A Day in the Life of a Vacation Clerk
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"The amount of support we’ve received has been amazing." |
As a 2007 Winter Vacation Clerk at Clayton Utz; what does a typical day look and feel like?
I find that my days vary a lot. Generally, a day will consist of preparing case notes, research memos, chronologies, briefs etc. I’ve also been given the opportunity to attend meetings with counsel, watch proceedings in court and help prepare a CLE. On most days we also have time set aside for additional training and workshops. These include forums explaining the different areas of law practiced
by the firm and sessions on writing skills, negotiation etc.
How did you find your Orientation during your first week?
The Orientation was great as it provided us with enough information to start work without being overwhelmed. In the first few days we were trained in necessary basics such as the firm layout, document management system, legal research and the style guide. We also participated in a variety of sessions that helped us get to know the support staff and other Clerks. Each Clerk was assigned a present grad as a buddy, a mentor (generally a Senior Associate or Solicitor) and a Partner who assigned us work, showed us around and answered any of our questions.
What has been your favourite Clerkship experience so far?
Getting to know the other Clerks, my buddy and everyone in my section has been a great experience. I’ve also really enjoyed the additional training from Senior Associates and Partners. We’ve completed exercises using real fact scenarios that require us to think on our feet and give us the opportunity to learn about the application of law in the real world.
Have you come across anything that has surprised you?
The amount of support we’ve received has been amazing. There is always someone willing to help out, clarify issues or have a chat. The staff are genuinely interested to meet us and are invested in making sure we get the most out of the program.
Do you have any advice for other students who are doing a Clerkship at Clayton Utz?
This is an opportunity to learn about the firm, experience a practice group you think you may be interested in and show the firm who you are and what you are capable of: relax, be yourself, work hard and, most of all, enjoy the experience!
Have you always wanted to be a lawyer? What are your long term career goals?
While I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in high school I realised, after starting my double degree, I wanted to be a lawyer. I aim to build a relationship with a great firm, find an area which I really enjoying practising and, hopefully, one day, work my way up the ranks to Senior Associate or Partner.
With Vacation Clerkships just around the corner,
QUT Graduates Matt Edwards and Emma Hoiberg
share some thoughts about their legal journeys so far.
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Matt Edwards Trainee Solicitor Clayton Utz " Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know something." |
What degree did you study and when did you graduate? Did you have a favourite subject/lecturer?
I started uni in 2002 doing a bachelor of justice but swapped to straight law in 2003. I graduated from my law degree in March 2007. My favourite subjects at uni were torts, private international law and corporate law.
As a current Trainee Solicitor at Clayton Utz; what does a
typical day look and feel like?
A typical day at Clayton Utz is really quite enjoyable. I normally get to the office around 8 o'clock and start by checking emails or finishing off tasks from the previous day. At the moment, due to the team I'm working in, the bulk of my day is taken up by completing research tasks or preparing various agreements. We often have continuing legal education sessions, client meeting or differing types of functions to go to which are normally pretty enjoyable (and we usually get fed!) . The people I work with are all highly intelligent, friendly, outgoing people who really make coming to work easy. I usually finish off my working day at around 5.30 - 6ish.
How are you finding your Practical Legal Training (PLT)?
PLT hasn't been too much of a challenge. Its not hard just time consuming and you really need to make sure that you manage your time effectively to ensure that you don't fall too far behind on the due tasks. However all the other graduates are in the same boat and its really handy to have a few people to go to if you need a hand or get stuck on a task.
Do you have any regrets? Would you do anything differently while you were at Uni to get into the position you are in at the moment?
I don't really have any regrets, except maybe I wish I went to more law balls! The only thing I would have done differently is ensuring that I was available for summer clerkship interviews (I was on a student exchange so missed out when I was at uni). Clerkships are a really valuable experience and greatly increase your chances of being offered a job. They also give you a chance to get familiar with the firms before accepting a position.
If a student secures a placement for a Vacation Clerkship, what is ONE thing that you would advise they remember?
Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know something. You are expected to learn while on your clerkship, not know all the intimate details of the practice area you are in. Try to make sure you get good, clear instructions that you understand and don't be afraid to ask questions, people are happy to answer them.
Did you always want to be a lawyer? What are your long term career goals?
I was never really sure what I wanted to be when I "grew up". I chose to study law because it gives you so many options. You aren't restricted to a life in private practice, you could work for a variety of government departments, be an in-house counsel for a company or become a barrister. My long term career goals are to work hard, become skilled in a specialised practice area and hopefully, one day, become a partner.
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Emma Hoiberg Trainee Solicitor Clayton Utz "Clayton Utz gives us one day a week to do our PLT and that helps a lot!" |
What degree did you study and when did you graduate? Did you have a favourite subject/lecturer?
I studied a Bachelor of Law and graduated in November 2006. My favourite subjects were Public International Law, ADR and Mooting.
As a current Trainee Solicitor at Clayton Utz; what does a typical day look and feel like?
I get to work a bit before 8.30am to check my emails and get settled to start work at 8:30. I usually have some sort of research task to do so I'll be on the internet looking up cases and legislation, and then preparing research memos to the solicitor I'm doing work for. I have a couple of files I'm working on, so when something happens on the file I'll draft emails or letters to be sent to the client or the other side. If it's quiet I might prepare a case note or do some background reading on an area of law I'm working in. We have a lot of trainee meetings and learning programs so I attend them at least a couple of times a week. I'm usually out of the office between 5.30pm and 6.
How are you finding your Practical Legal Training (PLT)?
It's time consuming, and it can be difficult to find time to complete it. However its all practical work and they give you all the information you need so its not very hard. Clayton Utz gives us one day a week to do our PLT and that helps a lot!
Do you have any regrets? Would you do anything differently while you were at Uni to get into the position you are in at the moment?
Probably the one thing I would do differently would be to get involved in more extracurricular activities, like the events and competitions QUOTALS run, because I feel like when I went for interviews, the top tier firms looked less favourably on those who didn't do anything outside of uni.
If a student secures a placement for a Vacation Clerkship, what is ONE thing that you would advise they remember?
The one thing I wish I knew when I did my clerkship is to just relax!. No one expects you to know everything and no one will think any less of you if you ask questions or get something wrong. I know it kind of feels like an extended job interview but just remember that they are trying to impress you just as much as you are trying to impress them.
Did you always want to be a lawyer? What are your long term career goals?
I did legal studies at high school and kind of just fell into law because I didn't really know what I wanted to do, but I've never looked back. I'd like to do my masters, and go overseas to work for a bit, but beyond that I don't have any solid career plans. I'm just going to see what happens.
Clayton Utz has kindly provided us with a schedule for vacation clerkship for 2007/2008.
| « | November 2008 | |||||
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| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| 30 | ||||||
