Gareth Oxley

Trainee Solicitor
Clayton Utz

“Try to get involved in as many firm activities as you can.”

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

I studied a double degree in Law and IT and finished mid 2008. My favourite subject would probably have been Contracts or Intellectual Property and favourite lecturer, Ben McGlade.

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

I usually try to get into the office around 8.00 am and start the day by checking my emails and reading over the main stories in the paper. For my first rotation, I am in the Technology and Intellectual Property group. This means my day is usually made up of tasks like preparing research memos, drafting letters, filing applications or helping to draft agreements or advices. We also get to attend plenty of training sessions, client meetings and other firm wide events like morning teas. I usually leave the office between 5.30 and 6.00 pm.

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

Before I started PLT, I’d heard from a lot of people that it really isn’t difficult, just time consuming, and I would have to agree. Its very practical and hands on and each week we have some form of assessment to do, like writing a client letter or completing a property transfer application. We are fortunate to have one day a week to complete our PLT work.

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?

While at Uni, I was never aware of the QUT mentoring scheme - where students are partnered up with lawyers who advise them on their career options. I have heard that this is a really good way to meet people within the industry and increase your chances of getting a paralegal job while still at Uni or a graduate position when you finish.

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

Relax and enjoy yourself. Try to get involved in as many firm activities as you can, and if you are invited to the firm Christmas party - take up the offer, they are always a heap of fun!

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

I think I knew I wanted to be a lawyer around the time I was finishing primary school. There was something about all the suits, skyscrapers and big court cases that caught my attention. As far as long term goals go, I want to work really hard over the next few years to try and make it to Senior Associate level. After that who knows!

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.

QUT Law Student
Clayton Utz Summer Vacation Clerk 2008/2009 and 
2010 Clayton Utz Trainee

“All of the staff were very approachable and encouraged us to ask questions.”

As a 2008 Summer 2 Vacation Clerk at Clayton Utz, what does a typical day look and feel like?

It can throw anything at you whether it’s research, preparing case notes or briefs to Counsel. I have had the opportunity to prepare presentations for the group and to attend court to help in the proceedings. There is also plenty of opportunities to take part in training seminars and workshops with the other Clerks.

How did you find your Orientation during your first week?

It was really good. The first few days we met the other Clerks and went through some training. After that we were introduced to our groups. Both groups that I worked with were really friendly and the other Clerks gave similar feedback. They were really interested in getting us involved in the team and made an effort to involve us in the full spectrum of work that they undertake. We were also assigned a Buddy and a Mentor who provided us with work and who we could approach with any questions.

What has been your favourite Clerkship experience so far?

It would have to be my first few days in court. Getting the chance to brief Counsel at their chambers and then take part in the court proceedings. It provided great hands on experience and also gave me the opportunity to meet with different Barristers. I also really enjoyed the exercises that we did with the Partners. These included a negotiations exercise and an interactive workshop where we attempted to resolve different client scenarios.

Have you come across anything that has surprised you?

I was surprised by the open door policy of the firm. All of the staff were very approachable and encouraged us to ask questions. It made it easier to approach them when I had questions and it helped me to provide a higher quality of work.

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

Clayton Utz are looking for individuals rather than somebody who fits the mould. Be yourself and work hard to improve your skills through experience and extra curricular activities. Also enjoy the process and work well with others rather than being competitive. Although it may seem that it is a competitive process they are looking for people who enjoy working with others and who will fit well within the team.

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

I have always wanted a career that provided me with challenges and opportunities to improve and progress. I would like to get good experience across different areas of the law and find the area that I am best suited for. I would also like to gain experience in different jurisdictions and within different industries and Clayton Utz can provides these opportunities.

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.