2025 Seasonal Clerkship Guide

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DEAKIN LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

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.

PUBLISHED BY DEAKIN LAW STUDENTS' SOCIETY

WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO

Sanya Patel Director of Commercial Careers

Lucy French President

Victoria Gosios, Arkady Eydlish, Fred

Blackall and Vaanee Singh

Commercial Careers Officers

McKeely Hol and Samantha Pauliuk Directors of Sponsorship

Luke Dimopoulos and Rebecca Austin Sponsorship Officers

Priyanka Sharma Communications Portfolio

LIVSeasonalClerkshipGuidelines

LIVGraduateTraineeshipGuidelines

PracticalLegalTraining

Australian College of Applied Professions Centre for Legal Studies

College of Law

Leo Cussen Centre for Law

CLERKSHIPTIPS

ApproachingClerkshipsasaDeakinStudent

PreparingfortheClerkshipProcess

NavigatingtheClerkshipProcess

AuthenticityinClerkshipApplications

FIRMINSIGHTS

FundsSuperandFinancialServices

HearfromoneofourLawGraduates

ADayintheLifeofaSummerClerk GlobalExperienceswithBakerMackenzie

MajorProjectsandConstruction

FlosGreig-ATrailBlazerforWomenin Law

ADayintheLifeofaSeasonalClerk TransitionfromClerktoGraduate AdayintheLifeofaClerkatGadens

TheTransitionfromLawSchooltoa GraduateroleatG+T

WorkingatHall&Wilcox MisleadingorDeceptiveConductin

FiveMinuteswithLizTang

ADayintheLife

HowtoprepareforyourClerkship

Interview

WorkplaceRelation&Safety

HowtobeSuccessfulinyourClerkship

CompensationLaw

10ThingsIwishIknewbeforeapplyingto Clerkships

EarlyCareersatMinterEllison AGlobalNetwork

AccessRKSeasonalClerkshipPathway

TheClerkshipExperience

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FIRMPROFILES

Allens

ArnoldBlochLeibler

Ashurst

BakerMcKenzie

BarryNilsson

ClaytonUtz

Cornwalls

CorrsChambersWestgarth

DLAPiper

Gadens

Gilbert+Tobin

Hall&Wilcox

HFW

HerbertSmithFreehills

HWLEbsworth

JohnsonWinterSlattery

JonesDay

K&LGates

KHQLawyers

King&WoodMallesons

Lander&Rogers

Maddocks

MinterEllison

NortonRoseFulbright

PinsentMasons

RussellKennedy

SteinepreisPaganin

ThomsonGeer

White&Case

FrequentlyAskedQuestions

Disclaimer

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 this Guide is an excellent resource. For those who have had the experience of applying for a clerkship but not obtaining one, this 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, this 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 Seasonal Clerkship Guide is invaluable.

I wish you all the best in your endeavours

The seasonal clerkship process is a pivotal moment in the journey for many aspiring lawyers. It is a unique opportunity to gain practical experience and reflect on the kind of legal professional you aspire to be We encourage you to approach this process with curiosity, openness and a willingness to explore the many pathways that the legal profession has to offer

It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to this year’s Seasonal Clerkship Guide, proudly presented by the Deakin Law Students’ Society.

Whether you are in your penultimate or final year of law school, or just beginning to explore the legal landscape, this guide is curated to support you at every stage. Inside, you will find insights, practical tips, and perspectives needed to navigate the journey ahead with confidence and clarity. From application advice to firm overviews, we’ve aimed to bring together a resource that is both accessible and informative.

The Deakin Law Students’ Society is incredibly grateful to our 2025 sponsors, whose generous support makes this guide possible Their ongoing commitment to the professional development of Deakin law students reflects a shared belief in the importance of nurturing the next generation of legal professionals. Their insights featured throughout these pages, offer valuable glimpses into the culture, values, and expectations of life in the legal profession.

We are exceptionally proud of the work our Sponsorship portfolio has achieved so far this year. Our team is dedicated to connecting Deakin students with leading law firms and organisations, and we are thrilled to see our reach continue to grow We extend our deepest thanks to our officers, Luke Dimopoulos and Rebecca Austin, for their hard work, support and attention to detail in bringing this guide to life

Finally, as you read this publication and consider your next steps, we encourage you to remember: while a clerkship can be an exciting and rewarding opportunity, it is not the only path to success. There are many ways to build a meaningful legal career, and you are supported in whichever direction you choose to

Welcome to the Deakin Law Students’ Society's Seasonal Clerkship Guide for 2025.

On behalf of the Commercial Careers portfolio, I want to extend my best wishes for your clerkship journey and the upcoming application process Whether you’ve had your sights set on a clerkship since your first semester of law school, or you’re only just starting to explore what this process involves (and maybe feeling a little overwhelmed) - this Guide is for you. It’s designed to be an extremely comprehensive resource, no matter what stage you’re at in your journey.

A seasonal clerkship refers to a short-term 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 your goals, interests and values. 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 personallysecuring one is undoubtedly a competitive process. Law students from Victoria, and even other states, will be vying for these limited placements Hence, it’s important to approach your applications and the whole process with genuine interest, attention to detail, and authenticity. This Guide will help you understand the process, avoid common pitfalls, and feel more confident about what’s ahead

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 very best as you navigate the next steps! Make full use of this Guide, explore all the available resources (including the Commercial Careers portfolio), and most importantly - back yourself I can’t wait to see where this journey takes you all!

The DLSS Commercial Careers Portfolio is proud to present our Seasonal Clerkship Guide for 2025

This Guide strives to ensure Deakin Law students feel adequately informed with key information regarding commercial pathways and the clerkship process. While it is not uncommon for this stage of your legal career to be simultaneously exciting and daunting, this Guide will ensure you are prepared by providing important dates, industry relevant tips, firm overviews, and first-hand testimonials from recent clerks and graduates.

First and foremost, we would like to extend our gratitude to our sponsors for their commitment and contributions. It is their ongoing support that enables Deakin law students to approach the clerkship process with clarity and confidence

Further, we would like to express our deepest appreciation to our Director, Sanya Patel. Without her vision, leadership, and devotion, this Guide would genuinely have not been possible.

Finally, we are immensely grateful to the DLSS Sponsorship Portfolio, their ongoing support and hard work have been instrumental throughout this process.

To all the 2025 Clerkship applicants, we wish you every success when embarking on this exciting next steps in y ulations on all you have achieved in the lead up to this point

PERIODS CLERKSHIPS ELIGIBILITY

Summer1,Summer2, andWinter 90-100

Penultimate,finalyear, andinternationalstudents

Summer1,Summer2, andWinter 40-45 Penultimatestudents

Summer1,Summer2, andWinter 70

Summer1,Summer2, andWinter 30(approx)

SummerandWinter 10-12

SummerandWinter 40-50

Summer 4

Summer1,Summer2, Winter 65-70

Penultimateandfinalyear students

Penultimate,finalyear, andinternationalstudents

Penultimate,finalyear students

Penultimate,finalyear, andinternationalstudents

Penultimate,finalyear students

SummerandWinter 15-20

Penultimate,finalyear, andinternationalstudents

Penultimate,finalyear students

Summer1,Summer2 andWinter 35-40

Summer1,Summer2, andWinter 30(approx.)

Penultimateandfinalyear students

Penultimate,finalyear, andinternational students

SummerandWinter 30

SummerandWinter 8

SummerandWinter 65-70

SummerandWinter 30(approx.)

Penultimateandfinalyear students

Penultimate,finalyear, andinternationalstudents

Penultimate,finalyear, andinternationalstudents

Penultimateand internationalstudents

Summer1,Summer2, AutumnandWinter 16-20

Penultimateandfinalyear students

Summer1

Penultimateandfinalyear students Nospecific target

SummerandWinter 25-30

Winter2024and Summer TBC

Summer1,Summer2, andWinter 90-100

Summer1,Summer2, andWinter 30-33

Penultimateandfinalyear students

Penultimateandfinalyear students

Penultimate,finalyearand internationalstudents

Penultimateandfinalyear students

PERIODS CLERKSHIPS ELIGIBILITY

Summer1,Summer2, andWinter 35-45

SummerandWinter 55-60

SummerandWinter 30

Penultimateandfinalyear students

Penultimate,finalyearand internationalstudents

Penultimate,finalyearand internationalstudents

Winter 5

Summer1,Summer2, andWinter Upto40

Summer1,Summer2, andWinter

Summer1and Summer2

Penultimatestudents

Penultimateandfinalyear students 12

Penultimateandfinalyear students 12-14

Penultimatestudents

SummerandWinter 18-20

Penultimate,finalyear, andinternationalstudents

PROGRESSING FROM

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.

Overview

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

LIV Young Lawyers

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.

Eligibility

(a) Any offer made under these Guidelines relates to clerkship positions commencing in 2025 and 2026

(b) To be eligible to apply for clerkships a student must be in their final or penultimate year of study in 2025.

(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 and close on the dates set out in Schedule 1.

(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 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 9am and 5pm.

(b) A Signatory may make an offer of a clerkship to a student at any time during the offer period set out in Schedule 1

(c) Subject to paragraph 7(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 1pm.

(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 7(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) A clerkship position offered under these Guidelines may be deferred for one (1) year at the student’s request, subject to agreement by the Signatory

(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

(a) Subject to paragraph 8(c), any offer made under these Guidelines relates to a graduate position commencing in 2026.

(b) To be eligible to apply for a graduate position a student must have already completed their law degree or will commence their final semester in 2025

(c) Successful applicants who have already completed their law degree are eligible to commence their graduate position prior to 2026 by agreement between the Signatory and the applicant

Applications

(a) Applications for graduate positions will open and close on the dates set out in Schedule 1

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

(c) Students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the graduate 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 graduate 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 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.

Priority Offers

(a) Business Day is defined as Monday to Friday Business Hours is defined as the period between 9am and 5pm. Priority Offer is defined as an offer made pursuant to paragraph 10(b).

(b) In accordance with paragraph 10, Signatories may make priority offers of a graduate position to the following students:

(i) Students who within the previous two (2) years preceding the date of making the offer referred to in this paragraph, have substantially completed a clerkship of at least two (2) weeks duration with the offering firm, 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, have performed paralegal work for the offering firm, either in Victoria or at one of the firm’s interstate or international offices or virtually.

(c) Offers made pursuant to paragraph 10(b)(i) and 10(b)(ii) are at the discretion of the Signatory

(d) It is accepted that Signatories invite students to express their interest in being considered for a Priority Offer at the conclusion of their clerkship

(e) Subject to paragraph 10(f), Signatories intending to make Priority Offers are not permitted to interview market graduate applicants or to make offers or arrangements concerning market graduate applicants prior to making a Priority Offer

(f) Signatories are permitted to interview paragraph 10(b)(ii) Priority Offer candidates before making a Priority Offer

(g) The Priority Offers made pursuant to this paragraph can be made either in writing and/or by telephone on the dates and times set out in Schedule 1.

(h) A Priority Offer must remain open until the earlier of acceptance/rejection in accordance with paragraphs 10(i) and 10(j) or 4pm on Wednesday 6 August 2025

(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 offered under these Guidelines may be deferred for one (1) year at the student’s request, subject to agreement by the Signatory.

Market Offers

(a) Except as provided in paragraph 10, Signatories may make offers of graduate positions to eligible students on the date and time set out in Schedule 1

(b) All offers made pursuant to this paragraph 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

(c) Signatories are permitted to make follow up calls to offerees once the offer has been made by email

(d) Except as provided in paragraph 10, an offer of a graduate position will remain open for a period of not less 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

(e) A graduate position offered under these Guidelines may be deferred for one (1) year at the student’s request, subject to agreement by the Signatory.

(f) Signatories are not obligated to offer graduate positions each year but if they do, they must follow the 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 four PLT providers in Australia:

The Australian College of Applied Professions [https://www acap edu au/plt/]

Centre for Legal Studies [https://www cfls com au/]

The College of Law [https://www.collaw.edu.au/]

Leo Cussen Centre For Law [https://www.leocussen.edu.au/]

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

STRAIGHT FROM STUDENTS...

Adam Marshall

2024 Seasonal Clerk at Russell Kennedy, Gadens and Norton Rose Fulbright

Clerkship season can feel like a whirlwind of applications, interviews, and imposter syndrome. But for Deakin students, there is no reason to feel out of place With strong academic foundations, practical assessments, and a growing alumni presence in top firms, your Deakin education can be leveraged as a tool throughout your clerkship process It can be daunting to be in a room of students from other universities, but being able to back yourself and your academic experience is fundamental to presenting yourself strongly.

If you are wondering how to differentiate yourself, start by reflecting on what sets Deakin apart. Practical assessments, a compulsory Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) unit, and flexible study options are just a few of the standout features that give us real-world readiness.

Practical Assessments

While other universities may focus heavily on research essays or problem-based questions, many Deakin units incorporate assessments that mirror actual legal practice These assessments are great examples to draw on in clerkship interviews, especially if you do not yet have formal legal work experience.

Examples include:

Criminal Procedure – the bail application requires you to apply bail laws to a factual scenario and make oral submissions

Evidence Law – the mock trial exercise involves case theory development, witness questioning, and oral advocacy

Civil Procedure – (depending on the year you completed this unit) drafting a statement of claim, demonstrating your understanding of initiating proceedings and procedural rules

Property Law, Administrative Law, and more – drafting letters of advice, with varied audiences like clients, in-house counsel, or external lawyers.

These experiences show that your legal education has extended beyond exams and problem questions. Highlighting these assessments can demonstrate your communication skills, practical thinking, and legal understanding. This list is by no means exhaustive, and you should consider whether you have come across any assessments which have given you a better understanding of legal practice

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) and Electives

As part of your degree, you will have completed (or will complete) a WIL unit Whether you have volunteered at a community legal centre, taken part in Deakin Law Clinics, or participated in mooting, this unit is a great opportunity to reflect on your early exposure to legal work In applications and interviews, you can draw on this experience to speak about your interests, values, and how you have applied your learning outside of lectures and seminars.

You may also consider the law electives you studied, as this can help you demonstrate a genuine interest in a firm’s practice areas. For example, I took Workplace Law and found it gave me a good foundation of employment issues such as unfair dismissal, enterprise agreements, and contract issues. My genuine interest for this area made tailoring cover letters and asking questions to interviewers much more authentic Do not be afraid to talk on units you have found interesting, as it shows you interest in the law

Flexible Learning

Deakin offers flexible learning conditions by providing online lectures and seminars options, and providing recordings in case you miss a class. This flexibility enables you to manage a range of responsibilities, whether that be through employment, extra-curricular activities, or family and carer commitments Personally, I took advantage of Trimester 3 each year Last year, I balanced a mix of work and extra-curricular commitments by doing three units in Trimesters 1 and 2, and two over the summer This allowed me to maintain my academic performance without compromising on other responsibilities Sharing stories like this in your application can show time management, that you can manage multiple responsibilities, and self-discipline

Using it to your advantage

From my experience, many firms actively encourage and value Deakin applicants, recognising the practical and diverse experiences they bring Being a Deakin student is advantageous The key is to recognise the value of your academic journey and speak confidently about it

Wishing you all the best with your clerkship applications!

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.

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

Orgranisation

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!

The clerkship process can be a somewhat daunting experience to embark on; between the overload of information, comparing yourself to your peers, and frantically reading articles in the Seasonal Clerkship Guide (like this one!), it is easy to feel overwhelmed and confused at times While this is by no means a definitive guide to navigating the clerkship process, it is an insight into what I found useful and what helped me along the way.

1. Establishing strong foundations that help to showcase your strengths

Spending time to properly build you LinkedIn profile is a great starting point. As LinkedIn is essentially a digital CV, make sure your profile is a reflection of your strongest abilities and experiences. Having a LinkedIn profile will also make it easier to network with professionals who you can later connect with – the start of your network of connections in the legal field! Of course, ensuring your CV is up to date (and nice to look at) is a must when you begin applying for clerkships

2. Know what you’re looking for

I found it very useful having a good understanding of the type of firms I wanted to apply for. For you, it might be that you want a globally recognised name, or an expert team in a particular field. For me, it was much more centred around culture, and whether a firm’s values aligned with my own. At risk of overlapping with my next point, researching each firm, its values, its goals, maybe even articles on them, is a great starting point in determining whether that firm would be a good fit for you I would personally avoid applying to as many firms as possible just because you can – having a list of around 10 firms you like can be really useful when navigating this process

3. Personalise your research

Once I had an idea of the firms I wanted to apply for, I started doing more targeted research on each firm. This could look different for you, but for me, this involved researching particular matters a firm worked on that were of interest to me, or matters that involved an area of law I had experience in

I found that having this research in my back pocket was very useful at networking events, as it not only illustrates your interest in the firm, but can also start great conversation! Beyond this, knowing which people at the firm you want to meet can also be great at networking events (just make sure you have questions to ask them about the work they do!) I found that this more targeted research was particularly useful when writing cover letters – beyond the advantages mentioned above, it also shows you haven’t simply copy-and-pasted your cover letters submitted to other firms.

4. Take advantage of networking opportunities

Whilst creating your CV and doing your research is somewhat a given, another great way to make yourself known to firm representatives is by attending as many networking events as you can. Deakin Law Students’ Society events like Meet the Professionals is a great way to speak face-to-face with firms and to show off your new knowledge At times, attending these events (sometimes a few a week) can be a bit tiring, but it is absolutely worth it Just don’t take advantage of the open bar too much!

5. Be yourself

Beyond everything else, be authentic. I found that trying to put on an ‘overly polished’ version of myself made the whole process much more exhausting. Be on your best behaviour, yes, but it is ok to show of your true self and be a little more relaxed. In my experience, beyond asking the ‘legal’ questions as outlined in my previous points, integrating questions naturally into conversation like “what sports do you follow” or “what’s your favourite band” or “did you see xyz in the news today” can actually lead to a much stronger connection with someone – as an added bonus, you will have something to talk about with them at the next event!

Yes, this process can be very stressful Hopefully this has helped in some way, but if not know that you will find a way of navigating all of this in a way that suits you best Please feel free to reach out if you needed any help, or just wanted a chat Best of luck!

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

Knowing what firms to apply for

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!

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

SAMPLE COVER LETTER

JohnAdams T:0400000000 E:Johnadams1776@gmailcom

25July2024

MsBettyClarke

HumanResourcesAdvisor

Frank&IrwinLawyers

111EvansStreet

MELBOURNEVIC3000

DearMsClarke

RE: APPLICATIONFORSEASONALCLERKSHIP2024/2025-SAMPLECOVERLETTERONLY

I am writing to apply for the seasonal clerkship 2024/2025 program at Frank & Irwin Lawyers I am currently in the penultimateyearofmyBachelorofLawsatDeakinUniversityandlikeFrank&Irwin,Iamcommittedtoachievingresults Thisisreflectedbyattaintinga75%averagemarkthroughoutmylawdegree.

My pathway to law has been different from most and I consider this a strength Prior to deciding on law, I completed a BachelorofDesignatDeakinUniversity Comingfromanareaofstudywhichpromotescreativityhasallowedmetoapply innovativethinkingtothewayIapproachthelaw.FollowingcompletionofthisdegreeIworkedfulltimeatQuinn&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 workIhavecompletedhasprovedinvaluableinhelpingmebuildasolidfoundationfromwhereIhopetogrowwithFrank &IrwinLawyers.Ihavelearnedtheimportanceofclearcommunication,clientrelationships,understandingclients’needs andteamwork

InJuly2017ImetLucyJonesattheDeakinCommercialCareersFair ThisiswhenIfirstbecameinterestedinFrank&Irwin throughlearningabouttheworkplaceculture.Iparticipateinarangeofextracurricularandsocialactivitiesoutsideofmy 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’scommitmenttobeingworldclass.IrecentlyreturnedfromstudyingattheUniversityofLondonwhichdemonstrated tomethevalueinternationalexperienceshaveonstudentsandlawyers’personalandprofessionalgrowth

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. HavingstudiedChinese(Mandarin)languageandextensivelytravelledinAsiaIamattractedtothepotentialopportunities 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 geographiesinwhichtheyoperateensuressuccessfulrelationsbetweenthefirmanditsclients

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&IrwinLawyersknowingitsharesthisvaluethroughthecorporateresponsibilitystrategyfocusedaroundcharitable giving,volunteeringandprobonowork

IwishtobeapartofFrank&IrwinLawyer’sfutureandamhopefulofbeinggiventheopportunitytocompleteaseasonal 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 challengedbyFrank&IrwinLawyer’svarietyofclientsandthecomplexityofwork.

Ilookforwardtohearingfromyouatyourconvenience

Yourssincerely JohnAdams

SAMPLE CV

SAMPLE CV (2024)

JohnAdams

EDUCATION

Feb2021-Present

Feb2016-Oct2020

WORKEXPERIENCE

Jun2022-Present

January2022

November2021

Mar2021-Sep2021

T:0400000000 E:johnadams1776@gmailcom

BachelorofLaws,DeakinUniversity WAM:75

Awards:TertiaryAcademicAwardinCommercialLaw StudyAbroad:UniversityofLondon

BachelorofDesign,DeakinUniversity

Oct2017-Jan2021

LawClerk,Quinn&RileyLawyers(2weekdays,fulltimeinholidays) Commerciallitigation,familylaw,estates,injuriesandwills Research Preparingaffidavits,statementsofclaimandotherdocuments Collatinganddeliveringbriefs Attendingcourt,clientandsettlementconferences AttendingADRconferencessuchasmediation Generalofficeadministrativeduties-proficientinLEAP

LawClerk,SupremeCourtofVictoria(2weeks) Readingandsummarisingjudgments Preparing'SummaryDocuments'forJudgesonappealcases

Paralegal,TrottWhiteLawyers(2weeks) RealEstateandProjects ReviewingsalecontractsforWhitehorseTower($1millionplus) PreparingandinputinginformationintoExcelspreadsheets

LawClerk,JohnThompsonBarrister Attendingcourtandclientconferences Photocopying,takingnotes

Intern,JJDesigns(1weekday) Draftingarchitecturaldrawings-proficientinAutoCAD Participatinginclientanddesignmeetingsandsiteinspections

BarTender,WhitePub(1weekday,1weekendday) Pouringbeveragesandlearningrecipes Customerserviceandmeetingbudgets

SAMPLE RESUME

SAMPLE CV (2024) CV

VOLUNTEERING/EXTRA-CURRICULARACTIVITIES

May2022-Present Feb2021-Present May2018-Present Jun2016-Mar2018

Apr2023-Present

Jan2022-Present

Mar2021-Present

Mar2016-Present

Volunteer,JusticeConnect(1nightpermonth) AttendingconferencesandtakingnotesforSolicitors Preparingdraftletterstoclients

StudentMentor,DeakinUniversity(6hoursperweek) Assistingmenteeswithtransitionintounviersitylife Facilitatingdiscussionsaroundstudyskillsandassignmenttips

Volunteer,CancerCouncilAustralia(1/2dayperweek) Organisingactivitiesforhospitalandorderingsupplies Attendingeventmeetings,organisingvolunteersandaccounts

Volunteer,YouthLawCentre(1dayperweek) Legalresearch

Draftingvariouslegaldocumentssuchasaffidavits AttendingclientconferencesatDamePhyllisFrostCentre Generalofficeadministrativeduties

GeneralCommitteeMember,MelbourneBasketballClub

EditorialCommitteeMember,LIVYoungLawyers

Member,DeakinLawStudents'Society(DLSS)

Member,DeakinUniversityStudents'Association(DUSA)

ACHIEVEMENTS/INTERESTS

Apr2021-Present Jun2018-Present

Other

References

Availableuponrequest

Mooting

Finalist,FirstYearMoot(DLSS,BurwoodCampus) Participant,JuniorMoot(DLSS,BurwoodCampus) Participant,SeniorMoot(DLSS,BurwoodCampus)

Basketball MelbourneBasketballClub

Cello AustralianMusicExaminationsBoard4thGrade(Cello)

Languages English.proficient Chinese(Mandarin),limitedworkingproficiency

STRAIGHT FROM LAWYERS...

Shape the future with Allens

I joined Allens as a clerk in 2021 and went on to join as a graduate, where I completed rotations in Disputes & Investigations and Funds Super & Financial Services (FSF) before deciding to settle in FSF and specialise in financial services regulation, focusing on anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and financial crime.

How would you describe the FSF practice group?

The FSF practice group is a specialty team made up of three streams: Super: this stream focuses on the regulation and investment strategies of superannuation funds, including advising on super fund mergers, regulatory investigations and investment-related matters; Funds: this stream primarily advises on structuring and raising capital for investment funds, as well as ongoing regulatory, investment and operational matters affecting funds; Financial Services Regulation: this stream advises financial services companies (think, banks, buy now pay later providers, wagering companies and financiers) in relation to legislative obligations, designing and launching products, regulatory investigations, legislative reform and remediations.

Our team works across the full spectrum of legal practice, working on both investment work, which is largely transactional and more litigious work, and supporting clients and the litigation team with regulatory enforcement matters What connects all areas of the practice is the fact that we all advise clients who are providing regulated financial services or who are regulated entities (such as banks, super funds and credit providers). Besides our broad financial services focus, the key difference between working in a team like FSF versus a purely transactional team or a purely litigation team is that in FSF, in addition to the work on the extreme ends of the litigation/transactional spectrum, also do all the bits in between For example, supporting in-house legal teams on statutory interpretation questions and law reform issues in relation to the day-to-day obligations of their company.

What does your role as an associate in the FSF practice group involve?

I'm an associate in the Financial Services Regulation stream of the FSF team, and I specialise in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing work. This means that most of my matters involve either writing advice regarding how companies can comply with anti-money laundering laws or supporting clients to manage and remediate non-compliance with anti-money laundering laws

As a smaller, specialised team, associates and lawyers in FSF often take on a lot of responsibility and have more direct client interaction than you would in a bigger team This might include giving verbal advice to a client, preparing the first cut of a written advice and providing advice or seeking instructions from a client via email.

Similarly, associates and lawyers are often the ones who are responsible for being across the detail of the matter and the timelines for deliverables – so as an associate, I am also involved in managing client expectations regarding timelines, contributing to pitches, preparing fee estimates and following up stakeholders who need to provide input to or settle advice

While this may sound daunting, it means you develop client and practical matter management skills early. The level of client exposure also helps you to develop your commerciality and understand what clients actually want from Allens. One of my favourite things about my role is that we get to engage with black letter law and statutory interpretation, which is very technical, but we get to do it in a way that is commercial, practical and useful for our clients

If you had to choose three words to describe your practice group, what would these be?

Fast-paced, technical and exciting

What do you enjoy most about your practice group?

I'm going to cheat and say two things. The first is the real-world application of the work we do and how much you learn about the day-to-day financial products with which you interact. For example, very early on in my career, I worked on negotiating an enforceable undertaking between the anti-money laundering regulator, AUSTRAC, and the bank that I banked with After the enforceable undertaking was agreed, I got to see the remediation work that we advised on happening in real-time, through the prompts I received as a customer to update my details

The second thing is that because we are a specialised team, we get to work with a lot of different teams from around the firm – I love that we get to work with new people and see how anti-money laundering and other financial regulation issues translate into different areas, you always learn something new!

Graduate

ABL Lawyers an Banking & Finance

There are many unknowns for law students starting to consider clerkship applications Which firm would I want to join? Which practice do I want to work in? Is legal practice even remotely similar to an episode of Suits? What does a lawyer actually do in their day-to-day?

Having just completed the graduate program in the Banking and Finance (B&F) team at Arnold Bloch Leibler (ABL), I hope that sharing some insight into my journey helps you find answers to at least some of the many questions you have

Why I chose ABL?

I chose ABL because it has a very good B&F team. While ABL is smaller in size compared to the national top-tier firms, it is consistently ranked as one of the best law firms in each of its practice areas This size advantage allows junior lawyers and graduates to take on substantial roles in complex, high-profile cases from the outset It also means that ABL’s law graduates often work one-on-one with partners, which provides a great opportunity to learn from some of the best legal professionals in their respective fields These unique aspects allow junior lawyers and law graduates to develop quicker, while being part of a firm that has a genuinely friendly and supportive environment

What does a Banking and Finance team do?

