Legal

Doyour
FUTURE
justice

Read what Australian lawyers say about their work.

Find out how to get that summer clerkship.

Foreword by Geoffrey Robertson

Ellen Flint
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Legal careers
Do your future justice
By Ellen Flint

Australia

Published by Career FAQs Pty Ltd

© Copyright Career FAQs Pty Ltd, 2007

This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study,
research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this
publication may be reproduced by any process or by any means, electronic, photocopied,
recorded or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright owner. Inquiries for
reproduction should be addressed to the publisher, Career FAQs Pty Ltd.

Published by
Career FAQs Pty Ltd
Suite 76, The Hub
89–97 Jones Street
Ultimo NSW 2007
+61 2 9282 9383
www.careerfaqs.com.au

National Library of Australia

Cataloguing-in-Publication entry:
Flint, Ellen.

Legal careers: do your future justice.

ISBN 9781921106088.
1. Law – Vocational guidance – Australia.
2. Lawyers – Employment – Australia.
I. Title.
340.02394

Publisher: Sue Stevens

Author: Ellen Flint
Editor: Rachael Bond
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Career FAQs acknowledges the following copyright owners for permission to reproduce their
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Every effort has been made to contact copyright owners and obtain permission. However,
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Disclaimer

The opinions and statements made by people who contributed to this book are their own
and are not those of Career FAQs. The publishers do not claim to represent the entire extent
of the overseas career choices. The aim has always been to provide a broad overview of the
possibilities available.

As such Career FAQs Legal Careers does not purport to be a true and accurate record of
working overseas, relying on the voices of those working in the industry to tell their stories.
Inaccuracies may arise as a result of the nature of this book. Users should follow the links to
actual websites of organisations to ascertain current practice in these jobs.

An imprint of Career FAQs

Foreword
I am always reluctant to advise a career in law. Success in this
profession comes only through hard and painstaking work at
unreasonable hours and in arcane language, often in tedious
company and on behalf of unprepossessing clients. It requires a
plodding attention to precedent, and a tight reign on imagination or
exuberance. If it is money you want to make, become an estate agent
or manage a hedge fund. 

That said, the law and how it is practised is the ultimate test of
Justice Geoffrey Robertson QC
the civilisation of any society. It embodies and reflects the values Geoffrey Robertson is a UN
by which its people are permitted to live. Justice matters, in all its Appeal Judge and a Queen’s
Counsel who regularly appears
forms, because it promises fair play for every citizen, whether falsely in the highest courts of Britain
and Europe, and sometimes of
accused by police or press, or simply buying a house or divorcing the commonwealth, to argue
landmark cases in constitutional,
a spouse. It exists to right wrongs, reduce grievances and resolve criminal, and media law. He
studied law at Sydney University
disputes: it serves as David’s slingshot, when up against the Goliath and qualified as a solicitor before
attending Oxford as a Rhodes
of government or big business. But Goliath needs lawyers too, so Scholar. He is a Master of the
long as they honour and abide by professional rules, because fair Middle Temple, a professor
of human rights law at the
results are produced by having effective lawyers on both sides. So it University of London and the
author of a best-selling memoir,
is worthy work, no matter which side you are on, because you are part The Justice Game, as well as
Crimes Against Humanity, a book
of a system which resolves disputes by application of well-tried rules, that inspired the global justice
movement. His most recent work
instead of by application of force or bribery or power. is The Tyrannicide Brief – the
story of how Cromwell’s lawyers
It is not a career for everyone, however, and many have been led to put Charles I on trial.

waste years of their lives by entering it under the misapprehension

that it is as action-packed and dramatic as it is sometimes portrayed
in novels or on television. The importance of this particular
publication is that it tells it like it is, across the wide range of work
that is now available to members of the legal profession. It is a
‘warts and all’ presentation, in which practitioners do not hesitate to
spell out the downside as well as the advantages of dedication to this
hard taskmistress.

My own love affair with the law has gone through many stages
– as a solicitor and a judge, a journalist and writer, a campaigner
for its reform and, occasionally, a defender of its traditions. I have
practised mainly as a barrister, a career I value because of its utter
independence: you have no boss or party line, no political allegiance
or pressure. I live on my wits, and off them for that matter, and I would
>>

iii
 Legal careers

not exchange that personal freedom for careers of greater wealth or

status. The satisfaction comes from enabling others to be free, or
at least to enjoy the rights that should be available to them in any
society ordered by the rule of law. 

Justice Geoffrey Robertson QC

iv
Contents
Our sponsors ix
About Career FAQs x
How to use this book xii

The big picture 1

Why law? 1
What do lawyers do? 2
What makes a good lawyer? 4
What’s happening right now? 6
Psychological effects of working in law 7
Current size of the profession 8
What are the job opportunities? 9
Big city jobs 10
Regional and rural opportunities 10
Overseas opportunities 11
Women in law 13
How much can I earn? 15
Who are the main employers? 17
Private firms 17
Corporate sector 18
Public sector 19
Not-for-profit organisations 20
What are employers looking for? 21
Brendan Bateman – Clayton Utz 23
Tony Melville – Aitken Walker & Strachan 26
Tony McDonald – Kings Minerals 28
Jan Blomfield – Australian Government Attorney-General’s
Department 31
What support organisations exist? 34
Australia-wide organisations 34
Law Council of Australia 34
Australian Bar Association 35
Australian Law Students’ Association 35


 Legal careers

Australian Women Lawyers 35

State and territory organisations 36
For lawyers 36
For barristers 37

Lawyers at work 39

Maria Wang – Paralegal, Freehills 40

Joshua Hawes – Articled Clerk, Aitken Walker & Strachan 44
Leanne Whitelaw – Solicitor, Taylor Smart 48
Kylee Harman – Paralegal, Herbert Greer and Rundle 51
Louise Brunero – Research Associate, Melbourne Registry of
the Federal Court of Australia 55
Kate Schuermann – Family Lawyer, Farrar Gesini & Dunn 60
Vanessa Parbhoo – Lawyer, Victoria Legal Aid 65
Katherine Vincent – Lawyer, Johnston Withers, Clare, SA 70
Saleem Bittar – Lawyer, County Court Appeals section,
Office of Public Prosecutions 74
Anne Demack – Barrister 78
Richard Hardy – Lawyer, Mullane & Lindsay 82

International law 87

Krishna Rajendra – Legal Assistant,

Formula One Management Ltd (UK) 88
Belinda Bradberry – Corporate Counsel,
Cable & Wireless plc (UK) 90
Georgina Cuppaidge – Legal Counsel,
Sony Pictures Entertainment (UK) 94

Beyond law 99

Dara Williams – Public Servant, Department of Foreign Affairs

and Trade 100
Eva Scheerlinck – CEO, Australian Lawyers Alliance 104
Nicola Roxon – Federal Member of Parliament 107
Gary Pagotto – Contracting Consultant 109
Chris Kirkbright – Business Consultant 113
Simon Anderson – Deputy Editor, Australian Financial Review 116

vi
Ready, set,go for it! 119

What qualifications do I need? 119

University courses 120
What can I expect to learn? 122
Other important questions 123
What do I need to get into a law degree? 124
How difficult is it to complete a law degree? 124
How much does it cost? 124
Can I study law at university without going on campus? 125
Graduate law 126
Admission to the practice of law 126
The final step 127
Becoming a barrister 128
How do I get that job? 129
How are people recruited? 129
Vacation or seasonal clerkships 130
Graduate programs 131
Private practice 131
Tips: Graduate programs in private practice 132
Corporate sector 132
Tips: G
 raduate programs in the corporate sector 134
Public sector 134
Tips: G
 raduate programs in the public sector 135
Advertisements in newspapers and online 135
Recruitment agencies 136
Volunteering 136
Networking 136
What are recruiters looking for? 137
Rebecca Matthews – Mahlab Recruitment 137
Matthew Smee – Hudson 140
Paul Garth – Michael Page International 143
Stand out from the crowd 146
Create an outstanding application 146
The résumé 147
Tips: Résumé writing 150

vii
 Legal careers

The cover letter 150

Tips: The cover letter 151
Selection criteria 152
Tips: Responding to selection criteria 155
How can I stand out at interview? 156
Preparation 156
Presentation 158
Performance 158
Top ten DOs; Top ten DON’Ts 160
Tips: For a fulfilling legal career 161
What can I do right now? 162
Buzz words 165
Appendix 1 168
Comparative starting salaries of various professions 168
Appendix 2 169
Salaries for lawyers 169
Appendix 3 171
Sample job advertisements 171
Appendix 4 176
Sample résumé 176
Appendix 4 178
Sample cover letter 178
Appendix 5 179
Sample selection criteria 179
Photo credits 180

viii
Our sponsors
A big thanks goes out to our sponsors for their generous conributions.

ix
 Legal careers

About Career FAQs

Whether you are just starting out, changing jobs, moving up the
ladder or returning to work after a break, Career FAQs books give the
inside story on just about any job you can imagine.

Don’t end up in someone else’s life.

A career choice is really a life choice
Will Santow – Managing Director, Career FAQs

What makes our books different?

In each book, employees, employers,
Career FAQs is recruiters and industry experts tell their
Australia’s leading stories – so you can really tell if this is the
careers publisher, right career for you. You’ll find out what is
with a dynamic happening right now in your chosen area,
new approach to get the inside info on the qualifications
making career you need and where to get them, and find
choices. out what current employees really love
about their jobs.

You also find out how to stand out from the crowd and get that dream
job, with our industry-specific résumé, cover letter and interview tips
and examples.

Career FAQs is Australia’s leading careers publisher, with a dynamic

new approach to making career choices.

I started Career FAQs because of my own difficulties in finding

empowering, high-quality, up-to-date career information to help
me make career decisions.

I wanted to change careers in my 30s, but trying to research a

new direction led to a dead end – there was no interesting and
reliable information on the qualifications I needed for different
jobs, the opportunities available, likelihood of succeeding, or,
most importantly, what the work would be like once I got there.

I know that our books can make such choices easier by giving
our readers the information they need to find a career that
meets their dreams and aspirations.
>>


Our range covers the usual career areas, as well as moving well
beyond ordinary categories into careers you may never have
thought of. There’s a great job out there waiting for you and we
can show you what it is and how to get it.

A big thanks goes out to the many people who have taken
the time to talk to us and shared their experiences with our
readers, as well as to the many eminent Australians who have
written forewords to our books, sharing the insight and wisdom
that has helped take them to the top.

For a list of current titles, please visit our website,

www.careerfaqs.com.au.

With Career FAQs you have all the tools to find your dream job.

Good luck!

Will Santow
Managing Director
Career FAQs

xi
 Legal careers
fyi
Many words, phrases,
abbreviations and acronyms
are defined in buzz words at
the back of this book.
xii
How to use this book
The book is divided into three main parts.
The big picture gives you an overview of the current state of play
for legal careers. It explores the types of job available as well as
employment opportunities, and provides an income snapshot of
salaries that are being paid to people in the legal profession.
Insider info profiles the experience of law professionals presented
in three chapters: ‘Lawyers at work’, ‘International law’ and
‘Beyond law’. Reading the stories of people working in legal
careers gives an insight into what it’s like to work in different jobs,
the challenges involved and some pathways into the profession.
Ready, set, go for it! You’ve read the stories, you know how they got
there – now it’s your turn. Where to start? This section gives you the
lowdown on how to go about getting the job you want. Find out how
to respond to selection criteria, what qualifications you need, how to
write a résumé, and more.
To help you navigate through the text and also find information
beyond this book, the following icons are used throughout.
cv is a snapshot of each interviewee’s career
pathway – it shows some of the stepping stones
along the career path that led to their current
position
directs you to another Career FAQs title that might
detour
interest you
find out tells you where to find out more about a
more particular topic or organisation
provides interesting additional information, which
fyi
might come in handy!
 provides a brief definition of a word, term or
glossary
acronym that appears in bold in the text

in sums up a specific job, including salary,

brief qualifications, number of hours worked, life–work
balance and flexibility, as told by our interviewee

MYTH explodes a popular myth about the industry or

profession
fact

xiii
 no ordinary
career
To make the right career choice you need to find a culture that fits and a
firm where you can be yourself in a professional setting. At Minter Ellison
our people are what make the difference.

Our strong and energetic culture is brought to life by a commitment to our

values: integrity and trust, enduring relationships, balance and excellence.

Our people are passionate about putting the law to work. By being part of
our team, you’ll experience the opportunities and challenges of working for
the world’s 13th largest law firm.

Visit www.minterellison.com to discover why a career at Minter Ellison

is no ordinary career.
SAN FRANCISCO
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HONG KONG
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 The big picture
Why law?
Forget the stereotypes you see on TV. For most lawyers, work is far
from the glamour and high drama portrayed on shows such as Law
and Order and Legally Blonde. Nonetheless, the law can be one of
the most interesting and rewarding professions. It is also one of the
most challenging – both intellectually and in terms of the commitment
needed to succeed.

Law is becoming a well-respected general degree, as it provides a solid

springboard into vast and varied career paths. While many graduating glossary
lawyers work in private practice or go to the Bar, many others work as Bar means:
lawyers within a business or government department or even within – literally, the area of
a community organisation. A background in law also opens doors to the courtroom where
barristers work, but
broader career opportunities such as politics, commercial business, it refers to the part of
management, media, education, government administration or policy the legal profession
that involves barristers.
development. Some graduating lawyers are never admitted to practise
Lawyers must pass a
law at all, but find their qualifications and skills are readily transferable separate Bar exam to
into other career paths in business and elsewhere. become a barrister.

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 Legal careers
glossary
A paralegal is:
– a person who is not fully or
formally legal qualified, who
works in a supplementary
capacity under the guidance
of a qualified lawyer.
Partner means:
– a senior lawyer in a firm
who has a share in the
business: salaried partners
have a profit-sharing status in
the firm; equity partners own
the business.
glossary
An affidavit is:
– a written statement made
on oath before an authorised
official, often used as
evidence in court.

Interesting opportunities also exist for people who are not necessarily
qualified lawyers but who work within the legal industry alongside
lawyers and barristers, such as paralegals or court clerks.
People working within the legal profession are relatively well paid by
community standards. However, salaries vary significantly depending
on the type of work performed, the type of organisation and, to a
certain extent, whether the work is located in the city or in regional or
rural areas.
Whether they’re a regional lawyer or a partner at a top-tier city firm,
most lawyers agree that the work they do can rarely be contained
within a nine-to-five working day. Lawyers tend to work long hours,
are often under pressure or involved in conflict situations, and can
be called upon at short notice when problems arise. In addition
to the daily demands of the job, it is important to remember that
the profession requires a commitment to ongoing professional
development to maintain an up-to-date standard of knowledge as the
law continually changes and evolves.
So whether you already know you want to be a practising lawyer or
not, if you are up to a challenge and have a love of learning, a law
degree may be exactly what you’re looking for.
What do lawyers do?
Lawyers – solicitors and barristers – do many things depending
on their particular area of expertise. On a day-to-day basis, a
solicitor may:
n interview clients and provide advice about appropriate legal action
or other options available
n negotiate an agreement between two or more parties
n analyse or prepare contracts and other legal documents such as
property leases, wills and affidavits
n advise clients on the latest legislation or court decisions which
have an impact on their rights and obligations
n appear on behalf of a client at a court or tribunal hearing
n write letters of advice
n develop government policy
n advise on the legality of a practice or initiative under consideration.
 The big picture

People go to lawyers for assistance when their affairs are in

disarray. Lawyers provide advice and strategies for resolving
clients’ problems in their personal or commercial dealings. This could
involve defending a criminal matter, sorting out the aftermath
of a relationship breakdown, facilitating the communication
and representation between parties to an agreement and then
drafting the relevant binding contractual documents.
Katherine Vincent – Lawyer, Johnston Withers, Clare, SA

Solicitors often specialise in a particular area of law such as

commercial or residential property, wills and estates, family law,
commercial or corporate law, intellectual property, finance and
banking, media law, personal injury, workers compensation,
immigration law, criminal law, civil litigation … and the list goes on!

Practising solicitors work within a private practice or law firm, or

set up shop independently. Other lawyers will be employed within
a business, government department, community organisation, or
international body such as the World Trade Organization.

Barristers represent litigants as their advocates before the court.

Having been admitted to the Bar, barristers have the right of audience
in court. Few people will approach a barrister directly. Instead,
a client’s solicitor will recommend an appropriate barrister who
specialises in the area of law that the client needs. The solicitor will
then brief the barrister and give instructions on behalf of the client
in regard to how they would like their matter handled. Barristers glossary
generally work independently, although they often share office space
Chambers are:
with other barristers in chambers.
– barristers’ offices.
Barristers will often work on a number of matters or files at any
one time. On a day-to-day basis, a barrister may:

n meet a solicitor (and sometimes the client) to receive a brief and

gather information in preparation for a hearing

n provide advice as to the best way to present a client’s case and the
potential outcome

n appear on behalf of a client in a court or tribunal

n negotiate a settlement out of court on behalf of a client.

In most cases, a barrister will have gained some experience practising

as a solicitor before going to the Bar. Highly experienced and well-
regarded barristers are sometimes recognised with the title of Queen’s
Counsel (QC) or Special Counsel (SC).


 Legal careers
glossary
A judge is:
– the person or persons
presiding over the High,
Federal, Supreme and
District Courts. They decide
how the law should be
interpreted in a particular
case, pass sentence on
defendants who have been
found guilty by the jury or rule
on a disputed point of law.
A magistrate is:
– the person presiding
over the proceedings in the
Magistrates Court, the first
stop in many criminal and
civil actions. As there is no
jury, the magistrate makes all
decisions on verdicts
and sentencing.

Other legal positions include the officers of the court, such as a
judge, a magistrate and, at a supportive level, a judge’s associate.
Judges and magistrates sit in court to hear cases brought before
them. They must listen to all the evidence and arguments from both
sides and make decisions about the cases. In addition, they have to
spend a lot of time keeping up to date with changes in the law and
writing up their judgments.
Judges and magistrates are appointed from practising solicitors
and barristers. Typically, they must have extensive experience in
the courts and must be seen to be, and actually be, unbiased.
Appointments are made by the Attorney-General of the
Commonwealth, or of the relevant state or territory, as the Queen’s
representative. Once appointed, a judge or magistrate cannot be
dismissed by the government. This ensures that governments are
prevented from removing a judge or magistrate for political reasons or
because they don’t agree with an interpretation of the law – everyone,
even the Prime Minister, has to abide by the decisions made by judges
or magistrates!
What makes a good lawyer?
To find out what characteristics are needed to make a good lawyer,
we asked people already in the legal profession. They said lawyers
needed to be:
n inquisitive by nature with good analytical skills
n strong in written and verbal communication
n proficient and interested in the English language
n a natural problem solver
n a lateral thinker – able to look beyond the detail and see the
big picture
n hardworking and determined
n a lover of learning
n level-headed and able to handle pressure
n a good team player and a ‘people person’
n well rounded with general business and marketing skills.
 The big picture

A good lawyer needs initiative, drive and the ability to cover

every detail, but they also need to know when to strip the
detail away and focus on the key commercial issue that will
achieve the very best outcome for the client. An outgoing,
confident and personable demeanour will take you far, because
being able to communicate with your clients, your superiors
and the ‘other side’ is key to achieving the best result. It is
also crucial that lawyers are disciplined enough to keep up to
date with developments in the law, changes to legislation and
business trends. Stamina is also important – the hours are long,
particularly as a deal reaches its closing stages.
Belinda Bradberry – Corporate Counsel, Cable & Wireless, plc (UK)

MYTH
the hours are long
and employers have
little interest in life
balance needs
The hours can be long,
but firms are interested
fact

in the ‘whole person’ and

are aware of the need
for life–work balance.
Being a lawyer isn’t just a job; it’s a lifestyle, with most firms expecting
employees to do long hours. The fierce competition to get into the
university courses and top jobs means that, by the time you get there,
you will be well trained for this tough yet rewarding career.


 Legal careers

What’s happening right now?

The legal profession is moving with the times. Within private practice,
regardless of whether you work at a top-tier firm or a small suburban
practice, one thing is clear – clients are becoming more demanding of
their lawyers. Not only do clients expect considerable technical legal
skills, they are also seeking strong commercial acumen. This can mean
that those graduates with a combined law and business or commerce
degree have an advantage.

Over the last 20 years, there has also been a significant shift away
from general practice to specialising in a particular area of law, such
as intellectual property, building law, and so on. At entry level, junior
glossary lawyers are still expected to develop a broad range of experience, and
Articles is: the process of articles will, in most cases, involve a rotation between
– the abbreviation of ‘Articles different areas of law. However, over time, senior practitioners are
of Clerkship’ and refers tending to specialise in one or two particular fields of law to avoid
to an articled clerk who is
becoming a jack-of-all-trades and master of none.
an apprentice in a
professional firm. So how do you know which speciality to work towards? Well, as you
will see from the lawyers interviewed in this book, people rarely
know which area they will want to specialise in until they have a few
years under their belt and can better gauge where their interests and
strengths lie.

Lawyers working in different specialities may experience differences in

the amount of work available. For example, lawyers who provide legal
services to businesses such as the building or manufacturing industries
will be affected by the cyclical and economic changes that affect most
businesses. Other areas of specialisation, such as commercial law,
residential property and family law, tend to be more stable.

The competition to get into law degrees is tough, with entry

rankings up in the 99s for most metropolitan universities – that’s
higher than brain surgery and rocket science! And just because you
landed yourself a much sought-after place and had your nose to the
grindstone for four years, doesn’t mean that you will find yourself
automatically on the twenty-fifth floor of a swanky law firm in the city.
Competition for summer clerkships and graduate positions is intense,
with large law firms choosing only about 50 applicants from about 800
young hopefuls. That said, don’t just limit your career aspirations to
working for one of the top-tier firms; rewarding jobs exist in a variety
of other smaller practices and government departments.

In the public sector, competition for entry-level roles can be intense

as graduates seek an alternative to the long hours and pressures of
private practice, even if it means accepting a lower salary package.


 The big picture

More and more universities are offering law degrees, but the
number of firms offering articles is not necessarily increasing
proportionally. Each year, there are roughly three times as many
graduates seeking articles as there are positions available.
An alternative to articles is to do one of the paid courses to
earn your practising certificate. Again, people do get good
graduate positions out of these courses, but the competition
can still be quite tough, so bear this in mind if you are wondering
whether to pay for the course. Beyond private practice there
are other opportunities in business, government and other
organisations which graduates should also explore.
Shobana Kanagasingham – Recruitment Consultant, Taylor Root

It is important for a successful barrister to establish a good reputation

and to build good relationships with solicitors and other barristers in
order to find briefs. This can be very time consuming. Also, because
going to court is a costly exercise, many parties try to settle out
of court. Although barristers are still involved in out-of-court
settlements, they will not get paid as much as they would for a court
case and this may result in an unsteady workflow.

Psychological effects of working in law

Five years of a law degree should leave you pretty well versed
in the ins and outs of what’s legal and what’s not, but it won’t
necessarily prepare you, psychologically, to deal with the bad
guys and confronting situations. In many cases, lawyers are the
ones called upon when gruesome crimes are committed, and
the Department of Public Prosecutions routinely deals with the
victims and perpetrators of violent crimes. Family lawyers deal
with bitter divorce and child custody cases where there is often
no black and white answer and innocent people can be left with
shattered lives.

Many firms and government departments offer counselling

services to help lawyers do their job, without getting too affected
by the brutal details. Department heads and managers are also
available to help lawyers work through difficult legal and ethical
issues that they may come up against.

However, while the work in public prosecutions and family law

can be grim and confronting, it is also very rewarding in the
sense that you are directly impacting positively on people’s lives
in their time of greatest need.


 Legal careers

Current size of the profession

The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ national survey of the legal
profession in Australia, conducted in 2002, focused on private solicitor
and barrister practices and other organisations whose main role was to
provide legal services, such as Legal Aid and community legal centres.
Therefore, it is important to note that the survey does not capture the
vast number of qualified lawyers who work in other organisations such
as business, government and community organisations.

So what do the stats tell us? In 2002, there were 36 124 solicitors and
barristers in Australia. This equates to approximately one lawyer for
every 550 Australians. There were 11 494 legal practices in Australia,
which collectively employed 93 753 people.

The number of legal practices in Australia is tabulated below.

Type of legal practice Total number

Solicitor practices 7 566
Barrister practices 3 670
Patent attorney businesses 41
Government solicitors/Public prosecutors* 18
Legal Aid authorities 8
Community legal centres 191
Total 11 494
Legal practices in Australia, 2001–02
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Survey of legal practices, 2001–02 (cat. no. 8667.0)
* These organisations are the Office of the Solicitor General and the Office of the Public Prosecutors for
each state, territory and the Australian Government Solicitor and the Federal Department of Public
Prosecutors.

In terms of contribution to the Australian economy:

n solicitor practices contributed about $6.3 billion (81.2%),

barristers contributed $896.8 million (11.5%) and other legal
services contributed $563.2 million (7.2%)

n as a whole, the legal profession contributed more than $7.8 billion
(1.1 %) of Australia’s gross domestic product.
glossary
It is also worth noting that providing pro bono, or volunteer, work
Pro bono is:
within the legal industry is relatively common. Approximately 63% of
– short for pro bono publico
meaning ‘for the public private solicitor practices and 78% of barristers reported doing some
good’. It’s often used to sort of pro bono work.
describe professional work
done without payment.


 The big picture

What are the job opportunities?

The outlook for the legal profession and graduating lawyers continues
to be strong over the coming years.

Depending on your lifestyle and work preferences you can take your
job in the legal profession almost anywhere. Take a look at:

n big city jobs

n regional and rural opportunities

n overseas opportunities.


 Legal careers

Big city jobs

Lawyers provide legal services to their clients and so, like other
service providers, the greater the population, the greater the number
of job opportunities. This is true whether you are interested in
private practice, an in-house corporate role, or a role within a
government department. Therefore, when graduates complete their
law degree, most look for their first position in one of Australia’s cities.

All of the large commercial legal firms are based in the city where they
are close to their business clients. Medium-sized and smaller firms
are also located in the city or within the surrounding suburbs. If you
are interested in working in-house within a business environment,
again, most big businesses are located within the CBD or in the inner
suburbs. The same applies for federal and state government bodies,
including the courts.

Regional and rural opportunities

While the majority of graduates will find
In smaller firms,
their first job opportunity in a city
particularly in
environment, there are also opportunities
regional areas,
within regional Australia. While,
you are likely
proportionally, there are fewer jobs in
to gain a broad
regional areas, often the competition for
exposure to work
these roles is less fierce. Since so many
in various areas
people gravitate towards the cities,
of law.
employers within regional areas often find
it hard to attract young graduates.

If the lifestyle of a regional centre or country area appeals to you, you

are also likely to find that your work provides a greater day-to-day
variety and opportunity for progression than city jobs. In contrast to
working in a large firm where your work is limited to a narrow area of
law, in smaller firms, particularly in regional areas, you are likely to
gain a broad exposure to work in various areas of law. On a typical day
you could be working on the sale or purchase of a property, preparing
a will, or assisting parties in a contractual dispute.

Government agencies, such as Legal Aid and some community

organisations, also have offices in regional areas.

10
 The big picture

If you choose to work in a regional area after graduation, this does not
mean that a career based in the city isn’t available to you later down
the track. Recruiters recognise the broad skills that regional lawyers
have to develop. It is understood that regional lawyers will often have
had greater client contact than their city counterparts, and in many
instances have had to take on a higher level of responsibility earlier
on in their career.

Overseas opportunities
Many young lawyers are drawn to work overseas, both for the
opportunity to travel and also for the experience of different work
and larger economic markets. London has traditionally been the
number one destination for many Australian lawyers, although today
the opportunities for working overseas have grown enormously.
Australian lawyers are gaining positions in various cities in the United
States and in countries throughout Asia.

If you are interested in working overseas, the most common advice

you will get from those who have trod that path is to gain experience
at home first. To arrive as a fresh graduate without any experience
puts you in a difficult position as you try to compete with local
graduate lawyers. Both local and international employers will do
backflips to secure quality graduates in their teams.

11
 Legal careers

detour
If you like the idea of working
overseas, check out Career
FAQs Going Global
www.careerfaqs.com.au

If working overseas is part of your plan, the other thing to think

find out
more
About working in the UK:
The Law Careers Advice
Network
www.lcan.org.uk
About working internationally:
about is what areas of law you should try to gain your experience in.
Many areas, such as finance and banking, general commercial,
superannuation, and criminal are more easily transferable than others
that are particular to Australia, such as tax law.
If a young lawyer is considering working overseas at some stage
in their career, they should avoid working in areas that are
not transferable, such as litigation, taxation and property law.

The Legal 500 Areas where skills are transferable include corporate, finance,
banking and superannuation.
www.legal500.com
Margaret Heath – Director, Law Staff

12
 The big picture

Many Australian lawyers travel overseas to work in private practice

or within business. However, there are also opportunities to work in
government departments or community organisations. Similar work
experience here in Australia will be well regarded by employers overseas.

Women in law
Traditionally, law has been a profession dominated by males but, with
more women studying law degrees than ever before, the tide has
started to turn. The 2002 research study conducted by The Australian
Bureau of Statistics demonstrated that of the 29 159 solicitors working
in private practice, 34 per cent were women and 66 per cent were
men. The figures for male and female barristers aren’t as encouraging
– of the 3670 barristers in Australia, only 14.7 per cent are women.

The ABS research doesn’t provide information about the promotion of

women to senior positions such as partner, or in a barrister’s case, to glossary
the position of silk, or senior counsel. However, the lawyers we spoke Silk is:
to certainly agreed that men outnumbered women in partnership roles. – the informal title for
Queen’s Counsel. It refers
Chief Justice Marilyn Warren of the Supreme Court of Victoria was to the silk gowns of special
design worn by QCs.
interviewed in 2006 about the relatively low number of women
barristers appointed as senior counsel. She explained that the
problem was due to women barristers being clustered at the junior
end of the Bar.

A woman appearing in a big matter is rare. This does disappoint

me. I know women of the highest calibre who could match it
with the men and they do not seem to be given the opportunity.
There is not enough consideration by litigating solicitors of the
full range of counsel available. I’m not saying they discriminate
against women. I don’t think that in this day and age, that would
happen. But what they do not do, often enough, is look at the
full range of options available to them.
Chief Justice Marilyn Warren – Supreme Court of Victoria

Katherine Vincent is a member of the Women’s Law Committee of South

Australia. She shares her views of women and the legal profession.

13
 Legal careers

There are a growing number of women working in law, despite

the fact that it isn’t a particularly women-friendly, or at least
family-friendly, occupation. Part-time work is unusual, paid
maternity leave isn’t common (at least to my knowledge in
private practice) and the nature of the work definitely means
that it’s not a nine-to-five job. If one of my children is sick,
often it is my husband who will have to take time off to stay
home with them. Most women I know in the legal profession
struggle to cope with the demands of legal practice and
managing a young family.
Katherine Vincent – Lawyer, Johnston Withers, Clare, SA

The policies and practices within the public and community sector
have a reputation of being more family-friendly and provide benefits
for both women and men. Paid maternity and paternity leave is more
common as is job sharing and the opportunity to work part time.
The situation is improving in private practice, but there is still a long
way to go.

14
 The big picture

How much can I earn?

The first thing to note about salaries within the legal profession is that
they are generally not as high as most people assume. Yes, a partner
in a large city firm can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars, as too
can a relatively small number of barristers who have been able to
establish a consistently high volume of work. But, for the most part,
lawyers are paid comparable salaries to other professionals working
within industries such as accounting, IT, banking and commerce.

The second thing to note is that the great variety or range of work
means there is also a great variety in the range of salaries available.
For example, lawyers working in a regional area for a relatively
small practice will be paid a much more moderate salary than a
lawyer working in a large top-tier practice in the city. Public-sector
jobs generally pay more moderately than private practice, although
there are other benefits such as more reasonable work hours, salary
packaging benefits and so on.

The financial rewards are there for the top performers, but
the vast majority would earn good money – not necessarily
exceptional amounts.
Paul Garth – Recruitment Consultant, Michael Page International

Ask a lawyer and you’ll undoubtedly be told that you don’t go into
law for the money. If that’s what you’re interested in, you’d be better
off looking at other options. Take in this information with a degree of
caution and take on board the advice of those who work in law.
As one lawyer pointed out, you can rigorously work your way up in
the profession but may find yourself handcuffed to your job and
unable to relax, making it difficult to make much time for family,
friends and interests.

The table on the following page represents just a small sample of jobs
and the salaries they attract, but is an indication of what is available
within the legal profession today.

