so, what’s your angle?...so, what’s your angle? we’re looking for those who see things...

SO, WHAT’S YOUR ANGLE?We’re looking for those who see things differently.

The kind of people who bring new ideas and create innovative opportunities for our clients.

Share your unique perspective by applying to careers.herbertsmithfreehills.com/au/grads

CONTENTS

WHERE WILL YOUR CAREER TAKE YOU? 03

FIND YOUR ANGLE 04

360˚ SUPPORT 05

BE YOURSELF 06

SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY 08

GAIN FULL SERVICE EXPERIENCE 10

360˚ CASE STUDY 11

MAKE YOUR MARK 12

WITH US, YOU’LL BE A PART OF EVERYTHING 13

FROM AUSTRALIA TO BEYOND 15

PRO BONO & CITIZENSHIP 16

SO, WHAT’S YOUR ANGLE? 18

HOW TO APPLY 19

RECRUITMENT CONTACTS 20

HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM

WHERE WILL YOUR CAREER TAKE YOU?

“We are, uniquely in Australia, a truly global firm, where you can gain the best experience and build your skills. There’s no better place to start your career – wherever it might take you.”ANDREW PIKE, REGIONAL MANAGING PARTNER, AUSTRALIA

WE TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO OUR CLIENTS’ COMPLEX CHALLENGESOur people come from all kinds of backgrounds. Each bring different skills to the table. But one thing connects each of us – curiosity.

It pushes us towards the distinctive, the alternative – the different idea. It sets us apart, allowing us to pose the difficult question, the one no one else has thought of, or no one else is brave enough to ask.

No one here expects you to have all the answers – just your questions.

GET THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Working in the country’s leading practice, you’ll get to collaborate with the best legal minds in the business, making an impact on Australian deals and matters that support businesses and communities.

But you’re not simply limited to these shores.

With a network around the world, you’ll also have the opportunity to work with international clients, develop a global reputation and establish the career path that suits you. You’ll gain experience on high-profile cases and deals involving some of the world’s biggest clients, explore multicultural matters and receive first-class training. All the while, you’ll be developing a global view of the law and building a resume with a commercial law firm that’s widely recognised around the world.

With over 25 offices spanning Asia, Europe, Australasia and the Middle East, we offer international opportunities to both graduates and experienced staff. You’ll be offered unrivalled secondment and transfer opportunities.

14 AUSTRALIAN GRADUATES SENT ON INTERNATIONAL SECONDMENTS IN 2019

“Working in Singapore has given me a global network of friends/colleagues that I can call upon if I have an issue that touches on their jurisdiction. It has also broadened my commercial mindset, challenged me to become a better lawyer, and helped me understand the international markets that our clients operate in. I would highly recommend this opportunity to all law graduates!”JASPER JOHNSON, SOLICITOR, PERTH

03HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS

FIND YOUR ANGLEOUR CLERKSHIP PROGRAMWe select many of our graduates through our vacation clerkships. During this immersive experience, you’ll receive hands-on practical experience, actively contributing, as you work on some of the diverse challenges facing the team you’re collaborating with.

You’ll gain a deeper understanding of life at the firm and what your future could look like if you join us. Some key features include the opportunity to:

• Sit within a specific team, delivering real work for key clients

• Before you join, submit a preference for a team to tailor your experience

• Navigate the first step of your career with partner and graduate mentoring support

• Attend workshops and presentations covering all our practice areas

• Contribute to our pro bono practice• Work with cutting-edge technology through

our innovation projects• Meet and network with people across the firm

OUR GRADUATE PROGRAMOur graduate program gives you the chance to start shaping your future and hone your skills in a range of practice areas, providing you with broad-based training and ensuring that you are ready to become a qualified solicitor.

You’ll rotate through three distinct practice areas for six months each and will be assigned a partner and buddy for support.

You’ll get the opportunity to submit practice area preferences before every rotation, including before your first rotation, enabling you to tailor your graduate program to your specific interests. You can also discuss your preferences with our dedicated Graduate Recruitment team. If you are interested in broadening your skills further, you can also apply to complete an international rotation or a rotation through our Digital Law Group or our Legal Operations team.

