Valley Legal Service, Arts Law, Youth Law, Fitzroy Legal Service, Immigration Rights and Advice Centre and many others. We encourage every Lawyer in the firm to participate, and our Clerks and Graduates are no exception. Every year we have specific Pro Bono projects that are available for Graduates to participate in. We are signatories to the Australian Pro Bono Centre’s National Pro Bono Target, which encourages Lawyers to undertake at least 35 hours of Pro Bono work each year.

Volunteering We have regular volunteering opportunities throughout the year. We have a partnership with Ronald McDonald House in both Melbourne and Sydney - our staff love visiting the houses to cook for the families staying there. We also volunteer at Oz Harvest and St Kilda Mums.

Community Activities We mark and celebrate days including International Women’s Day, National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week. We also have various fun-runs and fundraisers throughout the year.

Sustainability Gadens is a Climate Active certified Carbon Neutral law firm - we encourage our people to engage in initiatives that reduce our impact on the environment. Gadens is a member of the CitySwitch program and City Smart, highlighting our commitment to environmental, ethical, and socioeconomic sustainability. Further, many of our clients comprise of organisations that boast strong environmental, ethical, and socio-economic philosophies.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

12-15

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

12-15

Graduate rotation structure:

2 x 6-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority and market offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

Grads@Gadens is the program through which we attract and retain talent within the firm. Once on our program, you will immediately receive challenging and varied work with a high level of responsibility. Grads@Gadens is based on two, six-month rotations through different practice areas.

Practice areas in the rotations include: Real Estate and Construction Disputes and Investigations Corporate (including Tax Advisory) Workplace Advisory and Disputes Intellectual Property and Technology Banking and Finance Spending time in different practice areas means you have the opportunity to make an informed decision about your chosen specialisation. On-the-job training and working directly with Partners will ensure you develop a broad set of skills which you can carry with you throughout your career.

Throughout the program we will invest in you and provide comprehensive support to ensure each rotation is a success. You will team-up with a dedicated Supervisor who will work closely with you to develop your technical skills, allocate work, and provide ongoing feedback. You will attend training and seminars each month, led by Partners and senior people, to ensure you are continually learning and developing. These sessions focus on business skills and technical development, and ensure that you are given the support you need to excel in a commercially driven environment.

Participants in our Clerks@Gadens program will be required to express written interest and submit an updated academic transcript to be considered for a priority offer in our Grads@Gadens program.

Carlyna Yap, 2022 Graduate.

Don’t just make up the numbers. Don’t force yourself to fit a mould. Be valued for being you. Join a firm that values different voices, fresh ideas and independent thinkers.

To learn more about our Early Careers Programs, application dates and more, please scan the QR code.

gadens

lchaloner@gtlaw.com.au https://www.gtlaw.com.au/

Lara Chaloner HR + Early Talent Coordinator lchaloner@gtlaw.com.au +61 3 8656 3472

Level 25, 101 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Gilbert + Tobin is a leading Australian law firm, advising clients on their most significant corporate transactions, regulatory matters and disputes. We provide commercial and innovative legal solutions for ASX 100 leading companies, major infrastructure and services providers, as well as government and public authorities across Australia and around the world. An international leader in M&A, private equity, capital markets, competition + regulation, and technology + digital, we work on complex issues that define and direct the market.

G+T presents a unique opportunity for you, to make a name for yourself through the matters and transactions you work on, with personal accountability yet supported by those around you. As a younger organisation that has built its success on legal excellence and entrepreneurial drive, G+T is energetic and passionate. We are non-bureaucratic and value diversity, individuality, innovation and fun. We have a long heritage of giving back to the community through our Pro Bono practice and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Joining a firm with an open, entrepreneurial culture makes it easier for you to work closely with the firm’s highly talented partners and senior lawyers. This is reinforced by structured mentoring programs, open-plan workstations and direct contact with clients.

Banking + Projects

Disputes + Investigations

Corporate Advisory

Technology + Intellectual Property

Competition, Consumer & Market Regulation

Gilbert + Tobin’s vision is to build a truly outstanding law firm, renowned for our commitment to client service and distinctive in our superior team of talented, creative and enthusiastic lawyers. We will foster a vibrant and open culture providing personal and professional growth for all our people.

We will live out our responsibility to support our community and contribute to our society. Our values are excellence, energy collaboration, innovation and citizenship.

Flat hierarchy: Our structure is egalitarian with very little hierarchy and bureaucracy. All legally trained employees are referred to as 'lawyers'. With no formal band structures, lawyers are given opportunities and rewards as early as they are ready to take them, rather than being constrained by their job title. We allow our people to tackle new and complex work and to develop quickly, both professionally and personally. This flat structure enables our clerks and graduate lawyers to work directly with more experienced lawyers as well as Partners on a variety of matters.

Outstanding pro bono: We have always recognised the power of the law to improve the lives of disadvantaged people. We were one of the first firms to have two pro bono Partners in Australia. We are committed to helping clients who don’t have access to the justice system or don’t qualify for legal aid. Our pro bono legal practice is led by a team of six full-time pro bono lawyers with expertise in the areas of law of importance to our clients, working with lawyers across the firm who contribute their time and their own expertise.

Corporate Social Responsibility: As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility agenda, we are committed to activities that make a difference within our firm and to the wider community. Our Corporate Social Responsibility programs focus on three streams – reconciliation, community programs, and the environment.

Innovation: We are built upon and thrive on technological disruption. It is in the DNA of the firm. The G+T attitude of embracing innovation has always gone hand in hand with business success. We have a comprehensive innovation strategy that brings together the G+T team with clients and startups to explore better ways of meeting the needs of our clients, new business models, and more efficient business processes.

“Our culture is unique, and at its heart, it’s a paradox,” says Adam Laura, Partner – Corporate Advisory. “It’s energetic and proactive, incredibly driven and ambitious – but also understated, funny and generous. We describe it as being ‘smart with heart’.” Our clerks and graduates are often attracted to the firm by the egalitarian, open structure. “Our people have the opportunity to go as far as they want, and we recognise and reward that,” explains Adam. “The pace is fast and constant, but you’ll get to work on things that interest and stimulate you early in your career. G+T challenges people irrespective of their role – and that pushes you to do and be better.”

OPPORTUNITY STARTS HERE There’s never been a better time to be part of G+T. The pace is fast, the energy is high, and the people are smart, supportive and fun. Open the door to opportunities without limits, and see where G+T can take you.

Our clerkships in Melbourne, Perth or Sydney offer a unique chance to experience one or two practice areas in corporate law, and learn from some of Australia’s most talented legal minds.

In Sydney, we offer a summer clerkship with two 4-week rotations across two practice areas and the option to apply for the Aurora Internship, a fully funded 5- to 6-week winter internship.

Is a G+T clerkship right for me?

The G+T clerkship experience is open to law students in their penultimate and final year of study.

“As a clerk, I felt like I was part of the G+T family.

Everyone cared for me and was interested in my personal and professional growth.

I didn’t expect to be invited to a client dinner as a clerk, or a Christmas party at the banking partner’s house.

It enhanced my confidence and allowed me to develop a deep sense of belonging with the firm.”

Ali Khan Lawyer

Get in touch We’d love to hear from you.

Lara Chaloner Early Talent Coordinator +61 3 8656 3472 lchaloner@gtlaw.com.au

Our culture is built on inclusivity and individuality, and we want you to feel like you can be yourself at work. Our people are ambitious, creative and entrepreneurial – they bring energy and a can-do mindset, and are willing to challenge assumptions.

If that sounds like you, you’ll feel like you belong here.

What will I experience?

During your two-, four- or eight-week clerkship (depending on location), you’ll be provided with a supervising partner, a mentor and a buddy who will help you develop your day-to-day legal and personal skills. You’ll also grow with the help of structured in-house training, covering drafting and technical skills through to business development and personal branding.

You’ll mainly work within one or two of our corporate law practice areas, and you’ll also have the chance to work on innovation projects or pro bono matters. This is your opportunity to explore areas you’re interested in, push out of your comfort zone and bring your own ideas and perspective to the team. Plus, you’ll build a valuable network that will support you throughout your career – wherever it takes you next.

I’ve clerked at another firm – can I still apply?

G+T clerks typically receive priority offers for graduate roles, and we have a high conversion rate. However, graduating students are always welcome to apply to our 18-month graduate programs. Look for graduate vacancies on our website.

Clerkship application dates APPLICATIONS

APPS OPEN

APPS CLOSE

SYDNEY

Monday, June 10 2024 Sunday, July 14 2024

MELBOURNE

Monday, July 1 2024

PERTH

Monday, June 24 2024 Sunday, July 28 2024

Sunday, August 11 2024

» Learn more about our clerkship programs at gtlaw.com.au/starthere

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

30 (approximately)

Clerkship positions available each intake:

10 (approximately)

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

18 September 2024 - 9 October 2024

Rotations:

One rotation

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer 1, Summer 2 and Winter

A seasonal clerk at G+T you can expect a realistic insight into what it would be like to join us as a graduate. Clerks get involved in a wide variety of tasks throughout the program following three days of induction. Each experience is individual allowing for it to be genuine and meaningful. We encourage clerks to be curious and to connect.

During your time with G+T, you’ll get a taste of what it’s like to work in corporate law. Spending time in one practice group, you will start to understand the mechanics of legal practice through researching legislation and case law, preparing and drafting memos, completing research, observing negotiations, meeting clients, attending court, or perhaps working as part of a deal team.

Throughout the program, you’ll partake in our customised in-house training program and have the opportunity to contribute to Pro Bono and our Knowledge Management practice. We intentionally have smaller groups of clerks so that we can really get to know each individual.

It is important for clerks to have a great attitude while clerking with us, to really immerse themselves in the culture of G+T and soak up all the different opportunities available to them throughout their clerkship. Most of all, don’t take themselves too seriously and have fun!

While strong university results and academic achievements count, we’re also looking for people who align with our firm’s culture and values. We’re not a prescriptive firm when it comes to our people; we invite individuality and diversity. We also hold ambition, imagination, creative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit in high regard. Our people are collaborative, passionate and dedicated, but most of all they enjoy what they do and never forget to have fun. We seek clerks and graduates who will complement our practice groups and don’t feel the need to take themselves too seriously.

Applications are welcomed from penultimate, final-year and international students.

IMPACT

STARTS HERE

G+T has the momentum and energy to be Australia’s best corporate law firm. Our clients turn to us at pivotal moments in their growth trajectory – from industry-shaping M+A deals to high-stakes disputes and regulatory work.

From your first day with us, you’ll be given work that matters – not paperwork. You’ll be exposed to milestone deals and major clients across Australia, Asia, Europe, North America and emerging markets. And you’ll feel like you’re making a difference and learning from the best lawyers in their fields.

You’ll also have the opportunity to work in practice areas focused on ESG and the transition to renewable energy, as well as emerging regulatory change and tech transformation.

Join our team in the heart of the CBD, and work alongside Australia’s leading practitioners in:

+ Banking + Projects + Corporate Advisory + Competition, Consumer + Market Regulation + Disputes + Investigations + Tech + IP

If you share our entrepreneurial spirit and restless energy, you’ll feel like you belong with us here at G+T. And you’ll see how quickly our network can open doors to experiences that will take you further, faster.

Launch your career with G+T » Visit gtlaw.com.au/starthere “As a progressive firm, we are constantly changing and always thinking about the future.

That’s why we’re always looking for fresh ideas and energy. For talented people who will make an impact in their careers, wherever that takes them.”

Danny Gilbert Managing Partner

Graduate positions available in 2025:

10 (approximately)

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

10 (approximately)

Graduate rotation structure:

3 x 6-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

Graduates commence with the firm in one formal intake in late February. As a graduate, you will undertake real work, build relationships with partners, lawyers and clients, and become an integral part of each practice group. Our 18-month program consists of three rotations of approximately six months each. Rotations are available in all practice areas and you will also be actively involved in other work activities, including business development, knowledge management, training and pro bono work.

The Graduate Development Program is designed to complement the learning attained through Practical Legal Training (firm-funded PLT). You will also undertake practice group-specific training during your rotations and that will provide invaluable practical and commercial skills to help you transition into practice as a junior lawyer.

Graduates are also eligible for secondments to our Perth and Sydney offices. Many of our lawyers choose to undertake postgraduate study. G+T offers funding assistance for masters degrees and other postgraduate courses as part of our ongoing commitment to your continuing education. Each year we also award several scholarships to support our people to study at any educational institution in the world.

earlycareersrecruitment@hallandwillcox.com.au https://hallandwilcox.com.au/careers/earlycareers/

Sarah Parsons Early Careers Co-ordinator sarah.parsons@hallandwilcox.com.au (03) 9603 3185

Level 11, Rialto South Tower, 525 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Hall & Wilcox is a leading independent Australian law firm. We are a firm of more than 1100 people, including over 135 partners, delivering outstanding legal services to corporate, public sector and private clients, both Australian-based and those offshore doing business in Australia. Our purpose is to enable our clients, our people and our communities to thrive.

