Can you briefly tell us a little about your background before starting with the firm?
I have had quite a non-traditional pathway into CC and it started with doing a bachelor of science as my undergraduate degree which led me to being a health, safety & environment intern on a mine site. I had a bit of an existential crisis and decided that I enjoyed the commercial side of businesses more and decided to apply for the Juris Doctor. During which time I clerked at variety of firms including consulting, boutique and international law firms, and had the opportunity to paralegal at CC for four months.
After graduating I was unsure whether I wanted to be lawyer so I decided to do a year of management consulting as it allows you to try a variety of industries and employ different business skillsets to law. I found myself missing the challenge of legal problem solving and decided to go back into law. However, I knew that I only wanted to start as a graduate at CC because I really enjoyed my time as a paralegal and the prospect of working again with highly regarded, intelligent and supportive professionals.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I enjoy the fact that each day is different and depends on the pipeline of work. I usually start my day at 7:00am doing an exercise class with my colleague followed by a coffee. I then read my emails and create a list of priorities for the day. Common tasks I have been asked to do as a graduate include:
Throughout the day I find myself wandering to CC's snack bowl and fridge stocked with different goodies and end up chatting to colleagues on random topics. I usually finish my days around 6:00pm and head home unless there are Friday night activities.
What initially attracted you to Clifford Chance (CC)?
The unrivalled global opportunities given to a junior lawyer – unlike other firms where only a select few are allowed to go overseas, CC guarantees a 6-month secondment at one of our international offices. This not only demonstrates the connectiveness of our global offices but also CC's investment in your professional development to become a world class international lawyer.
What set Clifford Chance apart from the other firms you clerked with?
Diverse and supportive culture – the Perth team is small and close knit which means that juniors have a higher level of responsibility from the start and more opportunities to work with partners directly. While the expectations are high, there is always support if you need and I believe that the way the team is structured means that you develop and grow faster than at other places. I was also surprised at how non-hierarchical CC was compared to other firms. At bigger firms, I sometimes found myself getting lost in the sea of employees, whereas the smaller team structure at CC allows for a more personalised learning and development experience.
The international aspect – I love the challenge of working on complex cross-border work which is not a common opportunity at domestic Australian firms. In addition, the way that the partnership is structured means that everyone benefits from doing well (rather than from an "eat what you kill" model) which means that international opportunities are bountiful. The combination of the integrated global partnership and team culture means that you are able to try a variety of different work and avoid the risk of being siloed into one team doing the same work over again.
What are the limitations of your job?
There are few limitations outside of my control in my job and the biggest limitation would be my own knowledge / experience. There is a huge learning curve when starting out in international arbitration, however, I felt that the more work and effort I put in, those limitations eventually start looking like opportunities. Every limitation has a threshold but if you approach it a certain way (enthusiasm and hard work), people will try their best to support you and the barriers eventually lower.
What qualities do you see in your peers and colleagues?
Collegiality & Ambition – everyone here is uniquely different (be it language, culture, legal experience), however, we work seamlessly across the global network to deliver the best results for the client. Everyone is proactive and extremely hard working but despite this, they are always approachable and willing to help.
Can you tell us a little about your experiences regarding responsible business and/or diversity at Clifford Chance?
CC has a variety of diversity & inclusion committees at both a global and local level so it is always easy to find other passionate like-minded individuals. For example, as part of the Arcus committee, I helped to organise Pink Friday which saw the APAC network come together in a sea of Pink to show visible support for diversity and LGBTQ+ inclusion. I have also assisted a senior lawyer on a high profile ESG panel which involved interesting research on how the proposed EU directive on corporate sustainability due diligence impacts on Asian businesses.
At a local level, the partners encourage pro bono work which has been an invaluable experience for me. The first pro bono matter involved assisting a mental health NFP on several disputed lease issues and the second involved advising a terminally ill client on their position under their superannuation and insurance policies. CC has always been supportive of my interests in responsible business / diversity & inclusion and I am grateful for the experiences which have made me a better lawyer.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...
Top tip for someone looking to get into law?
There is no one pathway into law. If you don't get your dream job the first time, there are always alternative pathways to achieve your goal if you have the right mindset and dedication. Those who have journeyed elsewhere and have different experiences end up being able to utilise this as an advantage for their careers at the firm.