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Three partners from a global law firm have offered a different perspective to the prevailing narrative about issues facing graduate lawyers, arguing opportunities to shine in the workplace are readily available.
In conversation with Lawyers Weekly, partners from the Sydney office of Clifford Chance espoused the view that new lawyers coming through the ranks are well placed to help shape the future of practice for BigLaw, and Australian graduates in particular have plentiful opportunities to stand out in the region.
“Graduates are now coming in and working on deals, engaging with clients more and can genuinely be part of the team.”
Tech advancements thus allow new lawyers entering firms to do far more than they would have been able to do even just five years ago, he argued, surmising that "there's never been a better time to be a grad" lawyer.
“A lot of the boring tasks have been taken away, and graduates can now rocket up the value chain in terms of what they can offer for firms on any given transactions,” Mr Currell said.
Fellow M&A and corporate partner Andrew Crook agreed, noting that technological awareness and practical skills possessed by the new generation meant that older lawyers in firms have to increasingly look to junior practitioners, rather than the other way around, when it comes to streamlining firm operations.
“One of the challenges that law firm leaders have – and it’s also a great opportunity – is that we have to accept that new graduates can have a leadership role to play in the firm when it comes to the widening of experiences of new technology and bringing those technological skills they have into the workforce,” he mused.
“We are a different generation, and we recognise that technology makes all of our lives easier, and grads have skills that older lawyers just don’t have. We have to remain open-minded about that.”
Grads are much better placed to showcase their skills when it comes to analysis, drafting, negotiation and other such tasks, Mr Crook continued, as firms who are up-to-date with new technologies no longer expect them do to the photocopying or pull out clauses from documents for cross-referencing anymore.
“It’s a challenging time to be a graduate, but also a very exciting time, as they can really step up faster than ever before, and firms like ours are looking for grads who are excited by this prospect,” he said.
And while the firm’s Australian managing partner Richard Gordon commented that it is more competitive getting into firms nowadays, what with reduced intakes and retention, those who are able to position themselves well will have plentiful opportunities for growth.
“If you’re part of a more focused, high-end firm and can secure a spot, the richness and quality of your career can be incomparable compared to what might have been the case if you’re one of 50,” he explained.
Not only this, but Australian graduates are exceptionally well-placed in light of the quality of our legal education relative to the rest of the world, Mr Gordon noted, with four of the top 20 law schools based in our country.
“If, from a regional perspective, you can combine your fantastic training with language skills and a global outlook, then big firms can enhance your career to no end,” he advised.
“It’ll open so many doors, and that’s quite an exciting thing for someone who is thinking about what steps they can take forward into the future.”
Jerome Doraisamy is the managing editor of Lawyers Weekly and HR Leader. He is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in New South Wales, and a board director of the Minds Count Foundation.
You can email Jerome at:
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Jerome Doraisamy
