Student Profile - Erica Rathbone, Seasonal Clerk, Melbourne
When the renowned philosopher Plato said “nothing in the affairs of man is worthy of great anxiety,” he had obviously never contemplated a career in commercial law in the 21st century. I came to this realisation when my alarm clock rang well before dawn on the first day of my winter clerkship at Mallesons in July 2005. As I dragged myself out from under the doona, I realised with concern that I would need to find a firm I felt truly passionate about if I was ever going to be able to get out of bed at this hour on a regular basis.
The true source of my “great anxiety” however, was the prospect of throwing myself head-first into the Mergers & Acquisitions group at Australia’s premier law firm. After having spent far too much time at university studying Plato, I imagined my clerkship would largely consist of trawling over piles of indecipherable documents and attending meetings that might as well have been conducted in Swahili. Thankfully Plato’s timeless words prevailed, and my clerkship was a constructive, rewarding and thoroughly enjoyable experience. Above all, it enabled me to form my own opinion as to what it is that gets 1800 people around the world out of bed every morning to work at Mallesons.
First, it’s the work. The complexity and scale of the transactions that Mallesons lawyers are involved in is truly overwhelming, and is a testament to the variety of remarkable and high-profile clients the firm retains. As a winter clerk I was able to play an active and meaningful role in the day-to-day workings of my group. A particular highlight for me was being invited to attend client meetings at the Homeless Persons Legal Clinic as part of the firm’s pro bono program.
Second, it’s the culture. The people at Mallesons appreciate the importance of a flexible, supportive work environment that provides genuine opportunities for career and personal development. Mallesons lawyers are subsequently well-equipped with the tools required to strike that elusive “work-life balance.” Naturally there is never a dull moment in the social calendar at Mallesons, which for clerks includes a variety of lunchtime and after-work activities that allow students to get to know each other and meet professionals at all stages of their legal careers.
Finally, it’s the people. My clerkship experience taught me that Mallesons lawyers are always willing to give students some of their valuable time. Although I was on a steep learning curve during my clerkship, I had the support and guidance I needed to ensure that I wasn’t left floundering. There is also great diversity and individuality within the firm that is accompanied by a strong ethic of collaboration and cooperation. I left Mallesons feeling that I was a valued member of the team, and that the work I had done was genuinely appreciated.
The seasonal clerkship program is designed to give students a realistic insight into life as a Mallesons lawyer. It is also an excellent opportunity to use your legal skills and to meet other like-minded students. For these reasons, a clerkship is undoubtedly the most effective and enjoyable way to relieve your “great anxiety” and find out whether Mallesons is the firm that can get you out of bed before dawn on those cold winter mornings.
Student Profile - Mila Cerecina, Summer Clerk, Sydney
There’s nothing quite like arriving late on your first day of the clerkship at 9:45am. I guess the first thing Mallesons taught me was that the ability to maintain parallel tracks is not a forte of the North Shore train line. But my Mallesons training did not end there. I had never worked in a law firm before so even the most minor details were new to me. Who would have thought law firms used matter numbers? Thankfully the support at Mallesons was truly exceptional. My buddies and for that matter everyone was more than willing to explain anything that was unclear and to assure me that no question was too small.
One of the much touted downsides to a large law firm is said to be the feeling of being lost in a sea of unfamiliar faces. Perhaps that may be the case elsewhere but at Mallesons there is such a strong sense of community and camaraderie that size becomes an added bonus - there are even more great people to enjoy working life with!
Mallesons is of course an outstanding law firm and there is no denying the high calibre of its work. What really impressed me is the quality of work and real involvement offered to clerks. My tasks were always related to matters at hand and I found that on a daily basis I was producing documents (with much preliminary correction of course) which were actually crucial to the client. My first practice group was Intellectual property and technology, where I experienced various litigation and advice-based work. My second was the Mergers and acquisitions group which involved schemes of arrangement, takeovers and numerous board meetings. Working in both areas concurrently gave me great balance to the day and ensured I established a presence in both groups for the entire length of the clerkship.
There were a number of opportunities to be involved in Pro Bono work which was a very rewarding aspect of the clerkship. I was personally involved in the Red Cross project which involved compiling a research memo on the progress of international criminal tribunals. Others programs included a visit to the Ted Noffs Foundation to paint a bedroom and speak to some of the occupants or appearing at the Downing Centre to assist unrepresented litigants. Among our less charitable deeds was the visit to a certain Double Bay shoe store co-ordinated by Julie Ward for (female) summer clerks. Let’s just say the price tags were easier to swallow when the attendants provided us with Moet rosé.
The rumours are true, you will become very close with your clerk group, no matter how unlikely a combination they seem to be at the start. The clerkship is a great opportunity to broaden your network and to enjoy the professional and social company of diverse and interesting people. The Mallesons summer clerk video was one of the best possible bonding experiences for the group and my personal directorial debut. Our masterpiece (“The Great Indoors”) gave handy tips on office living, ranging from office decorating to personal hygiene. The clerks were involved in all aspects of the video, from scriptwriting to acting, from filming to editing. It was a great creative balance to the day, with side-splitting results.
So in conclusion have fun, work hard, get involved in everything, and it will be a great clerkship, even if you arrive late on your first day!