Most law students have no idea what B&F teams actually do, and even hearing the words ‘banking and finance’ makes some students yawn involuntarily

‘Banking & finance’ can be a little misleading At ABL, while we work on a variety of financing matters, we don’t do any regulatory banking work and, contrary to a popular misconception, we rarely ever need to rely on our mathematical skills

At ABL, we predominantly act for a wide range of lenders and borrowers in relation to property financings (to fund the acquisition, development and/or construction of property) and corporate financings (to fund the operations of large companies/corporate groups, including acquisitions) We also do a lot of restructuring and insolvency work on high-profile corporate insolvencies

There may be many unknowns when considering clerkship applications, but they are the best opportunity to learn more about the firms and the type of work you might be interested in The process might seem daunting at first, but hang in there, as finding somewhere you really want to be makes it all worth it.

A Day in the Life of a B&F Law Graduate

9:00AM Have breakfast with my team in the ABL Café

9:30AM Email Spanish counsel and draft a settlement checklist for a corporate acquisition/leveraged financing I’m working on with Gen (partner) and Danielle (lawyer)

11:00AM Draft loan and security contracts for a property acquisition financing I’m working on with Damien (partner)

1:00PM Go to Fitness First (ABL’s subsidised gym) during lunch

2:00PM Eat lunch at my desk while reading the firm’s daily AFR summary

2:00PM

Show Nathan (our new graduate) how to manage PPSR registrations so he can assist on a matter with our Commercial team

2:30PM Call opposing lawyer to check in on the status of due diligence documents we requested for a construction financing I’m working on with Damien (partner) and Andrew (lawyer).

2:45PM Review a US law-governed loan agreement to determine in which circumstances our client is permitted to transfer or dispose of its intellectual property for a corporate financing matter with Gen (partner).

4:15PM Continue drafting loan and security contracts for a property acquisition financing I’m working on with Damien (partner)

A MESSAGE FROM ABL LAWYERS AND ADVISERS

“It is a focus of ABL partners that law graduates like Conor are given the opportunity to play an important role in a wide range of matters from early on in their career We believe that working closely with our law graduates from day one accelerates their development into great lawyers”

7:00AM After snoozing my alarm a few times, I roll out of bed to get ready for the day

7:45AM I leave my house and drive to the train station The train trip is about 30 minutes - perfect time to read a book and prepare myself for the day ahead

8:30AM I arrive at the office and join the Dispute Resolution team, the practice area where I am clerking I log on, check my emails and begin to make a to-do list of relevant tasks. A few other clerks and I head down to grab a coffee from the firm's kitchen, where we chat about our plans for the day ahead

9:30AM I am called into a quick meeting with my supervising lawyer, where I am given instructions for a research task My supervisor provides details on the matter the task relates to, and sends through several client communications for me to look over Our discussion enhances my understanding of the issue I'm researching, and I'm excited to learn more about the kind of work currently occupying the Disputes team

10:30AM The other clerks and I head out of the office to grab our second coffee of the day with some other members of the team It's a great opportunity to chat about their experiences, and to explore the many wonderful coffee shops in the area!

11:30AM

Back at my desk, I continue to work on the research task I've been given, using the guides and resources provided by the firm as a starting point I use the firm templates to construct a memorandum with information relevant to our client’s claim

12:30PM

Lunch time! I meet a few of the clerks in the lobby before we go into the food court and get something delicious for lunch We then head back to the firm, where we meet up with most of the other clerks in the kitchen

1:30PM

3:00PM

After lunch I have the opportunity to attend a client meeting While listening, I take notes to be circulated to those involved It is incredibly interesting to gain more insight into a matter I'd been exposed to during my clerkship, and to observe firsthand the ways client concerns are discussed and addressed by senior members of the team

5:00PM

At 3pm, I head down to the conference room to attend an insight session run by the employment team Each practice group gives a presentation to the clerks about the structure of their team, the clients they're involved with and some interesting matters that team members have the opportunity to work on Clerks have the opportunity to ask questions, and are invited to grab coffee one-on-one with any lawyers they'd like to talk with further It's great to watch team members discuss the matters they've been most excited to work on, and it's a wonderful opportunity for the clerks to dispel prior misconceptions and gain insight into the kinds of practice areas we might want to rotate through as graduates

The end of the day has arrived, and I double-check with my work providers if there is anything else they need me to assist with before packing up Every couple of weeks, the firm holds a drinks night for the for the Melbourne office, and the other clerks and I head to the event, where we get to know the other team members a little better.

8:00PM

I arrive at home after my commute, eat dinner, and watch some TV before going to sleep so I can wake up and do it all again tomorrow!

Your journey to a world-class career begins here

Thinking and acting globally is not just something Baker McKenzie is proud of – it is the essence of who we are and stems from our origins as an organic, global law firm

Cross-Border Transactions

I started at Baker McKenzie as a graduate in 2021, in the second year of pandemic-related lockdowns in Melbourne I rotated through our Corporate M&A, IPTech and Employment teams, before settling in Corporate M&A While we may have been forced to work from home as Australia faced border closures and Melbourne snapped in and out of lockdowns, the pandemic did anything but slow down the pace of our cross-border work. From the get-go, I was involved in matters for global clients, whether it was advising a global streaming service on key regulatory considerations in 14 APAC markets, or assisting with a long-running employment litigation for a multinational German technology conglomerate! It was immediately apparent that the nature of the work at Baker McKenzie was truly global.

More recently, in my last two years with the Firm, I have had the privilege of being part of the core deal team advising on and coordinating two transformational transactions for our longstanding client, Orora Limited (ASX: ORA) In 2023, Orora acquired Saverglass, a Frenchheadquartered global leader in the manufacture and design of high-end glass bottles for the premium spirit and wine markets (their customers make some of the world’s best champagne!), for an enterprise value of A$2 2 billion A year later, in 2024, Orora divested its North American packaging business for an enterprise value of approximately A$1.8 billion. We led both deals from our Melbourne office, working very closely with our French and US teams respectively, as well as with Baker McKenzie lawyers across more than 12 jurisdictions. Our Firm’s ability to assist Orora with two significant strategic transactions in as many years exemplifies our Firm’s unique ability to provide seamless and integrated service across the globe. The deals have also been pivotal in my development as a global lawyer and led to two secondments with Orora –where I also gained invaluable in-house experience and a much deeper understanding of our client’s business and global vision

A London Opportunity!

Fast-forward to 2025 – I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to move to our London office for a 12-month secondment in the Corporate M&A team.

Despite arriving at the start of the infamous and grey UK winter, it has already been an incredible three months Within a week of starting in the team, I found myself in a kick-off meeting for a global carve-out transaction spanning 40 jurisdictions! Global reorganisations of this nature have been a significant growth area for the Firm as international conglomerates restructure their operations to improve efficiency and unlock value These transactions allow Baker McKenzie to activate our network of integrated offices and showcase what we do best It has been brilliant meeting and working with lawyers from a range of markets – everywhere from the US to India and Qatar. Every day presents a unique and interesting challenge, as we navigate complex legal landscapes to find solutions for our clients.

A Culture of Friendship

From the minute I stepped foot in the London office, it was clear this secondment would not only be transformational for my career, but a life-changing experience personally The city truly is a melting pot of some of the world’s greatest minds, companies and ideas, and it is a privilege to be a part of it.

I immediately felt a sense of home in the London Corporate M&A team because it reminds me of the Melbourne team – people invest time getting to know each other. Just last night, I found myself at an impromptu dinner at one of London’s great Italian restaurants around the corner from our office, with colleagues from our Milan and Zurich offices (who are both on secondment to London), as well as several other members of our team from New Zealand, South Africa and the UK I also have plans to travel to Paris next month to meet the lawyers I worked alongside in 2023 for the best part of 10 months on the Orora - Saverglass deal – I am very excited to finally meet them in person!

Is This Something You Are Interested In?

From day one at Baker McKenzie, it has been clear that the Firm is truly invested in our growth, both professionally and personally The global nature of our work, combined with the supportive and friendly culture, makes Baker McKenzie the ideal environment for those with a global mindset who are seeking diverse and exciting experiences

Major Projects & Construction

Hello fellow Deakin law students. My name is William Hettrick and I'm a lawyer in the Clayton Utz Major Projects & Construction (MPC) Team in Melbourne I've recently settled in the team after completing the Clayton Utz Graduate program, which I commenced in 2023 after graduating from Deakin I'm excited to share with you all what my work life looks like and provide you with some insights into why I chose my firm.

First, a bit of background. The MPC Team is our Melbourne office's largest practice group, and there's a few reasons why our practice group name starts with 'major':

We act for a diverse breadth of clients, including private companies based in Australia and overseas, as well as the State and Federal Governments.

We're involved in some of the largest and most complex projects in Australia, from transport infrastructure including road and rail, to social and public infrastructure including educational facilities, social housing and hospitals, and energy projects including onshore and offshore wind and solar.

We are frequently involved in these projects at all stages, from tendering, to procurement, delivery, operations and maintenance, providing an unmatched environment for our lawyers to quickly develop expertise in this field.

The combination of those key factors means I'm fortunate enough to be involved on some of the largest construction projects being undertaken in Victoria, including the North East Link, West Gate Tunnel, Level Crossing Removals, Metro Tunnel and Suburban Rail Loop I'm also frequently involved in other projects around Australia, including for the Department of Defence. My team consists of 3 Partners, 1 Special Counsel, 3 Senior Associates and 4 junior lawyers, and we also typically have 1-2 rotating graduates

I work in the MPC team's 'back-end' practice, which focuses on claims management and disputes, so I typically get involved while a project is being delivered (i e constructed), where an issue has arisen which might affect an aspect of the project or a client's entitlements under the construction contract

This could involve anything from crafting letters attempting to narrow issues in dispute and negotiating commercial settlements, to commencing or defending court and arbitration proceedings I've been lucky to get my hands on some really technically and legally challenging matters, including an international arbitration where my team acted for an overseas construction company

I chose Clayton Utz because I wanted to learn and grow at an Australian firm which has an exceptional reputation for client service, thought leadership and corporate citizenship. Not only am I fulfilled in my legal work, I'm fortunate enough to be fulfilled in all other aspects of my work too I've had the chance to head up various initiatives around the office, including our junior lawyer business development program 'Cultivate', and the office's LGBTIQA+ Steering Committee I've been encouraged to join industry groups such as the Society of Construction Law Australia (SoCLA), where I've had the chance to meet fellow construction lawyers and develop my own networks I also get to work on some incredible pro-bono matters as well, including some involving defective or incomplete building works, where I get a chance to lend my specialised skills to vulnerable clients who need assistance navigating technically complex claims.

To sum up, it's nearly impossible to describe a day in my life because no two days are ever alike for me There's a never ending stream of opportunities to learn and grow from, and I'm surrounded by people who are constantly encouraging that growth and supporting it in any way they can No matter what challenges might be thrown my way each day, I log off excited for the next.

Cornwalls is one of Australia’s oldest and most respected independent law firms, with a rich history dating back to 1891.

Our firm’s founders, Frank Cornwall and Harry Sugden, demonstrated foresight and progressiveness when they employed Flos Greig, the first woman to graduate with a Bachelor of Laws degree in Victoria

At the time females were not allowed to be legal practitioners, so Flos successfully campaigned to allow women to enter the legal profession. After completing her articles of clerkship with Frank Cornwall in 1905, Flos became the first female admitted to practice law in Australia and is recognised as a trailblazer for women in law

About Flos Greig

Grata Flos Matilda Greig, known as Flos Greig (1880–1958) was a pioneer for Australian female lawyers.

To be the first, Flos had to overcome extreme adversity. In 1897, when she entered the University of Melbourne to study Law, she had the strong support of her family She was just sixteen years of age and the first female to enrol in law in Victoria There were thirty-nine students in the law faculty that year including thirty-eight men and one woman

Despite graduating on 28 March 1903 with honours from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), and coming second in her year, at the time females were not allowed to practice law. They were not allowed to vote or hold legislative office. There was widespread hostility from lawyers and law students to letting a woman enter the all-male profession

Flos had the support of her law lecturer, John Mackey MP, and Frank Cornwall who had made arrangements with her to enter into articles with him However, she could not enter in those articles unless the law was changed

In April 1903, the Parliament of Victoria passed the Women’s Disabilities Removal Act 1903 (Vic) which removed ‘some anomalies in the law relating to women’ and allowed women to practice law in Victoria Special legislation was passed in the Victorian Parliament and renamed the Legal Profession Practice Act 1903

The FLOS Program

It stated, ‘No person shall by reason of sex be deemed to be under any disability for admission to practice as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court, any Law or usage to the contrary notwithstanding.’ It was often fondly referred to as the Flos Greig Enabling Act

At the time, no other state in Australia allowed a woman to practice law Upon graduating from the University of Melbourne, Flos Greig said, ‘Women are men’s equals in every way and they are quite competent to hold their own in all spheres of life’. She was ahead of her time.

Today Cornwalls honours Flos Greig through the FLOS program. The program honours and celebrates the firm’s long and proud history of supporting women in their quest for gender equality in the legal profession, paying historical homage to the humble beginnings of alumna Flos Greig

She left an indelible mark on Cornwalls for the generations of lawyers who follow her through the doors of our firm. Flos lives on in our culture, with the firm continuing her work as a leading innovator in the legal sector

Cornwalls is committed to creating and maintaining an equitable, diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects our people, our clients, and our community. Our firm promotes gender equity and is about empowering our people by actively addressing barriers to gender equality, to create an inclusive culture for all persons. We recognise that we have a role in advocating for gender equality within the legal profession and for women and gender non-conforming individuals in the law.

Our FLOS Program committee supports the firm’s standing as a gender-diverse and inclusive workplace. The group aims to provide a networking platform for all persons. It encourages collaboration, integration and education, to foster the development and retention of women in law and to bring to the forefront issues affecting women, nonbinary and gender non-conforming persons, and LGBTQI+ identifying persons in the legal profession.

Our vision for the program is to celebrate and engage people from all avenues of life to become trailblazers in their industries, not just in the legal space

So, all your hard work has paid off and you have received an offer to complete a seasonal clerkship. Now what?

Not knowing what to expect can be as nerve-racking as waiting to hear back on offer day But fear not! There are many ways you can go about preparing yourself You could read the rest of this article. You could also reach out to someone who has been through the clerkship process and ask to have a chat. You don’t even need to know them! Chances are, anyone who has recently been in your shoes will be all too happy to help

A typical day

As a seasonal clerk, you will generally start your day by checking your emails and making a to-do list If there is nothing that needs urgent attention, having a coffee with members of the team you are clerking in or other clerks is a great way to start the day and to build relationships

Often, team meetings will be held in the morning. They are a chance for the team to discuss what they have been working on, and an opportunity for you to ask questions and learn more about the practice

The rest of your day will likely be split between completing the tasks you have been assigned and attending training sessions and various social events, both with the other clerks and with the firm more broadly.

Before going home in the evening, check in with the people you have been working with to see if there is anything further you can do to help

The tasks

The tasks you will be assigned as a seasonal clerk will vary depending on the team you clerk in and the type of work that team has at the time. Some typical tasks include:

Research – You can expect to complete research on a broad range of topics It is important to clarify how the person giving you the research would like it to be presented. It may be in the form of a memo or a few bullet points in an email Some people may also prefer that you meet to discuss the findings of your research.

Reviewing/analysing documents – Depending upon the team you clerk in, this may be part of a due diligence or discovery process. You may be reviewing documents generally or looking for specific things, for example change of control provisions in supply agreements

Drafting documents – You may have the opportunity to do the first draft of any number of documents, including advice, letters, transaction documents or court documents

Attending client meetings/shadowing – While attending a client meeting, you will generally be required to take a file note or a list of action items, so always come prepared with a laptop or pen and paper Follow up with members of the team afterwards and see if you can assist with any of the work that comes out of the meeting. You may also be able to shadow a partner or lawyer in other meetings or as they go about their day generally.

Attending court – If you clerk in a team which has a back-end practice, you may be able to attend court You will also likely be expected to take notes, so don’t forget to bring a pen and a notebook

Drafting articles – You may also be asked to draft articles on subjects such as a recent change to the law Once finalised, these articles may be published on the firm website or circulated internally or externally.

The big picture

Completing a seasonal clerkship is a big milestone Remember that it isn’t all about your technical ability – equally important is your ability to fit into the team Be yourself, ask questions, and enjoy the experience!

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 to 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 endeavoured 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 6-month 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 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.

Bailiejean Hohnberg

Winter Clerk in the Disputes and Investigations Team

7:30AM After snoozing my alarm a few times, it is time to get up and brave another cold Melbourne morning Thankfully, I was smart enough last night to predict that I’d snooze my alarm, so have already packed my bag and laid out my outfit for today

8:00AM Time to commute into the Gadens office Fingers crossed my tram isn’t too busy!

8:30AM I arrive at the Gadens office and end up in the same lift as another clerk, a senior associate from the corporate team and my supervising partner. Everyone at Gadens is so friendly and has made settling into the clerkship easy Once I get to my desk, I check my emails and construct my to do list for the day: complete a research memo for a new matter in the team, attend a court hearing at the Federal Court of Australia to observe, sit in on a client interview; amongst other tasks

8:40AM Research time! I have really enjoyed the research tasks I’ve completed so far as a clerk at Gadens One of my favourite things about the Disputes and Investigations team is the broad range of matters the team works on Each matter concerns a different subject matter; meaning I’ve completed research on everything from health law to tax law.

9:40AM Most mornings, the Disputes and Investigations team go for a coffee run together The Gadens Melbourne office is surrounded by good coffee shops, making braving the cold well worth it!

10:00AM

10:40AM

Double shot oat latte acquired along with a new task: draft a letter to client Whilst I had little experience in drafting letters to clients prior to starting my clerkship, the support provided by my team, and workshops held to help us develop these skills are fantastic.

Off to Court for a Directions Hearing! This essentially marks the beginning of the court process for this matter I have found observing court hearings during clerkship to be a great way to learn and get involved in matters

12:00PM

I arrive back to the office and go straight into a session with the Sustainability and Social Impact team I have really enjoyed all the breakout sessions held by the different groups at Gadens, as it has allowed us to learn more about Gadens and form new connections within the firm Today’s session was especially interesting One of the reasons I wanted to clerk at Gadens is because of the emphasis Gadens places on pro bono work, and the firms own work towards operating more sustainably.

12:45PM I finalise the file note from attending court and add it to the file

1:00PM Each day, all the clerks have eaten lunch together in the kitchen at the office The staff facilities at the office are great, and the views from the office are even better! We get along so well and almost always end up venturing out of the office to go get some sort of afternoon snack

2:00PM Back to my desk, and back to research! Fortunately, I found some relevant and interesting cases

3:15PM I’m sitting in on a client interview today It’s great to be able to observe a senior lawyer in the team conduct a client interview and hear the client’s perspective on the matter Once the client interview finishes, I finalise my file note and saved it to the matter

4:30PM I get stuck back into my research memo I managed to finalise it, and after a few edits, I sent it off I’m excited to see how this memo is used throughout the matter

5:30PM

Home time I’m just over halfway through my clerkship and am loving it so much I feel so supported by everyone at Gadens and have found the opportunities presented by the firm like volunteering at Ronaldo McDonald House, playing on the firm’s netball team and attending social events have made a really rounded experience

Late nights, last-minute cram sessions, and constant stress – every law student knows the feeling But I promise there is light at the end of the tunnel. Completing your law degree is a huge achievement and finding the ‘right’ firm for you at the end of your studies can feel like one of the most important steps in your early career.

To give you a better idea, let me share my experience so far transitioning from law school to fulltime work as a grad at G+T.

Enjoy your time

When most people contemplate corporate law, the prospect of “billable targets” often feels like an intimidating factor hanging over their future career. While I also shared these concerns, G+T deliberately prioritises learning and professional development throughout its grad program to help graduates navigate the transition from academic study to professional practice. As a grad, you’re provided with a three-tiered support structure usually with a junior and senior lawyer in your practice group, as well as a partner or special counsel. This network is designed to make your workload and transition as seamless as possible

I’m currently in my first rotation in the Banking team which has truly lived up to the dynamic world of transactional law The ebb and flow of workload quickly became apparent – some days the team is all in-office finalising matters, while others are a lot quieter. Coming from the structured nature of university, where assessments and readings created a constant sense of urgency, this fluctuating workflow has been a bit of an adjustment However, my team constantly encourages me to enjoy these quiet moments and take the time to catch up on PLT or grab a coffee with lawyers from other practice groups when I can

Abbey Crawley Law Graduate

Collaborate

Know that you’re not alone. One thing I found particularly appealing about G+T is the firm’s flat hierarchy and the genuine willingness of everyone to collaborate in tackling legal challenges Law school and the clerkship process itself can feel competitive and isolating at times but at G+T, everyone is treated as a lawyer from day one. The work you’re exposed to isn’t defined by how long you’ve been at the firm and as a junior, you’ll be actively involved in client meetings and fully welcomed as a valued member of your team.

With a deliberately smaller grad cohort than other top-tier firms, G+T ensures you’re never without support From navigating complex legal matters to seeking professional guidance, someone will always be available to help you succeed

Be curious

G+T invests in their graduates and encourages them to explore their interests. During my first week in the Banking team, senior lawyers took the time to ask about my interests and whether there were any particular matters I wanted to be involved in While it might not feel like it at first, you’re in control of where you want your career to go. If you’ve read about something in the news or studied a case at university that piqued your interest, chances are, someone at the firm will be more than happy to discuss it with you.

I also want to emphasise that, unlike university where there’s often an expectation of assumed knowledge no one expects you to start your graduate year as an expert in your practice group. My biggest piece of advice? Be open to new experiences and areas of law you haven’t explored yet. Enthusiasm goes a long way, and you might just discover a practice area you truly enjoy.

Be yourself

Sorry if you’re tired of hearing it, but wherever you choose to start your career you should feel comfortable being yourself Throughout the clerkship process, I found that G+T really emphasised getting to know me as an individual beyond just my academic transcript and work experience. Now, as a graduate, I continue to see that same emphasis on individuality and authenticity reflected across the firm. Whether it’s a flare for trying new recipes, tackling newspaper quizzes or being a crazy Collingwood supporter like me – whatever makes you, you – we want to hear about it!

G+T is intentional about hiring individuals who will make a real impact in their careers, reinforcing the firm’s goal of being Australia’s leading law firm. If you’re looking to be part of a team that delivers the highest quality legal advice and works on truly impactful matters, make it known - a grad role at G+T could be for you

Macy Brown First Year Lawyer

Hi! I’m Macy Brown, a first-year lawyer in the Statutory Insurance team at Hall & Wilcox in Melbourne I studied a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce at Deakin University and graduated in 2023.

In 2022, I was in your position I scoured websites of law firms offering clerkships and tried to navigate which firms I would be interested in working at, while simultaneously having no idea about the area of law I wanted to work in I cast a wide net and applied to many firms, hoping to secure a clerkship and figuring it out from there. I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Hall & Wilcox, and I knew straight away this was the firm I wanted to work at The partner and senior associate I interviewed with had really impressive skills and experience, yet, were also extremely approachable and welcoming people

After securing a clerkship at Hall & Wilcox that would be in the following winter, I was fortunate to be offered a casual role as a legal assistant within the Statutory Insurance Victoria (‘SIV’) team, before the clerkship began. Hall & Wilcox has paralegals and legal assistants working across each team, and the firm is always keen to invest in its people, including university students who are curious and aspire to work in the legal profession

I continued to work in the SIV team until I began the graduate program in 2024 This program is perfect for anyone who is unsure about which area of law they want to specialise in. I particularly appreciated the opportunity to rotate through both commercial and insurance teams to get a broad range of experience: I rotated through Property & Projects and both the General Insurance and Statutory Insurance teams.

The General Insurance team acts for various large private and public insurers on a variety of claims, including personal injury, property damage, cyber-attacks and professional indemnity The Statutory Insurance team, on the other hand, represents workplace safety regulators and self-insurers in statutory benefit disputes, common law claims and recoveries actions

Admittedly, the term ‘insurance’ does not sound very thrilling But what I enjoyed most about both insurance teams was the uniqueness of each case and the opportunities to deal with a wide range of professions, industries and scenarios We work with a range of employers and insured parties, from huge construction sites and nightclubs, to your favourite restaurants and football clubs. This gives us the opportunity to become experts in niche fields, and I love the fact I am always learning

What originally drew me to Hall & Wilcox was the approachable and friendly nature of those who work there, paired with the high quality of work the firm handles Even as a graduate, I was trusted with a broad range of tasks, including speaking with employer clients, drafting letters of advice to clients, attending mediations and trials and drafting construction contracts While this may sound daunting as a junior, my colleagues were available to assist me where necessary, including my buddy, mentor and supervising partner There is a real focus on developing us to become great lawyers

Following my graduate year, I settled in the Statutory Insurance team I have carriage of my own matters, with the supervision and assistance of my supervising partner. My day-to-day tasks involve analysing and reviewing the claims we receive, drafting advice to clients with our recommendations on what to do with the claim, instructing doctors and attending mediations or court. As I progress through my career at Hall & Wilcox, the learning never stops. The firm’s ‘Smarter Law’ approach to delivering legal services means we are constantly thinking about different ways of doing things, so we can save time and money without compromising our excellence, accuracy and foresight

So, if you are like me three years ago and not sure where you want to take your career but are eager to explore your options, I would recommend applying for a firm like HalI & Wilcox, which has a range of practice areas to explore. Who knows, you might surprise yourself and fall in love with insurance litigation like I did!

Claims for 'misleading or deceptive conduct' (‘MDC’) under section 18 of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) have become a claim du jour in most complex commercial disputes in Australia Despite ostensibly being directed at the protection of "consumer" rights (i e the rights of individual consumers against powerful corporations), the ACL, and in particular sections 18 and 236, have become a powerful tools for companies seeking to recover commercial losses from other companies – including losses which go beyond what might otherwise have been recoverable under the underlying contract or common law, or equitable causes of action.

Over the past 2 years, I have predominantly worked on a large complex construction dispute in NSW Supreme Court proceedings which involved: (a) an MDC claim of nearly one billion Australian dollars arising from the entry into an interim settlement agreement; and (b) a defence to that claim based on MDC occurring prior to the parties' entry into the relevant contract itself

While law school taught me about the elements of the prohibition in section 18 of the ACL, it did not prepare me to engage with the vast evidentiary and procedural requirements for establishing or defending MDC claims in practice The aim of this article is to provide a practical insight into how MDC is claimed in practice to bridge the gap between law school and law firms, commonly known as the "theory/practice divide". After providing a brief overview of the ACL provisions most relevant to MDC claims, the article will focus on the importance of discovery in establishing a misleading or deceptive representation (or a defence) and the role of expert evidence in quantifying the loss or damage that has been suffered by a party.

Misleading or deceptive conduct

The prohibition against MDC is contained in section 18(1) of the ACL. The prohibition provides that

"a person must not, in trade or commerce, engage in conduct that is misleading or deceptive or is likely to mislead or deceive "

The most common form of relief claimed for a claim for MDC under section 18 of the ACL is an award of damages Section 236 of the ACL provides that a person may recover the amount of any loss or damaged suffered by reason of the MDC of another person Section 236 claims are so strategically advantageous because they potentially circumvent any agreed liability caps or exclusions of loss under the relevant contract.

Therefore, in order to succeed on a section 18 claim for misleading and deceptive conduct, the claimant party must establish two key elements: (1) the existence of a misleading or deceptive representation; and (2) reliance on that misleading or deceptive representation to its detriment.

Establishing a misleading or deceptive representation

In a large complex commercial dispute a section 18 claim for MDC is usually a factually intensive exercise It requires the claimant to prove that it was misled or deceived by a representation made by another party Representations can be express or implied, can involve both positive conduct or negative acts or omissions, and can be in reference to future matters While a university exam question dealing with MDC might provide a concise set of hypothetical facts based on a handful of written communications, in practice, complex commercial disputes typically have hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of discovered documents, many of which are irrelevant or of little probative value, but some of which may be seized upon by either party to successfully prosecute or defend an MDC claim. As an example, the construction dispute I was involved in had over 2 million documents in our e-discovery database, including approximately 10,000 documents produced by third parties on subpoena.

