A Day in the Life of a Vacation Clerk

Alyce Elder

QUT Law Student,
Clayton Utz Winter Vacation Clerk 2008
and 2010 Clayton Utz Trainee

“The best advice I have is for clerks to be themselves and to enjoy the experience.”

As a 2008 Winter Vacation Clerk at Clayton Utz, what does a typical day look and feel like?

A typical day of the clerkship involved working in a particular practice group on legal tasks relevant to matters of the group, supervised by a Mentor (generally a Senior Associate). I experienced one rotation in the Real Estate practice area, and completed tasks including drafting correspondence and forms, preparing advices, researching case law and legislation, reviewing property files to prepare status updates. I also attended court, settlements and conferences with Real Estate lawyers. A day also usually involved attending either a legal training session, such as learning negotiation skills; or a legal information session, which provided information regarding each of the legal practice areas in the Brisbane office of Clayton Utz.

How did you find your Orientation during your first week?

I really enjoyed my Orientation at Clayton Utz. The first day encompassed introduction to Clayton Utz processes and people through introductory information sessions provided by HR regarding the firm, and morning tea and lunch with fellow employees. I was also introduced to my ‘Buddy’, a 2008 Trainee who assisted with queries about the firm’s procedures and processes during the clerkship. On the second day, I was introduced to my Mentor, who supervised my work flow, and the Real Estate practice group, and commenced working in the group. As the week progressed, I attended further training regarding the firm and general legal education each day, but with gradually more time in my practice group. This Orientation structure was helpful in my transition into the workings of a practice group.

What has been your favourite Clerkship experience so far?

My favorite clerkship experience was attending a client meeting for a pro bono matter. The client’s admiration and gratitude to my Mentor during the meeting in assisting in his legal situation was a very rewarding experience.

Have you come across anything that has surprised you?

As a top-tier firm, I was unsure of how approachable partners and senior employees at Clayton Utz would be. I found they were not only approachable, but further, willing to converse about their previous experiences, at Clayton Utz and in legal practice generally. This assisted in further understanding career progression in law.

Do you have any advice for other students who are doing a Clerkship at Clayton Utz?

The best advice I have is for clerks to be themselves and to enjoy the experience. The clerkship is a great way to assess whether you enjoy an area of law in practice, by being part of a practice group; obtaining an understanding of the culture of Clayton Utz and of legal practice, by talking to colleagues throughout the firm and attending firm functions; and to build some ‘real world’ practical legal skills, by engaging in legal training sessions.

Have you always wanted to be a lawyer? What are your long term career goals?

I wanted to be a lawyer in high school on realising I was stronger in humanity subjects and enjoyed advocating for the school’s charitable drives (Ally McBeal episodes may have also assisted!). Some of my long term career goals are to become a Special Counsel or Partner in a law firm, to complete Masters of Law, and to make a significant contribution to international aid programs facilitating development in developing countries.

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