What’s your employer doing and what are your areas of responsibility?
Established in 1882, Sparke Helmore is a truly integrated, award-wining national firm that looks to the future. Sparke Helmore covers five key areas of law – Corporate and Commercial, Commercial Insurance, Government, Statutory Lines, and Workplace - with more than 30 specialised areas of expertise.
I am a Law Graduate in the Risk and Compliance team in the Sydney office. The team focuses on assessing risks the firm may undertake and ensure we are complying with the Modern Slavery reporting requirement. I predominantly work on contract reviews to determine whether the contract the firm is considering entering into has fair and equitable terms. This is to ensure we are keeping the firm’s best interest at the forefront to help with long-term growth. When we receive a contract for review, my tasks generally include an initial analysis of the terms, collaborative discussions with my colleagues and supervising partner and then the drafting of preliminary advice where we identify possible clauses to be aware of and recommendations of changes to consider.
Sparke Helmore has a very strong Pro Bono team and as a Graduate, I am excited to be involved in engaging with the team and volunteering at Marrickville Legal Centre. The team ensures that as a Graduate you are paired with a junior or senior lawyer, and you’re exposed to a wide range of different legal issues that you may not have come across working at a corporate firm. It also gives you the opportunity to network, and learn how other lawyers at the firm conduct their matters and how they engage with clients.
What's your background?
I grew up in Sydney’s Inner West and went to school locally.
I studied for a Bachelor of Arts (International Relations) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and then pursued a Juris Doctor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). At UNSW I also had the opportunity to attend Summer School at the London School of Economics (LSE).
In 2019 I was a Trade and Investment Intern with the Fiji Consulate General and Trade Commission (ANZ). At UTS I was involved with the UTS Law Students’ Society where I was the Post-Graduate Representative and was a Member of the Faculty Board in Law. In these two roles, I was able to help students connect with each other, establish resume workshops for post-graduate students and help students during the Pandemic by relaying their concerns to the Faculty. I also volunteered as a Research Assistant with Women’s Safety. I first joined Sparke Helmore as a paralegal in the Commercial Insurance (CTP) team in 2021 and then applied to the August 2022 graduate program. For my first rotation I remained in the team I started with as I was interested in furthering my understanding of the litigation process and CTP. In February 2023, I rotated to Risk & Compliance as I wanted to gain transactional experience. The exposure to litigation and transactional work has been fantastic and the firm has been incredibly encouraging that I gain a variety of experiences for my professional development.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Yes! A large part of being a lawyer is using your creativity to think outside the box to help bring a different perspective on the issue you are working on. At Sparke Helmore, you will find there is a diverse range of people who have engaged in different disciplines. I find this to be the best part of the firm because it makes you more engaged with your colleagues and helps to challenge your thinking beyond what you know.
What’s the coolest thing about your job?
The autonomy and responsibility you receive as a young lawyer are unmatched and are something I have experienced within different practice areas. While it may seem daunting initially, you’re given these tasks because your Partners and Senior Associates know that you are capable of the tasks that they give you. At any time should you have questions or want to bounce around ideas, your colleagues are more than happy to chat either by knocking on their door or by giving them a quick call. It is these discussions that help foster your growth and help you remain curious about each matter or contract you work on.
What are the limitations of your job?
With the autonomy and responsibility given to you, your workload can sometimes be overwhelming. However, should this be the case it is key to communicate this with your Partner or Senior Associate – they are there to help you! As a Graduate and junior lawyer, it is important to remember that you’re not expected to know everything, which is why it is so important to communicate any difficulties you may have.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student