As a junior lawyer working on a large commercial dispute, you will most likely be responsible for undertaking the "first level review" of documents to establish which documents are responsive to the parties' discovery requests Where those requests are made by way of 'Redfern Schedule', it is not uncommon for the parties to exchange hundreds of separate requests, with some containing multiple sub-requests This makes the document review exercise very challenging, time consuming and expensive Nevertheless this is an extraordinarily important part of the case preparation and you are responsible for not only identifying relevant documents, but also flagging particularly helpful or harmful "hot docs" for a subsequent "second level review" by a more senior lawyer. There are also issues of legal professional privilege and confidentiality obligations to keep in mind.

As part of my involvement in the discovery process in the construction dispute, we were tasked with defending an MDC claim The claim predominantly involved allegations of implied representations that were said to have been made by our clients to the other party, prior to the entry into a settlement agreement To refute the allegations, we required contemporaneous documentary evidence that contradicted the existence of the implied representations A particularly interesting component of that exercise involved the review of relevant witnesses' handwritten notes, the searching of which could not be undertaken by conventional "key word" searches but rather page by page "human" review That "human" review exposed potential deficiencies in discovery because the scans showed text appearing on the opposite (undisclosed) side of the page.

When that image was mirrored and enhanced, we could identify certain words and phrases on the reverse side of the page which related to the project and potentially were relevant to the MDC claim. This exercise resulted in the disclosure of further diary entries which could be deployed in our client's defence and affirmed in my mind the importance of a careful and thorough review process.

A claim for MDC is one that continuously evolves in light of new evidence obtained via discovery, as well as the reliance on extensive lay and expert evidence The good news is that, unlike university exams, you generally have the right to amend at various stages of proceedings It is not uncommon for pleadings to reach upwards of five iterations, and in the case of the construction dispute I worked on, both parties amended their pleadings over 7 times over the course of a 5-year period It can therefore also be a difficult and costly claim to advance or defend

Proving loss or damage were suffered

In theory, the assessment of the loss or damage suffered by reason of MDC and the amount of damages recoverable under section 236 of the ACL is a relatively straightforward exercise It involves an assessment of the "actual case" (i e what actually occurred as a result of the impugned conduct), against the counterfactual case (i e what would have occurred if the impugned conduct was not engaged in and relied upon) In most commercial disputes, the counterfactual case is one where the claimant alleges that had it known of the misleading representation, it would not have entered into the agreement, or alternatively, it would have entered a different agreement on more advantageous terms. In the case of the latter, a party cannot simply plead that, absent the impugned conduct, it would have entered into an alternative agreement. The claimant must precisely identify what the alternative agreement would have looked like and adduce evidence which supports that contention – such as the availability of alternative counterparties who would have been capable of entering into an alternative agreement on the pleaded terms In complex commercial disputes, the counterfactual is often advanced on the basis of myriad and interconnected expert evidence As a junior lawyer working on a large commercial dispute, you will be involved in the retention and briefing of experts and the process of reviewing and summarising expert reports

As part of the construction dispute I was involved in, the parties engaged a total of 18 independent experts, covering 9 expert disciplines, who produced a total of 50 expert reports The expert reports broadly addressed a large number of alternative counterfactuals advanced by the other party. The expert disciplines were often interconnected, and therefore many of the experts required the analysis of other experts in order to provide their own report. Expert reports dealing with technical aspects of a project are usually obtained first. That evidence is then briefed to the expert disciplines dealing with more outcome-based aspects of the claim such as market pricing and forensic accounting (i.e. to establish a "loss" based on a technical counterfactual case)

Expert reports should be, wherever possible, predicated on information from contemporaneous documents and the output is usually complex models and forecasts which establish a "loss" based on that expert's option. Expert reports can take months to prepare and might range from 100 pages to upwards of 1,000 pages.

Expert evidence can be extremely technical and often difficult to understand due to the complex issues being discussed. However, it is important to try and engage with the complexity and understand the opinions being put forward in the expert report Ultimately, if you cannot understand what your expert is trying to say, chances are a judge might not either While some experts are seasoned professionals in providing expert evidence in the context of commercial litigation, others require more support to ensure their report is court appropriate and able to be understood by a judge who is likely not an expert in the topics the subject of expert evidence

If you are interested in a career involving complex commercial disputes, you will inevitably have to engage with MDC claims under section 18 of the ACL. While you may already be aware of section 18 and its application to individual consumers, MDC is increasingly being utilised by companies seeking to recover losses arising out of loss-making agreements with other companies Therefore, in order to prepare yourself for practice, it is important to start considering how MDC claims are advanced in practice and what might be expected of you as a junior lawyer assisting with pleadings, discovery, lay and expert evidence

Arianna Aragona Law Graduate

I was a Vacation Clerk in June-July 2023 in the Real Estate team

Prior to my clerkship and during my university years, I had various roles including working in compliance for a financial planning business, as a paralegal for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and as a Judge’s Associate at the Supreme Court.

I was very excited to embrace the opportunity to work in a practice area in which I had very little prior experience. From my first day, I was welcomed by a close-knit team which fostered a culture of learning and collaboration.

The work

The work I experienced during my clerkship was diverse and dynamic It ranged from preparing real estate documents including lease agreements and extensions, documents to be lodged at Landgate, legal research and drafting client correspondence Through the work I undertook, I was able to hone my legal drafting skills and put into practice some of the abstract concepts I learnt at university

During my clerkship the team was advising a client on a large urban regeneration project in New South Wales and I was fortunate enough to be exposed to some of the complex transactional work involved in the project.

The highlight of my experience was working on an entire due diligence report for a property acquisition. I found the process of gathering information, undertaking research and identifying any potential risks for the client really interesting

The team culture

The team was very supportive and, notwithstanding the fast-paced work, I found everyone in the team devoted time to explain tasks, answer questions and provide feedback The partner in the Real Estate team has a wealth of knowledge and made himself available to provide guidance and invited me to participate in client meetings I was also invited to attend the weekly team meetings which provided me with a deeper understanding of the type of work the team was involved with.

During the clerkship everyone in the team went to great lengths to ensure I was supported and created an environment where I was able to learn and improve my skills. From day one I felt a sense of belonging. This allowed me to connect and build relationships with my colleagues, have a more meaningful participation with the team and be my true self

Kritsy Paneras Law Graduate

5:15AM 5:30AM 8:15AM 8:35AM 8:45AM 9:30AM 11:30AM 1:00PM

The alarm goes off at 5:15am and I jump out of bed! The morning is my favourite time of the day I gulp down an espresso, put on my active-wear and lace up my sneakers.

By 5:30am, I’m out the door, walking through the quiet inner- city streets to my reformer Pilates class - my preferred way to start the day

By 8 15AM, I’m out the door for the second time this morning Since 7 00AM I’ve got ready for work, had breakfast and, most importantly, fed two cats who are impatiently waiting for their breakfast by the time I get home from Pilates.

I’ve arrived at Wynyard station. The office (and more importantly, coffee) is a short walk away. I grab my usual order and head to Level 10

I make it to my desk, review my Inbox and Calendar and start planning my day As a new solicitor, I’m still learning, so sharing an office with a senior lawyer who is both willing to answer my questions and guide me through tasks is helpful The collaborative nature of litigation is what drew me to the Group.

The Litigation group has check-ins twice a week to discuss capacity. These meetings ensure that work is distributed evenly across the group They also provide an opportunity to assist on new matters and gain exposure to different types of litigation. I then settle in and begin the document review as this is the most pressing task on today’s list

Snack break! While I’m in the kitchen I bump into another junior Solicitor We have a quick chat about our day before grabbing a biscuit and heading back to our desks

I send an email to my supervising Partner, letting them know that I’ve completed the review and outlining my key findings. One of the things I value about working at HWLE Lawyers is the direct access juniors have to Partners This level of exposure has been invaluable in developing both my legal and communication skills.

Why did you choose JWS?

I decided to do my graduate program at JWS because of the opportunities to work with highprofile clients on matters that impact daily lives For example, we advise various FMCG clients on claims made in their marketing material and product packaging, and it’s really cool to see our changes implemented on supermarket shelves and online ads

Can you tell us about your experience of the graduate program at JWS?

During my grad program, I gained practical experience across a wide range of work for large clients In collaborating with senior lawyers and attending client meetings, I was able to develop valuable skills including legal research, drafting, and building client rapport I was also able to work directly with partners, which was hugely beneficial for my learning.

What has been the highlight for you at JWS so far?

A highlight for me is becoming friends with the people I work with, whether they’re associates or partners I’ve had the privilege of working with a large client for a number of years and over that time, I’ve formed solid friendships with both the JWS team and the client as we worked through challenging issues, and celebrated wins

How would you describe the culture of working at JWS?

JWS has a warm and friendly culture The partners care not only about your professional development but also who you are as a person outside of work There are lots of opportunities to get to know people across the firm, such as over Monday morning coffee, competing in team sports, and other social activities.

What advice would you share with future clerks/graduates/lawyers?

It’s a little cheesy but don’t be afraid to bring your unique self to work. Before I started as a grad, I always had in my mind that lawyers were supposed to act and talk a certain way (I blame Suits) In reality, we are all different people with different interests and goals Mutual sharing and appreciation of these differences is what makes going to work enjoyable

Depending on how busy I am, it’s great to start the day with some exercise I head outside for morning stretches before driving to the gym. At the end of my session, I jump on the treadmill and briefly scan my emails for anything that may have come in overnight, particularly from colleagues in the U S I’ll also catch up on the news from the Financial Review, Lawyerly and other sources It’s interesting to see how current affairs impact our clients, and in turn the work we do I often read about matters that I’ve worked on, which is always exciting.

Back home – I get ready for the day and attend to the pets, rushing out the door around ten to eight. The train is about 40 minutes, and I make the most of it by always having a book in hand – this morning I’m re-reading Herodotus’ Histories, one of my all-time favourites. I’ll usually spend the last 5-10 minutes organising my in-box on my phone, which I also use as a to-do list for the day – but you never really know how each day will pan out

I walk briskly through the Rialto courtyard, shoot up to level 48 and set myself up at my desk to get started with the day properly I’ve been involved in some trademark oppositions, and we got instructions from our client and colleagues in the U.S. overnight to email the other side that we will proceed with the opposition, so I draft an email, check it with the partner, and then send it off. I then get started with the main task I hope to progress today, a chronology of key events for a dispute in relatively early stages

Every week we have a Melbourne Office morning tea – today we’ve got bagels, granola and ‘wellness shots’ I have a chat with some colleagues, and we discuss what we’ve been working on

I jump on our weekly internal call about the dispute I mentioned before – this morning the team discussed some particularly interesting strategic points One of the advantages in working in a smaller office in a global firm is that I get a lot of exposure to working directly with partners, often on large and exciting cross-border matters

I’m working away at the chronology when a colleague approaches me and asks if I can consider some search terms and write a draft email to the client in relation to a regulatory investigation matter I’ve been working on. The regulator has requested the production of certain documents from our client I open our electronic discovery program and tinker around with some test searches before drafting an update to the client

1

Lunchtime – I make the walk over to Guzman y Gomez, where I can be seen, embarrassingly, most days picking up a burrito bowl Instead of heading back to the office, today I’m catching up with a University friend

I return to my desk to find that an urgent patents research task has appeared in my inbox It is on a fairly discrete point, so I’m able to finish it relatively quickly

I get an email from one of our IP partners who has asked if I can assist with a new matter that has just come in from the London Office. They have asked us to assist with the Australian IP component of a vendor’s due diligence report This should be interesting – I reply that I will be able to make a start tomorrow

4 : 0 0 P M

The client for the regulatory investigation matter requested a quick call to discuss my email, so we set up a call for later in the afternoon My colleagues explain our proposed approach, and I pull up my screen and show the client the search results.

4 : 3 0 P M

5 : 3 0 P M

I receive an email from a colleague in our Business Restructuring & Reorganization Practice thanking me for assisting with a discrete research task last week, and letting me know that my research fed into a memorandum that has been circulated for further consideration, including with our team in the U.S. This is the advantage of our ‘non-rotational’ graduate program – in as little as one year, I’ve worked on matters in various practices, including IP, Global Disputes, Privacy & Data Protection, Business Restructuring & Reorganization, Tax and Energy, providing me with a well-rounded foundation to build my career upon.

6 : 3 0 P M

With the day well progressed, I start closing things out so I have a clear runway to finish the more substantive things for today. I do my timesheets and circulate a quick email to the IP team about an interesting Federal Court decision published today One of our IP partners is the Chair of the IP subcommittee of the Law Council of Australia, and I am the minutes secretary The minutes from the previous meeting will need to be circulated to committee members soon, so I decide to end my day by spending some time preparing the final minutes

7 : 3 0 P M

1 0 : 0 0 P M

Time to log-off – I walk across to Southern Cross Station and set myself up on the train I catch up on messages and personal admin before getting back into Herodotus.

Home – time to cook dinner. Cut-up steak, feta cheese, black beans, eggs and avocado. After cleaning up and organising myself for the next day, I put my headphones on and go for a brief evening run, and call my girlfriend as I walk home.

Bedtime – I set my alarm for the next day and put my phone away, put up my overhead warm lamp and read for twenty or so minutes, before drifting to sleep, ready for another day

You may have spent many hours on your clerkship applications, and received an email from K&L Gates to book your clerkship interview Congratulations!

The day has arrived for your interview, below are some handy tips to ensure you feel confident, comfortable and able to put your best self forward.

Tips for attending a clerkship interview:

The night before, prepare for your interview - prepare your outfit, review your application, research the firm, rehearse your responses and get a good night's sleep

Arrive 10 - 15 minutes before the interview. Ensure you allow extra time for any unexpected delays

Try to relax It is perfectly normal to feel nervous prior to your interview Take a moment while waiting for your interview, and practise breathing techniques or collect your thoughts

Prepare questions to ask your interviewers. The interview process is a two way street, and will help you determine if K&L Gates is the right firm for you.

Be yourself We are keen to get to know you, your career aspirations, hobbies and interests

Be open and honest with your responses Relax and enjoy the experience

With the above tips and self-belief, you can overcome any nerves you may face at a clerkship interview with K&L Gates.

Good luck!

If you're looking to launch your legal career in a respected firm with top-tier capability, clients and expertise,thenKHQLawyersistheplacetostart!

Alittleaboutus

KHQLawyersisafull-servicecommerciallawfirm,combiningtop-tierexpertisewiththeagilityand flexibility of a boutique practice. We are proud to be the firm of choice for ASX-listed companies, largecorporates,familybusinesses,andnicheconsultancies Ourteamsareledbyhighlyrespected practitioners,manyofwhomarerecognisedasamongthebestintheirfields

Whyemploymentlaw?

Australiahasoneofthemostcomplexandrapidlyevolvingindustrialrelationssystemsintheworld, makingthisareaoflawdynamic,high-stakes,andintellectuallychallenging

Our Workplace Relations & Safety team is a market leader, ranked in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 Asia Pacific. We provide full-service expertise across employment law, industrial relations, and occupational health and safety. Our team’s expertise stems from longstanding experienceintop-tierfirmsandin-housecorporateroles

Ourcorestrengthsare:

projectindustrialrelationsandworkforcestrategy; enterprisebargainingandindustriallitigation(includinggoodfaithbargaining,protectedaction andpickets); corporateperformance(includingchangemanagement,probity,policyandproductivity); executiveremuneration,restraintsandconfidentialinformation; majorsafetyincidentsandprosecutiondefencelitigation; managingworkplacediversityandappropriateworkplacebehaviour,includinginvestigatingand advisingonbullying,harassment,sexualharassmentanddiscriminationmatters; specialist regulatory experience in labour hire licensing, state and commonwealth building codesandcorporateprobity;and all executive and employment-related litigation (including unfair dismissal, EEO and adverse actionclaims).

We support businesses across the full spectrum of employment and industrial relations matters, from day-to-day compliance to complex workforce strategies. Our team advises major constructors on some of Australia’s largest infrastructure projects, helping them manage large-scale workforces andnavigateindustrialrelationschallenges.Wealsoassistnewmarketentrantsinsettinguplegally compliant workplaces, providing clear guidance to ensure a smooth transition into Australia’s regulatory landscape Whether advising on large-scale workforce strategies or day-to-day employmentissues,wedeliverpractical,outcomesfocusedsolutionstailoredtoeachclient’sneeds.

RealWorldExperience,fromDay1

At KHQ, you won’t be stuck on the sidelines Our clerks and graduates work closely with senior lawyers, contribute to real matters, and gain first hand insight into the legal and strategic considerationsthatshapeworkplacerelationsinAustralia.

Our experience covers a diverse range of industries, including resources, construction, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, maintenance engineering, banking and financial services, health, education, telecommunications, transport, logistics, primary industry and food processing, IT, media, property services and real estate, professional services, and retail - giving you exposure to complexlegalissuesacrossavarietyofsectors.

RecognisedExpertise

Ourteam'sreputationspeaksforitself:

Chambers&PartnersAsiaPacific–rankedforemploymentlaw(2023-2025)

Legal500AsiaPacific–LeadingFirm,employmentlaw(2017-2025) DoylesGuide–LeadingEmploymentLawFirm(EmployerRepresentation),Victoria(2018-2025).

Head of our team, Chris Gianatti, is ranked a Leading Partner in Legal 500 Asia Pacific, and is also ranked in Chambers, and Doyles Guide. Other key team members are also ranked in various directories

ACollaborative&SupportiveCulture

Ourteamthrivesoncollaboration,practicalproblem-solving,andmentoringthenextgenerationof lawyers You’llgaininvaluableexperienceinasupportiveenvironmentwhereyourcontributionswill makearealimpact

Wanttojoinus?

If you're curious, proactive, and eager to learn, we'd love to hear from you Keep an eye on our seasonal clerkship and graduate recruitment opportunities or reach out to learn more about the KHQdifference.

WHAT SKILLS IS KWM LOOKING FOR IN A SUCCESSFUL CLERK?

Communicates effectively

The key to balance is communication. Being proactive in communicating with your team as to what you’ve got on is immensely helpful. “I’ve got [x] on as well due by [y], is it ok if I get this to you by [z]?”.

Communicating that to us helps us understand whether you’re too busy or not busy enough and we can help you prioritise your tasks by talking to each other Sometimes things aren’t as urgent as they appear and sometimes, they are more urgent than they appear – but you’ll never know for sure unless you ask (which is better than guessing)

The more you communicate and the earlier you communicate, the more time everyone has to adjust workloads, change priorities or continue on to make sure everything gets done on time and to the requisite standard.

Shows genuine interest in corporate or commercial law

Clerks can demonstrate that they have a genuine interest in corporate or commercial law by their previous experience, the extra-curricular activities that they undertake/have undertaken, their interactions with lawyers over the clerkship and their approach to their work. Clerks should take the opportunity to explain what it is that interests them about what we do and how we do it. Asking relevant questions about tasks and focussing on the requested objectives and outcomes, as well as understanding how their work fits into the bigger commercial picture, is a good starting point (just because a legal option is available does not mean it is commercially viable) It would also be helpful to show that they understand our clients and their commercial drivers and how we can assist those clients in achieving their goals on a day-to-day basis

Communicates effectively

Think about how your work fits into the bigger picture outcome we are seeking to deliver for the client and look for opportunities to stay involved on the matter during the clerkship.

Ask questions about the commercial drivers behind the matter (e.g., why are we amending this document? What are the parties trying to achieve?)

Have a look at the final piece of advice/client-facing output that your work translates into and compare this against the draft or inputs you provided What aspects of your work were used in the client-facing work? How was your original work product adapted or changed? This is a great way to pick up feedback “on the job” and improve your skills for the next task you complete

Takes Initative and is committed to delivering quality work

Be proactive and seek out work which interests you: you are only in the team for a short period of time, so we encourage you to make the most of it If you hear about a matter which excites you – reach out to someone who is working on it They will be thrilled by your interest and will get you involved in any way that they can

Suggest ways to be creative and innovative: we’re always fascinated to hear about AI and new ways in which technology can do things more efficiently. If you have any ideas about how something can be presented more clearly or how a task can be completed more efficiently – we would love to learn from you.

Get the details right: delivering a high-quality product is key in ensuring exceptional client service Always take an extra 5 minutes to ensure there are no typos, missing full stops or stray formatting in any piece of work you complete Trust in your work product is key to building your relationships internally, and later, externally

Compensation Law is a critical area of legal practice focused on ensuring injured individuals receive appropriate support whether that’s medical treatment, income replacement, or lump sum payments while also helping maintain the sustainability and fairness of compensation schemes

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

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

Law

Deakin

If you are looking to work as a Graduate at a law firm via the Clerkship/Graduate program route, performing well in your Clerkship is as important as getting through the application process for a clerkship role With that in mind, our 10 tips for applicants are broken up into getting an offer and performing well

THE APPLICCATION PROCESS

1. Insight: Think of Yourself Holistically

As an applicant, you are entering a pool of prospective Clerks that each firm will assess to ensure that they are hiring the most suitable clerks It is your goal to make the role of a recruiter as easy as possible – too many gifted scholars focus on grades alone and end offer day empty handed failing to realise that (for better or for worse) it is about how you market yourself

Your focus should be on improving your holistic profile in the face of a law firm Read what your target firm wants in a Clerk and make an effort to present yourself in alignment Take out a LIV Young Lawyer membership (it’s free ), join the law clubs and societies that interest you and most importantly, apply for a support role in a firm. Working as a paralegal you will be able to gain insight into the teams you may want to work in and the market trends affecting practice areas you are keen on. With enough experience under your belt, instead of being a university student that is now looking for a Clerkship, you become a young professional with a developed interest in a few practice areas that so happens to be nearing the end of your university studies. The intention is to have enough material to give informed, genuine answers to short answer questions in both applications and in interviews

2. Professional Interests

Firms want engaged, interested and curious Clerks Not knowing what area of law you are most set on at this stage is commonplace Plenty of lawyers start in one area, then develop a niche or equally undertake an LLM and switch. Certainty is not a prerequisite of interest. Whether you know exactly what area of law you want to work in or not, demonstrate curiosity and interest in the practice areas of the firm that you find intriguing and ask questions.

Subscribe to the relevant lawyer news outlets, sign up for mailing lists like Capital Brief’s Letter of Intent, and take the time to explore different areas of law that might be a good fit for you When asking lawyers about their work or their experience, don’t be afraid to show your genuine interest

Ultimately, your capacity to work hard is important but your genuine interest should come across such that it doesn’t appear like hard work for you

3. Relevant Research and Application

Research is important. Not only is research good to inform you of what work a firm does but it’s also an opportunity for you to learn more about the area of law you are interested in.

When talking to a partner or senior lawyer about their past work, use what you know about it to ask specific, directed questions If you are going to ask about a specific deal, make sure you understand it in detail rather than just “name dropping” without knowing the details Ask genuine questions to learn more about the work they do - this will help you discover what you are interested in

4. Take a Breath

After attending my first Clerkship information event, I felt out of place surrounded by other applicants who appeared to be more confident and accomplished than me. In talking to other lawyers from your target firms, you will realise that just like any microcosm of society, there are introverts, extroverts, people who love AFL and those who do not and an entire range of people who had varying backgrounds and upbringings Do not feed into the white noise and feel inadequate compared to those around you, because the fact of the matter is not every employee is a Rhodes Scholar nor a Nobel Prize recipient So long as you rely on these tips, you will be best placed to succeed in your application!

5. Utilise Resources: DeakinTalent is your Best Friend

Use the resources you have available to you. It doesn’t cost anything or take much time to have a look at what services you have as a Deakin student. This may seem like a given to some, but don’t use a colourful resume. I had a graphic designer friend put together a beautiful resume for me but the programs used by firms to scrape data do not do a good job of this, and anecdotally, you can use the template here DeakinTalent - https://blogs.deakin.edu.au/deakintalentresources/resume-examples-templates/

THE CLERKSHIP ITSELF

6. Coffee, Coffee, Coffee

Whether you actually drink coffee or not, it goes a long way to ask your buddy, coordinator or a Partner out for a coffee/tea. This is a great time to show your personality and get to know members of the team in a more meaningful way away from the screens. 99 out of 100 times whoever you ask will say yes (even if it is just to get away from their desk) and will likely pay (yay to free coffee) It is also an opportunity for you to meet people across the firm, learn more and build your networks

7. Embrace Opportunities

It is important to try to embrace all opportunities you are presented with as a clerk It's easy to avoid work that you think is hard or think you might not excel in, but your Clerkship should be the time where you take on a challenge and give it a go. There is something to learn from every client meeting, court appearance, drafting task or contract review so try to embrace all the different work opportunities you have available to you.. There will likely be a few social events planned during your Clerkship which are also a great opportunity to get to know people across the firm

8. Small Talk is a Life Saver

Small talk can go a long way in building relationships Taking the opportunity to chat about the latest events in Melbourne can be a good start to building relationships and getting to know people Those conversations at the printer can help establish you and potentially get access to some great work!

9. Task Hack – Someone’s Done it Before

If you get a task that feels particularly daunting or out of your wheelhouse, have a look through the firms file management system It’s often the case that another Clerk, Graduate or junior lawyer has been asked to do the exact same task so have a look at what’s been done in the past and use it as a base

10. Human first, Clerk second

While being a high achiever and knowing about the firm you’re applying to often what gets you through the door, bringing your whole self to work and building genuine relationships is also important. You’ll be surprised how often someone else will have the same breed of dog/cat, attend the same music festivals or be bingeing the same show as you, so don’t bury your personality under what you think a firm wants to see.

WHAT NOT TO DO

In some cases, it can be easier to remember what not to do as opposed to staying on top of everything to do Keeping in mind that this nod to the blockbuster classic is entirely satirical, here is “How to Lose a Clerkship in 10 Ways”:

Lock in on your WAM at the expense of everything else.

Say you love commercial law just because you liked Suits Yes, you can win in due diligence

Name drop the firm’s most recent case/deal without asking a single question about it. Merely showing you went to the firm’s landing page on their website is miles beyond everyone else

Drum up your love of football and take on a new personality at Clerkship events based on what you think they want, because they don’t want the real you!

Go DIY mode on the applications! You haven’t done this before, but you’ve probably got it right. Right?

Go all in on one practice area – if you don't like it now, you never will!

Don’t use LinkedIn because building your professional network is scary

Only apply to a couple of firms because you’ll definitely get them all

Avoid Deakin LSS events as they are a waste of time, and you know everything about the Clerkship process so what’s the point!

Wait to start your applications until the day before submissions are due. You’ll be able to smash them out in a couple of hours

Joanna Gu Lawyer, Melbourne

Tell us a bit about yourself and your time so far at Minter Ellison

I was raised in Auckland, New Zealand, and moved to Melbourne to pursue my Juris Doctorate. I commenced in the winter of 2022 as a clerk. Initially, my plans were to head overseas after completing my JD

However, the stimulating work and the incredible people I met during my clerkship at Minters swayed me to stay and begin my legal career here Fast forward to 2023, I started my graduate role at the firm The diversity of people I’ve worked with and both the breadth and calibre of legal work I’ve been exposed to have been remarkable

You’ve recently done a clerkship with us, how was that process and any advice for future clerks?

Firstly, recognise that everyone in the firm is invested in your success, and that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process You’ll find a supportive network of mentors ready to guide you, and it’s comforting to remember that even the most senior lawyers began their journeys much like you. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, no matter how trivial they may seem, and seize every opportunity for casual interaction, such as coffee catch-ups. These moments provide a valuable platform for informal learning and networking. Stay open- minded about the diversity of work you’ll be exposed to and the wide range of backgrounds of the people you’ll meet. Remember that your clerkship is not just an opportunity to grow and network, but also a platform to contribute and effect change Embrace it, and enjoy the journey!

What was it that attracted you to Minter Ellison?

I first rotated through the Finance Solutions team I found it to be an exceptional starting point It offered me a deep dive into various financial sectors, such as property finance, corporate finance, and structured finance It was especially beneficial for us as junior lawyers, as it provided an opportunity to learn through osmosis. I was actively involved in meetings, client-facing work, and fundamental skills training sessions led by experienced senior team members. I am currently in my second rotation in the firm’s innovative Competition, Climate and Technology (CCT) team. This multifaceted team at Minters collaborates with both private and public sector clients across a range of industries. Working within this team has broadened my exposure to diverse types of work.

