LEGAL TRAINING Developing your career We believe learning and development are critical to helping our people achieve in their careers and to reach their full potential. We provide a range of tailored and comprehensive professional development programs suited to the individual needs of each employee through our national training program Learning@Clayton Utz. We support your learning with: • intensive orientation programs at the beginning of the clerkship period and graduate program; on-the-job guidance and support from peers and senior lawyers; • regular Continuing Legal Education sessions led by specialists sharing their knowledge and experience; tuition assistance for further study; and external courses and seminars relevant to your professional and personal development. • • • Clerkship Profile Ann-Maree Harnett Year: 2012/2013 Summer Clerk Areas of Rotation: Insolvency & Restructuring and Work Place Relations Prior to beginning the clerkship application process I spoke to former clerks across the different law firms and questioned them on ‘life as a clerk’ at their firm. The response from former clerks at Clayton Utz was overwhelmingly positive. This was confirmed when I reached the interview and cocktail rounds, where the people at Clayton Utz were nothing but engaging and friendly, and demonstrated a clear passion for the law. The first week of the clerkship was induction, where you are provided with in-depth training and the opportunity to form friendships with other clerks; friendships that survive well beyond the summer clerkship. The induction and training process also provides you with the opportunity to gain valuable insights into different departments at Clayton Utz, such as how a particular practice group operates and the type of litigation or transaction work that is completed. This is invaluable information that I will rely on for my graduate rotation preferences. The work as a clerk at Clayton Utz goes well beyond writing memos and small research tasks. I helped proof submissions, drafted affidavits, contributed on articles that were published, attended creditor’s meetings and meetings with clients, and was even given the task of drafting advice for a client. It was amazing work and the lawyers and Partners around me were nothing short of amazing. A word of advice: clear your social diary for the summer! I lost track of the number of social events I attended, where the social and sports coordinators will keep you very active. There is the Christmas Party, Amazing Race, barefoot bowling, Boat Cruise, Cockatoo Island, trivia night, Mexican fiesta and so much more. From my experience, it is clear that the Partners, Senior Associates, Lawyers and support staff are stimulating, personable and willing to provide you with excellent work if you are willing and able. I was also surprised at the flexibility of the firm, where the firm has allowed me to defer my start date to complete an Associateship with the Courts. I would not hesitate a moment to recommend Clayton Utz as a truly exceptional firm. 46 Clerkship Guide 2013