QUT Graduates!

With Vacation Clerkships just around the corner, QUT Graduate Anna Le shares some thoughts about her legal journey so far.

Anna Le

2009 Trainee Lawyer
Clayton Utz

“Everyone appreciates that you are new… so don’t be afraid to ask questions.”

What degree did you study and when did you graduate? Did you have a favourite subject/lecturer?

I studied a straight law degree, finished my final exams in November 2008 and graduated in March 2009. My favourite subjects were Intellectual Property, Taxation and Contracts. My favourite lecturers were Des Butler and Peter Black.

As a current Trainee Lawyer at Clayton Utz, what does a typical day look and feel like?

I usually arrive at the office just before 8:30 am and begin the day by checking my emails. My day usually consists of researching cases, legislation and commentary, preparing memos and drafting letters, contracts and forms. I work closely with my “Buddy” (2008 Trainee Lawyer), senior associate and partner and they provide a lot of advice and assistance in everything I do. We attend fortnightly continuing learning education meetings and I sometimes prepare and present case notes. As part of the trainee program we have regular trainee meetings and learning sessions which give us an opportunity to catch up with each other. I usually finish work around 6:00 pm.

How are you finding your Practical Legal Training (PLT)?

It isn’t difficult or challenging, but it is very time consuming. Clayton Utz gives us one day a week to complete our PLT work, but we need to be flexible when work gets busy.

Do you have any regrets? Would you do anything differently while you were at Uni to get into the position you are in at the moment?

I don’t really have any regrets, except that I probably should have made the most of the programs and events at QUT, including participating in the torts peer mentoring program and mooting competitions.

If a student secures a placement for a Vacation Clerkship, what is ONE thing that you would advise they remember?

I didn’t do a clerkship so my advice would be that it isn’t the end of the world if you don’t get one! Although, it probably would have been a lot less stressful around the time job applications are due if I secured a job through a clerkship beforehand. From what I have heard, the best advice for clerks would be to relax and don’t try too hard. Everyone appreciates that you are new and that you don’t know everything like the back of your hand, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Did you always want to be a lawyer? What are your long term career goals?

I have wanted to be a lawyer since I was little and was always encouraged by my family and friends saying that I would make a great lawyer because I talk a lot! After graduating from law school and working in law, I know that I wouldn’t be able to do anything else. My long term career goals are to find the area of law I am passionate about and then work my way up the ladder.

Clayton Utz News