Banking and Financial Services Commercial Dispute Resolution Corporate and Commercial Employment Health and Community Private Clients

Insurance (General and Statutory) Property and Projects Public Sector Tax Technology and Digital Economy Pro Bono

We are renowned for our special and unique culture that is underpinned by our Hallmarks. Our leadership is transparent and authentic, and we strike a balance between the demands of a busy legal practice and delivering excellent client service with a focus on development, wellbeing and fun.

We are a leading independent Australian law firm. We act for large institutional and corporate clients, including financial services institutions, ASX Top 100 corporates, large private companies and multinational conglomerates.

We have a strong learning culture and support our people in their development.

We are committed to giving back to our communities by doing work for the public good. This is reflected in our WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation, our First Nations Pathway Program, recruitment opportunities for people living with disability and participation in LGBTIQ+ Interfirm Networks.

We are a firm of the future. Our Smarter Law mantra means that we challenge the status quo to create real value for our clients, our people and our communities.

We offer extensive and generous benefits, policies and programs to support all of our people both in and outside the workplace.

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

30

Clerkship positions available each intake:

15

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

September - October 2024

Rotations:

2 rotations

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer and Winter

Our program includes: Four-week placement in two of our practice areas, taking into account your preferences.

An induction program that provides an understanding of the firm’s structure, the work we do, our clients, training in IT systems and office procedures.

Exposure to real work on real files – this may include drafting correspondence and documents, attending client meetings, conferences and mediations, and undertaking research tasks.

A support network including a buddy, mentor and supervising partner for guidance and support.

Participation in practice group training sessions, workshops and development sessions.

The opportunity to attend informative sessions with Partners and hear more about the work they do and their experiences.

The chance to get involved in the firm’s social and sporting activities.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

16

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

16

Graduate rotation structure:

3 x 4-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority and market offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

During your graduate year you will experience: A combination of on-the-job training and support in completing Practical Legal Training.

A comprehensive induction with the national graduate cohort which lays the foundation for the year ahead.

The opportunity to gain experience in several of the firm’s practice areas.

The opportunity to work with great clients and do interesting and complex work.

A support network including a buddy, a mentor and supervising partner to provide guidance and support throughout the year.

Regular learning opportunities through our Elevate program, designed to develop our graduates and provide them with the skills and expertise to excel.

Opportunities to participate in Pro Bono, Industry group and Smarter Law initiatives.

Ongoing feedback, both formal and informal.

The opportunity to immerse yourself in our great culture and have fun!

HFWRecruitmentAus@hfw.com https://www.hfw.com/Home

Jordan Konya HR Coordinator Jordan.Konya@hfw.com +61 03 8601 4551

Level 39/600 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC Australia

HFW is an international law firm with a strong global presence and a reputation for providing an excellent service to an impressive list of domestic and international clients. With over 600 lawyers working across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia, we take a progressive approach to our role in commercial business – thinking creatively and pragmatically to support our clients. With our head office in London, HFW provides a global and seamless service 24 hours a day.

We are leaders in our specialist sectors, being Shipping, Construction, Commodities, Corporate & Commercial, Insurance & Reinsurance and Aerospace.

Construction

Commodities

Insurance

Corporate & Commercial

Shipping

Aerospace

Class Actions

HFW is a collaborative, team-oriented environment. We are inclusive and have a diverse variety of team members enabling different ideas and approaches to thrive. Our entrepreneurial culture means that you can see ideas implemented quickly and we are nimble in response to client and market requirements. This is a workplace where we expect respect and open communication and get it every day.

Our entrepreneurial spirit Our creative expertise Our collaborative partnerships

We are truly a global firm with a team-orientated approach. There are no 'egos' here, we are working together to get the right outcome for our clients.

We have a policy of at least 60% in the office, however, as a clerk, it will benefit your learning to be in the office every day.

We have represented some notable clients in all of our Sector areas. Our Construction team have represented large multinational clients such as AECOM and DRA Global amongst others. We also acted for the design consultants in proceedings in the Supreme Court of NSW brought by the construction contractors John Holland and Leighton Contractors. Our client was responsible for the design of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning), plumbing and lighting services in each of the new stations. This matter demonstrates our expertise in high-value, complex engineering disputes in the transport sector.

YOUR GLOBAL SUCCESS Entrepreneurial | Creative | Collaborative

Who are we?

What does HFW look for?

HFW is an international law firm with a strong global presence and a reputation for providing an excellent service to an impressive list of domestic and international clients. With over 600 lawyers working across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia, we take a progressive approach to our role in commercial business – thinking creatively and pragmatically to support our clients. With our head office in London, HFW provides a global and seamless service 24 hours a day.

HFW looks for people who have a global mindset and an interest in international matters, with a particular affinity for our specific sectors and focus, and interested in disputes matters. We look for people who are‫ژ‬Ȅȏɋ afraid of a challenge, and are eager to learn the skills that will be required to shine in their careers. Our ideal applicant is down-to-earth, well rounded, with good attention to detail and a teamoriented mindset. We also look for people who are open to and will chase opportunities, and have the intellectual rigour to work on complex matters.

We ƌȵƷ‫ژ‬leaders in our specialist sectors, being Shipping, Construction, Commodities, Corporate & Commercial, Insurance & Reinsurance and Aerospace.

Our clerkship program Our clerkship program will introduce students to all of our sector groups, providing an opportunity to understand what different areas do, and meet our professionals across all areas. During the clerkship, you will be assigned a mentor and buddy in one of our major sector teams, predominantly Insurance/ Reinsurance and Construction, where you will experience working on real matters, both domestic and international. You will also have a key contact in other groups to facilitate exposure to the work of that group.

Our graduate program Graduates will participate in a 12-month rotational program. This will include ɓȲ‫ژ‬ɋȏ‫ژ‬three placements, two of which will be in your local office, with the option of a third in either another Australian office dependent on availability.

hfw.com

Our culture HFW is a collaborative, team oriented environment.

We are inclusive and have a diverse variety of team members enabling different ideas and approaches to thrive. Our entrepreneurial culture means that you can see ideas implemented quickly and we are nimble in response to client and market requirements. This is a workplace where we expect respect and open communication and get it every day.

How to apply Applications for clerkships can be submitted via www.hfw.com/careersAPAC. Applications should include a current CV, a copy of your academic transcript, and a cover letter addressing why you would like to work with HFW, what you can bring to the team, and something that will help us get to know you, such as your extracurricular activities and interests.

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

Up to 8

Clerkship positions available each intake:

4-6

Application period:

8 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

September 2024

Rotations:

No rotations

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer and Winter

Our clerkship program will introduce students to all of our sector groups, providing an opportunity to understand what different areas do, and meet our professionals across all areas. During the clerkship, you will be assigned a mentor and buddy in one of our major sector teams, predominantly Insurance/ Reinsurance and Construction, where you will experience working on real matters and class actions, both domestic and international. You will also have a key contact in other groups to facilitate exposure to the work of that group.

HFW looks for people who have a global mindset and an interest in international matters, with a particular affinity for our specific sectors and focus and an interest in dispute matters. We look for people who are not afraid of a challenge, and are eager to learn the skills that will be required to shine in their careers. Our ideal applicant is down-to-earth, well-rounded, with good attention to detail and a team-oriented mindset. We also look for people who are open to and will chase opportunities and have the intellectual rigour to work on complex matters.

The average day can be quite varied and could include a range of tasks from shadowing Associates in Court, to helping to prepare briefs and research memos. We greatly value people who can work as part of a team, are proactive, communicate well and ask questions when receiving instructions.

Approaching every task with enthusiasm and as a learning opportunity will help you stand out from the crowd.

Penultimate students, as well as international students and final year students are eligible to apply.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

3

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

Up to 3

Graduate rotation structure:

2-3 rotations over 12 months

Pathway to graduate position:

Via Clerkship or Paralegal roles

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

Our program begins with a national induction covering key legal skills and an opportunity to meet the team and the other Grads. This development continues in each rotation with on-the-job learning supported by a clear mentorship, and feedback process. Following PLT there is focussed training on business skills to ensure you are set up for success in your career as a lawyer.

Graduates will participate in a 12-month rotational program. This will include up to three placements, two of which will be in your local office, with the option of a third in another Australian office dependent on availability.

YOUR GLOBAL SUCCESS A global law firm with deep, sector-focused expertise.

CONSTRUCTION INSURANCE & REINSURANCE CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL SHIPPING COMMODITIES AEROSPACE hfw.com Entrepreneurial | Creative | Collaborative

graduatesmelbourne@hsf.com https://www.herbertsmithfreehills.com/

Hong Le Graduate Recruitment Consultant hong.le@hsf.com 03 9288 1937

Level 24, 80 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) is one of the world’s leading international law firms with a heritage stretching back more than 100 years. With over 24 offices spanning Australia, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, HSF is at the heart of the new global business landscape providing premium quality, full-service legal advice. As Australia’s leading commercial law firm, our client base includes many of the country’s top 100 listed companies alongside government organisations, major multinationals and large local corporations, who have trusted us to deliver their most ambitious and complex projects.

Alternative Legal Services (ALT)

Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety

Competition, Regulation and Trade

Finance

Corporate

Projects, Energy and Infrastructure

Dispute Resolution

Real Estate

Human. We are relationship builders. We’re collaborative, generous, kind, respectful of others’ contributions and share credit for work well done. We look after our client’s best interests and the interests of one another.

Bold. We’re ambitious. We’re proud of our past, excited about the future and think tomorrow can be better than today. We’re entrepreneurial and not afraid to do things differently to fulfil our goals. We believe that anything is possible.

Outstanding. We strive to be leaders in all we do. We understand individual and collective growth are a shared responsibility. We’re client-centred and commercial. We’re solutions-focused and known for our insight.

In 2024, HSF was ranked as Australia’s Top Law Graduate Employer for the second year running in Prosple’s Top 100 Graduate Employers. We offer our graduates the opportunity to apply for an international rotation as part of the graduate program. In 2019 we sent 14 Australian Graduates on international secondments. With a network around the world, you’ll also have the opportunity to work with international clients, develop a global reputation and establish the career path that suits you. You’ll gain experience on high-profile cases and deals involving some of the world’s biggest clients, explore multicultural matters and receive first-class training. All the while, you’ll be developing a global view of the law and building a resume with a legal firm that’s widely recognised around the world.

At HSF, you’ll be valued for what makes you different and accepted for who you are. Inclusivity is key to our success and our people help shape our culture to be reflective of the societies in which we live and work through internal diversity networks such as our Ability, Gender Equality and Multiculturalism networks. We recognise the power of diversity and inclusion to drive innovation, collaboration and business outcomes. So, whether it’s working on the latest advancements in digital law, taking part in some of the biggest mergers and acquisitions around, or helping people through our extensive pro bono work – you’ll develop the skills to solve the most complex challenges in thoughtful and innovative ways. We’re proud to say that we put our people first, supporting teams to do their best work, whether that’s through our agile-working policy or access to first-rate learning and development programmes. Together, our highly skilled, driven colleagues, work as a team to understand our clients’ needs, objectives and the environment they’re operating in.

Our client base includes the majority of Australia’s top 100 listed companies along with government organisations, major multinationals and large local corporations, who have trusted us to deliver on some of their most ambitious and complex projects.

Some of these clients include: ANZ, NAB, Coles, AGL Energy, Transurban, BAE Systems, Anglo American, BHP, Sanofi, Brookfield, Lendlease, Google, Uber.

careers.herbertsmithfreehills.com/au/grads

@HSFGRADUATESAU

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

60-65

Clerkship positions available each intake:

30-35

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

September

Rotations:

No rotations

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer and Winter

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

You will have the opportunity to sit within a specific team, delivering real work for key clients. You will attend our 3-day induction and training program, before you hit the practice group floor. Once you join the teams, you will have the opportunity to attend workshops and presentations covering all our practice areas, contribute to the pro-bono practice, experience our cutting edge technology through our innovation projects.

You will be allocated a partner, supervisor and a buddy who is junior solicitor in the team, so you will have many points of contact and support within the team.

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

So, what exactly are we looking for?

There’s no single path to becoming a commercial lawyer. We look beyond your academic record and your technical aptitude. We’re focused on finding people who have the curiosity to explore all the angles and the empathy to place themselves in their client’s shoes. Building great relationships takes a certain understanding and as our global village gets ever smaller, we look for graduates who think of themselves as citizens of the world.

