In this episode, Cat and Sam sit down with recent clerks Georgia Coleman and Hugo Miric to unpack the five things they wish they knew before applying for and completing their clerkships. From wardrobe malfunctions to cupcake controversies, Georgia and Hugo share candid stories, practical tips, and honest reflections on navigating the clerkship process. Looking for more info on clerkships? Your Clerkship Companion is our comprehensive guide to navigating the clerkship process. Check out our recen...
Jun 04, 2025•20 min•Ep. 30
Cat and Sam kick off clerkship application season for another year by exploring the dark art of CV writing with Thomas Wigglesworth, Talent Acquisition & Early Careers National Manager, and Vishaya Pracy, Lawyer in Technology, Media & Telecommunications. Is having a stacked resume the ultimate ticket to success? How do you find experience worthy of your CV? What does Allens look for when reviewing resumes? Thomas and Vishaya share their tips on framing your experience, the importance of ...
May 04, 2025•29 min•Ep. 29
In the final episode of Allens Confidential for 2024, Cat and Sam dive into the world of real estate with Partner Annabelle Aland and Senior Associate Lauren Cutuli. What sort of work do real estate lawyers do? What skills do they require? What makes it interesting? Annabelle and Lauren share their experiences in Real Estate, what they love about their jobs and how practising real estate differs from the (often deeply unpopular) university subject.
Nov 27, 2024•18 min•Ep. 28
Australia’s energy industry is in the midst of a monumental transformation, and it's keeping lawyers busy. Sam and Cat are joined by Projects Partner Dani Jones and Banking & Finance Partner Scott McCoy as they explore the role lawyers are playing in the energy transition. What's required for Australia's switch to clean energy? How does energy transition work differ from other work? How can junior lawyers get involved?
Nov 11, 2024•30 min•Ep. 27
Receiving clerkship offers is an exciting milestone for law students, but it can also feel all-consuming. In this special live recording of Allens Confidential from our recent pre-offer event in Sydney, Cat and Sam speak with lawyer Annie Reddick and senior paralegal Kei Shishido, who give their advice on how to navigate clerkship decision-making. Feeling overwhelmed about where to next? Check out our Clerkship Companion guide for tips on the process, next steps and how to formulate a plan B if ...
Oct 07, 2024•11 min•Ep. 26
Can junior lawyers work in an area of law in which they have no previous experience? Intimidating as it might seem, this week's episode reveals why diving into the unknown can often be the best move at the start of your career. In this episode, Cat and Sam meet Funds, Super and Financial Services partner Kerensa Sneyd and lawyer Curtis Haas to find out more about the practice area and what makes it special for early-career lawyers. What actually is funds, super and financial services? Do you nee...
Sep 23, 2024•38 min•Ep. 25
Picture this: you achieve your clerkship dreams, nab a spot at Allens and experience the glory of Australia's top internship program. But what happens next? Sam and Cat speak with current graduates Fahid Ifthekhar and Ruby Evans to explore what it's really like to be a grad at Allens. Fahid and Ruby share their experiences of work hours, flexibility, legal training, dress code, choosing rotations and managing imposter syndrome.
Aug 28, 2024•38 min•Ep. 24
Cat and Sam explore the wonderful world of Banking & Finance and the opportunities it offers for early career lawyers. Partner Jo Folan and Senior Associate Brian Kirkup join the podcast to explore what Banking & Finance lawyers actually do, the benefits of working overseas, career development opportunities and transferability of skills.
Aug 13, 2024•29 min•Ep. 23
As clerkship interview season kicks off, we ask a seasoned interviewer and a recent interviewee to give their top tips for making the most of your interview. Cat and Sam are joined by Sydney staff partner Sikeli Ratu and 2022-23 summer clerk Zoe Shim, who share their experiences of interviewing for clerkships. What's the best way to prepare for an interview? What should you talk about? What star characteristics are interviewers looking for? Got more questions? Don't forget to check out our Clerk...
Aug 02, 2024•42 min•Ep. 22
Workplace culture can be difficult to pin down from the outside, particularly when you're just starting out in your career. In this episode, Cat and Sam speak with Chief People Officer Sam Turner and Lawyer Tushaar Garg to get the inside track on Allens' culture and how it plays out at an individual level. What sets Allens' culture apart? Why is collaboration important? What's the deal with the non-siloed structure? Sam discusses the importance of expressing your true self and finding your peopl...
Aug 01, 2024•30 min•Ep. 21
Law firms often say they look for candidates who demonstrate commerciality, but what does that mean? Cat and Sam catch up with Partner and Head of M&A Vijay Cugati and Senior Associate Sassica Hoolahan to explore the concept of commerciality. What are law firms looking for? How do you develop it? What do you do if it comes up in an interview? Got a question for Cat and Sam? Let us know what's on your mind in our anonymous submission box . And don't forget to check out our Clerkship Companion...
Jun 17, 2024•23 min•Ep. 19
The most wonderful time of the year - clerkship recruitment season - is almost upon us, and we've appointed new Allens Confidential hosts to mark the occasion. Meet our new hosts, Cat Thomas and Sam Guzman, in a special teaser episode for our new season! Cat and Sam introduce themselves with a classic baptism of fire by sharing their nightmare fuel career missteps, as well as sharing their Allens origin stories and chequered history as friends. Got a question for our new hosts? Let us know what'...
Jun 06, 2024•6 min•Ep. 18
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...
