Allens Confidential

Everyone belongs: Cultural diversity and awareness

Beyond Allens: two alumni share their experiences

Allens alumni can be found the world over, working in a remarkable array of roles and industries. 

In this episode, Caitlin and Will chat to two former lawyers - Jacqui Purcell and Nick Sinclair - who've both returned to Australia after stints in New York. 'Allens definitely punches above its weight on the global stage' says Nick, who's now the Senior Business Affairs and Legal Executive at Freemantle Media. 

Jacqui agrees. After working for one of the major investment firms in New York, she's now an Investment Team member at TDM Growth Partners and says the training Allens gave her on everything from clear and concise communication through to commercial strategy was second to none and has served her well ever since. 

Together, they share their memories of life at the firm, talk about how they've applied their Allens training in their subsequent careers and speak about the deep, lifelong connections they made while here. 

[This episode was recorded in December 2021]

Disputes, investigations and making mistakes

Contrary to popular opinion, litigation isn't just well-crafted legal arguments and courtroom drama. According to Partner Ross Drinnan, disputes are 'fundamentally about human relationships and helping human interactions that have gone wrong to be put right'.

In this episode, Ross joins Senior Associate and co-creator of Allens Confidential, Geneva Sekula, for a candid chat with Caitlin and Will, where they cover everything from early career experiences and mistakes (as well as how to fix them), through to the virtual courtroom and office Cluedo. 

Mental health

For Mental Health Month, we sat down with Allens Consulting Psychologist Greg Prescott to explore some of the mental health and wellbeing challenges faced by lawyers, why the incidence of mental illness is higher in our profession and how to proactively look after yourself and avoid a crisis.

Clerkship season

Clerkship season is once again in full swing: a time of great excitement, enormous possibility and (for most of us) nerves. Co-Staff Partner Rosannah Healy and Associate Erin Molony, both from the firm's Competition practice in Melbourne, join Caitlin and Will to discuss how best to prepare for interviews, what to expect in them and why it's not the end of the world if you don't get one. Rosannah, Erin, Caitlin and Will each share their memories of the process (both good and bad), and offer some valuable tips on how best to calm those nerves and present the very best version of yourself.

Being out at work

What's it like coming out at work? How do you do it? Why does it matter? Rachel Nicolson, Partner and joint head of the firm's ALLin LGBTQ+ network, and Andy Tolé, Law Graduate, join Caitlin and Will to discuss being out at work. Rachel, Andy, Caitlin and Will share their personal experiences and give their perspectives on how to navigate job applications, interviews, CVs and workplaces for identifying clerks and grads (and their allies). 

Explore more stories of Pride at Allens and find out more about our approach to diversity and inclusion 

Your past is your secret weapon: non-traditional pathways to a career in law

Getting a job at a top-tier law firm can feel like an impossible prospect for a candidate whose school and uni results don't look a certain way on paper. How does it work if your background, education or experience don't match the stereotype? Caitlin and Will catch up with Grace Stals, head Paralegal in Sydney, and Manreet Singh, National Manager, Early Careers, to explore contextual recruitment, diversity and the industry-wide challenge of attracting the best candidates from different backgrounds. Grace shares her experience of overcoming hardship to make it through uni to a top-tier firm, and Manreet discusses what Allens is doing to make sure the best candidates make it through the process. Find out more about our clerkship application process, including our optional diversity assessment: https://graduates.allens.com.au/next-steps/

Ask us anything: clerkships, motivation, embarrassing moments

We asked our recent summer clerks what they wish they'd asked before they'd started their clerkships. From maintaining motivation to imposter syndrome, collaboration and Caitlin's clicky shoes, our hosts share their wisdom. And, in an epic Allens Confidential milestone, Geneva hands over the mic to new host Will Berthelot.

Global connections in the time of COVID

While restrictions on international travel are expected to remain in place for some time, global opportunities in the future are still front of mind for many law students. In the latest episode of Allens Confidential, we talk to Mona Abu Zalaf, an Allens lawyer on secondment with our alliance partner Linklaters in London, and Patrick McGregor, a Senior Overseas Practitioner who transferred to Sydney from Linklaters in London. How do the cultures of Allens and Linklaters compare? What's it like navigating a new environment when you're far from home? 

What to expect from your clerkship

With summer clerkships soon to kick off, Geneva and Caitlin speak to recent clerks (now paralegals) Tim Tabalujan and Tahlia Rodrigues for the ultimate guide on what to expect from your clerkship. Tim and Tahlia share their advice on getting the most out of your clerkship, navigating office life and the best dad jokes to impress your new colleagues.