We recognise and value the differences that make us unique. By embracing diverse views, we can provide our clients with innovative solutions. We are not looking for the finished product and we know that gaining legal work experience is increasingly difficult. What we are looking for is your potential to become a Herbert Smith Freehills lawyer. Demonstrate the transferable skills you have gained through the experience you have, legal or non-legal.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

25-30

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

25-30

Graduate rotation structure:

3 x 6-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Yes

Our graduate program gives you the chance to start shaping your future and hone your skills in a range of practice areas, providing you with a broad-based training and ensuring that you are ready to become a qualified solicitor. You’ll rotate through three distinct practice areas for six months each and will be assigned a Partner, Senior Associate and Buddy for support.

You will get the opportunity to submit practice area preferences before every rotation, including before your first rotation, enabling you to tailor your graduate program to your specific interests.

You can also discuss your preferences with our dedicated Graduate Recruitment team.

As part of our graduate program, you will have the opportunity to apply for an international secondment within your first two years in the job. This is a six-month secondment with all the support from the firm you might need to succeed (e.g. transport, accommodation, language lessons). Our graduates have previously been seconded to our London, Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong offices.

Expressions of interest can be made following the clerkship program.

YOUR GROWTH. OUR AMBITION.

Ready to shape the future?

We're Herbert Smith Freehills, one of the world's leading international law firms. Join us and you'll be at the centre of high-profile cases, high impact deals and you'll grow from new experiences every day.

About us With over 24 offices spanning Asia, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East, careers at Herbert Smith Freehills offer our graduates the opportunity to experience being part of a truly global law firm. Working with some of the most significant organisations in the world, opportunities to have social impact, and learning from our world-class team every day will enable you to create solid foundations on which to build your career in law.

We’re proud to say that we put people first.

Our firm is built on a diverse culture, reflective of the societies in which we live and work.

That’s why inclusivity is key to our success.

At Herbert Smith Freehills, you’ll be valued for what makes you different and accepted for who you are. We recognise the power of diversity and inclusion to drive innovation, collaboration and business outcomes.

So, whether it’s working on the latest advancements in digital law, taking part in some of the biggest mergers and acquisitions around, or helping people through our extensive pro bono work – you’ll develop the skills to solve the most complex challenges in thoughtful and innovative ways.

We welcome different Great lawyers are both curious and creative.

We encourage you to challenge assumptions and open yourself up to new ideas. So, what exactly are we looking for?

There’s no single path to becoming an exceptional commercial lawyer. We look beyond your academic record and your technical aptitude. We’re focussed on finding people who have the curiosity to explore all the angles and the empathy to place themselves in their client’s shoes.

In line with our 10 Actions for Change we are proud to use the Rare Contextual Recruitment System (CRS). The CRS allows us to understand each applicant’s achievements in the context that they have been gained.

We understand that not every candidate’s achievements look the same on paper – and we want to recruit the best people, from every background.

• Contribute to our pro bono practice • Work with cutting edge technology through our innovation projects • Networking opportunities to meet people across the firm

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

Key Dates & Deadlines MELBOURNE

Clerkship program

Positions

60-65

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

Clerkship programs

1 Summer & 1 Winter

You will gain a deeper understanding of life at the firm and what your future could look like if you join us. Some key features include the opportunity to: • Sit within a specific team, delivering real work for key clients • Before you join, submit a preference for a team to tailor your experience • Navigate the first step of your career with partner and graduate mentoring support

HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM

• Attend workshops and presentations covering all our practice areas

Applications for all Mon 1 July 2024 2023/24 programs open Applications for all Sun 11 August 2024 2023/24 programs close Offers made

Wed 16 October 2024

Please note: An application should only be submitted to the office where you intend to start your career as a graduate. Multiple applications will not be considered.

Contacts Hong Le Graduate Recruitment Consultant GraduatesMelbourne@hsf.com

agallen@hwle.com.au https://hwlebsworth.com.au Level 8, 477 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Anneliese Gallen People and Development Coordinator agallen@hwle.com.au clerkshipapplications@hwle.com.au 03 8644 3443

Let us introduce you to a genuinely different firm, HWL Ebsworth Lawyers. The Firm comprises of over 1,700 staff nationally, including 280 Partners across our nine offices located in every state and territory in Australia. We provide legal advice to commercial and government clients across a broad range of areas, which allows our team to experience working on an extremely diverse range of projects. Our rapid rise has required us to be dynamic, nimble, forward-thinking and committed to fostering a supportive working environment.

As Australia's fastest-growing legal partnership, we do things a little differently. We pride ourselves on a merit-based career development framework that ensures all employees are allowed to reach their full potential by being given the opportunity to advance to their desired level. We don’t put time limits on your growth, you decide how far and fast you grow.

Internally, we embrace a culture that is the product of our values - honesty, courage, relationships, maintaining high professional standards and a high performance culture. The result is a powerful working relationship based on trust and mutual respect.

At HWL Ebsworth, we believe that deriving satisfaction from your work is essential in ensuring that each employee is committed to delivering expert legal and commercial advice to our clients. We practice an open door policy where partners and senior management are available to discuss new ideas and initiatives to best service our clients' needs.

HWL Ebsworth is committed to providing an environment that supports and encourages all team members to progress. Our focus is on removing any barriers that may restrict any of our team members from developing their careers with us. Our clients are as diverse as we are, and our lawyers’ varied backgrounds and skill sets support us in providing our clients with innovative and tailored legal solutions. Our learning and development programs help our team members to improve their technical knowledge and professional skills through tailored seminars, workshops and one-on-one real time training. We actively support our team members in undertaking further study to develop and enhance their expertise and practical knowledge.

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

30

Clerkship positions available each intake:

15

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

30 September- 4 October 2024

Rotations:

1 practice group

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer and Winter

At HWL Ebsworth, we believe in investing in our people from the very beginning of their careers. We see our clerkship program as the start of that investment, where we are committed to nurturing and supporting our employees to reach their full potential as lawyers. We don't just say this, we prove it by supporting our graduates through to partnership. That's why we are different.

You will have the opportunity to gain genuine insight into our firm, culture, and practice groups. Our clerkship program is designed to present you with hands-on experience and training to develop your legal skills and knowledge whilst providing feedback and growth opportunities as well as exposing yourself to a broad range of work within your designated practice group.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

30

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

30

Graduate rotation structure:

3 x 4-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

Our carefully tailored 12-month program will support graduates through their admission process to meet their practical requirements during hands-on rotations. By undertaking our supervised legal training course, our graduates can focus on the work without the added pressure of further study.

Throughout the 12-month period, you will be aligned with a Partner and mentor to enhance your feedback and growth opportunities. We have high-quality and long-standing clients which means the work we have on offer is excellent. You will engage with our clients as a graduate which is made possible by us having the lowest ratio of solicitors to Partners than any other Australian law firm.

This is one of the key features that makes us different to other firms, it helps to accelerate your professional development.

careers@jws.com.au https://jws.com.au/

Wilma Lewis Senior People & Development Consultant wilma.lewis@jws.com.au 02 8247 9630

Level 34, 55 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Johnson Winter Slattery is a leading independent Australian law firm. We advise major corporations, funds and governments on their most challenging transactions and disputes. We are a firm of more than 450 people, including 85+ partners, located in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane and Perth. Our business model is different to other firms. Our lawyers work collaboratively across practices, with no silos or bureaucracy getting in the way of delivering great outcomes for our clients. We want our lawyers to focus on the quality of their legal work and client experience.

Looking after people is our top priority. Our ethos is: “We’re in it together” – it’s the cornerstone of our business and it guides our approach to everything we do. With a culture focused on supporting people, we offer our graduates the opportunity to get hands-on experience, working on market leading work in a down-to-earth environment where people thrive.

Our high level of senior lawyer engagement will give you more opportunities to shape your career and step up. Our firm is committed to creating a culture of inclusion and belonging through diverse thinking, strong team collaboration and growth for our people, clients and communities.

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

12-16

Clerkship positions available each intake:

3-4

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

September

Rotations:

N/A

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer, Autumn and Winter

Our approach to clerk training and development is different to other firms. We offer our clerks the opportunity to get hands-on experience, working on market leading work in a down-to-earth environment where you will thrive. The clerkship program also does not include fixed rotations, giving our clerks the opportunity to work closely with partners and senior lawyers across all of our practice areas. From day one, you will work on high-profile, complex matters and receive guidance and mentoring from a strong support network.

Choose your next move wisely A better place to work At Johnson Winter Slattery (JWS), our approach to graduate training and development is different to other firms – our graduates work across all practice areas. With no fixed rotations, you have more freedom to choose the areas of law you are interested in.

There are no barriers to your success with us.

JWS is a leading independent Australian law firm. We work on high-profile and complex transactions and disputes, always with a focus on commercial outcomes.

We are a firm of more than 450 people, including 85+ partners, located in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane and Perth.

A BETTER PLACE TO WORK

jws.com.au

jacintagordon@jonesday.com msaunders@jonesday.com

Monica Saunders HR Specialist msaunders@jonesday.com 03 9101 6840

https://jonesday.com/en Level 48 Rialto Towers, 525 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Jones Day is one of the largest law firms in the world. We are a US international law firm with 40 offices and over 2400 lawyers. We have offices in 5 continents including 4 Australian offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. For those who don't know much about Jones Day, our major point of difference from other global firms is that we are a single partnership and completely integrated. For lawyers this means working on cross border matters in multi-jurisdictional team with your colleagues across the globe.

Corporate

Energy

Antitrust & Competition Law

Intellectual Property

Financial Markets

Business Restructuring & Reorganisation

Labor & Employment

Environment

Global Disputes

Mergers & Acquisitions

Taxation

Private Equity

Pro Bono

Our unique structure and philosophy of "One Firm Worldwide" fosters interoffice and crosspractice teams, assembled to ensure that clients receive the best possible guidance and representation, without regard to barriers conventionally imposed by geography, borders, time zones or language.

Our global presence means we work on some of the largest and most complex matters across a wide variety of practice areas.

Jones Day's culture emphasises collegiality and teamwork, ensuring that support, guidance, and assistance are always available to every lawyer in the Firm. Although Jones Day is home to some of the brightest legal minds around, our office culture is friendly and inclusive and nonhierarchical.

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

3 (approximately)

Clerkship positions available each intake:

3 (approximately)

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

9 August 2024 - 2 October 2024

Rotations:

No rotations

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer 1

Summer Clerks are exposed to the day to day life of a Lawyer at Jones Day and develop their legal and commercial skills. Summer Clerks enjoy the benefits of our non-rotational training program, which allows individuals to work with any practice at any time and tailor their experience with the office and work across their areas of interest. We rotate the seating locations of our Summer Clerks to ensure that they gain broad exposure and develop relationships across the office, however this does not prevent the Summer Clerks from working with various practice groups regardless of their location. Summer Clerks work closely with Associates and Partners, engaging in a wide variety of tasks including drafting transactional and dispute related documents, conducting research, attending court hearings and client meetings, writing opinions and research memos, gaining insight into business development and building client relationships, and learning about the mechanics of closing a deal and the key steps and processes involved in a major dispute. We work with industry leading local and international clients and our Summer Clerks gain first hand exposure to the high calibre nature of the work that we undertake.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

10 - 12 (nationally)

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

10 - 12 (nationally)

Graduate rotation structure:

Flexible 18-24 month program

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

Recognising that many law students leave school not certain about a career path, Jones Day introduced the New Lawyers Group, or NLG, allowing new lawyers exposure to numerous areas, lawyering styles, and client situations prior to committing to a specific practice. The format introduces the new associates to established and traditional legal work like transactions, litigation, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property; and on emerging areas of the law like cybersecurity, life sciences, ESG, and financial technology.

In addition to providing ongoing professional development opportunities, the NLG brings together new associates from across the Firm at the “New Lawyers Academy” in Washington, D.C., where they participate in training sessions, interact with peers, meet Firm leaders and potential mentors, explore affinity group options, and learn about Jones Day’s history, culture, and operations.

Working at Jones Day… One Firm WorldwideSM Jones Day is a global law firm with more than 2,500 lawyers in 40 offices across five continents. The Firm is distinguished by: a singular tradition of client service; the mutual commitment to, and the seamless collaboration of, a true partnership; formidable legal talent across multiple disciplines and jurisdictions; and shared professional values that focus on client needs.

