1. law, govt and politics

-2015-
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Our sincere thanks to those who made the publication of the 2015 AULSS Careers Guide possible.
Editors
Andrew Lukowicz
Stephanie Campbell
Jesse Kemelfield
Liam Cobain
Meg Lowe
Alexander Chu
AULSS Executive
Meg Lowe – President
Nick Lee – Vice President (Administration)
Olivia Tolley – Vice President (Careers & Sponsorship)
Printing
Print Solutions
Contributors
Adelaide University Careers Service (with particular
thanks to Julia Atterton)
Jessica Cocks
Gary Allison
Lloyd Wicks
Bec McEwen
Andrew Tokley SC
David Lee
Andrew Marshall
JusticeNet SA
The Law Society SA
Alice Aplin
Meg Allison
Australian Government Solicitor
Charlotte Thomas
Ashlee Wachtel
Annie McNeil
Taylor Rundell
Laura Grenfell
Marie Stokes
Australian Law Students Association
Leah O’Donnell
Ashleigh Jones
Richard Dennis
Serge Fursa
Anna Olijnyk
Nick Ben
Jane L. Schammer
Sponsors
ANU College of Law
The College of Law
The Law Society
Allens Linklaters
Clayton Utz
Cowell Clarke
Finlaysons
Herbert Smith Freehills
Johnson Winter & Slattery
King & Wood Mallesons
Leo Cussen
Lipman Karas
Minter Ellison
Thomson Geer
Wallmans Lawyers
Foreword04
Message from the Dean
05
Common Abbreviations
06
Where do I start?
Application Process
Careers Service
LinkedIn
07
08
16
Clerkships and Experience
Volunteers Guide
18
Clerkships for Dummies 19
Clerkship Dates20
Admission to Practice
22
GLDP: What are my options? 23
The Law Society
24
College of Law26
ANU27
Leo Cussen30
Areas of Practice
Commercial
32
Allens33
Cowell Clarke34
Clayton Utz36
Finlaysons37
Johnson Winter & Slattery
38
Minter Ellison40
Thomson Geer42
Wallmans Lawyers44
Lipman Karas46
Herbert Smith Freehills
48
King & Wood Mallesons
49
Baker & McKenzie
50
From Commercial to In-House
51
Personal Injury
59
Family Law61
Clerking in Family Law
62
Practicing Family Law
63
Courts and ADR Associateships Role of an Associate
Being a Barrister
Mediation and ADR
64
65
69
70
72
Criminal Law73
Q&A with Leah O’Donnell (ODPP) 74
Student Experience76
Public Sector78
SA Parliamentary Counsel
88
Human Rights/Int. Law
90
Human Rights Internship Programme91
Student Experience92
Social Justice and Alternative
Avenues in Law
93
JusticeNet94
Legal Community Centres
95
Native Title97
Justice of the Peace
98
Higher Education99
Academia100
Postgraduate Studies101
Rural Pathways102
Mature Age Graduates
104
Working Overseas106
Corporate Advisory and Tax
52
Hong Kong107
PricewaterhouseCoopers 53
London108
Macquarie Group53
Deloitte54
A-Z Directory110
Ernst and Young
56
Grant Thornton56
Index112
KPMG57
Taxation Law58
Whilst we have endeavoured to verify the information contained in this Guide, the Adelaide University
Law Students’ Society accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any of the material.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD
FOREWORD
Welcome to the 2015 Adelaide University Law Students’ Society Careers Guide!
Congratulations, you have taken the first step to demystifying the world of graduate opportunities!
The AULSS publishes this Guide annually with the aim of providing students with a valuable resource to consult for a wide range of careers information.
In these pages, you will find organisational profiles, testimonials from professionals, personal experiences of graduates, and general information on obtaining graduate employment in many areas of
law. You will also find information on clerkships (including dates) and application tips.
Each year, we attempt to provide students with as broad a picture as possible on the potential avenues for a career in law. Many law graduates will follow several different career paths before settling
on one that works best for them – accordingly, this year we have included a series of articles titled
“looking long-term”, which includes some thoughts and possibilities for your journey beyond graduate employment. We also appreciate that many of you will not end up practicing law in Adelaide,
and have included new sections on rural and international opportunities.
If you are not in your penultimate or final year, do not put this Guide down and walk away! Many
graduate employers value experience in their area of practice or have other application requirements
that is very helpful to know about in advance.
I wish to sincerely thank the AULSS’ sponsors, contributors, and the Careers & Sponsorship team
for the many collective hours spent putting this publication together for the benefit of us all.
Don’t forget, this Guide is only the beginning! The AULSS offers a great deal throughout the year to
students wishing to be proactive about their careers in law. Have a look on our website and keep
up to date with events, seminars and other publications – including the Graduate Guide, which is
now available at http://aulss.org/careers/the-graduate-jobs-the-essentials-guide-is-here/
Finally, this Guide focuses on opportunities within legal practice, but don’t forget to think broadly
about the skills that your law degree has equipped you with. I wish you all the best!
Olivia Tolley
Vice-President (Careers & Sponsorship)
4
Career choices can be bewildering and confusing, even in an area as apparently traditional and
conservative as the law. This is increasingly the case in a work environment where the pace of
change is ferocious. Many of the career paths that students of today will follow did not exist when
they contemplated joining the Law School. And in the midst of the endless array of career possibilities, it is quite common for students not to have a clear idea of the direction they would like to take
on the completion of their studies. This is one of the reasons why this Careers Guide is so very
valuable. I encourage you to open yourself to the full range of possibilities it presents.
FROM THE DEAN
A MESSAGE FROM
THE DEAN
The Law School at the University of Adelaide aspires to produce graduates who have a dedication
to excellence in the learning and practice of law, a deep understanding of the importance of ethics
and professionalism, and a commitment to the rule of law as the foundation of a just society. As part
of the undergraduate law program students do not simply ‘learn the law’ as if it were a fixed body of
knowledge to be absorbed. Rather they seek to gain a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of the law and begin to develop and to practice the skills - thinking, critical analysis, research,
writing, mooting, and more - which will provide the foundation for the life-long learning that a career
in law entails. I encourage you to think about the full array of talents and skills you have developed
during your time at the Law School. These are qualities that will be needed for success, whichever
career pathway you may choose.
In its long history, Adelaide Law School has established a fine tradition of excellence in its graduates.
For inspiring careers in the law, we only need to look at the outstanding contributions our former
students have made, and continue to make, to their local, national and international communities.
The Law School has produced many noteworthy individuals including numerous judges in South
Australia and elsewhere in Australia; Federal and State politicians, including Ministers; academics
with respected international reputations; and many others
who are eminent leaders in both the legal profession and the
wider community.
Whilst many students will follow the traditional path of admission to legal practice as barristers and solicitors, others
will choose to work in business, government, non-for-profit
or other non-government organisations. The range of career possibilities is really only limited by your imagination and
courage - and this Careers Guide is a wonderful place to
start. I congratulate the Law Students' Society for the very
professional approach taken in the preparation of this Careers Guide.
Professor John Williams
Dean of Law, University of Adelaide
5
REFERENCES
6
COMMON ABBREIVATIONS
Abbreviation Full Name/Title
AAT
ACCC
ACL
ACTSC
Adel L Rev
ADJR
AGLC
AIA
AIRC
ALB
ALJR
All ER
ALR
ASIC
CLR
Cth/Cwth
DPP
EPLJ
ER
Fam
FamCA
FCA
FCA
FCR
FLR
FLR
HCA
HR
ICJR
IRCA
J
NSWLR
NSWSC
NTR
NTSC
NZLR
NZSC
PL
Qd R
QSC
R
Re
SASC
SASR
Tas R
TASSC
VR
VSC
WAR
WASC
s and ss
Administrative Appeals Tribunal
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
Australian Consumer Law
Supreme Court of Australian Capital Territory
Adelaide Law Review
Administrative Decision (Judicial Review) Act
Australian Guide to Legal Citation
Acts Interpretation Act
Australian Industrial Relations Commission
Aboriginal Law Bulletin
Australian Law Journal Reports
All England Law Reports
Australian Law Reports
Australian Securities and Investment Commission
Commonwealth Law Reports
Commonwealth
Department of Public Prosecutions
Environmental & Planning Law Journal
English Reports (Reprint to 1865)
The Law Reports, Family Division
Family Court of Australia
Federal Court of Australia
Federal Court of Appeal
Federal Court Reports
Federal Law Reports
Family Law Reports
High Court of Australia
House of Representatives (Cth)
International Court of Justice Law Reports
Industrial Relations Court of Australia
Justice/Judge
New South Wales Law Reports
Supreme Court of New South Wales
Northern Territory Reports
Supreme Court of the Northern Territory
New Zealand Law Reports
Supreme Court of New Zealand
Public Law
Queensland Reports
Supreme Court of Queensland
Rex (King) or Regina (Queen)
‘In the matter of’
Supreme Court of South Australia
South Australian State Reports
Tasmanian Reports
Supreme Court of Tasmania
Victorian Reports
Supreme Court of Victoria
Western Australian Reports
Supreme Court of Western Australia
Section and Sections
WHERE DO I
START?
APPLICATION
PROCESSES
7
Careers Expo 2015
Careers Expo is the largest industry event on campus. As a
current student or recent graduate, this is your chance to meet
employers and industry bodies related to your studies and find
out about work opportunities and support for your future.
Register: careerhub.adelaide.edu.au
Brought to you by the Careers Service:
[email protected]
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Organisations on Wednesday 18 March will target
Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematical Sciences,
Sciences and Health Sciences students.
Organisations on Thursday 19 March will target
Business, Law, Education, Arts, Humanities and
Social Sciences students.
CRICOS 00123M © The University of Adelaide 2347-2
18 and 19 March, 11.30am-3.00pm
Bonython Hall and Hub Central, North Terrace Campus
Law School is an exciting time in your life and the perfect opportunity to kick-start your
career development. Whether you want to practice law or utilise your degree in a different
industry, it is never too early to start planning where you’ll be once you graduate – or even in
vacation breaks – and the Careers Service can help you.
Careers Expo – Meet More Employers This Week (Thursday 19 March)
Careers Expo is the largest careers event on campus. After meeting with law firms today at the
AULSS Law Fair, you should also visit the Careers Expo on its second day, Thursday 19 March. This
event will give you access to employers who are also interested in hiring Law graduates. Professional
services firms and government departments are just some of the options available to you as they are
all looking for candidate with the skills you are developing throughout your Law studies. Make sure you
drop back to Bonython Hall this week for Careers Expo. Thursday 19 March will have a law (non-practicing) focus.
APPLICATION PROCESSES
CAREERS
SERVICE
How Can the Careers Service Help You?
Online Resources include:
• CareerHub is your central online job and resource database. Access CareerHub from any device,
anytime, anywhere. Find graduate opportunities and work experience. Access employer events,
careers workshops and resources.
• Going Global is a database of international opportunities and internship listings.
• Learning Modules are online resources to navigate you through lots of career topics.
Workshops and Seminars include:
• The Resume Club, Resume Check Session and Resume Pop Shop are an opportunity for you
to join us for interactive workshops on resumes and cover letters. We will run you through all of
the elements of graduate resumes and applications and help you with your documents. Bookings
essential via CareerHub.
• LinkedIn Profile Development Lab is a hands-on development workshop intended to maximise
your LinkedIn profile.
• Interview Circle allows you to improve your interview skills. Join us for an interactive workshop,
assisting you with interview techniques and opportunities to practice your skills. Bookings essential
via CareerHub.
In Person Services include:
• Career Advice Appointments are an opportunity for you to discuss your career direction with experienced career advisers. Appointments essential through the Careers Service.
• The Careers Resource Centre is our office in the Hughes Building. Drop in and visit the service to
ask questions, browse our resource wall, access online content and take away information from
employers.
Meet Industry Contacts and Employers
Each year the Careers Service runs several events, offering you the chance to meet employers and
industry contacts on campus and in the workplace. These include Careers Expo, industry panels,
employer on campus speaker sessions, a vacation fair and more. Keep an eye on CareerHub to find
out about all of our events.
9
APPLICATION PROCESSES
Tips for Securing Your First Professional Job
• Consider work experience or volunteering to gain extra skills. By volunteering your time to reputable
organisations, you are not only helping the community, but also gathering evidence of your skills and
abilities such as communication and teamwork skills. This could be with a community legal centre or
a non-law related organisation.
• Contact your school office and ask about internship opportunities. It is a great way to gain industry
experience and work towards your degree at the same time. Employers look very favourably upon
students who have experience in the workplace. Remember, if you are doing a double degree you
could look for work experience in a non-law related area.
• Look out for Employer on Campus presentations run by the Careers Service and faculty contacts.
These are further opportunities for you to hear from employers and recent graduates who have
moved into the field. They can give you insights into specific industries, the recruitment process,
marketing yourself, job-searching strategies and transitioning into the workplace.
• Keep your eyes peeled for new job opportunities on CareerHub! There are new jobs being listed
every day from graduate roles to vacation programs, internships, program-related part time roles
and international opportunities. Consider all possibilities – your law degree will qualify you for a wide
range of roles.
• Network. Think about attending events where you can establish new contacts. These might be
seminars through the Law School, the Law Society of South Australia or social events attended by
potential employers. Also, don’t be afraid to use contacts that you already have – a friend of your
parents or an alumnus of the University who may be able to assist with your job search.
• Stay informed. Do your homework and research a variety of employers and pathways. Follow people and organisations that you are interested in on LinkedIn or other modes to put your learning into
context.
• Work-Life balance. Most organisations, including law firms, are looking for well-rounded individuals
as well as strong academic performance. Employers like to hear about your achievements, awards
and extra-curricular activities. This could include leadership roles such as the University’s student
leadership program or peer mentoring scheme, AULSS roles, community, sporting or music commitments.
• Become a student member of
a professional association in
your future field or not-for-profit
organisation that aligns with your
values. There are many benefits
to membership, including gaining
insight into your field and receiving invitations to networking and
social events.
10
• If you are an international student
use every opportunity imaginable
to practice your English skills.
There are many opportunities
• Be proactive in your career development. Look beyond your studies to reflect on the job market and
industry, and discover non-mainstream opportunities or pathways that may be available to you now
or in the future!
Resume Tips
What is a resume?
Your resume is a formal marketing document that presents an employer with the most positive and
relevant information about you and your experiences. It is a standalone document and is often the first
impression that an employer will have of you so it is important to present your information in a clear and
neat format that is free of errors. Your resume must be tailored for each specific job you that apply for,
therefore it may need minor adjustments frequently.
APPLICATION PROCESSES
available to help you improve your skills. Choose English electives if possible in your degree. Try to
expand your social networks to gain more confidence and practice. Good English skills will set you
apart from the other graduates when applying for full time employment.
What are you trying to achieve?
Writing your resume is the first step towards getting a job. The purpose of a resume is to entice an
employer to offer you an interview. An employer may spend 1-3 minutes scanning your resume and
only 10 seconds to make a first impression. This means that the content must be clear, concise and
targeted to the job or occupational field for which you are applying.
How should you start?
Starting with a blank page can be very difficult. Looking at a resume example can make the process
easier and there are several on the CareerHub website. Just be aware that other students can also
access these templates so make your resume a little different from the template.
A useful starting point is to make a list of all your skills, experiences and achievements. This process will
help you think about the information you want to include in your resume and will increase your awareness of the qualities and experiences that you can talk about at the interview stage. When you are
thinking about the sort of information that should be included in your resume consider your audience
(the employer) and the type of skills and experience that they are looking for. Refer to the job advertisement to ensure that you meet their requirements.
How should your resume be presented?
Your resume should present your information in a way that allows your strengths and most relevant
experiences to emerge in order of most to least important. Consider the information and categories that
are most important and make sure that this information is on the first page of your resume. The information on a resume is presented in reverse chronological order, allowing the most recent and relevant
information to be displayed first.
Formatting Tips:
• Most graduate resumes will be 2-4 pages long.
• Choose a clear and consistent font for your document such as Arial, Calibri or Times.
• Each heading should be presented in a size 14-16 font.
11
APPLICATION PROCESS
•
•
•
•
Text in the body of your resume should be size 11-12 font.
It is wise to footnote each page, to include your name, contact details and page numbers.
Ensure your document is free of grammatical and spelling errors.
Format your document consistently. For example, if you use dot-points, make sure all points across
the document are lined up to the same mark.
• Ensure that the most relevant experience appears first in your employment history.
Extra Note: Referees
Referees are people who are willing to testify to an employer on your behalf. A current or previous manager is your ideal referee but a co-worker, lecturer, academic supervisor or colleague in an association
or volunteer organisation are all possible referees. Friends and family members are unacceptable referees. Two to four referees are ideal but remember: quality is better than quantity.
Ask the Careers Service about our resume resources.
Writing a Cover Letter
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a link between you, your resume and a job advertisement. The document is a personal
statement on your own behalf to seek a job interview with a particular organisation.
Your letter highlights the achievements, qualifications and experience listed in your resume and pinpoints
the aspects of your life that have particular relevance to a particular job. Most employers will say they
want good communication skills in their staff - the letter gives you the opportunity to demonstrate those
skills. A cover letter’s style, accuracy and quality will be the most powerful evidence you can produce in
support of your own suitability.
How should you start?
Your cover letter should be different for every new job application. While your resume may only require
minor alterations for different positions, the letter must be tailored completely to the requirements of the
job and organisation you want to join. In a competitive market, employers will look for reasons to reject
applications and a poor-quality letter will attract unfavourable notice and be unlikely to lead to an interview. Do not fall into the trap of writing a ‘form letter’ where you only change the name and address
of the target. As a general rule, never send the same letter twice, although you might reuse particular
elements many times over.
Important things to remember
• Unless specified in the job advertisement, never send a resume without a covering letter.
• Before you begin, do some research about the company or organisation on their website.
12
• If you want to be considered for a position, you must follow the employer’s instructions exactly. Your
letter should mention job requirements in the advertisement. If you are required to answer particular
selection criteria (common for university or government positions) or fill in an application form then you
must do this. In these cases you need to point out in the letter that you have provided and attached
the requested information.
• Where possible, the letter should be personalised to a particular individual. This may involve telephoning the organisation to ask reception for hiring manager’s name and title. Be sure to use the
correct title and spell the name correctly.
• Many organisations and professions have their own particular language or jargon to describe their
procedures, particulars of equipment and other important components. Effective and credible use
of this terminology in your letter will identify you with the group you are hoping to join. Make sure
you understand the terminology first and only use it where you are sure the reader will have a similar
understanding.
Formatting Tips:
• The letter must be written in formal style.
APPLICATION PROCESSES
• There may be some requirements that you do not possess. Make sure that you demonstrate your
understanding of the requirement and your ability and intention to remedy the omission.
• Cover letters are usually no longer than one page but it is more important to mention vital aspects of
the position than to keep the length of the letter to one page.
• Choose a clear and consistent font for your document that matches the font in your resume (e.g.
Arial, Calibri or Times).
• Text in your cover letter should be size 11-12 font.
• Ensure the document is free of grammatical and spelling errors.
Extra Note: Selection Criteria
For government positions and many other applications, a formal address of Selection Criteria may also
be required to accompany your resume and cover letter. Selection Criteria refers to personal attributes
deemed to be essential or desirable for an applicant to successfully undertake the duties involved in the
role. You will need to support your application with specific examples of how you successfully used the
knowledge/skill/attribute listed or obtained the relevant experience.
Ask the Careers Service about our cover letter and selection criteria resources.
13
14
15
APPLICATION PROCESS
Joining the professional network LinkedIn is a great way to increase your online presence as part of
your graduate job hunt.
If you want to give yourself an edge, you need to use social networks to your advantage. For savvy
candidates this means increasing their online presence and meaningful networking, and joining the
professional network LinkedIn is an ideal way to do this.
LinkedIn has a network of more than three hundred million users, which makes it by far the most
popular professional networking website in the world. It enables you to build your professional identity,
discover professional opportunities and get the latest news, inspiration, and insights you need to be
great at what you do. You will probably find that a significant number of contacts you know are already
use Linked In, as do many employers.
Here are some tips for getting started:
Think before you act
• Before creating a LinkedIn profile, have a quick think about what email address you will use; both
comedy addresses and university-linked addresses are unsuitable. The former will damage your
professional image, while the latter may be cut off when you leave. Instead, use the email address
you are going to use to send CVs and applications.
Build your network
• Using the right email address is important because of the ‘import contacts’ function. You can
search for people on LinkedIn who are already in your address book. Contacts are about building
a professional network, but it is about quality and relevance; not quantity. Don’t connect to
someone unless you have a viable reason for doing so and send a brief personalized note with the
connection request.
Move in circles
• Using LinkedIn, you can follow companies of interest. Most companies update their news feeds
fairly regularly, and this sometimes includes graduate jobs. Following companies will give you a
good idea of how they are doing, whether they are recruiting, who their competitors are and so on.
Follow industry news. You can filter news to show developments in areas that you are interested
in, and use the share function so employers can see you have the commercial awareness they’re
looking for. Sharing and commenting are both good ways to keep yourself active and involved.
Upload your CV
• LinkedIn has a great feature which allows you to upload your CV as a word-processed document,
and it will recognise the relevant bits and lay them out in the right order. All you then need to do is
a bit of editing and tailoring and the online ‘résumé’ is ready to go. This is a neat trick that it is worth
doing before you do anything else to your profile.
16
Round off the profile
• One of the last stages is to get a photo on your profile. This lets potential employers put a face
to your name, and helps them to imagine you in their workforce. Make sure you use a picture of
yourself and that the employer can actually distinguish your face, and keep it professional.
• There are also a few blank boxes where you can get creative talking about yourself. The main three
are professional experience goals, and key skills – both of which are found in the summary box
– and interests, which is at the bottom of the profile. You should fill these out to the best of your
ability. Remember that this is about what a great employee you are.
CLERKSHIPS
AND
EXPERIENCE
17
Coming Soon
2015 AULSS Volunteers Guide
Your handbook for volunteer
opportunities in 2015
In the 2014/2015 summer holidays I was fortunate enough to do three clerkships in South Australian
law firms. Hopefully this article sheds some light on the application process for clerkships, the clerkship
itself, and some tips for you to use.
Why Clerk?
I applied for clerkships because I was interested in litigation and thought that I would enjoy working
in a firm with a commercial law focus. If you are interested in commercial law, litigation, advisory or
transactional work, it is nearly essential that you undertake a clerkship in order to be considered for
graduate jobs at the same firms. If you are not sure of your interests, a clerkship is a good way to help
you work out what sort of law you might be interested in – plenty of people undertake clerkships and
subsequently realise that commercial law is not for them.
A misconception about commercial law is that it is just the Corporations Act. Working in a commercial
firm gives you exposure to practice areas such as intellectual property, building and construction,
consumer law, tort law, media law and aspects of international law.
The Process
Most firms follow the Uniform Clerkship Scheme so get across the dates. Your application will usually
comprise of your CV, a cover letter, and most recent academic transcript. Be sure to do ‘background
work’ on the firms to understand their practice areas, key motivations, and culture.
If you progress past the initial application then you will be asked to attend an interview. Most firms have
one interview and some firms also have cocktail / networking evenings with compulsory attendance.
The interviews tend to go for about half an hour and involve a variety of questions. Generally the
interviewers want to get to know you; they will ask a few challenging questions about how you might
react in a particular situation or how you would go about completing a difficult task. The trick about
doing interviews is not a trick at all – it is about being genuine, friendly and honest.
CLERKSHIPS AND EXPERIENCE
CLERKSHIPS FOR DUMMIES
The Clerkship
After waiting approximately six months to do a clerkship, the clerkship itself flies past. Most firms will
place you in a team or department, where you have a ‘mentor’ or ‘buddy’, and a supervising partner.
Firms normally encourage you to seek work from other practice areas, so that you can obtain maximum
exposure.
The most difficult part about a clerkship is adjusting yourself to different practitioners’ expectations
of your work and balancing your time between different tasks. Simple things go a long way: write
everything down; keep track of the time you spend on work; prioritise work according to urgency and
the instructions from the lawyer who gave you the work; and ask questions whenever you are in doubt
or do not understand a task.
Treat your clerkship as an opportunity to learn as much as you can
and meet as many people as possible. It is a chance to see how
the law works in practice and to work out what sort of practice
areas interest you. I hope this brief article gives you some insight
into the mysterious world of clerkships, and I wish you all the best
with your own applications.
Charlotte Thomas
President – Australian Law Students’ Association 2014
President – Adelaide University Law Students’ Society
2013
19
CLERKSHIPS AND EXPERIENCE
CLERKSHIPS: GET YOUR
DIARIES OUT!
While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the following information, the AULSS accepts no
responsibility for any errors. Please check each firm’s website to ensure you do not miss out on applying for
any clerkships. Further, while hopefully a broad range of firms have been represented, this is by no means
an exhaustive list of firms offering clerkships.
Adelaide
In general Adelaide firms’ clerkships are open to both penultimate and final year students for programs lasting
anywhere from three to eight weeks, though some firms opt for a longer program of one to two years (and
may invite applications from students earlier in their degrees).
Several firms in Adelaide follow the SALSC Uniform Clerkship Scheme, which prescribe application dates.
For 2015, these are:
•
Applications open: 6 July 2015
•
Applications close: 27 July 2015 (5pm)
•
Commencement of interviews: 11 August 2015
•
Offers of clerkship: 8 September 2015 (9am)
•
Communication of decision: 8 September 2015 (1pm)
This year, participating firms include Johnson Winter & Slattery, Wallmans Lawyers, Fisher Jeffries, Thomson
Geer, Minter Ellison and DMAW Lawyers. Norman Waterhouse is also participating with open and close
dates, but not interviews and offers.
Cowell Clarke, the Crown Solicitor’s Office and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and Lipman
Karas have set an earlier application date, with applications closing on 30 April 2015.
