springboard: 2014 careers guide
DESCRIPTION
QUT Law Society presents 'Springboard', our annual legal Careers Guide. Featuring key dates and information for legal clerkship and graduate programs from major recruiters, Springboard is your go-to guide in taking the next step in your career.TRANSCRIPT
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SPRINGBOARD
QUT Law Society Careers Guide 2014
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Want the inside scoop on landing a role at Clayton Utz?Find it on Facebook! www.facebook.com/ClaytonUtzCareers
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SPRINGBOARD
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Contents
Springboard 2014
Introduction 1
Welcome to Springboard 2
QUTLS 3
Articles 4
The Summer Clerk Experience 5
A Day in the Life of an M&A/ECM Lawyer 6
Graduate Program at Clayton Utz 7
Top Ten Tips for Graduate Success 8
QUT's Practical Legal Training 'A' Team 1 0
QUT Practical Legal Training 11
Confessions of a Mid-Tier Lawyer 1 2
Minter Ell ison Clerkship Program 1 3
Firms 1 7
Allens 1 8
Ashurst 20
Clayton Utz 22
Corrs Chambers Westgarth 24
DLA Piper 26
Herbert Smith Freehil ls 28
Hopgood Ganim 30
K & L Gates 32
King & Wood Mallesons 34
Maurice Blackburn 36
McCullough Robertson 38
Minter Ell ison 42
Norton Rose Fulbright 44
Thomsons Lawyers 46
Arnold Bloch Leibler 48
Barry.Nilsson.Lawyers 50
Carter Newell Lawyers 51
Clarke Kann 52
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
International
Allen & Overy
Clifford Chance
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Hogan Lovell's
Mayer Brown JSM
Pinsett Masons
Slaughter & May
Simmons & Simmons91
Cooper Grace Ward 53
Gilbert + Tobin 56
Gadens Lawyers 57
Gilshenan & Luton Lawyers 58
Hall & Wilcox Laywers 59
Harmers Workplace Lawyers 60
Harwood Andrews Lawyers 61
Henry Davis York 62
Herbert Greer 63
Holding Redlich 64
Hunt & Hunt 65
HWL Ebsworth 67
MacDonells 68
Maddocks 69
McInnes Wilson 70
McMahon Clarke 71
Mil ls Oakley Lawyers 72
Mull ins Lawyers 73
Piper Alderman 74
Quinlan Mil ler & Treston 75
Quinn & Scattini 76
Rodgers Barnes & Green 77
Shine Lawyers 78
Sparke Helmore Lawyers 79
Tri lby Misso 80
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Springboard 2014
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
1 00
1 01
1 02
1 03
1 04
1 05
1 08
1 09
Finance
Accenture
ANZ
Credit-Suisse
Deloitte
Deutsche Bank
Ernst & Young
Grant Thornton
Pitcher Partners
KPMG
Macquarie Group
Moore Stephens
PKF
Pricewaterhouse Coopers
UBS
Westpack
11 0
Public Sector 111
Attorney Generals Department 11 2
AusAID 11 3
Austral ian Competition and Consumer Commission 11 4
Austral ian Customs & Border Protection 11 5
Austral ian Government Solicitor 11 6
Austral ian National Audit Office 11 7
Austral ian Prudential Regulation Authority 11 8
ASIC 11 9
Austral ian Security Intel l igence Organisation 1 20
Austral ian Security Intel l igence Service 1 21
Austral ian Taxation Office 1 22
ComCare 1 23
Crown Law 1 24
Dept. of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry 1 25
Dept. of Communications 1 26
Austral ian Signals Directorate 1 27
Dept. of The Environment 1 28
Dept. of Social Services 1 29
Dept. of Finance and Deregulation 1 30
Dep. of Foreign Affairs and Trade 1 31
Dept. of Health 1 32
Dept. of Human Services 1 34
Dept. of Infrastructure and Regional Development 1 35
Dept. of Justice and Attorney-General 1 36
Dept. of Industry 1 37
Queensland Treasury 1 38
Not-For-Profit 1 39
Amnesty International 1 41
Arts Law Centre of Austral ia 1 42
Austral ian Human Rights Commission 1 43
Austral ian Institute of International Affairs 1 44
Bayside Community Legal Centre 1 45
Caxton Legal Centre 1 46
Community Legal Centre 1 47
Court Network 1 48
Environmental Defenders Office 1 49
Pine Rivers Community Centre 1 51
Prisoners' Legal Service 1 52
Queensland Council for Civi l Liberties 1 53
Refugee and Immigration Legal Service 1 55
Tenant's Union Queensland 1 56
Women's Legal Service 1 57
Youth Advocacy Centre 1 58
Legal Aid (Queensland) 1 50
Contents
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SPRINGBOARD
2
Welcome to Springboard, the 2014 QUT Law Society Careers Guide.
Springboard is your roadmap to success; within these pages lies all the key information you need for the next stage of your journey as a legal professional.
Legal education gives you the opportunity to excel in many diverse and challenging areas of industry.
In these pages we aim to offer a snapshot of these opportunities, showing you what is available, what you need to do, and who to talk to.
Springboard contains profiles of most major public and private-sector employees, all in one place, to give you the edge in the job market.
QUT Law Society wishes you all the best for your future endeavours - now get out there and make it happen!
Within these profiles you will find information on firm culture, contact details information on firm culture, contact details
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3QUT Law Society is a non-for-profit organisation
formed to assist Law Students in getting the most out of
their experiences at university. QUT Law Society rather
aims to work within the corporate and academic world
to assist students with all the rigours that come with
legal education. To do this, we hold a variety of
events in conjunction major corporate firms to give
students the opportunity to be exposed to a wide
variety of experiences to help develop personal and
professional skills.
QUT Law Society comprises four key portfolios:
Activities, Competitions, Education, and Communications.
Activities
The activities portfolio handles all of the social events
that the QUTLS offers. This team organises events such
as the Meet the Profession Evening, the Law Dinner,
and the crowd favourite the Law Ball. The activities
portfolio also handles all sports teams, external sports
competitions, and inter-university events, such as the
QUT vs UQ Soccer and Rugby grudge matches. QUTLS
encourages and strongly recommends that all students
get involved in some aspect of this exciting portfolio, to
encourage the development of a healthy social life, and to
promote personal well-being.
Competitions
QUT Law Socety offers a range of legal and academic
competitions across the year. Our competitions portfolio
has an extensive range of mooting opportunities to
enable students to flex their legal muscles outside of
the academic setting. These include a Torts moot, a
Contract Law moot, an International Law moot, an
Arbitration moot, an Intellectual Property Moot, a
Family Law moot, a Constitutional Law moot as well as
many other moots for a variety of disciplines.
Alongside this, there are competitions that students
can participate in to qualify for a spot in the
Australian Law Students Association national competitions
held each year.
Education
The education portfolio deals with all aspects of
education and development within the QUTLS. Education
is a diverse portfolio, dealing with all matters relating
to education, equity and wellbeing, careers, social
justice, and Indigenous issues. The education
portfolio manages all educational and professional
events and workshops in conjunction with corporate
sponsors. These workshops include resume writing
sessions, interview tips, and research tips, amongst
others.
The Education portfolio also organises the Walk for
Justice, the Indigenous Breakfast, and works in
conjunction with the activities portfolio on the Meet the
Profession Evening.
Communications
The Communications portfolio (formerly Publications)
is primarily concerned with all things communication.
This includes management of the website, Facebook,
and promotional activities in conjunction with all other
portfolios. The communications portfolio also
releases three periodical publications: the Careers Guide,
a fortnightly newsletter and a bi-annual publication
aimed at law students.
Our Communications portfolio is undergoing some major
changes this year, and welcomes aspiring writers to
contribute to the newsletter and bi-annual publications.
The newsletter is primarily designed to be a light-hearted
update on evens in the law school. To contribute, keep your
articles under 500 words and feel free to include any
smaller pictures to include with your majestic words.
The larger publication, our bi-annual magazine, is a
more serious affair. This is where you get to show
off your Hemmingway-esque wordsmithing. For the
most part no topic is off limits, but stay away from
anything generally deemed offensive or discriminatory.
To contribute, send your >1,000-word page of
distilled genius to [email protected].
