Herbert Smith Freehills
Catalyst Diversity Program (Dec 2024)
Sydney, Melbourne
Opportunity expired
Opportunity details
- Internship, Clerkship or Placement
- Unpaid
- 20-40 vacancies
- Apply by 17 Nov 2024
- Start date 1 Dec 2024
Are you a first-year university student looking to explore career pathways in law or other industries? Our Catalyst Diversity Program is a gateway to gain cross-industry exposure, develop professional and personal skills, and gain insight into the integral role of diversity and inclusion in business. This is your chance to step into a world of possibilities.
We welcome students from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to low socio-economic background, disability or caring for someone with a disability, First Nations, ethnicity or culturally diverse background, LGBT+ or veteran.
What you'll do
During an immersive two-day, in-person program, you'll participate in workshops, group activities, and presentations to gain insight into the legal industry, explore diversity and inclusion, and develop skills needed to kick-start your career.
We'll also personally match you with a mentor from the firm who can offer personalised advice and guidance to support your professional growth and career planning post-program.
Key dates
- Applications for the 2024 program are now open
- Each year we offer 20-25 places per offices. The program dates are:
- Melbourne: 2-3 December 2024
- Sydney: 10-11 December 2024
Adjustments
As part of our Global Adjustments Commitment, we are committed to the inclusion of all individuals participating in the application process. This includes providing tailored accommodations to those that require them. You can request accommodations at any stage. If you would prefer to discuss beforehand, please reach out to your local Graduate Recruitment Consultant.
Hiring criteria
- No experience required
- Australian Citizen +more
- Law, Legal Studies & Justice +more
- Associate Degree or higher
Reviews
My role has, essentially, been to act as a sponge. Take in as much about the culture of the team and the firm as I do about the law and the work. My day to day responsibilities would include managing email correspondence and document management systems, doing drafting or proofing work, and helping out other Brisbane and interstate teams that are stretched with time intensive work in things like document review.
I am responsible as the junior lawyer on a range of matters that I have worked on since I started the graduate program. This allows me to develop client relationships and familiarity with the subject matter. My tasks include emailing clients updates, responding to client queries, amending contracts based on client or partner feedback and attending client meetings. As I have progressed in the graduate program, my responsibilities have increased at a rate that challenges me and allows me to grow.
Graduate role - tasks range from having a first go at reviewing and drafting documents, preparing pitch proposals to potential clients and assisting the team with document management when closing a deal.
About the employer
Herbert Smith Freehills
4.5
1,000 - 50,000 employees
Law
A leading global law firm delivering high-profile work that matters to our clients. We have the ambition to do things differently.
Pros and cons of working at Herbert Smith Freehills
Pros
Learning from the best. Everyone is super smart and invested in my career development. I have felt incredibly supported from day 1.
HSF has great people, great work, and great experience for anyone who comes here, especially for a graduate like myself.
The firm is really flexible with its work-from-home policy and benefits for employees who are required to work late.
The firm's culture is top-notch across the board, everyone from senior lawyers and partners to support staff are so willing to help each other.
The training and development at HSF is unmatched. Hands-on in a challenging environment where you have every opportunity to learn and grow.
Cons
Same as every top-tier firm, if there is a big deal you can be working longer hours. But the sense of achievement provides a lot of satisfaction.
There isn't anything that I can think of - it would be better if the firm invested more in graduate bonding/social events.
Long hours are a common experience in the industry and largely unavoidable given the client-centric nature of the work.
The fast-paced nature of the work means you don't always get to spend as much time as you would like on tasks.
As with all big commercial firms, work hours and pipeline can be unpredictable but that is the nature of working with big clients and transactions.