The Firm’s 130 years of sustained growth in experience, reputation and successful client interaction have been built by its dedication to a ‘One Firm Worldwide’ philosophy, which fosters the creation of interoffice and cross-practice teams, assembled to ensure that clients receive the best possible guidance and representation, without regard to barriers conventionally imposed by geography, borders, time zones or language.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Graduate, Summer Clerkship Programs and Paralegal Positions We run summer clerkship programs in our Sydney and Melbourne offices that offer selected positions to talented students who are at their penultimate year at university. We give our summer clerks real work for real clients, to provide them an opportunity to learn what the practice of law at a large firm is all about and we aim for summer clerks to become future graduates of the Firm. In Perth and Brisbane we recruit paralegals on a rolling basis with the view that paralegals have the opportunity to do meaningful work and become future graduates at the Firm.

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

Applications We run Summer Clerkship Programs in Sydney and Melbourne and follow the NSW Summer Clerkship and LIV Seasonal Clerkship Scheme.

Sydney: Applications open on 10 June 2024 Application close at 11.59 pm on 4 July 2024 Melbourne: Applications open on 1 July 2024 Applications close at 11.59 pm on 11 August 2024 Applications must be made online. Please visit us at www.jonesdaycareers.com/australia

Lisa Mundos Associate, Jones Day Deakin Alumni and previous DLSS member

If I could narrow my two favourite things about being a disputes lawyer it would be the varied nature of the work, and the transferrable skillset that I have been able to develop as a result.

As a litigator, you are a generalist. It means exposure to a range of practice areas, files with diverse subject matter and clients from different industries. Class actions, regulatory investigations, insurance, contractual disputes, corporations law, taxation and ESG are a few areas of practice that come to mind. The great benefit that comes with this is that you are able to deepen your knowledge across many areas of law, developing as an all-rounder, who is competent and ready to tackle any challenge that comes your way. At Jones Day, I feel particularly lucky to have the opportunity to work across multiple disciplines and jurisdictions servicing multi-national and private sector clients (amongst others) in industries including financial services, energy and resources, life sciences and healthcare and sport and tourism. Pro bono is also an important part of the corporate social responsibility piece, and there are plenty of opportunities to get involved to give back to the community.

Because of this, disputes lawyers are often perceived as agile problem solvers, who are able to collaborate with others seamlessly, whether on a domestic or international level. This is particularly the case working across teams internally, and litigators are often called upon to assist with work directly impacting other areas of the business, even if the matter is not strictly within their area of remit. This is often seen in corporate transactions where advice is needed on regulatory issues, including privacy law, and anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. In my experience at Jones Day, this extends to assisting colleagues overseas where they require Australian law experts on a particular issue, cementing the concept of ‘One Firm Worldwide’. As a young lawyer, adding value in this way is empowering. It is a way you can showcase your capabilities, whilst also building connections and gaining invaluable experience. Personally, I enjoy learning more about my rights and responsibilities as they relate to different areas of law through these experiences.

It is also the solid skillset that litigators have which makes them adaptable and valuable. This includes research and writing skills, familiarity with Court process and procedure, the ability to synthesise complex information into meaningful forms, critical thinking and client facing qualities such as strong communication and knowing your audience. These are skills which will be crucial in the day-to-day as a global disputes lawyer, and can be utilised in many environments.

tania.brierley@klgates.com https://www.klgates.com

Tania Brierley Recruitment Consultant tania.brierley@klgates.com 03 9640 4214

Level 25, South Tower, 525 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located across five continents. In Australia, we have offices in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Our combination of practice strength, global platform and unsurpassed client service is a true differentiator in the legal services marketplace. With a strong presence in key capital cities and world commercial and financial centres, we represent a broad array of ASX, Global 500, Fortune 100, and FTSE 100 corporations in nearly every major industry, including energy, financial services, health care, infrastructure, life sciences, manufacturing, sustainable development, technology, telecommunications and transportation amongst others.

Our Australian Innovation Committee cultivates our innovative culture. We define innovation as change that adds value, making innovation everyone’s business. No matter the innovation, a human-centred approach focuses our efforts on our clients and our people. We produce tailored solutions that consider the outcomes that meet human needs.

Our firm-wide Diversity and Inclusion Committee focuses on increasing the representation of women in leadership roles, increasing the representation of Asian Australian lawyers and raising LGBTQ+ awareness and inclusion in the workplace. We are proud members of the Diversity Council of Australia, Pride in Diversity, Asian Australian Lawyers Association and Victorian Women Lawyers.

Asset Management & Investment Funds

Finance - Banking, Restructuring & Insolvency

Corporate - Technology Transactions & Sourcing

Intellectual Property

Health

Labour

Mergers and Acquisitions & Capital Markets

Employment and Workplace Safety

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Our vision is to be the leading globally integrated law firm with a client-focused dedication to practical solutions to our clients' multi-faceted, ever-evolving, complex legal challenges and opportunities, whether domestic or cross-border. In all we do, our objective is to provide nothing short of the utmost value to our clients by providing solutions to their legal and business needs. Our client-first approach is manifested firm wide - from matter management and pricing practices, to the technology and innovations we apply, to our deep industry and sector-specific knowledge across the key industries in which our clients operate—our clients’ best interests are at the forefront of the decisions and investments we make.

We are also passionate about Innovation, Pro Bono and Community Outreach, and Diversity & Inclusion. We also believe in providing and encouraging a collaborative environment in which employees can grow and develop.

The legal market is rapidly changing, and so is the practice of law. It is both science and art. Clients want their law firm to be diligent and meticulous, but they also want it to solve problems with innovation and creativity.

At the heart of our ethos is an inclusive and collaborative environment that spans our fully integrated global platform. This approach enables us to diligently merge the vast knowledge and expertise of our lawyers and policy professionals, creating interdisciplinary teams that deliver truly exceptional client solutions.

In our pursuit of excellence, we go beyond conventional boundaries, marrying action with vision, success with dedication, method with passion, and innovation with creativity. This holistic approach is not just a strategy; it’s our commitment to providing an unparalleled client experience. We understand that the legal journey is not merely about navigating through challenges; it’s about crafting solutions that transcend expectations. This commitment to excellence and innovation culminates in what we proudly call, “The K&L Gates Experience.” It represents more than a service; it’s a testament to our dedication to redefining standards and shaping the future of the legal industry.

The culture at K&L Gates is inclusive and collaborative. We are more than about practising law or making a living. We are about building something amazing, creating a legacy for employees, the firm, our clients and the communities we serve. We also want to empower employees to discover quality work and clients, develop through opportunities to learn more while growing their careers and thrive in a diverse and inclusive culture. This is achieved through our Innovation and Diversity & Inclusion committees, industry focus groups, the pro bono and community outreach work we support, career and professional development programs as well as our Social and Sports Clubs.

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

25-30

Clerkship positions available each intake:

12-15

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

September - October

Rotations:

1 practice group

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer and Winter

K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located across five continents. In Australia we have four offices in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. We have nine core practice areas across Australia. As part of your clerkship, you will complete a rotation in one of these. You will be embedded into the practice areas and be involved in real legal work right from the start, giving you an in-depth experience and providing a real insight into life as a commercial lawyer at K&L Gates. In conjunction with on-the-job experience, we provide formal training. On day one, you will receive an in-depth induction to the firm as well as training on relevant IT systems, followed by sessions over the course of the clerkship program. Your supervisor and buddy will help you settle into the office and you will work closely with the partners, special counsel, senior associates and lawyers in your team. You will be provided with opportunities to build strong relationships, both within your team and the wider firm network. We provide and encourage a collaborative environment in which you can grow and develop. We are also committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

10-12

Graduates recruited from 2023-24 clerkship pool:

10-12

Graduate rotation structure:

3 x 4-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

Your graduate program runs for 12 months, in which time you will complete three practice group rotations. You will be embedded into the practice areas and be involved in real legal work right from the start, giving you an in-depth experience and providing a real insight into life as a commercial lawyer at K&L Gates. You will be exposed to a variety of areas of commercial law in all your rotations while being supported by a buddy, supervisor and mentor. Your professional development program runs weekly, with sessions presented by partners, lawyers, external presenters and our professional development team. You will have many opportunities to be involved in an array of firm events and activities to match your interest, whether they be social, sporting, business or community-focused.

We are more than about practising law or making a living, and we hope to build something amazing and create a legacy for you, the firm, our clients and the communities we serve.

DISCOVER. DEVELOP. THRIVE. THE K&L GATES EXPERIENCE. K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located across five continents.

In Australia we have four offices in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

FULLY INTEGRATED

OUR PRESENCE

INNOVATION

We are a fully integrated network of lawyers and legal professionals who believe that clients need more than technical legal skills; they need insightful and practical advice on the diverse issues that affect their businesses, delivered with unparalleled client service.

Our combination of practice strength, global platform, and unsurpassed client service is a true differentiator in the legal services marketplace.

With a strong presence in key capital cities and world commercial and financial centres, we represent a broad array of ASX, Global 500, Fortune 100, and FTSE 100 corporations in nearly every major industry, including energy, financial services, health care, infrastructure, life sciences, manufacturing, sustainable development, technology, telecommunications and transportation amongst others.

We define innovation as change that adds value, making innovation everyone’s business.

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

FORMAL TRAINING PROGRAM

COLLABORATIVE CULTURE

We have nine core practice areas across Australia. As part of your clerkship you will complete rotations within at least one of these. In your graduate year, you will experience multiple areas across three rotations. You will be embedded into the practice areas and be involved in real legal work right from the start, giving you an in-depth experience and providing a real insight into life as a commercial lawyer at K&L Gates.

In conjunction with on-the-job experience, we provide formal training. On day one, you will receive an in-depth induction to the firm as well as training on relevant IT systems, followed by sessions over the course of the clerkship and graduate programs. These sessions have been designed to develop your legal knowledge and business skills, as well as to give you a broader insight into the various areas of law in which we practise.

We truly believe that working together is better. Your supervisor and buddy will help you settle into the office and you will work closely with the partners, special counsel, senior associates and lawyers in your team. You will be provided with opportunities to build strong relationships, both within your team and the wider firm network. We provide and encourage a collaborative environment in which you can grow and develop.

CLIENT FOCUSED

PRO BONO AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

In all we do, our objective is to provide nothing short of the utmost value to our clients by providing solutions to their legal and business needs. Our client-first approach is manifested firmwide—from matter management and pricing practices, to the technology and innovations we apply, to our deep industry and sector-specific knowledge across the key industries in which our clients operate—our clients’ best interests are at the forefront of the decisions and investments we make.

We actively encourage our lawyers to provide pro bono legal representation and to participate in other charitable, community, educational and professional activities. Our annual Global Day of Service program helps to foster and strengthen connections across the firm’s global platform and promote, recognise and celebrate our commitment to community service around the world.

Learn what makes our global law firm different: Check out our Facebook page: /klgatesgraduaterecruitingau Check out our videos on YouTube: /klgateslaw Visit our Careers page at www.klgates.com for application details.

No matter the innovation, a humancentred approach focuses our efforts on our clients and our people. We produce tailored solutions that consider the outcomes that meet human needs.

Our Australian Innovation Committee cultivates our innovative culture.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment.

Our firm wide Diversity and Inclusion Committee focuses on increasing the representation of women in leadership roles, increasing the representation of Asian Australian lawyers and raising LGBTQ+ awareness and inclusion in the workplace. We are proud members of the Diversity Council of Australia, Pride in Diversity, Asian Australian Lawyers Association and Victorian Women Lawyers.

We accept graduate and clerkship applications in line with law society guidelines in the relevant state. Please check our website for application dates by office location.

Contact details Tania Brierley, Recruitment Consultant P +61 3 9640 4214 W www.klgates.com

recruitment@khq.com.au https://khq.com.au/

Natalie Bourke HR & Operations Manager nbourke@khq.com.au 03 9663 9877

Level 4, 600 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

KHQ Lawyers is an award-winning boutique top-tier commercial law firm, based in Melbourne and servicing clients nationally and internationally. The firm was founded by two lawyers with two key clients and a vision as to what a law firm should be: on the client side, nimble, flexible, and dedicated to providing cost-effective and technically excellent legal services. On the people side, a genuine alternative to mid and top-tier firms, with the opportunity to learn from leaders who are among the best in their fields, undertake challenging work for an enviable stable of blue-chip clients, and receive excellent mentoring and support through every stage of their career, all in a nurturing, inclusive and collaborative working environment. We are proud to be the firm of choice for a broad range of ASX-listed companies, large corporates, family businesses and high net worth individuals.