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Articles
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Will Barker
I remember applying for seasonal clerkships, spending time browsing law firm websites to identify the employer that would best fit my skills and aspirations. Most firms advertise themselves with the same buzz words: leading law firm, we advise on complex and critical matters, we deliver commercial solutions, and so on. Lets be honest, a lot of the marketing materials tend to look pretty similar.
The truth is that if you work at any of Australias large law firms you will meet clever people working on deals that appear in the pages of the daily papers. What sets Ashurst apart?
I was drawn to Ashurst by its depth of international expertise. Ashurst is a top 30 global firm with 28 offices in 16 countries. Many of the lawyers you interact with on a daily basis speak a foreign language and have experience working in multiple overseas jurisdictions. The firm is globally integrated. In the Brisbane office you can expect to work with colleagues in Asian offices on cross-border transactions. Graduates are offered the opportunity to undertake rotations in Hong Kong, Jakarta, Singapore or Tokyo. During my time with the firm I have seen junior lawyers head to each of these cities, as well as London and Port Moresby. As far as I can tell, for young Australians who wish to engage with Asia, working at a firm that was recently voted one of the top three in the region is a pretty good place to start.
Australia Belgium China France Germany Hong Kong SAR Indonesia (associated office) Italy Japan Papua New Guinea Saudi Arabia Singapore Spain Sweden United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States of America
www.ashurst.com
The Summer Clerk experience
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Clayton Utz
6
Springboard 2014
For those that aren't aware:
M&A stands for mergers and acquisitions which relates to
sale and purchase of assets, businesses and companies;
ECM stands for equity capital markets which relates to
companies managing their share (equity) capital , most
commonly through issuing prospectuses to raise money
from the public.
In short, the primary function of M&A/ECM lawyers is to
help companies raise and spend money. Clayton Utz
Brisbane's experience includes:
Initial public offers and ASX listings - including
Bil labong, Wotif.com, NEXTDC, Transpacific Industries,
Virgin Blue Airl ines, Mastermyne, the Asia Pacific Data
Centre Group, Onthehouse.com.au, Westside Corporation
and UniTAB.
Secondary capital raisings - including Bank of
Queensland Limited, NEXTDC Limited, Transpacific
Industries Limited and HFA Holdings Limited.
Mergers and acquisitions - including for Shadforth
Financial Group in its acquisition of Snowball Austral ia (to
form SFG Austral ia), Hastings Deering in its acquisition of a
company from US-based Caterpil lar and The Rock Building
Society in its merger with MyState Limited.
The role of M&A/ECM lawyers
An important task performed by junior M&A lawyers at
Clayton Utz is to analyse ownership aspects of a target
asset, business or company, often while teams in other
practice areas perform analysis from their perspective (a
process known as 'due dil igence'). The end game of due
dil igence is to try to assist your cl ient to pay (when acting
for the buyer) or receive (when acting for the seller) a price
that reflects the value of the target and to identify any risks
to the transaction. As M&A lawyers gain experience, they
wil l move into managing the other practice groups working
on the transaction, documenting the transaction, managing
stakeholders (such as the client, investment banks, share
registries, other lawyers and regulators) and, eventual ly,
assisting with strategic decision-making.
As a junior Clayton Utz ECM lawyer, you wil l often be
called on to verify that the cl ient has a reasonable basis for
each statement it makes about its shares in a prospectus it
releases when undertaking an IPO or seeking additional
funds (known as 'prospectus verification'). As ECM
lawyers gain more experience they might be called on to
draft a prospectus, attend due dil igence meetings, manage
other stakeholders and assisting cl ients with structuring
and strategy.
Other general day-to-day tasks include providing advice on
discrete aspects of a cl ient's business or on corporate
governance or tax questions, monitoring announcements
by clients and their competitors and dealing with regulators
including ASX, ASIC, APRA and FIRB.
Why do M&A/ECM law?
This area of law is demanding as the stakes are high and
the product of your work is often out there (in documents
given to ASX and ASIC) for the public to see. You wil l be
challenged to quickly grasp complex legal, commercial and
financial issues in businesses and areas of law you aren't
famil iar with, and there is no hiding from the fact that you
wil l be called on to put in late nights.
However, I find these challenges actual ly provide the most
rewarding aspects of the work, including the sense of
camaraderie that the high pressure environment forges.
You get a first-hand perspective of how companies operate
and you can learn technical ski l ls (l ike valuing assets) and
soft ski l ls (l ike teamwork and project management).
A Day in the Life of an M&A/ECM Lawyer
John Whitehill
M & A Lawyer
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7Springboard 2014
When graduating law school, it may feel to some like the end
of a long journey, but real ly it is only the beginning. A career in
the legal profession is an exciting and rewarding journey, ful l of
opportunity and perpetual learning. There is a myriad of
reasons why there is no better way to start such a journey than
as a graduate at Clayton Utz.
The graduate program at Clayton Utz is a 2 year program that
fosters junior lawyers' development through several training
initiatives. Graduates complete three 8 month placements and
their development is further supplemented by an array of
professional development programs, intensive research
training and group specific inductions. These initiatives are
designed to help graduates transition from a student mental ity
into the working environment of a law firm and provide an
essential platform for junior lawyers to successful ly launch
their careers. Training sessions are presented by some of
Austral ia's top commercial lawyers and corporate advisors and
provide graduates with invaluable advice and knowledge.
As Austral ia's leading independent law firm, Clayton Utz has
lawyers around the country with diverse and broad-ranging
legal experience, across a range of industry sectors. The 8
month placements take place in a variety of practice groups
across the firm enabling graduates to take their time deciding
exactly where their passion in law lies. In every rotation a
graduate has a buddy and a mentor to ensure that their
development is supported to the greatest degree.
During the first year of the graduate program the graduates
complete their PLT training which is run through QUT both on
campus and in the offices of Clayton Utz. Graduates are given
time by their practice groups to complete the course work
which is designed to complement the everyday activities and
responsibi l ities of a junior lawyer. At the end of the first year of
the program, graduates are admitted into the legal profession
as ful ly qualified lawyers (an exciting time to say the least).
Clayton Utz further provides junior lawyers with the opportunity
to develop their ski l ls through involvement in their remarkable
pro bono program. National ly, Clayton Utz has provided over
429,204 hours of pro bono legal assistance and representation
since 1 997, a record for any Austral ian law firm. Junior lawyers
are encouraged to attend various legal cl inics such as the
Homeless Persons Legal Clinic (HPLC) and the Queensland
Civi l and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) volunteer cl inic.
Through attending such clinics, junior lawyers are given the
opportunity to directly assist people in need and deal with a
variety of legal problems, which proves to be extremely
rewarding. Our pro bono program also allows graduates to
strengthen and further develop key core capabil ities such as
fi le and time management.
One thing that a graduate wil l notice after entering ful l time
work is how incredibly different studying a subject at university
is compared to practicing in that area of law. They may find
that their favourite subject might not necessari ly be their
favourite area to practice in. Each opportunity should be
approached with an open mind and as an opportunity to learn,
gain experience and used to build themselves into an even
better lawyer.
While at times the legal profession might seem overwhelming,
it is important for a graduate to remember just how far they
have come. Completing a law degree is no easy feat.
Entering the workforce being surrounded by people with over
40 years' experience can sometimes be overwhelming and
lead a graduate to feel they aren't fit for the profession. I f a
graduate reaches one of these moments, it's important for
them to reflect on where they were 5 years ago and think of al l
the things they have learnt.
Clayton Utz
Graduate Program at Clayton Utz
Mark Teys and Emma Thompson
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Corrs
8
Springboard 2014
Leading law firm, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, has helped
hundreds of graduates make the successful transition from
study to practice.
According to Corrs Recruitment Partner, Jeremy Horwood,
creating a place where people love their job and their work
is a key priority of being an employer of choice and helps
graduates fit in quickly.
Jeremy says Corrs goes above and beyond to give their
graduates a head start. Fortunately, hes happy to share
some of Corrs prized tips with QUT students.
We asked our staff for advice to help new graduates
navigate the challenges and enjoy the opportunities
presented during their early working years, Jeremy said.
Here are their 1 0 top tips to help you make the most of
your career, wherever you choose to begin it.