15
 Legal careers

Years in Years in
Age Position title Income
job profession
23 Lawyer $55 000 1.5 1.5
26 Articled Clerk $40 000 1.25 1.25
26 Legal Assistant (UK) £33 000 <1 4
$60 000 – $70 000
27 Solicitor 1 4
(industry range)
29 Paralegal $65 000 <1 10
Late 20s Recruitment Consultant Base + commission 1.5 5
29 Research Associate $54 000 1 5
30 Family Lawyer $60 000 – $110 000 1.5 6
$55 000 + package
31 Legal Aid Lawyer 1 6
benefits
31 Corporate Counsel (UK) £33 000 <1 7
£50 000 – £80 000
33 Legal Counsel (UK) 3 8
(industry range)
34 Public Servant $170 000 – $190 000 9 9
34 CEO $120 000 4 9
$100 000 – $150 000
34 Journalist 5 12
(industry range)
$50 000 – $100 000
Mid 30s Regional Lawyer 10 10
(industry range)
37 Barrister Varies 7 7
39 Regional Lawyer $75 000+ 4 14
39 Member of Parliament $120 000 8 16
Director/Company $80 000 – $200 000
48 5 25+
Secretary (industry range)
52 Contract Consultant $70 000+ 4 30+
57 Business Consultant $60 000+ 3 30+
Career FAQs Legal careers income snapshot, 2007
fyi You will notice that the salaries for lawyers working in the UK are
Note that the normal salary attractive. Lawyers working elsewhere overseas, such as the United
for a paralegal is around States, can also be paid high salaries. However, for lawyers who have
$52 000. The salary shown
in the table is higher based
worked overseas, it is the opportunity to travel and gain some varied
on experience and abilities. work experience that is the big drawcard. They know that, even though
the pay packet is good, the cost of living is also generally higher.

Starting salaries for graduate lawyers fall in the mid-range of other

graduating professions. However, there is generally more opportunity
find out
more for salary progression in the early years of a lawyer’s career. In
particular, if working in private practice, there is often a significant
See Appendix 2 for a more
extensive list of salaries. jump in salary once a graduate lawyer has completed their articles
and is admitted.

Want more quality career resources

16 from Career FAQs for FREE? Click here
 The big picture

Who are the main employers?

The main employers of lawyers can be categorised into four broad areas:

n private firms – large, medium and small city law firms, suburban
and regional practices

n corporate sector – private and public companies employing lawyers

in an in-house legal or business-related role

n public sector – state, territory and federal government departments

as well as government-funded but independent organisations

n not-for-profit organisations – community legal centres, national

and international charities, national and international human rights
organisations and aid agencies.

Note that as barristers work as sole practitioners, and therefore are

self-employed, they are not covered in this section.

Private firms
The largest private-practice firms service much of Australia’s big
businesses as well as various government departments, providing advice
and doing work that is not covered internally by these organisations’
own internal legal team. The clients of large private-practice firms
include banks, insurance companies, mining and manufacturing
companies, large property developers, multinational organisations
and more.

The work these large firms concentrate on tends to be largely

business-related, such as finance and banking, business or
commercial law, employment, intellectual property, litigation and
so on. They are often referred to as ‘full service’ firms because they
have expertise in most areas required by business.

As the large- and, to an extent, medium-sized firms increasingly

target large business and government as their clients, they have
a diminishing interest and ability to service individual clients.
Individuals who require advice on selling their home, preparing a will,
or gaining advice in the area of family or criminal law will often be
referred to a smaller or ‘boutique’ firm.

17
 Legal careers

Some of the largest private-practice firms in Australia are:

n Allens Arthur Robinson

n Baker & McKenzie
n Blake Dawson Waldron
n Clayton Utz
n Corrs Chambers Westgarth
n Deacons
n Freehills
n DLA Phillips Fox
n Mallesons Stephen Jaques
n Minter Ellison.

Medium-sized firms usually operate under a similar structure to the

large firms in that they provide a range of business-related legal
services, although usually to smaller business clients.

Small firms tend to fall into two categories. The first type has a similar
structure to the large- and medium-sized firms. They provide a range
of legal services to business clients but on a much smaller scale. They
also provide legal services to individuals.

The other type of small firm is often referred to as a ‘boutique’ firm.

These firms tend to specialise in a particular area of law and build a
reputation for being experts in their field, whether it be media law,
patents and trademarks or family law. Clients will seek them out
directly for their expertise, or alternatively, a large firm will outsource
or refer work their way.

Suburban and regional private practices provide services to small

business and individuals. They provide general legal advice covering
business and property law, as well as the range of legal services an
individual may need to look after their personal affairs.

Corporate sector
Most large- and medium-sized businesses employ solicitors to work
in-house to provide a range of legal services such as drafting contracts
and negotiating agreements. The more senior lawyers will also provide
advice on broader commercial and strategic issues that affect the
business. This involves a good understanding of the regulatory regime
in which the particular business operates.

18
 The big picture

For example, lawyers employed by organisations such as Fairfax,

News Limited and Channel Nine will have a particular interest in the
regulations around media law, defamation and broadcasting rules, as
well as cross-media ownership laws. Lawyers employed by banks will
have an understanding about the legislation regulating how banks
can operate and will provide advice to senior managers on how these
regulations affect the business.

Public sector
Lawyers are employed in many federal, state and territory government
departments to handle the issues that arise out of the work the department
performs. There are also areas of government that deal specifically in
the administration of federal, state and territory legal systems.

National public sector employers of lawyers include:

n Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department

n Australian Federal Police

n Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions

n Australian Government Solicitor

n Australian Securities and Investments Commission

n Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

19
 Legal careers

Public sector employers of lawyers common to some states and

territories include:
n (State) Attorney-General’s Department
n Department of Justice
n Office of Public Prosecutions
n Legal Aid.

Not-for-profit organisations
There are many community legal centres in metropolitan and regional
areas of Australia that work with disadvantaged people who cannot
afford private legal representation. There are also opportunities
to work for national and international organisations and charities
concerned with individual human rights such as the International
Court of Justice and Amnesty International. Australian Volunteers
International and Austcare operate in various regions across the globe
placing people with legal qualifications on community projects.
find out
more Other organisations that employ lawyers include:
There are many more n trade unions
government departments
that employ lawyers. For a
n universities
broader search, check out n local government
www.australia.gov.au/98.
n women’s, youth and other interest groups.

20
 The big picture

What are employers looking for?

Although lawyers are employed in a vast range of roles and
organisations, employers in all areas tend to look for many of the same
skills, personal qualities and life experiences in their new recruits.

The first priority for most employers is a high level of intelligence,

demonstrated by high academic achievement. Good university results
will ensure your application is considered and then you need a range
of other qualities to make your résumé stand out from the rest.

I think that it will always stand graduates in good stead if they

can demonstrate a broad life experience, whether that’s a stint
living, studying, or working overseas, success in part-time work
during university studies (particularly, in degree-related areas), or
volunteer work for community or non-government organisations.
Dara Williams – Public Servant, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

More than ever before, employers are not simply looking for ‘textbook
lawyers’. They are seeking out well-rounded candidates who have
a broad range of interests and have participated in the community.
Commitment to sport, music or the arts is well regarded, as is paid
or volunteer experience in a legal environment whilst studying.
These experiences provide you with the opportunity to develop
communication and teamwork skills, the ability to interact socially with
different people and build confidence in a variety of different situations.

What personal qualities suit a career in law? What are the things
you need to consider before embarking on a legal career? What are
employers looking for in a new recruit?

For answers to these questions we spoke to representatives from law

firms and organisations in the private and public sectors.

n Brendan Bateman – Clayton Utz

n Antony Melville – Aitken Walker & Strachan

n Tony McDonald – Kings Minerals

n Jan Blomfield – Australian Government

Attorney-General’s Department

21
Slide into a top career
at Clayton Utz

Partner

Senior
Associate

Solicitor

Graduate

Seasonal
Clerk
 The big picture

Brendan Bateman – Clayton Utz

Brendan is an Environmental Lawyer and
a Partner at Clayton Utz, a top-tier law
firm and one of the largest in Australia.
It has over 1900 staff working across
offices in Australia’s capital cities and
its clients include more than half of
Australia’s top 100 companies and more
than 250 state and federal government
departments and agencies. Brendan
is involved in determining which law
students will join the firm in the highly
sought after summer clerkship program, which is often a
stepping stone to a graduate position.

q&a
What is the summer clerkship program?
It is a 12-week paid program for students in their penultimate
year of university, and runs from December through to February.
The successful summer clerks identify the areas within the firm where
they would like to work, and we offer them two rotations so they
get some varied experience. We try to give them as much hands-on
experience as possible; so, for example, if they work in litigation,
subject to any court recess period, they will have the opportunity to
attend court as well as conferences with counsel and clients.
We look to take on somewhere between 30 and 50 summer clerks
each year.

How do law students find out about your clerkship program?

Clayton Utz is heavily involved with career fairs at universities where
students can get information about the program and decide if they
want to apply. Lawyers from Clayton Utz attend the careers fairs so
students get the chance to speak to them one on one and get
first-hand information about the firm.
Our summer clerkships are generally well-known at the universities
in New South Wales, and indeed interstate, so we get a relatively
high take-up rate. The process is very established and structured so
students generally know when to apply.

23
 Legal careers

Do students apply to each law firm independently?

Yes, they do. There is a computerised system, called CV mail, which
most of the firms have in place to facilitate the receipt of applications
from students via university channels.

What do you look for in the applications?

We get inundated with applications. Last year we received between
800 and 900 applications for our summer clerkship program.
Given that we only take up to 50 clerks, that means a lot of culling.
Our HR recruitment advisers go through the applications initially
and reduce them to around 300 or 400. They look for résumés that
show solid academic results as well as evidence that the person is
well-rounded, with good life skills. They also look out for résumés
which they think are interesting or novel. We recognise that
sometimes the best lawyers can come from ‘left-field’ and
we are open-minded when it comes to assessing applications.
The applications that make it through are then split up among
partners from all sections of the Sydney office, who sort them into
categories of: must interview; worthy of an interview; for further
discussion; and not to interview. Partners then do a cross-check
by swapping their pile of résumés with another partner. We give
first-round interviews to around 200 to 220 people, which will usually
be with a partner and senior associate. About half this number will
go through to a second-round interview, which will be with a different
partner and senior associate.

Is the aim of the summer clerkship program to find out who

you would like to keep on in the future?
That’s generally the case. To become a summer clerk, the person has
already been through a fairly rigorous and extremely competitive
process, so we are pretty confident that they’re a good fit for the firm.
Most of our summer clerks prove themselves to be more than capable
and are therefore, more often than not, offered graduate positions.

Is there another way to get a graduate position in your firm

without having done the summer clerkship?
Yes, we have a graduate recruitment program, which recognises that
not everyone will apply for a summer clerkship. There are students
who have been studying overseas or for some reason or other, are not
able to apply for a summer clerkship, and we don’t want to miss out
on this talent.
The program is intended to ensure that we have a sufficient number
of graduates coming on board to meet business needs at any
particular time.

24
 The big picture

We get a huge number of résumés coming through the door every

week for graduate positions. We review each résumé to see if we
think there is a business need for that person’s particular skills.
The number of graduates we accept each year changes according to
our needs. Graduates usually start work with us in March or August
each year.
We also have a large number of paralegals working in the firm.
In exceptional circumstances, a paralegal may be considered for
graduate recruitment.

Is there any advice you would give to law students?

It is very hard to give advice in a generic sense. I wouldn’t want
to presume why they are doing law, because it is different for
each individual. What I would say is that the essential thing they
should learn from the study of law is to think like a lawyer and to
understand legal issues. Law is an evolving discipline so it does not
pay to be obsessed by detail.
I have a brother, also a lawyer, who says that the practice of law is
95 per cent common sense and five per cent law. That is something
that I tell a lot of graduates when they start with the firm.
What we’re looking for are people who can think for themselves and
who can exercise common sense and judgment. At the end of the day,
we need people who are able to engage with a diverse range
of people, including clients, experts and technicians, as well as
their colleagues. Being obsessed with saying ‘I am a lawyer’ does
not usually translate into being able to work successfully in a
business environment.

Do you think that the reality of a career in the law lives up to

the expectations of clerks and graduates?
A lot of people find the clerkship a very exciting time – indeed a very
social time. For a lot of them, it is their first experience of working
in a large commercial law firm and it can be a steep learning curve.
We encourage our recruits to work in different practice areas, not only
so they are exposed to a broad range of skills, but are also able to
gain a better understanding of the practice of law. My own career path
shows how this can work well. I came to Clayton Utz to practise as a
family lawyer, and I found the practice of family law entirely different
from the study. Now I’m an environmental lawyer, which I find far more
appealing and practical.

25
 Legal careers

Tony Melville – Aitken Walker & Strachan

Tony is the Managing Partner of a
medium-sized Melbourne-based firm
called Aitken Walker & Strachan. The
firm is more than 85 years old and
provides clients with financial advice
and support as well as legal services.
Their recruitment process usually
involves a first interview with the HR
Manager and the recruiting partner and
then Tony conducts the second
interview. By this stage, the qualifications and intellectual capability
of the candidate have already been assessed. Tony is particularly
interested in the ‘broader person’ and finding the best ‘fit’ for the firm.

q&a
What do you look for in a résumé?
A variety of employment, as well as achievements and interests
outside the profession.

Is it harder to get a job if you have completed practical legal

training instead of articles?
No, in many instances a person with practical legal training
experience will be the superior candidate.

What do you expect from a candidate during an interview?

I expect them to be on time and well prepared, so they should have
researched the firm and what we’re about. They need to listen to the
questions before answering and to able be provide some insight into
their personality.

What advice would you give candidates about managing

their nerves in an interview?
Consider the interview as a two-way process. Will the firm meet their
expectations? What are their expectations, what are they looking for?
They need to be able to share that information.

26
 The big picture

What would you ask applicants to find out whether or not

they would be a good fit for your firm?
I often ask them to describe a time in their life where they had to
resolve a dilemma. I ask them to talk about the process they worked
through to deal with it. I also ask them about their passions and about
the last book they read.

What are the most important qualities needed to be a

successful lawyer in private practice?
Being able to listen and identify the issue in context of the client’s
overall position.

What can law students do now to help them get their

first job?
Make sure they have a variety of other life skills by working outside
the profession. Get involved in and display other interests and
achievements.

27
 Legal careers

Tony McDonald – Kings Minerals

Tony worked as a partner in a
Brisbane-based firm for around 20
years before taking the role of Executive
Director and Company Secretary at
Kings Minerals, a company listed on the
Australian Stock Exchange. Over the
years he has regularly been involved
in the recruitment of young lawyers
and emphasises the importance of
both academic achievement and
‘organisational fit’ in finding the right candidate.

q&a
When you were a partner, what type of skills and qualities
would you look for in potential new recruits?
It depended on the position but, obviously for a professional,
academic ability and qualifications was the starting point, although
the applicant didn’t have to be top of the class. Then I looked for
personality – an assessment of how the applicant would fit into
the workplace and with the clients and with other lawyers on the
‘other side’ of a transaction. Attitude and a ‘fit’ with the applicant’s
objectives were important. A team member mentality was favoured
above an individualist attitude and a good work ethic was required.

What are you looking for that students might not necessarily
learn in law school?
Speaking in the context of private practice, it is preferable that
lawyers have good communication skills. Strong customer service
skills, marketing and relationship-building skills are ideal but so
too is a sense of timing as to when it is appropriate to display their
entire armoury.
As a principal or partner, the work doesn’t just land on your desk.
If you want to head towards partnership, you can’t rely on just being a
good technical lawyer. You need to have established, or work towards
establishing, relationships in the relevant parts of the community.
You need to be able to understand the corporate or commercial
objectives of clients in the business sectors. You must be able to
relate to clients.

28
 The big picture

Few lawyers work merely nine to five. The hours of study you thought
were hard at law school are nothing to the gruelling hours you will
often have to work to meet a client deadline or to keep up to date with
legislative and common law changes.
You need to know how to handle yourself, and the situation, when you
make a mistake. Put your hand up and ask for help – then work harder
and smarter to retrieve the situation, if possible under the guidance of
a colleague.

What can law students do now to help them obtain their

first role?
High grades are very important – that keeps doors open and seems
to be the first thing the top-tier firms look at. A broad education is
always helpful as is an understanding of the basics of business. To be
able to demonstrate an ethic for hard work will do no harm.

What advice would you give to someone considering entering

a career in law?
Give it a go. Provided you are prepared to put in the effort and have an
open mind there is little downside. The law is an entry point to many
walks of life and career opportunities.

How difficult is it for lawyers to transfer between private

practice and internal legal roles?
Not difficult at all. Having the right mindset is probably the most
important thing as well as being able to understand the business.

Is it possible to become a lawyer even if you didn’t get good

enough grades to do a law degree?
It is achievable for many through commitment and determination.
I have seen paralegals who have worked full time, studied part time
and become very good lawyers.

How would you recommend someone find out about the

different specialities of law?
Some understanding of the specialities is worthwhile but a broad base
of experience will assist in whatever field of specialty is ultimately
chosen. A lawyer must be able to recognise issues whatever the area
of expertise. Referrals can then be made for the relevant expertise.

29
 Australian Government
Attorney-General’s Department

Graduate Program

Graduates
Do you want to make a difference?
If you are interested in helping shape Australia’s legal and justice system, the Attorney-General’s Department might be
just the workplace for you.

The Attorney-General’s Department has a challenging and exciting policy and program agenda. The principal objective
of the Department is to support the Australian Government in achieving a just and secure society. The Department
provides expert advice to Government on a wide range of legal and policy issues, including national and protective
security, counter-terrorism and critical infrastructure protection, emergency management, native title, criminal justice
and crime prevention, international law, family law, legal assistance, administrative law, human rights, copyright and
information law, indigenous law and justice and the Australian Background Checking Service. It is also responsible for
the administration of a number of important programs in these areas. The Department is the key policy and coordinating
body for the Attorney-General’s portfolio and works in close cooperation with a wide range of judicial, legal and public
sector bodies.

Who are we looking for?

We seek graduates who are interested in working at the cutting edge of policy, legal development and advising on the
application of the law. We recruit high calibre graduates from a wide range of disciplines including:

• law • arts • commerce

• public administration • accounting/business • information technology
• political science • humanities or social sciences

We offer you
• three strategic work placements in different areas of the Department
• a variety of learning and development activities designed to broaden your skills and knowledge
• a competitive starting salary • assistance with relocation to Canberra

How to apply
Please visit our website at www.ag.gov.au to see further information about our graduate program and/or to apply.
 The big picture

Jan Blomfield – Australian Government

Attorney-General’s Department
Jan Blomfield holds the position of Head of Human Resources at the
Attorney-General’s Department, which is responsible for advising the
federal government on issues relating to law and justice, national
security and emergency management. The department provides legal
policy advice on domestic and international legal matters.

Government departments in Australia offer law graduates and

established lawyers alternative career paths to the traditional
legal firm trajectory. Working in the Attorney-General’s Department is
a good example of the type of work lawyers can find themselves doing
in a government setting.

q&a
What are the hot jobs in the public sector at the moment? fyi
This would have to be policy development in a legal context. The Commonwealth
Our department is seeking law graduates to work in policy and Attorney-General’s
Department recruits
legal development. It’s interesting work in areas such as international
graduates from disciplines
trade law, human rights, national counter-terrorism, security, crime including: law, public
prevention, family violence prevention and native title policy. administration, political
To work specifically in legal policy in the department, graduates science, arts, business and
need to hold a legal qualification equivalent to an Australian accounting, humanities or
social sciences, commerce
undergraduate degree.
and information technology.
What are the advancement opportunities? What are the areas
of growth?
Advancement opportunities are many and varied across the full
range of the department’s activities. The department has grown by
18.84 per cent from June 2005 to June 2006.

What’s the traditional way of recruiting lawyers into

your department?
Traditionally, the Attorney-General’s Department advertises vacancies
through the Public Service Gazette, in newspapers and on the
department’s website.
The department uses an online application system though
options are available for those people who do not have access to
the Internet. Our website also has a section for non-ongoing
(short-term) vacancies.

Do you recruit many established lawyers?

The Attorney-General’s Department is interested in established
lawyers across the whole range of legal policy work but also
particularly in international law and legal drafting.

31
 Legal careers

What about graduate recruitment programs?

The Attorney-General’s Graduate Program has grown in the last
couple of years to meet the demands of the substantial growth of
the department. Our graduate program is a one-year program.
Following an intensive orientation process, graduates are placed in
different areas of the department on a four-month rotational basis.
An example of a year’s rotation could be to start in the Corporate
Services Group Public Affairs Branch (not specifically a legal area)
which gives a ‘big picture’ view of the department’s work, move to the
Native Title Unit, then move to the International Crime Branch.
Of course, this is just one example of a rotational graduate year.
We work hard at AGD to ensure that our graduates enhance their
skills and abilities during the year.

How many law graduates do you take in each year?

AGD will recruit up to 60 graduates for 2008. The target for 2007
was 40.

What’s the application process for the graduate

recruitment program?
Our website explains the process as we want to ensure that the
applicants complete their applications to the best of their ability.
The importance of giving the right information in the application
is paramount to getting a foot in the door, as selection is based
on merit. For example, it is important to list academic qualifications
and all the results for each subject including withdrawals and
fails, and transcripts are checked before an offer is made. Also, the
Attorney-General’s Department requires applicants to be Australian
citizens and undergo a health check prior to commencement.
Depending on where in the department they work, successful
candidates may require a security clearance.
This type of information is on our website so it’s good place to start
before you start to write an application.

How long does it take to assess graduate applications and

what comes next if an application is accepted?
Applications are open for approximately four weeks. The completed
applications are then short-listed for the interview process.
Approximately one month after applications close the interviewing
commences. Applicants are advised of status approximately
one month after the interview process is completed. Offers can
be made from this time until approximately one month prior to
the commencement date as order of merit to be used in case
of withdrawals from first round offers. Once offers are made,
arrangements are made for the commencement of all successful
applicants. Then relocation of interstate graduates is arranged.

32
 The big picture

Do all graduates recruited work in Canberra? Can they work

for the AGs in other states or overseas?
The majority of the department is located in Canberra. Elements of
Emergency Management Australia are located in Mount Macedon,
Victoria, and the Classification Operations Branch is located in Sydney.
While it is possible for graduates to be placed in these areas at the
completion of their development year, they will need to undertake
placements in Canberra during that year.

What’s the process on completion of the graduate year?

Graduates would normally select the division or branch they
would prefer to stay in for their third (final) rotation. On successful
completion of all requirements of the program, they will be made a
permanent offer of employment in that same division or branch.

What’s the starting salary for law graduates in AGs?

The starting salary for graduates from 2008 will be $45 900.

Do you have any tips for creating an outstanding application?

Advertised vacancies often attract a number of very good quality
candidates so it is in your best interest to prepare an application
that will demonstrate to the panel that you are able to satisfy the
requirements of the position.
With this in mind, it is a good idea to obtain as much information
as possible about the position duties and responsibilities, work
environment, and the department by reading the information provided
in the selection documentation, speaking with the nominated contact
officer and accessing information available on our website. This will
enable you to be specific about how your skills and experience are
relevant to the duties and responsibilities of the position.

What makes a person stand out at interview in your opinion?

You will stand out at interview if you are able to provide examples
that are relevant to the questions asked. This demonstrates to the find out
panel that you are able to apply your experience. This also gives the more
panel an insight into the applicant’s thinking process, reasoning and www.ag.gov.au
problem-solving skills.

33
 Legal careers

What support organisations exist?

There are a number of professional organisations that provide helpful
information about the legal profession, both nationally and in each
state and territory. These organisations give guidance about the
prerequisites of becoming admitted as a solicitor or barrister.
They also provide information about current key issues in the industry
and ongoing professional development initiatives.

The best starting point for each organisation is their website.

From there, some organisations will invite you to sign up to receive a
regular online newsletter. All of them also have useful links to other
information sources that are particularly helpful to prospective and
current students.

Australia-wide organisations
Whether you are a hot-shot lawyer working on the top floor of a
Sydney high-rise, or a country solicitor in outback Australia, there are
nationwide organisations to make sure you get the most out of your
legal career, and are connected to lawyers from all different paths
and practices. From Perth to Port Macquarie and from Bundaberg
to Broome, joining a nationwide legal community will stand you in
good stead for keeping abreast of national trends and keeping your
legal skills and networks up to speed.

Law Council of Australia

The Law Council of Australia represents the legal profession at a
national level by advising governments, courts and other federal
agencies on ways in which the law and the justice system can be
improved for the benefit of the community. The council also
promotes ongoing professional development through conferences
and workshops. The council’s website provides information on current
topics of interest such as high-profile court cases and changes to the
family law system. Download their monthly electronic bulletin
@theLCA for information on national and international issues of interest.

The Australian Young Lawyers’ Committee is supported through the Law

Council of Australia. It is a committee charged with equalising career
opportunities within the legal profession by furthering the cause of
minority and disadvantaged groups within the Australian community.

34
 The big picture

Australian Bar Association

The Australian Bar Association (ABA) is the national body for
barristers in Australia. As the peak organisation, it strives to provide
a common national voice. There are also independent associations in
each state and territory.

The association’s stated aim is to promote the effective administration

of justice, and promote, maintain and improve the interests and
standards of members. It acts as a support body for barristers,
offering representation and further education through training
programs, conferences and publications.

Australian Law Students’ Association

The Australian Law Students’ Association is the peak representative
body for approximately 28 000 law students across Australia.
It consists of the Law Student Societies and Law Student Associations
from all Australian universities offering law degrees. The association’s
objectives are to promote career opportunities for law students and
to provide representation at a national level on education issues such
as the quality and funding of law degrees. The association also hosts glossary
national events in mooting, client interviewing, witness examination, Mooting means:
negotiation, essays and the International Humanitarian Law Moot. – |a mock court for the
conduct of hypothetical
legal cases, which provides
Australian Women Lawyers practice for law students.

Australian Women Lawyers (AWL) is the national body representing find out
women lawyers’ associations in Australia. The organisation’s more
objectives are concerned with equality in the practice and Law Council of Australia www.
advancement of women in the legal profession. Their patron is lawcouncil.asn.au
Justice Mary Gaudron, the first woman appointed to the High Court Australian Law Students
of Australia. On the AWL website, you can access speeches and papers Association www.alsa.asn.au

written by Justice Gaudron and other high-profile women lawyers Australian Women Lawyers
www.womenlawyers.org.au
about the issues that women in the legal profession face. The website
Australian Bar Association
also contains research carried out by AWL and back copies of their http://austbar.asn.au/index.phpa
journal, Themis.

35
 Legal careers

State and territory organisations

In each state and territory, there are generally two types of
organisations that promote and provide support for lawyers: one for
lawyers and one for barristers.

For lawyers
The first type of organisation is usually called a law society or
law institute and provides support to practising solicitors.
Across Australia, these organisations include:

n Law Society of the Australian Capital Territory

n Law Society of New South Wales

n Law Society Northern Territory

n Queensland Law Society

n Law Society of South Australia

n Law Society of Tasmania

n Law Institute of Victoria

n Law Society of Western Australia.

The role of each law society or law institute varies slightly according
to the nuances of the legislation it operates under. Essentially though,
they have the following similar primary objectives:

n to provide professional services, resources, support and benefits to

their members and the legal profession in general

find out n to provide community education about the law and the
more legal profession
Websites of the state and n to initiate activities to improve access to justice within
territory organisations for
the community.
lawyers are listed on the Law
Council of Australia website:
From a practical point of view, these organisations also have
www.lawcouncil.asn.au/links.html
significant statutory responsibilities that play a key role in the
Websites of the state and
territory organisations for management of the legal profession. They manage the admission of
barristers are listed on the legal practitioners and the yearly registration of practising certificates,
Australian Bar Association
respond to matters relating to professional conduct and standards,
website: http://austbar.asn.au
and are involved in disciplining legal professionals.

36
 The big picture

For barristers
The second type of organisation in each state and territory is
the relevant Bar association that provides support services to
practising barristers. These organisations include:

n Australian Capital Territory Bar Association

n New South Wales Bar Association

n Bar Association of Queensland

n South Australian Bar Association

n Tasmanian Bar Association

n The Victorian Bar

n Western Australian Bar Association.

These associations have the responsibility of promoting, maintaining

and improving the quality of the Bar. They also seek to ensure access
to the courts is open to all members of the community.

Over recent years, with the increase in alternative dispute resolution

methods used in litigation, many of the Bar associations maintain a
system of accreditation for barristers who provide alternative dispute
settling services, such as mediation.

37
At Middletons, we believe in working with you
to develop your career from the time you join us.
We won’t throw you in the deep end but we will
give you real work challenges straight away.

Middletons is Australia’s straight talking law firm.

We pride ourselves on our client service and our
focus on our client’s business. Consistently, clients
value our ‘down to earth’ approach, our focus on
delivering excellent service and our willingness to
provide the best commercial solutions.

See our website for information on

undergraduate clerkships and graduate
opportunities in Sydney and Melbourne.
 Lawyers at work
Although the majority of people deal with lawyers on a very infrequent
basis, can you imagine Australia without laws? We would have people
driving on the wrong side of the road, running red lights or, worse, not
swimming between the flags! Law is a serious business, and lawyers
are the ones who try and keep society on the right side of the tracks.
Think of any area of public life, and there will be a lawyer behind it.
That adds up to a lot of career diversity for aspiring lawyers.

Criminal lawyers and judges may be more likely to hit the front page
than someone in intellectual property. With so many specialities, there
is a good likelihood that you will find your niche and be able to apply
your own personal talents and interests to your legal career.

With opportunities available in the big smoke or out in the sticks,

in the public and private sectors, in-house as part of a business or
as part of a top-tier firm, with your law degree, you choose your
own adventure.

39
 Legal careers
cv research assistant
>> promo girl >> teacher/
tutor >> hospitality >>
summer clerk >> paralegal
glossary
External placement means:
– a university-based work
placement in a corporate,
public or community sector
organisation which enables
the student to experience
the culture and practice of
that organisation.
40
Maria Wang – Paralegal, Freehills
Maria is in the fifth and final year of a
combined Arts/Law Degree at the
University of Sydney. She completed a
summer clerkship at the top-tier
commercial law firm Freehills in
2006–07, and is now working there
two days a week as a paralegal in the
Pro Bono department until she finishes
her degree.
When Maria graduates at the end of this
year, she plans to either travel or undertake a judicial associateship
before joining Freehills to practise as a commercial solicitor. Maria
sees herself eventually working overseas as a human rights lawyer or
in a management role overseeing sustainable development projects
aimed at putting an end to extreme poverty.
q&a
Why did you choose to pursue a career in the law?
I have always had a strong interest in social justice, and there is a
great deal of inequity in our society, which needs to be reformed. Law
is pervasive and underpins our society, so getting an understanding
of our legal institutions and social structures made sense. Legal
expertise is applicable to almost every career, even if you decide not
to practise as a lawyer. Also, I love problem solving and I love to write.
Law is the best of both worlds because you have to think logically and
laterally and then express your ideas coherently.
What does it mean to work as a paralegal?
Being a paralegal is basically being a legal assistant. You can do it
on a full-time or casual basis, so it gives uni students the flexibility
of a paid job for one to three days per week, which can usually be
combined with their uni timetables. I’m at uni two days a week and am
doing an external placement one day a week, so working at Freehills
as a paralegal two days a week really suits me right now. It also allows
you to earn enough money to have a social life.
I help keep track of requests our firm receives for pro bono legal
assistance, draft responses and research memos, compile monthly
board reports, help organise meetings and functions, and liaise with
the Pro Bono departments in our other offices.
 Lawyers at work

How did you get the job as a paralegal?

I emailed a cover letter to the HR consultant at Freehills with my
résumé and academic transcript attached.
Paralegal positions aren’t usually advertised – sometimes you hear
through word of mouth that there is a vacancy, but it seems like they
are always looking for people. Law firms have a really high turnover,
with people coming and going constantly. Also, matters are getting
opened and closed, so sometimes they need an influx of people and
sometimes it’s quiet. It is really just a matter of luck whether you
catch them at a good time, but if your application catches their eye,
they will keep you in mind when something comes up. Since you’ve
spent time perfecting your résumé, it is definitely worth sending it
around to a few different firms to maximise your chances of getting
hired. If they’re impressed by your application, you will usually have
two interviews – the first with an HR person and the second with one
or two partners.
Being a paralegal is not a prerequisite to getting a summer
clerkship, and is certainly no guarantee of one. But a lot of
second- or third-year law students choose to start as paralegals
to get some work experience.

How do law students go about getting a clerkship?

Securing a clerkship is quite different from getting a paralegal job as
it’s very structured. The whole recruitment process is done annually
through a uniform summer clerkship scheme involving all the law
schools and law firms willing to take on clerks in a given year.
From memory, we had about 20 to 25 different firms participating
from both the top- and the mid-tier.
Clerkship hopefuls generally apply to multiple firms at the same time
to maximise their chances of getting an offer and to compare firms, if
they’re lucky enough to get multiple offers.
The process followed a tight schedule and, while it was full-on
at the time, it was over before I knew it. Last year, electronic
applications were accepted in July. By late August, all applicants
were notified by email as to whether they would be progressing
to a first-round interview, which would be conducted in early
September. Those who impressed in these interviews were invited
for second-round interviews.
All firms had to make their clerkship offers on the same day, and we
were given a week to decide which one to accept. glossary
What are your interview tips? STAR stands for:
Most definitely prepare. A friend gave me some sound advice, which – Situation, Task, Action,
was to have responses semi-prepared for all the questions they might Result. See ‘Ready,
ask. I compiled a long list of behavioural questions and a bullet-point set, go for it!’ for more
outline of my responses and possible examples to draw upon (often information on using this
using the STAR method). The interviews can be full-on, but they try method in job applications
and interviews..
and make it really friendly and don’t ask interrogatory questions.

41
 Legal careers

They tend to be more casual and conversational because the firms

don’t want you to leave thinking that they’re not the firm for you.
An interview is just as much an opportunity for firms to impress you
as it is for you to impress them.

