Corrs Chambers Westgarth Reviews

There are clearly articulated policies that set timelines and requirements for promotion that are eminently achievable. There are many examples of young lawyers being promoted 'ahead of time', and the firm provides ample opportunity for juniors to prove themselves in what is also a very supportive environment.

I think Corrs absolutely excels in this area in two ways: 1) the legal work we do, and 2) the initiatives Corrs runs. 1) Corrs' approach to the law is incredibly well-rounded and holistic. Our focus on ESG, business, and human rights is, in my opinion, unmatched by any other Australian firm. We have developed strong skills in these areas and have a dedicated team of highly experienced lawyers and advisers who work through a variety of different matters. We advise our clients on how to improve their ESG processes and systems, and I think the implication of this is that we are working to encourage CSR outside of the firm through improving our clients' practices. This is incredibly rewarding. 2) The initiatives we run through Corrs' Melbourne Community Committee are varied and occur regularly. Through initiatives such as STEPtember, Easter fundraisers, Christmas appeals, netball games, and Movember (to name just a few), Corrs supports many organisations making positive contributions to our community.

Corr's culture is fantastic. In addition to its strong commitment to learning and development, the firm has a strong culture of being incredibly friendly, supportive, and encouraging. Socialising is encouraged with free daily breakfasts, monthly office drinks, and more regular informal opportunities to socialise within and across practice groups. The firm has a flat structure, and I work very closely with partners on most matters, receiving extensive feedback and support. There is a strong emphasis on teamwork and collegiality.

Strong focus on diversity, with supportive policies and multiple working groups that are very active and engaged.

I am involved in a number of matters across a different number of teams. I have been supported by my seniors, and I have been able to pursue a variety of work. I interact with clients daily and engage in the actual strategy of matters. In some cases, I work on matters directly with my mentor partner. However, I am also able to work directly with other partners if I have expressed interest in their areas. Day-to-day, I am also involved in a number of non-matter-related initiatives that the firm supports: private international law opportunities, public and constitutional law, and cultural diversity programs. Responsibilities include organising committee meetings, carrying out decisions, holding feedback sessions, and liaising with partners.

My direct supervisors are other lawyers, and my mentor partner is just brilliant. We have annual reviews usually, but we have two each 'rotation' as part of our graduate program. Our HR team is also approachable, but sometimes reaching a resolution takes a lot of persistence and pushing from the employee.

Office space is beautiful and in an excellent location. Has fantastic views. The dress code varies between teams, but business casual is fine, unless attending meetings or court.

Corrs has a simple and direct process: you complete the application, upload your CV, and then attend a single interview. If you have been selected to interview, you are invited to a dinner at the firm, which was a really fun night that included a wine tasting and presentations from panels of lawyers. You are also invited to a cocktail night to celebrate the end of the interview process, which provided another opportunity to get to know the firm

Very reasonable. We have a very competitive base pay (right near the top of the market) and a very reasonable annual billable target. If that target is exceeded (to a level that, at many other firms, would be the base billable target), we are entitled to bonuses of 10–20%. Further, there is also the opportunity to receive additional discretionary bonuses.

Generally, training and development are excellent. There are a few key things that set the firm apart. Firstly, the firm runs regular and extensive learning sessions for juniors. These are taught by partners and are designed to impart their practical expertise. It covers all practice areas, which can obviously be more or less relevant depending on your current work; however, it provides broad knowledge. The intention, I believe, is to make juniors holistic lawyers in addition to their specialised areas of work. Secondly, in the category of more informal training and mentorship, is the firm's rotation, which I believe is unique. The firm offers a first rotation of 12 months. The point of this is to ensure a graduate is able to fully immerse themselves in the team and learn the skills and knowledge effectively while the learning curve is at its highest. It also enables the mentor partner (to whom each graduate is assigned) to be able to properly mentor over an extended period and invest in teaching their mentee. I have been able to get involved in matters from beginning to end (in a lot of cases) and increase my familiarity and competency as a result. This is as opposed to short-term 6-month graduates who rotate out just as soon as they get familiar with a new practice area or supervisor. Further, this initial mentorship, because of its length and the design of the programme, is supposed to extend into all subsequent rotations. I have formed a good relationship with my partner. I have sought his advice on many issues, and I am glad that it can continue even if I rotate out of his team.

There are standard business hours, but the firm can be flexible. The work hours depend on each team within the firm.

We have introduced keep cups and Tupperware in kitchens to improve our environmental footprint. On a larger scale, I spoke with the CEO at an event recently, and we were discussing ways in which Corrs seeks to minimise its carbon footprint. It is at the forefront of the executives agenda, which is notable and exciting. The CEO has been in talks with carbon-neutral firms and has been bringing his learnings back to the firm and implementing changes.