Allens Confidential Allens

Choosing a practice group for your clerkship or graduate rotations can feel overwhelming. How will your chosen path compare with uni study? Where can you get more information to weigh up the options? What if the reality doesn't match up with your expectations (read: cutting deals like an episode of Suits)? In this episode, Mel and Tahlia are joined by Senior Associate Tina Tran and Lawyer Tim Alice, who share their experience of choosing rotations and how those choices play out in practice. Tina and Tim also explain the difference between practice groups and sectors and how they impact day-to-day work. 

Managing Partner Richard Spurio joins Mel and Tahlia to share his experience of helming Australia's oldest law firm. Richard discusses his background, his pathway to Allens, what it's like to journey through the firm and what he's most proud of about Allens. He also shares his hot tips for prioritising wellbeing, seizing opportunities and keeping pace at Run Club.

You've handed in your clerkship application, crossed your fingers and toes, and gotten through to the next round. What happens next? Hosts Mel and Tahlia navigate their way through clerkship applications with Nick Ng, Brisbane Staff Partner and Government Sector Leader, and Renee Zou, Lawyer and co-author of Your Clerkship Companion, our start-to-finish guide to navigating the clerkship process. How do you get the most out of networking events? What's the best way to ace your interview? Is your clerkship buddy actually just a spy for the firm? Nick and Renee provide their insider tips on putting your best foot forward.
Explore Your Clerkship CompanionHear more about our making your application stand out and the Rare recruitment tool in part one of our Answering your questions episode

How can lawyers contribute to reconciliation? In this episode, hosts Mel and Tahlia speak with Lawyer Olivia Henderson and Community Engagement Manager Jodie Symes to discuss Allens' commitment to reconciliation and how junior lawyers can get involved. Olivia and Jodie share their perspectives on pro bono work, pathways to legal careers for First Nations students and the firm's new First Nations Engagement Plan.
Find out more about our First Nations Engagement Plan and our First Nations Legal Internships

In this episode, hosts Mel and Tahlia dive into the complex and bustling world of competition law. They're joined by Jacqui Downes (Head of Competition, Consumer and Regulatory) and Lloyd Hutson (Lawyer) to learn more about the team culture, fascinating legal issues, global opportunities and day-to-day minutiae.

In part two of a special two-part episode, Mel and Tahlia are joined by Technology, Media and Telecommunications Partner David Rountree to answer questions submitted by listeners. Covering the full spectrum of lunch breaks to international secondments, Mel, Tahlia and David discuss how TV lawyers compare with reality, when you might get your own office, how billable hours work and more. 
Still looking for answers? Let us know what's on your mind in our anonymous submission box.