How many people are offered clerkships?

It depends on the size of the firm. The large firms took over 40 clerks
each last year and the size of the intake seems to increase each year.
The smaller firms might take about a dozen. I got the impression
that at least half of all those from my law school who applied for a
clerkship got one, some at top-tier firms and others at mid-tier ones.
Clerkships at top-tier firms tend to be harder to get, because they
generally look for higher academic achievement.

Is there any difference in the structure of clerkships from firm

to firm?
Not really. Typically, a firm will allow you to do two or three rotations
so you get a taste for different areas. I chose to rotate in the Corporate
and Competition Law practice groups. I spent about four weeks in
each area under a supervising partner, working in that partner’s team.
Your choice of rotations doesn’t lock you into that area later on. It’s up
to you to pick what area of commercial law might interest you, and it’s
an opportunity to confirm whether it does or not.

How much work and responsibility do you get as a clerk?

It’s often said that a summer clerkship is the time when the firm puts
its best foot forward. They try to give you the best experience they
can, because they are trying to attract you. If they decide to offer you
graduate employment, they’ll want you to accept it. So they’ll want
to make sure that you enjoy your clerkship. At the same time, you are
there as an employee of the firm, and you will be given real work with
real deadlines.

What are the benefits of getting a clerkship?

As a bare minimum, you have a well-paid, full-time job over the
summer. It’s also a lot of fun! It’s very social, because you do it with
up to 40 other people at your firm, and there are inter-firm events like
trivia nights and weekly basketball matches. And, of course, there are
after-work drinks most nights. The pay differs between firms but it is
generally about $700 to $800 per week gross.
Most firms also tend to recruit their graduates through their summer
clerkship programs. So a clerkship is a stepping stone to getting a
permanent position in the firm. If you impress during the clerkship,
the firm will usually make you an offer of graduate employment at the
end, and that means you have a job lined up for when you finish uni.

42
 Lawyers at work

at work
Maria hard

What advice have you got for law students to help them find
a job?
Good marks alone are not enough to make you stand out to
a potential employer. Most will look for an applicant who has
been involved in extra-curricular activities, because that tends to
demonstrate that you have leadership skills, initiative and an ability to
juggle a busy schedule. For example, if you were involved in running
a university society, you would come across as being resourceful
and organised, and if you did mooting, then you could say that you
have good oral communication skills and some experience preparing
submissions. Firms also look favourably upon previous work
experience, whether it’s volunteering at a community legal centre or a
paid casual job that is not law-related.

Has the reality of law lived up to your expectations?

It has and it hasn’t. It has in that I’ve found it to be quite
challenging and intellectually stimulating, which is what I was
hoping for. I definitely don’t plan on changing careers any time soon.
But I started out seeing law as the solution, and now realise that, at
times, it is part of the problem because it can operate unfairly.
I’ve come to realise that law doesn’t necessarily mean justice.

43
 Legal careers
cv sport shop assistant
>> hospitality >> coach/
teacher/presenter >>
video store assistant >>
articled clerk
44
Joshua Hawes – Articled Clerk, Aitken
Walker & Strachan
Joshua is currently completing his
articles at a medium-sized global firm
in Melbourne. He originally studied a
Bachelor of Commerce (Banking and
Finance) and a Bachelor of Law at the
University of Canberra. During that
time, he balanced his study and work
commitments with a keen passion
for hockey. For much of his university
career, he also trained with the
Australian Institute of Sport and
competed internationally. At 26, Josh is soon to be admitted.
q&a
What has the articles experience been like?
I’ve spent 12 of my 15-month articles in litigation. In the articles
experience, you’ll usually be moved around to other departments,
but the firm had a big trial on the go. The hours were long and hard
but well worth it when it came time for the trial to commence and it
was brilliant to do some real work after studying the theory of law
for so long. Since then, I’ve moved into the property/commercial
department. It’s still early days but I think I might like it here.
How did you get the articled clerk position?
Honestly? Reluctantly, I confess, hockey got my foot in the door,
but all hockey and no skills will only get you so far. To crack an
interview, many say you should interview the firm as much as they’re
interviewing you. My philosophy is basic: do your best to relax,
breathe, speak clearly and remember the interviewers are real people.
Do you get paid to work as an articled clerk?
Do you ever! I get paid approximately $40 000 including super.
In the grand scheme of things there isn’t much change left after the
weekend, but I can strongly recommend the ‘articles’ experience.
The alternative is to undertake practical legal training (PLT) or
equivalent postgraduate studies, which takes approximately six
months and costs about $7000.
 Lawyers at work

Why did you study law?

Being a typical sportsperson, I felt I was destined to study the human
body or, more specifically, how best the human body can hit a hockey
ball! But my physiotherapist, of all people, advised me to choose a field
outside my hobby. After I recovered from her calling my hockey career a
‘hobby’, I decided that Commerce/Law was the degree for me.
I hadn’t studied law at school and was apprehensive, to say the
least, about tackling it at university level. However, studying a
double degree enabled me to wade into my legal studies all the
while comforted by my friend commerce. I think I would have been
overwhelmed if I had studied straight law.

How did you balance study with your sport training and
competing commitments?
I owe it all to a fantastic network of friends. Don’t get me
wrong – I shouldered the load and manned the wheel plenty, but
when it came to asking a simple or silly question that could save
hours of reading I was more than willing to speak up! This, coupled
with some part-time studies, enabled me to keep my eye on the ball.
One of the pitfalls of studying part time is that I was a pauper for the
seven years that it took to complete my five-year degree.

Thursday
Monday • Finalise contract
lements
• Review weekly property sett client
•O utline contract legality with
• Respond to emails
ificates •R  esearch and finalise adverse
• Order rate and planning cert possession claim
• Draft contract • Massage/recovery session
eon
• Attend legal education lunch
• Hockey skills training
Friday
claim
• Lodge adverse possession
Tuesday • Attend settlement
r solicitor
• Discuss problems with senio • Write to client
• Write to client • Admin and planning for next
week
claim
• Draft adverse possession • Lunch with AC from another
firm
erty agent in
• Liaise with client and prop •T ravel interstate for weekend
preparing contract competition
• Gym training

Weekend
Wednesday • Play hockey
• Team meeting • Hit the beach
side’
• Liaise with bank and ‘other • Go shopping
settlement
solicitor for Friday property
on reverse • Go out with friends
• Meet with client to advise
• Travel home
mortgage documentation
• Hockey skills training

45
 Legal careers

How did you find working in a team where you worked for a
number of different people?
Let’s face it, when you’re an articled clerk, everyone is your boss.
Picture the scene in Braveheart when they string him up and pull his
arms and legs in opposite directions – this is you. If you are smart you
will stay in control of the ropes by clarifying your deadlines and giving
early warning if that deadline will not be met. Alternatively, you can be
a hero and attempt to perform miracles daily and end up stressed out
and yelling ‘freedom!’ from your desk when it’s time for Friday night
drinks in the boardroom.

ion
Josh in act

What have you enjoyed most about your articled clerkship?

Making appearances in court! Yes, the issues are uncontested and
often agreed upon outside the courtroom, but there is something
special about getting to your feet and addressing the judge.

What has been particularly difficult to learn?

Everyone’s name! But seriously, things like learning everyone’s name,
who does what and what goes where will take time – how much time
depends entirely on you.

What happens at the end of your time as an articled clerk?

I think the shackles of supervision will gradually release and I will be
given more and more responsibility. But, just like Spider-Man, ‘with
great power comes great responsibility’. You will be putting your
name to letters, memos and court documents for which you will be
ultimately responsible, so be sure to take some extra time and take
care to dot your i’s and cross your t’s.

46
 Lawyers at work

In your view, what’s the main advantage of working as an

articled clerk as opposed to doing practical legal training?
Getting paid to learn as opposed to paying for it is a refreshing
change. Granted, it prolongs your admission but after a lengthy
career at university I couldn’t wait to enter the workforce.

What sort of person is best suited to this work?

I think you’ve got to be prepared to dive in at the deep end, roll
your sleeves up and get your hands dirty.
A lot of the time there are no definitive answers to the questions
asked of the articled clerk, which can be frustrating. Take on the
challenge and get creative. The information in your hands is the
same as it is for an experienced solicitor – you just have to look a
little more carefully.
It also helps to be prepared to risk life and limb at the Supreme
in
Court when catching the rickety lift to the top floor and scaling the
prehistoric ladder, which was made before nails or glue were invented,
brief
Articled Clerk
to find a century-old case that doesn’t exist but needed to be in court
five minutes ago. $$$ 40K including super
quals LLB, B Comm
What are your ambitions for your legal career? (Banking and
Finance)
Sometimes I question my career path, mostly in times of human hrs/wk 45+
tragedy. Apart from these universal quandaries I guess it’s all life–work tug-of-warr
about job satisfaction. At the moment I’m still searching for my flexibility 6/10
niche – I figure it’s only a matter of time before I map out my future.

47
 Legal careers

cv lunch bar assistant Leanne Whitelaw – Solicitor, Taylor Smart

>> retail shop assistant
Leanne studied a Bachelor of Laws at
>> usher >> clerkship >> the University of Western Australia.
articled clerk >> solicitor She completed her articles and was
admitted in 2003. In 2005, she joined
Taylor Smart, a small- to medium-sized
firm based in Perth. Leanne says she
enjoys the variety that comes from
working with a smaller firm. Her work
includes commercial and residential
property conveyancing, property leasing,
business law, deceased estates, wills,
estate planning, the sale and purchase of property and businesses
and more!

q&a
Why did you study law?
It seemed an interesting degree to study, with a variety of
job opportunities.

Was it hard studying for your law degree?

Not particularly. It isn’t as hard as people seem to think. Some
subjects required more study than others, often because some
are a lot more interesting than others! I hated subjects such as
constitutional law and administrative law, but really enjoyed others
such as criminal law, restitution and unjust enrichment.

What were the clerkship experiences like during

your studies?
I had a few experiences working at law firms while studying for my
degree. It was an interesting insight, but I learnt a lot more once I had
finished studying and was working full time. I did some migration
work, a lot of research tasks and general office duties, and went to
court a few times with the practitioners I was working with. It was
good to see the inside of a courtroom and have some exposure to
clients, although I learnt a lot more in my articles year.

How difficult is it to gain a position with a law firm when you

first graduate from university?
I had little trouble finding a position after law school, although I
believe the market is getting tighter now and graduates are finding
it harder to secure an articles position. It is definitely beneficial to
do a clerkship. Or, if you find it difficult to get one, look into doing

48
 Lawyers at work

some work experience instead. It looks great on a résumé as it

demonstrates initiative and shows that you have worked in a legal
office, even if it wasn’t a paid position.
I would also recommend getting involved in projects at university.
Volunteer or community-based legal work is definitely highly regarded
by prospective employers.
When you have your foot in the door for an interview, make sure you
research the firm so you know as much as possible about the areas of
law they practise and their lawyers. Show good preparation by having
some questions for them about their firm.

How daunting is it to get to know the partners when starting

at a new firm?
It’s not daunting at all. People often have a preconception that law
firm partners are intimidating or hard to get along with, but in most
cases that isn’t correct. They are just regular people. I have never
worked with a partner who I found intimidating or nasty in any way
– they have all been supportive and understanding. I think it’s best
to be proactive and seek out a partner’s advice and guidance as much
as possible. They’ve been very helpful aiding my development.

What are the performance expectations of your role?

I know the quality of my work is very important. A partner will often
check over my work before it is sent to a client. I aim to make sure the
work I do is as good as I can get it before the partner looks over it.
Quality refers both to my technical knowledge (which, as a relatively
junior lawyer, can sometimes take hours of extra research!) and
my drafting skills. I need to bill a certain number of hours per day,
which is standard for law firms. As I’m learning, I often need to spend
glossary
extra time on research, which can’t be counted in my billable hours. Billable hour or unit is:
Therefore, I have to make up that time and that can create some – the period of time by
long days. The feedback I get from the partners reminds me that I’m which a professional bill is
doing well and keeps me motivated to keep learning. calculated for a client.

Is marketing and relationship building a key component of

your role?
Not now. The partners and other lawyers largely provide me with work.
However, I know that to become a partner I will need to develop those
marketing skills over time so I can build my own relationship base and
generate my own practice.

Do you have much contact with clients?

Yes, a reasonable amount. I really enjoy this part of the job because
I get to communicate with a wide range of people. It draws on broader
skills than just my technical legal skills. It’s important to have good
communication skills, to understand the client’s business or personal
matters, and to be able to explain without speaking in legal jargon.
I like to see that we are helping people with their legal concerns.

49
 Legal careers

What are your career aspirations?

Ideally, I’d like to make partner one day. That will involve working on
my experience and improving my marketing skills.

What personal qualities make a good lawyer?

You need to be able to think outside the box and see things from more
than one point of view. It’s also important to be aware that the law can
be interpreted in more than one way, to work efficiently (either within
a team or on your own) and be willing to work hard and put a lot into
your career.

‘People often have a

preconception that
law firm partners are
intimidating or hard to
get along with, but in
most cases that isn’t
correct.’

What advice would you give someone considering a career

in law?
Go for it, if that is what they want to do. Law is an interesting career
in
brief and a law degree can lead to many opportunities – not just as working
as a lawyer in a commercial law firm. I have friends who did law
Solicitor
degrees and are now in many different areas. Don’t be worried about
$$$ 60–80K it being too hard or taking on more than you can handle – you will get
quals LLB there and it is not as difficult as many people think.
hrs/wk 45–50
What support resources did you find helpful during your
life–work 6/10
flexibility n
 ot too bad, but
studies and as a graduate lawyer?
hours can be long at The law society in your state is probably a good place to start – for me
times – my weekends
are precious
it was the Law Society of Western Australia. Personally, I have mainly
relied on the support and help of friends and colleagues.

50
 Lawyers at work

Kylee Harman – Paralegal, Herbert Greer cv sandwich hand >>

and Rundle worked in family corner
store >> legal assistant >>
Kylee works as a paralegal in the property law department of
law clerk >> paralegal
Herbert Geer and Rundle in Melbourne. Kylee has been working in
the legal industry for 10 years, since she was 19. She manages to
balance full-time work, being a mother to a five-year-old daughter
and studying law part time at Deakin University. Subject to family and
work commitments, she plans to complete her study in 2008 or 2009.

q&a
How did you first start working in the legal industry?
My mother passed away in my final year at school and I went a little
off the rails. I had no direction and no idea what my future would hold.
A family friend, who happened to be a barrister, started driving me to
school and he became a mentor and friend. After a while I made the
decision to jump back on the rails and get involved in the law.

Why did you decide to start studying to become a solicitor?

There are a number of reasons. Firstly, I have a burning desire
to achieve. After going off the rails, I felt I hadn’t lived up to
my capabilities. In the end, I was driven by my own desire to feel
proud of myself. I enjoy the law – I love to talk, argue and debate.
I love language and all that can be done with it. I love to make a
difference in people’s lives. I want a voice which is taken seriously and
which will open doors. As a law clerk and paralegal, I have embarked
on an apprenticeship in the law, which will not be complete without
glossary
the LLB. LLB means:

What does your current role involve? – Legum Baccalaureus,

which is Latin for Bachelor
I’m a paralegal in a property and commercial legal team. I am of Laws. The initials are
heavily involved in property development, subdivisions and used throughout the world
commercial transactions. I work autonomously with minimum to signify a law degree.
instruction and find that I am regarded on an equivalent level to
some junior lawyers. In certain aspects of my role I would be
considered more useful due to my experience.

How do you juggle everything?

It is a struggle juggling full-time work, studying and parenting.
My five-year-old daughter tells me she doesn’t want me to be a lawyer
because she wants me to be at home with her. As demoralising as
that is at times, the sense of excitement I feel when presented with an
intellectual challenge and the stimulation I get just makes me glow.

51
 Legal careers

I have a very supportive husband. My evenings are devoted to

studying during the weeks I’m at uni. Sometimes I feel like I am
asking too much from my husband. I can’t express how my ability
to combine work, parenting and school is so entirely dependent
upon his continuing support. I also rely heavily on creche and have
been lucky with my employers who have given me an enormous
degree of flexibility. I work two days per week from home and am able
to be home in time on the other three days to drop off and pick up
from school, which provides me with some breathing space.

Tuesday, Thursday
y, Friday
Monday, Wednesda home
5.00 am Get up and work at
home day
5.00 am Get up and work at 7.30 am Daughter sta rts her
rea dy for wo rk onl ine wo rki ng at
7.00 am Get 9.00 am Back
ghter up and home
7.30 am Get dau
ready for school ghter from school
3.30 pm Get dau
ghter off at e with daughter
9.00 am Drop dau work 4.00 pm  Coo k, tim
school and race to sub jec t to work calls
n at des k in the , bat h and bedtime
9.30 am Sit dow 6.30 pm  Din ner
office for my daughter
n computer and h my husband
3.00 pm Shut dow my 7.30 pm Time wit
race off to pick up
daughter from sch
ool 8.30 pm Study
work remotely 10.30 pm Bedtime
3.00 pm Monitor
Din ner , bat h time,
6.00 pm
rea din g and bedtime for Weekend
my family
my daughter • Spend time with
and fri end s
time with
7.30 pm Spend nings (except for
my husband • Study in the eve
have contact
weekends when I
8.30 pm Study jects due)
hours at uni or pro
10.30 pm Bedtime

So what is the difference between your role and a

third-year lawyer?
A lawyer must sign off all my work, except for non-contentious letters
that deal purely with administration. Of course this is dependent upon
the policy of the firm in which you work, as many junior lawyers’ work
also has to be signed off.

52
 Lawyers at work

What do you enjoy about your work?

I love the mental stimulation and the fact that it enables me to help,
and develop relationships with, the people I meet. The diversity of
clients is particularly enjoyable.

What are the worst aspects of the job?

The billable unit and its ability to bring out the worst in a person.

What sort of people are suited to this type of work?

People with a passion for learning and language. People with spirit
and determination. A thick skin doesn’t go astray, nor does a healthy
dose of patience and level-headedness. To be good at the job, you
need to be able to communicate with people and instil confidence.

What personal skills do lawyers need?

Attention to detail is essential as is a continuing desire to learn and
strive for excellence. I think passion, compassion and empathy are
also important so that the law doesn’t become too technical and
depersonalised. It’s meant to embody our society’s code of interaction
with each other – it isn’t supposed to be sterile and detached. It is derived
from the people and through people – as lawyers, we need to ensure that
all the things that make us uniquely human are harnessed in the law.

You have worked for a couple of different law firms. What are the
similarities and the differences?
The billable unit is the same everywhere, as is the pressure to
meet budgets. The nature of the work itself is different between firms.
The culture of each firm is different and is unique to the personalities
at the top of the food chain.

What is it like going to lectures on the background of law

after working in it in practice for so long?
Incredibly frustrating. A large portion of core subjects are not
applied in the everyday existence of a lawyer. Sixty per cent of the
degree seems pointless. The law is so specialised now that the
GP (general practitioner) of the law is becoming less and
less common. Perhaps the necessity to study the theory of so many
areas is superfluous. However, the process of arriving at a decision
is invaluable, regardless of the area of law, and that aspect of the
degree is fabulous – I have a great deal of respect for the process.

What are some of the advantages of working in law before

starting your studies?
It helps to develop discipline, the resources are at your fingertips and
you benefit from a practical application of theoretical teaching.

What has been particularly difficult to learn?

Patience and silence. It is difficult when you want to contribute at
work but face a lack of faith in your abilities and ideas because you
don’t possess an LLB.

53
 Legal careers

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?

Take five minutes before responding.
Don’t sacrifice your passion.

In what area of law do you want to practise when you are

qualified and why?
Commercial law because I am interested to learn how to team
business together with the law.
in
brief What are your ambitions for your legal career?
Paralegal If I don’t sit on the bench of the High Court, I hope I’m sitting on the
board of a charity making decisions that make peoples’ lives better.
$$$ 65K+
quals currently What advice would you give someone considering entering a
studying LLB
career in law?
hrs/wk 40–60
Spend time working in the law before studying it. It is a much-
life–work 7/10
romanticised profession and the reality of it is very different to what is
flexibility very good
shown on television.

54
 Lawyers at work

Louise Brunero – Research Associate, cv paralegal >> articled

Melbourne Registry of the Federal Court clerk >> commercial and

of Australia intellectual property lawyer

>> overseas volunteer >>
Louise commenced a combined degree research associate
in Science and Law at the University of
Western Sydney (UWS). She spent her
Chemistry Honours year at the Research
School of Chemistry at the Australian
National University (ANU), and she later
transferred her studies to complete her
law degree with honours there.

While completing her law degree, Louise

worked as a paralegal with DLA Phillips
Fox. This opened the door to a summer clerkship and then a one-year
graduate position. After admission to the ACT Supreme Court, Louise
worked for a further two years at DLA Phillips Fox in commercial law,
which covered litigation, government contracting and procurement
and intellectual property law, before venturing to Cambodia,
where she worked for 15 months as a legal volunteer with host
organisation Austcare.

Back in Australia, Louise worked as a research associate with the

Federal Court of Australia in the Melbourne Registry. Since the
interview, she has moved on to the next step in her career – combining
her science and law qualifications to work as a lawyer in Allens
Arthur Robinson’s Intellectual Property Practice Group in Melbourne.
Her work is currently focused on large patent litigation matters for
pharmaceutical firms. Of course, she also plans to retain her sense
of adventure!

q&a
Why did you decide to transfer your studies from Sydney
to Canberra?
I enjoyed my studies at UWS but the law school was very young.
I enrolled in the first year that the law school opened (1995) and, at
that time, there was only one other student studying the combination
of science and law at UWS. As I continued through the degree I realised
that very few law electives of a scientific nature were being offered.
My Chemistry Honours took me to ANU and I dropped into the law
school while I was there. I was thrilled to find that the Australian

55
 Legal careers

Centre for Intellectual Property Law was actually on the ANU campus,
and that the science/law combination was very popular at ANU with
many electives on offer.
In my final year, I did a semester-long law internship with a professor
in human genetics at the John Curtin School of Medical Research.
I wrote a submission for an Australian Law Reform Commission
inquiry into the privacy law framework and the use of human genetic
information in scientific research. It was an ideal way to combine my
laboratory skills with my legal knowledge!

To become admitted as a solicitor, you completed a Graduate

Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) at ANU. What did that involve?
ANU Legal Workshop offers a university-based legal training program
for admission to practise. Completion of the GDLP allows for direct
admission to practise in New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, Queensland
and the Northern Territory and reciprocal admission in other Australian
states. The diploma can be studied six months full time (on campus)
or 12 months part time (over the Internet). I studied part time while
working full time with DLA Phillips Fox in their graduate program.

How did you become interested in the Australian Youth

Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) program?
I heard about the AYAD program and saw a 12-month position as an
Intellectual Property Officer to the Royal Government of Nepal on the
AYAD website. I decided to give it a go, as it sounded ideal for me.
I’m passionate about the practice of intellectual property law and
I believe that protection of intellectual labour is vitally important
for the encouragement of innovation and development. As it turned
out, the opportunity didn’t eventuate. The security situation in Nepal
deteriorated due to violent clashes between government forces and
Maoist insurgents and, for the safety and security of AYAD volunteers,
all placements to Nepal were cancelled for 2004–05.
Despite this setback, the people at the AYAD program were impressed
with my skills and were particularly interested in my law honours
thesis on land policy in East Timor. My thesis explored the challenges
that faced the newly independent country in balancing competing
interests in land, and developing land policy and land management
strategies. As an alternative to Nepal, I was offered a 12-month
placement in Cambodia working on land titling and a legal
education program.

What did your work in Cambodia involve?

In the initial stages of the project I researched Cambodian law on the
legal process for land distribution, land titling and registration for
areas of land that had been cleared of landmines and unexploded
ordnance. Using this research, I prepared a concept paper for the
integration of the existing land distribution process with recently
enacted sub-decrees, with the view to creating permanent land titling
for de-mined land.

56
 Lawyers at work

Working with Khmer counterparts, I then developed a comprehensive

five-day land law training course, which was presented in December
2005 to provincial government staff. The training was the first of its
kind to be delivered in Cambodia. My role as training team leader
and workshop coordinator included liaising with guest speakers
from the Cambodian Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning
and Construction, and legal advisers to the government. I was also
responsible for the management of the training budget and for
securing additional sponsorship and national media coverage. I learnt
Khmer (the official language of Cambodia) to an intermediate level.

You are now working as a research associate with the Melbourne

Registry of the Federal Court. How did that come about?
I had a taste of commercial litigation when I was at DLA Phillips Fox in
Canberra and was keen to get more experience in that area. As a judge’s
associate you get an invaluable insight into the internal workings of the
court system and also of the individual judges themselves.
I wanted to practise intellectual property law and the Federal Court
has jurisdiction for those cases. I did my homework on individual
judges, reading up on their areas of interest and expertise and
the registry they worked out of. I also looked at recent intellectual
property cases to see which judges were hearing them. I then made a
number of applications directly to those judges, looking for positions
anywhere from 12 to 18 months in advance. Unfortunately, my timing
didn’t match up with those judges, but as an alternative I was offered
a position as a research associate in the Melbourne Registry of the
Federal Court.

ge
e Le Ar villa
iner at Sra
Louise with a de-m

57
 Legal careers

What’s the difference between a judge’s associate and

research associate?
A judge’s associate works directly to one particular judge. Every judge
in the federal court has an executive assistant and an associate.
The executive assistant is a permanent role, whereas the associate
roles tend to be 12 months (or sometimes 18 months). The judge’s
associate works very closely with the judge, sitting in chambers with
the judge and assisting them with all docket management issues that
arise in the hearing of cases. The associate liaises with court registry
staff for the listing of directions and hearing dates, ring parties, follow
up on compliance with court orders and the filing of court documents.
The associate also carries out legal research and judgment proofing
as requested by the judge. A judge’s associate will also sit in court
with the judge when they hear matters. In court the associate is
responsible for the opening and closing of the courts, swearing in of
witnesses and marking all exhibits. There is usually a good amount
of interstate travel involved as the associate travels with the judge to
other Federal Court registries for full court sittings.
Research associates work in offices separate to the judges and are not
assigned to any particular judge. This means that a research associate
can do work for any of the Federal Court judges. A research associate’s
primary role, as the job title suggests, is to carry out legal research
and judgement proofing as requested by the judge. There is also
opportunity to sit in as an associate to a particular judge on a
short-term basis, for example, on cases where you have a particular
interest or skill, when the judge’s associate is on leave or when the
judge is yet to appoint a new associate.

What does your day-to-day work involve?

The research associate role has worked out really well for me. It has
given me the opportunity to be involved with numerous intellectual
property cases before a number of judges in the federal court.
These cases have run for anywhere from a few days to a number
of weeks.
The research tasks were set directly by the judges and, in many
cases, I sat in court with the judge’s associate so that I could hear
the relevant arguments. This gave me the context I needed to carry
out the research task. I would then liaise with the judge to complete
the task. Some judges require a written research memo, so good legal
writing skills are essential. Other judges ask you to debate the topic
with them in their chambers! This can be pretty daunting the first time,
but it is an amazing opportunity to gain insight into how a judge forms
their reasoning.
For approximately two-and-a-half months of my 12-month contract,
I have acted as associate to various judges, usually for one or two
weeks at a time.

58
 Lawyers at work

What are your plans from here?

I’m making the move back into private practice. I’ll be working in
intellectual property litigation, which means I’ll be back in the federal
court, but this time I’ll be at the other side of the bar table.

How did you go about finding this role?

As research associate, I had the chance to see many law firms in the
courts arguing for their clients. It was a wonderful opportunity to see
the blend of litigation work Melbourne law firms were involved in,
their approach to litigation and the types of clients they represented.
This, together with my knowledge working as a lawyer in Canberra,
helped me narrow down the field to a few firms of interest.
I then chatted with four judges who I’d worked with most during my
12 months as research associate. I told them about my career goals
and aspirations and asked them for their advice. I asked them where
in
they saw me having the best fit? Which firm would best help me
achieve my career goals and aspirations? I also spoke to barristers
brief
and lawyers working in intellectual property law for their opinions on Research Associate

the various firms. $$$ 54K

quals  Sci(Hons), LLB
B
Doing your homework on the firms is a must. However, be sure to (Hons), GDLP
really listen to what is being said (or not said) in the interview! No hrs/wk mostly 9 to 5
matter how much research you’ve done, it is essential that you life–work excellent
understand exactly what is being offered to you!

59
 Legal careers
cv real estate property
manager >> conveyancer/
paralegal >> policy analyst
>> commercial and
government lawyer >>
wills and probate lawyer
>> assistant director
– International Education
Australia >> legal practice
manager (secondment) >>
family lawyer
60
Kate Schuermann – Family Lawyer, Farrar
Gesini & Dunn
At just 30 years old, Kate’s résumé reads
as long as someone twice her age.
After leaving school, she worked as
a property manager in the real estate
industry, before entering the legal
industry as a paralegal and studying a
Bachelor of Arts (Justice Studies)
in Brisbane.
Since then, Kate has managed to balance
working full time in various government
and private practice roles with full-time study for a Bachelor of Laws.
She is now six years post admission and works as a family lawyer in
Canberra with Farrar Gesini & Dunn.
q&a
What studies did you complete in order to become a lawyer?
I commenced a Bachelor of Arts (Justice Studies) at the Queensland
University of Technology in 1994. I chose this university because it
offered the course by distance education, which meant I was able to
work practically full time while studying.
After moving to the ACT in 1999, I went on to study a Bachelor of Laws
at Macquarie University. Again, I chose Macquarie because it offered
distance education. Most of the on-campus requirements were over the
weekend so I was able to manage my work during the week and then
shoot up to Sydney for the intensive learning.
What direction has your career taken since then?
When I moved to Canberra, I obtained a job with the federal
government as a policy analyst in areas such as the regulation of
superannuation and foreign investment. My work there included the
preparation of drafting instructions for legislative and regulatory
amendments to federal legislation.
When I had completed my law degree, I moved into private practice
with Phillips Fox as a commercial and government lawyer. My day-to-day
work involved the preparation of large commercial agreements and
assisting in commercial negotiations and settlements. Separate to my
paid work, I also volunteered at a local community legal centre.
I then moved into the areas of property law and estate planning, which
I found more people orientated. After a few more years,
an opportunity presented itself to return to the public sector as
 Lawyers at work

an Assistant Director for International Education Australia. I was

also seconded for a period of three months to another government
department as a Legal Practice Manager.
I made another significant change in 2005 and joined my current firm,
Farrar Gesini & Dunn, as a family lawyer. It is an area I have always
had an interest and desire to work in.

How did you manage to work and study full time?

It was extremely hard work – I can’t overstate that – and I made a
number of sacrifices from a social perspective during those 10 years.
I had great support from my husband, which was invaluable.
Now that I’m through it, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it
to others. Personally, I tended not to enjoy attending university
lectures and tutorials, but found being able to study by myself in
the evening much more effective. I think this balancing act works for
people who are disciplined enough to do the work consistently. It can
become overwhelming if you don’t keep on top of it.
I chose to work in government while studying because I was
supported financially and had time off to sit my exams. I found it
easier to manage my workload in government, where the time lines
are a little more predictable and therefore manageable compared to
private practice.

How difficult was it to obtain a role at Phillips Fox and what

was the experience like?
I believe that my experience in government largely contributed to my
being offered a position with Phillips Fox. I also think that they are
realistic and try to choose people who fit well in their teams. I made
great contacts in many different areas of government and, from a
commercial law perspective, those networks were useful. I also had
a good understanding of the internal workings of some of the key
government departments.
Phillips Fox provided me with numerous resources, excellent
experience in furthering my technical skills as well as drafting
opportunities, negotiation experience and court work.

Why did you decide to move to private practice in family law?

I’ve always been passionate about family law, even though it wasn’t
an area that other practitioners or my mentors encouraged me
to enter. Family law is so multifaceted – you need to know not only
about the laws governing marriage, children and property when
parties separate, but also child support, superannuation, bankruptcy,
trusts and international agreements.
I also like the direct people contact, the almost daily court work
and the creativity associated with resolving disputes. My average
day consists of attending court, negotiating and drafting agreements,
providing advice, liaising with Counsel, psychologists and other
specialists, and researching and strategising. It’s an area of law that
is always changing, progressing and being reworked.

61
 Legal careers

Are there times when you find the emotional aspects of

family law hard to take?
The demands of family law clients are unique, because you are
dealing with matters that have a direct and significant impact on their
emotions and how they perceive their potential futures. Having said
that, the rewards far outweigh the drains it can have. I’m very lucky
that the firm I work for, given their extensive experience, is acutely
aware of how to help me manage any stress or emotional challenges.
We work as a very close team.

How important is it to find your own clients in order to meet

budget and time recording requirements?
Family law is an area that largely relies on word of mouth. Building
healthy and respectful relationships with your current clients tends to
lead to getting more clients, through referrals. I think you also need
to get to know clients more closely and understand them better more
than in some other areas of law.
In terms of meeting budget requirements, I learnt a long time ago that
being aware of and monitoring your billables is important. However,
concentrating on the work itself, building the knowledge, and being
active in your area of expertise naturally means you’ll be busy and
therefore your budget will be maintained.
I’m very critical of the saying ‘time is money’ in this industry. It puts
undue pressure on practitioners. If you concentrate on the six-minute
billables, it can distract you and your clients from working towards,
and achieving, the best outcome. Time is certainly relevant but not at
the cost of the quality of work.