1 . Remember the basics
Being a great lawyer is more than just being great at the
law. I t's also being a professional who provides great
service to cl ients and colleagues. That starts with doing the
basics well , l ike responding promptly to phone calls and
emails, maintaining clear and organised fi les, presenting
your work well , del ivering when you say you wil l and
always preserving confidential ity. The most important basic
is to always come prepared. Bring a pen and pad to
meetings. Listen and take notes. I t's amazing how much
you'l l learn.
2. Keep learning
University may be over, but the real learning starts now.
The law and business are constantly changing. We need to
stay on top and ahead of those changes. At Corrs, we
provide a structured and ongoing professional development
program and an enormous number of learning
opportunities. But you also need to be prepared to drive
your own learning. Always be alert and l isten when in
meetings. Be curious. Find out as much as you can about
the clients you're working for and learn about their
industries so you can understand their needs better.
3. You have internal and external clients
As a grad, you'l l be asked to work for a variety of people
including other lawyers, senior associates and partners,
ultimately for the benefit of an end client. You should think
of everyone you work for as a client. I f you impress your
internal cl ients, you'l l have many more opportunities to
impress external cl ients. So be professional. Be
responsive. Think about how you can make life easier for
the lawyers in your team. Make sure your work is high
quality. And always deliver on time.
4. Be a team player
Teamwork is a huge part of the way we work at Corrs. We
bring together lawyers from different practice areas, states
and even countries, to provide an efficient and integrated
service for our cl ients. As a grad, you wil l rotate through
different practice areas and you'l l have an important role to
play as part of those teams. Look for opportunities to
contribute. I f youve finished the work assigned to you, find
out if you can help anyone else. Also, remember to work
with other graduates. Don't compete with them. You'l l al l be
going through the same thing, so catch up regularly to
share experiences.
5. Your reputation is everything
During your career, you wil l discover that your most
valuable asset is your reputation. You start building your
reputation from your first day as a graduate. So work hard.
Its a long way to the top: Corrs top 10
tips for graduate success
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9Springboard 2014
Take care to produce quality. Always check your work
before providing it to a lawyer or cl ient. Always keep your
promises and deliver your work when you say you wil l . And
if you can't, let the person expecting it know early so
everyone can manage expectations. I f you make a
mistake, admit it early and learn from it. Always be honest.
6. Understand your clients needs
Perhaps the biggest challenge you'l l face as a graduate
lawyer is the shift from preparing assignments to creating
commercial advice that achieves real cl ient outcomes.
You'l l soon realise that cl ients don't want you to tel l them
the law. They want you to tel l them how the law impacts
their commercial objectives. And they want you to tel l them
in a way that is clear, succinct and easy for them to use.
So, always try to stand in the shoes of your cl ient. Think
about what's important to them and what they are trying to
achieve.
7. Keep perspective
The change from student to lawyer can be huge: different
hours, different work and different challenges. I t can be
easy to feel consumed by it al l , particularly as you wil l want
to impress. Enthusiasm, commitment and application are
great and the type of qualities we look for in our grads
but, we also don't want you to become overwhelmed or
burn out. So keep a little perspective. Think of your career
as a marathon, not a sprint. I t's OK not to know everything
al l at once. Work hard but also make sure you have
interests outside work.
8. Be positive
There is nothing more infectious than positive energy. I t
inspires and motivates others. People want to work with
positive people. So always try to be positive. Don't
complain or criticise. Take on every task with enthusiasm,
no matter how big or small . Take an interest in other people
and share experiences with them. Treat challenges as
opportunities and always look for the upside. Enjoy the
work. Have fun.
9. Embrace opportunity
During your career at Corrs, you wil l be presented with
many wonderful opportunities, from the quality of work and
clients to professional development, including studying and
working overseas. As a graduate, every day wil l present an
opportunity to learn, grow and contribute. Embrace all
these with enthusiasm. Make the most of them: don't just
do the minimum. The more you put in the more you'l l get
out.
1 0. Love what you do
To be good at what you do, you have to enjoy it. To be
great, you need to love it. Passion is a differentiator that is
recognised by clients and colleagues alike. Passion fuels
commitment and drives continuous improvement. And it
makes hard work fun. So use your time as a graduate to
explore different areas of law and find one that inspires
you. Then commit to it, apply yourself and see where it
takes you. You won't be disappointed.
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QUT Practical Legal Training
10
Springboard 2014
Queensland University of Technologys practical
legal training course offers an environment that
simulates real-work tasks from the legal
profession. This is complemented by real world
lectures from experienced practitioners.
On a weekly basis we were briefed by various
professionals, ranging from barristers, to
solicitors from top tier law firms; to
representatives from various government
organisations. This interaction was priceless and
always provided us with the opportunity to ask
questions outside the scope of the guest
lecturers presentations.
My experience over the past few months has
been such an amazing journey. I am so grateful
for the QUT practical legal training team and the
energy that each and every one of them has
contributed in guiding me to where I am today.
The A Team as I cal l it - Al lan Chay, Liz Clark,
Craig Smith, Kaylene Matheson, Susan Blunt,
Jul ie Pastel las, Deborah Day, Christine Wil l iams
and Irene Wiseman. Each and every team
member mentioned is an absolute asset and
credit to QUT, the PLT course and the legal
profession. I t has been an honour to have been
guided and mentored by such a fantastic team.
They were all 1 00% committed, approachable
and dedicated in developing fit and proper
lawyers.
The A Team constantly conveyed to us that we
are unique individuals; we have a purpose and
we can make a change. They are truly a league
of their own. I can say that in al l my years at
uni, I have never come across a team that have
my interests and my colleagues interests
continuously at heart. I recommend this course
to future colleagues, who desire a stimulating
and supportive learning environment.
I firmly believe that this course has given me the
necessary foundations and professional
standards required upon entering the legal
profession.
QUT's Practical Legal Training 'A' Team
By Graduate Katherine Steele
Katherine Steele, QUT PLT Graduate
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11
Springboard 2014
Practically, the only choice for PLT is
QUT
QUTs Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
provides you with the knowledge, ski l ls,
values and attitudes that you need to fulfi l
the PLT requirements for admission to the
legal profession.
The course is flexible and offered
throughout the year in ful l time, part time
and online modes and it includes a four
week placement in a law office, which we
find for you. I f you are working in a law office
while you are doing the course, you can
apply for credit for this placement.
Choose from:
Ful l-time online or on campus (24 weeks)
Part-time online (34 and 38 weeks)
201 4 Courses
June
Start date: Monday 23 June 201 4
Available ful l-time on campus, ful l-time
online and part-time online.
201 5 courses
JanuaryStart date: Monday 1 2 January 201 5
Available ful l-time on campus, ful l-time
online and part-time online.
March
Start date: Monday 23 February 201 5
Available part-time online.
June
Start date: Monday 22 June 201 5
Available ful l-time on campus, ful l-time
online and part-time online.
Note: Dates are subject to change.
Apply now
For more information about the course and
applying, please contact Liz Clark on (07)
31 38 2211 or [email protected].
www.qut.edu.au/legal-practice
QUT Practical Legal Training
Practically, the only choice for PLT is QUT
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Thomsons Lawyers
12
Springboard 2014
I was a fresh-faced graduate, starting at a national (mid-tier) firm in Brisbane
after finishing my undergraduate double in Law and Journalism from QUT.
Now, several (mid-tier) firms later, I am both official ly old and sti l l firmly
ensconced in the mid-tier. How did this happen? It has taken me a number
of steps to come to terms with this and I have listed below some of the
issues I have grappled with:
Working 9-5, what a way to make a living
I 'm a litigator which can be a dirty word in certain circles. I tried other
areas of law when I first started my article clerkship (you heard me right, I
was an articled clerk) but couldn't quite get the hang of it. I think that the
key reason was that my letters were way too punchy for corporate law
(which is al l about the loving, rather than the fighting).
After a few years working in a commercial l itigation role, I moved to a
special ist intel lectual property practice, where I primari ly worked on IP
litigation. This is sti l l what I do at Thomsons, although I am now at the
dizzying heights of Senior Associate.
Life as a litigator can be a rol lercoaster. Sometimes, usually when you least
expect it, it is on. Your work load increases dramatical ly. You need to buckle
in, hang on and weather the storm. This can mean that you need to be at
work for (far) longer than you had hoped. The fl ipside is, there can also be
lul ls in l itigation where you can put your feet up for a well deserved break.