This includes providing strategic advice, drafting and negotiating agreements, and contributing to pro bono projects The variety keeps me engaged and ensures that every day is different, presenting new challenges and learning opportunities

Have you had the opportunity to participate in any of the firms internal networks or committees?

I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in several of the firm’s internal networks and committees, which have greatly enriched my experience as a graduate at the firm.

EMBRACE, led by a national committee of employees from all firm areas, assists in progressing our cultural diversity strategy. Its key objectives are to celebrate cultural diversity, provide educational opportunities for increased cultural awareness, foster a supportive network for culturally diverse employees, and create opportunities for client connections A standout moment was organising the national Embrace panel, where we invited Western Bulldogs’ player, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, to discuss fostering cultural diversity in the workplace

I’m also part of the firm’s WISE network (Women, Support, Inclusion, Equality), which focuses on facilitating education and engagement on gender issues within the firm and the wider community Since joining WISE, I’ve been paired with a mentor for regular coffee catch-ups, which offers a fantastic support system and an opportunity to discuss both professional and personal development.

What surprised you the most about the firm?

What took me by surprise about Minters was its prioritisation of individuality over conformity, a standout characteristic in the typically high-pressure legal sector This unique approach was a breath of fresh air amid the intense competition prevalent in the field of law This celebration of individuality has instilled in me the confidence to find and utilise my distinct voice I’ve been heartened by the encouragement to openly discuss my interests and aspirations with my supervisors, partners and colleagues Such open dialogue has been instrumental in enabling me to express my interest in specific areas of law Instead of trying to fit into us into a cookie-cutter mould, Minters have urged me to embrace and bring my authentic self to work This has empowered me to find my voice and contribute my unique perspectives to the firm.

Insight into an international secondment Norton Rose Fullbright

During my first year as a graduate in the Melbourne office, I was granted the opportunity to work with the Perth disputes team on Western Australian- based matters, with the Singapore office on pro bono advice and assisted clients throughout the process of expanding their Australian brand internationally.

My third rotation cemented my view of Norton Rose Fulbright as a truly global firm, as I spent an incredible six-months in the London office in the infrastructure and energy disputes team. As my first experience working overseas, I couldn’t have asked for a better learning and networking environment.

I was fortunate to work broadly across a range of matters with my direct team and the general disputes team, witness two in person trials and commute over the iconic Tower Bridge each morning to the office! My team were exceptionally welcoming and involved me in both commercial disputes and transactional construction work, including proceedings before the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice, ICC, LCIA and UNCITRAL arbitrations, dispute adjudication board (DAB) proceedings and various ad hoc disputes.

The global nature of Norton Rose Fulbright’s work was confirmed to me through my involvement in a London seated arbitration to settle a contractual dispute. Having been brought onto this matter during my first week, I was involved in a raft of pre-hearing work, including chronology and bundle preparation, weekly calls with the client and witness familiarisation sessions with the expert and fact witnesses Following the two-day hearing, which required witnesses to be flown in from Nigeria, I assisted in the preparation and completion of the written closing and cost submissions.

The connectivity of the firm’s offices was very apparent to me in every matter I worked on. In another arbitration relating to a joint venture in Central Asia, we worked closely with the Hong Kong and Houston disputes teams

To prepare the statement of defence in an arbitration and DAB proceeding relating to the construction of an iron ore processing plant in the Far East, the Dubai office worked alongside our London team to prepare various translations of witness statements and file the defence

Due to the number of matters I worked on during my rotation, I forged strong working relationships with all five of the Partners in the infrastructure and energy disputes team as well as a Partner in the general disputes team. Articles I co-authored with my team were published on the firm’s website and the Construction Law Journal and I met a range of London-based barristers and disputes solicitors based in other firms while volunteering in Norton Rose Fulbright’s ‘Disputes Week’ events The London trainees welcomed Sydney-based international secondee Jack Brown and I with open arms, through mixer events, the touch rugby team and social badminton nights.

Of course, I didn’t miss the opportunity to experience all of London’s best Sunday roasts, beautiful parks and music scene I also enjoyed weekend travel with friends and other trainees, with the highlights being Morocco, Greece, the Paris Olympics and New York

Having returned to the Melbourne office, we received the exciting news that the tribunal dismissed the contractual, bad faith and conspiracy claims against our client in relation to an investment agreement dispute I was fortunate to attend two days of the four-day hearing during my secondment, together with teams from the London, Sydney and Brisbane offices, counsel from Thailand and experts from Norway. It was incredible to be a part of and witness the teams working seamlessly together across time zones to deliver an outstanding result for the client

All aspiring lawyers should consider the wealth of opportunities available to them at Norton Rose Fulbright. From the graduate program to Partner level, there are so many chances to work on international, cross-jurisdictional matters and forge professional (and personal) relationships with our international colleagues

In my second year of university, I finally received a diagnosis for the health issues that had been impacting me for years. Alongside trying to understand the fundamentals of contract law and balancing a job that barely covered the cost of driving to uni (iykyk), I found myself attending one or two medical appointments per week. My focus shifted towards prioritising food, exercise, and sleep, in the way that only professional athletes and disabled people are forced to

By the time clerkship applications rolled around three years later, I had managed to stabilise various aspects of my life I maintained good grades, held a job, secured a longstanding volunteer legal position, enjoyed some semblance of a social life, and achieved relatively stable health However, I Iacked commercial legal experience, sports or LSS involvement, or the remarkable grades typically used to overshadow such shortcomings

Despite recognising my achievements given the circumstances, articulating them in applications proved challenging. Writing an individual cover letter that conveyed my unique and compelling interest in a specific firm is difficult enough, let alone explaining the absence of extracurricular activities in a way that positioned me as an asset rather than a liability.

Because of this, I was over the moon when I discovered the Russell Kennedy Lawyers (RK) ‘Access RK’ Seasonal Clerkship Pathway, offering a seasonal clerkship position to a student with a disability The existence of the pathway showed me that RK understood the challenges I had faced with my health, recognising them as sources of unique and valuable skills that would enhance my capabilities as a lawyer

The RK application process featured short answer questions focusing on both legal and valuesbased questions, indicating the firm’s interest in candidates as complete individuals and not just legal minds. After applications closed, I underwent a brief phone interview with HR, followed by another interview with HR and a Special Counsel who, like me, has a disability and began their journey at RK as a seasonal clerk nearly 14 years prior

This opportunity allowed me to witness firsthand that the Access RK Pathway wasn't merely a 'tick box' diversity initiative but reflected the firm's genuine commitment to inclusion Additionally, I gained insight into how the firm would support a disabled individual navigating a legal career

All these experiences reinforced my confidence that the firm had selected me for who I am As a result, I was more confident in asking for adjustments and advocating for myself, knowing that I had been transparent about my situation throughout the entire process.

During the clerkship, I worked from home one day a week, allowing me to focus on work itself rather than the litany of symptoms that pop up when I push myself too hard However, the transition to the graduate program revealed that I required three days of remote work per week to effectively balance my health while participating fully in the program.

While the Access RK Pathway opened the door to the legal profession, RK’s culture provided the environment where I could be comfortable and confident in being myself and speaking up when necessary, which has allowed me to excel. The firm’s focus on wellbeing ensures that my need for work/life balance is an expectation for everyone, not just an accommodation due to my health

Although I still have appointments most weeks, I can flexibly manage my time, just like parents, caregivers, or anyone else tending to personal matters across the firm. The supportive and inclusive atmosphere at RK ensures I always have someone to turn to for guidance or a chat about work or personal matters, making a significant difference in my experience

In June of 2022, I had the opportunity to undertake a clerkship in the Pert nepreis 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.

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 beall 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!

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 matters; on the other hand, I act as counsel and as arbitrator in international commercial arbitration.

The genesis of my practice was in 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, whilst 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 resolu 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 arb 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 a perfect balance for me.

I am a Melbourne graduate in my second rotation at White & Case. I am currently based in our Abu Dhabi office with the Project Development team My first six-month rotation was with the Melbourne Disputes team, and my final rotation will be with the Melbourne Environment & Planning team I aimed for a variety of litigious and transactional work to round out my skills as a junior. In the Disputes team, my day-to-day tasks involved legal research, drafting client advice, contractual interpretation and applying legal analysis skills to tasks like witness crossexamination strategies The critical thinking and intellectual challenge of this work was the highlight My work in the Abu Dhabi Project Development team has revolved around drafting, amending and proofing documents for major projects, attending contractual negotiations and communicating with clients.

White & Case guarantees graduates the opportunity to do an overseas rotation and the experience has been incredible I’ve been at the Firm for one year, and so far, I have worked from our Melbourne, Sydney and Abu Dhabi offices, as well as doing a pro bono secondment in Greece. I’ve been involved in high-stakes negotiations, had face-to-face contact with clients and worked on major projects across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East.

I have been a graduate at White & Case for nearly one year I have rotated through the Financial Restructuring & Insolvency practice in Sydney and the Tax practice in Melbourne, and I will soon be heading to Hong Kong’s Debt Finance practice for my third and final seat

As a graduate, my role is to develop my own technical and professional legal skills and support the other members of the team with their matters The work I typically do includes drafting (e g first drafts of transactional documents, advice memorandums and briefs to counsel), reviewing documents (e g company constitutions and security documents), research on legislation or case law and general matter management (e.g. preparing execution packs, running company searches and managing conditions precedent checklists). There are many skills required to effectively manage a grad’s daily workload, the key ones being prioritisation, time management and communication

The coolest thing about my job is that every day I contribute to the creation of a desired outcome. Clients come to law firms to achieve all sorts of things and we are here to make those desired outcomes happen The satisfaction you feel when you contribute to such a thing is truly rewarding

CLERKSHIPS, GRADUATE ROLES & MORE...

student.careers@allens.com.au

https://graduatesallenscomau/

Level37,101CollinsStreet,MelbourneVIC 3000

Early Careers Consultant

gracejonnalagadda@allenscomau

Allens is a leading international law firm with a long and proud heritage of shaping the future for our clients,ourpeopleandthecommunitiesinwhichwework.

From playing a pioneering role in the development of legislation and regulatory frameworks, to actingonnumerous'firsts'acrossarangeofindustryandcommunityissues,itisinourDNAtomake adifferenceandhelpshapewhatourworldlookslike.

Through our alliance with Linklaters, we offer clients a global network of 41 offices in 26 locations and opportunitiesforourpeopletobuildinternationalcareers.WithAllens,you'llworkatthecuttingedgeof the law on the most complex and innovative deals in the market. You'll work with lawyers and professionals at the top of their game who, like you, strive to get a little better every day. And you'll be supportedtotakeyourcareerwhereveryouwantittogo

We're committed to a truly purpose-led culture, built on values that reflect who we are, where we've come from and who we want to be. Whether it’s helping our clients see around corners and take advantage of new opportunities; fostering growth and opportunity so our people can thrive, make a differenceandbetheirverybest;orcontributingtothedevelopmentofsustainable,diverse,equitable andjustcommunitieswhereeveryoneisrecognisedandincluded,shapingthefutureisinourDNA

BankingandFinance

Competition,Consumer&Regulatory

Corporate(M&AandCapitalMarkets,Funds

SuperWealthandTechnology,Media& Telecommunication)

Tax

Disputes&Investigations(Commercial Disputes,Employment&Safetyand Restructuring&Insolvency)

IntellectualProperty Projects&Development(ProjectsandReal Estate&Development)

ClerkshippositionsavailableinMelbourneoffice:

Clerkshippositionsavailableeachintake:

Applicationperiod:

Interviewperiod:

Rotations:

Seasonalclerkshipperiods:

90-100(approximately)

30-34(approximately)

7July2025-10August2025

September

1rotation Summer1,Summer2andWinter

AllensofferclerkshipprogramsineachofourAustralianoffices InMelbourne,weoffertwosummer andonewinterclerkshipprogrameachyear,coincidingwithuniversityholidays

AsaclerkatAllens,youwill: workwithsomeofthemostexperiencedandhighlyregardedlawyersinAustralia; gainfirst handexperienceinthetypeofworkyoucoulddoasalawyeratAllens; workaspartofateamonrealmattersforrealclients;and beallocatedadedicatedperformancecoachandbuddy,whowillbethereeverystepoftheway

Our clerkship program is a stepping stone to bigger things, and many clerks go on to become graduateswithus.

Allens are proud that there isn't an 'Allens' type We know that diverse perspectives help solve complexproblems,strengthenteamsandenrichclientrelationships

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 yourabilitytobalancepriorities,andexhibitthatyou'readedicatedbuddingcommerciallawyer,we wouldlovetohearfromyou.

And finally, as clichéd as it sounds, be yourself. Don't try to be who you think we want you to be! Allensvalueauthenticityandwanttoworkwithclerksandgraduateswhovaluethistoo Webelieve thatyou'llbeabletobuildbetterrelationshipsifyouaretruetoyourself

Graduatepositionsavailablein2025:

Graduaterotationstructure:

Pathwaytograduateposition:

Deferringagraduateoffer:

30-35(approximately)

2x12-monthrotations

Priorityoffers

Consideredonacase-by-casebasis

AsaGraduateatAllens,you’llcompletetwo12monthrotationsindifferentpracticeareas.Wedon’t work in silos, so you won’t be limited to working with only one partner or by your practice areas. There’snosubstituteforthedepthofinsightthatcomesfromworkingwithdifferentteams.

You’llworkoncomplextransactionswithleadingorganisations And,you’llhavetheopportunityto 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 excellentlawyerandthriveinoureverchangingworld.

You'llbenefitfromarangeofpersonalisedtoolsandtrainingtounlockyourpotential,including: TheGraduateDiplomainLegalPracticeprogram. PracticallegalseminarsduringourCornerstoneprogram Onlinelearningportal. Personalisedoneweekinductionprogram. Onthejobtraining. Ongoingsupervision,coachingandmentoring.

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 requiredtointerviewforagraduateposition

ndhariwal@abl.com.au

https://wwwablcomau

Level21,333CollinsStreet,MelbourneVIC 3000

Human Resources Manager

mbarrett@ablcomau 0392299616

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.Ourstandingwithinthelegalprofessionhasbeenbuiltovermorethan60years.Manyofthe values, characteristics and defining qualities from the firm’s 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,privatebankersandoverseas-basedspecialistlawfirms.

www.ashurst.com

Level16,80CollinsStreet,SouthTower, MelbourneVIC3000

katelyn.linton@ashurst.com 0396793804

Asaleadinggloballawfirm,wehavealottoofferyou.Westriveforthehigheststandardsofclient service and performance. We value diversity and inclusion. We are respectful and supportive. We encourage innovation and embrace change, and welcome new ideas Join Ashurst and make a differencetoyourcareer,yourclientsandyourcommunity

Competition

CorporateTransactions

DigitalEconomy

DisputeResolution

Employment

GlobalLoansandRestructuringandSpecial

Situations

Finance

Intellectualproperty PlanningAccessandEnvironment Projects,EnergyandTransition RealEstate

Tax

Our vision is to be the most progressive law firm. Our values are that we are passionate about quality,wedeliverthroughcollaborationandwethinkdifferently

Ourpassionistobethemostprogressivelawfirmandtoachievethisweofferourclientslegal-led consulting. Not only do we offer the best legal advice but our Risk Consulting team is able to operationalisethatadvice WethenuseAshurstAdvance(newlaw)todeliverefficient,cost-effective andtechnologicallysavvysolutions Wehaveaunique,diverseculturethatshapesthewaywework withoneanother:wethinkdifferently,wearesupportiveandinclusive,andwearepassionateabout quality.

Melbourne,Macquarie,Woolworths,GoldmanSachs,TasmanianGovernment.

Melbourne Partner Kylie Lane: "We are delighted to have acted for the State of Tasmania on this significant and complicated transaction We have supported the State over a number of years and arethrilledtohavesecuredasuccessfuloutcomewiththesaleofBPLandAPAandintherealisation oftheState'sobjectivesforBasslink".

30June2025-10August2025 September Norotations Summer1,Summer2andWinter

Our Melbourne clerkship is a great opportunity to work with a supervising partner, a lawyer and a buddywho'llgetyouinvolvedinrealwork.You'llalsoattendteaminsightsandworkshops,aswell 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-takingduringmeetingsandcontractreview.

Ourclerkshipisagreatopportunitytoworkwithasupervisingpartner,alawyerandabuddywho’ll get you involved in real work You will have the opportunity to rotate through two different teams andwewilltakeintoconsiderationyourpreferences

You’ll also attend team insights and workshops, as well as get a chance to take part in team social events.Theworkundertakenbyclerksisvariedanddependsontheteamyouarein.Tasksinclude 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 bonoworkandparticipatingininterformclerksport.

YouwillhavetheopportunitytogetinvolvedwithProbonowork,networksandcommittees,social eventsandcoffeecatchupswithlawyersfromdifferentteamsAttheendofyourclerkship,youwill beconsideredforaplaceonourgraduateprogram

We are looking for diverse candidates with a broad range of backgrounds, all united by a common setofstrengths:apassiontodevelopacareerinaleadingglobalcommerciallawfirm,outstanding communicationskills,analyticalability,awillingnesstolearnquickly,determinationandresilience, andacollaborativemindsetwiththeability toadapttochange.

Penultimateandfinalyearstudentswithfullworkingrightscanapply.

Graduaterotationstructure: Pathwaytograduateposition: Deferringagraduateoffer:

The12-monthprogramstartswithaNationalinduction.

3x4-monthrotations

Priorityoffers Yes

Thisisfollowedbyanintroductiontotheofficewhereyou'rebasedandanin-housePracticalLegal Training (PLT) course, customised with modules specifically chosen for you We cover the course feesandofferpaidstudyleavedays.

Together, we plan three rotations and review them regularly throughout your program. This gives you a solid foundation in legal expertise and problem-solving techniques. There will be opportunitiesforclientsecondmentsandanoverseassecondmentinyourlastrotation

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 businessneeds,yourpreferencesandyourjobperformance.

As part of your graduate year, you will participate in the Activate Program The program is specifically designed for graduates and incorporates technical legal and business skills training. It providestheplatformforyoutocreatetheextraordinaryandbuildcapacityacrossthekeyareasin whichthefirmpractices,toensureyouhaveaholisticviewofthelegalmarketsinwhichweoperate. Sessionsareconductedbysubjectmatterexperts,includingPartners

australiacareers.bakermckenzie.com/en/ Level19,CBW,181WilliamStreet, MelbourneVIC3000

ThinkGlobal,ThinkBakerMcKenzie!

NatalieMascarenhas

Natalie.Mascarenhas@bakermckenzie.com (03)96174349

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,givingusastrong,commonculturethroughoutournetworkof74officesin45countries. 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'vebeenagloballawfirmfromthestart

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 objectivesandworkwiththemtoovercomethechallengesofcompetingintheglobaleconomy We have an unrivalled ability to provide training and secondment opportunities across our global network, and are committed to engaging with our communities too. Inclusion, diversity and equity are foundational to our culture and strategic vision – and we have an inclusive culture of learning, coaching and opportunity, where you undertake work in small teams across multiple geographies withclientsandcolleagues

We are a place where everybody can succeed – whatever your background and wherever you are located.

Weareatrulymulticulturalfirmunitedbyagenuineandrobustcultureoffriendship,inclusion andcollaboration

We are commercial pragmatists who make complex issues simple for our clients and are passionatelycommittedtoserviceexcellence

Weencourageandsupportengagingwithourcommunity,throughourprobonoandcommunity serviceprograms

We want everyone to reach their potential so invest in global, regional and local world-class developmentandmobilityprogramsforourpeople

Think Inclusive, Think Baker McKenzie! Our award winning diversity strategy/initiatives stem from ourvaluesandfocusonfiveareas,inwhichallemployeescanparticipate:

BakerWomen – gender diversity, including the implementation of our gender diversity strategy tosupporttheprogressionofwomenasastrategicpriorityfortheFirm

BakerDNA–ethnic,indigenousandculturaldiversity

BakerBalance&Wellbeing – mental health and wellbeing, workplace flexibility and supporting parents/carers

BakerPride&Allies–lesbian,gay,bisexual,transgender,queerdiversity

FirstNationsCircle – commitment to First Nations engagement and aligned with our broader commitmenttoreconciliationasoutlinedinourReconciliationActionPlan(RAP).TheFNCaims toincreaseunderstandingof,andrespectfor,AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoplesand cultures,andtoleverageopportunitiesfortheminthelegalprofession.

Manyofourseasonalclerks,graduatesandlawyerssayoneofthereasonstheyjoinusisbecauseof our people and culture. In Melbourne, the size of our office enables everyone to get to know each other – plus we have the benefit of a strong global connection to our other offices, offering something unique and special to our people. Our people are genuinely friendly and diverse, and enjoy coming to work every day Our social and sports committee contributes to the Firm's social glue – offering regular Firm drinks, events and sporting activities. We also offer a range of social, financial and wellbeing benefits (including travel insurance for you/your immediate family, massages, flu vaccinations, an Employee Assistance Program, discounted movie tickets, study assistance,corporatediscounts,etc)

Rotations: Seasonalclerkshipperiods: Norotations Summer1,Summer2andWinter

ThinkOpportunity,ThinkBakerMcKenzie!

AtBakerMcKenzie,ourseasonalclerksexperiencelifeasajuniorlawyeratourFirm

Right from the start, you are given the opportunity to undertake real work and have real responsibility – just like our graduates. You will be exposed to our Australian and international clients through client meetings, phone calls and events, and will have opportunities to deal with clientsdirectly

Workingwithlawyersofalllevels,youwillbeguidedbyasupervisingpartnerandassociate'buddy'. WiththeFirm'sstrongfocusonsupportingitspeopletolearn,growandachievebetterresults,you canexpecttobewell-led,well-coachedandwell-mentored.

You are supported at every stage of the clerkship by Talent Management who facilitates a comprehensive 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’ll also develop legal skills through our Cornerstone Legal Learning Program for graduatesandFirm-widePDsessions

There are many opportunities to network with colleagues around the Firm, through our 'speed networking' program, practice group briefings and social events – with your buddy, our graduates andourpartnersandlawyers

Post-clerkship,thereareopportunitiestoundertakeparalegalrolesandattendvarioussocialevents tostayconnectedwithourFirm.

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 workinAustraliaduringtherelevantclerkshipperiods.

Deferringagraduateoffer:

ThinkExcellence,ThinkBakerMcKenzie!

Consideredonacase-by-casebasis

Weknowourgraduateswanttoworkwithclientsonmeaningfulworkfromthestart,sowesupport you to hone your skills and develop your experience as quickly as possible We pair each graduate with a supervising partner and associate "buddy" in each rotation to maximise on-the-job and formallearning,andprovidesupportatalllevels.

Tofosterourgraduates'development,ourLeadership&Learningteamfocusesonfiveareas–legal learning, managing your career, the business of law, business development & client service, and people & self-leadership. These feed into our comprehensive induction program, designed to support our graduates’ transition from university to work. The program includes practical development sessions such as drafting, legal research, commerciality, business development, personal branding, communicating effectively, building resilience, and further development sessions and panels to set our graduates up for success We offer targeted learning opportunities throughout the year too – seminars on core legal topics (through our Cornerstone Legal Learning Program),Firm-widePDsessions,andatwo-dayTransactionalandLitigationIntensivewhichbrings our graduates together nationally in Sydney to learn and foster networks. Our graduates across APAC congregate for our ‘Asia Pacific Junior Associate Course’, which offers advanced skill development in drafting and commerciality, and opportunities to learn about Firm strategy, business development and clients We also cover the costs of your PLT In addition, we conduct regular roundtables and mid and end of rotation meetings to ensure you receive mentoring/coachingandfeedbacktodevelopasalawyer.

Collectively,theseensureyoureceivethebestfoundationforyourcareer

LuluSchneiders

People & Culture Adviser

https://bnlawcomau/

Level11,600BourkeStreet,Melbourne VIC3000

Luluschneiders@bnlawcomau (03)99103035

Our vacation clerkship program, held over the university break, provides you with a unique opportunity to experience our firm, our two practice areas Insurance & Heath and Family Law, Wills & Estates and, most importantly, our culture. Our clerkship program is also a great stepping stonetoongoingroles,includinglawclerkandgraduatepositions. enquiries.mailbox@bnlaw.com.au

Welcome to Barry Nilsson For 60 years, we’ve been shaping a better experience for our clients and our people At BN, you’re part of a national firm with over 400 professionals that value flexibility, growth and a modern approach to work. You’ll collaborate with a team of specialists in their field, participating in engaging and rewarding work. We’re committed to empowering your career progressionthroughstructuredmentorship,continuousprofessionaldevelopment,andatop-notch workenvironment,ensuringyouthriveandexcelinwhatyoudo

Insurance

HealthLaw

FamilyLaw

WillsandEstates

DedicatedProfessionalism

ClientFocusedOutcomes

EnduringRelationships PositiveSocialImpact CollaborationandTeamwork

g g g

underwriters,brokersandcustomerstoachievetransparency,clearcommunication,efficientclaims managementandalignmentontheclaimdefenceandresolutionprocess

We pride ourselves on our inclusive and down-to-earth culture You will be welcomed into an environment that values and celebrates your unique personality, perspective and experiences We foster a collaborative and supportive environment with an open-door policy where you will be empowered to do your best work, and be your authentic self while you do it. Our dedication to building a diverse and inclusive culture is reinforced through our D&I Network, ‘BN Included’, and our D&I Steering Group comprising senior leaders across the firm, who drive our tailored D&I strategytowardsmaintainingadiverse,inclusiveandflexibleworkplace

Proudlyrecognisedasan‘EmployerofChoice’bytheAustralasianLawyerfrom2019to2024,weare committed to fostering an environment where each team member feels not only supported and valued,butalsoempoweredtotrulybethemselvesandexcel

We partner with insurers, re-insurers, brokers, and customers, including AAI/Suncorp, AXA XL, QBE/QBEEuropeanOperations,IAG,DUAL,andChubb Highlightsinclude:

Representing a multi-national frozen products importer in a $45 million claim arising from Queensland’sWhiteSpotSyndromeVirusoutbreak.

RepresentingLondonmarketunderwriterswhoinsurebuildersofOpalToweroncoverageissues arisingfromunderlyingclassactionproceedings(valuedat$80million)

Wealsoadviseonhigh-profileclaimsinthehealthsector.Mostrecently,we’verepresentedaglobal medical device company in class actions and individual actions regarding pelvic mesh implants –Australia’slargestevermedicalproductliabilityaction

careers@claytonutz.com

https://wwwclaytonutzcom/

WurundjeriLand,Level18,333Colins Street,MelbourneVIC3000

GemmaFeeney

Graduate Consultant

gfeeney@claytonutzcom 0392866681

Proudly Australian. Globally connected. As one of Australia's leading law firms, Clayton Utz gives confident,innovativeandincisivelegaladvice.

If you're considering joining our team, we want to give you a glimpse into who we are The basic facts are simple: we are one of Australia's oldest and largest law firms, operating across six cities, withnearly200partners,andofferingacomprehensiverangeoflegalservicescateringtobothlarge privatesectorcompaniesandgovernmententities.

Wedeliveradvicecreatedbylawyerswithdifferentexperiencesanddifferentviews,butunitedbyan entrepreneurial spirit, a can-do attitude, confidence in each other, and pride in helping our clients achieve.Advicethatisn'tjustaone-size-fits-allsolutiontakenoffashelf,butreflectswhoourclients areandwhattheyneed.

CommercialLitigation

Corporate,M&A,CapitalMarkets

Environment&SustainableDevelopment

IP&Technology

MajorProjects&Construction

BankingandFinancialServices

Authenticity

Belonging

Collaboration

PublicSector

RealEstate

Restructuring&Insolvency

Tax

WorkplaceRelations

Employment&Safety

Diversityofthought

Entrepreneurialspirit

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 strongsocialconscience

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 financialcloseoftheNyaalBanyulGeelongConventionandEventCentreproject

WeadvisedSingapore-incorporatedgasandexplorationcompanyConradAsiaEnergyLtd(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 arrangement - a transaction valued at approximately AUD $330million.

