What kind of work did you complete during your clerkship?
I completed a whole range of different work while in my two rotations. While in M&A I spent a lot of time helping conduct significant research on a niche area of law for a matter regarding a large government client; I also helped create an End User License Agreement (EULA) template precedent, which was a fantastic opportunity to engage with the transactional side of law which we do not experience much in university. While in DR, I worked across many administrative law matters, including FOI, property disputes, and AAT proceedings, where I attended many hearings and took notes. This was a fantastic way to be directly immersed in these matters.
What was the application and interview process like?
My application and interview experiences were very positive; so much so that they played into my decision to choose KWM. Particularly, my interviewers did not simply ask pre-planned generic questions about the law or ask just me ‘about a time I experienced conflict in the workplace’, they asked questions to genuinely get to know me as a person. This showed me KWM has genuine care and interest in their staff beyond their academic capabilities, and candidates are viewed holistically.
Why did you choose King & Wood Mallesons?
I chose KWM because I truly felt it was the right fit for me. After visiting and researching lots of firms, I realized every firm would be able to provide me with great legal experience and career opportunities. However, the culture at KWM is what sets it apart from the others. The people are so warm and welcoming that it made me feel like I could do the same and come out of my shell. This was most important to me, as I knew I would be able to grow the most in an environment that I felt supported and connected to.
What was your clerkship experience compared to your initial expectations?
Initially, I expected that as a clerk, I would have minimal involvement with clients and tangible legal work and make a limited impact on matters outcomes. However, my actual experience was the opposite. I was given numerous opportunities to be part of client meetings, counsel calls, hearings, and even attend a client event with my team. I felt very involved and immersed in the work throughout my entire clerkship, in contrast to my initial expectations.
Do you have any advice to give prospective clerks?
I truly feel the application process, despite being tough, is one of the best learning experiences you will ever have, especially at such a young age. But the most important thing to remember is not to let the process define you and your capabilities. At the end of the day, this is a great stepping stone to a legal career, but it’s not the only one if things do not go as planned. Just be yourself, and know that is all anyone can ever ask of you.