“When I was applying for clerkships the word on the grapevine was that Herbert Smith Freehills was a great firm at the top of its field, but in terms of culture was very serious. I began my clerkship with the expectation that that would be the case. My experience with the firm could not have been more different. From day one I found everyone at the firm to be warm, welcoming and friendly. Of course it is true that everyone takes their work seriously, but that is not at the expense of having a laugh and making time for one another. I was particularly surprised by the amount of time that solicitors, senior associates and partners invest in junior team members.”MOLLY MCINERNEY, 2018/19 VACATION CLERK, BRISBANE

04 SO, WHAT’S YOUR ANGLE?

360˚ SUPPORTJUST TELL US WHAT YOU NEEDWe know that life in a commercial law firm can seem daunting, and we’re here to provide you with all the support you need. Once you join, you’ll benefit from a two-week induction, ongoing practice group training throughout each rotation, a solicitor assigned as your dedicated “buddy”, regular feedback, plus extensive on-the-job support from solicitors, senior associates and partners.

We support graduates on their pathway to becoming solicitors by providing Practical Legal Training (PLT) and support through the admission process.

All of our graduates attend a further induction program once they are admitted. This national one-day course develops on the key client, financial and people skills needed to take you to the next step of your career. It also provides you with an opportunity to meet and network with your national graduate cohort.

At different times throughout your career you may feel like you need a new challenge or a change. This could mean developing new skills, setting a new direction or focus, starting a new role within the firm, or taking a short break. Pursuing a new path doesn’t mean you have to close off others.

That is why we are committed to redefining how we invest in our people as they pursue diverse personal and professional pathways, both at Herbert Smith Freehills and beyond. Through our Career Pathways program, we will show you the countless personal and professional pathways that are available to you, both inside and outside the firm; demonstrate how you may be supported and rewarded as you develop a wide range of skills and pursue varied opportunities; and empower you to follow your own pathway, whatever that may be, with the firm’s complete support.


BE YOURSELFBRING DIVERSITY OF THOUGHTWe want you to bring your whole self when you come to Herbert Smith Freehills. We place great value in our people’s life experience and we’re hiring more graduates from diverse backgrounds than ever before.

Working this way, we’re able to attract and retain the very best talent and provide our clients with the most considered and innovative advice.

Our approach to diversity encompasses gender, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability and social inclusion.

THRIVE IN OUR INCLUSIVE CULTUREOur diversity networks are at the heart of our firm and our Leading for Inclusion strategy. They are a vibrant part of our inclusive culture, influencing key decisions, educating teams and driving change through innovative events, campaigns and initiatives. Joining our networks unlocks a supportive group of role models and peers committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive profession – you will have the opportunity to be involved in some exciting projects from day one.

“Our vision is that we are a world class firm bringing together the best people to achieve the best results. Fundamental to our vision is embedding a culture where we are truly inclusive – diverse people, perspectives, ways of thinking and skill sets – and where this diversity permeates throughout all levels.”DANIELLE KELLY, HEAD OF DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

“For me, the best reason to value diversity is because it makes the day in the office a lot more fun. Who wants to work with a bunch of clones? I enjoy working with people who have different outlooks, backgrounds and ideas. It keeps things lively and interesting, and sometimes means I learn a few things or benefit from someone else’s perspective.”DERRECK GOH, EXECUTIVE COUNSEL, PERTH


ABILITY NETWORKOur Ability Network offers support and guidance in relation to disability to all our people, to increase knowledge and awareness of disability across the firm, and to remove barriers to success.

GENDER EQUITY MATTERS (GEM)We have a range of global networks focused on Gender Equality Matters (GEM). Gender diversity is a critical component of our firm’s past, present and future. We are proud that Herbert Smith Freehills was the first major Australian law firm to appoint a woman partner. We have public targets in relation to our women in partnership and leadership positions, ensuring we have a full and robust pipeline of female talent.

IRIS NETWORK (LGBTI)Our global IRIS (Inclusion Respecting Identity and Sexuality) Network connects and engages LGBTI and ally colleagues across the regions. Our network has hosted some wonderful events, which build on the strength of our IRIS programs. The network advised on the development of our Global Transitioning Guidelines. The network’s Executive sponsor, Justin D’Agostino, has been named in the Financial Times’ OUTstanding list of 100 LGBT+ executives every year since the list’s inception. We have been recognised as a top 100 employer for LGBT+ inclusion by Stonewall since 2016.