Was it ever difficult explaining to recruiters why you have

moved roles so often?
Because I was quite young when I started working in a professional
sense, I felt I could take advantage of trying out different areas to
determine where my real interests lay. I also took the approach that my
work was my priority and studying was something I was electing to do,
so I was confident about my abilities and good work ethics.
I found in government that it was considered beneficial if you had
worked in a number of other policy areas, not only from a contacts
perspective but also because you gain some understanding of how the
policies interact, and get an idea of the ‘big picture’.
I’ve used the same attitude in my legal practice. I think each step I
have taken has led me to where I am today, which is a very contented
yet challenging place.

What skills do you think are easily transferable between

roles and sectors?
From a practical perspective, I think having balanced study and work
for a number of years have given me great time management skills.
Confidence has a lot to do with it as well – I feel capable of adapting to
try any role.

62
 Lawyers at work

What advice would you give people starting out in law?

Don’t limit yourself – a lot of what you can do depends on what
you think you can do. You frame your own future. Don’t be afraid to
experiment a little before you decide on a particular area of work.
A law degree is very transferable. Find a mentor who has shared a
common goal and ask for guidance or just an ear to bounce ideas off.
Work out where your interests are and don’t take yourself too
seriously. If you know areas that you are interested in, try them.

Has there been anything that was particularly difficult

to learn?
Not to take myself so seriously – but that’s still a work in progress.

Are you happy for the moment in family law?

I’m passionate about practising family law, although I’m working
on that life–work balance a little harder this year. I’ve completed
my second year of full-time practice in family law (although I was
admitted six years ago) and it’s only now that I’m really beginning to
feel the confidence associated with building a deeper understanding
of this multifaceted area of law. I have definitely found my niche.

Do you have aspirations for partnership?

Let me put it this way – I can see myself making business decisions
and I wouldn’t say no.

e
gh er free tim
Kate enjoyin

63
 Legal careers

What is your working week like?

I work a rostered four-day week and my core work hours are 8.00 am
until 6.30 pm. If there is a trial on – which occurs approximately once
every month – my hours will be longer as necessary.
I usually do about one hour of work each night at home after dinner
during the week. We all have electronic dictation equipment and
laptops so we’re very portable. In addition, I also have to occasionally
attend seminars and work functions on weekends and in the evenings.
in
brief One day a week I take it a little easier thanks to the firm’s flexible
work policy and I will fit in some horse riding and spend the rest
Family Lawyer
of the day doing research or reading up on legislative changes and
$$$ 60K+ strategising matters.
quals BA (Justice Studies),
LLB, GDLP Early on Saturday mornings I go to the markets and then to horse
hrs/wk 60 riding again. I wish I could say I go to the gym but I would be lying.
life–work 7/10 Weekends are also filled with social occasions with family and friends.
flexibility fairly flexible On Sunday nights I spend a couple of hours preparing for the week
ahead. I usually dictate letters, draft agreements, plan and so on.

64
 Lawyers at work

Vanessa Parbhoo – Lawyer, Victoria cv fast food assistant

Legal Aid >> shop assistant >>

voluntary probation officer
 btaining a job in a top-tier legal
O
>> articled clerk >>
practice is coveted by many law students
litigation lawyer >>
but it isn’t for everyone. Vanessa halved
legal aid lawyer
her salary when she left a successful
commercial litigation position to work
with Victoria Legal Aid. Although her
colleagues said it was a risky move,
Vanessa took the plunge anyway and
hasn’t looked back. The money might not
be great and the hours are still long, but
the job has its own challenges
and rewards.

q&a
Why did you study law?
I was always unsure about my career path. I really enjoyed studying
science at school, and I was torn between studying medicine,
physiotherapy or law. I accepted a position to study medicine at a
South Australian university and deferred it for a year while I studied a
combined Science and Law degree at Melbourne University. After the
year was up, it was easier to stay rather than move interstate and change
degrees. So I guess I became a lawyer more by accident than by design.

What work experience did you complete during your studies?

In terms of paid work, I worked in the intimate apparel section of
Myer for about six years. I also worked as a probation officer for about
five years. This was a voluntary job that was advertised by Juvenile
Justice as part of the Department of Human Services. It involved
supervising and monitoring the progress of young people who had
been placed on probation orders by the Children’s Court. Supervision
was through direct and regular contact with the young person.
In my final year of study, I completed two summer clerkships; one
with a large commercial law firm, and the other with a mid-sized firm.
I highly recommend the clerkship experience. It may not prepare you
entirely for what’s to come but at least it provides a glimpse of the
work environment and the culture of a commercial practice.

What did you do when you finished your degree?

I obtained articles with Freehills, a top-tier firm with which I
completed a summer clerkship. After being admitted, I worked
there for four years in the commercial litigation department.

65
 Legal careers

Then my career took a turn in a new direction. I applied and secured a

six-month secondment to work at the Shopfront Youth Legal Centre in
Kings Cross, Sydney. This is a joint initiative of Freehills, the Salvation
Army and the Sydney Mission. Three lawyers employed by Freehills
provide free legal services to homeless and disadvantaged people under
the age of 25. I found the experience daunting and very challenging.
I also learnt a great deal, especially about criminal law. After returning
to Melbourne, I started thinking about making a permanent move to
criminal law and entering a more community-focused role.

How did you obtain your role with Legal Aid?

I started talking to a lot of people about their career paths. It was
important to get a range of views, as I wasn’t really sure about
what my next move should be. I kept an eye on the papers for new
opportunities and, fortunately, Legal Aid advertised a number of
new positions. I decided to give it a go!
Having come from a commercial litigation background, I wasn’t a
shoo-in for the role. I had to convince my interviewer that I was
serious about working at Legal Aid and that I was able to work in an
environment that didn’t necessarily have all the resources of a large
commercial practice. They wanted to know if I could think on the run
and adapt quickly to a new environment. I think my experience at the
Shopfront really helped me.

A year on, do you have any regrets about the move?

No, not at all. While working at Legal Aid may not be for everyone, it’s
certainly right for me. I enjoy the court work and the relationships that
I build with clients. For the first time in my life I have job satisfaction.
I don’t mind the drop in pay – what’s important is that I enjoy the work.
I also like the fact that matters run for a shorter duration.
Although there are victories in commercial practice, they come
very infrequently due to the fact that the cases run for years. I have a
larger case load at Legal Aid because the matters are smaller, and so
the victories and losses come more often.
When I announced my decision to change careers, my colleagues were
extremely supportive. Many people said I was brave and courageous,
but I didn’t see it that way. For me it was a simple decision.
Money wasn’t important – I just want to enjoy my work. I didn’t see
my move as brave at all, I saw it as saving my soul!

What are your main responsibilities?

We work on a rostering system. Two days a week I work at court as
a duty lawyer. On one of those days I am in charge of the mention
list and can see anywhere from 10 to 20 clients. The matters
are usually summary crime matters and traffic matters. Once a
month, Commonwealth departments attend court to prosecute
Commonwealth matters such as tax evasion and fisheries matters.

66
 Lawyers at work

Some matters, if they are straightforward, can be finalised on the day.

If the charges are more serious and require lengthy consideration
then they will be adjourned. These matters become my case files and
I work with them until they are finalised. For very serious matters we
will require a grant of legal aid. If the client does not fall within Legal
Aid guidelines or does not fall within the means test, then we refer
them to private solicitors. glossary
The other duty lawyer day is spent on cells. We see people in Cells is:
custody who have been refused bail. These matters are often more – the colloquial term for
complicated, and clients often present with mental health or drug visiting clients in custody.
issues. If a bail application is considered appropriate, then the duty
lawyer appears in these applications or, alternatively, represents the
client on a plea of guilty, if this is considered appropriate.

Monday–Friday
Two days a week: rostered as a duty lawyer
I’m at court by 9.00 am and, depending on
the day, I could be finished anywhere between
lunchtime and 5.30 pm.

Thursday: clinic
This is a service we offer once a week, where
lawyers give free legal advice on a range of
matters. Usually about 40 clients attend.

Other days: office days

• Catch up on paperwork
• See clients
• Read briefs of evidence
• Listen to taped records of interviews
• Write briefs to Counsel

Weekends
• Relax
• Exercise
• Drink wine and do other fun things

Are there any aspects of the job that you don’t enjoy?
The lack of mental health services and drug and alcohol counselling
services can be exasperating, especially when you are trying to get
a client out of police custody but can’t because there aren’t enough
resources available to support them. Sometimes you have to wait
days and weeks before a support service becomes available.

67
 Legal careers

There’s also a perception amongst some people, which is completely

unfounded, that if you work for Legal Aid you aren’t as good as a
private solicitor. For some reason there is a view that if legal services
are free the lawyers must be substandard. There are a number of
outstanding lawyers at Legal Aid and I often find myself defending
my credentials. Now I just tell them that if they want to go and pay
for a lawyer, they can be my guest!

Do you find representing clients in criminal matters difficult?

No. Our role in the criminal process is an extremely important one.
The clients we represent have very limited resources. Some are
new to Australia and understand very little of the court process.
Many come from broken families, have mental health problems or
drug and alcohol issues. The basic tenets of our legal system require
that people be given the opportunity to be heard and dealt with fairly.
In my view, it doesn’t matter what people have done or what they have
been charged with – what’s important is that they have access to legal
services and that their circumstances are appropriately conveyed to
the court.
It’s true that sometimes you come across a client that you don’t like,
but you have to remember that your job isn’t to judge people.
There are enough people to do that.
I find that clients really appreciate the assistance you are able
to provide. Often a client’s legal problems are only a very small
part of the broader problems they face. You can’t fix every problem,
but assisting them with their legal problems goes some way to
helping them deal with their other long-term issues.

Has there been a matter that was particularly interesting or

that you were particularly proud of?
I recently represented a young lady who had been charged with
assaulting another girl. She maintained that she was acting in
self-defence and that she had been assaulted by this same girl on
previous occasions, but the police had not acted upon her complaints.
We advised her that her chances of winning at a contested hearing
were not guaranteed. She was working in child care and, if she was
found guilty, she would have been unable to continue to work
with children. The police made an offer whereby if she pleaded
guilty she would receive a penalty that would allow her to
escape a criminal record, and therefore not jeopardise her career.
She maintained that it was more important for her to prove her
innocence and that she was willing to sacrifice her career on
that basis.
The magistrate found that the prosecution did not disprove the
self-defence claim and, therefore, the charges were dropped and costs
were awarded in our favour. It was a great victory for the client,
and her resoluteness, despite our advice, certainly paid off.

68
 Lawyers at work

How do you manage your heavy workload?

The key to managing the workload is to be organised. You usually
have a lot of files on the go at any one time so it’s important to
diarise important dates, otherwise it can all get on top of you.
Lunchtime is usually very quick and there’s no time for coffee breaks!
With the type of work we do, you can’t just sit on a case as it is
often urgent. If things need to be done I stay back a few extra hours
during the week rather than working on the weekends.

How do you see your future career path?

I’ve only been here a year and I feel that there is still plenty to learn
and plenty to challenge me. It took me five years to decide that
I wanted to be a criminal lawyer, so I’m not sure how long it will
take for me to determine the next move. I feel that I have plenty of
opportunities, so I’m not thinking about making any decisions yet.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?

When I was agonising over my career move and whether it was the
right choice, a friend who had been a lawyer for some time gave me in
some very sound advice. She said that people often think they will
find their perfect job straight away. However, the reality is that it might
brief
Legal Aid lawyer
take 20 years before this happens – each job should be seen as a step
$$$ approx. 55K, with
forward in achieving that goal. salary packaging
benefits
What advice would you give someone considering law? quals B Sci, LLB (Hons)
You need to experience the real world outside the classroom. hrs/wk 55–70
Do as much community and volunteer work as you can. Think outside life–work 7/10
the square and get some experience that will give you different flexibility a s long as
perspectives. Although clerkships are important, they are not the the work gets done,
you are the master
be-all and end-all. Practising law is very different to studying law and of your own time
I think it’s really important to appreciate that.

69
 Legal careers
cv child minder >>
receptionist >> cheese
packer (as exchange
student, Denmark) >>
waitress >> public relations
officer >> video shop
manager >> checkout
chick, nanny, gardener,
translator (as uni student)
>> law clerk >> lawyer
70
Katherine Vincent – Lawyer, Johnston
Withers, Clare, SA
Katherine commenced her legal studies
at the University of Sydney before
transferring to Adelaide.
After completing her degree and a
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
(GDLP), Katherine did her Practical Legal
Training (PLT) with Johnston Withers in
Adelaide. Now in her mid-30s, she has
three children and works part time in the
Johnston Withers office in Clare,
South Australia.
Far from living a quiet country life, in addition to juggling the
demands of work and family, Katherine also helps run the family
farm and vineyard, holds a position on the local school board and
is studying a Graduate Diploma in Education by distance education
through Monash University.
q&a
How did you know you wanted to become a lawyer?
I was never sure what I wanted to be when I grew up. Mostly I wanted
to be a writer, and I even studied journalism for a short while.
I realised that by studying law, many career avenues would be open
to me. I could practise law, be a writer, an academic, a teacher,
a diplomat, or a politician! Whatever the career path, I had an
idealistic notion of wanting to ‘make a difference’ and to help others
less fortunate than myself. I think many lawyers enter the profession
wanting to blaze a similar trail.
What did the GDLP involve?
The six-month GDLP involved full-time attendance at the University
of South Australia, including a six-week placement with a law firm.
In my case, that firm was Johnston Withers in Adelaide. At the
end of the six months I was admitted and, in accordance with the
professional standards at the time, I completed a further six months
of PLT. This involved weekly education sessions through the Law
Society of South Australia. Fortunately, I was able to attend these
whilst working full time.
 Lawyers at work

You originally practised in Adelaide. Why did you move

to Clare?
My husband and I had long hoped to be living and working in a rural
or regional area. By the time I was admitted we had a two-year-old
child and I was working full time. When we were expecting our
second child, I looked for ways to reduce my working hours, as
I knew I would not want to maintain a 50-hour week while caring for a
new baby.
Luckily, I spotted an opportunity to relocate to Clare where Johnston
Withers had established a small country office.

ral lifestyle
ying the ru
Katherine enjo

What does your job involve? glossary

In general legal practice it is important to be able to take instructions Instructions is:
in many different areas of law including criminal law, personal injury, – the information that a client
family law, employment law, property, wills and estates, defamation, provides their lawyer.
general commercial and so on. I am very fortunate to have the support
of my Adelaide colleagues who largely specialise in particular areas.
My days are spent attending clients, providing them with professional
advice and following through on their instructions.

71
 Legal careers

Is marketing a large part of your role?

I continue to consult with the directors about ongoing marketing
initiatives for Clare. Occasionally we advertise in the local newspaper
and sponsor local sporting bodies. We also support local fundraisers.
However, in regional roles, I think just by being there, getting to know
people in the community and by providing consistently good service
to clients, promotes the business, so that it develops steadily through
introductions and referrals.

Wednesday and Thursday

Monday, Tuesday and Friday
Days off from work, although
•M eet with clients to provide I usually visit the office to
check
uctions
general advice or take instr messages and to make sure
day’s mail and email
• R ead thro ugh the
as required everything is running smoothly
correspondence, and respond
r lawy ers, colle agues
• Phone clients, othe Weekend
r legal
• Draft agreements, wills, othe
ngs
documents and court proceedi • Play sport
revie w all my at home
•O  n a fixed day each mont h I • Work around the farm and
to be sent
files and organise for accounts • Do fun things with the fami
ly
be billed
on the files that are due to
th Monday, • Go to local working bees
•F  ull day in court every four
sometimes flows on to the Tues
day • Work/study, as required
to feed the farm anim als and feed
•H  ome
the family
work
• Help the kids with their home
• Gene ral hous ehold chor es
•C  atch up on emails/study/work
as the
•O  ften there is a meeting such
sports
monthly school board meeting,
nts
practice or social commitme

What do you love about your work?

General practice law is very humbling. While it can be emotionally draining
and stressful at times, it is hard not to develop a healthy perspective
on one’s own life after assisting other people during their times of
significant strife, upheaval or crisis. It is personally very rewarding
when I genuinely feel I have made a difference, even if only fleetingly!
I also love the challenge of writing clear and constructive advice for my
clients and the challenge of presenting a persuasive argument in court.
The profession itself attracts interesting and amazing people, and
thereby provides the opportunity of coming into contact with some
inspirational lawyers, members of the judiciary and others associated
in the pursuit and administration of justice.

72
 Lawyers at work

What are the difficult aspects of your work?

Not being able to discuss my work or debrief with anyone in my
local or immediate environment (including my family) due to the
high nature of confidentiality involved. The work can also be very
demanding and stressful in terms of having to meet deadlines and
client expectations. To keep up with those expectations and to provide
efficient service, I often take work home with me.
I also find the financial aspects of my job demanding. Clients expect
their work to be completed for a reasonable fee, and I am mindful of
that, but lawyers are also expected to meet the financial targets that
are set for them. Unfortunately, sometimes the amount of time I am
able to commit to a particular matter is determined by the client’s
ability to pay. This can be frustrating for client and solicitor alike.

Do you brief barristers or do you represent your clients

at court?
A magistrate visits Clare to hear cases once a month. I represent
my clients at court. Occasionally I’ll brief a barrister for a trial, and
occasionally the senior criminal lawyer from our city office will provide
support when we have a large number of matters in the list for the
day, as well as a large workload at the office to get through.

What advice would you give someone who is studying law?

Enjoy the stimulating learning environment and the opportunity to
in
brief
gain an insight into our complex legal system and how it works.
Some of the skills learnt whilst studying law will prove to be very
handy, even if you never practise as a lawyer – for example, how to Lawyer
critically appraise a document, how to present a logical argument, $$$ 50–100K (full-time
and how to see things objectively. equivalent) depending
on experience
Despite current public opinion, law remains a noble profession for the quals LLB, GDLP, PLT
majority of those practising it. The ambitious graduate will often have hrs/wk approx. 25
an interesting and exciting career path, including travel opportunities life–work 8/10
and work in specialist and diverse roles.

73
 Legal careers
cv volunteer community
legal centres >> articles of
clerkship >> lawyer
74
Saleem Bittar – Lawyer, County Court
Appeals section, Office of Public
Prosecutions
Saleem studied a combined Law and Science degree at Melbourne
University, though today as a lawyer he doesn’t rely too heavily on his
scientific knowledge.
After doing his articles of clerkship in the Office of Public Prosecutions
(OPP), Saleem was appointed a lawyer within the Office commencing
in the County Court Appeals section.
The OPP prepares and conducts criminal prosecutions on behalf
of the Director of Public Prosecutions, who has the responsibility
of prosecuting all indictable offences under the laws of Victoria.
The Office also prosecutes all summary matters on appeal to the
County Court.
q&a
What did your articles of clerkship involve?
Articles are very practical, providing a lot of hands-on experience.
I rotated through different sections within the Office. One section is
General Prosecutions where I worked on trials for murder, assaults
and property offences. I also rotated through specialist sections such
as the Committals Advocacy Unit and the Sex Offences Unit.
What does your current job involve?
Solicitors in the OPP need to prepare matters ready for trial, plea
or contest. After such preparation, the solicitor will then instruct
Counsel in court.
In my section, I have to prepare matters for contest and plea.
These are the matters where offenders have decided to appeal their
case from the Magistrates Court. This work involves contacting
witnesses to ensure they turn up on the day and analysing the
evidence to make sure it is sufficient to support the charges behind
the prosecution. I also liaise with police officers.
I spend most mornings instructing a prosecutor in court. That requires
me to follow a matter as it unfolds, double-checking that certain
aspects of the prosecution are covered in court. It also involves taking
lots of notes.
Sometimes I also appear myself in court in mentions and sentences.
Most of my cases involve traffic offences, thefts, burglaries, small
frauds and some sexual offences.
 Lawyers at work

There’s about five or six of us in my team. We have an open door policy

so we all work together and ask questions of each other.

Are there any standout cases you have worked on?

There are always standout cases. This Office prosecutes just about
every single indictable offence in the State. So if you think about every
murder or drug bust you’ve heard about in the news, this Office would
have prosecuted that. The more senior you become within the Office,
the more significant a role you play in these high-profile cases.

What do you enjoy about your position?

There are many challenges in my job which keeps it interesting.
No two cases are ever the same so there always challenges.
I also enjoy analysing and applying the evidence to cases. Basically in
any case there are a number of charges, and at the end of the day you
have to prove the charges. There has to be relevant evidence for that.
It’s a matter of analysing the evidence and making sure it’s all there.
As a lawyer in charge of anywhere between 30 to 60 appeals, there is
a lot of responsibility. This sort of responsibility is important for my
professional development as a lawyer.

What do you dislike?

There really isn’t anything to dislike. Obviously with any job
you have days when you’re a bit tired, a bit busy, but I can’t say
I dislike anything.

Is it difficult dealing with the nature of some of the cases?

Dealing with crimes and criminals hasn’t personally worried me, but it
might be different for some people.

What support services are available to you if you do

experience problems?
You can debrief with your colleagues. This happens all the time.
If you have been exposed to horrendous crimes, there are
counselling services.

What are the stresses of your work?

What can be stressful is the workload, especially if you have a lot of
court matters happening in a short period of time. At the end of the
day we’re all responsible for our own cases and doing everything we
can to get a fair result.
In relation to day-to-day issues you may have with your matter,
you can always ask a program manager, and they’ll guide you.
There’s also a written guide on how to conduct trials and the various
tasks associated with that so there’s a lot of reference and support
by managers.

75
 Legal careers

is home
, many law yers call th
Melbourne’s CBD

How long have you been with OPP, and what are your
ambitions for the future?
I have been at the OPP since March 2006. I want to be involved in and
positively contribute to the criminal justice system in this country. No
matter where I work within the law, my ambition is to be a respected
lawyer within the profession.

How do you find working with the police on evidence

for prosecution?
In our system, the police have to conduct investigations. The outcome
of those investigations forms much of the evidence in any case. It is
then up to the OPP to take that evidence and to present it to the court.
As such, there is a lot of liaison with police.
This involves utilising a team-player approach as both the police and
the Crown have the same objectives; that is, fairness and justice.

How do you find the balance of work with your social life?
I think it’s very good. I don’t have any issues – I don’t have to come
in on weekends, and the hours are generally 9 to 5, give or take an
hour or so.
I have never had to take work home.

76
 Lawyers at work

What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the

law profession?
They should think about the sort of law they’d like to work in
– commercial, family, criminal or property. Once they’ve gone that far, in
they’d have to look at the kind of law firm or organisation they would brief
like to work for. Lawyer
This office is involved in prosecuting criminals. It involves prosecuting quals B Law/Science
petty criminals from all sorts of backgrounds to the more high profile $$$ 55+
cases like the underworld drug world or society murders. This involves hrs/wk 40hrs
a significant amount of evidence analysis. I would recommend it to life–work 8/10
law students who don’t want to be subject to the drag and stress of flexibility very good
commercial law or the emotion of family law.

Be f o r
e wo r
Mo r k : Gy
n i ng: m wo
rkou
• C h e t
ck co
• Pre p u r t li s t s
a re f
• I n s t or to
r uc t d ay’s
at c o c o u rt
• Up d u rt m at t
a te c e rs
1.00 o u rt r
pm L e sul t
u nch s int
Af te o d at
r no o ab as
n : e
• Pre p
a re c
• Sp e a s e s, re
ak to v ie w
• C o n i nf or br ie f
sul t w man s
ts an
• L e g a i t h man d de f
l re s e ag e r e nce
a rch
i f ne
ce s s a
ry

77
 Legal careers

cv retail work >> Anne Demack – Barrister

various social work jobs Working as a barrister in Rockhampton is Anne’s second career.
>> judge’s associate >> She originally studied a social work degree in Townsville, before
barrister working in Canberra in community corrections.She then worked in
London for a few years. It was Anne’s work in the area of adoptions
and fostering that prompted her to realise she wasn’t suited for a
lifelong career in social work.

Anne returned to Rockhampton at the age of 26 and worked as a

judge’s associate. She enrolled to study law by correspondence
through the Queensland University of Technology. After five years’
study – she gained some credits from her first degree – and working
full time, Anne completed the requirements to go to the Bar.

Now 37, Anne has been at the Bar for almost seven years. Her work
consists largely of family and criminal defence matters, although at
times she is also briefed by the Director of Public Prosecutions to
prosecute on their behalf.

q&a
Why did you decide to make the career change of becoming
a barrister?
Even though law was a part of my upbringing (my father was
a judge) I didn’t have the marks at school to go straight into law.
Also, at the time it wasn’t a career that I considered – I was interested
in the ‘helping’ professions and was pleased to get into a social
work degree. I enjoyed that study and the practical experiences
enormously but when I was in London, working with social workers
who could still maintain so much optimism after years in what can be
dispiriting work, I knew I had to re-train. To me, law seemed to have
more power than social work. It seemed there was more potential to
really effect change and create outcomes for people.
When I commenced my law studies, I did not intend to become
a barrister. It was working as a judge’s associate and watching
barristers at work that swayed me.

What personal qualities make a good barrister?

I suspect that many barristers would answer this differently, probably
depending on the qualities that they saw in themselves. I think that
it is important to enjoy analysing problems and trying to work out as
many different solutions, with their pros and cons, as you can.

78
 Lawyers at work

What did your role as a judge’s associate involve and how did
it help you to prepare for becoming a barrister?
The judge’s associate, or clerk, looks after the judge both in terms
of courtroom and personal duties. People don’t contact a judge
directly, they go through the associate. The associate also looks after
the judge’s diary, keeps the library materials up to date and so on.
During court session, there are other responsibilities such as keeping
glossary
notebooks, organising exhibits, participating in arraigning the Arraigning means:
accused, and empanelling the jury. Being a judge’s associate provides – to call or bring before a
a good grounding in the ebb and flow of the courtroom and a court to answer a charge
court case. The responsibilities of an associate during court are or accusation.
not great, and so I was mainly sitting and watching. I found this a very Empanelling means:
useful learning tool. Because I was studying at the same time, I was – to enter on a panel or list
slowly able to understand more and more of what I was hearing for jury duty.
in court – filling in the pieces of the puzzle, I guess.

The judge you worked for was your father. Did that bring
some unusual challenges?
Pleasures more than challenges. I think that it would be more
challenging to work for a judge who was not your parent.
Associates work in close proximity to their judges. You need to
get on well. Being professional is important, whoever your judge is.
How you behave reflects on your judge.

How do people go about becoming a judge’s associate?

You apply. All the different jurisdictions call for applications in their
own way and I expect that a number of jurisdictions tell you how to
apply on their websites. It is a great job to combine with study, so if
you can find a judge who is interested to take you before you finish
your degree or while doing a Master’s, that would be great.

When you completed your law degree, what further

requirements did you need to fulfil to be admitted to the Bar?
I think things have changed since I was admitted. I needed to
complete 10 court reports and attend the six-week Bar Practice Course
in Brisbane. The court reports involved observing cases and writing
case notes. A senior barrister had to review the case notes and be
satisfied that they showed an understanding of the issues in the case.
The types of cases had to come from a number of different categories
(for example, crime or civil) and jurisdictions. They had to include a
High Court case. I attended the High Court when they were sitting in
Brisbane and was very pleased to feel I’d understood the arguments
in the case that I was there to report. However, I stayed on in court
to listen to the argument in the next case and quickly realised that I
didn’t have a clue about what was happening in that case. Clearly it is
important to pick your mark.

79
 Legal careers

How did you go about gaining work?

Barristers rely on solicitors to give them work and solicitors’ briefing
patterns are a mystery to me. It is important to find chambers with other
barristers and to speak with them about work. My first few briefs were
ones passed to me by my chamber mates when they were unavailable.

Are there disadvantages to working in a regional centre?

The work is limited to the jurisdictions that sit in Rockhampton.
Having said that, though, I am not sure that I would have had a big
taxation or maritime law practice if I lived in a capital city.

What do you most like about your work?

I like being involved in people’s lives but from the perspective of being
one removed from the client, with the solicitor in between. I enjoy
the process of assisting with dispute resolution, helping people to
understand their legal position and sorting through which parts of
their lives the law can help them with. If the parties are not able to
agree or settle, and we have to go to court, I enjoy preparing for trial
and doing my best for my client in court.

Is there anything that you dislike?

Lots, probably, but the thing that comes to mind is the moment of
stress just before a trial commences, when you’re just hoping that
everything that needed to be done has been done.

How do you deal with the times when you have to represent
someone that you don’t particularly like?
I try to focus on the evidence – the strengths of our case and the
weaknesses of the other side’s case. I think it is sometimes
harder to remain detached when there is a client for whom I feel a
strong sympathy. The more attached I become, the more responsible
I feel. It is important to get back to focusing on the evidence.

Has your experience in social work been of any benefit to the

work you do now?
I get more family law work than any other area of law. I am sure that
my background is useful, but I try to remember that I am involved as
a barrister and not a social worker. I refer clients for counselling when
I think that it is needed.

What advice would you give someone who is considering

entering law?
I would encourage them to get stuck in and do it. I found during my
studies that there were some areas of law that I found less interesting,
and that the study was hard going, but persistence pays off.

80
 Lawyers at work

What advice would you give an aspiring lawyer about

opportunities around Australia?
Remember that there are plenty of opportunities in regional and
in
rural areas, and that these opportunities are interesting, providing
diverse and important work, and giving a great lifestyle. Come to a
brief
Barrister
regional area, commit yourself to it, and you will be rewarded.
$$$ varies
What resources did you find helpful as a law student? quals BSW, LLB
I found my fellow local students a great support and the Internet is hrs/wk varies
a wonderful resource. A Brisbane silk has developed a website, Lex life–work varies
Scripta with useful links – I use this as my homepage.

find out
more
www.lexscripta.com

81
 Legal careers

cv delivery boy >> Richard Hardy – Lawyer, Mullane & Lindsay

shop assistant >> gardener
Richard is a lawyer at Mullane & Lindsay,
>> bartender >> youth
a private legal practice in Newcastle.
worker >> volunteer,
He originally completed a degree in
Community Legal Centre social work before embarking on a law
>> lawyer and lecturer >> degree at the University of Sydney and
lawyer doing his Practical Legal Training at the
College of Law.

Richard’s first role was in a private

practice in Sydney. He then worked
for Community Legal Centres (CLC)
for several years before relocating to Newcastle and resuming
private practice. Richard’s work has focused largely in the area
of civil litigation, particularly employment, discrimination, workers’
compensation and personal injury matters, as well as some criminal
law and immigration law. He is a Registered Migration Agent, which
permits him to practise in the area of immigration law.

From 2004 to 2006, Richard also lectured in litigation practice at

the University of Newcastle.

q&a
How did you know you wanted to be a lawyer?
I decided to study law after completing practical placements during
my social work studies at an advocacy service for the elderly and at a
methadone clinic. I interacted with lawyers during these placements
and was interested in the work they did. Law seemed an interesting
career path and an opportunity to obtain skills and knowledge to
assist others.

What did your volunteer work involve?

I provided support to CLC lawyers and provided information and
referral assistance to clients of the CLC.
The experience showed a willingness to learn and contribute,
and therefore helped in my job applications.

How did you manage the emotional aspects of your work

when you were working in the CLC?
It was sometimes difficult to work in the community sector,
as resources were limited and there was always a very high demand
on the service. It is crucial to have a supportive workplace and a

82
 Lawyers at work

supportive network of family and friends. Being involved in other

interests outside work helps maintain a balanced life.

During that time, you job-shared so that you could work part
time. How common is job-sharing in the legal industry? glossary
Job-sharing is relatively uncommon, but it is increasing as women Job-sharing is:
and, to a lesser extent, men seek to divide their time between work – a voluntary arrangement
and family commitments. In my experience, job-sharing was not in which one full-time job
difficult as we supported each other and carefully managed the is shared by at least
workload together. I think the opportunity for flexible conditions is two employees.
more available in the community sector.

Thursday
the morning
Monday • Attend court in
meeting
• See clients • Attend a practice
s, read and
• Manage files/case
s, make phone • See clients
prepare document s
ls, wri te em ails , research • Manage cases/file
cal
• Marketing • Marketin g
court or
• May appear before
another body
Friday
• See clients
Tuesday s
ldren’s class, • Manage files/case
• Read with the chi
am
then work at 10.30 • Marketing
uni ver sit y student on court or
• Supe rvi se a
firm • May appear before
wit h our
placem ent another body
• See clients
s
• Manage files/case
bef ore court Weekend
• May app ear family and friends
• Spend time with
• Do yoga
Wednesday
in the morning • Go surfing
• Appear in court rs work on
• I often do 2–3 hou
• See clients
s Sunday
• Manage files/case
• Ma rke tin g
community legal
• Volunteer at local
nig ht eac h month
centre one

How difficult is it for lawyers to move into different areas of

the profession?
It depends on the availability of positions. For example, there is
less volume and turnover of jobs outside of Sydney. Subject to
employment opportunities being available, the skills as a lawyer are
transferable across sectors.

83
 Legal careers

How did you come to lecture at Newcastle University?