Commercial Property & Development

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Competition Law & Regulatory Compliance

Private Wealth

Construction & Infrastructure

Superannuation & Financial Services

Corporate & Commercial

Taxation

Family & Relationship Law

Technology

Food & Beverage

Wills & Estates

Insolvency & Restructuring

Workplace Relations & Safety

Intellectual Property

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

8

Clerkship positions available each intake:

4

Application period:

1 May 2024 - 31 May 2024 & 11 October 2024 - 31 October 2024

Interview period:

Early June 2024

Rotations:

1 practice group

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Winter 2024 and Summer

KHQ Lawyers is a unique firm within the legal services market. While relatively young, we have an enviable client list and market reputation, and are proud to be the firm of choice for a broad range of ASX-listed companies, large corporates, family businesses and high net worth individuals.

Our program is designed to give clerks real world law firm experience, in a nurturing and supportive environment. Each clerk will be assigned to one specific team for the duration of their clerkship and will be allocated a mentor (being one of our senior lawyers) and a buddy. Mentors will guide and support clerks with their work, while buddies will show clerks the ropes and guide them through the cultural aspects of law firm life, to help them get as much as they can out of their time with us.

By the end of the program, clerks will have a solid understanding of what it is to be an integral part of a high-performing team in a highly respected firm, working with top-tier clients on a range of legal matters of varying complexity. We foster an active learning environment with open doors and free access to all senior lawyers.

While strong academic performance and sharp intellect are a given, we value analytical thinking and innovation. Cultural fit is also important - while we deliver technically excellent, commercially astute advice, we have a relaxed working environment and are genuinely fun to work with. We look for people who are interesting, unique, engaging and lively.

Applicants should: have a working legal knowledge commensurate with undergraduate status; have strong and consistent academics and involvement in extra-curricular activities and/or work experience in the customer service industry; excellent communication skills; and demonstrable cultural alignment.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

3-4

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

4

Graduate rotation structure:

Quarterly rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

No

As with our clerkship program, graduates will each be assigned a mentor and a buddy, to help them settle into everyday life at KHQ. For the first few weeks, they will be inundated with invitations to coffees and lunches so that they can get to know the firm and its people, and so that their new colleagues can get to know them.

During their graduate program, graduates will rotate each quarter through our practice areas to ensure they receive a thorough overview of what each area has to offer, to help them decide which area they’d ultimately like to venture into.

In the first few months of the program, graduates will complete 6 core workshop-style modules.

Each module is convened by senior lawyers of the firm and covers the following topics: getting set up at KHQ starting your career as a commercial lawyer file management document management time management; and business skills.

We support our graduates every step of the way, to give them the guidance they need as they commence their legal careers.

The 12-month graduate program involves quarterly rotations through our practice groups. Graduate will be mentored by one of KHQ’s directors over the course of their graduate year, together with practice group mentors and buddies to help them settle into KHQ life, and ultimately to succeed in their roles.

melgraduaterecruitment@au.kwm.com https://www.kwm.com/au/en/home.html Level 27, Collins Arch, 447 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Madeleine Horsey People and Development Advisor madeleine.horsey@au.kwm.com +61 3 9643 5550 Tiffany Douros People and Development Advisor tiffany.douros@au.kwm.com +61 3 9643 5546

We are Asia’s top-tier international law firm with offices positioned in the world's growth markets and financial centres. We have deep roots in Australia spanning almost 200 years and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners and custodians of these lands and waters. Globally, we have a team of over 2500 lawyers in 31 locations across the globe. Our network extends across Asia, Europe, the UAE and the USA. We are strategically positioned in the world's growth markets and financial centres, meaning that we can be on the ground where our clients need us most.

Banking and Finance

RECE (Real Estate; Energy, Resources &

Dispute Resolution

Infrastructure; Construction; Environment,

Mergers and Acquisitions

Planning and Native Title)

Taxation

We create an environment where you can thrive and meet your aspirations and goals. At KWM, you can shape your own career path, supported every step of the way with world-class training, coaching and hands-on experience.

Diversity of thought, perspective and experience is critical to our culture. We provide a broad, inclusive, and open environment in which you are encouraged to bring your whole self. We are not about a one size fits all careers model. We offer multiple opportunities for you to gain experience and thrive. At KWM we help you to Learn. Master. Lead.

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

90 (approximately)

Clerkship positions available each intake:

30 (approximately)

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

September 2024

Rotations:

1 practice group

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer 1, Summer 2 and Winter

Clerkships give you a clearer picture of what it’s like to be a lawyer at KWM. You’ll get to know our people, our work, our culture, practice areas, clients and much more. For many, the Clerkship Program is the first stage of continuous professional development at KWM. During induction, and over the course of the clerkship, you’ll meet with several teams across the firm who will inform you of potential pro bono opportunities, and other experiences you can get involved in during the clerkship.

Many graduates tell us one of the main reasons they joined the firm was the people. We work together, but we also enjoy spending time with each other outside of the office. The Melbourne office has social and sporting committees to help organise a wide range of activities for you to enjoy alongside your clerkship – it’s a busy four weeks!

Graduate positions available in 2025:

20-30

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

Generally, all graduates recruited from seasonal clerkship pool

Graduate rotation structure:

3 x 6-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

Our graduate program consists of three six-month rotations. Graduates are offered the opportunity to apply to complete one of their rotations either at one of our Pro-Bono partners, clients or in one of our other offices (domestic, Hong Kong or Singapore) in their final rotation.

To ensure an even flow of work during a rotation, a graduate may be required to assist other practice areas when necessary through workshare. Workshare is a key focus area for the firm and is designed to ensure that we match up the capacity that exists in the business with high demand. As well as making good business sense, it provides a fabulous opportunity to learn new skills, to work with new people (sometimes in new places) and to lighten the load for those that are at capacity.

A PLACE WHERE TOGETHER WE LEARN, TOGETHER WE MASTER, TOGETHER WE LEAD

We are redefining what a law firm can be.

Working for some of the world’s most innovative organisations, our people go beyond the law.

At KWM, you will have opportunities to learn new skills and master your craft - all while playing a leading role in helping the firm and those around you grow.

WHAT DO WE OFFER? Culture of innovation, collaboration and high performance.

Multiple career pathways where you can shape your future.

World-class training and coaching to unleash your full potential.

High impact work for the world’s leading organisations.

Relationships that last a lifetime.

careers.kwm.com/en/graduates-australia

kwm.com

A PLACE WHERE TOGETHER WE LEARN, TOGETHER WE MASTER, TOGETHER WE LEAD Our impact:

We are making progress towards our target of 40% female representation at partnership level.

Our LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Network at KWM (LINK) raises awareness of and advocates in relation to LGBTIQ+ issues and concerns, and promotes inclusion, provides support and builds a sense of community for LGBTIQ+ identifying people and allies.

We have recorded over 630,000 pro bono hours since 2001.

89% of Partners & Lawyers participated in pro bono.

286 organisations received Legal Assistance in FY22.

Our program SEASONAL CLERKSHIP PROGRAM

Key contacts

Our commitments:

MADELEINE HORSEY PEOPLE & DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR, MELBOURNE

Applications open: Monday, 1 July 2024 Applications close: Sunday, 11 August 2024 Apply via our online application system at: kwm.com/careers We offer seasonal clerkships that give you insight into what it’s like to be a lawyer at King & Wood Mallesons.

You’ll get to know our people, the way we work, our culture, practice areas, clients and more.

What will you learn?

The day-to-day skills to get you started – taking instructions, meeting with clients, drafting memos and documents, managing your practice and professional relationships.

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

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

Our people are here to support you – you’ll find that people from every part of the business will help you by sharing their knowledge and walking beside you through the early stages of your career and beyond.

Over $15M raised and donated via DigDeep® since 2001.

Reduce our emissions by: Becoming certified carbon neutral by December 2022.

Complete Setting science-based targets by December 2023 and reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

Complete, awating verifiation

TEL +61 3 9643 5550 EMAIL MADELEINE.HORSEY@AU.KWM.COM

TIFFANY DOUROS PEOPLE & DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR, MELBOURNE TEL +61 3 9643 5546 EMAIL TIFFANY.DOUROS@AU.KWM.COM

Source 100% renewable energy for our Australian operations before 2024. Complete

careers.kwm.com/en/graduates-australia Update and re-certify our Environmental Management System by June 2022 Complete

Undertake various energy, paper, water and waste reduction initiatives (ongoing).

Ongoing

kwm.com

jbith@landers.com.au https://www.landers.com.au/ Level 15/477 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Jenny Bith Senior Talent Acquisition and Early Careers Consultant jbith@landers.com.au +61 3 9269 9519

Lander & Rogers is a leading independent Australian law firm, comprising over 600 people including 93 partners.

We have grown organically, resulting in a highly cohesive firm sharing a strong work and client service ethic, as well as high staff and partner retention rates. We believe that legal services involve more than just the law – practical, commercial advice and exceptional client experience are equally important to our clients and to us.

Our firm is global in its approach, but we remain fiercely independent and truly Australian. We work closely with international firms that do not have an Australian presence, and we are the exclusive Australian member of the largest global network of independent law firms, TerraLex.

Compensation Law

Workplace Relations & Safety

Corporate

Family & Relationship Law

Commercial Disputes

Insurance Law & Litigation

Real Estate & Projects

With innovation at our core, you're encouraged to think differently.

Work alongside Australia's first LawTech Hub where the best and brightest technology entrepreneurs and legal experts co-create pioneering and innovative legal tech solutions.

Experience a supportive culture within a flexible hybrid environment where we invest in your ongoing learning and celebrating success.

Whether you are contributing to client work or for the good of the community through pro bono experiences, you are part of a proud people-first culture, that values your impact.

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

24

Clerkship positions available each intake:

8-10

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

16 - 20 September 2024

Rotations:

No rotations

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer 1, Summer 2 and Winter

Enrol in the Seasonal Clerkship Program in Melbourne to gain practical legal experience through real client work, and a behind-the-scenes look into life as a lawyer within Lander & Rogers' various practice groups. Whether you're solving interesting and complex legal problems alongside real clients, expanding your knowledge and skills through training and mentoring, or growing your network of legal and business contacts, the Seasonal Clerkship Program provides insight into a fulfilling career at Lander & Rogers.

As the next generation of lawyers, access education programs designed to upskill you in legaltech tools and design thinking. As part of the program, clerks participate in The Sprint to learn about legaltech and its application in automating legal processes. There are also opportunities to get involved with pro bono work that is currently being undertaken by the firm.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

8

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

8

Graduate rotation structure:

3 x 4-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

Access hands-on support while deepening your skills and experience during your first year across a number of practice groups. Gain a breadth of experience and access to challenging work to inform your preferred specialisation. A role with Lander & Rogers will build upon your unique skills, and equip you to launch your career forward. You'll learn in a culture where new ideas are not only welcomed, but encouraged, and where knowledge is openly exchanged. During each rotation, partner with a buddy for day-to-day support to navigate client interactions as your career gathers momentum. Active mentoring and social networks ensure you are supported along the way to help you achieve more while leading a healthy work-life balance.

Rose.Bundrock@maddocks.com.au https://www.maddocks.com.au/

Rose Bundrock Senior Manager - Talent Rose.Bundrock@maddocks.com.au (03) 9258 3653

Level 25, Tower 2, 727 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

We are a proudly independent Australian commercial law firm. Maddocks has close to 90 Partners, who work alongside more than 600 people across our offices in Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney.

Our clients include medium to large private organisations, high net worth individuals and families, ASX200 companies, national, 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, commitment to doing things better, and respect for the individual and diversity.

Our sector areas of focus are in Education, Government, Healthcare, Infrastructure Energy & Utilities, Technology, and Property Development. Working at Maddocks you will have access to top quality work for high calibre clients.

Working autonomously and collaboratively, you will be supervised, mentored, and supported by recognised experts in their respective legal fields at every stage of your career.

The firm offers a range of outstanding training and development programs tailored to a wide variety of needs and interests. Maddocks is very proud of and committed to its pro bono program which engages lawyers to contribute to the community in a meaningful way. Potentially, your interests and passions may lead to your involvement in one of our Diversity, Inclusion, and Innovation projects.

Construction Commercial Development Dispute Resolution & Litigation

Employment, Safety & People Public Law Property

You will also have an opportunity to be involved in social activities, sporting teams and initiatives in D&I and innovation.

What distinguishes Maddocks is the diversity of our client base and our people. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and to making a difference in the communities in which we operate, means there are opportunities for you to play a greater part than your everyday role. Alongside our extensive mentoring program, applicable to all of our people, we have a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace. This is encapsulated in the work that is undertaken by the Maddocks Gender Equality Network, Maddocks Pride, and the Maddocks Culturally and Linguistically Diverse groups.

These groups are open to all Maddocks people as a way of promoting career development and networking opportunities for women, LGBTQIA+ and culturally diverse employees, and their allies.

We provide pro bono legal services and financial assistance to community organisations and individuals in need.

