Job Satisfaction at Herbert Smith Freehills

My role has, essentially, been to act as a sponge. Take in as much about the culture of the team and the firm as I do about the law and the work. My day to day responsibilities would include managing email correspondence and document management systems, doing drafting or proofing work, and helping out other Brisbane and interstate teams that are stretched with time intensive work in things like document review.

I am responsible as the junior lawyer on a range of matters that I have worked on since I started the graduate program. This allows me to develop client relationships and familiarity with the subject matter. My tasks include emailing clients updates, responding to client queries, amending contracts based on client or partner feedback and attending client meetings. As I have progressed in the graduate program, my responsibilities have increased at a rate that challenges me and allows me to grow.

Graduate role - tasks range from having a first go at reviewing and drafting documents, preparing pitch proposals to potential clients and assisting the team with document management when closing a deal.

No day looks the same. My day can involve a range of tasks, for example: assisting reviewing documents, drafting, FIRB applications, and research.

As a graduate, I am usually the person to take the first pass and review of any transaction or other documents that come in, and any drafts of correspondence, advice and transaction documents. I am responsible for some aspects of upwards management and being across much of the granular detail in a given matter to support the higher-level judgments calls that my seniors would typically make.

Range of corporate matters, including drafting documents, attending meetings, assisting with presentations.

Day-to-day responsibilities involve real client work (eg drafting agreements and advices and undertaking research on critical legal issues). There is also administrative work, but it is minimal and somewhat informative in any event.

As a recently admitted graduate lawyer, day-to-day responsibilities very greatly and can include corresponding with clients, undertaking first drafts of project documents, proofing and indexing execution versions of documents, preparing written letters of advice to attending graduate specific training and professional development activity sessions.

I am really busy on a wide variety of work. Each day I may work on 8 - 10 different matters, which could range from a due diligence on a major transaction, to investigating misconduct in the workplace, to defending a company in a general protections dispute. Every day is different and as a result I feel as though I'm constantly learning.

As a grad I get to be hands on and take responsibility for my work as I build in my skills. Day-to-day I get to do the first draft of agreements, complete legal research and do some due diligence for larger deals.

High quality, interesting level of work. Good exposure to different matters, clients and sectors. Assisting with various stages of transactions, sometimes directly with partners but also with juniors and SA's.

My day-to-day role and responsibilities is varied - there is an element of work flow delegated to me, and also opportunities to volunteer to get involved in different aspects of my immediate practice group as well as the work of the broader firm. There would be a mix of face to face and online meetings with clients and colleagues, drafting advices (on word, PPT or email), researching new principles, standards or frameworks that apply to my practice area. As well as my team, I also find myself working with colleagues outside of my practice group on most of my matters which is a good relationship building opportunity.

A broad range of tasks and matters, ranging from drafting contracts to advising on projects. Seniors are willing to get the juniors involved with all of their work, even if it is merely for our learning/experience.

I am often drafting the first cut of the agreements, preparing correspondence to client, sometimes even chatting to the clients.

Doing first drafts of documents, liaising with opposition counsel on transaction matters, will run meetings of lesser importance.

Lawyer in Corporate team - drafting contracts.

Conducting research into points of law. Attending Court and taking notes. Reviewing witness statements and evidence. Preparing trial bundles.

Legal research and problem solving. Reviewing documents, such as contracts, and then drafting advice.

Assisting and shadowing senior solicitors and partners on matters. Drafting emails, letters, legal documents.

My role is a junior solicitor assisting on all manner of tasks. I frequently draft short form advices to clients, review employment contracts and other employment related documents. I attend various trainings.