FlexibilityisapriorityforusatClaytonUtz.It'simportanttoustohaveaworkenvironment inwhichourpeoplecanbalancetheiruniqueandchangingneedsduringtheirdifferentlife and career stages. We have a market-leading principles-based Flexibility Policy and we adopt a team-based approach to flexibility based on making flexibility work for the individual, the team and the firm. Since Covid we have seen a significant rise in people working in hybrid arrangements (working both at home and in the office) and also an increaseinthenumberofpeoplewithinformalflexibleworkingarrangements

researchtraining,librarytrainingandITtraining,justtonameafew!

Duringtheprogram,clerkshavetheopportunitytorotatethroughtwodifferentpracticegroupsthat are aligned with their interests. In addition, our clerks are involved in volunteering at one of our CommunityConnectprogrampartnersaswellasnetworkingatarangeofdifferentfirmevents

Typical activities that clerks become involved in include research tasks, writing and drafting memos/letters, attending court and client meetings, assisting with preparation of matters for hearingsandsupportingprobonomatters

Eachdayisvariedandoftendifferentfromthelast!Clerkswhoareenthusiasticandpreparedtogive 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 eachother.

Theclerkshipprogramisaimedatstudentswhoareintheirpenultimateyearofuniversity Ifyouare inyourfinalyearofstudy,pleaseoutlineinyourapplicationwhyyoucouldn'tcompleteaclerkship inyourpenultimateyearbyansweringtherelevantquestion.

Internationalstudentsmayapplyiftheyareabletoworkfulltimeduringtheprogramandiftheyare able to apply for the correct visa entitlements to work unrestricted in Australia once they have graduated Graduatesneedtoindependentlyattainthecorrectworkvisa

Clerkswhotakethetimetobeinquisitivebyaskingquestions,exploreoptionsbothautonomously and with their teams, and present practical solutions tend to perform to a high level Additionally, clerkswhotakethetimetobuildgenuinerelationshipswiththeirteam,clientsandothercolleagues outside of their immediate teams find they have a better experience and understanding of what a graduateprogramcouldlooklikeforthem.

Clayton Utz employs people with a wide range of backgrounds, skills, interests and competencies Welookforpeoplewhocancontributenewideas,whotakeacreativeapproachtosolvingproblems, arepersonable, practical,andcommercially-savvy,aswellasflexible.

Studentsarerequiredtoapplyonlineviahttps://wwwclaytonutzcom/careers/early-careers

Students are encouraged to upload a resume to transfer general information into the application (meaning they only have to check it has transferred accurately and fill in any blanks), followed by attaching a copy of their academic transcript and answering three questions (in lieu of a cover letter)

Following submission, students will receive a separate email with a link to complete online psychometric as well as an email to participate in a voluntary RARE recruitment survey. Students mustcompletethepsychometrictestinginorderfortheirapplicationtobereviewed.

OurnationalGraduateProgramgivesyoutheperfectfoundationforyourlegalcareer.Our2.5week orientation program is designed to ensure that you'll hit the ground running. It consists of PLT+, localtrainingandanationalorientationweekinSydney

Ourrotationprogrammeansyou'lldiscoverdifferentareasandfindtherightfitforyouandstaytrue 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 becomethebestyoucanbe

Apply for a clerkship, as we hire most of our graduates through our clerkship programs Occasionally,additionalopportunitiesmayariseandthesewillbelistedonourwebsite.

Theprogramgoesfortwoyearsandconsistsofthreesix-monthrotationsthroughdifferingpractice groupsbeforesettlinginoneofthepracticegroupsyouhaverotatedthrough.

careers@cornwallscomau

https://www.cornwalls.com.au/ Level4,380CollinsStreet,Melbourne,VIC,3000

tc@cornwallscomau

(03)96082000

Cornwalls is one of Australia’s oldest and most respected independent law firms. We are multidisciplinary, dynamic and innovative Clients have entrusted us with their business since 1891 We are commercially astute, innovative and trusted advisors We represent a broad array of corporations, family offices and ultra and high net worth individuals Our lawyers are thought leaders in legal issues criticaltotheirareasofexpertise Ourfirmbelievesthatlegalservicesaremuchmorethanjustthelaw–they are about great people, sustained excellence and exceptional client service In every sense, we are defined by our people and practices Our commitment to innovation and digital transformation is the cornerstone of our success. At Cornwalls, we celebrate diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing a supportive environment where the unique backgrounds of our people are recognised and celebrated. We take our environmental responsibilities seriously, and are acting to preserve our environment for the benefit of future generations by investing in sustainable business practices that reduce our environmental footprint. We have a reputation in the legal market as providers of premium legalservices.Ourmultidisciplinaryapproachsetsusapartfromourcompetitorsandmakesusafirmof choice.

Banking&Finance

Building&Construction

CapitalMarkets

Corporate

Employment,WorkplaceRelations&Safety

Entertainment,Media,Sports&Technology

Fintech,Privacy&EmergingTechnologies

IntellectualProperty

Litigation&DisputeResolution

Mergers&Acquisitions

Property&RealEstate

Restructuring,Turnaround&Insolvency

Tax Technology

Telecommunications Wills&Estates

At Cornwalls, we celebrate the characteristics that make each person different and create a workplace environmentwhereindividualsandgroupsfeelwelcome,respectedandvalued.

Talent,cultureandinnovationarecriticalpillarsofourbusinessstrategy.Cornwallswasthefirstlawfirmin AustraliatopartnerwithSonder,anonlinesafetyandwellbeingsupportprogram.Weledthewayforwardto highlightthevaluethatweplaceonourpeople’ssafetyandwellbeing.Sonder’stechnologydrivenplatform deliversacarefulmixofhumanandtechsupport,forallCornwallsstaff,24/7.

Yes, we offer flexible working arrangements, with all staff equipped to work both in-office and remotely. However, some roles require on-site presence every day, including trainee roles. We believe in providing our trainees with the best learning experience and being in the office allows for greater mentorship, hands-on trainingandcollaboration.

pp y y g g p y

Asaseasonalclerk,youwillgainhands-onexperienceacrossvariouspracticeareas,workingcloselywithlawyerson real matters Your tasks may include legal research, drafting documents, attending client meetings, and observing courtproceedings You’llalsoparticipateintrainingsessionsandnetworkingeventstodevelopyourskillsandbuild connections

Graduatepositionsavailablein2025:

Graduatesrecruitedfrom2025-26clerkshippool:

Graduaterotationstructure:

Pathwaytograduateposition:

Deferringagraduateoffer:

ThetypicalprocessforourGraduateProgramincludes:

4rotationswitheachplacementlasting3months

Seasonalclerkships

No

SeasonalClerkship–Gaininghands-onexperience,networkingwithprofessionals,andshowcasingyourcapabilities PerformanceReview–Clerkswhoexcelintheirwork,showinitiative,andfitwellwithinthefirmculturemaybe consideredforagraduateoffer. GraduateOffer–Successfulclerksareinvitedtojointhefirmasgraduatelawyers,wheretheyreceivestructuredtraining andmentoringtokickstarttheirlegalcareers. Whiletheclerkshipisthemostdirectroute,wealsoconsideroutstandingcandidatesthroughdirectapplicationsbasedon merit,relevantexperience,andademonstratedinterestinourfirm.Welookforgraduateswith: variedlifeexperiences,includingpreviousworkexperience(legaland/ornon-legal)aswellasoutsideinterests apersonable,engaginganddrivenapproach astrongandconsistentacademicsrecord,andaninvolvementinextra-curricularactivities excellentcommunicationsskills,includinglanguageandinterpersonalskills acreativemindandapassionfortechnologyandinnovative anunderstandingofthechanginglegallandscape

melbourne.clerkship@corrs.com.au

https://www.corrs.com.au

Level25,567CollinsStreet,MelbourneVIC 3000

https://wwwlinkedincom/company/4422 /admin/feed/posts/

TheaAllen

People & Performance Consultant

thea.allen@corrs.com.au 0396723442

SammyHaberfield

People & Performance Coordinator

sammy.haberfield@corrs.com.au 0396723760

YourjourneyfromoutstandinggraduatetoexceptionallawyerbeginsatCorrs.AsAustralia’sleading 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 lawyersinternationallytoprovideourclientswiththerightteamforeveryengagement.Wearealso 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,commitmentandrespect.Ourlawyersworktogetheracrosspracticegroupstodeliver exceptional results and support you in building your future, wherever you want to take it 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. The combination of these factors creates a firm that celebrates its independence, is open to new ideas, has the courage to think and act differently from the rest of the market, and thrives on new challengesandopportunities.

Arbitration

BankingandFinance

ClassActions

CommercialLitigation

Competition

Corporate Employment,LabourandSafety

EnergyandNaturalResources

Restructuring,InsolvencyandSpecialSituations(RISS) Tax

Technology,MediaandTelecommunications(TMT)

Rotations:

Seasonalclerkshipperiods:

Norotations-onepracticegroup Summer1,Summer2andWinter

Ourclerkshipsgiveyoutheopportunitytoconnectwithpartnersandlawyersacrossthefirm,learnwhat a‘day-in-the-life’atCorrsislike,andexperiencethetypeofworkwedoandtheclientswepartnerwith. The Corrs seasonal clerkship program gives you the opportunity to work alongside some of Australia’s leadinglawyersonhigh-profileworkformajorAustralianandinternationalclients

Welookforpeoplewhocanmakeapositivecontributiontothefirmandhelpusindeliveringlegal excellenceandoutstandingclientservice Inexchangeforyourenergyandcommitmentwe’llprovide extraordinarylearningandworkopportunities.

Oursuccessisbasedonthesuccessofourpeople Weencourageindividualstoplaytotheirstrengthsand webringourdiverseandtalentedlawyerstogethertocreatetop-performingteams.

You’llbeexposedtoabroadrangeofinterestingmattersandhavethechancetocompletetaskssuchas conductingresearch,reviewingandpresentingdocuments,attendingcourthearings,mediationsand settlements,aswellasshadowingpartnersandlawyersinclientmeetingsandbusinessdevelopment activities

Weprovideopportunitiesforprofessionalandpersonalgrowth.Weencourageclerkstobesociallyactive andparticipateinsocialandsportingevents,aswellaslearninganddevelopmentactivities Someofour activitiesincludesocialteambuildingactivitieswithourgraduates,practicegroupinsightsessions, partnerconnectionsessions,probonowork,sportactivities,Fridaynightdrinks,trivianights,Endof FinancialYearandChristmasparties

Wewantpeoplewhobringoutthebestinthosearoundthem,workwellinateamandtakeprideintheir work and achievements We assess against a broad criteria which considers business and commercial acumen, initiative, ethical behaviour, previous employment, legal excellence, a commitment to commerciallaw,energyanddrive,involvementincommunitylifeandstronginterpersonalskills

Deferringagraduateoffer: y Consideredonacase-by-casebasis

TheLawyerDevelopmentProgram:

OurLawyerDevelopmentProgramisdesignedtosupportyouintheformativestageofyourcareer.It aimstobuildthecapabilitiesandrelationshipsthatwilldrivecareerprogressionandunderpinfuture successes,asrapidlyaspossible.

Uniquefeaturesoftheprograminclude:

Mentorpartner

Youwillbeallocatedamentorpartner(inmostcasesyoursupervisingpartnerinyourfirstrotation)who remainsinthisrolethroughouttheprogramandpotentiallybeyond Thiswillbuildapersonaland enduringrelationshipthattranscendseverydaytransactionalwork.Youwillalsobesupportedineach rotationbyasupervisingpartnerandSA/SCwhowillsourcemeaningfulandchallengingwork.

12x6x6rotationstructure

Thefirstpracticegrouprotationis12monthstoensureyouhavetimetolearnonthejobandbuildstrong capabilitiesandrelationshipsinyourfirstyear.Inthesecondyear,whenyouhaveanincreasedlevelof experienceandconfidence,youwillcompletetwosix-monthrotationsinordertogainexposureandbuild relationshipsacrossdifferentgroups.

Formallearning

TheprogramincorporatescomprehensiveformallearningopportunitiesincludingournationalGraduate Academy,localGraduateOrientation,practicallegaltrainingwiththeCollegeofLaw,practicegroup inductionsessionsandthenationalLegalExcellenceprogram

LegalExcellenceProgram

Thisthree-yearnationaltrainingprogrambeginsthepathwaytoexcellenceforourlawyersbyfocusingon thecorelegalknowledgeandskillsrelevantforlawyersinaleadingcommerciallawfirm.Thepartnerled programstrengthensthedevelopmentofgraduatesandlawyersduringtheirearlyyearsbyproviding regularhighqualitytrainingacrosscoreareas.

graduaterecruitmentAUS@dlapipercom

https://wwwdlapipercom/en-au

80CollinsStreet,MelbourneVIC3000

https://wwwlinkedincom/company/4422/admin/fe ed/posts/

JennyDawkins@dlapipercom

graduaterecruitmentAUS@dlapipercom

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 arecomplexandchallenging–transcendingnotjustpracticeareas,butborders,languagesandlegalsystems Asafirm,weneverstandstill Wethinknimblyandseizeopportunities We'reambitiousandareneverafraid toinnovate.So,ifyoupossessthesequalitiestoo,therecouldbeabrightfutureforyouatDLAPiper.

FirmCultureandKeyValues

IneverythingwedoconnectedwithourPeople,ourClientsandourCommunities,welivebyfourvalues: BeSupportive,BeBold,BeCollaborativeandBeExceptional

We’re a global business that’s redefining the expectations of a law firm. We operate across more than 40 countries, but we’re still locally connected. That’s because trusting, collaborative relationships with our clientsandeachotherareattheheartofoursuccess.We’recreatingexceptionalexperiences,outcomesand growth for our clients and people We make this happen with a culture where you bring your passion and individualitytoworkeveryday Notwocareers–ortwopeople–arethesameatDLAPiper Wewantyouto reachyourfullpotentialaspartofadiverse,globalteamthatthrivesoncollaboration,seizingopportunities andcommercialedge Here,personalgrowthgoeshandinhandwithprofessionaldevelopmenttoshapeyour individualcareerjourney

Ourclerkshipprogrammestartswitha2-dayinduction Thisinductionprovidesanin-depthintroductionto thelegalsectorandthefirmspracticegroups.Italsobuildsyourprofessionalskillsandworkplacecapability. Throughouttheinductiontherewillbeopportunitiestohearfromandnetworkwithseniormembersofthe firm.Onceyouareinducted,you’llhavetheopportunitytocompleteworkplacementsinourdifferentpractice groups Therewillbeplentyofsocialactivitiesandnetworkingopportunitiestogetinvolvedinthroughoutthe 4weeks Youwillhavealargesupportnetworkduringyourclerkshipprogramme,includingbutnotlimitedto, asupervisingpartner,developmentcoachandbuddy.

GraduatepositionsavailableinMelbourne:

Graduatesrecruitedfrom2025-26clerkshippool:

Graduaterotationstructure:

MethodofApplication:

Pathwaytograduateposition:

Deferringagraduateoffer:

7-10

25-30nationally 3x6-monthrotations

Hirefromclerkshipprogramme

Priorityoffers

Consideredonacase-by-casebasis

earlycareers@gadens.com

https://wwwgadenscom/

Level13,CollinsArch,447CollinsStreet, MelbourneVIC3000

AmeliaLippiatt

Early Careers Advisor

amelialippiatt@gadenscom 0396128381

Gadens is a leading Australian law firm with more than 100 partners and 880 staff across offices locatedinAdelaide,Brisbane,Melbourne,PerthandSydney.Weregularlyundertakehighlycomplex transactionallegalworkforawiderangeofclientsacrossmultipleindustrysectors

Our clients include major Australian and multinational organisations – we are advisors to a significantnumberoftheTop-200companieslistedontheASX–aswellasmanysmalltomediumsizedbusinesses,andhigh-net-worthfamiliesandindividuals.Ouraimistohelpourclientsachieve 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 buildingmeaningful,long-termrelationships–anumberofwhichspandecades

Ourmissionistohelppeopleachievetheirpurposeinacomplexworld.Todoso,weaimtoleadby example,inspireothers,innovate,andbuildsomethingweareallproudof.

RealEstateandConstruction

DisputesandInvestigations

Corporate(includingTaxAdvisory)

WorkplaceAdvisoryandDisputes

IntellectualPropertyandTechnology

BankingandFinance

AtGadens,ourvaluesarethecornerstoneofourcultureandguideouractionseveryday.Webelieve in Collaboration, working together and leveraging diverse perspectives to achieve the best outcomesforourclientsandthefirm Authenticityiskey,asweencourageeveryonetobringtheir true selves to work, fostering an environment of honesty and openness. We uphold Responsibility bydoingtherightthing,holdingourselvesaccountable,andmaintainingintegrityinallourdealings. Lastly,westriveforExcellence,consistentlyaimingforthehigheststandardsineverythingwedo.

Gadens'cultureisdefinedbyourcorevalues:

Collaboration

Authenticity Responsibility(Integrity) Excellence.

Webelieveinteamwork,sharingknowledge,andleveragingdifferentperspectivestoachievebetter outcomes Thefirmvalueshonestyandintegrity,encouragingeveryonetobethemselvesandvalue individual and cultural differences Responsibility and integrity are central, with everyone accountable for their actions and outcomes, keeping commitments, and sharing collective responsibility.

Our people strive for excellence daily, aiming high, exceeding expectations, and continuously innovating These values create an environment where everyone is valued and empowered to achievetheirbest,ensuringhigh-qualityservicesandasupportiveworkenvironment.AtGadenswe are committed to creating a work environment that encourages diversity and equality, fostering a senseofprideandbelongingamongourpeople.

We are committed to attracting, developing and retaining the very best people. When you join Gadens,youwillbeworkinginafirmwheresuccessisdeterminedbythecharacterandspiritofour 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,andfromdayone,youwillhaveplentyofresponsibility.

Wefosteraculturethatisinclusive,diverseandflexiblesoourpeoplecanbringtheirtrueselvesto work.

Weareproudofourprogressiveandmarket-leadingparentalleavesupportwhichincludes30weeks’ Paid Parental Leave, Superannuation contributions while on Parental Leave for up to 52 weeks (basedon5days/week,regardlessofyourworkingdays),paidleaveforSurrogacyandIVFtreatment, and much more. 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 withClimateActive.

ClerkshippositionsavailableinMelbourneoffice:

Clerkshippositionsavailableeachintake:

Applicationperiod:

Interviewperiod:

Rotations:

Seasonalclerkshipperiods: 35-40 12-14 7July2025-10August2025 August-September

1x4-weekrotation Summer1,Summer2andWinter

A Clerkship with Gadens provides the opportunity to get to know our people, our clients, and our practice groups whilst participating in a range of work and activities designed to give you insights intocommerciallaw.

A dedicated Mentor and Buddy will guide and support you during your Clerkship, whilst gaining practicalexperiencebyworkingdirectlywithPartnersandexperiencedLawyers,whoareleadersin their field. You will also learn more about our firm, culture and how we support the wider community.

Seasonal clerks will spend their four weeks in one practice team, providing them with an opportunitytoparticipateinmeaningfulclientwork,alongsideourpeople Youwillbesupportedby a dedicated Mentor and receive valuable feedback both during and at the conclusion of your Clerkship. We will recruit Graduates for 2027 from Clerks who have participated in our clerkship programsin2025/2026.

Throughout the Clerks@Gadens program, we will help you grow your skills and provide comprehensivesupporttoensureyourClerkshipisasuccess.YourdedicatedMentorwillworkwith you to develop your technical skills, allocate work, and provide ongoing feedback. You will also be supportedbyaBuddywhowillsharetipsandfriendlyadvice.Someoftheworkyoumaybeinvolved inincludes:

Legalresearch; Attendingclientmeetings,courtormediations; Draftingcorrespondenceandadvice;and Assistinginthepreparationofaffidavitsorcourtdocuments.

AtGadens,wevaluedifferentvoices,freshideas,andindependentthinkers Wearelookingforwellroundedstudentswhohavediversityinthoughtandexperience,understandandsupportourvalues andaregenuinelyinterestedinworkingwithourpeople,clients,andcommunity.Youcanstandout bybeingengaged,enthusiasticandcurious.

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 We do not accept applications from international students.

AtGadens,weprovideacollaborativeandwelcomingteamenvironmentwhereyoucanachievethe best in your personal and professional development. You will have relaxed interactions with your colleaguesandanopportunitytogetinvolvedinsocialactivitiesandotherwellbeinginitiatives We have firm wide and practice group specific events such as informal drinks, monthly bake-offs and otheractivitieswhichbringpeopletogether.

ProBono

WehaveanextensiveProBonoprogramthatincludespartnershipswiththeAsylumSeekerResource Centre,MentalHealthLegalCentre,MooneeValleyLegalService,ArtsLaw,YouthLaw,FitzroyLegal Service, Immigration Rights and Advice Centre and many others. We encourage every Lawyer in the firm to participate, and our 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 BonoCentre’sNationalProBonoTarget,whichencouragesLawyerstoundertakeatleast35hoursof ProBonoworkeachyear

Volunteering

Wehaveregularvolunteeringopportunitiesthroughouttheyear.WehaveapartnershipwithRonald McDonald House in both Melbourne and Sydney - our staff love visiting the houses to cook for the familiesstayingthere WealsovolunteeratOzHarvestandStKildaMums

CommunityActivities

WemarkandcelebratedaysincludingInternationalWomen’sDay,NationalReconciliationWeekand NAIDOCWeek.Wealsohavevariousfun-runsandfundraisersthroughouttheyear.

Sustainability

GadensisaClimateActivecertifiedCarbonNeutrallawfirm-weencourageourpeopletoengagein 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,andsocio-economicphilosophies

Graduatepositionsavailablein2025:

Graduatesrecruitedfrom2025-26clerkshippool:

Graduaterotationstructure:

Pathwaytograduateposition:

Deferringagraduateoffer: 13 12-16

2x6-monthrotations

Priorityandmarketoffers

Consideredonacase-by-casebasis

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

RealEstateandConstruction; DisputesandInvestigations; Corporate(includingTaxAdvisory); WorkplaceAdvisoryandDisputes; IntellectualPropertyandTechnology;and BankingandFinance.

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 willensureyoudevelopabroadsetofskillswhichyoucancarrywithyouthroughoutyourcareer

Throughout the program we will invest in you and provide comprehensive support to ensure each rotationisasuccess.Youwillteam-upwithadedicatedSupervisorwhowillworkcloselywithyouto develop your technical skills, allocate work and provide ongoing feedback You will attend training andseminarseachmonth,ledbypartnersandseniorpeople,toensureyouarecontinuallylearning anddeveloping.Thesesessionsfocusonbusinessskillsandtechnicaldevelopment,andensurethat youaregiventhesupportyouneedtoexcelinacommerciallydrivenenvironment.

Participants in our Clerks@Gadens program will be required to express written interest and submit anupdatedacademictranscripttobeconsideredforapriorityofferinourGrads@Gadensprogram. Our Early Careers Advisor will reach out to all seasonal clerks involved in the 2025/2026 program priortoofferdaytoobtainthisinformation.

lchaloner@gtlawcomau

https://wwwgtlawcomau/

Level25,101CollinsStreet,MelbourneVIC 3000

https://wwwlinkedincom/company/gtlaw/

LaraChaloner

HR + Early Talent Coordinator

lchaloner@gtlaw.com.au +61488402795

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 governmentandpublicauthoritiesacrossAustraliaandaroundtheworld.

As an international leader in M&A, private equity, capital markets, competition and regulation, and technology and digital, we work on complex issues that define and direct the market. G+T offers a unique opportunity for you to make a name for yourself through the matters and transactions you workon,withpersonalaccountabilityyetsupportedbythosearoundyou.

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,andfun.WehavealongheritageofgivingbacktothecommunitythroughourProBono practiceandcorporatesocialresponsibilityinitiatives.

Joiningafirmwithanopen,entrepreneurialculturemakesiteasierforyoutoworkcloselywiththe firm’s highly talented partners and senior lawyers. This is reinforced by structured mentoring programs, open-plan workstations, and direct contact with clients. We’re always looking for ambitiousindividualswhowanttohelpbuildthefutureoflawwithus.

Gilbert+Tobinisbuiltonenduringvaluesofexcellence,trust,respect,integrity,andgoodcorporate citizenship Thesevalueshaveunderscoredourgrowth,enablingustobecomealeadingfirmofover 500lawyers,trustedbyourclientstonavigatetoday’sincreasinglycomplexworld.

Ourvisionistobuildatrulyoutstandinglawfirm,renownedforourcommitmenttoclientserviceand distinctive in our superior team of talented, creative, and enthusiastic lawyers We aim to foster a vibrant and open culture that promotes personal and professional growth for all our people Additionally,wearededicatedtosupportingourcommunityandcontributingtosociety.

Ourcultureisbuiltonautonomy,inclusivity,andinnovation.Wesharecommonvaluesandcelebrate thetalentsandgoodwillofourpeople.Withachallengermindset,we’vealwaysbeenwillingtopush thestatusquo,constantlyseekingnewideas,freshenergy,anddifferentperspectives

FlatHierarchy:

As a young and independent firm, we’re not constrained by tradition, so we are always open to change, new ideas and different perspectives. We work within a flat structure, which means our clerksandgraduateshavedirectaccesstolawyersandpartnerswhoareexpertsintheirfieldsand provide the chance to be deeply involved in interesting, challenging work much earlier in your career,acceleratingyourexperience.

CorporateSocialResponsibility:

Socialjusticeandasustainablefuturearecoretowhoweare Throughourprobonolegalpractice we address issues that significantly impact the daily lives of our clients, and limit their full and equal participation in society. We focus on immediate injustices as well as structural change, working to create a fairer society through the law. Our Corporate Social Responsibility Program focusesoncommunity,reconciliationandtheenvironment,andconsistentlyseekswaystoimprove our contribution as a responsible corporate citizen We are committed to taking responsibility for theenvironmentalimpactsofourbusiness,particularlyinrelationtoclimateandbiodiversity G+T isaClimateActivecertifiedcarbonneutralserviceandcarbonneutralorganisation.

Innovation:

Wearearecognisedleaderinlegalinnovationandtechnology,andpassionateaboutnew‘waysof working’intheever-changinglegalworld Ourmulti-disciplinary‘G+TInnovate’teamiscomprised of renowned technologists, lawyers, knowledge and project managers, developers and data scientistswhosupportboththefirm’sandourclients’legalteams.

“G+T is big enough to matter, and small enough that you matter,” says Sam Nickless, CEO and Partner.Ourcultureandapproacharedifferent.Webringenergy,agility,andabuilder'smindsetto outperformandunlockthepotentialineverythingwedo.Ifyouhavetherestlessambitiontowork at the heart of change and are prepared to take initiative, you’ll feel like you belong here We anticipate, create, and embrace change Our exceptional people and teams are always moving forward,creatingcompetitiveadvantageforourclients’mostcomplexandcriticalwork.

At G+T, we empower everyone to perform at their best by fostering a culture of autonomy, inclusivity, and innovation. Our open structures, development opportunities, and commitment to equality,sustainability,andajustsocietyenableyoutothriveandmakeameaningfulimpactinyour career Ouropen,merit-basedcultureattractsandinspiresthebestlegaltalent We’llopenthedoor toopportunitiesandexperiencesthatwillshapeyourcareer,whereveryouwantittotakeyou.

Wehavearangeofflexibleworkingarrangementsandsupportstructuresavailable,includingbestpractice leave entitlements policies, part-time and job share opportunities and flexible working hours All employees have access to a ‘work from home IT kit’ to enable greater flexibility in how people manage their personal commitments with the needs of clients. We also provide a range of discountedproductsandservicestohelpourpeoplebalancetheirout-of-workresponsibilities.

Sigma Healthcare Limited has completed its ground-breaking merger with Chemist Warehouse Group, creating a leading ASX-listed wholesaler, distributor and retail pharmacy franchisor with a marketcapofmorethan$30billion.

Guzman y Gomez, one of Australia's most well-known and fastest growing QSR businesses, on its IPO and ASX listing. The offer of GYG shares will raise $242.5 million and on completion of the IPO, GYGwillhaveamarketcapitalisationofapproximately$22billion,basedontheIPOofferprice

Cargill in a record judgment against Glencore and Viterra in the longest running non-class action trial in the Supreme Court of Victoria and then successfully defending all appeals including to the HighCourtofAustralia.