I thought the work was supposed to be easier?
Rightly or wrongly, IP has a reputation of being one of the more exciting
areas of law. I think the reason for this is that lawyers and law students
(again, rightly or wrongly) think deep down that they are artists or inventors.
The work that I do can certainly be challenging. At the moment, much of my
work relates to patent l itigation, which straddles both engineering / science
and law. I f you ever read a patent, you'l l discover that patent attorneys
speak (write and probably think) in an entirely different language. This
means that you do rely on independent experts and patent attorneys to
understand the concepts.
I have also been involved in a number of copyright disputes, stretching from
telephone directories, house plans, software and databases. These disputes
can be really interesting, as many involve the overlap of technology. I have
learnt more about how people copy and disseminate data than I ever
thought possible!
What do you mean no overseas secondments?
I have been reading, I 'l l admit somewhat jealously, about overseas
secondments. I have been overseas for work too, although I am not sure
whether Tasmania counts. However, just because you do not work at an
international firm does not mean that you do not get to travel (usually within
Austral ia) or deal with overseas clients.
One of my larger matters over the last 5 years has been a misleading
conduct / fraud case regarding a transaction in the Middle East. This
involved dealing with lawyers, witnesses and the client who were located in
a time zone about 5 hours behind.
Autonomy: you either love it or you hate it.
Some people thrive when they are thrust into (what they think is) the deep
end. When you work on a wide variety of matters (ranging across the
spectrum of disputes) you are exposed to cl ients, the Court and a
substantial amount of partner contact (perhaps more than you want!).
IP matters can be difficult to resolve, so you do get exposed to both
interlocutory injunctions and trials, which is fantastic experience. I f you work
on smaller matters, it is also possible to master your nerves and appear
before the Court in a contested application.
This level of autonomy can be a challenge, just as it can be very rewarding.
I thought the studying was supposed to stop. Like, actually stop.
When I finished university, I thought that was it. No more studying for me.
You can imagine my surprise when the partners I worked with at my
previous firm (who I sti l l work with at Thomsons) informed me that they
encouraged their sol icitors to complete a Masters of Laws.
So. . . . Here I am, a l ittle over 1 0 years down the track with a Masters of Law
safely under my belt, continuing to work hard (and sometimes, way past
5pm), glamorously travell ing overseas (the Bass Strait is a sea, right?) and
thoroughly enjoying the l ife of a mid-tier Senior Associate.
Confessions of a mid-tier lawyer
My name is Josh Henderson ... and ... I have worked at mid-tier
law firms for over 10 years.
-
Corrs is a place that celebrates individuals. Were looking for spirited,determined graduates who think big and like doing things a little differently.In exchange for your energy and commitment well provide extraordinarylearning and work opportunities here and on the international stage.
If you want more, visit our dedicated graduate website www.corrs.com.au/graduates
CELEBRATE YOUR INDEPENDENT
SPIRITWWW.CORRS.COM.AU/GRADUATES
-
At Maurice Blackburn we fight for people who are up against the system; workers, families and all Australians who wouldnt otherwise have someone standing up for them.
Our seasonal clerkships and traineeships provide you with real and practical experience in plaintiff law. If you want to become a lawyer to fight for people who deserve better, contact us to find out more.
SPECIALISTS IN: Road accident injuRies WoRkeRs compensation medical negligenceasbestos diseases supeRannuation & insuRance claims public liability
Faulty pRoducts comcaRe employment & industRial laW Will disputes class actions
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ReservoirRingwoodSunshineTraralgonWangaratta
VICTorIAN offICES
SydneyParramatta
Canberra
joIN ThE fIrm ThAT fIghTS for fAIr, CALL
1800 810 812wefightforfair.com.au
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Mackay RockhamptonStrathpineSunshine Coast TownsvilleToowoomba
quEENSLANd offICES
Perth
wA offICES
Facebook.com/mauriceblackburncareers
TwiTTer.com/weFighTForFair
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follow us:
ThIS IS whY You goT INTo LAw
IN ThE
fIrST PLACE.join tHe FiRm tHat FigHts FoR FaiR and make a
genuine diFFeRence to peoples lives.
-
VISIONARIES WANTED.
We have more than 2,000 lawyers spread
across five continents allowing us to
share our people, expertise, clients and
most importantly our success. Your
career will benefit from unprecedented
exposure to high profile deals on an
international platform.
Are you a visionary? Join us.
Choosing a career at K&L Gates is selecting to be a part of a progressive and innovative law firm that continues to grow year on year. We work with market leaders across many industries in a range of exciting areas of the global economy.
We offer you the experience of more than 2,000 lawyers across five continents. We have a one-company, one-team mentality, constantly seeking ways to add value to our clients and your career objectives.
We look to recruit talented people, then provide the opportunities and support for them to achieve their best. Join us and you will join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to providing exceptional client service.
Join us Graduate Program
Applications for our Brisbane Graduate program open in August 2014.
To apply and to find out more information about the firm, please visit our website at www.klgates.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/klgatesgraduaterecruitingaus.
Join us on Facebook
-
Law Firms
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Allens
18
Springboard 2014
Who are we and what makes us unique
Allens is a leading international law firm, with
partners, lawyers and corporate services employees
across Asia and Austral ia.
We work with many of the worlds leading
organisations including 55 of the worlds top 1 00
companies and more than 75 of Austral ias top 1 00
companies. Through an integrated all iance with
Linklaters, we provide cl ients with access to market-
leading lawyers through a global network of 40
offices across 29 countries.
You might think every law firm is the same. Not quite.
There are several important things that set us apart
from our competitors.
I t's our people who make us great. I t is our priority to
ensure you are constantly challenged, recognised,
rewarded and empowered throughout your career.
Our environment is challenging and we expect high
performance. We support our people at every stage
to meet these challenges, and have created a
collegiate, flexible and responsive environment in
which you can succeed.
We know youl l have interests outside work and that
youl l want time to enjoy them. When things are busy,
we work hard. When theyre not, we go home.
We adopt a flexible approach to the way we work
together that builds strong and diverse teams, and is
one of the reasons lawyers tel l us a career at Allens
is so rewarding. Unlike in other law firms, you wil l
work with a range of partners and lawyers across the
firm. You won't learn just one way of doing things, but
wil l bui ld your skil ls and knowledge through exposure
to many different ways.
To meet the needs of lawyers of the future, weve
also evolved to accommodate the ways that they
want to practise, col laborate and advance through
our firm. I ts about offering greater flexibi l ity, and a
two-way career deal that rewards and promotes on
performance, not seniority.
What other aspects aside from work canyour offer your employees?
At Allens, our values are the foundation cornerstone
of our culture. Our people want to make a difference
not only in law and business but in the wider
community. This passion to make a difference drives
our Pro Bono, Charity, Footprint and Reconcil iation
Action Plan committees' initiatives. These
committees are comprised of a wide spectrum of
Allens staff, who use their involvement to enrich their
experience at the firm. We offer opportunities for
secondments to both cl ients (including pro bono
clients) and our international offices.
Clerkship Program
Whether you join us as a clerk or a law graduate,
youl l discover a world of possibi l ities that wil l take
you further than you ever imagined.
We offer two clerkship programs over summer. Our
programs run for three weeks the first starting in
November and the second in January. Our programs
www.allens.com.au
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19
Springboard 2014
coincide with most university holidays.
You wil l work in one practice group with a range of
different partners and lawyers. This wil l give you
insight into the type of work we do and the clients we
work for. Our Brisbane office has a particularly strong
focus on natural resources, infrastructure, property
development and corporate work.
We are looking for law students in the penultimate
year of their law degree to apply for clerkships.
Graduate Program
Law graduates spend their first two years rotating
through two practice groups. Gaining extensive first-
hand experience in two areas of interest can help you
decide the area that you'd l ike to work in on a longer
term basis. We believe that our 1 2-month rotation
program provides a comprehensive, rather than a
superficial , knowledge of each practice area and
gives graduates an opportunity to develop strong
relationships with their supervisors and other lawyers
in the practice group.
Application and Recruitment Process
Students apply via our website
www.al lens.com.au/careers and wil l need to submit a
covering letter, a resume and their academic
transcripts.
