Law Firms

Align Law is a boutique firm founded by lawyers who have an entrepreneurial spirit. We pride ourselves in understanding our clients’ business needs and finding the best legal solutions. We act for high profile landmark projects for pre-eminent local and international clients. We are united in our vision to break away from the traditional mould in which law firms operate in order to become a truly innovative and forward thinking legal services provider.

Students participating in this clinical placement will be working with all team members at Align, supervised by our lawyers, and will be guided by one of the founding partners of Align Law. You will be immersed in a broad range of legal matters including, but not limited to, matters in Property Law, Planning Law, Construction Law and Corporate and Commercial Law.

Not only will you be encouraged to have client interaction, you will be tasked to take carriage of a minimum of one file (including client management) throughout the clinical placement period at Align Law. In addition, there will be plenty of events which you are invited to join to take a peek into what life is like at Align.

At Align your imagination is the limit. You will be encouraged to be creative, to challenge conventions, to collaborate with consultants, contacts, and clients and to identify and create alignments for yourselves.

At Baker McKenzie, we are different in the way we think, work and behave. Our story is one of imagination, determination and hard work.  Like no other law firm, we were born global, so thinking and working globally is embedded in our culture.  For over 70 years, our people have helped nurture our unique organisation. We have followed clients into new markets, establishing offices driven by local lawyers and talent. And our growth has been organic, giving us a strong, common culture that runs through our Firm.

We offer our people access to market-leading, cross-border, local, and industry-focused matters for leading multinational and domestic clients. We understand our clients' businesses, industries, and strategic objectives. We work with our clients to overcome the challenges of competing in the global economy. We have an unrivalled ability to provide training and secondment opportunities across our global network. We have an inclusive culture of learning, coaching and opportunity, where you work in small teams on matters that cross borders. We are The New Lawyers for the New World.

What will I do during my clinical placement?

Students who undertake this placement will have the opportunity to work with one of three practice groups, namely Construction, Corporate (Global Reorganisations) or Dispute Resolution. They will be given real work and responsibility and be exposed to our Australian and international clients, just like our junior lawyers. Working with lawyers of all levels, they will be guided by a supervisor and buddy, and with the Firm's strong culture of mentoring, they will receive coaching and feedback throughout the program. They will also have the opportunity to connect and network with our people and attend relevant professional development sessions and social events.

The types of work in which students will be involved include: drafting correspondence, preparing court documents, drafting advices or agreements, document review tasks, attending client meetings, attending court/mediations, attending meetings with barristers, attending meetings with expert or other witnesses, attending settlements, preparing client alerts - and, of course, you will have the opportunity to put into practice those excellent legal research skills you have gained at university.

Students applying for this program should have a keen interest in commercial law and be able to demonstrate this interest through their studies and experiences. Students are also encouraged to express an interest in one of the three practice areas above.

Forty Four Degrees is a boutique Australian Law Firm working to assist both individuals and businesses. As lawyers, our duty to the court and to the client is paramount, although sometimes in tension with each other. The mission of each lawyer at 44 is to navigate this with honesty, integrity, and humility.

Forty Four Degrees believes in taking the holistic approach to clients and their journeys and assisting them to navigate their interactions with the law.

We aim to be responsible corporate bodies in areas of social justice, environmental issues, and staff well being. We will be quick, mobile, and responsive to the market and emerging technologies.

Our policy is to promote diversity and equality to all people we interact with irrespective of their gender, race, ethnic origin, disability, age, nationality, national origin, sexuality, religion or belief, marital status and social class. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination and will actively seek employees from diverse backgrounds as we appreciate the value of differing experiences.

Forty Four Degrees practices law across a range of areas including:

• Technology and startup law;
• Property law including conveyancing and leasing;
• Commercial law;
• Civil litigation;
• Wills & estates;
• Bankruptcy and insolvency;
• Criminal law;
• Family law; and
• Professionals facing investigations and charges from their regulatory bodies.