A colleague previously lectured in the subject that I taught. I was
offered the opportunity to take over the lecturing and taught for
three years. The subject is taught to final (fifth) year students within
the ‘Professional Program’, which is equivalent to the College of Law
program taught concurrently with the final subjects of the law degree.
Due to my overall commitments, I decided not to teach in 2007.

What did the lecturing involve?

The subject that I taught is a practical, rather than an academic,
course on litigation skills. We used employment law, in particular
the area of unfair dismissal, as an example of litigation. I presented
six lectures, given once a week for an hour-and-a-half each.

What did you enjoy about lecturing?

It was a different experience to my usual work. I enjoyed interacting
with students and university staff and sharing knowledge. I liked
preparing a course that was engaging and interesting, and then
I enjoyed the challenge of engaging a large group and responding
to their questions.

What do you like about living and working in Newcastle as

opposed to Sydney?
I grew up in regional New South Wales (Wingham, Parkes) before
relocating to Sydney to go to uni. I like living and working in
Newcastle as it is less hectic and more relaxed than Sydney. I feel
a greater sense of community, both outside of work and within the
legal community, in Newcastle.

When you were lecturing, how did you recognise a student

who was going to do well?
If students seemed to be genuinely interested and attentive, that was
a good indicator that they were going to do well.

What should law students do to gain relevant experience

before completing their qualification?
Volunteer with CLC or a community organisation to gain experience
and exposure to the law in action, or seek part-time work in a
workplace with exposure to the legal process.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given about working

in law?
Never compromise your honesty or integrity.

What are the difficult things about being a lawyer?

It is often stressful and demanding, and involves taking on
responsibility. There is often a high workload that can be daunting,
particularly when inexperienced.

84
 Lawyers at work

Do you have an example of a particularly rewarding case?

I acted for a young man who, with his brother and sister, came to
Australia as refugees after fleeing Iraq. Their parents and two sisters,
one of whom had mental health problems, had fled Iraq and were
seeking to obtain a visa to migrate to Australia to enable the family
to reunite. A problem in the visa application arose because of the in
mental health problems of my client’s sister as it was found that the brief
young woman had not met the health criteria in her visa application. Lawyer
Ultimately, after a long and careful management of the case, the $$$ 75K
health criteria were waived and visas were granted to the family to quals BSW, LLB
travel to and live in Australia. The result was very fulfilling, as was hrs/wk 45–50
knowing that the way that the case was managed contributed to the life–work 7/10
outcome achieved.

85
 Your Firm. Your Start. Your Career with Ernst & Young
Apply here: www.ey.com/au/careers

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kYUg_YX\YfUVcih\YfYldYf]YbWYg" law, the career options open to me felt
endless. In my search for a graduate
position, I wanted a job that could
apply my legal knowledge and skills
to commercial transactions. The deal
maker for me in choosing Ernst & Young
were the people who were professional,
friendly and approachable.”
K\m9fbghMcib[3
“I enjoy being part of a large firm
that has the resources to develop my
technical expertise – programs such as
Tax Excellence, Masters of Taxation and
the CA program are all supported by
the firm. I am also part of an innovative
development program which provides an
environment for career long learning. The
best part about working at Ernst & Young
is that I am surrounded by professional
experts in their field and a fabulous
group of fellow graduates who will
support me throughout my career.”

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A^VW^a^ina^b^iZYWnVhX]ZbZVeegdkZYjcYZgEgd[Zhh^dcVaHiVcYVgYhAZ\^haVi^dc#b%,&+&%)
 International law
If looking after superannuation in the Big Apple, or defending crims
in London, appeals, the international legal stage is waiting for your
skills, enthusiasm and charming Aussie accent.

The incentives of going global are endless. You can mix business with
pleasure, travel in your down time, and experience the adrenalin of
working in some of the world’s largest economic markets.

However, it isn’t just a matter of packing your beret and jumping on the
first plane to Paris after your graduation ceremony. Firstly, choose your
destination carefully. Don’t just limit yourself to London and New York.
There are opportunities in cities as far flung as Moscow and Tokyo,
but make sure your area of law is transferable and that you can find
a company with a common language. Gaining experience in Australia
before you go is also important, so you can stand out in the competitive
international lawyer scene. Most importantly, know your stuff! Areas
of law, such as banking and finance, general commercial, and criminal,
are more transferable to different countries, than tax, litigation or
property law.

There is a world of possibilities out there and your law degree may be
just the ticket.

87
 Legal careers
cv operations staff >>
legal researcher (intellectual
property) >> legal assistant
88
Krishna Rajendra – Legal Assistant, Formula
One Management Ltd (UK)
Krishna has recently commenced work
within the legal department of Formula
One Management Ltd in London.
She studied a Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
and Bachelor of Arts at the Australian
National University in Canberra before
completing a GDLP to become admitted.
Krishna worked in Australia for a couple
of years before moving to London to
study a Master’s of Law at King’s College.
With her Master’s now under her belt, Krishna plans to continue to
work overseas and take the opportunity to travel.
Since doing this interview, Krishna has been offered a position as an
in-house lawyer with BBC World, the commerical arm of the BBC.
q&a
What issues did you cover when you were working on human
rights in Canberra?
I worked with an intergovernmental organisation called the
International Organization for Migration and became involved
in HIV/AIDS and migration issues. I also volunteered to work
with refugees.
What was it like being a junior lawyer at a private practice?
The study of law is very different to the practice of law.
Practitioners require not only good legal knowledge, but also a
good understanding of business clients, people management
skills, excellent communication skills and the ability to work well
under pressure. Great law students do not necessarily make
great lawyers.
What interested you about moving to London?
I wanted to pursue a career in international law. Also, I am interested
in the area of intellectual property and there are more varied
opportunities for work in intellectual property overseas than there are
in Australia.
What have you enjoyed about studying and working
in London?
The international aspect of the subject matter and the people.
The cutting-edge nature of living in the financial and legal capital
 International law

of the world, and the high calibre of teaching there, made it a very
fulfilling and unforgettable experience.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

I go to the gym every morning before work. After work I go out with
friends, I do a dance class on Wednesday evening and I love late-night
shopping on Thursdays! At the weekend I do a language class, play
sport, catch up with friends and make sure I call mum and dad.

What does your role at Formula One involve?

I work in-house in the legal department. I work primarily in relation
to licensing of media rights and the day-to-day management of
promotional contracts.

What are your long-term aspirations for your legal career?

To continue a career in intellectual property law that allows me to
successfully balance family and work.

India
oon in Raja sthan, West
her husban d on honeym
Krishna and

What advice would you give someone who was considering

entering a career in law?
in
Studying law at university is very different to legal studies at high school,
and the practice of law is very different to the study of law at university.
brief
Legal Assistant
So, if you are considering a career in law, talk to as many people as
$$$ £33K (starting)
you can to find out their experiences. Try as many different types of law
quals BA, LLB (Hons),
(practice and study) to find out what your strengths and interests are. GDLP
It is quite normal for law students and lawyers to change their minds hrs/wk around 38
several times during their studies and career, so stay open-minded life–work great hours with time
for family, friends
and keep your career options flexible until you decide exactly what and hobbies
career path you wish to pursue.

89
 Legal careers
cv shoe shop sales
assistant >> research
assistant in a law firm
>> articled clerk >>
private practice lawyer >>
corporate counsel
90
Belinda Bradberry – Corporate Counsel,
Cable & Wireless plc (UK)
Belinda studied a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) and Bachelor of
Laws at the Queensland University of Technology before completing
a two-year articled clerkship with McCullough Robertson in Brisbane.
After working in commercial litigation, Belinda moved to Melbourne
to join Mallesons Stephen Jaques in their corporate division. This role
opened the door to a secondment opportunity with Telstra, which
turned into a permanent role within Telstra’s corporate legal team.
The role brought further opportunities and, for a year, Belinda worked
in the New York firm Nixon Peabody LLP on an exchange arrangement.
This experience didn’t soothe her itchy feet – she has now moved to
London where she has taken up an in-house role as Corporate Counsel
at Cable & Wireless plc.
In 2006, Belinda completed her Master’s of Law with a major in
International Law at the University of Melbourne. Although it is not
necessary to continue on to postgraduate study, it allows lawyers the
opportunity to gain greater expertise in areas that interest them and
which were not covered extensively at undergraduate level.
q&a
How did you know you wanted to be a lawyer?
From the age of eight my parents encouraged me to undergo speech
therapy, attend speech and drama classes and take part in debating
to overcome a speech impediment. I found that I really enjoyed the
process of mapping out an argument, rebutting the opposition and
presenting my own case. I also had the opportunity to spend a week
in a barrister’s chambers when I was in Year 11 and by the end of
the week I was hooked.
What personal qualities make a good lawyer?
Initiative, drive, and the ability to cover every detail, but also to know
when to strip the detail away and focus on the key commercial issue
– what will achieve the very best outcome for the client.
What was the year in New York like?
Telstra uses Nixon Peabody LLP for some of its US legal work. Nixon
Peabody suggested a one-year exchange so I went to work in their
New York office, while an associate from their Boston office came to
work at Telstra.
 International law

I had a fantastic year in New York. I gained some great experience at

the law firm, studying for and passing the New York Bar exam, as well
as experiencing life in New York City. I lived in Manhattan on the Upper
East Side, and my apartment was only a five-minute jog away from
Central Park. Many other famous New York landmarks were nearby,
such as the Rockefeller Center, Bloomingdale’s department store
and the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. I also met some amazing people,
both Americans and expats from Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
I completed some short working assignments at Nixon’s Washington,
DC, and San Francisco offices, and also travelled to other parts of
the US, including Boston, North Carolina, Las Vegas, Nevada and the
Napa Valley, and a few places in Canada.

What is your role in London?

My current role in London is as Corporate Counsel at Cable &
Wireless plc, a leading international communications group. I report to
the Group General Counsel and Company Secretary in the company’s
head office. The work is a mix of mergers and acquisitions, finance
and corporate advisory. Due to the fact that Cable & Wireless operates
throughout the United Kingdom, continental Europe and Asia,
the Caribbean, Panama, Macau, Monaco and the Channel Islands,
we are constantly working on matters involving cross-border issues
arising across several different jurisdictions.

How does the role differ from your previous roles?

My role at Cable & Wireless is all about providing commercially useful
advice that helps my internal clients and the corporate group achieve
a strategic outcome. There is less of a need to provide extensive
technical advice – we engage external lawyers to provide detailed
advice where necessary. The main value an in-house lawyer can add
is to provide strategic guidance on the best way for the company to
proceed in respect of the legal issues it faces, taking into account
the risks, benefits and costs associated with each possible course
of action. An in-house lawyer can add value to the company only if
he or she really understands business, the company’s history and its
aspirations for the future.
In contrast, the role of a lawyer working in a law firm is that of a
legal technical specialist. There is a heavy emphasis on providing
technical and often detailed advice and drafting documents. The law
firm lawyer is likely to have a better grasp on the detail of the law,
and less knowledge of his or her clients’ respective businesses,
than an in-house lawyer. Having said this, corporate clients are
constantly looking to engage lawyers who are able to combine
technical excellence with a commercial approach.

91
 Legal careers

Thursday
Monday anies
e-journal • Attend seminar on new comp
• Read telecommunications legislation
stra tegy pape r about an
• Prepare a • Review and draft a finance
facility
national
investment target in an inter
jurisdiction • Lunch with colleagues from
nt with Panama
• Review a financing agreeme
overseas subsidiary
Friday
• Calls with clients a
• Review documents about
potential acquisition
Tuesday senior
for legal • Meet with colleagues and
• Call with external counsel management to finalise a stra
tegy
advice on a planned project on a corporate project
al report
• Draft legal section of annu • Prepare documents for an
inter-
subsidiary
• Prepare a board paper for company financing arrangem
ent
osal
seeking approval for a prop
Saturday
Wednesday
n with • Travel to destinations like
• Plan a potential acquisitio Barcelona, to take in Gaud
í’s
to
project team architectural delights and
on legal ria!
• Advise commercial client sample some tapas and sang
obligations to a purchaser
gement with
• Negotiate terms of enga
professional adviser
• Run with friends

Is it difficult to move between private practice and internal

corporate roles?
It is probably easier to move from private practice to an in-house
position rather than the other way around. It is also generally easier
to find junior- to mid-level in-house positions than more senior
in-house positions. As you become more experienced (and therefore
more expensive) it becomes harder and harder to find an in-house role
that will pay what you are able to earn in a private practice. There is
definitely a shortage of senior in-house positions, compared to the
demand for those positions. Having said this, most general counsels
of medium to large corporations have moved across from a senior
position within a firm.
The most usual career progression for an in-house corporate lawyer
is to work for two to four years in private practice, then make a move
in-house. They might eventually move onto a commercial role within
the business, or stay in the legal team, but would be unlikely to move
back to private practice, although there does seem to be increasing
flexibility to do this.

How did you go about applying for roles in the UK?

I engaged a recruiter who approached suitable employers on my
behalf. I went through the interview process with prospective
employers, and then chose Cable & Wireless after speaking to a
couple of lawyers who work here.

92
 International law

What advice were you given about relocating to London?

Honestly, to expect bad weather and not live too far out of town!
Also, to expect to work reasonably long hours as the corporate
divisions of law firms are currently going through a busy period.

How transferable have your skills been between Australia,

New York and London?
When I moved to New York, I thought I would not have a clue about
how to work within the US legal system. However, whilst there were
many differences, it was a surprise to find that there were also
many similarities. Obviously the case law and specific statutes
are different, but most of the underlying concepts are consistent.
The most difficult thing about working in a US firm is that the
American drafting style is quite different to Australia’s. Simple things
like spelling peculiarities, paragraph formatting and drafting style can
bring you undone if you are not careful! When studying for the New
York Bar exam, there was a huge amount of material to learn,
but it was comforting to realise that as Australians, we already
possess a good understanding of the key foundations of the American
legal system (perhaps with the exception of US constitutional law!).
This is because both the Australian and US legal systems were
originally based on the common law system in the UK. By contrast,
a Brazilian friend of mine had a much tougher time mastering
the concepts, given that her original training was gained in a civil
law system.
The transition to the UK legal system has been relatively easy.
There are, of course, different statutes and some of the case
law differs, but, given that the Australian system was derived from
the UK legal system, the key principles of both are very similar.

What are your long-term career ambitions?

I’m not sure what opportunities are around the corner! I expect to
return to Australia within five years, ideally in a senior in-house
corporate legal role, or possibly in a commercial role in a business.

What advice would you give aspiring lawyers looking for

their first job? in
Competition for entry-level jobs is extremely high, so be prepared, and brief
target a range of employers. You may not get the job of your dreams Lawyer
at first, but with persistence and a positive attitude you will eventually $$$ 100–180K
get what you want. Demonstrate to the prospective employer that quals B Bus (Accountancy),
LLB
you have a can-do attitude, a willingness to learn, and a good
hrs/wk 45–65
understanding of the businesses your employer works for, or aspires
life–work when earning a higher
to work for. Concentrate on getting a broad experience in your first few income and working
years and then actively seek out opportunities to move into an area on more exciting
deals the life–work
that interests you. Remember that no one else is likely to push you balance does suffer
forward in this profession – it is up to you!

93
 Legal careers
cv judge’s associate >>
articles (litigation) >> solicitor
(intellectual property) >>
senior associate (intellectual
property) >> legal counsel,
independent production
company >> legal counsel
94
Georgina Cuppaidge – Legal Counsel,
Sony Pictures Entertainment (UK)
Georgina, 34, works for Sony Pictures
Entertainment (SPE) in London. In her
job as Legal Counsel, Legal Affairs, she
works with broadcasters and other
companies all over Europe. She did a
degree in Commerce at the University
of Queensland before commencing
a Bachelor of Law at the Queensland
University of Technology.
Since Geogina did this interview she has
been promoted to the role of Executive Director for SPE .
q&a
Who do you work for?
Sony Corporation is made up of various parts including the music
arm, the electronics arm and the film and television arm. I am Legal
Counsel for the film and television arm. We deal with all kinds of
things including television sales, purchases by television channels
and cable services, movies sold on demand and movies sent to your
mobile. One of our newest lines of business is electronic sell-through,
or ‘download to own’, where you download a digital copy of the movie
over the Internet. I also work in channels – mainly the acquisition of
new channels.
Is your role mainly as a legal adviser?
Unlike in private practice, where you’re more likely to work strictly
as a lawyer advising solely on the legal aspects of something, when
you work in-house you’re more likely to work in a legal role and a
business affairs role. So you’re much more involved in the commercial
background and actually doing the deal. You’re definitely much more
than just a lawyer.
What sorts of tasks do you do in your job?
I work for all the different groups in the business. So, in a typical
day I might attend meetings, get instructions for new deals that
we’re working on, draft some documents, or negotiate a deal with
another company.
We also have to view a lot of new products. We have a 100-seat
cinema downstairs and sometimes I’ll spend time watching
all our new TV programs that are about to be launched throughout
 International law

the world. I then know what we’ve got to sell and I can think about
what our commercial team will be doing.
At the moment I am working on organising a film festival in Central
Europe which is interesting.

Do you have to do a lot of professional development and

research to keep up with current legal issues in emerging
forms of media?
I think it’s advisable. All the law firms offer ongoing educational
services and I try to go to them when they’re related to areas I work in.
In relation to new media, I do a lot of reading. It’s always in the press
anyway – at the moment there’s an issue with a broadcaster having a
problem with some software they use for rights management, so the
whole service has been brought down. I’m often reading trade journals
and general press to see what’s going on in the industry.

Are you qualified to practise as a lawyer in the UK?

I’m not admitted in the UK. It’s not required to be admitted to work
in my job although some law firms in private practice want you to be.
I am admitted in Australia but I’m not dual qualified. You can sit an
extra exam if you want to be admitted to practise here.

How did you decide to work in entertainment law?

While doing a Master’s at Melbourne University, I did a subject in
film production, which is one of my interests. It really got me focused
on what I wanted to do with my career. I did that course with about
20 different people who came from all different parts of the media
and entertainment industry – some were in-house counsel, some
were private practice lawyers, and some were not legal people at
all. Everyone who did that course is now working in a fabulous job in
entertainment somewhere around the world.

Why is it so exciting working in film and TV?

I suppose it’s the subject matter. Film and TV is such a big part of our
lives, more than most people care to admit. We’re surrounded by it,
not just by watching television, but also by reading virtually any
magazine or newspaper. Film has always been an interest of mine – I’ve
always loved watching them and been interested in film-making.
I found as a lawyer that certain areas of subject matter are really dry.
Then there were the areas that I felt I could relate to – entertainment
and media generally, and intellectual property more specifically,
were topics that you could talk about and not feel like you were boring
the pants off people!

What qualifications do you have?

My first degree was in commerce at the University of Queensland.
I was quite young when I finished it, so I started a second degree in
law at Queensland University of Technology. I strongly recommend not
rushing into something like law. I think it’s a better degree to study

95
 Legal careers

when you’ve got a bit of university time under your belt. You’ll be
better at it if you start later rather than fresh out of school.
If you want to succeed in a legal career, the bottom line is that you
need good marks, so you can do your articles or start working at a
good law firm. When you go in-house at companies like Sony Pictures,
they’re still going to look back at your exam results regardless of your
work experience, as these are such sought-after jobs. You have to
show you’re ticking all the boxes.
This is my dream job, and I’m sure it is for many others who want to
work in the entertainment industry.

What did you do after you finished university?

I actually had about eight months off first. I’d recommend that – don’t
be afraid to have time out during the course of your career. After the
break, I worked as a judge’s associate for a year, then worked doing
my articles in litigation at what is now Allens Arthur Robinson. If you
want to be a commercial lawyer, it’s still useful to see the litigation
side of things – to see what can go wrong at the other end.
I ended up working for Allens Arthur Robinson as a solicitor in
intellectual property, an area I’d been interested in since uni.
I worked in general intellectual property so the subject matter was
always interesting but if there was ever anything to do with media
organisations or entertainment, I’d try to get involved.
I started doing a Master’s, but when you work and study at the same
time, your life is not necessarily your own. It took up all the spare time
I had, and I couldn’t do it. My life is too important to me!

How did you end up in London?

I had become a senior associate at Allens Arthur Robinson, but I
wasn’t sure whether I wanted to follow the pathway to partnership – I
had a sneaking suspicion I didn’t. My firm gave me a leave of absence
for two years so I could go and smell the roses. After a 10-month
holiday in Eastern Europe and South America, I wanted more time
even though I had spent every last cent. I went to London intending
to get a job, get some experience, save some money and go back to
South America.

Was it easy to find a job in London?

I was very lucky because within two weeks I got a job. I focused all my
attention on job searching for the specific kind of job I wanted. I spoke
to recruiters and rejigged my résumé so it emphasised all the clients
I’d worked with who were involved in entertainment, media, fashion
or sport.
I started working for an independent production company called
Celador, and it couldn’t have been a more different work environment
from private practice. The office was open plan and had a real creative
buzz. I found the change really refreshing. I took about a 50 per cent
pay cut for that job, but I wouldn’t change a thing. It was something I
was prepared to do to have a change in lifestyle. I was there for about
two years. Celador already had a fabulous head of legal and I was

96
 International law

thinking about how I could progress in my career when a recruiter

find out
called me about the job at Sony. That’s one of the advantages of
working in a relatively small industry – everybody knows somebody
more
who knows somebody. See www.xe.com for currency
conversions.
How’s the money in your job now?
It’s really good. I had a 50 per cent pay rise to take this job! People need
to realise that financially there’s a difference between working in-house
and working in private practice. You’re always going to be earning less
in-house, although I’m on a bonus scheme here, which I never got in
private practice.
In private practice, doing what I’m doing, I’d probably be earning
70 000 to 90 000 pounds at a UK firm. The range for in-house is
around 50 000 to 80 000 pounds, depending on the size of the
company and your level of experience. In the UK I am considered
seven years’ qualified even though I’ve been admitted for eight – you
lose one to two years when you go overseas.

Are there any other perks in your job, apart from getting paid
to watch movies?
I work in Soho, which is a fabulous part of London and the food
around here is fantastic. I get membership at a great gym across the
road that has float tanks, masseuses and an organic supermarket.
I also get to do a bit of travelling with my work because most of
the legal team is based in Los Angeles, and I get discounts on
Sony products. Attending film premieres is another fun perk.
I’m very happy. I have to pinch myself every now and then. We are
living amazingly good lives – we can travel the world and do fabulous
things all over the place.

What’s the worst thing about your job?

The hardest thing is managing clients and their expectations.
The people I work with, effectively my clients, are sitting in the office
next door or the floor above. If you’re working in a law firm you can
put your phone on divert when you’re trying to get something done.
In a place like this there’s no getting away from them. It can be hard
managing their expectations too. If they’re not lawyers they don’t
realise how long things will take to get done.

What advice would you give to young people wanting to

break into the industry?
in
I think you have to be passionate about what you’re doing. If you are,
it will come out in your interviews and everything you do. I’m a pretty
brief
Legal Counsel
positive person, and I think that if you really want something, even
if you take small steps to get there, you’ll get there in the end. A lot
$$$ £50–80K
quals B Commerce,
of people aren’t happy in their jobs and stay in the same spot for too LLB (Hons I)
long without doing something to fix it. hrs/wk 42.5
From a legal perspective, I would recommend people doing a variety life–work couldn’t be better
of work experience while at university. Related short courses are flexibility working in-house
makes me more
also good. Get your mind thinking about other things and what you autonomous
might want to be doing.

97
© 2006 KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG
International, a Swiss cooperative. November 2006. VIC10595HR.

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mind to the
possibilities.

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 Beyond law
What do John Howard (not the actor), the Chaser boys, Rugby Union
player Nick Farr-Jones, Queensland Governor Quentin Bryce, and
prominent Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson have in common?
They all studied law at university, but went on to make their marks
in other professions.

Law degrees provide a solid understanding of many facets of

professional life, whether it’s politics, business, economics or the
media. The fact that law degrees these days are often combined
with a degree from another field means that graduates can have an
indispensable knowledge which will take the working world by storm.
If you aspire to be a politician, journalist, CEO or consultant then a law
degree can be a great leg up to greatness in that field.

Far from being a degree that will pigeonhole you into a career for the
rest of the life, a law degree can be a springboard into a vast array of
occupations where you can truly make your mark.

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 Legal careers
cv service station
attendant >> various
hospitality and retail roles
>> English teacher in Japan
>> public servant
100
Dara Williams – Public Servant, Department
of Foreign Affairs and Trade
 ara completed her Graduate Certificate
D
in Legal Practice in Adelaide
in 1997 and was admitted shortly after.
She chose a career in government
and policy, rather than practising law
in private practice or as an internal
corporate lawyer. Dara has had various
roles both in Canberra and overseas
since she joined the Department
of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
graduate program in 1997. At the time
of the interview, Dara was on maternity leave but she has since
returned to a part-time position (four days per week) heading up the
Information Resources Branch at DFAT.
q&a
What are your qualifications?
After leaving school, I studied an economics degree with a double major
in Japanese at the University of Adelaide. After finishing the degree,
I spent a couple of years in Japan studying at universities in Osaka and
Tokyo to improve my language skills and for some life experience.
I then returned to Adelaide University to resume my law degree,
the first year of which I had done in conjunction with second
year economics. I was interested in law because of the rigour of
thought it required, and because I thought it could be an entry into a
number of different careers. In my second year back at law school,
I was fortunate to spend a year on exchange studying law in
Germany, which counted for the majority of my elective law subjects.
The year after finishing my degree, I completed my Graduate Certificate
in Legal Practice in order to be admitted. After joining DFAT,
I completed a Master of Arts (Foreign Affairs and Trade) as part
of the graduate program.
Why did you choose to study overseas?
I wanted to study overseas because I thought it would be a great
way to develop my language skills at the same time as gaining some
terrific life experience. The year in Germany had the added bonus
 Beyond law

of counting towards my law degree. Spending time in Japan and

Germany was a fantastic way to get to know and understand
different cultures, be exposed to a range of people and do some
wonderful travel. I also think this experience and my language skills
were invaluable when it came to applying to DFAT.

‘Working in Bougainville
New Guinea was an
all-round fantastic
experience _ I doubt I
will ever again fly to
work in a helicopter.’

Why did you apply for the DFAT graduate program rather than
practising as a solicitor or barrister?
I could never picture myself as a solicitor or barrister and found the
whole idea of billable hours quite abhorrent! Although I knew virtually
nothing about policy work or government before joining DFAT, I did
glossary
know that black letter law was not my cup of tea. I was also interested Black letter law means:
in finding a job that would enable me to use my language skills and to – the principles of law that
spend time overseas as an inherent part of the job. are generally known and
free from doubt
What did the recruitment process involve at DFAT? and dispute.
The recruitment process has changed from when I applied to join
in 1996. Back then applicants had to sit the public service test, put in
a written application, take a written exam and, finally, have a
face-to-face interview. There were around 2000 applicants at the start
of the process, which took most of the year to complete. The timelines
are now shorter, with offers of employment being made in September. find out
What type of work did you do when you started at DFAT? more
My first rotation was in what was then called the Trade Negotiations Detailed information on DFAT’s
graduate recruitment process
Division, working on World Trade Organization (WTO) intellectual
is available on the website
property issues. After a short stint there, I went on full-time study at www.dfat.gov.au/recruit/
leave, as completion of a Graduate Diploma in Foreign Affairs and graduates/index.html
Trade was a requirement of the graduate training program. That has

101
 Legal careers
glossary
Realpolitik means:
– politics based on practical
rather than idealistic or
theoretical considerations.
102
since changed, so I encourage people to look at the DFAT website
for details of the current graduate training program. After full-time
study leave, I worked for a short time on the UK and Ireland bilateral
desk, and then returned to work on trade-related intellectual
property issues.
What did you do during your first overseas work trip?
In 1998, I had the opportunity to go on a four-month mission to
the Pacific island of Bougainville as a civilian monitor with the
multi-nation Peace Monitoring Group (PMG). The PMG was monitoring
a peace agreement to end the civil war that had been tearing
Bougainville apart for more than a decade. It was made up of Fijian,
Vanuatuan, New Zealand and Australian defence force personnel,
as well as around 15 civilian monitors drawn from Australian federal
government agencies. I lived in a remote army-run team site and
went on patrols with a six-person team to mountainous areas in the
north of the island to meet with Bougainvilleans and discuss the
peace process. It was an all-round fantastic and unique experience –
I doubt I will ever again fly to work on Monday morning in a helicopter.
What did you do while working in Geneva for three years?
As a member of Australia’s Permanent Mission to the World Trade
Organization, I represented Australia at various committees at
the WTO, as well as a couple of other international organisations,
including the World Intellectual Property Organization. My WTO work
centred mainly around trade-related intellectual property issues, but
I also worked on dispute settlement, where my legal background was
particularly helpful.
What has been some of the most interesting work you have
been involved in?
One of the great things about working for DFAT is the diversity of work
on offer. In addition to foreign affairs and trade issues, there is consular
work as well as corporate management. What I have really enjoyed
about my career to date is the ability to take on completely different
roles – from my work in Bougainville, to working as a trade negotiator
in Geneva, to being the Departmental Liaison Officer in the Office of
the Minister for Trade. Each role has offered unique insights into how
government operates, how foreign and trade policy is formulated – the
Realpolitik of international diplomacy, and the opportunity to work with
a range of talented people.
Have you ever considered going back to practise law?
No, I feel very comfortable working in the public sector and
government policy work really suits me. There are plenty of challenges
at DFAT, and there are job opportunities in other policy areas, both
domestically or internationally.
 Beyond law

Before you went on maternity leave, what was your role?

I was in charge of a small team that was responsible for preparing
travel advice for Australian overseas travellers – the advice that is
available on www.smartraveller.gov.au.

What did a typical week look like for you?

Most of my time was spent clearing draft travel advisories prepared
by team members, writing submissions to ministers, liaising with our
overseas posts on travel advice issues and dealing with enquiries
from the public. There were also a number of regular meetings I
participated in, some with other government agencies. The job
required me to be on call on weekends (for which I was paid
an allowance), but the calls could usually be dealt with without
going into the office.

What developments can you expect as your

career progresses?
There are plenty of opportunities, with a range of jobs in the foreign
or trade policy areas, as well as consular and corporate areas. I could
end up dipping more seriously into legal issues if I were placed in our
International Legal Division. There is also the potential to head up
an overseas post in a range of countries, or to serve as a deputy
head of mission or run an economic or political branch in one of our in
large embassies. brief
Public Servant
What advice would you give law students about preparing for
their career? $$$ approx. 190K
package
Obviously it depends on the type of career they have in mind, but quals B Econ, LLB (Hons),
generally I think that it will always stand graduates in good stead if GCLP, MA (Foreign
Affairs and Trade)
they can demonstrate a broad life experience, whether that’s a stint
hrs/wk 45–50
living, studying, or working overseas, success in part-time work during
life–work couldn’t be better
university studies (particularly in degree-related areas), or volunteer
flexibility 8/10
work for community or non-governmental organisations.

103
 Legal careers

cv media officer >> Eva Scheerlinck – CEO, Australian

lawyer >> public affairs Lawyers Alliance
manager >> CEO
At just 34, Eva holds the position of
Chief Executive Officer for the Australian
Lawyers Alliance. Eva studied law at the
Queensland University of Technology
and completed her articles to become
admitted in 2000. She worked for the
Alliance initially as their Media Officer.
She then worked in private practice
for two-and-a-half years in the area
of personal injury law. Whilst living
in Melbourne, the Alliance offered Eva the opportunity to return to
Sydney and work in the role of Public Affairs Manager. After a year in
the role, she was promoted to CEO.

Eva says she loves her job and can envisage staying with the Alliance
for some years yet. Beyond that, she believes her career progression
will remain in policy, advocacy and representative type roles rather
than private practice.

q&a
Why did you study law?
I was drawn by the romance of a legal career – perhaps too
much television! At high school, I was also interested in joining the
diplomatic service one day and I thought law would be an appropriate
qualification to do that.

What other courses have you undertaken?

When I was working in private practice in the area of personal injury
law, I undertook a course in medical terminology. Since working as
CEO for the Alliance, I have studied management courses appropriate
for my broader responsibilities, such as budgeting for non-financial
managers and Directors Essentials: Issues in not-for-profit governance
with the Australian Institute of Company Directors. I’ve also completed
a Graduate Diploma of Community Management with the University of
Technology in Sydney.

104
 Beyond law

‘I was drawn by the

romance of a legal
career – perhaps too
much television!’

What does the Australian Lawyers Alliance do?

The Australian Lawyers Alliance is a boutique legal professional
association. Our members, predominantly lawyers, are dedicated to
protecting and promoting issues of justice, freedom and the rights of
individuals. The organisation lobbies for legal reform and protection
in individual rights-based areas, and provides educational services
to its members. We do not strive to represent the legal profession as
a whole, but, rather, those lawyers who represent individuals
(as opposed to governments and large corporations).

What are the best parts of your job?

I get to work with some extraordinary individuals – people who are
passionate about the rights of others and who are willing to give
their time and expertise for a cause they really believe in. Being a
national association, I also get to travel around the country to meet
our members and other stakeholders in individual rights issues. I also
have a great team who I find inspirational to work with.

And what about the worst?

The organisation operates on a not-for-profit basis, so the lack of
resources can be frustrating at times. However, it allows you to
develop creative strategies.

