The benefits

Griffin expressed that boutique firms implementing clerkship programs not only serve as an opportunity for identifying top talent but also as a chance to “pay it forward” by providing law students with substantive learning experiences.

She said: “In an age where businesses are in a rush to replace junior-level tasks with AI and automation, clerkships offer a unique and valuable experience to law students as they take their first steps into the profession.”

A significant advantage that Griffin highlighted is the capacity of clerkship programs to serve as an effective strategy for boutique firms to compete with larger firms in attracting and nurturing the most talented individuals entering the legal profession.

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“A quality clerkship program can be used to play to a boutique firm’s strengths – and allow smaller firms access to a cohort of talented lawyers that are typically only open to top-tier firms. We are all competing for the best talent in the market,” she said.

Griffin also explained that offering clerkship programs can “set your firm up for success in terms of building a pipeline of talent”.

She said: “Clerkships are highly sought after amongst students, being in the mix enables firms to promote themselves amongst law students, helping their chances for recruitment from those students (whether it be for clerkships, or later for graduates).”

Additionally, Griffin contended that one of the most significant benefits of offering a clerkship program is the “energising and invigorating bringing in law students”, as “their passion and enthusiasm for the law and the work is contagious”.

What makes boutique clerkships stand out

While numerous law students may be more inclined to pursue clerkships at larger firms, Griffin articulated the distinctive skills and experiences that can be acquired through clerkships at boutique firms.

Griffin emphasised that one notable advantage of clerking at a boutique firm is the opportunity to engage with and work across a diverse range of practice areas.

She highlighted the benefits of this experience, particularly for students who are “still unsure to which area they [are] keen to specialise [in]”, as it allows them to gain experience in a wide range of legal areas before making a decision.

Another significant advantage identified by Griffin is that boutique firms generally operate with a smaller cohort of clerks. This structure provides students with opportunities to be “exposed to the best work and the opportunity for direct client interface”.

She also elaborated that being a part of a smaller cohort of clerks facilitates opportunities for students to acquire more practical and “hands-on” experience, which may not be as readily available at larger firms.

Additionally, Griffin expressed that as boutique law firms sometimes engage in smaller legal matters, it enables clerks to observe a case “from beginning to end”.

She explained the advantages of this exposure, stating: “It allows the clerk to see where their work fits into the wider scheme of things. Further, it gives them a greater understanding of the range of skills a successful lawyer needs to possess, from client management and commerciality through to communication skills.”

How to successfully implement clerkship programs

For boutique law firms considering starting a clerkship program, Griffin advises that it’s essential to get in front of law students early, noting that this can be effectively achieved by participating in career fairs and summer clerkship information sessions.

“Careers fairs and summer clerkship information events provide great opportunities for firms to showcase their clerkship programs and opportunities. We’ve found that it’s most important to be in sync with the application schedule of the big firms; otherwise, you will miss out on the most talented students,” she said.

However, she acknowledged that for boutique firms with limited resources and insufficient time to devote to this endeavour, “it’s not always feasible to set up and attend careers fairs, and in the early days, that was true for us”.

She added: “It seemed overwhelming putting together the resources to attend a career fair (in particular getting some appealing merch!) However, we started our clerkship journey by tapping our networks. Many of our early clerks came through clients and legal colleagues, and law students who were proactive sought us out through their connections.”

To overcome this challenge, Griffin recommends that boutique firms seek opportunities to engage directly with law students. He points out that law student societies “offer a range of ways to engage with students, as well as the faculties themselves – for example, through panels or student workshops”.