What about career progression? Does all the training stop after the first 12 months?
Your junior years are undoubtedly the most important years of your career. During this time our junior lawyers benefit from experiencing different work types, working styles and learning the ropes whilst ascending the corporate legal ladder. Mallesons recognises that much of your learning is done “on-the-job”, in the practice teams whilst working on real matters but we also know that it’s good to get a helping hand along the way.
Mallesons lawyers attend a national 2 day conference in their first and second year of post-admission practice. This is an important forum for sharing and discussing firm business information and strategies, learning more about our clients, their industries and practices and considering issues and strategies specific to each lawyers’ practice team. Our lawyers with 3-4 years post admission experience also attend a 2 day national residential conference annually. This conference focuses our more senior solicitors on business, client, practice team and career-related issues that are fundamental to their practices.
Your development at Mallesons doesn’t stop once you pass 4th year level or become a senior associate or partner. We also run innovative programs and conferences for Senior Associates and Partners.
Are there really flexible working arrangements? What support is on offer if you need to work flexibly?
Mallesons is also committed to striking a reasonable compromise between the requirements of the business to service our clients and the need of all of our people to manage, and enjoy, their lives outside of work.
To support our employees, Mallesons has a Flexible Working policy, focusing on ‘Making Flexible Hours Work, Together’. The flexible options available are part time hours, job sharing, teleworking and flexible hours. We also have Meeting Times and Family Event policies in place to support our staff managing work and family.
Mallesons claims to have the best technology in the industry? Why?
Technology at Mallesons provides the infrastructure, systems, training and support to help deliver outstanding client service. Mallesons has been recognised for its provision of technology-enabled solutions “anywhere, anytime” at the annual Legal IT Awards in Gleneagles, Scotland. Please refer to Our Technology which highlights some of the ways in which the firm uses technology to help its people deliver outstanding legal service.
How is Mallesons’ clerkship and graduate programs different from other law firms?
Mallesons recognise that our seasonal clerks and graduates are a great source of feedback and suggestions. We regularly seek feedback from our seasonal clerks and graduates on how to improve our programs. We conduct group and one-on-one discussions with our clerks as well as distributing questionnaires to rank aspects of our recruitment processes and programs. The information is gathered and used to further refine the program for the next intake.
What about our social responsibilities?
The Mallesons in the Community program is an integral part of working at Mallesons. The program aims to help alleviate poverty and improve community welfare, and to help children and young people at risk. Our staff provide direct assistance by giving pro bono legal and other professional assistance to individuals and charities, by volunteering with community organisations and by making donations via our national Workplace Giving Program.
For further information about Mallesons in the community refer to Mallesons in the Community
The firm does what it takes to get you in the door, but what happens then?
The firm invests just as much time and energy into retaining our people as we do in recruiting them. Admittedly it all starts with attracting the best people but the firm does focus on retention and ensures the support continues through your career not just during your time as a graduate.
“Now that I am on the other side of the fence, having completed articles this year and now working as a solicitor in the Mergers & acquisitions group, I have no regrets about the decision that I made to come to Mallesons. There is a strong focus on legal excellence and training, the culture is open and friendly, there is always someone willing to answer my questions (even the silliest ones), the firm supports and encourages further study and Mallesons' reach into Asia and Europe means that there are opportunities for junior lawyers to work with the firm overseas. At the end of the day I know I am working for a firm that has always supported and nurtured me and will continue to do so through my career. Mallesons makes sure you have access to all the resources and training you need to develop into a first class legal practitioner.”
Farayi Chipungu, Solicitor, Mergers & acquisitions.