Finlaysons is offering a new 12-month clerkship program to students in their penultimate year, application
dates for which are as follows:
•
Applications open: 2 March 2015
•
Applications close: 1 May 2015
•
Commencement of clerkship: 20 July 2015
Some other firms, including Kain C+C, Cosoff Cudmore Knox and Piper Alderman, are yet to publish this
year’s clerkship dates, so make sure you keep an eye on their websites in the coming weeks.
Brisbane
Most of the law firms in Brisbane offer clerkships to penultimate students only, though there are some exceptions. They range from three to 10 weeks in duration.
Allens, Johnson Winter & Slattery, Minter Ellison, Thomson Geer, King & Wood Mallesons, Herbert Smith
Freehills, Ashurst, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and Norton Rose Fulbright have
set application dates for 2015 as:
•
Applications open: 2 March 2015
•
Applications close: 23 March 2015
•
Offers of clerkship: 11 May 2015
Clayton Utz, Piper Alderman and DLA Piper have yet to publish this year’s clerkship dates.
20
Minter Ellison, Clayton Utz, and Ashurst, have set 2015 application dates as:
•
Applications open: 17 June 2015
•
Applications close: 19 July 2015
•
Offers of clerkship: 25 September 2015
King & Wood Mallesons, Australian Government Solicitors, DLA Piper and Maddocks have not yet published
their 2015 dates.
Melbourne
Most firms prefer applications from penultimate students, and clerkships generally range from three to four
weeks. The majority of Melbourne law firms follow the Law Institute of Victoria’s Seasonal Clerkships Guidelines,
setting the dates for 2015 as:
•
Applications open: 13 July 2015
•
Applications close: 16 August 2015
•
Offers of clerkship: 13 October 2015
Many firms offer clerkships in Melbourne, including: Allens, Johnson Winter & Slattery, Minter Ellison, Thomson Geer, King & Wood Mallesons, Baker & McKenzie, Clayton Utz, Herbert Smith Freehills, Piper Alderman,
Arnold Bloch Leibler, Ashurst, Australian Government Solicitors, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, DLA Piper, Gilbert
+ Tobin, Hall & Wilcox Lawyers, Hunt and Hunt, K&L Gates, Landers and Rogers, Maddocks, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, Norton Rose Fulbright, Tresscox Lawyers, Cornwall Stodart and Mills Oakley Lawyers.
CLERKSHIPS AND EXPERIENCE
Canberra
Canberra law firms tend to offer clerkships only to penultimate students, though there may be some exceptions. Several firms have longer programs, from eight to 12 weeks.
Perth
Many of the law firms in Perth require applicants to be in their penultimate year, however there are a few exceptions. In general they run for two to three weeks.
Allens, Johnson Winter & Slattery, Minter Ellison, King & Wood Mallesons, Clayton Utz, Herbert Smith Freehills,
Ashurst, and Corrs Chambers Westgarth have set application dates for 2015 as:
•
Applications open: 20 July 2015
•
Applications close: 7 August 2015
•
Offers of clerkship: 23 September 2015
Allen Overy, DLA Piper, Gilbert + Tobin, K&L Gates and Norton Rose Fulbright have yet to publish this year’s
clerkship dates
Sydney
Generally, clerkships in Sydney are only available to penultimate students. Unlike many other states, most are
longer programs, running from eight to 12 weeks. The Law Society of NSW coordinates the summer clerkship
programs, and set the following dates for 2015:
•
Applications open: 17 June 2015
•
Applications close: 19 July 2015
•
Offers of clerkship: 25 September 2015
A large number of law firms offer clerkships in Sydney, including: Allens, Johnson Winter & Slattery, Minter
Ellison, Thomson Geer, King & Wood Mallesons, Baker & McKenzie, Clayton Utz, Herbert Smith Freehills, Piper
Alderman, Addisons Lawyers, Allen Overy, Ashurst, Australian Government Solicitors, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, DLA Piper, Gadens, Gilbert + Tobin, Henry Davis York, Jones Day, K&L Gates, Landers and Rogers,
Maddocks, Norton Rose Fulbright, and Mills Oakley Lawyers.
International
A small number of firms may also offer clerkships in their international offices. These include Minter Ellison, King
& Wood Mallesons (though are closed already for this year), and Baker & McKenzie. Please check each firm’s
website for more details as to your eligibility and their application dates.
21
ADMISSION
TO PRATICE
22
To be admitted as a lawyer in Australia, aspiring barristers and solicitors alike, you must complete a
course in Practical Legal Training (PLT) or a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP). There are four
providers that offer this training.
In conjunction with the Law Society of South Australia, the University of Adelaide offers a six-month
course. It includes five core courses, and the choice of two electives. All lectures are held on campus,
though they are also available online. Seminars have compulsory attendance, and run at a variety of
times, including evenings and weekends. Additionally, it also involves six weeks of placement, a Risk
Management Seminar, and 10 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminars.
ADMISSION TO PRACTICE
GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN
LEGAL PRACTICE
The College of Law offers a 15 week (full-time) or 30 week (part-time) online course, with two weeks
onsite attendance in the Adelaide CBD. It requires the completion of six compulsory subjects and two
electives, a choice between 75 days of placement or 25 days plus a clinical experience module, as well
as a CPD component.
ANU runs a six-month Admission to Practice (GDLP component) course. It is a flexible online course
involving only one week of face-to-face attendance at the beginning. It also consists of an online component, working in a ‘virtual firm’ with three other students, a choice of electives, and legal placement.
The number of days of placement is dependent on the number of electives you choose to undertake –
it can be 20, 40, 60 or 80 days.
The Leo Cussen Centre for Law offers a 24-week Melbourne-based practical training course. There
are both onsite and online options, though the online option requires 16 days of face-to-face contact in
Melbourne. The course is based around simulated matter files and requires three weeks of professional
placement.
23
THE COLLEGE OF LAW
AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST PROVIDER OF
PRACTICAL LEGAL TRAINING
The College of Law sets the standard for Practical Legal Training (PLT) in Australia. Completion of The College of Law’s PLT program
leads to the award of a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP), which makes you eligible to apply for admission as a legal
practitioner in the ACT, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. The College is Australia’s
largest provider of PLT, with campuses in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. We also conduct programs in Adelaide, regional
Queensland, as well as onsites in London.
While we have a national approach which reflects an increasingly national profession, our course materials and lecturers are statebased to ensure that local variations in practice are incorporated into our programs. You get the best of both worlds.
The College of Law Advantage
The College’s PLT program combines structured training with
on-the-job experience and is designed to ensure that you
are equipped to make a contribution quickly to your chosen
workplace. Practitioners around Australia tell us that our
graduates consistently stand out as being the best prepared
for practice.
We offer the choice of full-time online and part-time online
courses. With more than 85% of the coursework component
of The College program delivered online, it will allow you the
flexibility to manage other commitments and have 24 hour
access to resources.
Students attend 10 days of invaluable face-to-face onsites
where you will participate in skills workshops, role plays,
simulations and feedback sessions under the guidance of our
lecturers.
In addition to the structured activities, our lecturers are
available to you for assistance when required in person or by
phone and email.
All assessments are individually-based – there are no group
assessments. Assessment are designed to be as practical
as possible, simulating tasks that lawyers perform in daily
practice.
More Information
For course dates or more information about
our PLT program visit The College of Law
website www.collaw.edu.au/plt, or contact
the Student Services Team on 1300 856 111 or
[email protected]
24
Start Dates Scheduled
Throughout the Year
The College offers two starting dates throughout the year to
fit your personal commitments.
Work Experience Options
Choose from two work experience options to suit your
circumstances:
OPTION A
25 days + the Clinical
Experience Module which
can be placed on FEE-HELP
OPTION B
75 days of work
experience
Make the right choice for your future
career and enrol in Practical Legal
Training with The College of Law.
START YOUR LEGAL
CAREER ON THE
RIGHT FOOT WITH
THE COLLEGE
OF LAW
Give your legal career the best possible start with
Australia’s leading provider of Practical Legal Training!
Flexible study options
Multiple start dates throughout the year
75 or 25 day work experience options
CALL US
1300 856 111
VISIT US
collaw.edu.au/plt
25
Start your career with
the Adelaide GDLP
With flexible study options and
unrivalled connections to South
Australia’s legal community, your legal
career starts with the Adelaide GDLP.
For more information, contact us at
[email protected]
or visit our website www.law.adelaide.edu.au/gdlp
26 adelaide.edu.au
NT
Darwin
QLD
ANU
Placement MLP
Masters
ANU
Program
Practitioner
MLP
Mentoring
Legal Practice
Well being
Flexible MentoringOnline
deliveryEthical
Legal Practice MLP
Masters Townsville
Online delivery ANU Graduate
GDLP MLP Well
Placement
being
Mentoring Practitioner
ANU Brisbane
Online delivery
International
Flexible
Professional Online delivery Placement
Toowoomba
MLP Legal Workshop
ANU Gold Coast
Legal Practice InternationalANU
Armidale MLP
National Mentoring Professional
Sydney
MLP ANU Flexible Online delivery Flexible
Placement
Wollongong
National Ethical Practitioner
Legal Practice NSW
Adelaide
Graduate
Perth
SA MastersCanberra
WA
International National
Melbourne
Mentoring
Online delivery
MLP
International
Masters
National
GDLP
Well being
VIC ANU
Hobart
TAS
ANU Legal Workshop
Master of Legal Practice featuring the
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
The ANU Legal Workshop is Australia’s largest university-based legal practice program provider.
The Master of Legal Practice (MLP) is our exciting new program that features the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
(GDLP). Providing you with more choice, the Master of Legal Practice gives you the option of completing only the
Admission to Practice courses (GDLP component) of the program – and gaining admission to legal practice – or
continuing your study to graduate with an MLP.
We also offer:
> flexible online delivery
> your choice of 20, 40, 60 or 80 day legal placement
> direct or reciprocal admission to legal practice nationally
> staff who are practising lawyers and skilled legal practice teachers.
Whatever choice you make, you’ll get the benefits of flexible online study – allowing you to balance study
with work or personal commitments – and a qualification from one of the world’s leading law schools.
Information
W law.anu.edu.au/legalworkshop/mlp
T 02 6125 4463
E [email protected]
facebook.com/ANULegalWorkshop
CRICOS# 00120C | 140115LW
27
ADMISSION TO PRACTICE
GDLP WITH THE ANU
LEGAL WORKSHOP
No wrong moves when it comes to taking your first step in your professional journey
As you embark on the final steps of your law degree, you’ve probably – at least hopefully – begun to
think about what you want in your career, and what you need to do to make it happen.
This can be challenging, often faced with difficult decisions and no shortage of suggestions, particularly when it comes to getting the experience you’ll need to find a graduate job.
The reality is that regardless of what you do or where you go after graduation, there are very few – if
any – wrong moves you can take.
As an emerging legal professional, any and all experience is valuable.
“Hard work never hurt anyone!”
You know the stereotype of a ‘successful’ lawyer – a high-achieving perfectionist who burns the
candle at both ends.
As a law student, you’re probably used to working hard, with surveys showing that majority of law
students balance their study with full or part-time employment, extra curricular activities, and in a
number of cases, raise children and run a family.
It might sound a stretch for many people, but the reality is lawyers (and law students) are usually
driven, committed and highly focused individuals. If they’re going to do something, they’ll do it right –
and they love what they do.
“Find a job you enjoy and you’ll never work a day in your life!”
Make no mistake – the nature of the legal profession (no matter what area of practice or policy
you're involved in) is a stressful one.
Being a lawyer is a huge responsibility. While we may not always have to take ourselves seriously,
we should always take the law seriously.
And although this usually means hard work – and a lot of it – having passion and interest in what
you do makes it worthwhile. As a legal professional, you’re in a unique position to not only be good
at what you do, but to be able to do it in an incredibly rich, exciting and diverse environment.
Embrace the opportunities, experiences and the challenges that come with a career in law, and
while you’ll indeed work many days in your life, you’re much more likely to enjoy them!
“Everything that makes you ‘you’ makes you a better lawyer”
Don’t get so wrapped up in being a 'good lawyer' that you forget the other parts of you that make
you, well, ‘you’.
28
Don’t give up your salsa dancing, piano lessons or volunteering simply because they’re taking up
too much time – or perhaps more precisely, taking the time you ‘need’ for work.
All of these experiences will make you a better lawyer.
Learning about how, where and when the law works (or doesn’t) isn’t restricted to a lecture theatre or
a textbook, and doesn’t end after you finish law school.
“Stay connected, stay grounded and stay relevant”
As a lawyer, you join a long-standing profession, and you should be proud of this.
Being a member of this profession means you have widely recognised, highly respected skills, and a
very real social responsibility.
Stay engaged with your profession, and remember you are always learning.
ADMISSION TO PRACTICE
These experiences all introduce, build and reinforce the skills you need to be a successful legal professional – the ability to own the stage, command presence, work as part of a team, or understand the
pressures faced by the most vulnerable members in our community.
Stay connected to your community, and acknowledge the practice of law does not happen in a vacuum because our laws are made by the community for the community.
Stay relevant, and embrace the uncertainty of working with the new, the unknown and the opportunity.
As long as you embrace the legal profession, 'warts and all', all
and any experience in the law will give you the ability to shape,
influence and improve the world in which we live.
Elizabeth Lee is a lecturer in professional legal skills,
litigation and legal clinic.
Elizabeth is passionate about advocating for the legal
profession and has been lucky enough to have danced
with high profile judges at conferences in her capacity
as Chair of the Australian Young Lawyers Committee.
When she’s not teaching law, you’ll find her sweating it
out at power yoga or on any dance floor.
29
ADMISSION TO PRACTICE
Leo Cussen Centre for Law
Practical Training Course
(Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice)
Leo Cussen has been operating since 1972 and
provides high quality practical legal training and
professional development programs for entry-level
lawyers through to senior legal practitioners.
The Leo Cussen experience enables law graduates to learn how to practise law in a professional,
yet friendly and engaging environment. Our Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice is comprehensive
and well respected by legal employers. Employers may sponsor their graduate employee to do
the course.
Features of the Practical Training Course (Online
and Onsite):
• Building of practical legal skills in a broad range
of practice areas.
• Mentoring by in-house legal training staff who
guide your professional development.
• Visiting legal practitioners as instructors.
Practical Legal Training at Leo Cussen is practical, • Current Matter file program – run simulated
client files within your own PTC ‘law firm’.
comprehensive, designed to meet the National
Competency Standards for Entry Level Lawyers • Extensive advocacy training.
and delivered in a supportive training environment. • Collegial environment with the opportunity to
build friendships and professional networks
that can last your entire career.
Successful completion of the Practical Training
•
Career advice and guidance.
Course (PTC) entitles you to apply for admission to
the legal profession as an Australian Lawyer which,• Assistance to all trainees with professional
placement. In our onsite course, we find the
in turn, entitles you to practise as an Australian
placement for our trainees.
Legal Practitioner in any Australian jurisdiction.
• Employment Register for graduates.
Practical Training Course Onsite or Online – • FEE-HELP available.
Your Choice
The Learning Experience
Online delivery offers flexibility to those who have
work or family commitments and who enjoy the The Practical Training Course (PTC) is founded on
discipline of learning within a small online commu- the principle of ‘learning by doing’ and is designed
nity. The Onsite course suits those looking for a to lead you to reach the required Competencies in
training experience with face to face teaching and an active and practical training environment.
learning. It also suits those on overseas student
Current Matter Program
visas.
In the Onsite course, you attend each business Set up your own ‘law firm’ and run up to 10 simuday from 9am to 5pm. In the Online course, train- lated files covering a wide range of practice areas
ees attend Leo Cussen onsite for 16 days spread and presenting a range of legal and practical probthroughout the course for intensive teaching, men- lems reflecting those you encounter in real-world
tor consultations, assessment tasks and making legal practice.
applications. In the full time Online course, you will
need to commit at least 25 hours a week to your We operate an in-house registry and banking faciliPTC work. We also offer a part time Online PTC. ty to assist the simulation of real practice.
30
Practical Legal Training
The building blocks for your legal career
At Leo Cussen Centre for Law, you learn about the realities of legal practice from leading legal professionals who
support and encourage your development as a lawyer. Our training is founded on the principle of ‘learning by doing’,
with no exams. At Leo Cussen you will build practical legal skills and gain the confidence to make choices about your
career.
PLT at Leo Cussen is:
•
•
•
•
Practical
Comprehensive
Designed to meet the National Competency Standards for Entry Level Lawyers
Guided by a Mentor
Choose the course that suits you best:
•
•
•
Online (Full-time)
Online (Part-time)
Onsite (Full time)
Our PLT courses are designed for law graduates seeking to apply for
admission to practise law in all Australian jurisdictions. Our graduates
work in a variety of professional environments in Australia and overseas
including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Private legal practice
In house legal practice
Community and legal aid practice
Government
Policy & Research
Politics
Business
And more ...
2015/2016
July 2015 intake:
Apply by 15 May 2015
January 2016 intake:
Apply by 20 November 2015
Nb: After first round offers are made, places
may still be available after these dates.
For more information visit - leocussen.edu.au/apply
facebook.com/leocussencentreforlaw
linkedin.com/company/leo-cussen-centre-for-law
leocussen.edu.au
31
AREAS OF
PRACTICE
THE COMMERCIAL
SECTOR
Possibility in
everything
Allens is a leading international law firm with partners, lawyers and corporate services
employees across Asia and Australia. We work with many of the world’s leading organising
including 55 of the world’s top 100 companies and more than 75 of Australia’s top 100
companies. Our integrated alliance with Linklaters mean we are able to share resources and
offer our clients a seamless service through a global network of 40 offices across 29 counties.
Future proof your career
In a rapidly changing world, those who are agile, resilient and innovative will thrive.
Starting your career at Allens will give you every opportunity to build a sustainable and fulfilling career, wherever you end up.
You’ll develop the skills and capabilities you need to meet the increasing expectations of clients and the market in a supportive
and collegiate environment, with global opportunities from your graduate program and beyond.
> At Allens, you’ll always know where
you stand.
Performance-based assessment and
progression gives you control over the
pace at which you develop and progress.
Clear expectations at each career stage
ensure you understand what we expect
and what you need to focus on to progress.
Year-round coaching, feedback and
development support allows you to
drive your own growth.
And clear career milestones give our lawyers
greater client and people management
responsibilities earlier in their careers.
> In return, we’re asking you to really take
control of your career and development.
You’ll need to tell us where you want to go,
and proactively pursue the development
experiences, relationships and skills you’ll
need to get there.
You’ll need to be willing to experiment,
take risks and try new things to achieve
your goals.
And you’ll need to think more broadly about
what great looks like, seeking to grow your
commercial and leadership skills alongside
your technical capability, whatever your role.
When you join Allens, you’ll learn from partners and lawyers who can help you take your
career all the way. Learn more and meet our people at www.allens.com.au/graduates.
Allens is an independent partnership operating in alliance with Linklaters LLP.
www.allens.com.au
18926
33
Experience variety
Cowell Clarke is a specialist commercial law firm acting
for clients in all sectors of business and industry in Australia
and internationally.
We offer either a one or two year clerkship program,
to both penultimate and final year students.
Our clerks work two days per week, with flexibility around
university timetables and exams. Additional work may be
available during university holidays.
Our clerkship program enables our clerks to experience variety
in a broad range of practice areas, with rotations through property,
corporate & commercial, and our various dispute resolution teams.
While the focus is on variety and gaining first hand experience
to be a lawyer, we are also happy to accommodate particular
areas of interest.
To find out more about our firm and how to apply visit
www.cowellclarke.com.au/careers/clerkship-applications
or contact our People and Practice Development Manager,
Susan Comerford at [email protected].
Cowell Clarke
Level 5, 63 Pirie Street
Adelaide, South Australia 5000
T: +61 8 8228 1111
F: +61 8 8228 1100
E: [email protected]
34
www.cowellclarke.com.au
Student  Clerk  Lawyer
Jack Batty, University of Adelaide Law Graduate
Two years ago I was a final year student who had never stepped foot into a law firm. Today, after completing
a clerkship at Cowell Clarke, I am a lawyer in the firm’s commercial litigation team.
I have found Cowell Clarke the “place to be” as a clerk and a junior lawyer for three main reasons, the structure
of the Clerkship Program, the quality of the legal work and the culture of the firm.
Clerkship Program
2015 is a great time to be applying for a Clerkship at Cowell Clarke.
This year we are changing the structure of our Clerkship Program. Rather than Summer Clerks, we intend to
recruit ongoing clerks, who will be with us 2 days a week for 12 months or up to 2 years, depending on your
level of study.
Clerks will rotate every 3 – 4 months through our various practice groups. You will work in our litigation practice
groups including commercial litigation, insolvency & reconstruction, building & construction and employment &
industrial relations. You will also rotate through our advisory practice areas which include corporate advisory,
capital markets, banking & finance, IP & IT, energy & resources, property, environment & planning and tax &
revenue.
Unlike other Clerkship Programs where you might be assigned to a particular practice area, Cowell Clarke will
give you the unique opportunity to experience a variety of work and to work with a range of lawyers. This wide
exposure to different areas of law and different people within the firm is critical for young lawyers (and especially
important if you are not sure what area of law you want to work in).
Quality of work
Cowell Clarke is one of South Australia’s fastest growing law firms. We act for clients in all sectors of business
and industry in Australia and internationally. Our lawyers work on complex and high profile corporate &
commercial matters. We also have a well-grounded national and global presence through our membership
with ALFA International.
As a clerk you will have the opportunity to work side by side with partners on challenging and rewarding matters.
While I was a clerk, I assisted lawyers in the litigation team with tasks such as legal research, drafting pleadings
and other documents, assisting with discovery of documents and drafting letters of advice. I was regularly able
to attend court, mediations and meetings with clients and barristers.
Culture
Cowell Clarke prides itself on fostering an enjoyable working environment. The firm provides opportunities for
young lawyers to thrive, and a mentoring program to fast track lawyers’ professional and personal development
objectives.
Friday night drinks are always a hit and our Social Club Committee organises events ranging from ten pin
bowling to pub crawls and movie nights on a regular basis. Cowell Clarke also facilitates programs such as
boot camp, yoga, the City to Bay, and supports us attending networking and professional development events.
Many of the solicitors I work with, including a partner of the firm, have started their legal careers as a clerk at
Cowell Clarke. It is the perfect place to start yours!
p140607_039.doc
35
CAN’T
WAIT
TO CU!
Want the inside scoop on
landing a role at Clayton Utz?
Find it on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/ClaytonUtzCareers
36
37
THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR
Clerkships and Johnson
Winter &Slattery
At Johnson Winter & Slattery (JWS), you will be exposed to high-profile, interesting and challenging
legal work, while making new friends in a tight-knit and supportive environment. JWS is truly a positive culture driven firm which encourages further learning and provides the resources and experiences to build on your own interests.
I joined JWS as a Summer Clerk in December 2013 and started as an Associate in August 2014.
The exposure to a broad range of quality work coupled with mentoring from some of Australia’s best
lawyers provided the perfect platform for the transition from university student to junior practitioner.
The training I received throughout the clerkship also set me up for the remainder of my studies. This
training included attendance at a variety of professional development sessions, advanced LexisNexis
courses as well as working with senior and junior practitioners who spend considerable time explaining what you probably should know from your time at university. While there will be no shortage of
support, you will be given ownership of the tasks you are allocated and will be expected to contribute in a positive way. It is this “team” culture that makes JWS such a great place to work.
A summer clerkship at JWS is also not all about work, there are numerous opportunities to socialise
and get to know people. Whether it be Friday night drinks or an inter-firm sports competition, I had a
much better understanding of what it was like to practise as a lawyer after each event I attended.
A clerkship with JWS is an obvious first preference for anybody taking part in the 2015/16 clerkship
program.
Andrew Pearce, Associate (Clerkship – November/December 2013)
I completed a four week clerkship at JWS in November/December 2013. The first thing that struck
me when I began my clerkship was how committed JWS is to setting its clerks up for success and
ensuring that the experience is as rewarding as possible. I went through a comprehensive induction
process which provided training on all aspects of practice including office and document management, memo writing, time recording and general tips from junior and senior lawyers. This training
provided a great base for the wide range of work I received throughout my clerkship.
The low leverage model utilised by JWS meant that there were plenty of opportunities for me to
work closely with a variety of senior practitioners on complex and challenging matters from the very
first week of my clerkship. I also enjoyed the fact that I was not constrained to one particular area of
practice based on a team allocation. This gave me the freedom to work with many different teams
at JWS, both in the Adelaide office and in the other offices around Australia. Although I had previous
experiences in commercial practice, these unique features of JWS meant that my four week clerkship was extremely valuable for my professional development and greatly assisted my transition from
law student to practitioner.
Sara Gaertner, Associate (Clerkship – November/December 2013)
38
CAREER, YOUR CHOICE
Johnson Winter & Slattery is a national law firm where young lawyers play a meaningful role in
strategic and complex transactions and disputes, and build relationships with executives from
Australia’s most successful companies through close client contact.
We have an established reputation for providing practical commercial solutions and outstanding
client service.
THRIVE WITH
NO BOUNDARIES
SHAPE YOUR
CAREER
QUICK ACCESS TO
QUALITY WORK
Our lawyers thrive in an
environment that fosters
collaboration with few internal
administrative boundaries and is
free from financial targets. Enjoy
working across practice areas.
Collaborate with diverse teams
of specialists across the country.
Strong technical and client
service skills are developed
through structured
mentoring and professional
development education
programs. Be mentored
by Australia’s best lawyers.
Get regular feedback on
performance.
Our hands on and proactive
approach creates an environment
in which ambitious lawyers become
directly involved in significant
opportunities from an early stage.
Work side by side with partners and
play a meaningful role in strategic and
complex transactions and disputes.
Law students choose our firm
because we provide an excellent
learning environment, and an
exceptional place to begin and
develop your career.
