About Clayton Utz
How would you describe the culture at Clayton Utz?
Our culture is founded on the behavioural values of trust, respect and co-operation and our foundation value of highest ethical standards. They underpin everything we do. It affects the way we approach each other and our work, our service to our clients and our community involvement.
In what areas of law does Clayton Utz practise?
Clayton Utz has 14 national practice groups:
Banking & Financial Services
Commercial Litigation
Competition
Corporate, M&A, Capital Markets
Environment & Planning
Forensic and Technology Services
IP & Technology
Major Projects & Construction
Public Sector
Real Estate
Restructuring & Insolvency
Tax
Workplace Relations, Employment & Safety
Pro Bono
What sort of work does Clayton Utz do?
As one of Australia's leading law firms, we advise Australia's top financial institutions, multinational corporations, and state and Australian government departments and agencies. We advise Australian-based clients with a need for help on offshore transactions, and foreign entities who are investing or doing business in Australia. With over 180 years' experience of operating in the Australian and global economy for home-grown and foreign clients, we have a track-record of getting the job done well … and without fuss.
We also act for low-income and vulnerable people who cannot obtain Legal Aid, and the not-for-profits which support them, in more than 1,000 matters each year. Pro bono is a fundamental part of Clayton Utz, and every one of our lawyers, at every level of seniority, is expected to perform pro bono work.
Are there any international secondment opportunities at Clayton Utz?
We have formal and informal international placement programs with various leading law firms around the world that see Clayton Utz lawyers living and working in London, New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
Our Japanese exchange program with leading Japanese law firms and trading houses involves extended secondments both to and from Japan for graduates and lawyers.
What's Clayton Utz doing about gender equality in the workplace?
Plenty! Gender is recognised as a priority area under the Firm's Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) strategy. Our approach is multi-faceted and includes maintaining its WGEA Employer of Choice status (EOCGE citation); running our highly regarded "Momentum" program (a national initiative focused on women); promoting flexible work practices; setting gender KPIs for our people and setting (and achieving) gender targets. Listen to Sonia's story to hear more about flexibility at CU.
Is there support for the LGBTI community at Clayton Utz?
Yes, and it continues to grow in strength! The "LGBTI Alliance" (our LGBTI program) is an essential part of our diversity agenda and is actively promoted by our Chief Executive Partner. It's about encouraging an environment that maximises opportunities for our people to achieve business success and career satisfaction regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status. The role and activities of the LGBTI Alliance are focused around fostering an LGBTI inclusive culture within the Firm, connecting with the broader LGBTI community, developing internal policies, training and education. Listen to Luke's story to hear more about our LGBTI Alliance.
What about cultural diversity?
At Clayton Utz, our people come from a wide range of backgrounds and have different skills, interests, personalities and capabilities. We are committed to an inclusive culture in which all of our people are recognised for their unique contributions and are encouraged and supported to achieve their full potential. Diversity at Clayton Utz includes diversity of thought, background, experience, personal circumstances, education, religion, sexuality, gender, age, ethnicity and ability/disability. That diversity helps to generate new ideas, creates more effective teams and relationships, and is a key enabler to attract, develop and retain the very best people. To assist us in gathering relevant information during our Clerkship and Graduate application process we have partnered with a company called Rare Recruitment. Read more about Rare Recruitment here.
About the recruitment process
Is there a minimum GPA required to apply for a clerkship?
Strong academic grades are important. However, we consider the entire application and assess candidates based on a range of competencies.
I'm an international student, can I apply to the Clerkship Program?
Our Clerkship Program is a pipeline for our Graduate Program. International students may apply if they are able to work full time during the program and if they are able to apply for the correct visa entitlements to work unrestricted in Australia once they have graduated. Graduates need to independently attain the correct work visa.
What sort of person are you looking for?
We're looking for people who are personable, practical, commercially-savvy, as well as flexible. Our lawyers undertake complex and innovative legal work, so it's important that our clerks and graduates are motivated individuals who aren’t afraid of a challenge.
We are also interested in learning more about your outside interests. You need to be able to balance your professional and personal lives, and have fun!
Most importantly, we are looking for people we'd enjoy working alongside. We want clerks and graduates who embody the firm's behavioural values of trust, respect and co-operation and our foundation value of highest ethical standards in all that they do.
How long before I finish my studies can I apply for a clerkship?
The Clerkship Program is aimed at students who are in their penultimate year of university.
If you are in your final year of study, please outline in your application why you couldn't complete a clerkship in your penultimate year by answering the relevant question.
Can I apply to undertake a clerkship in more than one State?
Yes you can be considered for more than one State. If you have a genuine interest in working in a Clayton Utz office outside of the State in which you are studying you can be considered for a clerkship. You will need to apply to that office directly – remember, dates vary between offices so make sure you're using the correct local application date.
If you have already undertaken a clerkship in one office and apply to another, it's important to mention this in your application.
Accessibility and Inclusion
We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment process. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments during the application or selection process, please contact the relevant location’s Graduate Resourcing Consultant under the Graduate team page.
About the Clerkship Program
Can I choose the practice group/s I want to work in during my clerkship?
Practice groups are allocated based on a combination of your preference and the business needs of the firm.
What sort of work will I do during my clerkship?
There is no set routine and allocated work will depend largely on the practice group and its specific needs at the time. However, some common responsibilities include:
- Research;
- Writing clients memos/letters;
- Attending client meetings with lawyers;
- Attending court with lawyers;
- Pro bono work;
- Liaising with internal colleagues; and
- Assisting with the preparation of matters for hearings.
About the Legal Graduate Program
Will completing a clerkship stand me in good stead to obtain a graduate role at Clayton Utz?
Yes, because we're planning to continue to recruit our graduates from our clerkship programs.
Am I able to defer a graduate offer for 12 months to travel, be a Judge's associate, or complete a Masters program?
This will be at the discretion of the office to which you apply and dependent on the graduate numbers for the current and following year. Please remember to raise this during the application process.
What training do you provide to your graduates?
Clayton Utz has a structured training program that all graduates will participate in. It commences with a 2.5 week national orientation program. Once you have settled in your practice group your development journey continues with a range of workshops, on-line learning, coaching and mentoring conversations.
During my graduate year, will I be stuck in one practice group?
Your graduate year is a great time to experiment, so experiencing different practice groups is a key component of our graduate program. You'll complete 3 rotations of 6 months.
Will Clayton Utz support my postgraduate study?
Once you've finished the Graduate Program, Clayton Utz supports the development of its people through tuition assistance and/or study leave to help them obtain relevant postgraduate qualifications.
Can I move to other Clayton Utz offices?
As a national firm we do national projects, so there is the potential of working in other offices.
We also have a domestic mobility policy to support employees who want to move to other Clayton Utz offices, permanently or temporarily.