Why Bakers
The main reason I applied to Baker McKenzie is one I'm sure you've seen in many anecdotes from Bakers' people – Bakers is a truly global firm! I first learnt about Bakers in a university subject where we were considering how the globalized legal system requires a multidisciplinary lawyer who is comfortable navigating numerous jurisdictions. Of course, we had to learn about the first global law firm – the firm that recognized that clients navigate their businesses around the world and their lawyers should too. The innovative and global nature of the Firm immediately caught my attention because I had always wanted to work on global matters and experience the legal system beyond Australia.
In actual fact, I completed my clerkship application process while I was on exchange overseas! Of course, true to its global nature, the Firm navigated this process seamlessly and made a special effort to ensure I was able to participate in the various parts of the process and learn about all aspects of the Firm.
My clerkship experience
As early as my first week as a clerk at Bakers, I realized that the Firm offered more than I could have anticipated.
Our clerkship began with a thorough induction program which stepped through everything I needed to know for my clerkship. It involved a general overview of the Firm's systems and programs (including its development programs, Pro Bono and Community Service programs and global programs), and also focused on practical skills sessions on areas such as legal research, drafting, and how to succeed during your clerkship. These training sessions were complemented by panels of lawyers who shared their experiences at the Firm, the work undertaken by different practice groups, and the opportunities the Firm offered at different career stages.
The structure of the clerkship program at Bakers Melbourne is designed so that you are placed in one practice group for four weeks, and you are partnered with a supervising partner and junior lawyer buddy who support you throughout the clerkship. I was placed in the Transactional Practice Group, which does a range of work such as M&A, Capital Markets, Private Equity, Global reorganizations, Funds and Energy matters. I was really excited because I was specifically placed with a partner who focused on telecommunications, media and technology, which meant I gained an insight into M&A work generally but also what it was like to work with people who have in-depth industry experience.
On my first day in the team, I was (understandably) quite nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. However, as soon as I entered my team, my buddy greeted me warmly. We chatted for ages, talking about what brought me to the Firm, what I wanted out of the clerkship and what opportunities I wanted to be involved in. I was incredibly grateful to have someone I could reach out to, to ask those small questions. My buddy was also generous in giving me advice not only for my clerkship but for my professional career. This was actually something that was common in many other lawyers across the team too – everyone was willing to invest in my development and career (even during a short four week clerkship!). I also really appreciated how all the lawyers I worked with gave me detailed feedback on each task I did, and took the time to tell me about the kind of work that they did too. This allowed me to learn about the diversity of work which exists in the Firm, which I found invaluable as a clerk.
During my clerkship, I also shared an office with my supervising partner, who was a great mentor. She invited me to get involved in her meetings and discussions with other team members, and was always open to walking me through the broader matter—beyond the task I was given. She was also amazing at giving feedback!
The work I received throughout the clerkship was incredibly varied and was genuine, real client work. It was rewarding to see how the work I was doing was actually being used to support the client too! For example, I was required to go through the process documents of an M&A transaction and pull out the key conditions our client needed to comply with. I also had the opportunity to research novel questions relating to legislative interpretation to advise our client on different approaches they might take. It was particularly inspiring to see my work, such as my key conditions table or research, implemented in the advice that was provided to the client.
Clerking in the Transactional Practice Group often meant that I was involved in complex matters which had been on foot for a long time. Despite this, even when I was given a small task, my supervising partner and other team members took the time to explain the matter to me, gave me the opportunity to understand what it would be like to work on a matter from start to end, and shared how I was able to contribute to the moving pieces of a transaction. In working on these transactions, I also appreciated how truly global the Firm was. It wasn't just about having offices around the world; it was about working with clients, colleagues and issues which spanned jurisdictions. It was truly apparent how seamlessly the Firm navigated these matters with its inherent global nature.
Beyond work
Bakers also offered multiple opportunities (even as a clerk!) to be involved in various parts of the Firm, including social events, pro bono initiatives, and inclusion, diversity and equity committee meetings and events.
For me, the highlights were the Firm's annual lawn bowls event and the pro bono matters I got involved in. In my clerkship period, all the clerks (across the three intakes) were invited to attend the lawn bowls event—a truly amazing Firm event which interstate staff even flew in for!). It was great to meet people across the Firm in a relaxed, social setting and also see everyone's competitive spirits come out!
My second highlight, which was an important one for me, was the opportunity to work on pro bono matters. This allowed me to work alongside clients who were doing inspiring work and learn about different areas of law from different members of the Firm. For example, I was able to work on assisting start-up organizations with their corporate governance and charity registration so that they could continue to grow and expand their work.
Having had such an amazing experience as a clerk, there was no doubt in my mind that Bakers was the Firm for me. As I write this article, as a new graduate, and reflect on the Firm's investment in my development, the global opportunities and experiences available to me, and all the wonderful people I get to work with, I am incredibly happy that I chose Bakers for my graduate program and career.