Our clerkship program is a
realistic snapshot of your
future as a lawyer at
Johnson Winter & Slattery.
Please visit our website for more information: http://www.jws.com.au/en/graduate-lawyer-careers
SYDNEY
jws.com.au
PERTH
MELBOURNE
BRISBANE
ADELAIDE
39
THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR
40
At Minter Ellison, we invest in our people. Your growth is our
growth; your success is our success. We’ll support you to
advance your career and help you to develop the legal and
business skills needed to become a ‘trusted adviser’ to clients
anywhere in the world. Our lawyers become innovative thinkers, strategists, and tacticians. As one of our lawyers, you’ll be
part of an elite team – closing deals, resolving disputes and
solving problems.
Here is what some of our recent summer clerks had to say
about working at Minter Ellison.
Charlie Bruce (Law Clerk, Commercial Litigation)
The clerkship process at Minter Ellison was professional and
engaging right from the beginning. The interviews were targeted and real, focused on a mixture of academics, personality
and an understanding of where lawyers and the legal profession stand in a broader context.
Minter Ellison
The firm embraces their clerks in every way. We were
involved in team discussions, firm meetings, social gathering
and networking events.
In the last week of my clerkship, I was offered a full-time
graduate position in the firm’s Corporate team.
Callum McNair (Law Clerk, Corporate Team)
Minter Ellison is a great place to do a clerkship. My clerkship
was with the firm’s Corporate and Human Resources &
Industrial Relations & Media teams.
Clerking at Minter Ellison has been extraordinary! My clerkship was varied, intellectually stimulating, and rewarding.
From the start you are given great hands-on experience
and practical training; you get opportunities to meet clients,
attend court, and client and networking events. It’s not all
work – we also attended social events, such as Friday night
drinks, the Minter Ellison Christmas party, and lunches for the
I have been fortunate enough to work closely with every
clerks. I was invited to play in the Minter Ellison tennis team
member of the Commercial Litigation team, from Associates to as part of a corporate tennis day.
Partners whilst also attending trials, counsel briefings and client
meetings. Minter Ellison has an impressive array of corporate As a clerk at Minter Ellison you are made to feel part of the
clients, and with those come complex legal issues and a
team, and are supported by your buddy, your supervisor
requirement for a commercial understanding when providing and the partners. When asked to prepare advice for senior
advice and applying the law.
legal practitioners they listen to you and use the advice and
research you do. I was (pleasantly) surprised when a senior
With regard to addressing questions from senior practitioners, partner asked me to assist him in preparing for a client
the level of responsibility was daunting at first, but it encourages presentation, and later invited me along to the presentation
you to be confident and rigorous with your research. When
where I was given the opportunity to answer some questions
your work actually matters it is a far more rewarding experience.from clients. I was also fortunate to have my supervisor take
The firm induction program guided the clerks on how to pre- me along to see a client in Port Augusta.
pare memos and draft legal correspondence at a high quality
using legal programs. The ClearME style encourages precision Minter Ellison has provided me with a great introduction to
and clarity - we learnt the lesson that no one in the real world private practice
wants to read an advice of two thousand words where twenty
will suffice, and these skills will be invaluable moving forward. Rachel Wang (Summer clerk 2014/2015)
I undertook a summer clerkship at Minter Ellison in the FinanI have found my clerkship to be motivating, rewarding and
cial Services and Commercial Litigation teams.
enjoyable; it has been a helpful insight into what it is like to
practise as a commercial lawyer.
I was nervous about starting at a top-tier firm, but it quickly
became evident there was no need to be. Minters gave
Melissa Davies (Law graduate, Corporate team)
us an incredible amount of support, right from the beginMinter Ellison offers one of the best clerkship programs in Ade- ning. Their emphasis on hiring people with both academic
laide. Throughout my clerkship, I was able to experience all the credentials and friendly personalities means that everyone is
things a large firm has to offer at the same time as enjoying the approachable and welcoming. Minters’ practice of taking on
support and guidance that came from working in a small team all their summer clerks over an 8 week block also meant that
within the large firm.
we were able to bond as a group and help one another out.
The work was always varied and interesting. I drafted letters,
I completed my clerkship in the firm’s Corporate and Worker’s prepared court documents, attended trials and researched
Compensation teams. I was assigned a supervisor in each challenging points of law. I worked in areas as wide ranging
team who oversaw my work, offered me career advice and
as insolvency, mining, construction, defamation and insurgave me feedback. Each clerk was also assigned a buddy, ance.
who could answer any ‘silly’ questions, took us to Friday night
drinks and was always available for just a chat.
Minter Ellison is an excellent place to work. It balances quality legal work with an amazing firm culture.
The work I was given included research tasks, drafting client
advice, attending tribunals, going to court and attending client
meetings.
A summe
r
ABOUT MINTER ELLISON
We’re an
Australian-based
international
ABOUT
MINTER
ELLISON
law firm offering a full range of legal
We’reservices
an Australian-based
international
to an impressive
list of clients
law firm
offering
a
full
range
of legal
across Australia, in Asia and
globally.
Recognised
for our clear
thinking,
services
to an impressive
list of
clients our
technical
skills
ability to
acrossstrong
Australia,
in Asia
andand
globally.
deliver
practical
solutions
have
led to our
Recognised for our clear thinking, our
involvement in the Asia Pacific’s most
strong technical skills and ability to
innovative and high-profile transactions.
deliver practical solutions have led to our
involvement in the Asia Pacific’s most
innovative and high-profile transactions.
OUR PRACTICE TEAMS
OURCommercial
BUSINESS
UNITS
Litigation
ANDCorporate
DIVISIONS
Commercial
& Services
Regulatory
Financial
Group
Human
Resources & Industrial Relations
Dispute
Resolution
Insurance
& Corporate
Financial
Institutions
GroupRisk
Real Estate, Environment & Planning
Human Resources & Industrial Relations
Workers Compensation
Insurance & Corporate Risk
Mergers & Acquisitions
Projects, Infrastructure & Construction
Real Estate, Environment & Planning
Tax
clerksh
ip at M
inter E
llison
Ben Cla
rke
Law Gra
duate 2
014/201
5
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eted my
clerksh
Human R
ip at M
esource
inter E
s & Ind
Compens
llison
ustrial
ation t
in the
Relatio
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a
ms over
that ti
firm’s
ns and
me, I w
t
h
e
Workers
2
014/15
as offe
special
summer
red a f
ising i
period.
ull-tim
n Worke
e gradu
During
rs Comp
ate pos
ensatio
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Through
n
.
out my
time at
to a wi
Minter
de vari
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ety of
dispute
, I hav
challen
s relat
e been
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ing to
the wor
exposed
gal wor
unfair
kplace,
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which i
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workers
ncluded
discrim
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opportu
of trad
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be invo
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o
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r
m start
ded the
me inva
provide
to finis
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d me wi
h, whic
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th a se
see the
h has
x
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s
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i
results
ence bu
of achi
t has a
evement
of my w
lso
ork.
in bein
g able
On a da
to
ily bas
i
s
, it ha
advice,
s been
underta
my role
ke thor
documen
to regu
ough le
ts incl
larly p
gal res
uding s
as well
repare
earch,
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issions
as atte
draft l
nd cour
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d
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ther co
t and c
ntly, I
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was giv
this pr
dence,
eetings
en cont
ocess f
. Most
inual g
rom sup
who too
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k a gen
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and app
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back in
roachab
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ing.
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has not
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emely r
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r.
FACTS & FIGURES
In South Australia / Northern Territory:
31 partners and around 200 legal staff
Adelaide office opened 1988
Darwin office opened 2003
Part of the Minter Ellison network of offices
in Australia, Asia and the UK
RealReal
people
people
achieving
excellence
achieving
excellence
For more information
on vacation
clerkships
or theorMinter
Ellison
For more information
on vacation
clerkships
the Minter
Ellison
graduate program
please
go please
to www.minterellison.com/careers
graduate
program
go to www.minterellison.com/careers
41
THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR
42
Thomson Geer
Life as a lawyer at Thomson Geer: Mike office doing menial tasks, I was taken to meetings with
clients and made to feel like I was a part of the team.
Ross style?
In my clerkship round, six out of the 10 clerks were offered a position in the graduate program. For anyone
Thomson Geer is an expert in morphing, in
well versed in a law firm’s ability to employ new gradumore ways than one. Despite its inclination
ates, you will know that this is a great achievement for
for name changes (I have been told that the
any law firm. This is where Thomson Geer’s success,
Thomson Geer name is here to stay, which
is almost a disappointment given the array of meant my success.
merchandise that we receive with each name
change), our end game is to be a firm which The graduate program
At the conclusion of the clerkship, I was offered a
is able to adapt to the ever changing ecoposition in the Thomson Geer 12 month graduate
nomic climate.
program, broken up into two rotations of six months.
No doubt, all law graduates have been stern- The rotation is part of the firm’s policy to encourage
graduates to step out of their comfort zone, and gain
ly told that their chance of getting a job in
experience in an area that they might not have otheran Adelaide law firm is about as likely as the
Crows winning the AFL Premiership this year. wise chosen.
Luckily, Thomson Geer’s success can also be
your success, as our Adelaide office contin- For my first rotation, I was assigned to work with a well
ues to maintain a strong and healthy graduate renowned partner in banking and finance, who speciaprogram which makes being a junior solicitor lises in aviation law (no, this partner is not bribing me to
say ‘well renowned’). I will not lie; I was not as enthusienjoyable. (NB: for those that are still under
the impression that being a junior solicitor will astic as I could have been about this area of law. With
hindsight, I am extremely glad I had the opportunity
be the same as, if not better than the life of
Mike Ross in the humorous TV series ‘Suits’, to work in banking and finance as it has provided me
with a greater understanding of general commercial
get out now. Surprisingly, colleagues don’t
law which I use in everyday work life. I also learnt more
engage in ‘business time’ in the workplace,
largely due to the offices having glass doors, about aircraft parts than I envisaged I would in law
school, which is something that the creators of Suits
but also due to professionalism.)
should seam into.
The clerkship
My second rotation landed me in the employment and
You have already done the hard yards in
landing a spot in the clerkship program. I can safety team, which is where I found my home. By this
time, I had figured out that wearing suits is certainly not
honestly say that being a clerk at Thomson
Geer was the most enjoyable clerkship I ever as glamorous as it seems, namely because you find
yourself spending all weekend ironing shirts. Leaving
had, notwithstanding the fact that I haven’t
the wardrobe aside, in employment and safety I was
had any other clerkships. In comparison to
friends doing clerkships in other firms Australia given access to a wide variety of matters ranging from
wide, it was agreed that Thomson Geer was employment contracts, to work health and safety and
Fair Work Commission matters. Such a broad range
by far the most welcoming to new comers,
of experience at a junior level is not common amongst
and the most fun.
law firms (yes, unfortunately Suits has also tailored that
wrong), and the Thomson Geer graduate program
From the legends in law school, I was exprovides young lawyers with the opportunity to excel in
pecting the work that I was assigned to be
administrative in nature and about as exciting their chosen field.
as watching golf. I was pleasantly surprised
A position at Thomson Geer is an incredibly rewardwhen I was given substantive work, a suping experience and the beginning of a long and fruitful
portive supervising partner and an encourcareer in the law. Good luck and happy application
aging senior associate to provide guidance,
should the need arise. Instead of sitting in an writing!
ADVICE | TRANSACTIONS | DISPUTES
Domestic & Cross Border
THOMSON GEER IS ONE OF THE TOP 10
INDEPENDENT LAW FIRMS IN AUSTRALIA
As one of Australia’s largest independent firms, we currently have 80+ Partners and more than 500+ lawyers
and staff operating out of our offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide.
Our industry coverage is diverse, and includes clients in banking & finance, construction, energy & resources,
healthcare, telecommunications, property development, wealth management, gaming & leisure, and media,
broadcasting & entertainment.
“As a Graduate Lawyer in the Property and Environment team, I have been exposed to a variety
of national and international clients while working on major construction and infrastructure
projects.”
Matthew Curran – Lawyer, Adelaide
OUR CLERKSHIP PROGRAM
At Thomson Geer we are looking for law students who have excelled academically, are client focused,
commercially minded, and work well in a team environment.
We offer a structured four week program where clerks learn through a combination of hands-on
experience, training, coaching and observation. We will do our best to match you to your
preferred area of practice – it’s really important to us that the clerkship experience
helps you to make the right choice for your career.
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 2016.
APPLICATIONS
Applications open 6 July 2015 via cvMail or the
Thomson Geer website.
www.tglaw.com.au
Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Adelaide
43
THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR
WALLMANS LAWYERS
TO CLERK OR NOT TO CLERK (AT WALLMANS!)
and to prove it. Being a silver winning Employer of Choice
for 2014, Wallmans has a focus on employee
wellbeing. There are always going to be times where
A week before I started my summer clerkship with a matter requires urgent attention, but the firm’s
Wallmans in February 2013 I was behaving like a typical focus on work/life balance means that everyone is
university student on summer holidays – taking two encouraged to spend time away from the office doing
whatever they like to do. Some run marathons, some
naps a day and hanging by the pool in between.
go home to spend time with their kids, and some
I had survived the interview process around six months continue to study, whatever you try to achieve outside
earlier to have a placement in my penultimate year of work is encouraged. Wallmans believes this fosters
of study, and I had no idea what to expect. After the a strong work ethic at office, and I completely agree.
cocktail reception as the final interview round I was fairly
convinced the partners were all nice people, but how It’s not all work, work, work though! Wallmans has
an active social club, doing things from Fringe family
could I be sure?
events to wine tours to nights at the footy. As a clerk
I was lucky enough to have one of my good friends we were encouraged to participate and attend Friday
clerking with me, which kept me looking outwardly calm night drinks, which was a great opportunity to get to
on the first day when we were ushered into induction. know some of the people I was working with at all
Induction covered off on all the ‘dumb’ questions that levels and relax a bit!
everyone is too embarrassed to ask, especially useful
for those who are IT challenged like me! It also touched Approximately six weeks after I finished as a summer
on concepts which I had not really considered while in clerk I was asked to work part time while I studied.
law school, such as how the business of a legal practice I was ecstatic, because I was able to return to a
place where I felt valued and supported, and where
works and the value of a strong marketing strategy.
I knew my learning as a soon-to-be lawyer would be
I always knew that I was more inclined towards nurtured. As well as being offered the opportunity
commercial practice, so being placed in the Property to continue working and learning, this was met with
and Local Government departments was a great fit flexibility for my study requirements and a fountain of
for me. However, I quickly realised that although I had knowledge to draw upon.
been studying for four years, practical experience was So when faced with the daunting task of applying for
clerkships and having no idea where to start, I suggest
an entirely different beast to theoretical knowledge.
that you consider Wallmans. I could not have asked
There are things that law school can’t prepare you for a better experience entering commercial practice.
for in real world practice – how to write an email that
is detailed but digestible for clients, how to achieve a
client focussed outcome and how in the world you do
your time recording.
Isobel Maddern, Solicitor,
Commercial Team
Corporate
A strong emphasis is placed on interactions between
solicitors of all levels. Clerks aren’t put in the corner only
to see the partner once a week. I would go in usually in
the morning each day and talk to my Senior Associate
about what he needed done. This could be anything
from research, client contact, attendance at meetings
or drafting documents. This would then be checked
and I received feedback on my work as I went. This
gave me a chance to learn from my mistakes (of which
there were plenty) and improve. The amount I learned in
four weeks was, on reflection, truly astounding.
44
Wallmans has a reputation for being an employer of
choice for a reason, and we have received the awards
45
Clerkships at Lipman Karas
I started at Lipman Karas as a winter clerk. What immediately stood
out in my first week still rings true six years later. LK stands apart for
three reasons: the quality of the work; the quality of the people; and
the quality of the culture.
Work
Practitioners at Lipman Karas have the opportunity to work on some
of the most complex, challenging and interesting litigation work in
Australia and internationally.
The matters we work on require thorough legal research and the
distillation of large amounts of factual data. Young lawyers at
Lipman Karas work directly with principals of the firm, as well as
counsel and independent experts, on all aspects of major cases,
where national and international firms appear on the opposing
side. Typical work includes attending meetings and conferences,
conducting research as the basis for submissions and other legal
documents, and discussing tactics and case strategy.
Within eighteen months of being an associate at Lipman Karas, I
found myself assisting in court in the appeal Westpac v The Bell
Group Limited, which was, and still is, the largest civil litigation
action in Australian history. Currently I am working on another major
case, preparing for a trial in the Supreme Court of Western Australia.
Other junior lawyers at the firm get similar experience, working on
matters not only in Australia, but also in Hong Kong, England and
the Channel Islands. Most young lawyers in the profession will never
have the opportunity to work on such matters: at LK, you will do so,
daily. And yes, there are travel opportunities!
People
The practitioners and support staff at LK are experts at what they
do. They are dedicated, intelligent and conscientious people. It is
a firm where you can get unrivalled opportunities to work on major
projects, and be taught by some of the leaders in their field.
But it’s not all about technical and strategic acumen. The people
that work at Lipman Karas are friendly and approachable. There
are no over-powering egos. People here understand that the
best results are achieved by working as a collaborative team
where everyone participates. The relatively small size of the firm
46
means that every member of the team’s contribution is valued and
recognised. Working in teams also allows the firm’s junior lawyers
to have daily interaction with the firm’s principals, get hands on
experience on how major project litigation is conducted, and hone
their research and forensic skills.
Culture
The culture at a law firm, like any place of work, is extremely
important. The firm’s relatively small size means everyone feels
included. Outside of work, the firm has an active social and charity
portfolio, which organises Friday night drinks, fun runs, charity
fundraisers and regular afternoon teas for staff birthdays and other
personal milestones. The firm also regularly undertakes pro bono
work and has a strong CPD program. Junior lawyers at the firm are
given opportunities to run these portfolios, enabling them to not only
practice law, but learn about the management side of legal practice,
as well as contributing to the community.
The firm takes a genuine long term interest in its junior lawyers. After
clerking at LK for six months, I took a leave of absence to undertake
an associateship with Justice Vanstone in the Supreme Court, then
returned to the firm to continue practice. More recently, the firm has
been supportive in my undertaking part time postgraduate studies.
Other young lawyers at LK have pursued similar paths.
Lipman Karas celebrated its 10th birthday in 2014. In the first ten
years it has grown from a firm of eleven practitioners to a firm that
has a reputation as one of the leading specialist law firms both
in Australia and internationally. During this expansion the firm
has continued to maintain the same high standards in relation
to the work undertaken and the opportunities provided to staff
to continually improve and be challenged. There is an ongoing
commitment to knowledge, teamwork and thoroughness. It is an
exciting place to work.
If you think you have what it takes to work on career defining
projects with lawyers who are leaders in their field, please apply for
a clerkship at Lipman Karas.
Lucas Arnold
Senior Associate
Local Presence
Global Opportunities
Lipman Karas is a specialist legal practice representing corporate,
government and private clients.
A career at Lipman Karas provides opportunities and experiences
that are unrivalled in South Australia.
With offices in Adelaide, Hong Kong and London, our team has a
proven track record of consistently outstanding results in some of
the most challenging, complex and high profile commercial litigation
in the Asia Pacific region and internationally.
Lipman Karas offers practitioners a chance to work with lawyers
who are recognised as leaders in their field on litigation projects,
investigations and inquiries that are unique in both magnitude and
complexity across many jurisdictions.
Clerkship applications close Thursday, 30 April 2015. For
information on the application process please visit lipmankaras.com.
AWARDS 2014
Best International Firm for Work Life Balance
2014
Best Australasian Firm for Talent Management
2013
Best Adelaide Firm
2012, 2013, 2014
47
BE AN
EXCEPTIONAL
LAWYER
Our clients need exceptional people to help them thrive in a world defined by
change and complexity. They need people who are intellectually curious; who
are able to advise with clarity and originality; people who believe that the
business of law is based on human relationships.
Bring those qualities, your energy and your ambition and we’ll offer you the
international opportunities, challenges and responsibilities only a leading global
firm can provide. We offer an environment built on support and collaboration,
where high performance is recognised and rewarded, and where you’ll be
inspired and mentored by leaders in their fields.
WE SEE A FASCINATING AND EXCITING FUTURE FOR
THE BUSINESS OF GLOBAL LAW. DO YOU?
48
HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM/CAREERS
Future
Focussed
Press play on a forward thinking career choice
• High performance culture
• Competitive team spirit
• Drive and passion to be #1
49
BORN GL BAL
At Baker & McKenzie we are different in the way we think, work and behave.
Like no other law firm, we were born global.
Right from the beginning we’ve been offering a genuinely global perspective
and operating without boundaries around the world.
Our established global reach offers you an extraordinary career in the global
economy, exchanging rich local insights and knowledge with the best legal
minds from all over the world every day.
And our unrivalled regional and local development programs will make you
a truly global lawyer. Fast.
We’re an entrepreneurial firm where new ideas and innovation are encouraged
at all levels. A place where small teams and a personal approach to your
career means you can go as far and fast as your talents and drive will take you.
Ready to explore our world?
www.bakermckenzie.com/careers/australia/melbourne/
Natalie Mascarenhas +61 3 9617 4349
50
Baker & McKenzie, an Australian Partnership, is a member of Baker & McKenzie International, a Swiss Verein with member law firms around the world. In accordance with the common terminology used
in professional service organizations, reference to a “partner” means a person who is a partner, or equivalent, in such a law firm. Similarly, reference to an “office” means an office of any such law firm.
Baker & McKenzie handles information in accordance with our privacy policy. A copy can be found on our website.
The AULSS talked to David Lee, an in-house lawyer at Beach Energy, to discuss his pathway from a
mid-tier law firm to a career in-house.
My first full time legal job was at a mid-tier local commercial law firm in late 2007 and I worked at that firm
for almost 6 years. In late 2013, I joined the legal team at Beach Energy Ltd, an ASX-listed oil and gas
company, as an in-house counsel.
What I really enjoyed about working in a mid-tier law firm was the great collegiality between lawyers and being encouraged to interact with clients from the start. In particular, I was working directly with (and learning
from) partners and senior lawyers who had great reputations and were personable. I was also exposed to
a broad range of interesting matters including mergers and acquisitions, property, tax and general corporate and commercial law matters. Of course, each firm will be different and have its own culture. However, from discussions with my peers, my experiences in a mid-tier law firm seem to be similar to what most
others experience working in comparable law firms in South Australia.
THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR
LOOKING FORWARD: FROM
COMMERCIAL TO IN-HOUSE
A couple of tips for working in a law firm as a junior or clerk that I wish someone had told me before I started working:
1. You should take the view that your clients are the other lawyers in your firm. Your job is to service the
lawyers and make them look good in front of their clients. As your experience and confidence grows
and you gain your ‘instructing’ lawyer's trust, it is likely that you will then have more direct client interaction.
2. Always take a pen and paper with you – especially if you are called to a meeting. As a junior you
must be ready to take instructions and write down notes at any time. Forgetting instructions or not
fully understanding them and doing a sloppy job is not a good look. I learnt this the hard way during a
clerkship where I took instructions from a senior associate thinking I could remember the instructions. I
ended up going back a number of times (without pen and paper) to the senior associate to ask questions which ended up being quite embarrassing and a waste of time for the senior associate.
After around 6 years, I made the move in-house. From what I understand, it is very rare to be employed in
an in-house counsel role as a graduate. This is especially the case in South Australia as there aren't many
head offices of large companies here and thus, not many large in-house legal teams. This means that
most in-house counsel have a few years experience in private practice before becoming in-house counsel.
Working in-house is very different from working in private practice. As a start, you only have one client –
the company. Your role is effectively to look after the legal interests of the company.
One of the most rewarding things about working in-house is being
able to see projects from start to finish. You are able to see your
advice being taken on board and influencing business decisions.
On the other hand, this can be quite daunting and I can understand
why most in-house counsel roles require candidates to have some
private practice experience. In this regard, I think having a general
corporate/commercial background helped me in securing a role as
an in-house counsel.
David Lee
In-house lawyer, Beach Energy
51
AREAS OF
PRACTICE
CORPORATE
ADVISORY AND
TAX
52
PwC is one of the leading professional services firms in Australia, bringing their experience and
international network to aid Australian businesses, not for profit organisations and the government.
What does it look for?
PwC offers a degree of flexibility in regards to the type of graduate that applies, but are quite clear that
students who are honest, open and authentic, have strong aspirations and work ethic and a hunger
for growth are preferred.
How can I get involved?
PwC offer a graduate program, a vacation program and a trainee program.
What is the application process?
An online application form must be submitted along with an applicant’s resume. Then an assessment
day occurs where a face-to-face interview will be held. Following this, applicants will be notified on
their potential offer.
What are the benefits?
PwC prides itself on helping its employees realise their potential through career development, financial
incentives, recognition benefits, travel opportunities, a flexible work life balance and a strong focus on
employee wellbeing.
CORPORATE ADVISORY AND TAX
PricewaterhouseCoopers
What are the contact details?
Website: http://www.pwc.com.au/
Phone: (03) 8603 3024
Address: 215 Spring Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
MACQUARIE GROUP
Macquarie Group is an international provider of banking, financial, advisory, investment and funds
management services.
What does it look for?
Macquarie Group looks for any student with a background in law, commerce, finance, or economics
who also demonstrates high levels of motivation, enthusiasm, strong communication skills, teamwork
skills and a genuine interest in financial services.
How can I get involved?
Macquarie Group offer internships and a graduate program.
What is the application process?
All interested applicants must apply online through the Macquarie Group website. Details can be
found at www.macquarie.com.au/graduates
53
CORPORATE ADVISORY AND TAX
What are the benefits?
Working with Macquarie allows interns immediate exposure to high level sophisticated work and to
some of the most experienced professionals in the industry. In an internship, students are able to work
full time over the summer break, gaining hands-on-experience and a unique insight into the financial
services sector.