Nov 01, 2023•24 min•Ep. 17
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.
Oct 24, 2023•27 min•Ep. 16
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 ...
Jul 26, 2023•24 min•Ep. 15
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 In...
Jul 05, 2023•27 min•Ep. 14
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.
May 25, 2023•25 min•Ep. 13
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 ....
Mar 14, 2023•49 min•Ep. 12
In part one of a special two-part episode, Mel and Tahlia are joined by People & Development Manager Samantha Dunn and Early Careers Consultant Katrina Calder to answer questions submitted by listeners. What are your pathways to Allens if you miss out on a clerkship? What's the deal with WAM cut-offs? Do you get paid enough to support your oat milk latte habit? Mel and Tahlia ask those in the know all these questions and more. Got more burning questions? Let us know what's on your mind in ou...
Dec 14, 2022•23 min•Ep. 11
How does someone end up in the law? In this deeply personal episode, hosts Mel and Tahlia speak with two of their fellow lawyers - Virginia Dore and Paddy O'Brien - about their significantly divergent lives, backgrounds and eventual paths to legal practice. It's an honest, heart-on-the-sleeve discussion that puts paid to many of the persistent stereotypes about lawyers, law students and life in a corporate firm, covering everything from childhood trauma and homelessness through to the expanding ...
Sep 16, 2022•34 min•Ep. 10
On 21 July 1822, 21-year-old George Allen became the first person to complete legal training in Australia. The very next day he founded what would become Australia's oldest law firm: Allens. In this very special episode, hosts Mel and Tahlia sit down with Allens Chair, Fiona Crosbie, and historian Jillian Maxwell to discuss the firm's bicentenary. Only a handful of Australian businesses have marked such a milestone and it sparked a great and amusing conversation about the firm's impact on the so...
Aug 18, 2022•24 min•Ep. 9
In this episode, Tahlia and Mel talk to two recent grads (including a former Allens Confidential host) about their experience as junior lawyers in the firm. They cover everything from: Rotations: how they're structured and how to nominate your preferences; Training and development opportunities; The LSA (Legal Services Award); Allens' non-silo approach; and Embarrassing stories / confessions (there are some doozies). If you've ever wondered what to expect from your first year as a lawyer in a bi...
Jun 07, 2022•33 min•Ep. 8
Mar 24, 2022•23 min•Ep. 7
Allens alumni can be found the world over, working in a remarkable array of roles and industries. In this episode, Caitlin and Will chat to two former lawyers - Jacqui Purcell and Nick Sinclair - who've both returned to Australia after stints in New York. 'Allens definitely punches above its weight on the global stage' says Nick, who's now the Senior Business Affairs and Legal Executive at Freemantle Media. Jacqui agrees. After working for one of the major investment firms in New York, she's now...
Jan 31, 2022•30 min•Ep. 6
Contrary to popular opinion, litigation isn't just well-crafted legal arguments and courtroom drama. According to Partner Ross Drinnan, disputes are 'fundamentally about human relationships and helping human interactions that have gone wrong to be put right'. In this episode, Ross joins Senior Associate and co-creator of Allens Confidential, Geneva Sekula, for a candid chat with Caitlin and Will, where they cover everything from early career experiences and mistakes (as well as how to fix them),...
Dec 16, 2021•24 min•Ep. 5
For Mental Health Month, we sat down with Allens Consulting Psychologist Greg Prescott to explore some of the mental health and wellbeing challenges faced by lawyers, why the incidence of mental illness is higher in our profession and how to proactively look after yourself and avoid a crisis.
Oct 29, 2021•32 min•Ep. 4
Clerkship season is once again in full swing: a time of great excitement, enormous possibility and (for most of us) nerves. Co-Staff Partner Rosannah Healy and Associate Erin Molony, both from the firm's Competition practice in Melbourne, join Caitlin and Will to discuss how best to prepare for interviews, what to expect in them and why it's not the end of the world if you don't get one. Rosannah, Erin, Caitlin and Will each share their memories of the process (both good and bad), and offer some...
Aug 27, 2021•30 min•Ep. 3
What's it like coming out at work? How do you do it? Why does it matter? Rachel Nicolson, Partner and joint head of the firm's ALLin LGBTQ+ network, and Andy Tolé, Law Graduate, join Caitlin and Will to discuss being out at work. Rachel, Andy, Caitlin and Will share their personal experiences and give their perspectives on how to navigate job applications, interviews, CVs and workplaces for identifying clerks and grads (and their allies). Explore more stories of Pride at Allens and find out more...
Jun 24, 2021•24 min•Ep. 2
Getting a job at a top-tier law firm can feel like an impossible prospect for a candidate whose school and uni results don't look a certain way on paper. How does it work if your background, education or experience don't match the stereotype? Caitlin and Will catch up with Grace Stals, head Paralegal in Sydney, and Manreet Singh, National Manager, Early Careers, to explore contextual recruitment, diversity and the industry-wide challenge of attracting the best candidates from different backgroun...
Jun 03, 2021•27 min•Ep. 1
We asked our recent summer clerks what they wish they'd asked before they'd started their clerkships. From maintaining motivation to imposter syndrome, collaboration and Caitlin's clicky shoes, our hosts share their wisdom. And, in an epic Allens Confidential milestone, Geneva hands over the mic to new host Will Berthelot.
Mar 01, 2021•26 min