MULTICULTURAL NETWORKOur Multicultural Network is essential as a global firm operating across international jurisdictions. We aim to enhance the multicultural diversity of our people at all levels of the business.

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEINGWe have launched a global mental health strategy – Thrive. This strategy will drive our activity throughout the firm, with a focus on culture, prevention and access to support to enable optimal mental health for everyone.

VETERANS’ NETWORKOur Veterans’ Network recognises and acknowledges the unique nature of military service and the contribution that members of the military and their families have made. Herbert Smith Freehills have recently signed the Australian Government’s Veterans’ Employment Commitment, publicly declaring to support greater employment opportunities for veterans and to recognise the value that veterans and their family members bring to our firm. Going forward we will work with clients and the Military Network in our London office to actively attract, support, connect and develop veterans and their family members.

FAMILYWe are committed to supporting all our people who have caring responsibilities. We provide enhanced parental leave pay and offer coaching for individuals returning from parental leave.

“Herbert Smith Freehills has given me the opportunity to have a meaningful impact at work. Through the Gender Equality Matters (GEM) Network, I was able to leverage my interest in Australian parental leave laws. I organised and hosted a lunchtime panel of Herbert Smith Freehills employees and clients, along with a women’s health expert to discuss the impacts of parental leave on your career as a lawyer. Since then, I have also been involved in discussions that have influenced the firm’s review of its own parental leave policies.”SANDRA HU, SOLICITOR AND CO-CHAIR OF MULTICULTURAL NETWORK, SYDNEY


SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLYGREAT LAWYERS ARE BOTH CURIOUS AND CREATIVEWe encourage you to challenge assumptions and open yourself up to new ideas. It’s this growth mindset that creates opportunities for you and your clients.

So, what exactly are we looking for?

There’s no single path to becoming a commercial lawyer. We look beyond your academic record and your technical aptitude. We’re focused on finding people who have the curiosity to explore all the angles and the empathy to place themselves in their client’s shoes. Building great relationships takes a certain understanding and as our global village gets ever smaller, we look for graduates who think of themselves as citizens of the world.

Legal services are changing dramatically, and it is an exciting time to explore and adapt to the developments occurring in this rapidly changing landscape.

LEADERS IN DIGITAL LAW We have established the Digital Law Group – a group of specialist lawyers providing legal, strategic and practical advice to our clients in relation to their biggest and most important digitalisation projects.

Comprising a permanent team of experienced lawyers, and supported by a rotating cohort from across the firm, the Digital Law Group works hand-in-hand with our market-leading TMT practice, other practice groups and our Alternative Legal Services (ALT) team as well as our legal operations, legal process design, innovation and technology experts.

EMPOWERED BY INNOVATION Our Legal Operations team comprises a group of specialist members across multiple disciplines including legal project management, legal process design, legal automation, pricing, innovation and technology. Legal Operations team members work together with our lawyers and directly with our clients to address changes to the way we are working, legal market disruption and increased pressure on resources. We use technology to empower our people and encourage a culture of challenging the status quo to find unique perspectives and new ways of doing things.

“I think curiosity is a really important attribute for a lawyer. One of the things I think I would do if I were a new graduate is to be more curious – when all the information and opportunities are out there – to take things in and to really be open to the different ideas that can wash across you in your early years.”MARK RIGOTTI, PARTNER AND SENIOR ADVISER

“The Digital Law Group is our commitment to upskilling all our lawyers, wherever they sit in the business, and supporting them with technical experts, to provide advice with an understanding of the opportunities, risks, ethics and regulatory requirements brought on by digital transformation; the more pressing current hotspots being artificial intelligence, data, digital assets, robotics and automation.”MARK RIGOTTI, PARTNER AND SENIOR ADVISER


OUR INITIATIVES: #FUTUREFIT

In 2018, we launched #FutureFit – a viral program to empower our people to design our future together.

Starting with an intensive period of crowdsourcing organisational design within the organisation, the program created lots of new ways for people across the business to ideate and design new initiatives. A wide range of solutions emerged that increase humanity and community within the organisation, and designed to change how the firm engages beyond it. Herbert Smith Freehills set out to understand and design its workplace for the future, prioritising three key questions:

What does the value proposition for its people need to be?