What are the contact details?
For general enquiries call +61 2 8232 3333
For information about job vacancies and applications visit www.macquarie.com.au/graduates
Deloitte
Deloitte is the largest professional services firm in South Australia, with over 200 people and 25
partners operating in the state’s two offices. It is one of the ‘big four’ professional services firms in the
world.
What does it look for?
Deloitte looks for students who, in addition to being high achievers and hard workers, are more
focused on the team rather than themselves, and are result driven individuals. Their culture is strongly
centred on the notions of inclusion, collaboration, high performance, and opportunity.
How can I get involved?
Deloitte offers both a graduate program and internships.
What is the application process?
All applications are run online. Details can be found at http://careers.deloitte.com/jobs/engAU?icid=top_job-search. Applicants can expect an online assessment, a phone interview and an
assessment day. Finally a partner interview will be conducted, concluded with a potential offer.
What are the benefits?
Deloitte provides seven key reasons as to why they are a firm that should be considered by students
for internships and potential careers. They are: improvement, celebration, aspiration, a play-to-win
attitude, honesty, and a constant aspiration to be the best. They are strong in the opinion that their
firms’ success is a direct result of their employee’s efforts so they only look for the best, but also
ensure that their people are looked after.
What are the contact details?
Phone: 8407 7000
Address: 11 Waymouth Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Website: http://www2.deloitte.com/au/en.html
54
Deloitte is the largest professional services network in the world. In 2013-14, revenues from its global
practices amounted to more than thirty billion US dollars. It’s easy to think that a company of this size
might neglect little old Adelaide. In fact, Deloitte operates two offices here – one in the CBD, and one
in Dulwich. Deloitte’s success comes partly from focussing their services on the demands of each
location. Here in South Australia, the bulk of Deloitte’s work is from small-medium enterprises and from
the State Government. You might be surprised to learn, for instance, that Deloitte was responsible for
the app that lets you renew your car registration on your phone. Deloitte takes students as vacation
interns and graduates, but also offers a one-day development program for students in earlier years.
This program, in 2013, was my first introduction to the firm.
In January this year, I was offered a three-week placement in the Deloitte Private service line. This
might sound short, but it meant that I was able to fit it alongside a clerkship at a commercial law firm.
The opportunity to compare two different professional industries was invaluable. The nature of the
work at each firm was different, but just as importantly, I was able to think about what sort of workplace
I would best fit in to as a graduate.
In spite of the short amount of time I spent at the Fullarton office, I was involved in many of the different
parts of the work that Deloitte do. I prepared tax returns and other compliance work for individuals,
partnerships and trusts. I researched clients’ eligibility for concessions and rebates. I attended client
appointments and internal meetings with tax specialists and in-house counsel. This level of interaction
at such an early stage in my career was a unique privilege of my time at Deloitte.
CORPORATE ADVISORY AND TAX
Profile: Deloitte
An accounting degree is not a pre-requisite to getting work at Deloitte or any similar professional
services firm. The Tax service line, for instance, had several law students as interns, and did not
require them to have a second degree. Each service line, of course, has its own preference for the
academic backgrounds of its candidates. Most important to Deloitte was the attitude of its interns and
employers. If you can demonstrate that you can work hard and get along with people, then you’ll be
in good stead there.
Although the work I did was predominantly in the accounting world, my legal knowledge proved very
helpful. Equity, in particular, informed my understanding of the way that our clients’ tax arrangements
worked. I also studied Income Tax Law as an elective in 2014. This was probably more important
to the day-to-day work I did at Deloitte than any other prior
knowledge – but again, other interns hadn’t studied it and were at
no disadvantage in getting a placement.
I could not recommend Deloitte enough to any person looking
for positions in the corporate advisory field. My colleagues were
incredibly friendly and helpful as I learnt the ropes, making an effort
to get to know me and giving me a huge range of opportunities
in such a short time. I always felt like I could ask questions, which
meant a lot as a newbie to the professional world. Although tax
and accounting might sound boring, it’s important to remember
that they are at the heart of what a business does in its day-to-day
operations. Because of this, the skills I learned in my law degree
– problem-solving, research, and independent thinking – allowed
me to provide a valuable service to my colleagues and to clients.
Taylor Rundell
55
CORPORATE ADVISORY AND TAX
Ernst and Young
Ernst and Young is a member of the “big four” auditing firms of the world and has a particular interest
in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services.
What does it look for?
Ernst and Young looks for a certain type of person when considering applicants. People who excel in
their work, who have integrity and respect, thrive in team settings, and who have a zest for learning
and growth as a worker and person are those who stand out.
How can I get involved?
Ernst and Young offer both a graduate program and a vacation program, completed in the final year
of study, which acts as an internship.
What is the application process?
Applications are to be completed online, followed by a recruitment day where a number of exercises
will be completed with a view to seeing how applicants react and whether they are suitable to join.
Based on this, offers will then be made to successful candidates.
What are the benefits?
Ernst and Young prides itself on its ability to give students and graduates immediate exposure to the
most stimulating challenges in the business world. However, this is not made to be a solo voyage for
new graduates, as they have a strong focus on teamwork, diversity, inclusiveness and support.
What are the contact details?
Address: 121 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: 84171600
Website http://www.ey.com/AU/en/Home
GRANT THORNTON
Grant Thornton is one of the leading accounting networks in the world. It has a strong focus on
independent assurance, tax and advisory matters.
What does it look for?
Grant Thornton looks for well-rounded individuals; those who can display strong interpersonal
skills, balance between work, co-curricular activities, and community involvement, and those who
demonstrate a willingness to learn and a zest for development.
How can I get involved?
Internships are offered in addition to a cadetship program and vacation work.
56
What are the benefits?
Grant Thornton offers a high degree of technical training, which allows graduates the opportunity not
only to develop their own academic abilities but to also develop their relationships within the firm’s
network. There are travel opportunities, competitive salary arrangements, active social clubs and a focus
on a young and active culture.
What are the contact details?
Address: 1/67 Greenhill Road SA 5034
Phone: 8372 6666
Website: http://www.grantthornton.com.au
KPMG
CORPORATE ADVISORY AND TAX
What is the application process?
The application process is completed online and can be found on the website at www.grantthornton.
com.au. Note, only Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents are eligible.
KPMG are one of the world’s leading services firms helping organisations to work smarter and grow. It has
over 162,000 people in firms in over 150 countries around the world.
What does it look for?
KPMG specifically sets out not to place boundaries or parameters on specific degree paths or qualifications, but instead assures graduates that they are open to all bright and eager minds. They are focused
not necessarily on an academic transcript but on a type of person, one who is a team player prepared
to put in hard work with energy and passion. Law degrees are very welcome in specific positions in the
business services to do with areas such as tax and risk control.
How can I get involved?
Internships and graduate positions are available.
What is the application process?
Applications are to be completed online. Following this an abilities assessment, video interview and final interview and information session will be completed, leading to the decision of whether an offer will be made.
What are the benefits?
KPMG has a large focus on intern development and training, with strong funding and investment in their
people. Any internship at KPMG is a great springboard for students to launch their career through the
broad range of work and the opportunity to work with a great team of enthusiastic people.
What are the contact details?
For the Adelaide office phone: 82363111
Address: 151 Pirie St, Adelaide SA 5000
For other enquiries visit their website at http://www.kpmg.com/au/en/pages/default.aspx
57
CORPORATE ADVISORY AND TAX
TAXATION LAW
Taxation law is the law predominantly regarding the interpretation of the regulatory rules of taxation for
individuals, trusts and companies. These regulations often involve issues of deductions, business
expenses, tax thresholds, superannuation, and capital gains, amongst others. Additionally, taxation
law can include questions of constitutionality of taxes, levies and stamp duties. It can also involve the
interpretation and implementation of tax treaties with foreign countries, something particularly important
for companies involved in international trade and commerce.
In sum, taxation law is much more diverse than the traditional view of merely paying taxes and instead
contains aspects of multiple areas of law.
Clerkship Opportunities in Taxation Law
There are very few law firms that specialise solely in taxation law; instead the majority of commercial
law firms have their own taxation law departments that deal with the issues above. Therefore, if you
are interested in taxation law it is recommended you research a commercial firm with a taxation law
department and look into their clerkship program. It is also worth noting that many companies hire tax
lawyers to work in-house, meaning that there are a wide range of potential work environments available.
As an example…
Fox Tucker Lawyers- Offer a year round clerkship program and have a large and specalised taxation
law division.
Apply in writing, with CV and/or Academic Transcript and email to [email protected].
Like the AULSS on Facebook for event
information, employment and study
opportunities and much more!
facebook.com/AdelaideUniLSS
58
AREAS OF
PRACTICE
PERSONAL INJURY
59
PERSONAL INJURY
PERSONAL INJURY
LAW
To get an idea of what working in the area of personal injury law involves, the AULSS sat down with
Gary Allison, a partner at Tindall Gask Bentley, South Australia’s largest personal injury law firm.
What does personal injury law concern?
Personal injury law is about people and upholding the rights of injured people. In broad terms a personal
injury lawyer is working for and with people who have suffered injuries in various circumstances – as
the result of a motor vehicle accident, in the workplace, due to medical mismanagement or arising
out of a public liability scenario (trips, slips, falls). Each case is individual. That is the nature of this
area of practice. But it is also what keeps you thinking and provides opportunities to assist and
guide individuals through a process, which no client has embarked upon by choice. The process is
imposed upon the individual by circumstances often (usually) beyond the individual’s control.
What are some of the challenges you face in personal injury law?
Recent legislative “reform” to the scheme that compensates people for injuries suffered from motor
vehicle accidents have taken away from many, and reduced for the remainder, entitlements to
compensation. Entitlements and processes differ depending on the type of claim. New workers
compensation legislation has been introduced which will come into operation from 1 July 2015 and
this has led to an increase of activity in this area and will likely continue to do so. Legislative “reform”
does create challenges.
What characteristics do you need to possess to be successful in this sector?
Empathy, compassion and objectivity are essential traits for a successful personal injury lawyer. There
is the opportunity to advocate for people who have suffered injuries in circumstances beyond their
control. Ultimately it is about working with and upholding the rights of injured people.
Gary Allison
Partner- Tindall Gask Bentley
60
AREAS OF
PRACTICE
FAMILY LAW
61
FAMILY LAW
FAMILY LAW: AN INTRODUCTION
One of the great advantages of Family law is that it is a varied area of practice. Working in Family law
could see you dealing with property, commercial or child-related issues, or a mixture of the three.
Family law also involves a large amount of client management and is quite litigious. As such it is
important to have decent people skills, making this a good area if you appreciate the human aspect
of the law. There is also a shortage of male lawyers in family law and this may be something worth
considering.
A lot of firms practicing family law in Adelaide are small, boutique or sole practitioners. It is also a fairly
universal jurisdiction – a career in family law does not necessarily tie you to Adelaide.
CLERKING IN FAMILY LAW
I completed a four-week summer clerkship with Norman Waterhouse in the family law team. Following
completion of this placement, I am now employed as a casual law clerk. I decided that I wanted to
work in family law because it is an area of law that I feel you can use to really help people. Family law
is all about helping a client through one of the toughest times in their life. You are primarily dealing with
critical issues for your client including the care of a child and/or property settlement matters. These
issues are often highly emotional and your role as a family lawyer is not only about providing your client
with legal advice but managing your client through this difficult situation.
Throughout my time as a summer clerk at Normans I was given the opportunity to gain wide exposure
to the practice of family law. I was given the task of drafting court documents including applications
for divorce or consent orders, was able to attend numerous court proceedings and observe client
interviews. One of my most memorable experiences would have been observing a property settlement
mediation. This is because it provided me with the opportunity to see the final stages of a long process
come to a close and observe top family law barristers negotiate.
Family law is a very rewarding career as you are able to feel that
you have helped your client through a very stressful time. I would
definitely recommend to anyone interested in pursuing family law
as a career to apply for a clerkship at Normans. You will be given
fantastic exposure to the practice of family law and a real insight
into the daily routines of family lawyers.
Ashlee Wachtel – University of Adelaide Law Graduate
62
Family law is a complex and at many times emotional area to practise in. Due to the nature and subject
matter of family law, practitioners must also be more than a representative for their client. Dealing with
property and children’s issues, practitioners must have great negotiation skills and must be able to perform work of a highly sensitive nature. Dealing with litigation and dispute resolution, family lawyers can
also see a lot of legal aid work.
FAMILY LAW
PRACTICING FAMILY LAW
Family lawyers will work in the Family Court for more severe child matters, while predominantly appearing in the federal court.
Marie Stokes is a family law expert and sole practitioner. We spoke to Marie to gain an insight into the
field.
“I have been practising for nine years. I was never going to practice family law. The moral of the story
being never say never.
The big challenges I face are keeping on top of the law and also managing the client’s expectations particularly those who have unrealistic expectations. It can also be a positional legal practitioner on the
other side or one who does little or nothing to progress a matter. Empty vessels usually make the most
noise.
Students often ask me what skills and attitude you need to practise in family law. You need to be
tenacious, patient, empathetic and firm in order to keep the boat steady. You are dealing with clients
who are going through one of the most (if not the most) difficult time in their lives who, while coming to
terms with a separation/divorce and living apart from their child/ren, are trying to make decisions while
in a high emotional state often suffering from grief, loss and bewilderment. My oldest client is in her late
60s. It came as a huge shock in the autumn of her life when her husband up and left her with little or
no warning.
For any students wishing to enter the field, my advice is to have a strong interest in the area of family
law and to think carefully about if that is what they want to do. Talk to an experienced family law practitioner, and perhaps when doing GDLP seek one out to get a flavour of what it encompasses. I recently
took a student whose placement is with a criminal barrister to the Federal Circuit Court. She commented that she had no idea how many areas of the law it drew in and how complex the issues were.
It is demanding but can be very rewarding.”
Marie Stokes
63
AREAS OF
PRACTICE
COURTS AND
ADR
64
This information appeared has been collated from the Australia Law Students’ Association Judge’s
Associate Guide 2013 and 2015, and has been reprinted with their permission.
A Judge’s associate is essentially a member of the Judge’s personal staff, who accompanies the
Judge into Court in whichever jurisdiction the Judge presides, undertakes legal research, maintains record books and various other legal and administrative functions. Both State and Federal Courts usually
offer associateships for prospective graduates, however competition for the small number of positions
is always very high and the selection criteria for a successful applicant is very demanding.
COURTS AND ADR
Judge’s Associateships
High Court of Australia
The High Court is Australia’s most superior court with both original and appellate jurisdiction. The types
of cases heard by the Court traverses the whole range of Australian law. The matters include arbitration, contract, constitutional, company law, copyright, courts-martial, criminal law and procedure, tax
law, insurance, personal injury, property law, family law, trade practices and many more.
The earliest vacancy dates (as at 12 January 2015) for each of the Judges are as follows:
Chief Justice French No vacancies – retires in 2017
Justice Kiefel July 2017
Justice Bell January 2017
Justice Gageler January 2017
Justice Keane January 2017
Justice Nettle January 2016
A new Justice will be appointed in June 2015 to fill the vacancy created by Justice Hayne’s retirement
Application Process
1. To apply for an associateship with a particular Justice, an applicant should write directly to the Justice with whom s/he would like to work.
2. If you are interested in working for any one of the Justices without any preference then you should
write to the Chief Executive and Principal Registrar, Mr Andrew Phelan.
3. The Principal Registrar will raise your interest at a meeting with the Justices.
4. You should include a current CV and an academic transcript with your letter.
There are no closing dates on applications but the associates are usually appointed two to three years
in advance, so you must include the years you would be available to undertake your associateship.
Justice Gageler
The Honourable Justice Stephen Gageler will appoint two associates each January to commence
in January and July of the following year. Applicants should forward expressions of interest to Justice
Gageler's Chambers in October of the preceding year and include a curriculum vitae and academic
transcripts.
Candidates with postgraduate qualifications in law and prior experience as a judge's associate will generally be preferred. The next appointments will occur in January 2016 to commence in January and
July 2017. Expressions of interest should be forwarded in October 2015.
65
COURTS AND ADR
Legal Research Officer
The Court also employs a Legal Research Officer each year for a 12 month period. If you are interested
in applying for this position, you should contact Ms Petal Kinder, Court Librarian, by email to pkinder@
hcourt.gov.au.
Application Tips
In order to be successful in your application to become an Associate of the High Court, it is expected
that you have at least the following attributes:
1. You have graduated with First Class Honours; and
2. You have research experience (obtained at either university, a law firm, or other court)
Federal Court of Australia
The Federal Court has jurisdiction to deal with most civil disputes governed by federal law (with the exception of family law matters). Examples of the matters arising from Commonwealth legislation that the
Federal Court resolves are taxation, trade practices, native title, intellectual property, industrial relations,
corporations, and bankruptcy.
Associates are employed as part of the personal chambers staff of a particular judge. They provide
legal research, in-court duties and other support for that judge.
Application Procedures
1. Decide which court you would enjoy working in.
2. Prepare curriculum vitae including an academic transcript and a general application. Indicate if there
are particular periods when you wish to be considered for employment.
3. Forward your application directly to the judge or to the District Registrar in the appropriate registry.
4. Include the following documents (in separate attachments):
• Your personal information including a reply address for correspondence, contact number as well as
your current employer and job classification.
• The names and contact numbers of at least two referees, including your current employer.
• Any education/qualifications/work experience or training you have undertaken that would be beneficial to the role you are applying for.
5. Using the selection criteria as headings, describe how your particular work experience and qualifications enable you to satisfy each of the selection criteria for the job.
South Australian Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of South Australia is the state’s highest court and has ultimate jurisdiction within the
state in civil matters and hears the most serious criminal cases.
Expected Remuneration
You must have a LLB to become a Judge’s Associate within the South Australian Supreme Court. If
you are not admitted as a practitioner to the Supreme Court of South Australia, you can expect a salary
of approximately $47,700.00 p.a.
If you are admitted, you can expect a salary of approximately $53,355.00 p.a.
If you have a minimum of one year experience as an admitted practitioner, you can expect a salary of
approximately $55,240.00 p.a.
Supreme Court appointments are generally for one year.
66
Application Process
1. Prepare you curriculum vitae, qualifications and academic record; as vacancies arise at numerous
intervals throughout the year.
2. Also, prepare a copy of your admittance certificate (if you have been admitted at the time of application). NOTE: Unadmitted applicants may need to undergo a National Criminal History Check before
Application Tips
Judges have a tendency to select applicants who are already admitted to the Supreme Court of
South Australia.
Judges may make an exception in relation to hiring an applicant who is completing their Practical Legal
Training (PLT) or other post admission courses.
COURTS AND ADR
you are employed.
3. Send your application to:
The Honourable [insert particular Judge] Judge’s Chambers
Supreme Court
1 Gouger Street
ADELAIDE SA 5000
As an Associate you may not be employed in any other profession, regardless if you are being paid for
the position or not. You must obtain permission from the Chief Justice to do this.
South Australian District Court
The Associate provides a personal, confidential and professional service to the Judges of the District
Court. They provide legal, clerical, administrative and research functions both in and out of court,
including managing files, case outcomes and exhibit returns. They liaise with the judiciary, legal profession, litigants, witnesses, court staff and the general public to ensure the effective and efficient processing of court and chamber matters.
An important feature of the work is travelling to attend country circuits which require overnight absences for up to three weeks, with capacity to return to Adelaide on weekends.
Expected Remuneration
You must have a LLB to become a Judge’s Associate within the South Australian District Court. If you
are not admitted as a practitioner to the Supreme Court of South Australia, you can expect a salary of
approximately $50,359 p.a.
If you are admitted, you can expect a salary of approximately $56,330 p.a.
If you have a minimum of one year experience as an admitted practitioner, you can expect a salary of
approximately $58,319 p.a.
District Court appointments are generally a one year contract.
Application Process
1. Prepare you curriculum vitae, qualifications and academic record.
2. Also, prepare a copy of your admittance certificate (if you have been admitted at the time of application) NOTE: Unadmitted applicants may need to undergo a National Criminal History Check
before you are employed.
3. Send your application to:
Attn: Office Co-ordinator
The Registrar District Court of South Australia
GPO Box 2465
ADELAIDE SA 5001
General Application Tips for all Associateships
• DO be concise in your application - get to the point as to why you are the best person for the job.
• DO organise your application in an easy to read format, the last thing you want is for a Judge to be
frustrated by your application before they actually read it.
• DO NOT provide extensive details about your previous jobs that are not relevant to the position you
are applying for...chances are your previous position as a Pizza Delivery Boy/Girl will not sway the
Judge’s decision to hire you as his or her Associate.
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COURTS AND ADR
• DO NOT use old photocopies of previous applications, or very general applications. Be specific to
the position you are applying for, it does not make a great impression if the Judge feels as though
the position you are applying for is second, third, or fourth on your application list.
• DO NOT provide an unnecessarily long application; after all, you do not want the Judge to fall asleep
whilst he or she is reading your application.
For any interested students, we urge you to visit the full Associates Guide at http://www.alsa.net.au/
publications/judge-s-associates-guide.
GRADUATE EXPERIENCE
Rebecca McEwen was associate to the Hon. Justice Kathleen Farrell in the Federal Court of Australia in
2014 and is currently tipstaff to the Hon. Justice John Sackar in the Supreme Court of NSW
Being an associate or tipstaff offers a unique insight into the realities of litigation. It gives you an opportunity to work with and learn from a person at the pinnacle of the legal profession. Although of benefit to
anyone who wishes to practise law, it is a particularly valuable experience for those who plan to go to the
Bar. It affords a chance to see a diversity of advocates and to learn which techniques are effective (and
less effective).
The experience you will have as an associate or tipstaff varies enormously depending on the Chambers.
With that in mind, try to speak to current or former associates or tipstaves to get an idea of what expectations and preferences particular judges have. You should also consider, particularly if applying to the
Federal Court, what areas of law you’d like to engage with. You are unlikely to have an enjoyable year if
you have no interest in patents and are working for a judge who deals primarily with IP.
On a practical level, it’s always advisable to call or email the Chambers first to check that the judge has
not already appointed and to confirm whether postal or email applications are preferred. Be aware that
most judges appoint at least one year in advance. Moving interstate to commence an associateship is
not uncommon and is certainly possible – be mindful of the fact you may need to fly to interview, although many judges will be happy to organise skype facilities. If you do take an interstate appointment, it
is worth remembering that there will be differences in rules
of civil procedure and evidence.
If you do receive invitations to interview, remember that you
will work incredibly closely with the judge – the majority are
looking not only for someone with exemplary professional
qualifications, but also someone they can get along well
with.
Bec McEwen
68
Lloyd Wicks, Associate to the Hon. Justice to practitioners. Associates generally have little
difficulty finding employment in the profession
Gray, Supreme Court of South Australia
after their associateships and find the role
beneficial to their careers.
An Associate’s Role
Associates are appointed for one to two years. The
position is suited to a graduate solicitor with an interest An associateship is an enjoyable experience.
The cases are interesting and varied. Associates
in litigation.
often develop close, lasting relationships with
An associate’s role will vary considerably depending their judges and chambers staff. Most courts
on the judge for whom they work and the court in have a large group of associates who have
which that judge sits. My article in the 2015 ALSA recently graduated from university, which
Judges’ Associates’ Guide addresses this variation. makes for a vibrant workplace.
An associate will, at the very least:
•
attend court hearings;
•
manage files;
•
perform legal research; and
•
proof judgments.
COURTS AND ADR
ROLE OF AN ASSOCIATE
The Application Process
There is no uniform process for appointing
associates; each court and judge has a slightly
different approach to hiring.
As a general rule, applications should be
Some judges also involve their associates in drafting addressed to individual judges. An application
should include a short cover letter, academic
judgments, speeches and conference papers.
transcript and curriculum vitae. The cover letter
should address the applicant’s background
Benefits of an Associateship
A unique benefit of an associateship is the opportunity and interest in undertaking an associateship.
to learn how judges determine cases. Most judges
enjoy mentoring their associates and will take the time Judges tend to appoint associates six to
to discuss their approach to factual and legal enquiry. 18 months in advance. After reviewing the
The lessons learned are readily applicable to legal applications, they will usually shortlist a small
practice as they relate to almost all aspects of how a number of candidates and interview them
individually. Most interviews are brief and
matter should be run in court.
conversational. It is understood that candidates
Associates spend a considerable amount of time in will apply to more than one judge at a time.
court. They develop a good working knowledge of
the rules of court and evidence and observe how Work experience in a law firm or barristers’
counsel and solicitors deal with the many different chambers and an interest in litigation are
situations that arise in court. This stands them in advantageous, as is participation in relevant
good stead for when they become involved in running extra-curricular activities such as debating
and mooting. Associates tend to have strong
matters themselves.
Depending on the extent to which they become academic records. They need to be well
involved in drafting and proofing, associates may organised and have good communication
develop strong analytical, research and writing skills. skills. Given the closeness of the working
relationship, judges are often mindful of
Associateships are prestigious and highly sought appointing associates whose company they
after. Associates’ career prospects benefit from the and their chambers staff will find enjoyable, or
opportunity to interact with the profession on a daily at least tolerable.
basis. Judges often assist their associates to find
employment by providing a reference or an introduction
69
COURTS AND ADR
LIFE AS A BARRISTER
BY ANDREW TOKLEY SC
When I started at law school, I was not sure if I wanted to practise as a lawyer. I found the studying of
cases to be remote from the everyday life I was leading. At 18, when I was studying property law, I didn’t
have a mortgage and, to be frank, I didn’t want one (I still don’t). In my third year, I was inspired by the
teaching of James Crawford, my then lecturer in International Law and later my Honours thesis supervisor
and also by John Keeler. Both James and John made the law seem dynamic and exciting. It was
around then that I really began to appreciate the law as a system of rules and as a way of analysing and
thinking about factual problems. In my final year, I participated in the Jessup Moot competition with Terry
Connelly and Peter Allen. We were successful in winning the Australian rounds and also did well in the
International competition (the plaques hang in the Moot Court). It was during preparation for the Jessup
Competition that I became interested in written and oral advocacy.
