International Clerkship Report

Alex Clayton, July 2006

Sponsoring Office:  London, England
Receiving Office:     Sydney, Australia

Before I left to start the international leg of my Clerkship I had already spent two weeks in the London office and had settled in really well, so I was hoping that the Sydney office would have a similar sort of atmosphere.  Luckily everyone was really friendly and approachable, and it made my first few (jetlagged!) days a lot easier.

For my four weeks in Sydney, I spent my time in the corporate department.  This allowed me to really get stuck in to the tasks undertaken in transactional work, including assisting in the due diligence process and looking at verification notes, as well as drafting clauses and summarising agreements.  I was kept really busy and this allowed me to refine my skills of time management and working under pressure!  It was also a real buzz to see reports go out and deals close that you were a part of.  The work was difficult but you were encouraged to ask questions and seek help if you needed it, and so you never felt out of your depth.  In addition, Graduate Recruitment in London were always available for any problems I encountered, and this was really reassuring, particularly in the first couple of weeks.

There is a big London contingent in the Sydney office and as soon as I arrived, they took me out for welcome drinks.   A big part of the International Summer Clerkship is the people you meet and spend your time with, and for me, they will remain one of the most memorable parts of my time abroad.

Outside of the office, Sydney is an amazing place in which to live and work, and I feel privileged to have seen the city from this perspective.  As well as the obvious sights of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, other highlights have been the Royal Botanical Gardens, whale watching, surfing at Bondi Beach and shopping in Paddington market.  The city as a whole is a very friendly place to be, so even if you are travelling around on your own, you always feel part of the atmosphere.

I still have four weeks of my placement to finish back in London, and I now feel sure that I will have a great time back there.  Before I came to Sydney I spent two weeks in the Dispute Resolution department, and was involved in a wide range of work including researching arbitration clauses, going to court, attending client meetings and preparing responses to client questions on potential litigation.  To be involved in such a broad spectrum of work, from potential disputes to litigation at an advanced stage, really gave me an insight into what the dispute resolution process can entail, and I feel much more informed on an area that is fairly neglected at degree level.

When I return to England I am going to spend two weeks in the Corporate department and two weeks in the Finance department, so by the time I leave the Firm I feel I will have obtained experience in almost the full range of work that Baker & McKenzie has to offer.  One thing that you realise at the Firm is that the opportunities here are endless, in terms of work and location.  You are actively encouraged to get involved in everything the departments have to offer, and this means you make so many friends along the way.

Although when I get back I will be involved in the official summer programme for the London clerks, I have never felt that the International Clerkship is short of social opportunities!  In fact, I feel that you probably get a more focused and realistic view of the Firm because you are often in the office outside of the London intakes.  To date, my impressions of the Firm have surpassed all my expectations, and I can't emphasise enough what a great opportunity this is and what a fantastic place this is to work.