What experience will its clients be seeking?

How should they optimise the way they work and create value?

Some of these crowdsourced solutions are explored below.

“Over the past three years we have embedded a culture of innovation across the firm. This has paid dividends, with a number of achievements including the launch of our global Legal Operations team, the introduction of decision analysis tools in the UK and our work on the Australian National Blockchain.”ANDREW PIKE, REGIONAL MANAGING PARTNER, AUSTRALIA

CAREER PATHWAYS

INNOVATION10

CONVERSATIONS

Focuses on enabling people to better understand the capabilities they can build at Herbert Smith Freehills for a range of different career paths both within and outside the firm

Including the establishment of the Mental Health Champion program, designed to train employees with an interest in mental health on how to best support others and provide effective sign-posting

Junior employees are matched with senior leaders to share new perspectives, enrich communication across levels throughout the business and build new skills

A global initiative that provides everyone with 10 days a year to work on projects that find new and innovative solutions to the challenges faced by the firm and its clients. You might be building a legal app, working on AI tools or working on the firm’s blockchain and smart legal contracts project

A framework for having more regular, meaningful career, performance and well-being conversations

REVERSE MENTORING

MENTAL HEALTH NETWORK


GAIN FULL SERVICE EXPERIENCESo, what kind of practice areas do you want to specialise in?

Here’s a breakdown of our areas of expertise, many of which you can get exposure to as a graduate. We want to bring your fresh perspective to some of our thorniest challenges.

SECTORS WE WORK INOUR SERVICES

• ALTERNATIVE LEGAL SERVICES

• BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS

• CAPITAL MARKETS

• CLIMATE CHANGE

• COMPETITION, REGULATION AND TRADE

• CORPORATE

• CORPORATE CRIME AND INVESTIGATIONS

• CRISIS PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT

• CYBER SECURITY

• DISPUTE RESOLUTION

• EMPLOYMENT, PENSIONS AND INCENTIVES

• FINANCE

• FINANCIAL SERVICES REGULATORY

• IMPACT INVESTMENT

• MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

• PROJECTS

• REAL ESTATE

• RESTRUCTURING, TURNAROUND AND INSOLVENCY

• TAX

• TECHNOLOGY, MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT, AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

• AGRIBUSINESS

• AUTOMOTIVE

• BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

• CONSUMER

• ENERGY

• FINANCIAL BUYERS

• GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR

• INFRASTRUCTURE

• LEISURE AND SPORT

• MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRIALS

• MINING

• PHARMACEUTICALS AND HEALTHCARE

• PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT AND BUSINESS SERVICES

• REAL ESTATE

• TECHNOLOGY, MEDIA AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS


360˚ CASE STUDYOVERVIEWWe are currently assisting the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. The Royal Commission was initiated to inquire into and report on how Victoria’s mental health system can most effectively prevent mental illness, and deliver treatment, care and support so that everyone in the Victorian community can experience their best mental health.

The Royal Commission has released its Interim Report, which contains a number of priority recommendations that address immediate needs and lay the foundations for a new approach to mental health for the state. The report represents a stocktake of what the Royal Commission has learned so far and will be followed by its final report in October 2020, which will present “a bold and innovative approach for transforming Victoria’s mental health system”.

OUR TEAMMental illness affects people of all ages, from all backgrounds and locations, and Herbert Smith Freehills saw that it was important to have a diverse range of people working on the matter. As well as involving team members from our Disputes, Corporate, Finance, Real Estate and Projects, and Alternative Legal Services (ALT) groups, our team was a mix of senior, mid-range and more junior lawyers, analysts and support staff.

The range of personal experiences, backgrounds, expertise and passion of the team members allowed them to offer additional insights and to work with witnesses in a sensitive and understanding way. This diversity resulted in a highly engaged and effective team who delivered additional value to the client.

“One of the lessons from our work on the Royal Commission is that diversity within the team is not just an end unto itself, it can also be a pathway to better client service. That’s one of the things that I have really valued about working on this matter.”NATALIE BRYCE, PARTNER, BRISBANE

What was your role on the matter and what topic did you work on?