After Law School, and still being undecided about my future, I tried my hand at legal practise, first as
an Articled Clerk to Graham Prior QC, the Crown Solicitor and then as a judge’s Associate to the Hon.
Justice White of the Supreme Court of South Australia. Those two years didn’t resolve my uncertainty
about practising law, but they did give me tremendous experience as an observer of advocates. As the
only articled clerk in the Crown Solicitor’s Office during my time there, I got to appear in summary matters
in the Magistrates Court. If my memory is correct, I appeared on over 200 occasions in the one year
and appeared before each of the 45 serving Magistrates. I learned a lot about Court etiquette, the rules
of evidence and advocacy.
At the end of my Associateship, I married and decided that I should direct my efforts towards having a
steady income. I spent three years with Baker McEwin (now absorbed by Minter Ellison) in Adelaide and
then almost five years in London with (first) Norton Rose and (then) Clifford Chance. Those five years took
me away from appearing in courts but I had opportunities
to observe some of the best advocates that England had
produced in the last 30 years in Anthony Grabiner QC (now
Lord Grabiner) Sydney Kentridge QC, Jonathan Sumption
QC (now Lord Sumption) and Robert Alexander QC (later
Baron Alexander of Weedon).
Upon my return to Adelaide in late 1991, there was an
economic recession and I had great difficulty in getting a
job. I can therefore empathise with recent graduates in that
regard. I was fortunate in eventually obtaining employment
with Mouldens solicitors and after five years I left Mouldens
to pursue a career at the Bar.
70
It took me several years to feel comfortable with practise
at the Bar and I still have doubts about the wisdom of
the some choices I have made. After several years as a
practising barrister, I am fortunate in having a broad and
successful practice. I estimate that I have appeared in
court about 1,000 times, 50 of those being in the High
Court of Australia. Most of my work is appellate work and I
have Chambers in both Adelaide and Sydney. I frequently
appear in intermediate courts of appeal and occasionally
I was appointed a senior counsel (an “SC”) in 2012 and a new sense of responsibility as one of the
“leaders” at the Bar sharpened my interest in what I do for a living. I realised that, in one sense, all
barristers do the same thing - we stand up and speak. The difference between senior counsel and junior
counsel is experience, that is, knowing what to say, when to say it and how to say it.
Looking back on my career to date, I think I would give the following advice to any young lawyer embarking
upon or thinking of embarking upon a career in the law and, in particular, to those thinking of becoming
barristers. First, don’t be disheartened by the present difficulties in finding jobs. It is part of the economic
cycle and with persistence, you will eventually find employment. Secondly, if you are hard working,
ambitious and you desire to address legal rights and wrongs, then perhaps a career in litigation and
maybe a career at the Bar is where you should set your sights. Thirdly, there is no substitute for hard
work and legal acumen and judgment. You don’t have to pay anyone to use your brains, but if you do,
there are plenty of rewards for doing so. Fourthly, a stint as a judge’s associate is a valuable, but not a
necessary, step towards becoming an advocate. Fifthly, members of the legal profession are often willing
to give up some of their time to younger practitioners to assist them in making career decisions. You
should feel free to contact practitioners with a view to asking them about some well thought out questions
- as, the more information one has, the better placed one is to make a decision.
COURTS AND ADR
do trials. My days are never dull and are full of problems to solve, whether in writing, on my feet in court
or over the telephone (and, sometimes, over lunch).
LOOKING FORWARD: THE
MAGISTRATES COURT
Jane L Schammer is currently a Civil Magistrate at the Adelaide Magistrates Court. In her four years
as a Magistrate she has done both criminal and civil, at both the Adelaide and Holden Hill Magistrates
Courts. The AULSS spoke to her about her role as a Magistrate and the journey she took to get there.
What was your path from graduating to your current position?
I was a lawyer for a long time: I finished my law degree in 1989, did the GDLP in 1990 and started
practicing in 1990. I worked in a couple of a different law firms, I was a partner in a couple of them:
Ward & Partners, which became Hunt and Hunt, and Minter Ellison, and Gilchrist Connell. I worked
mostly in civil litigation, so a bit of commercial litigation but generally working for insurers acting on behalf
of private companies, not the companies themselves. I was appointed as a Magistrate in 2011, so at
that time I had been a lawyer for 21 years.
What is the process involved in becoming a Magistrate?
You have to apply to be a Magistrate, in contrast to a District or Supreme Court Judge where you
are invited. They call for expressions of interest and then you have to attend a job interview. There is a
minimum requirement for eligibility to become a Magistrate, which I think stipulates you must have been
the holder of a current practicing certificate for five years, but the reality is that they don’t appoint people
unless they have been practicing for about 20 years, so you need to have a bit of experience.
What does a typical day at work involve?
In civil, it’s a mixture of minor civil work, which involves people that are unrepresented, and general civil
claims where generally people are represented by solicitors. In the civil jurisdiction, we hear matters from
the start to the end, so from the first directions hearing, to the conciliation conference, right through to
71
COURTS AND ADR
the trial. So days might be spent just doing directions hearings, or just doing a trial, or a mixture of both,
and then obviously spending time in our offices writing Judgements. Some cases could go for years – I
still have some files from cases that have been going since the end of 2013, but they are just difficult
matters that can’t be resolved with multiple parties and that sort of thing. Other cases go through the
system pretty quickly, with some matters being settled in the first directions hearing. Occasionally, Civil
Magistrates will fill in for Criminal Magistrates.
What made you decide to become a Magistrate?
Not only did I think I would prefer this work to working in a corporate firm, but I was also looking to do
something a bit different. So, when I had been working in a similar area of law for over 20 years I just
wanted a change! It was something I had always been interested in, but I probably never expected that
I would become a Magistrate.
What skills do you think are particularly important for your area of work? Do they contrast the skills you’d need as, say, a solicitor in a different field?
I think in civil, the hardest skill is people management because a lot of the people are unrepresented.
So you need to be quite patient, tolerant, and you need to be able to express things in plain language.
You also have to be able to listen. In criminal, and also in civil to an extent, you have to be able to
absorb a lot of information very quickly and process it rapidly. This is particularly so as in criminal you
are dealing with a lot of pleas, and a lot of different matters in one day, and so you just need to concentrate, listen, focus, process, make a decision and then move on to the next matter. So yes, you
have to be decisive, and if you aren’t decisive then this isn’t the job for you! Sometimes it is very hard to
extract from a layperson the information you need to then have the factual foundation to apply the law.
What people want to tell you is the things that they think are important, but what is important to them is
not necessarily what is important to resolving disputes or determining the issue in dispute. Sometimes
it is very hard to get people focused, and sometimes it takes a very long time and a whole lot of questions just to work out what the real issue is. That’s the hardest thing I think. I think you get these skills
working as a lawyer because you are dealing with clients and irrespective of whether you are dealing
with a really experienced litigant, someone who works for an insurance company, a general counsel for
a big firm or just any old person, you still have to be able to talk to them in a way that they understand,
and pick up on peoples little idiosyncrasies and tailor your response to them. You have to learn that
when you work as a lawyer so when you become a Magistrate you already have those skills, you just
have to put them in place a little bit differently.
MEDIATION/ADR
Alternative dispute resolution, the area of law where an impartial person aids in the resolution of a
dispute between people, involves a variety of processes including arbitration to expert determination.
The level of mediation is varied and can involve the resolution of both domestic and international
disputes.
For example, the non-for profit ADR firm ACICA deals with a number of international mediation issues
for the Australian government. Alternatively there are many other ADR bodies where one can gain an
education and further development and experience in the area. This includes the Institute of Arbitrators
and Mediators Australia, the largest independent ADR body in Australia.
If ADR is something that interests you, you will be exposed to a significant number of areas of mediation
and ADR in Dispute Resolution and Ethics.
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AREAS OF
PRACTICE
CRIMINAL LAW
CRIMINAL LAW
CRIMINAL LAW
For many students, Criminal Law is the be all and end all of the legal profession. For many, you commenced your law degree with Criminal Law as the end goal: you watched Law and Order SVU and
became instantly convinced that this was the career for you. Then you finally study Criminal Law and
Procedure, where your vague dreams were solidified into a strong desire to become a practitioner in
Criminal Law. Unfortunately, there is remarkably little information available to interested graduates about
what to reasonable expect from work in criminal law.
Graduate employment opportunities in Criminal Law practice are rather scarce and unstructured. Although the Director of Public Prosecutions takes a certain number of Practical Legal Training Placements, Criminal Defence Firms and Legal Aid Clinics by and large solely employ as needed and when
positions become vacant. This, therefore, makes relevant work experience all the more crucial, alongside time and patience. Work experience is also a good opportunity for you to make sure this area of
law is truly for you. Understandably, some might find the nature of the work too confronting when it is real
life, compared to mere words in a textbook or acting on a television show. Interested students must be
able to demonstrate an ability to remain professionally objective in challenging situations.
The positive is, however, that you may be surprised to learn just how many different firms and organisations actually practice criminal law in some way, beyond the DPP and Criminal Defence Firms. Within the
public sector, you might also like to consider the Australian Crime Commission (see page 81 for more
info), the Attorney-General’s Department more generally (see page 83), alongside the Legal Services
Commission of South Australia (and interstate equivalents), Law Reform Commissions, Police Integrity Commissions, Police Prosecutions, South Australian Community Legal Centres, and more. If you
are willing to relocate, be sure to also check out interstate opportunities at the interstate and/or federal
equivalents of the aforementioned organisations. You may also want to consider an Associateship (see
page 65), where if you do your research, you can work for a Judge who frequently hears criminal law
cases.
Criminal law underpins the way that we as a society behave, and our considerations of what is morally
correct and just. It is undoubtedly an exciting area of law, and one in which interested students should
not hesitate to engage with!
Q&A WITH LEAH
O’DONNELL (ODPP)
Leah O’Donnell is a prosecutor with the Office of the Director of Pulbic Prosecutions in South Australia.
This interview has been generously provided by the Flinders Law Students Association, and has been
reprinted with their permission.
74
Can you provide a brief description of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions?
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (or ODPP) is responsible for the prosecution of major
indictable offences (i.e. serious criminal offences) in the state. The key goal of the ODPP is to provide
How did you come to be in the position of solicitor at the Director of Public Prosecutions? Can you tell us a little about your career path?
Young practitioners (myself included) generally enter the ODPP through the ‘LEC1/LEC2 Pool’. This
Pool is usually advertised annually about September, but can be advertised earlier or later depending
on vacancy levels. When the Pool is open it will be advertised on www.vacancies.sa.gov.au. Being
accepted into the Pool is not a guaranteed offer of employment, nor do you know when positions will
become available. For example, I applied for a Pool in May 2012 but did not commence until January
2013. That said ten new practitioners have started with the ODPP from the 2014 pool.
CRIMINAL LAW
an effective, fair and independent criminal prosecution service for the State of South Australia. We
prosecute a wide variety of offences including serious drug offences, sexual offences, serious offences against the person (e.g. stabbings and murders) and so on.
Prior to working at the ODPP I was a Judge’s Associate at the District Court for two years. I would
highly recommend this for anyone with an interest in criminal law as it provides you with an excellent
understanding of how the court system works and an invaluable opportunity to work with the judiciary.
I did my PLT placement at the ODPP. The ODPP takes on a number of PLT and summer clerks
each year (application details including closing dates can be found on the website at http://www.dpp.
sa.gov.au).
While at University I was fortunate enough to secure a part-time position working in Industrial Relations
- while that was valuable, it made me realise commercial law in its traditional sense was not for me.
What were your motivations for becoming involved with prosecution? Were you always
interested in this career path?
I developed an interest in criminal law early on in my degree and also did a Bachelor of Arts majoring in
Criminal Justice due to this interest. While I did well enough at other subjects, I found criminal law was
something I was genuinely interested in and actually enjoyed studying, I cannot say the same about
Torts or Commercial Law! While at University I participated in the Mooting Competitions and wanted
a career path that would allow me time in court from an early stage of my career. Criminal law was
the obvious choice.
Did you ever consider a career in defense? Why/why not?
I did consider a career in defence, however due to the connections and knowledge I already had
about the ODPP from my PLT placement it was my preference to prosecute. I think it is important for
people to be aware that prosecuting and defence work are both integral parts of the criminal justice
system and one is not ‘better’ than the other.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?
This is a very difficult question as there are multiple aspects to this job that are rewarding.
Obtaining a fair outcome is always rewarding. I think it is important that people realise that prosecutors
are not simply looking to send as many people to prison for as long as possible and it is certainly not
always our position that a person convicted of a crime be imprisoned, or be imprisoned for a long period of time. We consider that a wrongful conviction or disproportionate outcome is not a good result.
We often have to work closely with alleged victims of serious offences. Although this is often a difficult
process, it is rewarding to be able to assist others understand the often intimidating criminal justice
system.
As a young practitioner it is also extremely rewarding to realise that your abilities are developing and
having the opportunity to put what you have learnt through your studies into practice.
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CRIMINAL LAW
How would you describe the sort of person best suited to a career at the Director of
Public Prosecutions?
Some of the offences we deal with can be quite confronting but you are also dealing with real people,
be that the alleged victims, the accused, their families and so on. As such you need to have a certain
amount of fortitude to deal with confronting evidence, but also an ability to speak with and relate to
people whose lives are effected by crime.
The hours can be long and there is a certain amount of pressure in this position. You need to be the
sort of person who is prepared to work outside of 9 - 5 and to have the ability to manage your time
and practice because you never know what might happen each day! You also need to be confident
enough to attend court from day dot. All of the solicitors at the ODPP appear in the courts regularly,
often daily. If you don’t want to be on your feet in the courtroom this job is not for you.
What types of opportunities should students be looking for whilst at university that
would be relevant to a career in prosecution?
Although my first job in the legal profession was not in criminal law, that experience helped me to secure a role as a Judge’s Associate which in turn led to my current position at the ODPP. It is important
the students get good work experience while at University. Part-time work in a law firm is an excellent
start, but in the current climate not always available. I’d recommend students apply for as many clerkships as possible and definitely do your PLT at the ODPP if you are interested in prosecuting.
As an aside, the courts in this state are open to the public. If you think you have an interest in criminal
law go and watch some court proceedings and explore from there.
If you could give one piece of general advice to students wishing to follow a similar career path, what would it be?
The current employment market is tough, I am a firm believer that working as a Judge’s Associate was
key in getting me this position. I would highly recommend that position to all students as it provides you
with an excellent foundation for a legal career regardless of if that be criminal or any other practice area.
More information about being an Associate is available from the South Australian Courts website.
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
For four months last year, I undertook an incredible opportunity to volunteer as a law clerk at a prominent
criminal law firm in Adelaide. After having just completed Criminal Law and Procedure with the University of
Adelaide, I was particularly excited to sink my teeth into the criminal law and to discover a side of law I had
never seen: the defence.
76
Although I tried my hardest to not let my expectations grow in the lead up to my placement, after watching two seasons of law and order in as many days, I felt like I was ready to take on the world. However on
my first day, I was unceremoniously, and unsurprisingly, brought back to earth. My first instruction from my
supervising lawyer that day was as confusing as my first day of trigonometry - “get those files, and let’s go!”
In a criminal law office where lawyers are taking on caseloads into the triple figures, and handling clients with
many multiple charges (and therefore many multiple files) to their name, there were files almost everywhere
but inside filing cabinets. After discovering the correct files, I then realized I had no idea where I was going,
Once we were on our way, I was incredibly excited about my imminent introduction to the criminal courts.
As I sipped on a mocha and attempted to appear knowledgeable about the incredible intricacies of the
law, I was soon introduced to the Holden Hill Magistrates Court, and it was here I experienced the biggest
learning curve of my student life. After meeting our first client, and discussing what was going to happen in
court that day, what plea would be entered, and the effect of that plea; I soon realised that practicing, as
a criminal defence lawyer is an incredibly heavy duty, and often is not about having an incredibly intricate
knowledge of the law, but rather an understanding of how the law is there to provide processes and produce outcomes. Many of the clients I met that day, and would meet in the coming months were desperately in need of guidance, and support. Many of who having admitted and accepted that their behavior
was illegal and wrong, were seeking a lawyer who would be able to help them through their problem, to
get them back on the right track and explain every step of the process along the way. With many of the
clients the firm acted for being legal aid clients, who for many various reasons were unable to afford representation, these people sought clarity, empathy and also a quick solution. However many of these people
just wanted to be heard.
CRIMINAL LAW
or why. However once my brain kicked into action I realised I would be going to court, which would soon
become an almost daily activity.
Although the lawyers who worked at the firm would often have multiple court dates on any given day, when
they were not attending court, their time at the firm was filled entirely with court preparation. Before I began work with the firm, I was sure that in the world of prosecution and defence that the adversarial nature
of the court system would be all encompassing and impossible to escape especially when preparing a
case for court, or even potentially trial. However what I found was a great deal of collaborative work, and
cooperation. The defence and the prosecution often worked together to negotiate plea bargains, as well
as communicating through many steps of the proceedings, in order to get the most efficient and effective outcome for all parties involved. With many of the firm’s clients balancing work, as well as court dates
and often court ordered intervention programs, it was always within the interests of the parties to finalise
a matter quickly and efficiently. This means sending letters to remind clients of when they were to appear,
contacting and negotiating with prosecution as well as filing submissions, pleas and defences. In short the
lawyers were always incredibly busy.
Although often a fast paced and hectic environment, my first experience of the criminal law was
a great insight into the human side of the law. The
defence of crimes is often about helping others
through a process aimed to rehabilitate. Of course
there are hard truths to learn about the enduring
inequality present within our society that sees many
criminals re-offend, however over the course of my
placement I have learnt much about being not only
a good lawyer, but also to be a good advisor, and
a shoulder to lean on.
Ashleigh Jones
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AREAS OF
PRACTICE
PUBLIC SECTOR
78
ASIC helps to ensure the positive reputation of Australia’s economy through regulating relations
between businesses and consumers.
PUBLIC SECTOR
PROFILE: Australian Securities and
Investments Commission (ASIC)
ASIC looks for students with knowledge in areas of law, accounting, business, commerce, economics
or IT. They look for students who will embody their key values of accountability, professionalism and
teamwork.
ASIC offers a Graduate program aimed at developing talent in and amongst teams through immediate
exposure to cases and programs. This program has 4-month rotations in which students can
achieve a maximum exposure to a variety of work.
What is the application process?
MUST BE AN AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN
6 stage application process for graduate program:
• Online application form
• Online psychometric assessment
• Phone interview
• Assessment Centre – half a day of different problem solving situations
•Interview
• Phone offer and contract sent via mail.
Key dates: Check the website for information on their graduate program commencing in 2016.
4 Stage application process for regular recruitment:
• CV application
• Phone interview, interview with selection panel, reference check.
• Offer
• Security Clearance
What are the benefits of joining ASIC?
ASIC maintains a strong focus on work-life balance, the future horizons of employees and the
development of their skills and their wellbeing. They offer the possibility for an interstate placement
and financial assistance for other routes of study. Additionally, they offer a guaranteed starting salary
of $62,867 plus flexible and negotiable work hours.
How to get in contact?
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Call: (02) 9911 5267
Address:
7/100 Pirie Street,
Adelaide, SA 5000
Australia
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PUBLIC SECTOR
PROFILE: Reserve Bank of
Australia (RBA)
The RBA is Australia’s central bank. It is responsible for the maintenance of the economic stability of
the country. Its objectives include keeping the constancy of the currency, preserving full employment,
and keeping firm the economic prosperity of the Australian people.
The RBA looks for “enthusiastic, committed, well presented individuals keen to develop their skills
in a corporate office environment,” and those who are prepared to promote the public interest,
demonstrate integrity, intelligent inquiry and respect. They look for students with backgrounds in
accounting, economics, finance, IT, science, engineering, maths and stats, law, or management.
RBA Internships
Cadetship program:
•
Provides work experience and financial support to talented students.
•
Looks for high-level analytical skills and a sense of desire for challenges.
•
3rd year students majoring in economics or finance intending on completing honours in following year, or equivalent for double degree students.
•
Involves an 8-week work placement, in which students complete a number of tasks providing Insight into working at RBA as graduate, culminating in a final research paper to be presented to staff.
•
Applications open 8/3 2015 to 16/6 2015.
Graduate Career:
•
Work tailored to Eco and Finance undergrads, graduates seeking career opportunities.
•
Orientation week, induction and training, business skills training, technical training for specific areas of work, rotations so that work is as diverse as possible, professional development opportunities – special and unique projects, conferences etc.
•
Applications open for Grad program 2015-2016 on 8/3 2015 to 12/4 2015.
What is the application process?
Applications are all run through the website or email [email protected].
What are the benefits?
The RBA aims to ensure that employees are exposed to a wide variety of different work of various
branches, from economics, to IT to accounting.
How to get in contact?
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +61 2 9551 8111
Address:
Reserve Bank of Australia
GPO Box 3947
Sydney, NSW 2001
Australia
80
What is it?
The ATO is the principal revenue collection facility in Australia. Its role is to monitor both the taxation
and superannuation systems of Australia, ensuring that the Australian community abides by and
participates in these areas and has confidence in the systems.
PUBLIC SECTOR
PROFILE: Australian Tax Office
(ATO)
What does the ATO look for?
The ATO specifies three key criterions for potential applicants: they must be an Australian citizen at
the commencement of starting work, they must be of good character and they must be able to
satisfy a medical check, if necessary for the position.
The ATO does offer a graduate program which lasts for 12-months, in which graduates are exposed
to an array of different areas of work.
What is the application process?
Interested individuals must visit their website www.destination.ato.gov.au. An online application must
be filled out which will include an applicant’s personal information, their current academic transcript,
employment details and resume.
What are the benefits?
The ATO prides itself on promoting work life balance, and hence provides in the graduate program
a number of benefits for employees, including annual salary advancement, flexible working hours,
sick and maternity leave benefits in addition to the diverse and interesting work opportunities.
How to get in contact?
For general employment email [email protected]
For enquiries regarding graduate program email [email protected].
PROFILE: Australian Crime
Commission (ACC)
What is it?
The ACC is an organisation, which looks to support Australian law enforcement efforts to reduce the
threat of serious crime on Australia and its economy.
What does the ACC look for?
There are a multitude of backgrounds that the ACC looks to hire from. Particularly, they look for
people with expertise in education, statistics, criminology, finance, economics and more. The ACC
looks for people who embody their core value set of integrity, accountability, innovation, courage and
empowerment.
What is the application process?
To apply for a job vacancy that has been listed on their website [https://www.crimecommission.gov.
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PUBLIC SECTOR
au/careers/application-process], one must be an Australian citizen unless in exceptional circumstances,
must be willing to take a medical and security assessment, and must not have received a redundancy
benefit. One must then address the selection criteria and submit a full application; inclusive of their CV.
Successful applicants may then have to participate in an interview. All additional details can be found on
the Crime Commission website.
The ACC offers exceptionally diverse and challenging work, allowing its employees to help toil with the
most difficult and high-level crime in Australia. Their aim to create a very employee focused and driven
work environment ensures the performance and success of its people and objectives.
How to get in contact?
Email regarding jobs: [email protected]
Phone for South Australia: 08 8217 6300
Address for South Australia: GPO Box 2411, Adelaide, SA, 5001
PROFILE: Australian
Communications and Media
Authority (ACMA)
The ACMA is an independent body tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that the stipulations of
Australia’s media and communication legislation and regulations are upheld in the public’s interest.
The ACMA particularly looks for people with expertise in media and law.
What is the application process?
Applications for job vacancies are to be completed online, with the job vacancies able to be found
on the ACMA’s website. Applying is a multi step process, beginning with registering with the ACMA,
followed by the completion of an application form. Following this, an email will be sent notifying the
applicant that their application has been received and if successful an interview or further assessment
may be arranged.
What are the benefits?
The ACMA prides itself by providing its employees with both a challenging yet supportive workplace
where work life balance and employee wellbeing is of the utmost importance. This is demonstrated in
their generous remuneration and leave provisions in addition to their study support options.
How to get in contact?
All applications are to be done online at http://www.acma.gov.au/theACMA/About/Careers.
The best other form of contact is via phone on 1300 850 115.
82
The Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department (CAGD) contributes to Australia’s law and justice
framework. The CAGD department has three constituent sections which deliver programs to support
strategic aims and policy objectives for the Commonwealth. These include: Strategic Policy and
Coordination, Civil Justice and Legal Services and National Security and Criminal Justice.
PUBLIC SECTOR
PROFILE: Attorney-General’s
Department
The South Australian Attorney General’s Department (SAAGD) provides legal services and advice to
Ministers, departments and agencies across the whole of government, including: specialist policy
advice, regulation and compliance, and direct service delivery to the public. The SAAGD is the principal
provider of legal infrastructure for South Australia.
Applications for the CAGD’s 2016 Graduate Program are open through their online application system
from March 2015 and close April 2015. Applicants must be Australian citizens with a qualification
equivalent to a three year Australian undergraduate degree completed not more than 5 years prior to
the commencement of the program.
The CAGD graduate program is a 12-month position that includes the opportunity to participate in
three work rotations across various areas within the CAGD, as well as extensive one-on-one support
and exciting ongoing opportunities upon completion of the graduate program.
The SAAGD does not have a graduate intake for 2016.
It is also worth looking for other organisations under the auspices of the Attorney General’s Department,
including the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (see
below).
PROFILE: Crown Solicitor’s Office
Within the auspices of the Attorney General’s Department, The South Australian Crown Solicitor’s
Office is responsible for providing legal services to state government Ministers and their departments.
Within the Crown Solicitor’s Office, there is an opportunity to practice in varied aspects of law including
administrative and environment, civil litigation, commercial and native title.
