Jaani Riordan, Articled Clerk, Intellectual Property and Technology, Melbourne

I commenced as an Articled Clerk in the Melbourne centre earlier this year. After several weeks of induction training, I began my first rotation in the Competition group. Work proved diverse — from international cartel class action litigation to advising on ‘adult services regulation’. Other highlights include research into overseas spectrum rights, market and competitor analysis, attendance in court and the highly-coveted ‘mystery shopping’. One particular standout was my work on a matter which involved writing a submission to the ACCC. The office bake-off was also particularly tasty.

Prior to commencing at Mallesons, I studied Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Computer Science degrees at The University of Melbourne. While some people thought this a strange combination, I have always been fascinated by the intersection between law and technology — particularly the legal and commercial issues raised by new internet applications. During my time as an undergraduate, I undertook a number of clerkships with other Australian and overseas firms, before studying cross-border litigation while on exchange in The Netherlands and Switzerland. After returning to Australia, I accepted a position as a Resident Tutor at Ormond College, where I continue to tutor law students in undergraduate subjects in the evenings. Earlier this year, I was awarded the Supreme Court Prize.

Having resolved to stay in Australia, the decision to choose Mallesons was an obvious one for me. This was reinforced by my experience as a seasonal clerk in the Intellectual Property and Technology group. Since returning to that group for my second rotation, my technical background has been put to good use. I have written briefing papers on Peer-to-Peer file-sharing and network security and become involved in a high-profile international copyright litigation. I have also been involved in some interesting copyright royalties litigation and technology advisory work. It seems I rotated at the right time: our end of financial year party saw the group (appropriately) playing retro videogames all evening. I am also involved in the mentoring programme and human rights law group. With rotations through the Dispute Resolution and Mergers and Acquisitions practice areas still to come, my first year at Mallesons is certainly shaping up to be diverse, challenging and stimulating.