Allens Confidential

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.

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 

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. 

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? 

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/ 

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. 

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.

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. 

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 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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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

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.

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.  

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 

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.