Contact Details
Phone:
(07) 3334 3051
Fax:
(07) 3334 3444
Email: Christa Howat
Website:
www.allens.com.au
Office Locations
Brisbane
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney
Numerous More
Worldwide
Clerkship Program
Opening: 3 March 2014
Closing: 24 March 2014
Graduate Program
Opening: 4 August 2014
Closing: 18 August 2014
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Ashurst
20
Springboard 2014
Who are we and what makes us unique
Ashurst is a leading global law firm. We advise
Austral ian and international corporations, financial
institutions and government cl ients.
We have 28 offices in 1 6 countries including
associated offices in Jakarta and Jeddah, and a best-
friends referral relationship with an Indian law firm.
With over 400 partners and 1 ,650 lawyers, we offer
the international insight of a global network combined
with local market knowledge and expertise.
Our cl ients can access deep local knowledge and on-
theground support wherever they do business from
people they know and trust. We build teams that are
specific to our cl ients needs, combining special ist
legal ski l ls, industry experience and regional know-
how.
We have a track record of successful ly managing
large and complex multi jurisdictional transactions and
projects. Our focus is on getting to the heart of our
cl ients legal needs
and delivering practical, commercial solutions.
What other aspects aside from work canyour offer your employees?
Ashurst has the bil l ion dollar deals, a global
presence, great cl ients and all you would expect from
a global firm. We work collaboratively. Respect goes
both ways. Fresh ideas are l istened to.
We place an equal emphasis on providing excellence
in everything we do and strong rapport with our
cl ients and each other. We understand our cl ients
business needs and provide clear commercial
advice. Were approachable, good listeners and easy
to deal with. We attract people who contribute to our
culture of high performance, openness, friendl iness
and a healthy work l ife balance.
We champion your career development and wil l help
you become a better lawyer. Personal coaching,
approachable partners, open discussion and the
support from each of our practice teams wil l help you
to develop quickly. Additional benefits including gym
membership, sports teams, social activities, study
leave and flexible work arrangements can also help
make your l ife at Ashurst more enjoyable.
There wil l be challenges throughout your graduate
year and beyond, but you wil l find colleagues you wil l
quickly cal l friends and a great working environment
that wil l help transform you from a talented graduate
into a trusted lawyer.
What we look for in an employee
We look for abil ities and strengths which experience
tel ls us are critical to success as graduates and
clerks and in the longer term. We seek graduates
and clerks
who can demonstrate an abil ity to build rapport with a
range of people; an abil ity to work in a team-based
environment; the academic capacity to excel; a
demonstrated interest or expertise in a commercial
legal environment; the wil l ingness to learn; resi l ience,
motivation and a commitment to excellence in both
work and client service.
www.ashurst.com
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21
Springboard 2014
Clerkship Program
Wondering what l ife as a lawyer might be like?
Ashurst's clerkship program wil l help you make the
transition from academic l ife to professional practice.
A seasonal clerkship is a snapshot experience of the
commercial legal profession and wil l influence your
future career decisions. A clerkship is typical ly
undertaken in the penultimate year of your Law
degree. The program is completed over 1 2 weeks in
our Sydney and Canberra offices and over 4 weeks
in our Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide
offices. For more information on your local program,
including application opening and closing dates,
please refer to your local office page.
Graduate Program
You wil l need more than a smart suit and shiny shoes
to make the transition from law student to lawyer. You
wil l need intel l igence, commercial awareness,
motivation and ambition. With our graduate program
you wil l have invaluable on the job learning
opportunities, support for your continuing legal
education and great professional experience with a
friendly and approachable team.
We offer an intensive 1 2 month Graduate
Development Program. The program comprises three
rotations in different practice areas. Each rotation is
four months in duration. Prior to joining the firm, you
wil l be given the opportunity to submit preferences for
the practice groups that are of interest to you. You
wil l receive an individual ly tai lored rotation plan for
your graduate year which wil l include exposure to
l itigious, transactional and advisory work.
At the start of each rotation you wil l receive a team
induction so that you know what to expect for the
next four months. You wil l also be allocated a
supervising partner, supervising lawyer and buddy to
provide support and guidance throughout the
rotation. You wil l participate in "real" legal work l ike
conducting research, drafting advice and taking notes
in cl ient meetings. There wil l be constructive
feedback as you go and an opportunity to have a
formalised appraisal discussion with your supervising
partner at the end of each rotation. You wil l also be
able to participate in any of the firm-wide professional
development seminars and have regular contact with
your People Development Consultant who wil l act as
an additional support contact throughout your
graduate year.
Application and Recruitment Process
Apply via website, through the office appropraite for
your state.
Contact Details
Phone:
(07) 3259 7000
Fax:
(07) 3259 7111
Email: [email protected]
Website:
www.ashurst.com
Office Locations
Adelaide
Brisbane
Canberra
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney
Numerous More
Worldwide
Clerkship Program
Graduate Program
See website for details.
Opening: 3 March 2014
Closing: 24 March 2014
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Clayton Utz
22
Springboard 2014
Who are we and what makes us unique
Clayton Utz is Austral ia's leading independent law
firm. We take a fresh, pragmatic, commercial
approach to legal practice that focuses on getting the
best results for our diverse and blue-chip cl ient base.
By understanding their business and the environment
in which our cl ients operate, we are able to match our
people and their ski l ls to ensure our cl ients receive
the best advice possible, wherever they do business.
Our abil ity to bring together teams of lawyers with
unique and diverse skil ls has seen us advise on
some of the country's largest and most complex
deals and litigation. We have also been called upon
to bring our expertise to cutting edge international
projects.
Our strong relationships at al l levels of Government
mean we are at the forefront of critical pol icy
development and regulation. We have a substantial
commitment to making the legal system accessible,
through our Pro Bono practice, and are actively
involved in our community through our Community
Connect Program.
The Firm is organised into four core departments
consisting of various practice groups. The Brisbane
practice areas are:
Corporate: Tax, Energy & Resources, Technology &
Intel lectual Property, Mergers & Acquisitions,
Government and Workplace Relations, Employment
& Safety Banking and Financial Services.
Litigation: Commercial Litigation, Corporate/Tax
Litigation, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and
Litigation & Risk.
Property, Environment & Construction: Real
Estate, Environment & Planning and Construction &
Major Projects.
What other aspects aside from work canyour offer your employees?
At Clayton Utz you wil l experience a work
environment in which individual ity is embraced and
innovation is actively encouraged. I t's a firm where
you can choose the career path that's right for you.
In 201 2 our Brisbane office was named Employer of
Choice at the Brisbane Lord Mayor's Awards. The
award recognises the market leading initiatives
Clayton Utz has introduced recently demonstrating
leadership in the development of our people,
commitment to employee development, incentives
and work/l ife balance.
Clayton Utz is also committed to giving back to the
community. Through our extensive Pro Bono program
and our community volunteering opportunities, you
wil l have a chance to enjoy some richly rewarding
experiences that wil l add a new dimension to your
working l ife.
What we look for in an employee
We are looking for future employees who are going
to be a good cultural fit and are keen on living the
firm's values on a day to day basis. We are building
our culture based on the behavioural values of Trust,
Respect and Cooperation, values we believe are
fundamental in al l our relationships.
www.claytonutz.com
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23
Springboard 2014
Clerkship Program
In our Brisbane office, we offer Vacation Clerk
programs each year. These programs vary in length
from three to four weeks and provide students in their
second last year at university with an opportunity to
become famil iar with our firm by working in our
teams.
As a ful l-time paid vacation clerk at CU, you can
expect to be ful ly integrated into our team
environment and have the opportunity to:
Share in the expertise of special ists
Apply and develop your research and drafting skil ls
Demonstrate and enhance your initiative, legal
analysis and problem solving skil ls through exposure
to challenging and complex matters
Participate in the Community Connect and Pro
Bono Program
Observe interactions with cl ients and participate in
internal cl ient meetings
Attend and contribute to our comprehensive
continuing legal education program
Receive professional development support from our
dedicated Learning & Development Adviser
Enjoy peer support from recent Graduates and
other Vacation Clerks through informal and formal
social events.
