Updating Results

Baker McKenzie

4.3
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Phoebe Chorin

I enjoyed all of my rotations for different reasons and learnt how important it was to have a diverse range of experiences

Life as a Graduate at Baker McKenzie

My journey with Baker McKenzie began during my seasonal clerkship with the Melbourne office in February 2019. During my clerkship in the Construction team, I was exposed to litigious work that was both complex and engaging and was able to meaningfully contribute to this work by preparing research memoranda, attending strategy meetings with clients and counsel and then contributing to subsequent tasks. The people at Baker McKenzie were warm and welcoming and made me feel like I was a genuine part of their team. I had a truly enjoyable experience and felt appreciated and valued from the get-go. With such a friendly culture and many incredible international opportunities, it was an easy decision to select Baker McKenzie for my graduate program and as the firm to build the foundations of my career.

Building the foundations

In Melbourne, Baker McKenzie graduates undertake three rotations of four months each.

First, I rotated through the Construction team, the same team I had clerked with one year prior. The beginning of my rotation coincided with the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Melbourne. It wasn't long before we were all working remotely and adjusting to working from home. It was a challenging transition for our new graduate cohort but we genuinely felt so supported by our teams and the Firm - having regular team meetings/catch ups, informal check-ins by partners and lawyers, and regular catch ups with our HR consultant and graduate group.

During my Construction rotation, I was fortunate to work on two litigious matters and was closely involved in evidence preparation and matter management for both. The first matter ultimately settled! However, it was a highly technical dispute which had been on foot for almost four years, so it was interesting to be a part of the negotiation and settlement process. The second matter proceeded to a virtual hearing which put me in good stead for my next rotation.

My second rotation was in the Dispute Resolution team. Shortly after joining the team, I had the opportunity to work on a commercial dispute in the County Court. Again, in response to our second Melbourne lockdown, what was initially slated to be an in-person hearing quickly shifted to a 10-day virtual hearing. As I was deemed to be the expert in virtual hearings, I was able to play a key role in this matter. It was remarkable to have such significant and hands-on trial experience as a graduate, and directly deal with our client and barristers. Although I am no longer working in a litigious environment, I am grateful to have learnt so much during this rotation. For the remainder of my rotation, I worked on a variety of matters ranging from ASIC investigations and a white-collar crime dispute.

My final rotation was in the Intellectual Property & Technology ("IPTech") team. IPTech work in Melbourne includes a range of advisory and transactional work relating to intellectual property, data and privacy law, and technology. As a graduate, I had the opportunity to draft advice for very large global companies regarding their contracts or data and privacy practices. I also localised foreign contracts to comply with Australian law and assisted in due diligence tasks having an intellectual property focus.

I enjoyed all of my rotations for different reasons and learnt how important it was to have a diverse range of experiences, as it enabled me to develop a diverse array of skills. That said, having studied both law and science at university, I always enjoyed the overlap between these two disciplines and this fed into me preferencing the IPTech team as my permanent group. Since having settled in this team, I have no doubt that I made the right choice for me.  

Being a global associate

Since settling in IPTech and becoming a permanent member of the team, I feel that I have found my feet. The graduate year can be challenging, particularly in terms of navigating new areas of law and the steep learning curve that presents itself every four months when you join a new team. The transition from a graduate to an associate was exciting in the sense that I could forge forward in my chosen area of law and develop my skills in my practice area. The relationships that I have established with the IPTech team nationally (across Melbourne and Sydney) since settling have also contributed to my fulfilment at work.

Juniors in IPTech (whether you are a clerk, graduate or junior associate) are all exposed to the range of matters and tasks mentioned above. The context and subject matter in our work is diverse and vast but always with a focus on intellectual property or technology. I feel that I am constantly learning while also strengthening many diverse and generalist skills that are crucial to the success of a commercial lawyer. In IPTech we also assist global clients and our international Baker McKenzie colleagues with multi-jurisdictional matters where we advise on particular points of law from an Australian perspective.  Some of the most exciting tasks I have undertaken include researching and preparing advice for world-renowned clients and developing a better understanding of their products/services.

Baker McKenzie also strongly encourages working on pro bono matters. I currently volunteer for the Women's Legal Service Victoria and have recently assisted with a large-scale global project regarding domestic violence, its presence in Australia and its interaction with our legal system. Working on matters like these are extremely rewarding and important - and enable us to have a meaningful impact.

Importantly, Baker McKenzie has a Wellbeing Committee and I am proud to actively participate in this committee. We focus on the wellbeing of our colleagues and regularly meet to discuss initiatives to increase connectivity across the Firm and provide mental health and wellbeing support. The BakerWellbeing Committee is always ensuring that people are looked after and that there are genuine means for people to take care of their wellbeing at work.

Social events are also a big part of working at Baker McKenzie. We have an enthusiastic Social Committee who arrange many of our Firm's events (our annual BBQ and lawn bowls night, end of year and end of financial year parties, run club, netball, book club, regular Friday night drinks, footy tipping competitions, lunches and much more). These events have been invaluable for new-starters and for all staff to connect with others around the firm after a year largely in lockdown.

To wrap up…

Baker McKenzie is a wonderful place to work with such friendly, genuine and caring people - many of which have become my close friends. I am so pleased to have started my legal career at Baker McKenzie and look forward to all of the future possibilities and opportunities with much enthusiasm.