Microsoft on the Australian competition aspects, including ACCC approval, of Microsoft’s proposed AUD$96billion(US$68.7billion)acquisitionofActivisionBlizzard.

TelstraonthefullscopeofitsjointventurewithQuantium(called“QuantiumTelstra”or“QT”). The purposeofQTistounlockthefullpotentialofdataandAIforTelstraanditscustomers

ClerkshippositionsavailableinMelbourneoffice:

Clerkshippositionsavailableeachintake:

Applicationperiod:

Interviewperiod:

Rotations:

Seasonalclerkshipperiods:

30(approximately)

10(approximately)

7July(9am)to10August(11:59pm) 17September–8October

Onerotation Summer1,Summer2andWinter

Duringyourclerkship,you’llbeprovidedwithasupervisingpartner,amentorandabuddywhowill help you develop your day to day legal and personal skills You’ll also grow with the help of structured training, covering drafting and technical skills, through to how to create your personal brand.Fromyourfirstday,you’llbegiventheopportunitytotestyourskillsandinterest–youcan expecttobeinvolvedinsomechallengingmatters,andyourworkwillbepresentedtoclients.Often, you’ll work directly with a partner on a matter, or as part of a bigger team on larger transactions. While every experience varies, you might be asked to draft documents and memos, carry out research,attendclientmeetingsandcourt,andassistwithpreparingforhearingsornegotiations You’llalsohavethechancetoworkoninnovationandprobonomatters.Thisisyouropportunityto explore areas you’re interested in, push out of your comfort zone and bring your own ideas and perspectivetotheteam.Theleanersizeofourcohortsmeanyou’llreallygettoknowus(andeach other), all whilst building a valuable network that will support you throughout your career –wherever it takes you next If you have the restless ambition to work at the heart of change, and if youarepreparedtotaketheinitiative,you’llfeellikeyoubelonghere.

1.Applyviaourwebsite https://www.gtlaw.com.au/careers

2 SubmitCV,academictranscriptandanswerapplicationquestions(nocoverletterrequired)

3.Completeavideointerview

4.Attendapre-interviewcocktailevening

5 OneinterviewwithaPartnerandarepresentativefromthePeopleTeam

Graduatepositionsavailablein2025:

Graduatesrecruitedfrom2025-26clerkshippool:

Graduaterotationstructure:

Pathwaytograduateposition:

Deferringagraduateoffer:

10(approximately)

10(approximately)

3x6-MonthRotations

Priorityoffers

Consideredonacase-by-casebasis

Our 18-month graduate program commences in February of each year and consists of three, 6month rotations across all our practice areas. You’ll engage in real work, build relationships with partners, lawyers, and clients, and become an integral part of each practice group You will also be actively involved in various activities, including business development, knowledge management, training,andprobonowork.

The Graduate Development Program is designed to complement the learning attained through PracticalLegalTraining(firm-fundedPLT) Duringyourrotations,youwillundertakepracticegroupspecific training, providing invaluable practical and commercial skills to help you transition into practiceasajuniorlawyer.

Eachyearwealsoawardseveralscholarshipsofupto$10,000tosupportourpeopletostudyatany educationalinstitutionintheworldinasubjectareaoftheirchoice,whichalignswiththeworkthat they are doing, or a focus area for the firm Past scholarship winners have studied at prestigious institutions in the United Kingdom, United States and Hong Kong, including Oxford, Harvard and LSE,amongstothers.

G+T also offers secondment opportunities across our offices, in-house with clients, as well as with leading firms overseas We support our people in seeking opportunities to work abroad, to expand theircommercialskillsinaglobalsetting

We recognise everyone’s career aspirations are different. Working alongside the brightest legal minds in the country, on ground-breaking projects and matters whilst also having the chance to makeapositiveimpactonthecommunity,you’llhavetheopportunitytogoasfarasyouwant

Senior National Early Careers Advisor gilda.carter@hallandwilcox.com.au (02)82673845

Hall&WilcoxisaleadingindependentAustralianlawfirm Weareafirmofmorethan1100people, including over 135 partners, delivering outstanding legal services to corporate, public sector and privateclients,bothAustralian-basedandthoseoffshoredoingbusinessinAustralia.Ourpurposeis toenableourclients,ourpeopleandourcommunitiestothrive.

Banking&FinancialServices

Corporate&Commercial

DisputeResolution

Employment

Insurance(GeneralandStatutory)

PrivateClients

ProBono&Community

Property&Projects

PublicSector

Tax

WearerenownedforourspecialanduniqueculturethatisunderpinnedbyourHallmarks.Our leadershipistransparentandauthentic,andwestrikeabalancebetweenthedemandsofabusy legalpracticeanddeliveringexcellentclientservicewithafocusondevelopment,wellbeingand 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 companiesandmultinationalconglomerates.

Wehaveastronglearningcultureandsupportourpeopleintheirdevelopment.

Weareafirmofthefuture.OurSmarterLawmantrameansthatwechallengethestatusquoto createrealvalueforourclients,ourpeopleandourcommunities

We offer competitive remuneration based on the markets in which we work and recognise momentsthatmatterinourpeoples’lives.

We offer extensive and generous benefits, policies and programs to support all of our people bothinandoutsidetheworkplace.

Ourprogramincludes:

Four-weekplacementintwoofourpracticeareas,consideringyourpreferences.

An induction program that provides an understanding of the firm’s structure, the work we do, ourclients,traininginITsystemsandofficeprocedures

Exposure to real work on real files – this may include drafting correspondence and documents, attendingclientmeetings,conferencesandmediations,andundertakingresearchtasks.

Asupportnetworkincludingabuddy,mentorandsupervisingpartnerforguidanceandsupport Participationinpracticegrouptrainingsessions,workshopsanddevelopmentsessions.

The opportunity to attend informative sessions with Partners and hear more about the work theydoandtheirexperiences

Thechancetogetinvolvedinthefirm’ssocialandsportingactivities

Graduatepositionsavailablein2025:

Duringyourgraduateyearyouwillexperience:

Acombinationofon-the-jobtrainingandsupportincompletingPracticalLegalTraining. Acomprehensiveinductionwiththenationalgraduatecohortwhichlaysthefoundationforthe yearahead.

Theopportunitytogainexperienceinseveralofthefirm’spracticeareas.

Theopportunitytoworkwithgreatclientsanddointerestingandcomplexwork

Asupportnetworkincludingabuddy,amentorandsupervisingpartnertoprovideguidanceand supportthroughouttheyear.

RegularlearningopportunitiesthroughourElevateprogram,designedtodevelopourgraduates andprovidethemwiththeskillsandexpertisetoexcel.

OpportunitiestoparticipateinProBono,IndustrygroupandSmarterLawinitiatives

Ongoingfeedback,bothformalandinformal

Theopportunitytoimmerseyourselfinourgreatcultureandhavefun!

HFWRecruitmentAus@hfw.com

https://www.hfw.com/

Level39/600BourkeStreet,MelbourneVIC

Australia

MelissaHoward

HR Advisor

Melissa.Howard@hfw.com +610386014549

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 approachtoourroleincommercialbusiness–thinkingcreativelyandpragmaticallytosupportour clients.WithourheadofficeinLondon,HFWprovidesaglobalandseamlessservice24hoursaday. We are leaders in our specialist sectors, being Shipping, Construction, Commodities, Corporate & Commercial,Insurance&ReinsuranceandAerospace

Construction

Insurance

Shipping Commodities Corporate&Commercial ClassActions

HFW is defined by its entrepreneurial spirit, creative expertise, and collaborative partnerships, which formthefoundationofitsglobalsuccess.Thefirm'sentrepreneurialapproachisevidentinitsabilityto adapt to changing markets and seize opportunities for both clients and the business itself HFW is commerciallydriven,agile,andinnovative,consistentlyseekingpracticalsolutionsthatdeliverresults. This mindset enables the firm to navigate complex legal and commercial landscapes with confidence andforesight.

HFW's creative expertise is rooted in its deep industry knowledge and commitment to pushing boundaries The firm prides itself on solving problems in innovative and effective ways, tailoring its services to meet the unique needs of clients across its core sectors, including shipping, construction, commodities,insurance,andaerospace.Byharnessingitsexpertise,HFWexpandswhatispossiblefor its clients, offering forward-thinking strategies that address both immediate challenges and long-term goals.

CollaborationisattheheartofHFW'sapproach.Thefirmworkscloselywithclientstounderstandtheir strategicobjectives,integratingseamlesslywiththeirteamstoachievesharedgoals Thispartnershipdriven ethos extends across HFW's global network, ensuring that the firm's collective knowledge and capabilitiesareleveragedtodeliverexceptionalservice,nomatterwhereclientsarelocated

HFW fosters a collaborative and team-oriented culture that thrives on mutual respect and open communication Inclusivity is a cornerstone of our environment, with a diverse team bringing together varied perspectives, ideas, and approaches. This diversity ensures that innovation and creativity flourish in every aspect of our work. Our entrepreneurial spirit empowers team members toproposeandimplementideasquickly,enablingustoremainagileandresponsivetotheevolving needs of our clients and the market At HFW, respect is not just expected it is integral to our daily interactions,makingthisasupportiveanddynamicworkplaceforall

HFW stands out as a truly global law firm with a collaborative and team-oriented approach that prioritizes achieving the best outcomes for clients With over 600 lawyers across 20 offices worldwide,HFWoperatesseamlesslyacrossborders,providingclientswithaccesstodeepindustry expertise and a global perspective. The firm’s sector-focused model is unique, concentrating on six core industries: Shipping, Construction, Commodities, Insurance & Reinsurance, Aerospace, and Corporate&Commercial.ThisspecializationallowsHFWtodelivertailored,pragmaticsolutionsthat addressthespecificchallengesfacedbyclientsintheseindustries

What truly sets HFW apart is its culture The firm fosters an environment free of egos, where collaborationandmutualrespectareattheforefront.Lawyersandstaffworktogetherasacohesive team,ensuringthatclientsbenefitfromthecollectiveknowledgeandexperienceofthefirm.HFW’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovative mindset further distinguish it, as the firm consistently seeks creativeandpracticalsolutionstocomplexlegalandcommercialissues.

HFWoffersflexibleworkingarrangements,withapolicyrequiringemployeestospendatleast60% of their time in the office. This approach balances the benefits of remote work with the need for collaborationandteamengagementintheworkplace.

For clerks, however, being present in the office daily is particularly advantageous, as it provides invaluable opportunities to learn, develop, and connect with colleagues. Regular in-office attendance allows clerks to build meaningful relationships, receive hands-on mentorship, and immersethemselvesinthefirm'sculture,ensuringtheygainthemostfromtheirexperienceatHFW

HFW Australia continues to represent prominent clients across its core sectors. In the construction sector,thefirmhasadvisedmultinationalcompaniessuchasAECOMandDRAGlobal.Anoteworthy caseinvolvedactingfordesignconsultantsinproceedingsintheSupremeCourtofNSW,initiatedby construction contractors John Holland and Leighton Contractors. The matter concerned the design of HVAC, plumbing, and lighting services for new stations, showcasing HFW's expertise in handling high-value, complex engineering disputes within the mobility sector These clients and cases highlight HFW's ongoing relevance and leadership in delivering tailored legal solutions across its specialisedindustries.

Our 2025–26 clerkship program in the Melbourne office provides an immersive introduction to our specialised sector groups, offering clerks valuable insights into diverse practice areas while connecting them with professionals across the firm Clerks will be assigned to one of the following practice groups Insurance/Reinsurance, Construction, Commodities, Energy, Shipping, or Aerospace where they will engage in meaningful work, such as handling real matters and contributingtodomesticandinternationalclassactions.

To ensure comprehensive support, each clerk is paired with a dedicated buddy, an Associate, and a Partner,whowillguideandmentorthemthroughouttheprogram Additionally,clerkswillhavekey contacts from other practice groups to broaden their exposure and enhance their learning experience.

This well-rounded program offers a unique blend of hands-on work, professional development opportunitiesthroughwiderfirmtrainingsessions,participationinofficesocialevents,andachance todeveloppracticalskills.ItprovidesanauthenticinsightintolifeatHFWandpreparesclerksfora futureinlawwithconfidenceandexpertise.

HFWattractsindividualswithaglobalperspectiveandakeeninterestininternationalmatters, particularlythosedrawntoourspecialisedsectorsanddisputes-relatedwork.Wevaluecandidates whoareunafraidofchallengesandeagertodeveloptheskillsnecessarytoexcelintheircareers

Ouridealapplicantembodiesauthenticity,iswell-rounded,self-motivated,anddemonstratesstrong attentiontodetail,coupledwithacollaborativeandteam-orientedmindset.Weseekthosewho activelypursueopportunities,embracelearning,andpossesstheintellectualrigorrequiredtotackle complexlegalmatters AtHFW,weencourageambitiousanddrivenindividualswhoaspiretomakea meaningfulimpactintheirfield

AtHFW,seasonalclerksareentrustedwithmeaningfulandchallengingtasksthatprovideagenuine insight into the legal profession. During their time with us, clerks may work on significant and exciting cases, such as litigation matters approaching trial Responsibilities can include preparing memoranda of advice or conducting money provisions in subpoenas, conducting document discovery, reviewing cross-claim pleadings matrices, and preparing chronologies and indexes of meetingminutes.

Atypicaldayasaclerkinvolvesprogressingongoingtasksorliaisingwithsupervisingassociatesto take on new responsibilities Clerks are also encouraged to familiarise themselves with case materials, gaining a deeper understanding of the matters they are working on. Additionally, office events,suchasmorningteas,offeropportunitiesforclerkstoconnectwithcolleaguesandimmerse themselvesinthefirm'sculture.

To excel during the program, clerks are encouraged to demonstrate proactivity, attention to detail, andawillingnesstolearn Buildingrelationshipswithintheteamandengagingthoughtfullywiththe workensuresclerksmakeastrongandlastingimpression.

Students who are in their penultimate year of study, as well as those in their final year, are encouraged to apply for the program. Additionally, applications are welcomed from international students, recognising the diverse perspectives and experiences they bring to the table This inclusivityensuresopportunitiesforawiderangeofcandidatesaspiringtojointheprogram

At HFW, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive and engaging environment for our seasonal clerks. Clerks are invited to join all social activities during their time with us, fostering connections within the firm Those undertaking a Summer Clerkship will enjoy our lively Christmas party, while WinterclerkscanlookforwardtoourWinterevent Infact,lastyear’sWintereventfeaturedafestive "Christmas in July" celebration, offering a fun and memorable experience. Additionally, clerks are encouraged to participate in networking opportunities and immerse themselves in our vibrant firm culture. These experiences provide a well-rounded perspective of life at HFW, beyond just the legal work

HFW's graduate program is designed to provide a comprehensive and structured pathway for aspiring lawyers to develop their skills and thrive in their careers The program begins with a nationalinduction,whichservesasanintroductiontothefirmanditsculture.Thisinductionfocuses on key legal skills and provides graduates with the opportunity to meet their peers, mentors, and othermembersoftheHFWteam,fosteringasenseofcommunityandcollaborationfromtheoutset. As graduates progress through their rotations, they benefit from hands-on learning experiences, working on real client matters across HFW's specialised sectors Each rotation is supported by a robust framework of mentorship, clear task assignments, and constructive feedback, ensuring that graduates receive the guidance they need to grow professionally. This practical exposure is complementedbyongoingdevelopmentopportunitiestailoredtoenhancetheirexpertise.

Following the completion of their Practical Legal Training (PLT), graduates participate in focused businessskillstraining Thiscomponentisdesignedtoequipthemwiththecommercialacumenand professional capabilities required to succeed as lawyers in a competitive and dynamic legal environment. HFW's commitment to mentorship, skill-building, and professional growth ensures thatgraduatesarewell-preparedforasuccessfullegalcareer.

The average day 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,communicatewellandaskquestionswhenreceivinginstructions Approachingeverytask withenthusiasmandasalearningopportunitywillhelpyoustandoutfromthecrowd.

HFW offers two distinct pathways for securing a 2025 graduate position: the Clerkship Program and the Paralegal Pathway Both pathways allow candidates to gain valuable insights into the firm and showcasetheirskills ItisimportanttonotethatHFWacceptsmoreclerksintotheprogramthanthe available graduate roles. However, clerks are not required to submit a separate application for a graduate position. During the review process at the conclusion of the clerkship program, each clerk willhaveadiscussionabouttheirinterestinagraduaterolewiththefirm.Thosewhoexpressinterest will be considered alongside applicants from the Paralegal pathway, and graduate offers will ultimatelybeextendedtothreecandidates Clerkscanenhancetheirchancesofsecuringagraduate position by demonstrating a strong work ethic, maintaining a positive attitude, and consistently deliveringhigh-qualitywork.ThesequalitiesarehighlyvaluedbyHFWandcansetcandidatesapart duringtheselectionprocess.

GraduatesMelbourne@hsf.com

https://www.herbertsmithfreehills.com/ Level24,80CollinsStreet,MelbourneVIC 3000

HongLe

Graduate Recruitment Consultant hong.le@hsf.com 0392881937

We're Herbert Smith Freehills, one of the world's leading international law firms. Join us and you'll beatthecentreofhigh-profilecases,highimpactdealsandyou'llgrowfromnewexperiencesevery day

With over 26 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 inclusivityiskeytooursuccess.

AtHerbertSmithFreehills,you’llbevaluedforwhatmakesyoudifferentandacceptedforwhoyou are. We recognise the power of diversity and inclusion to drive innovation, collaboration and businessoutcomes.So,whetherit’sworkingonthelatestadvancementsindigitallaw,takingpartin 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 innovativeways

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 interestsofoneanother.

Bold.We’reambitious.We’reproudofourpast,excitedaboutthefutureandthinktomorrowcanbe betterthantoday We’reentrepreneurialandnotafraidtodothingsdifferentlytofulfilourgoals We believethatanythingispossible

Outstanding. We strive to be leaders in all we do. We understand individual and collective growthare a shared responsibility. We’re client-centred and commercial. We’re solutions-focused andknownforourinsight

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 internationalsecondments.

Withanetworkaroundtheworld,you’llalsohavetheopportunitytoworkwithinternationalclients, 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 multi-cultural matters and receive first-class training. All the while, you’ll be developing a global view of the law andbuildingaresumewithalegalfirmthat’swidelyrecognisedaroundtheworld. AtHSF,you’llbevaluedforwhatmakesyoudifferentandacceptedforwhoyouare Inclusivityiskey tooursuccessandourpeoplehelpshapeourculturetobereflectiveofthesocietiesinwhichwelive 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, collaborationandbusinessoutcomes.

So,whetherit’sworkingonthelatestadvancementsindigitallaw,takingpartinsomeofthebiggest 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, objectivesandtheenvironmentthey’reoperatingin

OurclientbaseincludesthemajorityofAustralia’stop100listedcompaniesalongwithgovernment organisations,majormultinationalsandlargelocalcorporations,whohavetrustedustodeliveron someoftheirmostambitiousandcomplexprojects

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

ClerkshippositionsavailableinMelbourneoffice:

Weselectmanyofourgraduatesthroughourvacationclerkships.Duringthisimmersiveexperience, 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 withinaspecificteam,deliveringrealworkforkeyclients

You will attend our 2 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 technologythroughourinnovationprojects Youwillbeallocatedapartner,supervisorandabuddy who is junior solicitor in the team, so you will have many points of contact and support within the team.

Greatlawyersarebothcuriousandcreative.Weencourageyoutochallengeassumptionsandopen yourselfuptonewideas.It’sthisgrowthmindsetthatcreatesopportunitiesforyouandyourclients. So,whatexactlyarewelookingfor?

There’snosinglepathtobecomingacommerciallawyer Welookbeyondyouracademicrecordand 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 takesacertainunderstandingandasourglobalvillagegetseversmaller,welookforgraduateswho thinkofthemselvesascitizensoftheworld.

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 gainedthroughtheexperienceyouhave,legalornon-legal PenultimateandFinalYearstudentsareeligibletoapplyforourclerkshipprogram.

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 of our seasonal clerkship program include the opportunity to: attend clientmeetings,andbepartofdeliveringrealworktoourkeyclients;researchtasks,involvementin BD work, attend workshops and presentations with your team, contribute to the pro-bono team, take part in our Innovation team by volunteering to work on various digital law projects, attend networkingeventswithclientsandHSFstaff

Our seasonal clerkship program offers an immersive 2 day induction where you'll have the opportunity to learn about the firm and be ready to hit the ground running when you join your teams You will have the opportunity to do pro-bono work, join the events held by our various HSF Diversity & Inclusion network and attend your team’s social events During the time that you are a vacationclerk,youwillalsobeinvitedtoattendthefirm’ssocialeventssuchasthetrivianight,fun run,andEndofYearcelebrations.

Our graduate program gives you the chance to start shaping your future and hone your skills in a rangeofpracticeareas,providingyouwithabroad-basedtrainingandensuringthatyouareready to become a qualified solicitor. You’ll rotate through three distinct practice areas for six months eachandwillbeassignedaPartner,SeniorAssociateandBuddyforsupport.

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 YoucanalsodiscussyourpreferenceswithourdedicatedGraduateRecruitmentteam Aspartofour graduate program, you will have the opportunity to apply for an international secondment within yourfirsttwoyearsinthejob.Thisisasix-monthsecondmentwithallthesupportfromthefirmyou might need to succeed (e.g. transport, accommodation, language lessons). Our graduates have previouslybeensecondedtoourLondon,Tokyo,SingaporeandHongKongoffices

Expressionsofinterestcanbemadefollowingtheclerkshipprogram.

hrapplications@hwle.com.au

https://hwlebsworthcomau

Level8,477CollinsStreet,MelbourneVIC 3000

At HWL Ebsworth, we invest in our people from the beginning of their careers. Our meritocratic structure supports career growth from graduate to partnership With over 1600 people, including 270+ partners, across offices in every Australian state and territory, we are a dynamic and forwardthinking firm. Our mix of clientele provides junior staff with unparalleled opportunities to take on responsibility and work on a variety of matters, from small businesses through to ASX listed companies.

Regardless of your rank, there is a large amount of trust placed on you to contribute to important work Due to our system of supervising partners and mentors, everyone receives meaningful feedbackandprofessionaldevelopmentopportunitiesaswellasasenseofcomfortinknowingwho to reach out to, should you need help. We encourage continuous learning and growth, which is enabledbyhavingdirectaccesstoourapproachableanddown-to-earthpartners..

HWLE is also a place where you can meet and make friends - whether in your team, over Friday drinks,inasportsteam,ataLatteLink-Up,orothersocialclubevents.

Career Progression: with the lowest ratio of solicitors to partners of any Australian law firm, you'll have clear career progression pathways and the opportunity to take on more responsibility,sooner

Work-Life Balance: enjoy one of the lowest billable targets in the industry, as well as the expectationtoonlyworklocalAustralianhoursasweareanationalfirm.

RealandComplexWork:fromdayone,you'llworkonreal,challenging,andhigh-profilematters, gainingexposuretogreatclientswhilstcollaboratingwithahigh-performingteam.

Pro Bono work: every graduate needs to complete a 30-day secondment with a pro bono secondment partner. Examples of organisations in Melbourne are The Red Cross, Youthlaw, UniversityofMelbourneStudentUnionLegalService.

HWL Ebsworth's Clerkship Program is structured to present you with hands-on experiences and training to develop your legal skills and knowledge whilst offering the chance to network with a rangeofpractitionersthroughoutthefirm Youwillbeexposedtoabroadrangeofworkwithinyour designatedPracticeGroup,andwewillhavetheopportunitytogettoknowyouonbothapersonal and professional level. Upon the commencement of your clerkship, you will be paired with a Supervising Partner and a Mentor who will guide, support and develop you throughout your placementanddelivercomprehensivefeedbackattheconclusionofyourtimewiththefirm

You will participate in a customised induction program that will assist in familiarising you with our systems,processesandvaluesandyouwillbewelcomedasavaluedmemberofournationalteam. We believe that a healthy balance between work and personal life is crucial. During your clerkship, youwillexperiencewhatitisliketobeanemployeeofHWLE,andyouwillhavetheopportunityto attendavarietyofsocialandnetworkingeventshostedbythefirm

Throughout our 12-month Graduate Program you will be provided with an opportunity to gain exposuretokeypracticeareasacrossthefirm,includingavarietyoftransactionalandlitigiouswork, toassistyouindeterminingyourdirectionpostadmission.

You will immediately become an important member of our team, assisting in a range of areas including drafting, court attendances, client interaction and legal research You will have an opportunitytorotatein3differentpracticegroups,undertakeapro-bonosecondment,developan understandingofthevitalimportanceofclientrelationshipmanagement,andundergointernaland external professional development activities to assist you in enriching your legal knowledge. HWLE willalsofundSupervisedLegalTrainingprogramthroughtheCollegeofLaw.

Wilma.Lewis@jws.com.au

https://jws.com.au/ Level34,55CollinsStreet,MelbourneVIC3000

WilmaLewis

People & Development Manager

Wilma.Lewis@jws.com.au

Johnson Winter Slattery (JWS) is a leading Australian law firm known for advising corporates and funds on their most complex transactions, disputes and regulatory matters. At JWS, we build authentic, long-term relationships and have a deep understanding of our clients and their industries. Our clients say we are pragmatic,strategic,commercialandeasytoworkwith.

“They produce very high-calibre work and we are especially comfortable working with them on anything complex."(ClientQuote,Chambers&Partners)

“JWS'realstrengthistheircollaborative,commerciallyinformedapproach”(ClientQuote,Legal500)

Our firm is comprised of more than 450 highly talented people, including 80+ partners, across Sydney, Melbourne,Adelaide,Canberra,BrisbaneandPerth Wearegloballyconnectedandhavestrongrelationships withmajorindependentlawfirmsaroundtheworld JWSwasrecognisedasTechnology,MediaandTelecom M&A Legal Adviser of the Year (Mergermarket M&A Awards Australia 2023), Energy Law Firm of the Year (Best Lawyers2023)andBestAustralianLawFirm(BeatonClientChoiceAwards2025) Ourlawyersarehighlyranked inChambers&Partners,Legal500andLexologyIndex(formerlyWho'sWhoLegal)

Wearestronglycommittedtosocialjustice,responsiblebusinessandourdiversecommunities Weareproud ofourprobonoprogramwhichfocusesonsupportinglowincome,disadvantagedandmarginalisedpeoplein theAustraliancommunity.

ClerkshippositionsavailableinMelbourneoffice:

Clerkshippositionsavailableeachintake: Applicationperiod: Seasonalclerkshipperiods: 16-20 4-5 7July2025-10August2025 Summer1,Summer2,AutumnandWinter

Our clerkship program offers a comprehensive experience that combines mentoring, hands-on learning, and real-world exposure to various partners, practice groups, and clients. Clerks gain valuable skills across different legal disciplines, developing a well-rounded understanding of the profession The program also provides an opportunity to explore various practice areas, helping clerks identify their interests and make informedcareerdecisions Throughmeaningfulinteractionswithpartners,seniorassociates,andpeers,clerks build a strong professional network within the firm With structured training, mentorship, and ongoing feedback,wesupporttheircontinuousprofessionalgrowthanddevelopment

annabelfranklin@jonesday.com

https://jonesday.com/en

Level48RialtoTowers,525CollinsStreet, MelbourneVIC3000

annabelfranklin@jonesday.com 0391016840

AcceleratedCareerDevelopment.Anemphasisoncollaborationandtheopportunitytoworkwith clients in every major businesscenter in the world make Jones Day a compelling opportunity for Australia’smosttalentedlegalprofessionalstogrowtheircareers

A Commitment to Australia. A presence in Australia since establishing the Sydney Office in 1998, Jones Day is a premier global law firm with a sustained and demonstrated commitment to clients basedin,orconductingbusinessin,Australia,theAsiaPacificregion,andbeyond.

Cross-Border Opportunities. Jones Day lawyers at all stages of their careers serve on teams representing 40 offices and 24 practices on client matters relating to every type of legal matter potentiallyaffectingthemodernmultinationalcorporation.