Graduate positions
The Crown Solicitor’s Office hires graduate lawyers through an established Graduate Solicitor Pool. If
successful upon application, graduates are placed in the pool for a period of six months and notified
as suitable positions arise.
For more information, email the Business Services Section [email protected], or
call (08) 8463 6558.
Work experience
The Crown Solicitors Office also offers practical legal training and an eight-week summer clerkship,
with more information accessible at http://www.agd.sa.gov.au/.
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PUBLIC SECTOR
PROFILE: Office of the Director of
Public Prosecutions
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions ‘ODPP’ was established as a fair and independent
prosecuting authority for the State of South Australia. It prosecutes offences against the law of the
State of South Australia, which are tried in either the District or Supreme Court.
The powers of the Director include to lay charges and prosecute indictable or summary offences
against the law of the State, take proceedings for or in relation to the confiscation of profits of crime,
grant immunity from prosecution in appropriate cases, and exercise rights of appeal arising from
proceedings of the kind referred to above.
The Solicitor Section provides services on the files conducted by the ODPP. This includes legal
advice, committals, and arraignments, all matters in the pre-trial stage and after sentencing submissions. The Prosecution Section provides counsel services in both trials and appeals.
The ODPP offers placements to students wishing to complete the practical legal training component
of their professional qualifications. Placements are for a period of 7 weeks and are usually offered on
a full-time basis.
Dates are as follows, although students may be accommodated outside these dates by agreement:
Placement Dates
Closing Date for Applications
10 March - 24 April 2015
23 January 2015
18 May - 3 July 2015
20 March 2015
27 July - 11 September 2015
7 June 2015
6 October - 20 November 2015 7 August 2015
Applications must be in writing and must include a resume, and academic transcript. Applicants
should indicate when they are interested in completing a placement and provide a short summary of
why they are interested in the ODPP
Applications should be addressed to:
Kos Lesses
Acting Senior Prosecutor
GPO Box 464
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Enquiries to: Kos Lesses, [email protected]
E-Mail applications will not be accepted. Late applications will not be considered. PLT placement
positions are not paid.
There are also summer clerkship positions over the summer break period. These positions are
remunerated. Applications are processed through the Crown Solicitors Office.
Source: http://www.dpp.sa.gov.au/05/plt.php?s=05
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The Australian Army, Navy and Air Force employ legal officers to work in the areas of Civil, Discipline,
Administrative and International law, including graduates.
As government lawyers, Defence Force legal officers are required to be well versed in a wide range
of law including, but not limited to constitutional, criminal, regulatory, statutory interpretation, freedom
of information, copyright, contract, and workplace relations law. The precise nature of legal work in
the defence forces depends on whether the position is with the Army, Navy or Air Force. It is important to look at the requirements of the precise roles advertised on the website (see http://www.
defencejobs.gov.au/), especially regarding which states and territories recruitment is focussed in.
For example, Navy Reserve Legal Officer recruitment is currently focussed in Western Australia and
the Northern Territory only.
PUBLIC SECTOR
PROFILE: Australian Defence
Force
Requirements for Graduate Employment
In addition to legal qualifications, it is important to know that the ADF has stringent requirements
upon application.
Graduates must be aged between 17 and 56 years of age, and an Australian citizen. Permanent
Residents of Australia may be considered under exceptional circumstances. Applicants must also
undertake a security clearance, which involves having lived in Australia for the 10 years preceding
application or having a checkable background for that period.
The application process for the Australian Defence Force also requires completion of a series of
aptitude test including verbal, spatial and numerical ability, a general maths test, and involves medial
and fitness requirements.
PROFILE: Ombudsman SA
Ombudsman SA in an independent statutory authority that investigates complaints regarding State
Government and local government agencies and conducts freedom of information reviews.
Complaints can be made about the acts or omissions of any agency within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction. Any member of the public may lodge a complaint and Ombudsman SA may also receive
complaints confidentially.
Ombudsman SA may conduct investigations to determine whether a decision-making process
or decision is unlawful, unreasonable or wrong. The Ombudsman may make recommendations
to correct a problem. An investigation by Ombudsman SA can result in the review of a decision,
change in a procedure, or some other remedy. In some cases a refund or an ex gratia payment to
remedy a financial loss may be recommended.
Several University of Adelaide courses offered to law students provide them with placements and
internships at Ombudsman SA. These courses are LAW 3510 Clinical Legal Education and LAW
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PUBLIC SECTOR
3527 Public Law Internship Programme.
As a law student, your role in contributing to Ombudsman SA includes: assisting in determining whether a complainant has a case to be made, legal research, as well as sitting in on and potentially conducting client interviews.
For more information and a copy of the course outline regarding Clinical Legal Education please visit:
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/course-outlines/105036/1/sem-1/
For more information and the course outline regarding the Public Law Internship Programme, please
visit:
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/course-outlines/105605/1/summer/
PROFILE: Australian
Government Solicitor
What is AGS?
The Australian Government Solicitor is a government agency specifically set up to provide legal services
to the various departments, agencies and entities within the Australian Government. The department
assists the Attorney-General, employing over 300 lawyers, with an office in every capital city.
What areas of law is the AGS involved in?
Although the AGS specialises in constitutional and statutory interpretation, alongside legal issues relating
to national security and public international law, it is also involved in:
Government and administrative law
Crown liability
Employment law
FOI and privacy
Judicial review and merits review
Legislative development
Military discipline
Ombudsman inquiries
Public administration and governance
Royal commission, inquiries
Tied work
Tort law
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Corporate and commercial law
Banking and finance
Construction
Consumer and competition
Contract
Corporations
Environmental law
Information technology
Insurance
Intellectual property
Media and communications
Probity
Property
Taxation
Other legal services
Civil enforcement practice
Criminal law
Family law
Legal risk management and audit
Legislative drafting
Maritime law
Native title
Out-posted lawyer service
PUBLIC SECTOR
Dispute resolution and litigation
Administrative law
Alternative dispute resolution
Commercial disputes, insurance law, debt
litigation
Compensation
Competition law
Employment and industrial relations law
Information law
In-house counsel service
Migration
National tax practice
Torts and defamation law
The AGS National Graduate Programme
The AGS National Graduate Programme runs over 12 months, with most graduates based
in Canberra. You will undertake rotations in each of their three national legal practices (Dispute
Resolution, Commercial and the Office of General Counsel) for approximately three months each.
Each graduate will also have a client placement of approximately 3 months, and the opportunity to
undertake a part-time pro bono placement.
Requirements and Application
Due to popularity, the AGS generally looks at grade averages of 70 or higher. Your suitability will also
be assessed based on your application, including your justifications for your interest in the AGS,
and the three qualities which make you a particularly suitable candidate.
For the 2016 programme, applications open on Tuesday 3 March 2015, and close on Friday 17
April.
For more information and to apply online, go to www.ags.gov.au.
NB: From 1 July 2015, the AGS will be consolidated within the Attorney-General’s Department.
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PUBLIC SECTOR
LOOKING FORWARD: SA
PARLIAMENTARY COUNSEL
Richard Dennis graduated from the University of Adelaide in 1978, when he became an Articles Law
Clerk working in a small legal firm. After being admitted at the beginning of 1980, he continued in employment with that firm for about 18 months and then became a partner in July 1981. He then left the
partnership in May 1982 to join the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office and as been there ever since.
What was your path from graduating to your current position?
I was very fortunate to have excellent Articles after leaving University. Because I was working in a small
firm, I basically practised in all areas of the law. I can remember that the firm gave me some great
opportunities to develop relationships with some key clients and to do a lot of court work. Becoming a partner within 18 months of my admission was also a significant step in my career. However, I
thought that, for me, I needed to do something different with my law degree and I happened to see
an advertisement for a job in the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office. I did not know much about the office
but I had enjoyed drafting documents in private practice. I had also obtained my Honours Degree in
Administrative Law and so I had a particular interest in how government works.
Why did you choose your current position and what makes it a good fit for you?
Working at Parliamentary Counsel has been a great “fit” for me. It gives a lawyer an opportunity to
work in an agency that is very much at the centre of a very important part of what governments do
– turning policy into law. However, as Parliamentary Counsel we stay completely “neutral” as to the
policy behind the legislation. The key is to concentrate on preparing the best draft possible in the
circumstances. This often involves analysing and questioning aspects of policy – but simply as part of
the drafting process as we seek to achieve a coherent and sensible product.
I also very much enjoy working at Parliament. While the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office is part of the
Attorney-General’s Department, we are in a unique position because we also prepare drafts for Private Members of Parliament (both Bills and amendments to Bills). We can do this because, as I have
mentioned, we remain completely neutral as to the policy. Our focus is on the drafting. Parliamentary
Counsel are also present at Parliament during the Committee stages of a Bill to provide advice to the
relevant Minister and other Members, and to prepare any necessary amendments. This means that
we work closely with all Ministers and other Members of Parliament. I like the fact that our work is
about obtaining the best possible outcome without pushing any particular position or interest. I also
like the fact that I can contribute to our system of democracy by supporting Ministers and Members of
Parliament as legislators.
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What does a typical day at work involve?
I am the head of the office and so a typical day includes some office administration, discussing drafts
and drafting issues with colleagues, perhaps a meeting with an instructor on a Bill that I am drafting,
doing my own drafting work and, if it is a Parliamentary sitting day, attending at Parliament. A good
Parliamentary Counsel must be able to manage a number of projects at any one time. We spend a
lot of time simply drafting, but we must also work closely with our instructors – either via the telephone,
by exchanges of emails, or by attending meetings. Senior members of my office work long hours –
especially if Parliament is sitting or if we have a tight deadline for a particular piece of draft legislation.
As Parliamentary Counsel, I am also a member of the national Parliamentary Counsel’s Committee
(constituted by the head of each drafting office in Australia, and the New Zealand Parliamentary Counsel), which involves working on projects that are to be implemented on a uniform basis by the States
and Territories or in conjunction with the Commonwealth.
What skills do you think are particularly important for your area of work, in contrast to,
say, corporate law?
This is a difficult question. I think that a truly successful lawyer must have a lot of skills that are common
no matter in which area of the law he or she may work. These include excellent writing skills, being
good at drawing information out of people, attention to detail, being
able to explain legal concepts simply and clearly, and being good
at expressing oneself. I think that a legislative drafter needs a lot of
patience and to be well organised. You must be willing to do a lot
of reading (perhaps more than is required in most other legal jobs)
and must be willing to work quietly on your own to ensure that you
produce the best possible product in the circumstances.
PUBLIC SECTOR
What do you think are the advantages of your area over other areas?
Parliamentary Counsel see government from a unique perspective. We work for the Executive (as
instructions for Government Bills come from Cabinet), we work at Parliament, and we must be keenly
aware of the position of the courts who must interpret the legislation that we prepare. A Parliamentary
Counsel can have a significant impact on the law of the State because, as we know, legislation applies
across the whole community. In a way, we can influence the law “with the stroke of a pen”. A drafter
is also expected to work across all areas of the statute book and therefore works on a great variety of
matters over his or her career. It is a high-quality job that can be very rewarding.
What advice do you wish you’d listened to as a Law Student?
Keep your options open. Do not assume that getting a job in a
big law firm is necessarily the best option. Be willing to try something different. Work hard at finding a job that suits your personality
and then do everything you can to make it a success. Be yourself
and appreciate the fact that you have the opportunity to work in an
amazing profession.
Richard Dennis PSM LL.B (Hons) Grad.Dip.Bus.Admin
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AREAS OF
PRACTICE
HUMAN RIGHTS
& INTERNATIONAL
LAW
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Human Rights Internship Programme
Units: 3
Organisation requirements: students are required to find their own human rights organisation
to intern at, with the requirement that he or she must be acting as a legal intern. Students may intern
either nationally or internationally.
HR INTERNSHIP
SUBJECT GUIDE:
Duration: approximately 10 weeks minimum, however many students go for much longer
Assessment: throughout the duration of your internship you will be required to submit a series of
three journal entries reflecting on your experiences. At the end of your internship, you will also be
required to submit a research portfolio, including a research task, research methodology summary,
and host organisation briefing.
Funding: students are expected to source their own funding for the internship, and should not
expect to rely entirely upon scholarships. However, there are two scholarships available through the
University of Adelaide: the Dame Roma Mitchell Scholarship, and the Law Foundation Scholarships.
There are also some funding options which students may apply for outside of the university, including
the Study Overseas Foundation Grants and the Australia New Zealand Society of International Law
Internship Support. University of Adelaide Law Students have had some success in applying for
these.
For more information: consult Access Adelaide and contact the course co-ordinator, Laura Grenfell.
THE HRIP AND YOUR
CAREER
Many of the Adelaide law graduates who have undertaken the Law School’s Human Rights Internship Programme in the past are now working in the field of human rights law all around the globe. A
number of past interns are working in various offices of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees – for
example in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Other interns have found work with the international criminal tribunals such as the International Criminal Court and the International Criminal Tribunal for
the Former Yugoslavia.
On the home front, some past interns have worked with the Australian Human Rights Commission,
the Office of International Law at the Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department and the Human
Rights Law Centre. A number of recent interns have decided to pursue a LLM at various leading law
schools around the world - this is because their internships have opened their eyes to the fact this
competitive field often requires a postgraduate degree.
- Associate Professor Laura Grenfell
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HR INTERNSHIP
Student Experience
There were a wide variety of reasons that I chose to undertake a human rights internship. The main reason
was that I had always wanted to complete part of my degree overseas, and saw an internship as a fabulous
way to spend a semester abroad, whilst actually benefiting my career and broadening my horizons in a
way that far exceeds the understandably popular exchange semester/Contiki tour combination. I have also
always had a strong interest in human rights and international law, and so an international tribunal such as
the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda was the perfect place for me to intern. Beyond that, however,
there is no shortage of options when it comes to choosing a place to intern, provided you are willing to take
the time to research and discover the perfect internship to fulfil your social justice passions. Be prepared to
spend considerable time searching for and applying to various institutions that interest you, and in filling out
copious amounts of applications for funding.
The reality of completing a human rights internship, particularly for university credit as part of the human rights
internship programme, is that it will require copious amounts of hard work. Not only will you be working full
time, but you will also need to spend your spare time completing the assessment tasks (journal entries, major
essay, and more!). You will find, however, that so long as you are working in a field that you are passionate
about, then this will not seem at all burdensome.
For me, the nature of my human rights internship taught invaluable practical skills in legal research and writing
that I would have never learnt through traditional electives. I was working on the last case to ever occur before
the ICTR Appeals Chamber, and it was amazing to see firsthand the rich history of the jurisprudence of the
ICTR that has formed over the last twenty years. I was fortunate enough to be involved in a wide variety
of tasks while interning for the Appeals Chamber, from summarising appeal submissions, to collecting the
relevant jurisprudence, to conducting actual analysis to propose to the Judges in the Preparatory Document
(essentially a pre-judgement proposal to the Judges). It was a stimulating and challenging environment,
where you had to learn new skills rapidly and handle multiple tasks simultaneously. This environment, although
daunting at first, was precisely what made the internship such a satisfying experience.
It is important, however, to be realistic about what you are hoping to achieve in your internship. You are not
going to be single handedly changing the world, but nonetheless need to be content in helping whenever
you can. Sometimes, you will be stuck with unenjoyable jobs, which for me included cite checking over
1000 footnotes. What an internship does, in essence, is prepare you for your future, and provide you with
the necessary experience and skills to thrive in such an environment.
On a personal level, by far the most satisfying part of my internship was getting to work with a wide variety
of people from all over the world. Institutions, particularly those with such an international focus, truly contain
an amazing mix of fascinating backgrounds, and sometimes being able to work in such a multicultural
environment is an invaluable skill in itself. Furthermore, by the end
of your internship you will likely find yourself with a new network of
unforgettable and likeminded colleagues and friends from all over
the world. The value of this in itself is not to be underestimated, as
you never know where you will all end up!
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to
intern in the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal
For Rwanda, and I cannot thank enough those that helped or
assisted me throughout my internship.
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Megan Lowe
AREAS OF
PRACTICE
SOCIAL JUSTICE
AND ALTERNATIVE
AVENEUES IN LAW
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SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ALT. AVENUES
What Is JusticeNet?
JusticeNet is an independent not-for-profit organisation that connects disadvantaged low-income
individuals and charitable organisations with pro bono (free) legal assistance when they cannot afford it
themselves.
Other legal service providers including the Legal Services Commission and Community Legal Centres
help to address disadvantage however, there are still gaps through which many people fall. For these
people, the growing network of pro bono clearing houses across Australia including JusticeNet,
provides a safety net.
Run by experienced lawyers and assisted by volunteers including law students, JusticeNet helps many
South Australians each year.
Legal Assistance
JusticeNet facilitates free legal assistance in a wide range of areas. The services generally exclude family
law, criminal law, and complex commercial and building disputes, except in exceptional situations.
JusticeNet assists people through the following services:
Pro Bono Referral: JusticeNet runs a referral service that links eligible applicants with a solicitor or
barrister who will assist them on a pro bono basis.
Refugee and Asylum Seeker Project: JusticeNet offers a specialist referral service for applicant asylum
seekers who wish to judicially review negative immigration decisions in the Federal Court System.
Self-Representation Service: JusticeNet assists people representing themselves in the Supreme Court
of South Australia or the Federal Courts by offering them a one-hour appointment with a pro bono
solicitor who provides advice and minor assistance with legal tasks. The Supreme Court service is run
with the support of Flinders University Law School.
Volunteering with JusticeNet
Working with experienced lawyers, JusticeNet offers an excellent opportunity for law students to be
exposed to real-life cases. Volunteers participate in a wide range of activities including taking telephone
enquiries from members of the public, assessing written applications for assistance, preparing briefs for
lawyers, writing submissions on law reform issues and legal research.
Both the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia offer placements with JusticeNet
through their Clinical Legal Education (CLE) courses. There are also opportunities for law students to
volunteer outside of this.
One student’s experience:
“Although I have only just begun volunteering with JusticeNet, I can already see how important their work
is. Even more obvious is the experience I am gaining from my involvement. I have had an opportunity to
speak with clients on the telephone, draft letters and investigate some truly interesting matters. On top
of all of this is the knowledge that I am contributing to the community. I would strongly recommend it to
any law student looking for some hands-on experience.”
- Stephanie Campbell, final year Adelaide Law School student
JusticeNet accepts applications from people interested in volunteering all year round from penultimate or
final year law students and law graduates. Please enclose your resume and academic transcript in an
email [email protected]. CLE Placements are organised through CLE coordinators.
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Legal community centre volunteering is one of the first steps that many lawyers and barristers have
taken in their legal career. Not only are many legal community centres in need of staff, the real
life experience you can gain from volunteering can make a difference to your CV and employment
prospects. Adelaide University also offers the opportunity to work with legal centres such as JusticeNet
through CLE, however there’s nothing stopping you form getting in touch with the many centres
around Adelaide who could use help. Visit: www.saccls.org.au to find out more about community
legal services in South Australia.
CANCER COUNCIL PRO BONO
PROGRAM
What is the Cancer Council Pro Bono Program?
The Cancer Council Pro Bono Program offers several legal internships each year, and has been
active since March 2010. The program provides free legal and financial planning advice to cancer
patients and carers who cannot afford it otherwise. Areas of advice include wills and estates, powers of attorney, early access to superannuation, insurance claims and disputes, consumer credit
hardship, employment, tenancy and discrimination.
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ALT. AVENUES
LEGAL COMMUNITY CENTRES
The Internship
This internship is based in Woolloomooloo (Sydney). Interns will be responsible for contacting clients
to take instructions and preparing written report to brief external lawyers. Interns will come away from
the experience with improved client interviewing skills, legal research, fact investigation, legal drafting,
and relationship management.
Selection Criteria
To be eligible, you must be a law graduate or a law student in your penultimate or final year and
committed to improving access to legal services for disadvantaged groups in the community. This
internship can also be undertaken to satisfy the work experience component of Practical Legal Training.
For more information, please visit http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/get-involved/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/.
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SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ALT. AVENUES
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS
OFFICES OF AUSTRALIA
What is an EDO?
The Environmental Defenders Officers of Australia (EDOs) is a large, Australia-wide network aimed at
protecting the environment, indigenous, and local communities. EDOs focus on providing legal advice
and litigation, policy and law reform and legal education They are run by lawyers who are specialists
in public interest environmental and planning law at both state and Federal levels. EDOs also operate
more broadly in the Pacific region, assisting with legal, scientific and policy advice and technical skills
training, with the Scientific Advisory Service providing expert scientific advice to enable accurate and
extensive assistance.
What happens in South Australia?
For assistance in South Australia, the EDO (SA) Advisory Service is located at level 1, 182 Victoria
Square. Following an online application, the EDO will provide a half-hour appointment to discuss the
matter. For complex matters, further assistance may be available if it is in the public interest. An administration fee of $55 ($25 concession) will apply, and for complex and time consuming matters, a further
contribution to costs may be necessary.
Law Student Volunteers
Law student volunteers are welcome to apply to EDO (SA) to volunteer on a weekly or fortnightly basis,
or for the specific purpose of completing a particular project in a set period of time. There are a variety
of tasks that you will undertake, including answering phones, legal research, assisting on casework and
other administrative tasks. EDO (SA) will only consider law students who have studied environmental
law subjects and have a demonstrable interest in environmental issues.
Applications can be submitted at any time EDO (SA), so find out more at http://www.edosa.org.au/
law_students, or alternatively, questions can be directed to (08) 8359 2222.
QUESTIONS?
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE
AULSS CAREERS AND
SPONSORSHIP TEAM:
[email protected]
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Those students looking to get involved in work with Indigenous affairs and native title issues should look
immediately towards the Aurora Project. The project places law students who are both academically
strong and have a passion for social justice, policy and human rights in unpaid internships in a range of
different Native Title Representative Bodies. These internships last around 5-6 weeks and give students
exposure to native title work, and the ability to help support the NTRB’s projects. If working in native title
issues and Indigenous affairs is potentially of interest, the application process and further details can be
found on their website at www.auroraproject.com.au.
AURORA NATIVE TITLE INTERNSHIP
I completed my Aurora Native Title Internship with the Native Title Services Provider for Aboriginal Traditional
Owners in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory (NTSCORP). NTSCORP is located in
Redfern, Sydney. My internship, which lasted four weeks, enabled me to observe how native title claims
are negotiated from the perspective of lawyers working in native title representative bodies. This gave me
a valuable insight into the challenges that native title lawyers face in negotiating in a relatively new area of
law, as well as the pragmatic impact that the recognition of native title has on Aboriginal communities.
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ALT. AVENUES
NATIVE TITLE
My internship involved working with solicitors in NTSCORP’s legal unit. A majority of this work consisted
of the preparation of claims in anticipation of satisfying the registration test of the National Native Title
Tribunal (NNTT), as well as working with facilitators and researchers to take affidavits from Traditional
Owners. The solicitors were also responsible for assisting Traditional Owners to negotiate consent
determinations and agreements, such as Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs).
Working at a Native Title Representative Body also involved working closely with anthropologists
and historians who were employed to collect evidence relating to native title claimants. I enjoyed the
opportunity to work closely with people who did not come from a legal background and learnt a lot
about fields such as anthropology and land tenure that were closely connected yet very different from
my work in the legal unit.
Rather than applicants meeting with staff in the Sydney offices, the solicitors and researchers would
frequently go ‘on country’ to interview traditional owners, carry out
mapping exercises and conduct community meetings. I would have
appreciated the opportunity to go ‘on country’ as I feel as though it would
have enabled me to better understand the importance to Aboriginal
people of having their traditional ownership recognised through native
title. I would recommend that interns speak up if they are interested in
accompanying lawyers ‘on country’ as I imagine this would be a really
eye-opening experience.
Overall, my Aurora internship gave me a great insight into native title
law and I would recommend it to any students with an interest in social
justice and indigenous affairs.
Alice Aplin – Law Graduate from the University of Adelaide
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SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ALT. AVENUES
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
The role of the Justice of the Peace (JP) is to act as an independent and objective witness to documents
people use for official or legal purposes. JPs can serve different roles in different jurisdictions. Generally, a
JP’s work includes witnessing oaths or affidavits, taking statutory declarations and affirmations, witnessing
signatures, attesting the execution of the document, and much more. The position of Special Justice, like
that of a Justice of the Peace, is entirely voluntary. A Special Justice sits in the Magistrates Court, generally
without a Clerk of the Court. In some circumstances Special Justices may sit in the Criminal Division and
thus hear summary matters under other Acts such as the Motor Vehicles Act or the Summary Offences
Act.
In a role that looks to facilitate the smooth workings of Local Government and the Magistrates Court, JPs
and SJPs do not need to hold a Law Degree of any kind. Although majoritively administrative work, the
role of a JP in South Australia is highly valuable. This may be an ideal avenue for those wanting to serve
and uphold the law in Australia without practicing. The AULSS inverviewed a Special Justice about his role
as a Justice of the Peace and Special Justice in South Australia.
How did you find out about the Justice of the Peace (JP) program, and where did you start?
Appointment to the office is by the Governor of South Australia on the recommendation of the AGD.
The office is administered by the the JP Services group of the Attorney General’s Department. The
appointment is a volunteer service for the community. JPs conduct themselves in strict accordance to
the Code of Conduct prescribed by the Act and Regulations. Many JPs belong to the Royal Association
of Justices SA, which provide continuing training for its members as legislation changes.
The Attorney Generals department JP Services has a website with information regarding applications and
requirements of the role. Anyone of good standing could apply to be a JP and there is a vetting process
conducted by JP Services. Successful applicants following an interview needs to successfully complete
studies at TAFE.
What does the JP role entail? How is it different from a Special Justice of the Peace (SJP)?
The role entails the administration of oaths, taking affidavits, witnessing instruments, etc. These are done
generally at the court precinct or local government council offices, but could also be anywhere or any
time that is convenient to the parties.