What organisations do you liaise with?

There’s a whole range of organisations we liaise with to achieve
our goals. We work with disability groups, consumer groups, human
rights organisations, advocacy groups and unions. Anyone who is
likely to be affected by a change in policy or legislation is a potential
ally and important stakeholder in the work that we do.

105
 Legal careers

off
g her time
Eva enjoyin

What sort of person is best suited to this type of work?

Someone who is passionate about individual rights, and patient
enough to see the policy process through to the end. Affecting policy
change takes time, so there’s no instant gratification.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

in
brief To forget the stereotypes about CEOs and just do the job my way,
using my skills to achieve our objectives.
CEO
What advice would you give law students about finding a
$$$ 120K
field to best suit them?
quals BA, LLB, Grad Dip
hrs/wk 40–60 Look beyond the law careers fairs. Look at the work that organisations
life–work improving with effort like the Lawyers Alliance and Community Legal Centres do. There are
real alternatives, but you need to do the research.

106
 Beyond law

Nicola Roxon – Federal Member cv judge’s associate

of Parliament >> union organiser >>
industrial lawyer >> federal
For eight years, Nicola has worked as
member of parliament
the Federal Member of Parliament for
Gellibrand, Victoria. Nicola studied a
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws
with Honours at Melbourne University.
After completing her articles she worked
in private practice before later relocating
to Canberra to work as a judge’s
associate for Justice Mary Gaudron of
the High Court of Australia.

Nicola then worked as a union organiser with the National Union

of Workers, before returning to private practice as a Senior Associate
in Industrial Law with Maurice Blackburn and Co. This was her last
position before entering parliament.

At the time of the interview, Nicola held the position of Shadow

Attorney-General. Since then, she has been appointed Shadow
Minister for Health.

q&a
Did you always want to get into politics?
No, I haven’t always been interested in politics, although I was always
very conscious of social justice issues. I got interested in politics
after researching working women and industrial relations at university.
At that time, I was particularly angry at the Kennett Government’s
actions of closing schools and hospitals in Victoria. I got involved
from there.

What does your day-to-day job involve?

My day-to-day job varies depending on whether I am in Melbourne
or Canberra. In Melbourne, I regularly meet with constituents
and community groups on local issues and attend functions in
my electorate. In Canberra, I write and deliver speeches, prepare
media releases and conduct interviews, as well as working on the
development or review of policies and legislation.

107
 Legal careers
in
brief
Federal Member of Parliment
$$$ 120K approx
quals BA, LLB (Hons)
hrs/wk 60–70
life–work 8/10
108
In 2003, you participated in an overseas parliamentary
delegation. What was that like?
I was chosen to participate in a cross-party working delegation, which
involved travelling to Syria, Lebanon and Israel. It was an amazing
time and I was able to experience first hand the complex politics and
troubles of the region from a range of perspectives. Sadly, recent events
show the situation in this region is getting worse rather than better.
ome
’s house a way from h
house, an MP
Parliament
You currently hold the position of Shadow Attorney-General.
What does that mean?
I am the legal affairs spokesperson for the Australian Labor Party
(ALP). This covers a range of matters such as family law, civil liberties,
copyright, privacy legislation, freedom of information laws, and
resourcing of the federal courts, Community Legal Centres and
international legal issues. It also means that I review proposed
legislation on legal issues for the ALP and coordinate the ALP’s policy
position on these issues.
What are your long-term aspirations for your career?
To be part of a Labor government and hopefully Australia’s first female
Attorney-General.
 Beyond law

Gary Pagotto – Contracting Consultant cv lawyer >> graduate

trainee >> industrial
Gary realised he didn’t want to be a
relations researcher >>
lawyer halfway through his degree, but
he decided to finish his studies and managerial assistant

become qualified before finding lending >> personnel

a career path he felt more suited to. After officer >> administration

qualifying through the Sydney College manager >> corporate

of Law, and working for a few years lending manager >>

at Clayton Utz, Gary joined Westpac human resources manager

where, for 17 years, he worked in >> commercial credit
various corporate and commercial roles. and lending manager
He then left to seek new horizons. A temporary position with Shell >> employee relations
opened the door to a permanent role in trade finance. When another manager >> trade
company bought out the division of Shell that Gary was working for, finance coordinator >>
he took redundancy and decided to reduce his working hours by doing contracting consultant
contract work.

Throughout the various commercial roles Gary has held, he says

the skills he learnt from his law degree proved highly valuable and
transferable.

q&a
Why did you study law?
Vocational guidance counselling was pretty non-existent when I went
to school and I didn’t know what I wanted to do. In those days, it
was almost unheard-of to take a year off before uni – in fact, it was
frowned upon in many respects – so I chose to study law at Sydney
University Law School because that’s what my brother had done.

How did you come to realise that you didn’t want to become a
traditional lawyer?
Many of my law school colleagues were very outgoing and had
something to say about everything. I am more reserved and only
say something if I feel the topic is important enough to warrant
a comment. I also felt I would be more suited to a research role, or
perhaps accounting as I have an acute attention to detail.

109
 Legal careers

In what areas of law did you work when you were at

glossary Clayton Utz?
Probate is: I worked in conveyancing, mortgagee sales and probate. I think I
– the legal process only made one or two court appearances, which suited me given my
of proving a will and reserved nature.
the administration of a
deceased’s estate. How did you come to work with Westpac?
Three months after leaving Clayton Utz, I was in a rut and rather poor,
so I thought I had better get a job. Westpac was advertising in The
Sydney Morning Herald for graduate trainees. I didn’t know whether I
was really interested in banking but I needed the money, and the rest,
as they say, is history.

What different roles did you have with Westpac?

Westpac was a great training bank. I started out as a graduate trainee
at its Burwood branch, doing everything from the post to teller work,
and working in the lending department. The initial training period was
12 months and, after that, graduates were pushed through the bank
very quickly. Throughout my time at Westpac, I rarely stayed in one
position for more than two years. This was a great experience because
I worked in so many diverse fields – industrial relations, human
resources, credit and lending, and accounting. These days, jobs are
more specialised, which I think is a pity.

Did you ever think of retraining in accounting or finance?

Yes. I studied accounting part time for three years, which I enjoyed,
but I didn’t finish because in 1987 I was given an opportunity to work
in Hong Kong as Administration Manager in Westpac’s Asian
Division Headquarters. Later, I did gain a Diploma in Applied Finance
and Investment through the Securities Institute of Australia.
These days I do short courses that interest me but are not necessarily
work related. Recently I did an MYOB Computerised Bookkeeping
course at our local community centre – it is very unlikely that I would
ever use the knowledge gained from this course in my employment,
but I was just interested to see what it was all about.

What did you do on your secondment in Hong Kong?

My boss at the time recommended me for the position and I accepted
the offer after thinking about it long and hard for about three minutes!
My role as Administration Manager involved looking after the
remuneration packages for the expatriate staff and consolidating the
monthly financial results of our Asian branches.
Hong Kong was a real buzz. It was a great lifestyle for a single person.
I had a full-time live-in maid, so I didn’t do any housework for three
years. I was there in a really interesting time in Hong Kong’s history.
It was the lead-up period to the handover of Hong Kong from Britain
to China, and there was mass emigration by the locals to Canada, USA
and Australia because of the fear of what might happen when China

110
 Beyond law

took over. I was also there during the Tiananmen Square massacre in
Beijing and I marched through the streets of Hong Kong with the local
staff in protest.

What type of work did you do when you moved to Shell?

After I left Westpac, I soon found a permanent position in trade
finance with Shell. Trade finance simply means arranging loans
or other financial products for our customers so that they can buy
our products. My job title was Trade Finance Coordinator, but this was
a bit of a misnomer as probably only 30 per cent of my time was spent
on trade finance. This involved liaising with Australian-based banks
to arrange funding for our customers who wished to buy our coal but
needed a loan to do so. My time at Westpac was obviously of great
benefit, as I knew how banks worked.
The other 70 per cent of my role involved preparing the necessary
shipping documentation to enable our coal to be shipped overseas.
This involved dealing with coal sampling analysts, shipping agents
and State Chambers of Commerce.

, USA
y at the G rand Canyon
Gary on holida

What have you been doing since leaving Shell?

I had no interest in taking on another permanent role as I loved the
job at Shell and didn’t believe that I’d find a permanent job that would
provide me with the same level of satisfaction. Since leaving Shell
I have been doing contract work, which suits my current lifestyle.

111
 Legal careers

I worked very long hours in Westpac but now I want to slow down
a little. Financial security means that I now work only 40 weeks
a year on average. I’ve done some contracting at the New South
Wales Teachers Federation and the Sydney Cross City Tunnel Project
in finance, and currently I’m contracting with ING Bank in financial
assessment (this is the third time that I have worked at ING).
Word gets around, and there are always opportunities coming up.
My former colleagues at Westpac have been very helpful in giving me
work leads.

What is your work week like?

Contract work is very flexible, but I would not recommend it to anyone
who does not feel financially secure.
I currently only work a nine-day fortnight and try to walk every
morning before I start work. In the evenings I often catch up with the
day’s sharemarket results on the Internet. I also enjoy going to the
movies or to dinner with friends.
Sometimes on my days off I do a few things around the house or in
the garden, and perhaps go to the Art Gallery of NSW or down to
Cronulla Beach. I try to get out of Sydney at least two weekends
per month. I’ll visit friends in Shellharbour and Gundagai or my family
in northern NSW. When I’m not away I usually work around the house
or garden, get on the Internet or visit friends.

What are some of the things you have really enjoyed about
your career?
The hundreds of people who I have met along the way.
Without interesting people to work with, any job can be boring.
in What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
brief ‘Go out and experience other employers and then come back.’ Bob Joss
Contract Consultant gave that advice to all Westpac staff when he was managing director.
$$$ 70K
What would you say to aspiring lawyers about the career
quals LLB, Dip SIA
opportunities available to them?
hrs/wk 35
life–work 8/10 There are many rewarding employment opportunities outside private
legal practice.

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 Beyond law

Chris Kirkbright – Business Consultant cv administrative clerk

>> solicitor >> lecturer and
Being a lawyer is just one feather in
tutor >> orchid keeper >>
Chris’s bow. Since studying law at the
University of New South Wales and professional musician >>

becoming admitted in 1980, Chris has web page designer >>

worked in private practice for various Aboriginal language teacher
firms as well as running his own practice >> business consultant
independently. He has also held
positions within various government
departments such as the Law Reform
Commission and the Registrar of
Aboriginal Land Rights (NSW). And that’s
just his legal career!

Other passions have led him into years of teaching and lecturing
in both the Aboriginal language and Aboriginal studies, working as
a professional musician, in radio journalism, web design and even
orchid keeping! For the last few years though, Chris has largely
worked as a business consultant drawing on a lifetime of ongoing
development and experience.

Chris is a staunch supporter and advocate of Indigenous issues.

Having jumped some hurdles himself over the years, he appreciates
that people from minority backgrounds often have to work that little
bit harder to open doors.

q&a
Why did you study law?
I felt it was a profession through which I could work for the betterment
of the Indigenous people of Australia. During my studies, the major
difficulty for me was being isolated from the Aboriginal community
and the members of my extended family. I was certainly encouraged
by my family, even though they were not able to assist me financially.
I did a lot of taxi driving, waiting in cafés, and working during the
university breaks.

What was it like working for the NSW Aboriginal Legal

Service (ALS) in Redfern early in your career?
Working at the ALS was tough but rewarding. The ALS was very
politicised when I worked there. I found this very satisfying in some
respects but difficult as well because the political activity often took
me away from the practice of the law.

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What did you enjoy about law?

I have especially enjoyed the intellectual stimulation involved in
studying and practising law. The knowledge that I have gained has
empowered me in many ways both professionally and personally.
The law can impact on all people and all professions, so legal
knowledge is invariably useful in most fields of employment.

What personal qualities make a good lawyer?

Honesty, integrity, a sense of justice, compassion, a sharp mind and
an ability to communicate effectively.

What is a myth about working in the legal profession, and

what’s the reality?
The most obvious myth about working in the legal profession is that
everyone is equal before the law. The reality is that many people
in society are not equal before the law. In particular, Indigenous
Australians are much more likely to be impacted by the criminal
law than others. This is obvious from the over-representation of
Indigenous people in prisons.

‘The most obvious

myth about working in
the legal profession is
that everyone is equal
before the law.’

You’ve done so many different things. How did those

opportunities come about?
I believe we are all capable of achieving whatever goals we might
dream of. You have to believe you can achieve anything you want!
My mother always reassured me that I was capable of doing anything.
She helped me to understand that a good education is essential.
She convinced me that I was capable of entering and graduating
from law school and showed me how to believe in myself. The study
of law, although extremely empowering, was not the source of my
confidence and self-belief, this came from my mother’s tutelage.

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 Beyond law

The study of law was merely a stepping stone for me in my pursuit of

knowledge and skills. Success at studying law proved to me that a
person could do anything they set their mind to. There were so many
people who doubted that I would ever even get into law school let
alone graduate. I have learned that fortune favours the bold. To quote
Goethe, ‘Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness
has genius, power and magic in it’.

Why did you choose to work for four years as an orchid

keeper in Murwillumbah?
I took up orchid keeping following a very difficult period in my life that
included professional problems, the breakdown of a marriage and
the sudden loss of my mother in a car accident. In short, I went back
to the bush to recuperate and to sort myself out a bit. I had become
disillusioned with working in the legal profession and needed to
figure out what I wanted to do as an alternative. In the end economic
pressure forced me to return Sydney to look for work. The bush is a
great healer of the spirit.

What advice would you give someone considering entering

law about how to go about achieving their goals?
Believe in yourself, be organised and be prepared to put in the
hard yards. If you have difficulties or failures, believe in yourself
and keep going. You need to be organised because there is so
much work to get through. You will need to be a good reader, writer
and communicator. Seek out help from others if you need assistance,
there are always people who are prepared to help anyone who is
trying to achieve their goals.

What has been a career highlight?

I have had many highlights and it is difficult to nominate only one.
I guess my appointment as the Registrar of Aboriginal Land Rights is
one highlight. Another that I particularly remember is being selected
as the first senate candidate for the NSW Green party.

If you had your time over, is there anything you would have in
done differently? brief
Yes, I would have gone to the Bar instead of remaining a solicitor for Business Consultant
as long as I did.
$$$ 60K
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? quals B Commerce,
LLB (Hons I)
Believe in yourself, don’t give up and you can achieve anything hrs/wk 40
you want.

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cv economics Simon Anderson – Deputy Editor, Australian

researcher >> reporter Financial Review
>> online development
 imon is the News Editor of the
S
manager >> deputy
Australian Financial Review.
companies editor >>
He completed a combined degree in
companies editor >>
Economics and Law at the University
deputy editor of Sydney but never became admitted
as his career in journalism was already
well under way. A part-time research
job whilst studying opened the door
to journalism and, from this small
beginning, Simon’s career took off!
Now in his 30s, Simon has worked as a
journalist in Sydney and London.

q&a
Why did you decide to study economics and law?
I never planned to practise law. Originally I wanted to get into
investment banking and, back then, law was seen as the appropriate
starting point. I was always interested in companies and markets and
planned to do a law degree and then join one of the major banks.

What did you enjoy about your legal studies?

I enjoyed the challenges of some of the more creative legal areas like
constitutional law. I also liked how much of the time there were no
right answers – only arguments for and against.

What did your part-time work as a researcher on the

Australian Financial Review involve?
Reporting to the Economics Editor, I conducted research projects, such
as the paper’s monthly and quarterly surveys of economists, and also
wrote the occasional column on economics.

How did your full-time role with the paper come about?
A reporter due to return from Perth to take up a Sydney-based
reporting role decided not to come back. The paper asked if I could
fill in for a while and I ended up on the markets desk covering daily
sharemarket trading. I subsequently moved to the companies desk as
a reporter.

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 Beyond law

What direction has your career has taken since then?

Getting a full-time job on the paper meant I put off plans to travel
overseas for a few years while I wrote for the companies desk,
covering what was then an emerging sector of casinos, gaming
and leisure. Eventually I quit to go travelling overseas for six months,
which had been the plan since I was at uni. I ended up in London
where I started work reporting for the Daily Telegraph, Britain’s No. 1
quality newspaper. I returned to Sydney for the Olympics and took a
completely different role – to relaunch the Australian Financial
Review website. The site launched later that year and then my wife
was offered a job in Hong Kong. We spent a year there before
I returned to the Australian Financial Review in an editing role.

Thursday
rt work
Monday • 8.30 am – 9 am Sta
rt work
• 8.30 am – 9 am Sta est pro duc tio n day of the week
we ek ahe ad and longer- • B igg
usually very large
• Plan the – Friday’s edition
term story ide as
ish work
• Production of tha
t day’s edition • 7 pm – 8.30 pm Fin
pm – 8.3 0 pm Fin ish work (usually
• 7
’t get hom e in time to see my
don Friday
s) rt work
sons Ben and Jame • 8.30 am – 9 am Sta
ose day where we put
• A dual-purp
Tuesday eke nd edi tion but also
out the we
rk edition pre-
• 10.30 am Start wo try to have Mo nda y’s
second edition so planned and edited
so Sunday can
• I work until the
duction focused on staff
today is largely pro operate on a skelet
k hea dlin es, cap tions and pm Fin ish work
• C hec • 5.30 pm – 6.3 0
pla cem ent s and make sure to see sons)
sto ry
news covered (earlier finish so get
we have the latest
30 pm Finish work
• 9.30 pm – 10.
Weekend
s and brunch at
• Surf on Saturday
Wednesday the beach
rt work s and friends
• 8.30 am – 9 am Sta • Time with wife, son
nning
• Start weekend pla in thr ee Sundays
on the bigger • I work one
• Brief reporters we might go
ting for the • If I’m not working
pieces they are wri nd
away for the weeke
Saturday edition
ish work
• 7 pm – 8.30 pm Fin

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 Legal careers

Are there many lawyers who work in journalism?

We have plenty of lawyers and accountants and other professionals
on staff and we actively recruit from those sectors. Unlike many other
newspapers, the business focus of the Australian Financial Review
means our staff need a deep understanding of business issues, which
we often find by recruiting people from outside journalism.

What skills did your law degree teach you that are
particularly relevant for journalism?
The key skills that a law degree teaches are research and how to
effectively communicate an argument. Journalists are required to take
vast quantities of information, sift this information for relevance and
interest, and then present those findings in a compelling way.

Have you ever thought of going back to law?

No. I think there are too many opportunities in journalism. We are
on the cusp of another great revolution with broadband Internet and
in
brief digital TV transforming the way people think about news. I think
demand for journalists in the future will be greater than ever.
News Editor
$$$ 100–150K What advice would you give someone who was considering
quals B Econ, LLB studying law?
hrs/wk 50–55 I think law is about the best general education you can get. It covers
life–work long hours, but
history, politics, society and economics, and teaches you to think
flexibility for time
with the family rather than just learn by rote. I think there’s a reason so many great
business leaders and politicians have backgrounds in the law.

Ben
ty time w ith his son,
ing some quali
Simon spend

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What qualifications do I need?

To qualify as a lawyer, you need to have a Bachelor of Law degree or a
Diploma in Law from a university, or you need to have completed the
Legal Practitioners Admission Board examinations. To be eligible to
practise as a solicitor or barrister, it is then necessary to complete a
program of practical legal training.

It is common for students to combine a law degree with another

qualification (for example a Bachelor of Arts or Commerce). There is
also an increasing number of law and legal studies courses that are
not intended for people who want to be legal practitioners, but for
those who want to work in areas that require legal knowledge, for
example accountants, administrators or social workers.

Want more quality career resources

from Career FAQs for FREE? Click here 119
 Legal careers

The following table shows the qualifications of many of the people

interviewed in this book.

Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Commerce

Articled Clerk
(Banking and Finance)
Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Graduate Diploma in
In-house lawyer
Legal Practice
Solicitor Bachelor of Laws
Paralegal Currently studying Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Science (Hons), Bachelor of Laws,
Research Associate
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
Bachelor of Arts (Justice Studies), Bachelor of
Family Lawyer
Laws, Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
Legal Aid Lawyer Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
Bachelor of Business (Accountancy),
Lawyer, UK firm
Bachelor of Laws
Legal Counsel Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Laws (Hons I)
Bachelor of Economics, Bachelor of Laws,
Public Servant
Graduate Certificate in Legal Practice
Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts, Graduate
CEO
Diploma of Community Management
Bachelor of Laws, Graduate Diploma in Legal
Regional Lawyer
Practice, Practical Legal Training
Senior Associate Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws
Barrister Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Laws
Lawyer Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Laws
Federal Member of
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
Parliament
Bachelor of Laws, Graduate Diploma in Applied
Contracting Consultant Finance and Investment from the Securities
Institute of Australia
Business Consultant Bachelor of Economics, Bachelor of Laws
Career FAQs qualifications snapshot, 2007

University courses
Many of the universities in each state and territory across Australia
provide undergraduate law degrees. The table on the following page
find out
more lists just some of the universities that provide undergraduate courses
for aspiring law students.
The Australian Education
Network For a comprehensive search of the courses provided by each
www.australian-universities.com university, check out the Australian Education Network University
and College Guide online. Their website contains information on each
Australian university, the types of degrees available, online learning
options, university rankings and more.

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New South Wales Victoria Queensland

Macquarie University
University of Newcastle
University of New England
University of New South
Wales
University of Notre Dame
University of Sydney
University of Technology
Sydney
University of Western Sydney
University of Wollongong
Australian Capital Territory
Australian National University
University of Canberra
Northern Territory
Charles Darwin University
Australian universities with law degrees
Deakin University
La Trobe University
Monash University
University of Melbourne
Victoria University
South Australia
Flinders University
University of Adelaide
University of South Australia
Tasmania
University of Tasmania
Bond University
Griffith University
James Cook University
Queensland University of
Technology
Southern Cross University
University of Queensland
University of Southern
Queensland
Western Australia
Edith Cowan University
Murdoch University
University of Notre Dame
University of Western
Australia

When considering where to study, the above table is a good place

to start your search. Have a close look at the various options of
undergraduate degrees that are on offer. Many students study a
combined degree, and the availability of combinations – such as
business, commerce, science, arts and so on – varies between
universities. A combined degree will usually take five years of full-time
study to complete. If you have already completed an undergraduate
degree, some universities allow you to enrol as a graduate student
to a Bachelor of Laws, which will take three years of full-time study.
Many universities also provide the option of studying part time.

If you are not sure whether you want to become a lawyer, but are
interested in undertaking some legal studies, be sure to widen your
search to other universities and TAFE institutions. Organisations that
do not offer undergraduate degrees in law may offer other related
courses which may be more suited to your interests. For example,
Curtin University of Technology in Western Australia has a School of
Business Law. While graduates of a business law degree may not be
qualified to work as lawyers, they will be well equipped to apply a
legal framework to their chosen profession.

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What can I expect to learn?

All university law degrees contain a number of core subjects that are
glossary essential in your preparation as a legal practitioner, such as contracts
Torts is: and torts. These core subjects provide the foundations of your
– the branch of law legal education. Beyond them, different institutions offer a variety
concerned with civil injuries. of elective subjects, which are often in more specialised areas of law,
such as environmental law.

Common core subjects include:

n introduction to law n contracts

n torts n criminal law

n property law n equity

n administrative law n constitutional law

n company/business law n public law.

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Elective units may include:

n international trade n maritime law

n trade union law n intellectual property law

n media law n death and inheritance law

n human rights law n migration law

n employment law n environmental law.

Andrew Cash is currently completing his articles with Freehills

in Perth. He studied a Bachelor of Laws at Murdoch University.

In addition to the core subjects like contracts and torts,

I chose electives like insurance law, mining and natural
resources law, electronic practice and litigation and public
international law. I chose these subjects as I was interested
in working for a commercial firm and knew that these subjects
would be relevant. In my final year, I also chose to do clinical
legal education, which is a practical unit where students work in
a community law centre dealing with real clients.
Some of the most important things I learnt were how to
critically analyse factual scenarios, identify issues, apply law
and form reasoned conclusions to issues raised. These skills are
valuable across all fields of study and work.
Andrew Cash – Articled Clerk, Freehills

In addition to the subject matter of the courses you will study, your
time at university will provide you with the opportunity to develop
other skills to prepare you for a career in law. These include essay
writing, making persuasive arguments, debating, problem solving and
legal analysis. Mock trials and other practical activities are a great
opportunity to develop your skills and stand out from the crowd in
obtaining your first job.

Other important questions

Once you have decided to study law, there are other questions you
need to ask, such as:

n What do I need to get into a law degree?

n How difficult is it to complete a law degree?

n How much does it cost?

n Can I study law at university without going on campus?

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What do I need to get into a law degree?

Many universities do not have any specific subject prerequisites from
high school, although a few do require English. Generally speaking,
the tertiary entrance score to study a law degree is relatively high
compared to most other courses. The range does vary though, so be
sure to keep an open mind about your options. For example Monash
University recommends that students should aim for an entrance
score of around 99.05 to be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported
Place in the Bachelor of Laws, but to study a Bachelor of Laws at
Deakin University at the Geelong campus, the entrance score required
for 2006 entry was 80.20.

If you don’t achieve a sufficiently high tertiary entrance rank or

score, you could start another degree for a year or two, work hard
to get high scores, and then apply to transfer into the law degree.
This might sound like a fairly roundabout way of getting into law,
but it has become a common way of doing it. Also, time spent doing
another degree is not necessarily time wasted – employers value a
variety of experience, and it may be an opportunity to develop skills in
something else you’re interested in.

If you’re willing, and able, to pay full fees, some universities will allow
some students with a slightly lower score to enter. If you have just
missed out, this may be an option.

How difficult is it to complete a law degree?

Compared to some other courses, law is a demanding degree which
requires dedication and hard work. You have to devote a considerable
amount of time and energy to your studies in order to develop your
understanding both of the legal principles and the historical cases
that have shaped the common law. Getting the job you want will be
very much influenced by how well you have performed academically.

Having said that, it is achievable. Don’t be daunted or overwhelmed.

If you have performed well at school and have a natural inclination
towards learning, you can do well with application and commitment.

How much does it cost?

Fees vary between different universities and are adjusted each year, so
do your research. You are likely to accumulate a HECS debt of between

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$7000 and $9000 per year over the five years of your full-time study.
Full fee-paying students can pay as much as $20 000 per year.

Can I study law at university without going

on campus?
Some universities offer law by distance education, which means that
you can study at home with online assistance. However, even these
courses require a minimum level of attendance through on-campus
workshops for at least one or two weekends each semester. This can be
an attractive option for those who need to study off campus. However, for
many reasons, it’s not the ideal study option for most people.

Studying law is not just about learning the content of each subject
– it is also about participating in university life, exchanging and
debating ideas, competing in essay and mooting competitions, as
well as developing friendships and networks that will assist you in
your professional life. These aspects of the qualifying experience are
harder to gain if you study remotely.

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Graduate law
Some people decide on a law degree after studying, and
sometimes working, in a different field. As you have heard from
Richard Hardy and Anne Demack, who both studied social work
before becoming a solicitor and barrister respectively, a late
entry into law does not in any way hold you back from enjoying a
successful legal career. Returning to study is a big commitment,
but many people who start law as their second career often find
that they are in good company, with some of their fellow students
having made the same decision.

While there may be some challenges – many will have to balance

full-time work with part-time study, together with a partner and
children – there are also advantages. By already having one
degree under your belt, you have acquired study skills that new
graduates won’t have. Making that commitment to return to
study often means that you are clear in your focus and motivated
to tackle any hurdles that may come your way.

I have seen paralegals who have worked full time,

studied part time and become very good lawyers. So it is
achievable for many with commitment and determination.
Tony McDonald – Company Secretary, Kings Minerals

Admission to the practice of law

Once you have completed your academic legal studies you need to
complete a program of Practical Legal Training (PLT) to be eligible for
admission to practise as a lawyer.

There are two ways to do this:

n obtain a position as an articled clerk within a private practice

n do a course in PLT.

Courses in PLT are available from a number of universities and also

from other organisations such as the New South Wales College of Law
or the Leo Cussen Institute in Victoria.

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Completing an articled clerkship is the more traditional form

of satisfying the necessary requirements to become admitted.
The process is like an apprenticeship where you work under the
supervision of an experienced practitioner. Competition for these
positions is fierce and so graduates are encouraged to apply for
articles as well as exploring where they might complete their practical
legal training.

An advantage of articles is that you get paid to learn, while students

who undertake a course in PLT have to pay around $6000 or $7000
for the program. Some students prefer completing their admission
requirements through a tertiary institution as the road to admission is
usually faster – six or seven months compared to a 12-month articled
clerkship – and the experience is often broader than what many small
employers can offer.

The final step

Once you have completed your degree qualification and PLT you
are eligible to apply for admission as a legal practitioner under the
relevant state or territory jurisdiction. That doesn’t mean you can
put out your shingle and start your own business. In most states and
territories, you will still be required to practise under the guidance
of an experienced lawyer for at least 6 or 12 months before you are
eligible to apply for an unrestricted practising certificate.

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Becoming a barrister
The rules vary from state to state but, generally speaking, to become
a member of the Bar, your admission to practise as a barrister will
follow a period of training and supervision. Part of this involves a
glossary reading period which refers to an intensive period of instruction and
Master means: practice where you are assigned to a master, who will help you learn
– an experienced barrister. the ropes.

After meeting the requirements of the appropriate Bar association,

you sign the Bar Roll and can be briefed by clients to represent them in
court. Once you have signed the Bar Roll, you can’t work as a solicitor.

Many barristers begin their careers as solicitors, establishing a

practice and building a network before moving to the Bar. They
hope that their contacts in the legal profession will ensure they get
sufficient work to establish a viable practice. However, it has also
been common for people to go straight to the Bar after being admitted
as a legal practitioner.

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How do I get that job?

So you’re in your final year of your law degree, or doing your articles or
PLT, or maybe you have already qualified. What now?

There is plenty of information out there about the different

types of law firms: on websites, at university information
sessions and from the different law societies. My advice
is to do as much research as possible and try to get a feel
of the type of firm you think you would fit in at. Make sure
your résumé is clear, well organised and complies with any
instructions given by the law firms. I also found it was helpful to
have others read my résumé and give their opinion.
Probably the best and most accurate information law students
can get is from talking with people currently working at the
firms they are interested in. If you don’t know anyone there,
there is nothing wrong with calling up or sending an email asking
to speak to a current articled clerk. Have a chat with them over
the phone or even arrange to meet for a coffee.
Andrew Cash – Articled Clerk, Freehills

As you have heard from people working and recruiting in the legal
profession, the job market for entry-level positions is particularly
competitive in the legal industry. The earlier you start doing your
research and planning how to stand out from the crowd the better.
So let’s take a look at the recruitment process.

How are people recruited?

People are recruited into the legal profession via many
different avenues. These days, getting that graduate position in
a top law firm or a highly-prized barrister job can be a complicated
process of getting yourself in the right place at the right time.
The competition in the law game is tough and future lawyers play
that game in a variety of ways to maximise their opportunities.

The different ways of finding your first job include:

n vacation or seasonal clerkships

n graduate programs, including articles of clerkship

n advertisements in newspapers and online

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 Legal careers

n recruitment agencies

n volunteering

n networking.

Don’t hesitate to explore all avenues – opportunities are likely to pop

up from the least expected places!

Vacation or seasonal clerkships

Vacation or seasonal clerkships generally
Positions are in
last between two and four weeks with a
high demand and
number of intakes throughout the year.
the application
Like articled clerkships, application for
and selection these roles can also be
process is tough. quite competitive. Many firms will offer
seasonal work to people they consider are
already showing some talent through academic and other
achievements with the view of assessing their suitability for an
articled clerkship further down the track.

While many firms do hire articled clerks that they haven’t tested out,
many of the people we spoke to agreed that vacation experience
certainly gives you a good head start. Andrew Cash’s advice is to
‘Do as many vacation clerkships as you can fit in and do some
paralegal work if you get offered the opportunity.’

Summer clerkships, which run from November to February, are, for

many aspiring legal eagles, the essential rite of passage to gaining that
much sought-after graduate position. Most mid- and top-tier firms offer
clerkships to law students in their penultimate year of study.

Positions are in high demand and the application and selection

process is tough. Law firms are inundated with up to 800 applications,
with the larger firms offering only up to 50 places. Fortunately, there is
a standard annual application system so you can apply to any of
the 20–25 available firms at the same time, which means you can
get through the process with a minimum of fuss and have more
time to focus on your studies. Each law firm reviews applications
separately and, after a major culling process, has two rounds of
interviews to make sure they’re a good egg. Candidates are assessed
on academic marks, life and work experience and how well they
will fit into the firm. The firms are also on display and are hoping to
attract the best candidates, so do your research on which firm will
best suit you!

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Successful candidates spend their summer rotating through two

or three different departments within the firm to get a feel for
which area of law they would like to pursue. The firms aim to give
them as much hands-on work as possible, gaining that all-important
real-world experience, while making contacts and learning to think
like lawyers. It’s not just a matter of throwing away your holidays,
though – summer clerks are paid handsomely for their efforts and
engage in a huge array of social activities!

And more importantly, clerks are assessed on their work, and many
are offered graduate positions once they have completed their degree.

