Everything you need to know about clerking not mentioned from the firm’s vision statement and that cool associate you met at the cocktail night. The investigative team at the Obiter has broken down each firm for you, in language you’ll understand.
1. Stone and Wood Mallesons
Ranked at the top of the table in all practice areas, Mallesons is the place to be if you have an interest in Soju, Tsingtao, and Sake, due to the Asian practice the firm maintains. Founding partners David Stone and Johann Wood also have the distinction of founding beer company 'Stone and Wood' in the 1960s. This was seen as an economic way of keeping the firm supplied with alcohol, with a work hard play hard culture that never stops. Interestingly, the firm maintains a Byron Bay office, popular amongst personality hires for "thong Thursday." In the Australian sense of course.
2.Thomson Beer
An upper mid-tier firm, Thomson Beer has a number of interesting practice areas for the discerning clerk. A focus on media and defamation law provide a nice change from M&A. Many of the defamation teams' clients are attracted by the reputation the firm has for proving the defence of truth. Barbara Thomson, founder of the firm, was a great believer in the power of beer to induce confessions, and a believer in hidden microphones to record them. As such, she made 'Beer' a name partner due to the amount of work it did.
3. A&O Beerman
Following a recent merger between Allen & Overy and Beerman Sterling, the Magic Circle player has a new spring in its step. Although only possessing Perth and Sydney offices, A&O Beerman retains a solid roster of blue chip clients. Unfortunately, the Beerman and Sterling crowd is finding the New South Wales night-life scene a little uninspiring, wich has impacted graduate retention.
4. Allens Drinklaters
Australia's hard-working clerks surely deserve a cold drink after a week of 14 hour days, however with the partnership between Allens and Drinklaters, the uptight British firm's culture has had an impact on the social scene at the firm, making it worthy of the name "drinklaters." However, it's never later, and the drink is never had.
5. Herbert Smith Freebeers
A top firm in both prestige and work quality, the culture at HSF has moved in thr opposite direction to that of Allens Drinklaters. Indeed, with the recent introduction of AI editors, it was considered feasible to swap the water in the coolers for beer, increasing worker output and hours, whilst also raising morale. Truly an outstanding move worthy of Freebeers.
6. White & Case
The Big American, White & Case. At first, the name seemed a bit odd in the Australian market. However, time has proven the firm to be of sterling quality in regards to its clerkship program, particularly at the Melbourne office, which features the famous "Case Race" event. Here, a team of associates attempts to finish a slab of VB before the Clerks can, which is always a close run thing. Outstanding racers in the clerk team can be sure of a return offer.
7. Carton Utz Self-explanatory.
This is the firm for you if you like all play and no work. Producing statesmen such as Julie Bishop and John Howard, the art of booze schmoozing and diplomacy is perfected at the many long lunches throughout the clerkship program. Fortunately a similar AI tool to that of Freebeers' has been developed to assist in working following said lunches.
8. Corrs Chambers Spritzgarth
A newcomer challenging for a spot in the Big 6, and a more classy sort of firm, Spritzgarth does not encourage clerks to engage in beer drinking and general tomfoolery. Instead, an approach characterised by Aperol and Campari dominates the social scene at the firm, generally served on rooftop terraces where they can look down on their former peers in the midtiers. The firm places a strong regard on academic achievement, sometimes at the expense of culture.
9. McGuinness Wilson
Founded in 1922 by Irish lawyers McGuinness and Wilson, the firm takes a rather revolutionary approach to the clerkship application process. Instead of the usual questions, cover letter, and psychometric testing, the only requirement to make it to the second round of interviews is a minimum GPA of 5. Second round interview takes place in a group setting at Irish Murphy's, conveniently located across the road from the firms offices. Aspiring clerks are ranked by pints of Guinness consumed.
10. Ashthirst
Charging ahead in the chambers rankings, Ashurst is thirsty for glory, seeking its place at the top of the top tiers. This drive for success is accompanied by a distinct lack of social culture at the firm, as reported by many previous clerks. Indeed, Ashthirst is so named due to the fact that everyone from Senior Associate down is perenially thirsty, denied even a light and refreshing summer lager. The firm is thus perfectly suited for the mooters among us.
11. G+T Gilbert and Tobin
G+T. Need we say more?
12. MinterSinkemson
One of the most confident firms in the Australian market, MinterSinkemson is reported to have a strong focus on social and cultural pursuits. Indeed, the unofficial motto of the firm is to "sink 'em son." However, with the ever increasing female presence at the firm, this is up for change to a more gender neutral term.