There are opportunities for all of our people to complete pro bono work, assist community groups to receive crucial funding, and volunteer with community organisations. We take the fun of creativity seriously. Law firms need to be constantly evolving, so we train and encourage our people to closely examine the way they work with each other, for our clients, and improve by empowering our people to create ideas and drive change.

Clients are at the heart of everything we do. Our areas of focus are in the Education, Government, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Technology, and Development sectors.

A significant portion of our work is in the public sector working for Commonwealth, State, and local governments. Government clients can be seen across almost all of our practice teams. Our Commercial team have extensive M&A experience, recently advising Ultra Violette on its new partnership with a US Equity Firm. Our Development team has advised on major property development matters, including Australia 108 which altered the Melbourne city skyline.

We work on a range of technology acquisitions with clients such as Optus, Aristocrat Technologies and Samsung. Many of our teams are advising clients in relation to renewable energy, such as PCL Construction on the new 94 MW Gunsynd Solar Project in Goondiwindi QLD, helping to drive Australia’s clean energy transition.

Adopted in 1998, Maddocks’ 5 core values still remain as Integrity, Stewardship, Collaboration, Commitment to doing things better, and Respect for the individual and diversity.

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

35-45

Clerkship positions available each intake:

10-15

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

September

Rotations:

2 rotations

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer 1, Summer 2 and Winter

Our clerkship program is a great opportunity for ambitious students to experience what it’s truly like to work at Maddocks from Day One. The clerkship begins with a comprehensive program of learning and development activities and training sessions to ensure you are set up for success when you join your practice teams. You will rotate through 2 practice teams based on your preferences, where you will gain real world experience through challenging and meaningful work for our clients. With an allocated Buddy and Coordinator, you will receive regular feedback and support, plus a formal feedback review to ensure you know what you're doing well and any areas for development. Of course it's important to have some fun too and you will have plenty of opportunities to experience life at Maddocks through a range of social activities. At Maddocks, our vision is to be the modern Australian law firm, invested in our clients and our people. To make this happen we have a culture that emphasises great work and rewarding career opportunities. We are guided by our core values of integrity, stewardship, collaboration, innovation and respect for the individual and diversity.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

12-14

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

12-14

Graduate rotation structure:

3 x 4-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

Our Graduate program is the next step in your career at Maddocks. We carefully select our clerks with the intention that they will become our Graduates. Graduates will be mentored and supported at every stage of your career with regular structured feedback and review systems. This will enable you to develop both your technical legal skills and business acumen on a diverse range of complex and interesting projects. You will rotate through three practice teams, giving you the opportunity to explore different areas and develop your skills. Our induction program is designed to ensure you will be ready to settle into your practice teams straight away. It consists of a practical legal training program with Leo Cussen Centre for Law and a Maddocks induction program. Many of these sessions focus on building the foundations for you to be successful lawyers, regardless of which team you end up working in. The Graduate program at Maddocks has supported many young lawyers through to senior roles, even partnership. We take pride in our program building excellent lawyers who value quality work and clients, community contribution and a terrific workplace culture.

During the Maddocks clerkship 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 a range of social and sporting activities.

Join our clerkship program and become part of a firm where you’re involved from Day One.

Scan this QR code to find out what it’s like to work at Maddocks.

liana.sutton@minterellison.com

Liana Sutton National Early Careers Manager liana.sutton@minterellison.com

https://www.minterellison.com/ Level 20, Collins Arch 447 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

MinterEllison is one of Australia’s largest law firms, with nearly 200 years of business history. We’re known for our legal and consulting expertise — and for our inclusive culture and authentic character.

We’ve changed to keep up with our client’s expectations. Today we offer legal and consulting services under one roof. Clients rely on our expertise and insights to solve their most complex business challenges. They value our responsive, commercial approach. We are curious by nature, diverse in our disciplines and authentic in our relationships.

At MinterEllison we provide our clerks and graduates with exceptional training, development and experiences. From the very beginning, you will work on real client engagements that prepare you to face professional challenges, and provide you with the technical and business knowledge you need to achieve your career ambitions.

In an environment that is changing rapidly we’re driving digital transformation and embedding a culture of curiosity.

Capital Solutions

Competitions, Climate & Technology

Consulting

Dispute Resolution

Environment & Planning

Finance Solutions

Infrastructure, Construction & Property Volume

Insurance and Corporate Risk

Legal Technology Consulting

Projects, Infrastructure & Construction

Project Solutions

Real Estate

Statutory Compensation Management

Tax

Transaction Solutions

Workplace

Excellence Excellence in all its forms is the hallmark of all that we do Curiosity We solve complex challenges for our clients and our business with a curious and innovative mindset Collaboration We work collaboratively with our clients and harness the power of inclusion

MinterEllison is one of Australia’s largest law firms, with nearly 200 years of business history.

We’re known for our legal and consulting expertise — and for our inclusive culture and authentic character. We’ve changed to keep up with our client’s expectations. We offer legal and consulting services under one roof. Clients rely on our expertise and insights to solve their most complex business challenges. They value our responsive, commercial approach.

Blue chip public and private companies

Government (local, state and federal)

State owned entities

Global financial institutions

Not-for-profits and social enterprises

Leading multinationals

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

55-60

Clerkship positions available each intake:

25-30

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

September - October

Rotations:

2 x 2-week rotations

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer and Winter

At MinterEllison in Melbourne our clerkship program offers meaningful work experience, 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, experience roles in our different lines of business, helping you decide which area is right for you and attend social and networking events.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

25-30

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

25-30

Graduate rotation structure:

3 x 6-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Yes

Most of our Graduates join MinterEllison after completing a clerkship with us, but that isn’t the only pathway. Our Graduate Program provides you with the on-the-job skills and learning you need to succeed as a lawyer. Our program includes a tailored orientation and learning program, completion of your Practical Legal Training funded by the firm, and support with your admission process. You have the opportunity to experience three 6 month rotations across different practice groups where you will be exposed to different clients, teams, and matters of all kinds.

After developing your skills and building on your technical and business knowledge through our Graduate Program, you are set up for a successful career as a commercial lawyer. Development doesn’t stop at the end of the Graduate Program, you will have a career ahead of you which will be filled with different clients, exciting deals and matters and the opportunity to collaborate with our exceptional national and international teams. Career paths aren’t always linear, and your career might end up in places or teams you never expected! We are looking forward to you exploring a world of opportunities with us.

Early careers at MinterEllison

Our clerks and graduates tell us that three key things make the MinterEllison experience:

Five reasons we’re different

1. Experiencing high profile matters in a top tier firm

Our industry go-to-market strategy is key to achieving our growth ambitions. You could be working on the matters changing the landscape of law and legal practice.

2. Our culture

Great roles in great matters

3. Our learning and development programs Feed your curiosity

Learn by working on real challenges Right from the start you’ll work on real client engagements, preparing you for any challenge. Discover new areas of practice, and learn the technical knowledge and tools you need to achieve your career ambitions.

An award winning start to your career Winner, Most Popular Clerkship Employer

Finalist, Most Popular Law Employer

Top100 Graduate Employer Awards 2024

Top100 Graduate Employer Awards 2024

Top Graduate Employers 2023

Top Intern Programs 2023

Australian Association of Graduate Employers

Australian Association of Graduate Employers

graduates.minterellison.com

Our learning programs will help you build the skills you need to be the trusted advisor of tomorrow.

A focus on you Our wellbeing program, leave policies and entitlements ensure our people are supported.

An inclusive culture It’s no surprise that the MinterEllison workplace culture is awarded key inclusion awards and benchmarks. We’re truly inclusive and value diversity in all its forms.

A passion for social justice You’ll have the chance to join our pro bono and community investment program to help address disadvantage.

For information and to apply visit graduates.minterellison.com

australian.graduates@nortonrosefulbright.com www.nortonrosefulbright.com/eu-au

Hayley Ballard Human Resource Advisor hayley.ballard@nortonrosefulbright.com 03 8686 6053

Level 38, 477 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm, providing a full business law service to household-name businesses and financial institutions. We have more than 3000 lawyers and legal staff, based in 50+ cities across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. And in amongst that global network, you’ll find some of the finest minds in the legal sector – all ready to aid your development.

We acknowledge our responsibility to make a contribution to the community of which we are a part.

We aim to create an environment which educates, encourages and supports our people in acknowledging their responsibility to participate in activities which contribute to our community; support the underprivileged; respect the environment; and acknowledge and respect Indigenous Australians. Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program is a vital part of our cultural make-up and community spirit. CSR is a way to give back to those in need. It is our responsibility as corporate citizens to do the right thing. We’re proud of our contribution to pro bono, and during 2023 we completed over 25,000 hours of pro bono work across Australia.

Banking & Finance

Pro Bono

Corporate M&A

Projects & Construction

Employment & Labour

Real Estate

Environment & Planning

Restructuring

Intellectual Property & Consumer Markets

Risk Advisory

Litigation and Arbitration

Technology

Quality Clients come first. We work on the basis that if we help our clients to be successful, we will be successful.

Our focus is on providing consistently high-quality legal services to clients across the business.

We are industry experts. We understand our clients’ businesses, industries and markets. Our strong industry focus helps us to forge our market reputation and distinguishes us from our peers.

We have a commercial and pragmatic approach to advising clients on their business dealings.

We develop innovative solutions for our clients’ legal and business issues.

We seek to recruit only the best people and we aim to develop them to perform to the highest level.

Unity We operate in a team culture, collaborating and sharing information and knowledge across disciplines and markets to achieve the best results for our clients.

We have a united, global perspective, servicing industries and clients, on a global basis.

We value our culture and work hard to preserve it.

Integrity We value our people – they are our most important asset – and we promote a culture of respect for the individual.

We expect to deliver work that meets the highest professional, ethical and business standards.

We build long term relationships with our clients and colleagues by being trustworthy, open and fair.

Commitment to our Early Talent cohort’s development - our Summer Clerkship program is carefully curated by our dedicated learning and development team to provide our clerks with a taste of real life as a graduate at an industry leading global law firm. As a global firm, we understand the importance of becoming a well-rounded legal practitioner with international experience. As such, we provide our graduates with the opportunity to complete a six-month secondment in one of our international offices. To date, our international trainee program has seen our Australian graduates complete secondments in the London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing, Dubai, Johannesburg, Abu Dhabi, Athens, Paris and Shanghai.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Our diversity is a strength that benefits both our people and our clients. We strive to foster a welcoming, accepting and supportive environment where all our people can bring their whole selves to work and realise their career potential. This commitment is integral to our business approach. By encouraging our people to contribute their varied backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, we embrace diversity. We believe our differences are what make us stronger and actively promote a culture that values each individual, encouraging and creating inclusion.

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

20-25

Clerkship positions available each intake:

10-13

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

September

Rotations:

No rotations

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer and Winter

Our Clerkship program is carefully curated by our dedicated Early Talent and Learning & Development teams to provide our clerks with a taste of real life as a graduate at an industry leading global law firm. In Melbourne, we run a four-week long Summer and Winter clerkship in a practice area aligned to your interests.

Our clerkship program offers a real taste of life as a Graduate, including: attending client meetings and teleconferences, visits to court, research, preparation of court documents, drafting deeds/contracts, discovery and much more!

Our clerks participate in a day of volunteering with one of our charity partners, and you will complete a pro bono project throughout your four weeks with us. We have a number of social and networking events for you to participate in to help you get to know each other, our people, and our firm.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

10-12

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

10-12

Graduate rotation structure:

4 x 6-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Yes, for 1 year

Our graduates complete four six-month rotations across our practice areas, to provide all our graduates the opportunity to experience the breadth of work we do. Our aim is for each graduate to complete one transactional and one litigious rotation. All graduates will complete PLT through the College of Law during their first 9 months at the firm, and will experience continuous training throughout the 24 month program, through our Thrive Graduate Program.

All graduates are supervised by a partner and paired with a buddy who has recently completed our graduate program. Lawyers have the opportunity (from your second year with NRFA) to apply for an international or pro bono secondment.

Early talent at Norton Rose Fulbright Clerkship Program

Graduate Program

Our clerkship program provides you with a taste of life at our firm to help you find out if we’re the ones for you! Our clerkships run for 4-10 weeks over summer or winter, depending on the office.

Our graduate program is the most important part of your journey with us! You will develop a broad range of knowledge and skills, gain exposure to different sectors and work environments, and ultimately build up the experience you need to become a qualified lawyer.

You will have access to experienced lawyers and learn about the type of work you could do as a lawyer at Norton Rose Fulbright.

You will benefit from: Key skills training with our learning and development team Exposure to client work, with the potential to attend client meetings and visit court Q&A sessions with partners and senior lawyers at the firm Dedicated support network, including a buddy, supervising partner and program manager

You will benefit from: A two-year professional development program, with the opportunity to undertake 4 x 6 month rotations to get to know our firm, and find your fit.

