Clinical placement offerings

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.

We are Burch&Co., a boutique commercial law firm based in South Melbourne. With a strong commitment to excellence, we offer a wide range of legal services tailored to meet the needs of our clients. Our team consists of highly skilled and experienced lawyers who are passionate about delivering exceptional results.

At Burch&Co., we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and supportive work environment. Our collaborative approach allows us to tackle complex legal challenges while maintaining a personalised touch. Our practice groups include commercial law, corporate M&A, dispute resolution, and the start-up and capital team.

As a student placement program participant at Burch&Co., you will gain invaluable practical experience under the guidance of our legal professionals. We believe in nurturing talent and offering a stepping stone for budding legal professionals to embark on a successful career.

Areas of law

You will be working across multiple practice areas, with the option to work exclusively for:

• the Startup and Capital team, or
• the sports law and advisory arm of the business.

If you wish to be considered for an exclusive team placement, please indicate this preference in your application, although exclusive placement cannot be guaranteed.

General objectives and responsibilities

Regardless of the practice area, general expectations and objectives of student placement participants are:

• To uphold the voice of Burch&Co. in the delivery of legal services;
• To develop a deep and broad understanding and passion for the law;
• To assist the administrative and legal research functions of the firm;
• To be engaged with the firm and enjoy being a part of the law.

Responsibilities and tasks include:

• Conducting legal research, information retrieval and fact gathering;
• Attending client meetings and drafting file notes;
• Researching interesting recent case law developments or industry specific developments and preparing legal insights, think pieces or legal updates for the Burch&Co. Community and website;
• Assisting with file management including opening new files;
• Providing administrative support to the wider team;
• Assisting with ASIC searches, trade mark searches, and e-signing requests;
• Maintaining a high level of confidentiality and professionalism at all times.

Bureau IP is a boutique Intellectual Property firm based in Prahran. We work with high profile local and international brands across a broad array of industries such as – hospitality, media & entertainment, travel, health & fitness, fashion, design & sport. Our clients range from start-ups to established international brands and celebrities. We provide expert knowledge, guidance and strategic advice for legal and particularly Trademark related matters.

The Role

As the successful candidate you will be providing assistance with:

• Review, comparison and mark up of various contracts;
• Trade Mark applications and searches (local and offshore);
• Legal research;
• Correspondence to clients and International Associates;
• Review of trade mark portfolios;
• Preparation of template documentation;
• Other administrative duties as directed.

Catcher Legal provides commercial and dispute advice to individuals and small to medium businesses with a particular focus on domestic building work.  We also offer services relating to structuring, purchasing and selling businesses. We do a lot of advice work and all clients and their issues are treated individually. We place great importance on ensuring our clients understand the legal risks they face and try to find non litigious resolutions to disputes where possible. We operate a low key, friendly service for clients, they can speak to us directly and as needed. We would love to have a student who is interested in the people as well as the legal issues, who is prepared to think laterally and with compassion.

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

This placement is established in conjunction with the Castan Centre for Human Rights. Students are required to attend Holding Redlich, where they undertake a range of tasks associated with litigation involving human rights in the broadest sense – everything from compensation for workplace injuries and discrimination to assisting asylum seekers and elderly victims of fraud and predatory lending. Students with an interest in human rights are likely to be attracted to this placement.

Immediate casework supervision is provided by the law firm, with academic coordination by a member of staff.

Activities may include:

• Attendance at client interviews;
• Attendance at meetings with clients and barristers;
• Attendance and preparation for mediations;
• Attendance and support at Court;
• Undertaking detailed legal research in support of legal practitioners preparing cases;
• Other administrative duties as directed.

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.

Lacey & Co. The Integrity Group is a boutique firm based in Ballarat, although our fascinating, diverse client base is metropolitan, national & international. We:

• Provide legal advice & strategy on workplace matters;
• Provide anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, anti-bullying advice & training; undertake investigations;
• Provide learning & development; provide alternative dispute resolution;
• Are the only scientific research integrity legal team in Australia, working with Australia’s leading scientists and with journalists, lobbyists & strategists to seek reform via an office for research integrity & have Anon, a whistleblower disclosure service which helps ensure safer workplaces and a safe means for whistleblowers to disclose misconduct.

Your experience will be broad: contact with clients, work that is worthwhile and fun; good food and coffee; an hilarious, smart & kind team.

Our requirements are: integrity, initiative, intelligence and a broad-minded approach to the law in the context of a cross disciplinary team.

We welcome diversity. We practise what we preach here and this workplace is safe, diverse, supportive, flexible. This is not a traditional law firm & our team prioritises safety, integrity, respect.

Excellence is fundamental to us, so diversity is, too. We live and work on Wathaurong land: sovereignty has never been ceded, no treaties ever signed. Our privilege flows from that injustice & our education, work, options & choices mean we need to give back and to build our business ethically.

Lacey & Co. also heartily welcomes students from diverse backgrounds to apply. Students who apply must be prepared to travel to Ballarat for placement days (one day per week for 12 weeks).

Become a part of Lander & Rogers' AI Team. Lander & Rogers is Australia's largest independent law firm and is known for its driving innovation within the legal industry. Work alongside lawyers, the tech team and key members of the firm's award-winning, multi-disciplinary team of problem solvers and innovators, the iHub. Over the course of your placement, you'll work in a group to uncover unique legal use cases for employing artificial intelligence, test new applications and platforms, and help shape the firm's policy around what Bill Gates has deemed the 'most important technological advance in decades'.

Lander & Rogers (Landers) is an award-winning and a leading independent Australian law firm, comprising over 500 people including 75 partners across its offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Landers is a firm with a strong reputation for having an authentic and inclusive culture. Consistent with our values and culture, we are strongly committed to pro bono & community work and supporting our environment.

Clinical placement

Landers, in partnership with Monash University, is proud to offer two (2) clinical placements for Monash University law students. This clinical placement opportunity will be based in Landers' Pro Bono, Community and Environment (Pro Bono) practice group. Students from an Indigenous or South Sudanese background, or students who have an interest in these cultures (through volunteering or affiliations) are encouraged to apply.

Tasks

Throughout the duration of the clinical placement, participants can expect to undertake the following tasks:

• Work closely with the two Personal Assistants and the South Sudanese Business Response (SSBR) Project Officer in supporting the national Pro Bono Partner;
• Provide support to the Project Officer in implementing and executing project goals and strategies for the SSBR project;
• Where the need arises, conduct legal research, produce memos and analysis on various legal matters for legal and non-legal staff;
• Conducting legal research for Pro Bono clients (e.g. not-for-profit organisations) and in connection with indigenous social justice projects;
• Assist victims of crime with completing and submitting their applications to the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal working with Indigenous led Services and Community Legal Centres;
• Prepare, edit, format and proof-read documents (e.g. word documents, PowerPoint presentations and excel spreadsheets);
• Perform file maintenance, e-filing and updating databases;
• Draft and review legal and non-legal documents for lawyers and various business groups;
• Attend court with lawyers acting in pro bono matters;
• Assist with the continual improvement of processes within the practice group and across the firm; and
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders.

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.