Special Justices (of the Peace) by definition needs to be a JP. SJPs are appointed through a similar
process as JPs. Their role in addition to those of the office of JP is to hear summary offence matters in
the magistrates courts. These matters are generally heard in the first appearance court.
What do you enjoy about your work as an SJP?
It is an honour and privilege to be appointed as it is a way to giving back to the community. I enjoy the
role because it enables me to interact with the community and the judicial system in general. It gives me
a better understanding of the working of the system.
What is the workload and demand like for JP’s or SJP’s?
The workload depends on the individual. Most JPs or SJPs put themselves down for a roster, say once
a week for a few hours. SJPs sit in the magistrates court during weekdays to hear matters listed before
them much like magistrates.
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How is the role of an SJP viewed by lawyers and judges?
As the role of the courts evolve over time so do the roles of the judicial officers. There are mixed views of
the role of the SJP from lawyers and other judicial officers.
HIGHER
EDUCATION
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HIGHER EDUCATION
ACADEMIA
The work of academics in shaping the law is a unique aspect of our legal system. If you have a keen
interest in the theoretical side of law, it is never too early to enquire into further study in the many areas of
law. There are opportunities to contribute to the Adelaide Law Review before you finish, and further study
in a particular field opens the opportunity to not only make yourself more employable, but also contribute
to the Common Law in a distinct and rewarding way. Adelaide Law School has some of Australia’s finest
legal minds, many of whom you will have encountered during your studies. Visit the law school website
or enquire with your lecturer or seminar leader for more information.
Q&A WITH ANNA OLIJNYK
What was your path from graduating to your current position?
I spent 18 months as an Associate at the Supreme Court of South Australia (a wonderful experience I
would highly recommend) before returning to the Law School to undertake PhD studies. After four years
(three years full time) I have just completed my PhD!
Why did you choose to work in academia and was it always something you wanted to
do?
When I was at uni I had no idea what I wanted to do. But when I went into academia several of my
friends informed me they always thought I would go that way!
I found law fascinating but never felt the urge to go into practice. Academia offered a way to explore
aspects of law I found most interesting. Plus I always suspected I would enjoy teaching.
What does a typical day at work involve?
There’s lots of variety and autonomy. Some days involve meetings, teaching, training sessions and seminars. I try to keep one or two days a week free to concentrate on research without distractions.
What skills do you think are particularly important for academic work, compared to practicing?
Research is perhaps the most important part of academic work. You need an open mind, patience,
and a genuine interest in your subject. It helps if you are good at writing and can make an argument.
Because there is a lot of autonomy, it’s important to have strong self-motivation and time-management
skills.
You need to be able to assess your own work critically and – most important
of all – to use constructive feedback from others.
I certainly didn’t have all of these attributes when I started my PhD! Not sure I
have all of them now. What advice do you wish you listened to as a law student?
Don’t worry so much. And learn how to use online research databases!
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It is probably something most students have not even considered, and is likely the last thing that many
of you would like to do after already 4 or more years spent on your Bachelors. However, there are a
number of reasons that students may benefit from further study in Adelaide, interstate or overseas. Higher study enables students to further their knowledge in an area of law which specifically interests them,
makes them more attractive to potential employers, standing out from the sea of ‘Double Bachelors
Degree’ candidates, and gives them the option of a pathway into academia. Plus, you will also find, that
in order to even get a look in at many international institutions and organisations, particularly in the human
rights arena (and particularly the United Nations), that candidates must have either a masters degree OR
5 years experience as a domestically admitted practitioner. Plus, if you still have no idea what area of law
you want to practice in, there are far worse things you could be doing whilst you try and figure out!
HIGHER EDUCATION
POSTGRADUATE
STUDIES
THE OPTIONS
There are four broad options when considering postgraduate studies, which you will find are offered at
most law schools worldwide: a Masters of Laws by coursework, a Masters of Laws by research, the
Doctor of Juridical Science, and the Doctor of Philosophy. You will also find some universities that also
offer more specific masters programmes, such as ANU, which offers Masters of Laws in Environmental
Law, International Law, Migration Law and other specific fields. For both specialised and general LLM’s,
the assessment will largely be the same, and the flexibility of general LLM’s means that you can virtually
do the same subjects as in a specialised LLM if you so choose. Thus, deciding between the two can
sometimes be difficult, and centre on what the university you would like to attend offers, and how certain
you are of your desired career path.
Masters of Laws by Coursework requires students to complete 8 subjects, either full time over one
year, or part time over sometimes as many as 6 years. This qualification bares the closest similarity to a
Bachelors degree in the sense that subjects tend to be taught by the semester, in a lecture and tutorial
structure, with assessment being either assignments or exams. However, such subjects will be markedly more difficult and specific than in your Bachelors, so beware!
Masters of Laws by Research requires students to complete a supervised research thesis ranging from
35,000 to 50,000 words over one or two years if studying full time. This Masters is used by some as
a pathway to academia, particularly your PhD. To do your PhD, your thesis will be somewhere between
70,000 and 100,000 words, and may take as many as 8 years to complete part time.
PLANNING AHEAD
If you wish to start investigating the options for higher study, be sure to research universities that you
would like to attend, checking that they offer the degree you wish to study. You will find that most top
ranked universities require second-class honours as a minimum – so you may need to be weary of your
GPA too! There are also a wide range of scholarships available for students wishing to pursue higher
study overseas, with applications often closing before applications for the degree itself even open, so be
sure to take note of any relevant dates for these. Information on international scholarships can be found
at http://www.alsa.net.au/publications/global-scholarships-guide.
101
RURAL
PATHWAYS
102
Heading out to rural practice is a challenging and rewarding pathway to a career in law. Many regional cities will have a small number of firms with a broad range of practice areas. What this means
for those of you looking for experience or graduate work is exposure to a wide number of practice
areas and more responsibility than you would normally find in the city.
RURAL PATHWAYS
RURAL PATHWAYS
Taking a rural pathway also comes with challenges that must be overcome. For some, it may mean
moving a distance away from family and friends. For others it might mean having to quickly engage
in areas of law that you might never have envisaged working with (how will you quickly deal with a
pesky tort of trespass for a farmer’s cows?)
South Australia in particular provides wide opportunities for rural pathways, with some of the worlds
best wine being made right here on our doorstep, it’s not uncommon for corporate lawyers to be
working in the Clare Valley or McLaren Vale. There are also extensive farming areas in South Australia, with many agribusiness opportunities in regional areas.
Being thrown in the deep end is great for professional development. There are 16 rural courts, and
7 circuit courts in South Australia, and for the larger centres such as Mt Gambier, Port Pirie and Berri, the District Court runs on a circuit. It may mean that you will end up advocating for your client as
opposed to briefing a barrister which would be the norm in the city – giving you valuable experience
and an impressive activity on your resumé.
Furthermore, the Federal Circuit also visits the cities of Mt Gambier and Broken Hill (which is under
the SA Court registry) dealing with matters under Federal Jurisduction such as family law, human
rights and administrative matters to name just a few. Whilst the formalities and procedures are different within Federal Circuits, it allows an insight into the operation of the court that many in the city
might never get to experience.
Being part of a smaller community means you see the results of your work firsthand, amongst the
people you live with. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that your work in the community
helps people and their livelihood. So if you think you would like a challenge and are willing to make
the step out of your comfort zone, make sure you think about rural practice to kick-start your career.
For more information on rural work, contact the Law Society of SA who advertise rural positions and
placements for PLT students, or visit RRR Law at http://rrrlaw.com.au/ for more information.
103
MATURE
AGE
GRADUATES
104
Not unlike law students commencing their study straight out of high school, mature age law students
come from all walks of life and inject a broad range of experiences and skills into the Law School.
Career pathways for mature age students vary significantly depending on whether the decision to
study law is for a career change, to up skill for their current job or to further academic interests.
An important starting point for mature age students undertaking a law degree with the prospect of
a career change is to determine what areas of the law interest you, and what skills and experience
you possess that will guide you to jobs in that field. Transferable professional skills are valuable to
potential employers as they demonstrate that you are flexible and capable of applying your skill set to
new workplaces. For those mature age students seeking a career change, whether it is to the public
service or at a commercial firm, graduate and junior associate opportunities are an ideal first step to
getting your foot in the door.
MATURE AGE STUDENTS
MATURE AGE STUDENTS
An often-overlooked career path for those with a law degree is the pubic service. A career in the public
service is rewarding and not without its challenges to maintain and improve the government’s social,
economic and administrative functions. Lawyers in the public service are invaluable in areas of core
legal advisory services, development of public policy and corporate advisory to name a few. Mature
age law students have a unique opportunity to pursue a career in the public service as they bring
with them a broad range of skills and experience that reflects the public service’s aim of encouraging
diversity and opportunity. Mature age students should consider their areas of passion and what
departments of the public service may fit their interests. Avenues for entry into the workforce are not
limited to graduate applications and offer flexible options for starting your career depending on your
skills and experiences.
Often a career change can be right in front of you and you might not even know it! A law degree is
valuable for those with a career but are seeking to pursue new fields of contract management and
administration, drafting or corporate advice. Sometimes you need to move sideways in order to move
upwards!
Volunteering is another invaluable opportunity to apply your legal skills outside university and if you
do not have the capacity to build legal skills in your current job. The experience you may gain from
volunteering is not only beneficial to your study, but demonstrates to potential employers that you have
an invested interest in pursuing a career where you actively apply your legal knowledge.
As mature age law students, you are encouraged to take
advantage of your skills and experiences to discover the career
pathways available to you. As with any entry into the workforce,
the key to success is knowing your strengths and interests and
building on these with your newly acquire law degree!
Nick Ben
Nick is a mature age law student in his penultimate year of a
graduate entry law degree. Nick completed a graduate program
for a government department in Canberra in 2012 and continues
to work for the Commonwealth specialising in commercial law
and government administration. For further information feel free to
contact [email protected] with any questions.
105
WORKING
OVERSEAS
106
WORKING OVERSEAS
WORKING IN HONG KONG
Hong Kong is one of the world's most vibrant, dynamic and challenging legal markets. As Asia’s financial
hub, it is the gateway to business with China, as well as the rest of the world so naturally; top-tier firms
have moved there to support and facilitate these deals.
China and Asia generally represent Australia’s major trading partners and there are significant opportunities for businesses to grow. Helping clients navigate this exciting market is what drove me to applying,
and eventually completing, a clerkship with law firm King and Wood Mallesons in Hong Kong in July
2014. While clerking in the Corporate and Securities team I was exposed to a wide variety of largescale, cross-border transactional work.
Clerking in Hong Kong is similar to the process in Australia. Typically each firm will offer 2-3 rounds of
clerkships, each going for a month and after that the firm will make offers to a few clerks for a Trainee
Solicitor position.
The application process requires you to demonstrate a knowledge and interest in Asia and Asian markets so I would encourage you to read newspapers such as the Financial Review and Blogs dedicated
to these issues. If you are serious in your pursuit of a career in Hong Kong, I would also highly recommend learning Chinese as most firms will look for some Chinese language skills. I myself completed a
diploma of Mandarin with my law and commerce degrees and found it was a huge help.
After you’ve completed your clerkship and been offered a position, you then have to apply to complete
Hong Kong’s equivalent of the GDLP, the Post Graduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL). For me I will be
starting the PCLL in September this year after I graduate here in Adelaide and finish off my GDLP. After I
complete the PCLL I will begin my 2 year contract position.
An international move can be a great adventure. Working overseas is a great chance to discover new
places, different cultures and expand your horizons. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in corporate
law, love big cities (and dumplings!), I’d encourage you to apply for a clerkship in Hong Kong. If so, feel
free to email me at [email protected] and I can give you more of the details.
Nick Lee
107
WORKING OVERSEAS
PRACTICING LAW IN
LONDON?
THE CHOICE IS CLEAR (EITHER WAY)
Andrew Marshall graduated from Adelaide Law School in 2000 and now works as a counsel at Linklaters in London. Before joining them in 2007, he worked as a solicitor at Mallesons Stephen Jaques in
Melbourne and on secondment at Telstra and National Australia Bank.
Cold, crowded and expensive: they were one Victorian colleague’s first three words when he heard I
was planning to practise law in London. A decade later I’m more certain than ever that it was the right
decision for me. Swapping sunshine for drizzle isn’t every Australian lawyer’s dream, but if the prospect
excites you: make it happen.
What do Adelaide lawyers in London do?
Corporate law, mostly. The Magic Circle (five leading English-based corporate law firms) employ more
than 5,000 lawyers in London: every year they recruit dozens of Australians. Their size means that
lawyers specialise in particular departments: M&A, finance, litigation and regulation are some of the biggest. But you'll find Aussies in smaller teams like competition and IP too – plus a handful at the English
bar (the legal sort, though plenty also find the pub…).
Why would you go there (professionally)?
We all know Australia's a lovely (and lucky) country, but it's no secret that global news generally happens elsewhere. If you want to work on the world's biggest deals for the world's biggest companies,
you'll struggle to do it Down Under. Size doesn't simply mean extra zeros buried in a contract or statement of claim: it means complexity we just don't get here. You'll learn more working on two matters
with colleagues from around the world than you might on 20 matters here with just you and the partner.
Why would you go there (personally)?
Many Aussies love London: www.timeout.com/london gives you a glimpse of how many world-class
shows, restaurants, clubs, museums and gigs you could visit every week. Plus it's an unbeatable hub
for seeing Europe: English lawyers famously moan that their Antipodean peers spend every weekend
in Berlin, Bratislava, Istanbul or Ibiza. Practising law there will give you the money to make much more
of your London experience than your old schoolmates who worked in a coffee shop 24-7 just to afford
the rent on their gap year.
108
WORKING OVERSEAS
So why doesn't everyone go?
Yes, you'll regularly work hard – which isn't for everyone. Not because the Poms hate Aussies or
can't manage their time, but because the pace of the work means you can't guarantee leaving every
night at 6. And it's a big city: it's not impossible to find a quiet park, tennis court or patch of sand at
the beach – but it's far harder than in the City of Churches. You won't have a backyard. You'll cram
into the tube for your morning commute. And the national cricket team isn't much chop. So if all that
puts you off, your choice is clear: keep London for holidays only (maybe staying with your friends
who've made the move).
How could find your way there?
Don’t finish your degree and head over as a graduate: London law firms recruit their trainees at least
two years in advance. (You could find temporary work as a paralegal, but that won’t lead to a permanent associate role.) Linklaters offers a vacation scheme for Australian students that could lead to a
training contract – find out more at http://www.linklatersgraduates.co.uk/. Otherwise big global firms
are always seeking Antipodean lawyers with a few years’ experience of international work. You’ll struggle to find that in Adelaide, so start your career at a national law firm in Sydney or Melbourne: it won’t
be long before London comes calling.
And where might that take you?
You could go all the way in the UK: several Adelaide
alumni are partners at top firms in London. (Our
banking team here has three Adelaide graduates
amongst its 30-odd banking partners.) Or you could
return after a few years with excellent skills and new
friends from around the world. Either way: if you fancy grappling with English, French and German law
rather than the Real Property Act, consider living your
ambition in London. It’s an experience you simply
can’t find anywhere else.
Andrew Marshall
109
WORKING OVERSEAS
A-Z DIRECTORY OF
LAW
Most law students are familiar with the better-known areas of law – tort, commercial, property
and so on. But there are so many more areas than
our law degrees can touch on. The AULSS presents you with an A-Z guide (though some letters
are unrepresented), hoping to show you a brief
snapshot of the possibilities out there…
Aviation Law
Aviation is an incredibly well regulated industry, and
aviation law operates at all levels, from international
law to local domestic law. This provides numerous
options for specialised lawyers and firms who act
for airline companies and aviation bodies.
Bird Law
This is a smaller section of animal law, that is, laws
relating to animals. It includes, among others, laws
governing wildlife, animals in entertainment, animals
raised for food or research, and anti-cruelty issues.
Class Action Litigation
Originating in the United States, class action litigation is a representative proceeding. It occurs when
an individual or several individuals bring an action
against another party, on behalf of a larger group.
They aim to resolve common issues in one court
action.
110
Defamation
The law of defamation is an area of tort law, and
is used to protect a person’s reputation. It occurs
when false claims are made out against one person in the presence of a third party, either through
written or spoken word.
Entertainment Law
Also known as media law, this area of law provides assistance to members of the entertainment
industry – to the artists, employees, companies
and individuals. Much of the legal work in this area
relates to contract law, labour law, and intellectual
property issues.
Franchise Law
Members of the Franchise Council of Australia are
specialist lawyers in franchising. This area of law
concerns the legal issues relating to the purchase
of a franchise, franchise agreements and many
other aspects, including the application of the Franchising Code of Conduct.
Gaming Law
Though not a traditional branch of law, gaming law
is a collective term for the aspects of law relating
to gambling. This many include criminal, regulatory,
constitutional, administrative, company, contract
and competition issues. An example of applicable
legislation is the Lottery and Gaming Act 1936
(SA).
Health Law
Health law is a diverse area of law. It covers areas
of negligence, children’s consent to medical treatment, and confidentiality and privacy issues. It also
covers controversial beginning of life and end of life
issues, medical research and genetic technologies.
Privacy Law
Privacy is no absolute right, but significant
amounts of state and federal legislation exist to
regulate an individual’s right to protect their personal life and information from invasion. It balances
this with other competing rights, such as freedom
of information requests.
Juvenile law
This area of law concerns the actions and wellbeing of individuals who are not yet adults. This
is especially important when relating to criminal
law matters. Australia has three stages of criminal
responsibility dependant on the age of the juvenile
– no criminal responsibility, presumption against
criminal responsibility, and treatment as a child/
juvenile.
Real Estate Law
Also known as property law, this is a large legal
area. It is regulated by federal legislation, state
legislation and common law. It often overlaps with
contract law, given sales for land, tenancy agreements and property development.
Labour Law
Labour law, also known as employment law
regulates the relationship between employers,
employees, trade unions and the government. It
concerns contracts of employment, wage regulation and collective bargaining. There has been
significant legislation in the area, including the
2005 WorkChoices legislation, which was repealed by the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).
Sports Law
This area concerns legal issues relating to professional and amateur sport. It is of increasing importance with the rise of player-agents and increased
media interest. Sports law often overlaps with
other areas of law, including contract, labour,
competition and tort law.
A-Z DIRECTORY OF LAW
Internet Law
Also known as cyber law, distinct from the broader information technology law and computer law,
Internet law concerns legal issues relating to the
use of the Internet. This includes legal issues of
Internet access and usage, privacy, and freedom
of expression.
Trade mark Law
Trade mark law is an area of intellectual property.
It is protected in the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth)
and at common law. This area of law concerns
an individual’s right to enforce their ownership of a
Military law
trade mark against others. The legislation conThe military justice system deals with the discipline siders the definition of a trade mark, infringement,
of the Australian Defence Force, administrative
and defences to infringement.
action and inquiries, and the management of
complaints. It complies with Commonwealth laws, Water Law
and requires all military members to be subject to This are of law concerns the ownership, control
the same laws that apply to other Australians.
and use of water as a resource. Issues can include access rights, statutory water entitlements,
Nationality Law
water planning, and resource protection. It is
Nationality law exists in each country, and in all
influenced by environmental law and property law,
jurisdictions within that. It concerns citizenship: the and can impact infrastructure development and
rights and obligations, how it can be acquired,
management projects.
and how it can be lost. Each country has the
sovereign right to define its citizens.
Zoning, Land Use and Planning Law
Zoning and land use are tools of planning law to
Occupational Safety and Health Law
designate areas of land for specific purposes.
This area relates to legislation ensuring safe and
This is required to balance interests and needs
healthy workplaces. It imposes duties on different of private landowners, the community and the
groups of people to secure such a workplace. It
environment. Planning law itself is a complex area
includes provisions for the management of many allowing for economic, social and environmental
hazards, including noise, chemicals and machin- considerations.
ery. A process of harmonisation of this legislation
within Australia began in July 2008.
111
INDEX
112
Name:
Addisons Lawyers
Name:
Arnold Bloch Leibler
Level 12
60 Carrington Street
SYDNEY
New South Wales 2000
Office address:
Website:
www.addisonslawyers.com.au
Website:
www.abl.com.au
Telephone:
+61 2 8915 1000
Telephone:
+61 3 9229 9999
Facsimile:
+61 2 8916 2000
Facsimile:
+61 3 9229 9900
Other offices:
Paris
Other offices:
Sydney
How to apply:
Via the careers page on our website www.addisonslawyers.
com.au
How to apply:
Via the careers page on our website http://www.abl.com.au/
default.asp?p=14,40 or on cvmail via www.cvMail.com.au
Contact:
Samantha Pearce
Contact:
Lauri Burke
Position:
Human Resources Manager
Position:
Human Resources Consultant
Email:
[email protected]
Email:
[email protected]
Name:
Allen & Overy
Name:
Allens
Office address:
Office address:
Level 25
85 Castlereagh Street
Sydney
NSW 2000
Australia
Office address:
Level 21
333 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Level 37
101 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Website:
www.allens.com.au
Telephone:
+61 3 9614 1011
Facsimile:
+61 3 9614 4661
Other offices:
Brisbane, Perth, Sydney. For international offices see website.
How to apply:
Via the careers page on our website http://www.allens.com.
au/careers/graduates/program/clerkm.htm
Contact:
Kasey Zun
Position:
Graduate Resourcing Advisor
Email:
[email protected]
Baker & McKenzie
Website:
www.allenovery.com
Telephone:
+61 2 9373 7700
Other offices:
Perth. For international offices please see website.
How to apply:
Via the careers page on our website www.allenovery.com/
careers/australia/en-gb/students-and-graduates/Pages/Summer-Clerks-and-Graduates.aspxor
Contact:
Gemma Oldman
Position:
Human Resources Officer
Email:
[email protected]
Name:
Ashurst
Name:
Level 26
181 William Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Office address:
Website:
www.ashurst.com
Website:
www.bakermckenzie.com
Telephone:
+61 3 9679 3000
Telephone:
+61 3 9617 4200
Facsimile:
+61 3 9679 3111
Facsimile:
+61 3 9614 2103
Other offices:
Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney. For international offices
see website
Other offices:
Sydney. For international offices see website
Via the careers page on our website http://www.ashurst.com/
graduates/content/clerkships or on cvmail via www.cvMail.
com.au
How to apply:
On cvmail via www.cvMail.com.au
Contact:
Natalie Mascarenhas
Position:
Talent Management Consultant
Email:
[email protected]
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Office address:
How to apply:
Level 19
181 William Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Contact:
Justine Lewis
Position:
Human Resources Consultant- Graduate Programs
Email:
[email protected]
Name:
Clayton Utz
Name:
Level 18
333 Collins Street
Melbourne
VIC 3000
Office address:
Website:
www.claytonutz.com.au
Website:
http://www.corrs.com.au
Telephone:
+61 3 9286 6000
Telephone:
+61 3 9672 3000
Facsimile:
+61 3 9629 8488
Facsimile:
+61 3 9672 3010
Other offices:
Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, Darwin. For international
offices see website
Other offices:
Sydney, Brisbane, Perth.
How to apply:
Via the careers page on our website http://www.corrs.com.
au/careers/graduates/apply-now/vic/ or on cvmail via www.
cvMail.com.au
Contact:
Lisa Schultze
Position:
Human Resources Advisor
Email:
[email protected]
Office address:
How to apply:
Information not available at publication.
Contact:
Catherine McDougall
Position:
Graduate Co-ordinator
Email:
[email protected]
LEGAL (PRIVATE)
LEGAL (PRIVATE)
Level 36
Bourke Place
600 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
113
LEGAL (PRIVATE)
Name:
Office address:
73 Wakefield Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Name:
Office address:
Cowell Clarke
Level 5
63 Pirie St
Adelaide SA 5000
Website:
www.ccklawyers.com
Telephone:
+61 8 8211 7955
Website:
www.cowellclarke.com.au
Facsimile:
+61 8 8211 7320
Telephone:
+61 8 8228 1111
How to apply:
Send application to:
[email protected].
Facsimile:
+61 8 8228 1100
How to apply:
Send application to: [email protected]
Contact:
Office Manager
Contact:
Susan Comerford
Email:
[email protected].
Position:
People and Practice Development Manager
Email:
[email protected].
DLA Piper
Name:
Level 21
140 William Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Office address:
DMAW Lawyers
Website:
www.dlapiper.com
Website:
www.dmawlawyers.com.au
Telephone:
+61 3 9274 5000
Telephone:
+ 61 8 8210 2222
Facsimile:
+61 3 9274 5111
Facsimile:
+ 61 8 8210 2233
Other offices:
Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, Sydney. For international offices see
website.
How to apply:
Send application to: [email protected].
How to apply:
On cvmail via www.cvMail.com.au
Contact:
Joy Virant
Contact:
Please refer to website
Position:
Manager- People & Development
Email:
[email protected]
Name:
Finlaysons
Name:
Fisher Jeffries
Name:
Office address:
Office address:
81 Flinders Street Adelaide SA 5000
Website:
www.finlaysons.com.au
Telephone:
+61 8 8235 7400
Facsimile:
+61 8 8232 2944
How to apply:
Send application to Anne Beaton: anne.beaton@finlaysons.
com.au
Contact:
Kerry McLaren
Position:
People and Development Advisor
Email:
Name:
Office address:
Level 3
80 King William Street
ADELAIDE SA 5000
Level 1
19 Gouger Street
ADELAIDE SA 5000
Website:
www.fisherjeffries.com.au
Telephone:
+ 61 8 8233 0600
Facsimile:
+ 61 8 8233 0699
How to apply:
Apply online- see website for details
Contact:
Aynih Concepcion
[email protected]
Email:
[email protected]
Gilbert + Tobin Lawyers
Name:
Level 22
101 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Office address:
Herbert Greer
Website:
www.gtlaw.com.au
Website:
www.herbertgeer.com.au
Telephone:
+61 3 8656 3300
Telephone:
+61 3 9670 6123
Facsimile:
+61 3 8656 3400
Facsimile:
+61 3 9670 5670
Other offices:
Sydney, Perth
Other offices:
Sydney, Brisbane
How to apply:
On cvmail via www.cvMail.com.au
How to apply:
Contact:
Anu Briggs
Send application to: [email protected] or on cvmail
via www.cvMail.com.au
Email:
[email protected].
