Meg O’Brien, Seasonal Clerk, Melbourne

I completed a seasonal clerkship at Mallesons Stephen Jaques in January 2008 after spending the previous year gaining work experience at various firms around Melbourne. Consequently, prior to commencing at Mallesons I was slightly fatigued by the graduate recruitment process. This feeling was not allayed when I discovered that I would be completing my clerkship in Banking and Finance – words that hardly inspire confidence in a humble Arts/Law student. However, the training program within the group and the willingness of lawyers and support staff to offer their guidance meant that I was able to learn more about debt capital markets and acquisition finance in three weeks than I have so far in my lifetime.

The reasons I chose to accept a graduate placement at Mallesons were many and varied. I was impressed by the attitude of Mallesons lawyers, their positive outlook and approach to their work. It was a place I enjoyed spending time and offered many opportunities for me to grow and develop as a lawyer. The quality of the work that the firm produces also attracted me to the firm. The strong commitment Mallesons has to pro bono work was also an important factor in my decision to commence work as a graduate at Mallesons.

After completing my seasonal clerkship I have been employed by Mallesons as a law clerk and I have been working at the Human Rights Law Resource Centre (HRLRC). My role at the HRLRC has been to develop a website that outlines how international human rights law can be utilised by NGOs and other community groups to advance the interests of their clients. The project is currently in its final stages and I look forward to seeing it through to fruition! Whilst at the HRLRC I have met some wonderful people from various sectors in the legal profession. I hope to continue this involvement with the HRLRC as a graduate and beyond.

Over the next six months I will be studying and working in Washington DC, pursuing my interest in international law and human rights law, before I come back to Melbourne to start at as graduate in February 2009.