Employee Spotlight
Claire De Koeyer Lawyer Corporate - Health Regulatory and Health M&A Practice K&L Gates Which degree did you undertake? I completed a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) at Deakin University, Burwood. I always had a keen interest in both areas of my study, and while I was not sure in the beginning which I would pursue, it became apparent fairly early on that I was probably more suited to the law. Why did you pursue a career in law? Both prior to commencing my studies and throughout my degree I worked in law firms. This really assisted me in my ultimate decision to pursue a career as a lawyer as I felt it gave me an understanding what it is like in practice. What do you enjoy most about your job? What I enjoy about legal practice is that no two days are the same, no two clients are the same and no two matters are the same. Each day is different and each day you are confronted with a new challenge. I find this really rewarding. It also means you truly never stop learning (and certainly keeps you on your toes). It is fast moving and things change quickly, requiring you to be responsive and flexible. In addition to the law, I work for a great team filled with exceptionally talented people. They are generous with their time and are focused on the development of junior lawyers. This is key as a junior lawyer - find a mentor/supervisor who is willing to invest in your development. There is so much to learn and it is really important to have people around you who are willing to share their knowledge. What do you think makes a good lawyer? This question is asked a lot (both in interviews and beyond) and I’m still not sure of the best answer. The obvious prerequisites are being willing to listen and learn, pay attention to detail, and be a team player (no lawyer acts in isolation, particularly in a large firm). A lesser mentioned trait, but by no means less important, was summed up when a senior partner said to me “Do the little things well. It is how you tackle the little things upon which you will be judged”. To give that some context, what they meant was: when you are given a menial/small/seemingly insignificant task as a junior lawyer, take to it all the attention and skill you would apply to a seemingly more important task. People will notice this. What advice would you give to students entering the clerkship process? Work hard on finding where you fit. I appreciate in the competitive context of the current job market it can feel like graduate lawyers are resigned to accepting any job they can get their hands on. However if you are in a position to choose and assess between alternatives, I urge you to critically assess the firm you’re looking at entering and critique whether you are culturally aligned. It’s important not to lose your sense of self. 144