Duties of the placement might include:

• Observing legal processes and actively suggesting ways to implement technology to improve efficiency;
• Attending client and stakeholder meetings;
• Filing paperwork for various files;
• Going to court to file documents or instruct;
• Opening and closing files in LEAP;
• Under supervision, drafting orders and simple divorce applications;
• Indexing litigation files, discovery and drafting routine correspondence;
• Drafting letters of demand using precedents;
• Taking a chronology or client statement and ensuring that follow-up action is taken;
• Ensuring introductory materials are given if necessary and that client is allocated to the appropriate person;
• Researching cases for website, social media publication and CPD presentations; and
• Designing and drafting marketing materials and online web forms for client information purposes

About Hamilton Locke

We are an international law firm evolving the traditional approach to corporate and commercial legal services.  We were established in 2018 and have offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Newcastle and Auckland.  We advise clients across Australia and New Zealand, and we have been recognised as one of Australia’s fastest growing law firms.

Hamilton Locke’s Melbourne Office comprises 10 partners and 21 legal staff practicing in the areas of:

• Corporate, Public and Private M&A and Private Equity,
• Banking and Finance including Restructuring and Insolvency,
• Litigation and Dispute Resolution;
• Intellectual Property, Technology and Privacy;
• Competition and Consumer Law;
• Private Clients.

Law students participating in the Hamilton Locke placement program may do work for one practice group, or work across multiple practice groups, during their placement depending upon student interest and workflow requirements.

The types of tasks students may be involved in during the placement are:

• Undertaking legal research and drafting memos on a range of legal issues relevant to client instructions, developments in particular areas of the law or practice development/internal and external publications;
• Reviewing, summarising and analysing contracts, legislation and court documents;
• Reviewing and proofreading contracts and client reports;
• Preparing draft documents/agreements/court forms using firm precedents;
• Assisting with projects such as due diligence or litigation discovery and assisting with the drafting and preparation of due diligence reports;
• Attending virtual and in-person meetings with clients; and
• Attending weekly team meetings.

Law students with an interest in corporate and commercial law are encouraged to apply.

Students participating in this clinic will work with two Partners in the Mergers & Acquisition team, learning about corporate governance and the practical application of shareholder rights to companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).

The M&A partners will take you through the legal and commercial frameworks and the current governance and corporate social responsibility challenges faced by ASX listed companies.  With that background, you will do a ‘deep dive’ on a major ASX listed company’s corporate governance report, working closely with the M&A partners and also the company secretary or general counsel of the company.

In collaboration with the M&A partners and the chosen company’s company secretary or general counsel, students will prepare a group report that gives their views on how well the company complies with corporate governance reporting requirements and potential areas for improvement.

During the clinic, students will have full access to KWM’s offices and resources, sitting within the M&A team and will have weekly sessions with the M&A partners.

For over 20 years, Media Arts Lawyers has given practical and commercial legal advice to clients throughout the entertainment, media, and creative industries. Acting for high-profile talent and multinational companies alongside emerging and fledgling projects, we set the benchmark for creatively strategic legal solutions – no matter the deal size. Our combined experience means that we have the skill, deep networks, lateral thinking, and foresight to achieve the best commercial outcomes for our clients. We don’t just do the paperwork, we think creatively to develop strategic solutions and structure intelligent deals.

Duties of the placement might include:

• Taking notes during client consultations;
• Filing paperwork for various files;
• Marking up, comparing, reviewing and proofreading contracts;
• Drafting memos of advice;
• Drafting letters of demand and other correspondence using precedents;
• Researching laws, regulations and relevant cases;
• Students who have studied IP Law are encouraged to apply.

Mills Oakley Everyday Justice is a Community Legal Service owned, and operated in collaboration with, leading national law firm Mills Oakley. Everyday Justice delivers pro bono support to individuals and small businesses who aren’t eligible for Legal Aid or a Community Legal Centre. We’re a generalist service offering advice and representation in employment, residential and commercial tenancy, credit & debt, financial abuse, wills & estates, discrimination and public interest law, among a lot more.

You’ll be working on research briefs, legal drafting, taking instructions from clients and be their introduction to Everyday Justice. You’ll work with the team on developing advice for clients and be there for the delivery - we cover a lot of areas so we’ll match matters to your interest.