First impressions
From my earliest experiences of Baker McKenzie, as a first-year law student, and throughout my time as a seasonal clerk, paralegal and now graduate at the Firm, the stand-out feature to me has consistently been the people - who are genuinely friendly, highly approachable, conscientious and very intelligent.
My penultimate year was defined by back-to-back lockdowns in Melbourne. This forced organisations to adapt their usual recruitment practices, with most law firms simply opting to transfer their information evenings and interview processes to an online platform. This completely virtual approach to networking meant that students were limited in their ability to source information about firms and form organic relationships with people from firms in an ordinary way.
Despite what was happening in the market, Baker McKenzie’s swift and thoughtful roll-out of the “Bakers’ Dozen” series was both refreshing and a testament to the Firm’s innovative nature and clear priority towards other people. The series involved 13 online sessions, spread out throughout the year, which prepared aspiring law graduates for all stages of the clerkship process - and also enabled them to learn about all aspects of life at Baker McKenzie. The clerkship-focused sessions commenced with introducing Baker McKenzie and providing tips on the application process, then moved to prepare for interviews, and then culminated in a session about how best to approach your clerkships. Due to the number of sessions and amazing content of those sessions, there was no other firm that could match Baker McKenzie's offering - highlighting its people and culture, providing access to young professionals, and providing practical advice to all law students during a very challenging period. My interactions with people across the Firm were consistent and genuine and enabled me to gain a strong understanding of the Firm's culture. By the end of the series, I had developed a strong connection and comfort with Baker McKenzie - well before commencing my clerkship with the Firm.
At this stage of my professional career, and in undertaking the clerkship recruitment process, what stood out most to me about the Firm was its collegiate and supportive culture. Everyone at the Firm was also so vibrant, genuine and kind - and people at all levels were always willing to mentor and support.
My clerkship experience
I continued to have this positive experience with Baker McKenzie as a clerk!
During my clerkship, I spent four weeks in the Corporate team where I worked closely with my supervising partner and buddy. I was involved in a range of transactions, including the complex cross-border work that Baker McKenzie is renowned for. From the get-go, I was provided with early exposure to reviewing and drafting transaction and ancillary documents, underscored by regular lessons from the team on how my work fits into the broader transaction. Amongst other things, I assisted with drafting various deeds, including a deed of release and deed of variation, reviewing due diligence reports and ASX documents, and conducting legal research into takeover bids and schemes of arrangements in New Zealand. It was exciting, as an aspiring law graduate, to be undertaking work that had real world application. My supervising partner and buddy were incredibly generous with their time and checked in on me throughout the day, and the balance of mentoring, guidance and providing me with autonomy was the perfect springboard for me to thrive as a junior and develop my legal skills.
Life as a paralegal
After my clerkship, I returned as a paralegal in the Dispute Resolution team for three months where I worked on a large document review project. Most of my prior experience up to this point had been working in litigious teams, so it was good to return to the comfort of document review!
This time, I was working in a small document review team with two other seasonal clerks from different intakes. It was really enjoyable coming to work each day and working alongside peers with whom I could bounce ideas off and learn from. Similar to my experience in the Corporate team, we were guided by mentors who invested in our development and who were always supportive and appreciative of us.
Once the document review project was finished, I moved back to the Corporate team as a paralegal. I was able to broaden my network in the team and assisted a partner and associate with a pro bono matter. This was for a not-for-profit organisation whose programs support and empower disadvantaged youth in the community, by allowing them to sit in on board meetings and get involved in corporate governance. I amended the company’s constitution, prepared documents for its annual general meeting and drafted a confidentiality agreement for its program.
The clerkship process can sometimes feel like it is a “go-go-go”, but returning as a paralegal allowed me to experience the Firm’s environment at a more natural pace. This experience showed me what everyday life at the Firm would be like and it was during this time that I also formed many close friendships, making my time as a paralegal undoubtedly one of my favourite experiences at the Firm.
It’s not just about the work!
There were many opportunities to get involved in Firm-life as a seasonal clerk and paralegal. As part of the clerkship program, I attended a welcome lunch with all of my buddies, dinner with the then graduates, and lunch with my supervising partner and buddy. The Firm also arranged for us to have individual coffee catch-ups with various lawyers in the Firm.
The Social Committee also ran a range of activities. I personally enjoyed monthly drinks which were held at a different venue each month, allowing me to experience a range of bars across Melbourne. Baker McKenzie also holds an annual Lawn Bowls event at the start of every year and staff are allowed to invite their partners along. Personally, this is one of my favourite events, as it gives you an opportunity to hang out with your colleagues, in a more relaxed environment, and also meet their significant others - there really is a “Bakers family” vibe at the Firm! In each clerkship intake too, there is at least one large Firm-wide event - but no matter which intake you are in, clerks get invited to all of the events - making it a wonderful opportunity to keep in touch with the Firm.
Reflection
A clerkship is challenging in any year, let alone a year as disruptive as 2020/2021. On reflection, undertaking the clerkship process was one of the most demanding but ultimately rewarding experiences of my professional career, and my time with Baker McKenzie was one of the memories I will always fondly remember.
Looking back on graduate offer day, the mentors I established and the relationships I cultivated with the wonderful people at the Firm (as a seasonal clerk/paralegal) primarily drove my decision to start my legal career at Baker McKenzie. And where I stand right now, as a graduate of Baker McKenzie, I could not be happier with my decision!