Contact:
Kathryn Bonning
Email:
[email protected]
Office address:
114
Cosoff Cudmore Knox
Level 20
385 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Office address:
Herbert Smith Freehills
101 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Website:
www.herbertsmithfreehills.com
Telephone:
+61 3 9288 1234
Facsimile:
+61 3 9288 1567
Other offices:
Brisbane, Perth, Sydney. For international offices see website.
How to apply:
On cvmail via www.cvMail.com.au or careers page on website
Contact:
Carla Ragonesi
Position:
Graduate Recruitment Consultant
Email:
[email protected]
Name:
Name:
Office address:
Hunt & Hunt
Level 26
385 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Website:
www.huntandhunt.com.au
Telephone:
+61 3 8602 9200
Facsimile:
+61 3 8602 9299
Other offices:
Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, Perth, Sydney. For international
offices see website.
How to apply:
Send application to: [email protected]
Contact:
Marni Harper
Email:
[email protected]
Johnson Winter & Slattery
Name:
Level 9
211 Victoria Square
Adelaide SA 5000
Office address:
K&L Gates
Website:
www.jws.com.au
Website:
www.k&lgates.com.au
Telephone:
+61 8 8239 7111
Telephone:
+61 3 9205 2000
Facsimile:
+61 8 8239 7100
Facsimile:
+61 3 9205 2055
Other offices:
Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne
Other offices:
Brisbane, Perth, Sydney. For international offices see website.
How to apply:
Send application addressed to ‘Megan D’Cruz’ at JWS
How to apply:
On cvmail via www.cvMail.com.au
Contact:
Megan D'Cruz
Contact:
Sarah Dixon
Position:
Profession Development Advisor
Email:
[email protected]
Email:
[email protected]
Name:
Kain C+C Lawyers
Name:
King & Wood Mallesons
Office address:
Office address:
315 Wakefield St Adelaide 5000
Website:
www.kaincc.com.au
Telephone:
+61 8 7220 0900
Facsimile:
+61 8 7220 0911
How to apply:
Information not available at publication.
Contact:
Michael Richardson
Email:
[email protected]
Name:
Office address:
Henry Davis York
44 Martin Place
Sydney NSW 2000
Website:
www.hdy.com.au
Telephone:
+ 612 9947 6000
Facsimile:
+ 612 9947 6999
Other offices:
Office address:
Level 25
525 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Level 50 Bourke Place
600 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Website:
www.mallesons.com
Telephone:
+61 3 9643 4000
Facsimile:
+61 3 9643 5999
Other offices:
Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra. For international offices see
website
How to apply:
Apply via careers page on website http://www2.mallesons.
com/Careers/opportunities-sharepoint/job-search-grads.cfm
Contact:
Anna Henderson
Position:
Graduate Resourcing Consultant
Email:
[email protected]
Name:
Landers and Rogers
Office address:
LEGAL (PRIVATE)
Name:
Level 12 Bourke Place
600 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Website:
www.landers.com.au
Telephone:
+61 3 9269 9000
Brisbane
Facsimile:
+61 3 9269 9001
How to apply:
Apply via careers page on website or on cvmail via www.cvMail.
com.au
Other offices:
Sydney
How to apply:
On cvmail via www.cvMail.com.au
Contact:
Fiona Page
Contact:
Laura Grant
Position:
People & Development Officer
Position:
Graduate Resourcing Consultant
Email:
[email protected]
Email:
[email protected]
115
LEGAL (PRIVATE
Lipman Karas
Name:
Level 23 Grenfell Centre
25 Grenfell Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Office address:
Website:
www.lipmankaras.com
Website:
www.maddocks.com.au
Telephone:
+61 8 8239 4600
Telephone:
+61 3 9258 3555
Facsimile:
+61 8 8239 4699
Facsimile:
+61 3 9258 3666
Other offices:
Hong Kong, London
Other offices:
Canberra, Sydney
How to apply:
Send application to: [email protected]
How to apply:
On cvmail via www.cvMail.com.au
Contact:
Lorraine Wohling
Contact:
Chloe Foster
Position:
Practice Development Manager
Position:
Graduate and Learning and Development Coordinator
Email:
[email protected]
Email:
[email protected]
Name:
Maurice Blackburn
Name:
Level 10
456 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Office address:
Minter Ellison
Website:
www.mauriceblackburn.com.au
Website:
www.minters.com
Telephone:
+ 61 3 9605 2700
Telephone:
+61 8 8233 5555
Facsimile:
+ 61 9258 9600
Facsimile:
+61 8 8233 5556
Other offices:
Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth. For international offices see
website.
Other offices:
Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth,
Sydney. For international offices see website.
How to apply:
Send application to: [email protected]
How to apply:
Contact:
Alyssa Rusciano
Via careers page on website http://www.minterellison.com/
careers/adelaide/
Position:
Human Resource Coordinator
Contact:
Vanda Mutton
Email:
[email protected]
Position:
Senior Human Resources Advisor
Email:
[email protected]
Name:
Norman Waterhouse
Name:
Level 15/45
Pirie Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Office address:
Norton Rose Fulbright
Website:
www.normans.com.au
Website:
www.nortonrosefulbright.com
Telephone:
+61 8 8210 1200
Telephone:
+61 2 9330 8000
Facsimile:
+61 8 8210 1234
Facsimile:
+61 2 9330 8111
How to apply:
See website: http://www.normans.com.au/working-at-normans/clerkships.aspx
Other offices:
Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth. For international offices
see website.
Contact:
Ingrid Schwarz
How to apply:
Position:
People & Development Coordinator
Email:
[email protected]
Via careers page on website: http://www.nortonrosefulbrightgraduates.com/en/australia/application-process or on Cvmail
cvmail.com.au
Contact:
Yvette Revell
Position:
Recruitment & National Graduate Advisor
Email:
[email protected]
Name:
Russell Kennedy
Name:
Office address:
Office address:
Office address:
Name:
Office address:
116
Piper Alderman
Level 16 70 Franklin Street Adelaide SA 5000
Website:
www.piperalderman.com.au
Telephone:
+61 8 8205 3333
Facsimile:
+61 8 8205 3300
Other offices:
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane.
Contact:
Emily Mortimer
Position:
Human Resources Advisor
Email:
[email protected]
Office address:
Maddocks
Level 6
140 William Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Level 10, Grenfell Centre
25 Grenfell Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Level 18 Grosvenor Place
225 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Level 12
469 La Trobe Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Website:
www.rk.com.au
Telephone:
+61 3 9609 1555
Facsimile:
+61 3 9609 1600
Other offices:
Canberra
How to apply:
Careers page on website or on Cvmail www.cvmail.com.au
Contact:
Leanda Nissen
Position:
Human Resources Manager
Email:
[email protected]
Office address:
Slater & Gordon
Name:
485 La Trobe Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Office address:
Website:
www.slater&gordon.com.au
Telephone:
+61 3 9602 6888
Facsimile:
+61 3 9600 0290
Other offices:
ACT, VIC, NSW, QLD, SA, WA, TAS
How to apply:
Send applications to: [email protected]
Contact:
Please see website
Thomsons Lawyers
Level 7
19 Gouger Street
Adelaide, SA 5000
Website:
www.thomsonslawyers.com.au
Telephone:
+61 8 8236 1300
Facsimile:
+61 8 8232 1961
Other offices:
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane.
How to apply:
On CvMail via www.cvmail.com.au
Contact:
Lisa Smith
Position:
Human Resources Contact
Email:
[email protected]
TressCox Lawyers
Name:
Level 9
469 La Trobe Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Office address:
Wallmans Lawyers
Website:
www.tresscox.com.au
Website:
www.wallmans.com.au
Telephone:
+61 3 9602 9444
Telephone:
+61 8 8235 3066
Facsimile:
+61 3 9642 0382
Facsimile:
+61 8 8232 0926
Other offices:
Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney. For international offices see
website.
How to apply:
Apply via careers page website http://wallmans.com.au/career/
grads/graduate-and-clerks-application
How to apply:
On CvMail via www.cvmail.com.au
Contact:
Louise Thompson
Contact:
See website for contact details
Position:
Human Resources Coordinator
Email:
[email protected]
Name:
Office address:
Level 5
400 King William St
Adelaide SA 5000
LEGAL (PRIVATE) / LEGAL (PUBLIC)
Name:
LEGAL (PUBLIC)
Australian Government Solicitors
Name:
Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne,
Perth, Sydney.
Other
jurisdictions:
Website:
www.ags.gov
Website:
www.cso.sa.gov.au
Telephone:
+61 2 6253 5710
Telephone:
+61 8 8463 6558
How to apply:
Send application to: [email protected]
How to apply:
Contact:
Debbie Kazolis
Position:
Lawyer Development Adviser
Via website: http://www.agd.sa.gov.au/government/about-us/
department/crown-solicitors-office/employment-and-training-crown-solicitors
Email:
[email protected]
Contact:
[email protected]
Name:
Office of the DPP (SA)
Name:
Offices:
Website:
Crown Solicitor’s Office (SA)
ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, VIC, TAS, WA
www.dpp.sa.gov.au
Telephone:
+61 8 8207 1529
How to apply:
For PLT placements in writing to: Kos Lesses Acting Senior
Prosecutor GPO Box 464 ADELAIDE SA 5001
Contact:
Kos Lesses
Email:
[email protected]
117
/ NON-LEGAL (PRIVATE)
LEGAL (PUBLIC)
NON-LEGAL (PRIVATE)
Name:
Website:
Graduate
positions:
ANZ Banking Group
Name:
www.anz.com.au
Website:
BDO (Audit, Tax, Advisory)
Accounting
Corporate & Commercial Banking
Global Wealth & Private Banking
International & Institutional Banking, Operations
Regional Business Banking & Agriculture
Retail Banking and
Technology
Graduate
positions:
BDO offers graduate positions to final years students or if you
recently completed a degree in Accounting, Finance or Law.
Traineeships:
Please see website for details.
How to apply:
On website via CVmail http://fsr.cvmail.com.au/bdo/main.cfm
Deloitte
www.bdo.com.au
How to apply:
Via an online form on website: http://www.anzgraduates.com.
au
Name:
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Name:
www.commbank.com.au
Website:
Graduates can undertake rotations in:
Global Asset Management
CommInsureEnterprise Services
Financial Services
Human Resources
Institutional Banking and Markets
Marketing
Agribusiness
Retail Bank Services
Risk Management
Graduate and
Summer
Vacation
positions:
Deloitte provides the right kinds of tools and training to ensure all
our graduates can achieve career success through mentoring,
peer support, e-learning events, online training and Deloitte’s
own development program called D.Academy.
Development
Program:
To be eligible applicants need to be:
• 1st year of 3 year degree
• 2nd year of 4 year degree
• 3rd year of 5 year degree
How to apply:
Via website http://mycareer.deloitte.com/au/en/students/
howtoapply
Korda Mentha
Website:
Graduate
positions:
www.deloitte.com.au
Summer Intern
Program:
The 10-week program gives you a taste of what it’s like to work
with Australia’s best bank. You’ll be given full support and training to help you decide if CommBank is the right fit for you.
How to apply:
Via online form on website https://www.commbank.com.au/
about-us/careers/graduate-recruitment-program.html
Name:
Ernst & Young
Name:
www.ey.com.au
Website:
Graduate
positions:
EY recruits graduates with qualifications from a number of
different degrees, including law.
Graduate
positions:
Summer Intern
Program:
EY’s summer Vacationer Program provides client work, skills
development, training and professional experiences. Not only
do you learn about the organisation, you get to apply that
knowledge to real client projects.
Applicants should have a degree in Commerce/Law, Economics, Business or Finance (Accounting) and committed to a
career as a Chartered Accountant.
How to apply:
Online application form via website http://fsr.cvmail.com.au/
kordamentha
National Australia Bank
Website:
www.kordamentha.com
This is a popular path, with many vacationers being offered fulltime positions with us when they've finished their studies
How to apply:
Via website http://www.ey.com/AU/en/Careers/Students/
Apply-here
Name:
KPMG
Name:
www.kpmg.com.au
Website:
Graduate
positions:
KPMG are seeking people who are passionate and curious,
and interested in a challenging and rewarding career with one of
the world's leading professional services firms. You'll work with
and learn from a team of outstanding professionals, a diverse
client list, and constantly challenging client engagements.
Graduate
positions:
How to apply:
Via website: https://sjobs.brassring.com
Graduates can undertake rotations in:
NAB Wealth
Business Banking
Personal Banking
Generalist
Operations
HR
Marketing
Technology
Group Strategy & Finance
Risk
Wholesale Banking
How to apply:
Via website: http://www.nab.com.au/about-us/careers/graduate-careers/application-process
Website:
118
www.nab.com.au
Name:
www.macquarie.com.au
Website:
Internships and
Graduate
positions:
Both Graduate and Internships allow students to benefit from
hands-on experience, increased exposure to the financial services sector and invaluable insight into the career opportunities
offered at Macquarie.
Graduate
positions:
How to apply:
Via website: http://graduates.westpacgroup.com.au/Apply#.
Uv3xBnm0L1o
Assurance
Consulting
Deals
Enterprises
Functions
People Business
How to apply:
Via website: http://www.pwc.com.au/careers/student/
tips-for-applying/index.htm
Website:
Name:
Website:
PricewaterhouseCoopers
www.pwc.com.au
Westpac
www.westpac.com.au
Graduate
positions:
Graduates can take rotations in:
Commercial and Retail Banking
BT Financial Group
Westpac Institutional Banking
Westpac Group Services (Finance, HR, Risk, Technology)
How to apply:
Via website: http://graduates.westpacgroup.com.au/Apply#.
Uv3xBnm0L1o
NON-LEGAL (PUBLIC) - STATE
Name:
Website:
South Australian Government Graduate
Recruitment Register
www.vacancies.sa.gov.au
Graduate
positions:
For students in their final year of study who wish to participate
in an Graduate Program run by a South Australian Government department should visit: www.graduate.sa.gov.au for
information.
How to apply:
Complete an application form on the register in order to be
considered for graduate positions.
Name:
Website:
Attorney-General’s Department
www.ags.sa.gov.au
Graduate
positions:
The Graduate Recruitment Program is a 12-month training
and development program that provides a comprehensive
and challenging induction into a South Australian Public Sector
career path. The Attorney-General's Department actively seeks
graduates through this program, particularly suitably qualified
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander graduates.
How to apply:
See website for details http://www.graduate.sa.gov.au/login
All South Australian Government Agencies have access to the
Register. When a graduate position becomes available your
registration may be considered.
Name:
Website:
Graduate
positions:
Department of Environment, Water & Natural
Resources
www.environment.sa.gov.au
DEWNR offers corporate-based graduate employment in the
following related fields:
•
finance/accounting
•
science (naturalresource management, biology, geographic information systems, political science)
•
information technologyhuman resources
•
social sciences
•
law
•
arts
Name:
Website:
NON-LEGAL (PRIVATE) / NON-LEGAL (PUBLIC) - STATE
Macquarie Group Australia
Name:
Department of Premier & Cabinet
www.dpc.sa.gov.au
Graduate
positions:
The DPC Graduate Program provides an excellent pathway into
our department, and opens up future opportunities for a career
in government. Our program aims to increase the capacity
of the department's graduates by providing a consistent,
comprehensive and logically structured program of professional
development. The program involves participants gaining a wide
range of skills, knowledge and experiences over a 12 month
period.
How to apply:
Via online application form on website http://www.dpc.sa.gov.
au/how-apply
Graduates are also offered one or two year employment contracts with the possibility of ongoing employment
How to apply:
To be considered for a DEWNR graduate role, please register
on the SA Public Sector Graduate Employment Register. All
corporate-based graduate applications are sourced from
this register.
119
NON-LEGAL (PUBLIC) - STATE / NON-LEGAL (PUBLIC) - COMMONWEALTH
Name:
Website:
Graduate
positions:
How to apply:
Department of Treasury & Finance
Name:
www.treasury.sa.gov.au
Website:
Graduates within accounting, commerce, economics and
finance disciplines are recruited into the Graduate Development
Program (GDP).
Graduate
positions:
The GDP consists of a 12-month structured training program
with graduates employed by a diverse range of agencies.
Depending on the discipline, you can be employed in a variety
of locations for up to for 12 months and your program will focus
on ethics, legislation, team work, communication, health and
safety,diversity, working effectively and government protocols.
How to apply:
Via graduate register: http://www.graduate.sa.gov.au/login.
aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f
Via graduate register: http://www.skills.sa.gov.au/graduate-and-skills-registers
www.sapolice.sa.gov.au
NON-LEGAL (PUBLIC) - COMMONWEALTH
Attorney-General Department
Name:
Graduate
positions:
Graduates will work in a variety of policy areas from international
law to criminal law, media law and indigenous justice.
Website:
Summer Intern:
Students must have recently graduated or have no more than 2
semesters to complete in their degree.
How to apply:
Via website: http://www.ag.gov.au/About/Careers/Pages/
default.aspx
Name:
Website:
www.ag.gov.au
Australian Competition and Consumer
Commission
www.accc.gov.au
Graduate
positions:
Must have a three year degree by the time the program begins:
•
law
•
public policy
•
financial modelling
•
industrial economics
•
econometrics
How to apply:
See website for details
Australian Federal Police
Name:
www.apf.gov.au
Website:
Australian Law Reform Commission
Graduate
positions:
University students with a minimum 3 year degree
See website for areas you can work in: http://www.afp.gov.au/
jobs/graduate-program/areas-you-can-work-in.aspx
Legal Internship
Program:
How to apply:
Via website http://www.afp.gov.au/jobs/graduate-program/
recruitment-process.aspx
Internships provide an opportunity for students to increase their
awareness of law reform issues while also allowing the ALRC to
benefit from students' research and writing skills. Intern work is
credited in ALRC publications.
How to apply:
Via website http://www.alrc.gov.au/content/apply-part-time-internship-semester-1
Name:
Australian Securities and Investments
Commission
Name:
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority
Name:
Website:
Website:
Graduate
positions:
www.asic.gov.au
For graduates in accounting, business & commerce, economics law and IT disciplines. Aim is to develop your talents
through a balance of on-the-job training, structured programs
and rotations.
You'll be involved in live investigations and topical cases from
the word 'go'.
Website:
www.alrc.gov.au
www.apra.gov.au
Graduate
positions:
Graduates with a minimum credit average from accounting,
actuarial, banking, commerce, econometrics, finance, financial
modelling, law, mathematics, public policy and statistics. We
will also consider high achieving graduates with strong research
and analytical skills from all disciplines.
How to apply:
Via website: http://www.apra.gov.au/aboutapra/workingatapra/
pages/graduate-program.aspx
Australian Taxation Office
How to apply:
Via website: http://www.graduates.asic.gov.au/Process.aspx
Name:
Australian Secret Intelligence Services
Name:
www.assis.gov.au
Website:
ACTIVATE’ is ASIS ’s 12 month Graduate Program designed to
launch your career through rotation-based on-the-job experience and training.
Graduate
positions:
Graduate development program provides an opportunity for you
to develop in a dynamic business environment where priorities
and work allocation may change rapidly. You will be responsible
for contributing to a range of initiatives, strategies and projects
that support the achievement of ATO business outcomes.
How to apply:
Via website: http://www.destination.ato.gov.au/Our-Programs/
Graduate-Development-Program/Apply-here/
Website:
Graduate
positions:
ASIS graduates gain experience through corporate and operational work placements as well as the opportunity to travel and
undertake specialist training. The Program provides you with a
broad overview of ASIS
Open to Undergraduate or Postgraduate students in their final
year of study or students who have graduated within two years
of applying with discipline related experience.
How to apply:
120
South Australian Police
Via website http://www.asis.gov.au/Careers/Job-Vacancies.
html
www.ato.gov.au
Name:
www.ombudsman.gov.au
Website:
Graduate
positions:
All vacant positions will be advertised on the website. The
Commonwealth Ombudsman has offices in Canberra, Sydney,
Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin. It is important to
nominate your preference on application.
Graduate
positions:
How to apply:
Send resume to: [email protected]
Offers 4 Graduate programs:
The DMO Material Graduate Scheme
The Intelligence & Security Development Program
The Defence Pathways- Graduate Development Program
The Navy Civilian Engineer Development Program
How to apply:
Via website: https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/cp/?audiencetypecode=gdp
Name:
Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
Name:
Graduate
positions:
The Policy Graduate Program is for applicants from all academic
backgrounds and prepares successful candidates for a career
as a generalist policy officer. Policy graduates work to advance
Australia's interests across a broad range of areas — from
security to human rights, international trade to development and
aid management, and represent Australia in a formal capacity
while serving overseas.
Website:
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water,
Population & Communities
Graduate
positions:
How to apply:
Graduate programs will be advertised on the department's
current vacancies webpage: http://www.dfat.gov.au/jobs/
vacancies.html
The program involves three work rotations in different divisions
throughout the Department including external opportunities with
the Australian Antarctic Division in Tasmania, Booderee National
Park, Kakadu National Park or the Supervising Scientist Division
in Darwin.Applicants must have completed a minimum of one 3
year undergraduate degree by no later than January 2015.
How to apply:
Via website: http://www.environment.gov.au/about/jobs/index.
html
Website:
Website:
Name:
www.dfat.gov.au
Department of Immigration & Citizenship
Name:
Department of Defence
www.defence.gov.au
www.environment.gov.au
Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet
Website:
www.immi.gov.au
Website:
www.dpmc.gov.au
Graduate
positions:
The program is designed to allow you to gain experience in
a number of areas within the department. You will develop
a broad knowledge of the portfolio and the work of different
business areas and gain valuable experience and a good
understanding of policy, program, and service delivery work.
Graduate
positions:
As a PM&C graduate you will be at the core of government
decision making, working on high priority government initiatives
covering contemporary issues such as economic reform,
health, social policy, natural resources, the environment, national
security, government and international relations.
How to apply:
See website: http://www.immi.gov.au/about/careers/graduate/
applying.htm
The PM&C Graduate Program runs for one year and offers
challenging and rewarding experiences through work rotations
across various areas of the Department.
How to apply:
Name:
Website:
NON-LEGAL (PUBLIC) - COMMONWEALTH
Commonwealth Ombudsman
Name:
See website: http://careers.pmc.gov.au/graduate_careers/
index.cfm
Department of Treasury
www.treasury.gov.au
Graduate
positions:
Graduates will participate in three six-month rotations, working
within three different divisions and at least two different groups
over the 18 month program.
How to apply:
Via website: http://careers.pageuppeople.com/604/cw/en/
listing/
121
COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRES
COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRES
Name:
Australian Refugee Association
Name:
Roma Mitchell Community Legal Centre
Address:
Australian Refugee Association
304 Henley Beach Road
Underdale
SA 5032
Address:
Roma Mitchell Inc
110 The Parade
Norwood SA 5067
Website:
www.ausref.net
Website:
www.rmhrvs.auspics.org.au
Phone:
+61 8 8354 2951
Phone:
+61 8 8362 1199
About:
Our Mission is to help refugees become settled and participating citizens of Australia
ARA believes in the capacity and desire of refugees to be
productive citizens through contributing to the social, cultural
and economic life in Australia.
About:
How to become
involved:
To become involved in the many volunteer programs that ARA
offer download an application form found here: http://www.
australianrefugee.org/volunteer/
E-volunteering, 'e-vols', is dedicated to the pro-active advance
of human rights, with the long-term goal of securing these rights
through constitutional change. We have engaged with refugee
and Indigenous human rights issues, and the peace movement. The only pre-requisite for participating with e-vols is an
interest in fostering the development of a human rights culture
How to become
involved:
Contact e-vol coordinator Patrick Byrt
[email protected]
Name:
Southern Community Justice Centre
Name:
Welfare Rights Centre (SA) Inc
Address:
40 Beach Road
Christies Beach SA 5165
Address:
Website:
www.scjc.com.au
Level 5
97 Pirie Street
Adelaide 5000
Phone:
+61 8 8384 5222
Website:
www.wrcsa.org.au
How to become
involved:
For information on how to become involved visit the website
Phone:
+61 8 8223 1338
About:
A good portion of our client-services work is undertaken by
volunteer law and social-work students as a placement towards
their degree--though it's not essential that you be studying
either of these courses or be on placement.
How to become
involved:
Complete application form via website:
http://www.wrcsa.org.au/page2.html
Name:
Young Workers Legal Service
Name:
JusticeNet
Address:
46 Greenhill Road
WAYVILLE SA 5034
Website:
www.justicenet.org.au
Website:
www.ywls.org.au
Phone:
+61 8 8313 5005
Phone:
+61 8 8279 2233
About:
Email:
[email protected]
About:
We are often looking for new volunteers to assist at the Young
Workers Legal Service. Generally, there are approximately
two intakes a year, one in January and one in July; however,
according to need we may have new volunteers start at other
times.
JusticeNet collaborates with existing legal service providers
(such as Community Legal Centres and the Legal Services
Commission). Applicants are referred to existing services
where appropriate. Where gaps in existing legal service delivery
would leave applicants without legal advice or representation,
JusticeNet will facilitate pro bono assistance by referring clients
to member lawyers.
How to become
involved:
See website for details
How to become
involved:
Please send an email to [email protected] enclosing
your resume and academic transcript.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRES
Website: www.clcvolunteers.net.au
122
- Notes -
123
ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY
CAREERS & SPONSORSHIP PORTFOLIO
www.aulss.org.au
[email protected]
or find us on Facebook and Twitter
124