RONAN MADDOX

SEASONAL CLERK INTAKE: 2023/2024
Area of rotation: Banking & Finance (Securitisation),
Mergers & Acquisitions (Cross-Border Mergers & Acquisitions)
University: University of Technology Sydney
Degree: Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Business (Finance)

What kind of work did you complete during your clerkship?

During my clerkship, I had the opportunity to actively participate in many diverse and engaging tasks. On my first day in Banking & Finance, I was responsible for drafting letters and amending transactional documents. In cross-border M&A, I was fortunate enough to attend a client meeting alongside my partner, conduct thorough due diligence, and draft an advice memorandum regarding corporate structures.

What was the application and interview process like?

The recruitment process at KWM was quite unique compared to other firms. The interviews were conducted in a conversational manner, with the emphasis being on my interests and how they have contributed to my personal growth. Moreover, the networking events were a fantastic opportunity to engage with KWM lawyers and gain insights into the nature of work within different practice areas.

What kind of support did you receive as a clerk?

Every clerk is assigned a buddy and development coach within their respective teams who offer easily accessible assistance with daily tasks. My buddy was more than happy to answer any general development questions I had, which I really appreciated. Furthermore, the informal coffee catch-ups with fellow clerks each morning also provided a great opportunity to share our experiences!

What kind of training did you receive? What opportunities for learning and growth have you been offered at KWM?

During the first few days of the clerkship, we participated in training sessions that covered various aspects of life at the firm, advanced research techniques, time-recording, and effective practice management. This initial training served as a solid foundation for the informal learning and development that occurred from completing practical tasks within each practice group.

What is the culture like at KWM?

KWM encourages a supportive culture, that particularly focuses on learning and development of young lawyers. I found that both my teams valued my opinion, and actively went out of their way to ensure that my clerkship experience was full of opportunities to learn and develop my legal skills.

What are you most proud of throughout your clerkship?

I was most proud of the improvement in my legal skills in such a short period of time. My development coach provided me with constant constructive feedback that I was able to effectively implement each following day. This reflective learning process undoubtedly contributed to the rapid development of my understanding of complex legal concepts.

Why did you choose King & Wood Mallesons?

I knew that joining the firm would naturally afford me the chance to collaborate with lawyers who excel in every facet of their respective fields. At the networking evenings, it was easy to see that senior KWM lawyers are highly motivated to contribute to the development of young lawyers in their teams.

SIENA LUMBACA

SEASONAL CLERK INTAKE: 2023/2024
Area of rotation: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A); Dispute Resolution (DR)
University: Australian National University
Degree: Flexible Double – LLB (Hons) & Bachelor of Arts

What kind of work did you complete during your clerkship?

I completed a whole range of different work while in my two rotations. While in M&A I spent a lot of time helping conduct significant research on a niche area of law for a matter regarding a large Government client; I also helped create an End User Licence Agreement (EULA) template precedent which was a fantastic opportunity to engage with the transactional side of law which we do not experience much in university. While in DR, I worked across many administrative law matters, including FOI, property disputes, and AAT proceedings, where I attended many hearings and took notes. This was a fantastic way to be directly immersed in these matters.

What was the application and interview process like?

My application and interview experiences were very positive; so much so that they played into my decision to choose KWM. Particularly, my interviewers did not simply ask pre-planned generic questions about the law or ask just me ‘about a time I experienced conflict in the workplace’, they asked questions to genuinely get to know me as a person. This showed me KWM has a genuine care and interest in their staff beyond their academic capabilities, and candidates are viewed holistically.

Why did you choose King & Wood Mallesons?

I chose KWM because I truly felt it was the right fit for me. After visiting and researching lots of firms, I realised every firm would be able to provide me great legal experience and career opportunities. However, the culture at KWM is what set it apart from the others. The people are so warm and welcoming that it made me feel like I could do the same and come out of my shell. This was most important to me as I knew I would be able to grow the most in an environment that I feel supported and connected to.

What was your clerkship experience vs. your initial expectations?

Initially, I expected that as a clerk, I would have minimal involvement with clients and tangible legal work and make a limited impact on matters outcomes. However, my actual experience was the opposite. I was given numerous opportunities to be part of client meetings, counsel calls, hearings, and even attend a client event with my team. I felt very involved and immersed into the work throughout my entire clerkship, in contrast to my initial expectations.

Do you have any advice to give prospective clerks?

I truly feel the application process, despite it being tough, is one of the best learning experiences you will ever have – especially at such a young age. But the most important thing to remember is not to let the process define you and your capabilities. At the end of the day, this is a great stepping stone to a legal career, but it it’s not the only one if things do not go as planned. Just be yourself and know that is all anyone can ever ask of you.

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KWM graduate induction 2023

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Together we Learn, Together we Master, Together we Lead

Words Can Empower