Opportunity to apply for an international rotation and spend six months working at one of our firms overseas Joining our Graduate Academy which includes a variety of learning and development sessions to help you develop as a professional and grow your legal skills

Ability to give back to the community through pro bono work

Financial and study support to complete your Practical Legal Training and become admitted as a lawyer in your respective state

Networking and social events to help you get to know each other

A supportive, friendly and high-performing culture

Best of all, the potential to be offered a position in our graduate program!

Dedicated support network, including a buddy, mentor, and supervising partner for each rotation, and a program manager to support you throughout the journey

Typically roles in our graduate program are filled by those who participate in our clerkship program.

Progress

Giving back to the community through pro bono work and have the opportunity to complete a pro bono secondment

with purpose

Your career is a timeline of accomplishments.

Big steps and little steps that mark how you’ve grown. First days. First deals. First mistake – and how you learned from it.

So here’s your next big step – a first introduction to your future. We’re Norton Rose Fulbright; pre-eminent legal advisors to businesses and financial corporations across the world. And we might just be the right law firm to help you progress with purpose.

Scan to learn more

nationalcampusrecruitment@au.pwc.com

National Recruitment Team nationalcampusrecruitment@au.pwc.com

https://www.pwc.com.au/ Level 19/2 Riverside Quay, Southbank VIC 3006

At PwC Australia, we are a human-led, tech-powered community of solvers coming together in unexpected ways to solve the world's important problems. It all adds up to The New Equation. At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. In our increasingly complex world, we work with businesses, government, and the community to deliver solutions and sustained outcomes. To help Australia continue to thrive and grow.

We are a team of more than 8,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory, and tax services to more than 5,000 clients across Australia.

At PwC, our culture is grounded in a set of values that support and celebrate doing the right thing.

They are part of our day-to-day conversations and the heartbeat of our business. They guide our decisions and determine our success. The values are: act with integrity, make a difference, care, work together, and reimagine the possible.

PwC strives to be the leading professional services firm. We achieve this through building a leading culture of unbounded curiosity, One Firm collaboration and constructive challenges.

We also have benefits, which range from: Work flexibly (Together Anywhere and Flex your Work policies) Solve important problems with social impact Great mentorship & genuine support structure Digital upskilling opportunities & accelerator programs Financial support for further study (CA) Domestic & International secondment opportunities Birthday leave Dress for your day policy Monthly $60 phone allowance Regular team events Work with people from a wide variety of cultural and educational backgrounds (diversity)

Legal Clerkships with PwC In our Legal Clerkship program, you'll gain a practical understanding of how to use legal skills to solve our clients’ most complex problems. With the opportunity to work across a wide range of matters for different legal and business specialists teams, you'll gain exposure to commercial aspects in action and learn what makes our holistic legal practice truly unique.

You'll gain invaluable exposure to the fundamentals of commercial law in one or more of our key pillars:

Application Timelines

Corporate Advisory, Workplace Law, Infrastructure & Energy Transition, Banking & Finance and Digital, Cyber & Technology.

If you're in your second last year of university, we have incredible experiences waiting for you in

Sydney: Applications open 10 June 2024 Applications close 14 July 2024 (11:59 pm AEST) Offers made 11 September Offers must be accepted or declined by 5:00pm 12 September

Sydney and Melbourne. As our business continues to grow, we need the next generation of leaders to help us solve important problems!

Learn more

Melbourne: Applications open 1 July 2024 Applications close 11 August 2024 (11:59 pm AEST) Offers made 16 October 2024 Offers must be accepted or declined by 5:00pm 17 October

© 2024 PricewaterhouseCoopers. All rights reserved.

peopleandculture@rk.com.au https://www.russellkennedy.com.au Level 18, 500 Bourke Street Melbourne VIC 3000

Carla Viglino Senior Advisor - People & Culture cviglino@rk.com.au | 03 9609 6770 Vanessa Maio Coordinator - People & Culture vmaio@rk.com.au | 03 9609 6812

Russell Kennedy is a forward-thinking national law firm, providing exceptional legal solutions, guided by market leading expertise across our sectors of focus. In operation for more than 120 years, we have over 50 principals and 300 employees across offices in Melbourne and Sydney. Underpinning Russell Kennedy is the strong, lasting relationships we build with our clients and our people. We pride ourselves on creating positive and meaningful change within our community. Our lawyers are widely recognised as leaders in their fields, helping shape the way industries appear today. Our clients and capabilities are widespread. A member of international legal network Ally Law, our reach spans the globe. We’re a certified Employer of Choice for Gender Equality and we’re dedicated to being a culturally diverse, LGBTQIA+ and disability friendly workplace. We strive to create an environment that is inclusive, progressive and compassionate, so our people feel confident bringing their whole, authentic selves to work. Many roads lead to Russell Kennedy, whether you’re an experienced professional, an in-house specialist or just starting out. Ever growing, we recruit top calibre talent, so that we can expand and enhance our client service offering.

Corporate and Commercial

Workplace Relations and Employment

Dispute Resolution

Estate Planning

Property and Development

Family Law

Local and State Government

Aged Care and Retirement Living

At Russell Kennedy, you’ll be working with some of the best and brightest minds in the legal industry, with loyal clients who truly appreciate your skillset. Your work will be diverse and thought-provoking, and you’ll be influencing society, now and into the future, for the better. Take Principal Michael Gorton AM for example. Over the course of his 40-year career, he’s helped establish Reconciliation Victoria, a state-wide body promoting deeper understanding, respect and justice for and with First Nations people. Additionally, the Victorian Government enacted multiple changes to IVF laws, based on the findings of his report, the Gorton Review. The reforms ensure Victorians have better access to safer, higher quality treatment, and that is free from discrimination. Our people – both lawyers and those who power us – are encouraged to participate in the pro-bono practice, which provides free legal services, addressing unmet legal needs and ensuring disadvantaged people access to justice.

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

Up to 40

Clerkship positions available each intake:

10-15

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

August to October

Rotations:

1 practice group

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer 1, Summer 2 and Winter

Our Seasonal Clerkship Program is designed to give you a real taste of life at Russell Kennedy. We have created the program to be informative and provide relevant experience to help you decide whether you would like to pursue a Law Graduate position. Clerks are paired with a mentor and a buddy in their allocated practice group who will ensure that they receive the necessary support throughout their journey with us. Our clerks will have the opportunity to attend our in-house seminars for professional development and spend time with our current Law Graduates to learn about their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. We also encourage our clerks to get involved in the pro bono work available at Russell Kennedy. In addition to our main recruitment pathway, we offer three alternative pathways: Access at RK, Refugee and First Nations. These clerkship streams highlight Russell Kennedy’s commitment to equal opportunity and to creating a workplace that is not only diverse, but inclusive.

We encourage applications from students with disabilities, refugee background and those identifying as members of one or more First Nations of Australia. All applicants participate in the same four week clerkship program.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

10-15

Graduate rotation structure:

4 x 3-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority and market offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

Russell Kennedy offers a 12-month Law Graduate program rotating through four Practice Groups. Our Graduate Program is designed to provide in depth on the job experience working across different teams within the firm. All graduates are encouraged to experience a transactional, advisory and litigious team during the program. Spending three months in a practice group provides an opportunity to be exposed to different Principals, clients and industries that particular teams work with, allowing Graduates to take a deep dive into matters, apply skills learnt from formal studies into practice and gain a solid understanding of how our firm operates as a whole. Upon commencement at the firm, Law Graduates are allocated a Graduate Lead for their Graduate Program. They meet with their Graduate Lead on a regular basis to discuss their career progression, rotations and assist with personal development. In addition to this, we also allocate Law Graduates a Rotational Supervisor and Graduate Support. They will both assist with the transition from university to full-time employment. Russell Kennedy partners with College of Law for Graduates to complete their Practical Legal Traineeship within the first six months of commencing.

careers@steinpag.com.au https://www.steinpag.com.au Level 6, 99 William Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Ellen Metlitzky HR Manager emetlitzky@steinpag.com.au 08 9321 4000 03 9111 9400

Steinepreis Paganin is a leading independent corporate & commercial law firm with offices in Perth and Melbourne. Established in 1997, Steinepreis Paganin have an excellent market reputation as one of the largest corporate and commercial teams in Australia with a team of over 45 lawyers. We offer clients specialised and comprehensive advice on a range of corporate and commercial matters, servicing clients in Australia and internationally across all industry sectors.

Steinepreis Paganin are: The most active legal advisor on corporate compliance in Australia.

Consistently ranked #1 in Australia for ECM transactions (IPOs and secondary capital raisings).

Consistently ranked in the top 3 in Australia for M&A transactions (takeover, schemes of arrangement and asset sales).

Engage in more interactions with ASX than any other law firm in Australia.

Steinepreis Paganin is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive culture, with equal opportunity to progress and have a meaningful career. We offer challenging and rewarding work in a supportive and inclusive environment, where everyone has the opportunity to achieve personal and professional growth. Our welcoming, inclusive, and fun culture based on our one team structure enhances collegiality and collaboration. Regular feedback, and the firm's Buddy and Mentor Programs, all aim to provide a supportive environment and make work a great place to be.

What sets us apart from other firms, is that we have no billable targets, our one team structure and access to real work from the start.

Equity Capital Markets

Energy & Resources

Mergers & Acquisitions

Corporate & Commercial

Funds Management

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

18

Clerkship positions available each intake:

3

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

September

Rotations:

No rotations

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer 1, Summer 2 and Winter

The aim of our clerkship program is to give each Vacation Clerk exposure to the type of work we do, as well as to our culture and team environment. We provide Vacation Clerks with a hands-on experience where they will get to work closely with our highly experienced team of corporate lawyers on active matters from day one. We hope that this experience provides our Vacation Clerks with a genuine insight into what life at Steinepreis Paganin is all about and the nature of corporate and commercial legal work, which includes: Equity Capital Markets; Merges & Acquisitions; Funds Management; Energy & Resources; and Corporate & Commercial.

Vacation Clerks are each allocated a buddy and mentor and provided with initial training and induction to ensure that they know how to go about things, who to go to for support and how to access work.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

4-6

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

TBC

Graduate rotation structure:

No rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers and market offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

At Steinepreis Paganin we pride ourselves on providing our Graduate team members with a fantastic opportunity in the Corporate Law sector. From day 1 of joining our team you will be working on active matters, with the support and guidance of our highly skilled team of corporate lawyers. Our structure ensures that you will work with team members at all levels from Partners to Lawyers, therefore giving you exposure to a wide range of experience and all kinds of matters across the corporate and commercial spectrum.

Graduates start with a 2-week full time induction program to familiarise them with the systems and processes of the firm and some basic concepts they will need to understand in their role. Graduates then undertake the in-house National Graduate Training Program, which runs for 20 weeks, aimed at equipping new graduates to develop skills and better understand the technical aspects of Commercial Law, whilst putting this into practice on active matters. Graduates will be supported to begin the College of Law Practical Legal Training program so that they are eligible for admission as a solicitor. The firm covers all course and admission costs and provides paid leave when graduates are absent from the office for on-site course and exams.

pshoppee@tglaw.com.au

Philip Shoppee People and Development Advisor pshoppee@tglaw.com.au +61 3 9641 8919

https:/www.tglaw.com.au Level 23, Rialto South Tower, 525 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Thomson Geer is a major Australian corporate law firm. We have more than 560 people, including 134 partners operating out of our offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, and Adelaide. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work, and our transparency. We are driven by our clients' needs. Our industry coverage and client work is diverse. We have access to high quality work for major institutional clients giving our lawyers exposure to excellent work while maintaining small teams where each lawyer gets to develop and learn from senior lawyers, including partners.

We create an environment that is flexible, friendly, personable, collegiate and professionally stimulating. We work hard to enhance this culture through transparent, authentic communication, and by ensuring we are respectful and accountable to each other every day to provide an environment where our staff can grow personally and professionally.

Corporate

Employment

M&A

Property

Banking and Finance

Projects and Construction

Litigation

Tax

Workplace and General Insurance

Media

Thomson Geer strives to deliver best practice legal skills to our clients, doing so efficiently, reliably and with an authentic and transparent approach. We are focused on enhancing the competitive position of our clients in whatever circumstances they find themselves in. This philosophy extends to the way we interact with each other. Honestly and transparently and supporting each other to be the best lawyers and people we can be.