Vacation Clerkship Dates:
Winter (30 June 201 4 - 1 8 July 201 4)
Summer 1 (24 November 201 4 - 1 9 December 201 4)
Summer 2 (1 2 January 201 5 - 6 February 201 5)
To be considered for a clerkship, you must be in your
penultimate year and be able to demonstrate the
fol lowing:
Superior academic results
Relevant practical work experience - legal and non-
legal
Client service and team orientation
Proven interpersonal ski l ls
Balanced lifestyle and interests
Graduate Program
Clayton Utz is recognised for its Graduate Program
which includes the highest quality training and
mentoring. In our firm we emphasise continual
improvement, teamwork, initiative and have a
working environment that fosters excellence, success
and mutual respect. Our graduates are part of a team
of highly respected practitioners, recognised as
leaders in their field. They are involved in real legal
work and make a meaningful contribution to the legal
services we provide.
In the Brisbane office, graduates complete three
rotations of eight months through our diverse practice
areas. We encourage graduates to experience both
contentious and non-contentious areas of law.
Gaining experience in a number of practice areas is
essential in assisting graduates to make the right
choice for their future special isation.
Application and Recruitment Process
All Clerkship and Graduate applications must be
made through our website www.claytonutz.com.
For further information please visit our website
www.claytonutz.com or l ike our Facebook page.
Contact Details
Phone:
(07) 3292 7710
Fax:
(07) 3221 9669
Email: - Angela Cave
Website:
www.claytonutz.com
Office Locations
Brisbane
Canberra
Darwin
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney
Hong Kong
Clerkship Program
Opening: 3 March 2014
Closing: 24 March 2014
Graduate Program
Opening: 4 August 2014
Closing: 18 August 2014
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Corrs Chambers Westgarth
24
Springboard 2014
Who are we and what makes us unique
Corrs Chambers Westgarth is a premium independent law
firm. We emphasise the independent part because its
important to who we are and how we work. Independence
isnt just a description of our position in the market, it also
describes how we think, our innovative style and bold
decision-making.
Our vision as a world class law firm is to drive Austral ias
competitiveness and economic engagement with Asia. We
are based in Austral ia and operate international ly, wherever
our cl ients need our services.
With 1 000 employees, 550 lawyers and 1 25 partners, we
have the scale that al lows us to take on the largest and
most challenging matters for major organisations
international ly. As well as be the right size for a culture of
inclusion.
Corrs is a corporate law firm, acting for organisations,
rather than individuals. The firm works through three main
operating divisions:
Corporate, Finance & Tax (Energy & Resources,
Corporate Advisory, Banking & Finance and Taxation)
Property & Development (Property & Infrastructure,
Environment & Planning and Construction)
Litigation and Workplace Relations (Litigation,
Workplace Relations, Intel lectual Property, Technology &
Competition)
Corrs is a firm that thinks strategical ly, not just in its legal
work, but also for the firms future and the success of its
people. Corrs is known for its clear vision and abil ity to
develop and implement strategy, as well as its lawyers
abil ity to help cl ients achieve their business goals.
Corrs culture of performance excellence drives this
achievement and can be seen in our mentoring, coaching
and comprehensive learning and development programs,
both formal and informal. We draw on the best expertise in
Corrs own lawyers as well as external special ists to make
sure our people never stop learning.
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 challenges and opportunities.
Our people thrive on this, too. We call it the inspiring
workplace.
Our cl ients compete globally and Corrs provides the legal
services they need to do that effectively, no matter where
they are. Our lawyers work across practice areas and
geographic boundaries to drive commercial outcomes and
transactions in multiple jurisdictions.
We also have a global network of the worlds best
independent firms who work with us to provide the most
relevant special ist expertise where and when its needed.
With 45 firms in 1 9 countries, we have an extraordinary
range of talent at our disposal.
Our independence means were not locked into one legal
service provider. We connect with the best lawyers
international ly to meet our cl ients specific needs.
What we look for in an employee
Corrs is a place that celebrates individuals. Were looking
for spirited, determined graduates who think big and like
doing things a little differently. In exchange for your energy
www.corrs.com.au
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25
Springboard 2014
and commitment wel l provide extraordinary learning and
work opportunities here and on an international stage.
We dont look for a Corrs type when we interview potential
graduates. Corrs people are individuals, but they do share
some traits.
Because this is a high performance organisation, Corrs
people are good at what they do. They are able to work in
a team and bring out the best in the people around them.
They want to achieve the best results for the client as well
as the firm and they take pride in their work and
achievements. Corrs people l ike to find new ways of doing
things and arent afraid to be independent and bold in their
actions.
This is a firm with a sense of purpose, so wel l probably
look for that in you, too.
Clerkship Program
The Corrs Seasonal Clerkship Program is a great
opportunity for you to experience the people, cl ients, work
and culture that differentiates Corrs from other law firms.
Youl l have the opportunity to work with some of Austral ias
leading lawyers on high-profi le work for major Austral ian
and international cl ients across all industries. Youl l soon
discover the standards of quality and commitment to cl ients
required to succeed at this level.
Youl l be exposed to a broad range of interesting matters.
You may also conduct research, review and present
documents, as well as attend client meetings, mediations
and settlements. The variety is enormous, so its the
perfect way to discover the firm and the area of law that
excites you most.
Graduate Program
Our commitment to developing world class lawyers starts
at day one. Our Graduate Development Program, lays this
foundation by providing rich, on the job training with a
greater opportunity to work directly with partners and senior
lawyers; structured learning; mentoring; and regular
feedback.
Supervised by partners, you wil l complete three six month
rotations through a variety of practice areas including
corporate advisory, banking & finance; l itigation &
workplace relations; intel lectual property, tax, property,
infrastructure, construction, planning, environment, and
government, as well as pro bono opportunities.
You are mentored by senior lawyers and your development
is overseen by a dedicated Learning & Development and
Human Resources team who work with partners and
Division Leaders to provide you with guidance, ensuring
your success.
The program begins with a residential orientation that
brings graduates together from around the country in a
major city location. Apart from training that enables you to
hit the ground running, this four day event del ivers
professional relationships and friendships that last your
years at Corrs and beyond.
For more detai ls on all programs go to www.
corrs.com.au/careers/graduates.
Contact Details
Phone:
(07) 3228 9465
Fax:
(07) 3228 9444
Email: - Tania Connors
au
Website:
www.corrs.com.au
Office Locations
Brisbane
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney
Clerkship Program
Opening: 3 March 2014
Closing: 24 March 2014
Graduate Program
Opening: 4 August 2014
Closing: 18 August 2014
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DLA Piper
26
Springboard 2014
Who are we and what makes us unique
Truly Global, Truly Local
Joining DLA Piper means not only joining an
experienced local team, but also being part of a
global network of 4,200 lawyers in 76 offices and 30
countries around the world.
We're committed to conducting our business in a way
that is consistent with our values, which are aligned
to Our Clients, Our People and Our Communities.
Globally, our lawyers provide cl ients with trusted local
knowledge as well as seamless multi-jurisdictional
legal capabil ities across a ful l range of critical
services and sectors.
In Austral ia, we advise approximately a third of ASX
1 00 companies or their subsidiaries and all levels of
government as well as international cl ients looking to
enter the Austral ian market.
Our Global Opportunities Program can support our
peoples desire to experience working l ife in other
parts of the world through the global DLA Piper
network giving them opportunities to work on multi-
jurisdictional, international matters with quality cl ients
and colleagues around the world.
The program offers a variety of ways for our people
to work overseas including secondments (we are
currently targeting opportunities in the UK, Asia and
the US) and project assignments (most of these
opportunities are in the fast-growing DLA Piper
offices in Asia).
Our key practice areas are: Litigation and Regulatory,
Finance and Projects, Real Estate, Corporate,
Intel lectual Property and Technology, Employment,
and Restructuring.
What other aspects aside from work canyour offer your employees?
Our 'everything matters' approach applies not only to
how we support our cl ients, but also to the
communities and environment in which we operate.
In fact, our lawyers undertook more than 1 90,000
hours of pro bono legal work globally last year,
making us one of the largest providers of pro bono
legal services in the world.
When it comes to flexible work practices and
embracing the whole person, our firm is amongst the
best. We believe that our people should reflect the
diversity of our communities.
