Message from the Dean Professor Natalie Klein Dean, Macquarie Law School The summer clerkships offered by many law firms and other bodies seek to provide invaluable experience to students about the nature of work as a lawyer. Students can be exposed to the legal and ethical issues involved in various forms of legal work, as well as the responsibilities that go with being a lawyer in a community that has very high expectations of the legal profession. This Guide to the summer clerkship is a wonderful introduction to the clerkship program. The skills gained in legal practice can subsequently translate into a variety of careers. The interdisciplinary focus of the Macquarie Law School degree and its emphasis on graduate capabilities are intended to provide students with the foundations for work in the legal profession and beyond. Thus, law graduates are to be found not only in traditional private legal practice as solicitors or barristers, but also in government or corporate legal positions, the public service, business, the diplomatic service, publishing, education and various forms of community and political activity. The summer clerkship can provide an excellent complement to your legal education and may be counted towards your studies under LAW551 Professional and Community Engagement. Students interested in this option should contact Debra Ronan for more details on LAW551 in Session 3. Many law graduates are likely to spend some time in legal practice of one kind or another during their professional lives. The first step towards experiencing what legal practice entails will be a placement through the summer clerkship program. This Guide is a valuable resource in navigating the way to such a placement. The firms that participate in the summer clerkship program seek to provide support to law students interested in a career in legal practice. They typically spend considerable resources and energy in designing summer clerkship programs that provide students with the opportunity to acquaint themselves with what is involved in legal practice. Over the years many Macquarie law students have been the beneficiaries of such an experience. Macquarie Law School greatly appreciates the support that firms have given both to this program and to our past students who successfully competed for these highly prized placements. The opportunities presented through a summer clerkship placement are great. Although competition for placements is fierce, I urge students seriously to consider making an application. The process of applying is of itself a valuable learning experience. Finally, I sincerely congratulate the MULS team for its initiative and efforts in making this Guide available to you. Professor Natalie Klein Dean, Macquarie Law School Clerkship Guide 2013 5