Graduate programs
Obtaining a position within a graduate program – whether in private
practice, the corporate sector or the public sector – is a popular
avenue sought by many students. The level of competition is generally
high across all sectors, so it is advisable to seek out a number of
opportunities and not place all your eggs in one basket.

Most of the large private law firms and some mid-sized firms, as
well as many businesses and government departments, advertise
their graduate programs through newspapers, online, on their own
websites and on university notice boards. Some of these employers
also participate in careers fairs at various universities. Don’t just rely
on them to find you though – some well-regarded programs don’t
need to be advertised.

Private practice
All large and many medium-sized legal firms offer structured graduate
entry programs. Firms are looking for bright and well-rounded
candidates who fit in well with their practice. They invest heavily
in grooming their young lawyers through ongoing training and
mentoring with the hope of keeping the talent they have helped grow.
Initial training will involve developing your legal skills and exposing
you to the business environments in which their clients operate.
Nearly all firms will rotate you through at least two, sometimes three,
different practice areas such as business, property and litigation to
broaden your general understanding of the law before you decide on
which speciality area you would like to work.

Applications are usually received online. The largest firms tend to take
on between 20 and 40 graduates each year, but with often almost
1000 people applying, it is advisable to keep your options open and

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apply for a number of positions. If your application is short-listed,

you will be invited in for an interview. This may also involve a test on
your legal knowledge or a psychological test to show the employer
your motivational profile. If you make it over this hurdle, you will be
asked to attend a second interview where you will most likely have the
opportunity to meet one of the partners you would be working with.

It is important to note that the application process starts a year before

you would expect to start work. For example, if you were finishing
your last year of studies in 2008, you ought to be busy in December
2007 and January 2008 submitting your various applications.

Tips: Graduate programs in private practice

Check the websites of individual firms for details of the
n 

application process.

Check out www.cvmail.com.au. Many firms will accept

n 

graduate applications only through this portal.

Apply for a seasonal clerkship or work as a paralegal

n 

– it’s a good way to experience what a firm is like

before graduating and perhaps the best way to get
your foot in the door.

Contact smaller firms directly and ask them if they

n 

have openings for graduate lawyers, including firms in

regional areas.

Set up alerts on the major online recruitment sites,

n 

such as www.seek.com.au and www.mycareer.com.au,

so you can be notified when an appropriate job
is advertised.

Corporate sector
Many large companies run graduate programs for people who have
completed their studies within the last two years. Occasionally, some
of these positions are reserved specifically for law graduates, but,
usually, employers are looking for talent from a variety of disciplines.
Graduate lawyers in the corporate sector will work in-house so you
will be working consistently for the same company rather than

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doing straight legal work outsourced by a variety of companies.

These programs vary greatly in terms of duration, whether you will
rotate through different areas of the business or specialise, and what
type of ongoing training support is provided.

Again, applications are largely received online and progress through

at least two rounds of interviews. Various forms of assessment are
also increasingly used, particularly by the corporate sector.

For example, ANZ Bank’s graduate recruitment process involves:

n online application

n online cognitive abilities tests that cover numerical, verbal and

abstract reasoning skills

n an assessment day – a short information session on the bank and

their graduate program, followed by a work simulation. The work
simulation takes a couple of hours and involves solving a problem
where you are required to demonstrate how you would work
individually and within a small group.

n an information day – this doesn’t form part of the assessment, but
provides graduates with the opportunity of hearing more about the
bank and the graduate program. Of course attending and getting the
most from the day may help you be better prepared for the interview.

n a behavioural interview – one or more formal interviews where you

will be asked to give specific examples from your experience that
demonstrate the required criteria or competencies.

n reference checks – before an offer is made, your referees will be

contacted to confirm the information you have provided so far and
to further assess your suitability for the role.

In terms of timing, the corporate sector also starts their graduate

recruitment early. Applications close for the ANZ program in early April
for commencement the following year.

Some corporates also have a summer internship program, which is

a short period of work experience whilst you are studying. These are
similar to a vacation clerkship with a legal firm. This is another way
you can get in early and build relationships within a business if you
have an inkling the corporate sector is where you would like to work.

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Tips: Graduate programs in the corporate

sector
n Browse the list of public companies at the Australian
Stock Exchange website for ideas about who to
contact.

n Check individual company websites – most graduate

opportunities are detailed and the initial steps in the
find out
more recruitment process often take place online.
www.asx.com.au n Look at the Graduate Programs Australia website and
www.graduateprograms.com.au search for graduate programs on the Internet.

Public sector
Federal, state and territory government departments, as well
as publicly funded agencies, offer annual graduate recruitment
programs. Like large private organisations, the public sector is looking
to employ law graduates as legal professionals and as part of a
general graduate intake. The public sector offers a rewarding career
path different from the traditional path of a corporate lawyer.

Graduate opportunities in the public sector exist in the

following areas.

n Government departments employ lawyers to deal with the

various legal issues that arise. Each department offers separate
graduate programs and they exist in a variety of different fields.
The Australian Government’s Attorney-General Department, for
example, provides essential expert support to the government in
the maintenance and improvement of Australia’s system of law
and justice. They offer 12-month graduate programs, which begin
each February and involve three four-month rotations through
different sectors. It is one of the few places in Australia where you
can work on justice and legal issues, combining both domestic and
international focus.

n The Australian Government Solicitor, which provides legal advice

and services to both the state and federal government, annually
offers a number of articled clerkships in each capital city. It is a fully
commercial and competitive law practice, competing for business
against Australia’s top-tier law firms. The main areas of practice

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are administrative law, litigation, general legal advice, native title,

commercial and property and providing advice to the police force.
Each state has their own government solicitor offices.

n The Office of Public Prosecutions, which prepares and conducts

criminal prosecutions, offers 12-month articled clerkship programs.
Graduates get experience in general prosecutions, legal policy,
sexual offences, county court appeals and committals advocacy.

n Legal Aid, which has offices in each state of Australia, has graduate
recruitment programs in family law, criminal law and civil law.
The organisation aims to assist socially and economically
disadvantaged people to understand and protect their rights.
They provide free client services including representation,
legal advice, HelpLine information and special children’s and
youth services.

Tips: Graduate programs in the public sector

Most applications are made via the Internet, so jump onto
the following sites to see what position suits you best:

n The Australian Government’s jobs website has a full list

of departments that recruit graduates
find out
n The Attorney-General’s Department more
n The Australian Government Solicitor http://jobsearch.gov.au/
government/
n Legal Aid websites differ from state to state – look at www.ag.gov.au
the National Legal Aid website for links to each state www.ags.gov.au
and territory’s website. www.nla.aust.net.au

Advertisements in newspapers and online

Although many jobs are advertised only through word of mouth and
internally within an organisation, it is still important to keep up to
date with advertisements in newspapers and online. Look in your
regional and major metropolitan newspapers for jobs going locally
or The Australian for legal jobs nationwide. Otherwise click onto
www.seek.com.au or www.careerone.com.au for an up-to-the-minute
list of available positions.

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Recruitment agencies
Recruitment agencies are a fantastic job-hunting resource as it’s their
job to find you a job. They act as the go-between with many firms and
businesses in finding the right lawyer for the position. If you register
with a recruitment agency, they will look at your résumé, interview
you and (hopefully) find a job that suits you. They are up to speed on
movements in the industry and can give you some great tips on how
to go about getting the right position. Recruitment agencies will also
often negotiate salaries with your future employer and ensure that
everything is smooth sailing.

Volunteering
Many community-based legal services and other organisations
rely on help from volunteers, who are often law students.
Undertaking volunteer work will pay for itself in many ways, both
personally and when it comes to securing a paid position. You will
gain valuable experience in research, dealing with clients, and
sometimes court work, as well as getting a good idea of the kind of
work these organisations do. Furthermore, undertaking this sort
of work experience will look great on your résumé and provide a great
opportunity for making contacts that will be useful throughout
your career.

Networking
Being in the right place at the right time is the age-old cliché
associated with landing yourself that dream job. Obviously, you can’t
be everywhere at once hoping to hit the jackpot and it helps if you
have people who will give you the inside knowledge about when a job
is for the taking. Friends, friends of friends, relatives, lecturers and
mentors can often provide suggestions of where an opportunity may
be available and can sometimes make that first introduction that is so
important. Joining the Australian Law Students’ Association or your
university’s law society is a good start. Attend functions hosted by law
firms for students, and consider taking part in legal conferences that
offer student registration.

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What are recruiters looking for?

Recruiters spend most of their time reading résumés, interviewing
candidates and talking with employers about their needs, so are in a
good position to give tips about the job hunting process and what’s
happening in the industry. We spoke to:

n Rebecca Matthews – Mahlab Recruitment, Sydney

n Matthew Smee – Hudson, Canberra

n Paul Garth – Michael Page International, Melbourne.

Rebecca Matthews – Mahlab Recruitment

Rebecca is a consultant with Mahlab
Recruitment in Sydney. Mahlab
specialises in the legal field and services
clients around Australia and overseas.
Before becoming a recruiter, Rebecca
worked as a lawyer at a top-tier firm
in Sydney. She has come to recognise
common strengths in successful
candidates, as well as common
mistakes. In short, she recommends that
candidates prepare for the interview
by researching the firm, knowing their résumé, and thinking about
responses to typical interview questions.

q&a
What do you look for when recruiting junior lawyers?
Most of the roles that Mahlab is asked to fill require lawyers
who have at least 18 months full-time practising experience in a
legal environment. The mid-tier and top-tier law firms in Australia
undertake their own graduate recruitment programs so we are rarely
asked to find lawyers who are fresh out of university. When the firms
recruit newly-admitted lawyers, they look for excellent academic
results, superior written and verbal communication skills, the ability
to work without supervision as well as work effectively in a team
and good presentation skills. Academic ability is crucial but it is also
important to have good people skills. Firms are seeking candidates
who will not only work well with colleagues but who can also deal
with clients in a professional way.

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If you are a junior lawyer with one to three years experience, much
emphasis is placed on academic results obtained from university.
This is good news if you performed well in your studies. Results
are used not only to glean a candidate’s academic ability but also
to assess a person’s motivation and dedication. We are also very
interested in the quality of legal work you have undertaken to date.

What makes a strong candidate stand out?

Strong candidates present themselves in a confident, sincere way
and listen carefully to exactly what is being asked. It is also
important to develop a rapport with the interviewer. The interviewer
is not only analysing whether you have the right experience for
the job but also whether they would like to work with you on a
day-to-day basis. In addition, the importance of body language
cannot be underestimated. Eye contact and positive body language
are crucial in the presentation stakes.
What are some of the common mistakes that
candidates make?
It is important that when candidates attend an interview, they give
the interview and the role their 100 per cent enthusiasm and focus!
Even if you have 10 different interviews, it is important to convey to
the interviewer that this is the only job for you. It is always better to
be in a position where you choose whether you will accept or reject
the role.
You should know your résumé well and be able to answer questions
about it, as most of the interview will be based on that piece of paper.
If there is a gap in your résumé, let the interviewer know why. If there
is a particular reason you did not do well in a subject at university, be
able to explain why.

What advice do you give candidates about preparing to meet

the employer?
Make sure you know about the role and the firm. Look at the
firm’s website, read commentary in the legal press, speak to friends
and acquaintances who work there, and speak to your recruiter.
Employers are often interested to know why you want to work at the
firm and what you already know about them.
It is often quite easy to anticipate some of the questions that you may
be asked in the interview: for example, why you want to work at the
firm; why you are moving from your current role; what you have been
doing in your current position; and so on. Practise answers to these
questions as you will feel more confident in the interview if you have
thought about the types of questions you may be asked.
Find out who is interviewing you. Often the interviewers will be
lawyers or partners at the firm. Firms’ websites frequently list
background information about their lawyers – have a read so you have
an idea of the interviewer’s professional background.

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Think of some of your own questions before the interview. What do

you want to know about the firm? Just as the interviewers are finding
out about you, you also want to make sure it’s a place where you can
see yourself fitting in and enjoying the work. Have a brainstorm before
the interview. Interviewers will frequently ask you if you have any
questions so it is a good idea to have thought about this beforehand.

What level are overseas firms commonly looking for, and

what skills and experiences do they expect?
Overseas firms are generally looking for lawyers with at least
three years experience. They are interested in Australian
lawyers who have worked at large firms and who have excellent
academic results. Lawyers with experience in banking and finance,
corporate, construction, projects and funds are often sought after.

Does the interview process for overseas jobs differ much from
here in Australia?
Overseas firms tend to interview Australian candidates by
videoconference. There are usually at least two videoconference
interviews. Occasionally the large English firms visit Australia where
they interview in person. This generally happens once a year.

What is your forecast for job opportunities in the next

five years?
Continued activity – it is expected that demand for high-quality lawyers
will remain strong in both the domestic and international markets.

What specialisations are increasingly in demand

by employers?
At the moment banking and finance as well as corporate lawyers are in
particular demand.

What advice would you give a current law student about

getting better prepared for obtaining their first job?
If you have excellent academic results, there will be a lot of options
available to you. Obviously, personality and presentation are also very
important but a well-prepared résumé and an impressive academic
transcript go a long way to securing that first interview. The best
preparation you can do for obtaining an interview is to do well at
university. Once you’re in the interview, it’s up to you to sell yourself
in person.

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Matthew Smee – Hudson

Matthew is a Practice Manager with Hudson in Canberra and has
extensive experience in recruiting lawyers for both private practice
and government positions. Recently, though, he says much of his
focus has been on filling the gaps in private practice, as more and
more people are opting to work in government departments for the
lifestyle balance and benefits it brings. Matthew expects that the
demand for quality lawyers, especially from private firms, is only going
to grow over the next five to 10 years.

q&a
What are you looking for when recruiting young lawyers?
Ideally, I’m looking for someone with a passion for the law, and
someone who actually wants to use their legal qualifications in
practising law. For positions within firms and government, I look for
someone with two to four years post-admission experience, across
a range of legal specialisations, or within one specialisation. I’m
also looking for someone who still has the passion and motivation
to continue to apply their legal qualifications and experience to
practise law. They also need to have strong interpersonal skills,
communication skills and be able to work well autonomously or within
a cohesive team.

What advice do you give candidates about preparing to meet

the employer?
As consultants at Hudson, it is our responsibility to ensure our
candidates feel prepared and confident going into an interview with
an employer, since we are referring and representing them to our
clients (the employer). We encourage them to do background reading
on the organisation, and practise some possible questions so that
they feel more confident.

How important is it for candidates to have interests and

achievements outside the law?
Candidates definitely need to demonstrate outside work interests,
as it demonstrates that they can maintain a good balance in
their lives. Law firms look for team-based interests, or cultural,
sporting or community involvement, as it often means the candidate
has greater social skills and is well balanced.

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How does the recruitment process differ between the public

sector and the private sector?
Private firms tend to run a much more efficient and timely process
– if they want someone, they will speed up the process as quick as
they can, while still maintaining their required steps. Public sector
recruitment is slow and methodical – the only way they can speed
up the process is by taking candidates on a contract basis instead
of permanently to start with. Private firms are obviously more
commercially astute when it comes to recruitment.

What types of jobs are available in government departments?

Government departments offer in-house legal roles, legal officer roles,
legal policy roles and general policy roles, which lawyers can quite
easily adapt to.

In private practice, are there any particular specialisations

that are becoming increasingly in demand by employers?
In Canberra, the main areas of specialisation are government
law, administrative law, procurement and contract law, and some
commercial law.

Do you receive applications from lawyers outside Canberra?

We have had a few applications from interstate lawyers, mostly more
senior candidates, and ones with less need to consider family in the
potential move. Interstate candidates are treated equally – as long
as they have the right legal requirements for the particular job.
The difficulty comes at the negotiation stage when they are offered
the job and realise that they will need to move.

What should current law students do now to prepare for

getting their first job?
Current law students should apply for summer clerkships, or look
for part-time work in a legal environment in order to build up some
work experience prior to graduating. This will help immensely when
they apply for positions. In terms of their résumé, there are a number
of online tools to help with this and, as consultants in recruitment,
Hudson can provide them with advice, or they can speak with career
counsellors at their university.

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Paul Garth – Michael Page International

Paul is a recruitment consultant with
Michael Page International. Having
graduated in law from the University
of Tasmania, he worked as a legal
consultant and, after many years
recruiting experience, Paul well
understands the ins and outs of the
legal industry. He also understands the
hard work and preparation required
from young lawyers to demonstrate
the best they have to offer through the
recruitment process.

q&a
What do you look for when recruiting junior lawyers?
Strong academic record, legal experience, a well-rounded approach to
life, good communication skills and experience in the practice area in
which they want to work.

What are some of the key industry trends that young lawyers
should be aware of?
It’s tough to predict the future, but try to look at the wider picture
and spot emerging areas. With the industrial relations reforms, for
example, workplace relations is a growing area of legal specialisation.
The energy and resources boom has meant a corresponding boom for
‘projects’ experienced lawyers. There has been a trend over the last few
years for lawyers to move from private practice to in-house or overseas
positions, but for inexperienced lawyers this may not be a wise move.

What type of person does best in private practice?

It can depend a great deal on what kind of private practice firm you
go into. If I had to generalise, however, I would say people who are
intellectually curious, goal driven and ambitious. If you are looking
to work in a large firm, you need to be aware that the culture of a
structured environment is very different to working in a smaller firm
where your role will be more hands on and flexible.

What qualities would you look for in a candidate applying for

a government role?
We would look for people who can work within a structured and
regulated environment, who are politically aware and do not have an
open allegiance to a particular party.

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What should a prospective student know about a legal career?

It is competitive and the hours can be very long. To get a foot in at the
top firms, be prepared to work hard for top academic marks, and work
even harder once you are in the firm! The financial rewards are there
for the top performers, but the vast majority would earn good money
– not necessarily exceptional amounts. It is a very intellectual and
stimulating area, where you are working with like-minded people. It is
the foundation of business, and is highly regarded in the community.

What are the most common reasons for young lawyers

becoming dissatisfied with their work?
Law can be a demanding profession that requires long ours in a
pressured working environment. As a consequence, some lawyers
move on for reasons associated with work–life balance.

What advice do you give candidates about preparing for

an interview?
Review your résumé and be sure that you are prepared to talk through
your experiences in depth. Additionally, be ready to talk about why
you left previous jobs. You should brush up on any relevant areas
of law that you may not have dealt with recently. Consider how you
would handle questions on salary expectations should they be raised,
although firms don’t usually mention salary at first interview.
Double check that you know where the firm is and give yourself plenty
of time to arrive (there’s nothing worse than feeling on the back
foot from the beginning, after a rushed late arrival). As a rule, wear
professional attire. Unless research shows otherwise, assume the firm
to be on the conservative side.
Prior research on the firm is probably best sourced through their
website. Don’t stop at the initial ‘about us’ blurb, but also look at the
partner biographies, information on other offices, the ‘recent news’
section – the lot.

What advice do you give candidates about managing nerves?

Thorough preparation is best. If you have been truthful on your
résumé, have reviewed your experience and are prepared to talk about
it in detail, then you should be fine. Most interviewers will want to put
you at ease, to see how you perform when relaxed.
It is the goal of most interviews to see if the prospective lawyer and
firm match. Relax, and answer what you know.

What advice would you give a current law student about

getting better prepared for obtaining their first job?
Research the firms, look for specialisation in an area of interest and
apply for summer clerkships if available. Any legally related part-time
work throughout university will add to your résumé. Persist and be
patient – it will happen!

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Stand out from the crowd

As you have already discovered, competition for entry-level
jobs after graduation is typically high in the legal profession.
Careful preparation will make sure you present your skills and
experiences in the best possible light to potential employers and
help you stand out from the crowd.

Create an outstanding application

The recruitment process involves a number of steps, including:

n preparing your résumé

n writing your cover letter

n addressing the selection criteria.

Let’s look at how you can create an outstanding application, each step
of the way.

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The résumé
Your résumé illustrates who you are. Importantly, this includes not
only what you have learnt and achieved through academic study, but
also your personal interests and experiences. In conjunction with
your cover letter, your résumé is often the only information a
potential employer has to consider whether you would be suitable for
an interview. Therefore it is absolutely essential that you invest the
time to make sure your résumé is of the highest quality.

It goes without saying that perfect spelling, grammar and punctuation

are essential. Lawyers are expected to have excellent drafting and
communication skills, so any errors in your writing are likely to put
you at an immediate disadvantage. As one employer said, ‘When
trying to short-list candidates for interview, those with errors are easy
to discard. The candidate might have good results and experience, but
so do many others. If they do not present themselves at their best in
their résumé, we can’t assume they will present the firm at its best to
our clients.’

A good résumé clearly sets out:

n personal details, including name, address, contact phone numbers

and email address

n education and qualifications

n paid and volunteer work experience from most to least recent

n extracurricular activities and other achievements.

Details of your work experience should include the dates of

employment and the name of the employer. If the employer isn’t
well known, then a small description of the company will be helpful.
For each job you have held, you should also include a brief description
or list of the duties you performed and the responsibilities you held.
For entry-level positions, employers won’t expect that you will have
already acquired experience in the work they have on offer. However,
the jobs you have held whilst studying will have equipped you with
skills that are directly transferable. For example, working in retail with
customers will indicate that you have developed an understanding of
client service.

If you took time off work to increase your study load or travel
overseas, be sure to mention that in your résumé. Don’t leave any
gaps that will raise questions in the employer’s mind.

Click here for more FREE industry-specific

sample resumes and cover letters from Career FAQs 147
 Legal careers

Any volunteer experience will also be highly regarded. If you have had
the opportunity to volunteer in a position that involves some legal
work, such as in a Community Legal Centre or information service, be
sure to detail the experiences that you were exposed to there, such as
drafting client letters, providing advice on a legal document, preparing
an affidavit, and so on.

Lastly, be sure to provide information about your interests,

extracurricular activities and any achievements not already
mentioned. As you have already heard, employers are interested
in you as a real person – not merely as a nameless employee.
Academic achievements are not enough. Employers are interested
in candidates who have had a wide range of experiences, have
participated in the community through sport, music or through other
means, and who have achieved their personal goals. This doesn’t just
make you an interesting person – these activities also demonstrate
valuable skills. For example, a candidate who has been a member of
the university netball team for three years shows commitment and the
ability to work in a team.

Once you have prepared your résumé, you should keep that as your
main document and consider revising the résumé for each application
you submit. Some employers specify certain skills or experiences, in
which case you may wish to provide more detail in some areas.
For example, Legal Aid and Community Legal Centres will be
particularly interested in any volunteer work you have participated in.
A referee from your volunteer experience could also be helpful.

I was told that there were over 200 applications for articles,
and I was one of only 12 who were taken on. Knowing that my
résumé would be just one of possibly hundreds seen by the
people at each of the firms, I made an effort to make mine
concise and well organised and made sure it contained the
relevant information to get me an interview.
To achieve this I researched the various firms I was interested
in working for (using information on their websites, attending
law firm information sessions run at university and talking to
people already working in law firms) and then wrote down five to
10 points of what I felt that firm stood for and valued in terms
of its culture, the type of people it employed and the type of
work it specialised in. I also prepared a short list of the values
I held, the type of work I was interested in doing and the type
of firm I wanted to work for.

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When writing my résumé, I simply tried to convey to the reader

that I had an understanding of who the firm I was applying to
was, what they represented, why I wanted to work for them
and, importantly, why I thought I would fit in at that firm. I did
this by setting out the relevant facts of my background skills
and experience.
Andrew Cash – Articled Clerk, Freehills

Employers don’t make offers of employment on résumés alone, but

they are an important step to open the door and get an interview.
So take the time to prepare it properly and also ask a friend or
someone in the industry to look over it for you. They may be able to
highlight any areas that need further clarification, or merely help you
with spelling and grammar.

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Tips: Résumé writing

n Revise your résumé for each job application.

n Keep your résumé concise yet informative.

n Demonstrate your suitability for the role in terms of

skills, experiences and ‘fit’ with the organisation.

n Have a clear, easy-to-read, and well-presented layout

(see Appendix 4 for an example).

n Make sure your résumé is comprehensive and that

information is relevant.

n Provide a brief outline of each employer and job,

with dates.

n Include details of at least two referees.

n Check spelling and grammar.

n Don’t include personal information – your potential

employer wants to know about your interests, but they
don’t need to know your marital status, whether you
have children, or which political party you belong to.

n Don’t make subjective comments.

The cover letter

A cover letter is needed for each job application you submit.
Even in cases where the employer hasn’t asked for a cover letter,
it is an important tool to make a good first impression. A well-
prepared cover letter should demonstrate that you have researched
the organisation as well as the job you are applying for. Pay great
attention to detail and consider how you might make a good fit with
the organisation. Certainly in the case of public sector and community
organisations, a cover letter is expected.

The purpose of the cover letter is to explain why you are the right
person for the job given your qualifications, experience and
personal attributes. A good way to start is by listing what the
employer has specifically said they are looking for in the job
advertisement or position description. Then you can make sure

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you answer each point. Common requirements would include legal

qualifications, experience in a law office, exemplary communication
skills, attention to detail and the ability to work in a team environment.

Some of these criteria are easier to demonstrate than others, such as

whether you have received your qualifications and have worked in a
law office. What is harder to convey are your communication skills,
attention to detail and ability to work in a team. It’s not as simple
as saying ‘I have good communication skills’. Look at your résumé
for experiences that you can draw from. Where possible, try and
provide experiences that relate to a working environment. If you can’t,
then draw on broader experiences, such as participation in sport or
university activities to demonstrate the skills you have acquired.

Be careful not to duplicate your résumé within your cover letter.

The cover letter is a brief introduction to answering the recruitment
criteria. Ideally, it should not be much longer than one page.

Tips: The cover letter

n Present it in business letter format (including the name
and address of the employer).

n Tailor the letter to suit the role and the employer.

n In the first paragraph, state what position you are

applying for and where you saw the ad.

n Don’t start every sentence with ‘I’.

n Keep it succinct – it should fit on one A4 page and be

well spaced.

n Address the selection criteria, using your interests,

relevant achievements, experience and qualifications.

n Include a closing statement.

n Sign your letter. If you are emailing the letter, scan your
signature and insert the file into your letter, if possible.

n Make sure there are no typos or grammatical mistakes.

n Ask a friend to proofread your letter.

Click here for more FREE industry-specific

sample resumes and cover letters from Career FAQs 151
 Legal careers

Selection criteria
When applying for any job in the public sector – and many positions
in the community sector – you will be required to answer specific
selection criteria in addition to providing a cover letter and résumé.
Selection criteria will force you to address the specific skills,
knowledge and experience needed to do the job.

Your ability to answer the selection criteria will be the most important
part of your application in these roles. The people who best meet
the selection criteria will make it to the next stage of the selection
process, which is usually the interview. The questions you will be
asked at an interview will be based on the selection criteria.

In addition to criteria specific to the job, the selection criteria will

glossary also include other criteria that apply to all government positions and
EEO means: related to issues such as EEO and OH&S. Make sure you give these
– Equal Employment careful consideration.
Opportunity.
OH&S means:
If you are applying for a graduate program in the public sector, the
application process often provides valuable information to assist
– Occupational Health
and Safety. you answer the selection criteria. In this example, the bullet points
under each of the selection criteria have been provided to help you
understand the types of behaviours and skills that are expected.
You do not need to address each of the points individually, but they
can be used as a guide to help you develop your responses.

Under each criterion you would need to:

n explain how your skills, experience, abilities and personal qualities

relate to that criterion and the duties of the role

n think of examples of your major achievements that illustrate your

claims in a concrete way – just saying you can do something or that
you have had the experience is not enough

n include only relevant information

n make your response to each criterion comprehensive but concise.

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 Ready, set,
go for it!

An effective way to develop your responses to selection criteria is to

adopt the STAR method:

Here are a couple of examples of good responses using the STAR

approach. It’s colour-coded according to each important component:

Situation, Task, Action and Result.

achieve resu
lts the student
3. Ability to ty editor of
I vo lu nt ee red as depu
ie s
iversity stud volved:
During my un fa cu lty. My role in
r fo r th e la w
new sl et te
dustry
g story idea
s tives from in
• contributin ud en ts an d representa
aff, st
ing faculty st
• interview elines and
in g st or ie s e ne w sl et ter style guid
• w rit th
rdance with
ories in acco
• editing st
timeline. and received
production da rds expected
ity and dead
lin e st an embers of
met the qual r and staff m
ns is te nt ly n from bo th the edito of university
.
I co
ba ck fo r m y contributio ed ito r in m y final year
positive feed I was given
the role of
ions.
the faculty.
As a result, sity publicat
bl is he d in ot r univer
he
ticles pu
I also had ar

153
 Legal careers

4. Ability to develop productive working relationships

I have developed productive working relationships in various settings, including:

• working as a cashier at Myer for three years during my studies

• playing cricket in the local club for two seasons
• working as a volunteer team member on the law faculty student newsletter.

During my last year working at Myer, I volunteered to work as part of a small

team of three to help train and induct new employees over the summer vacation.
This involved working extra hours teaching trainees on the job, and giving a talk
with another colleague on customer service. I performed this role sufficiently
well that I was asked to participate in the training and induction program of new
employees again over the course of the year.

Whilst a member of the local cricket team, I was part of a working group that
organised activities to raise funds for new equipment. My role was to write flyers
for distribution in the local area and obtain sponsorship from a local business to
provide the club with new signage. A small but significant amount of money was
raised and the local business committed to an ongoing relationship with the club.

In my second year of volunteering for the law faculty student newsletter, I

was asked by the editor to mentor a new team member who wanted to start
contributing stories. I introduced this student to some of the lecturers she had
not yet met and other senior students who would be helpful contacts. Once a
week for about three months we met to discuss her story ideas and I provided her
with feedback. At the end of this time she thanked me for what she felt was an
improvement in her writing skills and her confidence.

The selection criteria for the graduate program of the Federal

Attourney-General’s Department is given in Appendix 6.

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Tips: Responding to selection criteria

Read the job advertisement and other information
n

carefully.

Get a position description and an information kit, if

n

available.

Speak to the contact person – they can provide a real

n

sense of what the job entails and other information

that will help you decide whether to apply for the job.

Don’t leave your application until the last moment.

n

It is likely to take you more time than you think to

prepare properly.

Be honest.
n

Back up each response with at least one good example

n

that demonstrates you meet the criterion.

Give due consideration to the common selection

n

criteria. These may include demonstrating your

understanding of EEO, OH&S and ethics, and how they
relate to the role.

Stick to the page length suggested in any guidelines

n

provided.

Proofread your work carefully.

n

Get someone else to read through your work to pick up

n

any errors or make suggestions before sending.

If you don’t get an interview, call the contact person to

n

discuss why. They may be able to provide you valuable

insights that will help you when you next apply for
a position.

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 Legal careers

How can I stand out at interview?

Job interviews are a nerve-wracking experience for most people, but if
you make it to the interview stage the employer has already indicated
they are interested in you from the information you have provided.
So let’s have a look at building on your success so far and winning
that job! To help give your best at interviews, consider the following
three aspects.

n Preparation

n Presentation

n Performance

Preparation Presentation
Research the company Be personable and dynamic
Focus on your strengths
Read or skim the annual report – you’ll be less nervous
and any other information
Develop a rapport with
the interviewer/s
Find out about the structure
of the organisation Dress appropriately and be
well groomed
Get to know the key Interview Speak clearly
positions and the names
of people in them 3 Ps Make eye contact
Smile, relax,
breathe!

Performance
Find out about interview techniques
Make sure you answer the question – don’t get sidetracked!
Be honest in your responses
Talking about mistakes isn’t a bad thing if you
show that you have learnt from them

Preparation
Take advice from the experts – good preparation is essential if you are
going to present yourself well during the interview. Do your research
and you’ll not only significantly increase your chances of success, but
you will also go into the interview with more confidence.

For interviews, I did some prior research into the type of

questions the firms ask and what to expect. Before each
interview, I made sure I printed out some information about

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the firm and, if I knew, the person who was conducting the
interview. I also made a note of what was happening in current
affairs news for those awkward silences.
Andrew Cash – Articled Clerk, Freehills

In terms of preparing well, an obvious starting point is reading

through the organisation’s website, but widen your search further to
really set yourself apart from other candidates. For example, if you are
being interviewed at a private practice firm, find out:

n What practice areas do they do work in that make them different

from other firms?

n Who are some of the senior practitioners, and what do their profiles
say about them?

n Have any of their practitioners recently spoken at a seminar or

written an article of interest?

n What companies does the firm represent?

n What recent matters or deals have they been involved in?

n Has the firm been mentioned in a newspaper article recently?

Showing an understanding of the organisation demonstrates a strong

interest and good research skills.

As well as researching your potential new employer, you also have

to do some revision on your own skills and experiences. This may
seem like stating the obvious, but you would be surprised how
many candidates don’t even take the time to read over their own
application. If you are asked about a particular job or period of work
experience and you can’t recall the details, it may reflect badly on you.

Your cover letter and résumé impressed the organisation enough to

get you an interview, so go over your application and think about
the skills and experiences you have gained that were likely to have
impressed them. At the interview stage, you will be expected to reveal
more information about how you meet the selection criteria and why
you are a perfect candidate for the role. Look through the selection
criteria again and think about further examples that illustrate
your suitability. You may not be able to refer to all of your examples
in the interview, but preparation will help you keep these experiences
top of mind. There is nothing worse than drawing a blank, then
remembering the perfect example after the interview on the
way home!