I was in the core team, so was really involved with preparing about 90 witnesses to appear before the first round of hearings. One of the focuses of the hearings was the mental health of the LGBTI community in Victoria and I got to help prepare all of the six witnesses who came before the Royal Commission that day. This is something pretty personally important to me, as I’m the co-chair of the IRIS network here in Melbourne, and topics of LGBTI mental health are something that I really care about.

It was a really great experience as I got to work with some Victorians who are prominent in this area including Ro Allen, who is the Victorian Gender and Sexuality Commissioner, Dr Ruth McNair, an academic and GP who provides mental health care in the community, and Associate Professor Michelle Telfer, who spoke about her work as the head of the gender service at the Royal Children’s Hospital. It was a challenging matter, I learned a lot, but also hopefully made a pretty important contribution to the mental health system and how it cares for LGBTI Victorians.

What was the advantage of having a personal affinity to the topic and a diverse team?

I think one thing I was able to add was that I came to preparing for this round of hearings with a lot of knowledge about the LGBTI community and some knowledge about mental health in this space. It was really important to have the language so you could conduct yourself appropriately and know what the expert witnesses you were talking to were talking about, I think that’s something that I was able to bring.

The strength of the Herbert Smith Freehills team was that we were a really diverse and versatile team. We were called on to prepare on a huge range of topics and luckily we were able to offer some expertise and specialisation because of that diversity. It was more than just having a bunch of good lawyers who were well studied in the law, or who had worked on royal commissions before. The personal experiences we brought to the matter were equally important.

JAMES GRAY, SOLICITOR, DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND CO-CHAIR OF THE MELBOURNE IRIS NETWORK

CASE STUDY


MAKE YOUR MARK

HIGHLY COMMENDED FOR RULE OF LAW AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE

(THE SHOPFRONT)FT ASIA-PACIFIC

INNOVATIVE LAWYERS AWARDS 2019

WINNER, ORGANISATIONAL

CHANGE (ALONGSIDE BENDELTA FOR

#FUTUREFIT PROGRAM)AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

WORKPLACE EXCELLENCE AWARD 2019

TOP 5 FOR INNOVATION IN

COLLABORATIONFT ASIA-PACIFIC

INNOVATIVE LAWYERS AWARDS 2019

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

LAWYERS WEEKLY AUSTRALIAN AWARDS

2018

WINNER, BEST MENTAL WELLBEING

INITIATIVE IN A LEGAL WORKPLACE

MINDS COUNT FOUNDATION2019

ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S TOP 100 GRADUATE

EMPLOYERSGRADAUSTRALIA

2019

ONE OF THE TOP 25

COMPANIES IN AUSTRALIALINKEDIN TOP COMPANIES

2019

SILVER EMPLOYER

AWEI AUSTRALIAN LGBTI INCLUSION AWARDS

2018

ONE OF THE WOMEN LEADERS

– AWARDED TO 2 PARTNERSEUROMONEY IFLR 1000

2019

WHY WORK FOR HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS?We’re a leading, full-service commercial law firm that works on some of the most important cases and deals for the world’s biggest organisations. Defined by our inclusive culture and commitment to innovation, we will give you the platform and responsibility to make an impact from day one.


HOLLI SARGEANT SOLICITOR, PROJECTS

Studying law was a last minute decision at the end of grade 12. I (thankfully) thoroughly enjoyed studying law, although, even by my penultimate year I remained unsure as to whether I wanted to practice law. My experience as a vacation clerk offered an invaluable insight into the type of work, people and experiences one may encounter whilst working at Herbert Smith Freehills. I was glad to see the similarities between my time as a vacation clerk to a graduate.

I have two roles within the firm; I am a solicitor in both the Projects practice, working on major renewable projects, connected and autonomous vehicles and other infrastructure projects; and the

Digital Law Group which is a specialist team of lawyers providing bespoke legal advice on the opportunities, risks, ethics and regulatory requirements of emerging technologies.

Since I started at the firm, I have learnt so much about the future of law and the opportunities for lawyers to develop new legal skills and products in the digital age. Being able to research and contribute to the development of these new products, such as the introduction of smart legal contracts and digital legislation has been a significant opportunity in my development and learning as a junior solicitor.

I am so grateful for the firm’s commitment to innovation and technology, and the sincere investment of time and effort in these opportunities for lawyers at all levels.

