Allens Confidential

Commerciality and clerkships

Law firms often say they look for candidates who demonstrate commerciality, but what does that mean? Cat and Sam catch up with Partner and Head of M&A Vijay Cugati and Senior Associate Sassica Hoolahan to explore the concept of commerciality. What are law firms looking for? How do you develop it? What do you do if it comes up in an interview?

Got a question for Cat and Sam? Let us know what's on your mind in our anonymous submission box. And don't forget to check out our Clerkship Companion guide if you're considering a clerkship this year.

Meet our new hosts, Cat and Sam

The most wonderful time of the year - clerkship recruitment season - is almost upon us, and we've appointed new Allens Confidential hosts to mark the occasion. Meet our new hosts, Cat Thomas and Sam Guzman, in a special teaser episode for our new season! Cat and Sam introduce themselves with a classic baptism of fire by sharing their nightmare fuel career missteps, as well as sharing their Allens origin stories and chequered history as friends.  

Got a question for our new hosts? Let us know what's on your mind in our anonymous submission box.

Practice groups, sectors and choosing your rotation adventure

Choosing a practice group for your clerkship or graduate rotations can feel overwhelming. How will your chosen path compare with uni study? Where can you get more information to weigh up the options? What if the reality doesn't match up with your expectations (read: cutting deals like an episode of Suits)? In this episode, Mel and Tahlia are joined by Senior Associate Tina Tran and Lawyer Tim Alice, who share their experience of choosing rotations and how those choices play out in practice. Tina and Tim also explain the difference between practice groups and sectors and how they impact day-to-day work. 

The inside word from Managing Partner Richard Spurio

Managing Partner Richard Spurio joins Mel and Tahlia to share his experience of helming Australia's oldest law firm. Richard discusses his background, his pathway to Allens, what it's like to journey through the firm and what he's most proud of about Allens. He also shares his hot tips for prioritising wellbeing, seizing opportunities and keeping pace at Run Club.

Navigating clerkship interviews and networking

You've handed in your clerkship application, crossed your fingers and toes, and gotten through to the next round. What happens next? Hosts Mel and Tahlia navigate their way through clerkship applications with Nick Ng, Brisbane Staff Partner and Government Sector Leader, and Renee Zou, Lawyer and co-author of Your Clerkship Companion, our start-to-finish guide to navigating the clerkship process. How do you get the most out of networking events? What's the best way to ace your interview? Is your clerkship buddy actually just a spy for the firm? Nick and Renee provide their insider tips on putting your best foot forward.

Explore Your Clerkship Companion
Hear more about our making your application stand out and the Rare recruitment tool in part one of our Answering your questions episode

Pathways to reconciliation

How can lawyers contribute to reconciliation? In this episode, hosts Mel and Tahlia speak with Lawyer Olivia Henderson and Community Engagement Manager Jodie Symes to discuss Allens' commitment to reconciliation and how junior lawyers can get involved. Olivia and Jodie share their perspectives on pro bono work, pathways to legal careers for First Nations students and the firm's new First Nations Engagement Plan.

Find out more about our First Nations Engagement Plan and our First Nations Legal Internships

Competition, Consumer and Regulatory

In this episode, hosts Mel and Tahlia dive into the complex and bustling world of competition law. They're joined by Jacqui Downes (Head of Competition, Consumer and Regulatory) and Lloyd Hutson (Lawyer) to learn more about the team culture, fascinating legal issues, global opportunities and day-to-day minutiae.

Answering your questions: part two

In part two of a special two-part episode, Mel and Tahlia are joined by Technology, Media and Telecommunications Partner David Rountree to answer questions submitted by listeners. Covering the full spectrum of lunch breaks to international secondments, Mel, Tahlia and David discuss how TV lawyers compare with reality, when you might get your own office, how billable hours work and more. 

Still looking for answers? Let us know what's on your mind in our anonymous submission box.

 

Answering your questions: part one

In part one of a special two-part episode, Mel and Tahlia are joined by People & Development Manager Samantha Dunn and Early Careers Consultant Katrina Calder to answer questions submitted by listeners. What are your pathways to Allens if you miss out on a clerkship? What's the deal with WAM cut-offs? Do you get paid enough to support your oat milk latte habit? Mel and Tahlia ask those in the know all these questions and more.

Got more burning questions? Let us know what's on your mind in our anonymous submission box 

The road less travelled: busting the myth of the ’typical lawyer’

How does someone end up in the law?  

In this deeply personal episode, hosts Mel and Tahlia speak with two of their fellow lawyers - Virginia Dore and Paddy O'Brien - about their significantly divergent lives, backgrounds and eventual paths to legal practice. It's an honest, heart-on-the-sleeve discussion that puts paid to many of the persistent stereotypes about lawyers, law students and life in a corporate firm, covering everything from childhood trauma and homelessness through to the expanding definition of diversity, the vital role of mentors and the empowering process of being your whole, authentic self in the workplace. 

We'd be lying if we said this episode didn't involve some crying. From everybody. So...tissues at the ready.