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Remember, the more preparation you put into an interview, the more
confident and at ease you will feel to show your best. It is a good idea
to ask someone with experience in interviewing, such as an older
friend or relative, to do a mock interview with you. You might make
some mistakes conveying what you want to say clearly, but that will
reduce the chance that you stumble during the real interview.

Presentation
The way you look and act will make a big impact. Make sure you look
polished and business-like, with smart office attire, well-groomed
hair and shoes in good condition. If you want to wear watches
and jewellery, keep them discreet and don’t wear strong perfumes
or aftershave. Offer a firm, but not overpowering, handshake.
Maintain eye contact and smile. While recruiters want to see a bright
personality, avoid making jokes or digressing into chat, as you will
come across as flippant or unfocused.

Performance
You have done your preparation and now it’s time for the interview.
How do you make the right impression? Be honest, be yourself and
relax … or at least try to!

In terms of answering the questions my approach was to answer

honestly and confidently and hope for the best.
I also made sure that I brought everything I was asked to
bring to the interview (passport photo and copy of my academic
record) and that I turned up to the interview at least 15
minutes early, so I could compose myself and read over any
information I had printed out.
Andrew Cash – Articled Clerk, Freehills

It’s likely that you will be interviewed by someone who has

interviewed many times before. Interviewers understand that
people get nervous and they will not be surprised if you are.
Many interviewers do their best to make people feel comfortable – so
try to relax. It’s important to remember that you have a lot to offer.
The interview is not just an opportunity for the employer to consider
your fit – you want to be able to get to know them and confirm
whether this opportunity is right for you.

Be honest and be yourself. It is important to promote your skills and

experience, but most employers do not expect a graduate to have many
years of experience, and they can tell when you are being dishonest.

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During the interview, remember that the STAR approach is not only a
good method of answering selection criteria, it is also a good model of
answering a question. You have answered a question well if you have
been able to explain the Situation you were in, the Task that
was involved, the Action you took and the Result of that action.
Often candidates make the mistake of explaining the situation and the
end result, but skim on the details of what they actually did. As you
consider your answer, keep the STAR approach in mind.

Sometimes interviewers will ask for an example within your

experience that may seem negative, such as, ‘Give me an example of
a conflict situation you found difficult to handle.’ Don’t worry about
showing weakness. Honesty is still the best policy. Even a difficult
question like this can show an employer how you have grappled with
difficult situations that everyone faces, and how you have learnt from
that experience.

So give it your best shot – what’s the worst that can happen? If you
don’t get that job, there will be others and you’ve had the opportunity
of gaining valuable interview experience.

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There are a few important tips to keep in mind whenever you’re going
for an interview.

Top ten DOs

1 Maintain a positive and confident attitude.
2 Make sure you are well dressed.
3 Listen carefully to questions and instructions.
4 Highlight what benefits you can bring to the company.
5 Use your own real experiences to answer questions.
6 Show passion and enthusiasm for the position.
7 Make sure you promote your strengths and sell yourself.
8 Let the employer know you have a clear career plan.
9 Have an understanding of the job and what will be
expected of you.
10 Have a list of prepared questions to ask about the
company and the position.

Top ten DON’Ts

1 Don’t arrive late to the interview.
2 Make sure you don’t mutter or use too many ‘umms’
and ‘ahhs’.
3 Never leave your mobile phone or other electronic
devices on.
4 Don’t exaggerate your previous experiences or skills.
5 Never arrive unprepared with no knowledge of the company.
6 Avoid talking about negative experiences you have had.
7 Make sure you don’t act bored or uninterested.
8 Avoid answering questions with vague or confusing answers.
9 Don’t be unprofessional or impolite.
10 Try to not fidget or show how nervous you are.

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Tips: For a fulfilling legal career

n Study hard and get good grades – your education is
the foundation stone for your career and potential
employers will look at your academic record first.

n Get relevant work experience wherever you can.

n Volunteer in an area that interests you – community

involvement is well regarded.

n Pursue your passion, whether it’s drama, sport,

music or travelling – employers are looking for well-
rounded people.

n Talk to as many people in and around the profession as

you can.

n Find a mentor – someone in the profession who can

guide and advise you.

n Spend time preparing a résumé that clearly and

accurately reflects your skills and achievements.

n Practise your interview skills.

n Apply for a number of jobs in the areas that you want

to work – don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

n Don’t apply for a job if you’re not really interested

– you might get it.

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 Legal careers

What can I do right now?

There is no time like the present to build the foundations of your
legal career. Belinda Bradberry shares her thoughts, which apply to
students as early on as their first year of study.

Study smart – form a study group early on in your university

studies so that you can manage the curriculum, learn from
others and form a strong network that will prove helpful to you
throughout your career. Make a concerted effort to stay on top
of the content of the course from the start of the semester
– you may get through by cramming but it is a stressful
experience and you won’t retain as much information.
Take as many opportunities as possible to get real legal
experience in a variety of different legal jobs, for example
barristers’ chambers, summer clerkships with large, medium
and small firms, internship with an NGO or Legal Aid. If you are
keen to secure a job with a large national law firm at the end
of your degree, it is almost essential to complete at least one
summer clerkship with a national firm during your studies.
Do whatever you can to distinguish your legal and leadership
skills from the rest of your class – this might be through
participation in mooting competitions, volunteer legal positions,
internships, being an editor of the law students’ journal, and
so on.
Belinda Bradberry – Corporate Counsel, Cable & Wireless plc

As your studies progress, it becomes more and more important to

build on your skills and experience. Here are further suggestions
about what you can do to get a feel for what a career in law may be
like and help your future job application stand out from the crowd.

n Go to court and see the law at work. All courts, including the
Supreme Court and High Court, are open to the public.

n Identify people you know in the legal profession and talk to

them about their work. If you don’t know a lawyer, ask everyone
you know if they know someone they can introduce you to.
Networking is an important skill for lawyers and it’s a valuable
way to gain contacts and guidance as your career develops.

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Volunteer at a law-related community organisation that matches

n

your interests – you don’t have to be legally qualified. Check out

all the options at the National Association of Community Legal
Centres website.

Approach a local firm about gaining work experience one afternoon

n

a week or a clerkship during the university holidays.

Keep up-to-date with the profession. The Australian Financial

n

Review, The Australian and other newspapers regularly cover

what’s happening in the legal profession and websites such as
www.lawyersweekly.com.au provide regular updates.

Bookmark significant websites such as recruitment sites (for

n

example, www.cvmail.com.au) and other websites mentioned

earlier in this book.
find out
Go along to the next careers fair to meet some employers and gain
n

information on the opportunities that are available.

more
www.naclc.org.au
Are you all work and no play? Take the opportunity to participate
n
www.lawyersweekly.com.au
broadly in university life. Time spent on music, sport and other www.cvmail.com.au
activities is not time wasted. Pursuing these interests are important www.clcvolunteers.net.au
for both your career and personal development.

163
Department of Justice and
Attorney-General
 Buzz words

Buzz words
AC Articled Clerk
admitted legally qualified to practise as a solicitor or barrister
affidavit a written statement made on oath before an
authorised official – often used as evidence in
court
arraigning to call or bring before a court to answer a charge
or accusation
Articles abbreviation of ‘Articles of Clerkship’ – refers to an
articled clerk who is an apprentice in a professional
firm
Bar the part of the legal profession that involves
barristers
Billable hour or unit in private practice, it is common practice for
lawyers to bill their clients by the hour. Depending
on the expectations of the individual law firm, the
lawyers will be expected to ‘bill’ so many hours
per day
BJuris Bachelor of Jurisprudence, a law degree
alternative to LLB
black letter law the principles of law that are generally known and
free from doubt and dispute
budget the amount of money you need to earn from
clients in fees in a month or year
cells the colloquial term for visiting clients in custody
chambers barristers’ offices
committal the proceeding in the local court where it
is decided whether an accused should be
committed for trial to a superior court
common law law derived from court decisions and their
subsequent interpretation by the courts, in contrast
to the law that is derived by legislation passed by
parliament
conference an alternative term to meeting – instead of
having a meeting with your barrister, ‘you have a
conference’
contract a legally binding promise or agreement, which may
be informal or formal, oral or written
counsel another term to mean the barrister assigned to a
matter or file
damages the claim a party will make when it says the other
party is in breach of an agreement, for example,
if the other party has breached your contract and
you have suffered $50 000 loss as a result, you
would seek $50 000 in damages

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 Legal careers

discovery research conducted on evidence in a court matter

DPP Director of Public Prosecutions is the name for
the government body that initiates prosecutions in
some jurisdictions
EEO Equal Employment Opportunity
empanelling to enter on a panel or list for jury duty
firm culture the type of work environment that a firm tries to
foster through the management of its managers
and staff
indictment the document that stipulates the allegation and
offence that is charged against a person
instructions information that a client provides their lawyer – this
refers to the information about their situation, and
what action they are seeking
IP Intellectual property – IP law involves the ownership
and protection of copyright material, patents and
trademarks
job-sharing a voluntary arrangement in which one full-time job
is shared by at least two employees
judge the person presiding over the High, Federal,
Supreme and District Courts – they decide how
the law should be interpreted in a particular case,
and pass sentence on defendants who have been
found guilty by the jury
litigation the practice of law that involves resolving disputes,
through alternative dispute resolution or court if
necessary
LLB Legum Baccalaureus – Latin for Bachelor of Laws.
LLB is the term used internationally to refer to a law
degree
M&A mergers and acquisitions – the buying and selling
of companies and businesses, either on the stock
market or through private contracts
made up refers to being promoted, or ‘made up’ to the
position of partner within a law firm.
magistrate the person presiding over the proceedings in
the Magistrates Court – as there is no jury, the
magistrate makes all decisions on verdicts and
sentencing
Master an experienced barrister
matter/file the work that a lawyer is engaged to do for a client
is referred to as a ‘matter’ or a ‘file’
mediation negotiation with the aim to settle an agreement

166
 Buzz words

mention a short court appearance, usually to obtain further

instructions required from the court to prepare for
the next stage in the proceedings – for example, at
a mention, the court may evaluate how many court
days are required to book into the court calendar
for trial, depending on the number of witnesses
each side requires
mooting conducting hypothetical legal cases in a mock
court, to provide law students with practice
OH&S Occupational Health and Safety
paralegal a person who is not fully or formally legally qualified
who works in a supplementary capacity under the
guidance of a qualified lawyer
partner a senior lawyer in a firm who has a share in the
business: salaried partners have a profit-sharing
status in the firm; equity partners own the business
patent a right granted for any device, substance, method
or process which is new, inventive and useful
PILCH Public Interest Law Clearing House – an
organisation that helps community organisations
and disadvantaged individuals to access pro bono
legal assistance
PLT Practical Legal Training – an alternative, or in some
states, a complementary requirement to articles
practitioner another word for lawyer or solicitor, usually used in
private practice
probate the legal process of proving a will and the
administration of the deceased’s estate
pro bono used to describe professional work done without
payment
Realpolitik politics based on practical rather than idealistic or
theoretical considerations
secondment temporary assignment
silk the informal title for Queen’s Counsel (QC)
standard of proof refers to the level a case has to be proved – the
two standards are ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ or
‘on the balance of probabilities’
tipstaff a court official who keeps order and assists the
judge
torts the branch of law concerned with civil injuries
vexatious the description of a claim that is without merit
well-rounded a characteristic used to describe potential job
applicants – many employers say they are looking
for well-rounded people, that is people who have
and are actively engaged in a variety of interests

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Appendix 1
Comparative starting salaries of various
professions
Seeking full-time
Seeking full-time
In full-time employment, Median starting
Bachelor degree employment, not
employment (%) working part-time salary ($000)
working (%)
or casual (%)
Agriculture 75.9 7.9 16.2 38.7
Architecture 89.6 3.8 6.6 35.0
Building 92.9 3.6 3.6 40.0
Urb & reg planning 90.4 4.0 5.6 44.0
Humanities 72.3 8.6 19.1 36.0
Languages 72.3 10.9 16.7 40.0
Vis/perf arts 62.2 12.0 25.7 33.2
Social sciences 70.3 7.5 22.2 37.5
Psychology 72.1 8.1 19.8 40.0
Social work 81.1 5.3 13.6 42.0
Business studies 82.9 5.9 11.1 39.0
Accounting 85.9 5.9 8.2 37.0
Economics 87.1 3.8 9.0 42.0
Education, initial 79.1 2.9 18.0 43.4
Education post/other 88.2 2.6 9.2 44.5
Aeronautical eng 88.4 6.4 5.2 47.0
Chemical eng 83.2 6.6 10.2 49.9
Civil engineering 95.4 2.3 2.3 45.4
Electrical eng 92.0 3.4 4.6 47.5
Elect/Comp eng 86.4 7.4 6.2 45.0
Mechanical eng 89.9 5.7 4.5 48.0
Mining engineering 100.0 0.0 0.0 64.5
Engineering, other 92.5 3.6 3.8 47.0
Surveying 93.1 1.7 5.2 42.0
Dentistry 97.3 0.7 2.0 68.0
Health, other 83.0 4.6 12.4 40.8
Nursing, initial 96.7 0.7 2.6 40.0
Nursing, post-initial 97.3 0.4 2.4 40.0
Pharmacy 99.4 0.2 0.4 32.0
Medicine 98.2 0.8 1.0 47.0
Rehabilitation 92.0 2.0 5.9 42.6
Law 90.2 4.0 5.8 42.0
Law, other 84.6 3.3 12.1 39.6
Computer science 78.8 8.8 12.4 42.0
Life sciences 74.2 7.7 18.1 40.0
Mathematics 85.7 6.2 8.1 42.5
Chemistry 83.7 7.1 9.2 40.0
Physics 73.3 13.6 13.1 41.0
Geology 87.7 6.5 5.8 49.0
Veterinary science 94.7 0.6 4.7 38.0

Bachelor degree graduates: employment and starting salaries (%), 2006

Reproduced with the kind permission of Graduate Careers Australia,
www.graduatecareers.edu.au

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 Appendixes

Appendix 2
Salaries for lawyers

NSW VIC
$’000 per annum $’000 per annum
Top-tier firm

Graduate Lawyer 45–60 48–59

1 year Post-Qualification
50–77 57–68
Experience
2 years PQE 70–87 70–83
3 years PQE 75¬–115 75–95
4 years PQE 92–140 82–110
5 years PQE 100–155 90–120

5–10 years PQE 110–200+ 110–180+

Special Counsel 160+ 160+

Mid-tier firm
Graduate Lawyer 45–56 42–55
1 year Post-Qualification 52–65 52–63
Experience
2 years PQE 60–78 60–72
3 years PQE 70–85 65–85
4 years PQE 75–105 75–95
5 years PQE 86–100 82–105
5–10 years PQE 100–160+ 90–150+
Special Counsel 140+ 140+

Private practice salary table

Source: Michael Page Legal Salary Survey 2006–07

Salaries indicated are inclusive of superannuation, but exclusive of bonus/incentive schemes.

Top-tier law firms are defined as having 40+ partners.

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NSW VIC NSW VIC NSW VIC NSW VIC

Experience 0–2 0–2 2–5 2–5 6–10 6–10 10 10
years years years years years years years+ years+
Salary $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000
Corporate Counsel
IT/Telecommunications 55–85 50–80 65– 70– 120– 110– 140– 125–
137 130 200 180 160+ 250
Retail/Distribution 50–75 50–75 75– 70– 120– 110– 120– 130–
135 135 200 160 140+ 200+
Commercial Services 52–70 50–70 65– 70– 105– 90– 120– 120–
110 105 170 140 140+ 160
Manufacturing 55–75 50–70 60– 65– 100– 100– 120– 120–
110 110 150 140 140+ 160
Energy/Resources 55–75 50–75 70– 70– 120– 90– 140– 110–
135 120 180 150 160+ 180
Property/Construction 55–75 50–75 70– 70– 110– 90– 150– 120–
120 120 180 140 170+ 170
Public Sector 45–68 50–75 50–75 50–75 60– 70– 80– 80–
100 100 100+ 110

Cormmerce, Industry and Public Sector Salary Table 2006

Source: Michael Page Legal Salary Survey 2006–07

Salaries indicated are inclusive of superannuation, but exclusive of bonus/incentive schemes.

NSW NSW VIC VIC

Size of Company Sml/Med Top 200 Sml/Med Top 200
Salary $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000
General Counsel
IT/Telecommunications 140–220 250–350 150–220 220–300
Retail/Distribution 175–250 250–350 150–220 200–250
Commercial Services 160–220 200–275 150–220 200–250
Manufacturing 160–220 180–300 150–220 180–250
Energy/Resources 220–270 240–350 200–260 250–300
Property/Construction 180–220 240–350 170–220 200–250
Public Sector 125–150 160–200 100–120 120–150

Commerce, Industry and Public Sector Salary Table 2006

Source: Michael Page Legal Salary Survey 2006–07

Salaries indicated are inclusive of superannuation, but exclusive of bonus/incentive schemes.

170
 Appendixes

Appendix 3
Sample job advertisements

Experienced Leasing Paralegal

· Brisbane CBD
· Employer of Choice
· Excellent Staff Benefits
Highly reputable law firm in the Brisbane CBD is seeking an experienced
Leasing Paralegal within their corporate and commercial department. This
position will primarily deal with shopping centre leasing matters and your
thorough knowledge of property matters is essential.

Working closely with the partner and lawyers, you will be responsible for full
file management, from receipt of instructions, opening files, preparation and
negotiation of lease documentation; calculation of stamp duties and other
related funds; liaising with solicitors and clients; stamping and registration;
through to closure of the file. In addition, you will provide a monthly status
report and ensure the smooth operation of a bring-up system.

An attractive salary package is on offer to attract the right candidate. Staff

benefits include free gym membership, discount healthcare and bank loans,
travel discounts, free flu vaccinations, service recognition awards, regular
social and sporting events and paid maternity leave.

To apply, email your résumé with a cover letter to hr@lawcbd.com.

Policy Officer
• 6 Month Contract
• Government Organisation
• $48 481 – $53 313 + Super
Our client is a Queensland Government Organisation which delivers policy and
financial services to Queenslanders and contributes to the Government’s social and
economic objectives.
An opportunity has arisen for a Policy Officer to join this government department and
provide revenue policy advice, review and maintain Queensland’s revenue legislation
and be involved in research for the department. You will have private practice or public
experience in a relevant field and be able to work in a team environment to ensure the
desired outcomes of this government department.
You will have at least one year PAE (post-admission experience), with experience in
tax or revenue. However, solid commercial experience will also be highly considered.
To apply, visit our website: www.qgo.au

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 Legal careers

Commercial Property – Darwin

• Prestigious practice – Darwin’s leading Property firm
• Earn over $100K and gain that seniority you deserve
• Fast-track your way to Partnership today
One of Darwin’s leading practices is searching for an exceptional lawyer to be
positioned as a Senior Associate in their leading Property team.
In this role, you will have ultimate autonomy managing your own department.
Your work will include projects such as new developments, mortgage
discharges, purchases and refinancing matters.
You will also find yourself accountable as a mentor for junior staff in which your
capacity to demonstrate, delegate and supervise will be essential.
To be successful in claiming this role, you will have at least five years post-
qualified experience and a solid background in commercial property. You will
be able to show good leadership qualities, solid academic record and excellent
communication and drafting skills.
In return for your hard work, you will be rewarded with excellent resources,
genuine work–life balance and a range of perks.
If you are a Senior Associate wanting your break into the top then what are you
waiting for?
Contact Sarah for application details, sarah@propertydarwin.com,
(08) 777 8888.

Banking/Corporate Finance – Sydney

Calling all junior lawyers who want a career change.

• 1–3 years PQE (post-qualification experience)

• Competitive remuneration
• Excellent career advancement opportunity
This global leader in banking is seeking a strong legal professional to join
their team.
You will be able to use your strong legal background to assist the
transaction process. You will have excellent analytical and communication
skills and be comfortable in dealing with various business units. Document
or transaction execution experience and knowledge of debt capital markets
will be ideal.
Call Tiffany, in confidence, to discuss this opportunity on (02) 222 3333.

172
 Appendixes

Energy and Resources Lawyers

• Energy & Resources lawyers – 3 new roles – Perth
• National firms and boutiques
• Pick your niche focus
The mining boom has created amazing opportunities for astute corporate
and mining lawyers seeking to fast-track their careers. This opportunity is
a perfect example – capitalise on the market demand and get your foot in
the door with these leading mining and resources firms.
Enjoying team support and partner supervision, chosen candidates will
have an opportunity to work in their chosen fields, be it hard rock mining,
oil and gas, electricity or corporate.
You will be presented with an opportunity to advance your skills with
direct client contact and hands-on involvement.
For an application pack, contact Jane at Jane@bigmine.com or on
(03) 555 6666.

Executive Adviser to the Secretary

(Attorney General Dept)
(Permanent Position)

Duties:
Applications are sought for the Executive Adviser to the Secretary position. In
this position, you would be working closely with the departmental executive
and be responsible for the provision of expert advice to the Secretary on policy,
management and technical issues on matters relating to the Department’s
activities. You would also be responsible for completing projects as directed
by the Secretary, and play a key role in coordinating activities across the
department and portfolio.
Notes:
This is a designated security assessed employment opportunity. The successful
applicant will need to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
Eligibility:
A law degree or admission as a practitioner.
How to apply:
Applications including a statement addressing key selection criteria outlined in
the description are to be submitted to David Smith, HR Manager. To obtain a
copy of the criteria, email davidsmith@ag.gov.au.

173
 Legal careers

Corporate & Funds Lawyers – Hong Kong

• Multiple opportunities
• Hong Kong location
• Enviable hours and $$$!
This distinguished offshore firm with a name for being the best in the business is on
a recruitment drive in their Hong Kong office as part of a major global expansion.
On offer is the chance to work in this highly sought-after practice area of offshore
funds and corporate advisory in an environment where you will be exposed to the
widest possible array of local and international matters.
You can also forget the highly pressurised life of the major city firms – in a non-
transactional role you will have high turnover of advisory-focused matters, many
with multi-jurisdictional aspects, and regular working hours most lawyers in Hong
Kong can only dream of!
The specific roles on offer are:
• Corporate Advisory (2–4 PQE)
• Corporate/Funds (5–7 PQE)
• Funds (4–6 PQE)
The successful candidates will have strong experience in the required field
gained from a top-tier or leading firm. They must also possess good academic
qualifications and demonstrate the ability to think laterally, work on multiple tasks at
one time, with a flair for advisory work. Cantonese and/or Mandarin language skills
will be very highly regarded but are not essential for any of the roles.
If you are ready to say goodbye to working 8–10 hours every day, and are looking
for your next big adventure, then why not find a new home in Asia’s economic
capital with this employer of choice?
Send your résumé with a cover letter to hr@hklaw.com.

Lawyer – Dubai – International Firm

• High quality deals and corporate finance work
• Opportunities for International travel
• Excellent salary and zero tax
This is an exciting new role at one of the leading international law firms in Dubai.
The firm seeks a 3–6 year lawyer with good corporate and/or finance experience
for its busy, enthusiastic and developing corporate/finance teams. This is an
opportunity to participate in major deals and enjoy international travel. Dubai is
an exciting and modern place to live and work, and salaries in real terms can be
extraordinarily high. The firm is prepared to interview by videoconference and can
offer a good relocation package for the successful applicant.
Email hr@dubailaw.com for information on how to apply.

174
 Appendixes

Corporate M & A Lawyer –

NEW YORK (2–5 Yrs PQE)
• Prestigious Wall Street firm
• M&A transactions second to none
• US pay scale
Our client, one of the biggest names on the biggest street in town – Wall
Street – is currently looking for international talent to bolster their award
winning team. The firm is a leader in mergers and acquisitions in the United
States and around the world, with a client list that reads like a who’s who of
the Fortune 100. The firm is proud of their long history of successfully assisting
clients to complete their most important and most sensitive transactions,
and have represented major international corporations in some of the world’s
largest and most visible transactions. This is an exceptional opportunity to
gain hands-on experience with major domestic and cross-border mergers
and acquisitions transactions, and learn from some of the best in
the business.
Working in their continually expanding New York office, the successful
candidate will receive the best mentoring from a highly respected group of
partners, one of whom was recently dubbed The Best of the Best, ranking in
the top 25 practitioners in the world.
To be successful in this opportunity of a lifetime, you will have 2–5 years
post qualification experience in mergers and acquisitions, as well as general
corporate exposure including private equity, gained within a leading top-
tier firm. You will be ready to immerse yourself in the firm’s fast paced and
dynamic culture, and prepared to bring enthusiasm and charisma to work
every day. Other prerequisites include an excellent academic record, superior
communication skills and the ability and confidence to work independently
and as part of a global team on cross-border transactions.
If you’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to make the move to New
York, and believe you’ve got what it takes to excel within one of the world’s
most respected law firms, apply today and watch your career soar.
Email ma@ny.com for application details.

175
 Legal careers

Appendix 4
Sample résumé

10 Smith St
Smithfield VIC 3333

Phone: XX XXXX XXXX

Mobile: XX XXXX XXXX
Email: XX XXXX XXXX

Jane Smith
Employment Objective My primary professional aim is to become an established legal practitioner. I am
committed to taking advantage of every opportunity to develop my legal skills in order
to become an effective lawyer and a valuable member of the community.

Education 2001 – 2005: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws – University of Smithfield

2000: Higher School Certificate – Smithfield High School
Final mark: 98.50

Awards and Wilson Medal – Best final year law essay – University of Smithfield
Achievements
2000: School captain – Smithfield High School

Legal Experience March 2002 – present: Legal Volunteer – Smithfield Legal Centre
As a legal volunteer my role involves interviewing clients, drafting legal documents,
managing multiple files and preparing briefs for counsel.
This experience has been both rewarding and useful, developing my practical legal skills
while at the same time making a small contribution to the community at large. It has
also strengthened my desire to work as a legal practitioner.

July 2005: Seasonal Clerkship – Williams and Williams

Assisted the senior associate in the property group run matters for major private sector
and government clients. I was able to work both independently on small matters, such
as drafting letters, and as part of a team on complex files.
The experience considerably increased my knowledge of property law and more
generally gave me a valuable insight into the responsibilities of a legal practitioner and
the day-to-day operations of a major firm.

November 2004: Seasonal Clerkship – Barney Jones Smith

Assisted the senior associate and junior lawyers in the corporate team run matters
for major private sector and government clients. The experience increased my
knowledge of contracts and related laws.

Employment February 2001 – present: Bar attendant – Smithfield Hotel (casual)

March 1998 – January 2000: Sales Assistant – DefTone Records (casual)
I enjoy working in a service environment and get considerable satisfaction out of
being able to exceed customer expectations.
My experience at the Smithfield Hotel and DefTone Records has brought me into
contact with people from all walks of life and has helped me develope excellent
communication, leadership and teamwork skills.

Extracurricular
Activities 2004: Vice President – University of Smithfield Law Students Association
My primary responsibility was to represent member interests on all matters relating to
their educational needs. Key achievements include forming a staff-student committee
within the law school and establishing an annual graduate legal jobs booklet.
Contributing in this way taught me that the combination initiative and teamwork can
have significant and lasting results.

Click here for more FREE industry-specific

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 Appendixes

2003: University Ambassador – International Students Conference

In January 2004 I travelled to Paris to represent the University of Smithfield at an
international conference of students organised by the European Union. The purpose
of the event was to develop links between tertiary institutions around the world. During
the 10-day conference, I gave a talk at a plenary session and led a number of small-
group forums.
This experience broadened my perspective on educational issues and emphasised
the importance of ongoing dialogue as a way of fostering international understanding.

2002 – 2004: Captain and team member – University of Smithfield Debating Team
I have had extensive experience in debating and have represented the University of
Smithfield at a number of state and national competitions. In 2004 I captained the
team to the national finals. I learned much about thinking on my feet and developed
skills in advocacy.
2001 – 2004: Treasurer – Smithfield Surf Lifesaving Club
As treasurer I maintained the financial records of the club and managed all
transactions. Key achievements include obtaining sponsorship from two major
Smithfield businesses and hiring out the clubhouse as a party venue, injecting much-
needed money into the organisation. The experience taught me much about financial
management and the value of entrepreneurial endeavour.

Interests and Activities Outside work and study, I pursue a number of interests: I play tennis and soccer,
am an active member of my local surf-lifesaving club, sing in a gospel choir and am
learning French.

Personal Qualities I regard myself as a motivated, optimistic and goal-orientated individual whose actions
are based on ethical principles. I thrive on challenges, work well under pressure and
value teamwork.

Referees Academic Employment

Dr Alan Jones Ms Jane Williams
LL.B (Hons), LL.M (Hons), PhD Manager
Lecturer in Criminal Law Smithfield Hotel
University of Smithfield Phone:
Phone:

Personal
Mr Gary Davis
Lawyer
Davis, Allen and Chambers
Phone:

177
 Legal careers

Appendix 5
Sample cover letter

Jane Smith
10 Smith St
SMITHFIELD VIC 3333

10 January 2006

Mr Adam Jones
HR Manager
XYZ Lawyers
GPO Box 000
MELBOURNE VIC 3000

Dear Mr Jones

Re: Articled Clerkship Program

I wish to apply to join your Articled Clerkship Program as advertised in The Age on
5 January.

I completed my law degree at the University of Smithfield in December 2005 and am keen
to begin my professional career at a reputable and dynamic firm such as XYZ Lawyers.

I did two seasonal clerkships during my penultimate and final years of study: four weeks
in the property group at Williams and Williams and three weeks in the corporate team at
Barney Jones Smith. In each case I assisted the senior associate and junior lawyers in
running files for major private sector and government clients. This experience developed
my research, drafting and analytical skills as well as my knowledge of relevant property
and contracts legislation. It also gave me the opportunity to work autonomously on smaller
matters and as part of a team on more complex files, where I was able to foster successful
working relationships with colleagues and clients.

I have also developed my practical legal skills as a volunteer at Smithfield Legal Centre.
Working one evening each week since March 2002, I interview clients, draft legal
documents, manage multiple files and prepare briefs for counsel. In addition to increasing
my understanding of common legal problems affecting ordinary people – in the areas of
consumer credit, tenancy and criminal law – the experience has highlighted the need to
pay attention to detail and the importance of fully understanding a client’s problem before
attempting to provide a solution.

I have excellent oral and written communication skills: I was awarded the Wilson Medal
for best final year law essay and enjoyed being part of Smithfield University’s champion
debating team.

I am now eager to apply all I have learned in an innovative and growing firm that values
initiative and hard work. XYZ Lawyers has a reputation for the high quality of its legal
advice, its diverse blue chip client base and its commitment to service and I would like to
be part of the team.

My résumé and an official transcript of my academic results are enclosed. I look forward to
being able to discuss the Articled Clerkship Program further at an interview.

Yours sincerely,

Jane Smith

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 Appendixes

Appendix 6
Sample selection criteria

Selection Criteria
1. Eligibility to hold a legal qualification equivalent to an Australian undergraduate
degree by December 2007

2. Problem solving skills and sound judgment

n demonstrates ability to think through issues and apply a commonsense approach to decision
making on operational issues

3. Ability to achieve results

n completes tasks in line with work area goals and in accordance with relevant procedures and guidelines

n organises and prioritises own work and is flexible to changing requirements

n adheres to workplace diversity and occupational health and safety principles in the delivery of work

4. Ability to develop productive working relationships

n works cooperatively with others and demonstrates team player behaviour

n liaises effectively with clients

n treats others with respect and courtesy, and values different ideas and approaches

5. Demonstrated personal drive and integrity

n demonstrates commitment to the APS values and Code of Conduct, and the Department’s values

n takes responsibility for own work and learns from mistakes

n looks for opportunities to enhance own skills

6. Ability to communicate effectively

n ensures oral and written communication is clear and concise

n listens actively to others and responds appropriately

n is willing to put forward ideas and consider the views of others

179
 Legal careers

Photo credits
A big thankyou for everyone who generously supplied photos for this
book, listed in order of appearance.

Front cover
Background image: Devonyu, Dreamstime

Images of people: Nruboc, Dreamstime; PO531d0n, Dreamstime;

Justice Geoffrey Robertson QC

Foreword
Justice Geoffrey Robertson QC

The big picture

Chapter image: Linda & Colin McKie, Dreamstime

Brendan Bateman; Tony Melville; Tony McDonald

Lawyers at Work
Chapter image: Trout55, Dreamstime

Maria Wang (2); Joshua Hawes (2); Leanne Whitelaw; Louise Brunero
(2); Kate Schuermann (2); Vanessa Parbhoo; Katherine Vincent (2);
Portenia2K, Dreamstime for photo of Melbourne CBD; Richard Hardy

International Law
Chapter image: Mbighin, Dreamstime

Krishna Rajendra (2); Georgina Cuppaidge

Beyond Law
Chapter image: Mwookie, Dreamstime

Dara Williams; Eva Scheerlinck (2); Nicola Roxon; Linda and Colin
McKie, Dreamstime for photo of Parliament House, Canberra; Gary
Pagotto (2); Chris Kirkbright; Simon Anderson (2)

Ready, set, go for it!

Chapter image: Sport library, Dreamstime

Rebecca Matthews; Paul Garth

Buzz words
Header image: H. Berends, stock.xchange

Appendixes
Header image: Petr Gnuskin, Dreamstime

180
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