Were committed to providing and maintaining a
workplace that supports both work and life
arrangements. We know that people have different
needs at different times in their l ives so we ensure
that everyone is provided with the challenges,
support and flexibi l ity required to achieve personal
and professional satisfaction.
We also have an active social club that organises a
number of regular social and sporting events. This
includes: weekly drinks, on-site exercise programs
(boxing, yoga, boot camp etc), trivia night, discounted
tickets to events, running club and participation in a
variety of fun runs, marathons and triathlons and
www.dlapiper.com
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27
Springboard 2014
much more.
What we look for in an employee
We are from diverse backgrounds yet we share a
commitment to excellence in legal practice and client
services. Our goal through the recruitment process is
to determine whether we wil l enjoy working with you
but, more importantly, whether you wil l thrive and
enjoy working with us and our cl ients.
We know that not everyone fits every law firm. What
we look for is simple: commitment and ambition,
international awareness, commercial and client
awareness, smart thinking, team skil ls and leadership
potential , communication skil ls, a sense of fun,
experience outside of academic l ife, strong
relationship-building skil ls
Clerkship Program
Our seasonal clerks and graduates do real legal work
with great cl ients, including attending cl ient
conferences and mediations, attending court and
preparing cases for trial or involvement in major
commercial transactions.
As part of our team, you'l l gain first-hand experience
in the practice of law and an insight into the workings
of a large firm under the guidance of some of the
most approachable, experienced lawyers in their
fields. Our partners and senior legal staff are always
on hand to guide you through exciting and
challenging projects. Youl l also have the chance to
work alongside lawyers who are involved in
international, multi-jurisdictional deals.
Our clerkship program offers penultimate law
students the opportunity to participate in a structured
four week program where you wil l have the
opportunity to get to know the real us. You wil l
participate in induction training and a variety of
practical workshops and seminars as well as being
invited to join in an array of social and sporting
activities. You wil l also be allocated a buddy and
mentor for the duration of your clerkship.
Graduate Program
You wil l be provided with a buddy and mentor and
participate in our Build your Career at DLA Piper
Program which is a structured development program
for lawyers designed to guide your development
throughout your career at DLA Piper.
Your Practical Legal Training is completed onsite and
facil itated by The College of Law.
You wil l participate in two rotations which are chosen
in consultation with you. As well as experiencing a
variety of practice areas you wil l also have the
opportunity to apply for an international rotation in
one of our Asian offices. We are very excited in the
Brisbane office to be welcoming another graduate
from our Hong Kong office as well as sending one of
our graduates to Hong Kong for six months for the
second year running.
Application and Recruitment Process
Apply online via CV Mail .
Contact Details
Phone:
(07) 3246 4144
Email: Sascha Wright
Website:
www.dlapiper.com
www.dlapipergraduates.com.a
u
Office Locations
Brisbane
Canberra
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney
Clerkship Program
Opening: 3 March 2014
Closing: 24 March 2014
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Herbert Smith Freehills
28
Springboard 2014
Who are we and what makes us unique
Herbert Smith Freehil ls is one of the worlds leading
global law firms, with 23 offices located across Asia,
Austral ia, Europe, the Middle East, the UK and the
US. We guide many of the worlds largest and most
respected organisations through their most important
transactions, disputes and projects. We aim to bring
a new perspective to our cl ients businesses, working
with them to identify opportunity and manage risk in
an uncertain marketplace.
We understand becoming an exceptional lawyer
goes beyond technical abil ity and that at its heart, the
business of law is based on human relationships. For
us this means a culture built on creating exceptional
working relationships with cl ients and colleagues.
From the start of your career you wil l get to know our
cl ients, understand their perspectives, and develop
your abil ity to deliver insightful and commercial ly
astute advice.
Our success depends on the expertise, knowledge
and unique perspectives of al l our people. Thats why
we have always placed such a high value on
diversity. I t's also why we encourage you to explore
different areas of law and decide how to shape your
career. We wil l invest heavily in your development;
through formal training, pro bono opportunities and
the chance to work with inspiring people who are
leaders in their fields. We wil l help you grow
personally and professionally, in an environment
where you can be your best.
Wherever you go in the firm, were confident youl l be
working with people who share the values we have
worked together to define: a commitment to
excellence, a collaborative approach, a desire to
lead, and a focus on creating strong connections with
colleagues and clients. Visit our website to meet
some of our people and see what we mean
herbertsmithfreehil ls.com/careers/our-careers-fi lm.
What other aspects aside from work canyour offer your employees?
Our work in the community
Across the world we share a long tradition of
providing pro bono legal services and advocacy,
which has developed into a broader program of
volunteering and charitable giving. We are proud to
be able to use our skil ls and resources to increase
access to justice and opportunity within our local and
global communities.
All our lawyers are encouraged to do pro bono work
and all pro bono work is bil lable. In addition, al l staff
are encouraged to volunteer and able to take a days
volunteer leave each year to work in the community.
Many of our vacation clerks are able to participate in
community and pro bono work and describe it as one
of the highl ights of their clerkship.
Diversity
Having a diverse and inclusive workplace is central to
our success in attracting great people, connecting
with our cl ients, and providing perceptive advice. We
are focused on creating a culture of openness and
authenticity, al lowing our people to be themselves
and perform to the best of their abil ities. Across the
world we share a long history of embracing diversity.
With the launch in 201 3 of our Global Diversity and
Inclusion Group, we continue to build our global
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programs promoting diversity in areas such as
gender, ethnicity, culture, sexuality and gender
orientation, and family responsibi l ity.
In 201 4 we were honoured to be named in the top 1 0
of Stonewall s Global Index and recognised for our
work on employee policy. We are proud also to be
named as Employee Health & Wellbeing Firm of the
Year 201 3 in the ALB Australasian Law Awards 201 3.
For more information visit
herbertsmithfreehil ls.com/about-us.
What we look for in an employee
We are interested in who you are and the strengths
you can bring. We recruit employees from a wide
range of backgrounds who possess the qualities we
look for in our lawyers, such as intel lectual curiosity,
confidence, clarity of thought, the ambition to grow
personally and professionally, and the abil ity to
develop exceptional working relationships with cl ients
and colleagues. We look for students who want to
pursue a career in commercial law and who
demonstrate a commercial awareness. We are
interested in your academic record, as well as
evidence of strong communication and interpersonal
ski l ls, a balanced university l ife, and abil ity to work
effectively in a team.
Weve prepared some more detai led guidance on our
website:
herbertsmithfreehil ls.com/careers/austral ia/graduates
/apply-now/preparing-your-application.
Clerkship Program
Finding the right fit for you is key to deciding where to
start your legal career. Since working together is a
good way to get to know each other, we offer a range
of summer and winter clerkships in each of our
Austral ian offices.
Spend part of your vacation with us and youl l get a
great understanding of how we go about meeting the
needs of our cl ients. The program includes a detai led
introduction to the firm and to each practice group, as
well as the opportunity to work with our legal teams
on real matters.
Graduate Program
We encourage students to participate in our vacation
clerkship program and we fi l l the majority of our
graduate positions through this program. We do not
currently have a separate graduate recruitment
program planned.
Application and Recruitment Process
You wil l need to apply online via cvMail at
www.cvmail .com.au.
Contact Details
Phone:
(07) 3258 6571
Email: - Tanya Dunbabin
Website:
www.herbertsmithfreehills
.com
Office Locations
Brisbane
Sydney
Melbourne
Bangkok
Beijing
Belfast
Berlin
Hong Kong
London
And Others
Clerkship Program
Opening: 3 March 2014
Closing: 24 March 2014
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Who are we and what makes us unique
In 201 4 HopgoodGanim is celebrating 40 years
of providing exceptional legal service. Our
culture is centred on a concept we call business
mateship, which embraces friendship and
collaboration at its core.
We offer commercial ly-focused legal advice,
coupled with rel iable and responsive service, to
cl ients based locally, throughout Austral ia and
across international borders. We have recently
been final ists in both the BRW Client Choice
Awards and ALB Brisbane Law of the Year
Awards as well as ALB Gold Employer of Choice
for the past four years and believe our culture of
business mateship has been instrumental in our
success.
What other aspects aside from work canyour offer your employees?
