Allens Confidential

Five things I wish I knew

In this episode, Cat and Sam sit down with recent clerks Georgia Coleman and Hugo Miric to unpack the five things they wish they knew before applying for and completing their clerkships. From wardrobe malfunctions to cupcake controversies, Georgia and Hugo share candid stories, practical tips, and honest reflections on navigating the clerkship process.

Looking for more info on clerkships? Your Clerkship Companion is our comprehensive guide to navigating the clerkship process. 

Check out our recent episode on how to build a standout CV.

How to build a standout CV

Cat and Sam kick off clerkship application season for another year by exploring the dark art of CV writing with Thomas Wigglesworth, Talent Acquisition & Early Careers National Manager, and Vishaya Pracy, Lawyer in Technology, Media & Telecommunications. Is having a stacked resume the ultimate ticket to success? How do you find experience worthy of your CV? What does Allens look for when reviewing resumes? Thomas and Vishaya share their tips on framing your experience, the importance of following your interests and why Allens values diverse skills and experience.

Looking for more advice? Explore Your clerkship companion, our end-to-end guide to the clerkship application process 

Rotation in focus: Real Estate

In the final episode of Allens Confidential for 2024, Cat and Sam dive into the world of real estate with Partner Annabelle Aland and Senior Associate Lauren Cutuli. What sort of work do real estate lawyers do? What skills do they require? What makes it interesting? Annabelle and Lauren share their experiences in Real Estate, what they love about their jobs and how practising real estate differs from the (often deeply unpopular) university subject. 

Lawyering the energy transition

Australia’s energy industry is in the midst of a monumental transformation, and it's keeping lawyers busy. Sam and Cat are joined by Projects Partner Dani Jones and Banking & Finance Partner Scott McCoy as they explore the role lawyers are playing in the energy transition. What's required for Australia's switch to clean energy? How does energy transition work differ from other work? How can junior lawyers get involved? 

Clerkship offers: Allens Confidential goes live!

Receiving clerkship offers is an exciting milestone for law students, but it can also feel all-consuming. In this special live recording of Allens Confidential from our recent pre-offer event in Sydney, Cat and Sam speak with lawyer Annie Reddick and senior paralegal Kei Shishido, who give their advice on how to navigate clerkship decision-making.

Feeling overwhelmed about where to next? Check out our Clerkship Companion guide for tips on the process, next steps and how to formulate a plan B if required: https://graduates.allens.com.au/life-at-allens/your-clerkship-companion/post-offer-day-celebrating-and-learning/ 

Rotation in focus: Funds, Super and Financial Services

Can junior lawyers work in an area of law in which they have no previous experience? Intimidating as it might seem, this week's episode reveals why diving into the unknown can often be the best move at the start of your career. In this episode, Cat and Sam meet Funds, Super and Financial Services partner Kerensa Sneyd and lawyer Curtis Haas to find out more about the practice area and what makes it special for early-career lawyers. What actually is funds, super and financial services? Do you need a business degree to thrive? What skills does it develop in junior lawyers? Kerensa and Curtis share their interest in the practice, how they (unexpectedly) ended up there and what it feels like to see their advice to clients in action. 

Grad expectations vs reality

Picture this: you achieve your clerkship dreams, nab a spot at Allens and experience the glory of Australia's top internship program. But what happens next? Sam and Cat speak with current graduates Fahid Ifthekhar and Ruby Evans to explore what it's really like to be a grad at Allens. Fahid and Ruby share their experiences of work hours, flexibility, legal training, dress code, choosing rotations and managing imposter syndrome.

Rotation in focus: Banking & Finance

Cat and Sam explore the wonderful world of Banking & Finance and the opportunities it offers for early career lawyers. Partner Jo Folan and Senior Associate Brian Kirkup join the podcast to explore what Banking & Finance lawyers actually do, the benefits of working overseas, career development opportunities and transferability of skills. 

How to nail your clerkship interview

As clerkship interview season kicks off, we ask a seasoned interviewer and a recent interviewee to give their top tips for making the most of your interview. Cat and Sam are joined by Sydney staff partner Sikeli Ratu and 2022-23 summer clerk Zoe Shim, who share their experiences of interviewing for clerkships. What's the best way to prepare for an interview? What should you talk about? What star characteristics are interviewers looking for? 

Got more questions? Don't forget to check out our Clerkship Companion, our end-to-end guide to navigating the clerkship process.

Workplace culture

Workplace culture can be difficult to pin down from the outside, particularly when you're just starting out in your career. In this episode, Cat and Sam speak with Chief People Officer Sam Turner and Lawyer Tushaar Garg to get the inside track on Allens' culture and how it plays out at an individual level. What sets Allens' culture apart? Why is collaboration important? What's the deal with the non-siloed structure? Sam discusses the importance of expressing your true self and finding your people at work, while Tushaar shares his experience with Allens' Cultural Awareness Network (CAN).

Find out more about inclusion and diversity at Allens.