MATTHEW SHARPSOLICITOR, DISPUTE RESOLUTION

My pathway to the legal profession is about as unconventional as they come. As I had always wanted to be a soldier, I ended up signing the dotted line shortly after my 19th birthday to enlist as a Rifleman in the Australian Army. I discharged from the military six years later so that I could study full-time at university. I enrolled in a double degree in law and criminology and never looked back.

I first joined Herbert Smith Freehills as a vacation clerk in December 2017. Among the group were former engineers, teachers and community workers all of whom had decided to pursue a career in law much later into their adult lives (much like myself).

Instantly, that demonstrated that the firm appreciates the value of hiring people with varying experiences, perspectives and skillsets.

Towards the end of 2019, I submitted a proposal for the firm to sign the Australian Government’s Veterans’ Employment Commitment and to add a Veterans’ Network to the firm’s diversity portfolio. Due to Herbert Smith Freehills’ commitment to diversity and inclusion, the proposal was well received. The firm is now an official signatory of the Veterans Employment Commitment and the Veterans’ Network now sits proudly alongside the firm’s existing Family, Flexibility, Gender Equity, LGBT+ and Multiculturalism diversity networks.

I feel both honoured and privileged to be part of such an inclusive and progressive firm.

WITH US, YOU’LL BE A PART OF EVERYTHINGFrom the very start, you’ll be client-facing, gathering insights across diverse matters.

You’ll be working in highly specialised teams, equipped with the resources you’d expect from a market leader.

You’ll be able to work collaboratively with colleagues and clients, bringing your unique insights to the table.

With expertise across a wide variety of sectors, geographies and specialisms, our progressive approach differentiates us, driving better outcomes for our clients and the communities we serve.


FROM AUSTRALIA TO BEYOND

Katherine Dommerson joined Qantas in early 2018 as Head of Employee Relations. “It was

a perfect opportunity to continue to use my legal skills whilst broadening my commercial skill set with an organisation and team I thoroughly enjoy working with”.

The desire to keep both legal and commercial paths open influenced Katherine’s academic and early working life. “I had decided that a career in industrial relations was for me,” she recalls, “and because there is such a strong connection between industrial relations and industrial law, I thought it would be a good idea to do my law degree.”

After completing her summer clerkship at Herbert Smith Freehills in the penultimate year of her studies, she took a year off to work as an associate to Herbert Smith Freehills alumnus Graeme Watson at Fair Work Australia (now the Fair Work Commission).

Katherine confirmed her passion for industrial relations in her rotation with the IR team as part of the graduate program. She also spent six months in the corporate law team “I was surprised how much I enjoyed corporate law and I certainly gained skills there that I continue to use today.”

Katherine returned to the IR team and started working with longstanding client, Qantas and, five years later, she was approached by the airline to go in-house.

For Katherine, the experience and training she gained from Herbert Smith Freehills gave her the skills and confidence to take on a much broader role. “It really sets you up,” she says. “The critical analysis, attention to detail and the way you think about problems. I think sometimes you don’t really appreciate it until you’re outside of that space.”

KATHERINE DOMMERSON, HEAD OF EMPLOYEE RELATIONS, QANTAS

CASE STUDY

Head of Legal, EMEA at Google

Founder of www.wearetriibe.com

CEO of Securities and Futures Commission (in Hong Kong) and Chairman of the Board of IOSCO

Australia’s Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security

Head of SnapChat Legal, EMEA

Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner

Founder of www. luxuryescapes.com/au

State Manager of Football, Policy and Major Projects

CEO of Save the Children

GO YOUR OWN WAY

Our graduate program goes beyond law because we want to provide you with the skills and experiences to succeed in your career – wherever it may take you. Just look at where the careers of our alumni have taken them.

For more examples, visit herbertsmithfreehills.com/alumni


PRO BONO & CITIZENSHIP

SUPPORTING JUSTICE AND OPPORTUNITY

ASYLUM SEEKER CLINIC: SYDNEY

The Herbert Smith Freehills Asylum Seeker Clinic operates in our Sydney office in partnership with the Refugee Advice and Casework Service. The clinic was set up to

provide pro bono support to people seeking asylum in New South Wales who are eligible to apply for protection visas.