HopgoodGanim's internal culture is centred on a
concept we call business mateship. Joe Ganim
and Paul Hopgood, the founders of the firm,
embraced the ideas of collaboration and
friendship right from day one. The firm was built
on this philosophy of mateship, not only
between employees of the firm but with cl ients
and other stakeholders as well .
HopgoodGanim offers a wide range of benefits
to our team members including flexible work
arrangements, sporting and social activities,
generous paid parental leave, bonus scheme as
well as our lower than average bil lable hour
requirements, set at 5.5 hours.
HopgoodGanim offers a number of benefits and
programs to support our commitment to work/l ife
balance, and reviews these benefits on an
annual basis to update the program with new
initiatives. In addition to the other benefits
outl ined on this website, we currently offer
discounted gym memberships, subsidised
health and fitness classes, free flu vaccinations,
in-house mental health and wellbeing seminars,
and an annual leave purchase scheme.
What we look for in an employee
We value personal qualities such as
enthusiasm, loyalty, rel iabi l ity, pride in your work
and a focus on client service. When considering
applications, we take a holistic approach taking
into account your academic performance,
relevant work experience and life experience.
We suggest that you take the time to research
the firm and the role you are interviewing for.
You can find out more about the work we do and
the clients we act for on our website. Our
website also includes profi les of our senior legal
practitioners. I t's a good idea to find out who wil l
be interviewing you and make sure you
understand their experience and areas of
practice.
On the day of your interview, please arrive on
time and ensure you are well-presented.
www.hopgoodganim.com.au
HopgoodGanim
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Clerkship Program
Our clerkship programs are four weeks in
duration, and you wil l work in two different
practice areas in this time. Many of our vacation
clerks go on to become graduates with HG.
Vacation clerks may be invited back during the
term to be a research assistant for the firm. As a
research assistant, students have the
opportunity to undertake research and prepare
briefing papers on changes in legislation
relevant to cl ients, as well as work on large
project transactions in which the firm is involved.
Graduate Program
Our graduate program is a two year structured
program comprised of two one year rotations.
When we recruit our graduates we are recruiting
our partners of tomorrow, so we ensure that you
receive real opportunities and real challenges in
a professional work environment.
Application and Recruitment Process
Apply through CV Mail , including your resume,
covering letter and academic results.
Contact Details
Phone:
(07) 3024 0348
Fax:
(07) 3024 0048
Email: - Lisa Stockwell
l.stockwell@hopgoodgani
m.com.au
Website:
www.hopgoodganim.com.au
Office Locations
Brisbane
Perth
Clerkship Program
Opening: 3 March 2014
Closing: 24 March 2014
Graduate Program
Opening: 4 August 2014
Closing: 18 August 2014
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K&L Gates
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Springboard 2014
Who are we and what makes us unique
Choosing a career at K&L Gates is choosing to be a
part of a progressive and innovative law firm that
continues to grow year on year. We work with market
leaders across many industries in a range of exciting
areas of the global economy.
We offer you the experience of more than 2,000
lawyers in 48 ful ly-integrated offices across five
continents. We have a one-company, one-team
mental ity, constantly seeking ways to add value to
our cl ients and your career objectives.
Brisbane practice areas:
Banking & Asset Finance
Corporate & Transactional
Labour, Employment & Workplace Safety
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Real Estate Investment, Development & Finance
Restructuring & Bankruptcy
What other aspects aside from work canyour offer your employees?
Opportunities to learn while developing your
career
We are dedicated to helping you achieve your best.
From day one, you wil l be professionally challenged
in a collegial , team based environment where every
person's effort matters.
The firm wil l support your development through
opportunities l ike on the job training, a
comprehensive professional development program,
further education support and secondment
opportunities. We view your development as an
investment in the firm's future success.
At K&L Gates, you wil l be coached by talented
leaders and lawyers who genuinely care about your
professional development and well-being.
A unique culture
We offer a wide range of social, sporting and
networking activities which you can choose to be
involved in. Our commitment to corporate social
responsibi l ity and pro bono work also allows you to
give back to the wider community.
As a firm, we are also committed to assisting women
advance their careers, ensuring they have every
opportunity that could and should be afforded to
them.
What we look for in an employee
We look to recruit talented people, then provide the
opportunities and support for them to achieve their
best. Join us and you wil l join a team of passionate
professionals dedicated to providing exceptional
cl ient service.
Graduate Program
Our Graduate Program is designed to give you the
technical expertise and commercial context to
succeed as you are exposed to a variety of areas of
commercial law.
Throughout the program you are supported with a
buddy, supervisor and mentor. Partners and senior
lawyers wil l support and guide you through each
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rotation and ensure you get the necessary
development. Your buddy, a junior lawyer, wil l help
you transition into your new role.
Your professional development program runs weekly.
I t combines Practical Legal Training through the
College of Law, with sessions presented by partners,
lawyers, external presenters and our professional
development team.
You wil l have many opportunities to be involved in an
array of firm events and activities to match your
interest, whether they be social, sporting, business or
community focused.
Application and Recruitment Process
Application
All applications are to be submitted online in the
Careers section of our website (www.klgates.com).
Successful applicants for interview wil l be notified by
telephone or email . I f you are not successful you wil l
be notified by email .
Recruitment Process
You wil l participate in two rounds of interviews with a
combination of Partners/Senior Associates and HR
team members.
Contact Details
Phone:
(07) 3233 1230
Fax:
(07) 3233 0900
Email: - David Forner
Website:
www.klgates.com
Office Locations
Brisbane
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney
44 More Globally
Graduate Program
Opening: 4 August 2014
Closing: 18 August 2014
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King &Wood Mallesons
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Who are we and what makes us unique
King & Wood Mallesons is helping cl ients across the
globe to make smart choices to shape their future
success. As a global law firm, over 2,700 lawyers in
30 international offices are cutting through the
challenges facing business and providing commercial
solutions that are transforming the way legal services
are delivered. Our abil ity to connect emerging
opportunities with market leading capabil ity is
pushing the frontiers of what can be achieved -
connecting Asia to the world, and the world to Asia.
And, we want you to be part of this story.
Here is a snapshot of what we offer:
Vision : to create a global law firm, headquartered in
Asia
Colleagues: over 550 partners and 2,700 lawyers
Reputation : over 1 00 international and Asia-focused
awards and 50 top-tier rankings, the go-to firm for
inbound and outbound China investments
Locations: strategical ly positioned in the worlds
growth markets and financial capitals with 30
international offices and the only global law firm
network to be headquartered in Asia
Clients: from global financial and corporate
powerhouses to blue-chips, pioneers and decision
makers across the globe (some for over 1 80 years)
What we look for in an employee
I f you rel ish the prospect of working in a dynamic
team, learning from experts at the top of their game
and being involved in cutting edge legal work, youre
just the sort of person wed l ike as a King & Wood
Mallesons clerk or graduate.
Offering a strong academic track record, youl l be
able to demonstrate a real interest in, and
perspective of, commercial law. And wed hope you
would be excited by the opportunity to step outside
your comfort zone, develop new skil ls and working
closely with leaders in their field.
Being a great lawyer is more than simply knowing the
law. I t involves work-l ife balance, being switched on
to events shaping the future, and having a genuine
drive for what you do. Were interested in your l ife
experiences, interests outside of work, and the things
you are passionate about.
Were a friendly, approachable, and down to earth
firm, so were looking for l ikeminded people who are
a strong fit with the firms culture and our brand.
The qualities we value are commitment, passion,
teamwork, and the motivation to think differently.
Clients are looking not only for superior technical
knowledge, but also people who are great to work
with and unafraid to push the envelope.
Youl l work in an environment that wil l chal lenge your
mind and technical capabil ities, supported with a
strong team culture to help you succeed.
I f this sounds l ike you, arrange to talk to one of our
graduate resourcing consultants or find out more by
visiting our website, www.kwm.com.
Clerkship ProgramWeve designed a program to help you make the
most of your time with us. During your clerkship,
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youl l learn:
The day-to-day skil ls to get you started taking
instructions, meeting with cl ients, drafting memos
and documents, managing your practice and
professional relationships.
The core practice teams at King & Wood Mallesons
who they are, what they do, how theyre structured,
the cl ients they work for, and of course, your role
within them.
Our culture working within your team, youl l be
exposed to (and encouraged) to get actively involved
in the many activi