In 2012–13, Christopher Boyd spent his summer as a clerk in Gilbert + Tobin’s Sydney office. Here’s why he thinks G+T is the smart choice for a summer clerkship. Christopher Boyd, Summer Clerk Think independently After spending the summer at G+T, I am excited to pursue my legal career in corporate law and embrace all the opportunities the firm has to offer. Throughout my first rotation in Competition + Regulation I was given instructions from partners who would make the time to explain the context of the work I was asked to complete. I attended client meetings in anti-money laundering matters and teleconferences with clients seeking clearance of their complex international joint venture. Working in Australia’s leading Competition + Regulation group gave me exposure to the highest quality matters and the sharpest legal minds in the field. More importantly, my opinions were respected and incorporated into actual pieces of advice. My second rotation in G+T’s Banking + Finance group was an equally valuable and eye-opening experience. The energetic, collegiate atmosphere in the group ushered me into a world of big transactions and unfamiliar areas of law – where attention to detail is all important but so is an ability to keep sight of the bigger picture. Far from being thrown in the deep end, I received excellent induction and development training throughout the summer. Of particular benefit was G+T’s legal research training sessions, which have completely changed the way I go about my studies. Our skills were honed and put to good use through a knowledge management task – a project each clerk was assigned at the outset of our clerkship. By completing this task Why a clerkship with Gilbert + Tobin is the smart choice we quickly came up to speed with the firm’s research, format and mentoring structures and gained valuable experience by presenting our work to partners and lawyers at the end of the summer. The clerkship experience at G+T wasn’t all work. We bonded over trivia, weekly drinks and the firm’s Christmas party. We played valiantly in the inter-firm sport competition and joined the clerks from other firms on a Sydney Harbour cruise. Lawyers at G+T appreciated the assistance of summer clerks and expressed their gratitude, often in the form of long lunches! I chose G+T because of its strength in the areas of law in which I am interested, its ethical culture and the respect it commands from lawyers at other firms. Gilbert + Tobin is winning clients, acquiring leading partners, building upon its excellent reputation and creating opportunities for young legal talent. It’s a firm that is wholeheartedly embracing its position as an independent Australian corporate law firm in a market that is increasingly comprised of international firms. Even as a summer clerk we were encouraged to feel connected with the aspirations and successes of the firm as a national business, and to be proud of the connections we have built overseas. FIND OUT MORE AT ME.GTLAW.COM.AU Guide 2013 Clerkship 61