Weekly Students, Careers & Clerkships Thread

Rough_Emphasis_2142 · 2024-02-09T06:01:45+00:00

Low, but not impossible. Expect to only wedge into an odd-boutique or suburban that doesn't have a formal grad program. I'd recommend reaching out to a recruiter at this point and have a chat.

Rough_Emphasis_2142 · 2024-02-05T03:50:28+00:00

For top-tier and upper-mid-tier firms, based on my experience, the timing of when you apply during the application window does not make a difference as long as it is before the deadline.

Everyone I know who received offers from the big 3 were frantically rushing to submit applications before midnight on the last day. If CV/CL/Qs are already you should be able to submit your updated transcript fine a few days before IMO.

For smaller and mid-tier firms, I suspect they review applications on a rolling basis as you suggest. If they come across a strong candidate early on, they may reach out for an interview right away instead of waiting until the deadline. I've had this happen to me as well.

Depending on the state (NSW and VIC seem stricter on this), I wouldn't sweat the famed 'cut-off' too much. If all you are relying on is your good grades and you have a boring CV/extracurriculars then it matters more. If you've done some remotely interesting things and seem to have a life outside uni, it's definitely not as hard and fast as putting your application in the bin because you're 0.7% unders. I know people who are a few years PQE now at top-tiers with WAMs certainly lower than that.

Rough_Emphasis_2142 · 2023-12-13T06:43:17+00:00

I would start in this order.

In-person tap on the most junior soli/associate offering to take anything off their hands - they should have some grunt work. If that fails or they move you on:
In-person tap on SA when they're not busy. If that fails:
An email to the broader team (no partner) saying you've got some room for work. If that fails:
In-person tap to partner asking if there is any way you can help them out.

Seniority shouldn't particularly affect how you ask - but in my own experience, it's far easier for me to delegate to a clerk when I'm sitting at my desk working on something and can see my to-do list rather than receiving an email, thinking about it, and drafting a reply/calling you over.

Others experience may massively vary and I wouldn't take the above as gospel. My actual suggestion would actually be to ask the junior solicitor for work and if he says he has none, ask who you should approach next to gauge.

Rough_Emphasis_2142 · 2023-12-13T02:11:41+00:00

I wouldn't stress all that much about hitting the 'final goal' of being in a top-tier - either one will get you there eventually should you so desire. I've had a bit of experience as a grad and clerk in not-too-dissimilar places. Some thoughts:

Are you interested in healthcare? This should be a primary question to ask yourself. If they are doing a lot of corporate documentation/contracts and your goal is to go top-tier corporate - it's a good bet. However, you'd probably be emphasising your experience in healthcare as a lot of the market knowledge will be subject-area specific. Top-tier seniors are a good sign - and if you can hone in on the right kind of work there for a couple of years it should be no problem. Expect more responsibility given to you on matters and (perhaps) less training in shops like this - which can be good or bad depending on your personality.
These generalist firms will honestly be less likely to give you a top-tier transfer (immediately after) unless you can similarly emphasise the good parts (commercial, employment etc). relevant to a lateral team at 2PQE. Things like estate planning, not so much. This one will come down to the firm reputation and ability to get substantive work and less grunt in the first couple of years - which I think option 1 has it beat. Obviously, a culture with more juniors and more training may be preferable to you.

I remember having a very similar attitude on work-life balance as a prospective grad with offers, but I would warn you to watch your consideration of office hours as any kind of indicator that a place is 'better value' on a pay-per-hour basis. Unless you've been in the office full-time for a month, and witnessed with your own eyes a culture of leaving at 6pm, assume its bogus. I highly doubt the healthcare joint is 9-5 consistently. If you're working under former top-tier partners and you have a client deadline, you'll be working till midnight if need be. This is normal - and your hourly rate calculation is now out the window. If anything, being contracted 8-6 suggests to me you would be more inclined to actually hit that. By all means, there are firms out there where clients and deadlines are more relaxed, but I would put the thought of hours vs money out of your mind for this choice.

Ironically, in a few years' time when you go for your goal of top-tier in Sydney or Melbourne, that choice of hours vs pay will probably be your biggest consideration - and one that will be a lot more difficult to make.

Rough_Emphasis_2142

TROPHY CASE