ProBonoatJonesDay.JonesDayprofessionalsateverycareerlevel,andfromeverypracticeand everyoffice,contributetotheFirm’scultureandtraditionofprobono Thelong-termcommitment toprobonohasneverwavered,whetherleveragingourglobalresourcesinthefightagainsthuman trafficking, combating hate crimes, or building out and participating in local legal aid efforts in the communitieswecallhome.

ClerkshippositionsavailableinMelbourneoffice:

Clerkshippositionsavailableeachintake:

Applicationperiod:

Interviewperiod:

Rotations:

Seasonalclerkshipperiods:

Nospecifictarget

Nospecifictarget

7July2025-10August2025

September

Norotations

Summer1

Summer clerkship programs at Jones Day offices in Australia offer positions to selected students enrolled in their penultimate year of university study. Real work opportunities for actual clients provide an opportunity to experience the practice of law at a large multinational firm The assignments allow the firm to evaluate a clerk’s potential to deliver first-rate legal services, and to ultimatelyflourishinJonesDay’sculture.ClerkshipprogramsruninMelbourneforfourweeks,and typicallycommenceattheendoftheyear

Students should apply via our website. We select candidates to attend our Information Evening wheretheycanlearnmoreaboutJonesDay,seeourofficesandmeetourpartnersandassociatesin Melbourne.Therearethentworoundsofinterviews.JonesDaydoesnotdopsychometrictesting.

We look for a record of academic excellence, superior written and analytical abilities, strong interpersonalskills,andinterestinourFirm

Graduatepositionsavailablein2025:

Graduatesrecruitedfrom2025-26clerkshippool:

Graduaterotationstructure:

Pathwaytograduateposition:

Deferringagraduateoffer:

Nospecifictarget

Nospecifictarget

Non-rotationalprogram

Priorityoffers

Consideredonacase-by-casebasis

Recognising that many law students leave school not certain about their 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 introducesthenewassociatestoestablishedandtraditionallegalworkliketransactions,litigation, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property; and to emerging areas of law like cybersecurity, ESG,andfinancialtechnology.

In addition to providing ongoing professional development opportunities, the NLG brings together new associates from across the Firm globally 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.

tania.brierley@klgates.com

https://www.klgates.com

Level25,SouthTower,525CollinsStreet, MelbourneVIC3000

TaniaBrierley RecruitmentConsultant

tania.brierley@klgates.com 0396404214

K&L Gates is unlike many other global legal firms, we operate a fully integrated law firm with one central financial system, IT network and global practice groups and support teams. Locally, we have fourestablishedofficesinMelbourne,Brisbane,Perth,andSydney andasoneofthelargestlawfirms intheworld,wehaveapproximately2,000lawyersacrossfivecontinents

Our strong presence in key capital cities and world commercial and financial centres combines our practice strength, global platform and unsurpassed client service – providing a truly different legal experience.

WerepresentabroadarrayofGlobal500,Fortune100,FTSE100,ASX100corporationsinnearlyevery majorindustry.Ourlawyersareleadersinlegalissuesrelatingtoindustriescriticaltotheeconomies of the developed and developing worlds including fashion, retail, financial services, technology, manufacturing, transportation, food and beverage, energy, telecommunications, health care, life sciences,sustainabledevelopment,andinfrastructure

InAustraliawehaveanestablishedInnovationCommitteethatbringstogetherpeoplefromacrossall areas of our firm. We believe that good ideas come from everywhere, and we focus on fostering a culture that empowers creative confidence. We undertake reviews of best practice innovation globally,andoverseepilotsandroll-outsofnewtechnology,regulartrainingandtestingnewideasas theyarelaunched

Our firm wide Opportunity and Inclusion Committee focuses on increasing the representation of women in leadership roles, increasing the representation of Asian Australian lawyers and raising LGBTQ+awarenessandinclusionintheworkplace WeareproudmembersoftheDiversityCouncilof Australia,PrideinDiversity,AsianAustralianLawyersAssociationandVictorianWomenLawyers

Practiceareas

K&LGatesaimstobetheleadinggloballyintegratedlawfirm,wearededicatedtoprovidingclients with a practical solution to their multi-faceted and ever evolving legal needs whether that be domesticallyorinternationally.

Ourclient-firstapproachismanifestedfirmwide frommattermanagementandpricingpracticesto the technology and innovations we use our clients’ best interests are at the forefront of the decisionsandinvestmentswemake.

K&LGatesisalsopassionateaboutInnovation,ProBonoandCommunityOutreach,andOpportunity & Inclusion We believe in providing and encouraging a collaborative environment in which employeescangrowanddevelop

Our Australian welcomes new business and foreign investment by providing a strong economy, a stablepoliticalenvironment,andaskilledandtalentedworkforce

We foster an inclusive and collaborative environment, combining the knowledge and experience of our lawyers and policy professionals to create teams that provide exceptional client solutions and value. 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 legal professionals, creating interdisciplinary teams that deliver truly exceptional clientsolutions.

The culture at K&L Gates is inclusive and collaborative. We are about more than practising law or makingaliving.Weareaboutbuildingsomethingamazing,creatingalegacyforemployees,thefirm, ourclientsandthecommunitiesweserve.Wealsowanttoempoweremployeestodiscoverquality work and clients, develop through opportunities to learn more while growing their career and to thriveinadiverseandinclusiveculture ThisisachievedthroughourInnovationandOpportunity& Inclusion committees, industry focus groups, the pro bono and community outreach work we support,careerandprofessionaldevelopmentprogramsaswellasourSocialandSportsClubs.

K&LGatesisafullyintegratedgloballawfirmwithlawyerslocatedacrossfivecontinents InAustralia 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 embeddedintothepracticeareasandbeinvolvedinreallegalworkrightfromthestart,givingyou anin-depthexperienceandprovidingarealinsightintolifeasacommerciallawyeratK&LGates.In conjunctionwithon-the-jobexperience,weprovideformaltraining Ondayone,youwillreceivean 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 andthewiderfirmnetwork Weprovideandencourageacollaborativeenvironmentinwhichyoucan growanddevelop Wearealsocommittedtocreatingadiverseandinclusiveworkingenvironment

Yourgraduateprogramrunsfor12months,inwhichtimeyouwillcompletethreepracticegrouprotations You willbeembeddedintothepracticeareasandbeinvolvedinreallegalworkrightfromthestart,givingyouanindepthexperienceandprovidingarealinsightintolifeasacommerciallawyeratK&LGates Youwillbeexposed 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, externalpresentersandourprofessionaldevelopmentteam.Youwillhavemanyopportunitiestobeinvolvedin an array of firm events and activities to match your interest, whether they be social, sporting, business or community-focused.Wearemorethanaboutpractisinglawormakingaliving,andwehopetobuildsomething amazingandcreatealegacyforyou,thefirm,ourclientsandthecommunitiesweserve.

recruitment@khqcomau

https://khq.com.au/

0396639877

Level4,600BourkeStreet,MelbourneVIC 3000

KHQ Lawyers is an award-winning boutique top tier commercial law firm based in Melbourne We have more than 120 people across 16 practice areas, advising clients across Australia and internationally. Founded by two lawyers with a clear vision of what a law firm should be, we are committedtodeliveringcommerciallyastute,cost-effective,andtechnicallyexcellentlegalservices withtheagilityandresponsivenessourclientsexpect.

For our people, we offer a genuine alternative to mid and top-tier firms combining high-caliber workwithasupportive,inclusive,andcollaborativeculture.Ourseniorlawyersareamongthebest intheirfields,givingyoutheopportunitytogainexposuretocomplex,strategicmattersforarange ofblue-chipclients.

With exceptional mentoring and career development at every stage, we provide the platform you need to grow and excel. We are proud to be trusted advisors to ASX-listed companies, major corporates, family businesses, and high-net-worth individuals, delivering exceptional legal services withapersonaltouch.

CommercialProperty&Development

CompetitionLaw&RegulatoryCompliance

Construction&Infrastructure

Corporate&Commercial

DataPrivacy,Cyber&Digital

Family&RelationshipLaw

Food&Beverage

Insolvency&Restructuring

IntellectualProperty

Litigation&DisputeResolution

PrivateWealth

Superannuation&FinancialServices

Tax&Structuring

Technology

Wills&Estates

WorkplaceRelations&Safety

DataPrivacy,Cyber&Digital

We punch above our weight regarding the quality of our clients and the work available for our lawyers, and the caliber of our senior lawyers means that you will learn from the best. Our billable hours targets are lower than most firms, providing genuine opportunities for our people to build their professional networks and business development capabilities - in particular, developing strong,long-termrelationshipswithclientsthatgobeyondlegaladvice

We look after our people with industry leading paid parental leave and flexible working arrangements.WerecogniseourpeoplehavelivesandcommitmentsoutsideKHQ,andwhileflexible working arrangements are talked about a lot by all law firms, we actually deliver. Part time arrangementsarerespected Flexibilityistrueflexibility,notlipservice

Beyondwork,wesupportourpeopleintheirstudiesandpersonalambitions(wemeantitwhenwe saidwe’reflexible!).Wealsoencourageparticipationincommunityandsportingevents,helpingour peoplemakeameaningfulimpactbeyondthefirm.

Open,nurturing,collegiateandsupportive.Ourcultureisakeypointofdifferencefromotherfirms, andwetakeparticularcaretofostera“peoplefirst”environment.Ourofficecultureisrelaxedand informal, with an “open door” policy. Questions are encouraged and we challenge our people to thinkinnovativelywhenitcomestosolvinglegalproblems

Onthefunside,weofferplentyofopportunitiestounwind,withourbeautifulcentralkitchenthe perfectspotforinformalcatchups,lunches,orplayingaroundoftabletennis!Wehavenetballand futsalteamscompetinginlocalcompetitions,withnewcomersalwayswelcome.Wehostanarray of staff events (both onsite and offsite), and team retreats are a regular feature. We also foster an environmentoflearning,witharobustCPDprogram,occasionallyfeaturingoutsideexpertstohelp ourpeoplehonetheirbroaderskills

Applicationperiod:

Interviewperiod:

Rotations:

Seasonalclerkshipperiods:

21April2025-9May2025& 1September2025-12September2025 19May-30May 2025

1practicegroup WinterandSummer

KHQ Lawyers is a unique firm within the legal services market. While relatively young, we have an enviableclientlistandmarketreputation,andareproudtobethefirmofchoiceforabroadrangeof ASX-listedcompanies,largecorporates,familybusinessesandhighnetworthindividuals

Ourprogramisdesignedtogiveclerksrealworldlawfirmexperience,inanurturingandsupportive environment.Eachclerkwillbeassignedtoonespecificteamforthedurationoftheirclerkshipand will be allocated a mentor (being one of our senior lawyers) and a buddy. Mentors will guide and supportclerkswiththeirwork,whilebuddieswillshowclerkstheropesandguidethemthroughthe culturalaspectsoflawfirmlife,tohelpthemgetasmuchastheycanoutoftheirtimewithus

Bytheendoftheprogram,clerkswillhaveasolidunderstandingofwhatitistobeanintegralpart ofahigh-performingteaminahighlyrespectedfirm,workingwithtop-tierclientsonarangeoflegal matters of varying complexity We foster an active learning environment with open doors and free accesstoallseniorlawyers

Whilestrongacademicperformanceandsharpintellectareagiven,wevalueanalyticalthinkingand innovation.Culturalfitisalsoimportant-whilewedelivertechnicallyexcellent,commerciallyastute advice, we have a relaxed working environment and are genuinely fun to work with. We look for peoplewhoareinteresting,unique,engagingandlively.

Applicantsshould:

Haveaworkinglegalknowledgecommensuratewithundergraduatestatus; Havestrongandconsistentacademicsandinvolvementinextra-curricularactivitiesand/orwork experienceinthecustomerserviceindustry; Excellentcommunicationskills;and Demonstrableculturalalignment.

Aswithourclerkshipprogram,graduateswilleachbeassignedamentorandabuddy,tohelpthem 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 colleaguescangettoknowthem

During their graduate program, graduates will rotate each quarter through our practice areas to ensuretheyreceiveathoroughoverviewofwhateachareahastooffer,tohelpthemdecidewhich areathey’dultimatelyliketoventureinto.

In the first few months of the program, graduates will complete 6 core workshop-style modules Eachmoduleisconvenedbyseniorlawyersofthefirmandcoversthefollowingtopics:

GettingsetupatKHQ

Startingyourcareerasacommerciallawyer

Filemanagement

Documentmanagement

Timemanagement;and

Businessskills

We support our graduates every step of the way, to give them the guidance they need as they commencetheirlegalcareers.

The 12-month graduate program involves quarterly rotations through our practice groups Graduates will be mentored by one of KHQ’s directors over the course of their graduate year, togetherwithpracticegroupmentorsandbuddiestohelpthemsettleintoKHQlife,andultimately tosucceedintheirroles.

melgraduaterecruitment@au.kwm.com

https://www.kwm.com/au/en/careers/gra duates/graduates-australiahtml

447CollinsArch,MelbourneVIC3000

TiffanyDouros

People and Development Advisor

tiffany.douros@au.kwm.com

DarcyFord

People and Development Coordinator

darcy.ford@au.kwm.com

WearealawfirmborninAsiawithover3000lawyersacross26globallocations Wearefocusedon clientswhohavedistinctambitionsandchallenges,andwearedriventounderstandtheirneedsand help solve their problems. To do this, at KWM we demonstrate a growth mindset, an appetite for continuous learning, and a commitment to excellence and mastering our craft. Whether designing newlegalframeworksorestablishingnewprecedents,weapplyourdeeptechnicallegalexpertiseto deliversimple,innovativesolutionsthataddresscomplexchallenges

FromthestartofyourcareeratKWM,youwilldevelopskillsandknowledgethroughourstructured learning and development programs and collaborate with colleagues and clients in the pursuit of legal mastery. KWM is a place where you will work with teams who value different perspectives, inclusivity, and teamwork. Fostering your growth is our priority and we support you with this by providing first-class legal technical training. This includes experiencing a variety of market-leading transactions for top tier clients in areas that interest you You’ll also have access to a suite of wellbeing initiatives, opportunities and benefits to help you achieve your career goals and grow professionallyandpersonally.AtKWM,togetherwelearn,togetherwemaster,togetherwelead.

BankingandFinance

DisputeResolution

MergersandAcquisitions

RECE(RealEstate;Energy,Resources& Infrastructure;Construction;Environment, PlanningandNativeTitle)

We create an environment where you can thrive and meet your aspirations and goals At KWM, you canshapeyourowncareerpath,supportedeverystepofthewaywithworld-classtraining,coaching andhands-onexperience.

Diversity of thought, perspective and experience is critical to our culture. We provide a broad, inclusiveandopenenvironmentinwhichyouareencouragedtobringyourwholeself.Wearenota onesizefitsallcareersmodel.Weoffermultipleopportunitiesforyoutogainexperienceandthrive.

Everythingwedoisgroundedinasetofcoreprinciples:howweenableourclientstosucceed,how wegrowourpeopletobetheirbestandhowwesupportourcommunitiestothrive

Our 8 principles are: Quality, Empathy, Generosity, Clarity, Creativity, Dynamism, Trust and Betterment.

OurPeopleValueProposition(PVP):Learn,MasterandLead,isalsowhatmakesKWMaspecialplace toworkandbuildacareer Aplacewhereyouwillnurtureyourskillsthroughcontinuallearningand developmentopportunitiesandwhereyouwillcollaboratewithexceptionalcolleaguesandclientsin the pursuit of legal mastery. Our PVP is about having a mindset of curiosity and an appetite for continuouslearning;acommitmenttoexcellenceandmasteringyourcraft.

King & Wood Mallesons recognises flexibility in the way we work as a core element of an effective, engaged and productive workplace that delivers a great experience for our clients We recognise flexible working improves wellbeing for many people, which leads to higher performance Some flexible working arrangements may be permanent (formal), while others will be informal and occasional(informal).

ActedforSingapore’sCapitaLand’ssuccessful$200macquisitionofAustralianprivatecreditprovider Wingate

AdvisedonBlackstone’s$24BacquisitionofAirTrunk.ThesecondlargestprivatecapitalM&Adealin Australianhistory

AdvisedAulaEnergyonQLD’sCleanEnergyProjectthe228MWBoulderCreekWindFarm

ActedforLendlease’s$13BsaleofcommunitiesbusinesstoStockland

AdvisingMedibankonmultipleclassactionstoitsresponseofthe2022cybercrimeincident

AdvisedJetZeroAustraliaonits$600minvestmentfundingoftheProjectUlysses,aSustainable AviationFuelandRenewableDieselproject

AdvisingNorthernStarResourcesonitsproposed$5BacquisitionofDeGreyMining AdvisorontheRoyalCommissionsinquiryintoDefenceandVeteranSuicide AdvisorforMicrosoftonitsstrategiccommerciallicensingdealsinAsiaPacific

ClerkshippositionsavailableinMelbourneoffice:

Clerkshippositionsavailableeachintake:

Applicationperiod:

Interviewperiod: Rotations:

Seasonalclerkshipperiods:

AtKWM,welookforsomeonewho:

Communicateseffectively Showsgenuineinterestincorporateorcommerciallaw Embracescuriosityandagrowthmindset Balancescommitmentsandprioritisestasks

90 100(approximately)

30(approximately)

7July2024-10August2025

September2025 1practicegroup Summer1,Summer2andWinter

Takesinitiativeandiscommittedtodeliveringqualitywork Youdon’tneedtobeperfect;wethrivebylearningfromeachother’sstrengths

Graduatepositionsavailablein2025:

Graduatesrecruitedfrom2025-26clerkshippool:

Graduaterotationstructure: Pathwaytograduateposition: Deferringagraduateoffer:

20-30

Allgraduatesarerecruitedfromseasonal clerkshippool 3x6-monthrotations Priorityoffers Consideredonacase-by-casebasis

At King & Wood Mallesons, we consider our graduates our future leaders and we invest heavily in your development Our graduate program offers you a future-focused learning curriculum and developmentsupportthroughoutyourjourney.

Youwill:

Beinvolvedinmeaningfulworkcoveringawiderangeofpracticeareasandjurisdictions WorkaspartofateamwitharangeofsupportfromPartners,SeniorAssociatesandSolicitors. GainexposureandtraininginKWM’smarketleadingtechnologytools.

jbith@landers.com.au

https://www.landers.com.au/

Level15/477CollinsStreet,MelbourneVIC 3000

Senior Talent Acquisition and Early Careers Consultant

jbith@landers.com.au

+61392699519

Lander & Rogers is a leading independent Australian law firm comprising over 650 people including 100partners.Ourfirmisbuiltonastrongworkethic,exceptionalclientserviceandimpressivestaff andpartnerretentionrates,creatingahighlycohesiveculture Webelievethatlegalservicesinvolve more than just the law – practical, commercial advice and exceptional client experience are equally importanttoourclientsastheyaretous. Ourfirmisglobalinitsapproach,butweremainfiercely 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 independentlawfirms,TerraLex Consistentwithourvaluesandculture,wearestronglycommitted to pro bono and community work and supporting our environment We also established Australia's first LawTech Hubs in Melbourne and Sydney. Our key sectors are Government, Insurance and FinancialServices,RealEstate,RetailandSupplyChainandTechnology.

CompensationLaw

Corporate CommercialDisputes

RealEstateandProjects

WorkplaceRelationsandSafety FamilyandRelationshipLaw InsuranceLawandLitigation

At Lander & Rogers, you'll be part of a close-knit, people-first culture that values collaboration, growth,andgenuinesupport Ourgradsandclerksconsistentlytellustheyfeellikepartoftheteam fromdayone doingrealworkwithrealclients,withguidancefrompartnersandseniorlawyerswho areinvestedintheirdevelopment.

You’ll be supported to build your confidence and skills in a friendly, high-performing environment thatcelebratessharedsuccess.Whetheryou'redraftingadvice,attendingcourt,orcontributingtoa probonomatter,you’llknowyourworkmatters andyourteamhasyourback.

We also offer a unique opportunity to be involved in the future of legal practice. Through our LawTechHubandtheiHubprogram,youcancollaboratewithtechentrepreneursandlegalmindsto co-create solutions that are shaping the future of law. For example, through The Sprint, our signature AI-focused experience, clerks explore technologies like Microsoft Agents designing everythingfromlegaltoolstocreativeapplicationslikelunch-recommendingAIbots.

Fromflexibleworkoptionstoaward-winningwellbeinginitiatives,we’reproudtoofferaworkplace whereyoucanthrive professionallyandpersonally.

Lander & Rogers’ core values of authenticity, connection and care underpin how we work with our peopleandourclients.Wefosteraculturewhereintegrity,respectanddiversityarevalued,ensuring that our advice and client relationships are grounded in trust and understanding. Our commitment to excellence drives us to deliver commercially sound legal solutions that align with our clients' strategic goals As a proudly independent Australian law firm, we value long-term partnerships and take a client-first approach, focusing on practical and innovative solutions Our values are reflected inourinvestmentinthecommunitythroughourprobonoandcommunityimpactprograms.Wealso stronglyemphasiseenvironmentalandsocialresponsibility,strivingtocreatepositiveoutcomesfor bothourclientsandthebroadercommunity.

Lander & Rogers distinguishes itself through a combination of technical expertise, deep sector knowledge and a client-focused approach. As an independent Australian firm, we have the agility to respondquicklytomarketshiftsandclientneeds,freefromtheconstraintsofaglobalnetwork.

Whatsetsusapartmostisourpeople-firstculture We’reknownforbeingcollaborative,inclusive,and down-to-earth with a strong emphasis on mentoring, knowledge sharing, and supporting one another’s growth Our lawyers work closely with clients and colleagues from the start, fostering meaningfulrelationshipsanddeliveringtailored,commerciallyfocusedsolutions

We’realsopassionateaboutdrivingpositivechange throughprobonowork,communityengagement, and initiatives like our LawTech Hub, iHub, and AI Lab, which explore the future of legal practice and improvehowwedeliverservices Theseprogramsreflectourcommitmenttoinnovation notforitsown sake,buttoimproveoutcomesforourclients,ourpeople,andtheprofession

Wearerecognisedforourexpertiseinseveralkeypracticeareas:

Commercial Disputes: Handling complex litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and various commercial legal issues including construction, insolvency and restructuring, defamation, trust disputes, sports law, banking, real estate, environmental, white-collar fraud and intellectual property.

CompensationLaw:Specialisinginworkers'compensationandassociatedinsuranceclaimsunder stateandCommonwealthschemes.

Corporate Law: Advising on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, structuring, corporate governanceandcontractualagreements,technology,dataandprivacy,intellectualproperty,cyber security,sportandmore.

Family & Relationship Law: The largest team of family law specialists in Australia, dealing with property and financial matters, financial agreements, parenting, de facto relationships, internationalfamilylawandmore.

InsuranceLaw&Litigation:Coveringclassactions,interruptionofbusinessandpropertydamage claims,constructionlitigation,directors’andofficers’liability,financialservicesmisconduct,public liabilityandpersonalinjuryclaims,cybersecuritybreaches,medicalnegligence,disciplinaryclaims andregulatorinvestigations.

Real Estate & Projects: Advising on property portfolios and infrastructure projects across their lifecyclesincludingacquisition,planninganddevelopment,construction,leasinganddisposal.

Workplace Relations & Safety: Providing full-service employment law advice, from employee engagementsandcontracts,industrialrelationsandworkplacesafety,todisputes,grievancesand terminations.

ClerkshippositionsavailableinMelbourneoffice:

Clerkshippositionsavailableeachintake:

Applicationperiod:

Interviewperiod:

Rotations:

Seasonalclerkshipperiods:

30-33

11(approximately)

7July2025-10August2025

15-26September2025

Norotations

Summer1,Summer2andWinter

Our Seasonal Clerkship Program offers students practical legal experience through real client work and a behind-the-scenes look into life as a lawyer within Lander & Rogers' various practice groups. Experienceoneofthreefour-weekclerkshipprogramsrunfromNovembertoDecember,Januaryto FebruaryandJunetoJuly.Asaclerk,explorewhatit'sliketoworkinalegalpracticeinyourchosen specialisation. Whetheryou'resolvinginterestingandcomplexlegalproblemsalongsiderealclients, expanding your knowledge and skills through training and mentoring, or growing your network of legalandbusinesscontacts,theSeasonalClerkshipProgramprovidesinsightintoafulfillingcareer atLander&Rogers

Youwillalsohaveaccessto:

Practice group case study sessions to build your understanding of Lander & Rogers' areas of expertise

Workshopscoveringpracticalskillsdevelopmentlikewritingandtakinginstructions

Socialopportunitiesincludingcateredevents,sportingandwellbeingactivities

Graduatepositionsavailablein2025:

Thegraduateprogramoffers:

Face-to-faceexposuretopartnersandclientsonrealmatterstoaccelerateyourlearning

Practicalcoachingfromlawyersandtrainerstohoneyourskills

Regularcheck-insandfeedbacktomonitoryourprogress

Supporttomakeasuccessfultransitionintothelegalprofession

Opportunitytoexperienceandbeinvolvedinourprobonoandcommunityengagementwork

Financialandnon-financialsupporttocompleteyourpracticallegaltraining

Practicegrouprotationalignedwithyourpreferences

Accesstoacomprehensivesuiteoflearninganddevelopmentprograms

Every individual who joins our growing firm is essential to our shared success. That's why we don't simply seek the brightest legal minds but those with whom we share values of authenticity and connection

claire.kirwan@maddocks.com.au

https://wwwmaddockscomau/

Level25,Tower2,727CollinsStreet, MelbourneVIC3008

ClaireKirwan

People and Culture Advisor - Early Careers

Clairekirwan@maddockscomau 0392583003

Weareaproudlyindependent,modernAustralianlawfirmwithaleadingreputationforexceptional service, operational excellence, and a strong focus on employee experience. With close to 90 partners and more than 600 people across our Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney offices, we work closelywithAustralianandinternationalbusinesses,governments,andorganisations.

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. Our work spans sectorsincludingEducation,Government,Healthcare,Infrastructure,Energy&Utilities,Technology, andPropertyDevelopment

We offer a great place to Do What Matters, ensuring our people work on high-profile, complex, and engagingmattersthathaverealimpact.Ourcultureisbuiltoncollaboration,learning,andinclusion, where you will be mentored and supported by talented lawyers. At Maddocks, you will be part of a teamrecognisedthroughawardssuchasWGEAEmployerofChoiceforGenderEquality(since2004) andSilverEmployeratthe2024AWEILGBTQInclusionAwards

Ourpeoplehaveaccesstostructuredcareerdevelopmentprograms,flexibleworkingarrangements, generous wellbeing benefits, and opportunities to contribute to the community through pro bono work,staffvolunteering,andinvolvementinourDiversity&Inclusionnetworks.

AtMaddocks,wesupportyoutoDoWhatMatters-professionally,personally,andinthecommunity

Construction&Projects Commercial DisputeResolution&Litigation

Applicationperiod:

Interviewperiod:

Rotations:

Seasonalclerkshipperiods:

7July2025-10August2025

September-October

2rotations

Summer1,Summer2andWinter

Our clerkship program offers the first step in a legal career at Maddocks. Over the four week program we provide a comprehensive induction, learning & development sessions and first-hand experience workingonkeyclientmatters.YouwillhavetheopportunitytobementoredbyPartnersandlawyersin each team and receive structured feedback and advice The Maddocks clerkship program provides a fantastic chance to see what areas of law interest you and sets you up for a successful legal career During the program you will rotate through two practice teams based on your preferences You will haveacoordinatorandabuddyandtheywillprovideregularfeedbackandadvice Youwillalsowork closelywithasupervisingpartnerandotherslawyersintheteamandhaveaformalreviewattheend oftheprogram.Thetrainingyoureceiveduringyourinductionandthroughouttheclerkshipwillensure youarethoroughlypreparedandreadytogetinvolvedinandcontributetoclientworkstraightaway.