THE WOMEN’S HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROJECT: MELBOURNE

Our Melbourne office collaborates closely with Justice Connect Homeless Law on an outreach legal clinic as part of the Women’s

Homelessness Prevention Project. The project keeps women and children in housing through a holistic combination of legal representation and social work support. Herbert Smith Freehills lawyers represent and provide ongoing assistance to clients in relation to evictions and other tenancy legal issues such as housing debts that are barriers to safe housing.

We believe that communities benefit through greater access to justice and opportunity. We’re uniquely placed to respond to a range of needs that exist in the communities and regions that we serve.

Just like our partners and lawyers, many of our graduates participate in pro bono legal and community work and describe it as one of the highlights of their rotations.

Nationally, we provide over 35,000 hours of pro bono legal work a year.

There are generally between 600-700 pro bono matters open at any given time for around 300 clients.

We’re rising to the challenges and opportunities of an interconnected world, in which serious challenges such as social inequality, human rights abuses and climate change have the potential to affect every community.

Our initiatives fall broadly within the following areas:

PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES

Our lawyers are encouraged to participate in the firm’s pro bono practice. This might be internationally or closer to home – it really is up to you.

Globally we focus on five key areas: access to justice, international development, social impact investment, not-for-profit advisory work and human rights (particularly anti-trafficking and anti-slavery).

Our practice groups provide many of our long-standing clients with a range of advice including partnership agreements, structuring, property, employment issues and governance. These include: CanTeen, CareerTrackers Indigenous Internship Program, Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, Foodbank Victoria, McIntyre Centre, Médecins Sans Frontières, Mission Australia, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Save The Children Australia, Starlight Foundation, St Vincent de Paul, The Big Issue, Yalari and Youngcare.

16 SO, WHAT’S YOUR ANGLE?16

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPSWhether we’re supporting a charity through fundraising, or providing mentoring or scholarship opportunities for disadvantaged high school students, we offer multiple ways to facilitate and support the relationships our people develop with community partners.

ELEVATE RECONCILIATION ACTION PLANHerbert Smith Freehills launched its second Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in September 2018 - the highest endorsement from Reconciliation Australia. Since the launch of our first RAP in 2011, we’ve hosted 43 CareerTrackers interns across all of our Australian offices. Herbert Smith Freehills was awarded CareerTrackers’ highest accolade for businesses advancing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Herbert Smith Freehills provided a secondee to support the Indigenous Law Centre at UNSW in relation to the work being done on the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICESWe must always balance our growth as a business with doing what we can to reduce our impact on the environment. In 2017, Herbert Smith Freehills implemented a Global Sustainability Strategy with a global governance structure and we have established Global Sustainability Goals to be achieved by 2020.

We’re responsible for ensuring that our interactions with the environment are carefully managed, and that we minimise and mitigate negative impacts from our activities. We seek to achieve this through a program of continuous improvement. Where reasonable and practical, we endeavour to:

• Measure and manage each of our most significant environmental impacts of our operations

• Monitor sustainability management against our environmental policy

• Work collaboratively to engage in sustainability issues and develop, apply and promote best practice across the sector

• Work with external stakeholders to reduce our indirect environmental impact.

JAWUN SECONDMENTAll lawyers and business services staff have the opportunity to apply for a six week skills sharing Jawun secondment to support Indigenous communities in the East Kimberley. Herbert Smith Freehills also provides funding for Indigenous education and employment programs as well as tutoring, mentoring and business skills training for Indigenous High School students.

CHANGING LANDSCAPES – RIKI SALAM: WEARE27CREATIVE

“Red dust, incredible nature, and the most welcoming, hard-working and generous people are the things that I will remember from Jawun. The strong reputation of the Jawun program is evident by the generosity of the Indigenous people in the community – they welcomed us with open arms and shared their culture, their challenges, and their hopes with us. Sharing skills and learning from each other was such a rewarding experience and one that I will continue to benefit from professionally and personally“LUCY JACOBSEN, SOLICITOR, MELBOURNE

17HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS 17

Wherever you’re ultimately heading in your career, by starting out with Australia’s leading law firm, you’re already on a dynamic path. Bringing your unique perspective and seeking out the opportunities that exist here, you’ll shape the career you want and you’ll do it your way.

It’s this 360˚ approach to thinking that really sets our people apart and makes the most of their diverse skills and attributes.

SO, WHAT’S YOUR ANGLE?

