Clerkship Testimonial Name: Luke Hawthorne Year: Summer Clerk 11/12; Graduate 2013 Areas of rotation: Intellectual Property (Disputes); Real Estate I was a summer clerk at Norton Rose during the summer of 2011/2012 and I have excellent memories from the experience. Any summer clerkship is a great way to expose yourself to what life is like in a large commercial law firm. However, at Norton Rose you see that same opportunity with the added exposure of being in an international law firm. I completed two rotations at Norton Rose: first with Intellectual Property, and the second with Real Estate. I really benefited from having access to two very diverse areas of law and practice. If you only read this paragraph, I would want you to know the three main reasons why I enjoyed Norton Rose: the people and culture, the work, and the international focus. But I encourage you to read on. The people and the culture I was sold on Norton Rose from the very first careers fair. I was fortunate enough to talk to a number of senior lawyers and partners at the firm, who each relayed their experiences and advice about entering the legal profession. I still recall now how the people I spoke to were friendly and approachable and with different viewpoints. As I learnt, Norton Rose is a firm that relishes in diversity: they know their strength is in their people. Once I started work, I saw this theory in practice. The different lawyers who I worked for had an incredible level of shared respect for each other. Norton Rose is a firm that believes in having a diversity of experiences and views in order to give the best quality legal service. They really believe in teamwork and mutual support. I am also very proud to work for a firm that is consistently Employer of Choice for Women and recognised in the community as a leader in supporting diversity and inclusion; initiatives that have real positive effects on our workplace. Being immersed in an award winning culture makes a real different to your career and opportunities. The work At Norton Rose I always knew that I was contributing something meaningful. The work we were given was challenging but rewarding. I always felt a sense of ownership for what I discovered, drafted, prepared or assisted with. The partners and senior lawyers were always happy and excited to explain what a matter was about, the complexities involved, and how we could achieve it together. Every firm will tell you they are a ‘full service’ law firm, but Norton Rose are industry leaders in financial institutions, energy, infrastructure, mining and commodities, transport, technology and innovation, and pharmaceuticals and life sciences. Norton Rose advises the key leaders, both in Australia and internationally, within those industry sectors. Being industry specialists gives you access to the really interesting specialist work that a client can trust your team with. The international focus Working day-to-day in this international context really opened my eyes to how legal profession and the law is global. While I was a summer clerk, Norton Rose has expanded into Canada, Colombia, Kazakhstan, Russia and Venezuela. As a graduate and following my clerkship, I have seen Norton Rose begin its merger into the United States to become Norton Rose Fulbright. There is a real feeling of momentum at Norton Rose. I really enjoy that I get to work for a firm that has a vision and a future that it is actively pursuing. I worked hard. I was challenged. But I was rewarded with an invaluable learning experience. I worked with great people and made lasting friendships. Each of these combined to ensure that I was happy with my decision to accept a placement at Norton Rose – a decision that today, as a graduate lawyer, I am still grateful for. Local contact details: Name: Yvette Revell, Recruitment and National Graduate Advisor Email address: yvette.revell@nortonrose.com Telephone number: +61 (2) 93308945 Office address: Level 18, Grosvenor Place, 225 George Street, Sydney, Australia Clerkship Guide 2013 53