Graduatepositionsavailablein2025:

Graduatesrecruitedfrom2025-26clerkshippool:

Graduaterotationstructure:

Pathwaytograduateposition:

Deferringagraduateoffer:

3x4-monthrotations Priorityoffers

Consideredonacase-by-casebasis

Maddocks is proud to be recognised as an AAGE 2025 Top Graduate Employer, which is a reflection of ourcommitmenttoprovidinganoutstandinggraduateexperience.Theprogramisdesignedtoprovide astrongfoundationforyourlegalcareer.Wecarefullyselectourclerkswiththeintentionthattheywill continue as graduate lawyers, developing their technical legal skills and business acumen on complex andengagingmatters.Graduatescompletethreefour-monthrotationsacrossdifferentpracticeteams, allowingthemtoexplorediverseareasoflaw.Eachgraduateissupportedbyabuddyandcoordinator to help navigate their first year. Our structured orientation program includes Practical Legal Training (PLT) with Leo Cussen Centre for Law and a comprehensive Maddocks induction program, ensuring a smooth transition into practice Beyond legal work, graduates benefit from ongoing professional development,includingtrainingsessions,mentoring,andnetworkingopportunitieswithlawyersatall levels We foster a supportive and collaborative culture where graduates have regular exposure to partners, clients, and high-quality matters from the outset Our goal is to equip graduates with the skills, experience, and confidence needed for a successful legal career The program provides the opportunity to grow within the firm and find the practice area that best aligns with their interests and ambitions.

https://www minterellison com/ Level20,447CollinsStreet,MelbourneVIC3000

https://www.linkedin.com/company/minterellison/posts/?feedView=all

Early Careers Consultant

fleurodonnell@minterellisoncom +61386082000.

MinterEllisonisoneofAustralia’slargestlawfirms,withnearly200yearsofbusinesshistory We're knownforourlegalandconsultingexpertise-andforourinclusiveandauthenticcharacter.

Our purpose is to create sustainable value with our clients, people and communities. That means we have a proud history of providing excellence to clients, nurturing our people and giving back to thecommunitiesinwhichweliveandwork.

We value excellence, curiosity and collaboration Clients rely on us for our responsive, commercial approach Our clients include government departments and agencies, private and publicly listed companies,andsmallandlargebusinessesinAustraliaandoverseas.

Banking&Finance

Energy

ResourcesandProjects

FinancialServicesandFunds

Mergers&Acquisitions/CapitalMarkets

Environment&Planning

Projects,Infrastructureand Constructions

RealEstate

RealEstateStreamSolutions

CompetitionandTechnology

DisputeResolution

InsuranceandCorporateRisk

Excellence: Inallitsformsisthehallmarkofallthatwedo

StatutoryCompensation

Management

LegalTechConsulting

Tax

Workplace

Consulting

Curiosity: We solve complex challenges for our clients and our business with a curious and innovativemindset.

Collaboration:Weworkcollaborativelywithourclientsandharnessthepowerofinclusion.

Wewantourpeopletobeabletobringtheirwholeselvestoworkandfindtheirpurpose.Weknow that when we bring together diversity of thinking, skills, experience, gender identity, backgrounds, orientationsandabilities,andrecognisewheretheyintersect,wegetbetterresultsforthefirmand forourclients.

We are committed to building a culture where all of our people feel trusted, supported and able to create sustainable value for our clients, our people and our communities Working in ways that are sustainable,includingbeingflexibleinhow,whenandwhereweworkareimportantelementsofour culturalaspirations.

ClerkshippositionsavailableinMelbourneoffice:

Clerkshippositionsavailableeachintake:

Applicationperiod:

Interviewperiod:

Rotations:

Seasonalclerkshipperiods:

50-60

25-30

7July–10August 2025

8September–23September

2x2-weekrotations

SummerandWinter

Our clerkship program spans the summer or winter break, offering two practice group experiences over the four week clerkship program Dive into real legal work, supported by comprehensive orientation and skill-building workshops Embrace cutting-edge technology shaping tomorrow's legal professionals. Collaborate directly with partners and lawyers on live cases, contributing to timely, high-quality outcomes. Benefit from the mentorship of a dedicated senior supervisor and gain further guidance from a buddy. The focus of our clerkship program is to fully immerse you in ourteam,exposingyoutoadiverserangeoflegaltasks You'llcollaboratecloselywithourpartners and lawyers, engaging with ongoing cases, meeting tight deadlines, and delivering high-quality work. For daily guidance, a dedicated supervisor will be on hand to help you navigate your duties, whilea'buddy'whoisagraduateorjuniorlawyerfromyourpracticeareawillprovidefurtherinsight and advice. During your time with us, your tasks will be varied, shaped by the firm’s current needs andthespecificsofthepracticegroupyouareallocated

Graduatepositionsavailablein2025:

Graduatesrecruitedfrom2025-26clerkshippool:

MethodofApplication:

Graduaterotationstructure:

Pathwaytograduateposition:

Deferringagraduateoffer:

25-30

25-30

Performanceonrotations&Clerkshipfeedback

3x6-monthrotations

Priorityoffers

Casebycasebasis

OurGraduateProgramprovidesyouwiththeonthe-jobskillsandlearningyouneedtosucceedasa lawyer, including: a tailored orientation and development program, the opportunity to work with diverse clients on engaging transactions and cases the ability to work alongside our outstanding teams and receive ongoing mentoring and support completion of your Practical Legal Training funded by the firm, and support with your admission process. We know that how we work is changing, so we’ve designed a development program to build the skills of the future Our development program will provide you with the technical and business skills you’ll need to accelerateyourcareerandachieveyourambitions.Youalsohavetheopportunitytoexperienceup to three six-month rotations across different practice groups where you’ll be exposed to different clients,teamsandmatters.

australian.graduates@nortonrosefulbright.com

wwwnortonrosefulbrightcom/eu-au

Level38,477CollinsStreet,MelbourneVIC3000

HayleyBallard

Human Resource Advisor

hayleyballard@nortonrosefulbrightcom 0386866053

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+ citiesacrossEurope,theUnitedStates,Canada,LatinAmerica,Asia,Australia,Africa,andtheMiddle East.Andinamongstthatglobalnetwork,you’llfindsomeofthefinestmindsinthelegalsector–all readytoaidyourdevelopment.

Weacknowledgeourresponsibilitytomakeacontributiontothecommunityofwhichweareapart. 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 OurCorporateSocialResponsibility(CSR)programisavitalpartofourculturalmake-up andcommunityspirit CSRisawaytogivebacktothoseinneed Itisourresponsibilityascorporate citizens to do the right thing. We’re proud of our contribution to pro bono, and during 2024 we completedover29,000hoursofprobonoworkacrossAustralia.

Banking&Finance

CorporateM&A

Employment&Labour

Environment&Planning

IntellectualProperty&ConsumerMarkets

LitigationandArbitration

ProBono

Projects&Construction

RealEstate

Restructuring

RiskAdvisory

Technology

Weprideourselvesonourcultureandworkhardtomaintainit.Wearewidelyrecognisedasan inclusive,friendly,collaborativeandsupportiveworkplacewithagenuinesenseofcommunity.We areconfidentthatyouwillrecognisethesequalitiesfromyourveryfirstencounterwithus.

area aligned to your interests Wherever you look, you’ll be throwing yourself into new things, all withthesupportofyourprogrammanager,supervisor,mentor,buddyandotherteammembers.

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,discoveryandmuchmore!

The Graduate Program is an ongoing learning experience From the first rotation to the last, graduateswillbenefitfrom:

Buddy system: A recent graduate will be an informal “buddy”, who is there to help with all the “silly”questions,andofferadviceandsupportthroughouttheyears

Practice area training: We want our graduates to hit the ground running in all three rotations, so our knowledge lawyers and learning & development team work with them in each new rotation to makesuretheyhavethespecificskillsandknowledgerequired.

Colleagues: We have a very collegiate environment here Everyone is happy to share their knowledge with the graduates – and partners will always take the time to sit down with you and explainadealortechnicalissue

graduaterecruitmentaustralia@pinsentmasons.com

https://www.pinsentmasons.com/careers/earlytalent/australia

46/101CollinsStreetMelbourneVIC3000

AliBeazley

HR Manager

alibeazley@pinsentmasonscom

+61391170011|Melbourne

EllieRosenberg

International Recruitment Manager

ellierosenberg@pinsentmasonscom

+61290629001|Melbourne

A career at Pinsent Masons means being at the centre of a world of opportunities. Connect with colleagues who are working on some of the most important and market-leading matters in the Asia Pacific, including thosedrivingthetransitiontorenewableenergyandbuildingvitallarge-scaleinfrastructure.InAustralia,we have an on the ground presence in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. Our expertise means we work on the full lifecycle of projects, from financing and project delivery through to dispute resolution. The work we do sees us ranked as a Tier 1 firm in Infrastructure and Construction in Australia by Legal 500 Asia Pacific. Our Australian offices are connected closely with our Asia Pacific offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai, with our Shenzhen office due to open later in 2025. We are also connected into the firm’s global network, which includes offices in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. And we are growing. Fast. In the past 18 months we have expanded our Corporate team and added teams in Employment& Reward, Planning and Environment, Restructuring and Insolvency (incorporating Commercial litigationandDebtRecoveryandEnforcement),Technology,MediaandTelecommunications,andWorkHealth andSafety

In the Asia Pacific region, we primarily focus on the Energy and Infrastructure sectors. Our practice teams –FinanceandProjects,Property,RiskAdvisoryServices,TransactionalServicesandVario-workcollaboratively acrossthesesectors.

PinsentMasonsdefinesitselfas“Approachable.Bold.Connected”.Youwon'tneedtowearanamebadge as our people go out of their way to approach you and will be interested to learn who you are, what you do andwhatyourideasare.PinsentMasonshasbeencommendedasoneofthemostinnovativelawfirmsand we welcome our people to deliver bold and innovative solutions. Your connections at Pinsent Masons will rangefromthosesittingatthedesknexttoyou,toleadersacrossourpracticeteams,offices,regionsandata globallevel.

InAustralia,ourprimaryclientsarelocal,regionalandglobalcontractorsanddevelopers.Thisrangesfrom AustralianconstructioncompaniestoChineseState-OwnedEnterprises.RecentkeymattersinAustraliawe havebeeninvolvedininclude:

Advising on the A$1.4 billion HumeLink East project, which is building 360 kilometres of transmission lines thatwilltransmitenergyfromtheSnowyHydroSchemetomajorNewSouthWalesregionalcentres.

Assisting Fluence Energy on its successful bid to build the Latrobe Valley Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)inVictoria

Advised the joint venture partners on its bid to design and construct the stations, systems and trains for the SydneyMetro–WesternSydneyAirportproject.

Acting for a contractor in the Supreme Court of Victoria with proceedings arising from an onshore wind projectinVictoria

AdvisingaDesign&ConstructcontractorondisputesarisingoutofamajorPPPhospitalprojectinVictoria

ClerkshippositionsavailableinMelbourneoffice:

Our Winter Clerkship program will provide you with hands-on experience of Pinsent Masons in action. The program, aimed towards penultimate year students, is designed to have you work closely with our partners and lawyers on meaningful and impactful work, immersing you in everything the firm has to offer.Atthesametime,youwillliveandbreatheourculture,gaininganunderstandingofwhatlifelooks like in a corporate law firm over our four-week clerkship. Our clerkship program provides you with the firstopportunitytobeginbuildingconnectionsthatwillhavealifelongimpact.Wedesign,structureand develop the clerkship program to give you an experience which is practical and enjoyable whilst authenticallyreflectingtheGraduateLawyerexperiencehereatPinsentMasons

Ourprogramrunsacrossfourweeks,yourfirstweekisacombinationoftrainingandinductionandonce youareinyourpracticegroupsyouwillbeexposedtoworkingalongsidetheteamontheirmatterswith their clients There will be opportunities to get to know the team socially as well and you will be immersedinthedaytodaylifeofworkingatPinsentMasons.Overthecourseoffourweeks,ourWinter Clerkship program will provide an up-close view of Pinsent Masons in action and fully immerse you in everything the firm has to offer. Our clerks will be assigned to one practice group, ideally of their preference. The program is designed to have you work closely with our partners and lawyers through involvementinmeaningfulwork.Atthesametime,youwillliveandbreatheourcultureandinformyour understandingofwhatlifeincorporatelawlookslike.

As a graduate, you will work side-by-side with our lawyers and Partners in practical legal work from the outset throughout our two year program consisting of four rotations. You’ll have access to a range of mattersandtransactionsduringtheserotations.You’llbeimmersedinourculture,learningfromsomeof thebestinthebusiness,buildingrelationshipsandnetworkswithourteamandenjoyingallthatPinsent Masonshastooffer.Welookforindividualswhocanthinkcommercially,laterallyandcreatively.Mostof all,wewantpeoplewhoareopen-mindedandpassionateaboutpursuingacareerinthelaw Youwillbe downtoearthandhaveadesiretobecomeanexceptionalcommerciallawyer

peopleandculture@rkcomau

https:/wwwrussellkennedycomau/

Level18,500BourkeStreet MelbourneVIC3000

VanessaMaio Coordinator - People & Culture vmaio@rkcomau 0396096812

Russell Kennedy is a forward-thinking law firm, providing exceptional legal solutions nationally, guided by marketleadingexpertiseacrossoursectorsoffocus Inoperationformorethan120years,wehavemorethan 50principalsand300employeesacrossofficesinMelbourneandSydney.UnderpinningRussellKennedyisthe strong,lastingrelationshipswebuildwithourclientsandourpeople.Weprideourselvesoncreatingpositive 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 GenderEqualityandwe’rededicatedtobeingaculturallydiverse,LGBTQIA+anddisabilityfriendlyworkforce. We strive to create an environment that is inclusive, progressive and compassionate, so our people feel confidentbringingtheirwhole,authenticselvestowork ManyroadsleadtoRussellKennedy,whetheryou’re an experienced professional, an in-house specialist or just starting out. Ever growing, we recruit top calibre talent,toenhanceourclientserviceoffering.

OurSeasonalClerkshipProgramisdesignedtogiveyouarealtasteoflifeatRussellKennedy.Wehavecreated the program to be informative and provide relevant experience to help you decide whether you would like to pursueaLawGraduateposition.Clerksarepairedwithamentorandabuddyintheirallocatedpracticegroup whowillensurethattheyreceivethenecessarysupportthroughouttheirjourneywithus.

RussellKennedyoffersa12-monthLawGraduateprogramrotatingthroughfourPracticeGroups.OurGraduate Programisdesignedtoprovideindepthonthejobexperienceworkingacrossdifferentteamswithinthefirm 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, applyskillslearntfromformalstudiesintopracticeandgainasolidunderstandingofhowourfirmoperatesas awhole.

careers@steinpagcomau

https://www.steinpag.com.au/careers

Level6,99WilliamStreet,MelbourneVIC 3000

EllenMetlitzky

emetlitzky@steinpag.com.au

0893214000 0391119400

SteinepreisPaganinisaleadingindependentcorporateandcommerciallawfirmwithofficesinPerth andMelbourne.Establishedin1997,SteinepreisPaganinhaveanexcellentmarketreputationasone ofthelargestcorporateandcommercialteamsinAustraliawithateamofover50lawyers.Weoffer clients specialised and comprehensive advice on a range of corporate and commercial matters, servicingclientsinAustraliaandinternationallyacrossallindustrysectors

SteinepreisPaganinare:

ThemostactivelegaladvisoroncorporatecomplianceinAustralia

Consistentlyranked#1inAustraliaforECMtransactions(IPOsandsecondarycapitalraisings) Consistently ranked in the top 3 in Australia for M&A transactions (takeovers, schemes of arrangementandassetsales)

EngageinmoreinteractionswiththeASXthananyotherlawfirminAustralia

SteinepreisPaganiniscommittedtoprovidingadiverseandinclusiveculture,withequalopportunity to progress and have a meaningful career. We offer challenging and rewarding work in a supportive and inclusive environment, where everyone can 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 supportiveenvironmentandmakeworkagreatplacetobe.

At Steinepreis Paganin, we are very proud of our one team structure, which is our key point of difference to other firms. From day one and throughout your time at the firm, you will have the opportunity to work with team members at all levels from Partners to Lawyers and across the differentoffices

Ourwelcoming,inclusiveandfunculturebasedonouroneteamstructureenhancescollegialityand collaboration Regular feedback, and the firm’s Buddy and Mentor programs, all aim to provide a supportiveenvironmentandmakeworkagreatplacetobe.

At Steinepreis Paganin, we live and breathe our values of Growth, Reliability, Excellence, AccountabilityandTeamworkaswebelievetheymakeusGREATatwhatwedo Weprideourselves on delivering quality work for our clients in an efficient way and we look to bring on new team memberswhoreflectthesevaluesthroughtheirbehaviours,bothpersonallyandprofessionally.

G-GROWTH

We encourage and support mentoring and knowledge sharing that helps us develop as individuals andasprofessionals

R-RELIABILITY

Wearepassionateaboutdeliveringqualityworkthatreflectspositivelyonthefirmandservicesour clientstothehigheststandard.

E-EXCELLENCE

Wecelebrateandencourageinitiativeandfocusonhowwecandothingsbettertoassistourclients andeachother

A-ACCOUNTABILITY

Wetakeownershipforourwork,ourbehaviours,andourcareerdevelopment.

T-TEAMWORK

We work respectfully and collaboratively to create a culture to open communication where every teammember’sinputisvalued.

Full-timestaffcanworkforupto2daysaweekfromhomewithTuesdaybeingananchordayforall stafftobeintheoffice

Steinepreis Paganin are looking for law students who are dynamic, corporate minded, who pride themselvesonbeingadedicatedteamplayerandarewillingtoembraceandlivethefirm’svaluesof Growth, Reliability, Excellence, Accountability and Teamwork We pride ourselves on delivering quality work for our clients in an efficient way and we look to recruit team members who reflect thesevaluesthroughtheirbehaviours,bothpersonallyandprofessionally

ThereisnooneSteinepreisPaganin“type”.Wewanttoactivelyinvolveadiverserangeofmindsfrom abroadrangeofbackgrounds,unitedbythefollowingstrengths:

Aclearinterestandpassionforcorporatelaw

Exceptionalcommunicationskills

Aneagernesstolearn

Analyticalability

Commercialawareness

Teamwork

Resilience

Steinepreis Paganin acts for approximately 15% of all companies listed on the ASX, as well as a number of large private and public companies Steinepreis Paganin is the most active legal advisor onASXIPOsandisatop3advisoronpublicmergersandacquisitionstransactions.Someofourmost recent transactions include acting for Decmil on its acquisition by Macmahon Holdings, acting for Black Cat on its $90m acquisition of the Lakewood mill from Westgold and acting for the largest privatefitnessgroupinWAinvariousacquisitionsandinvestments.

ApplicationsareinvitedfrompenultimateyearlawstudentsseekinggraduatepositionsinFebruary 2027

ApplicationsareinvitedfromfinalyearlawstudentsseekinggraduatepositionsinFebruary2026.

ClerkshippositionsavailableinMelbourneoffice:

Clerkshippositionsavailableeachintake:

Applicationperiod:

Interviewperiod:

Rotations:

Seasonalclerkshipperiods: 12

4(two2-weekallocations/period)

7July2025-10August2025

September

Norotations

Summer1,Summer2andWinter

TheaimofourclerkshipprogramistogiveeachVacationClerkexposuretothetypeofworkthatwe do, as well as our culture and team environment We provide Vacation Clerks with hands-on experience where they will get to work closely with our highly experienced team of corporate lawyers on active matters from day one. Clerkships at Steinepreis Paganin are for 2 weeks with multipleintakesoverSummerandWinter.

The objective of the clerkship experience is to provide Vacation Clerks with a genuine insight into what life at Steinepreis Paganin is about and the nature and breadth of corporate and commercial legal work, which includes: Equity Capital Markets; Mergers and Acquisitions; Corporate and Commercial; Energy and Resources and Financial Services. Vacation Clerks are each allocated a buddy and mentor for the duration of their clerkship and provided with an induction program and training to ensure that they know how to go about things, who to go to for support and how to accesswork.

Graduatepositionsavailablein2026:

Graduatesrecruitedfrom2025-26clerkshippool:

Graduaterotationstructure:

Pathwaytograduateposition:

Deferringagraduateoffer: 2-3 2-3

Norotations

Priorityoffersandmarketoffers NotAllowed

AtSteinepreisPaganin,weprovideourgraduateswithafantasticopportunitytojoinAustralia’smost activeCorporateLawFirm GraduatesstartinFebruaryofeachyearandparticipateinourNational2week induction program which aims to familiarise them with the systems and processes of the firm andsomebasicconceptsthattheywillneedtounderstandintheirrole.

Graduates then participate throughout the balance of their first year in the firm’s in-house Lawyer Training Program aimed at equipping new graduates to develop skills and better understand the technicalaspectsofcommerciallaw

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 the PLT course, admission costs and providespaidstudyandexamleave.

pshoppee@tglaw.com.au

wwwtglawcomau

Level23,RialtoSouthTower,525Collins Street,MelbourneVIC3000

PhilipShoppee

People and Development Advisor

pshoppee@tglawcomau

0396418919

Thomson Geer is a major Australian corporate law firm. We have more than 700 people, including over150PartnersoperatingoutofourofficesinSydney,Melbourne,Brisbane,Perth,Canberraand Adelaide Weprideourselvesonthequalityofourwork,andourtransparency Wearedrivenbyour clients'needs.Ourindustrycoverageandclientworkisdiverse.Wehaveaccesstohighqualitywork for major institutional clients in sectors such as banking, construction, energy, health, media, telecommunications,propertydevelopmentandgamingandleisure,givingourlawyersexposureto excellent work while maintaining small teams where each lawyer gets to develop and learn from seniorlawyers,includingpartners

Corporate

M&A

BankingandFinance

Litigation

WorkplaceandGeneralInsurance

Employment

Thomson Geer strives to deliver the 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 supportingeachothertobethebestlawyersandpeoplewecanbe.Wecreateanenvironmentthat isflexible,friendly,personable,collegiateandprofessionallystimulating.Weworkhardtoenhance this culture through transparent, authentic communication, and by ensuring we are respectful and accountabletoeachothereverydaytoprovideanenvironmentwhereourstaffcangrowpersonally and professionally. We offer a range of flexible working arrangements for our staff including, workingfromhome,parttimeandpurchasedleave

Thomson Geer provides an excellent opportunity for junior lawyers, being large enough to attract excellent quality work while maintaining small teams that enable junior lawyers to get exposed to all aspects of the matters they work on Our small teams also mean that junior lawyers have excellent opportunities to work directly with, and learn from, our Partners and other senior practitioners and get to take a hands on role in thematterstheyworkon

Clerkshippositionsavailableeachintake:

Applicationperiod:

Interviewperiod:

Rotations:

Seasonalclerkshipperiods:

12-14

10-12

7July2025(900am)-10August2025(1159pm)

EndofSeptember 1practicearea

Summer1andSummer2

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 encourageourclerks,graduatesandtraineestogetasmuchexposuretodifferentpracticeareasandwaysof workingastheycan–thisisareflectionofhowweworkasafullyintegrated,cohesive,nationalteam.

Graduatepositionsavailablein2025:

Graduatesrecruitedfrom2025-26clerkshippool:

Graduaterotationstructure:

Pathwaytograduateposition:

Deferringagraduateoffer:

6-8

6-8

3x4-monthrotations

Priorityoffers,thengraduaterecruitmentviawebsite. Consideredonacase-by-casebasis

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 completecomprehensivetrainingin-house,aswellasstructuredexternaltrainingwhichwillsupportthemto 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 developmentopportunities Youwillhaveaccesstoahighlevelofinformationtoassistinthedevelopmentof your commercial career and you will be mentored by senior lawyers and supported by junior staff. Most importantly–yoursupervisingPartnerwillbegenuinelyinterestedinandcommittedtoyoursuccessandthe progressionofyourcareertowardsadmissionandbeyond

Level32,525CollinsStreet,MelbourneVIC3000

White&Caseareagloballawfirmwithlongstandingofficesinthemarketsthatmattertoday Ouron-the-groundexperience,cross-border integrationandgloballyqualifiedlawyershelpourclientsworkwithconfidenceinanyonemarketoracrossmany Ourinnovative approachescreateoriginalsolutionstoourclients’mostcomplexdomesticandmultijurisdictionaldealsanddisputes.

Overthepast100years,we’vebuiltanunrivallednetworkof44officesin30countries ThisinvestmentisthefoundationforWhite&Case’s clientworkacross6continents.Webelieveglobalexposureisanintegralpartofbecomingagreatlawyer,andourgraduatesare encouragedtotakeupinternationalsecondmentopportunities,eitherasapartoftheGraduateProgramorearlyintheircareers

Antitrust/competition

CorporateM&AandPrivateEquity

DebtFinance

DisputesandInternationalArbitration

EnvironmentandPlanning

FinancialRestructuringandInsolvency

ProjectDevelopment

ProjectFinance

Clerkshippositionsavailableeachintake:

Applicationperiod:

Interviewperiod:

Rotations:

Seasonalclerkshipperiods: 8-10

7July2025-10August2025 September-October 1practicegroup SummerandWinter

Avacationclerkshipisagreatwaytoexperiencefirst-handwhatlifeislikeasagraduateatWhite&Case Aspartofourclerkshipprogram, you’llbewelcomedintoourteam,whereyou’llundertakeanumberofmeaningfulandchallengingtasks Youwillhavetheopportunityto attendclientmeetings,workonprobonomatters,andbroadenyourunderstandingoflargecross-bordertransactionsandmatters.During yourtimewithWhite&Case,you’llalsohavetheopportunitytoconnectwithourwiderAsia-Pacificnetworkthroughthesimultaneous programsrunningacrosstheregion,aswellasthroughthemattersandprojectsyou’llbeinvolvedin Theseearlyinsightsareagreatway of learning more about our Graduate Program’s overseas seat opportunities and what practice area options are available in different offices Throughout the clerkship, you will work closely with your supervisor (partner), mentor (senior associate) and 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-housetrainingandeventswillhelpyoubetterunderstandtheworkwedoforourclientsandbuildyournetwork.

Graduaterotationstructure: Pathwaytograduateposition: Deferringagraduateoffer:

Threesix-monthrotations Priorityoffers Consideredonacase-by-casebasis

Youwillbejoiningafast-growing,dynamicFirmwithambitiousgrowthplansintheAsia-Pacificregion,supportedbyatop-tierglobal networkofoffices WestructureourGraduateProgramtomeetbothyourshort-termcareergoalsandlong-termaspirations Youwillwork throughthreesix-monthrotations,takingintoaccountyourpreferences,tofullyequipyouwiththenecessaryskillstobecomeaskilled, globallycommerciallawyer Wealsoofferaguaranteedinternationalseatasoneofyourrotations,inoneofourAsia-PacificorMiddleEast offices Fromdayone,youwilljoinourhigh-performingteamsandworkonfast-paced,cuttingedgeandcomplexmultijurisdictional mattersanddisputes,experiencingtheoperationalrealitiesofcross-borderlaw.Youwillgainclientexposureearlyon,asyouhandle substantivematterswithfirst-rateguidanceandsupervisionfromleadersintheirfield

Asatrulygloballawfirm,weprovideourgraduateswithuniqueopportunitiestoworkoninternationalmatters–bothcommercialandpro bono–withteamsacrossourlargeglobalnetworkofoffices.Ourassociatesdevelopaglobalmentality,plustoplegalskills,andbuilda networkthatwilllastalifetime

ANSWERING YOUR

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

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 Tuesday 30 September 2025 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.

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 (2026), you are completing your last year and can therefore state a graduate role by 2027.

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.

DISCLAIMER

This publication is provided free of charge from the Deakin Law Students’ Society (DLSS) on the understanding that the editors, all contributors and any other persons relating to this publication are not responsible for the actions of readers based on the information, error or omission in the publication. The views in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of the editors, DLSS or Deakin Law School. All information was correct at the time of printing; however, given the importance of the applications that students are making, all students are advised to confirm the information before making an application due to the fast passed nature in which emails change, applications requirements change and people’s positions change.

With the exception of articles containing a named author and/or firm, organisations or corporations, all copyright, except where provided for under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), vests in the Deakin Law Students’ Society and may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the permission of the Deakin Law Students’ Society. Please contact the current Deakin Law Students’ Society President for permission.

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