KEY DATES BRISBANE MELBOURNE PERTH SYDNEY

Approximate number of positions

25-30 60-65 35-45 30-35

Clerkship programs 1 Summer & 1 Winter 1 Summer & 1 Winter 2 Summer & 1 Winter 1 Summer

Applications for all 2020/21 programs open

Monday 2 March 2020 Monday 6 July 2020 Monday 13 July 2020 Tuesday 9 June 2020

Applications for all 2020/21 programs close

Friday 27 March 2020 Monday 31 August 2020 Sunday 9 August 2020 Sunday 12 July 2020

Offers made Thursday 9 July 2020 Wednesday 28 October 2020

Friday 25 September 2020 Wednesday 28 September 2020

Please note: An application should only be submitted to the office where you intend to start your career as a graduate. Multiple applications will not be considered. We welcome applications for our Australian clerkship program from international penultimate year law students, provided that you have unrestricted legal working rights to work in Australia when you commence in your clerkship.

INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE PROGRAMS

In addition to our Australian programs, we have graduate programs in our UK and Hong Kong offices.

If you would like to start your career in one of these offices instead, please visit herbertsmithfreehills.com/careers for more information about eligibility, language requirements and how and when to apply. You will also find details of who to contact in our respective offices for more information.


TOP TIPS 1 PERSONALISE YOUR APPLICATION

Tailor your application by conducting thorough research. Our brochure, website and social media channels are good places to start. What stands out about us? The more you learn about us, our values and our areas of expertise, the more helpful it will be for your application: this proactive approach will demonstrate your motivation.

2 REMEMBER, IT’S A TWO-WAY PROCESS

Meet our people by visiting us at events or careers fairs. Think about who you will be meeting in advance and what you would like to ask them. Our lawyers can give you a real insight into who we are, what we do and how we do it. This is your chance to get to know us in a more informal environment and find out whether we are right for you.

3 LINK EXPERIENCE TO LAW

When talking about your experience, explain how the skills you have gained are relevant to a career in law – and to Herbert Smith Freehills specifically. Consider the way we work and the skills and abilities we look for to deliver high quality services to our clients.

HOW TO APPLYYou can apply online by visiting careers.herbertsmithfreehills.com/au/grads

Tell us about your academic credentials, the skills you have gained from extra-curricular activities and work experience, and why you have the motivation and potential to become a great Herbert Smith Freehills lawyer.

We’re committed to working with all candidates to enable them to demonstrate their potential throughout our process.

If you have any disability-related queries or would like to have a conversation with our team about adjustments, please contact your local Recruitment Contact.

4 WE ARE LOOKING FOR INDIVIDUALS

We recognise and value the differences that make us unique. By embracing diverse views, we can provide our clients with innovative solutions. Be yourself throughout the application process and emphasise the qualities that make you stand out.

If you are invited to a first round interview, we will also ask you to complete our online psychometric assessment beforehand.

There are no right or wrong answers to the questions – your responses simply provide insight into where your likely strengths lie.

5 SHOW YOUR POTENTIAL

We are not looking for the finished product and we know that gaining legal work experience is increasingly difficult. What we are looking for is your potential to become a Herbert Smith Freehills lawyer. Demonstrate the transferable skills you have gained through the experience you have – legal or non-legal.

We have also partnered with the Rare Contextual Recruitment System to help us to better gain a more complete picture of your experiences and the context in which these achievements have been gained.

6 CHECK AND DOUBLE-CHECK

Before you apply, don’t forget to double-check your application for typos.

GOOD LUCK!


HERBERTSMITHFREEHILLS.COM

JAMES KEANE Graduate Recruitment Manager

T +61 2 9322 4313 [email protected]

BrisbaneLEA SEFTON Graduate Recruitment Consultant T +61 7 3258 6740 [email protected]

MelbourneHONG LE Graduate Recruitment ConsultantT +61 3 9288 [email protected]

PerthJOSEPHINE TSE Graduate Recruitment ConsultantT +61 2 9322 4983 [email protected]

SydneyRACHEL KOK Graduate Recruitment AdviserT +61 2 9225 [email protected]

RECRUITMENT CONTACTS

NOF186936_2020_National Brochure v9/2107202020© Herbert Smith Freehills

so, what’s your angle?...so, what’s your angle? we’re looking for those who see things...

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