What's your job about?

I work for White & Case LLP – a US law firm with offices globally. I am employed as a law graduate, meaning I am currently doing rotations in various teams with the objective to settle at the end of the program.

As a graduate, my role is to develop my own technical and professional legal skills and support the other members of the team with their matters. On a typical day, I will start by checking my to-do list. If I have capacity, I will reach out to other members of the team to see if they need any support. The work I typically do includes drafting (for example, first drafts of transactional documents, advice memorandums and briefs to counsel), reviewing documents (for example, company constitutions and security documents), research (for example, considering legislation, case law and commentary) and general matter management (for example, preparing execution packs, running company searches and managing conditions precedent checklists).

There are many skills required to effectively manage this daily workload, but the key skills would be prioritisation, time management and communication. In order to keep on top of various tasks for various matters that are being delegated by different task providers, knowing how to prioritise tasks and manage my time effectively is crucial. I also need to ensure I communicate my capacity to take on work with the team to ensure the most pressing tasks are properly managed and deadlines are met.

What's your background?

I grew up in Perth, Western Australia, where I did my undergraduate in Human Biology. I moved to Sydney in 2019 and was planning to do my Masters in Genetic Counselling. I also applied to the Juris Doctor program at the University of Sydney. Law was always something that intrigued me, but I did not consider it seriously until I received my offer. When I had an offer for Genetic Counselling and Law before me, I found myself drawn to the challenge of Law. On this instinct, I started my studies and loved it. Whilst studying, I took on various jobs in the industry, for example, working as a research assistant to a barrister and at Sydney Law School. I also took part in numerous extracurricular activities, such as negotiations and mooting competitions. With these experiences under my belt, I applied for clerkships. I worked over the summer at a different firm, then continued as a paralegal. It was in my final year that I applied to the White & Case clerkship. I spent that summer in the Debt Finance team, then started the following year as a graduate. I have been a graduate at White & Case for just over a year now. I have completed two rotations (the first in Financial Restructuring & Insolvency in Sydney, and the second in Tax in Melbourne) and am currently doing my final rotation in Debt Finance in Hong Kong.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

In terms of qualifications, no. To become a graduate, you need an Australian-recognised Law degree and to complete Practical Legal Training. Most law firms also require their graduates to have first completed a clerkship with them. As such, it is important to start applying for clerkships whilst you are studying, particularly in your pre-penultimate and penultimate years.

In terms of work, study and life experience, yes. Every experience is appreciated in this industry. It gives you a unique perspective which makes you stand out as an individual in the profession.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

The coolest thing about my job is that every day, I contribute to the creation of a desired outcome. Clients come to law firms to achieve all sorts of things, whether to (amongst other things) restructure their corporate entities, commence or contest a claim or facilitate a deal. We are there to make that desired outcome happen, and oftentimes this involves an incredible amount of problem-solving and creativity. The satisfaction you feel when you contribute to such a thing is truly rewarding.

What are the limitations of your job?

In order to achieve a client’s desired outcome, you need to put in a lot of time and effort. When combining this with the numerous other client matters you are working on, you often cannot stick to the regular 9 to 5. This often depends on which team you work in, but inevitably there will be a time when you are working late.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

• First, meet as many people and make as many friends as you can. The people you are studying alongside may one day be the partners you work alongside or the clients you gain work from.
• Second, create opportunities for yourself. The legal industry is full of approachable and welcoming individuals. If there is a particular experience you want, then go and make it happen.
• Third, take some time for yourself. Put time aside to understand your aspirations, expectations and well-being. This is the time to try new things. It will help make your transition into the profession seamless.