Corrs Chambers Westgarth
2021/2022 Seasonal Clerkship Program - Sydney
Sydney
Opportunity expired
Opportunity details
- Internship, Clerkship or Placement
- Apply by 14 Jul 2021
About Corrs
Corrs Chambers Westgarth is Australia's leading independent Australian law firm. We're known for delivering legal excellence, exceptional client service and outstanding results.
Through our long-term relationships with leading law firms across the world, we advise on the most significant global matters and connect with the best lawyers internationally to provide our clients with the right team for every engagement.
At Corrs, you'll enjoy the benefits of working alongside a high-performing team with a shared commitment to our culture of excellence, collaboration, commitment and respect.
For almost two centuries, we've been advising our clients on their most complex challenges. We're the firm of choice for many of the world's most significant organisations - from large corporations to governments, banks and financial sponsors.
What does Corrs look for in a clerk?
We look for graduates who can make a positive contribution to the firm and help us in delivering legal excellence and outstanding client service. In exchange for your energy and commitment we'll provide extraordinary learning and work opportunities here and internationally.
Our success is based on the success of our people. We encourage individuals to play to their strengths. And we bring our diverse and talented lawyers together to create top-performing teams.
We want people who bring out the best in those around them, work well in a team, and take pride in their work and achievements.
Your time as a clerk at Corrs
The majority of our graduates join us after experiencing a seasonal clerkship program. Our summer clerkship will give you the opportunity to connect with partners and lawyers across the firm, learn what a 'day-in-the-life' at Corrs is like, and experience the type of work we do and the clients we partner with.
The Corrs seasonal clerkship program gives you the opportunity to work alongside some of Australia's leading lawyers on high-profile work for major Australian and international clients.
You'll be exposed to a broad range of interesting matters. You'll also have the chance to complete a broad range of tasks, such as conducting research, reviewing and presenting documents, attending client meetings, court hearings, mediations and settlements, as well as shadowing partners and lawyers in client meetings and business development activities.
To apply click on the "apply" button below.
Should you have any queries, please contact us at sydney.clerkship@corrs.com.au
Reviews
At a high level, my main responsibilities revolve around supporting the senior lawyers (especially partners) of my team. In tax, the main question of every task is 'how much tax do I have to pay?' However, my day-to-day tasks are different each day - it could be: reviewing contracts to see if they trigger any stamp duty liability; writing submissions to the state revenue office for an objection; or writing legal advice on a tricky point of law, to name a few!
I attend to various tasks assigned to me on the matters I am involved in. I also foreshadow tasks that may be required. The tasks I work on include drafting emails, assisting with the preparation of submissions and evidence as well as preparing documents to assist the teams understanding of the matter.
I often feel like I am doing work above my skill level which, while stressful, is a great learning opportunity and I feel as if I am adding value to my team. My days typically involve drafting correspondence and documents, as well as being in charge of monitoring inboxes and incoming/outgoing correspondence. My mentor partner is very good at ensuring I have exposure to lots of different kinds of work.
About the employer
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
4.6
1,000 - 50,000 employees
Law
At Corrs, we provide opportunities for outstanding graduates to become exceptional lawyers.
Pros and cons of working at Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Pros
The deep commitment to learning and development at all levels. Corrs provides extensive formal training across workshops for graduate cohorts across the firm, within each practice group, and between practice groups. They also provide significant informal learning opportunities, developed through a culture of actively engaging juniors on matters, trusting us with real responsibility early on, and providing substantial mentoring.
I have been exposed to a wide range of legal matters at the cutting edge of my practice area. Not only this, but the opportunity to work on such matters also includes getting involved in the decision-making and strategy of a matter. This ties in with the mentorship and support aspect of lawyer development; my seniors are able and willing to work collaboratively, teach, and help improve my work. Not only this, they are receptive to my interests and capacity. The firm has supported me in pursuing the work of my choosing, so I am able to source work from a variety of sources and interests. The firm's commitment to nurturing talent and helping us grow as legal professionals is truly commendable.
The people on my team are great. I love coming to work and feel very grateful that I get to work every day with people I can have fun with and consider friends.
- Great remuneration and leave entitlements; - Excellent learning and development opportunities; - Interesting work and some of the best matters/client exposure in the industry; - Sociable, and the firm makes a real effort to build a positive culture; - Flexibility.
Clear growth and ambition for the firm; diverse opportunities to get involved with; generally collegiate attitude
Cons
As with all similar firms, the hours can be demanding. You will often work on other people's schedules at a junior level.
The unfortunate result of being in one of the highest offices (with the best views) is that the sun can heat up the office quickly; thankfully, we have pretty good air conditioning!
As expected of being part of a workplace performing at the highest tier of legal work, the work can be challenging and the hours long. The workload can be quite variable, with certain periods requiring intense effort, especially when dealing with complex cases or projects. Balancing these peaks in workload with personal life commitments can be a struggle at times, even though the firm actively promotes work-life balance. I believe that this is a personal challenge that all lawyers face or will face. While it is an inevitable corollary of the standard of work we provide, it is one that seniors (at least in my experience at Corrs) are hyper-aware and considerate of.
The workload can be unpredictable and, at times, can be very busy.
There can be times of stress.