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

10-12

Clerkship positions available each intake:

5-6

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

September - October

Rotations:

1 practice area

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer 1 and Summer 2

We offer a four week Summer Clerkship program either in November/December or January/February. Our structured program helps clerks to learn through a combination of hands-on experience, training, coaching and observation. We know you’re not just a student on work experience. We want to give you a realistic, stretching introduction to the legal profession. How does this happen? From day one, you’ll be an active participant in the team, involved in all aspects of legal practice, and working directly with experienced practitioners. We will dedicate time to your development as an up-and-coming lawyer in our team: an investment in you is an investment in our future, and the future of our valued clients. You will find that our partners and staff are approachable and happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. We encourage our clerks, graduates and trainees to get as much exposure to different practice areas and ways of working as they can – this is a reflection of how we work as a fully integrated, cohesive, national team.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

6-8

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

6-8

Graduate rotation structure:

3 x 4-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

Students who complete a clerkship with the firm will be eligible to be considered for a position in the firm’s next graduate program, commencing in 2025. This program runs for 12 months and includes rotation among different practice areas to help determine the area of law which best suits you. All Thomson Geer graduates complete comprehensive training in-house, as well as structured external training which will support them to become well-rounded and technically competent practitioners, fully qualified to gain admission to practice. Our graduates are provided with considerable access to our Partners, resulting in unparalleled learning and development opportunities. You will have access to a high level of information to assist in the development of your commercial career, and will be mentored by senior lawyers and supported by junior staff. Most importantly – your supervising Partner will be genuinely interested in and committed to your success and the progression of your career towards admission and beyond.

graduaterecruitment.apac@whitecase.com

www.whitecase.com/australiagrad

Oliver Summers Advisor - Early Careers Recruitment oliver.summers@whitecase.com

Level 32, 525 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

White & Case are a global law firm with longstanding offices in the markets that matter today. Our on-the-ground experience, cross-border integration and breadth of internationally qualified lawyers help our clients work with confidence in any one market or across many.

Over the past 100 years, we’ve built an unrivalled network of 44 offices in 30 countries. This investment is the foundation for White & Case’s client work in over 200 countries.

Our innovative approaches create original solutions to our clients’ most complex domestic and multijurisdictional deals and disputes. We believe global exposure is an integral part of becoming a great lawyer, and our graduates are encouraged to take up international secondment opportunities, either as a part of the Graduate Program or early in their careers.

Antitrust and Competition

Land, Environment, and Planning

Corporate M&A and Private Equity

Project Development

Debt Finance

Project Finance

Disputes and International Arbitration

Tax

Financial Restructuring and Insolvency

Pioneering, united, human—these are the three values that shape our distinctive culture and differentiate us from others. They capture the unique spirit of our Firm and guide the behaviours and actions that enable us to deliver on the promises we make to our people and clients.

Clerkship positions available in Melbourne office:

20-22

Clerkship positions available each intake:

10-11

Application period:

1 July 2024 - 11 August 2024

Interview period:

September - October

Rotations:

1 practice group

Seasonal clerkship periods:

Summer and Winter

A vacation clerkship is a great way to experience first-hand what life is like as a graduate at White & Case. As a part of our clerkship programs, you’ll be welcomed into our team, where you’ll undertake a number of meaningful and challenging tasks. You will have the opportunity to attend client meetings, work on pro bono matters, and broaden your understanding of large cross-border transactions and matters. During your time with White & Case, you’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our wider APAC network through the simultaneous programs running across Melbourne, Hong Kong and Tokyo, as well as through the matters and projects you’ll be exposed to.

These early insights are a great way of learning more about our overseas seat opportunities and what practices are available in different offices. Throughout the clerkship, you will work closely with your supervisor (partner), a mentor (senior associate) and a buddy (junior associate/graduate). They will give you continuous support and assistance, engage you in their work, and provide formal and informal feedback. Additionally, in-house training and events will help you better understand the work we do for our clients and build your network.

Graduate positions available in 2025:

18-20 (one Australian cohort)

Graduates recruited from 2024-25 clerkship pool:

18-20

Graduate rotation structure:

3 x 6-month rotations

Pathway to graduate position:

Priority offers

Deferring a graduate offer:

Considered on a case-by-case basis

From day one, you will join our diverse teams and work on fast-paced, cutting edge and complex multijurisdictional projects, experiencing the operational realities of cross-border law. You will gain client exposure early on, as you handle substantive matters with first-rate guidance and supervision from leaders in their field. We structure our Graduate Program to meet both your short-term career goals and long-term aspirations. You will work through three six-month rotations, taking into account your preferences, to fully equip you with the necessary skills to become a skilled, globally commercial lawyer. We also offer a guaranteed overseas seat as one of your rotations, in our AsiaPacific or Middle East offices. As a truly global law firm, we provide our graduates with unique opportunities to work on international matters–both commercial and pro bono–with teams across our large global network of offices. Our associates develop a global mentality, plus top legal skills, and build a network that will last a lifetime.

When are the clerkship Intakes?

Intakes for clerkships take place in either summer or winter and run for approximately three to four weeks. The actual dates will differ from firm to firm, however generally speaking the dates are as follows: Summer 1 intake: November to December Summer 2 intake: January to February Winter intake: June to July Usually when the applicant gets through to the interview stage, the firm will ask the applicant what their preferences are regarding the different intakes the firm offers.

Which intake is the best?

The answer here is subjective, ultimately the aim of a clerkship is to make a good impression so as to be remembered and chosen for a graduate role. Consequently, whether you choose a summer or winter intake, you will be subject to the same standard of assessment. However, there are some practical differences that may be worth taking into account: The first summer intake can be more fun and festive given that the firm typically engages in Christmas/holiday festivities like Christmas parties and lunches and consequently you may have an easier time socialising with people at the firm during this time.

With the first summer intake, once it is finalised, you ought to do little things throughout the year (up and until graduate applications) to remain remembered, for instance having regular coffees or catch-ups with the people of their firm.

Regarding the second summer intake, the firm will usually be less busy when it comes to work (compared with first summer intake and the winter intake), this is because a lot of the legal world goes into hibernation until late January. Further, you will find that some Partners and Senior Associates will be on holiday with family for some of the time in which you are clerking.

Some claim that the winter intake is more beneficial because it is prior to submission of graduate applications and therefore your impression is likely to be the most recent impression left on the firm.

People who are fortunate enough to accept three clerkship offers, may want to place their favourite firm in the winter intake and in turn use the preceding two offers during the summer intakes as practices that will best prepare them for their final winter intake.

Ultimately, there is no best practice, both summer and winter intakes have their respective advantages and disadvantages.

Who typically can apply for clerkship?

Law firms and accounting firms typically prefer penultimate year students (students in their second last year of law school), this is because the clerkship for a lot of firms can be a good pre-requisite to the offering of graduate roles. Consequently, once you have finished your clerkship, it is desirable that the following year (2025), you are completing your last year and can therefore state a graduate role by 2026.

What does the typical clerkship application process entail?

When applying for a clerkship, you will find the application process is broadly similar across all the firms, but this is subject to some small exceptions. The typical application process is outlined as follows: Completing the actual application Most law firms (if not all) require you to submit a resume, cover letter, official transcript, and personalised responses to questions that are designed to elaborate more about you, your achievements, strengths, and knowledge of the firm.

Where the variations can occur is that some firms dispense with a cover letter and require you to instead submit responses to the questions asked. This is because the questions asked typically require responses that you would otherwise put in your cover letter. For HR, this method can be seen as a more efficient and effective method of discovering who you are as an applicant.

Completing the psychometric/aptitude testing process Once you have submitted your application and assuming you progress through to the next stage, some firms require you to undertake psychometric and aptitude testing. However, some firms put the psychometric/aptitude testing component as part of the first stage (in conjunction with the actual application).

Psychometric testing is a series of questions that are designed to capture your personality traits and overall emotional intelligence. While aptitude testing aims to measure one’s ability to recognise patterns, ability to work out numerical problems, and one’s reading and writing acumen.

Interview Stage After completing the application and psychometric/aptitude stage, then the applicant will progress through to the interview stage. This stage typically takes the form of a face to face interview between the applicant with one or more representatives from the firm. The representatives of the firm may include HR, a Senior Associate, or even a Partner of the firm.

Some firms will have more than one interview stage and some firms employ the use of a one-way video interview platform. This type of interview is conducted on your computer, where you are asked questions and you video record your responses to those questions via the relevant computer program being used by that firm. These video interviews tend to be a prerequisite to a real face to face interview. Lastly, the applicants that receive an interview are usually invited to a firm cocktail night, this presents an opportunity for the applicants (who are about to undertake an interview) to get to know the firm on a more personal level. They will be able to mingle with various Partners, Senior Associates, Associates, and graduates of the firm. This is also an opportunity for the applicant to make a lasting impression on the firm prior to the interview.

What happens on offer day?

Offer day will occur on 16 October 2024. For the applicants that made it through every stage of the clerkship process, offer day is when the firms will inform the applicants of whether they received a clerkship offer. At 10am, firms will promptly make first contact with the successful applicants via email.

This email is followed by a phone call from the Partner, Senior Associate, or HR representative that interviewed you. In accordance with the LIV guidelines, the applicant does not have to immediately accept or reject the offer, they may hold the offer for a minimum of four hours as the applicant would want to know whether they will receive offers from other firms (unless you hold more than four offers, in that case you cannot hold the offers for more than two hours).

Also, in accordance with the LIV guidelines, an applicant may accept a maximum of three clerkship offers, hence it is strongly advised that prior to offer day, you prioritise what offers you would accept.

The applicants who were not given an offer will be informed of this fact either by the end of offer day or sometime the following day. This is typically done via email.

What if I do not get a clerkship?

If you do not get a clerkship, the first thing to realise is that it is not the end of the world. A clerkship is not the requisite magical key that unlocks the door to a successful law career. Assuming that you want a commercial law career in one of those firms, there will always be another avenue that allows you to meet that dream. In light of this, you should be aware of the following alternative pathways that can be taken. There is nothing wrong with applying for clerkships a second time, as explained above, law firms will accept applications from students in their last year, this is notwithstanding the fact that they have already applied the year before. It is recommended that if you try again, you should have an understanding as to your weakness in the application process, so that you can aim to rectify those weaknesses when you apply again.

Law firms do facilitate open market offers. These are graduate offers made to applicants in the open market, that is law students who have not completed a clerkship at that firm in the year prior to their graduate year. Not every law firm does this and it also may be subject to the demand for law graduates versus the supply of successful clerks. Hence, it is necessary to find out which law firms are offering an open market offer in that year. To have a successful career in commercial law, you do not need to start in a top tier law firm, I would recommend trying your hand at a boutique commercial law firm or even at a government institution like ASIC or the ACCC. This is because once you look beyond your graduate year, law firms (especially top tier law firms) do not necessarily look for the best transcript.

Is it mandatory that you be in your penultimate year to apply for a clerkship?

Notwithstanding the above, it is not mandatory that you be in your penultimate year. It is not uncommon that applicants who have applied in one year, apply again for another year, this can be due to the fact that the individual was unsuccessful in the preceding year.

Typically, in the application process law firms will ask you whether you are in your penultimate year (and when you aim to graduate), hence law firms do expect that not all of their clerks will be in their penultimate year. However, most law firms will expect that if you are not in your penultimate year, you will certainly be in your final year (as opposed to being in your pre-penultimate year).

Is there an optimal time to have submitted your clerkship application?

The short answer is no, all law firms will review and give equal weighting to all clerkship applications that are submitted within the required dates (outlined by the law firm). Hence, submitting your application in the first week of applications will not give you an advantage over the person who submits their application in the second week (and vice versa). Notwithstanding what has been said, it is generally unwise to submit your application in the last couple of days in which it is due, this is because you will not have enough time to prepare for last-minute problems that may arise such as the crashing of servers.

How important is the applicant’s WAM/GPA? Is there a minimum WAM/GPA? Different firms are going to place varying emphasis on the applicant’s WAM/GPA, hence it is difficult to make a blanket statement that pinpoints the degree to which the WAM/GPA is important for the clerkship process. The bad news is that the legal industry and in particular, the commercial legal industry is very competitive, therefore we would be lying to ourselves if we said that the WAM/GPA is not the only factor that is looked at for the purposes of the clerkship application. In my own personal experience I know people with HD averages who had failed to secure a clerkship or at the very least, they struggled to get many interviews. This is because firms want to know that they are not hiring people that are one dimensional (that is, only good at academics), firms want to see that you are capable of juggling university with jobs (legal or other), volunteering and other extracurricular activities, above all, firms want to know they are hiring someone who is human. While firms will not accept applicants with a poor academic average, one cannot place a specific cut off point knowing that other variables are at play, like the firm’s psychometric/aptitude testing (if any) and the applicant’s other strengths that they can present in their application.

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